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SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi<br />
Wednesday <strong>February</strong> [Edition 7 datE] <strong>2018</strong> 25 3<br />
SELWYN RURAL LIFE<br />
Potential Chilean needle grass<br />
control under consideration<br />
New Zealand farming’s vulnerability to Chilean needle<br />
grass may be reduced if an application to release a rust<br />
fungus from Argentina wins approval.<br />
Chilean needle grass is found at some<br />
300 sites in New Zealand, covering around<br />
4000 hectares. But research suggests up to<br />
15 million hectares may be potentially at<br />
risk.<br />
Chilean needle grass is common in<br />
Australia, where it has caused production<br />
losses of up to 25 per cent in infested<br />
pastures. It displaces other types of grass,<br />
but is less palatable and nutritious to stock.<br />
The grass also reduces the sale value of<br />
stock. Its sharply pointed seeds bore into<br />
the skins of grazing animals, damaging<br />
the pelt and reducing carcass value. It can<br />
also cause distressing wounds, sometimes<br />
blinding lambs and injuring farm dogs.<br />
Marlborough District Council has<br />
applied to introduce the rust fungus on<br />
behalf of a consortium of regional councils<br />
and the Department of Conservation.<br />
The fungus – Uromyces pencanus –<br />
infects the leaves of Chilean needle grass<br />
and competes with them for nutrients, with<br />
debilitating effects. Its spores spread rapidly<br />
on the wind.<br />
A year-long study in Argentina found<br />
the fungus did not spread to plants other<br />
than the target needle grass. Other research<br />
suggests there is no direct threat to nontarget<br />
plants in New Zealand, so no native<br />
or ornamental plants would be at risk.<br />
This rust is unlike myrtle rust, which<br />
infects a wide range of plant host species<br />
within the Myrtaceae family. Myrtle rust<br />
arrived accidentally in New Zealand,<br />
whereas the introduction of U. pencanus<br />
would be intentional for a defined purpose<br />
– to control the invasive plant, Chilean<br />
needle grass.<br />
The Environmental Protection Authority<br />
will consider the risks and benefits before<br />
any decision is made to release the rust in<br />
New Zealand.<br />
Public submissions<br />
on this application<br />
opened on January 29,<br />
<strong>2018</strong> and will close on<br />
March 13, <strong>2018</strong>.<br />
Canterbury<br />
C T H Timber & Hardware<br />
Visit us via our new entrance on Manion Rd<br />
We are here<br />
HOURS<br />
Mon-Fri:<br />
7am - 5pm<br />
Saturday:<br />
8am -12pm<br />
Your Local Timber Merchant<br />
Jason Pester 167 Manion Road, Rolleston<br />
jason@cthl.co.nz P 03 3477465 F 03 3477032<br />
<strong>Selwyn</strong> Auto<br />
ALL YOUR MOTORING NEEDS<br />
› WOF’s › Diagnostics › Repairs<br />
› Servicing › Batteries › Tyres<br />
› Motorbike WOF’s & Repairs<br />
› Courtesy Cars Available<br />
Phone 329 5841 | 132 Leeston Road, Springston<br />
www.selwynauto.com | office@selwynauto.com<br />
ATTENTION<br />
all farmers<br />
If you’re in need of a resource consent, we can help.<br />
• Effluent<br />
discharge<br />
• Groundwater<br />
• Surface water<br />
• FEP / Land Use<br />
• Due diligence<br />
• Monitoring &<br />
compliance<br />
• Advocacy<br />
92 Williams St, Kaiapoi | Ph: 03 375 5015 | www.bowden.co.nz
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