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Ag news ColumnIncludes: Aquatic weed awareness; Carbendazim fungicide restricted and Unlock the potential in your pasture By news@gippsland - 11th May 2010 - Back to News Aquatic weed awareness
Aquatic Weeds of National Significance (WONS) pose a serious threat to agricultural production, biodiversity, and the use and health of West Gippsland's waterways.
Workshops designed to raise awareness and improve identification skills will be held the West Gippsland Arts Centre on Wednesday, May 5, 2010.
Workshop participants will be able to learn about the increasing threat of WONS and other new and emerging weeds such as Alligator weed, Cabomba and Salvinia.
National Coordinator Aquatic Weeds, Andrew Petroeschevesky and Department of Primary Industries' experts will be on hand to discuss weeds threatening West Gippsland.
Morning and afternoon workshop sessions are available and will be held in the Fountain Room at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, Civic Place, Warragul.
To register, please contact Tyson Dennis or Carolyn Ferguson at Baw Baw Shire Council on (03) 5624 2409.
Carbendazim fungicide restricted
The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is reminding chemical users of tightened controls on the fungicide carbendazim, announced by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
As of January 25 this year, the APVMA has restricted the horticultural and turf uses of carbendazim and extended the health warning on product labels.
The APVMA said the changes were based on new data indicating maximum residue limits for some food crops and potential public exposure to treated turf may not meet new health standards.
Birth defects and male infertility in laboratory animals were also a factor.
The APVMA announced a review of carbendazim in 2007 and has previously suspended some carbendazim product labels. The review of carbendazim is continuing.
The action does not affect maximum residue limits (MRLs) for any crops. Any decision to withdraw MRLs will be made when the review is finalised.
Carbendazim product supplied to retailers before January 25 2010 can be used according to its existing label for six months only, ending July 25, 2010. Product supplied to retailers after 25 January 2010 must be used according to the ‘new’ label.
DPI Senior Chemical Standards Officer, Steve Field, said the action affected all 18 agricultural chemicals containing carbendazim in Australia.
Mr Field said the change removed all uses (including post harvest dipping) of carbendazim on grapes, cucurbits (including melons), citrus fruit, custard apples, mango, pome fruit, stone fruit (including cherries) and turf.
"Carbendazim is also expected to be reclassified as a Schedule 7 (Dangerous Poison) product next month," Mr Field said.
"Under Victorian law, this means users must hold an appropriate licence (such as an Agricultural Chemical User Permit) and store it in a locked room or place away from children, animals, food, feedstuffs, seed and fertilisers and must not use it off-label."
When reclassified, these requirements will apply immediately.
"Chemical labels are legal documents. Victorian law provides for fines of up to $22,000 for contravening them," he said.
"Users are strongly advised not to purchase additional stocks with the expectation they can continue to use carbendazim products on deleted crops."
Mr Field said users should check the revised label instructions, even if using existing stocks of carbendazim.
Carbendazim is a systemic fungicide used to control a wide range of fungal diseases including mould, spot, mildew, scorch, rot and blight on a wide variety of food crops, ornamentals and turf.
It is also used as a timber treatment.
Users can find more information from chemical resellers, the APVMA website or DPI Chemical Standards field staff.
Good agricultural practice is to minimise the stockpiling of chemicals. Obsolete chemicals can be disposed of through the industry waste reduction schemes ChemClear (chemicals) and drumMuster (containers).
Unlock the potential in your pasture
The Dairy Extension Centre's Feeding Pastures for Profit (FPFP) program can help Gippsland farmers lift their profits by growing and utilising more high quality pasture and reducing the need for higher cost feeds.
Many farmers who have completed the program have since discovered a previously ‘unseen’ supply of ryegrass in their paddocks through the use of FPFP tools, altering their grazing management and growing more pasture in each season.
The next series of FPFP programs will be run on the following dates and locations:
· Trafalgar - Wednesdays, May 10 and 17, 2010;
· Modella - Thursdays, May 11 and 18, 2010;
· Maffra - Thursdays, May 11 and 18, 2010;
· Yarram - Tuesdays, June 1 and 8, 2010;
· Maffra - Fridays, June 4 and 11; 2010.
Interested farmers and service providers need to register with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) at least two weeks prior to commencement of each program.
For more information, contact Frank Mickan at DPI Ellinbank on (03) 5624 2259 or Jason McAinch at DPI Maffra on 5147 0839; or visit www.dairyextension.com.au
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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