Crop storage Beware of rodents attacking


precious straw stacks • Keep at-risk areas free from debris • Monitor rodent populations regularly • Use rodenticides where appropriate


R


odents are out in force again this winter and farmers are being urged


to protect straw stacks amid tight supplies.


The poor 2020 harvest means growers and livestock produc- ers should adopt a pro-active ap- proach to protecting straw bales from rodents seeking cover, har- bourage and winter feed, says Bayer national account manag- er Ken Black.


“Thorough rodent control is going to be especially vital this winter,” he says. Straw prices are up by over 40% on this time last year, according to the Agri- culture and Horticulture Devel-


opment Board, refl ecting limited availability.


Three-point plan Mr Black suggests a three-point plan to keep rodents out of the straw shed this winter. First, pro- ducers should ensure the area around the shed is free from de- bris and undergrowth. Secondly, they should monitor for rodents and pinpoint any areas of high activity. “Farmers can visually moni- tor for signs of activity by check- ing for droppings, footprints and chewed bales or string or they can place perimeter bait boxes around the shed with grain in, to monitor


for signs of rodent feeding activ- ity,” he says.


The third and fi nal course of action is to use rodenticides. “Re- member, that anyone purchasing and applying these treatments must have appropriate qualifi ca- tions and adhere to guidelines set out by the Campaign for Respon- sible Rodenticide Use, which is a requirement of farm assurance.”


Formulations


When it comes to selecting the appropriate rodenticide, the same active ingredient can be found in several different formulations, for example, in blocks or grain. Typi- cally for a farm environ- ment. a combination of both baits offers the most success- ful control.


The selected for-


Rodenticide guidelines must be strictly followed, says Ken Black


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