Thursday, 19 August 2021 06:55

National project offers hope in war against weeds

Written by  Staff Reporters
Phil McKenzie at McKenzie covenant Mt Hamilton. Photo credit: Guy Salmon Phil McKenzie at McKenzie covenant Mt Hamilton. Photo credit: Guy Salmon

A coordinated national research project has been launched to combat six of New Zealand’s most invasive weeds through biocontrol.

The three-year, $3.2 million project is backed by the Ministry for Primary Industries Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund, Landcare Research, and the National Biocontrol Collective (the Collective) – a consortium of regional councils, unitary authorities and the Department of Conservation.

“There’s no doubt about it – weeds are a constant source of stress for landowners,” says Phil McKenzie, chairman of the project’s governance group.

“Biocontrol has the potential to provide a longer-term solution at a time when more registered herbicides are being restricted by our export trading countries, weeds are becoming resistant to herbicides, and New Zealand society is demanding more environmentally friendly farming practices.”

The project has three workstreams. These are to:

  • advance biocontrol programmes for several high-priority weeds
  • monitor weed reduction in matured biocontrol programmes on productive land
  • develop a partnership for sustaining investment in weed biocontrol.

The project will focus on Sydney golden wattle (Acacia longifolia), Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana), old man’s beard (Clematis vitalba), woolly nightshade (Solanum mauritianum), Chilean flame creeper (Tropaeolum speciosum), and yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus).

By completion, the project aims to secure Environmental Protection Authority approval for the release of new biocontrol agents for at least three of these six weed species.

“Weeds are a major threat to New Zealand’s natural and productive ecosystems, and they’re costly to control,” says McKenzie.

“Through this project we aim to safeguard our environment and save landowners and councils money by finding smarter ways to reduce herbicides and the labour needed for weed control.

“Although biocontrol is expensive upfront to develop, collaborative cost-sharing models will make the development stage affordable – and the long-term benefits make it well worthwhile.

“We’ve got 15 regional councils co-investing in the project too, which enables regional priorities to be accounted for in selecting weeds to work on.”

“Biocontrol can be a long-term, cost-effective and sustainable weed management solution,” says Steve Penno, MPI’s Director Investment Programmes.

“By pooling our research efforts across multiple development streams, including adopting what’s worked in previous biocontrol programmes, we’ll be able to accelerate progress considerably.

“Farmers need more effective tools to manage these invasive weeds. To be able to eradicate or at least substantially reduce some of our most persistent weeds would be a huge win.”

More like this

Farmers struggle with water and feed shortages

The drought in western parts of the North Island is reaching crisis point with many farmers from Northland to Taranaki having to truck in water and feed for their stock at great expense.

Featured

Farmers urged not to be complacent about TB

New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.

Editorial: Making wool great again

OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.

National

Lame stories from a country vet

Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s…

Machinery & Products

Amazone extends hoe range

With many European manufacturers releasing mechanical weeding systems to counter the backlash around the use and possible banning of agrochemicals,…

Gong for NH dealers

New Holland dealers from around Australia and New Zealand came together last month for the Dealer of the Year Awards,…

A true Kiwi ingenuity

The King Cobra raingun continues to have a huge following in the New Zealand market and is also exported to…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Greenpeace a charity?

OPINION: Should Greenpeace be stripped of their charitable status? Farmers say yes.

Synlait's back

OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter