Alandholder information workshop on managing the pest plant African lovegrass will be held at Tintinara tomorrow.
African lovegrass has become a focus under the two-year Priority Weeds, Crop and Pasture Weeds Program, a collaboration between the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) and the Limestone Coast Landscape board.
African lovegrass is a tussock grass that grows in clumps up to 1.2 metres tall with an extensive root system that denies crops and desirable pasture species soil moisture and nutrients.
It is highly invasive with minimal nutritional value for livestock and only preferred when no other options are available.
The landholder workshop, the first in a series to be held in the Limestone Coast region, will provide details about the two-year funding program, information on African lovegrass identification, the weed’s impact, and control options.
Feedback will also be sought from landholders on proposed options for targeted assistance.
The event includes a visit to an African lovegrass control demonstration site at Carcuma Road.
In addition to the focus on African lovegrass, local agronomists will lead a discussion on soil health and its relationship to weed control and overall farm productivity.
PIRSA Director Plants and Invasive Species, Nick Secomb said as a highly invasive declared weed under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, landholders have obligations regarding the control and movement of plant material and seeds.
“This series of workshops, starting in Tintinara, is aimed at providing landholders with expert advice to manage African lovegrass on their properties that, along with the Limestone Coast Landscape Board roadside works, will form the basis of a region-wide control effort,” he said.
“Importantly, we want landholder feedback on targeted assistance options to maximise the effectiveness of the resources we have and is why we are strongly encouraging participation in this workshop.
“It is very important to get on top of this weed as once established, management of African lovegrass can be very onerous and have real impact on farm productivity and profitability.”
Mike Stevens Limestone Coast Landscape Board Operations Manager Mike Stevens said over the past two years, Landscape Officers have treated over 860km of roadsides focusing on infestations in the upper region and preventing further infestations in the lower region.
“The two-year partnership with PIRSA provides a great opportunity to build on the efforts of our roadside control and start making a difference in the paddocks as African lovegrass is a hardy weed that produces unpalatable tussocks and can create a fire hazard,” he said.
“The demonstration site at Carcuma provides an excellent opportunity for landholders to look at the control options available as we want to ensure we do not get chemical resistance in our region.
“Our Landscape Officers are here to support landholders to identify and manage African lovegrass infestations on their property. We encourage landholders to attend the workshop, visit the demonstration site and participate in the discussions about the proposed options for targeted assistance available in the two-year program.”
The event will commence at 7.30am with a free bacon and egg breakfast.
Visit african-lovegrass.eventbrite.com.au for further information and to register for the event.
The Priority Weeds, Cropping and Pasture Weeds Program is being supported by the Australian and South Australian Governments.
