CSIRO research officer Steve Henry will discuss current mice numbers and the forecast for the coming growing season at the event at Birchip Leisure Centre on February 16. 

Mr Henry said the 2017 mouse plague wasn’t like plaques that many Wimmera and Mallee growers may have seen before.

“Mice numbers were high but patchy. We believe this was a result of the high quantities of food available – especially in the barley stubbles,” he said. 

“A typical mice plague would be wide spread with very high numbers.”

Mr Henry’s research takes him on three monitoring trips a year at three key times of autumn, winter and spring. But he said growers could assist that research.

“I physically cannot monitor enough paddocks to get an accurate story about what is happening, especially when patchy,” he said. 

Another major question growers might have is: ‘How long is the current La Niña going to last?’

The Bureau of Meteorology’s most recent El Niño – Southern Oscillation outlook shows eight climate models are forecasting the current La Niña will not last long into 2018.

Agriculture Victoria seasonal risk agronomist Dale Grey will about with the latest on La Niña and what this means for growers in the Wimmera and Mallee.

The BCG trials review day is a members-only event with lunch, refreshments and a copy of the 2017 BCG Season Research compendium provided.

Organisers said non-members could purchase memberships prior to, or on the day.

They said people wanting more information, or to register, could phone 5492 2787.