Anna Mills 
The application to introduce moths for biological control of horehound is now open for public submissions. To make an effective submission make sure you State clearly whether your submission is in support of the application Include your contact details Include quantifiable information about the impact of horehound on your farming operation (how much money and … Read more
Greetings everyone, We have reached a major milestone today – this morning the application to introduce two biocontrol agents for horehound has now been formally lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). The EPA now has up to 10 working days to acknowledge the application had been received and to post it on their website … Read more
Greetings all, It is time to update you that the EPA application is progressing well. We are awaiting confirmation of details for two more issues and finishing touches of quality checks before lodging the application with the EPA. We will post an update here as soon as the application has been lodged, because the formal consultation … Read more
We were recently contacted by a Vet because he had visited a property where Romney ewe hoggets had been grazing lucerne since January 4th til APRIL 4th. At this time the hoggets were showing signs of udder development which is a clear indication of a highly oestrogenic crop. In our experience young stock such as … Read more
Post prepared by the Dryland Pastures Research Team – Dr S.T. Olykan, C.S. Teixeira (PhD candidate), Mr R.J. Lucas, Prof D.J. Moot and Dr A. Mills. Why choose sub clover? Sub clover suits a summer dry environment because: In a mixed pasture it may provide 2 to 4 t/ha of high quality herbage for lactating … Read more
Upcoming event Farming for Profit Field Day Specialist Forages: “Going Beyong Ryegrass and White Clover” When: 1 pm 23 March 2018 Where: Grant and Katie Catto’s Farm 555 Drummond – Heddon Bush Road, Central Southland Topics include: Lucerne in Southland; Specialist Forage Options and Farm Shelter Tea and Coffee available from 12.30 pm and the day will … Read more
Update 3: Posted on behalf of the Horehound Biocontrol Group The ball is now seriously rolling towards biological control for horehound!Here is where we are at, as of late February 2018: We have now informed the EPA of our intention to submit an application to release the two biocontrol agents. The EPA will now issue … Read more
Posted on behalf of the Horehound Biocontrol Group Happy New Year everyone, It’s been about six months since the horehound biocontrol project kicked in and a good time to update you on progress. Feasibility Study We have completed the feasibility study, which constitutes the first stage of any weed biocontrol programme and was a Stop/Go decision point … Read more
Posted on behalf of Prof Derrick Moot At the start of this year, thick smoke blackened the air, the Port Hills a blazing inferno Dry grass did ignite, created the sight, helicopter bombing to suppress the dayglow As each night descended, the flying was ended, wind took charge and re-fanned the flame Our Californian insight, … Read more
Posted on behalf of the Horehound Biocontrol Group Greetings everyone, Following five months of patient waiting, we finally heard last week that our efforts have paid off – the application to MPI’s Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) to fund a biocontrol programme against horehound has been approved! Subject to some paperwork and contracting, the funding will be … Read more