Monitoring mice – the Eyre Peninsula experience

Lock farmer Andrew Polkinghorne discusses his experiences in dealing with mice on his property.

Monitoring mice numbers usually begin in March. Numbers greater than 500 per hectare will create problems in emerging crops. Generally the rate of mice damage is much faster than one predicts. Mice can take up to 5% of seed grain per night.

Damage tends to be greater in standing stubble compared to that laid down either in wheel tracks or through chaining. Intensified rotations, minimum tillage, stubble retention and sheep in farming systems have all contributed to the increased incidence of mice in crops.