MOUSE ACTIVITY ESCALATES ACROSS SA GRAIN REGIONS

South Australian grain producers are being urged to check paddocks for signs of mice after monitoring across two major grain-growing zones shifted from “low” to “high” activity last week.

The latest Grains Research and Development Corporation update has classified the SA Mid North–Lower Yorke–Eyre and SA Victoria Mallee zones as having high mouse activity, just two weeks after both regions were marked as low during earlier monitoring.

Grain Producers South Australia says the change highlights how quickly mouse activity can evolve and the importance of growers monitoring and reporting changes in their mouse situation.

GPSA Chief Executive Brad Perry says the escalation is a warning producers should take seriously as crops move towards the critical spring growth period.

“This is a significant change from the previous monitoring update and shows mouse pressure can build very quickly when seasonal conditions are favourable.”

“Crops in South Australia are going great guns, but mice can cause serious damage as crops mature and grain develops in the head, so growers should be getting out of their vehicles and checking paddocks now.”

Growers are being urged to monitor crops and report changes in mouse activity, with the latest classifications available through the GRDC website and ZP50 permit information available through the Grain Producers Australia mouse control portal.