Skeleton Weed Program 2013 – 2014
REPORT TO GRAIN GROWERS
Foreword
I am pleased to present this report outlining the delivery and outcomes of the Skeleton Weed
Program. The program has now completed its fourth year of operation via the Grains, Seeds and
Hay Industry Funding Scheme, which was established under the Biosecurity and Agriculture
Management Act 2007.
The Industry Management Committee that oversees the Scheme on behalf of producers is
confident that the program is effective at slowing the spread of the weed. This is reflected in the
significant decrease in the area known to be infested with skeleton, which is down to 1440
hectares from 2518 hectares in 2012-13.
The efforts of the program staff to effectively deliver the program in almost 50 shires across the
wheatbelt, and the effort put in by growers and the Local Action Groups is to be commended.
During the year, the Industry Management Committee surveyed contributors to the Grains, Seeds
and Hay Industry Funding Scheme to determine their views on the use of industry funds for
skeleton weed. There was overwhelming support for the Program, which to me reflects the strong
interest of the WA industry in tackling this issue.
As we move into the fifth year, I am confident that the Program will continue to deliver positive
outcomes for the grain, seed and hay industries of Western Australia.
Barry Large
Chairman Grains, Seed and Hay Industry Funding Scheme Management Committee
Supporting your success
Recent Improvements:
An increase to $7.50 (from $6.00) for contracted
search assistance was made in the 2013–14
budget - to better reflect the costs of contract
searching for skeleton weed. This was offset by a
reduction in the amount paid for landholder
searching (from $6 to $4). The change has had a
significant impact on the ratio of contactor to
landholder searching in summer and contractor
searching has increased to 57% (up from 31.2% in
2012–13).
Compliance has been given a higher priority by
the Grains IMC in recent years and project staff
were able to devote more time to audit and
compliance in 2013–14.
To be effective however, compliance needs to be
applied evenly and consistently across all areas
and situations and this has created the need for
dedicated project staff for this activity. The Grains
IMC has authorised the appointment of two
Compliance Officers in the coming 2014–15
season to accommodate this into the future. It is
expected that this increased focus on compliance
will ensure all landholders meet their obligations
with respect to skeleton weed management.
Program Milestones:
significantly higher percentage of the infested area (57% of the area
claimed) compared to 32% last season.
The Grains, Seeds and Hay Industry Management Committee decided
not to undertake a formal review of the Skeleton Weed Program in 2013.
Instead a survey of growers, to gauge their level of support for the
program, was recommended. The survey was undertaken in between
July and August 2013 and prompted a very good response from
landholders.
DAFWA staff undertook surveillance searching on over 43,000 hectares
(ha) as part of their active surveillance of high risk ‘clean’ properties,
checks on recently released paddocks and targeted surveillance activity.
Over 57 000 ha of landholder surveillance searching was also reported. A
total of 58 new infested properties were reported by landholders or found
by DAFWA staff undertaking surveillance in 2013–14 (Table 1).
Two media campaigns were undertaken to promote the survey and
encourage participation, emails were also sent to key industry
organisations, community groups and government staff with a request to
forward the information to their networks. This email campaign resulted in
very effective promotion and delivery of the survey to a large number of
grain, seed, and hay producers. The majority of landholders who
responded were positive about the work of the program and were happy
to retain their current contribution.
DAFWA staff again audited all eligible properties to remove them from
the infested list, and skeleton weed was eradicated on 44 properties in
2013–14. The result is a total of 940 infested properties at the 30 June
2014.
A total of 1,440 ha was marked and treated during the 2013–14 summer,
which was a significant decrease on the 2518 ha in 2012–13. Seasonal
conditions were the major factor in this decline.
All ‘Code 1’ paddocks and new finds reported to the Department of
Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) qualified for search assistance, with a
total of $1 095 000 spent for searching 170 000 hectares on 1542
paddocks.
The total cost of the 2013–14 program was $3 052 000 as at the 30th
June 2014. This amount was $398 000 less than the estimated budget of
$3.45 million for the 2013–14 season.
With the changes in the rates for search assistance to: $7.50 per hectare
for contractors and $4.00 for landholders, contractors searched a
Skeleton weed surveillance
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How is the money spent?
Table 1: Budget Summary 2013–14
The total cost of the 2013–14 operations of the Skeleton Weed Program
was $3 052 000. Approximately $1.6 million of expenditure during the
year was allocated to landholder support in the form of search
assistance, funding for Local Action Groups and winter herbicide
treatments (Table 1). A further $988 000 was directed to program
support activities such as research, education, regulation and
surveillance.
Revenue
The approved budget included an amount of $438 000 towards the
estimated cost of support provided by the Department of Agriculture and
Food, covering expenses such as staff overhead costs and financial,
personnel and operational management.
Program support activities
SW component of Grains IFS Account at 30
June 2013
Share of Grains IFS contributions (estimated)
Other income
$3 874 000
$4 580 000
$133 000
Expenditure
Landholder audit and compliance
Education and awareness
The cost of undertaking surveillance and control within the Perth
metropolitan area is more than offset by revenues raised through
charging land managers for the work undertaken. For the 2013–14 year,
fee for service work in Perth raised over $30 000
$540 000
$75 000
Targeted surveillance searching (including metro area)
$248 000
Response to new finds
$100 000
Field research
Contribution to DAFWA in-kind support
Program support total
$25 000
$438 000
$1 426 000
Direct landholder support
Winter spraying contracts
Local group support
Provision for landholder searching subsidies
Infested property support activities
Tordon™ supply
3
$23 000
$331 000
$1 095 ,000
$130 000
$47 000
Landholder support total
$1 626 000
Approximately program budgeted expenditure for
the period 2013–14
$3 052 000
Estimated skeleton weed component of Grains
Industry Funding Scheme account at 30 June 2014
$5 500 000
Table 2: Skeleton Weed Program key indicators (1999 to 2014)
Year
Number of
properties known
to be infested at
the start of the
season
Area
searched
(ha)
Infested
area
(ha)
Infested
paddocks
area
(ha)
Number
of new
finds
Number of
properties
released
Number of
properties
infested at the
end of the
season
Program cost
($)
99/00
548
134 000
1453
81 125
54
31
571
2 767 000
15
00/01
571
132 000
1610
81 500
76
27
620
3 229 000
15
01/02
597
128 000
3375
108 060
142
5
734
3 029 ,000
35
02/03
734
499 000
1800
128 780
92
20
806
2 057 000
35
03/04
806
485 000
2600
136 100
53
34
825
4 357 000
35
04/05
790*
487 000
3168
151 080
53
68
775
3 745 000
35
05/06
775
390 000
1701
126 990
63
53
785
3 347 000
35
06/07
785
350 000
2170
137 ,310
49
46
788
3 250 000
30
07/08
770*
426 900
1635
151 670
63
61
772
3 397 000
30
08/09
752*
424 800
3019
200 895
108
25
825
3 950 000
30
09/10
796*
504 600
1702
170 016
89
25
860
3 666 000
30
10/11
857*
475 000
836
146 760
53
60
850
2 910 000
27
11/12
850
402 050
1710
179 ,350
102
58
897
3 180 000
27
12/13
896
453 250
2518
190 ,285
95
48
926
3 282 500
27/15
13/14
926
409 030
1440
169 245
58
44
940
3 052 000
27/13.5
* Note: number of infested properties at start of season appear reduced because of property amalgamations.
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Grower
contribution
(cents per
tonne)
Trends
The Skeleton Weed Program continues to provide significant benefits to owners / managers of both infested and non-infested properties, as it has done
for the past 36 years of operation. Without a co-ordinated program aimed at controlling spread, skeleton weed would now be much more abundant and
widely established throughout the wheatbelt.
In the 2013–14 program little change was recorded in the parameters used to measure program progress, with only very slight increases in most areas in
the number of infested properties. Some areas (Yilgarn and Merredin) recorded small reductions. The overall area infested with skeleton weed and the
paddock infested area has also declined significantly from 2518 ha in 2012–13 to 1440 ha (Table 2). These results are mainly due to persistent dry
conditions over the summer period which have impacted on the growth and vigour of skeleton weed plants
A pleasing trend was the decrease in the number of new finds (58), down from 95 the previous year.
As well, the level of Landholder participation continues to increase and this, along with the much improved submission of paddock search records has
contributed greatly to the program’s success in 2013–14.
landholders choosing to have contractors undertake the search. With
better crop yields for the 2013 growing season, many landholders were
focussed on harvest.
Area searched
The total area searched in 2013–14, at 409 030 ha, was significantly less
(at 44 220 less ha) than last season. This was mainly due to a decrease
in the ‘Code 1’ paddock area eligible from the 2012–13 search season
and a reduction in the area of surveillance searching undertaken by
DAFWA (Figure 2).
Area Searched (hectares)
600000
Landholders
DAFWA
500000
The area of surveillance searching by affected landholders increased by
over 15 000 ha to 57 435 ha in 2013–14. While it still remains a challenge
to have this searching reported on paddock search return forms, linking
the payment of search assistance to the submission of all search returns
has helped improve landholder compliance with the due date of 15
February.
400000
300000
200000
100000
0
Contractors searched a total of 65 400 hectares of eligible ‘Code 1’
paddocks and new finds, and were paid $730 200 under the search
assistance scheme. The area searched by contractors was significantly
greater than previous seasons due to changes to the payment rate and
99- 00- 01- 02- 03- 04- 05- 06- 07- 08- 09- 10- 11- 12- 1300 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14
Figure 2: Area Searched in the agricultural regions.
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Infested properties
New detections (properties)
There are currently 941 properties known to be infested with skeleton
weed in the Western Australian agricultural area. This is a net increase of
15 properties since the start of the 2013–14 program (Table 2). A total of
44 new infested properties reported by landholders, and a further 14
found from DAFWA surveillance was balanced by 44 properties being
removed from the infested list after audit.
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Figure 3 shows the continuation of the upward trend following a five-year
period when numbers remained relatively stable at just under 800. The
good news is that the rate of increase is relatively low and flattening out.
Most of the new infestations found by DAFWA staff were within 5-10
kilometres of an existing infestation, and eight were on previously
infested properties (Figure 4).
99- 00- 01- 02- 03- 04- 05- 06- 07- 08- 09- 10- 11- 12- 1300 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14
Figure 4: Number of new infested properties in the agricultural regions.
Infested area
Infested properties
The area known to be infested with skeleton weed decreased
significantly in 2013–14 to 1440 ha, down from 2 518 ha in 2012–13
(Figure 5). This can be related to season conditions in 2013, but
additionally is a reflection of the effectiveness of the skeleton weed
program.
1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
A map of the agricultural area showing the locations of all infested sites
can be found at the end of this report (Figure 6).
Most shires with known skeleton weed infestations recorded a decrease
in the infested area. Major reductions (some in the vicinity of 50%) were
recorded in the Western (Avon), Merredin and Yilgarn skeleton weed
zones. With the current (2014) growing season off to a good start in most
areas, it will be interesting to see what movement occurs with skeleton
weed in coming search season (2014–15).
99- 00- 01- 02- 03- 04- 05- 06- 07- 08- 09- 10- 11- 12- 1300 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14
Figure 3: Number of infested properties in the agricultural regions.
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Compliance actions
Infested area (hectares)
1500
The Grains IMC are keen to continue to improve on the level of
compliance by landholders and have approved the appointment of two
compliance officers in the coming seasons (2014–15 and beyond). This
is in recognition of the Committee’s commitment to apply a greater level
of compliance across the program and its activities.
1000
Industry Funding Schemes
3500
3000
2500
2000
500
The skeleton weed program continues to operate under the Biosecurity
and Agricultural Management Industry Funding Scheme (Grains)
Regulations 2010. Responsibility for approving the funding and
operations of the program reside with a Grains, Seed and Hay Industry
Management Committee (Grains IMC) appointed by the Minister in June
2010.
0
99- 00- 01- 02- 03- 04- 05- 06- 07- 08- 09- 10- 11- 12- 1300 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14
Figure 5: Area Infested with skeleton weed in the agricultural regions.
Perth metropolitan area
The Grains IMC met in April 2013 and approved programs for the control
of skeleton weed and the eradication of three horned bedstraw on behalf
of the WA Grains Industry. The Committee recommended a contribution
rate on grains and seed of 30 cents per tonne with 27 cents allocated to
the Skeleton Weed Program and 3 cents to bedstraw control. In addition,
a contribution of 15 cents per tonne was set for hay producers with 12.5
cents going to the Skeleton Weed Program. All contributions to the
scheme are collected by purchasers of grain and hay and are paid into a
Grains, Seed and Hay Industry Declared Pest Control and Compensation
Account managed by DAFWA in consultation with the Grains IMC.
Surveillance in the Perth area was conducted in early December 2013
and February 2014. All managers of infested sites must conduct
searching for (and treatment of) skeleton weed at their cost or contract
DAFWA to undertake the work on a fee-for-service basis. Seven shires,
five government authorities and 18 businesses agreed to the fee-forservice offer, which earned the program approximately $29 000 during
2013–14. Those land managers who chose to undertake the
management themselves were required to report on their activities and
were subject to audits.
Research
A total of 118 sites across thirteen shires were inspected. Plants were
found at 54 sites, including three new sites, with the majority being in the
Henderson / Bibra Lake area. All plants were treated with Tordon™
granules.
No formal research was undertaken within the program during the year,
but a joint project between the Skeleton Weed Program and the
University of Western Australia has been developed and will be
undertaken in the 2014–15 season. This research will focus on modelling
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of Skeleton Weed distribution and assist the program to better predict
where the spread will be. In turn this will allow us to better target
surveillance to these areas where spread is most likely to occur.
Local Action Groups (LAGs)
Five Local Action Groups (LAGs) were funded by the program during
2013–14. These groups received a total of $331 500, with the largest
amounts provided to the Yilgarn ($142 000) and Narembeen ($130 000)
groups. In the three heavily infested areas (Yilgarn, Narembeen and
Lakes districts) the three full time LAG coordinators have done an
excellent job of coordinating and implementing skeleton weed activities at
a local level.
In the Yilgarn and Narembeen shires, the LAGs, with assistance from
their local shires, provided winter treatment to all affected landholders for
the reimbursement of the cost of the chemicals used. The assistance
provided by LAGs to landholders has been invaluable. The Bruce Rock
and Kellerberrin LAGs also undertook winter treatment in 2013, saving
the program contracting costs. The LAGs have also been very successful
in developing local strategies, providing support for affected local growers
and helping them to meet their obligations.
Progress has been made on the formation of a sixth LAG in the Merredin
area and this is being promoted and supported by the Grains IMC and
the Department of Agriculture and Food.
Figure 6: Location of all infested sites throughout the agricultural regions
recorded for the 2013–14 season
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