Giant Rats Tail (GRT) fundamentals and insights for management.

Understanding basic Giant Rats Tail (GRT) grass biology enables landholders to develop clear management strategies that will assist them in reducing its impacts and maintaining productivity of grazing land.

Relying solely on a single management tool such as herbicides will not achieve satisfactory outcomes.

In this presentation Dr Wayne Vogler (Senior Weed Scientist, Biosecurity Queensland) discusses the requirements of an integrated management approach which includes all aspects of pasture management to maintain a productive pasture if the negative impacts of GRT are to be kept to a minimum.

You can watch the full recording or use the playlist below to jump to the start of a particular section within the presentation.  31:14, published 29 March 2019 by FutureBeefAu.

Download a copy of the presentation: Giant Rats Tail grass – fundamentals and insights for management (PDF, 3.0 MB)

Or click here to find out more about Giant Rats Tail grass on the FutureBeef website.

Full recording

Playlist

1. Introduction.
2. Two species of GRT and some facts on them.
3. GRT – its geographic distribution.
4. Losses in land carrying capacity.
5. How do I identify GRT?
6. GRT identification using the seed structure.
7. More characteristics of GRT.
8. GRT seed longevity and viability.
9. How long does it take for GRT to seed?
10. How long does it take for GRT seed to pass through cattle?
11. What’s the viability of seeds ingested by cattle?
12. Distance of GRT seed fall from reproductive tussocks.
13. What does fire do to GRT?
14. What herbicides can be used on GRT?
15. GRT seed viability with the use of glyphosate herbicide.
16. GRT management – what are the clear objectives?
17. Farm Biosecurity – what are the principles?
18. Conclusion