Parts of South Australia have mice at plague proportions, while hot spots have also been reported in Victoria and Northern NSW.
Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre program leader for land pests, Simon Humphrys, said recent monitoring found serious mice problems in the Yorke Peninsula and North of Adelaide.
“On Yorke Peninsula (the mouse problem) is at plague conditions of over 1000 mice a hectare,” Dr Humphrys said.
He said mouse numbers between Mallala and Balaklava were just as bad.
Grain Producers South Australia chief executive Darren Arney said growers in the worst-affected areas had experienced crop losses despite baiting and some will have to resow.
Mr Arney said six regional registered mouse bait stations had been established since late April.
Dr Humphrys said he had anecdotal reports of high mice numbers in Western Victoria, and in Northern NSW, from Moree to the Darling Downs.
“There are areas in Western Victoria where baits will be used ... there are hot spots but nothing to give farmers concern in Victoria at this stage,” he said.
NewAg Consulting agronomist Andrew Newall, based at Horsham, said farmers were reporting high mice numbers in the region, which was creating a “very big problem”.
He said he had already seen damage in some emerging canola and many growers were baiting crops as they sowed, especially canola and chick peas.
“The worst areas are Horsham and East Horsham, near Murtoa and Rupanyup region, that’s a real hot spot, but there are mice everywhere (in the district,)” he said.
Mr Newall said mice were normally a problem this time of year, but the issue had really flared since the breaking rain last month.
Source - http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/
