Glen Innes Natural Resources Advisory Committee (GLENRAC)
Project Profile
| Name of Project | Demonstrating integrated strategies for the management and control of Coolati grass in pastures in the Northern Tablelands of NSW |
| Name of group(s) involved | Glen Innes Natural Resources Advisory Committee (GLENRAC) |
| Website | www.glenrac.org.au |
| Location | Northern Tablelands |
| State | New South Wales |
| NRM Region | Border Rivers-Gwydir |
| What industry does the group belong to? | Land and soil management |
| Corporate Partners involved | Woolworths |
| Level of Funding from LAL | $13,550 |
| Funding from other sources | $17,685 |
Issues
Coolatai grass (Hyparrhenia hirta) is emerging as a serious threat to both agricultural production and biodiversity in the Glen Innes District.
While it isn’t a proclaimed noxious weed, Coolatai grass can be a serious ecological threat and reduces productivity by taking over large areas of land and displacing desirable plant species. Livestock avoid grazing it due to its low palatability after going to seed.
The Glen Innes Natural Resource Advisory Committee Inc. identified that there is relatively little information readily accessible to land managers on Coolatai grass management and control strategies. This project, supported by Woolworths and Landcare Australia Limited, has demonstrated to a wider audience an efficient control and management approach for the grass weed.
Chairman Jim Benton developed a project designed both to raise awareness of Coolatai grass and to demonstrate that a progression of grazing, carpet wiping and over-sowing can efficiently remove mature Coolatai before it seeds and promote desirable species. The results were impressive and a further trial has been funded by the Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA to build on the knowledge gained.
Project Detail
| Background to Project | The Glen Innes Natural Resource Advisory Committee Inc. (GLENRAC) has been operating for 22 years in the Glen Innes district of the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, providing natural resource management services to local land managers. The GLENRAC committee consists of representatives of all major stakeholders in natural resource management across the local district.
Coolatai grass (Hyparrhenia hirta) is a native of South Africa and the Mediterranean region but was introduced to New South Wales in the 1940s, where it has invaded grazing lands on many properties. It prefers lighter-textured soils where it can dominate the local plant species. Its ability to form dense, hard tufts protect it from heavy grazing and make it resistant to fire, and cannot be eradicated through the use of herbicides alone. While it can provide maintenance feed for dry stock in spring and summer, most farmers regard Coolatai as a weed due to its low digestibility. |
| Key Objectives | · Raise awareness of Coolatai grass and its invasive nature · Trial and demonstrate the use of a carpet roller as a control method in conjunction with grazing management · Demonstrate the strategic application of fertilizer and legume seed to reduce the population of Coolatai and promote the vigour of more desirable pasture species, particularly native grasses |
| Description of Project | The project consisted of a field trial at “Reedy Creek”, Emmaville, and a field day to demonstrate the effects of treatment techniques. The main activities of the project were: · Heavy grazing to eat down all desirable species during the summer of 2009-10 · Wiping in two directions with Roundup 450 at a 25:1 mix using a Swingwiper · Poisoning rabbits and ripping their warrens during April 2010 · 3.5 tons single super, 105kg Seaton Park sub clover, 210kg Aurora lucerne, 35kg Arrowleaf clover broadcast over 70 acres. · Scarifying and harrowing the paddock with pasture harrows turned upside down to ensure seed coverage with a small amount of loose soil · Developing extension material · Holding a field day |
| Issues encountered during the project | · Wet weather delayed stages of the field trial |
| Project Outcomes – Qualitative | · The carpet wiper successfully treated the mature Coolatai and other undesirable course grasses · The dominance of legumes was so high that the paddock was unsafe for cattle in the spring because of the risk of bloat occurring · All broadcast species were well represented · A diverse mix of native grasses was evident in late spring 2010 · The Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA has since funded a further trial due to the success |
| Project Outcomes – Quantitative | A field day was held in November 2010 for 39 participants management approach for the grass weed.
Chairman Jim Benton developed a project designed both to raise awareness of Coolatai grass and to demonstrate that a progression of grazing, carpet wiping and over-sowing can efficiently remove mature Coolatai before it seeds and promote desirable species. The results were impressive and a further trial has been funded by the Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA to build on the knowledge gained. |
| Lessons Learned | The combination of a wet season and increased legume germinations produced an over abundance of clover and a bloat threat to cattle on the site. |
| Transferable Outcomes | · Landholder of “Reedy Creek” has created a partnership with BR-G CMA, NEWA, DI&I Glen Innes & Tamworth, and NIWAC to disseminate the outcomes and extension materials from the project to other landholders at a second field day · Increased interest in management techniques from landholders and neighbouring property owners with infestations of Coolatai grass |
