Tamar Valley Ragwort Raids - 2026
- jontydehnert2
- Jan 5
- 2 min read
Each January Tamar NRM holds Ragwort Raids across the Tamar Valley. 2026 represents the 27th year of this event, which has seen local community groups and enthusiastic volunteers band together to remove this highly invasive weed from Tamar Valley roadsides. Events are held in Piper's River, Winkleigh, Blessington and Nunamara. The raids from January of 2025 from the Pipers River and Winkleigh events alone saw the equivalent of 60 hours of weeding, and the removal of a significant amount of Ragwort from the roadsides in these areas.
For those of you not in the know, here is some information about Ragwort that highlights the necessity for ongoing management:
A single Ragwort plant can produce up to 250,000 single seeded fruit, the heavier of which will regenerate near the parent plant, while lighter seeds can be wind-blown up to 80m, potentially travelling much further if blown into a watercourse! Removal of the plant before this pulse of seed falls is crucial, as ungerminated seed can remain viable for up to 20 years.
Ragwort can also be fatal to a variety of species if consumed, due to the toxins present in the pollen, leaves, stem and roots (in order of concentration)- a critical issue in areas grazed by livestock. Further, alongside the ecological and agricultural cost, Ragwort infestations have significant economic implications, with this ABC article from 2021 suggesting Ragwort has cost Australians around five and a half billion dollars over the past 60 years.
We deeply appreciate the community groups and individuals who donate their time and experience toward managing this harmful environmental weed each year across the Tamar Valley. The raids for 2026 will be happening toward the end of January- registrations are now open!
If you are interested in being involved and would like to know more about the events, please feel free to reach out to jonty.dehnert@tamarnrm.com.au or alison.hugo@tamarnrm.com.au with any queries.
