Tracking locust movements in Australia: Latest disaster analysis and agricultural protection guide in 2023

Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australian Encyclopedia. Recently, some friends asked me aboutAustralia locust migration dynamicsNow I will summarize the relevant issues and hope it will be helpful to friends who are concerned about Australia’s agricultural development and ecological security.

Quick report on the current situation of locust plague in 2023

According to the latest monitoring data from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARES) in August, the current locust swarms are mainly concentrated in:

• Western New South Wales (New England to the Riverina region)

• South Central Queensland (Darling Downs to Maranoa area)

• Northern South Australia (around the Flinders Ranges)

The area covered has reached 350,000 hectares, of which 15% is a high-density gathering area. The meteorological department predicts that as the temperature rises in spring, the locust swarm will continue to move southeast, and the Gippsland region of Victoria may enter a state of alert in October.

Key issues related to locust migration

1. The direct impact of locust plague on Australian agriculture

• Economic losses: AUD 230 million in agricultural losses have been incurred this season, with wheat, canola and alfalfa being the worst hit

• Threat to pastures: A locust swarm can consume 250 tons of vegetation per square kilometer per day, equivalent to the food intake of 35,000 sheep

• Biosafety: Insect eggs can penetrate the soil to a depth of 15 cm, affecting the subsequent crop rotation

2. Decoding the government’s prevention and control system

Australia has adopted a three-level response mechanism:

• Satellite monitoring system (heat map updated every 6 hours)

• Ground rapid reaction force (equipped with vehicle-mounted spray devices)

• Air defense formation (fixed-wing aircraft daily operating area 8,000 hectares)

A$47 million has been invested in prevention and control in 2023, with a focus on protecting the main grain-producing areas in the Murray-Darling Basin.

3. Breakthroughs in new prevention and control technologies

The latest "gene interference spray" developed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Organization (CSIRO) has entered the field trial stage:

• Targeted inhibition of locust chitin synthase

• 48-hour lethality 92%

• The killing rate of beneficial insects is lower than 3%

When used in conjunction with traditional medicines, prevention and control efficiency is increased by 40%.

Hot issues of public concern

Q1: How can ordinary farmers participate in joint defense?

• PIRSA certified monitoring equipment must be installed (government subsidy 60%)

• Participate in weekly online prevention and control training (register on the Ministry of Agriculture’s official website)

• Timely reporting of insect infestation will earn you a control subsidy of $28 per hectare

Q2: Will the employment of international students be affected?

Agricultural provinces have initiated special work permits:

• New South Wales/Queensland open emergency agricultural visa ($32.5 per hour)

• Must complete the biosafety course certification (4 hours of online training)

• Mandatory wearing of protective equipment during work (provided by the employer)

Q3: What is the prospect of locust protein processing industry?

An emerging industrial chain is taking shape:

• Melbourne’s first insect protein processing plant (daily processing capacity 5 tons)

• Products include pet food (accounting for 65%), organic fertilizer (30%)

• Investment payback period is about 18 months (government tax incentives)

Australian Encyclopedia Assistant Summary: Although this locust plague has brought challenges, it has also promoted agricultural technology innovation and industrial transformation. It is recommended to continue to pay attention to the official website of the Ministry of Agriculture of each state, farmers to purchase crop insurance in a timely manner, and ordinary residents can participate in insect monitoring through the "FeralScan" APP.

Thank you for your reading. I hope this article can help you understandAustralia locust migrationIf you need to obtain a real-time insect situation map, please leave a message in the comment area to request the latest data package.