Herbicides

Herbicides are chemicals that destroy or inhibit the growth of plants. They play a vital role in an Integrated Pest Management plan. Numerous herbicides are registered with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority for use in Western Australia (WA).

In 2006–07, 91.4% of Western Australian agricultural businesses used herbicides to control weeds. Total expenditure for all types of weed control was $341 million (Australian Bureau of Statistics).

Weed control is a shared responsibility between landholders, grower groups, biosecurity groups and the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA). To protect WA’s agriculture, DAFWA:

works with landholders, grower groups, community groups and biosecurity groups
provides information on using herbicides, herbicide resistance and herbicides that can be used on declared plants in WA.

If you need advice on herbicides please search our website or the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website. Our Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS) can also put you in contact with a herbicide expert.

Articles

Three-horned bedstraw control

7 November 2013

Galium tricornutum is a declared pest in Western Australia and subject of an eradication program. Report immediately the presence of this weed.
Narrow leaf cotton bush control

6 November 2013

Control methods for narrow leaf cotton bush (Gomphocarpus fruticosus).
Mexican poppy control

8 October 2013

Control methods for Mexican poppy, Argemone mexicana, a declared pest in Western Australia. These control methods are also applicable to control the non declared weed A.
Opuntioid cactus control

1 November 2013

Control methods for opuntioid cacti, declared pests in Western Australia. Report the presence of this organism if it's legal status is prohibited before undertaking a control measure.
Spraying phenoxy herbicides

23 April 2014

The use of phenoxy herbicides is restricted in Western Australia (WA) under the Aerial Spraying Control Act 1966 and the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection (Spraying Restrict
Herbicide adjuvants, surfactants and oils

5 November 2013

Surfactants, wetting agents, anti-drift thickeners and petroleum oils can where required be used to improve the effectiveness of using herbicides.
Herbicide application for declared plants

5 November 2013

There are a number of herbicide application methods available for declared plants. Recommendations for application methods in crops can be used in many cases. However, when the weeds are sparsely
Spray-topping declared plants

4 November 2013

Weeds sprayed with a sub-lethal dose of a phenoxy, hormone type herbicide appear to become more palatable to stock.
Declared plant control handbook

1 November 2013

Recommendations for the control of declared plants in Western Australia (WA).
Diagnosing Group A herbicide damage in canola

7 May 2014

These are post-emergent grass control herbicides used for annual ryegrass and/or wild oat control in wheat, barley and broadleaf crops or non-selective grass control in broadleaf crops.