Exotic Plant Pest Hotline
Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline

Biosecurity

Farm biosecurity is a set of measures designed to protect a property from the entry and spread of pests and diseases. Farm biosecurity is your responsibility and that of every person visiting or working on your property.

Biosecurity practices

This section details biosecurity principles for aspects of grain farm operations.

Assess the strengths and weaknesses of your farm using the Biosecurity Best Practice Checklist and make a biosecurity plan to address any gaps that might leave you at risk.

Farm biosecurity practices

  • Crop monitoring

  • Reporting unusual pests and diseases

  • Managing people movement

  • Managing vehicles and equipment

  • Product management

  • Managing risks posed by livestock and feed

Monitoring the health of your crops is a fundamental part of crop production and gives you the best chance of spotting a new pest or disease.

You, your workers or an agronomist should be checking paddocks on a regular basis. Early detection is important for controlling pests.

Read more

Prompt reporting is vital to minimise the long-term impact of exotic pests on your farm and the grains industry as a whole.

Australia has one of the strictest border control systems in the world but there is always the chance that an exotic pest will make it into the country. The numbers of passengers and imported goods is increasing, and a serious exotic pest of the grains industry might only be a day’s flight away.

Read more

People can carry weeds, pests and diseases onto and around your property without realising it. Pests can be spread in soil and on plant material on vehicles, equipment, footwear and clothing.

There are simple steps that you can take to minimise the risk these movements pose.

Read more

Any machinery or vehicles coming onto your property, whether it is hired, borrowed, second-hand, contractor’s machinery, or privately owned can spread pests, diseases and weeds.

Vehicles can spread pests in soil and plant material.

Read more

Good biosecurity practices are important at every step of product management; from ensuring seed is pest and weed free, to the responsible use of chemicals, and good grain storage practices.

Read more

Pests and weeds can be easily introduced and spread onto the farm when you bring in grain, fodder or livestock.

Read more

  • Crop monitoring

    Monitoring the health of your crops is a fundamental part of crop production and gives you the best chance of spotting a new pest or disease.

    You, your workers or an agronomist should be checking paddocks on a regular basis. Early detection is important for controlling pests.

    Read more

  • Reporting unusual pests and diseases

    Prompt reporting is vital to minimise the long-term impact of exotic pests on your farm and the grains industry as a whole.

    Australia has one of the strictest border control systems in the world but there is always the chance that an exotic pest will make it into the country. The numbers of passengers and imported goods is increasing, and a serious exotic pest of the grains industry might only be a day’s flight away.

    Read more

  • Managing people movement

    People can carry weeds, pests and diseases onto and around your property without realising it. Pests can be spread in soil and on plant material on vehicles, equipment, footwear and clothing.

    There are simple steps that you can take to minimise the risk these movements pose.

    Read more

  • Managing vehicles and equipment

    Any machinery or vehicles coming onto your property, whether it is hired, borrowed, second-hand, contractor’s machinery, or privately owned can spread pests, diseases and weeds.

    Vehicles can spread pests in soil and plant material.

    Read more

  • Product management

    Good biosecurity practices are important at every step of product management; from ensuring seed is pest and weed free, to the responsible use of chemicals, and good grain storage practices.

    Read more

  • Managing risks posed by livestock and feed

    Pests and weeds can be easily introduced and spread onto the farm when you bring in grain, fodder or livestock.

    Read more

Six easy ways to protect your farm

Here are six simple, routine farm practices to reduce the risk of new pests entering and establishing on your farm. Each practice should be embedded in everyday management activities.

  • Be aware of biosecurity threats to your crop

    Make sure you and your farm workers are familiar with the most important grains pest threats – exotic and established. Conduct biosecurity induction sessions to explain required hygiene practices for people, equipment and vehicles on your farm.

  • Ensure your seed is pest-free, and preferably certified

    Ensure all seed and other farm inputs (eg fodder) are fully tested, visually checked and preferably certified pest free.

  • Maintain good farm hygiene

    Take care to prevent the entry and movement of pests onto your farm. Provide a designated visitor’s parking area, and cleaning facilities for people (hand wash, footbath) and vehicles, to ensure that workers, visitors, vehicles and equipment are free from pests before they enter and leave your farm.

  • Check for pests frequently, both in-crop and in stored grain

    Monitoring your crops frequently for pests will help you and your staff to notice anything unusual. Keep written and photographic records of all unusual observations. Constant vigilance is essential for early detection of any exotic plant pest threat.

  • Abide by biosecurity legislative regulations

    Support and be aware of laws, regulations and quality assurance systems established to protect your farm, the organic industry, the grains industry and Australian agriculture.

  • If you see anything unusual, report it!

    If you suspect a new pest – report it immediately to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881.

Our role in biosecurity

The Grains Farm Biosecurity Program is an initiative to improve the management of, and preparedness for, biosecurity risks in the grains industry at the farm and industry levels.