Tuesday, 14 November 2000

MEDIA RELEASE - SOUTH AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL OFFICE

Locust movement weather forecast for SA

A locust movement weather forecast service will be provided by the Bureau of Meteorology's South Australian Regional Office from tomorrow. The service will be supplied in liaison with Primary Industries and Resources South Australian (PIRSA).

A locust weather forecast will be issued only when conditions favor the large-scale southward movement of locusts from northern South Australia. It will be issued 24 to 48 hours in advance of the expected conditions.

The forecasts will be part of the official South Australian state forecast and will appear under the heading "warning summary". The terminology used in the forecasts may be similar to: "Weather conditions during the next 24 to 48 hours are potentially conducive to the significant southward movement of locusts."

The Bureau service will continue until the locust threat has ceased.

PIRSA has advised that warm overnight temperatures combined with fresh to strong northerly winds are likely to bring about significant locust movements.

If these weather conditions arise, PIRSA advises landholders and graziers to prepare to combat the locusts. It says paddocks should be checked early in the mornings for large overnight migrations of locusts that may have settled in the area. And it advises that an early start to spraying would be most effective in reducing locust numbers and crop damage.

Ends

Further information:
Phil Saunders, PIRSA, tel: (08) 8226 0423
Graeme Furler, Regional Director (South Australia), Bureau of Meteorology, tel: (08) 8366 2643
PIRSA website: www.pir.sa.gov.au