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Pests in your paddocks
Many cereal, canola and pulse crops are being attacked by insect pests with some areas as big as football ovals being damaged in local canola crops. As a consequence, it is absolutely imperative that farmers can identify the pests in their paddocks in order to determine the best control strategy. Some of the insects that are being found at the moment include Lucerne flea, Blue Oat Mite and Red Legged Earth Mite.
Pest Identification will be one of the key features of the BCG 'Decisions into Dollars' Grains Research Expo being held in Birchip on Thursday 5 July. Farmers will be able to talk to Dr Paul Umina and Dr Andrew Weeks from The University of Melbourne along with Dr Ken Henry and Dr Judy Bellati with SARDI, who are all experienced crop entomologists. Dr Paul Umina is encouraging farmers to bring along to the Expo any insects or pests that farmers might be having trouble identifying or insects they would like to confirm the identity of. Paul will have microscopes set up on site to help with the identification process.
At the Expo, Paul will also be encouraging local farmers to sign up to a more in depth Pest Identification course that he will be running with BCG later in the year. BCG staff will be onsite at the Expo to ensure farmers get the opportunity to meet the crop entomology team and see how they might save/make them $10/ha.
BCG suggests that in the meantime farmers get out into their paddocks and see what they find. Red legs mean mites are more easily seen against a black background, farmers are encouraged to take a black meat tray into the paddock with them. The black background can also help to distinguish between blue oat mite, which has a red spot on its back, and RLEM. Lucerne flea are often mistaken for aphids. Lucerne flea will jump when you touch them rather than flying.
The BGC Grains Research Expo will also be preceded by an industry dinner which is sure to be a fantastic evening. This year there will be some amazing entertainment that everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy. Dinner bookings can be made by contacting the BCG office on 03 5492 2787.