THE commercial production of a new biological agent is being sought to help control snails which continue to be a costly pest for grain growers and a risk to grain exports.
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and Charles Sturt University (CSU) require an organisation to produce and market a unique biocontrol agent based on a nematode for the control of snails and slugs.
GRDC New Farm Products and Services program manager, Paul Meibusch, says snails in particular are a significant in-crop pest issue in key southern cropping regions.
“Snails feed on emerging crops, clog up farm machinery and contaminate harvested grain,” Mr Meibusch said.
“While a range of practices have been developed that have helped many growers to manage the snail problem on their farm, these are expensive, time consuming and may not fit with the other farming practices being employed.
“Snail control methods currently include stubble management, burning and baiting.”
Mr Meibusch said the last economic study commissioned by the GRDC to assess the impact of snails on farming systems showed a direct cost to farm businesses on Yorke Peninsula and in the Lower North of South Australia was an average $59,180 per farm or $41 per cropped hectare.
He said the development and commercialisation of a biologically-based control agent had the potential to dramatically improve current control techniques and reduce farm costs.
CSU has already isolated several prospective nematode species which have shown a “basic proof of concept” and have now progressed to field trials.
GRDC-funded research has shown that certain nematodes swim in to the snail’s orifices and penetrate the gut wall. Subsequent infection kills the snail; the nematode benefits by feeding on the decomposing snail.
This CSU research project is not envisaged to finish until July 2011, and therefore there is likely to be a period of potential collaboration between the university and the commercial party.
Mr Meibusch said the commercial production of a biocontrol agent would have possible application beyond the grains industry.
“Considerable opportunity exists for the licensee to develop a range of products to suit other markets such as horticulture, which likewise suffer significant economic loss from snails and slugs,” Mr Meibusch said.
“Following a period of collaborative development with CSU, the licensee would have the exclusive rights to produce and market the snail and slug biological control product.”
Expressions of interest close at 11am (AEDT) on Tuesday, November 9, 2010. More information is available by emailing b.garrett@grdc.com.au or via www.grdc.com.au.
