By Kym McIntyre, Grains Biosecurity Officer, Queensland
Field days provide invaluable opportunities for growers, agricultural professionals and extension workers to learn about the latest farming technology, different seed varieties and techniques to boost production.
These events are a hive of activity with people and vehicles moving around, creating opportunities for hitchhiking pests and diseases to spread.
Key biosecurity risks for field days include:
Managing these risks can be simple, safeguarding all involved in hosting and attending field days.
Top 10 biosecurity tips for field days:
There are several risks involved if farm biosecurity is not considered such as introducing a new pest to an area with associated control and management issues, which could possibly become a long-term problem.
Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility, which means organisers, growers and visitors are obligated to minimise biosecurity risks to ensure the future of Australia’s grains industry.
The Grains Farm Biosecurity Program (GFBP) developed a fact sheet to explain how to prevent field days and on-site trials from becoming occasions to spread pests and weeds.
The GFBP is an initiative to improve the management of, and preparedness for, biosecurity risks in the grains industry at the farm and industry levels. Visit the Grains Farm Biosecurity website for more information, latest news and helpful resources about grains farm biosecurity.
If you see anything unusual, please report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
For more information on how to implement farm biosecurity practices on your property contact one of the Grains Biosecurity Officers (GBOs) in your region.