How much will it cost to clear my land of lantana?

I arrange a weed management plan according to your budget, your goals and the size of your property. Generally, I recommend you spend half of your budget on mechanical weed removal (eg slashing, clearing or mulching) and half on follow-up of removing/spraying the regrowth.

How much money should I budget every year to maintain a lantana-free property?

It is a great privilege to own quality property and realistically you need to “pay your rates to Mother Nature” for a beautiful property, especially when dealing with introduced weeds.  A good rule of thumb is to set aside the same amount of money as your council rates for “Mother Nature Rates”.  Sometimes, if the lantana control has been put to the side for some years, there is a backlog of costs to put in to get it started.  By keep up with weed control with a combination of slashing, mechanical and chemical interruption of lantana & woody weed growth, an environment is created where the weeds can no longer survive, and pastures or native bushland can thrive.

When is the best time of the year to clear lantana?

Old blokes say, “when wattle is cut by hand after ANZAC day the plant will not sucker up”.  In other words when mechanical land clearing is done through the cooler months, there is less regrowth. However, lantana spraying is best done in the growing phase of the plant, which is in spring.

How can I stop the lantana growing back after clearing?

After mechanical weed control (using a slasher, mulcher or dozer), generously spreading around grass seed will provide a biological competitor to woody weeds. If this timed well with potential rain & favorable weather, long-term results can be achieved.

Once the lantana is cleared, when can I use the paddock for grazing?

It is best to allow grass to go to seed twice before grazing, thus knowing for sure the grass plant has ‘stored its energy’ twice – firstly as seed and then secondly in the root stock. This will allow sustainable pasture improvement.

Will clearing my land of lantana lead to erosion?

Balances of vegetation removal need to be kept.  For example, if lantana is growing on an eroded creek bank it may be best to leave it there to prevent further erosion. Rudduck Rural Solutions will help with these decisions and making plans for weed removal without causing erosion.

How many trees should be left on my paddocks?

As humans we have the privilege to steer biology in area towards a desired end goal by creating a disruption of a biological cycle/trend. For example, we may reduce tree regrowth to a level that maintains a well shaded pasture that allows pasture growth, as opposed to creating a treeless desert.

Are the chemicals dangerous or toxic to humans or animals?

I don’t recommend the use of round-up, which tends to kill everything. I use chemical that is a more specific and targeted weedkiller.  Additionally, when weedkiller is used in combination with mechanical land clearing, weedkiller only needs to be applied to the regrowth, when the weed plant is small, so less chemical is needed.

How does the weedkiller chemical work?

It is all about sap flow – as long as there is some sap flow in the plant, chemicals with a good penetrant will work.  This is also why it is best to use weed killer on weeds during the spring, when the weeds are in the growth phase.

Should I consider slashing my paddocks if the grass is long?

As a proportion of plant material above the surface is removed, a corresponding amount of the root system dies back under the ground. This applies to grasses and lantana alike. Therefore slashing or mulching pasture  at correct height (not too short) creates an environment which encourages grassses with a thick root matt to develop,  hold moisture and create better overall soil health.