Plant pathologist working with DPIRD in the midwest of Western Australia. Views expressed are my own and not my employers
Joined March 2016
- Tweets 702
- Following 469
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101 Photos and videos
Monitor mouse activity by counting active burrows or using chew cards where appropriate. 2 to 3 active burrows on avg per 10m x 10m are cause for concern prior to sowing. Burrows can be hidden under stubble. Info from @CSIRO @theGRDC Mouse Forecast March 2026
Rising mouse reports out of WA are a timely warning as seeding approaches.
Early signs matter. Monitoring paddocks now can make all the difference if numbers build quickly.
GPA podcast with CSIRO’s Steve Henry adds further insight.
More: grainproducers.com.au/post/r…
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Mar 16
Congratulations @CuongVHan on fascinating research
NEW PUBLICATION from CCDM!
Our team has uncovered a WA soil microbiome that naturally suppresses Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.
Read here 🔗 buff.ly/G17eMUN
@theGRDC @CurtinUni, @CuongVHan @Duong_Thuy_Vu @SJB_Ag @Curtin_TrEnD
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Ciara Beard retweeted
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 👇
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Ciara Beard retweeted
Mar 4
At the national Canola Pathology Workshop we heard from DPIRD WA’s Harry Eslick on the latest BlacklegCM developments including predicting autumn risk nationally for growers. @theGRDC @DPIRDbroadacre
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Feb 13
Excited to be part of this new research in WA
Feb 3
@DPIRDbroadacre, with @theGRDC and national collaborators, is leading Research Area 3 (Integrated Management) of the Soilborne Disease Initiative—tackling Sclerotinia, Rhizoctonia, crown rot and root lesion nematodes with integrated, economic solutions for WA growers. #SBDIP3
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Ciara Beard retweeted
The Crop Protection team has delivered an outstanding year of innovation and impact across multiple projects and trials. Read about our Top 5 highlights in the November issue of #ProtectingWACrops🌾
🔗dpird.wa.gov.au/siteassets/d…
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2026 WA Crop Sowing Guide is available to download or order via dpird.wa.gov.au/businesses/p…
@DPIRDbroadacre @theGRDC @GRDC_NVT
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16 Dec 2025
Our final trial for the lupin Sclerotinia project was harvested end of November - an impressive canopy across all the seed rate x row spacing treatments &lots of sclero.Thanks to @DPIRDbroadacre field research team for seeding, maintaining &harvesting it @GRDCWest
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Ciara Beard retweeted
20 Oct 2025
Bumper Lupin crop in Bolgart Re-engineering trial on deep incorporated lime trt, every single plant is so overloaded with pods (90-100). 5 th Yr after intervension
Video: deep incorporated lime clay Vs surface applied lime clay.
@GRDCWest @DPIRDbroadacre @azam_gaus @SteveDsoilsciWA @tre
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15 Aug 2025
Past week finding Sclerotinia apothecia in our
@DPIRDbroadacre
and
@theGRDC field trial in Geraldton. Use #SclerotiniaCM app to assess if fungicide sprays will be needed in canola dpird.wa.gov.au/online-tools…
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Crop leaf symptoms or damage can be reported through #PestFactsWA for a response from an expert at @DPIRDbroadacre
❕Yellow spot and septoria nodorum blotch symptoms found on wheat near Mingenew, Arrino, Minnenooka and Geraldton. Both diseases commonly occur together in WA and are hard to distinguish visually. @GRDCWest
🔗dpird.wa.gov.au/siteassets/d…
#PestFactsWA @GRDCWest
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Ciara Beard retweeted
17 Jul 2025
Is there any resistance to Sclerotinia in a diverse screen of narrow leaf lupin germplasm - stem inoculation at Curtin progressing nicely with all hands on deck required, field inoculation still to take place @theCCDM @WAAgCollab @rach02822245 @lars_kamphuis
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15 Jul 2025
Great opportunity to join this disease and fungicide workshop next week in Geraldton with places still available, will be experts coming from eastern states Perth and local pathologists for awesome discussion and learning #AFREN @GRDCWest @DPIRDbroadacre
6 Jun 2025
There are spots still available at the #Geraldton @theGRDC @theCCDM managing foliar diseases and fungicide resistance workshop in July.
Full details: bit.ly/4kEEEFm
@JohnCameronICAN @ciara_beard
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15 Jul 2025
Sclerotinia apothecia have been seen in Northam since late June and now being found in Kendenup, check PestFacts WA issue below for managing the disease in flowering canola, lupin and other pulse crops
Apothecia have emerged from sclerotia in DPIRD's Northam depot this week - signaling that recent, cool moisture conditions are ideal for the start of the sclerotinia disease lifecycle. #PestFactsWA @GRDCWest
dpird.wa.gov.au/siteassets/d…
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Ciara Beard retweeted
Finding invertebrate pests or diseases in your paddocks? The #PestFactsWA team wants to know! Your reports help us deliver timely alerts and advice. Not sure what it is? We can help you diagnose it 👇
dpird.wa.gov.au/siteassets/d…
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Ciara Beard retweeted
Did you know flag smut spores can survive in the soil for 3-7 years? Read more about how to manage Flag smut in wheat in the latest #ProtectingWACrops newsletter.
dpird.wa.gov.au/siteassets/d…
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Ciara Beard retweeted
DPIRD's crop insect and plant disease identification course being held in Perth from Tuesday 19 to Thursday 21 August 2025. Spots are limited so register your interest in attending now! For course fees and more info read the latest #PestFactsWA. @GRDCWest
dpird.wa.gov.au/siteassets/d…
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11 Jun 2025
A great team of researchers & growers over 4 years- we have learnt a lot about the infection process, high risk situations, & developed new strategies for managing Sclerotinia in lupin. We’re excited now to be sharing the key findings @GroupMIG @theCCDM @DPIRDbroadacre @GRDCWest
#Sclerotinia in #lupin is sporadic across WA’s grainbelt but can hit hard when conditions align.
In this #GRDCVideo, Ciara Beard (@DPIRDWA) & grower Debbie Gillam (@GroupMIG) share how to spot risks & manage impact.
▶️ Full video bit.ly/3FMMb5Y
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6 Jun 2025
Excited this 2 day workshop is coming to Geraldton in July and includes top notch presenters Geoff Thomas, Nick Poole, Fran Lopez and myself. Growers, agronomists and consultants encouraged to attend this great opportunity! @DPIRDbroadacre @theCCDM @GRDCWest
6 Jun 2025
There are spots still available at the #Geraldton @theGRDC @theCCDM managing foliar diseases and fungicide resistance workshop in July.
Full details: bit.ly/4kEEEFm
@JohnCameronICAN @ciara_beard
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3 Jun 2025
Over 4 years our research into Sclerotinia in lupin has been extensive in field, glasshouse and laboratory. A valuable collaboration with many WA lupin growers thank you and @theCCDM and @GroupMIG. Check out the podcast. @DPIRDbroadacre
🎙️ NEW #GRDCPodcast
Researcher @ciara_beard shares how her team is tackling #sclerotinia in #lupin.
@DPIRDbroadacre, @theCCDM @GroupMIG are looking at ways to help growers learn how to spot risk and manage the disease.
Listen now 🎧 bit.ly/4kabde5
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