This recent Centre for Invasive Species report examines the economic costs of weeds to Australia. The startling conclusion is that it is an overall impost of $5 billion annually (that’s almost $14 million a day!). Of which, 90% of this cost is borne by agriculture, representing a tremendous burden on that sector. Ross McCloud’s report is backed by a solid methodology and empirical evidence as he examines the costs on each of the major agricultural industries and the public sector (unfortunately local government was not included). This study, being the first of its kind since 2004, is likely to be cited for some time to come. Well worth a read now to get the information first hand.