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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.

Watch for porina flights

AgPest — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 21:00:25 +0000

Look for and note porina flights as these can indicate when to adopt control measures later if required. The most cost effective time for control is 8-12 weeks after the main flights which may occur in November, mid-January and/or late-February/early March (especially central North Island).

Chilean needle grass becoming evident

AgPest — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 19:30:51 +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.

Clover root weevils may reduce amount of N fixed by clover

AgPest — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 20:30:45 +0000

In established pastures with high levels of clover root weevil the clover may be adding little in the way of nitrogen to the pasture and compensatory nitrogen applications may be required.

New weed pests now on AgPest!

AgPest — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 20:34:01 +0000

Four new weed pests have been added to the AgPest online Pest Directory!

The new profiles on AgPest have information relating to the identification, biology, impact and control for the following weeds:

AgPest contains a number of New Zealand pasture weeds and pests, which have been chosen in consultation with key farming, industry and research personnel. We will continue to identify and add more weeds and pests to the directory.

Click here to view our Pest Directory

Found something new on your farm? Not sure if it’s a pest or not? Click here to use our free online identify tool

Chilean needle grass will soon become evident in pastures

AgPest — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 21:00:29 +0000

If you suspect that you have it, please contact your local council biosecurity people for identification and management advice immediately.

For further information on Chilean needle grass including biology, impact and control, follow the link below:

Chilean needle grass

Pasture renewal required after grass grub/porina damage?

AgPest — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 22:15:34 +0000

For pastures badly affected by either grass grub or porina over winter and needing renewal consider direct drilling. This will preserve naturally occurring diseases of these pests that are building up in the soil and which will provide long term population regulation. Leave sowing as late as possible as both pests, especially in the South, may still be feeding and could devastate establishing seedlings. Be aware that slugs and clover root weevil may also be present in damaging numbers. Use of treated seed is recommended.

For further information on these pasture pests, including biology, control and management please follow the links below:

Hairy buttercup added to AgPest

AgPest — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 02:55:34 +0000

Hairy buttercup has been added to the AgPest online Pest Directory.

Hairy buttercup is not considered poisonous to livestock but because dairy cows tend to avoid it and prefer to graze grasses and clovers, it can become dominant in the pasture.

More info, including identification, biology, impact and control here: http://agpest.co.nz/?pesttypes=hairy-buttercup

Pest damage showing in pastures

AgPest — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 22:30:25 +0000

Damage to pastures often becomes very obvious in winter. Generally it is too late to prevent production losses which have already occurred, however pastures may be saved and long term quality maintained if pests are controlled.

If this is necessary, identify the pest and adopt appropriate control measures.

Bear in mind that spring growth is not far away and may outgrow the effect of the pest.

To identify a pest on your farm, and to view control and management options click here.