Farm Biosecurity
- Building biosecurity for small farms: A small farms network guide (NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment). This guide describes the importance of biosecurity for livestock producers on small farms, with detail on potential biosecurity issues such as: the movement of people, vehicles & equipment on or off your property; managing inputs such as stock, feed, water & bedding; managing production practices; and managing environmental issues. It advocates for landholders to approach biosecurity at a community level, and includes several case studies of network-based approaches to biosecurity. 28 pages. Download here.
- Farm biosecurity action planner: The essentials (Animal Health Australia & Plant Health Australia). This booklet steps you through the basic process of preparing a biosecurity plan for your farm. It is an editable document, allowing you to type your chosen actions directly into it, and tick as you progress through them. The associated website includes a range of guides for more detailed information on various industries, including poultry, cattle, horses, pigs, honey bees, vegetables and gardens. 22 pages. Download here.
- Stop weeds at the gate (Hunter Local Land Services). This kit contains a handy procedure and checklist to help reduce the risk of weeds being brought onto your property and/or spread around your property by the movement of vehicles or machinery. It includes clear diagrams showing locations to check and clean for weeds or weed seeds on a range of vehicles. 8 pages. Download here.
Weed Management
- NSW weed control handbook: A guide to weed control in non-crop, aquatic and bushland situations (NSW Department of Primary Industries). This guide includes a brief coverage of various forms of integrated weed management, however the main focus of the handbook is on chemical control. Aspects covered include: reducing herbicide spray drift; using adjuvants with herbicides; withholding periods; and herbicide application techniques. This is followed by an extensive table detailing recommended chemicals and application rates for a large list of weed species. 123 pages. Download here.
- Preparing a whole of property weed management plan: A land managers guide (South East Local Land Services). This guide will help you develop your own weed management plan. It covers assessing your property, reviewing your management options, prioritising and goal setting, implementation and review. 24 pages. Download here.
- Weed detection and control on small farms: A guide for owners (University of New England). This handy little guide is an oldie but a goodie! It covers identifying weeds, and some basic information on integrated weed management. It is specifically aimed at small farmers, and includes answers to questions you are likely to ask, such as: Where and when should I look for weeds on my farm? How do I identify an unknown plant? What should I do when I find a new weed outbreak? and Which control methods are suitable for small farm owners? 32 pages. Download here.
- Woody weed control guide (DOW AgroSciences). Woody weeds can cause significant issues on a farm, and can be particularly difficult to control. This guide describes the different methods of control available for woody weeds, and different application methods for chemical control. It then summarises the chemicals suitable for control of various woody weeds, including the recommended rate of application. 36 pages. Download here.
- Sustainable management for healthy equine properties (Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority). This basic guide has information on some aspects of weed management specific to a horse property. 2 pages. Download here.
- Silverleaf nightshade: Best practice management manual (Murrumbidgee Landcare). This manual is the reference you need if you have any silverleaf nightshade on your property. This weed is highly invasive, and very difficult to control, so early action is a must! The guide provides practical and specific management advice for a range of situations, and presents case studies from various managers in different situations. 68 pages. Download here.
- Weed management in riparian areas: South-eastern Australia (CRC for Australian Weed Management). For properties with a creek or river, weed management can be particularly difficult in the riparian areas due to the favourable conditions which are often present in these areas, combined with the unwelcome spread of weed propagules from upstream areas. Control can also be more difficult, with many chemicals banned from use near waterways. This guide provides information on the ways in which weeds spread in riparian areas, species of weed often found here, and how they can be managed. 24 pages. Download here.
- Living next to nature: Being a good neighbour to the bush next door (ACT Region Conservation Council). This little booklet is all about the interaction between common residential issues and surrounding natural areas, including weeds, pets and fire. 28 pages. Download here.
- Guidelines for monitoring weed control and recovery of native vegetation (NSW Department of Primary Industries). Sometimes it may feel like all your efforts on weed control are for nought, with no noticeable change. But we can often forget just how bad things were! This guide provides some techniques for you to monitor your weed populations over time – giving you clear, unbiased data on the success (or otherwise) of your hard work! 28 pages. Download here.
Weed Identification
- Weeds Australia (Centre for Invasive Species Solutions). This website (currently in beta version) has links to almost 400 weed management profiles. It also has a key to help identify a weed you have found, based on a large range of physical characteristics, and also the geographic location it was found. There are lots of links to other useful weed-related resources and organisations as well. View here.
- NSW WeedWise (NSW Department of Primary Industries). This website has a handy searchable database with over 300 weed profiles, including description and control options for each. You can search for weeds by name, or if you are trying to identify something on your property you can search by plant characteristics or region. If that fails, you can also browse weeds alphabetically. View here.
Native Grass Identification
- Identification of native pasture species (Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc). This video provides identification tips and basic information on common native and introduced pasture species. There are over 20 species included, with a focus on those which are easily confused. 3.47 minutes. View here.
- Common native grasses of Central West NSW (Central West Local Land Services). Sometimes it can be difficult to know if something is a weed or a native. The best advice is to try and learn to identify your natives, as well as weeds! This guide serves as an excellent reference book to help identify the most common native grasses found in our region. It also provides detail on how they may be used for native pasture. 86 pages. Download here.
- Identifying native perennial grasses (EverGraze). This poster includes 15 native grasses which you are most likely to have – and want! – on your property. The handy photos and descriptions will help you to identify them when you see them. 1 page. Download here.
Pest Management
- Pest animal tool kits (PestSmart). These toolkits have background information on each pest animal species and descriptions of available control tools, supported by helpful videos and case studies of successful management programs. Species covered include: European foxes, wild dogs, rabbits, hares, feral pigs, feral cats, deer, goats and European carp. View here.
- FeralScan (Centre for Invasive Species Solutions). This website, and the accompanying free app, are designed to allow landholders to record sightings of pest animals in their region. This works best when a group – such as a Landcare group – all contribute, so that pest management can be coordinated across properties. The website also has some excellent resources on pest animals and their management, with all major pest species found locally covered. View here.
- Meeting your general biosecurity duty: Vertebrate pest animals (Riverina Local Land Services). This guide describes the general biosecurity duty, which requires all landholders to prevent, eliminate or minimise biosecurity risks as much as possible. There is also an obligation on people to be aware of their surroundings and take action to prevent the introduction and spread of pests. This guide for Riverina landholders summarises the key activities for management of European red foxes, feral cats, goats, pigs, deer, wild dogs and rabbits, with local case studies provided. 20 pages. Download here.
- Farm chemical management (NSW Department of Primary Industries). This webpage contains information on chemical storage and handling, including safe storage of pesticides, safe disposal of empty pesticide containers, and managing chemcical spills. It also covers the requirements regarding pesticide application records, and legal responsibilities in applying pesticides. View here.
