Brown locust control: we're getting it wrong
Farmer's Weekly|April 22 & 29, 2022 - Double Issue
The brown locust is one of the most destructive agricultural pests in South Africa, yet our understanding of its habits and our efforts at controlling it are patchy and haphazard. A paradigm shift is needed, says Dr Johannes Henschel, an ecologist and research associate at the University of the Free State and the National Research Foundation.
Roelof Bezuidenhout
Brown locust control: we're getting it wrong

Outbreak and recess phases of the brown locust (Locustana pardalina), which is endemic to Southern Africa, have been recorded for more than 200 years, and efforts have been made to control the pest since the founding of the Locust Research Unit of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) a century ago.

Surprisingly, after a good start to locust research, when careful observations recorded what happens before outbreaks commence, locust research neglected to do much more along these lines. Instead, scientists focused on refining methods of locust control, even though a workshop in the mid1980s had clearly identified that research should concentrate on the functioning of outbreak centres.

No effort has been made to protect crops, although such methods are being developed elsewhere using pheromones (natural substances that are repulsive to locusts but don’t affect human consumers), and ultrasonic acoustic deterrents.

In 2006, although scientists had identified gaps in research that had not been followed through, the ARC’s Locust Research Unit was shut down. Crops are superfoods for locusts, and can augment swarms immensely; leaving croplands unguarded is therefore neglectful, to say the least. However, the actual economic impact of locusts on crops has never been properly quantified; it is simply assumed to be very severe.

INEFFECTIVE CONTROL

この記事は Farmer's Weekly の April 22 & 29, 2022 - Double Issue 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Farmer's Weekly の April 22 & 29, 2022 - Double Issue 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

FARMER'S WEEKLYのその他の記事すべて表示
Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid
Farmer's Weekly

Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid

A horse can get a swollen eye from bumping it against a tree, shaking its head to keep flies away, or even snake venom

time-read
2 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
IPM requires a completely different mindset
Farmer's Weekly

IPM requires a completely different mindset

You need to investigate any beneficial insects that may appear on your plants, or you can purchase them

time-read
2 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Does parrot farming protect wild species?
Farmer's Weekly

Does parrot farming protect wild species?

Those in favour of commercial captive breeding argue that breeding parrots to sell can relieve pressure on wild populations. Researchers Neil D'Cruze and Rowan Martin review the evidence.

time-read
3 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic
Farmer's Weekly

Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic

Garlic can be prone to bacterial and fungal diseases, and it's important that farmers are proactive in preventing infection and practise appropriate management. Magda du Toit reports.

time-read
6 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming
Farmer's Weekly

Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming

The inadequate management of waste water is a challenge that the agriculture sector needs to deal with. Magda du Toit spoke to experts in waste and water management about a cost-effective treatment system.

time-read
5 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms
Farmer's Weekly

Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms

Farm attacks, murders, livestock and crop theft, and other rural crimes are a growing concern in South Africa. As a result, more and more farmers are turning to advanced security technology to protect their lives, properties, and livelihoods. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to experts about the security strategies that producers can adopt to combat these threats.

time-read
6 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
The impact of theft on farms in South Africa
Farmer's Weekly

The impact of theft on farms in South Africa

A high number of livestock are being stolen every year in South Africa. Insurance is expensive and farmers are battling to find solutions to the problem, says Dr Lindie von Maltitz, agricultural economics lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State.

time-read
5 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze
Farmer's Weekly

Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze

John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank Commercial Banking, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the importance of environmental and social sustainability for a prosperous agriculture sector.

time-read
8 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month
Farmer's Weekly

Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month

Free State Agriculture (FSA) is very concerned about the extremely poor state of rural paved and gravel roads in the province and has very little, if anything, to celebrate during Transport Month, which takes place every October.

time-read
1 min  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'
Farmer's Weekly

SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'

The Just Transition Agenda for Food System Policymaking in SA webinar, hosted by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) in October, highlighted the role that South Africa’s food system plays in contributing to climate change and how vulnerable it is to the impact thereof.

time-read
2 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024