Skeleton weed 2013 review

Background to the survey

During August and September 2013, the Grains, Seeds and Hay IFS Management Committee undertook a survey of Scheme contributors to gauge the industry's views on skeleton weed as a priority biosecurity issue to be addressed through the IFS.

The key question to be answered was:

'What level of funding is the WA grains/seeds/hay industry willing to contribute toward a program to address skeleton weed?'

The survey was prompted by:

• advice that the IFS contribution rate would need to increase in order to continue the current Skeleton Weed Control Program
• anecdotal feedback from industry that skeleton weed was no longer a priority issue to be funded by industry.

Number of infested properties

Since 2001 the number of known properties infested with skeleton weed has grown from 620 to 935. There are also over 100 infestations in the metropolitan area. The total area known to be infested and undergoing treatment is less than 2000 hectares.

Indications from surveillance carried out on random properties are that the real number of infested properties is higher than this. Normal in-crop broadleaf weed control is likely to keep some infestations at undetectable levels. Currently 45 shires have infestations.

In spite of the Skeleton Weed Program, the number of infested properties has continued to grow since the beginning of the program in 1975. The annual increase varies and is affected by seasonal rainfall which impacts on the success of winter control and weed detection in summer.

The grower contribution rate

The rate of the per-tonne grower contribution has not increased since 2001. In fact, it was reduced from 35 cents in 2006/07 to its current level of 30 cents per tonne of grain.

Funding arrangements have changed under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 whereby the scope of biosecurity threats managed using grower funds has been expanded. The Skeleton Weed Program and the Bedstraw Eradication Program are now both funded from within the existing fund pool at a rate of 30 cents per tonne of grain/seed, and 15 cents per tonne of hay.

The cost of the skeleton weed program is increasing

The growing number of skeleton weed infested properties, the requirement to fund the Bedstraw Eradication Program and general inflationary pressures are putting a strain on the Grains, Seeds and Hay Industry Funding Scheme account.

The 2013/14 operational budget for the Skeleton Weed Program is $3 420 000. This, when added to the cost of the Bedstraw Eradication Program, equates to a grain grower contribution to the fund of 37.2 cents per tonne based on a total grain harvest of 10 million tonnes.

The cost of broadacre control of skeleton weed has reduced significantly since 2002

Research shows that skeleton weed can be managed effectively in the crop rotation. The cost of control will vary depending on the extent of the infestation and the cropping sequence.

It is estimated that managing a light infestation of skeleton weed across a cereal cropping paddock would cost little more than general broadleaf weed control. Summer control would be required in some years in some areas. The cost of skeleton weed control has reduced significantly in recent years with the dramatic drop in the price of clopyralid which now sells for 20% of the 2002 price.

The biggest impact of skeleton weed infestation will occur in the non-cereal cropping phase, as research shows there can be some residual effects of chemicals used in the cereal phase.

The contribution rate needs to increase to 40 cents from 2014 to keep pace with the current operational requirements

If the current program were to continue with an annual increase of 5% to cover inflation and the growing number of infestations, the contribution rate would need to increase to 40 cents per tonne of grain/seed and 20 cents per tonne of hay from 2014. The 40 cent annual rate would be sufficient to provide funding for the next five years.

Skeleton weed program survey results

The survey was open for 10 weeks from 1 July 2013 until 6 September 2013, after a request from industry to extend the survey period.

Method

A simple questionnaire based on three scenarios was used:

• Wind down the Skeleton Weed Control Program (0 cent contribution rate).
• Maintain the current 30 cent contribution rate but make significant changes to the program to fit this budget.
• Increase the contribution rate to 40 cents, and maintain the current (or very similar) program.

The questionnaire was available to be completed online, in hardcopy or verbally over the phone.

Two media campaigns were undertaken to promote the survey and encourage participation including articles and advertisements in major rural newspapers, articles in local papers and regional newsletters, and rural radio interviews.

Two email campaigns complemented the media campaign, with emails sent to key industry organisations, community groups and government staff with a request to forward the information to their networks. Feedback indicates this email campaign resulted in the very effective promotion and delivery of the survey to a large number of grain/seed/hay growers.

Findings

A total of 474 surveys were completed by contributors to the IFS from across the WA agricultural area. The survey respondents contribute approximately 20% of the annual IFS contributions. About half the responses were from growers whose main property was located in the eastern wheatbelt.

• 86% of respondents want to continue an industry funded skeleton weed program (in some form).
• 67% of respondents located in the eastern wheatbelt wanted to increase the contribution rate.
• 56% of respondents from the northern agricultural area did not want to increase the contribution rate.
• Most respondents voting for the 0 cent and 30 cent scenarios were from areas not heavily affected by skeleton weed. Nevertheless, 56% of respondents from ‘other areas’ voted for the 40 cent scenario.
• 54% of respondents aged below 45 years did not want the contribution rate to increase.
• The majority of hay producers, as a percentage of their IFS contribution value, did not want the rate to increase.

Respondents had the opportunity to provide feedback on the Skeleton Weed Control Program and the IFS in general. These comments were assessed by the Industry Management Committee.

A copy of the survey findings can be made available on request.

Outcomes

Based on the results of this survey, the IMC proposed to increase the Grains, Seeds and Hay IFS contribution rate to 35 cents per tonne of grain/seed and 17 cents per tonne of hay from 1 July 2014.

The WA grains, seeds and hay industries were invited to submit written feedback to the IMC on this proposal.

Taking into account the feedback from industry as well as other factors influencing the contribution rate, the IMC recommended to the Minister for Agriculture and Food that the Grains, Seeds and Hay IFS contribution remains at 30 cents per tonne of grain/seed and 15 cents per tonne of hay for 2014/15. The Minister accepted this recommendation.

Based on the projected IFS income (given an 'average' season), it is acknowledged that the IFS contribution will need to increase in the future, or changes made to the skeleton weed program.