The results of a four year trial assessing the tolerance of 30 grass varieties to pasture dieback was showcased at a recent field day near Boonah.
Department of Agriculture agronomist Gavin Peck said pasture dieback—a condition that affected summer growing sown pastures — had been observed in the Fassifern Valley since 2017.
He said pasture dieback had now been confirmed across much of southern Queensland and in some areas of northern NSW.
“Locally, pasture dieback has been widely reported in Rhodes grass varieties, panic grass varieties, kikuyu, paspalum, digit grass and creeping bluegrass,” Mr Peck said.
“In 2020 we began a trial to test 30 grass varieties for tolerance to pasture dieback —including buffel, Rhodes and panic grasses.
“In the 2021/22 and 2023/24 growing seasons, we applied high numbers of pasture mealybug to each variety and measured the effect on pasture health and biomass.
“Now we’re opened the gates of the trial site to share the results.”
Mr Peck said the recent field day was of particular interest to Queensland producers whose pastures were affected by dieback.
“We have trialled a wide range of sown pasture species in an open field situation that is periodically grazed by cattle,” he said.
“This is the only trial of its kind in Queensland and has now been running for four growing seasons.
“Our results show that some varieties are highly susceptible to pasture dieback, while others appear more tolerant.
“Some pasture varieties can withstand a heavy mealybug load, while other varieties have really struggled, and their plots have been colonised by other more tolerant varieties.
“This trial site was a must-see for producers who were considering planting a new area of improved pasture or renovating an existing pasture that has been badly affected by dieback and were looking for a more resistant variety,” he said.
Pasture dieback research continues through the Queensland Pasture Resilience Program, a partnership between DAF, Meat & Livestock Australia and the Australian Government through the MLA Donor Company. More information about pasture dieback (including an identification guide, management options and webinar) is available at www.futurebeef.com.au or by calling 13 25 23.