How Aussie farmers are turning the tide on $4.43 billion weed problem
From council reserves to backyard gardens, weeds have received a lot of attention in recent years due to their ability to spread rapidly, strangle native plants and harm wildlife. Now, grain and cotton growers across the country are fighting back — and winning.
According to a new report released by the CSIRO on Monday night, on average, weeds cost grain producers $4.3 billion a year — a seven per cent increase in costs compared to 10 years ago — but they are reaping the rewards of their investment.
Grain producers drastically reduce impact of weeds on crop yield
By focusing on 'smarter, long-term management strategies', farmers have been able to drastically reduce the impact of weeds on crop yield from 2.8 million tonnes in 2016 to 1.2 million tonnes in 2025.
Their efforts, including harvest weed seed control, crop rotation and using new technologies such as camera-guided herbicide spraying, have led to higher production and therefore a higher income.
'Weed control remains one of the biggest annual costs for growers, but the investment is paying off,' said Dr Rick Llewellyn, a CSIRO research scientist who co-authored the report led by Jackie Ouzman.
'By staying ahead of the weed seed bank, resistance and adopting smarter, more targeted practices, growers are protecting long-term profitability and enabling flexibility in their system.'
Improved summer fallow weed control — the removal of weeds that grow when a field is intentionally left uncultivated between cropping seasons — has helped tremendously, CSIRO reports. The method conserves moisture in the soil to better support crops in the drier seasons, and is a 'critical part of climate adaption', Dr Llewellyn said.
'With increasingly variable rainfall and larger cropping programs, growers need to sow crops when conditions are right without delays for weed control,' he said.
🌸 Warning not to touch invasive weed 'growing everywhere' in Aussie suburb
🚙 Alert issued to residents, travellers after dangerous find on side of roads
🌱 Common roadside plant wreaking havoc in Australia: 'Shocking way to die'
Cotton industry forks out $145 million annually on weeds
The cotton industry is also forking out $145 million annually on weeds, with growers shown to invest heavily in keeping densities exceptionally low, the study, which was funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC), states.
While new threats continue to emerge locally, across the country the most costly weeds remain the same: ryegrass, brome grass, sow thistle, wild radish and wild oats. The costliest weeds that emerge between cropping seasons are melons, heliotrope and fleabane.
Dr Llewellyn said while Aussie farmers are leading the way for weed management globally, there needs to be continued research into how to 'stay ahead' while also reducing the costs for both industries.
'The only reason we're not seeing widespread yield losses from weeds today is because of years of sustained research and grower innovation,' he said.
'This is a quiet success story, but it's a battle where you can't pause — the weed challenge keeps evolving and demanding new solutions.'
To do so, the GRDC is reinvesting in a five-year, $47 million Weed Management Initiative, which will support more than 20 weed research scientists, as well as 12 new PhD student scholarships.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Medscape
12 hours ago
- Medscape
What Your Sperm Says About You
Semen analysis not only provides information on fertility but also offers insights into the overall health. A recent study published in Nature reported that sperm quality can significantly improve with basic lifestyle and dietary changes. Global Decline Sperm quality has steadily declined over the past 50 years. Between 1973 and 2011, the global sperm concentration and total sperm count decreased significantly. This decline was most pronounced in Western countries, with a reduction in the total sperm count of almost 60%. The study, led by Hannah Lyons, a researcher at the Robinson Research Institute and School of Biomedicine at the University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia, attributed this decline to multiple factors. These include chronic conditions such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome, exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates, bisphenol A, cadmium, dioxins, and lead, and heat exposure. Lifestyle factors, including certain medications, substance use, poor diet, and physical inactivity, can impair sperm production by disrupting hormonal regulation, damaging testicular cells, and increasing oxidative stress due to elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). High ROS levels can damage sperm DNA, compromise the membrane integrity, and reduce sperm motility. Established risk factors include smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, drug abuse, and excessive exercise. Nutrient Impact Sperm quality can recover more rapidly than previously believed. In a study of 132 men with fertility issues, a 3-month micronutrient regimen, including L-carnitine (440 mg), L-arginine (250 mg), zinc (40 mg), vitamin E (120 mg), glutathione (80 mg), selenium (60 µg), coenzyme Q10 (15 mg), and folic acid (800 µg), significantly improved semen parameters. Volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility, total motility, and morphology increased by 33.3%, 215.5%, 93.1%, 36.4%, and 23.0%, respectively (all P < .001). No improvements were observed in healthy individuals (n = 73). In the 6 months following the intervention, the pregnancy rate among the partners of the participating men was also recorded. More pregnancies occurred in the intervention group (25.8%) than in the healthy group (15%). Although this study had some limitations, including age differences and limited risk factor data, two additional trials supported these findings. The researchers concluded that micronutrients may restore sperm production within 3 months. Combined Approach A 2021 study by Markus Lipovac, PhD, at the Robinson Research Institute at the University of Adelaide, and colleagues evaluated 339 men who received micronutrient supplements along with lifestyle changes. These include a healthy diet, regular exercise, and reduced smoking and alcohol consumption. Of these, 162 men received supplements and lifestyle guidance, whereas 177 followed lifestyle and dietary modifications. After 6 months, sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and pregnancy rates were assessed. In the supplement group, DFI decreased from 10.48 to 6.51 overall and from 20.39 to 9.93 in men with DFI > 15% ( P < .001). Pregnancy rates were higher with supplements: 27.78% vs 15.25% overall and 41.30% vs 22.86% in men with DFI > 15%. The limitations of this study include missing demographic data, lack of randomization, and lack of information on the extent of lifestyle changes. The researchers emphasized that while the study could not separate the effects of micronutrient supplementation from lifestyle interventions, both appeared to benefit reproductive function, with spermatogenesis being relatively responsive. However, only active micronutrient treatment significantly reduced sperm DNA fragmentation and improved pregnancy rates, highlighting the need for randomized trials and further investigations. DFI Interpretation < 15% — very good sperm quality 15%-25% — good sperm quality 25% — impaired sperm quality (increased DNA damage) A higher DFI is associated with lower fertility and an increased risk for miscarriage. Short-Term Gains Sperm quality may improve within 1 month of treatment. In a study of 402 men with abnormal semen, a 1-month personalized program including reduced or no smoking and alcohol, wearing loose underwear, avoiding baths over 15 minutes, limiting radiation exposure, stopping finasteride or dutasteride, and avoiding laptop use on the lap produced positive effects such as motility increased by 7.6%, sperm concentration by 6.9 million/mL, and total sperm count by 15.7 million (all P < .001). These findings challenge the belief that treatment must last at least 3 months, based on the 42- to 74-day sperm production cycle. The authors noted that this has major implications for the treatment and management of environmental- or lifestyle-related causes of male infertility. Broader Implications Semen analysis may reflect the overall health of men, not just their fertility. Men with infertility or abnormal semen are at a higher risk for hospitalization and early death. Men with infertility had a 26% higher risk for death (95% CI, 1.01-1.59), and men with oligo- or azoospermia had a 67% higher risk (risk ratio, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.26-2.21) than those with normal sperm counts. Sperm Analysis A study of 11,935 men at two health centers in the US from 1994 to 2011 found that low ejaculate volume, low sperm concentration, low total sperm count, poor motility, and low total motility were associated with increased mortality rates. Mortality was assessed using data from the Social Security Death Index and the National Death Index. The authors concluded that men with two or more abnormal sperm parameters had a 2.3-fold higher mortality risk. Abnormal sperm parameters often reflect poor health or disease and are linked to a higher risk for cancer. Studies have shown that men with infertility have an increased risk for prostate and testicular cancer. The exact reasons for this association are unclear but could point to genetic causes, which the research team has emphasized in their study. The researchers concluded that semen analysis could be a useful health tool for diagnosing infertility. Male fertility is closely linked to overall health, long-term illnesses, and risk for death. Routine semen testing could help detect health risks early and allow for immediate lifestyle changes. Abnormal results may prompt further health checkups. The link between poor sperm quality and self-image may motivate men to take better care of their health. Sensitive Communication Colloquial language and humor can sometimes help in medical conversations, but not in men's reproductive health. In a survey of men, participants reported a lack of sensitive communication from healthcare professionals, with insensitive language frequently used to communicate the diagnosis of infertility in men. Humor was frequently employed, with comments such as, 'Your nuts are stuffed,' or, '…your sperm […] they're all kind of knackered.' These remarks caused distress, and participants said that the same information could have been conveyed more sensitively.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Invasive weed vanishes from popular tourist attraction thanks to tiny 'miracle'
One of the country's most invasive and destructive weeds has been officially eradicated from a 400-hectare wildlife sanctuary with the help of an unlikely accomplice, and could soon be replicated around Australia. Scotch broom was first introduced as a garden plant in the early 1900s, however it quickly spread across Australia's southeast, smothering native vegetation and destroying wildlife habitat — ultimately landing itself on the list of Weeds of National Significance. Now, in what Tim Faulkner, managing director of sanctuary Aussie Ark, has deemed an 'ecological miracle', the pesky plant has completely vanished from the conservation organisation's site situated near NSW's Barrington Tops, which is also a popular destination for eco-tourists. 'It's thick, short canopy chokes out native flora and wipes out wildlife,' Faulkner said. 'It was all over the Ark. We've been fighting it for years, a decade in fact, with more traditional methods like spraying [and] clearing, with very limited success.' What is Scotch broom? Scotch broom (cytisus scoparius) is a deciduous shrub that grows up to four metres tall and has deep-yellow flowers that can also feature a tinge of white and red. It is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia, partly because of its economic and environmental impacts, according to the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions. The plant, which is spread solely by seeds, can reduce grazing areas and harbour feral animals such as rabbits, foxes and pigs in its dense thickets, NSW's Department of Primary Industries states. It is toxic to humans and some animals and will cause discomfort and irritation, but it is not life-threatening. The poisonous seeds can cause high blood pressure and nausea if ingested. Scotch broom favours disturbed sites such as roadsides and cooler areas with higher rainfall. Along with NSW, the species has been recorded in Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. How did Aussie Ark finally eradicate Scotch broom? In 2016, Aussie Ark teamed up with Scone Landcare, Landcare NSW and the Department of Primary Industries to release English broom gall mites (aceria genistae) — a tiny insect that specifically targets the invasive plant. 'It's an environmental hero, a natural control solution,' Faulkner said, adding that the ambitious biological control program was a 'slow burn' for the first eight-and-a-half years. 'Then it went boom, and the magic happened.' Last week, Aussie Ark confirmed the insects had destroyed all remnants of the weed, which was once quite prevalent in the area. The eradication 'from such a significant sanctuary is not just a local win', Jodie Lovell, enabling program manager at Landcare NSW said, but it's 'a model of success that could be replicated across the state'. 💦 Region's battle against sinister threat lurking at popular waterfall 🌳 Property owners warned after council finds 'significant' weed in garden 💰 How Aussie farmers are turning the tide on $4.43 billion weed problem Local landowners, state forests and national parks called to action English broom gall mites sit dormant each winter before becoming active again in the spring. 'That's when Aussie Ark wants to strike,' Faulkner said, encouraging local landowners and its neighbouring state forests and national parks to 'get involved'. 'Aussie Ark has the mite — a surplus of them. If you would like to join Aussie Ark to help roll out this natural, biological environmental control program, come join Aussie Ark's war on weeds.' To find out more, contact Aussie Ark at admin@ Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
CNN
17 hours ago
- CNN
Australia's Great Barrier Reef devastated by worst coral bleaching on record, new report finds
OceaniaFacebookTweetLink Follow Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef, famed for its stunning colors and biodiversity, suffered its biggest ever decline last year after a marine heatwave bleached vast swathes of hard coral, a new report has found. The reef had its worst summer on record in 2024 when the world underwent a rare global mass coral bleaching event impacting dozens of countries. Surging water temperatures combined with an El Niño weather pattern caused stressed corals to expel algae and lose their color. An official analysis released on Wednesday now shows the reef lost between a quarter to a third of its hard coral cover across three main regions, according to the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). In some areas, particularly hard-hit reefs lost up to 70% of their living coral. The 2024 bleaching event 'had the largest spatial footprint ever recorded on the (Great Barrier Reef),' the report found. 'The declines in the north and south were the largest in a single year since monitoring began 39 years ago.' CNN witnessed the widespread bleaching in visits to the Great Barrier Reef in 2024 – and to the Ningaloo Reef on Australia's western coast in 2025 – during which one scientist described the devastation as like 'wildfires underwater.' The massive loss across the 2,300-kilometer (1,400-mile) ecosystem is especially discouraging after it experienced significant growth in the last few years, with some fast-growing corals that helped the reef recover from previous bleaching. But these corals 'were known to be extremely vulnerable and one bad summer away from losing those gains,' the report said – adding that those fears came true last year, with the fast-growing corals among the most severely impacted. 'It raises the prospect that the Great Barrier Reef may reach a point from which it cannot recover,' it warned. Covering nearly 133,000 square miles (345,000 square kilometers), the Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef, home to more than 1,500 species of fish and 411 species of hard corals. It contributes billions of dollars to the Australian economy each year, mainly through tourism, and is promoted heavily to foreign visitors as one of the country's – and the world's – greatest natural wonders. But all that is in danger, with activists and scientists warning with increasing urgency over the past decade that the reef's future is at risk. Severe mass bleaching at the Great Barrier Reef had previously been observed in 1998, 2002, 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2022. Corals can recover from bleaching if the temperatures return to normal, but they will perish if the water stays warmer than usual. Water temperatures spiked again early this year during Australia's summer, peaking in March and causing even more bleaching – though its impacts have not yet been fully measured and were not included in this report. Oceans are now storing 90% of the excess heat from global warming — and each of the last eight years has set a new record for the amount of heat stored in the ocean. The destruction of marine ecosystems would deliver an effective death sentence for around a quarter of all species that depend on reefs for survival, scientists warn. Reefs also provide vital protection for coastlines, reducing the impact of floods, cyclones and sea level rise. The bleaching is 'a call to action,' said the non-profit Queensland Conservation Council on Wednesday after the report's release. The council, the peak body for dozens of Queensland's environment groups, called on state and national leaders to reduce emissions and shut down coal power stations. Australian is transitioning to renewable energy, like other developed nations, but critics say it's not happening fast enough. 'The coral reefs of the future are unlikely to look like those of the past. The loss of biodiversity seems inevitable,' the report read, urging more research into reef adaptation and protection while the world works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
