Southern Australia
May 11, 2016
Insect pests cause grain crop losses totalling hundreds of millions of dollars across Australia every year, so reducing the potential for pest damage is a high priority for growers.
To support growers and their advisers in their efforts to limit crop losses, the PestFacts south-eastern electronic newsletter service provides up-to-date advice on problematic pests.
With a focus on pests of broad-acre grain crops in Victoria and New South Wales, PestFacts south-eastern is a valuable source of timely information made available through the Grains Research and Development Corporation-funded National Pest Information Service (NPIS).
GRDC Southern Regional Panel member Rohan Mott, of Ninda, says insect pests pose a constant threat to crops throughout the growing season.
“We all need to keep an eye out for pests and if growers and their advisers notice pest activity and damage, prompt identification and reporting of the issue via PestFacts is strongly encouraged,” Mr Mott said.
“Timely advisory information can then be circulated so pest issues can be addressed before significant damage and crop losses occur.”
By subscribing to the free PestFacts service, reports, field observations, projections and the latest research on the occurrence, distribution and management of invertebrate pests can be relayed throughout grain-growing areas.
PestFacts south-eastern is co-ordinated by cesar, which has just welcomed a new team member, Julia Severi (picture).
Prior to joining cesar, Ms Severi was involved in the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) Science Graduate Program through which she trained as a research agronomist in the grains industry, primarily based at DEDJTR’s Bendigo office.
Since its establishment in 2006, no two seasons have been the same for PestFacts south-eastern and its co-ordinators.
“Every year we see a distinctively different array of major pests, and this year is shaping up much the same,” said Dr Garry McDonald. “So we encourage early reporting of insect activity to help us prepare for invertebrate pests this season.
“The PestFacts newsletter now also links to the highly comprehensive PestNotes series presented in collaboration with entomologists from the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI).
“PestNotes offers the most up-to-date information and images on more than 50 invertebrate pests across the southern gains region,” said Dr McDonald.
For more information or to subscribe to PestFacts, visit the cesar website (http://cesaraustralia.com/sustainable-agriculture/pestfacts-south-eastern/) or contact the co-ordinators via phone (03) 9349 4723 or email pestfacts@cesaraustralia.com.
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