Fall armyworm forum taps stakeholder expertise

“BE alert, not alarmed” was the key message at an industry workshop in Brisbane on Monday discussing the potential impacts fall armyworm may have on Queensland agriculture.

Agri-Science Queensland Executive Director Wayne Hall said the workshop tapped into a broad range of knowledge and expertise in a bid to better understand the state of play for the fall armyworm moth and its larvae.

“(The) workshop was an important forum to identify knowledge gaps and exchange technical information to build expertise and develop short, medium, and longer-term research, development and extension priorities to combat fall armyworm,” Mr Hall said.

“Crucial input was provided from a range of industry stakeholders including research and development corporations such as Grains RDC and Hort Innovation Australia, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, CSIRO, universities and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

“In addition to updating industry on the latest distribution of fall armyworm and the immediate management strategies that are available, a key focus for the department will be assessing, with industry, the impact of future research and development that would assist industry to manage this new pest.”

Mr Hall said of particular concern is the potential impact on Queensland’s economically important broadacre crops such as maize, sorghum, sugarcane, wheat, cotton, as well as our significant fruit and vegetable industry.

“Working with industry is vital to limiting the impact of this pest,” he said.