Verifying freedom from exotic pests such as Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) & Karnal Bunt (Tilletia indica) is critical to supporting & maintaining access for Australian grain producers to international markets. Despite Australia's geographical isolation & strong quarantine systems, increasing levels of travel & trade continues to place pressure on our biosecurity systems, emphasising the need for improving our regional efforts in prevention, preparedness & surveillance to mitigate risks. The Australian Grains Farm Biosecurity Program (GFBP) is a national initiative to assist in the development & implementation of improved biosecurity practice, playing a vital role in the education of exotic pests & the role of surveillance by industry. The GFBP has undertaken a targeted surveillance program for stored product pests, with Khapra beetle as the main focus. A range of sites based on potential risk groups & pathways (e.g. farming enterprises, seed distributors & agricultural stores) were targeted, with different approaches used across the three grain growing regions of Australia depending on State activities & pre-existing collaborators. All regions used a combination of pheromone traps & other sampling methods appropriate for host materials & environment. The surveillance is aimed at strengthening evidence of absence, building industry knowledge & participation in grain storage surveillance & promoting improved management practices around storage. These regionally specific engagement methods & surveillance efforts are discussed. Australia remains free of Khapra beetle.
Verifying freedom from exotic pests such as Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) & Karnal Bunt (Tilletia indica) is critical to supporting & maintaining access for Australian grain producers to international markets. Despite Australia's geographical isolation & strong quarantine systems, increasing levels of travel & trade continues to place pressure on our biosecurity systems, emphasising the need for improving our regional efforts in prevention, preparedness & surveillance to mitigate risks. The Australian Grains Farm Biosecurity Program (GFBP) is a national initiative to assist in the development & implementation of improved biosecurity practice, playing a vital role in the education of exotic pests & the role of surveillance by industry. The GFBP has undertaken a targeted surveillance program for stored product pests, with Khapra beetle as the main focus. A range of sites based on potential risk groups & pathways (e.g. farming enterprises, seed distributors & agricultural stores) were targeted, with different approaches used across the three grain growing regions of Australia depending on State activities & pre-existing collaborators. All regions used a combination of pheromone traps & other sampling methods appropriate for host materials & environment. The surveillance is aimed at strengthening evidence of absence, building industry knowledge & participation in grain storage surveillance & promoting improved management practices around storage. These regionally specific engagement methods & surveillance efforts are discussed. Australia remains free of Khapra beetle. ; Verifying freedom from exotic pests such as Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) & Karnal Bunt (Tilletia indica) is critical to supporting & maintaining access for Australian grain producers to international markets. Despite Australia's geographical isolation & strong quarantine systems, increasing levels of travel & trade continues to place pressure on our biosecurity systems, emphasising the need for improving our regional efforts in prevention, preparedness & surveillance to mitigate risks. The Australian Grains Farm Biosecurity Program (GFBP) is a national initiative to assist in the development & implementation of improved biosecurity practice, playing a vital role in the education of exotic pests & the role of surveillance by industry. The GFBP has undertaken a targeted surveillance program for stored product pests, with Khapra beetle as the main focus. A range of sites based on potential risk groups & pathways (e.g. farming enterprises, seed distributors & agricultural stores) were targeted, with different approaches used across the three grain growing regions of Australia depending on State activities & pre-existing collaborators. All regions used a combination of pheromone traps & other sampling methods appropriate for host materials & environment. The surveillance is aimed at strengthening evidence of absence, building industry knowledge & participation in grain storage surveillance & promoting improved management practices around storage. These regionally specific engagement methods & surveillance efforts are discussed. Australia remains free of Khapra beetle.
Phosphine's continued use in Australia to control grain insect pests in on-farm and central storage systems is threatened through increased resistance in both frequency and strength in target insect pests. Effective fumigation combined with best practice integrated pest management is essential to the sustainability of grain biosecurity, food safety, quality assurance and market access for Australian post-harvest grain systems. The National Stored Grain Extension Program (NSGEP) is an industry funded initiative developed to facilitate best practice in grain storage management within Australia's grains industry. The NGSEP uses a multi approach engagement strategy and a variety of adult learning principles and training techniques aimed at increasing awareness and knowledge to build capacity and support to enable farmers and industry to manage their grain storage systems and meet best practice and market requirements. These include: training workshops, field days, practical demonstrations, industry forums, multi-media and website development and building networks with grower groups, government agencies and agribusiness. Various evaluation methods have shown that awareness and adoption of best practice in on-farm grain storage management has increased. Key outcomes include increased knowledge in insect identification and skills development and practice change in the management of grain hygiene, aeration, phosphine application, silo testing and planning of storage systems. The NSGEP contributes to the positive on-going changes observed in Australia's on-farm grain storage systems, primarily through the specialized extension network of information, support and training provided that is highly regarded and in demand. It plays an instrumental role in building capacity and maintaining phosphine fumigation efficacy in the Australian grains industry.
Phosphine's continued use in Australia to control grain insect pests in on-farm and central storage systems is threatened through increased resistance in both frequency and strength in target insect pests. Effective fumigation combined with best practice integrated pest management is essential to the sustainability of grain biosecurity, food safety, quality assurance and market access for Australian post-harvest grain systems. The National Stored Grain Extension Program (NSGEP) is an industry funded initiative developed to facilitate best practice in grain storage management within Australia's grains industry. The NGSEP uses a multi approach engagement strategy and a variety of adult learning principles and training techniques aimed at increasing awareness and knowledge to build capacity and support to enable farmers and industry to manage their grain storage systems and meet best practice and market requirements. These include: training workshops, field days, practical demonstrations, industry forums, multi-media and website development and building networks with grower groups, government agencies and agribusiness. Various evaluation methods have shown that awareness and adoption of best practice in on-farm grain storage management has increased. Key outcomes include increased knowledge in insect identification and skills development and practice change in the management of grain hygiene, aeration, phosphine application, silo testing and planning of storage systems. The NSGEP contributes to the positive on-going changes observed in Australia's on-farm grain storage systems, primarily through the specialized extension network of information, support and training provided that is highly regarded and in demand. It plays an instrumental role in building capacity and maintaining phosphine fumigation efficacy in the Australian grains industry. ; Phosphine's continued use in Australia to control grain insect pests in on-farm and central storage systems is threatened through increased resistance in both frequency and strength in target insect pests. Effective fumigation combined with best practice integrated pest management is essential to the sustainability of grain biosecurity, food safety, quality assurance and market access for Australian post-harvest grain systems. The National Stored Grain Extension Program (NSGEP) is an industry funded initiative developed to facilitate best practice in grain storage management within Australia's grains industry. The NGSEP uses a multi approach engagement strategy and a variety of adult learning principles and training techniques aimed at increasing awareness and knowledge to build capacity and support to enable farmers and industry to manage their grain storage systems and meet best practice and market requirements. These include: training workshops, field days, practical demonstrations, industry forums, multi-media and website development and building networks with grower groups, government agencies and agribusiness. Various evaluation methods have shown that awareness and adoption of best practice in on-farm grain storage management has increased. Key outcomes include increased knowledge in insect identification and skills development and practice change in the management of grain hygiene, aeration, phosphine application, silo testing and planning of storage systems. The NSGEP contributes to the positive on-going changes observed in Australia's on-farm grain storage systems, primarily through the specialized extension network of information, support and training provided that is highly regarded and in demand. It plays an instrumental role in building capacity and maintaining phosphine fumigation efficacy in the Australian grains industry.
Sound biosecurity systems contribute to achieving sustainable agricultural and environmental systems, reducing the threat of introducing unwanted pests and supporting food safety and product integrity. Within Australia, the Grains Farm Biosecurity Program (GFBP) is a national initiative to assist in the development and implementation of improved biosecurity practice within its grain industry. Initiated in 2007, the extension focused program contributes to the industry's risk mitigation activities, supports continued market access and promotes a partnership approach involving governments, industry and community. The program is funded through grower levies in partnership with state government agencies and Plant Health Australia. Using a variety of community engagement strategies, the GFBP has developed a wide range of tools to improve the management of and preparedness for, biosecurity risks in the Australian grains industry at the farm and industry level by highlighting risk pathways and activities throughout the supply chain and encouraging adoption of practices and strategies to mitigate risks. The GFPB also promotes and conducts surveillance for high priority pests especially in on-farm storage. Evaluations indicate an increased awareness of biosecurity risks, industry capacity and voluntary adoption of biosecurity best practices throughout the sector. The GFBP focus on biosecurity best practice through industry engagement has seen it contribute to safeguarding and maintaining Australia's export reputation, with the program recently winning a national biosecurity award.
Sound biosecurity systems contribute to achieving sustainable agricultural and environmental systems, reducing the threat of introducing unwanted pests and supporting food safety and product integrity. Within Australia, the Grains Farm Biosecurity Program (GFBP) is a national initiative to assist in the development and implementation of improved biosecurity practice within its grain industry. Initiated in 2007, the extension focused program contributes to the industry's risk mitigation activities, supports continued market access and promotes a partnership approach involving governments, industry and community. The program is funded through grower levies in partnership with state government agencies and Plant Health Australia. Using a variety of community engagement strategies, the GFBP has developed a wide range of tools to improve the management of and preparedness for, biosecurity risks in the Australian grains industry at the farm and industry level by highlighting risk pathways and activities throughout the supply chain and encouraging adoption of practices and strategies to mitigate risks. The GFPB also promotes and conducts surveillance for high priority pests especially in on-farm storage. Evaluations indicate an increased awareness of biosecurity risks, industry capacity and voluntary adoption of biosecurity best practices throughout the sector. The GFBP focus on biosecurity best practice through industry engagement has seen it contribute to safeguarding and maintaining Australia's export reputation, with the program recently winning a national biosecurity award. ; Sound biosecurity systems contribute to achieving sustainable agricultural and environmental systems, reducing the threat of introducing unwanted pests and supporting food safety and product integrity. Within Australia, the Grains Farm Biosecurity Program (GFBP) is a national initiative to assist in the development and implementation of improved biosecurity practice within its grain industry. Initiated in 2007, the extension focused program contributes to the industry's risk mitigation activities, supports continued market access and promotes a partnership approach involving governments, industry and community. The program is funded through grower levies in partnership with state government agencies and Plant Health Australia. Using a variety of community engagement strategies, the GFBP has developed a wide range of tools to improve the management of and preparedness for, biosecurity risks in the Australian grains industry at the farm and industry level by highlighting risk pathways and activities throughout the supply chain and encouraging adoption of practices and strategies to mitigate risks. The GFPB also promotes and conducts surveillance for high priority pests especially in on-farm storage. Evaluations indicate an increased awareness of biosecurity risks, industry capacity and voluntary adoption of biosecurity best practices throughout the sector. The GFBP focus on biosecurity best practice through industry engagement has seen it contribute to safeguarding and maintaining Australia's export reputation, with the program recently winning a national biosecurity award.
