Gippsland - How Now Gippy Cow
November 2010 Edition
Getting serious about cockchafers
Red headed cockchafers can be devastating to ryegrass pastures on dryland farms.
The severity of infestations has increased over the last 10 years with no management tool being available other than to rip and resow pastures (for an update, visit DPI fact sheet AG1358 at www.dpi.vic.gov.au
GippsDairy has been funded by the Gardiner Foundation to investigate ways for farmers to better manage the pest. A taskforce is helping with members coming from DPIV, CSIRO, three universities, Dairy Australia and two of its eight regional groups (Murray Dairy and WestVic Dairy).
Next month a survey insert will be in How Now Gippy Cow. Survey questions will be about the level of infestation, soil type, previous fertiliser history and whether the paddock is sloped or flat. We are also asking for specimens with labels noting location to be posted to us for identification by entomologists. Collecting the data will be the first step towards quantifying the incidence of red headed cockchafers across Victoria. Research starting in November will use infra-red remote sensing equipment fixed to a quad bike to detect cockchafer populations from above ground. This will boost accurate measurements as prior to this, the only detection method has been to dig and sort through the soil.
GippsDairy has used milk levy funds from Dairy Australia to develop the cockchafer project which has now gained traction with significant funding and a taskforce of eminent scientists to help tackle this problem for farmers.
For more information visit www.gippsdairy.com.au or for information about other Dairy Australia levy investments visit www.dairyaustralia.com.au
Contact: Danielle Auldist on 5624 3900 or executiveofficer@gippsdairy.com.au
