Tuesday, 16 June 2015 14:07

Clover collateral damage in Tutsan control

Written by 
Tutsan. Tutsan.

A Ravensdown-sponsored study by AgResearch, of highly invasive tutsan, has found there is no quick-fix when it comes to controlling and eradicating the weed.

 

Found throughout New Zealand, Tutsan is unpalatable to livestock but can be harmful if ingested. Like St John’s Wort, it contains hypericin, which causes photosensitisation and extreme skin sensitivity (hyperaesthesia) in sheep, cattle and horses.

In the past tutsan has been held in check by tutsan rust, but in the central North Island the plant is showing resistance to rust and spreading rapidly across hill country.

“The biggest problem with controlling tutsan at the moment is that the most effective herbicides are toxic to clover, which is counter-productive in the type of country where this weed is an issue,” says George Kerse, Ravensdown’s business manager agrochemicals.

“In the absence of other solutions such as biological control, some farms might have to use chemical controls and sacrifice clover growth, although the fact that there is no damage to grass lessens the impact,” he says. It can take 6-12 months for clover to re-establish after spraying.

Products that contain triclopyr and picloram appear to be the best available option at present, but these still require repeat treatments.

Biological control options are still being explored by the Tutsan Action Group, founded in 2011 and supported by the Sustainable Farming Fund. Tutsan Action Group chair Graham Wheeler says progress on biological controls is promising, but still a way off.

“The most important thing is that farmers need to deal with the weed as soon as it appears,” he says.

“Tutsan isn’t only a problem on poor land and if outbreaks are not dealt with as soon as possible, the weed will spread.”

The study says it is important to control isolated plants and to re-plant bare sites with more desirable, competitive species. Improving fertility can help prevent seedling growth and this needs to be supported with the application of fertiliser, oversowing with desirable species and stock grazing.

“The reality is that there is no silver bullet available at the moment which can solve the tutsan problem,” Kerse says.

“While we will continue to hope for a breakthrough biological treatment, at the present chemical control supported by sound management practices are the only option.”

More like this

Big opportunities in 'wellness' for red meat

Crown research institute AgResearch has partnered with Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) to survey attitudes among red meat eaters in Australia and the United States towards physical and mental wellness related to consumption of meat.

Fert use tumbles as prices spike

Fertiliser use in New Zealand over the 18 months is about 25% down from what it consistently was for the previous decade or more, says Ravensdown chief operating officer Mike Whitty.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter