Lantana control methods on show at Mirani

A MIRANI district field day will show Mackay-Whitsunday landholders that thick lantana infestations can be cost-effectively controlled with a mix of mechanical and chemical control measures.

Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said lantana was listed as a weed of national significance infesting more than four million hectares of Queensland and NSW grazing lands.

“This is a weed that costs the Australian grazing industry an estimated $104 million and represents an on-going threat to the environment,” Mr Mulherin said.

“If lantana was allowed to spread to its invasive potential, it could cover more than 35 million hectares.

“The Mirani district DPI&F field day on December 2 will demonstrate to landholders the most effective control measures to combat lantana - one of Australia’s worst weed pests,” Mr Mulherin said.

Biosecurity Queensland land protection officer Corey Bell at Mackay has teamed with Isaac Regional Council pest management officer Graeme Wehmeier to highlight an integrated management approach to controlling lantana.

The DPI&F field day will be held at a site on the Mt Ossa Road 6km from the Mirani turnoff from 9am to 1pm featuring a bobcat equipped with purpose-built lantana forks used by the Isaac Regional Council.

Mr Wehmeier will demonstrate the effectiveness of the bobcat in clearing areas of heavy lantana infestation at a relatively low cost with the proviso that follow-up monitoring and treatment is essential.

Mr Bell said the field day would provide a further opportunity to promote the use of a gas-operated splatter gun capable of delivering small volumes of concentrated glyphosate herbicide to control lantana in difficult to access creek bank or steep sites or areas of sensitive vegetation.

“This splatter gun is calibrated to deliver a 1:9 glyphosate and water concentrate mix in a large droplet splatter for each 15-20ml squirt,” Mr Bell said.

“The gun delivers the concentrate a distance of six to 10 metres to a specific target which reduces chemical usage and off-target damage,” he said.

Mr Bell said other herbicide treatments using foliar spray, cut stump and basal bark chemical application techniques would be demonstrated on the day.

The optimum time to undertake lantana control was from October to April when this weed was actively growing. To secure a maximum return on investment, follow-up work would be required to prevent re-infestation.

Mr Bell said lantana was poisonous to stock so the establishment and maintenance of a good pasture cover and strategic use of fire should be included in long term pasture management plans.

Minister’s Media: Mark Symons 32396530

DPI&F Media contact: Russ Boadle: 4936 0320

Editor’s note pic is available through Russ Boadle

Caption:

This bobcat equipped with front-mounted lantana forks will in action at the Mirani lantana control field day.