Farmers asked to pay more or risk yields

South West hay, seed and grain growers have been called upon to make a decision about the fate of the skeleton weed fund.

Since 2010, the Grains, Seeds and Hay Industry Funding Scheme has provided help to control weeds such as the skeleton, which has infested almost 1000 properties in the past decade.

According to researchers, it is a pest because it draws moisture and nutrients away from crops which can result lower yields.

Scheme spokesman Barry Large said while the weed was not a major issue in the South West, it could be if the seeds were brought into the region.

He hoped South West farmers would support the farming community and accept an increase to the voluntary contribution from 30 cents per tonne of gain or seed and 15 cents per tonne of hay, to 40 and 20 cents respectively.

“It is up to the farmers to decide,” he said.

“Farmers can opt out of the scheme, but if they choose to do so they are responsible for the full cost of controlling the weed, rather than it being subsidised by the industry.”

He said farmers needed to voice their opinions via a survey available online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Skeleton—Weed to determine how best to spend the fund.

“If the industry believes that the cost outweighs the benefit then they need to let the committee know,” Mr Large said.

He said if it was decided the weed was worth fighting against, the farmers needed to say what they would pay towards receive help from the scheme, the Department of Agriculture and Food WA.