Biosecurity stepped up in lupin crops

LUPIN crops have been given the all clear for lupin anthracnose disease.

The news comes following a joint NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Local Land Services biosecurity surveillance operation found no sign of the disease in NSW. NSW DPI pulse pathologist, Kurt Lindbeck, said lupin anthracnose was first detected in NSW commercial crops in October 2016.

“Surveys across the state have been part of an ongoing plan to eradicate the disease in NSW,” Dr Lindbeck said. 

A total of 38 LLS and seven NSW DPI staff took part in the operation, which inspected 92 albus and narrowleaf lupin crops, and covered 9800 hectares. In 2016, six farms in the Cootamundra-Gundagai, Coolamon and Junee shires were confirmed to have anthracnose.