Using Integrated Weed Management to Minimize Production and Environmental Impacts in Grasslands: An Australian Perspective

Using Integrated Weed Management to Minimize Production and Environmental Impacts in Grasslands: An Australian Perspective

This paper reviews the impacts of weeds that threaten either pasture production or native grassland biodiversity values. It then reviews weed management strategies in grasslands to control weeds. We describe differing perceptions of grassland weeds and the associated societal values underlying these perceptions that present challenges for weed management decision making. A short potted history of grassland weed management is presented with some recent examples of long-term effective weed management programs based on biological control. We argue that only integrated weed management based on grazing strategies and where appropriate biological control for high impact alien weeds will lead to effective weed management in grasslands. We also describe current and continuing research challenges for effective weed management in grasslands, including; biological control of grasses, effective IWM strategies in pastures, grazing strategies based on mixed livestock systems, weed management in rangelands and automated approaches using new technologies.