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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.

Watch for clover flea damage

AgPest — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 19:45:00 +0000

In Northland, South Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty watch for clover flea damage to clover – this appears initially as small holes in leaves, more severe damage results in only leaf veins and the lower leaf surface remaining making the crop appear silver. Treat early if required to maximise effectiveness.

Chilean needle grass evident

AgPest — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 21:00:37 +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 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.

Look out for velvetleaf

AgPest — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 21:00:05 +0000

Last year velvetleaf seed was introduced to NZ as a contaminant of fodder beet seed and planted in many properties throughout NZ. To date more than 250 properties have been found to be infested with this terrible weed. Six different lines of fodder beet seed have been identified as contaminated but there could be others that were not picked up. Similarly there may be paddocks where velvetleaf was present but not found.

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.

Look out for porina flights

AgPest — Sun, 20 Nov 2016 21:00:17 +0000

Look for and note porina flights as these can indicate when to adopt control measures later if required.

For further information on Porina including biology, impact and control, follow the link below:

Porina

Argentine stem weevil numbers increasing

AgPest — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 21:00:51 +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.

For further information on Argentine stem weevil including biology, impact and control, follow the links below:

Direct drilling? Look for slugs

AgPest — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 21:30:47 +0000

If direct drilling new pastures or crops check for slugs as these can devastate establishing seedlings. An application of slug pellets may be required or control may be achieved by heavy stocking rates.

For further information on field slug identification, biology, impact and management click here.

Clover root weevils in pasture

AgPest — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 21:30:21 +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.

For further information on clover root weevil, including identification, biology, impact and control click here.

Summer-active grass weeds

AgPest — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 21:30:52 +0000

If your run-out pasture was infested with summer-active grass weeds last summer, consider growing a forage crop for one or two summers prior to sowing the perennial pasture. This provides the opportunity to selectively spray the summer-active grasses and prevent weed seeds from replenishing the seed bank and infesting newly sown pastures. Forage crops will also disrupt clover root weevil populations, allowing better subsequent establishment of young clover.

For further information on weed and pest identification, biology, impact and management visit our AgPest Online Pest Directory.

Clover root weevils in pasture may reduce amount of nitrogen fixed by clover

AgPest — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 21:30:12 +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.

For further information on clover root weevil including biology, impact and control, follow the links below: