Landholders in the central west are being urged to keep a lid on invasive sticky florestina plants that have been spreading throughout the region.
Sticky florestina was introduced to Australia in contaminated pasture seed in the 1960s and now covers more than 60,000 hectares across Barcaldine and Tambo, according to the state government.
Barcaldine's Good Neighbour program coordinator Larry Lewis has been emphasising land management practices to stop sticky florestina spreading further.
"It isn't new to the area but with the long period of drought, I think the seed beds have been laying dormant and now we've had a bit of rain, it's spreading like wildfire across the landscape," he said.
"It's getting a bigger footprint. It's gone up towards the Aramac district. Some people learn to live with it, they think it's just another plant, but it can choke up some of the grazing pastures."
Sticky florestina is quick to colonise open areas of disturbed soil and can flourish along fence lines and newly-graded roads, according to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Seeds can also be spread through waterways.
"Any disturbed soil can spread the seed," Mr Lewis said.
"Without people working upstream to contain the seed, it will continue to flow downstream. Where you might have three properties affected, it spreads to the whole catchment."
Producer John Chandler has been monitoring sticky florestina at his Kyneton property just outside of Barcaldine for years.
"In degraded country it colonises big areas and it means you've got to fight back to recover that country," he said.
"Once it gets established and there's no grass there you've got to do something to get the grass back."
Mr Chandler said that, similar to other pests and weeds that have a gained a foothold in Queensland, it was important to address sticky florestina sooner rather than later.
"There is the potential for it to become a lot worse," he said.
"That is the worry. It might not do much now, but 10 years down the track it could be a real issue."
Tambo producer Will Hobbs said he sprayed to control sticky florestina and would continue to try and manage it on his property.
"Some people are just living on it now. We are still spraying and trying to control it.
"We will just keep managing it as best as we can."
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries recommends treating new sticky florestina infestations before seed becomes set.
"Prevent seed spread by minimising contact with seeding plants," the department advised.
"Ensure to brush down clothing, empty boots, clean down vehicles, machinery and equipment before leaving infested areas."
