Displaying items by tag: VELVETLEAF

Any farmer that harvests or buys crops risks inviting one of the world's most invasive pest plants onto their property - to their detriment.

Perfect growing conditions have led to the further spread of the problem weed velvetleaf in various parts of New Zealand over the summer and autumn.

With warmer weather bringing on forage maize crops in leaps and bounds, Waikato Regional Council is reminding farmers and growers to keep watch for velvetleaf.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has ramped up its efforts to contain the invasive weed velvetleaf.

Invercargill dog trainer John Taylor has been in demand in the Waikato and other districts using his 8-year-old border collie Rusty to sniff out exotic plant velvetleaf which is a big threat to pasture.

Landowners and rural contractors are being urged to watch for pest plants.

The pest plant velvetleaf should be high on cropping farmers’ minds over the next few months.

New Zealand farmers now have a new weapon in the fight against the noxious velvetleaf weed: the camera on their iPhone.

The Ministry for Primary Industries is calling on farmers to be “Vigilant with a capital V” for velvetleaf infestation as the new growing season approaches.

MPI is taking the fight against velvetleaf to individuals in the provinces with a series of farmer support meetings starting in the South Island next week.