Independent Whanganui agricultural fertiliser broker Robin Casey is working to repair the damage in the aftermath of a porina infestation in Ruapehu.
Farmers at the northern end of the Parapara Highway (SH4) near Raetihi and into the Ruatiti Valley have been ravaged by the debilitating caterpillar that has decimated pastures and crops in the district in recent months.
"Porina and to a lesser degree grass grubs, are rife in the district, especially at the northern end of the Parapara and into the Ruatiti Valley. To my knowledge they have been among the worst hit areas," Mr Casey said.
"Beef+Lamb NZ held a workshop in Raetihi recently to discuss the situation and show some of the damage the caterpillar causes. The workshop highlighted the problems caused by infestation and the control measures employed to combat the problem on-farm.
"In some cases, though the control measures had also killed off some of the friendly micro-organisms that naturally help to control porina and grass grubs."