Locust infestation threatens agricultural yields in Australia’s Riverland and Victoria’s northwest

Consensus Summary

A locust infestation is rapidly escalating across Australia’s agricultural heartlands, threatening crops and livestock in both South Australia’s Riverland and Victoria’s northwest. Farmers in both regions report unprecedented swarms, with Agriculture Victoria confirming locust numbers are at their highest in 15 years. The outbreak follows ideal breeding conditions—warm and wet weather in mid-September—which has triggered mass hatching. While South Australia has deployed a $6.5 million response, including a $35 per hectare chemical rebate, Victoria’s farmers face the crisis with no government support, leaving them to bear the costs alone. The situation mirrors the devastation of 2010, when billions of locusts ravaged crops from New South Wales to Melbourne, an event described as the worst in 75 years.

The current infestation builds on years of agricultural challenges, with farmers in South Australia’s Riverland describing their upcoming season as the 'best in decades'—only to face potential ruin from locusts. Steve Nitschke, a local farmer, told 7NEWS that swarms are already thick and could worsen in 'three to four weeks,' while Jack Lambert in Victoria’s Mallee region described bands of locusts moving across his property as 'pretty scary.' Both regions cite the 2010 plague as a cautionary tale, with farmers warning that delayed action could lead to uncontrollable spread. The timing is critical, as harvesting is set to begin soon, and contaminated grain could further damage yields.

Key figures in both states have voiced frustration with government responses. In South Australia, Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn criticized the lack of urgency, while Primary Industries Minister Joe Szakacs emphasized careful management of aerial spraying to protect the Riverland’s food production. Meanwhile, Victoria’s farmers, including Jim Pickering and Ryan Milgate of the Victoria Farmers Federation, accused Agriculture Victoria of failing to act despite repeated reports. Pickering, whose locusts are concentrated on government road reserves, demanded intervention, stating, 'They should be out here.' Agriculture Victoria’s chief plant health officer, Stephen Dibley, clarified that landholders—not the government—are responsible for treatment, though the department is coordinating with other agencies to mitigate risks.

The coverage diverges sharply on the severity of the threat and the adequacy of government responses. While 7NEWS frames the crisis as a localized but manageable challenge in South Australia, ABC highlights a broader failure in Victoria, where farmers lack financial or logistical support. South Australia’s $35 per hectare rebate and $6.5 million package contrast with Victoria’s absence of direct aid, a disparity that has deepened frustration. Both outlets agree that the 2010 plague set a grim precedent, but ABC’s focus on Victoria’s unsupported landholders underscores a systemic gap in pest control resources. Farmers in both regions warn that without immediate action, the infestation could spiral into a full-blown plague, threatening not just crops but the economic stability of rural communities.

As the locusts spread, the immediate focus remains on containment and treatment. South Australia’s debate over aerial spraying in national parks and reserves reflects the delicate balance between pest control and environmental protection, while Victoria’s farmers await clarity on whether they will receive any compensation for their efforts. Agriculture Victoria insists the infestation is not yet at plague levels, but farmers’ firsthand accounts paint a picture of growing desperation. With harvesting looming and locust numbers rising, the coming weeks will determine whether authorities can act swiftly enough to prevent another agricultural disaster—or if history will repeat itself as it did in 2010.