New resources to help Victorian farmers combat weeds
The Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party (VSTWP) has officially launched a new educational video and comprehensive brochure aimed at helping landowners reduce the impact of serrated tussock through best-practice grazing and pasture management.
The new resources, titled “Better Grazing, Better Pastures: Reducing the Impacts of Serrated Tussock,” are now live and freely available to view and download here, with the accompanying video accessible directly on YouTube.
Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) remains a severe threat to the productivity, biodiversity, and fire safety of Victorian landscapes. Once established, this invasive perennial grass displaces productive native and introduced pastures, reduces livestock carrying capacity, and can release chemicals that inhibit the growth of surrounding plants.
The VSTWP’s new materials deliver practical, research-backed strategies that highlight how proactive land management can act as a natural defence. Key insights emphasise maintaining over 90% ground cover year-round and utilising rotational grazing rather than continuous set-stocking to build resilient, competitive pastures. Research highlights indicate that maintaining at least 2-3cms of pasture cover, greatly reduces the ability of tussock seedlings to establish.
The full copy of the brochure can be downloaded here.
Ivan Carter, Communications and Engagement Officer with the VSTWP, emphasised the economic and ecological importance of adopting these integrated management techniques.
“Prevention and early intervention are significantly cheaper than trying to treat a large, established infestation,” said Mr Carter. “By implementing strategic rotational grazing, giving paddocks time to rest, and keeping ground cover high, land managers can use their own pastures as the first line of defence. These new resources are designed to equip Victorian farmers with the practical science and tools they need to protect their land and boost productivity.”
“For years, landowners and managers have been requesting more information on pastures and grazing, and we can finally provide these resources in a few different formats. We want to thank Agriculture Victoria, and Graham and Heather Fagg for their involvement in the video, as well as the use of their farm for the filming location,” noted Mr Carter.
The resource also underscores the value of integrated weed management, encouraging landholders to combine strong pasture competition with targeted actions like regular monitoring, spot-spraying before seed-set, and collaborating with local Landcare groups. Furthermore, early intervention is highly cost-effective, costing at least five times less than controlling an established infestation.
Landowners, managers, and community members are encouraged to explore the VSTWP website to watch the video, download the brochure, and access further advice on managing serrated tussock.
This project was funded through the Victorian Government Partnerships Against Pests (PAP) Grants and delivered by the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party (VSTWP).