Pest Management and Native Grasses
By Cam Nicholson, Grain & Graze Coordinator
Most members will be aware of the pest management work being conducted through the Grain and Graze Program with Dr Paul Horne. Paul’s work is looking to describe the links between our major crop and pasture pests, the beneficial predators of those pests and the habitat the predators need to survive and flourish. Paul is also measuring what effect various farming practices such as ploughing, burning and spraying has on the pest and predator populations.
Even though it is early days, Paul has already found a big difference in the pest and predators in pastures, adjacent crop paddocks and areas of native grasses. The native grasses support high numbers of beneficial predators and fewer pests.
These finding are being investigated in more detail by the Department of Primary Industries, where they are looking at how far the beneficial predators living in native grasslands move into the crop in search of food (pest).
These early findings suggest we may have to look at what remaining grasses we have on our farms in a different light. These native areas might be in rock outcrops, barrier country or wet, low lying land.
To help encourage the management of native grasses, the Catchment Management Authorities in South West Victoria are running the Victorian Volcanic Plains project. This project operates a tender process where growers who have grasslands on their property and are prepared to manage them according to a set of guidelines, can name their own price for adopting this management. Help is available to assess the quality of your grassland and set the tender price. If accepted periodic payments are made.
For more information you need to contact Anne Buchan 5232 9117 at the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority or visit www.ccma.vic.gov.au and follow the links to the Victorian Volcanic Plains information
More Information?:
Anne Buchan
Corangamite Catchment Management Authority
ph. 03 5232 9117
