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Healthy Waterways and Catchments Report Card Released

Turf Queensland attended the release of the 2016 healthy waterways report card for the southern area in Tambourine which covered the total of Southeast Queensland and has now been released. Find out the conditions and benefits of your local waterways now by clicking on the links below.

NB: It was interesting that this organisation has promoted the fact it has done well with all catchments improving, but then on the other hand also advised that the rainfall being down 70% assisted with the lack of run-off improving the various creeks and rivers and catchments.

Generally they advise that the main problem and source of sediment/nutrient pollution is from:

• Urban Catchments through exposed areas such as roads, construction sites and newly cleared areas.
• Rural Catchments through channel erosion, including stream bank and gully, particularly in areas with less riparian vegetation and those with highly erosive soils

Obviously this will play into the hands of the turf producer/supplier as natural turfgrass is a proven erosion control product that should be backed up by the Australian erosion control standards when they are completed shortly.

Adult black beetles invade turf environments during spring every year. They do some damage by feeding on the stems and roots of the grass plant, but generally this damage is not severe enough to warrant a beetle spray to control. When the moisture in the soil is suitable, the Beatles mate under the surplus and the female lays up to 80 eggs, about 25- 30 mm below the surface.

Timeframe

This usually occurs between the 3^rd week in October and the 2^nd week in December. They begin feeding on organic matter in the root zone, initially near the surface then moved deeper as they grow.

Damage

Most significant damage is caused to turf during mid-summer by the 2^nd and 3^rd instars. They damage roots, limiting the plant’s capacity to take up water and nutrients and extensive areas may turn Brown and die off, particularly if moisture is less than adequate.

Treatment

There are a number of control options and should be discussed with your local Turf Queensland producer or chemical supplier.

Traditionally, we see more lawn grub activity during the warmer months of October through to March and the greenest, healthiest lawns are the ones most likely to be attacked. If you have a Couch, Fescue or Kikuyu lawn you do have a greater chance of a grub attack, if you have a buffalo lawn –then we normally find that the damage is minimal and the lawn quickly recovers.

Increased bird activity on your lawn

One of the most easily spotted symptoms is an increase in bird activity on your lawn as these grubs make a great snack.

Greyish-brown moths

Small, greyish brown moths fly around looking out for the healthiest lawn to leave their eggs on, giving their larvae the best chance of survival. These moths can be seen flying around just above the grass normally around dusk. These moths lay their eggs en masse, and in 2–5 days these eggs become grub larvae. These caterpillars are the critters doing the damage as they spend between 18–24 days chewing through your beautiful lawn before becoming pupae and around 5–8 days later moths and so the cycle begins again!

Brown patches in your lawn

As your lawn recovers from the winter chill and spring sees your lawn becoming greener, especially after your spring fertilising, keep an eye out for brown patches that stay brown. You can lift some of the grass in the patched and if lawn grubs are the culprit you’ll find that the grass will roll up like a carpet, as it has no roots.

Now the important bit: How to treat lawn grubs

So how do you fix it? If you suspect you have lawn grubs there are various treatments available. There are plenty of pest controls available on the market. It’s good to keep in mind that it can take a while to break up the cycle so you want to look for something that is going to remain in the soil. With other treatments a second application may be necessary.

•  Our thanks to Lawn Solutions Australia for this information.

The following case studies are the result of three pilot turf farms in South East Queensland,  undertaking the RWUE-IF farm assessments and improvements from recommendations provided as a result of irrigation, energy, fertiliser assessments, farm mapping, moisture monitoring and scheduling irrigation processes undertaken on the three farms.

Initial base line data was gathered at the commencement of the project.  Uptake of recommendations implemented in line with farm management plans.  Some recommendations were undertaken outside of the initial time frame.  Benefits to the three farms can be seen within the case studies.

Three more pilot farms are currently being assessed in northern Queensland (Cairns, Townsville, Mackay) .  Due to variations in climate, soils and species.  This project is due for completion June 2017.

This program is supported by the Queensland government department of Natural Resources and Mines. 

[prettyfilelink src=”http://www.qtpa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Farm-1-Case-Study-FINAL-ex-NRM-041115.pdf” type=”pdf”]Farm 1 Case Study FINAL ex NRM 041115[/prettyfilelink]

[prettyfilelink src=”http://www.qtpa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Farm-2-Case-Study-TQ-V3-071115.pdf” type=”pdf”]Farm 2 Case Study TQ V3 071115[/prettyfilelink]

[prettyfilelink src=”http://www.qtpa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/FARM-3-Case-Study-Final-ex-NRM-081115.pdf” type=”pdf”]FARM 3 Case Study Final ex NRM 081115[/prettyfilelink]

The turf production industry over time has undertaken extensive research that clearly indicates consumers value the many benefits of natural turfgrass and that the majority of consumers are willing to pay anywhere between $10 and $20 per metre for the supply of good quality turfgrass. The following survey on current pricing has been undertaken and of value to Queensland producers.

Peter and Brooke Williamson advised that their turf farm (Wide Bay Turf) in Maryborough is up for sale.  For further information download the brochure below.[prettyfilelink src=”http://www.qtpa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/1-pg-TEMP-BROCHURE1.pdf” type=”pdf”]1 pg TEMP – BROCHURE[/prettyfilelink]