Bowen Gumlu Growers Association

Collectively We Grow

Pest and Disease

Pest and Disease

One Year of the Fall Army Worm National Surveillance Program

In June 2024, Bowen Gumlu Growers Association (BGGA) began implementing a major on-farm technology project to monitor and manage the destructive Fall Armyworm (FAW) pest.

Led by BGGA, funded by Hort Innovation and rolled out through the network of VegNET Regional Development Officers, the project involves trialling RapidMEGA Fall Armyworm sensor units across farms, with 300 units now deployed nationwide in key horticulture growing regions.

These advanced monitoring sensors collect valuable real-time data, helping growers across Australia track Fall Armyworm movement and activity to better assess risks to their crops. The data and insights generated are also supporting industry stakeholders to better understand FAW behaviour, improve chemical and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, and guide the development of future pest management solutions.

Check out the whole article by turning to page 122-123 in the Spring 2025 Australian Grower magazine.

Fall Armyworm Masterclass recording

Last year, the Bowen Gumlu Growers Association hosted an insightful masterclass on Fall armyworm, a formidable challenge to horticulture, sugarcane, and grains industries. Held at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries research facility in Bowen, the event featured esteemed speakers including Dr. Wee Tek Tay, Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO, Beatrice Apirajkamol, a dedicated PhD candidate at CSIRO Health & Biosecurity division.

In this three part series, delve into the comprehensive discussions that unfolded during the masterclass, covering a spectrum of Fall armyworm topics. From unraveling the genetic makeup of this insidious pest to exploring novel biopesticides and deciphering chemical resistance, the session provided invaluable insights for both seasoned professionals and those seeking a deeper understanding of this agricultural threat.

With a diverse audience joining both online and in-person, the masterclass underscored the collaborative efforts of the scientific community in tackling the Fall armyworm challenge. Discover the latest advancements and strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of this invasive species in the region.

Watch the Fall Armyworm Masterclass on Youtube

National Biosecurity Training Hub

The National Biosecurity Training Hub was established in response to rising pressures on Australia’s biosecurity system with concurrent responses to animal, aquatic, environmental, plant and natural disaster incidents across the country driving the need to build and support biosecurity preparedness and response capacity and capability.

Created to address the need for a centralised, coordinated approach to national biosecurity training, the Hub provides a national repository of online biosecurity training for industry, government and community, connecting biosecurity training providers across Australia.

Explore training courses

DAF Chemical Recordkeeping

Keeping records is critical to any business and in agricultural farming it can provide a range of information in relation to productivity, economics, farm operations, marketing opportunities and environmental responsibilities.

Below is a checklist that highlights all the legislative requirements for recordkeeping for chemicals based on the products that you are using. There are a number of different areas that require you to keep records including each product label, the Agricultural ERA standard as referred to in the Chemical Usage (Agricultural and Veterinary) Control Act 1988 and the Chemical Usage (Agricultural and Veterinary) Control Regulation 2017.

Legislation is not descriptive as to how to keep records only what records to keep. It is up to you as an individual entity to choose the most suitable methods of keeping records for your business.

DAF Chemical Recordkeeping requirements
DAF Chemical Recordkeeping sample
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