Locust plague...

[A Mum]

Seems pretty serious stuff

7 planes ready to go as soon as they start hatching in the next few days.

Hope our 'farmers' and the likes get through this new threat they have to face.


This man's invention makes you laugh - but if it works to some extent - then good on him !!

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 5927537671

[Dogwatcher]

Hatchings are already happening A Mum.
Crazy stuff.

[Squawk]

It's going to be even tougher in the Riverland because aerial spraying is not able to be as prevalent as in the north, due to the potential effects on vines.

[A Mum]

Just found this also:

http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-hea ... ts/current

[Dutchy]

I reckon we killed around 5,000 of them on our trip to QLD in May, god they stink if you dont clean your car straight away, still find some everytime I open the bonnet

[Dogwatcher]

We went to Newcastle around the same time Dutchy and it was horrendous, from Parkes down to home. The worst was between Balranald and Mildura. Driving around Sunraysia, you could tell the cars that had been on the highway, absolutely covered in green.
The smell, as you said, was putrid.
When we finally got home, I had to wash the car three times before we were rid of it.

[The Yetti]

We went to Newcastle around the same time Dutchy and it was horrendous, from Parkes down to home. The worst was between Balranald and Mildura. Driving around Sunraysia, you could tell the cars that had been on the highway, absolutely covered in green.
The smell, as you said, was putrid.
When we finally got home, I had to wash the car three times before we were rid of it.

My grandpa told me....Do it once and do it properly!!!!

[The Yetti]

Does anyone know how far these little buggers can go in a day?

If we had a really strong northerly wind (more than 60 kph) how far would they move that day?

Hopefully we have a southerly change the next day and blow them straight back again.

[Mythical Creature]

Does anyone know how far these little buggers can go in a day?

If we had a really strong northerly wind (more than 60 kph) how far would they move that day?

Hopefully we have a southerly change the next day and blow them straight back again.

Not exactly sure but I have heard they can go up to a few hundred kilometres. Spread like wildfire the little bastards!

[Bum Crack]

I have a mate who works for the Animal and Plant Control Board and he is on standby for when the little pricks start hatching and he seems to think by Sunday, all hell could break loose. Could be a plague the size of which we have never seen before. This being the case, how are the poor bloody farmers going to be feeling. They can't take a trick. If it's not one thing ruining it for them, it's another.

[Dogwatcher]

We went to Newcastle around the same time Dutchy and it was horrendous, from Parkes down to home. The worst was between Balranald and Mildura. Driving around Sunraysia, you could tell the cars that had been on the highway, absolutely covered in green.
The smell, as you said, was putrid.
When we finally got home, I had to wash the car three times before we were rid of it.

My grandpa told me....Do it once and do it properly!!!!

Your grandfather obviously never faced the disgusting smell of 25,000 grasshoppers mashed into the front grille of his car!

[Brucetiki]

They're more than welcome in my backyard, help keep the grass down at least

[Dogwatcher]

There's always a positive

[Squawk]

Does anyone know how far these little buggers can go in a day?

If we had a really strong northerly wind (more than 60 kph) how far would they move that day?

Hopefully we have a southerly change the next day and blow them straight back again.

Up to 500km/day, depending on wind.

They can detect atmospheric changes and seek out moisture, so hopefully it gets wet in Qld and they head that way. Otherwise, they could be in Adelaide or the big fear is that they hit the South East.

[Dogwatcher]

GRDC press release

Locust hatchings spark need for landholder vigilance

Key points:

• Growers urged to monitor for locust hatchings now
• Predicted hatching dates available at www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/locusts/current
• Updated fact sheet available at www.grdc.com.au/locust_factsheet

Authorities are urging landholders across south eastern Australia to now closely monitor their properties for locust activity in the wake of confirmed hatchings in the north of both New South Wales and Victoria.

Recent heavy rainfall in many regions may cause a slight delay in hatchings but the abundance of vegetation throughout the southern agricultural zone could result in hatchings going unnoticed.

Authorities across all states, with support from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), are encouraging landholders to therefore closely check their paddocks to ensure hatchings are promptly reported so control measures can be activated.

The Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) says that even though forecast peak hatchings may be some weeks away in many districts, hatchings will continue to occur from now on.

“Landholders need to monitor predicted hatching dates by constantly checking the APLC website at www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/locusts/current and start checking for hatching several weeks prior to the forecast peak hatching date,” said Chris Adriaansen, Director of the APLC.

“All locust outbreaks, be they adult swarms or hatching nymphs, should be reported immediately to authorities,” Mr Adriaansen said.

The campaign to manage the predicted plague continues to intensify. Control centres have begun operating through New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia and chemicals and resources have been deployed in readiness.

To support growers in their preparations for an assault on locusts, a fact sheet available on the GRDC website at www.grdc.com.au/locust_factsheet provides the latest information on insecticide use, chemical rebates, locust risk zones and updated predicted hatching dates on a region-by-region basis.

National and state industry organisations and authorities have worked together to develop and update this comprehensive fact sheet containing crucial information on locust control and management measures.

The fact sheet has been produced by the GRDC and the APLC, state departments, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and members of the National Agribusiness Reference Group (NARG).

National Agribusiness Reference Group spokesman Bruce Cairns said it was important that landholders were well prepared by assessing the locust risk on their properties, estimating the size of the problem and ensuring they are equipped with the necessary product control requirements.

“Growers should consult with their local suppliers well in advance so they are ready to protect crops and pastures by using targeted applications of registered or permitted insecticides,” Mr Cairns said.

The APLC says the most effective locust control will need to commence around two weeks after hatching, and should be completed in advance of the forecast fledging dates, after which locusts will have developed the ability to fly and swarm.

While the APLC and the state agencies have planned to undertake strategic control at national and regional levels, the role of landholders in effectively dealing with locusts in spring remains crucial to the overall success of the response.

[Dogwatcher]

State Government Press Release

SOUTH AUSTRALIA PREPARES FOR WAR ON LOCUSTS
Premier Mike Rann says the State is assembling frontline “troops” to declare war on locusts as their
hatchings begin to emerge across South Australia.
“The Government is investing $12.8 million to minimise the impact of locusts on crops, gardens,
parks and communities,” Mr Rann said.
“The control effort includes seven aircraft and 130 frontline personnel to help spray more than
450,000 hectares across strategic areas of the State.
“Landholders, Natural Resources Management Boards and local government workers are all being
mobilised to assemble a collaborative defence force in this war on locusts.”
In officially opening the Locust Control Centre in Orroroo today, Premier Mike Rann says that a
potential bumper grain harvest this year with a market value of $2 billion could be decimated if a
locust plague were allowed to swarm across the State.
“There are many millions of dollars worth of our agricultural export earnings at risk from these flying
pests,” Mr Rann said.
“I am told high-density hatchings began about a week ago near Parachilna in the northern Flinders
Ranges.
“Significant hatchings north of Hawker have also been recorded along with low-density hatchings
near Loxton and in the Mallee.”
Visiting Orroroo today with Agriculture Minister Michael O’Brien, Mr Rann says the State
Government is focused now on wiping out the looming locust threat.
“It’s critical that we protect South Australia’s agricultural industries that deliver significant economic
and social benefits to the State,” he said.
“Left unchecked, locusts could swarm into plague proportions and inflict massive damage. It’s
important to understand that while we can’t completely eradicate these pests, we can severely hinder
their numbers.
“This collaborative effort is about making sure we are well prepared to meet them – head on.”

[Booney]

So is Mr.Rann going to visit the effected Riverland areas DW?

[Dogwatcher]

Mate, I think this is much bigger than a Riverland issue.
I understand Mr Rann was in Orroroo yesterday looking at the situation there.

[smithy]

Jose and Manuel should be drafted in to solve the problem.
They might fit in with the governments current budget cuts!




http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1iwyf_merrie-melodies-two-crows-from-taco_fun

[Psyber]

We went to Newcastle around the same time Dutchy and it was horrendous, from Parkes down to home. The worst was between Balranald and Mildura. Driving around Sunraysia, you could tell the cars that had been on the highway, absolutely covered in green.
The smell, as you said, was putrid.
When we finally got home, I had to wash the car three times before we were rid of it.

My car still carries the bodies of those I killed driving up to Bundaberg via northern NSW last March. [Washing it was a casualty of my needing surgery soon after the trip.]
I guess I'll have to lather and soak them to soften them when I tackle the job soon, now I'm recovered and its warm enough outside.