Locust swarms threaten South Australia's best farm season in decades
Vast locust swarms are moving across the Riverland. They threaten harvests during what should be the region's strongest farming season in years.
South Australian farmers watch locusts multiply and spread through the Riverland. This comes after years of hard times finally improved.
Farmer Steve Nitschke lived through earlier infestations. He says conditions are the worst since 2010.
Locusts eat vegetation. Their eggs can dirty grain.
This harms both how much farmers grow and how good it is. Debate has focused on spraying from planes.
Other parts of South Australia do this, but the Riverland has not yet. The state government says pest control must be managed carefully in this important farming region.
A chemical rebate scheme offers up to $35 a hectare. But many farmers lack equipment to spray the scrub areas where locusts hide.
- 2010
- Worst since
- Riverland, South Australia
- Region
- $35 per hectare
- Chemical rebate
- 3 to 4 weeks
- Time to thicken
Why it mattersFarmers have faced years of drought and poor harvests. Now they face possible devastation just as conditions improve. The outbreak tests both how well farming can survive and how the government responds.
AustraliaSouth Australian agricultural income is at risk if the locust outbreak spreads into major crop and grazing areas. Regional farming communities face another season of uncertainty.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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