We have a variety of pest plant and animal management programs.
Every one of them aims for results that involve all landowners and others, working together for larger regional goals.
Getting rid of pest plants and animals will make the bigger picture much better.
Please phone the Authorised Officers in your region for more information.
A) Pest Animals
Coordinated Fox Management
Foxes play a major role in the decline of ground nesting birds and small mammals and cause economic loss by preying on newborn lambs and poultry. The NRM Board supplies fox baits to landholders and provides instruction in best practice baiting technique. Landholders in local districts are encouraged to coordinate fox baiting programs with neighbouring properties for more effective control.
Reducing the Impact of Rabbits
Wild rabbits impact on environmental values and agricultural production. They graze on seedlings of native plants and prevent regeneration. Rabbits are also implicated in the decline of many native animals by increasing grazing pressure and changing the selection of feed available. They cause economic damage to pastures and emerging crops by grazing on young plants.
The Board encourages integrated control methods and supports landholders and members of the community in reducing rabbit damage. Best practice advice is available – and field officers can assist landholders in planning effective rabbit control.
Understanding the Feral Deer Threat
Feral deer cause damage to native vegetation, agricultural production and can be a public safety hazard. Farmed deer in South Australia must be kept inside deer- proof fences. The Board has a program for regular inspection of deer fences to ensure deer keepers comply with industry standards.
B) Pest Plants
Biological Methods for Weed Control
Biological control aims to limit the dominance of abundant and well established weeds to the point where damage is insignificant. It takes many years for the agents (e.g. insects, fungi) to reach their full potential. The Board has programs to assist the distribution of several biological control agents. These include leaf hoppers and rust fungus for bridal creeper, flea beetle for salvation jane, plume moth for horehound and spider mite for gorse.
See:
Eradication of White Weeping Broom
See 'Our Stories' - YP Test bed for clear white weeping broom
White weeping broom is a National Alert Species – at the moment it occurs only sparsely, but its characteristics of drought tolerance, invasiveness and dominance mean it has a very high potential for spread. The Board has a program investigating effective control methods and is also undertaking detailed distribution mapping, as initial steps in a long term eradication program.
Containing the Spread of Bridal Veil
Bridal veil is a ‘garden escape’ that is closely related to bridal creeper. It currently has a more restricted distribution within the region but is having a devastating effect on native vegetation where it occurs. The Board is providing funding to ensure spread is contained however control is difficult as there are few effective options. Prevention and early detection are critical.
Destroying and Removing Boneseed
Boneseed is one of the worst weeds in Australia but at present occurs in scattered populations only within the region. It is very invasive and aggressively spreads from gardens in to areas of native vegetation. The Board is attempting to destroy all infestations and in the long term to eradicate boneseed from the region, by engaging all affected landholders in a co-ordinated strategy.
Removing Pest Plants on Roadsides
Pest plants and animals can use roadsides as corridors to spread as these areas are often highly disturbed, allowing weeds to establish easily. The movement of people and livestock on roads also assists the spread of weeds as the propagules can adhere to clothing, wool and vehicle tyres. The Board has identified priority pest species for which control on roadsides is an important aspect in reducing spread.
Preventing the Spread of Silverleaf Night shade
Silverleaf nightshade competes with crops and pastures by taking moisture and nutrients from the soil during the preceding summer. Yield reductions can be significant and once established it is very difficult to control. The Board program prioritises strategies to prevent further spread and assists landholders to reduce the impact of established silverleaf nightshade infestations.
Managing African boxthorn
African boxthorn is a widespread weed in the N&Y region and is considered a major problem because it invades native vegetation, threatens native flora and fauna and overruns pastures and other areas. Controlling boxthorn can be a daunting task however many landholders are becoming increasingly active in managing this pest plant. The Board encourages landholders at the local or property scale to have a long-term management program to reduce the harmful effects of the weed, encourage native vegetation to recover and help to contain boxthorn’s spread at a broader scale.
Creeping Knapweed Containment
This deep rooted perennial weed can significantly reduce crop yields once established. It can also be difficult and costly to control. Currently it occurs in isolated infestations, hence it is critical that this weed is prevented from spreading. The Board is working with affected landholders to ensure infestations are destroyed or contained.
See Finding Help - People - Animal and Plant Control