The Benefits of Using Timerite®

Between 1997 and 2003 a total of 60 trial sites were set up in NSW, VIC, SA, TAS and WA to quantify the benefits of spraying mites on the predicted Timerite® date. The trials were set up using a paired paddock design where half of the paddock was sprayed on the Timerite® date and the other half was not sprayed.

Reduction in Mite Numbers

In Western Australia spraying on the Timerite® date resulted in a 97% reduction in RLEM numbers on 20 farms the following autumn. Paddocks that weren’t sprayed had an average of 21,569 mites /m² whereas paddocks sprayed on the Timerite® date only had an average of 550 mites/m².

In eastern Australia the following autumn there were an average of 8,000 mites/m² in the unsprayed plots, while those that were sprayed on the Timerite® date had 919 mites/m². This was a reduction of 88% on 38 farms.

Increase in Subterranean Clover Seedling Density

In Western Australia, the following autumn after spraying on the Timerite® date there was a 97% increase in subterranean clover densities. The unsprayed paddocks had an average of 697 clover seedlings/m² and the sprayed paddocks had 1,371 seedlings/m².

In eastern Australia there was a 13% increase in subterranean clover seedlings. The unsprayed paddocks had 566 subclover seedlings/m2 and the sprayed paddocks had 640 subclover seedlings/m².

Increase in Subterranean Clover Seed Yield

At the end of the season in spring, the yield of subterranean clover seed was measured. This is a good indicator of the density of clover the following autumn.

Subterranean clover seed yields at sites in Western Australia increased by 34% due to spraying on the Timerite date. Unsprayed plots had a seed yield of 464 kg/ha, whereas sprayed plots had 621 kg/ha.

In eastern Australia the seed yield increased by 51% from 285 kg/ha in unsprayed plots to 430 kg/ha in sprayed plots.

With average subterranean clover seed prices at $5/kg, the additional seed produced in the sprayed plots is valued at $785/ha in Western Australia and $725/ha in eastern Australia.

The size of benefits varied considerably between sites. This reflected the fact that many factors other than RLEM are important in determining seed yield. At half the sites the benefit was more than 100kg/ha.

Economic Benefits

An economic analysis of the use of Timerite® was undertaken on a farm in Western Australia.

Carolyn and Roger Telfer, in Darkan WA have boosted their wool and sheep income by $51/ha from an outlay of $10/ha in RLEM control including chemical and contracting costs.

In the areas where they sprayed on the Timerite® date, they are able to boost carrying capacity by 1-2 DSE/ha.

The following table outlines the RLEM control costs and income from a paired paddock trial with half the paddock sprayed on the Timerite® date and the other half not sprayed.