Woody Weed Workshop a Success at Barwite

Sixteen local landholders gathered on Sunday at the beautiful Gonzaga Reserve in Barwite for the Woody Weed Management Workshop, hosted by Up2Us Landcare Alliance with guest speaker Cam Patterson from Mansfield and District Weeds. The weather turned on a perfect spring day, providing an ideal setting for learning and practical a demonstration.

Cam shared his extensive experience in woody weed control, covering key topics such as chemical use, safety for people, livestock, wildlife, and waterways, as well as best-practice methods for managing weeds in both agricultural and natural settings. He also guided participants through selecting the right equipment for the job to make weed control more effective and less labour intensive.

The highlight of the workshop was Cam’s live demonstration on spraying a blackberry bush, which gave participants the chance to see first-hand how to apply techniques safely and effectively.

Discussion also explored the most common woody weeds in the Mansfield district. While blackberry is the most widespread, Cam emphasised that gorse is the most problematic, with seeds remaining viable in the soil for up to 80 years.

Up2Us offers a range of support for landholders, including weed control rebates, site visits to develop 4-year weed management plans, annual woody weed workshops, and spray unit hire. These programs make it easier for landholders to tackle weeds and improve the health of their land.