The warmer winter weather and good rains have resulted in weeds growing at a phenomenal rate, especially marshmallow weed. There has been reports of the mallow weed growing up to 2.4m high on some properties in the region.

According to Parkes Shire Council’s Environmental & Sustainability Coordinator Michael Chambers the mallow plant is fairly common and widespread, and “does come up every year when conditions are favourable”.

While some people feel it has become a real pest, Michael said it was only regarded as a nuisance weed, and not a state or regionally significant weed that needs to be controlled under the Biosecurity Act.

“Controlling this plant is not always easy,” said Michael. “For the home gardener, one of the best ways to control it in lawns is to make sure turf is thick and healthy as it will choke out the weed and not allow the seeds to spread.

“If you choose to use a herbicide, be sure to read the directions thoroughly, and use it when the plants are young and in their non-flowering/seeding state. Never eat a mallow plant that has been sprayed with a herbicide.”

Apparently, alpacas love to eat the mallow weed. The young leaves are edible for humans too and tastes lovely in salads or as cooked greens. If you feel adventurous, make sure to only forage for leaves in your own yard.

New measures to improve the Farm Household Allowance (FHA) program will make it easier to access. “We know the drought is continuing to bite despite welcome recent rainfalls in some parts of the Riverina and Central West,” said Riverina MP and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

Changes to the FHA over the past year include simplifying the assets test to a single threshold of $5.5 million, no differentiation between farm and non-farm assets, and anyone under the limit will be paid the full rate automatically.

Rural financial counsellors and farm consultants have also now been added to the list of professionals able to complete Farm Financial Assessments.

The amount of funding through the Activity Supplement has been doubled to $10,000 for farmers and their partners to seek independent expert advice or gain new qualifications or skills. “The financial strain from this drought for farmers and indeed regional communities as a whole will continue well after this drought breaks,” Michael said.

“Our farmers produce the very best food and fibre in the world and the Federal Government is standing with them to ensure they come out the other side of this drought as best as they possibly can.”

Polaris will not be selling their quad bike range (ride on ATV’s) from October this year due to changes in Government Standards for Quad Bikes.

As a retailer of Polaris, Forbes Small Engines have informed customers they will continue to stock all Polaris quad bike models, however some models have already sold out.

Paul and Maree Westcott have been selling quad bikes for many years, but noticed the market had been steadily moving towards the side by side ORV models. “We still have many customers that use ATV’s/quad bikes and this is why we will continue to stock Po- laris quad bike models for as long as they are available.”

Polaris has committed to continuing to support all ATV/quad bikes with parts, accessories and warranty support for the next decade.

Polaris will continue to manufacture for sale around the world, which means parts support will not be affected. Now is the time to get in touch with the Forbes Small Engines team before stock has run out.