• Our Research
    • Research Strategy
    • Research Sites
    • Current Research Projects
    • Research Results
    • Research Collaborations
    • Research Resources
    • Seed Industry Research Centre
    Current Research
    Current Research
    Research Results
    Research Results
  • Resources
    • Biosecurity
    • Crop Action
    • Nutrient Management
    • Maize
    • Templates and Calculators
    • Podcast
    • Cereals
    • Weeds
    • Pests
    • Seeds
    • Diseases
    • News
    • Environment
    • Schools
    Podcast
    Podcast
    Environment and Compliance
    Environment and Compliance
  • Levies & Returns
    • Arable Crops Levy
    • Maize Levy
    • Cereal Silage Levy
    • Farmer Annual Return Form
    • Wholesaler Annual Return Form
    Levies
    Levies
    Annual Returns
    Annual Returns
  • Events
  • News
  • About Us
    • Governance and growers
    • Business Strategy
    • Our People
    • Careers
    • Growers Leading Change
    • Women in Arable
    • Arable Ys
    • Arable Kids
    • Arable Research Groups (ARGs)
    Our People
    Our People
    Growers Leading Change
    Growers Leading Change
  • Ask FAR AI
  • Weather
  • Log In
Ask FAR AI
Weather
Log In
  • Homepage
  • Resources
  • Velvetleaf Reminder

Velvetleaf reminder

Velvetleaf

The Waikato Regional council is warning that any farmer harvesting or buying crops risks inviting one of the world’s most invasive pest plants onto their property – to their detriment. Velvetleaf, which is spread by machinery or via contaminated maize, is currently found on 105 properties in nine regions of the North Island: 61 in the Waikato, 20 in Auckland, 15 in Manawatū-Whanganui, three in Hawke’s Bay, two in Wellington, and one each in Northland, Taranaki, Gisborne and Bay of Plenty.

The Waikato Regional council is warning that any farmer harvesting or buying crops risks inviting one of the world’s most invasive pest plants onto their property – to their detriment.

Velvetleaf, which is spread by machinery or via contaminated maize, is currently found on 105 properties in nine regions of the North Island: 61 in the Waikato, 20 in Auckland, 15 in Manawatū-Whanganui, three in Hawke’s Bay, two in Wellington, and one each in Northland, Taranaki, Gisborne and Bay of Plenty.

North Island Velvetleaf Coordinator Sally Linton, who is employed on behalf of the North Island regional councils, Auckland Council and the Foundation for Arable Research, says the issue is that farmers buy maize from all over the country and even internationally, often sight unseen, and contractors who harvest crops often work multiple properties across large areas.

“It’s so invasive that if your neighbour has it and you are sharing equipment then you’re likely to get it if that machine is not cleaned.

“To be honest, no farmer that crops is free from risk – and that is the message we need to get out. Biosecurity starts at the gate. It’ll save you a lot of headaches.”

Velvetleaf was first found in New Zealand in the early 2000s, with infestations of the cropping weed mostly concentrated around Auckland and Waikato. Its prevalence was exacerbated by the fodder beet incursion of 2016/17 and there is now at least one infected property in every region of the North Island.

Overseas, velvetleaf has been reported as causing an up to 70 per cent reduction in crop yields by outcompeting crops for nutrients, space and water.

Sally says velvetleaf is a problem for farmers as it matures as it gets a woody stem that becomes resistant to many herbicides and normal weed management practices. Also, its seeds (up to 33,000 seeds per plant) can lie dormant in the soil for up to 50 years – springing into life in response to cultivation and movement of soil.

“The discovery of velvetleaf on a property can significantly impact farming businesses as cropping is difficult and more costly,” says Sally.

“So, while there are rules to prevent its spread from properties, we also do everything we can to support landowners who are affected.”

Landowners are responsible for destroying velvetleaf, which is an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act, and all machinery leaving an infested property must be cleaned.

“We work closely with the owners and managers to develop a biosecurity farm management plan for them, and we also talk to the cropping industry, in particular, to remind them of the ongoing risk of velvetleaf to our regions and the importance of good hygiene practices.

“Landowners should do themselves a favour when purchasing maize to check the crop in case it is contaminated, and, likewise, contractors should understand the biosecurity risks of the crops they’ve been asked to harvest and have a plan in place for managing weeds such as velvetleaf.”

Sally says a significant amount of work has gone into controlling velvetleaf by regional councils since it was first discovered.

“A big focus is the tracing of machinery and crop movement, so we can establish and mitigate the source of spread.”

Velvetleaf is an annual broad-leaved herb that grows between one and 2.5 metres tall. Seedlings are vigorous and the plant grows rapidly in the first few months after germination. It has buttery-yellow flowers, about three centimetres across, from spring through to autumn. Leaves are large, heart-shaped and are velvety to the touch.

Related Resources

22 May 2025

From the Ground Up Winter 2025

Welcome to the Winter 2025 edition of From the Ground Up. This edition of From the Ground Up includes information on: Farewell Alison StewartMaize weed managementBarley nitrogen

Read more
22 May 2025

Registrations are open for the 2025 FAR Conference

Registrations are open for the 2025 FAR Conference: Show me the money. The event is being held at Lincoln University, Monday 30 June and Tuesday 1 July.

Read more
22 May 2025

New FAR Chief Executive named

Dr Scott Champion has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Foundation for Arable Research.

Read more
22 May 2025

Celebrating arable at Ballance Farm Environment Awards

Congratulations to those arable farming families who excelled in the 2025 Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Read more
22 May 2025

Blackgrass and fall armyworm levy update

Seed and Grain Readiness and Response Incorporated (“SGRR”) is a biosecurity entity for the arable sector. It was established in 2020 under the Government Industry Agreement for Biosecurity (GIA). It is currently collecting levies to cover the costs of the two biosecurity incursions, black grass and fall armyworm. 

Read more
22 May 2025

Seeking grower input for FAR research and extension

Want to have more say in FAR’s research priorities and activities? Get involved with your regional grower-led Arable Research Group (ARG). ARGs are a direct link between growers and FAR, providing feedback on regional issues, concerns and opportunities. Seven ARGs operate across the country, and right now they are all looking for new members.

Read more
22 May 2025

2025 Seed technology short course

Enroll now for Lincoln University's seed technology short course

Read more
22 May 2025

Cabinet accepts recommendations to speed up agchem approvals

The Government is moving to speed up processes to ensure faster access to new HSNO and ACVM products.

Read more
22 May 2025

UK maize experts visit

It was great to see 90 people at our NCRS maize field day last week. This day, along with a series of field events across the central North Island, introduced around 150 growers and industry reps to Jon Myhill and Kate Baker from the UK Maize growers Association. 

Read more
22 May 2025

From the Ground Up: Issue 120

Welcome to the autumn 2025 edition of From the Ground Up.

Read more

Ask FAR AI

Discover the power of AI with Ask FAR. Our new intelligent tool provides instant, accurate answers to your questions by searching the vast resources on the FAR website and linking you to the original document for further information. It’s fast, easy and reliable.

Start Chatting
  • Research
  • Levies and Returns
  • Resources
  • Events
  • News
  • Contact Us
  • Schools
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

©2022 Foundation for Arable Research