10 minute read
TOOL TIME
Advertisement
productionyour
f DDLS provides plant testing diagnostic services to help growers minimise and manage pest and disease risks.
Another tool in your integrated pest management toolbox
BY MICHAEL BARTHOLOMEW | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA
TOOL
DPIRD DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY SERVICE
WHAT DOES IT DO
PLANT, SOIL AND ANIMAL DISEASE DIAGNOSIS GROWERS VARIES DEPENDING ON THE TEST PRICING AVAILABLE ON WEBSITE AGRIC.WA.GOV.AU/BACTERIA/ DDLS-PLANT-PATHOLOGYSERVICES
WHO WOULD USE IT THE COST MORE INFORMATION
FOLLOWING ON FROM our Spring 2021 edition of WA Grower, which featured an article about the useful MyPestGuide® Reporter app, with this edition of Tool Time we will cover another useful, yet lesser-known tool at growers’ disposal.
DPIRD’s Diagnostics and Laboratory Service
The acceleration of the ever-evolving nature of Australian agriculture over the past couple of decades has meant that informed decision making is more of a priority than it has ever been. The industry seems to be facing new threats on a regular basis, which can often be difficult to keep track of, and prioritise those most relevant to you and your business. Pest and disease management has always been an important aspect of farm management, given the unpredictable and detrimental impacts it can have on a business.
The list of pests and diseases seemingly keeps getting bigger and bigger, particularly in a state like Western Australia, where we have been fortunate enough to have comparatively far less than the rest of Australia and the world. As a result, over time the complexity of managing this challenge will become greater than it has ever been. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a ‘toolbox’ rather than a fix-all solution. As such, a service that could hold great value in a business’s pest and disease management plan is the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Diagnostics and Laboratory Service (DDLS). As part of a well-structured IPM plan, correct pathogen or invertebrate identification is vital. By knowing what is causing the problem and then understanding the timing and onset of pathogen or insect activity, appropriate management strategies can be implemented. Accurate identification of plant pathogens and invertebrate pests is done through laboratory testing.
Samples submitted to DDLS are tested and the results on the identification of the pest or pathogen can pair with qualitative, on-farm decision making, where identification of disease onset and development may have initially been done based on gut feeling alone. Testing is also an important tool for monitoring your operation for signs of exotic pests and disease. Keeping you and your business on the forefront of intelligent decision making, while protecting the safety and integrity of the industry. Potential uses may include: • Testing seed that may have been obtained from a new supplier for viral, bacterial or fungal diseases • Diagnosing the cause of common symptoms such as necrosis, mottling or yellowing of leaves • Detection of unobservable soil pathogens, and • Certification, accreditation, and audit for various quality assurance schemes.
Early diagnosis can assist in managing the problem. A key aspect of IPM is proactive decision making, rather than reactive decision making, where the latter generally means that the damage is already done, and the bandaid fixes only further contribute to the costly losses. This follows closely the theory of the Economic Threshold (ET) and Economic Injury Level (EIL), where testing utilising the DDLS may predict the required timings of control methods based on disease prevalence. On-farm biosecurity is a preventative measure that can often be overlooked when allocating resources, as the benefit from holding good biosecurity measures is not often immediately realised.
The DDLS’s experienced team assists clients with on-farm decision-making to improve the productivity, quality, and marketability of crops through correct disease diagnosis and pest identification. Clients span the horticulture sector, including fruit, vegetables, ornamentals, nursery plants, amenity horticulture, turf, and soil. Services extend across plant and animal pathology, seed testing and certification, entomology and the department’s Pest and Disease Information Service. The DDLS can provide: • Routine plant disease diagnosis in plants, potting mix, soil, and water • Nematode analysis of roots and soils for horticulture and broadacre crops • Plant virus identification • Specific disease testing for seed crops to meet export requirements, and • Plant pathogen testing to fulfil nursery accreditation and export requirements. Following disease diagnosis or pest identification provided by DDLS, clients can use this information to determine best practice pest and disease control and reduce the use of incorrect or unnecessary chemicals. The DDLS is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. It is closed on public holidays. DDLS is a fee-for service unit.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information visit agric.wa.gov.au/
dpird-diagnostic-laboratory-services-ddls
or email ddls@agric.wa.gov.au or telephone (08) 9368 3351.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST YOUR BUSINESS WITHOUT SOLAR ?
Reduce power bills by up to 70% with zero upfront costs or risk with our tailored agri-solar solution...
What makes Our offer different..?
1.
2.
3.
4.
"Neil and the entire team at Perth Solar Direct provided a fantastic product that suited our business requirements. The entire process was simple, cost effective and was managed with utmost professionalism and friendliness from the entire crew. I would highly recommend Perth Solar Direct to everybody and especially people in the agriculture industry as they have shown a real passion and understanding of the grower ' s needs. " - Anthony Lieu - Landsdale Strawberry Farm
A Successful Solar Investment takes more than Technology or Financing... It starts with having the right partner, one that understands your needs and constantly delivers.
We make it easy to Go Solar!
Audit of Power Usage including Technical Inspection & Tailored System Design. With $0 Capital Outlay, Guaranteed Savings, Inclusive of Ongoing We then Assess, Evaluate & Present ideal model for best financial returns. Maintenance, Monitoring & Support * .
*By Permanently reducing your energy expenses with our Agri-Solar Solution, It will make you wonder why you hadn't gone Solar sooner!
Contact Us today to begin lowering your operating costs! Our team are standing by and ready to do a FREE audit and create a tailored solution right for you!
1300 477 172 www.perthsolardirect.com.au
Useful tools to help you during the COVID-19 pandemic
BY BENJAMIN HAMILTON | ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING & SALES, VEGETABLESWA
TOOL
RAPID ANTIGEN TEST, SAFEWA APP
WHAT DOES IT DO
A QUICK TEST TO CHECK FOR COVID-19, COVID-19 CONTACT REGISTRATION SYSTEM
WHO WOULD USE IT
GROWERS, EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES
THE COST
$10–$20, FREE
MORE INFORMATION
www.wa.gov.au/government/ covid-19-coronavirus/covid-19coronavirus-rapid-antigen-tests www.wa.gov.au/organisation/ government-of-westernaustralia/servicewa-mobile-app NOW THAT THE WA border is open and COVID-19 cases continue to rise, it is crucial to minimise risks to business continuity. The following outlines how Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) and the ServiceWA app can be used by growers.
Rapid Antigen Test
A RAT is a test for COVID-19 that can be self administered. It will provide a user's COVID-19 result within 15–30 minutes. The tests have a results panel, where after either producing saliva or undertaking a nasal swab, two lines will appear (in varying shades) if you are positive for COVID-19. If the user is positive, they will need to self-isolate as per State Government requirements. There are two types of RAT — a saliva test or a nasal swab. The test kits have similar contents; each test kit will have a test device, a spit funnel or nasal swab, a test tube with a dropper cap to collect the samples, buffer (a chemical solution that extracts the virus from the samples) and instructions for use. There are some great YouTube videos available with step-by-step guides for using each type of RAT.
RATs are widely available now at supermarkets, pharmacies or other selected stores. The cost will vary depending on whether it is a single purchase (a rough cost of $10–$20), or if purchased in bulk (the price is closer to $9–$12 per unit). Growers should consider if it is costeffective to supply RATs for their workers to test themselves if they are showing COVID-19 symptoms before their shift.
It is important to note that multiple RATs will need to be used during a worker’s isolation period, and for critical workers under the critical worker furlough system, it is a requirement for employers to supply the RATs. The tests allow your workers to isolate themselves if they test positive to COVID-19 without going into the community or to work. This gives
f RATS are widely available now at supermarkets, pharmacies or other selected stores.
f THERE are some great YouTube videos available with step-by-step guides for using each type of RAT.
growers valuable information and foresight to change business operations without significant interruptions. RATs for sale in Australia must be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGAs performance requirements for COVID-19 RATs are internationally aligned with technical specifications published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Commission. This includes a clinical sensitivity of at least 80 per cent (for specimens collected within seven days of symptom onset) and a clinical specificity of at least 98 per cent. You can find a list of approved RATs, including the clinical sensitivity of each test, on the TGA website, tga.gov. au/covid-19-rapid-antigenself-tests-are-approvedaustralia People who have self-administered a RAT for COVID-19, and tested positive must register their results online with the WA Department of Health. If you cannot access the online registration system, you can register by contacting 13 COVID (13 26843). The registration form requires the date and time of the test, personal details about your situation, and a phone number to be contacted on. The Department of Health will then assess how to best manage the case, including healthcare if required.
The registration form can be accessed through the WA Government website, wa.gov.au/government/announcements/ mandatory-registration-of-positiverapid-antigen-tests#registeringpositive-results-online
ServiceWA app
Another helpful tool to gather information is the ServiceWA app. This app is a COVID-19 contact register system, allowing you to register your attendance using unique venue QR codes, improving the efficiency of COVID-19 contact tracing. Meaning you are informed RATs must be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. when you come into close contact with a positive case in the community. This information can allow people to prepare themselves for a potential COVID-19 infection. Users can inform their workplaces, allowing them to cater for their possible absence and minimise the risk to their operations. The app also has added functionality of applying for G2G (Good To Go) passes for domestic and international travel approval. It also supports proof of vaccinations details for use during the State Governments vaccination mandates and links to regularly updated government websites. These tools provide ease of use during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and can be used as a source of information to assist with business continuity planning.
MORE INFORMATION
This article has been adapted from the Government of Western Australia Department of Health and the Australian Government Department of Health Therapeutic Goods Administration COVID-19 and Rapid Antigen Test information pages. • Therapeutic Goods Administration:
tga.gov.au/covid-19-rapid-antigen-selftests-are-approved-australia
• HealthyWA:
healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/
Coronavirus/COVID19-testing/Rapid-
Antigen-Test
• WA Government:
