Weeds

Weeds pose a serious risk for primary producers as they can impact on market access and agricultural production.

In 2006/07, each Western Australian agricultural business spent an average of $29 376 ($341 million total) on weed control (Australian Bureau of Statistics).

Weed control is a shared responsibility between landholders, grower groups, biosecurity groups and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

To protect WA’s agriculture, the department:

  • works with landholders, grower groups, community groups and biosecurity groups
  • regulates weeds under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007
  • provides a weed identification service
  • provides a predictive simulation tool called weed seed wizard
  • provides information on weed control, crop weeds, regulated/declared plants and herbicides
  • contributes to social science through weedwatcher.

For advice on weeds search our website, the Western Australian Organism List or contact our Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS).

For diagnostic services, please contact our Diagnostic Laboratory Services.

See Also

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Articles

  • Baling crop residue directly from the header

    Crop weeds: weed management at harvest

    29 May 2012

    This management strategy provides an opportunity to control weed seed set in the pasture and during harvest.

  • Fleabane

    Fleabane

    4 February 2011

    Flaxleaf and tall fleabane (Conyza spp.) are emerging weeds in Western Australia, germinating in spring and becoming major weeds in summer.

  • Doublegee seedling

    Doublegee

    3 February 2011

    Doublegee or spiny emex is a significant weed in Western Australia. It is a vigorous annual herb with a strong tap root and a long, fleshy, hairless stem.

  • Wild oats around windmill

    Wild oats

    22 May 2012

    Wild oats (Avena fatua and A. ludoviciana) represent a large cost to cropping. Wild oats are highly competitive and when left uncontrolled can reduce wheat yields by up to 80%.

  • Both the calibration of orchard sprayers and making the right choice of product to spray are included in the orchard spray guide

    Pome and Summer Fruit Orchard Spray Guide for Western Australia 2020-21

    24 March 2014

    The Pome and Summer Fruit Orchard Spray Guide 2020-21 provides information on chemical products, both registered and those as minor use permits, to control insect, mite and mollusc pests, diseases

  • Silvergrass plant showing seed heads

    Silver grass

    4 February 2011

    Silver grass is an annual grass occurring in both cropping and grazing regions across Australia. There are several species, the most common being Vulpia myuros and V. bromoides.

  • Wild radish flowering heads

    Wild radish

    18 May 2012

    Wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) is highly competitive in crops and can cause a yield loss of 10-90%.

  • Herbicide resistance

    Herbicide resistance

    31 January 2011

    Herbicide resistance is the inherited ability of an individual plant to survive a herbicide application that would kill a normal population of the same species.

  • Sheep standing in the middle of a paddock.

    Pasture manipulation - for grass control

    30 April 2015

    Pasture manipulation is the application of herbicides for grass control early in the growing season (autumn or early winter).

    It is often the preferred option for grass control.

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    Controlling aquatic weeds in farm dams in Western Australia

    4 November 2013

    In Western Australia, rising temperatures and falling water levels over summer encourage algae and aquatic weed growth in farm dams.

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