Leading mouse experts recently told the National Mouse Group meeting there was an important link between harvest losses and baiting effectiveness.
CSIRO lead mouse researcher Steve Henry said measuring and preventing harvest losses should be a key consideration for growers seeking to prevent mouse activity.
“Mouse numbers are patchy overall, with most areas reporting low or nil mouse activity, but food resources left in paddocks after harvest could sustain mouse breeding and lead to higher mouse numbers when next year’s winter crops are sown,” Mr Henry said.
“We know grain-on-ground has a significant impact on bait effectiveness. So if you’re leaving kilos of grain on ground at harvest, then the effectiveness of baiting in autumn will be reduced.
“Reducing harvest losses not only increases baiting effectiveness, but also boosts your bottom line.
“Continue to check header setup throughout harvest. As you’re changing paddocks, don’t assume header setup is correct for every paddock. Check and reset as needed.
“Ongoing measurement and readjustment is key to leaving less grain on the ground.
“It’s really important to measure harvest losses, and there are measuring devices out there to do the job.”
GRDC pests manager Leigh Nelson said resources were available to assist growers in reducing and measuring their harvest losses.
“GRDC harvester set-up workshops provide growers with information relating to preventable harvester losses, improvements in efficiency and output, calibrating harvester technology, reducing the risk of harvester fires, and methods of harvest weed seed control,” Dr Nelson said.
Growers are encouraged to report and map mouse activity using the mouse alert website at feralscan.org.au/mousealert.
