Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council
Hay distributed near Duntroon in the 1970s, may be a source of the invasive grass, nassella tussock spread, thanks to information obtained from the local community.
Nassella tussock is a perennial tussock grass around one metre tall with fibrous roots and small, oval seeds. It displaces other grasses, leaving pasture unpalatable to stock.
Historical hay movements in Duntroon
Duntroon, Kurow and Otematata have been the locations of several new and significant nassella infestations recently discovered, and our staff are seeking information and linkages between these and historical hay movements.
In the late 1970s, hay was brought into the Duntroon area during a drought and feed shortage. One of the properties that received this hay now has a significant nassella tussock infestation, which is being controlled by the landowner with support from us.
Our biosecurity team is interested in hearing from locals about the introduction of hay, other livestock feed, or machinery movements originating from North Canterbury, Marlborough, or the North Island from the 1970s to the present.
Rising infestations in South Canterbury
With infestations of nassella tussock on the rise in South Canterbury, the biosecurity team are growing concerned.
There are currently approximately 54 sites and properties where nassella is known to occur in South Canterbury with dense infestations covering 35 hectares of productive land, in some instances.
Senior biosecurity officer Noel Crump said the success of our search and surveillance programme relies on local information.
“Due to the vast amount of land in South Canterbury, known infestations and pathways to and from these have dictated our nassella surveillance programmes,” he said.
“Information from the community will assist us to put together a more targeted surveillance programme for nassella tussock giving us more pathways to follow up on. It’s important landowners, stock agents and those in the agricultural industry remain vigilant and keep an eye out for signs of nassella on rural properties.”
Report a Nassella sighting
We are urging the local
community to report anything that looks unusual or out of place, particularly large tussocks with purple-pink flowers during the November-December period.
If you are aware of a historic event such as large hay or seed distribution in the South Canterbury or North Otago area or have seen nassella tussock anywhere in the region, email us on biosecurity@ecan.govt.nz or call us on 0800 324 636.
