Integrated Pest Management in Northern NSW Grains Cropping: Lessons Learnt from Industry Focussed-Project

Abstract

We review the status of insect pests and beneficials in northern NSW, the role of Integrated Pest Management, the potential impacts of climate change on these interactions, and the ability of farmers to adapt and prepare to manage insect pests and beneficials in grain crops and adjacent areas. This outreach and extension project was undertaken between 2009 and 2012. The primary considerations that need to be made about pest insects and reducing reliance on prophylactic chemical sprays are in understanding the role that adjacent remnant vegetation plays in harbouring beneficial insects and having an understanding of both pest and beneficial insect biology. Here, we also assess the current support for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in northern NSW and identify the barriers farmers face in implementing and using IPM. We then evaluate methods used to integrate an Information-Based Service to growers and agronomists using extension activities, workshops, website, blog and insect identification service. Finally, we identify capacity to facilitate practice change in pest management using the IPM workshops, extension activities and integrating research into this knowledge transfer.