MILLIONS of hectares of grazing country is under invasion in western Queensland from the aggressive prickly acacia, leaving producers with few lines of defence.
Introduced to Australia from India in the 1890s as a potential alternative fodder during drought, the species has been wreaking havoc across the west with the pest species now considered to cost graziers 60 times more in economic losses than wild dogs.
Desert Channels Queensland (DCQ) project manager Christine O'Brien said the area of land covered by prickly acacia had doubled in size over the past 19 years. "This weed is now found in varying densities in over 9 million hectares in the DCQ region," Ms O'Brien said.
The region covers properties from Charters Towers to Hughenden, spreading down through Muttaburra, Barcaldine and Alpha. Home to a large number of people, the pressure of living and working with the weed every day has a profound effect on the wellbeing of farming families.
Dotswood Station manager John Fisher said the infestation added complications to his productions methods.
"Mentally it's hard, physically it's draining and financially it's a burden," Mr Fisher said.
The financial burden is underlined in research by DCQ, which estimates the reduced stocking rate alone costs primary producers about $50 million a year plus increases in mustering and maintenance costs.
This had prompted DCQ to prioritise the fight against prickly acacia, the main aim being to eradicate core infestations.
DCQ field supervisor Peter Spence said that in the two years since the operation began, 210,000 hectares of core infestation areas have been treated.
"Just recently we ticked off killing our two-millionth prickly acacia tree," Mr Spence said.
Although killing the tree is the number one priority for many members of the community, Mr Fisher said there were two sides to every coin. "It depends on how you look at it. When there's no grass, any seedpods on the trees keep stock alive because they are high in protein."
Mr Fisher said while graziers were begrudgingly grateful to the weed for the help in keeping their stock alive in tough times, the animals are also responsible for allowing the spread of seeds to continue as they fed and subsequently defacated several kilometres from the source.
The federal government recently allocated $26m to the continuing management of established pests and weeds.
McKinlay Shire Council Mayor Belinda Murphy hoped a portion would be spent on tackling the invasive species.
"Weeds are a perfect storm waiting to happen," Cr Murphy said.
"This is an ideal time to get on top of the issue."
