HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT | Page 47

HE LAND Class 4 Noxious Weed symptomatic treatment for the affected animals. Control The density of fireweed is influenced by groundcover and competition, especially in autumn. To ensure that the best control of fireweed is achieved, a thorough and systematic management program needs to be in place. It is also preferable to manage a small area correctly than to poorly manage a large area. Once established, fireweed is extremely difficult to eradicate, follow-up treatment is essential for control to be successful. Management options will vary depending on the situation, with different approaches for grazing enterprises, environmental areas, or small area holdings: • for grazing enterprises, management may include using grazing strategies as well as fertiliser application at appropriate times, upgrading pastures, and strategic herbicide applications; • for environmental areas, hand-pulling individual plants and using spot spraying for herbicide application may be more acceptable. Early detection is vital to prevent fireweed from becoming established. It is important to act immediately t