CROPPING LOCUST CONTROL
Photos: APLC
Locust control — it’s a matter of choice Catriona Nicholls KONDININ GROUP
Monitor closely: Farmers need to keep an eye out for emerging locusts and go to the APLC website for updated hatching forecasts.
At a glance Farmers need to plan well ahead to ensure they have a choice of pesticide control options when locusts emerge. When selecting a pesticide, price is only one part of the equation — also consider potential residue implications in grain, pasture or livestock and the minimum time between spraying and harvest or slaughter. Farmer rebates are being delivered in Victoria and South Australia. In New South Wales, pesticides are issued to farmers from stocks purchased using the Noxious insect levy. Ensure spray equipment is well maintained and properly calibrated for maximum spray efficacy.
Farmers facing locust hatchings need to think carefully about control options before proceeding with spraying. Price is only one factor to consider. Equally important are the potential trade implications if pesticide residues are not considered through observance of the required withholding period. As hatching dates across eastern Australia move ever closer, monitoring for any sign of locusts becomes increasingly important for timely on-farm control. The focus on the impending plague is intensifying and Peter Spurgin, Pesticide and application officer with the Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) advises farmers to be prepared. “Landholders need to be vigilant in monitoring any locust activity on farm, including egg beds, hatching and banding nymphs (juvenile locusts),� he warned.
“It is important to report any sighting to the local pest authority, so a clear and accurate picture of locust activity can be developed as the locusts hatch and move.� Development models for peak hatching dates across eastern Australian using average temperatures during the past decade are shown in Table 1. However, temperature fluctuations and local conditions during August and September could see hatching times vary by up to two weeks. “We are advising farmers to regularly check the APLC website for updated hatching forecasts,� Peter said. “The hatching tables will be updated fortnightly throughout spring.� Peter explained that the forecast date of hatching is the date before which most of the population will have hatched. But farmers can expect to see hatchings 7–10 days before and after this date.
Be prepared — well prepared Peter urges farmers to have a plan in place well and truly before the mid-instar date (the optimal time for spraying — about two weeks after hatching). “Looking for signs of activity after hatching is important, but farmers will need to already have plans in place regarding how they will control the pests.�
1 Farming Ahead September 2010 No. 224 www.farmingahead.com.au
“Leaving it until the mid-instar date to buy pesticide risks the chosen option becomes unavailable due to high local demand.� While non-chemical control options, such as windrowing to hasten ripening, are available, spraying locusts in their juvenile nymph (hopper) stage is by far the most effective option. A range of pesticide options will be available and each has it’s own advantages and challenges according to Peter. The Department of Primary Industries Victoria has developed a handy online tool to help farmers determine the most suitable chemical option for their own situation (see box story on the Ready Reckoner).
Residue risks Peter urges farmers to be aware that cost is not the only factor to consider when choosing a chemical control option. “It is important to consider each case on its merit. Potential risk of chemical residues, particularly for our export meat and grain markets, is a key factor for livestock producers and feed suppliers to consider.� During 2008–2009 Australia exported 67 per cent of its total beef production, with an export value of $5 billon and 62% of its sheepmeat production, with an export value of $1.46 billion. “It is important to keep in mind the bigger picture as locusts start to emerge. It is all too easy to throw caution to the wind when faced by an onslaught of plague locusts, but it is critical to carry out best-practice decisions and spraying to protect our agricultural industries as a whole,� Peter said. Livestock can become exposed to pesticides by: t %JSFDU PWFSTQSBZJOH PG MJWFTUPDL t (SB[JOH QBTUVSFT PS DSPQT UIBU IBWF CFFO sprayed or onto which spray has drifted. t $POTVNJOH GPEEFS IBZ TJMBHF PS HSBJO that has been sprayed directly or exposed to spray drift. “It is critical to gather all the information required about the chemicals available to
CROPPING LOCUST CONTROL
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control locusts before making a choice,� Peter said. Regardless of the choice of chemical, always check and observe the relevant WHPs and export intervals (EIs). Keep records of any spraying activities and fill in national vendor declarations (NVDs) and commodity vendor declarations (CVDs) correctly when selling stock or supplying affected feed to other producers.
Equipment check It is one thing to have a well-planned approach and have chemical on hand ready to spray, but effective control will rely on optimal coverage — and that means spray equipment needs to be up to scratch and calibrated correctly. Carefully read chemical labels to ensure appropriate water quality, water rates and OP[[MF TJ[FT BSF PO IBOE GPS TQSBZJOH XIFO the time is right. Spray operators must also observe and adhere to other requirements stipulated on the label or in the permit, such BT CVGGFS [POFT A handy guide to effective spraying can be found in Farming Ahead August 2010 No. 223 or online at www.farmingahead. com.au
Ready reckoner guides chemical control choice A new kYV!VUgYX dfc[fUa ]g UjU]`UV`Y to help farmers make informed decisions about pesticide options for locust management this spring. The Ready Reckoner provides information on the 100 nominated products registered for locust control and provides practical tips on what chemicals farmers may need depending on their crop, other enterprises on the property and consideration of sensitive areas.
to be sprayed and the calculator provides volume required for approach. IgYfg WUb h\Yb [c hc h\Y Wcgh WU`Wi`Uhcf section of the website to compare potential costs using a range of chemical options. Website: www.dpi.vic.gov.au/locust go to Insecticide control options to determine suitable chemical options and to the Insecticide cost calculator to compare costs.
While the Ready Reckoner provides a \Y`d]b[ \UbX k]h\ h\Y XYW]g]cb!aU_]b[ process farmers must make their own decision about which chemical is best for them and any final decisions should be made in consultation with their U[fcbca]gh cf W\Ya]WU` fY!gY``Yf" The Ready Reckoner is useful for ZUfaYfg UWfcgg GhUhY `]bYg Ug `cb[ Ug h\Ym recognise the rebate implications vary VYhkYYb GhUhYg" IgYfg g]ad`m igY U Xfcd Xckb cdh]cb to select a chemical, plug in the area
TABLE 1 Hatching forecasts – one degree above average daily temperatures Location — NSW
Egg laying
Hatching
Mid-instar
Fledging
Brewarrina – Bourke
April 24
August 22
September 7
September 30
Tibooburra – Wanaaring
April 24
August 21
September 8
October 2
Broken Hill – Wilcannia
April 25
September 3
September 21
October 13
Ivanhoe – Hillston
April 16
September 8
September 26
October 17
Nyngan – Tottenham
April 24
September 9
September 24
October 16
Tullamore – Condobolin
April 16
September 27
October 12
October 31
Dubbo – Peak Hill
April 16
September 27
October 12
November 1
Parkes – Cowra
April 16
October 1
October 15
November 10
Forbes – West Wyalong
April 16
October 4
October 18
November 6
Hay – Balranald
April 16
September 26
October 11
October 31
Wagga – Cootamundra
April 16
October 18
November 6
November 26
Narrandera – Griffith
April 16
October 5
October 19
November 6
Jerilderie – Deniliquin
April 16
October 9
October 23
November 11
Location — Victoria
Egg laying
Hatching
Mid-instar
Fledging
Mildura – Ouyen
April16
September 25
October 10
October 31
Swan Hill – Boort
April 16
October 6
October 19
November 10
Echuca – Bendigo
April 16
October 14
October 27
November 15
Shepparton – Tungamah
April 16
October 10
October 29
November 13
Nhill – Warracknabeal
April 16
October 15
November 1
November 19
MORE INFORMATION
Horsham – Stawell
April 16
October 21
November 3
November 22
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (AVPMA) www.apvma.gov.au/index.asp
Location — South Australia
Australian Plague Locust Commission www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/ locusts Grain receival standards www.graintrade.org.au Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) www.grdc.com.au/locust_factsheet SAFEMEAT Plague locust brochure — For further detailed information on withholding periods and slaughter intervals visit: www.safemeat.com.au
Egg laying
Hatching
Mid-instar
Fledging
Marree – Lyndhurst
April 16
August 16
August 27
September 20 September 24
Andamooka – Coober Pedy
April 16
August 18
August 30
Hawker – Orroroo
April 16
September 18
October 3
October 24
Renmark – Morgan
April 16
September 26
October 10
October 24
Pinnaroo – Karoonda
April 23
September 28
October 12
November 6
Keith – Bordertown
April 23
October 21
November 2
November 20
Kimba – Cowell
April 5
September 30
October 15
November 5
Port-Augusta – Quorn
April 16
September 5
September 23
October 17
Forecast dates are based on development models for known or estimated egg laying by adult populations and assume sufficient soil moisture for development after diapause. Dates are estimated from long-term average temperatures. Dates indicate the start of the majority of the population entering the life stage. Actual egg laying will be different from the nominated dates and hatchings could extend for several weeks. Expect some variation around these dates as egg development is sensitive to temperature in late winter and earlier hatchings have occurred during recent years. Source: APLC
Farming Ahead September 2010 No. 224 www.farmingahead.com.au
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CROPPING LOCUST CONTROL
State-by-State support roll out Across South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, State governments are providing support to ease the burden of locust control. Following are the current offerings to help producers roll out a cost-effective control program.
South Australia — A rebate scheme will be available for chemical purchases by farmers in the Riverland/Murray Mallee, G5 hc \Y`d Wcbhfc` `cWigh \cddYfg" The scheme will provide a maximum of $2500 for properties under 1000 hectares, or for properties of more than 1000 hectares will pay a rebate to undertake control works on up to 20% of the total land area at a rate of up to $8.25 a hectare. In exceptional circumstances the Minister can approve greater than these amounts. FOR MORE INFORMATION on the rebate UbX idXUhYg cb `cWigh Wcbhfc` ]b G5 j]g]h.
www.pir.sa.gov.au/locust
Bigger picture: When selecting a pesticide option, keep in mind the potential residue implications for livestock, pasture and fodder that may be sprayed during control programs.
Victoria — The Victorian Government is providing a 100 per cent rebate on the purchase of chemicals used for the treatment of locusts by eligible private landholders in areas expected to be worst affected by locusts during spring and summer 2010. The rebate scheme applies to eligible landholders in the 22 Victorian shires, covering the two million hectares, where scientists have confirmed the greatest concentration of egg beds, including Ararat, Buloke, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Gannawarra, Greater Bendigo, Greater G\YddUfhcb <]bXaUfg\ <cfg\Ua @cXXcb Macedon Ranges, Mildura, Mitchell, Moira, Mount Alexander, Northern Grampians, DmfYbYYg Gcih\Yfb ;fUad]Ubg GhfUh\Vc[]Y GkUb <]`` KYgh K]aaYfU UbX MUff]UaV]UW_ The rebate scheme will operate from % GYdhYaVYf hc '% AUm &$%%" FYVUhYg will be available for insecticide used after application. Farmers will be required to provide a statutory declaration recording details of spraying dates, types and volumes of appropriate chemicals used, concentration levels and the area it was applied to. While it is expected that farmers will have to spray bands of locusts gathered on parts of their property, they may have to undertake more than one application. As such, the maximum claimable rebate for landholders will be equal to the cost of chemicals to treat 100% of a property. Claims will be subject to random audits to ensure compliance. FOR MORE INFORMATION on the rebate and updates on locust control in Victoria visit:
www.dpi.vic.gov.au/locusts
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3 Farming Ahead September 2010 No. 224 www.farmingahead.com.au
New South Wales — the Livestock <YU`h\ UbX DYgh 5ih\cf]hm @<D5 ZcfaYf`m the Rural Lands Protection Board) collect a levy for locust control (Noxious Insect levy), which is used for plague locust campaign operational costs and enables the centralised purchase and storage of insecticide. Insecticide will be made available to BGK `UbX\c`XYfg k\YfY h\Y XYbg]hm cZ locusts meets the set criteria (bands of locusts are indentified). Insecticide will be distributed to ratepayers through the @<D5" It is estimated that enough insecticide has been ordered to cover 550,00 hectares — fenitrothion , fipronil, chlorpyrifos and aYhUf\]n]ia h\Y V]c!dYgh]W]XY ;fYYb Guard for use on sensitive areas and cf[Ub]WU``m!WYfh]ÂYX dfcdYfh]Yg " FOR MORE INFORMATION and updates on `cWigh Wcbhfc` ]b BGK j]g]h.
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/ dYghg!kYYXg#]bgYWhg#[YbYfU`#`cWighg