Grain Producers Urged to Report Locust Activity Across South Australia

Grain Producers South Australia is calling on farmers to report increasing locust activity across key cropping regions.

Sightings have been reported in the Riverland, Mallee, Eyre Peninsula, Flinders Ranges and Yorke Peninsula during early seeding operations.

Authorities believe the insects may have migrated from interstate, following favourable wind conditions in recent weeks.

The industry body is working with the Department for Primary Industries and Regions to monitor the situation, with survey teams assessing the scale and distribution of the movement.

At this stage, the event is not classified as a plague, but officials warn mobile adult locusts pose a risk to emerging crops and pastures.

Growers are being urged to remain vigilant during crop establishment and to report sightings, including egg-laying activity, hopper bands and swarms.

Experts say warm temperatures and light winds could further encourage movement, while eggs laid in coming weeks may hatch in spring, creating renewed pressure.

Early detection is considered critical to limiting the risk of a broader outbreak, as producers manage an already challenging season.