Weed management on grazing properties: a survey of livestock producers in New South Wales and Victoria

Social research was conducted to explore factors influencing weed management on grazing properties in southern Australia. Face-to-face interviews were held with 122 livestock producers, 94 written questionnaires were returned and 90 grazing properties were visited and rated for weed incidence and management effort. Segmentation techniques revealed three groups, on the basis of farmer demographics and farm characteristics. These groups varied significantly in the range of control methods used, weed management effort, difficulties encountered with weed control and attitudes towards weed control. Respondents were also grouped into four categories with respect to weed control methods: minimal control, mechanical control, grazing control and maximal control. Control groups differed significantly in terms of the number and complexity of methods used, difficulties encountered with weed control, levels of weed awareness and the value placed on various sources of information about weed control. Characteristics of effective weed managers were considered and three factors were identified as underpinning success with weed control. These are referred to as the three 'Ds': diligence, diversity and deliberation. These factors have been used to define a three dimensional framework, within which the diversity of approaches towards weed control can be understood.