Pasture Dieback is continuing to plague local farmers but a Bundaberg business is forging ahead with new research.
Burnett MP Stephen Bennett said dieback is not a new phenomenon, but it has accelerated in recent years.
“I’ve had some graziers tell me they’re heartbroken because they don’t know which way to go,” said Mr Bennett.
“The cause of this poor growth and death in the usually very productive pastures is currently unknown, meaning a treatment to stop the spread of dieback is also unknown.”
Mr Bennett is encouraging farmers across the region to attend free information sessions to arm themselves with the tools they need to combat the problem.
Northside Produce is working with Sunshine Coast Company “BOSS Australia” on some potentially breakthrough treatment.
Northside Produce’s Brian Gordon said trials to-date have been applied to pastures at the three identified stages of pastural dieback, initial identification, active spread and stock removal, at each stage affected plants have responded to a systematic treatment.
“The important thing to remember is this is not a fertilizer. It is a bio organic solution that provides nutrients and support to the root base, both strengthening the plant and conditioning the soil.”
“While there is still a lot of work to do in the form of detailed trials and farm demonstrations, we are encouraged by these responses, particularly when little else has seemed to make much difference.”
About 120 landholders have reported pasture dieback with around 35,000ha of pastures known to be affected. While the actual area affected is likely to be much higher due to not all reports being captured by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Around 423ha in the Burnett Region is reported to be affected by pasture dieback.
MP Stephen Bennett said land owners can continue to report outbreaks of pasture dieback to authorities such as Meat and Livestock Australia and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and consider becoming part of the paddock demonstrations.
Free Information Sessions
Wednesday 15th August
Rosedale Hall 9:30 am
Young Aussie Hotel 3:30 pm
Thursday 16th August
Gin Gin TBA 9:00 am
Childers TBA 3:30 am
09-08-18