Pasture Dieback

Pasture Dieback

Pasture dieback (PD) is developing as a natural disaster with catastrophic consequences for Queensland and Australia. The outdated estimate is that 35,000 of hectares are affected across 120 properties in Queensland. The condition was first noted in buffel grass in the 1990s and is now associated with several tropical and subtropical grasses. Grass dieback renders pasture useless for grazing and results in increased soil erosion. According to the same source, “pasture dieback is yet to be diagnosed, mainly due to insufficient staff, resources and plant pathogen expertise available to investigate the issue”.