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Comparison of effort in 2013-14 with earlier years
for each weed type (see comments below)
for the Total Effort, for the Reserve only or for the Neighbouring paddocks only
Total Effort (Reserve plus Bottom Pinnacle plus North Kama)
For month by month comparisons of weeding effort against previous seasons for each weed type, see
the weed type monthly history
| Weed type
| Comparative
Effort
(relative to last season) | Likely reasons
|
| African Lovegrass
| similar | Although the amount of effort is about the same overall, more effort has been spent on the Reserve than in previous seasons. |
| St. Johns Wort |
more |
Although there was probably no more St. John's wort this season than last season, the spraying season was started earlier than previously because of the warmer start to the season and by starting spraying prior to flowering. This has required more repeat visits to each paddock. Spraying has also been carried on into Autumn. |
| Blackberries |
much less |
Major blackberry patches on both the Reserve and the neighbouring paddocks have now been brought under control, and only checking for and spraying minor regrowth is required, as well a dealing with new small plants. |
| Briars |
less |
On the Reserve both number and size of briars are smaller than previously, requiring much less time. In addition, many small briars died from drought this season. Despite carrying out the first thorough sweep of Bottom Pinnacle this season, the total effort for the season to date is still less, suggesting a decline in numbers. However, there is likely to have been a flush of germinations with the March rainfall that may not yet have been detected, and a busy briar Spring is anticipated. |
| Cootamundra wattle |
similar |
|
| Saffron thistles |
much more |
More Saffron thistles were in evidence this season compared to last season, and treatment commenced earlier than in previous seasons by spraying, daubing and grubbing. A considerable amount of scything and two major brushcutter slashing sessions were held at the peak of the season. This was followed up by further slashing and grubbing of re-flowering plants. In late Autumn, as the rosettes for the next season began appearing, spraying was carried out in the areas known to be most heavily infested. |
| Horehound |
much less |
Horehound is decreasing in prevalence across the Reserve and neighbouring paddocks in response to treatment in previous seasons, and minimal spraying has been done so far this season. |
| Verbascum |
less |
Less than last season and much less than the season before, despite more effort being spent in the neighbouring paddocks. Prevalence is much less compared with 2011-12, but similar to 2012-13 (although there has been more V. virgatum than V. thapsus this season).The decreased effort is partly because because the spraying strategy has improved based on improved mapping. |
| non-Saffron thistles |
much less |
There were not as many Spear and other thistles evident this season on the Reserve, requiring much less effort. There was a much larger prevalence, particularly of Slender-winged thistles, in the neighbouring paddocks than on the Reserve, suggesting that the control carried out on the Reserve (which started a year or two earlier than elsewhere) has been having an impact. |
| Paterson's Curse |
much more |
There was more Paterson's curse this season compared with the previous one, with large flushes in both Spring and Autumn. In addition spraying commenced earlier in Spring because of the warmer start to the season, meaning a need for repeat Spring spraying. |
| Capeweed |
similar |
Capeweed is encroaching on parts of the Reserve along and around some of the tracks (particularly in the north of the Reserve). It spreads slowly so spraying is not considered high priority and is carried out when time permits in Spring and Autumn. Observations towards the end of the season suggest, however, that it could be a more serious threat in 2014-15. |
| Exotic grasses (Serrated tussock, Chilean Needle grass) |
similar |
|
| Other woody weeds |
much less |
There are very few woody weeds (other than briars) left on the Reserve and fewer every season in the neighbouring paddocks. |
| Miscellaneous broadleaf weeds |
similar |
This category includes Hoary mustard, fleabane, skeleton weed, flatweed, catsear, etc. There is much less Hoary mustard than in previous seasons, but effort has been ramping up on the others in the sensitive areas of the Reserve. |
| Nightshade |
similar |
|
| Prickly lettuce |
similar |
|
Reserve Only
Bottom Pinnacle and North Kama only
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