Fenceline maintenance with less risk of erosion

What are the most efficient and sustainable ways of maintaining cleared fence lines? Traditionally, a grader is used. However, this is an expensive process that can often lead to erosion if barriers to natural overland flow such as windrows or sunken tracks are left behind.

Farmers in the Douglas Daly are moving towards chemical control methods. Generally, a short boom and/or boomless jets are attached to the back of a ute. When the grasses die off they can be burnt to create a fire break.

The timing of spraying is critical. Farmers try to avoid spraying too early and have new growth spurred on by the last rains of the wet. But they also can’t spray too late when either the grass won’t take in the herbicide, or when the neighbouring vegetation has dried and is likely to carry fire.

Are there any comments on this? Are there better ways, or other concerns that I haven’t discussed? Comment or email me and you will get a response.