Winter crops escape major locust damage despite rising numbers
Plague locusts are rising across inland Australia, but winter crops should be harvested safely.
Farmers across South Australia, north-west Victoria and western NSW are increasingly confident about their harvest and expect big winter crops without major locust damage. Locust nymphs are present in the region.
Numbers remain too low for the Australian Plague Locust Commission to start aerial baiting programs. Farmers in the Flinders Ranges, eastern Mallee and Riverland report locust activity is manageable.
The activity is focused in limited areas. One grower said he expects minimal yield damage.
He also expects few grain downgrades from contamination. The real risk has shifted to summer.
Wet weather then could trigger a large new generation of locusts in inland eastern Australia. The APLC said swarms are likely to develop from late-October onwards.
Migrations can begin from early November if weather is suitable.
- South-west Queensland
- Locust migration origin
- Not yet reached for aerial baiting
- Commission alert threshold
Why it mattersA major locust outbreak would threaten Australian grain exports and farm incomes. This matters now because prices are low and costs are high for farmers.
AustraliaAustralian farmers avoid significant crop losses this winter, but must prepare for heightened locust risk this summer if the inland receives heavy rainfall.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
