Western Queensland graziers are still looking for answers to control grasshoppers after two years of widespread damage to pastures.
The insects have been recorded across a larger area than last year and have been blamed for many graziers choosing to destock.
Queensland's Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is awaiting the results of a survey into this year's grasshopper plague.
Boyd Webb from Weewondilla Station near Muttaburra said the damage was devastating after having received his first substantial rain in eight years.
"At the end of February, we were thinking if we could just get another inch or two before winter, we could struggle through to Christmas," Mr Webb said.
"About three or four weeks later, I was wondering how we got into this position because there was no feed and we had way too many mouths."
Mr Webb said more research was needed into the insects to help graziers mitigate future damage.
"It is a concern because obviously the eggs are in the ground," he said.
"Next year, when it rains again, do we cop them again?"
Investigations into spraying
Further west, Winton Shire Mayor Gavin Baskett said graziers needed better access to chemicals, after some had tried unsuccessfully to spray the insects.
"It's really disappointing that we can get a couple of good rain events two years in a row and the graziers can't benefit from all this feed that they had," he said.
The main chemical graziers in the area have been trying to use is Adonis, which is only available for specific species of grasshoppers and locusts.
Cr Baskett said they could not find the chemical at retail stores and other spraying options were too expensive and less effective.
"One of the local fellas, he was willing to put all his own money into it and he had crop dusters ready to go," he said.
"In the end, he just didn't worry about it, he just said it didn't weigh up."
Cr Baskett said it was unclear if Adonis could be used on the grasshoppers spreading through western Queensland.
In response, a spokeswoman for the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority said changes could be made to the uses of the chemical.
"To change the spectrum of species approved, either the manufacturer could apply to update their label, or industry could request a permit from the APVMA."
