Lloyd Hick, AgForce Cattle Board President
13 March 2025
Buffel grass is facing an existential threat. The push to list it as a Weed of National Significance (WoNS) would have severe consequences for Queensland's beef industry and broader agriculture. If listed, buffel could face legislative restrictions, removal requirements, and even biological control research aimed at eradicating it.. This is a direct threat to one of the most critical pasture species in Australia.
The process has been anything but transparent-there is no confirmation on who has nominated buffel, and there is no formal appeal mechanism once a species is listed. A decision with such far-reaching consequences cannot be made behind closed doors.
Buffel is not a weed. It is the backbone of Queensland's grazing systems. It sustains the production of millions of kg's of beef that underpin domestic and international food security. Removing access to buffel would cripple the beef industry. Restricting seed supply would undermine pasture regeneration, and any move towards biological control would be catastrophic for entire grazing regions. The economic damage would be widespread, yet, and most critically, the nomination process fails to consider the production and financial consequences of its removal.
The determination process is fundamentally flawed. The Weeds of National Significance assessment only accounts for a plant's negative environmental impact, completely disregarding its role in agriculture and broader food security. The consequences are permanent, no matter the cost to producers.
Buffel also plays a vital role in landscape protection. It prevents soil erosion, reduces dust storms, and regenerates quickly after fire. At a time when sustainability reporting is becoming more complex, a WoNS listing would add unnecessary compliance burdens, affecting market access, financial approvals, and long-term property viability.
This is not an isolated issue. It is part of a broader pattern of decisions being made without industry input, with disastrous consequences for agriculture. If the beef sector does not push back hard on this, it will be taken as a win and another critical pillar targeted next.
This is a fight for the future of Queensland's beef industry. AgForce is taking the lead, but this fight requires the full force of industry. We need producers to stand with us and act when needed to ensure this doesn't go unchallenged. Government and industry bodies must hear from all corners of the cattle sector-this cannot be ignored.
The industry must show that it will not allow fundamental pillars of cattle production to be undermined. Buffel grass is not a weed, and it is not up for sacrifice.
