Sustainable Farming Disc Group – preying on pasture pests with biodiversity

Our next Sustainable Farming Discussion Group farm walk will revisit the final results of the ‘pasture pests trial’ at Tony & Sue Morgan’s farm at Bayles.

Over 2 years, Melbourne Water in partnership with Orchard End Farm has been looking at management practices that can be used to reduce problem pasture pests such as Lucerne Flea & Red Legged Earth Mite. Pasture invertebrate pests can be misdiagnosed and therefore control measures often don’t solve the problem.

This event will be held in the paddock so participants can look at the multi-species crop, discuss the results from moving away from traditional pasture to diverse cover crops, grazing management of the multi-species and next phase to restore a degraded paddock to a ‘biodiversity haven’ for insectivorous birds and predatory beneficial insects.

Field presenters:
Karen Thomas (Melbourne Water)
Tony Morgan (Orchard End Farm)
Jade Killoran (Healthy Farming Systems)
Jessica Page ( Biological Research Company)
Mick Green (Drift Media)

Topics covered:

• Wrong way, go back!- Renovating degraded pastures and what happens when decision making and weather aren’t aligned?
• When pests ‘bug you’- Pasture pests and when are they a problem?
• What is the role of multi-species cover cropping as part of a solution?
• The hunger games- Selecting multi-species based on a least preferred ‘salad mix’ for pasture pests.
• What can you do when the paddock says ‘nay’- Constructing a wetland as part of the biodiversity solution and paddock restoration.
• The role of insectivorous birds and biodiversity for pasture integrated pest management (IPM).
• When technology gives you a light bulb from above- Using technology to monitor problem paddocks, create solutions and watch it grow!

When: Mon 25th March
Time: 10-10:30am – Morning tea (provided)
10:30am-1pm Farm walk and discussion
Location: Orchard End Farm 55 Number Five Drain Rd, Bayles (situated off Longwarry-Kooweerup Rd)

Please RSVP karen.thomas@melbournewater.com.au