LOCUSTS SET TO PLAGUE OZ

[Talon]

LOCUSTS SET TO PLAGUE OZ

Australia's state of New South Wales is readying itself for its worst locust outbreak in 30 years.

Billions of the insects are just days away from hatching and farmers are fearful of another disaster after a long drought.

At the same time, some farmers fear a mouse plague, as rising numbers of mice have been reported in cotton fields in northern parts of the state.

Locusts can strip fields of wheat overnight and decimate other crops, but in the past Australia has been able to control plagues of the insects before they have caused widespread damage.

Authorities have increased poison stockpiles to prepare for a major spraying campaign.

The NSW government, responsible for fighting the main locust infestations east of the Newell Highway on the edge of the outback, has boosted poison stocks to cover one million acres.

The country's two most recent outbreaks came after the major grain crops had been harvested, limiting damage to minor summer crops such as oats.

Australia is presently growing crops of winter wheat and barley that form an important part of the world grains trade.

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