Centre for Crop and Disease Management

24/06/2026

24/06/2026

🔬 Reduced fungicide sensitivity detected in barley loose s**t
Early signs of reduced sensitivity to SDHI (Group 7) fungicides have been found in barley loose s**t across Australian grain-growing regions.

CCDM researchers have identified a new genetic mutation linked to this reduced sensitivity — the first time this change has been reported in this disease anywhere in the world.

What does this mean in the paddock?
This is not widespread fungicide failure. Seed treatments and current management are still effective.

However, it does show the pathogen is starting to adapt, which can lead to reduced performance over time if the same fungicides are used repeatedly.

Key takeaway: stay proactive, not alarmed.

To reduce risk and protect fungicide performance:
• Avoid relying on one fungicide group (rotate modes of action where possible)
• Manage barley loose s**t through crop rotation and paddock hygiene
• Use clean, tested seed to limit disease carryover
• Choose less susceptible varieties if available
• Apply seed dressings based on risk — not as a default

Early detection like this gives growers and advisers time to adjust management and stay ahead of resistance.

👏 Ongoing monitoring and industry collaboration are critical to protecting fungicide longevity and keeping control options working.

Read more here:https://buff.ly/hih2eyR

Grains Research and Development Corporation Curtin University Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Primary Industries and Regional Development The University of Queensland University of Southern Queensland - Australia

23/06/2026

🌾 Yorke Peninsula growers – how’s the start of the season going for you?
In this video, hear from Jake Rademacher (Growers Supplies Agronomist, Warooka SA) and Mark Gibberd (CCDM Director) as they unpack the current issues of the season and what growers can be considering.

Despite earlier concerns around predicted Super El Niño and high fertiliser and diesel prices, Jake says the season has started positively, supported by good rainfall and strong soil moisture.🚜

Disease pressure also remains a consideration. Jake advises growers to continue monitoring crops closely for diseases such as net form net blotch in barley and to seek advice on fungicide resistance and application timing. 🦠

📰 Read the full seasonal update update here: https://buff.ly/gLcN2zl
💻 Sign up to the CCDM Spotlight newsletter to catch the next update: https://buff.ly/RjcSHk2

Grains Research and Development Corporation Curtin University Curtin Molecular and Life Sciences

22/06/2026

These fact sheets provide an overview of the basic principles of nitrogen fixation and management tips to capture the benefits in crop legumes for the southern, northern and western regions.

🌱 Crop legumes in Australia fix about 110 to 120 kg N/ha on average annually.
🌱 An estimated 250,000 tonnes of nitrogen, with a nominal value of $380 million, was fixed by crop legumes in 2023.
🌱 Growing crop legumes in rotation with cereals can reduce the fertiliser nitrogen (N) requirement of following crops and improve crop productivity.

Download them now:
Southern https://bit.ly/449Kat6
Northern https://bit.ly/3QouFdE
Western https://bit.ly/4uxr6Qb

19/06/2026

🌏 Seasonal Update June 2026 🌱
The 2026 growing season is underway, and for many Australian growers it’s been a challenging start. Rising fertiliser and diesel costs continue to put pressure on farm budgets—but there are also encouraging signs emerging across the country.

CCDM has gathered updates from across Australia to provide a snapshot of how the season is shaping up so far:
- Strong soil moisture in some regions
- Early signs of healthy green canopies
- Emerging disease risks to keep an eye on

Hear directly from agronomists on what they’re seeing in the paddock and CCDM's Centre Director's response:
🌾 Jake Rademacher — Growers Supplies, Warooka (SA)
🌾 Elizabeth Lobsey — Meteora Agronomic Consulting, Dalby (Qld)
🌾 Sean Randell — Consult Ag, Esperance (WA)
🌾 Emma Ayliffe — Summit Ag, Condobolin & Lake Cargelligo (NSW)
🌾 Brenden Smith — WesternAG, Ballarat (Vic)
🌾 Mark Gibberd — CCDM Director

Explore how each region is tracking and the key disease concerns for this season.
👉 Read the full update: https://buff.ly/gLcN2zl
👉 Stay up to date by subscribing to CCDM Spotlight: https://buff.ly/2vp3qJi

Grains Research and Development Corporation Curtin University, Curtin Molecular and Life Sciences

16/06/2026

Growers in the far eastern wheatbelt of WA will benefit from two new GRDC investments exploring long coleoptile wheat, deep-seeded crops and deep phosphorus fertiliser placement.

The new investments led by SLR Agriculture and Merredin and Districts Farm Improvement Group are a direct result of grassroots grower engagement through the National Grower Network (NGN), with both projects arising out of an NGN forum in the eastern wheatbelt in October 2025.

Read more ▶️ https://bit.ly/4uU0Mkt

11/06/2026

09/06/2026

08/06/2026

🐁 Use these mouse chew cards to measure mouse numbers within the crop when food is scarce. They are less reliable as crops mature and the crop becomes more attractive to mice than the chew card.

How to use mouse chew cards

1️⃣ Print this sheet and cut up the 4 cards shown here.

2️⃣ Soak the cards in 80% canola and 20% linseed oil. Ensure you have enough bent wire pegs available to pin them to the ground.

3️⃣ Select a few paddocks that are representative of your farm to do the monitoring.

4️⃣ Place mouse chew cards approximately 50m in from the edge of the paddock. Peg each chew card to the ground in a line of 10 cards spaced at 10m intervals. If cards are placed to follow the furrows it will be easy to find the cards again the next morning.

5️⃣ While walking through the paddock, look for signs of fresh mouse activity or damage.

6️⃣ Retrieve the chew cards the following morning and assess for evidence of mouse damage:

🐁 If fewer than 10 squares per card are eaten there is low-moderate mouse activity.
🐁🐁 If more than 10 squares per card are eaten overnight (on average across the 10 cards) there is moderate to high mouse activity, with possibility of some damage.
🐁🐁🐁 If more than 20 squares per card are consumed (on average across the 10 cards) there is high to very high mouse activity, damage is likely and there is probably an ongoing mouse problem.

Instructions & download ▶️ https://bit.ly/4dSRNbO

02/06/2026

Farm dams can experience leaks or total failure for several reasons.

Dry conditions present a window to look at repair options, but not all dams are going to be suitable for restoration.

Want to learn about what to consider when repairing a dam? Read on: https://go.vic.gov.au/49rJcLU