Lippia Control and Management

IntroductionDaniel and Rosanna Allen own ‘Lenmoss’, a 170ha property on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River at Uroly, 27 kilometres west of Narrandera, NSW. Here they operate a mixed farming enterprise, consisting of 35ha of irrigated cropping and 60ha of dryland cropping, with the balance of the property used for grazing the self-replacing breeding herd of Murray Grey cattle.

The natural resource issueLippia (Phyla canescens) is a small, low growing, ground cover plant introduced from South America. Lippia has the ability to spread quickly and smother other vegetation, and as a result is a major threat to biodiversity and riparian areas. It has limited palatability to cattle and dominates native plant species leading to significant impacts on:

• conservation systems • grazing systems • rural land values.

Daniel and Rosanna first recognised lippia on ‘Lenmoss’ a few years ago, and now it infests a 10ha paddock along the river. In conjunction with the Euroley-Gillenbah Landcare Group and support from the Murrumbidgee CMAs National Landcare Program project, the Allen’s were involved in investigating control programs for lippia, believing that controlling lippia would increase the success of pasture establishment.

What was doneThe lippia control project looked to compare the effectiveness of two different chemicals– glyphosate and

2,4-D amine on the control of lippia and the subsequent establishment of perennial pasture.

Two 5ha sites were established. The glyphosate trial site was sprayed initially in spring/early summer 2006, with a follow up spray occurring in early autumn 2007.

Due to dry seasonal conditions, the 2,4-D amine spray was not undertaken as this chemical is most effective when the plant is in mid-flower, actively growing in spring and early summer and there is good soil moisture.

Establishing pastures is also a challenge in dry times and the Allen’s did not invest in improving pastures in the lippia affected areas as part of the trial.

C a s e s T u d y

www.murrumbidgee.cma.nsw.gov.au

New South Wales

Project focus: Weed control

Location: 27km west of Narrandera

Size: 170ha

Enterprises: Irrigated and dryland cropping, beef

Wagga Wagga

Uroly

Murrumbidgee River

Cooma

Hay

Daniel Allen, owner of ‘Lenmoss’ in a paddock chemically treated for Lippia

C a s e s T u d y

What they foundWhile the glyphosate spray initially reduced the extent of the lippia, it returned and spread again over the area, demonstrating its ability to tolerate dry conditions. Daniel believes that the absence of a competitive pasture species contributed to the regrowth of lippia.

Daniel and Rosanna plan to repeat the chemical treatments this year, and sow a pasture mix of phalaris, clover and medic. They aim to turn the 10ha paddock into a productive area of land which can be used for strategic cattle grazing 4 to 5 times a year. Tables 1 and 2 show costs associated with lippia control.

Cost/BenefitThe major cost in controlling lippia is the establishment of a competitive pasture species/mix.

Table 1: Costs of lippia control – glyphosate

Item Cost ($) (5ha)

Glyphosate – 2 applications $250

Application – 2 applications* $40

Pasture seed $250

Fertiliser $160

Cultivation and sowing* $300

Total $1,000

Cost $/ha $200

* includes labour

NB: the high cost of glyphosate is due to a high application rate

Table 2: Costs of lippia control – 2,4-D amine

Item Cost ($) (5ha)

2,4-D amine – 2 applications $45

Application – 2 applications* $40

Pasture seed $250

Fertiliser $160

Cultivation and sowing* $300

Total $795

Cost $/ha $159

* includes labour

The ability to establish a competitive pasture and subsequent increases in stocking rate is where the benefit of lippia control is expected.

Benefits and challengesThe key benefits of lippia control are:

• Improved pasture production and feed value to livestock

• Reduced competition with native species

• Improved river bank health with less slumping.

Some challenges:

• Obtaining an effective kill– the right chemical at the right time

• The ability to follow up the chemical treatment with establishment of pasture which provides competition for lippia

• The high cost of control (~$200/ha)– which means failure is expensive.

Messages for other land managers• Lippia control requires a well planned,

well timed, integrated approach which is based on a good understanding of the weed and the interaction between various control methods.

• The degree of success depends on seasonal conditions, where in some cases, duplication of treatments may be required in subsequent years.

For more informationIt is important to ALWAYS FOLLOW THE LABEL when using and applying chemicals. Seek advice from your local chemical distributor about application rates and concentrations.

Earl, J. (2003). “Distribution and Impacts of Lippia (Phyla canescens) in the Murray Darling System” Prepared for the Murray Darling Lippia Working Group and the Murray Darling Basin Commission. http://www.cotton.pi.csiro.au/content/Industry/Publications/Environ-mentandNRM/LippiaReport.aspx

Leigh C., and Walton C.S. (2004). Lippia (Phyla canescens) in Queensland, Pest Status Review, Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water. http://www.nrw.qld.gov.au/pests/management_plans/pdf/lippia_psa.pdf

Motley, K. et al (2004). Using herbicides in a lippia management program Agnote DPI-384, second edition, NSW Department of Agriculture.

Industry and Investment NSW (formerly Dpt of Primary Industries) – AgNote - Using herbicides in a lippia management program. http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/156317/lippia.pdf

Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water Lippia Fact Sheet, http://www.nrw.qld.gov.au/factsheets/pdf/pest/pp61.pdf

Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority http://www.murrumbidgee.cma.nsw.gov.au

Phyla canescens, the invasive weed commonly known as lippia

acknowledgements: The Murrumbidgee CMA wishes to acknowledge land managers Daniel and Rosanna Allen for their time and input in assisting with the creation of this case study.