Reducing disease and pest risks on farms

Despite the sunny weather and the temptation to be working outside, a handful of local landholders participated in the recent Farm Biosecurity Workshop. Partners In Grain received funding through an Australian Government Caring for our Country grant to deliver these workshops across Australia and New Zealand.

The aim of the workshop was to help farmers identify pest and disease risks to their properties and to develop strategies and activities to improve biosecurity. The basis of a sound biosecurity system is for all members of the farming community to be alert to pests and diseases that could impact on agricultural production or the environment. Undertaking control and monitoring measures can reduce the spread and impact of these risks.

Local land manager Tim Buck said that the workshop was informative and definitely worth attending.‘I liked that we were given a folder that will start the basis of our BS Plan (Biosecurity Plan). The take-home message for me was to have a clear idea of what our business wants to achieve, set up a process to achieve it, and stick by it. A BS Plan has to be practical and simple while also mitigating risks.’

Shane Bates also agreed it was valuable attending the workshop and was disappointed that more farmers didn’t participate.‘It was worth attending but there should have been more farmers there. The day reinforced what I knew about reducing biosecurity risks and reminded me what needs to be done. The biosecurity signage on the front gate is a good idea, I will implement that. It shows the community and tourists that it is important to our business,’ he said.

Biosecurity signs that tell visitors to respect farm biosecurity are available from the PIRSA office, shop 7 The Mall, Kingscote.