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Active snails pose a threat to emerging crop seedlings and early baiting is key.
Adapted from PestFacts SA (developed by SARDI)
Baiting programs are well underway for many growers in Victorian districts where soil moisture has triggered snail activity. At this time of year, closely monitoring snail activity and correctly timing baiting before significant egg-laying occurs are critical to reap the full benefits of integrated snail management. Ideally, this includes summer cabling, rolling and, in some cases, burning plant residues within paddocks. Egg-laying by the small pointed snail (Prietocella barbara) has been observed in parts of western Victoria this season.
SA trials conducted by the Yorke Peninsula Alkaline Soils Group on bait spreading in 2013 demonstrated that upon application, snail baits are typically only spread over 70% of the expected spread width. These unbaited corridors lead to poor control efficacy. Growers are reminded to check their bait application to ensure the desired coverage. SARDI research is currently investigating the optimum rate of baits required for different snail densities. Click here to view information on snail (and slug) baiting, and for further information on snails refer to the GRDC Snail Management Fact Sheet.
SARDI are seeking input on the strategies growers use to manage snail contamination at harvest: what works, what could work better and what is ineffective. Sharing our growers’ collective knowledge will inform research on how harvesting and post-harvest processes can be improved.
Access the online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/sardisnailharvest
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.
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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.”
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