The first series of PBRI Podcasts is on fall armyworm. It explores the experiences and observations of experts from around the globe and here in Australia as we prepare to take on this invasive pest.
Throughout the series, host Chris Brown delves into the biology and behaviour of fall armyworm and explores how we can best prepare ourselves to minimise its impact.
Episode 1: Fall armyworm biology and ecology in subtropical and temperate US
To understand how fall armyworm behaves in different parts of the US, and what this may mean for Australia, we spoke with two American researchers on their work over the past 30 years. Greg Nuessly from the University of Florida and Dominic Reisig from North Carolina State University discuss their work under subtropical conditions in southern Florida where it is a primary pest every year in the same crops, and in cool temperate conditions in North Carolina where it is more sporadic.
Episode 2: Applied fall armyworm management in row crops and pastures in Texas
Exploring the practical control strategies used in row crops and pastures across Texas, Extension specialist and IPM coordinator, David Kerns, from Texas A&M University talks about the different strains of FAW, the crops they effect and the tactics for control.
WARNING
This podcast discusses the overseas use of chlorantraniliprole on sorghum for fall armyworm. This use is not approved in Australia – read note below under important information / pesticide disclaimer.
Please note that an emergency use permit application submitted for the use of chlorantraniliprole in sorghum to control fall armyworm was not approved by the APVMA. Further, the APVMA considered that the proposed use presented an undue risk to trade, based on information received in response to a Trade Advice Notice (TAN) and the trade assessment of the proposed use.
Episode 3: Active response to fall armyworm in South Africa
Working across governments, industry, languages and neighbouring countries was critical in minimise the impact of the fall armyworm outbreak in South Africa. Jan-Hendrik Venter, from South Africa’s Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, talks about the approach taken in response to their fall armyworm incursion in 2017.
Episode 4: FAO’s global action for fall armyworm control
On this podcast we speak to FAO’s Elisabetta Tagliati about the risks posed by fall armyworm to global food and feed security and FAO’s efforts to develop international capacity and capabilitiy to manage the pest across 65 countries under a Global Action Plan.
Episode 5 : Field observations of fall armyworm in northern Australia
Since the recent arrival of fall armyworm in Australia, scientists, growers and agronomists across the north have been on a steep learning curve. Home-grown entomologists Melina Miles and Paul Grundy from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries speak about their observations and thoughts on how the pest is behaving in Australia and the likely implications for management.
Episode 6: Footprints in the paddock – approaches to scouting, developing thresholds and tips to familiarise yourself with fall armyworm
We now have some valuable first-hand experience in dealing with fall armyworm in commercial crops in north Queensland. Burdekin agronomist Brent Wilson from Nutien Ag Solutions at Home Hill and GRDC Seed of Light recipient Paul McIntosh from Pulse Australia and the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative share their insights into the need to manage resistance, developing thresholds, identifying fall armyworm, and where to look for them.