CRC for Plant Biosecurity - grains

Insect distributions and sampling protocols for stored commodities

CRICHTONA — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 04:00:11 +0000

Insect distributions and sampling protocols for stored commodities

Grains Knowledge Networks - Final Report

CRICHTONA — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 03:54:32 +0000

Grains Knowledge Networks - Final Report

Grains sampling strategy goes overseas

K.Scott — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 05:21:44 +0000

The Australian grain industry is worth around $6 billion annually. Australia aims for a high quality export product, and since export markets have a ‘nil tolerance’ for live insects, the cost of not detecting pests when they are present is high. The additional costs that we sometimes forget about are the possible direct costs and indirect side effects of treating grain as if there are insects present when they are not. This not only costs money, but in the longer term can lead to insect resistance.

The aim of the Stored Grains Sampling Strategies project is to maximise the detection of pests in grain when they are present, and demonstrate freedom from infestation of an area when pests are absent. As part of this Dr David Elmouttie (CRC postdoctoral fellow), Dr Andreas Kiermeier (SARDI) and myself developed a statistical model that has recently been published in Pest Management Science.

Using this model and field trials, we have demonstrated that it is possible to improve on the current sampling systems typically used in Australia. This will be advantageous to growers and bulk handlers who want to ensure that their grain is pest free. As the problem of phosphine resistance becomes more prominent, this will also assist with making decisions as to when to treat grain rather than simply treating on a calendar basis.

I was invited to present this model recently at the 10th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection in Estoril, Portugal. The model was presented both as a poster and during an interactive workshop organised by Dr Fuji Jian (University of Manitoba) and Professor Paul Flinn (USDA). The feedback from these presentations was constructive, with researchers interested to understand the way that we had incorporated the ecology of pest species into the statistical model in order to improve the probability of detection.

Improving the probability of detection was the focus a presentation by Dr David Elmouttie at the International Statistical Ecology Conference held this year at the University of Canterbury in Kent. David demonstrated the statistical workings of the model and showed that this approach can be applied in a number of different fields in additional to stored products sampling.

To keep up to date with developments overseas and to communicate our recent findings, I have recently visited Kansas State University where I was generously hosted by Professor Bhadriraju Subramanyam, an internationally respected grains researcher who has published extensively on grains sampling. This was a highly productive visit. I also met a number of internationally established researchers at KSU, including Professor Tom Phillips (Head of the Department of Entomology), Professor Jim Stack (Director of the Great Plains Diagnostic Network) and Professor John Leslie (Head of Plant Pathology Department). In addition to KSU researchers, I was able to visit the nearby Centre for Grain and Animal Health Research to meet Professor Paul Flinn, Dr Frank Arthur and Dr Jim Campbell.

This visit enabled me to inspect the cutting edge research facilities available to these researchers, including experimental grain silos, controlled temperature rooms, a functional full scale grain elevator and new flour mill. Collaborations are now underway and with plans for future research.

Photo caption: CRC postdoc Dr David Elmouttie taking grain samples

Image courtesy of Dr David Elmouttie

Article written by Dr Grant Hamilton

Review of knowledge transfer strategies

VANMEURSA — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:43:55 +0000

National surveillance plan for the Australian grains industry

VANMEURSA — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:36:35 +0000

National surveillance plan for the Australian grains industry

New Post-Harvest Biosecurity Laboratory

VANMEURSA — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:35:27 +0000

Media Release: 30 November 2009

A new laboratory focused on post-harvest biosecurity was officially opened at Murdoch University on Friday 27 November. The laboratory team and infrastructure are a joint investment of the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia and the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity. READ MORE

Harvest puts grains biosecurity under the microscope

VANMEURSA — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:35:10 +0000

Media Release: 25 November 2009

With harvest in full-swing across Australian grain-belts, biosecurity may not be the first topic that comes to mind out in the paddock.

However, as growers constantly monitor grain quality from the farm gate through to the delivery site, they are helping to maintain the biosecurity of the grains industry.

Judy Bellati, South Australia’s Grains Biosecurity Officer with Primary Industry and Resources SA (PIRSA), is part of the National Grains Industry On-farm Biosecurity Program, working with growers and service providers to raise awareness and provide education about grains biosecurity.

“Biosecurity is emerging as a major economic, environmental and social concern.”

“As an industry we are being expected to provide more and more evidence that our products are free from pests and diseases of biosecurity significance for market access,” Ms Bellati said.

“Australia’s geographic isolation has meant the grains industry has been relatively free of many pests that have wrought havoc on plant industries overseas.”

“This provides a real trade benefit for the Australian grains industry in securing market access.”

Ms Bellati, who will speak on grains biosecurity at the first international Global Biosecurity Conference in Brisbane early next year, said biosecurity should not be seen as a stand-alone issue.

“Biosecurity information needs to be integrated with other farming-system information and into existing grain extension programs.”

“Through alliances with national programs such as the Grains Research Development Corporation (GRDC) National Invertebrate Pest Initiative (NIPI), a large network of agronomists, farmers and other industry providers are becoming skilled in identifying and monitoring both common and exotic pests to the grains industry.”

“NIPI delivers invertebrate identification workshops and interactive newsletters which encourages reporting of seasonal pests and diseases to assist industry in on-farm surveillance.”

“These dynamic and interactive partnerships in grains extension programs play an important role in the industry by providing an enhanced learning experience and assist in biosecurity awareness and preparedness to ultimately benefit the industry.”

“Biosecurity is the responsibility of every person visiting or working on a farm and it is in the interest of all grain growers to ensure biosecurity risks are minimised by implementing simple biosecurity procedures,” Ms Bellati said.

Understanding the risks of potential biosecurity issues will form the basis of the Threats and Impacts stream of the Global Biosecurity 2010 Conference to be held in Brisbane from 28 February – 3 March 2010.

Global Biosecurity 2010: safeguarding agriculture and the environment is a collaborative partnership between Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre for Emerging Infectious Disease, Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity and Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre.

The conference provides a unique forum for stakeholders from across the biosecurity spectrum, including researchers, industry representatives, policy makers, primary producers and importers/exporters to keep up-to-date on world’s best practice.

The Global Biosecurity 2010 Conference is sponsored by: the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC); the Australian Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis (ACERA); and the Australian Government’s Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).

Registrations for the conference are now open. Visit www.globalbiosecurity2010.com

Judy Bellati, South Australia’s Grains Biosecurity Officer, at the microscopes at an identification workshop in Western Australia. Ms Bellati will speak on grains biosecurity at the first international Global Biosecurity Conference in Brisbane early next year.

Media contact l Laureta Wallace
P (08) 6250 4561

Biosecurity defends key rural industry

VANMEURSA — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:49:14 +0000

Media Release: 30 November 2009

Australian researchers are studying genetic codes to learn how insects like the lesser grain borer are developing resistance to the world’s most widely used grain fumigant – phosphine.

With the harvest safely stored, grain growers often take a moment to relax; but not so the scientists involved in a national research effort to keep stored grain safe from feasting insects and to maintain Australia’s hard-earned reputation as a supplier of clean, pest-free grain.

Stored grain insects are a constant threat to grain exports – worth some $7 billion each year to the national economy.

Australia offers overseas grain buyers a ‘zero tolerance’ benchmark for insect infestation and this is a key element in Australia’s international competitiveness.

However, the capacity for insects to evolve their way around the limited number of environmentally safe fumigants available poses a constant challenge – one that is now being tackled by the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for National Plant Biosecurity. READ MORE

Photos by: Chris Freebairn, Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries

Instructions for downloading images

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CRC60131: Economic Analysis of Surveillance - PhD

VANMEURSA — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:50:44 +0000

CRC70096: Grain Knowledge Networks

VANMEURSA — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:51:40 +0000

Program

Delivery and Adoption