According to the Australian Weeds Strategy 2017–2027,  there is approximately 3,207 species of introduced plants that have naturalised in Australia, about 500 taxa (species and genera) have been declared noxious or are under some form of legislative control in Australia. Most of the significant weeds in Australia have been introduced.

Tropical soda apple TSA (Solanum viarum), is an aggressive, prickly, perennial shrub, invading open to semi-shaded areas, particularly pastures and riparian zones, also forests, roadsides, recreational areas, and horticultural and cropping areas. TSA is a problem because it reduces biodiversity by displacing native plants and disrupting ecological processes.  While the TSA foliage is unpalatable to livestock, reducing carrying capacities, cattle eat the fruit and spread viable seeds in their manure. The TSA’s thorny thickets can create a physical barrier for animals preventing access to shade and water. Additionally, TSA is a host for many diseases and pests of cultivated crops, and it contains solasodine which is poisonous to humans.

Few uncontrolled TSA plants will form a hectare sized thicket in 6 months, with each plant producing 150 fruit containing 45 000 seeds each year.  Some conventional herbicides can kill the plants, but do not kill the seeds inside the fruit. This is where Contact Organics differs from conventional herbicides.  In the USA, TSA infested over half a million hectares in 5 years. In Australia it is critical to achieve site-based eradication of this plant before it becomes widespread.

Tropical soda apple, as many other invasive weeds, can successfully be controlled using the weed control alternative – Weed Terminator. Contact Organics team members organized and managed the treatment of this very invasive weed species, the topical soda apple.  A follow up after the initial application of Weed Terminator proved successful in killing the very mature plants. Upon inspection of the tropical apple seed balls on the treated plants, 7 days after spraying, the team noticed a deformity that seemed to suggest there might be issues with the germination of the seeds from plants that were sprayed with the Weed Terminator. A replicated analysis germination trials were conducted on treated (sprayed with Weed Terminator) and untreated Tropical Soda Apple (TSA) weed seeds. The treated plants were sprayed at the mid seed fill stage indicated in this picture. Again, TSA is an invasive weed species that is causing significant issues for range land producers and other crop producers.

Some of the TSA plants received a 2nd spray to cover parts of the plant that were missed in the initial application. It is difficult to get complete coverage when they are in patches but a touchup spray a day or 2 later finishes the job. These are also part of the seed germination analysis study.

The Weed Terminator has once again proven successful in the successful treatment of invasive and glyphosate resistant weeds/grasses/plants.

The post Tropical Soda Apple Treatment Report appeared first on Contact Organics.

Common Ground was a resounding success at the Tribeca Film Festival and won the Human/Nature Award.

Regenerative agricultural practices are in line with Contact Organics’ core philosophy – working with nature to revitalize the soil with a safe and effective weed control alternatives. Contact Organics, along with many other dedicated regenerative agriculture supporters are at the center of this revolutionary movement.

From Kiss the Ground filmmakers Rebecca and Josh Tickell, Common Ground, is narrated by Laura Dern, and presents an urgent message about the poisonous practices within American food systems. Common Ground emphasizes the need to face the reality of our food systems and how profits and power are the driving force behind them.

Common Ground is a brilliant movie featuring amazing regenerative farmer Gabe Brown and educator Ray Archuleta, that are on the Global Advisory Board of Contact Organics. If you have not seen Kiss the Ground, please check it out, and then get ready to see Common Ground!

Common Ground is supported by actors like Laura Dern, Jason Momoa, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Ian Somerhalder, Donald Glover and more – the film aims to rally for the transition of 100M more acres of US land to regenerative by tripling the reach and impact of our first film.

Both Kiss and Ground and Common Ground emphasize Regenerative Agriculture and the need to use these agricultural practices. Why is regenerative agriculture important? Why is soil so important? Because it makes and sustains life.  At Contact Organics, we understand how our products support soil health microbiology and why is it so important. A two year study was conducted at the  University of Missouri by Dr Bob Kremer which demonstrated the beneficial affects of Weed Terminator for the microbiome of the soil.  Click here to read the summary, this is definitely in-line with regenerative agricultural concepts.

Regenerative Agriculture is important because it utilizes a system of farming practices that increases biological diversity, enriches soils, improves water holding capabilities, and enhances ecosystems. Regenerative Agriculture capture carbon and aboveground biomass, reversing current global trends of atmospheric accumulations. Regenerative Agriculture practices, capture carbon and improve soil health simultaneously. Healthy soil is the basis for improving the quality of life for all species and the environment. Regenerative Agriculture implementation is expected to increase to 100M Acres over the next few years.

The post Contact Organics at the Common Ground Premiere – Tribeca Film Festival appeared first on Contact Organics.

We all have our individual homes, we can and sometimes may choose to change our individual homes. But we only have one global home, one home that belongs to everyone equally, one home that we cannot change, one home that we are all equally liable for: Our Earth!

 The truth is: the natural world is changing. And we are totally dependent on that world. It provides our food, water and air. It is the most precious thing we have and we need to defend it. 

           Sir David Attenborough

Earth Day is about cherishing our global home a little more, it is a reminder to dedicate more of our time, resources, and energy to loving our Earth. Earth Day – April 22, 2023 – marks 53 years since the start of the modern environmental movement.

Wondering what can you do and where to start?

Here are a few tips.

• Gather some information about a topic affecting Earth! Either learn more about something that you care such as planting trees, or recycling, or learn about a completely new topic for example how to protect  our pollinators.
• Find a big movement and be a part of it, volunteer or donate!
• Or find a small movement in your local community and join.
• Maybe you have an idea about how to help and support our planet? Gather up your group and put that idea into action.
• Many small actions will lead to big changes!

While many big activities are undertaken worldwide such as cleaning forests, our oceans, rivers etc., here are few simpler ideas and things we can do!

• Join a local group such as: Forest and Bird or many others near you. Don’t forget to check out your local council!
• Reduce your energy consumption even for a day
• Reduce the use of packaged foods even for a day
• Spend time outdoors and observe your surroundings. Watch a day go by!
• Start a herb garden
• Become a composter
• Stop using plastic water bottles! Do a family or friends challenge: who wins the longest time since last plastic water bottle used!
• Plant a tree or a shrub or a flower
• Invite birds into your garden
• Skip a car ride, walk or rind a bike instead
• Turn the tap off sooner, conserve water
• Children activities: make a nature collage or go on a nature scavenger hunt
• Educate your community about Earth Day and what they can do every day to help
• Tell your family about Earth Day
• Share your Earth Day activities on social media and tag Contact Organics on Facebook or Instagram
• Check out earthday.org for more ideas about Earth Day 2023

No matter what we choose to do, every little bit counts! We only have one planet!

Let’s make every day an Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day from Contact Organics!

We have said it before, let’s work with nature and not against it! 

The post Happy Earth Day 2023! appeared first on Contact Organics.

The post Contact Organics Announces Global Advisory Board appeared first on Contact Organics.

November 2021

The post Calif. Supreme Court Upholds Couple’s $86 Million Award in Roundup Weedkiller Case appeared first on Contact Organics.

The post Environmentally-friendly Weed Terminator for Homes & Communities appeared first on Contact Organics.

April 2021

For Immediate Release

Presenting New Zealanders With a Revolutionary Alternative Weed Control: Bio-Herbicide

Contact Organics Launches New Zealand Website and Offers the New Zealand Product Range Online. Also available at selected stockists.

©Contact Organics 2020

Contact Organics Weed Terminator delivering non-toxic weed management

Contact Organics is pleased to announce launching a specialized product range in New Zealand. Due to continued interest and demand Contact Organics has launched a New Zealand website, offering more information about our unique weed terminators. The Contact Organics Weed Terminators are available for purchase online and in selected New Zealand stockists.

There is an undeniable need for efficient alternative weed control. Contact Organics currently offers two of the best in the class of weed terminators in New Zealand: HomeSafe Weed Terminator and LocalSafe Weed Terminator. Our new website provides more info for each product, our patented delivery technology, specific weed management info and much more. Contact Organics products in New Zealand are distributed by Enviro-Ag.

©Contact Organics 2021

Contact Organics Weed Terminators available in select nurseries in New Zealand

About Contact Organics

Contact Organics develops and manufactures proprietary, high performance, non-toxic weed management products worldwide. In New Zealand, the company markets them under HomeSafe™ and LocalSafe™ brands for domestic, commercial, public and amenity applications. Contact Organics holds a strong patent portfolio and its growth is fuelled by the global trend towards environmentally sustainable weed management and agriculture for the future. Established in Australia in 2014, the company Headquarter is in Melbourne. Contact Organics products are manufactured in both Melbourne and Bangkok, Thailand. The Company is in process of securing regulatory approvals in its key world markets and setting up its global distribution channels.

For further information about Contact Organics New Zealand contact:

Phone: +64 27 576 0303

Email: info@contactorganics.co.nz

Distributed by Enviro-Ag Ltd.

P O Box 79 Hororata 7544 New Zealand

The post A breakthrough in eco-friendly weed control available to the New Zealand market appeared first on Contact Organics.

Click here to read an article about Contact Organics published by LG Focus.

The post A breakthrough in eco-friendly weed control appeared first on Contact Organics.