PRODUCERS in the Wide Bay Burnett region are calling for answers about how to treat the devastating pasture dieback after losing hundreds of acres of bluegrass over the last few months.
Currently the cause of pasture dieback is unknown but is believed to be related to a fungus spore carried in the wind which causes leaves in the middle part of the plant to redden before going yellow and dying.
The issue first appeared in 2012 around the Burdekin and Mackay region but has now gone on to extend to the North Burnett and Fitzroy basin.
The State’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) held community forums in Moura and Biloela to discuss the issue last month but are yet to hold similar information sessions further south.
DAF currently has a team of plant pathologists, agronomists and extension officers working on the issue which has increased in extent and severity.
In a statement, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries said it was committed to working with industry to better understand the causes and impact of pasture dieback in central and south east Queensland.
Biggenden producer Darren Geissler first noticed his bluegrass dying before Christmas and has since sent away samples to scientific labs in Toowoomba and Sydney.
But due to the large amount of naturally occurring fungus the tests haven’t been able to determine exactly what fungus is responsible for the dieback.
With a large percentage of his country improved bluegrass, Mr Geissler said the only way to overcome the problem was to burn their pasture and stock it heavier.
“It’s really everything you shouldn’t be doing,” he said.
“You should be stocking light and keeping a body of grass.
“We have invested so much money and all our country we have stick raked and improved to have all been put down to bluegrass and it’s your most productive country you are losing.
“When you ring people, agronomists and all sorts, we can tell them more about it because it’s only new and nobody has done any trials.”
Some people around the Dallarnil area are said to have suffered significant losses from dieback recently.
Jamie Randall, Woowoonga noticed the issue in his 64 hectare block two and a half months ago.
"You can pick it up like hay," he said.
"It's like a matt of grass on the ground and all underneath is bare dirt.
"It's a bit of a worry, bluegrass is our saviour around here.”
DAF senior agronomist (sown pastures) Stuart Buck, Rockhampton has developed a research project proposal to better understand pasture dieback.
The proposal is under consideration for co-funding from Meat and Livestock Australia.
Lucy Kinbacher
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
