SPRING 2013 ISSUE

www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges

Better the devil you know …Anthony Abley, District Ecologist, Central Hills Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

02 Join the search for Australia’s finest feral photos!

03 ‘Spray-topping’ – for reducing grass weeds in pastures

04 Case study – Whole of farm approach to pest management

05 Swamped by weeds?

06 Testing boosts soil knowledge for Fleurieu dairy farmers

07 Events

07 Contact us

08 Handy hints for weed control

08 Things to do – spring

Natural resources management is: caring for our land, water, plants and animals – balancing people’s needs with those of nature.

A rare plant species of the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges is being accidentally targeted for control in a case of mistaken identity. It is being sprayed with herbicide, over grazed or even carefully weeded from the bush by well-intentioned people thinking it is a weed.

The distinctive thistle-like Blue Devil Eryngium ovinum is a native plant in the parsley, celery and carrot family. Its rosette of narrow, spiny, deeply divided leaves and rigid stems with thistle-like spiky flowers can cause the confusion.

Once common on the Adelaide plains, foothills and throughout the alluvial valley flats of the hills, this grassland and grassy woodland specialist now hangs on only in small remnants of open woodland, on roadsides and in some lightly grazed pastures. It is now considered vulnerable in

South Australia due to the clearance of its grassland and grassy woodland habitat.

The Blue Devil is a perennial that dies back to underground root stock in autumn; a rosette of spiny, shiny, dark green leaves emerges in winter. As the leaves mature in late spring, spiny flower heads emerge from the centre. The large upright flower head is surrounded by spiny bracts. The flower heads are initially green but soon a blue tinge, starting at the centre, spreads throughout the plant eventually spreading even to the leaves. This blue grows in intensity as summer progresses and is often intense cobalt or sky blue by mid-summer. Soon after, the colour begins to slowly fade and the whole plant dries off. The brittle flower may break off in late summer winds, scattering seeds as it tumbles.

The distinctive thistle-like flowers of the native Blue Devil can be mistaken for a weed. Photo: David Robertson

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02 | Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges

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The flower heads of Blue Devil are green initially, but a blue tinge spreads from the centre, eventually spreading to the whole head and leaves. Photo: Anthony Abley

The Blue Devil has long been overlooked as a garden plant and its potential has not been realised. It could ideally be used in an open sunny position, both for its colour and dramatic form, and to help conserve a rare species.

The Blue Devil is a perennial that dies back to underground root stock in autumn; a rosette of spiny, shiny, dark green leaves emerges in winter.

This rare native is one of the special plants unique to grassy habitats. It likes bushland with an open grassy understorey where there is little competition from other plants. You can encourage the Blue Devil and other

special native plants to regenerate in bushland by fencing bushland patches from grazing. If you are lucky enough to find the Blue Devil in a grazed paddock then it can also be protected by fencing to manage grazing or by reducing grazing pressure. Keep an eye out for the Blue Devil this spring and summer in bushland fragments and lightly grazed paddocks where it may still persist.

Contact your local District Officer for advice and support on managing bushland and native pastures by contacting your local Natural Resources office (see page 7).

Do you have photos showing pest animals living in the wild, the damage caused by pest animals, or demonstrating methods for pest monitoring and humane control?

The Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) would like to see them – and you could win one of a great range of prizes in its annual photography competition.

Vertebrate pest animals occur in all parts of Australia, causing major damage to crops and agriculture, native wildlife, bushland, rivers and waterways, and even sporting fields and beaches. There are increasing reports of pest problems in urban zones especially from foxes, rabbits and feral cats.

This is the third year that Feral Photos has run, in an effort to raise community awareness about pest animals. Images from past competitions have been highly sought after for major publications and promotional material, as they help illustrate the damage pest animals cause across the country.

National NRM Facilitator for the CRC, Jessica Marsh, hopes the photo competition will remind landholders, environmental staff, volunteers and members of the public about the widespread presence of pests and the importance of keeping a record of pest animal sightings and damage. “I hope the competition encourages people to get out there and see what is happening in their environment and to get creative about how they can capture photographic evidence of pest animals in their area.”

Find more information and to submit your entry to 2013 Feral Photos online at the Invasive Animals CRC website (www.invasiveanimals.com/feral-photos). There is a limit of five photo entries per person. The competition closes on 30 September 2013.

Join the search for Australia’s finest feral photos!

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Spray-topping is particularly effective against Barley Grass. Photo: Andy Cole

COMMUNITy CORNER

Recruiting new volunteers in today’s climate where people are ‘time poor’ is a real issue for all types of not-for-profit community and farming groups.

Volunteering SA&NT (VSA&NT) is a not-for-profit organisation and the peak body representing the interests of volunteers and the volunteering sector in South Australia and Northern Territory.

Its mission is to promote and celebrate volunteering and play a key leadership role in advancing volunteering by providing an extensive range of services, support and resources for some 600,000 volunteers and more than 2000 volunteer organisations.

Recently, Natural Resources Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges invited VSA&NT to talk to volunteer groups in the southern region to discuss the issue of succession planning and recruiting new volunteers. The session, held at Willunga, was well received by those who attended. In addition to discussing their current structure and strategies for recruiting new members, groups were able to network with others and swap ideas on strategies that have been successful.

VSA&NT offers a range of workshops to help groups find simple solutions to ongoing issues, and solutions to longer term, more complex issues. For more information, visit www. volunteeringsa.org.au/training

If your community group is interested in attending a session please contact your local Natural Resources Office (see page 7).

Spray after seed heads are fully emerged. Photo: Andy Cole

A cost-effective technique can reduce the build up of annual grass weeds in pastures. Spray-topping applies a low rate of the herbicides paraquat or glyphosate after seed head emergence in typical grass weeds such as barley grass (Hordeum spp.), brome grass (Bromus spp.) and silver grass (Vulpia spp.).

Spray-topping does not kill the plant; it sterilises the seed and therefore reduces seed-set. Repeated experiments have shown an 85% decrease in seed production of some grass weed species with limited, or no, effect on desirable pasture species.

Annual grasses are particularly susceptible to knockdown herbicides during flowering. Consequently, only very low rates of herbicides need to be applied at this stage to be effective – 400mL/ha for paraquat (250g/L) and 360mL/ha for glyphosate (450g/L). Since only low rates of herbicide are being applied, the inclusion of a wetting agent is recommended.

For maximum impact, the timing of spraying is critical. In general, paraquat is most effective if applied to grass weed seed heads between flowering and when seeds are at the milky dough stage. Apply glyphosate earlier when seed heads are fully emerged and at flowering.

Spray-topping is particularly effective against barley grass which, after ‘haying off’, can cause eye and ear injuries to livestock, and damage carcases. Young animals are particularly vulnerable. When controlling barley grass, the pasture needs to be grazed

heavily in early spring to encourage even head distribution. Remove livestock two to three weeks before the anticipated maturity date of the target species, and spray after seed heads are fully emerged and before seeds have reached the milky dough stage. If herbicide application is delayed until haying off begins, seed sterilisation will be significantly reduced.

Application may coincide with the flowering of some legumes (e.g. subterranean clover) and glyphosate may reduce the seed set of these plants. If retaining maximum clover is paramount, use paraquat. Take particular care when applying glyphosate, which is a non-selective herbicide that, if over applied, can damage, or kill, all beneficial pasture species.

Don’t confuse ‘spray-topping’ with ‘spray-grazing’ – a technique that controls broadleaf weeds by applying herbicides, followed by high grazing pressures.

Notes on chemical use: Avoid spraying any chemicals on or over water as they can harm delicate ecosystems. Follow label instructions when applying any chemical.

Paraquat is a ‘schedule 7’ chemical which is highly toxic. Chemcert accreditation is required to purchase any schedule 7 chemical. This herbicide should be applied by a registered contractor. Further information can be found at www.ChemCertSA.com.au

Further reading: the Weeds CRC’s Integrated Weed Management Manual at www.grdc.com.au/director/events/linkpages/weedlinks#IWMM

‘Spray-topping’ – for reducing grass weeds in pasturesAndy Cole, Land Management Advisory Service

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Capsicum flower with thrips predator ‘Orius 2’. Photo: Tony Burfield

Native plants can provide habitat for beneficial insects. Photo: Jess Frahn

Virginia farmer Hung Nguyen with healthy capsicums. Photo: Tony Burfield

Virginia, 30 km north of Adelaide, is classed as South Australia’s food bowl. The region contributes approximately 6.5% of the total state economy and farm gate output is estimated to be at least $225 million.

Natural Resources, Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges staff have been working with growers to adopt integrated pest management on their farms. Two methods in a whole of farm approach to pest management have already shown dramatic results.

Beneficial insectsA number of farmers across the northern Adelaide plains have been trialling an interesting method of integrated pest management by releasing insects among their crops. These beneficial native insects feed on their pest cousins such as western flower thrips which spread tomato spotted wilt virus. After just one season of releases growers are already seeing the benefits including a dramatically reduced spray regime, healthier plants, and produce going to market with fewer chemicals.

Native plantsMost farms on the northern Adelaide plains either have weeds or adopt a bare earth strategy around their structures. A cover of non-native species can increase pest insects such as white fly and western flower thrips. Overspraying to eliminate all cover leads to pesticide resistance in weed species and soil erosion or degradation.

Staff from Natural Resources, Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges, are encouraging growers to plant native plants throughout their properties. After a few years, these natives, mainly saltbushes, suppress weeds eliminating the need to spray herbicides outside the greenhouses. A native plant barrier forms habitat, especially for native beneficial insects when the greenhouses are not in crop. This low-tech and relatively cheap integrated pest management method improves our natural resources and has already been adopted by a number of growers on the northern Adelaide Plains.

Grower profileOne grower who has been working towards a whole of farm approach to pest management is capsicum grower Hung Nguyen. With the release of beneficial insects he has been able to reduce the spray regime from 2–3 times a week to once every two months, an eight fold reduction. He has healthier plants with higher yields of better quality fruit. Hung says, “We want the bugs in the flowers, they are in there 24/7, and are like our guard dogs on the farm”.

Biologically integrated pest management is a whole of farm approach and if growers would like more information about the techniques and strategies please contact your local Natural Resources Centre (see page 7).

Case study – Whole of farm approach to pest managementJess Frahn, District Officer Natural Resources, Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges

Name: Hung Nguyen

Property location: Virginia, SA

Property size: 8.5 ha

Current enterprise: Capsicum grower

Soil: Hard loamy sand over red clay

Features: Dam and greenhouses

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Weeds in swamps, such as blackberry, can be controlled with appropriate methods. Photo: Tim Vale

To ensure your weed control effort is not wasted, consider methods, chemicals and timing.

A number of different control techniques may be required on a property and the methods used to control the weeds are of utmost importance to minimise the impact on native vegetation. In wet areas, such as swamps, take care to ensure that chemicals do not come into contact with water or damp ground.

Protecting native vegetation by removing weeds can help prevent re-invasion of weeds into the productive pasture areas.

The use of the appropriate chemicals is also important. The type of plant the weed is influences which chemical is suitable for control. Take time to read the label and seek advice if unsure.

Control at appropriate times to ensure all of the plant is being killed. Some methods or timing may only kill the foliage, leaving the roots and tubers intact to grow again. Generally, controlling a weed species before flowering or seed set is best; again seek advice if unsure.

WorkshopIn December, staff from Natural Resources, Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges and the Conservation Council will conduct a weed workshop tailored for landowners interested in controlling weeds in swamps. Appropriate methods of weed control, timing and chemicals will be covered. Contractors will display a range of techniques and staff will be on hand to answer specific questions about swamp management. Contact the Willunga Office for further information (details page 7).

A new fact sheet on weeds in swamps produced by the Goolwa to Wellington LAP can be found at: www.conservationsa.org.au/files/emuwren/3_Managing_Swamp_Weeds.pdf

Weed management is an ongoing issue for landholders and the bad news is that it is unlikely to go away.

The good news is that reducing the total weed load over your property and future monitoring to catch weed infestations early can minimise subsequent time and monetary investment.

Not all plants found in swamps are native; some are declared weeds such as Blackberry, Gorse and Broom.

Protecting native vegetation by removing weeds can help prevent re-invasion of weeds into the productive pasture areas.

Weeding in areas of native vegetation can also improve or increase the number of native species, such as orchids.

The Fleurieu Peninsula is dotted with patches of native vegetation, including the Endangered Fleurieu Peninsula Swamps. Swamps can be a very diverse habitat containing up to 200 different species of plants. Not all plants found in swamps are native; some are declared weeds such as Blackberry, Gorse and Broom.

Swamped by weeds?Tim Vale, Habitat Management Officer, Conservation Council South Australia

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Soil testing has helped several Fleurieu dairy farmers to better understand the fertility of their farming soils and select appropriate types and rates of fertilisers for their situation. Plants require over a dozen essential nutrients for healthy growth and knowing which nutrients may be deficient can prevent wasteful applications of unnecessary fertilisers.

Twelve Fleurieu dairy farmers have participated in a soil testing project over the last two years, with support from DairySA and funding from the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country program. Project results have helped these farmers with better fertiliser decisions, reduced farm costs and given wider environmental benefits.

Soil testing Chris and Bev Rowntree’s Myponga dairy farm in both 2011 and 2013, found that all paddocks tested high for the nutrient phosphorus (P), while several remote paddocks tested low for potassium (K).

“We saw little point in applying more P so have instead diverted our base fertiliser investments into extra potash fertiliser on those remote low K paddocks,” Chris explained.

“In spite of not applying any P fertiliser for two years, we have seen no loss in pasture production.

Dairy cows feeding out. Photo: James Skeer

“And we hope that boosting K levels will sustain (if not increase) grass growth on those remote paddocks which we use each year for silage harvests.”

Another participant, Bill Fraser, dairy farms at Waitpinga and has been soil testing regularly for years. Bill knew most of his paddocks were adequate or high for P and has used this information to advantage in several ways.

Plants require over a dozen essential nutrients for healthy growth and knowing which nutrients may be deficient can prevent wasteful applications of unnecessary fertilisers.

He has been able to reduce (and even stop) P fertiliser inputs altogether on many of his highly fertile paddocks, confident in the knowledge that this saving was not compromising grass growth.

“By knowing we had good P fertility levels, I decided not to spread any superphosphate at all in 2009 when prevailing super prices were really high,” Bill said.

“Instead we spent our base fertiliser budget on lime that year. We simultaneously avoided those high P fertiliser prices and have stopped soil acidity from becoming a problem here.”

Greg Mitchell (FP-AG’s Pasture Agronomist) managed the soil testing project and reckons these farmers have achieved good environmental benefits as well as using fertilisers more efficiently on their farms. Greg saw how both farmers had saved on unnecessary fertiliser expenses and, over two years, reduced their soil P levels from excessively high back towards adequate levels.

“This has to reduce the risk of environmental nutrient losses,” Greg said.

“Whilst other participants have responded in different ways to their own soil test results, all of these farmers have used soil tests objectively to help with more responsible fertiliser use on their properties.”

Andrew and Sonya Jensen dairy farm at Parawa and soil tests done through the DairySA project have helped them to recognise very high soil P test levels on most of their paddocks. Andrew said that Chris and Bill’s experience has given them confidence to stop P fertiliser altogether this year.

“Our soil tests also revealed widespread potash deficiencies on our farm, so we too intend to divert our fertiliser funds into extra potash fertiliser this year,” Andrew said.

Chris, Bill and Andrew all agree that soil testing is a crucial element of managing paddock fertility and achieving good pasture production on dairy farms.

Testing boosts soil knowledge for Fleurieu dairy farmersMonique White, DairySA NRM Coordinator

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EventsSupported by your NRM Levy Upcoming events can be found at www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges under Education: Landholder education and training. If you would like Natural Resources staff to run a specific field day for your organisation, please get in touch with us on any of the numbers listed below.

Contact us

Workshops – Free

Vegetation management seriesOctober/November Yankalilla/Inman Valley (Barbara St John, Willunga Office)

Bush foods & Aboriginal heritageOctober Central Hills area (Karren Carman, Lobethal Office)

Native vegetationOctober Mylor (Mark Fagan, Lobethal Office)

Salinity managementNovember Koonunga (Chris Madagan, Gawler Office)

Exotic trees in the watercourseNovember Central Hills area (Will Hannaford, Lobethal Office)

Soil testing and interpretationNovember McLaren Flat (James Skeer, Willunga Office)

Courses – Free

Horse management October Williamstown (Libby Lawson, Gawler Office)

Cattle managementOctober Victor Harbor (James Skeer, Willunga Office)

Course – $150 per property

A practical guide to rural land management October/November Mylor (Lobethal Office)

Field days – Free

Silverleaf Nightshade control and managementSeptember Roseworthy (Libby Lawson, Gawler Office)

Practical guide to fox baitingSeptember Freeling (David Hughes, Gawler Office)

Vegetation managementSeptember Yattalunga (Veronica Clayton, Gawler Office)

Introduction to native vegetationSeptember Mylor and Norton Summit (Katrina Warner, Lobethal Office)

October Mylor (Mark Fagan, Lobethal Office)

Field days – Free (cont)

Weed hygieneSeptember Woodside (Lobethal Office)

Watercourse erosionSeptember Gumeracha (Gerry Butler, Lobethal Office)

Gazania controlOctober Two Wells (Carly Dillon, Gawler Office)

Creekline restoration Late October (Dana Miles, Chapel Hill Vineryard at Days Rd, Kangarilla)

Grazing native grassesOctober Yattalunga (Veronica Clayton, Gawler Office)

Post fire plant ID and weed controlOctober Norton Summit (Katrina Warner, Lobethal Office)

Native vs declared grassesNovember One Tree Hill (Tracey Hardwicke, Gawler Office)

Sustainable soilsNovember Freeling (Libby Lawson, Gawler Office)

Woody weeds and olive controlNovember Willunga (Dana Miles, Willunga Office)

NATURAL RESOURCES CENTRES

Head office205 Greenhill Road Eastwood SA 5063 (08) 8273 9100 DEWNR.AMLR@sa.gov.au

Gawler office8 Adelaide Road Gawler SA 5118 (08) 8523 7700 gawler.office@sa.gov.au

Lobethal office1 Adelaide Lobethal Road Lobethal SA 5241 (08) 8389 5900 lobethal.office@sa.gov.au

Willunga office5 Aldinga Road Willunga SA 5172 (08) 8550 3400 willunga.office@sa.gov.au

Handy hints for weed controlPrevention is cheap• Ensure vehicles, machinery, livestock and

produce do not carry weed seeds.

• Report sales of declared plants to your local Natural Resources office.

• Pay particular attention to alert weeds – most have yet to become established in SA.

Find weeds early and watch your spread• Get to know plants in your area/on your

property and quickly identify and deal with new threats.

Things to do – spring• Monitor new revegetation and pasture for signs of pest damage,

and control if necessary.

• Slash or crash graze paddocks with rank pastures to promote new growth.

• Plan your summer rabbit and fox control program.

• Allow first year perennial pastures to develop strong root structure and set seed.

• Review stocking rates – destock in mid-summer if necessary to avoid bare

paddocks in late summer and autumn.

• Control Salvation Jane before flowering to reduce seed set.

• Identify any unknown plants during spring when most are flowering or setting seed;

seek help if required.

• Prepare for the fire season: ensure you have adequate water supplies and fire breaks,

and that fire-fighting equipment is in good working condition.

www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

For comments, enquiries or submissions to Small Talk, or for back issues contact:

Jodie Pain Regional Landcare Facilitator & Land Management Advisor

Natural Resources Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources PO Box 781 Willunga SA 5172 (08) 8550 3405 or 0400 294 676 jodie.pain@sa.gov.au

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Small Talk is produced by the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board. This publication is partially funded through the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country initiative and the NRM levy.

Help Small Talk be greener If you would like to receive Small Talk via email

please contact DEWNR.AMLR@sa.gov.au

Small Talk can also be found on the website www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges

• Take measures to contain weed infestations and prevent further weed dispersal.

Plan your controls• Obtain information about managing

your target weed.

• Map infestations.

• Treat weeds when they are young.

• Use the recommended control method. Minimise damage to non-target plants. Establish and promote competing vegetation.

Undertake follow up control•Continuefollowuptreatmentsoverseveral years. Some plants may have been missed, some may not have died and new seedlings may emerge.

Adapted from the Weed Control Handbook for Declared Plants in South Australia available at www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecuritysa/nrm_biosecurity

For further information on weed identification and control methods, contact your local Natural Resources office (see page 7).