DPI warns of weed threat
Posted
An outbreak of the noxious weed boneseed is causing concern near Swan Hill.
Boneseed is one of Australia's 20 weeds of national significance and has been found near Lake Boga and Tresco.
The Department of Primary Industries says the weed is not an agricultural threat, but is able to regenerate quickly and competes with native species, particularly after fire.
It says the weed has dramatically affected biodiversity in some bushland areas in eastern Australia.
An eradication program has begun on the Swan Hill district outbreaks.
Meanwhile, Mallee farmers are being encouraged to keep an eye on saltbush plantations after reports of scale infestations that are defoliating the plant.
The scale is similar to cotton scale previously found on citrus.
A similar type of scale has been found at two separate saltbush plantations near Pirlta and Manangatang.
The Mallee Catchment Management Authority says it is concerned about the effect the scale could have on saltbush plantations often relied on as a stock feed.
