AgPest » AgPest » Category » Bay of Plenty

Be vigilant about Velvetleaf.

AgPest — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 18:30:08 +0000

Velvetleaf seed was introduced to NZ as a contaminant of some fodder beet seed and planted in many properties throughout NZ. Therefore, if you have either grown fodder beet or received fodder beet onto your property you need to be vigilant and keep an eye out for this weed and do not let it establish on your property.
Velvet leaf is declared Unwanted Organism by MPI and occurrences must be reported and dealt with. For more information phone the MPI hotline 0800 80 99 66 or go to MPI or go to AgPest, or contact your regional council.

Time to apply herbicides to yellow bristle grass:

AgPest — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 19:45:06 +0000

Apply herbicides to yellow bristle grass before seed heads ripen. Avoid moving stock from infested to clean paddocks – seeds can survive in dung.

Don’t make hay from paddocks heavily infested with yellow bristle grass or other summer growing grass weeds – the seeds survive in hay. In contrast, yellow bristle grass seeds do not survive in well-made silage and wrapped baleage.

Clover root weevil very obvious.

AgPest — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 19:30:37 +0000

Clover root weevil will be very obvious in most areas. While control is generally not an option careful management of clover will help maintain pasture quality. Additional nitrogen may need to be applied to pastures and clover should not be over grazed.

Chilean needle grass becomes evident this month.

AgPest — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 20:30:54 +0000

Chilean needle grass will become evident in pastures in November-December. Keep an eye out for the reddish purple colour of the seed heads when they first emerge. Each seed has a 7 cm long awn (bristle-like tail). This grass is most likely to be found in pastures on north/west-facing drought-prone slopes but may be present in contaminated stock feed / hay. If you suspect that you have it, please contact your local council biosecurity people for identification and management advice immediately.

Cost Benefit Analysis tool for Regional Pest Management updated

AgPest — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 19:45:17 +0000

The Cost Benefit Analysis tool for Regional Pest Management has been revised and you may notice some changes when using the tool. If you have any questions, please consult the User Guide, which can be downloaded from the top right-hand corner of the tool.

You can find the Cost Benefit Analysis tool here: http://www.agresearch.co.nz/cba/

Watch for pests in brassica crops.

AgPest — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 21:21:07 +0000

Keep an eye on aphids, diamondback moth caterpillars and white butterfly caterpillars in brassica crops. With warm summer temperatures these can increase quickly. Treating these pests before high numbers occur will provide greatest economic return.

Be alert for Chilean needle grass

AgPest — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 19:00:29 +0000

Chilean needle grass will become evident in pastures during November and December as its distinctive purple-coloured spikelets, with their developing long-awned needle-sharp seeds, emerge from elongating flower stems. Details of this invasive grass can be found here on AgPest. This grass is most likely to be found in pastures on north/west-facing drought-prone slopes. If you suspect that you have it, please contact your local council biosecurity people for identification and management advice.

Chilean needle grass becoming evident

AgPest — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 19:30:51 +0000

Argentine stem weevil numbers building

AgPest — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 20:00:59 +0000

Argentine stem weevil is building up in the North Island and will need to be considered in pasture and crop establishment. Insecticide coated seed may be a viable control option and insecticide application can provide temporary relief from this pest and allow seedlings to establish. Argentine stem weevil is a significant threat to seedling grasses, even those infected with endophyte, cereals and maize crops. See DairyNZ Pasture Renewal Guide for a guide to endophyte selection.

Clover root weevil feeding becoming obvious

AgPest — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 19:38:19 +0000

Clover root weevil feeding will become obvious in November-January – U-shaped notches at the edge of clover leaves show adults are present. The presence of larvae may be indicated by the pasture appearing nitrogen deficient. While control is generally not an option careful management of clover will help maintain pasture quality. Additional nitrogen may need to be applied to pastures and clover should not be over-grazed. In the South Island this weevil will be appearing in some areas for the first time.