Benefits of Cropsafe
Victorian agronomists going about their everyday work are contributing towards keeping Victoria’s grains industry exotic pest and disease free through participation in Cropsafe.
About 180 agronomists who work across Victoria are part of Cropsafe, an industry surveillance network.
Together they are continuously on the lookout for pest and plant symptoms that could potentially be an exotic plant pest or disease.
Agriculture Victoria agronomist Dale Boyd said exotic plant pests and diseases posed a significant threat to Victoria’s cropping sector.
“Cropsafe surveillance is aimed at increasing identification and reporting of plant pests and diseases by agronomists,” he said.
“It is recognised as delivering a reassuring biosecurity service that protects the industry.
“Cropsafe is delivered by Agriculture Victoria, in collaboration with major agribusiness companies. It involves 85 percent of Victoria’s agronomists.”
Cropsafe agronomists undergo regular training on sample collection and identification, as well as ensuring they have access to all up-todate industry information.
“Cropsafe works closely with other relevant projects such as Grownote, Alert, extensionaus and Croppro to ensure our agronomists have the tools and knowledge required to be efficient and effective in the field,” Mr Boyd he said.
Advice is available online at agriculture.vic. gov.au/cropsafe under the agronomist tool kit.