NZ Lifestyle Block

6 ORGANIC WAYS TO CRUSH YOUR CALI THISTLE PROBLEM

- You need to be persistent to get rid of this persistent weed. It typically takes three years to achieve a significan­t (eg, 90%) reduction of thistle biomass using any technique.

1 DEEP RIPPING/SUBSOILING TO CRUSH THE UNDERGROUN­D RHIZOME

This requires the use of specialist equipment but it basically crushes the root system.

2

THE USE OF GOATS

Goats are more partial to thistle than cattle and sheep.

3

MOW IN THE RAIN

This has been validated by Agresearch - mow thistles off in wet conditions which allows for greater transfer and infection of a range of fungal diseases into the cut stems.

4 USING NOVEL MACHINES SUCH AS THE COMBCUT

This is a specialist cutting system that is considerab­ly faster than toppers or mulchers.

www.bhu.org.nz/futurefarm­ing-centre/informatio­n/ bulletin/2014-v1/combing-outweeds

5 PASTURE AND CROP COMPETITIO­N

Research shows Cali thistles struggle when under heavy competitio­n from plants like chicory and lucerne, or mixes of green manure cover crops like triticale, rye and vetch.

6

REGULAR MOWING

Mowing regularly cuts back the leaves, meaning the root system runs out of the energy it needs to keep growing.

?? ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from New Zealand