Beating Black Beetle

SFF Proposal 11/035: Beating Black Beetle: developing pest-resistant dairy pastures in the Waikato

The impact of Black Beetle on pasture production in the Waikato and throughout the northern North Island is significant. However, many farmers and rural professionals do not understand the problem or know how to combat it. This project will contribute to the development of a communication program to inform farmers and the wider industry of the factors that result in damaging populations and how to minimise future pasture losses. On-farm trials of best-practice endophyte/cultivar selection, establishment and pasture management will clearly demonstrate how to develop more productive and persistent pastures in Black Beetle-prone areas and the resulting benefits. This project forms a key link in a program of industry-lead initiatives.

Expected outcomes of this project

Benefit

Defining the key principles which are critical in black beetle control
Communication of these principles (written and spoken) will enable farmers to apply them in the context of their own system, to learn how to improve pasture performance on their own farm.

Better pasture persistence with renewal rates of 5%
On some farms this will mean a decrease in pasture renewal as pastures persist longer. On other farms, greater renewal would occur as farmers want better performing pastures which they know can be persistent (Sown species = 70% of total DM after 5 years).

Better endophyte persistence and greater confidence in the supply chain
This includes delivery of endophyte into the paddock, as well as persistence of the endophyte once the new pasture has established.

Consistent messages regarding pasture persistence communicated throughout the pastoral sector
Results generated from the project will be used by the Pasture Renewal Leadership Group. They are working with seed companies and other industry bodies to ensure consistent messages around black beetle and other critical factors in pasture performance.

Greater environmental and economic sustainability of pastures
Greater persistence of sown species will reduce the need for cultivation, which damages the soil structure and results in inefficient fertiliser usage. It will also reduce money spent on renewal and weed control.