Farmers fork out billions a year on pests and weeds

Pests and weeds are costing farmers a combined $5.3 billion a year in both management and production loss.

​Australian farmers are spending $3.8 billion a year to control vertebrate pests and weeds and suffering production losses of 1.5 billion.

​ABARES Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville said the latest ABARES report, Cost of established pest animals and weeds to Australian agricultural producers, was an eye-opening reminder of the immense task of managing pests and weeds.

​“Costs vary across industries and type of pest and weed, with New South Wales accounting for the largest share of estimated costs at 26%, followed by Western Australia at 25%, and Victoria and Queensland at each 17%,” Dr Greenville said.

​“Some farmers are able to manage and reduce damage from pest animals and weeds, but the cost of management is high and outright elimination is much harder.

​“Despite their best efforts, agricultural producers still lose an estimated $1.5 billion a year in damage to crops and livestock.

​“The biggest impact was from weeds, which contributed 82% of the cost to farmers.

“Vertebrate pests still have a significant impact on farmers. Foxes, rabbits, feral pigs, wild dogs and goats collectively cost landholders $866 million every year.

​“It also absorbs time and effort – around 72% of the estimated cost is in the working hours devoted to managing pests and weeds.”

​The latest ABARES report, Cost of established pest animals and weeds to Australian agricultural producers, can be read here: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/research-topics/biosecurity/biosecurity-economics/cost-of-established-pest-animals-and-weeds-to-australian-agricultural-producers.