ON FARM NORTHERN CATTLE INVASIVE SPECIES MESQUITE – THE SNAPSHOT > Mesquite is a legume, native to the US (Texas, New Mexico and Weeding out issues> The extent and density ofArizona) and South America. mesquite in the Pilbara has with data app stations for shade, ornamentalwhen it was introduced toincreased since about 1915 value and its high protein pods. Mesquite is the scourge “For me to get to each one of > There are more than 40 of the west. A rampant, these and collect robust data is different species, all of shape-shifting plant, it physically impossible.” which are Weeds of National varies in form from a Jo said while the app had some glitches, Significance. one-metre shrub to a seven-metre mostly due to the technological > Mesquite grows in variable tree and has been marching challenges of remoteness and difficulties ecosystems, out-competes across WA’s Pilbara since 1915. with uploads, it did enable samples to forage plants and impedes be collected from an enormous area. water access. Since then, it’s consumed thousands > It is a long-lived perennial that of square kilometres and, despite “It was very quick to use; it was a 15 second process to get bulk data from has a range of growth forms. significant investment from government > It is spread by seed, which can and industry, continues to extend its all corners of the region,” she said. range and density. persist forup to 30 years. The app is being used to record > It has sharp spines that pose The problem the effectiveness of various control a riskto people, livestock and Pilbara Mesquite Management methods to help determine the best vehicle tyres. Committee Project Manager Jo tools and strategies for future use and > When over-grazed, mesquite can Kuiper Williams said the spread investment. These include: se digestive issues in stock. cau occurs mainly between WA’s 80 Chemical > Control is principally herbicide, Mile Beach and Carnarvon, with the •diesel and triclopyr herbicide mix at mechanical and biological. worst infestations between Karratha a 50:1 ratio sprayed on the bottom and Onslow. 1m of the tree “It has an incredible, direct economic • hexazinone herbicide spot sprayed at the base of the plant RESEARCH IN impact on agriculture due to the loss REVIEW of productive land and the cost of Biological management,” she said. •leaf-tier moth, seed borer and DiBak fungus PROJECT AIM “We have properties that have been Mechanical Develop a smart app that streamlines forced to abandon control in some D5 bulldozer with front mounted capturing data to support the areas and focus on containment – we’re • cutter bar Federal Department of Agriculture talking 80,000–90,000ha lost. These and Water Resources-funded project are not small areas.” • D8 bulldozer with rear mounted to critique best practice control for plough blade parkinsonia and mesquite. As part of a two-year Federal Monitoring Department of Agriculture and Water field surveillance/on-ground inspections RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS Resources-funded project, the Pilbara • and helicopter aerial surveillance MLA Donor Company Mesquite Management Committee is • app and drone surveillance. critiquing best practice control methods BUDGET of mesquite as well as another invasive The challenges $40,000 weed – parkinsonia. The verdict on which control tools DURATION To support this, the MLA Donor work best won’t be in until the project 12 months Company funding has helped develop finishes in mid-2019; however, Jo KEY FINDINGS TO DATE a smart device app to streamline data said continued strong collaboration • Pilbara’s remoteness and lack collection. The app can be used on or between stakeholders is essential to of connectivity hampered app offline by station staff to quickly collectthe committee gaining ground. ■ development through inability to photos and enter plant health scores. troubleshoot issues quickly. Jo Kuiper-Williams • The app enabled users to Once in range, the information E: jo@pilbaramesquite.com.au automatically uploads and is available quickly collect data from a huge to other team members and analysts. agric.wa.gov.au/declared-plants/ geographic range, upload to mesquite-declared-pest a database and have that data “We have 27 properties involved with pilbaramesquite.com.au available for analysis. 800 monitoring sites,” Jo said. 32