Australia
February 26, 2013
New South Wales agronomists will have the opportunity to prepare for the future of insect management in grain crops at a series of workshops set to kick off in NSW during March.
Workshop facilitator, Mark Congreve, ICAN says the pending crisis of insecticide resistance, coupled with the regulatory withdrawal of a number of older insecticide registrations, has prompted a re-think from advisers on the sustainability of their strategies for managing insect pests.
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)-sponsored workshops will deliver content developed by leading entomologists from NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI), Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Queensland (DAFF Qld), SARDI and the CESAR group.
The workshops target agronomic advisers looking to improve their understanding and management of insects with the view of helping clients implement more sustainable insect management practices.
“This will mean an increased use of tactics such as scouting, applying thresholds, and consideration of paddock history and farm planning in relation to pest management,” Mr Congreve said.
“It also involves understanding pest ecology, considering the role and impact of beneficial insects on pest populations and replacing prophylactic broad spectrum insecticide applications with softer alternatives where appropriate.”
He said the workshops present an excellent opportunity for advisers to spend a day drawing on the resources of leading grains entomologists and comparing notes with peers.
Workshops will be small group format limited to about 20 agronomists to facilitate discussion around the issues of regional importance and how this is reflected in advice to growers. The program will assist advisers to develop decision making processes for cost effective integrated insect management.
When and where:
- March 25 Dubbo Golf Club, Dubbo
- March 27 Wine and Food Industry Training Centre, Wagga Wagga
- July 23 VIDA, Horsham
- July 25 Adelaide Meridien, Adelaide
- August 13 Dalby RSL, Dalby
- August 1 Moree RSL, Moree
Places are limited and will be filled on a first-in basis.
Visit http://www.icanrural.com.au/ipm.html for online registration.
For more information phone Mark Congreve on 0427 209 234 or ICAN on 02 9482 4930.
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