Wellington Blackberry Taskforce -Information Day

The Wellington Blackberry Taskforce (WBT) is holding a Community field day to explain some of the best approaches to this age-old problem of controlling blackberries.

The WBT is a community-led program which works in conjunction with farmers, the Shire Council and  other agencies to create a collaborative approach to weed management, thereby getting a good result on both sides of the  fence.

A community field day will be held in  Glenmaggie  on Wednesday 21st February from 10.30 am, including a light lunch.

There will be experts  offering  advice on herbicides and wetting agents;  mixing rates, spraying techniques and timing of control.  There will also be information on creating a 3 year blackberry control plan.

The WBT achieved great success last year, including, establishing a control pocket with private landholders, Southern Rural Water (SRW) and Wellington Shire Council (WSC). This has given SRW and WSC an opportunity to utilise heavier equipment to support farmers who have agreed to work together on their blackberry problem.

Blackberry is a noxious weed that is a major threat to both agricultural production and the natural environment. Immediate control is imperative to achieve the community’s desire for long term control.

To achieve this, the WBT is seeking cooperation from residents in Lecola and the Glenmaggie region to identify local infestations and support the program by  committing to a 3 year blackberry control plan.

For further information on the community field day or the community led program , call Peter Quennell on 0412 387 102.

Workshop presenters
Left to right- Gerard Delaney, Chris Rankin, Dr Robin Adair, David Smith, Lyn Coulston, Russell Bond, Dr Greg Baxter and Matt Stephenson.

Following the successful Cooperative Land management Forum held by the North East Blackberry Action Group in the Upper Murray last year, the VBT partnered with the Corner-inlet Blackberry Action Group (CIBAG)  on the 17th March in Gippsland to provide information on future options for invasive species management. 　

40 people listened to topics from a range of presenters including Dr Robin Adair who outlined the current bio controls for blackberry and options for future research. Dr Greg Baxter from the University of Queensland presented research into Red Deer populations and what can be concluded from this in relation to other deer species. CIBAG committee member Russell Bond and Project Officer, Matt Stephenson reported on program achievements, and Chris Rankin South Gippsland Shire Biodiversity Supervisor provided data on the progress of the Council’s current roadside pest management plan.

Mick Dortmans from the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning explained the Good Neighbour Program for managing pests on public land adjoining private and how it works and Gerard Delaney from Parks Victoria (PV) gave a comprehensive outline of the integrated management of invasive species and working with landholders for better control on private property and PV boundaries. HVP Plantations representative David Smith reminded the gathering that HVP is always willing to work with adjoining landholders to minimise invasive species impacts on both sides of the fence and are responsive to landholder enquires.

Attendees then gathered in small groups to talk about what they heard and document their thoughts on what is working, what can be done better and the opportunities to get better outcomes. These discussions will be collated with feedback from previous and future forums and made public to contribute to future policy decisions.

View a selection of forum presentations on our Resources page.　

Corner Inlet Blackberry Action Group and VBT invites you to:
Future Opportunities & Challenges for Invasive Species Management Forum.

Exploring latest research into:
– Blackberry Biocontrol: Dr Robin Adair
– Deer Population Growth: Dr Greg Baxter
– Good Neighbour Program: Matt Zannini
– Roadside Weed Control: Chris Rankin

Many landholders have properties bordering forested land, private and public, and share the management of boundaries. Invasive species control is usually the main management focus and in some cases there are good cooperative arrangements to minimise impacts on both sides of the fence.

A Forum on 17th March, sponsored by The Victorian Blackberry Taskforce and Corner Inlet Blackberry Action Group, will provide an opportunity to hear about the latest research into blackberry biocontrol, deer population projections and collaborative management of invasive species.

Dr Greg Baxter from the University of Queensland will present deer population growth models and talk through scenarios illustrating the challenges of different management and control strategies. Dr Baxter will also discuss the various management options for wild deer and describe how they might be improved in the future.

Dr Robin Adair, a researcher who spent many years working on blackberry biocontrol will discuss current and potential control agents. He will also report on the rusts which were released ten years ago and their effectiveness.

What is the Good Neighbour Program? How does it work and who can access it? Matt Zanini, Forest Planning Officer, DELWP, will explain the contribution this program makes to the management of Crown boundaries.

HVP Plantations grow softwood on large areas of plantation estate. David Smith will outline how invasive species are managed to minimise impacts on adjoining properties and the process for accessing assistance with boundary issues.

Lyn Coulston, Chair of the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce is urging landholders to come along, listen to the speakers and join the discussion. “What does the future look like for the growth and spread of blackberry and deer and what are the successful approaches being undertaken by people now? Knowing what to expect gives people time to plan ahead. There are always better ways of doing things and this a great opportunity for people to consider the information presented and contribute their ideas about future options”.

Future Challenges For Invasive Species Management
Toora Community Hall 
Friday 17^th March 2017

Registrations essential at Raelene.ngaire@gmail.com or call Mobile 0410479254

> view forum flyer

Supporting community efforts to control blackberry is a priority for the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce.

Our Community Partnerships Program supports community-led action groups across the state to reduce blackberry in their local area. It funds groups to employ project officers to help drive their activities, which include mapping the location and extent of local blackberry infestations and working closely with landowners to help them reduce the weed.

Our Community Partnership Program supported seven community blackberry action groups this year.

• These groups signed over 100 landowners to 3-year voluntary management agreements.
• Three community groups continue to demonstrate effective control techniques at their demonstration sites.
• Approximately 1,300 Victorian landowners and managers are now registered on the Blackberry Action Database Information System.
• Former Community Partnership Groups signed close to 70 landowners to 3-year voluntary management agreements.

Find out more about the VBT’s Community Partnership Programs in the VBT Annual Report 2015-16.

The Victorian Blackberry Taskforce supports the control of blackberry in a sustainable manner. What does this mean?

When a blackberry management plan is developed, measures should be taken to minimise off-target damage.

Blackberries infest many areas including open paddocks, under storey and creek lines.  These require different control and application methods.

Certain chemicals cause adverse effects on grasses, instream biota and native vegetation. It is the landholder’s responsibility to make informed decisions on what chemical is used and how it is applied. There are regulations governing aerial application.

For example, when using aerial spraying as a control option, which is an efficient way of covering large open areas in a short amount of time, the potential for off target damage is high. Certain areas may not be a suitable for aerial spraying including areas of native over storey and riparian areas where ground based spraying would be a better option.

Make sure you check with your Local Council as a permit and offsets may be required if native vegetation is being destroyed or damaged.

Read more blackberry control stories in the latest edition of the VBTNews.

In June 2014, a Landcare workshop was conducted, resulting in the formation of a Landcare Group and the Central Otway’s Landcare Network (COLN), with Blackberry as a priority.

After receiving the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce’s (VBT) community group start-up kit, COLN obtained funding via the Victorian Landcare Grants and commenced the ‘Reining in Blackberry’ (RIB) Foundation Project.

The group’s key focus is improving productivity on-farms and enhancing biodiversity in the Central Otway Landcare region. The project partners include Barongarook Landcare Group, Ridge Landcare Group, Colac Otways Shire, Plantation companies, Vic Roads, Parks Victoria & Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

Read More in the June edition of the VBT News.

Observations and third treatment for February 2016 was re-scheduled and completed on the 26th April 2016.

26th of April observations:

Irrigated Plots (1 and 2)
Regrowth – Approximately 30cm . ( Special note: mulched twice since September 28th 2016.)

Irrigated Plots (3,4, 5 and 6)
Regrowth – Approximately 15-30 cm.  Biomass reduction- Approximately 70% compared to  March 2015 observations. Additional comments -dead canes evident below re growth.

Non-irrigated Plot (7)
Regrowth -Blackberry bushes reduced in size,  Biomass reduction – Approximately 70% compared to September 2015 observations. Additional comments- foliage dieback and  dead canes evident.

The next round of observations and treatments will begin in early spring, 2016.  Treatments will occur at shorter intervals, compared with the previous three treatments.

Read more about the non-chemical control demonstration site and the methodology being followed on the VBT site – non-chemical control site.

Wayne and Karen Moroney, dairy farmers from Eskdale, have reclaimed 40 acres of blackberry-infested land for grazing with the intention of using it to raise their heifers.

This was the focus of a series of field days supported by the Mitta to Murray Blackberry Action Group, the North East Catchment Management Authority’s ‘Mentor Farms Program’ and the Mitta to Murray Landcare Network.

The process of reclaiming the 40 acre block began in February 2014 with chemical treatment, followed by the removal of dead blackberry canes between April 2014 and February 2015. In March 2015 the blackberry regrowth was sprayed, the block was ploughed and treated with lime and planted with oats.

The reclaimed land is now being used for grazing young heifers, the future milkers of the dairy, which in the past have been sent off property at great expense to the business.

‘My dad used to send heifers away to northern, warmer river flats for finishing off, but that’s an expensive option. It’s much easier and cheaper to manage from an existing resource’, Karen said.

Wayne and Karen have invested a great deal of time and resources into this project with approximately $8,000 spent on contractors and materials, including fencing materials, chemicals, lime and fertiliser.

According to Karen the 80 hours of labour put in themselves was equally important. ‘Like many dairy farmers, we are time poor and other priorities kept coming up’, Karen said. The fact that money is a limiting factor means paying contractors $50hr to do the initial blackberry control was not an option. The Moroney’s are acutely aware of the need to maintain this 40 acre resource for years to come by promoting competition against weed species, in particular blackberry. A carefully managed grazing and weed management program will go a long way in achieving this. Read more stories in the latest VBTNews

Observations and a second treatment of the product, which is accredited for use by organic growers, were conducted at the Towong Demonstration site on the 28th of September. It was noted before the first treatment in March 2015, that grass covered blackberry on all demonstration plots. Observations on the 28th of September showed a good level of control with only a small amount of regrowth at the base of the blackberry. Observations also suggest that applying the product after mulching was more effective. When comparing the un-mulched sites, the double application produced more dead canes than on the single application site.

A new site was also set up on the 28th of September in a much drier zone on the property to compare the effects of moisture on results.

Observations and a third treatment will take place in February 2016 and will finish with observations in November 2016.

Read more about the non chemical demonstration site and the methodology being followed on the site – Managing Blackberry.

Catch up on the latest news from the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce – VBTNews December edition

As the blackberry action program is a grass roots program embedded within and run by community, it offers a unique approach to dealing with blackberry. Support to initiate control and/or reinvigorate landholders’ enthusiasm towards ongoing management is the key.

Why has this been so successful and what are the best ways to engage with landholders ?

We asked Danielle Cleland, Project Officer with the North East Blackberry Action Group, her thoughts. ‘The Project Officer (following the program designed by the Committee) is the direct contact person for your landholders.

‘From my experience it works well if the Project Officer is not someone directly involved within the community (so as to avoid any perception of bias or personal conflict). A good project officer who is able to relate to people easily, be open to different situations and provide an unbiased point of support will quickly engage landholders. The ability to build relationships with people, starting where they want to start (blackberry in this case), is a critical skill. As the reasons for unmanaged blackberry are complex, understanding ‘why’ is necessary in order to proceed with a negotiated management plan.’

‘First, establish that weeds are the responsibility of the landholder, understand why the blackberry infestation is out of control then negotiate a plan.’

Read more “Tips For A Successful Blackberry Program’ in the latest edition of the  VBTNews – May 2015.