Ben Congdon

Talk about finger on the pulse! WA pulse growers can protect their 2026 crops with seed testing at no cost for high-risk viruses that can impact yield, seed quality, and profits 🌾 Check out how in the comments 👇

A great day out yesterday with our local grower group! Canola virology, wheat and barley varieties, oats cropping challenge, new hervidice option in cereals and Lupins, alternative knockdown strategies and fertility legumes! Thanks to everyone that contributed!

And you may even have your Farmers Lager or Sump Oil Stout poured by the Dandanning Brewer himself!

I'd like to go on the record to say the Mukinbudin Hotel is WA's best pub. Great parmi, local beer made with local grains, chatty staff, fun vibe. 10/10 no notes.

🎧PODCAST: Aphids & viruses in broadleaf crops🎧 We talk to NSW DPIRD's aphid & virus experts, Joop van Leur, Zorica Duric & Solomon Maina on:
-Viruses: the basics & why they mutate & how they are transmitted.
-Aphids: which ones are an issue to us in winter cropping.
-Insecticide resistance.
-Management options. LINK⬇️ on.soundcloud.com/Wg9DC2p9Us5MfJ… @theGRDC @GRDCNorth @GRDCSouth @GRDCWest @ZoricaDuric @vanleurj @pennyheuston

Green peach aphid and virus update 26 June Low level GPA infestations at Amelup, Cranbrook, Kendenup. No Turnip yellows virus detected in aphids or crops. GPA also found near Tenterden, Albany, York, Northam, Cunderdin, Meckering. #PestFactsWA @GRDCWest #page=10" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">dpird.wa.gov.au/siteassets/doc…

Canola aphid & virus update at 29 May: Green peach aphid (GPA) found in canola near York - no Turnip yellows virus (TuYV) detected. GPA also trapped near Amelup (not in crop), also TuYV-negative. TuYV detected in trapped non-GPA aphids at South Stirlings. #page=4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">dpird.wa.gov.au/siteassets/doc…

First detection of Green peach aphid in 3 leaf canola crop near York. <10% plants infested. Continuing to monitor with suction, sticky and pan traps. #virusproject @DPIRDbroadacre @GRDCWest @theGRDC

We're monitoring green peach aphids (GPA) & testing for turnip yellows virus (TuYV) in canola from April to Aug 2025. After the #PestFactsWA article was published, GPA was found at Amelup & TuYV was detected in non-GPA aphids at South Stirlings. @GRDCWest #page=3" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">dpird.wa.gov.au/siteassets/doc…

Green peach aphid (GPA) detected on traps near Amelup and turnip yellows virus (TuYV) detected in non-GPA aphids caught at South Stirlings. Found nothing in crops yet but won't be long @DPIRDbroadacre @GRDCWest Latest TuYV management research - shorturl.at/GgR1N

🪲Aphids have been active in canola this autumn. Despite the wet season in NNSW, warm conditions are driving aphid spread, and rain won't suppress their numbers. Monitor paddocks closely and act early! Don’t wait for purple leaves or signs of TuYV. @NSW_AGRONOMY @GRDCNorth

Growers, keep an eye out for green peach aphid (GPA) in canola this season! Even if seed is treated with insecticide, regular monitoring is required, especially if foliar sprays are needed to manage GPA & turnip yellows virus. agric.wa.gov.au/newsletters/pe… #PestFactsWA @GRDCWest

Seed treatments cannot be solely relied upon to control green peach aphid and turnip yellows virus. Foliar insecticide may be required. Regular monitoring of plants, esp. from emergence until the 5-leaf stage, is crucial to effective foliar spray. @DPIRDbroadacre @theGRDC

Macquarie University, hosted a Virus Management Meeting, bringing together Australia’s top plant virologists working on grain viruses and their vectors. The event facilitated discussions on the latest research, emerging threats, and innovative management strategies.

One week left to apply Postdoc in Plant Virology & Vector Biology Macquarie University, Sydney Requirements: PhD in plant virology/vector biology more info: mq.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Careersa…

Soybean dwarf virus causes a leaf reddening disease in sub-clover. In the south-west of WA we have the YP strain which is transmitted primarily by the pea aphid and also green peach aphid. @meatlivestock @DPIRDbroadacre @GRDCWest See our latest article - shorturl.at/5TSGr

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Plant Virology & Vector Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia @Macquarie_Uni mq.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Careersa…

Turnip yellows virus infection levels in 23 canola crops. Testing done at ~early flowering (between 9th July to 23rd August) because TuYV can have significant seed yield and quality impact when transmission occurs prior to flowering @DPIRDbroadacre @GRDCWest #NationalVirusProject

We have detected high levels of turnip yellows virus in diseased canola crops in the Geraldton region. Green peach aphid, the vector, was first found in early July and conditions have proven conducive forTuYV spread. Images - Peter Norris. @DPIRDbroadacre @GRDCWest @theGRDC

Contrast in growth across the same canola crop. Healthy & budding prior to flowering whilst TuYV takes hold in affected patches. Green peach aphids have been sprayed with Transform but the damage is done with yield potential unknown in affected areas.