Estimating the on-farm cost of skeleton weed ( Chondrilla juncea) in Western Australia using a wholefarm programming model

Abstract

It is argued that a wholefarm approach is necessary to obtain a valid estimate of the cost of weeds to farmers, and that mathematical programming models are particularly well suited to this task. An example is given for the skeleton weed ( Chondrilla juncea) in Western Australia. It is shown that skeleton weed could cause substantial economic losses if it were more widely distributed, but that estimates of losses are not as great as would be made if a simpler, partial approach were adopted. The sensitivity of results to changes in parameter values and enterprise options is investigated and found to be low. Implications of the results for the continuation of an eradication programme are discussed. Continuation of the programme is favoured.