Focus Area: Stewardship

• Latest pesticide resistance management advice released includes herbicide MoA changes

  July 19, 2021 12:59 pm Comments Off on Latest pesticide resistance management advice released includes herbicide MoA changes

  CropLife Australia’s Resistance Management Strategies for fungicides, herbicides and insecticides assist farmers, agronomists and environmental land managers to ensure important crop protection products remain viable and effective tools. The 2021-22 strategies are officially released today and are online now.

  Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, the national peak industry organisation for the plant science sector, Mr Matthew Cossey, said, “Crop pests, such as insects, weeds and diseases continue to be major threats to the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Australia’s farming sector. To ensure the longevity and viability of agricultural chemical products, appropriate strategies to minimise resistance must be implemented.

  “The strategies are developed as part of CropLife’s and our members’ commitment to make the most up-to-date resistance management advice freely available. They are reviewed and updated on an annual basis by scientific technical review committees in consultation with relevant national and international experts.

  “Importantly, the resistance management strategies do not replace product labels, they simply supplement them. Crop protection products must be handled and applied as specified on the registered product label or approved permit.

  “Following the label ensures user safety which is something farmers and other pesticide users need to have as top of mind. National Farm Safety Week is a good chance to be reminded about the safe use of on-farm chemicals.”

  This year’s update of CropLife Australia’s Resistance Management Strategies coincides with the launch of updated herbicide mode of action (MoA) classifications. The new classifications capture new active constituents and ensure the Australian MoA classification system is future proofed and remains globally relevant for farmers and agronomists

  Mr Cossey continued, “Farming is becoming increasingly global. Farmers, agronomists and academics around the world are now, more than ever, sharing and accessing information to assist them to grow crops, while managing sustainability issues.

  “It’s important then that the herbicide mode of action classification system in Australia is aligned with the global one.

  “The global classification system is based on numerical codes which provides infinite capacity to accommodate new herbicide modes of action coming to market. In Australia, we’ve been using letters – which clearly are not infinite.

  “Ultimately, this is about continuing best practice in modernising Australia’s farming sector and creating efficiencies for growers.”

  The new mode of action classification system will start to appear in market from early 2022 and be fully implemented by 2024.

  Mr Cossey concluded, “The plant science industry continues to invest billions of dollars into research and development of new, effective and innovative agricultural chemical products each year, allowing farmers to access economically viable and environmentally sustainable crop protection solutions.

  “This investment includes a commitment to the responsible and ethical management of industry products throughout their lifecycle.

  “Having an integrated pest management system and an effective resistance management strategy for chemical crop protection products is crucial to the long-term viability and profitability of Australian farming. I strongly encourage all farmers, spray applicators, agronomists and environmental land managers to use these strategies for important and current advice on managing resistance so crop protection products maintain their effectiveness and the life of these crucial farming tools is extended.”

  View the latest Resistance Management Strategies

  View the herbicide mode of action resources

• Resistance Management Strategies

  11:52 am Comments Off on Resistance Management Strategies

• Meet the team committed to assisting Australian agriculture for CropLife

  May 25, 2021 11:44 am Comments Off on Meet the team committed to assisting Australian agriculture for CropLife

  It has been half a century since world renowned agronomist and plant breeder Norman Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Prize for his contributions to global food security. Since then, science-based research and development, and the innovations that stemmed from it, have enabled farming to continue the Green Revolution that Dr. Borlaug started.

  Agriculture is moving beyond just improving food security to underpinning our ability globally to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. A new generation of farmers, environmentalists and policy makers will help shape how agriculture intersects with not just climate change, biodiversity and livelihoods, but also social rights, including how agriculture can improve equity in the developing world.

  As the national peak industry organisation for the plant science sector in Australia, CropLife represents the developers of agricultural chemicals and biotechnology innovations that are key to the nation’s cropping productivity, profitability and sustainability. The team, based in Canberra, seeks to achieve a strategic regulatory environment that provides the plant science industry the freedom to responsibly operate, grow and enhance its ability to support Australia’s farmers and environmental land managers through industry leadership and professional advocacy.

  Climate change has been identified as one of the biggest threats facing Australian agriculture. Dr Anne-Sophie Dielen, CropLife’s Director of Crop Biotechnology Policy reflects on this, “Changes in weather patterns and the increased number of extreme weather events have had and will continue to have a massive impact. Australian farmers are very resilient and know how to adapt to our harsh environment but these skills by themselves won’t be enough to address the challenges we are up against.

  “Crop improvement and biotechnology will play a crucial role to ensure we remain a food secure nation,” she said.

  Director of Agricultural Chemical Policy, Gregory Sekulic, is new to Australian agriculture after a decade working as an agronomy specialist at the Canola Council of Canada.

  He noted some of the underpinnings of agricultural sustainability are soil and water health, and conservation – a changing climate challenges all of these.

  It’s not all bad news though. In facing these challenges there is great hope in science and innovation. From his international perspective Mr Sekulic sees Australia as an agricultural leader.

  “From the pioneering use of zero-tillage in conservation agriculture, to proactively managing pesticide resistance through classifications, to the early adoption of genetic tools in plant breeding and crop production, I’m excited to join the Australian ag sector and contribute to an even safer, more productive and sustainable cropping industry.”

  Dr Jana Phan leads CropLife’s efforts in stewardship and sustainability and acknowledges how important the development and adoption of new technologies will be. “Australian agriculture is undergoing a transformation to ‘Agriculture 4.0.’ The plant science industry will be at the forefront as we strive to be able to increase the quantity and continually improve the quality with less.

  “New technologies are coming onto the market almost daily. We’re seeing advances in molecular and synthetic biology, soil science, robotics and engineering, and data science – just to name a few. All of these will be beneficial to Australian ag,” said Dr Phan.

  “We’re already seeing technology being embraced by farmers,” says Director of Corporate Affairs, Katherine Delbridge. “You only need to visit a farm to see just how much adoption of innovation is taking place. This planting season is the first time South Australian growers will be able to choose to grow GM crops and farmers and agronomists are getting accredited to use these biotechnology traits in spades. It’s a really exciting time for our industry.”

  Dr Dielen agrees and can’t wait to see what the next 10 years will bring in terms of new techniques and improved plant varieties. “Imagine what a difference it would make for farmers to be able to quickly adapt to changes in circumstances, during a growing season.”

  “We need to celebrate and promote the scientific advances in agriculture. We’re talking about pesticides that contribute to food safety and security, and GM and gene-edited crops that could combat environmental stresses and deliver nutritional gains for people in developing nations. These are important, life-sustaining advances that need the attention and support of our Parliamentarians,” said Ms Delbridge.

  Lucy Darragh has recently taken on the role of Manager of Crop Biotechnology Policy. She’s joined CropLife from a national grower organisation allowing her many insights into the pressure these challenges put on farmers.

  “The importance of policy and regulation for agricultural development can’t be understated. We need to make sure Australia keeps pace with the rest of world so that our farmers continue to get the best access to technology and innovation.

  “CropLife is committed to working with the broader agricultural sector, science community, governments and policy makers so everyone better understands agricultural practices, processes and associated impacts. When people are left out of shaping the solutions to the problems they face, the solutions fail.

  “I’m passionate about fostering a sustainable world and finding innovative solutions to real-world problems, policy and grassroots advocacy is an important part of this,” said Ms Darragh.

  Dr Phan is just as committed, recognising that agriculture is a melting pot for the key issues that drive her. “Agriculture isn’t just about the work that leads to us being fed and clothed. It’s got a role to play in mitigating climate change and a role to play in nutritional and health benefits for the world. I take my part in that role seriously.”

• Bee-ing responsible with BeeConnected this World Bee Day

  May 20, 2021 12:28 pm Comments Off on Bee-ing responsible with BeeConnected this World Bee Day

  As World Bee Day is celebrated, Australian beekeepers and farmers are reminded to protect our precious pollinators by using the updated and improved BeeConnected app.

  Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, the national peak industry organisation for the plant science sector, Mr Matthew Cossey, said, “Australia continues to have one of the healthiest honey bee colonies in the world. BeeConnected is an award‑winning and globally recognised example of what the Australian plant science and agriculture industry is doing to keep it this way.”

  The Chair of the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council, Mr Trevor Weatherhead AM, said the organisation is proud to partner in such an innovative tool that enables beekeepers and farmers to work together to promote efficiencies and collaboration.

  “The importance of bees and other pollinators cannot be taken for granted. Honey bees enable up to $14.2 billion of the Australian economy annually. BeeConnected aims to give beekeepers an assurance that farmers and spray contractors are committed to a cooperative approach as they all go about their work.”

  Mr Cossey continued, “BeeConnected is a crucial part of CropLife’s Pollinator Protection Initiative and another example of the plant science industry’s commitment to protecting the significant role pollinators play in Australian agriculture and the environment more broadly. The initiative provides resources for Australian farmers to ensure that pesticides are used responsibly and in a manner that minimises risk to pollinators, something our members are deeply committed to.”

  CropLife Australia, in partnership with the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council, launched BeeConnected in September 2014. The second version of the app was released in early 2021 featuring significant improvements following user feedback.

  Mr Weatherhead continued, “BeeConnected helps to improve communication and collaboration between farmers and beekeepers to reduce the risk of exposure of bees to any product used as part of normal farming practice that may have the potential to negatively impact their health.”

  Mr Cossey concluded, “With one in every three bites of food made possible by pollinators, that’s something we can all celebrate this World Bee Day.”

  About BeeConnected:

  • BeeConnected is a nation-wide, user-driven smart-phone app that enables collaboration between beekeepers, farmers and spray contractors to facilitate best-practice pollinator protection and protect Australia’s honey bee population during normal farming practices.
  • BeeConnected allows farmers to easily log the location of their properties through a Google Maps-based platform with GPS capability. Beekeepers can use the same functions to log the present or future locations of their beehives. When a beehive is logged nearby a farmer’s property, both users are sent automated notifications and can chat further about their activities via a secure internal messaging service.
  • BeeConnected is part of CropLife Australia’s Pollinator Protection Initiative which won the Best Stewardship Programme Award at the 2015 International Agrow Awards.

• 2021-22 Pre-budget submission

  January 28, 2021 3:13 pm Comments Off on 2021-22 Pre-budget submission

• Striving for change in agricultural practice

  December 8, 2020 9:53 am Comments Off on Striving for change in agricultural practice

  CropLife Australia and its members are committed to reducing incidents of off-target spray practices and spray drift of agricultural chemicals.

  That’s why CropLife partnered with the Australian Ground Sprayers Association to produce SprayBest – a best practice guide for farmers, spray applicators and environmental land managers. The guide provides the latest advice and resources required for efficient spray application and effective spray drift management.

  Crop protection products are crucial to modern integrated pest management techniques and systems. In Australia, the economic impact of weeds is estimated to be over $4.8 billion each year. It is critical that spray applicators, farmers and environmental land managers are properly equipped to use all registered crop protection products safely and responsibly.

  The application of crop protection products, whether from a ground boom sprayer, knapsack or aerial platform, needs to be properly planned and carefully executed to minimise the risk of off-target chemical movement. The most common cause of off-target movement is spray drift.

  Meaningful change in agricultural practice has been shown to result in improvements in on-target application efficiency and reduce the risk of pesticide drift occurring. However, management and minimisation of off-target spray drift is complex.

  Stewardship programs such as SprayBest enable farmers to benefit from agricultural technologies, including innovative crop protection products and biotechnology, while ensuring the health of the environment in which they operate.

  SprayBest supplements CropLife’s best practice reference guide,MyAgCHEMuse, and is an integral part of SprayPASS, the Australian Ground Sprayers Association’s stewardship program.

  SprayBest is part of CropLife’s StewardshipFirst program which is a suite of whole-of-lifecycle initiatives and programs for the plant science industry’s products.

  Find out more at our website croplife.org.au/spraybest

• Celebrating all of agriculture this #AgDayAu

  November 20, 2020 6:00 am Comments Off on Celebrating all of agriculture this #AgDayAu

  20 November 2020 marks National Agriculture Day, a chance to celebrate all that is great about Australian farming.

  Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia the national peak industry organisation for the plant science sector, Mr Matthew Cossey, said, “This year, more than any other, it’s been important to focus on how our farmers are the foundation of a stable and secure food supply. Australia is lucky that essentially all of the food that we require is Australian grown and 75 per cent of what is produced in Australia is above our own nation’s requirements and able to be exported.

  “The importance of the entire agricultural sector – including critical input industries such as the plant science sector – has been recognised in 2020 and National Agriculture Day is simply a chance for all Australians to say thank you to the primary production industries that feed and clothe the nation.

  “CropLife and all our members are incredibly proud to be part of what is a vibrant and innovative industry. CropLife member companies have worked tirelessly in demanding circumstances to ensure the production and supply of critical crop protection and GM crop products remained uninterrupted this year.

  “Even in a food-secure nation like Australia, there is room for improvement and challenges ahead. If we expect farmers to be able to do what they do best, it’s important they have access to the latest scientific innovations so they can grow our nation’s food, feed and fibre in even more environmentally sustainable ways.

  “This is something to which the plant science industry continues to dedicate itself. Maintaining and improving Australian farming’s productivity, profitability and sustainability will rely even more on scientific research and development, the resulting innovations, and the ability for farmers to access and utilise them.”

  Mr Cossey concluded, “I encourage all Australians to take a moment today to celebrate the great efforts of the nation’s farmers and recognise just how fortunate we are.”

• Strong leadership to continue for Australia’s plant science industry

  October 19, 2020 12:20 pm Comments Off on Strong leadership to continue for Australia’s plant science industry

  Mr Paul Luxton, Country Head and Managing Director, ANZ, for Syngenta, has been appointed for another term as President of Australia’s national peak industry organisation for the plant science sector, CropLife Australia.

  Mr Luxton will be joined on CropLife’s Executive by fellow industry leaders with a vast wealth of knowledge and expertise:

  • Mr Damien Ryan, Managing Director, Sipcam Pacific Australia as Vice President (Crop Protection)
  • Mr Joerg Ellmanns, Managing Director, Bayer CropScience as Vice President (Crop Biotechnology)
  • Mr Gavin Jackson, Head of Agriculture Solutions Australia and New Zealand, BASF Australia as Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee

  In addition to the Executive, the following people will serve as Directors on the CropLife Australia Board for 2020-21:

  • Mr Tony Brookes, Managing Director, Sumitomo Chemical Australia Pty Limited
  • Ms Kristina Hermanson, Managing Director ANZ, FMC Australasia Pty Ltd
  • Mr Darrin Hines, Chief Executive Officer, Adama Australia
  • Mr Rob Kaan, Managing Director Australia/NZ/Japan/Korea, Corteva Agriscience
  • Mr Peter O’Keeffe, ANZ Regional General Manager, Nufarm Australia Limited

  The Executive and Board provide important strategic guidance for CropLife, whose management team is led by Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Cossey.

  Mr Cossey said, “Through the uncertainties of 2020, the importance of agriculture and food security has been reinforced for all Australians. The dedication and skill of the nation’s farming sector has shone bright in these challenging times.

  “If we expect farmers to be able to do what they do best, it’s important they have access to the critical products and services from input industries so they can grow our nation’s food, feed and fibre.

  “This is something that the plant science industry continues to dedicate itself to. The importance of professional and dedicated advocacy for our industry is as important as ever.

  “Maintaining and improving Australian farming’s productivity, profitability and sustainability will rely even more on scientific research and development, the resulting innovations, and farmers ability to access and utilise them.

  “Our industry is continuing to invest billions of dollars in R&D every year to assist meeting the farming needs of the future.

  “CropLife Australia is fortunate to represent the best of the plant science industry. Our Board, with its passion for agriculture and plant science, and extensive industry experience, continues to be extremely valuable to guide our organisation at such a critical time,” Mr Cossey concluded.

• Join the Ag Federal Budget Breakfast livestream

  October 2, 2020 2:56 pm Comments Off on Join the Ag Federal Budget Breakfast livestream

  On Wednesday 7 October CropLife Australia will again host its Agricultural Industry Federal Budget Breakfast at the National Press Club in Canberra. A restricted COVID-safe audience of agriculture industry leaders, senior government officials and parliamentarians will hear from the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, the Hon David Littleproud MP, about the agricultural priorities within the Federal Budget.

  The event will be livestreamed from 7:40am AEDT. Join us online via Vimeo.

• A bin born from rubbish: Single use plastics given a second life

  August 24, 2020 2:04 pm Comments Off on A bin born from rubbish: Single use plastics given a second life

  Half of all plastic containers and products are designed to be used only once, before being thrown away. While the discourse in urban Australia around single use plastics may be dominated by plastic bottles, straws and shopping bags, farmers are fortunate to not be faced with an additional dilemma: What to do with empty agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemical containers.

  drumMUSTER, a recycling program of CropLife Australia’s stewardship initiative, Agsafe, has recycled upwards of 40,000 tonnes of agricultural plastic waste that would otherwise have been sent to landfill, buried or burned on farms.

  For over 20 years, drumMUSTER has been transforming plastic waste into useful, sustainable products like wheelie bins, fence posts and garden stakes. In March this year, drumMUSTER celebrated its 35 millionth agvet chemical container collected, an important milestone for one of Australia’s oldest product stewardship schemes.

  According to the 2017-18 Australian Plastics Recycling Survey, only seven per cent of agricultural sector plastics are recovered. Of that seven per cent, drumMUSTER is responsible for recycling approximately half, meaning that 50 per cent of all ag plastics recycled in Australia are done so through the program’s 800 collection sites.

  Read the full CropLinks edition.