There has been another black grass incursion in Canterbury; however, swift action means the threat of any spread is very low.
The pest weed ‘black grass’ (Alopecurus myosuroides) was found in linseed crops on four Central-Canterbury farms in December 2021. The farms involved had planted contaminated linseed from a seed consignment imported from France in August 2021. Biosecurity New Zealand is working closely with the FAR and the Seed and Grain Readiness and Response partners (SGRR) to manage the situation.
The affected crops have been removed from all four properties and the material securely baled and wrapped for disposal by incineration. The properties concerned have also been treated with herbicide and the risk of any spread from the four affected properties is considered minimal. Given the low number of plants that have been found and the success of control measures to date, we’re confident this incursion has been well controlled.
This latest detection is not linked in any way to the former 2016 response resulting from contaminated ryegrass from the UK, or the 2013 black-grass response which concerned spilled seed contaminated with black-grass.
Canterbury farmers should continue to keep a lookout for black-grass. If they believe they have found it, they should not disturb the seed head, but take a photo and call the Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66 to report the suspected find. Black-grass is known to be a serious pest weed in Europe and the UK, particularly because it is resistant to many herbicides, making it difficult to control. However, it is not expected to take hold in New Zealand as Biosecurity New Zealand and farmers and the seed industry have taken the situation seriously from the outset.