Fall Army Worm

Fall Armyworm (FAW), an opportunistic migratory pest first detected in northern Australia in 2020, has now spread to all dairying regions, including Gippsland and Tasmania. While FAW initially targeted high-value crops like maize and sorghum, it is causing severe damage to a wide range of forages and pastures, including oats, wheat, barley, ryegrass, Rhodes grass, and kikuyu, with control measures proving costly and challenging due to chemical resistance and its ability to migrate long distances. Concerns exist over the limited availability of suitable chemicals for grazing systems. This project will focus on improving dairy farm resilience and strengthening identification, preparedness, and management strategies across all regions impacted by FAW.