Redlegged Earth Mite and Timerite
Red legged earthmites (RLEM) are a major pest of pastures and crops in Australia. During autumn they can have a major impact on seedling establishment. This impact flows through into pasture productivity and seed set the following spring. Using Timerite woogrowers can increase their level of control of RLEM and reduce the quantity and frequency of chemical sprays that must be applied to pasture.
Redlegged earth mite has been identified as the priority pasture pest for research and control by AWI. Redlegged Earth Mites (RLEM) are destructive pasture pests estimated to cost Australian farmers around $200 million per year in lost production.
They are found throughout areas of southern Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania with winter dormant rainfall and a dry summer.
RLEM damage plants by piercing holes in the leaf cells and sucking out the sap. This causes a silvering of the leaves. RLEM can damage pasture plants throughout all stages of growth. Seedlings are particularly vulnerable and can be killed by RLEM. However feeding on older plants can also substantially reduce dry matter production and seed yield.
Timerite
Timerite® is an online tool developed by AWI and CSIRO that provides the optimal spray date for the effective control of RLEM for your local area. By spraying on your Timerite® date in spring, optimal control is achieved in the following Autumn when annual legumes are most susceptible.
Timerite® has been tested over a period of seven years on 60 farms across southern Australia. On average a single spray at the Timerite® date in spring resulted in a 93% RLEM control in autumn eight months later.
For your property’s Timerite date and further information on RLEM and Timerite® go to www.timerite.com.au or call 1800 070 099.
Resources
Contact
For your Timerite date visit the Timerite website or call 1800 070 099.
For general enquiries:
Lu Hogan
Program Manager - Sustainable Production Systems
Tel: +61 2 8295 3100
Contact via email
Related websites
www.timerite.com.au
Publications
TIMERITE® - Insight fact sheet (PDF 448Kb)
AWI grower networks
Find out about AWI's community-based network groups in each state.