Now is a good time to check over your paddocks for Serrated Tussock. It is a high priority weed in the New England Tablelands due to the fact that it is not palatable to stock and can become a dominant species in a very short period of time.
It has extremely low nutritional value and all animals forced to graze serrated tussock will lose condition and feed supplements will be needed to provide energy and protein.
While everyone is at home staying COVID safe … go for a walk over your paddocks and look for serrated tussock.
The best control option for Serrated Tussock is to chip out individual plants and small infestations, or spot spray using Glyphosate and/or Flupropanate based herbicides, as per the label recommendations.
Control scattered infestations first and work back to denser infestations. Always follow up treatments with further spot spraying or chipping, as some plants may be missed and new seedlings will always emerge. Regularly monitor treated areas for the emergence of seedlings.
Serrated Tussock is a South American perennial tussock grass that grows up to 45cm tall and 25cm wide. It is a highly invasive weed and can produce more than 140,000 seeds in a good year. During winter the leaves of Serrated Tussock stay lime green in colour, while other grasses brown off and leaf tips turn a bleached golden yellow colour after frost. They are very fine and also feel rough when you run your fingers downwards due to fine serrations. They are tightly rolled, narrow, stiff and upright, and will roll smoothly between the index finger and thumb, whilst native tussocks feel as though they have flat edges.
In November, Serrated Tussock has weeping purple flower heads, and seeds are windblown, which can travel over 50km in the wind. Seeds also spread with feed, animals and machinery. Animals can pick up seeds in hooves, fleeces or coats, and Serrated Tussock seeds remain viable passing through an animal’s gut.
Seeds can remain viable in the soil for 14 years, so treating Serrated Tussock is a continuous weed control program for all landholders who have serrated tussock, or are located near properties with serrated tussock.
For help with weed identification and management please contact any of the Biosecurity Officers (Weeds) at the New England Weeds Authority on 02 6770 3602, follow their Facebook page or visit www.newa.com.au.
The NEWA office is located at 2/129 Rusden St, Armidale.
