I was interested to read in your North Texas e-News (yes, we can get it here in New Zealand - a friend sent me on the link) about the campaign to get rid of milkweed (/Asclepias viridis/).

As many of your readers may know, NZ's prime industries are agriculture and tourism - and yet milkweed here is not a problem; in fact most farmers encourage it as they realise the benefit of having insect life such as the Monarch butterfly (which uses milkweed to breed). Insects are our greatest pollinators, leading to healthier plant life and better reproduction of green matter, which livestock such as cattle require.

Cattle do not eat milkweed; they reject it as it is too bitter.

From my own experience as an organic farmer, there are many benefits in reducing this trend to have "clean" weed-free paddocks. I am proud to say that many NZ farmers are converting to organic farming methods, and that our country is opening up new markets for organic produce, as consumers demand food that is healthier to eat and healthier for the environment.

I understand that A. viridis is probably the main host plant for the first generation of Monarch butterflies in Texas as they return from overwintering in Mexico. Without this plant the Monarch population moving north in late April and May would be much smaller.

I hope that farmers in your part of Texas will minimise or cease the use of pesticides and do all they can to produce healthier food - both for humans and for Monarch butterflies.

Jacqui Knight

Trustee

Monarch Butterfly New Zealand Trust