Peel and Harvey Shire landowners urged to get on top of declared weeds during winter growth season

Landholders in the Peel region and Shire of Harvey are being urged to help control two declared weeds.

The Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group is encouraging landowners to register for a free seven-day loan of equipment which can be used to manage invasive plant species.

Two large weed wipers and two small weep wipers are available for hire up until September to tackle Cape tulip during its short growing season.

It is a toxic plant which retains its potency when dried and incorporated into hay. Cape tulips have orange flowers with yellow centres.

Along with spreading easily, the plant requires long-term control efforts due to up to 60 per cent of its corms able to remain dormant in the soil at any one time.

An additional small weed wiper was added to the group’s arsenal this year after positive feedback from landholders.

It joins a recently acquired weed spray trailer, which can be used to control Paterson’s curse.

The plant is toxic to stock and is known to cause issues on agricultural land, degraded bushland and roadsides.

It geminates over winter, initially looking similar to a flat green spinach before its stems and signature purple flowers take over.

The plant can be a major issue for farmers as it is able to outcompete pastures and reduce land productivity.

The organisation’s weed spray trailer can also be used in controlling blackberry, arum lily and apple of Sodom.

Users will not be charged for the equipment’s use, including for delivery and collection, as the weed wipers and spray trailer have been funded through the Declared Pest Rate paid for by landholders.

To register for a loan, visit phbg.org/equipment-services. For more information, email outreach@phbg.org.