Grains Biosecurity Officer Profile

Biosecurity surveillance is an essential component of the Australian grains biosecurity system. It prevents the entry, establishment, and spread of new grain pests which is vital in supporting the international competitiveness and ultimate profitability of the grains industry.

As the winter crop ripens rapidly in the southern state’s grain belt, thoughts of managing the harvest are front of mind for grain growers. Contractors employed to assist with your harvest management activities need to be aware of your farm biosecurity standards and expectations, to manage the risk of introducing hitchhiker pests, weeds, and diseases onto your property.

Have you purchased a used sea container for your home, farm or business, even if it was years ago? If so, keep a vigilant eye out for khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) a beetle that can survive in sea containers for many years. Due to its small size, fondness for cracks and crevices and ability to survive without food for extended periods, this hitchhiker pest can travel to Australia inside sea containers.

Annually, more than $5 billion dollars is spent by Australian grain growers on controlling weeds, plant diseases and invertebrate pests. Implementing good farm biosecurity practices is a proven way to take control and reduce these costs. Managing the movement of people, vehicles and machinery on the farm is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of pests and diseases.

The pandemic has taught people more about biosecurity with measures such as movement restrictions, contact tracing, and proof of vaccination to reduce the transmission of the virus. Agriculture Victoria Grains Biosecurity Officer Jim Moran said these same measures also apply to good farm biosecurity at harvest time.

Finals time – like spring – is in the air and just like your favourite local sports team, farmers are starting to focus on going all the way after a strong season of preparation, hard work and honing tactics. Agriculture Victoria Grains Industry Biosecurity Officer Jim Moran said winter crops were reaching a critical growth stage and, just like sports finals, would require “match-winning tactics” from farmers to achieve the best possible returns.

Biosecurity gate signs provide an immediate signal to all visitors to your property that you take biosecurity seriously, and so should they. These gate signs indicate to visitors that there are movement restrictions in place, including property zoning to protect your production areas.

It has never been easier to access information, whether it’s credible or not. With a constant stream of information coming your way, it is also very easy to surround yourself with people who agree with you and news that you want to hear.

The Sentinel Silo Surveillance program in Victoria has been operating for two years to monitor for the exotic Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) which is a serious pest of stored grain.

With challenging and dry conditions prevailing this year, Grains Biosecurity Officer Jim Moran recommends staying one step ahead of pests by using farm biosecurity practices before and during sowing.

The biosecurity signs being used by more and more producers to warn others that the owner is serious about biosecurity were shown to have another use in emergencies.