The zinc phosphide mouse bait currently available for broadacre use is half the strength of previous broadacre baits. This means a mouse must consume twice the amount of grain for a lethal dose, i.e. two grains instead of one.
Let’s have a look at the maths: unsterilised bait is around $4.50 per kilogram and is administered in the form of treated grains of wheat.
To treat a paddock economically, farmers aim to spread it at around 1kg/ha, so the mice have to find two grains of wheat over an area of about one hectare (2.5 acres).
An average rural town block is a quarter acre, so that is about 10 house blocks over which 1kg of grain is scattered (15,430 grains/ha). A
density of 1000 to 4000 mice per hectare is considered a plague.
If you have kept up with the maths, this means the mice will need to find pretty much every grain to be suppressed.
The main issue is the fact that farmers sow wheat at around 100kg/ha, which is clearly far more accessible to mice once they find it.
Governments are asking growers to use half-strength bait, expecting it to be effective, and raise our productivity, whilst placing more and more restrictions and over regulation in our path.
These decisions will impact on yield and eventually on everyone’s hip pocket from the farm gate to the checkout.
It is time for government to step back and allow farmers to manage their crops effectively, without being over-regulated and without excessive red tape.
The Beer Can Pothole Challenge
Back by popular demand! How bad are your local highways?
Send in your photos to me at parks5461@gmail.com or text me on 0407 619 070.
First prize is a magnificent photo book called ‘The Drover’ by AL Mabin Photography, donated by the team at Vater Machinery. The runner-up will receive a box of beer, thanks to the team at Local Cellars Balaklava.
Please use a beer can or golf ball to show the depth of your favourite pothole. Remember to be aware of traffic, wear hi-vis and look both
ways before setting up your photo.
If you managed to destroy a car or truck tyre because of your favourite pothole you will get bonus points, but you must include a photo of that as well.
I will also send the winning top two entries to Peter Malinauskas for him to get the hole repaired pronto, so be sure to send your potholes location, and I will do my level best to get a photo of the Premier repairing the road.
Over The Fence, making a difference to the safety of South Australia’s highways!
Ageing Key Infrastructure a Major Concern
With much of the Mid North being serviced by reticulated (mains) water from the post-World War II era (circa 1944) and the Morgan-Whyalla
pipeline installed then too, it is no wonder the district is dotted with leaks.
Has the government set aside sufficient funds to maintain and replace this ageing system? It seems to me that successive governments have dropped the ball on this and SA Water is fighting a losing battle, without proper funding.
I would love to know how the government plans to deal with this rapidly approaching perfect storm.
Crowing Crows
If all the above seems a bit doom and gloom, on the bright side, I was pleased the Crows had an easy win this week.
Thought for the Day (from The Book of Jim)
When buying groceries, ask your checkout person what kind of chocolate bar they like and buy them one. I did this yesterday at the self-
checkout.
