Summary
This study was a preliminary investigation as part of a proposed larger study on high and low pesticide use farm management practices. Specifically, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of farmer attitudes and beliefs on ectoparaciticide usage.

This study raised two issues for further research:

i) To identify groupings of farmers who are likely to be similar in their context and beliefs.

ii) To identify the important factors influencing the decisions about chemical use for each of these groups of farmers.
 
 

Summary
There is a widespread belief amongst Tasmanian wool producers that their flystrike problems are similar to those of other producers. However, data collected showed there to be wide between-producer variation in both the level of strike experienced and in the level of tolerance to strike, i.e. the point at which the number of strikes within a flock is considered to be unacceptable, and some form of preventative measure is undertaken.
 
 

Summary
In the century since flystrike became a major problem in the Australian wool industry, a significant amount of extension effort has concentrated on educating sheep managers about basic fly biology, and the protection and treatment of sheep. This study of professional Tasmanian wool producers indicates an extensive knowledge of fly control issues. However, flystrike is still perceived to be a problem, especially as most wish to reduce reliance on chemical treatments. There are a wide variety of fly management strategies in use, and further research on some of these minor issues might provide some useful adjuncts to an integrated fly control system.
 
 

Summary
Many wool producers manage their enterprise to minimise chemical usage, and to produce wool with low levels of chemical residue, an increasingly valuable aspect of wool 'quality' to both processing customers and consumers. They do so through the use of a range of non-chemical fly and lice control measures, the majority of which relate to the 'fine tuning' of sheep and general farm management in response to seasonal and market conditions. Many of these strategies seek to take advantage of microclimatic and other characteristics specific to the individual farm. While the impact of any one strategy may be small, together they can have a significant effect not only on chemical residues, but also on the overall management plan and more specifically on fly and lice control.
 
 

Summary
Queensland wool producers’ needs in relation to blowfly and louse control and minimising pesticide residues on wool were identified using a focus group approach at 22 discussion days throughout Queensland’s wool-growing districts in March 1998. Awareness of the problems associated with pesticide residues on wool was high, however issues that were closer to home, such as occupational health and safety and low wool prices, were a higher priority. Producers readily acknowledged that improvements in their management would contribute to solving problems related to parasite control and pesticide use, however they said that, among other things, conflicting, poorly targeted information prevented this. Consequently, the production and delivery of more relevant, better-targeted information emerged as a priority in meeting producer’s needs and achieving our long-term objective of assisting them to minimise pesticide residues on wool through practice change.
 
 

Summary
In 1998 a number of factors that were impeding Queensland producers from reducing their reliance on pesticides for managing blowflies and lice were identified. Many of these related to on-farm management, but producers also nominated conflicting and poorly targeted information as contributing to the problem. Based on this understanding of producers’ needs a strategy was developed for the publication of a new product that would meet the criteria of relevant, reliable, concise, user-friendly information on key topics. The product would provide all of the core information that was most needed and regularly sought by producers and advisers. An innovative approach was taken to the generation and presentation of this information, and the result is a manual that has established a new standard in the provision of information to the Queensland wool industry.
 
 

Summary
Surveys of 483 Queensland producers in 1995–1997 and 336 producers in 1998–1999 showed that there was a reduction in the use of OP and SP pesticides; an increase in the use of IGR pesticides; a reduced incidence of application of pesticides in long wool; and a reduction in the frequency of repeat applications.
 
 

Summary
With increasing concerns relating to the use of pesticides by the agricultural sector, there has been a strong focus on providing farmers with formal training in the safe and responsible use of chemicals. The status of training varies in different states including being a legal requirement or voluntary participation to achieve certification. There has been limited evaluation of formal farmer training particularly in relation to impact on farming practices.

A farmer training course has been developed to assist wool growers to implement IPM to reduce reliance on chemicals for lice and fly control. This course may provide valuable assistance for growers to minimise residues but formal evaluation should be carried out to determine the impact of such training.
 
 

Summary
With an increasing demand for products to meet safety and quality standards and a corresponding increase in the availability of a range of QA programs, many producers are confused and frustrated when it comes to making decisions about the type of QA system to implement. Considerable time can be spent to identify which system is the most appropriate for individual circumstances. One option is to examine the underlying approach used. The Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP) is one system that has been globally recognised and offers a rigorous, logical approach. A case study of a woolgrower who has implemented a HACCP based QA system provides an opportunity to examines the potential of this system for the wool industry as a whole.
 
 

Summary
Economic pressures for increasing production and reducing returns have made farmers receptive to the expanding array of chemical pest control agents. The development of resistance in pest species to the chemical control agents has encouraged a rethink about the sustainability of the high input, high dependency on pesticide farming systems. There is a growing public awareness and concern about collateral effects of pesticides on the general environment and a growing consumer demand for products that are produced in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. The Australian wool industry must be proactive and adopt IPM and promote wool as a product that is produced in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way.
 
 

Summary
An outline is provided of a proposed integrated Decision Support System (DSS) for arthropod sheep parasites (initially). The DSS would include multiple parasite species. The first component will describe the likely timing of emergence of blowflies in spring around Australia, and the effects on blow fly populations and incidence of fly strike of multiple protective products. It will address a number of performance criteria including population suppression, profitability, and sustainability as affected by resistance and effects on non-target species, and complementarities of management actions. The DSS will enable a holistic assessment of options to optimise returns on parasite control and increase the sustainability of sheep production in Australia by minimising risks from resistance and chemical residues in sheep products. Examples are given to illustrate the use of the DYMEX modelling package, which has formed the basis of the Australian IPM Modelling network. This network provides a mechanism for facilitating national approaches to Australia’s pest and disease problems, and is recommended as a vehicle for a collaborative effort to develop and apply the proposed Decision Support System.

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