ON FARM NNAATTIIOONNAALL FEEDBASE f Sights set onpasturedieba Will Wilson has He’s mindful of past a theory: the occurrences of pasture more you look dieback and the need to for pasture dieback, the develop information about more of it you see. the problem so it can be used into the future. Pasture dieback is prevalent “I’d like to think pasture in central Queensland and dieback is like a plague‑type Will (pictured) and his wife problem and I hope the Katie have felt its impact on balance restores naturally in their Biloela property. time, but we can’t sit back “I first became aware of and wait for it to solve itself. dieback when a neighbour “We need to do the research told me about it,” Will said. so we have a better “I looked and found it. understanding of what causes dieback and why.” History repeating “It happens like that; peoplesay they haven’t got pastureUntil then, Will isn’t taking New research led by predators eventually got it dieback, but then when they chances with potentially Queensland University of under control. look, they see they do.” spreading pasture dieback to Technology microbiologist other areas of his property. Caroline Hauxwell has MLA’s Supply Chain Will said while remaining Sustainability Innovation grass in dieback areas can stillHe’s also mindful of confirmed a mealybug Manager, Doug McNicholl, biosecurity, in an attempt species, Heliococcus be grazed, the grass doesn’t said this is a significant grow back once it dies, to prevent further spread summervillei – previously development as until of pasture dieback. observed in pasture creating a “grass drought”. now researchers had “I haven’t been bringing any dieback in Australia and not confirmed the “There’s no obvious solution; New Caledonia – has mealybug was the same I’ve heard of people hay in for a while now,” he said. been detected in recent as the bug detected ploughing, burning and “I prefer to sell cattle before outbreaks of pasture previously by entomologist fertilising, but there’s no I have to feed them.” ■ dieback across Sir William Summerville. evidence any of those work.” Queensland and LESSONS northern NSW. “The research team can Without an effective control LEARNED now study these previous toolbox for the issue, Will’s Mealybugs are sucking dieback events as well approach to managing pests that attack pastures, as this mealybug and pasture dieback has been > Check your pastures cereal crops and turf grass.incorporate this knowledge to graze these areas with regularly for signs of H. summervillei was first into future R&D and next cattle that are about to leave pasture dieback. documented as causing steps towards management the property. > Practise good farm pasture dieback in 1926 (in options for producers.” biosecurity and have “I use it as ‘exit pasture’ paspalum grass at Cooroy MLA has initiated a before cattle go into feedlots a biosecurity plan and Kin Kin on the Noosa three‑year R&D project or to the abattoir,” he said. in place. hinterland), and again with funding support from > Cattle can eat affected observed on the Atherton the Australian Government In his role as president of pasture, but be careful Tablelands in the 1930s Department of Agriculture the AgForce Cattle Board, of where they go next and in New Caledonia to further investigate Will has been advocating to avoid spreading in 1998, where natural pasture dieback. ■ for ongoing research into the mealybug. pasture dieback. SNAPSHOT:Will and Katie Wilson, Biloela, Queenslandl Area: Enterprise: Livestock: Pasture: Soil: Rainfall: 12,100ha Breeding and 5,000 cattle Buffel grass and Heavier black 700mm backgrounding creeping bluegrass soils; alluvial on cattle coastal property 32