The potential for reduced yields and fodder quality in corn and sorghum crops is something that now has to be proactively managed by farmers as a result of detection of fall armyworm in Australia. It is a plant pest that first appeared in QLD in February 2020 and also the NT and norther parts of WA.  It has subsequently been found throughout the eastern seaboard as far as Tasmania. Being a new pest, we are still learning how to best manage it and this month we hear from Ross Warren, Senior Dairy Extension Officer with QDAF who has seen the impact across many farms in the subtropical region of NSW and QLD and how dairy farmers are managing it. Also joining us is Jason Bake, who runs a family dairy operation near Coffs Harbour in northern NSW. Corn silage is a large component of his herds diet and we hear how they have managed it on farm, as well as why Jason views corn as “the only crop that improves in value over time”!

Useful resources related to this podcast:

Subtropical Dairy/QLD Department of Ag and Fisheries – Fall Army Worm Update Webinar

NSW DPI Fall Armyworm resource page

Dairy Australia Fall Armyworm resource page

This podcast is an initiative of the NSW DPI Dairy Business Advisory Unit – further information and resources are available here

It is brought to you in partnership the Hunter Local Land Services

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DPI Intensive Livestock Twitter feed

NSW DPI Dairy Newsletter

Transcript here

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The information discussed in this podcast are for informative and educational purposes only and do not constitute advice.