Australia: Northwest growers racing to get crops off before the rats

Sorghum crops have been damaged by swarms of rats in the Cloncurry region. Picture: Supplied A race is on in the north west to complete harvest before crops are eaten by up to 1000 native rats a hectare. All articles from our website & app The digital version of This Week's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox All articles from the other agricultural news sites in your area Cotton, sorghum, chickpeas and mungbeans have been devoured or are facing the threat of the rat plague, prompting calls for a long-term coordinated program along with improved access to baiting for growers. Nutrien agronomist Angus Dalgleish, Cloncurry, said the number of rats infesting the landscape had to be seen to be believed. "Estimates are there's at least 1000 rats per hectare," he said "These rats are eating everything they can, nothing in their way has been missed." Mr Dalgleish said the rodents have been observed in grass and cropping country where they were eating cotton, sorghum, ...