New name but no change in locust reporting

Livestock Health and Pest Authorities are assuring landholders that the way in which they report locust activity remains the same despite the changeover earlier this month from Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPBs).

Livestock Health and Pest Authority State Management Council Pest Animal and Insect Manager, Tim Seears, said all contact numbers remain the same and all former RLPB offices remain open as offices of the new local Livestock Health and Pest Authorities.

“We want landholders to know that although we have been through an extensive reform process and have a new name, there is no change to contact points for reporting locusts and services provided.

“Local Livestock Health and Pest Authorities continue to be the primary contact for reporting, providing chemical and assisting with control methods.

“We are now experiencing a second wave of hatchings across the state with the greatest number of reports coming from the Lachlan Livestock Health and Pest Authority district around Parkes and Forbes as well as within the Riverina Livestock Health and Pest Authority district south of Jerilderie and Deniliquin.

“We are also expecting further activity in other areas where locusts were present in spring including Wagga Wagga, Narrandera, Condobolin, Temora, Cootamundra, Junee, West Wyalong and Berrigan.

“Areas which experienced good rainfall throughout December are also at a higher risk.

“Reporting is crucial to ensure that ground control is undertaken at the most optimal time. There is only a very limited window to treat locusts effectively when they are banding about two to three weeks after hatching but before they take flight.

“Landholders have worked extremely hard reporting and controlling locusts in recent months and we urge them to remain vigilant as the next wave looms,” Tim Seears said.

Livestock Health and Pest Authorities are continuing to work closely with the Department of Primary Industries, Australian Plague Locust Commission and the NSW Farmers Association to minimise the impact of locusts across the state.

Report all locust activity including egg beds, hatchings, banding and swarming to your local Livestock Health and Pest Authority (formerly your local RLPB).

MEDIA CONTACT: Kelly Ingham (02) 6391 3242 Mob 0428 465 378