Investment

Investment

GRDC Code: BVW2302-001SAX
NGN: Guidance for spreading mouse bait to improve efficacy and maintain bait integrity
During periods of high mouse numbers, with the threat of crop losses, growers often access and use spreaders built for other purposes, such as mollusc bait and fertiliser spreaders, that are not set-up correctly for applying mouse bait. As a result, growers have reported encountering the following challenges:
  • Scraping the ZnP active from the surface of the grain due to excessive churning and bait movement
  • The bait and/or lumps of ZnP active blocking the aperture/s
  • Spreading bait at the label rate
  • Achieving the required bait coverage
These observed challenges increase the likelihood that mice will not encounter the bait if the rate or adequate ground coverage are not achieved, or the spreader became blocked during a run. Alternatively, a mouse may not receive the required lethal dose if there is a loss of bait integrity, resulting in bait aversion. Poor control through ineffective baiting operations increases the risk of crop losses caused by mice and the likelihood that additional bait applications may be required throughout the season, significantly impacting grower profitability.

Mice are an ongoing issue in crops and there are grain grower communities across Australia indicating that they are under-resourced and have a lack of understanding on mouse management best-practice. The aim of this investment is to provide Australian grain growers resources and information to:
  • optimise mouse control through,
  • improved bait spreading operations, and
  • reduced crop losses.
Project start date:
24/02/2023
Project end date:
30/09/2024
Crop type:
  • All Crops
Organisation
The Trustee for BM & VL White Family Trust
Region:
North, South, West
Project status
status icon Completed

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Podcasts

The how-to of effective mouse baiting - techniques machinery and safety - GRDC
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In this episode, we’re joined by agricultural research engineer Ben White who is leading the project team, as well as...

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Videos

Getting it right: Mouse bait safety and storage

Getting it right: Mouse bait safety and storage

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When using any agricultural chemical, personal safety is paramount and spreading zinc phosphide mouse bait is no different. In this video, Ben White and CSIRO’s...

Testing mouse bait spreaders: How the process worked

Testing mouse bait spreaders: How the process worked

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One of the challenges in making sure mouse bait is spread uniformly on the ground is understanding how it's placed with different types of spreaders....

Mouse bait spreaders: An independent review by technical experts

Mouse bait spreaders: An independent review by technical experts

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After conducting an extensive independent review of different mouse bait spreaders, technical experts Ben White and Josh Giumelli have developed a buyer’s guide for growers...

Mouse baiting 101: Testing for distribution uniformity

Mouse baiting 101: Testing for distribution uniformity

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Mouse populations across a large part of Australia's grain growing regions were higher than average during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, requiring an increased management...