Be careful when buying hay and grain from Interstate
Biosecurity can prevent Anthracnose threatening NSW’s lupin industry
Source: NSW DPI
Lupin anthracnose is the most destructive fungal disease of lupins worldwide, found in every lupin producing region globally, except in NSW and Victoria. NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has issued warnings about lupin seed for sowing, stock feed and fodder from Western Australia and South Australia being prohibited in NSW as it is a pathway for introduction of anthracnose.
All sectors of the industry (farmers, transport, traders and processors) play an important role in continuing to keep this disease out, to the benefit of growers. Lupin growers in NSW are at an advantage in terms of the lupin varieties that can be grown and lower costs of production, as there is no need to apply foliar fungicides.
The advantage can be easily lost if lupin anthracnose gets established in NSW, with research showing that 1 infected seed in 10, 000 is enough to cause a disease epidemic, in a suitable season. The drought in NSW has prompted a lot of fodder movement into the state, and NSW DPI and Local Land Services are working together to facilitate the movement whilst managing the risk of pests, diseases and weeds.
Quarantine restrictions put in place in 1997 by NSW Agriculture have been highly effective in protecting NSW lupin producers from anthracnose entry and establishment in NSW.
Monitoring for anthracnose has been on-going in NSW since 1996 when the disease was first detected in WA.
By being biosecurity aware, the industry can protect itself from this serious disease.
Farmers and processors buying hay and grain originating from WA or SA should ask for a vendor declaration that states it does not contain any lupin material. If not sure of the origin of the grain or hay, ask your supplier to confirm.
Please contact NSW DPI for more information or if you suspect illegal movement of lupin material into NSW by calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 or email biosecurity@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
Penalties apply for illegal imports of lupin material into NSW from Western and South Australia.
For advice on managing biosecurity risks and understanding entry requirements for NSW visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/feed-and-fodder.