25/09/2026
๐ปCapew**d๐ป
I know we are a fair hike from WA however some very good points that are relevant in NSW.
๐ผ Capew**d in WA : What Itโs Really Telling You (and How to Get Rid of It for Good)
โจ Capew**d (Arctotheca calendula) isnโt just a w**d โ itโs your soil waving a big yellow flag saying โโ Iโm unbalanced!โ
โจ Each rosette hides a story of compacted soil, lost biology, and nutrient imbalance (DPIRD WA, 2024; Hoyle et al., 2016).
๐ฌ Why Capew**d Loves WA Horse Properties
๐จ Acidic, compacted soils: Most WA horse paddocks sit below pH 5.5 (CaClโ) โ perfect for capew**d but toxic to grass roots (Hume et al., 2002).
๐งซ Bacterial domination: Hooves + manure destroy fungal networks that perennials need; capew**d thrives in this bacterial soup (Verma et al., 2020).
๐ด Horse habits: Selective grazing + constant traffic = bare patches, compaction, and manure hotspots rich in nitrogen but poor in phosphorus.
๐ฆ๏ธ Seasonal setup: Capew**d germinates within days of the first autumn rain, fills every gap, then seeds before summer โ leaving thousands of viable seeds for next year (GRDC, 2022).
๐งช Why Itโs a Problem for Horses
โ High sugar + nitrate spikes during stress, spraying, or slashing โ laminitis risk (Longland & Byrd, 2006).
๐งฌ Low fibre, unbalanced minerals โ gut instability, poor coat, muscle soreness (Harris et al., 2006).
๐ฉ Low calcium : phosphorus ratio โ weak bones and hoof quality.
Capew**d = poor forage + hidden metabolic stressor.
๐ง The Science of Getting Rid of Capew**d
1๏ธโฃ Correct the Soil First
Test pH, organic carbon, and phosphorus every 2 years.
Apply ag-lime to lift pH above 6 (CaClโ); capew**d hates neutral soils (Hume et al., 2002).
Add composted manure, humate, or biochar to rebuild fungal life (Hoyle et al., 2016).
2๏ธโฃ Starve the Seed Bank
Mow or slash before flowering (SeptโOct).
Spot-spray rosettes early (MCPA or clopyralid) + keep horses off 4โ6 weeks post-spray (Bayer Crop Science, 2023).
Reseed immediately with competitive low-NSC grasses; otherwise the bare patch just grows more capew**d next year.
3๏ธโฃ Re-seed with the Right Mix
Use WA-approved, horse-safe blends like
๐พ Irwin Equi First or Bellโs Low NSC Horse Mix โ certified seed, suited to rainfall and soil zone.
Target species: Rhodes Grass (Chloris gayana), Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata), Tall Fescue (EF-free).
Add sub-clover or strawberry clover for nitrogen.
Exclude horses until new pasture is โฅ 15 cm tall and rooted.
4๏ธโฃ Rebuild Biology
After spraying, re-introduce microbes with compost extract or biological soil stimulants.
Maintain a fungal : bacterial ratio > 1.0 to favour perennials (Verma et al., 2020).
5๏ธโฃ Manage Grazing Pressure
Rotate horses: short graze (2โ4 days) โ long rest (25โ40 days).
Keep at least 70 % ground cover year-round.
Use a sacrifice paddock or track system for high-traffic zones.
6๏ธโฃ Expect the Long Game
It takes 2โ4 years to deplete the seed bank and stabilise soil.
Each year of healthy grass reduces capew**d seeds > 90 % (GRDC, 2022).
๐ฟ Bonus Tips
๐งช Test soil before autumn reseeding โ correct pH before you plant, not after.
๐ง Keep troughs clean post-spray; wash off drift and residues.
โ Never graze horses on wilted, sprayed, or freshly slashed capew**d โ sugar and nitrate levels can triple in 48 hours.
โ๏ธ Key Takeaway
โจ Capew**d doesnโt invade healthy pastures โ it fills the gaps left by poor soil, poor grazing, and poor biology.
โจ Fix the soil, reseed smart, rest the land and capew**d simply runs out of excuses to grow. ๐พ๐ด
If any one is interested I will try and place the link to the PDF in the first comment.
**dControl
๐ References:
Bayer Crop Science. (2023). Capew**d growth physiology under stress.
DPIRD WA. (2024). Capew**d ecology and management in Western Australian pasture systems. Government of WA.
GRDC. (2022). Managing capew**d seed banks in southern farming systems.
Harris, P. A., Ellis, A. D., & Fradinho, M. J. (2006). Fermentation, gas production and colic in horses. Equine Vet J., 38(S36), 26โ32.
Hoyle, F. C., Murphy, D. V., & Fillery, I. R. (2016). Microbial dynamics and carbonโnitrogen interactions in sandy soils of SW Australia. Soil Research, 54(3), 231โ243.
Hume, I. H., Dolling, P. J., & Porter, W. (2002). Soil pH management in pasture systems of south-west WA. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 40(1), 123โ135.
Longland, A. C., & Byrd, B. M. (2006). Pasture non-structural carbohydrates and equine laminitis. Journal of Nutrition, 136(7 Suppl), 2099Sโ2102S.
Verma, S., Paterson, E., & Murphy, D. V. (2020). Shifts in fungal : bacterial dominance explain w**d resilience in degraded pasture soils. Applied Soil Ecology, 156, 103708.
