THE region's farmers are being advised to keep an eye out for outbreaks of a devastating weed.
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NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is calling on farmers to report any sightings of Parthenium Weed after a new outbreak was sighted near Croppa Creek.
The sighting was the 22nd across the state this year, half of which have been in the New England, North West region.
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Other areas impacted by the weed have included Tamworth, Boggabri and Gunnedah.
DPI state priority weeds co-ordinator Phil Blackmore said the weed had begun popping up in early April.
"We are working with Gwydir and Moree Plains Shire Councils, local landholders and North West Local Land Services to manage the infestation," Mr Blackmore said.
"Council weeds officers detected hundreds of established, flowering plants and seedlings.
"There was a heavy infestation of at least one to two hectares on both sides of Croppa Creek with evidence plants have spread onto private properties.
"We have removed plants outside the main infestation, which were aging with dead flowers.
"Ongoing surveillance of the area will continue and management plans are being put in place to ensure this latest parthenium infestation is under control as quickly as possible."
Parthenium Weed is known to spread quickly and can be dangerous for grazing animals and reduces crop and land values.
As for people, contact with the plant or its pollen can cause serious allergic reactions.
Pursehouse Rural agronomist Matt Roseby said recent rain had caused many different weeds to bloom.
"The rain has been very warmly welcomed but it has stirred a few other things up," Mr Roseby said.
"There's been a lot of spraying done between showers of rain to get fungicides out, which is about all you can do.
"From here, we will just be trying to grow the best crop we can and adapt to the conditions."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
