Grain, seed and hay producers are invited to decide the future of the industry-funded Skeleton Weed Control Program.
As part of the Grains, Seeds and Hay Industry Funding Scheme, growers in agricultural areas of the State currently contribute 30 cents for every tonne of grain and seed they sell and 15 cents per tonne of hay sold.
Spokesperson for the Grains, Seeds and Hay Industry Funding Scheme Committee, Barry Large, said it was time for the producers who fund the program to decide its future.
“Inflation and the increasing number of properties affected by skeleton weed mean producer contributions need to increase or the program needs to change to deal with the real decline in funding,” Mr Large said.
“Growers voted strongly in favour of continuing the program when they were canvassed in 2008.
“The program is widely recognised for helping reduce the rate at which skeleton weed has spread across the Wheatbelt.”
There are currently 935 properties known to be affected by skeleton weed over a total area of less than 2000 hectares.
Mr Large said in order to maintain the current level of skeleton weed operations, the contribution rate would need to increase to 40 cents per tonne of grain and seed sold and 20 cents per tonne of hay sold.
Producers of grain, seed and hay are encouraged to have their say on the future of the Skeleton Weed Control Program by completing an online survey.
The survey is open until the close of business on Friday 23 August 2013.
“To date, only 100 growers have completed the survey, so I would encourage growers to fill in the survey, given it takes only a few minutes.”
All grain, seed and hay producers in Western Australia contribute funds toward the Skeleton Weed Program, unless they have voluntarily ‘opted out’ of the Scheme.
Media contact: Jodie Thomson, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937