Devastating Canola virus wipes out crops in South Australia

An outbreak of Beet Western Yellows Virus is thought to have affected thousands of hectares of canola in South Australia’s Lower and Mid North regions.

The virus is transported by green peach aphids, which agronomists’ say seem to have developed a resistance to insecticides since the state’s last outbreak in 2007.

Ag consultant Mick Faulkner says they felt like they’d been “blind-sided” after not being able to work out what had been affecting crops.

“It took everyone a fair bit of time to realise that we weren’t killing the aphids,” Mr Faulkner said.

“And then to discover it was more than just feeding damage, something else was happening.

“Crops were really being belted.”

It’s estimated 4,000 hectares of canola have been affected so far.

While the virus predominately affects canola it can spread to pulse crops like chickpeas and medic.

Mr Faulkner says the virus-carrying aphids thrive in warmer weather and crops are more susceptible in their early stages.

He says once the virus gets into the paddock, there’s not much farmers can do.

“Green paddocks are now brown,” Mr Faulkner says.

“Those that have been affected, I have grave fears that they won’t yield anything at all.

He’s urging farmers who haven’t already been affected to remain vigilant and says while the aphids should have stalled for now, warmer weather in spring could see them spread further.