2018/19 — The summer of fruit flies
Not long after a few BMSB post-border detections were dealt with, another familiar biosecurity threat has raised its head.
The invasive pest Chilean Needle grass has been discovered on the edges of Christchurch in West Melton.
This discovery is the furthest south that the prickly pest has been found. All of the other sites in Canterbury have been many kilometres to the north in the Hurunui district.
Environment Canterbury principal biosecurity advisor, Laurence Smith, says the farmer identified Chilean needle grass after reading an article urging people to keep an eye out for the seeding plants.
It also the first new discovery of Chilean needle grass in Canterbury for two years.
"Chilean needle grass seed can lie dormant in the ground for about 10 years so the lag stage between seed movement and establishment requires constant vigilance," says Smith. "Chilean needle grass can reduce stock carrying capacity, income and potentially, property values."
The seed-heads stand out as reddish purple-flecked and glossy in the summer but is indistinguishable from other grass, making it particularly hard to identify.
Seeds attach themselves to people, vehicles and animals and can also be spread in feed and soil. Their sharp tip and twisting awn may drill through animals' pelts and lambs' eyes, causing suffering and potential downgrading of carcasses.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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