The Latest Breaking News from Steve Henry

Grain belt hit by worst mouse plague in years

Mouse numbers have exploded to plague proportions across a state's grain belt, with thousands per hectare threatening crops and straining bait supply

AAP · Apr 28

Mouse plague hits WA grain farmers as numbers surge in SA: ‘You literally can’t get away from them’

CSIRO researcher says there are reports of up to 4,000 mouse burrows per hectare in parts of Western Australia

The Guardian - AU · Apr 22

Early warning signs another mouse plague is on the way

Some of Australia's key cropping regions have experienced the exact weather conditions known to trigger a mouse plague, prompting a warning to farmers.

AAP · Nov 4, 2025

NSW floods may have stopped another mouse plague but farmers worry about rats, pigs

Flooding in NSW washes away farm infrastructure, drowns crops, and kills livestock, but it may also be keeping a mouse plague at bay.

ABC News · Jan 16, 2023

Genetic engineering could be used to control mouse populations, research finds

Scientists demonstrated that a gene drive can be used to induce female infertility in the common house mouse, an invasive species in Australia

The Guardian - AU · Nov 12, 2022

CSIRO recommends double-strength mouse baits after report finds dose used to protect crops ineffective

Study undertaken after farmers said recommended dosage was not having an impact on numbers – even before the plague of 2021

The Guardian - AU · Aug 2, 2022

Farmers, rural residents warned to be vigilant to prevent another mouse plague

The nightmare mouse plague of 2021 will go down in the history books and has left many dreading a return of rodents.

ABC News · Jun 16, 2022

Return of the rodents: Australia’s farmers on high alert for another mouse plague

Last year’s record invasion devastated rural areas and this year’s bumper harvest is seeing mouse numbers increasing again

The Guardian - AU · May 13, 2022

Mouse plague warning as numbers increase across eastern states and WA

With mouse numbers beginning to rise again after last year's plague, experts warn farmers and rural communities need to act now to avoid another spring rodent breeding boom.

ABC News · May 9, 2022