Ciara Beard

Plant pathologist working with DPIRD in the midwest of Western Australia. Views expressed are my own and not my employers

[Amber BC @AmberB_C]

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

[Ciara Beard @ciara_beard]

Congratulations @CuongVHan on fascinating research

[CCDM @theCCDM]

NEW PUBLICATION from CCDM!
Our team has uncovered a WA soil microbiome that naturally suppresses Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.
Read here 🔗 https://t.co/dYJHGldmAm

@theGRDC @CurtinUni, @CuongVHan @Duong_Thuy_Vu @SJB_Ag @Curtin_TrEnD

[DPIRD Broadacre - WA Grains & Livestock @DPIRDbroadacre]

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 👇

[Andrea Hills @AndreaHills9]

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

[Ciara Beard @ciara_beard]

Excited to be part of this new research in WA

[Daniel Huberli @DHuberli]

@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

[Ciara Beard @ciara_beard]

@AmarBantwal @DPIRDbroadacre @BelindaFarmWkly This sample from Geraldton port zone was diagnosed by DPIRD diagnostic lab services (DDLS) as being orange discolouration due to a saprophytic yeast. Caused by excess moisture. Fusarium head blight was not detected.

[DPIRD Broadacre - WA Grains & Livestock @DPIRDbroadacre]

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🌾

🔗https://t.co/0FXmw78AGp

[Amber BC @AmberB_C]

2026 WA Crop Sowing Guide is available to download or order via https://t.co/eQ0e35cTqn
@DPIRDbroadacre @theGRDC @GRDC_NVT

[Ciara Beard @ciara_beard]

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

[Kanch Wickramarachchi @KanchWickramar1]

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

[Ciara Beard @ciara_beard]

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 https://t.co/8Z54JcLRuA

[Amber BC @AmberB_C]

Crop leaf symptoms or damage can be reported through #PestFactsWA for a response from an expert at @DPIRDbroadacre

[Sarita Bennett @SJB_Ag]

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

[Ciara Beard @ciara_beard]

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

[Erica McKay @EricaMcKay]

There are spots still available at the #Geraldton @theGRDC @theCCDM managing foliar diseases and fungicide resistance workshop in July.
Full details: https://t.co/2KhYeotnLu
@JohnCameronICAN @ciara_beard

[Ciara Beard @ciara_beard]

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

[DPIRD Broadacre - WA Grains & Livestock @DPIRDbroadacre]

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
https://t.co/9lSsD6Qegy

[DPIRD Broadacre - WA Grains & Livestock @DPIRDbroadacre]

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 👇
https://t.co/RGBTcCcAHC

[DPIRD Broadacre - WA Grains & Livestock @DPIRDbroadacre]

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.
https://t.co/8SyuR3dHWT

[DPIRD Broadacre - WA Grains & Livestock @DPIRDbroadacre]

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
https://t.co/mAewyGBvAb

[Ciara Beard @ciara_beard]

@MerinoSi @theGRDC @DPIRDbroadacre @theCCDM @GroupMIG Thanks Simon for sharing your observations, our research is continuing in a new project GRDC DPIRD coinvestment and we hope to investigate the role of crop nutrition in Sclerotinia management

[Ciara Beard @ciara_beard]

@elyaring @SteveDsoilsciWA @GroupMIG @theCCDM @DPIRDbroadacre @GRDCWest Michael here is the list prepared by DPIRD of fungicides registered for use in crops in WA, go to lupins and other pulses https://t.co/y3dMCUbNR0

[Ciara Beard @ciara_beard]

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

[GRDC @theGRDC]

#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 https://t.co/h60GzMCv9D