Disease Management
Extension Network
Improving disease management outcomes for Australian growers and advisers
Manage
disease pressure
Minimise
fungicide use
Engage
with extension
About DMEN
The Disease Management Extension Network (DMEN) project focuses on all major crop diseases, including those caused by soilborne pathogens, with a strong emphasis on improving decision-making and supporting the adoption of best-practice disease management on-farm.
Fungicide resistance is a significant and growing challenge for the Australian grains industry. Through stronger communication, extension and industry engagement, DMEN aims to equip growers and advisers with the tools and knowledge needed to better prevent and manage its impact.
Objectives
Building on the work of AFREN and other GRDC investments, the network has two key areas of focus:
Behavioural science
The project’s approach starts with understanding why growers and advisers make the decisions they do. Through surveys, focus groups and interviews, the project team will investigate the economic motivations, risk perceptions and everyday barriers that shape the uptake of fungicide resistance and integrated disease management (IDM) strategies. These insights will be used to refine messaging so extension activities target the real drivers of practice change.
Communication and extension
The DMEN team will deliver a full program of extension and communication activities to growers and advisers across Australia’s grain-growing regions, including workshops, webinars, podcasts, field site demonstrations and published resources. Activities are designed around best-practice facilitated learning, with a focus on building confidence and capability, and are shaped over time by the behavioural insights gathered through the project’s research.
By strengthening the connection between research, extension and grower adoption, DMEN will help drive behavioural change, improve disease management outcomes and reduce the impact of crop disease across the Australian grains industry.
Contact the DMEN team
Communication, Extension and Behavioural Science
Belinda Cay
Bridget Penna
David Foxx
AgCommunicators
Project Lead
Belinda Cay, Bridget Penna and David Foxx
08 8332 3277
Ag Consulting Co
Facilitation / Behavioural Science
Bill and Jeanette Long
Adelaide University
Behavioural Science
Dr Emily Buddle
Regional Fungicide Resistance Experts
WESTERN REGION (WA)
Dr Nola D'Souza
Research Associate
Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM), Curtin University
Dr Fran Lopez-Ruiz
Program leader, Fungicide resistance management & disease impacts
Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM), Curtin University
Geoff Thomas
Principal Research Scientist (Plant Pathologist)
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA
Andrea Hills
Senior Research Scientist
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA
Dr Daniel Hüberli
Senior Research Scientist (plant pathology) Broadacre Systems
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA
NORTHERN REGION (Queensland / NSW)
Dr Noel Knight
Centre for Crop Health, University of Southern Queensland
Prof. Levente Kiss
Director, Centre for Crop Health
University of Southern Queensland
Dr Lisle Snyman
Senior Plant Pathologist
Queensland Department of Primary Industries
Dr Steven Simpfendorfer
Senior Research Scientist
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Tamworth Agricultural Institute
Brad Baxter
Research Officer Plant Pathology
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute
Dr Kurt Lindbeck
Senior Pulse and Oilseed Pathologist
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute
Tom Price
SOUTHERN REGION (SA / Victoria)
Dr Tara Garrard
Research Leader – Cereal Pathology
South Australian Research and Development Institute – SARDI
Dr Hari Dadu
Sub Program Leader – Pulse Pathology
South Australian Research and Development Institute – SARDI
Blake Gontar
Senior Researcher (soilborne disease)
South Australian Research and Development Institute – SARDI
Dr Nicole Thompson
Program Leader Plant Health and Diagnostics
South Australian Research and Development Institute – SARDI
Dr Joshua Fanning
Agriculture Victoria
03 5450 8301
Email Joshua
Visit Agriculture Victoria website
Dr Katherine Linsell
Senior Research Officer
South Australian Research and Development Institute – SARDI
Dr Steve Marcroft
Director
Marcroft Grains Pathology
Dr Angela Van de Wouw
Senior research fellow
University of Melbourne / Marcroft Grains Pathology
Darcy Warren
Senior Research Manager
FAR Australia
About AFREN
Supported by the GRDC between 2019 and 2025, the Australian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network (AFREN) investments brought together regional plant pathologists, fungicide resistance experts, and communications and extension specialists to improve awareness and management of fungicide resistance across Australia.
Practical, regionally relevant resources for growers and advisers were developed and delivered, including a national fungicide resistance management guide, workshops, fact sheets, updates, email alerts and webinars. By building knowledge of instances of fungicide resistance, risk factors and best-practice management strategies, AFREN helped growers and advisers reduce the emergence and impact of fungicide resistance.