CSIRO researcher Steve Henry said while there had been varying reports on mice activity in the Wimmera, most farmers in the region were concerned about the season ahead.

“I was speaking at a Birchip Cropping Group event on Friday and there was probably about 100 to 150 people there – I asked who had had a problem with mice last season and everyone put their hand up,” he said.

“I then asked who was expecting to have a problem with mice this year and again everyone put their hand up, so that’s a good indication that people are concerned.”

Mr Henry said mouse numbers in the region were higher than usual for this time of the year.

“Farmers will experience problems at cropping,” he said.

“If growers are concerned or have noticed mouse activity, they need to be prepared and apply bait, not just at sowing but also a few months before.

“If people think they will need to bait, they need to get on to the suppliers sooner rather than later in case there are shortages.”

Mouse numbers have been building since the Wimmera experienced a strong harvest in 2016.

“That carried through to winter in 2017 and then numbers were already high when breeding started again in spring. Therefore, we can expect the numbers to continue building,” Mr Henry said.

Rupanyup farmer and Grains Producers Australia chairman Andrew Weidemann said growers were concerned about the damage mice could do to crops this year. 

“There was a survey of Wimmera growers done not long ago and about 75 per cent of people said numbers were higher than they were this time last year,” he said.

“What problems we have will depend on the seasonal conditions going forward and it’s an important reminder to growers to make sure they get out there in a timely fashion and start baiting.”

Mr Weidemann said last year many growers in the region had to re-sow paddocks because of mice damage.

He said mice also caused yield losses in crops. 

“Growers are getting more vigilant, but we just have to wait and see what happens with the season,” he said.