As the winter cropping season approaches in Australia, farmers face a significant challenge due to high mouse populations, especially in regions like Northampton. Elders agronomist Belinda Eastough notes that mouse numbers surpass those seen during the 2021 and 2022 plagues, with approximately 6,000 mice per hectare in some paddocks. This surge is largely due to leftover grain from strong cereal seasons, providing abundant food and shelter for the rodents.