With pesticide resistance on the rise, the Australian grains industry recognises the need to be one step ahead of resistance trends and up to date on management practices to best respond to risks.
To that end, experts from across the country will come together next month to share and discuss the latest research into insecticide, fungicide and herbicide resistance risks and management options for grain growers.
The 2019 Crop Protection Forum will be held in Moama (New South Wales) on December 3.
The national event is being organised by research organisation cesar in partnership with the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative, the University of Western Australia, the Centre for Crop and Disease Management, Curtin University, The University of Melbourne and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).
Scientist Jessica Lye from cesar says knowing how best to respond to and manage resistance isn’t always straightforward.
“With a diversity of research and advice on managing resistance out there, it can be hard to know where to start and this is where the Crop Protection Forum comes in,” Dr Lye says.
“We’ve gone out and asked grain growers and advisers about the key concerns and topics of most interest and we have tailored the discussion and presentations to reflect this feedback.
“We want to make sure that information on pesticide resistance status and management is practical and accessible. This forum will also give the industry a chance to discuss tactics to use chemicals sustainably into the future.”
GRDC Manager Pests, Leigh Nelson, says the 2019 forum will play a key role in better equipping the grains industry to deal with and avoid pesticide resistance into the future.
“It is important that our industry remains adequately informed and agile about how best to manage resistance in weeds, fungal pathogens and insect pests,” says Dr Nelson.
“With resistance to agricultural chemicals continuing to evolve, the challenge for our industry is an ongoing one.”
The forum will feature a line-up of speakers who will cover a range of topics, including resistance mechanisms, current and future resistance trends and appropriate management strategies for minimising resistance risks.
The day will conclude with an industry panel discussion involving agronomists, researchers and representatives from Birchip Cropping Group and CropLife.
Registrations for the 2019 Crop Protection Forum at Moama are now open.
