Pesticide shortage looms, as rain brings insect explosion

Date:11-08-2010

Farmers on the eastern seaboard of Australia may struggle to fight outbreaks of insects and weeds this summer.

A central Queensland agronomist is warning theres a big chance of pesticide shortages over the coming months.

Widespread rain over the region could mean increased pest activity heading into the new year.

Paul McIntosh, from Landmark in Emerald, says chemical companies judge their production on past years usage.

"You wind down to what youve sold last year or the year before and the year before, and of course, bang a year like this and you cannot supply," he said.

"You cant source it enough from overseas. You are trying to ascertain what supplies you need for summer right back in March-April, earlier this year."