Predictive model for canegrub mgt

Project Title: Utilising a predictive model for the monitoring and management of canegrubs in the Mackay region

Group Name: Mount Kinchant Growers Group

• The main objective is to Improve our grub management, by the following steps:
  • Contracting a consultant to develop canegrub management plans for participating farms, based on results of monitoring grubs and grub damage, as well as economic considerations.
  • Testing these recommendations by implementing them in whole fields or in strips.
  • Evaluating the costs and benefits of the consultancy and the resulting grub management decisions.
  • Determining whether there is a place for this type of grub management strategy in the long-term on our farms.
• Use this information to promote strategic canegrub management in the sugar industry.

Project Activities:

The monitoring program and the interpretation of results will be done via a consultancy (BSES Mackay as first contact) for two years (2008 and 2009) And others if required (Independent Agricultural Resources).  The program will have the following steps:

• Initial discussion with the consultant (farm details, field history, past and expected yields, grower goals).
• Farm monitoring:
  • Checking beetle activity in different parts of each farm.
  • Sampling high-risk fields (grub-checkers) in March-April.
  • Aerial damage assessment of farm in April-July.
  • Survey of farms after harvest for gaps in ratoons caused by grub damage.
• Data interpretation, using models developed by the consultant over the last 4 years.

We will then develop management plans for our farms in both years, based on the consultant's recommendations together with our own knowledge and experience.  Where a decision is made to treat certain fields with insecticide, and particularly if there is some doubt about the best option or if we are not satisfied with the consultant's recommendation, we will leave untreated strips in otherwise treated fields.  Numbers of grubs together with bin weights the following year will be assessed to test the correctness of the treatment decision.

 Management actions and consignment of bins will be done by group members.

Records will be kept of time and money spent on this program, including the time spent with the consultant and the consultant's time in monitoring and data interpretation, the amount of insecticide used and the estimated grub losses.  We will evaluate whether we consider the consultancy and our active program of grub management have been worthwhile investments.

Contact Person: Paul Vassallo 49541365