Careful management of livestock will reduce the likelihood of new infestations and weed spread. New livestock, or those returning to the property from agistment, can carry weed seeds from other areas. Weeds can be easily imported from different regions or states because livestock can travel significant distances by road within a 24-hour period.
Quarantine contaminated fodder in a sacrifice paddock or feedlot so that weeds are contained in a small area. Be aware of any contaminants that grain or hay may contain, and feed livestock in a way that ensures that contaminants are not spread. Hay that has been contaminated with weed seeds is a major source of importation of weed seeds. Drought feeding further exacerbates the issue as producers often ‘drop their guard’ during stressful periods, and weeds are more difficult to control in dry conditions.
The same feeding precautions should be observed where chaff heaps collected from the header at harvest are grazed and/or baled for fodder or for feeding grain.
