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When high populations of insects are present in crops at harvest they have the potential to cause grain contamination and this can ultimately result in downgrades, staining and/or the need to clean grain. In the past, growers have encountered grain contamination issues due to high numbers of Rutherglen bugs and in some cases, ladybird beetles. This season, Australian plague locusts are likely to contaminate some grain during harvesting.
Growers should be aware of receival standards for field insects in harvested grain and consider ways to minimise locust contamination this season if it is likely to be an issue in their area. Harvesting should not be carried out when large numbers of locusts are settled on the crop, as this will ultimately mean many locusts entering the header front. In areas where locust populations are high, harvesting should instead be targeted when they are actively flying. Locusts are more likely to fly when there is a light-moderate wind and the temperature is between 20-35°C. When it is calm, or very windy, and/or cooler temperatures persist (< 20˚C), locusts are more likely to settle on vegetation or on the ground.
What is PestFacts?
PestFacts south-eastern keeps growers and advisers informed about invertebrate pests and beneficials in broadacre crops and pastures during the winter-cropping season in Victoria and southern New South Wales.
PestFacts south-eastern is run through IPMforGrains: Best Practice Insect Pest Management, a project delivered by the National Pest Information Network (cesar, DPIRD, QDAF, NSW DPI, and SARDI). This project aims to provide grain growers and advisors with information on invertebrate grain pest occurrence and equip industry with the knowledge needed to implement integrated pest management practices. This initiative is a GRDC investment and includes in-kind contributions from all project partner organisations.
We need your reports
PestFacts is produced on an ʻas-needsʼ basis and relies upon pest observations and field reports from our subscribers. If you have recently observed invertebrate pests (or beneficial species) in broadacre crops, please contact us to report your observations.
Agricultural invertebrate identification
If you are a grower or agronomist in Victoria or NSW working with broadacre crops or pastures, we can assist you with identifying invertebrates found on farms at no cost. Please contact us for identification help.
PestFacts map
PestFacts map is an interactive tool that allows users to search and view historical pest reports across Victoria and NSW. The map is updated with each issue of PestFacts to include new reports.
How to acknowledge PestFacts?
With appropriate acknowledgement, cesar grants permission to reproduce information taken directly from PestFacts. To cite PestFacts: “PestFacts south-eastern (<<enter date published>>). cesar pty ltd.”
Contact us
0484 310 697
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