Grazier engagement to increase knowledge, skills and ability to combat pasture dieback

Abstract

Pasture dieback causes significant productivity and financial losses over thousands, if not millions, of hectares of highly productive pastures across Queensland. The aim of this project was to provide knowledge to support and develop graziers capability to accurately identify and diagnose pasture dieback, and understand practices that could combat dieback.

This project conducted and delivered three main activities. First, the Pasture Dieback Industry Network (PDIN) was developed to connect graziers, researchers, and industry personnel and keep participants up to date on DAF’s activities. Membership of the PDIN is currently 297, which includes graziers in all Queensland regions where pasture dieback occurs. The network was used to promote engagement activities to members, but also, attendees at activities were encouraged to join the PDIN. Workshops, field days, forums, and seminars were conducted and attended by close to 1,000 people who collectively managed more than 1.5 million hectares of grazing land. Feedback surveys from DAF extension activities demonstrate that participants recorded an increase in knowledge and understanding of pasture dieback, how to identify it and how to manage affected areas. Other project activities included the development of fact sheets, newsletters, conference papers and online materials, all of which have had more than 10,000 views or clicks.

Second, six on-farm field research trial sites were initiated, five of which are fully operational and will continue beyond this project. These field sites will generate new knowledge of which management practices will provide effective solutions to combat pasture dieback.

Third, the project team coordinated the development of a new pasture dieback survey application (app) for mobile devices. The app will primarily provide data on the location of pasture dieback and the area affected at that site. This product has been field tested and is publicly available, likely release will be March 2022.