Buffel grass beef intensifies in lead up to election

Securing the right to graze Buffel grass is so significant it's one of a suite of issues Cattle Australia (CA) is pursuing in the lead up to the Federal election, which was officially announced on Friday.

The issue of environmental groups pushing for Buffel grass to be named a weed isn't new but the pressure is growing. In July 2024 the Northern Territory Government joined South Australia in declaring Buffel grass a weed.

The pressure is now on for Buffel grass to be listed as a Weed of National Significance (WoNS) that could impose legislative restrictions, mandate removal efforts, and initiate biological control research aimed at eradication.

Cattle Australia (CA) Chief Executive, Dr Chris Parker, said calls from environmental lobbyists to have it listed as a weed ignored the incredible contribution Buffel grass has made to the economic viability and sustainability of the Australian beef industry and regional and rural Australia as a whole.

“It is flawed ideology for Buffel grass to be considered a weed of national significance when it has positive environmental, social and economic impacts for Australia, and is absolutely vital for Australia’s agricultural and livestock industries. Buffel grass shares no characteristics with actual weeds of national significance,” Dr Parker said.

“When compared to the environmental impact of lantana or blackberries, Buffel grass should not even be in the same conversation,” Dr Parker said.

“Australian beef producers play an essential role in managing our unique environment, last year spending $5.3 billion out of their own pockets in managing invasive plants, pests and diseases.

“They are acutely aware of the risks and costs associated with weed control, and as the land managers at the coalface of this issue, they will tell you buffel grass is an asset not a liability.”

Although native to parts of Africa and India, buffel grass has been a feature of Australia’s arid and tropical savannah landscapes since it was introduced by Afghan cameleers in the 1870s.

Its heralded for its drought-resistant qualities and highly productive nutritional profile, make it ideal for cattle production in Australia’s harsh climate. Buffel grass is often highlighted as a key feature in northern properties listed in APlus News' property round-up.

“It is essential to the production of millions of kilograms of beef for Australian and international markets," Dr Parker said.

"In 2024, Australia exported 1,972,000 tonnes (carcase weight) of beef and the red meat supply chain employed more than 430,000 people, contributing tens of billions of dollars to the national economy, and buffel grass has been critical to that success.

“It is clear there needs to be an urgent reform of the process used to assess the impact of non-native plant species, to ensure plant species of economic and agronomic significance are not targeted, and immediate action should be taken to establish Buffel grass as a Primary Production Strategic Asset.”

He listed deforestation free credentials, the manner in which biogenic methane, or methane from cattle, is accounted for and support for live cattle trade as other key issues for beef producers to watch during the lead up to and beyond the election.

Dr Parker also said whichever government takes office after the election must prioritise renewing the Red Meat Partnership with Indonesia, a key trade partner for both boxed meat and live cattle.

"We're a multi-billion dollar industry. This is something I think sometimes on our farms we forget how big we are and how important we are and that's something we continue to push with government and we'll be pushing during the election campaign to make sure that the voice of our producers, our 52,000 levy payers is heard," he said.

This week Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter also voiced strong opposition to the proposed listing of Buffel grass as a Weed of National Significance.

"Buffel grass wasn't brought here by accident – it was introduced because it's one of the best options we've got. It holds the soil together and keeps the cattle fed even during drought," Mr Katter explained.

"The Gulf and Peninsula were built on buffel, Brahman, and bitumen.

"Meanwhile, terrible invasive species like lantana, prickly acacia, rubber vine, and feral cats and pigs, should be demanding our attention. Why on earth are we wasting our time even talking about this?"

Mr Katter criticised the narrative surrounding Buffel grass as being rooted in anti-livestock ideology rather than genuine environmental concern.

AgForce Queensland Cattle President Lloyd Hick agreed saying: "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 and Australia. If the beef sector does not push back hard on this, it will be taken as a win and another critical pillar targeted next.

"Producers are increasingly frustrated as time and energy that should go into food production is spent pushing back against agenda-driven ideas and re-educating city-based decision makers who think they understand the land—but don't."