Overview
- CSIRO’s Steve Henry reports “alarming” mouse numbers across grain regions near Geraldton and Esperance, with industry counts peaking at up to 10,000 animals per hectare.
- Researchers define a plague at about 800 per hectare, and farms now report crop losses and mice inside houses, with reports warning of higher risk of leptospirosis.
- Standard zinc phosphide bait at 25 grams per kilogram is reported to fell only a small share of mice, while a higher dose performed far better in studies but lacks approval.
- Rising diesel and fertilizer prices linked to tensions in Iran are squeezing budgets, and Agriculture Minister Julie Collins acknowledges the severe pressure on growers.
- Forecasts of a new drought in coming months would compound the crisis by cutting feed in the landscape and limiting recovery for the grainbelt.