Controlling the spread of nassella tussock means regularly inspecting your property and taking appropriate action at the right time.
Nassella tussock is spreading in Canterbury.
The invasive grass already occupies over 400,000 hectares in Canterbury across 1450 properties.
While it looks similar to other tussock species, nassella tussock displaces other grasses leaving pasture unpalatable to stock. It can also spread rapidly when established.
Mature plants can produce up to 100,000 seeds, which are readily dispersed to neighbouring land by wind, water, stock, clothing, and machinery.
Nassella can cope with exposed dry conditions, which enable it to establish and thrive.
There are almost certainly undiscovered infestations within Mid Canterbury, but these can be difficult to identify.
Environment Canterbury’s (ECan) biosecurity team is working with landowners to identify nassella tussock, control its spread and reduce impacts on the environment.
Controlling nassella and keeping it to manageable levels is a cost to landowners. Surveying your land and removing plants annually protects your assets as well as neighbouring properties.
Canterbury land occupiers are required under the Canterbury Regional Pest Management Plan to control nassella annually before it seeds.
Plants need to be removed by September 30 for most properties in Canterbury, or October 31 for high-density infestations in the Hurunui district.
If you are using contractors to remove plants, ECan recommends contacting them early.
Completing control work earlier in the year, may help work around on-farm activities, such as lambing, which can clash with compliance dates in some areas.

• By Pat Deavoll