Australia has strong farming sustainability credentials compared to other major agricultural producing countries according to a new report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), Matthew Cossey* writes.
Australian farmers should be proud of a well-earned global reputation, utilising conservation farming practices, such as zero-tillage on 85 per cent of the nation’s farms.
With these practices enabled by the judicious use of modern and innovative pesticides, farmers need evidence-based guidance on best-practice pesticide use to continue building Australia’s agricultural sustainability credentials.
Resistance management is a key component to optimising pesticide use and sustainable farming practices. CropLife Australia's newly updated Resistance Management Strategies for fungicides, herbicides and insecticides are now available online.
The strategies are developed by expert committees in consultation with national and international specialists and reviewed annually to preserve the long-term viability and effectiveness of essential crop protection products.
Freely accessible online, the strategies advise on rotation or admixture of pesticides with different modes of action. This practice prevents continuous exposure of pests to a single pesticide class, reducing the likelihood of resistance development.
They also support targeted and strategic use of pesticides as a crucial step in integrated pest management. This practice minimises the risk of negative impacts on non-target organisms and also ensures the long-term efficacy of pest control measures, supporting sustainable agricultural practices for generations to come.
Importantly, resistance management strategies serve as a supplement to product labels rather than replacing them. While implementing these strategies, adherence to handling and application instructions specified on the registered product label or approved permit must be maintained.
CropLife Australia's Resistance Management Strategies are part of its broader StewardshipFirst initiative. This initiative encompasses a suite of world-leading best-practice stewardship resources and programs that give pesticide users the tools needed to stay at the forefront of sustainable agriculture.
The 2023-24 Resistance Management Strategies can be accessed and downloaded from CropLife’s StewardshipFirst website: StewardshipFirst.com.au
Australia is currently undergoing a transition phase to align its herbicide mode of action (MoA) classification system with global standards. The move from a letter-based system to a numerical one captures new active constituents and future-proofs the Australian MoA classification system.
By the end of 2024, the numerical classification system will be fully implemented, further enhancing the industry's stewardship practices. This alignment ensures that the system remains globally relevant for farmers and agronomists.
Find resources supporting Herbicide MoA alignment at the CropLife website.
*Matthew Cossey is the CEO of CropLife Australia.
