[Bega District News 25 Nov. 2011] -- A PROJECT to eradicate isolated infestations of Chilean needle grass from four properties in the Angledale area has been very successful due to good and continuing spring rain. The aim of the project is to prevent the germination of seed from the Chilean needle grass by smothering it with alternative plants - which are non-invasive - such as oats, rye grass and clover. This strategy has been successful on the four properties that have been targeted because of the weed’s density in that location. Bega Valley Shire Council’s vegetation officer Jamie Dixon-Keay said this project has been running for a number of years and this is the best spring growth of competitive pastures the area has seen. The project, which is funded jointly by council and Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority, aims to eradicate all known infestations of Chilean needle grass before it spreads onto other properties and becomes a costly problem for those affected landholders. Chilean needle grass is an invasive tussocky grass which looks a little like native spear grass. It is related to serrated tussock, has little feed value and can out-compete preferred pasture and native species. The grass has sharp pointed seeds which can penetrate animals’ skin and eyes, causing painful damage.
“Slashing is no solution for its control as it can produce stem seeds at ground level,” Mr Dixon-Keay said. “With the good growing season this year, crops sown in autumn have smothered almost all the Chilean needle grass which is just what we want.”
The program will continue for a further two years, with another annual crop to be sown in autumn next year and perennial pasture in 2013.
