GRAIN growers across the WA wheatbelt have gathered this season to hear the latest advice for managing mouse damage to crops at a series of in-paddock workshops with Steve Henry, leading mouse expert and research officer from CSIRO.The field walks visited 11 locations across four days, from Calingiri down to Beaumont, as part of a GRDC investment addressing increased mouse activity in WA's grainbelt.Each workshop delivered regionally specific information to help growers control mice throughout the year, with significant crop damage reported in some areas of WA.Steve's key messages for growers across all locations were to be vigilant in late winter and early spring, complete regular checks for signs of active burrows or crop damage and be prepared to bait if damage is detected."In cereals this may be chewing atthe node or stem, which causes the head to fall over - from a distance this can look like frost damage," Steve said."In canola and legume crops, growers should be inspecting flowers and pods for damage. At the first sign of crop damage, growers need tobe prepared to bait, preferably with 50 g per kg zinc phosphide spread at one kg per hectare."
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