Mice devastate summer crops

A mice outbreak is causing havoc across summer cropping areas. Here’s what’s being affected.

Mice concerns mount: For cotton growers, majority of growing regions are experiencing issues with mice.

AN outbreak of mice across Australia’s grain growing regions is devastating summer crops and posing a potential threat to 2021 winter plantings.

The increase in mice numbers are being attributed to a good crop last year, following a few dry years prior.

CSIRO researcher Steve Henry said it was difficult to make a generalisation on the severity of the issue as it was “patchy” in its nature.

“But there are reports of mice in crops in high numbers,” Mr Henry said.

“There have been reports from late last week of mice in southern Queensland, central and southern NSW, across to the Wimmera and into the Mallee in South Australia.

“South Australia is usually the hot spot, now it is occurring across most areas.”

According to Mr Henry, mice were posing an issue for summer crops that were freshly sown.

“There has been a report of a sorghum crop loss in Warren NSW,” Mr Henry said.

And with mice continuing to breed through summer and autumn, they could cause havoc during winter crop sowing.

“Mice follow seeders and then pull out the seeds and eat them,” Mr Henry said.

“This means growers could end up sowing their crop two or three times.”

He encouraged growers to spread bait out the back of their seeder, and to prepare ahead of sowing.

“Growers should talk to their bait suppliers early, as during a mice outbreak bait could run out early,” he said.

For cotton growers, majority of growing regions are experiencing issues.

Cotton Australia policy officer – research direction and stewardship Sally Ceeney said crops in the Macquarie, Namoi and Gwydir regions were being “severely affected.”

“In cotton, damage is ranging from delaying maturity and yield reduction through to complete loss of crop,” she said.

And in established crops, Ms Ceeney said mice were eating the new growing tips of the plant, which could lead to delays in maturity and potential yield loss.

“There are reports of later-sown dryland crops that were completely eaten by mice post-planting,” she said.

“Summer sorghum and corn crops are being severely affected, with total losses experienced by some growers.

“Many growers have stored winter grain from the 2020 harvest on-farm in silo bags which are being damaged by mice.”

She said the biggest concern was the potential damage mice could inflict as the cotton crop matures if numbers aren’t controlled and continue to increase.

“The cotton seed and lint will be attractive to mice and significant yield losses could occur,” Ms Ceeney said.

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