How to treat woody weeds without adverse environmental impacts
Whether you are growing crops or running livestock, controlling woody weeds requires the right strategy and the persistence to see it through.
As a producer, you would know how important it is to control all weeds, particularly the noxious ones. Controlling weeds improves the quality and coverage of pasture, and also ensures compliance with government legislation and environmental sustainability.
What does it mean when you have a weed problem?
There are a number of different types of weeds within Australia.
Invasive Plants or Noxious weeds are serious problem weeds and costs the state of Queensland $600 million annually. These weeds are easily spread and can be harmful to people and the environment. By law, farmers need to control these weeds.
Weeds of National Significance – these weeds are introduced species that are considered problematic weeds and are highly invasive. The list of 32 weeds of national significance is set by the federal government and is based on invasive tendencies, impact, the potential for spread, and socioeconomic and environmental impacts.
National Environmental Alert – this set of 28 weeds are non-native plant species that are in the early stages of establishment and have the potential to become a significant threat to biodiversity if they are not managed.
Native plants that are considered weeds – these are weeds that while native to Australia, have extended beyond their natural range or habitat and are invading rural properties and urban areas.
Why are weeds an issue for farmers?
Weeds cause problems on farms in a number of ways. Weeds grow faster, out-compete other plants, and use precious resources like water, nutrients, sunlight, and space. They invade crops, harm livestock, and can quickly spread across the property and prevent productive use of that land for farmers.
Certain weeds can injure and even poison livestock and humans. Weeds can act as a shelter for other pests and carry other plant diseases. Wool can be contaminated by seeds of weeds and milk and meat can become tainted by animals ingesting certain weeds. All these scenarios cause lower values for these products and often make them unsaleable and an economic loss to producers.
Some weeds can be a fire hazard and can interfere with farm practices like cultivation and harvest when machinery becomes entangled by weeds. Other weeds can become a barrier to stock, preventing them from accessing pastures and water.
In all weeds, impact on-farm production and impact economic outcomes as well as environmental impacts on ecosystems.
Woody weeds are particularly harmful to farms. They grow aggressively, multiply quickly, and can escalate to a level where they impact greatly on the productivity of your farm. Woody weeds can be difficult to control and they quickly rob you of productive land and harbor vermin and snakes.
Eradicating woody weeds can quickly become a priority job on farms if left unchecked.
What’s new in the fight to control woody weeds without harming the environment?
Finally, a product has arrived that ensures an effective kill with no adverse effects on the environment.
Di-Bak G Herbicide capsules are for the control of woody weeds and unwanted trees in forestry, pasture, commercial, industrial, and public service areas. Di-Bak G capsules contain Glyphosate and are inserted directly into the trunk with the Injecta 400 Applicator ensuring an effective kill with no adverse impacts on the surrounding environment.
Di-Bak G Herbicide is an encapsulated non-volatile, water-soluble granule with non-selective herbicidal activity against many weed plants. Di-Bak G capsules are injected directly into the stem’s sapwood ie stem injection into the vascular system. This chemical moves throughout the plant from the point of injection.
The most effective time to apply herbicides like Di-Bak G to woody plants is during growth periods when herbicidal materials will be translocated to growth points throughout the plant. Visible effect/efficacy of the product may be delayed/ impacted by poor growing conditions following treatment. It is important to ensure that the plug to the hole is well secured. The plug is vitally important to create a humid atmosphere within the tree for the capsule to disintegrate and the granules to dissolve so the glyphosate is translocated within the tree.
Mortality of adult trees occurs 4 months after treatment with Di-Bak G Herbicide. Visible effects are a gradual yellowing and wilting of the leaves which advance to complete browning of above-ground growth and deterioration of underground plant parts.
So when thinking about woody weed eradication or an overall farm strategy to control weeds, consider this innovative product, not only is it effective within four months but it leaves no residual and therefore won’t harm the trees and pastures you want to keep.
Specialist Sales is very experienced in working with producers to formulate an effective woody weed eradication plan and we will work with you to get the best products to do the job right the first time at the best best. Please contact our experienced sales team and they can help you through this process.
