Many are the reason that farmers are reducing chemical usage- rising chemical costs, tightening regulations and reduced registrations of chemicals are an obvious and immediate incentive. Then there are the problems that farm chemicals cause to the soil and surrounding environment and to human health. On top of this is the increased transparency in food marketing that allows consumers to choose products grown under more environmentally friendly practices. These pressures face farmers all over the world, and many are turning to cultural and biological farming practices to help deal with insect pest and weed problems.
BioResEd have been working with growers of tree crops in northern NSW and QLD to carefully design and manage on-farm non-crop vegetation to target pest problems, increase pollination, restore depleted soils, increase soil health and overall farm productivity. Reduced insecticide and fertiliser inputs are just two of the benefits of adopting these practices. Whilst this approach can take a transition time for growers who have been farming under conventional practices, growers that have made the transition have seen excellent results.
