BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH COMPANY
Our Backstory
The Biological Research Company (BRC) was established in 2019 to complement the work of IPM Technologies. While the focus of IPM Technologies is now primarily on the extension and adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) the Biological Research Company has been set up as a separate entity to focus largely on improving the understanding of the role of pesticides in IPM programs. We believe that a critical aspect of any successful IPM program is being able to make informed decisions on the use of pesticides that includes the impact on beneficial species. The overarching aim of both companies is to support farmers and advisors with the adoption and ongoing use of (IPM).
Personnel for the Biological Research Company will be drawn from IPM Technologies and continue the long association of Jessica Page and Dr Paul Horne. The Director of the BRC is Jessica Page and our base is in Hurstbridge in north-eastern Melbourne but we work across Australia and New Zealand and have some projects in Europe.
The BRC (like IPM Technologies) is totally independent and can offer unbiased advice on a range of issues relating to control of pests, including the use and selection of pesticides and commercially produced beneficial species.
Guides to the impact of pesticides on beneficial species
This will be arranged by crop type, but will also be searchable by species (or chemical). The aim of these guides is to simply allow growers and advisors to make informed decisions when selecting pesticides, not to classify pesticides as “Good” or “Bad”. The guides show at a glance the relative impact of different pesticides on key beneficials in each crop. These guides will be continually updated with information added as it becomes available.
Guides to invertebrate identification
whether pest, beneficial or general insects. These photo-guides show the different life-stages of commonly found species with a brief description about each.. This data-base will grow and members can request information on species not currently on the web-site.
Research into specific questions
One of the research items that we offer is the “Small Project”. This is where there is an identified question, which may be very simple, that needs to be answered by a small group or is a local issue. These projects will be deliberately small in terms of funding and scope and the information gathered (in the course of a single growing season) will be owned by the participants. Members will also be able to suggest or request further research. Testing of pesticides, both efficacy on pests and side-effects on beneficials, will be an on-going research activity.
Purchasing multiple subscriptions?
Contact us today to discuss what we can do for you
The funds generated by subscriptions will be used in part to constantly continue to add to the databases.
Members can also access advice directly from BRC by phone, text or email.
