13 April 2016

MEDIA RELEASE

Canterbury Velvetleaf response winding down – threat still live

Environment Canterbury Biosecurity Officers have spent the last few weeks searching farms in an effort to locate outbreaks of the pest weed velvetleaf.

Graham Sullivan, Regional Manager Biodiversity and Biosecurity, said while these efforts had been largely successful, the threat is far from over.

“The plant has dropped seed at some sites and these sites will need to be managed for several years. Managing this pest will require a sustained and combined effort over a long period,” Mr Sullivan said.

Velvetleaf weed has been identified in contaminated fodder beet seeds throughout the country and the search is on to find plants and stop their spread.

Under the direction of the Ministry for Primary Industries, the “on the ground” response is being led and managed by AsureQuality. Environment Canterbury and other regional councils, with the assistance of further organisations/agencies, are delivering local responses.

Graham Sullivan said over 340 properties had been checked in Canterbury and 100 properties with velvetleaf identified. “Farmers are urged to check any fodder beet crops for signs of the plant. We have received 80 calls via MPI’s 0800 number in Canterbury, almost all of which represented a velvetleaf find,” Mr Sullivan said.

Sales of the contaminated seed batches were also being tracked. Farmers who were identified as having purchased contaminated seed have been contacted for their crops to be inspected.

Over 200 properties in Canterbury are believed to have purchased the seed of the Kyros and Bangor varieties, which have been confirmed to be contaminated with velvetleaf seed.

Environment Canterbury Chief Executive Bill Bayfield said he was pleased that MPI had responded strongly to the incursion. “The Regional Council too has treated the situation very seriously and swung into action quickly, drawing together its key Biosecurity staff and those from a wide range of relevant organisations.

“The time to act is now,” Mr Bayfield said. “This pest plant can have a devastating effect on arable farming and we are committed to making the most of the opportunity we have to stop it becoming established in Canterbury.

“We are standing alongside MPI and the rural community to deal with this significant problem – and anything similar that faces them in future. The co-operation of the farming community is much appreciated – it’s them who will to a large extent determine our success in eradicating this pest from Canterbury.”

Velvetleaf is a serious weed pest overseas, damaging crops. In locations where it is established, it has significant impacts on crop production. An ‘’unwanted organism’’ under the Biosecurity Act, it is an invasive weed that is very successful at competing with crops for nutrients, space and water.

Farmers who suspect they may have velvetleaf on their property should report this immediately to MPI on 0800 80 99 66. Plants should be photographed and their locations marked so they can be found easily again.

Act now

Advice for farmers who have velvetleaf in their fodder beet crop and wish to graze stock

Stock can spread velvetleaf seed around the farm and to other properties via their hooves and waste. Keeping stock out of velvetleaf infested paddocks is the best possible action to avoid spreading the weed.

In most situations this is not feasible because you have invested heavily in the crop and are reliant on it to feed your stock. Therefore the following approach is recommended:

• If possible, fence off any areas where velvetleaf has been found within a paddock to keep stock out

• Leave the animals on the fodder beet as long as possible

• Consider using holding paddocks to keep stock on for three days, if feasible

• Record where stock have been for up to a week after grazing so these sites can be checked in future years

• Use your usual farm management biosecurity practices such as cleaning farm machinery before moving it off the farm

• Deploy the usual weed management measures.

The general recommendation if you do not know whether you have velvetleaf on your property is:

• Check your paddocks

• Contact MPI on 0800 80 99 66 if you find it

• Go to https://www.mpi.govt.nz/protection-and-response/responding/alerts/velvetleaf/ for management plans.

Containing velvetleaf seed while you await technical support

For farmers who have reported suspected velvetleaf and are concerned about plants seeding, the following actions could help mitigate risk of seed fall:

Bag it – bend it

• If seed heads are present on the plant, carefully place a large bag (a fertiliser bag or sack or similar) over the seed capsules and flowers on the plant and tie the bag tightly around the stem. Make sure all seed heads are contained within the bag.

• The velvetleaf plant should then be bent in half so seeds cannot escape from the bottom of the bag. The plant should remain in place until field staff visit.

ends

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