SMALL landholders have an important role to play controlling locusts in the coming months.
The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) will update the current locust situation and provide information on the potential impact of Australian Plague Locusts at a meeting in Kilmore on September 8.
Victoria is facing what could potentially be the biggest locust plague in the past 75 years. As a result, DPI has initiated its locust management plan and is working with landholders, local government and industry to reduce the impact of Australian Plague Locusts this spring.
Meetings are now being held with farmers, industry, local government, water authorities and chemical suppliers in preparation for a major, collaborative effort in response to the locust threat.
The Kilmore meeting will be held at 7pm on Wednesday, September 8 in the Golden Rein Room at Kilmore Trackside.
The meeting is being organised by DPI, Kilmore Pastoral and Mitchell Shire Council and will be led by David Stewart and Melissa Neal from DPI.
Mr Stewart said the meeting had been called to meet the specific information needs of smaller landholders and would provide an update on the current locust situation in Victoria and provide information about the biology and potential impact of Australian Plague Locusts.
“While we cannot eliminate the locust threat completely, a collaborative approach with public and private landholders including small landholders working together can reduce the effect on vital food production areas, the natural environment and rural communities,” Mr Stewart said.
“We will outline what DPI is doing and what you can do to prepare for and respond to locusts this season.
“We will also outline where to go for more information and any available assistance for landholders.
Geoff Dennis from Kilmore Pastoral urged local landholders to register for the meeting to find out what can be done to help minimise the effect of locusts this season.
Local land managers who would like to attend this session should register with Kilmore Pastoral by calling 5782 1044.
For more information, visit <www.dpi.vic.gov.au/locusts> or call the DPI Locust Hotline on 1300 135 559.






