The annual Crop Protection Forum was held in Launceston in 2021. Photo: GRDC

EXPERTS are gathering in Wagga Wagga next week for a Crop Protection Forum to give those in the grains industry a chance to find out the latest in trends and management practices which best respond to risks posed by insecticide, fungicide and herbicide resistance.

Under the theme Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow, the event is being held on Wednesday November 16.

With a diversity of research taking place, and varying advice on managing resistance, organisers are hoping the event will guide growers and consultants on what strategies to adopt.

Two of the issues the cropping industry is facing is evolving resistance to insecticides from the green peach aphid, and the first dual case of paraquat and glyphosate-resistant ryegrass identified in Western Australia.

This discovery has wide implications across Australian cropping zones.

“The double-knock practice will be investigated, and solutions discussed at the forum,” AHRI senior research fellow Dr Roberto Busi said.

The event will also look at responses to concerns about management issues and ongoing regulatory pressures on existing chemicals.

“One of the strengths of the Crop Protection Forum is the opportunity to not just hear the latest research, but to discuss local challenges in management, and hear from industry experts about how to approach these issues,” Cesar Australia director Dr Paul Umina said.

Bringing together expert speakers from across Australia, the forum will cover a range of topics including resistance evolution, current and future resistance trends, and appropriate management strategies to minimise resistance risks.

The day will include two industry panel discussions with leading agronomists discussing local and national issues.

“We want to make sure that information on pesticide resistance status and management is practical and accessible. With resistance on the rise, this forum will also give the industry a chance to discuss tactics to use chemicals sustainably into the future.” GRDC crop protection manager Emma Coulson said.

The Crop Protection Forum is hosted by Cesar Australia, with partners The Centre of Crop Disease Management (CCDM), the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI), and The University of Melbourne with support from the GRDC.

Presentations from partner researchers will come from Dr Fran Lopez-Ruiz (CCDM) and Dr Busi, as other well-known resistance experts such as University of Adelaide’s Professor Chris Preston and NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Dr Lisa Bird, as will as Grassroots Agronomy principal Greg Condon.

Click here to register for the event.

Source: Cesar Australia