Volunteers are being sought to check fodder beet crops in Otago for possible velvetleaf contamination.
One of the world's most invasive pest plants has so far been detected in 11 regions throughout New Zealand, with 169 confirmed cases. Canterbury has the highest incidence with 88.
There were 31 sites that had tested positive in Otago to date and there were still 90 properties to check off, Otago Federated Farmers president Phill Hunt said.
Volunteer assistance was sought for a week starting from tomorrow for crop inspections around Balclutha, Oamaru and West Otago.
The council needed to know how many volunteers were coming each day and potential volunteers in Balclutha should contact Grant Bradfield on (03) 415-8377 or Richard Strowger in Oamaru on 027-435-5702. The contact in West Otago was being determined.
It was a ‘‘major biosecurity incursion'' and there would be ongoing monitoring over the next few years, Mr Hunt said.
'‘It would be great to think we can get this ... nipped in the bud. It's alarming so many properties have been affected,'' he said.
Ministry for Primary Industries' Velvetleaf 2016 response manager Carolyn Bleach said the window of opportunity to control plants that had not yet seeded was narrowing and it was very important farmers remained vigilant.
‘‘[They] need to maintain a watchful eye until crops have been grazed, particularly as some late emerging plants have been found in crops that have already been inspected.
‘‘It's become apparent that velvetleaf shoots up dramatically when it goes to seed. A plant that may have been hidden by the canopy of the crop one week can appear a week or so later,'' Dr Bleach said.
MPI was encouraged by the support it had received from a wide range of stakeholders, including industry representatives, regional councils and farmers ensuring an ‘‘all-hands-to-the-pump'' approach was being taken.
