Farmers sound the alarm over an invasive threat to their livelihood–it's worse than you think
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When an unexpected threat starts to spread, the consequences can be far-reaching and difficult to contain.
What was initially a minor concern has escalated into a pressing issue that is impacting more than just the environment.
As the situation intensifies, property owners and experts are growing increasingly concerned about the long-term effects.
Farmers in northern Australia raised urgent calls for governments to take more action in controlling one of the nation’s most destructive plant species, which has wreaked havoc on agriculture and even led to the euthanasia of livestock.
The harrisia cactus, introduced to Queensland as an ornamental plant in the 1800s, has since spread uncontrollably, especially across the northeast of the state and northern NSW.
Thriving in arid and semi-arid regions, the cactus has rapidly colonised vast rangelands due to its resilience in poor soil and its ability to reproduce via seeds or broken segments.
The plant creates dense thickets that severely reduce grazing land for livestock, making it almost impossible to remove.
Its spines can pierce through animal skin, causing injuries, and its fruit helps disperse seeds by being consumed by native and introduced animals, spreading the infestation even further.
The harrisia cactus also disrupts native ecosystems, outcompeting local vegetation and changing habitats.
Queensland farmer Ken Stower, who manages a 1,400-hectare property at Captains Mountain, recounted the painful loss of his prized $20,000 bull due to the cactus.
Stower explained: 'We had to euthanise him — it was difficult financially as well as mentally.'
He added: 'The spines are quite capable of going through a [four-wheel drive] tyre and if they can go through that they will quite easily go through an animal.'
Meanwhile, Sally McKeering, a cattle farmer near Alpha in Queensland, shared her own troubling experience with the plant.
McKeering, who had a deep injury after falling into the cactus, required surgery to remove needles from her hand, which had pierced through her gloves and wrist.
She also mentioned the impact the cactus had on her horses, saying: 'I’ve had a few really good horses that have been pretty much crippled from cactus getting in their coronet band just above their hoof.'
Efforts to manage the harrisia cactus have included mechanical removal, chemical treatments, and the introduction of a mealybug to target the weed biologically.
However, these control methods have had limited success, and managing the cactus has become a costly, ongoing challenge for both landowners and authorities.
A 2021 study revealed that the cactus was Queensland’s most expensive weed since 1960, with the situation being deemed uncontrollable.
While the mealybugs have been somewhat effective on some farms, their transportation requires manual effort, creating logistical difficulties.
The Invasive Species Council has called for federal intervention to address the crisis, with a national plan needed to tackle escaped garden plants and invasive species.
The Council’s Campaign Coordinator, Kathleen Herbert, voiced concerns that self-regulation within the industry was 'just not working,' stressing that 'government intervention is the only way to solve this problem.'
Herbert noted that the damage caused by invasive species costs the Australian agriculture industry over $4 billion per year.
With the agricultural community facing mounting challenges, the question remains: how can we effectively combat this invasive threat before it’s too late? Share your comments below!
What was initially a minor concern has escalated into a pressing issue that is impacting more than just the environment.
As the situation intensifies, property owners and experts are growing increasingly concerned about the long-term effects.
Farmers in northern Australia raised urgent calls for governments to take more action in controlling one of the nation’s most destructive plant species, which has wreaked havoc on agriculture and even led to the euthanasia of livestock.
The harrisia cactus, introduced to Queensland as an ornamental plant in the 1800s, has since spread uncontrollably, especially across the northeast of the state and northern NSW.
Thriving in arid and semi-arid regions, the cactus has rapidly colonised vast rangelands due to its resilience in poor soil and its ability to reproduce via seeds or broken segments.
The plant creates dense thickets that severely reduce grazing land for livestock, making it almost impossible to remove.
Its spines can pierce through animal skin, causing injuries, and its fruit helps disperse seeds by being consumed by native and introduced animals, spreading the infestation even further.
The harrisia cactus also disrupts native ecosystems, outcompeting local vegetation and changing habitats.
Queensland farmer Ken Stower, who manages a 1,400-hectare property at Captains Mountain, recounted the painful loss of his prized $20,000 bull due to the cactus.
Stower explained: 'We had to euthanise him — it was difficult financially as well as mentally.'
He added: 'The spines are quite capable of going through a [four-wheel drive] tyre and if they can go through that they will quite easily go through an animal.'
Meanwhile, Sally McKeering, a cattle farmer near Alpha in Queensland, shared her own troubling experience with the plant.
McKeering, who had a deep injury after falling into the cactus, required surgery to remove needles from her hand, which had pierced through her gloves and wrist.
She also mentioned the impact the cactus had on her horses, saying: 'I’ve had a few really good horses that have been pretty much crippled from cactus getting in their coronet band just above their hoof.'
Efforts to manage the harrisia cactus have included mechanical removal, chemical treatments, and the introduction of a mealybug to target the weed biologically.
However, these control methods have had limited success, and managing the cactus has become a costly, ongoing challenge for both landowners and authorities.
A 2021 study revealed that the cactus was Queensland’s most expensive weed since 1960, with the situation being deemed uncontrollable.
While the mealybugs have been somewhat effective on some farms, their transportation requires manual effort, creating logistical difficulties.
The Invasive Species Council has called for federal intervention to address the crisis, with a national plan needed to tackle escaped garden plants and invasive species.
The Council’s Campaign Coordinator, Kathleen Herbert, voiced concerns that self-regulation within the industry was 'just not working,' stressing that 'government intervention is the only way to solve this problem.'
Herbert noted that the damage caused by invasive species costs the Australian agriculture industry over $4 billion per year.
With the agricultural community facing mounting challenges, the question remains: how can we effectively combat this invasive threat before it’s too late? Share your comments below!
