October 4, 2023
The third national survey of pests and weeds shows 85 per cent of land managers spent on average about $21,950 in 2022 on pest and weed species management.
ABARES executive director Dr Jared Greenville said the results of the 2022 ABARES pest animal and weed management land manager survey demonstrated that the level of commitment required to control pests and weeds was increasing.
“Land managers reported that feral animals continued to cause considerable impacts on their properties in 2022,” Dr Greenville said.
“The survey showed 89 per cent of land managers reported problems due to feral animals in 2022, up from 85 per cent in 2019.
“Foxes, rabbits, rats and mice were the most common species reported as causing problems.
“There have also been reports of feral animals that are new to properties or have increased in numbers, such as feral pigs and deer.
“About three-quarters of land managers continue to manage pest animals on their properties through various means.
“Ground shooting was the most common management activity, used by about 75 per cent of land managers. Pesticide and/or insecticide use and ground baiting were also popular control measures, used by around 50 per cent of land managers.”
There was also a small but meaningful increase in reports of weed-related problems on properties since 2019.
About 60 per cent of land managers reported problems with Weeds of National Significance in 2022, up from 58 per cent in 2019.
“The most common weeds that were reported as being new to the property were Fireweed, Feathertop Rhodes Grass, Fleabane, African Lovegrass, Thistles and Giant Rats Tail Grass,” Dr Greenville said.
“More than 80 per cent of land managers are actively managing weeds on their properties, with the application of herbicides remaining the most common weed management activity.”
