Moderator Launches Flood Appeal

The recent wet weather events and ensuing floods have caused great economic and emotional damage to rural NSW.
One of the responses made by the Uniting Church in recent days is to launch an appeal to assist people affected by the wet weather and floods.
Rev Niall Reid Moderator of the NSW UCA Synod launched the appeal calling on the generosity of those who might assist.
For more information the link is http://www.insights.uca.org.au/news/2010/flood-appeal-10-12-2010.htm

Kel Hodge

Situation Update 23.11.10

Situation update from Industry and Investment

We have now received 4,516 reports of locust activity, including nine reports of swarms. The majority of adult reports are of low density swarms with one high density swarm reported to date.

With harvest underway in north, central and southern regions, we are receiving sporadic reports of locust nymphs in the understory of harvested crops. This is a reminder to get back into paddocks once crops are off and re-check for any locust activity.

To date, we have not had any reports of crop damage or reports of significant grain contamination.

Situation update 19.10.10

Total confirmed hatchings are now at 1,675. Activity continues to increase across most affected areas. 

Heavy rain and cooler weather has hampered control and surveillance activities, particularly in the North West and South West of the State. Despite the poor weather conditions, limited aerial spraying was undertaken around Nyngan, Walgett and Carinda yesterday and over the weekend. Aerial surveillance is also taking place today in and around Bourke and Brewarrina.

To date, some 70,000 hectares has been treated from the air and more than 7.2 million hectares of potential hatching areas have been surveyed from the air.  
Big wet does little to slow locusts
While flooding and heavy rain has hampered control efforts, it will have little impact on the locust population and impending outbreak, according to NSW Deputy Locust Commissioner, Simon Oliver.

“Previous campaigns show us that floods and heavy rain does little to affect locust numbers, and only delays their development until conditions improve,” Mr Oliver said.

“For the flood-affected areas of South West NSW, where hatchings are yet to peak, locust egg beds will be largely unaffected.

“Locust egg beds can withstand extreme weather conditions and will remain dormant until suitable conditions return for hatching and development.

“Despite the rain, landholders are being reminded to remain vigilant and continue checking pastures and crops for locust activity,” Mr Oliver said.

Seems to be under control at Nyngan

There has been such a good surveillance of the locust hatching areas within the area, that I believe things are really well in hand under the present arrangements between the authorities." Ray, Nyngan

Update on hatching and banding 12th Oct

As we move closer to projected peak hatching dates for many parts of the Lachlan and Riverina, we’ve seen a further doubling in locust reports this week. . Total confirmed hatchings are now at 1,190.
Strong winds hampered much of the planned aerial operations over the weekend. Despite poor weather conditions, limited spraying took place in Nyngan, Walgett and Bourke.

Aerial surveillance has also commenced out of the Lachlan LHPA, targeting areas in and around Tottenham, South of Nyngan and Condobolin. Post-control monitoring is also taking place to confirm the effectiveness of both on-ground and aerial control measures. Initial results are promising and show control measures are working well to date.

A rain front predicted for much of the State is likely to further limit aerial operations later this week.

Hatchings now increasing exponentially

Situation report from NSW Locust control

The number of hatching reports has doubled over the past week, taking total confirmed hatchings to 253. Significant locust activity continues in the Central West and Darling areas, particularly around current hot spots of Bourke, Brewarrina, Carinda and Nyngan.

Hatchings have begun in Hume and Mid-Coast LHPAs. The Lachlan area has also reported further locust hatchings, including in and around Grenfell and Eugowra.

Extensive air surveillance operations began last week and is continuing this week. Targeting areas in and around Walgett, Bourke, and Brewarrina and further south to Carinda and Nyngan, the surveillance identified around 1,000 locust bands. This included major bands stretching up to three kilometres found near Carinda.

Given the scale and size of these bands – and given it is beyond farmers’ ground control capacity – aerial spraying operations are being deployed this week. The spraying will commence out of Bourke and Carinda and will target the major bands which were identified through the earlier surveillance exercise. In total, approximately 700 square kilometres of locust bands will be sprayed

Hatchings still going slowly thankfully

Warmer weather over the last week has led to increased hatching activity across a number of areas. Further reports, particularly in locust hot spots such as Bourke and Brewarrina (Darling) and Nyngan (Central West), takes total confirmed hatchings to 51. The North West LHPA has also experienced increased locust hatchings over the past week.

A 600 metre long dense band of locust nymphs was also found on a property 30 km south of Carinda, in the state’s north west. The band, which was some four metres wide, consisted mainly of 2nd instar nymphs with a large number also still emerging from the eggbed.

Warmer temperatures predicted for much of the State this coming week point to a further jump in locust hatchings and general activity. Whilst it’s recognised that some farmers are still having trouble getting out onto wet paddocks