One of the most invasive-and toxic-pasture weeds is ragwort (senecio jacobaea) but the  good  news for local farmers is that the  golden-yellow flowers of this plant are now much less common  in the Franklin district.

Pretty to look at, fatal to livestock. Photo supplied.

Local biosecurity officer, Don Austin, credits the successful introduction of the ragwort beetle, longitarsus jacobaea, with progress made in eradicating ragwort.

Initially imported in the 1980s, the ragwort beetle was introduced to problem areas by biosecurity officers, Don and  Chris Katterns, working with landowners.

The beetles thrived so well that they self-introduced to problem paddocks before they could be delivered to the area.

The ragwort beetles have proved to be most effective where there have been dense areas of ragwort. They do not eradicate the plant completely, but are efficient enough to have made a huge difference.

Diligent farmers and an array of sprays have also helped. Like most weeds, ragwort is a very efficient survivor/reproducer, requiring determination and focus to eradicate.

Flowering plants can be uprooted and burnt. It is only when the plant is fully in bloom that it is possible to hand-weed then the whole root system will come away with the plant.

Modern sprays kill developing seeds as long as the plant is sprayed BEFORE it begins to die back. A large, multi-headed plant can produce 250,000 seeds. Most will fall close to the plant but windy weather can transport the parachuted seeds across the hills and gullies as anyone farming  near a  ‘dirty’ farm will be aware.

Remember, small seedling or rosette-sized plants will need to be treated. It is impossible to lift all the roots out if hand weeding and each rootlet left in the soil will form a new plant.

For a small farm with light infestation, tordon ‘prills’ or granules are a clean, efficient way to treat  the ragwort plants.

Bruise the plant with the foot; apply the granules to the growth centre of the plant with the applicator – job done.

Spraying is more practical on a larger or heavily infested property – metsulfuron Escort is efficient but will damage valuable pasture species. Tordon Max is a recently developed herbicide, which is more selective and gives good control of ragwort with minimal damage to desirable pasture species.

Apart from the need to keep this poisonous plant out of our pastures, there is a statutory requirement to keep boundaries clear to within 50 metres, yet another good reason to look out for this pasture pest.