B+LNZ Urges Farmers to Graze Lucerne Hard Before Winter Weed Control
Beef + Lamb New Zealand is reminding farmers with lucerne stands to graze them hard over the next few weeks in preparation for a winter weed control programme.
The target is about 1659ha of Whirinaki Forest, home to North Island brown kiwi, whio, kaka and threatened native bats. The area includes private, government and Maori-owned land.
TBfree NZ quotes DOC senior ranger Dave Wills as saying some of New Zealand’s rarest bird and plant species will benefit from the pest kill, chiefly of possums, rats and stoats.
“DOC is working with TBfree New Zealand to ensure the best results possible for native wildlife,” says Wills.
“A wide range of other forest birds, trees and wildlife also stand to benefit from the knockback of predators like possums, rats and stoats.”
TBfree Hawke’s Bay committee chairman Dennis Mitchell says the “battle against bovine TB has been waged in Hawke’s Bay for 25 years and currently there are no infected cattle or deer herds in the region”.
“We seek to methodically [kill] pests, especially possums, which can sustain the disease in wildlife.
“Effective pest [killing] in our rugged bush is vital to protect farmed livestock and export markets.”
Dennis Ward, of Ngatapu Station, a farmer and hunter, also favours the operation.
“When you look at
the practicalities of 1080 in improving the quality
of life of our native species, it’s a no-brainer,” Ward says.
“People don’t appreciate that possums, stoats, ferrets and rats… decimate our native bird populations.”
Research shows 1080 benefits native birds and forests, he says. “The evidence has convinced me that it is the best method, particularly in rugged terrain like the Waipunga area, where ground [kills are] impractical.”
“It is amazing to see the bush come alive with native birds following a 1080 operation.”
