Updated Resistance Management Strategies highlight industry commitment to responsible product stewardship

CropLife Australia, the national peak body for the plant science sector, has today released the official update for Resistance Management Strategies for fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides in 2026. The Strategies provide the latest guidance to help Australian farmers and environmental land managers maintain the long-term effectiveness of crop protection and pesticide products.

The updated strategies have been reviewed by CropLife’s expert committees, in consultation with relevant national and international experts. They are now accessible online, empowering product users with the most current guidelines and recommendations to tackle resistance challenges.

Without proactive management, pesticide resistance can develop quickly across all production and environmental regions. The updated strategies are a valuable resource for anyone using pesticides to protect yield, quality and profitability, or to manage native landscapes.

“Protecting the effectiveness of crop protection products has never been more important as growers adapt to shifting pest pressures and a changing climate,” said Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia. “Strong stewardship today is essential to ensuring growers retain access to modern crop protection tools to meet future farming and climate challenges.”

“Australian agriculture is forecast to generate a record $101 billion in production value for 2025-26, including around $54 billion in crop production. As farmers and environmental land managers face increasing pressure from pests, weeds and diseases in a changing climate, strong resistance management is critical to maintaining productivity, food security and the affordability of fresh food as well as protecting Australia’s precious natural environment.”

The plant science industry makes substantial investments in the development and annual update of Resistance Management Strategies, ensuring they reflect the latest scientific knowledge, based on the most up-to-date data. These strategies provide growers with clear, science-based guidance to help manage resistance risks and maintain the effectiveness of crop protection tools.

They focus on:

• Using multiple modes of action across the season to interrupt resistance pathways.
• Avoiding dependence on single-site products.
• Ensuring interventions occur at the optimal timing and rate.
• Integrating crop protection solutions with broader on-farm management practices and Integrated Pest Management principles.

“These strategies give farmers access to the latest science-based advice on resistance management,” said Mr Cossey. “Using them as part of an integrated approach will help protect yields, maintain productivity and preserve the effectiveness of essential crop protection products.”

By following these recommendations and strictly adhering to product label instructions, Australian farmers can help safeguard the long-term effectiveness of crop protection products, supporting resilient farming systems and sustainable agricultural productivity for the future.

The 2026 strategies are now available for free via StewardshipFirst.com.au, with an intuitive search function by crop, pest or product type.

Mr Cossey concluded, “Maintaining the effectiveness of crop protection products requires ongoing investment in science, innovation and stewardship. CropLife Australia and its members are committed to equipping pesticide product users with the latest knowledge and advice needed to manage resistance and support productive, sustainable farming systems for the future.”

ENDS