Producers across New South Wales are being urged to stay vigilant this summer and report any signs of pasture dieback, a destructive condition that targets summer-growing grasses such as kikuyu, paspalum, buffel grass and sabi grass.
Producers across New South Wales are being urged to stay vigilant this summer and report any signs of pasture dieback, a destructive condition that targets summer-growing grasses such as kikuyu, paspalum, buffel grass and sabi grass.
Pasture dieback typically begins as small patches but can rapidly expand, devastating pastures and paving the way for invasive broadleaf weeds to take hold. Pasture dieback is not limited by landscape or soil type.
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) Pastures Development Officer Sarah Baker, said early detection and reporting are key to managing its spread and protecting valuable grazing land.
"Pasture dieback has been found in Northern NSW, with new detections in the Hunter Valley and Werris Creek earlier this year," Ms Baker said.
"It's important to be monitoring pastures for anything usual, for example pastures not responding as expected to recent rainfall.
"It's important for landholders to check their pastures and look for anything unusual.
"Keep an eye out for unhealthy plants with red, yellow and/or purple discoloured leaves surrounding patches of dead grasses.
"Reporting suspected pasture dieback is critical to help us understand the spread and impact of this condition across NSW.
"Early detection allows us to monitor affected areas, support landholders with management strategies, and coordinate research efforts to find long-term solutions.
"The more information we have, the better we can respond and protect our pasture systems now and into the future."
The presence of pasture mealybug (Heliococcus summervillei) is associated with this condition.
If you look closely at the grass and in the thatch, you can find the mealybugs which are white and only a few millimetres in size. Mealybug populations are at their highest in autumm.
Ms Baker said a number of diseases and pests can look similar to dieback, such as, kikuyu yellows, armyworm, nutrient defficiences and herbicide damage which can all negatively impact pastures.
"Producers can continue to maintain production with broadleaf species, including legumes, chicory and brassicas, which are not affected by dieback," Ms Baker said.
"Re-sowing perennial summer-growing grasses, like kikuyu, into dieback affected areas is not recommended.
However, not all unhealthy grass is a result of pasture dieback and advised landholders to contact Local Land Services (LLS) for guidance.
