More answers on pasture dieback

This follows MLA’s announcement last month of a multi-pronged action plan to map and address recent pasture dieback causing great concern for many Queensland producers.

Initial feedback from producer responses to the survey has indicated that three types of pasture are being affected – Buffel grass, Blue grass and Green Panic.

The majority of producers first observed the dieback occurring 12 months ago.

MLA said producers commonly identified overgrown pasture as more likely to be affected, and based on reports to date, the average affected area of pasture per property is around 133ha, with an estimated 6515ha of total pasture experiencing dieback.

MLA’s general manager of research, development and innovation Sean Starling said the information gathered from producers would assist MLA, researchers and experts to understand the extent of the issue and develop solutions.

“We know there is strong producer concern about the extent of these dieback issues and MLA is determined to bring together producers, researchers and experts to develop solutions,” Mr Starling said.

“It’s critical in developing solutions we have access to as much on the ground information from affected producers.”

Mr Starling said as well as producer consultation, MLA’s action plan included engaging a drone and image analysis company to aerial map affected areas, working with global chemical suppliers on available products to tackle the problem in the short term, undertaking soil and pasture sampling and establishing an expert panels to guide the research and response.

“We are working with researchers and solution providers to find the long-term answer and to get some short term solutions in place,” Mr Starling said.  “I would encourage affected producers who haven’t had an opportunity to complete the survey to get in touch with MLA as soon as possible.”

Producers experiencing pasture dieback should go to http://survey.mla.com.au/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=pasture.