RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 21, 2014
MANAGEMENT 37 Unknown plant? Sling it out!
On alert for Chilean needle
A JOINT media release from Hawkes Bay and Canterbury regional councils, and Marlborough District Council , earlier this docks. the plant for decoration month called for “the public to be In Horizons, Field or garden use has aided on high alert for Chilean needle Horsetail has moved out spread, as has roadside grass” following an extensive winter of riverbeds to become a mowing. campaign to educate rural New pasture problem, often Stock generally avoid Zealand. living plants but cut stems through movement of Nearly 400 farm biosecurity material for roading. or berries pose a risk. signs have been distributed, a “There’s a lot of it on In Northland Gravel Facebook page set up (www. the West Coast but it’s Groundsel is encroaching facebook.com/chileanneedlegrass) only really become a pason pasture from coastal and seed identification cards and ture problem in the Rangiareas. brochures on biosecurity to prevent tikei flood plain so far.” “It’s a fairly new one its spread updated under the While James admits we don’t know how to Chilean Needle Grass Awareness TO PAGE 39 control yet... Northland Programme. Regional Coun“We’re hoping rural cil has an applicommunities will be cation in with better placed to MBIE for fundidentify Chilean ● Scout paddocks for new species. ing to look at it.” needle grass in ● Identify unknowns and assess threat – get help if As the name coming months necessary. suggests, the following the weed favours social media, ● Beware risk of seed import with feeds, stock, or light, free drainsignage and machinery. ing ground and brochure ● If importing feed, limit feed-out area and check for while it’s not campaign,” new weeds following spring/summer. toxic, stock says CNGAP ● Check roadsides – take or request action if avoid it, impactcoordinator Jenna necessary. ing production Taylor.
FROM PAGE 36
in its control: flumetsulam and MCPA, meaning a pasture renewal phase, preferably with a crop between pastures, is needed to hit it with an effective herbicide. Across the central North Island toxic lowgrowing shrub Tutsan is making a comeback as a strain resistant to rust spreads. “The rust arrived from Australia about 30 years ago and gave reasonable control but in the past five years a strain’s emerged in the King Country that’s tolerant to the rust and it’s spreading like crazy,” notes James. The red, later blackberried plant is “tolerant of all but the toughest brush killer-type herbicides” and has very small seeds. People picking
BEEING WEED-WISE
It’s most recognisable in late spring and early summer during flowering due to distinctive reddishpurple seed heads with long tails of up to 7cm in length. The grass has been found on about 3700ha in the three regions but could infest an estimated 15mha nationwide if not contained. In Hawke’s Bay, 24 new properties have found it in the past two years, most notifications coming from the landowner or a neighbour. A total of 127 properties in the region are now known to be infested. “The bulk of these are lifestyle blocks, predominantly sheep and beef, but the pest has also been found on a dairy farm, two vineyards, a golf course and an apple orchard, so diverse land uses are at risk,” says HBRC’s biosecurity team leader plant pest, Darin Underhill. In Marlborough, 26 properties have “extensive” infestations, 48 “substantial” infestations and 68 “small” infestations. MDC biosecurity co-ordinator Jono Underwood says the council is doing more compliance, surveillance and education work “to ensure the level of control work and awareness is
lifted across the board.” Warwick Lissaman, a farmer and chairman of a community-led action group in the region, says a longterm strategy is to involve the whole community to stop its spread. “Part of that policy is the recognition by landowners who don’t have it that they could easily get it.” Landowners are encouraged to make farm hygiene plans assessing the risk of Chilean needle grass and to follow protocols to manage the risk of outward spread and/or ingress. “Our long-term plan will work if the community is united and responsible,” says Lissaman. Farm biosecurity signs are available to farmers free from Environment Canterbury, DC and HBRC. The Chilean Needle Grass Awareness Programme campaign has MPI Sustainable Farming Fund support. For more on farm biosecurity, copies of the updated Chilean needle grass brochures and seed identification card, or to request farm biosecurity signs, contact Taylor on 03 314 9586 or jenna. taylor@ecan.govt.nz
off infested pad-
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