Roma workshop to support graziers as pasture dieback spreads

News release | 27-Nov-2023

Graziers in southern inland Queensland are being asked to keep an eye out for pasture dieback, which appears to be spreading throughout the region.

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) Principal Agronomist Gavin Peck said pasture dieback was spreading inland from the Darling Downs and south from the Wandoan district, with new detections in the Condamine, Balonne and Border Rivers catchments.

DAF is hosting a free workshop in Roma on 7 December to help graziers identify and manage the condition, which causes death of otherwise healthy pastures.

“Pasture dieback was reported in north, central and south-eastern Queensland and NSW’s northern rivers region before spreading into southern inland Queensland,” Mr Peck said.

“At this stage, Billa Billa near Goondiwindi and Wallumbilla near Roma are the most south-western locations in Queensland with confirmed pasture dieback.

“Graziers should be on the lookout for symptoms during the summer growing season, when pasture dieback is easier to detect.

“Initial symptoms include leaf discoloration and unthrifty growth, before the pasture dies in patches.

“The dead patches are then colonised by broadleaf weeds or legumes—both of which are unaffected by pasture dieback.”

Suspected pasture dieback should be reported through the Pasture Dieback App, which can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play, or by calling DAF on 13 25 23.

“Reporting pasture dieback through our app takes less than 5 minutes,” Mr Peck said.

“By uploading photos and describing the pasture species affected, you will help us better understand the spread of dieback.”

Pasture dieback research continues through the Queensland Pasture Resilience Program, a partnership between DAF and Meat & Livestock Australia through the MLA Donor Company.

More information about pasture dieback (including an identification guide, webinar and new fact sheet outlining management options) is available at www.futurebeef.com.au

Registrations for the free pasture dieback workshop are essential and can be made online at https://www.trybooking.com/CNATV. For more information about the workshop, phone Tim Emery on 0408 707 155.

The workshop is hosted through the Queensland Pasture Resilience Program and the Farm Business Resilience Program, which is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Queensland Government’s Drought and Climate Adaptation Program.

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ENDS

Media contact: DAF Media, media@daf.qld.gov.au