Mice still damaging Wimmera crops

Grain Producers Australia chairman and Rupanyup farmer Andrew Weidemann said while most growers were starting to get on top of them, mice seemed to still be breeding up throughout the region.

“They are still sitting around at low levels and we’ve been trying to get a handle on that.”

“They don’t seem to be eating one another like they have in other years and I’ve heard they are grazing crops in Kalkee at the moment, so they seem to have changed their diet.” Many growers in the region have had to re-sow crops that were damaged by mice.

“There is a concern around about the long-term impacts we are having on mice,” Mr Weidemann said.

“We are baiting but they seem to be surviving this year and we need to work out another way to get on top of them.” Victorian Farmers Federation vice-president Brett Hosking said mice were causing a bit of havoc throughout the state.

“I think we’re finally getting on top of them,” he said. 

Minyip farmer Mick Funcke said there had been a little bit of mice damage in his crops so far this year.

“Crops are looking a bit thin,” he said.

Last month, Agriculture Victoria warned farmers against creating homemade mouse baits. 

Agriculture Victoria leading chemical standards officer Alex Perera said there were reports of mice numbers increasing in the state’s north-west resulting in heavy demand for all types of mouse bait. 

“The temptation to make your own bait can be great, but this is risky and dangerous for you, and the environment,” she said.

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