Dogs on the scent of costly weed in NSW

Detector dogs are being deployed to hunt an invasive weed in NSW that costs the state $1.8 billion in lost agriculture every year.

Sniffer dogs have been put on the scent of weed costing NSW $1.8 billion a year in lost agriculture. (AAP)

Sniffer dogs have been put on the scent of weed costing NSW $1.8 billion a year, just not the type you think.

Detector dogs Sally and Pippa will be deployed across the state in an effort to step up the fight against invasive plants.

"We are stepping up the fight against invasive plants in NSW as they continue to cost the state $1.8 billion in lost agricultural production and control," state Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson said.

"Detector dogs are proven to be highly effective in the detection of other invasive species and initial trials in Victoria have demonstrated that dogs can differentiate between a variety of plant species."

The two dogs, a cocker spaniel named Sally and an English springer spaniel named Pippa, will be trained and used on a trial basis to seek out orange hawkweed, a highly invasive weed that has been identified for eradication in NSW.

They will join Missy, an English Springer already being used for weed detection.

A professional dog trainer will work alongside National Parks and Wildlife Service staff and a team of volunteers.