Grain Producers SA (GPSA) CEO Brad Perry spoke to the ABC Country Hour recently about the results of his group’s recent grower survey on mouse control options – and the experience of growers using ZP50 mouse bait, to protect their crops.
Last year, Grain Producers Australia (GPA) applied to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for another extension of the permit, which was first approved in May 2021, at the height of the mouse plague, to provide access to ZP50 (50g/kg Zinc Phosphate) products.
This extension application – adjusted for minor use rather than the original emergency use purpose – was not approved, however, and the permit subsequently expired on 31 December 2023.
To better understand dealing with mice in high numbers and baiting on-farm, GPSA surveyed grain producers throughout March and April 2024 and received 148 responses.
“While mouse numbers are being reported as patchy across the state, many grain producers in the survey were concerned about timing of access to a stronger bait if numbers grew quickly.”
The key points from the survey:
• 78 per cent of grain producers had crop yields impacted by mice in the past two seasons
• 64 per cent of respondents used ZP50 mouse bait under permit in 2023
• Growers on average rated the double strength mouse bait effectiveness as 9 out of 10
• 47 per cent found ZP25 to be effective in controlling mouse numbers
• Growers who use ZP25 rate its effectiveness as 5 out of 10 on average
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