Environment Canterbury is asking the public to be on the lookout for Chilean needle grass throughout January and February. This latest call is part of the council’s ongoing effort to contain the pest plant and eradicate it from the region.
Chilean needle grass appears in its most recognisable form during the summer months. Plants look like a tall fescue grass in general appearance but at this time of year they have distinctive purple-tinged seed heads. In the absence of grazing it can usually be seen standing tall among other pasture species. It forms shorter, denser clumps where grazing causes it to produce many shoots at its base.
Environment Canterbury pest management committee chair Cr Eugenie Sage says that the seeds of Chilean needle grass are not usually spread by wind and generally fall within a metre or two of the parent plant. However, the seeds can be easily spread by humans or stock, on vehicles or machinery and through contaminated hay.
“The only known site in Canterbury with Chilean needle grass present was at Spotswood in North Canterbury. This has been contained and control work in that area is ongoing. However it is not known how long the plant was at the property before it was identified and there are a number of ways that seeds may have been spread from the property during that time,” she says.
Laurence Smith, Environment Canterbury’s biosecurity team leader based in Amberley, says that Chilean needle grass is extremely difficult to control or eradicate once it has become established and poses a major threat to the viability of sheep farming, particularly for the vulnerable hill country properties of North Canterbury.
“It can seriously affect animal health and contaminate wool. It is unpalatable to stock for much of its lifecycle and produces extremely sharp seeds that catch easily on passing animals, particularly sheep. The seed head can then work its way into tissue and muscle, causing abscesses and downgrading carcasses,” says Mr. Smith
“If you think you may have found Chilean needle grass, please contact Environment Canterbury’s Amberley office on (03) 314 8014 straight away. Biosecurity Officers can assist with identification on your property free-of-charge,” he says.
If you want to know more about this ‘unwanted organism’ or have views you would like to share about Chilean needle grass control, you are welcome to attend a public meeting being held by local Environment Canterbury staff at the Cheviot Area School Hall at 2.00pm on Thursday 21 January.
Please do not remove and transport any potential pest plants for identification as this may increase the risk of spread.
For more information contact Environment Canterbury Pest Management Committee Chair Councillor Eugenie Sage, (03) 329 3177 or 021 155 3937.