Grazing Land Management

MLA receives strong producer feedback on pasture dieback

Beef Central, 01/06/2017

More than 50 producers across Queensland have responded to Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) survey around recent pasture dieback.

MLA says the information provided so far will allow a better understanding of the extent of the problem and the development of solutions.

MLA last month announced a multi-pronged action plan to map and address recent pasture dieback which is a problem of significant concern for many Queensland producers.

Initial feedback from producer responses to the survey has indicated:

  • three species of pasture are being affected – Buffel grass, Blue grass and Green Panic;
    the majority of producers first observed the dieback 12 months ago;
    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 133 hectares, with an estimated 6515ha of total pasture experiencing dieback.

MLA’s General Manager Research, Development & 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 for producers.

“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 that we have access to as much on the ground information from affected producers.”

Mr Starling said that in addition to 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 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.”

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

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