Mouse expert to address Wimmera and Mallee Farmers
- By: "Farm Tender" News
- Cattle News
- Feb 27, 2018
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With experts forecasting another outbreak of mice this autumn, Wimmera and Southern Mallee farmers are invited to hear about early season strategies for mouse management at Hopetoun on Friday 16 March and Kalkee Recreation Reserve on Saturday 17 March.
These seminars, which have been organised by Agriculture Victoria Land Management Extension Officer, Heather Drendel, will feature CSIRO mouse specialist Steve Henry who will share the latest mouse monitoring data from the region and discuss tactics to minimise mouse damage to this season's crops.
Mr Henry said mice caused serious damage to cereal crops in late spring last year and higher than expected numbers were already being reported this year.
"It's very concerning," he said.
"We know there is plenty of food available and that the long-term forecast is for average to above average rainfall.
"These factors can contribute to high mouse numbers in grain growing districts."
Mr Henry said the situation was compounded in some areas where late season frosts and heavy rainfall just before harvest has led to high grain residues on the ground.
Ms Drendel said farmers shouldn't miss these events.
"Burning stubble is not effective in significantly reducing mouse numbers, as mice live in deep burrows," she said.
"We will learn about tactics to manage mice pre-sowing, during sowing and in-crop with information on a range of integrated tactics that have the biggest impact."
The seminars, which will include a 45 minute presentation followed by open question time, will be held at Hopetoun Recreation Reserve at 3.45pm on Friday 16 March and at Kalkee Recreation Reserve, at 7pm on March 17.
For Mallee growers there will be a seminar at Underbool Recreation Reserve at 7.30pm on Thursday 15 March.
Enquiries to Heather Drendel (03) 5083 2205.
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