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Look for porina flights.

AgPest — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 20:00:54 +0000

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

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.

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).

Look for brassica springtails

AgPest — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 19:30:51 +0000

Look for brassica springtails before sowing brassica crops. Place a white card or cloth on the soil surface and gently disturb the soil around it. This will cause the springtails to jump and land on it making them easier to see.

Watch for porina flights

AgPest — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 19:30:44 +0000

At the end of the month look for porina flights – indicated by large numbers being attracted to lights at night, as these can indicate when to adopt control measures at a later date if required.

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.

Watch for Clover Flea damage

AgPest — Sat, 09 Sep 2017 19:30:07 +0000

In Northland, South Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty watch for clover flea damage to clover and treat early if required to maximise effectiveness.

Is clover root weevil an issue?

AgPest — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 22:01:26 +0000

If clover root weevil is an issue in your area, pasture renewal should incorporate a non-clover break crop. This weevil cannot survive in the absence of clover so a clover free break crop provides a temporary weevil-free environment that will allow clover seedlings to establish before the weevil reinvades. This will also reduce plant nematodes, plant pathogens and weeds and benefit the new pasture.

Clover root weevil present in most areas

AgPest — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 21:00:42 +0000

Clover root weevil will be very obvious in most areas –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.

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

Velvetleaf focus firmly on fodder beet seed

AgPest — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 03:21:47 +0000

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is encouraging farmers and growers who have planted certain varieties of imported fodder beet seed to check their crops for the presence of an aggressive agricultural weed, velvetleaf.

MPI has been investigating the appearance of this pest weed on a small number of South Island properties and has been steadily building a picture of where the weed is present and if there are any common factors between affected properties.

Plants and Environment Surveillance Manager Mark Bullians says MPI has now positively identified velvetleaf on 10 properties across the South Island and has seven further suspected cases yet to be verified.

“The common denominator is fodder beet crops and, in particular, crops grown from two varieties of imported fodder beet seed.

“Velvetleaf plants are appearing in rows where this fodder beet seed has been drilled and farms concerned have planted either Kyros and/or Bangor seed.

“While we are not certain this is the full picture, we now know that some lines of these two seed varieties are very likely to have been contaminated with velvetleaf seed. For this reason we urge anyone who has planted Kyros and Bangor fodder beet seed to check their fields immediately for the presence of velvetleaf. The seed has been distributed mostly in the South Island but some has been sold in the North Island.

“If you believe you have found this distinctive weed, call MPI immediately on 0800 80 99 66.”

Velvetleaf is a tall-growing weed reaching heights of up to 2m. It has buttery yellow flowers and large velvety heart shaped leaves.

Mr Bullians says farmers are advised to photograph any plants, contact MPI and mark the location of plants so they can be found again easily. He cautions against pulling up plants, or allowing cattle to graze infested crops, and says an MPI or local council representative will visit and carefully remove any plants to make sure velvetleaf seed, if present, is not spread.

Velvet leaf is a serious weed pest overseas, damaging crops by competing with them for nutrients and water. It is an Unwanted Organism under the Biosecurity Act, and as such, entry to New Zealand is prohibited.

MPI is investigating how the weed seeds could have entered New Zealand. The affected consignments met New Zealand’s importing requirements and were certified as weed-free by the exporting country. The Ministry is currently reviewing the import requirements for seed.

Mr Bullians says the Ministry is working closely with primary industry bodies from both the animal and grain/seed sectors as well as regional councils on managing this situation. As a precautionary measure, MPI has directed seed and grain retailers not to sell or distribute any remaining stock of the affected seed lines and these retailers have also been directed to instruct buyers to return any unsown seed.

For full information visit: mpi.govt.nz/alerts or contact MPI Mediaphone 029 8940328 or media@mpi.govt.nz