A pasture pest which has the potential to cut grass growth by up to a third has been found in north Taranaki.
Farmers in Waikato, who have been plagued by clover root weevil since the mid 1990s, say it has caused production losses of up to $96,000 a year on a
200-cow dairy unit.
Infestations have been detected on Taranaki properties at Lepperton, Bell Block and Inglewood by staff of fertiliser company Osflo.
Clover root weevil, which is common in Europe and North America, was first found in New Zealand in Waikato in 1996. It has spread to Northland, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay and King Country.
A Lincoln University team is working on a biological control for the pest.
- NZPA
