Selwyn

February 2011
Topics include:

- Rabbits
- Purple loosestrife
- Nodding thistle
- Chilean needle grass
- Boneseed
- Garden dumping

Read Pest News - Selwyn - February 2011 (pdf 636 kB)

Waikari

February 2011
Topics include:

- Rabbits
- Gorse & broom
- Wilding conifers
- Saffron thistle
- Chilean needle grass
- Wallabies
- Darwin's barberry

Read Pest News - Waikari - February 2011 (pdf 910 kB)

Kaikoura

January 2011
Topics include:

- Rabbits
- Gorse & broom
- Wilding conifers
- Old man's beard
- Chilean needle grass
- Wallabies
- Darwin's barberry

Read Pest News - Kaikoura - January 2011 (pdf 1.15 MB)

Amuri

December 2010
Topics include:

- Rabbits
- Gorse & broom
- Wilding conifers
- Old man's beard
- Chilean needle grass
- Wallabies
- Darwin's barberry

Read Pest News - Amuri - December 2010 (pdf 872 kB)

Ashley

December 2010
Topics include:

- Roadsides
- Gorse & broom
- Wilding conifers
- Old man's beard
- Chilean needle grass
- Wallabies
- Darwin's barberry

Read Pest News - Ashley - December 2010 (pdf 1.16 MB)

Ashburton

November 2010
Topics include:

- Chilean needle grass
- Wilding pines
- Nodding thistle
- Rabbits
- Garden dumping

Read Pest News - Ashburton - November 2010 (pdf 397 kB)

Banks Peninsula

November 2010
Topics include:

- Possums
- Gorse & Broom
- Boneseed
- Nodding thistle
- Rabbits
- Garden dumping
- Chilean needle grass

Read Pest News - Banks Peninsula - November 2010 (pdf 505 kB)

Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana)

Chilean needle grass is a major problem for dry hill country farmers in Marlborough and Hawke's Bay. It has also been found on a North Canterbury property - its first known incidence in Canterbury.

Environment Canterbury has declared a small-scale management programme aimed at eradicating the plant pest from the region.

Chilean needle grass produces sharp cork-screw shaped seedheads which catch easily in passing animals particularly sheep and burrow into skin damaging hides and downgrading carcasses. Lambs are particularly vulnerable to seeds penetrating their eyes causing blindness.

It is safer to remove sheep from infested areas between November and March to avoid contact with seeds.

Read the Chilean Needle Grass flyer (pdf 218 kB)

Chilean Needle Grass newsletter

November 2010
Topics include:

• Invitation to field day 22nd November 2010
• Project progress

Chilean Needle Grass newsletter - November 2010 (pdf 261 kB)

MAF SFF Nassella Tussock Management Project Newsletter 5, March 2010

March 2010
Topics include:

• Project background
• Progress so far
• Progress summary

Read MAF SFF Nassella Tussock Management Project Newsletter 5, March 2010 (pdf 1.42 MB)

Kurow

Read Pest News - Kurow - September 2008 (pdf 168 kB)

South Canterbury

Read Pest News - South Canterbury - July 2008 (pdf 197 kB)

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