Bugged farmers find solution to pests is just a few clicks away

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
28/07/2009
Bugged farmers find solution to pests is just a few clicks away

Weighty old 'ute guides' traditionally used by farmers to identify pests and diseases in their crops will soon become obsolete, replaced by new electronic pocket technology.

Member for Ipswich Wayne Wendt launched the information guide today at the Queensland nursery industry's Spring Green Expo '09 on the Gold Coast.

"The electronic guide was developed by Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPIF) and Nursery and Garden Industry Queensland (NGIQ)," Mr Sendt said.

"For any farmer an outbreak of a pest or disease in their crop can be an expensive problem which, unless dealt with quickly, can result in substantial losses in yield and profitability.

"For years farmers kept weighty identification guides-often referred to as 'ute guides'-in their glove box to help them identify pests and diseases in the field.

"But technology is catching up t hanks to a project by NGIQ and QPIF, farmers now have a more convenient and better quality tool for early detection.

Mr Wendt said the Pests, diseases, disorders and beneficials in ornamentals - field identification guide is a software package, an electronic copy of the old 'ute guide.'

"Information on pests and diseases can now be accessed through the browser on most Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) devices and some types of Smartphones," he said.

"These handy devices can not only store a lot of information, they also have search facilities and can zoom in on insect images for speedy identification.

"So this vital information is now literally at farmers' fingertips."

Mr Wendt said the first guide to be developed was funded by NGIQ for use in the Queensland nursery industry.

"It was initially developed for use by nursery industry development officers," he said.

"They've been able to provide feedback to ensure the guide is user friendly and convenient for farmers to use out in the field.

"The guide is now available to growers, consultants and industry members of all sectors of the ornamentals industry and to other primary producers.

Mr Wendt said QPIF is looking into expanding the initial guide to make more information available to assist primary producers from all sectors.

"The current package takes up 50 MB of memory but with some cards having 4 GB there is potential for farmers to have huge volumes of information on hand through their mobile phone or PDA," he said.

"It may soon be possible to have a complete guide for known crop pests and diseases on every farmer's mobile phone in the country."

The Pests, diseases, disorders and beneficials in ornamentals - field identification guide is available from NGIQ for $29.95. Phone 3277 7900.

For more information contact the Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.

Permanent Link: Bugged farmers find solution to pests is just a few clicks away
Publish Date: 29 Jul 09