FARMERS from across New South Wales and the north-western area of the state are warning the march of a destructive cactus could be the beginning of a crisis unless ongoing funding for weed control is secured.

NSW Farmers’ Croppa Creek and North Star branch chair, Richard Doyle, said farmers in the north of the state have reported a drastic surge in harrisia cactus infestations as the destructive cactus continues to spread south from the Queensland border.

“This cactus has exploded due to recent good seasons,” Mr Doyle said.

“Its huge spikes can also injure animals and while farmers are doing everything they can to fight its spread, they cannot win this battle alone.

“Birds are spreading the cacti seeds in their thousands, while feral pigs and other animals are also scattering the seeds far and wide – it’s the perfect storm, and we are struggling to keep up with its spread.”

Harrisia cacti are low-growing, spiny cacti with white flowers and red fruit.

Herbicides and biocontrol from mealy bugs can help control the cacti, but Mr Doyle said containment would not be possible without serious and continued funding from the state and federal governments.

There are reports of a drastic surge in harrisia cactus across NSW.

“We need a cross-tenure, cross-landscape approach to managing weeds that’s more intensive and coordinated than anything we currently have in place,” Mr Doyle said.

“This cactus is just one of thousands of invasive weeds that are costing farmers huge amounts of time and money to attempt to control, and we need real action – as well as real investment in research and control measures – if we want to get real results.

“Farmers are only the front line of these aggressive threats, and the problem’s only going to get worse unless we say enough is enough on weeds.”

Quick facts from Weeds Australia

Harrisia cactus are aggressive weeds which form dense spiny thickets and can cover extensive areas;

Once established, plants are drought tolerant;

Fruits are succulent and contain hundreds of seeds in a fleshy pulp which is attractive to birds and animals who readily disperse the seed; and

Plants are spiny and can cause injury to humans and animals.

NSW Farmers media release

More details here: https://weeds.org.au/profiles/harrisia-cactus-moon/