CANE farmers growers have a new tool to help manage one of the industry's worst pests, greyback canegrub.
The Greyback Canegrub Management manual provides comprehensive information on managing the significant pest.
Greyback canegrubs affect all cane growing regions between Plane Creek in Central Queensland to Mossman in Far North Queensland.
SRA regional coordinator Phil Ross said the manual provided practical and current information for growers, and would also assist in stewardship of the insecticide chemical, imidacloprid.
"Imidacloprid represents the sugar industry's best canegrub management tool," Mr Ross said.
"Proper stewardship of this chemical is vital for the ongoing viability of cane farming in the 50 per cent of soils where canegrub damage is common."
Mr Ross said the manual, and the broader project, had looked at the best practice use of imidacloprid to ensure the industry's ongoing access to the chemical as a control for cane grubs.
"For example, the project considered key aspects of grub control such as the determination of when to use the chemical, correct placement, and using the chemical only for grub control," Mr Ross said.
The manual has been distributed to growers between Plane Creek and Mossman with the spring edition of CaneConnection magazine. It is also available on the SRA website.
"Through this project we've identified practical opportunities to work with the industry to continue to improve efficiency and sustainability," Mr Ross said.
"This will lead to economic outcomes through improved input efficiency and effective grub control, and sustainability outcomes through improving water quality."
The work occurred as part of a collaboration between Sugar Research Australia, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, CANEGROWERS, the Australia Cane Farmers Association, Bayer Crop Science and Nufarm. It is funded by the Queensland Reef Water Quality Program through the Enhanced Extension Coordination project.
