The current estimated yield loss due to grain crop diseases across Australia is $2.523 billion per annum, even with existing control measures such as genetic resistance and fungicides. Without these measures, the estimated loss would rise to $5.569 billion (GRDC Disease and Pest Impact Overview 2024), highlighting the critical importance of effective disease management strategies. With a national harvest revenue of $24.503 billion, disease still impacts approximately 10% of yield despite current interventions. GRDC’s investment of approximately $122 million in disease control reflects its commitment to addressing this challenge through research in genetic resistance, fungicide resistance, disease epidemiology and development of integrated disease management (IDM) strategies.
While fungicide resistance sensitivity have been identified in Australian grain crops since 2010, they represent just one aspect of a broader disease management landscape. In response to the growing threat, and to help growers manage the risk, the Australian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network (AFREN) was established in 2019. AFREN has successfully connected regional plant pathologists, fungicide experts, and extension specialists to support growers and advisors through publications and workshops focused on sustainable fungal disease management.
An independent review of AFREN recommended expanding the scope of the extension activities to include all key crop diseases, not just those related to fungicide resistance. It also emphasised the value of behavioural science and refined communication methods to enhance grower engagement and broaden adoption of best practise disease management.
The GRDC Disease Management Extension Network will build on the successful foundations established through previous investments, while evolving to meet broader industry needs. This next phase will encompass all major crop diseases – including those caused by soil-borne pathogens – and will integrate behavioural science and extension expertise to deliver impactful, practical and scalable Integrated Disease Management (IDM) strategies for grower adoption.