Farmers Fights Against Hudson Pear
Farmers Fights Against Hudson Pear
Cumborah and Grawin farmers are collaborating to reduce the spread of Hudson Pear in their local area.
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LLCI022-026
The issue
North West Plains Sustainability Group held an information session with farmers in various areas to discuss issues that farmers are facing in their local areas. Farmers in the Cumborah district were very passionate about the spread of Hudson Pear from the ridges and the risks it posed entering into the Narran Lake waterways. The presence of Hudson Pear on the flood plain is particularly worrying as a flood could result in a significant increase in the footprint of the infestation.
Hudson Pear like many other cactus species spreads by the separation of segments that form a root when it comes into contact with the ground. Much of the spread has been associated with livestock, native and feral animals, vehicles and water movement (NSW DPI Primefacts, November 2006).
The solution
An information session was held in Grawin in March 2017, hosted by NWPSG and NW Local Landcare, to provide farmers on information on control options. Biological control specialists from the NSW DPI and QDAF presented on the impending release of a biological control agent. Local weeds authority, CMMCC was also present and updated landholders on the chemical control they are doing in the area.
The NWPSG were successful in receiving funding through the National Landcare Competitive Grant to help landholders develop and implement Hudson Pear Management Plans for their properties.
With the implementation of individual plans for each of the farmers who applied, chemical and spray packs were distributed by the NWPSG for groups to be able to work together. In six week cycles farmers band together to target areas of concern to spray over the course of a weekend.
The impact
The Hudson Pear project has had a successful transfer to be a community operated program that is assisted by the NWSPG. Farmers in the local area organise meetings and working bees for Hudson Pear control.
Key facts
- Collaboration with Local Landholders
- Community Driven Project
- Combating Obnoxious Weeds