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Rising community concern as pasture dieback impact grows in southern Queensland

Page published: March 18, 2025 | Page reviewed: March 24, 2025

In December, we highlighted the importance of staying vigilant for the signs and symptoms of pasture dieback. Since then, a surge in enquiries from landholders across the region has made it clear that concern is rapidly increasing. With the impact of dieback spreading into new areas, producers who once considered it a low risk are now facing significant production losses.

This increased concern was evident at the recent Pasture Dieback Field Day at Tannymorel, near Killarney, which saw a huge turnout of over 80 participants. The strong attendance reflected the urgency felt by the community to understand and manage this threat. DPI experts, Gavin Peck and Ted Callanan, shared valuable insights on identifying dieback, its impacts, and strategies to reduce short and long term pasture decline.

A group of producers in a paddock in the late afternoon, talking and crouching down inspecting the pasture.
Inspecting the pasture at the Tannymorel pasture dieback information day.

 

Forty participants gathered at the Upper Yarraman Farmers Hall on 22nd March to discuss pasture dieback and how forward planning can help protect their production. Instead of waiting for dieback to take hold, the group was keen to meet it head on by diversifying pastures and planting more tolerant species to reduce the impact on kikuyu dominant pastures. While they were already aware of the risks to kikuyu, a key takeaway from the day was learning that dieback also impacts other common species in the area. This new understanding will support their forward planning, helping them choose more tolerant pasture species.

Group of graziers standing in the paddock with one man on his knees inspecting the pasture and speaking into a microphone.
Pasture dieback information day at Upper Yarraman.

With the recent rain in SEQ, mealy bug activity is expected to quickly increase, posing a renewed threat to pastures leading into winter. Regular pasture checks and proactive management of areas showing signs of collapse are essential.

Check out the FutureBeef event calendar for more events on pasture dieback in Southern Queensland.

These events are part of the Queensland Pasture Resilience Program—a partnership between the Department of Primary Industries, Meat & Livestock Australia, and the Australian Government through the MLA Donor Company.

Visit our pasture dieback page or more information including:

  • identification
  • management
  • reporting
  • research findings
  • regular industry updates