Tuesday, 12 April 2016 07:55

Potential blackgrass incursion

Written by 
Blackgrass. Source: Environment Canterbury. Blackgrass. Source: Environment Canterbury.

Federated Farmers and other arable industry groups are working with MPI following the detection of blackgrass seeds.

The seeds were found during a routine sampling of rye grass seed in Canterbury last month.

The Foundation of Arable Research and New Zealand Grain & Seed Trade Association are involved in the investigation.

Federated Farmers arable industry chair and member of the Blackgrass Governance Group, Guy Wigley, says it's disappointing to have another incursion when farmers are still coming to terms with the potentially devastating impact of velvetleaf.

"We are concerned about the potential implications of blackgrass for New Zealand's world-leading seed production and multiplication industry."

An inspection of paddocks where the rye grass seed was grown has not found any further blackgrass plants. Feds reiterate that this is an isolated finding and investigations are under way to establish the source of the contamination. They urge that a thorough investigation is undertaken to trace all potentially contaminated material.

"MPI assure us that all practical steps have been taken to isolate and contain the blackgrass incursion," says Wigley.

"MPI should be congratulated for finding three seeds among a 62,000kg shipment; however this is another reminder that we must be vigilant in maintaining New Zealand's biosecurity and protecting our agricultural sector from unwanted pests."

Blackgrass is an invasive plant that is difficult to contain once it spreads. It competes with winter crops for light, nutrients, space and water, resulting in yield loss and increased cultivation costs that could be potentially devastating to the New Zealand Arable Industry.

More like this

Working with farmers to ensure best outcomes

OPINION: Recent media commentary from Southland Federated Farmers has raised concerns among our rural communities, particularly around Environment Southland’s approach to winter grazing inspections and nitrogen reporting. But let’s be clear, much of what’s been said simply doesn’t reflect reality.

Editorial: Nitrate emergency?

OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.

Federated Farmers slam Canterbury nitrate emergency

A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.

Featured

'One more push' to eliminate FE

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on farmers from all regions to take part in the final season of the Sheep Poo Study aiming to build a clearer picture of how facial eczema (FE) affects farms across New Zealand.

Winston Peters questions Fonterra divestment plan

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Quid prod quo?

OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…

Deadwood

OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter