Pest control in Agriculture

This complete teaching resource has been designed for the QCAA Agricultural Science Year 12 syllabus and focuses on pest control in animal production systems.

Lesson Coverage

The lesson directly addresses the following syllabus points:

• Describe the life cycles, production impacts, and control measures (chemical, physical, biological, and management) for a regional pest or disease.
• Interpret data to evaluate the effectiveness of chemical control measures.
• Identify the characteristics of a successful biological control method.
• Explain real-world examples of biological control in Australian agriculture (e.g. dung beetles, RHDV, myxomatosis).

Resource Features

• Engaging starter activity: Students match pests with their control methods.
• Information search & literacy task: Builds independent research skills while reinforcing syllabus content.
• Structured core content: Clear explanations of the buffalo fly life cycle, impacts on production, and multiple control strategies.
• Embedded video: Supports understanding with real-world examples of pest problems and control.
• Data interpretation activity: Students analyse chemical control data to assess effectiveness and resistance.
• Biological control analysis: Covers both the principles of success and key Australian case studies (buffalo fly, rabbits).
• Differentiated questions: Exit ticket with increasing levels of challenge to check for understanding.
• Answers included: All activities come with worked solutions, revealed through animations to aid whole-class discussion.
• Timers built in: Ensures pace is maintained and activities are structured.
• Extension/homework task: Research activity to consolidate learning on the effectiveness and limitations of biological controls.

Why This Resource?

Fully aligned with the 2025 QCAA Agricultural Science syllabus.

Combines literacy, research, data interpretation, and exam-style practice.

Provides a variety of learning opportunities: starter, video, research, analysis, and reflection.

Saves preparation time with a complete lesson, all answers included, and built-in strategies to engage students.

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