2 October 2001
Government Grant helps tackle two Marlborough pests
The Blind River Community Group has been given a government grant to combat the effects two plant pests in the region.
Chilean needle grass and kangaroo grass have infested about 5000-ha of land in the Blind River region which severely affects farm profitability.
The Blind River Community Group, working with the Marlborough District Council, and the Marlborough Research Centre Trust have been granted $34,095 from the MAF Sustainable Farming Fund to help evaluate a range of measures to improve pasture quality through establishing a more sustainable means of controlling the weeds.
The Sustainable Farming Fund was set up to provide help to groups undertaking projects that will benefit the economic and environmental well-being of the Rural Sector and its communities.
Fund Manager, Kevin Steel says little is known about the most effective means for controlling these pest plants.
"Kangaroo grass is a dense, tough, low feed value tussock which is drought resistant making it well suited to the Marlborough region."
"The project will investigate the ecological characteristics of these pests which will assist the development of long term management strategies."
He says the length of time that seeds survive in the soils has important implications for long term strategies.
The project is expected to last three years.
Ends
For more information contact Kevin Steel, Sustainable Farming Fund, Tel. 04-04-460 8780 or Richard Hunter, Marlborough Research Centre, Tel. 03-577-2376
Contact for Enquiries
Fund Administrator
Sustainable Farming Fund
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
Tel: 0800 008 333
Fax: 04 894 0746
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