Protecting Australia’s crops: The Power of IPM
By Jordan Scott, Grains Biosecurity Officer for South Australia
The Australian grains industry faces numerous challenges, including the threat of pest infestations that can impact crop yields and stored grain quality. To mitigate these risks and promote sustainable farming practices, farm biosecurity and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) have become important components of modern agriculture. By implementing robust biosecurity measures and adopting IPM strategies, Australian grain growers can protect their crops from pests, reduce chemical use, and ensure the long-term sustainability of their operations.
Australia’s geographic isolation has allowed it to enjoy relative freedom from pests and diseases, enabling its grains industry to thrive and build a reputation as a reliable supplier of quality grain to global markets. Farmers can invest in high-yielding varieties with a reduced threat of crop losses due to diseases or insect infestations. To protect crops and maintain the integrity of the industry, farm biosecurity is essential. IPM plays a crucial role in supporting biosecurity efforts by preventing the entry and spread of harmful organisms. By implementing IPM strategies, farmers can strengthen their biosecurity measures, reduce the risk of pest infestations, and protect the sustainability of the Australian grains sector.
Core principles of IPM
Prevention: Robust biosecurity measures can prevent the introduction and spread of new pests and diseases, thereby reducing the need for additional chemical pesticides. This approach protects crops while safeguarding the environment and public health. Examples of on-farm biosecurity measures contributing to IPM include:
· Restricting the unnecessary movement of people and equipment onto the farm
· Cleaning and disinfecting vehicles and tools
· Quarantining new seed and inputs
· Implementing effective pest monitoring and early detection programs.
By adopting these practices, farmers can create a more resilient and sustainable agricultural system.
Non-chemical controls: When infestations do occur, IPM focuses on using non-chemical methods whenever possible. These may include:
· Cultural controls: Modifying farming practices to make the environment less hospitable for pests and more beneficial to the growing crop, such as crop rotation.
· Biological controls: Introducing or maintaining populations of beneficial insects.
· Physical controls: Using barriers or trap crops to prevent pests from reaching crops.
Targeted pesticide use: Chemical pesticides are used as a fallback measure, applied in a strategic and targeted manner. IPM practitioners carefully monitor pest populations to minimise pesticide use and its impact on non-target organisms.
Benefits of IPM
· Environmental sustainability: IPM helps protect the environment by reducing reliance on broad-spectrum pesticides, which can harm beneficial insects and contaminate water sources.
· Cost-effectiveness: IPM can be more cost-effective than traditional pest control methods, requiring fewer pesticide applications and often resulting in higher crop yields.
· Improved crop quality: By minimising chemical use, IPM helps produce higher-quality grains with fewer pesticide residues.
Challenges and considerations
Implementing IPM requires a significant investment of time and resources. A solid understanding of pest biology and ecology is essential, as is the ability to monitor pest populations and make informed decisions. Additionally, IPM when used across multiple farms under an area wide management approach may necessitate collaboration with other farmers, agricultural advisors, and pest control professionals to address regional pest issues.
The Grains Farm Biosecurity Program (GFBP) is an initiative to improve the management of, and preparedness for, biosecurity risks in the grains industry at the farm and industry levels. Launched in 2007, the program is managed by Plant Health Australia (PHA) and funded by growers through Grain Producers Australia (GPA) in collaboration with the New South Wales, Queensland, South Australian, Victorian and Western Australian governments. GBO’s offer free education, advice and pest identification materials.
The GFBP is also a valuable resource for grain growers seeking to improve their on-farm biosecurity practices and adopt IPM strategies.
Services offered by the GFBP include:
· Advice and guidance: Growers can access personalised advice from biosecurity officers to identify potential risks, develop tailored biosecurity plans, and implement effective pest management strategies.
· Educational resources: The GFBP provides a variety of educational materials, including workshops, training sessions, and online resources, to help growers learn about biosecurity best practices and the latest developments in pest management.
· Pest monitoring and surveillance: The program supports monitoring and surveillance activities to help identify and track emerging threats, allowing growers to take proactive measures to protect their crops.
· Access to diagnostic services: Growers can access diagnostic services to identify pests, diseases, and weeds affecting their crops, enabling them to implement appropriate control measures.
· Collaboration and networking opportunities: The GFBP facilitates collaboration and networking among growers, industry experts, and government agencies to share knowledge and experiences.
The future of IPM in Australian agriculture
As regulatory agencies continue to evaluate the risks and benefits of various pesticides, the availability of certain chemicals may change in the future. To ensure the continued effectiveness of pest control strategies, it is crucial to diversify our approach and reduce our reliance on any single chemical.
IPM offers an integrated solution by incorporating a variety of non-chemical control methods, mitigating the potential impacts of changes in pesticide availability while still effectively managing pest populations.
IPM is a holistic and sustainable approach to pest control that offers numerous benefits. By diversifying pest control strategies and embracing IPM principles, farmers can manage their crops,
while at the same time reducing their environmental impact, and promoting a healthier and more resilient agricultural system.
More information
Fact sheets, videos, how-to guides, online training and strategies to assist in the management of grains farm biosecurity risks are available on the Grains Farm Biosecurity website. Visit the website to contact your local GBO for free advice and educational materials.