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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 30(3)

Economic analyses of options for weedy Sporobolus grass management

Steven Bray A C , Bill Holmes A and David Officer B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland, PO Box 6014, Rockhampton MC, Qld 4702, Australia.

B Department of Primary Industries, Private Mail Bag 2, Grafton, NSW 2460, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: steven.bray@dpi.qld.gov.au

The Rangeland Journal 30(3) 375-381 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ07061
Submitted: 5 October 2007  Accepted: 13 October 2008   Published: 30 October 2008

Abstract

Weedy Sporobolus grasses have low palatability for livestock, with infestations reducing land condition and pastoral productivity. Control and containment options are available, but the cost of weed control is high relative to the extra return from livestock, thus, limiting private investment.

This paper outlines a process for analysing the economic consequences of alternative management options for weedy Sporobolus grasses. This process is applicable to other weeds and other pastoral degradation or development issues.

Using a case study property, three scenarios were developed. Each scenario compared two alternative management options and was analysed using discounted cash flow analysis. Two of the scenarios were based on infested properties and one scenario was based on a currently uninfested property but highly likely to become infested without active containment measures preventing weed seed transport and seedling establishment.

The analysis highlighted why particular weedy Sporobolus grass management options may not be financially feasible for the landholder with the infestation. However, at the regional scale, the management options may be highly worthwhile due to a reduction in weed seed movement and new weed invasions. Therefore, to encourage investment by landholders in weedy Sporobolus grass management the investment of public money on behalf of landholders with non-infested properties should be considered.

Additional keywords: livestock carrying capacity, natural resource management, public funding, weed management.


Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the internal reviewers and referees for comments on the manuscript. Thank you to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) for financial support. This paper was presented at a Resource Economics Workshop, Rockhampton 2005 (www.agsip.cqu.edu.au/workshops/AGSIP2005.htm).


References


Andrews T. S. (1995). The population biology of giant Sporobolus R.Br. species as an aid to their management in pastures on the North Coast of New South Wales. Ph.D. Thesis, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.

Andrews T. S., Whalley R. D. B., Jones C. E. (1996) Seed production and seedling emergence of giant Parramatta grass on the North Coast of New South Wales. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 36, 299–308.
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Holmes W. E. (2005). ‘Breedcow and Dynama Herd Budgeting Software Package, Version 5.04. Training Series QE99002.’ (Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries: Townsville.)

NRM (2001). ‘Weedy Sporobolus Grasses Strategy 2001–2006.’ (Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland.)

Vogler W. D. (2002). Autecology of Sporobolus pyramidalis with emphasis on seed ecology. Ph.D. Thesis, School of Agronomy and Horticulture, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.