Calls Continue For Stronger Mouse Bait In South Australia

Grain Producers SA is continuing calls for grain growers to gain access to stronger mouse bait products, as new survey results reveal one in every two producers is seeing mouse activity on farm.

The survey of almost 400 growers found damage is already occurring during seeding across key South Australian cropping regions, particularly on the Yorke Peninsula, in the Mid North and across the Adelaide Plains.

GPSA Chief Executive Officer Brad Perry says the results confirm mice are emerging as a significant concern during crop establishment, with growers reporting active burrows, damaged emerging crops and impacts on machinery and stored grain.

The organisation is continuing discussions with the Department for Primary Industries and Regions and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to support renewed access to double-strength Zinc Phosphide bait, known as ZP50.

Previous emergency permits for the stronger bait expired at the end of 2023 and have not been renewed.

GPSA says earlier survey work found growers rated the double-strength bait as around 90 per cent effective, compared with about 50 per cent for standard products, with Mr Perry warning early intervention is critical before mouse numbers escalate further.