Grants available to help stop the plague of locusts

The Australian Plague Locust 2016 Assistance Scheme is now available to support landholders based within Gnowangerup and surrounding shires.

Great Southern landholders and stakeholders are being reminded to prepare for predicted locust activity in spring.

Department of Agriculture and Food’s invasive species manager Tim Stevens said hatchings are likely to occur in the southern agricultural region.

“Autumn surveys completed by the department indicate moderate density hatchings are likely, which may result in locust bands and loose swarms in parts of Ravensthorpe, Jerramungup, Gnowangerup, Lake Grace, Kulin, Yilgarn, Westonia, Mukinbudin and Nungarin shires,” he said.

“It is vital that landholders carry out timely control to minimise damage to pastures and crops where locusts emerge and feed.

“Control this spring will also play a role in limiting potential locust numbers building up over summer and into autumn 2017.”

A State Government contribution of $5 a hectare is open to landholders seeking to control locusts in pasture, crop, fallow, greenbelts or where locusts are on public amenities, such as ovals.

Any application for 2000ha or more will require verification by the department, and photos and videos may be provided as further evidence of application.

DAFWA predict that while cold conditions have delayed locust hatchings, activity is expected to increase in spring as the warm weather breaks through.

Significant locust activity is expected in the region, which may result in locust bands and loose swarms.

People who observed locust activity in autumn should be vigilant because it is possible egg beds were laid.

The scheme will be available for control activities up to December 31 and applications can be made up to January 31. Visit agric.wa.gov.au/locusts.