Fall armyworm is attacking a number of crops this season, including corn grown for fodder. Photo: QDAF

GRAZIERS and dairy farmers as well as grain growers and advisors are invited to register for an online fall armyworm update information being held on Wednesday next week.

Presenting at the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries event will be the department’s principal entomologist Dr Melina Miles.

This year’s FAW infestations have been the most severe to date across Queensland and northern New South Wales, and Dr Miles will share her insights on the pest in light of the current season.

“We’re hoping to have as many graziers and dairy farmers as possible attend this event to boost awareness about it in the livestock as well as the cropping sector,” Dr Miles said.

“Too many paddocks are being lost, and we’re trying to raise awareness.”

FAW is also affecting some winter crops, including oats which have been sown either for winter feed or hay.

Topics covered will include:

• the extent of the FAW infestation;
• sustainable solutions for managing the pest in a challenging season; and,
• updates on the latest research.

The May 1 online session is the latest event being hosted to keep industry up to date with what to look for and where, and how to stay ahead of or get on top of infestations.

This season, FAW is having its biggest impact yet on sorghum and corn crops particularly.

The National Fall Armyworm Symposium was held in Brisbane last week, and Dr Miles last month recorded a podcast about FAW available through the GRDC website.

To find out more, and to register for the May 1 session, click here.

Source: QDAF