Benefits of Buffel: FoNs not WoNS

Following calls for the Australian government to declare buffel grass a Weed of National Significance, and with the Northern Territory now joining South Australia in declaring buffel grass a weed, producers in Queensland are expressing concerns that the grass will now be listed as a Weed of National Significance (WoNS).??

AgForce CEO Michael Guerin says that it’s hugely problematic to consider buffel grass for WoNS listing.??

“Rather than a Weed of National Significance, buffel grass should be recognised as a Feed of National Significance (FoNS). Graziers all over Queensland and other northern parts of Australia rely on buffel grass to feed their livestock. Queensland is the largest beef-producing state in Australia, which makes the contribution of buffel grass to food security a major consideration”?

“Livestock producers are adept at managing their vegetation to minimise fire risks. In this scenario, the fire risk of buffel grass doesn’t even remotely compare to something like gamba grass, which is a WoNS.”??

Buffel grass has deep roots that allow it to access water from deeper soil layers during droughts. This resilience benefits both livestock and the condition of land during climatic extremes and is critical for climate resilient grazing systems.?

Buffel also plays an important role in soil stabilisation and erosion control. The extensive root system of buffel grass helps bind soil particles, reducing erosion and dust. Its tussock base and leaves slow down overland water flow, minimising erosive impact, and reducing sedimentation of waterways.??

While a key concern for buffel is its flammability, with correct management it provides fire resilience to pastures. Livestock producers understand that good management is essential to balance fire risk and resilience of buffel grass. The capacity of buffel grass to recover rapidly after fires provides a critical feed resource, allowing fire impacted animals and communities to recover more quickly. Being a deep-rooted and persistent perennial grass, buffel grass may even play a significant role in carbon sequestration.???

AgForce Senior Policy Director for Biosecurity and Sustainability, Dr Annie Ruttledge, says that the views on buffel grass being shared are often heavily negative and one-sided.??

“Listing buffel grass as a WoNS species could carry expectations around large scale destruction of buffel dominated grasslands. This is a major concern given that these buffel grass pastures would, in all likelihood, be impossible to replace in our lifetimes. Until then, the legacy we leave the next generation would be impoverished soil and devastated regional communities.”??