B.PAS.0511 - Grazier engagement to increase knowledge, skills and ability to combat pasture dieback

Summary

The aim of this project is to provide knowledge, support and development of a producer's capability to accurately identify and diagnose pasture dieback on their property, and to understand the practices being trialed that could effectively combat dieback.

Objectives

The objectives of this project are to:

• Improve the knowledge and skills of up to 20 central Queensland producers in their ability to identify and diagnose pasture dieback, and their knowledge of management solutions.
• Initiate one core trial site and up to six demonstration sites in central Queensland.
• Produce an electronic survey application (app) suitable for use by any producer or industry personnel to capture where pasture dieback is occurring, and the area impacted.
•  Benchmark the production and economic impact that pasture dieback imposes on affected producers in central Queensland.

Key findings

This project delivered three key outcomes. First, the Pasture Dieback Industry Network (PDIN) was developed to deliver learning opportunities to stakeholders through a range of industry engagement activities and it has been a critical success factor in supporting producers in identification of pasture dieback and in development on-farm management strategies for its control.

Second, six on-farm producer led field research trial sites were initiated, five of which are fully operational and will continue beyond this project. These field sites will generate new knowledge of which management practices will provide effective solutions to combat pasture dieback. Solutions to this condition lie in altering pasture management, using known practices and techniques such as; including tolerant pasture species like perennial legumes, flexible grazing management and soil fertility management.

Third, the project team coordinated the development of a new pasture dieback survey app. The app will primarily provide data on the location of pasture dieback and the pasture affected at that site. This product was released March 2022.

Benefits to industry

The main benefits of this project to industry include:

• Improved knowledge of how to identify pasture dieback in typical situations, as opposed to other pasture conditions that can produce similar symptoms
• Improved knowledge of the role of pasture mealy bug and other potential causal agents that likely play a role in dieback.
•  Improved knowledge and skills of management practice options, and the ability to choose the most appropriate action for the situation to restore pasture production.

Future research

Due to the success of the Pasture Dieback Industry Network (PDIN), it is recommended the network is maintained for on-going industry engagement and learning through the dissemination of research outcomes as new insights are generated. The network could also be expanded to include producers and other stakeholders in NSW to increase information exchange on pasture dieback.