Australian Canegrower, 20 July 2015

Canegrower AUSTRALIAN

The flagship of the sugarcane industry 20 July 2015 Price $8.95

Ag Minister visits Mackay cane growers

Crop Nutrition and Protection Feature

IPF 2015 PRODUCTIVITY REPORT

Evidence and enthusiasm mounting for use of ENTEC® enhanced efficiency fertiliser in sugar cane: potential for significant increases in cane yield, sugar yield and profits IPF’s release last year of consolidated trial results provided the first formal evidence that cane growers can put more in their pockets through a strategic choice of nitrogen. Today, a number of cane growers at the leading edge of ENTEC® use are beginning to talk about their own experiences and results.

After three years – dramatic results 45-year veteran cane grower Graeme Blackburn started cautiously with ENTEC®.

And he wasn’t one to say much until he could be certain of the results. But today, he’s beginning to talk – and you can’t miss the enthusiasm in his voice when he does.

Graeme Blackburn of Murani near Mackay has progressed from trying ENTEC on a portion of his crop three years ago, to using it on 100% today.

“Last year was my best crop ever”, Graeme says. “And this year, even though it’s been dry, the crop is in good nick and really green. Particularly when I compare it to a neighbour who uses untreated urea.”

What has Graeme especially excited is the dramatic reduction in nitrogen loss he’s seen.

“We’re not getting any leaching or denitrification at all. It goes into the ground. It won’t move sideways in the dry. It won’t leach even when it’s teeming.

Graeme sums up: “This is a real winner for me. I’m making some dough. It’s good for the environment. I think it’s one of the answers we need to be putting to the government.

People really need to start paying attention.”

Data suggests increase in yield with use of ENTEC treated urea Based on pooled results from six trials (seven crops) over six years (1-2 years each)

CANE YIElD SUGAR YIElD

+9.1% +7.7%

Based on pooled analysis of data from six trials conducted from Ingham (FNQ) to Broadwater (Nth NSW) between 2008 and 2013 by Incitec Pivot Fertilisers, Burdekin Productivity Services, Sunshine Sugar, Famacist, DSITIA and SRA. Incitec Pivot Fertilisers makes no representation that the yield improvements achieved in these trials are applicable to every farming situation, on all occasions. As local soil, climate and cultural practices vary considerably Incitec Pivot Fertilisers makes no representations or warranties as to the reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose of the information provided. Before using these products, users should consult their local agronomic advisor.

To illustrate the potential significance of the results certain assumptions were made about sugar price, harvesting and fertiliser costs to give an indicative revenue per hectare. There are obvious limitations to these assumptions since they do not reflect all labour, land holding costs or other expenses. Actual results may vary. Factors such as weather and environmental conditions, soil condition and other variables will impact the results growers obtain.

And based on the assumptions about application rate, fertiliser cost and sugar price below Additional fertiliser cost for ENTEC treatment

77

$

/ha

Based on an average Nitrogen rate of 180kg/ ha over all trials (Note: some districts apply nitrogen at rates other than 180 kgN/ha)

Sugar cane growing in North Queensland

In first season – already seeing a difference Northern Queensland grower John Gollogly decided to give ENTEC® a try when it was mentioned as a possible solution for nitrogen run-off at a local water quality meeting. What he’s seeing now makes him very hopeful about his upcoming harvest.

“The farmer next door planted at least six weeks before me,” John says. “But mine has now caught up with his. Mine is green, and looks like it’s still growing. His has a limey colour and looks like it may have stopped.”

John also compared his Hawkins Creek plant cane to the 100 hectares he has on the other side of the river where he hasn’t used ENTEC®. “By sight, I can tell the difference there too.”

“I won’t know until harvest. But I hope to see an increase in tonnes per ha, and better sugar content as well. It may be a bit dearer. But if the proof’s there, I intend to use it again this year, use even more of it.”

Price differential for ENTEC treatment at IPF retail price 21 April 2015

Potential additional gross revenue

235

$

/ha

Average sugar yield 14.67t/ha Sugar price of $394.11/t (Source: QSL average weight price 21 April, 2015)

First time ENTEC® user John Gollogly of Hawkins Creek, Ingham is awaiting results from his upcoming harvest, but is already encouraged.

To find out more about ENTEC’s potential to increase yield and put more dollars in your pocket, see your local accredited ENTEC dealer or IPF representative or visit entecfertilisers.com.au. ®ENTEC is a registered trademark of EuroChem Agro GmbH. Incitec Pivot Limited is licensed to distribute ENTEC in Australia. ®EASY N is a registered trademark of Incitec Pivot Limited. Incitec Pivot Fertilisers is a registered trademark of Incitec Fertilisers Limited ABN 56 103 709 155.

CONTENTS 20.07.2015

CEO'S COMMENT

3

It has been encouraging to see the sheer level of support by so many MPs on both sugar marketing and trade access issues. Getting broadscale understanding and support for the issues the cane industry faces is an important step forward in addressing these longer term issues for the industry and these MPs are to be commended for standing up for their constituents so fiercely.

Dan Galligan CANEGROWERS CEO

Cover: Paul Schembri, George Christensen, Barnaby Joyce, Greg Plath and Kevin Borg in Mackay discussing the release of the agricultural white paper.

Opposite: Paul Schembri (L) and Greg Plath (R) give George Christensen and Barnaby Joyce a taste of this year’s crop.

C a n e g ro AUST RA

LIA N

The flagsh

we r

ip of the

sugarcane indus

20 July 2015

Ag Minis ter visits

Mackay cane growe rs

Crop Nutrit ion and Prote ction Featu re

try

Price $8.95

INDUSTRY NEWS 2

Editor's Desk

2

Open up US sugar trade, urges Australia

3

CEO's Comments

4

Barnaby Joyce visits Mackay cane growers

4

Growers strike deal with Mackay Sugar over condemned cane

4

Tully Mangrove Jack Awards 2015

Photos by Sonia Ball

4

New face of CANEGROWERS insurance for Herbert and Tully

Guest Editors Suzi Moore and Wayne Griffin Design, subscriptions, advertising and classifieds Wayne Griffin

5

Regional roundup

7

SRA Snapshot: Herbicide phytotoxicity trial results

8

QSL: QSL finalises 2014 season pool results

Articles appearing in Australian Canegrower do not necessarily represent the policies or views of CANEGROWERS Published every second Monday by CANEGROWERS Level 6, 100 Edward Street, Brisbane, Queensland Australia ABN 94 089 992 969 Postal Address: GPO Box 1032, Brisbane, Queensland 4001 Australia Telephone: 07 3864 6444; Fax: 07 3864 6429 Email: info@CANEGROWERS.com.au Website: www.CANEGROWERS.com.au CANEGROWERS/Members Card Hotline 1800 177 159 AUSTRALIAN CANEGROWER ISSN 157-3039 Volume 37, Number 14 Printed by Screen Offset Printing 202 Robinson Road, Geebung, QLD, 4034 Subscriptions Yearly subscriptions for 25 issues (postage included) Within Australia Overseas (AUD)

CROP NUTRITION & PROTECTION 12

Correct placement of grub control crucial

15

Improved sugarcane growth following use of Great Land®

16

Benefits add up with higher capacity SP spraying system

ON FARM 18

Long-haul back to business: light at the end of the tunnel for Sunshine Coast growers

MEMBER SERVICES 21

Getting to know you

22

Classifieds

24

Rainfall report

$140 inc GST $220

20 July 2015

| Australian Canegrower

1

EDITOR’S DESK

Our hearts have gone out to growers this month as harvest has been held up in many areas by persistent rain, which seems incongruous after such a dry start to the year.

On a brighter note, it was great to see our federal agricultural minister Barnaby Joyce up in Mackay this month where he took time to meet with local cane growers and tell them more about his recently released agricultural white paper.

This edition we bring you a jam packed crop nutrition and protection

feature, with some great articles and advertisements supplied by our regular and new advertisers.

Our on farm section this edition is an interesting look at a cane growing operation in the Nambour area which is trucking its cane up to Maryborough.

With the high cost of transport, the Petersens are concentrating on farm practices and their relationship with their miller to ensure their cane farm remains a viable business concern. n

Guest editors Suzi Moore & Wayne Griffin

Open up US sugar trade, urges Australia In what could be a final round of Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade talks from 28-31 July, the Australian Sugar Industry Alliance has been abundantly clear that what is needed is a significant opening of the American sugar market for Australian sugar.

Several Queensland Nationals MPs have taken up the fight, showing active public support of this objective and underscoring that they will not support a TPP that does not include significant additional access to international sugar markets. Amongst their number is Senator Matthew Canavan who has said he wants to see a world sugar trade “on a platform that is fairer for sugar producers and sugar consumers’’.

The Australian Sugar Industry Alliance will be taking the fight for fairer trade access right up to the line. Our messages are clear: • Sugar must be included in the TPP. • There is no reason why access to the US market for unsubsidised Australian sugar should restricted to 87,402 tonnes, when Mexico enjoys access for 1.5 Mt of sugar that has been found to be subsidised and dumped into the US. • A TPP agreement must look beyond US politics to fully include open access for unsubsidised Australian sugar.

US Trade Representative Michael Froman last fortnight signalled that the Obama administration was willing

2

Australian Canegrower

| 20 July 2015

to give countries participating in the TPP additional access to the US sugar market, as long as that access did not undermine local producers.

Federal Trade Minister Andrew Robb warned not to read too much into these comments, saying sugar is again looking likely to be a major sticking point for Australia in TPP negotiations. He is concerned that Australia has yet to see any genuine offer on sugar from the US. “Right from day one, I have indicated that as far as the US is concerned, sugar is one of our principle asks,” Mr Robb said.

"That message has been repeated for nearly two years now, but no genuine offer has yet been received.

"It’s positive to see Mr Froman’s comments, but they could still be consistent with a small offer.

WHO IS QLD’S MOST INNOVATIVE FARMER? Do you know of a rural enterprise that deserves statewide recognition for its sustainable production practices?

If so, the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) wants you to nominate that project for the 2015 Premier’s Sustainability Awards in the Rural award category.

Proudly supported by AgForce Queensland and the Grazing BMP Partnership, this award recognises a primary producer for sustainable production and conservation of natural resources.

The Premier's Sustainability Awards are open to Queensland-based initiatives, rural landholders, businesses, communities, schools, individuals, not-forprofit organisations and local government areas that share the government’s commitment to a more sustainable future.

Enterprises that pursue eco-efficiency are achieving growing community, shareholder and customer support.

Winners will be announced at an awards presentation dinner hosted by the Premier on Thursday 5 November at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Each category winner will also receive $2,500 to support on-going or future sustainability projects.

More information about the awards and an online application form can be found at www.ehp.qld.gov.au/ premiersawards or call 07 3339 5873.

Nominations close on Friday 14 August 2015. n

"We are looking for a significant and commercially meaningful offer, not a token offer."

Whilst visiting Mackay this month, federal agricultural minister Barnaby Joyce was clear on his support for sugar’s inclusion in the TPP. He was reported as saying that his American agricultural counterparts were offering “excuses’’ on sugar opportunities compared with Australia trying to accommodate their requests.

He told The Australian recently: “I said I wanted one thing. Sugar, that’s it.

And all we get is excuses,’’ he said. n

Clarification In relation to the article on sugar marketing on page 6 of the 06/07/2015 edition of Australian Canegrower, the formal clarification made by the Hon. Julie Bishop MP was printed in the 19 June edition of the Financial Review. Julie Bishop is the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

CEO'S COMMENT

Looking to the future

By Dan Galligan CANEGROWERS CEO This month has marked the start of an all-stops tour which, over the coming months, will take me to every major cane growing area. Even as so many major issues are circling, getting out to each area is proving an important and worthwhile starting point to getting to know the industry.

The focus of this first of what will be many trips has been on very informal conversations with district managers and their staff on their home turf, which is one of the best ways to get across the issues most important to each region across the industry. At the same time, it is amazing to witness firsthand the dedication and expansive service delivery provided by CANEGROWERS staff in district offices across the state.

Future visits will provide greater opportunities to meet with growers and district boards.

One of the things we can’t do much about is the vagaries of the weather and it is frustrating to watch on as the effect of the persistent rain, and the challenges of the crushing delays which have resulted, are felt. The flow on implications for growers and industry are palpable and we are all hoping that the sun comes back out soon and shines on the rest of the harvest.

On a brighter note, it has been encouraging to see the sheer level of support by so many MPs on both sugar marketing and trade access issues.

Getting broadscale understanding and support for the issues the cane industry faces is an important step forward in addressing these longer

“It will take extensive commitment by not only the commonwealth but State ministers if we are to see the white paper principles turn into reality. At the end of the day, the success of this plan will be measured on its impact on grower profitability.”

Dan Galligan CANEGROWERS CEO

term issues for the industry and these MPs are to be commended for standing up for their constituents so fiercely.

alongside many agricultural stakeholders across Australia, during the extensive submissions process.

During a tour of the Sugar Research Australia facility in Brisbane recently, it was great to see the impressive facility at Indooroopilly and observe firsthand the researchers working to unravel the mysteries behind yellow canopy syndrome.

The package released touched on a range of issues critical to the industry’s future profitability and sustainability, including strategies around competition, research, inputs, technology, biosecurity and investment issues. It is a demonstration of the importance that government is placing on the agricultural sector. The leadership of the federal Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, in persisting in developing such a broad blueprint can only be applauded. It will take extensive commitment by not only the Commonwealth but State ministers if we are to see the white paper principles turn into reality. At the end of the day, the success of this plan will be measured on its impact on grower profitability.

CANEGROWERS is also progressing discussions with SRA on the many factors that need to be addressed to progress work on developing GM cane varieties. There are lots of opportunities ahead for the Australian industry as our researchers work hard on predicting future farming system needs, but research needs to be backed up by detailed and coordinated industry efforts towards implementation and adoption.

Trying to predict what the Australian farming sector needs now and into the future is something which has been the topic of much discussion lately.

It was certainly central to the highly anticipated Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper released this month. The white paper takes into consideration the myriad of concerns and opportunities put forward by CANEGROWERS,

CANEGROWERS will continue to work closely with government to ensure the importance of agriculture to Queensland's long-term prosperity is promoted and on the development of robust and practical policy by government to maximise the benefits to our cane growers.n

20 July 2015

| Australian Canegrower

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INDUSTRY NEWS

GROWERS STRIKE DEAL WITH MACKAY SUGAR OVER CONDEMNED CANE CANEGROWERS Mackay has struck a deal with Mackay Sugar that will see growers get paid for cane that would normally be too low in sugar content to be accepted.

Under the existing agreement, cane must contain a minimum sugar content level per tonne.

Unusually high amounts of cane is not meeting that standard this season in Mackay and under normal circumstances this ‘condemned’ cane would be worth nothing.

CANEGROWERS Mackay CEO, Kerry Latter, says when growers are having a tough year, losing out on the condemned cane would be enough to push some growers to the limit,

so the deal with the mill is a godsend for the local industry. Mackay Sugar CEO, Quinton Hildebrand, says the agreement is fair and will only apply for this year. Hildebrand says the amount of cane with low sugar content this year is mind boggling and no one is entirely sure what causes it.

He says the decision to offer this deviation to usual practice has taken into consideration the multitude of issues facing growers this year, including the low international price, low yield forecast and Yellow Canopy Syndrome to name just a few.n

BARNABY JOYCE VISITS MACKAY TO TALK AG COMPETITIVENESS Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, has spent time on farm with growers in the Mackay region this month on the back of the release of his well-publicised agricultural white paper.

Local cane growers were particularly interested in the $11.4 million funding to establish an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Commissioner dedicated to agriculture as well as supporting capability at the ACCC concerned with agriculture supply chain issues.

He spoke about the widespread concern amongst farmers across Australia with the lack of transparency in supply chains and the anticompetitive distortions that can result—all too often to the detriment of farmers.

Tully’s Mangrove Jack Award has been picked up by local cane growers Mario and Heidi Quagliata.

• $500 million for developing water infrastructure and dams • $31 million for addressing technical barriers to trade • $60 million to address mobile blackspots • $200 million towards improving biosecurity surveillance • $11.4 million for an ACCC Agriculture Commissioner

New insurance face for Herbert and Tully CANEGROWERS is pleased to welcome our newest addition to the CANEGROWERS Insurance team.

Sherese Peckham started out in insurance in 1996 and has enjoyed it so much that she’s been working in the industry since then (19 years).

The awards give recognition to farmers who are adopting best practice farming systems which will enable them to farm sustainably along with the natural environment into the future.

Sherese completed a Senior Associates in General Insurance at ANZIIF in 2003 and graduated with a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of The South Pacific in Fiji in 2014.

After accepting the role with CANEGROWERS Insurance to look after growers in the Tully and Herbert River regions, Sherese has relocated from Townsville to Ingham with her family.

It also recognises the changing times we are in and our involvement in the voluntary Smartcane BMP program.

In presenting the award to the Quagliatas at this year’s Tully Productivity Awards, CANEGROWERS Tully Chairman Tom Harney congratulated the winners saying they stood out amongst farmers for their Australian Canegrower

• $100 million to boost rural research and development

The White Paper is available at agwhitepaper.agriculture.gov.au. n

TULLY MANGROVE JACK 2015

4

Highlights of the Agricultural White Paper package include:

huge efforts and for succeeding in reaching their goals. With so many interesting projects happening on the farm, the Australian Canegrower will catch up with the Quagliatas for a story in coming months.n

| 20 July 2015

Please don’t hesitate to contact Sherese on 0408 630 426 or sherese_peckham@ canegrowers.com.au

INDUSTRY NEWS

WET WEATHER MAKES TIME FOR TRANSPORT TRAINING Innisfail district cane harvester operators put the delayed start to their 2015 crushing season to good use.

An almost record wet June meant the crush was delayed by two weeks.

During this time, it was identified that once a track harvester was loaded onto a float for transport, it exceeded the legal height

restrictions for road travel and required a Level 1 Pilot to move.

attendees from harvesting groups within the district.

CANEGROWERS Innisfail engaged Mears Construction and Transport to deliver competency based Level 1 Pilot training to all harvester operators in the district.

These harvester operators now have a Statement of Attainment for TLIC3010A Pilot or escort oversized and/or overmassed loads which they take to Transport and Main Roads to apply for their Level 1 Pilot licence.

Now that’s a good use of wet weather!

Three half day training courses were run in early July with 37

CANEGROWERS Regional round-up

By CANEGROWERS district offices

Mossman and Tableland At the end of Week 8 Mossman Mill had processed a total of 217,527 tonnes of cane for an average of 10.67CCS. The Mossman Pool average to-date is 10.03CCS and the Tableland Pool average to-date is 11.31CCS. The weather again had an impact in Week 8 with the mill stopped for three days due to wet weather.

Innisfail Crushing finally commenced on Wednesday after several weeks delay due to wet weather, with the June rainfall recorded at Innisfail of 481mm being the third highest on record.

A failure with the boilers on start-up followed by a bagasse choke at the mill compounded the already delayed start. It just goes to demonstrate that there can be a lot of expenditure on upgrades but technical issues can still arise that prevent operations.

The first day’s mill average CCS was 10.3. Planting will remain at a standstill until ground conditions improve.

In conjunction with a local training organisation, CANEGROWERS Innisfail arranged for a course for pilot escorts due to recent changes by TMR and Ergon Energy. Most harvesting groups and most low loader operators in the district now have fully accredited level 1 pilot operators. There is the ability to upgrade to level 2 under RPL provisions once sufficient operations under level 1 have been completed.

Tully The month of July has been much better for the harvest after the last few days in June saw falls of over 170mm across the district. There is clearly a sense of urgency about the harvest. The crop is still growing and has lodged after the recent heavy rain. The prospects of a very large crop are now real, and it will take a big effort and some luck to get it all into the factory.

The early plant is looking very good.

Tully Show is 24-25 July and everyone is looking for better weather after this.

Herbert River Showers have taken the shine off this otherwise promising week for a return to full field activity and adding to the pattern of intermittent showers for the past month.

Harvesting is moving into full swing in week 3 after a wet and staggered start on June 23.

A new wet weather incentive is being implemented this year which allows groups that harvest on wet days when the mills have less than 22,000 tonnes supply available to quarantine the benefit of tonnage supplied on those wet days right through to the end of the season.

Continues page 6 ► 20 July 2015

| Australian Canegrower

5

INDUSTRY NEWS

The season has been characterised by very low CCS at the beginning as the crop was in growth mode after the showery and warmer weather and had unused available nutrition after the failed wet season.

Whilst the rain was disruptive and troubling, it augurs well for an upward revision of estimated cane tonnage.

Demand for clean seed from the HCPSL plots is at an all time high as growers pick up on the efficiency of the system that has proven productivity benefits. Show cane exhibits at the Ingham show were strong this year despite the adverse weather leading up to show time. Herbert River growers are looking forward to the roll out of the improvements to the Herbert’s variety improvement program recently announced by SRA. The Wet Tropics Training Sugar Industry Partnership Training and Extension project (WTSIP) that links the Productivity Services, CANEGROWERS and ACFA in an Australian Government Reef Programme funded program under contract with Terrain NRM is in top gear offering support initially to growers with grants and others undergoing practice changes for water quality enhancements.

Smartcane BMP uptake continues to gain traction as many registered growers move towards accreditation in the three core modules. The WTSIP project delivers helpful outcomes that complement the Smartcane BMP pathway to accreditation.

Burdekin The sun is shining and the four mills are crushing well. At the end of Week 4, 16% of the crop being 1,291,668 tonnes of cane had been crushed for the season.

Average CCS for the region has increased from 12.39 in Week 1 to 13.66 in Week 4 which is slightly higher than for the same time last year (13.17).

Phil Marano and Wayne Smith

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Australian Canegrower

| 20 July 2015

The region is facing water restrictions for the first time in 50 years. The failed wet season and the subsequent below average rainfall in the general catchment of the Burdekin Falls Dam have resulted in current dam levels being much lower than usual. SunWater has limited allocations to 63% and the Lower Burdekin Water (the local Water Board) has subsequently announced water restrictions for open/surface water at 50% plus no excess water use will be allowed. The Water Board has also flagged that there may be no water available to open water licence or surface water permit holders for the period 1 April to 30 June. The Water Board has the critical role of managing saltwater intrusion into the aquifer.

Growers are taking this announcement into consideration when making decisions regarding crop cycle planning and on farm management practices. It is anticipated that these restrictions will have an impact on the expansion of the rice industry in the region, with around 30 growers looking to plant rice as an alternative/fallow crop. Feedback indicates that some varieties of rice are thirstier than cane.

Wilmar has filed a Notice of Appeal against the decision of Burdekin Shire Council to approve a Development Application for a very large solar farm in Clare. This solar farm is planned to be built on prime cane farming land.

Proserpine After almost two weeks of crushing, Proserpine Mill has crushed 105,280 tonnes of the season’s estimated 1.76 million tonnes of cane. Wet weather has continued to restrict harvesting operations with the majority of supply coming from the southern and western parts of the district. Supply from the northern areas has only recently commenced. The weather forecast for the next few weeks looks favourable and it is hoped that supply can achieve budgeted levels.

Sugar content is rising despite some initial fears to the contrary; season to date CCS stands at 12.88. Yield is currently holding close to estimate however there is some grub affected cane in the drier areas which is below expectations. The recent rain has certainly provided a much needed boost to the newly planted cane and has stimulated the current crop.

Mackay and Plane Creek The Mackay mills crushed 226,393 tonnes of cane in the week ending 5 July. All mills were above 89% for factory availability for the week, with Racecourse Mill achieving 98.1% for the week. Wet weather again interrupted the week's processing, with outside stops contributing between 18 and 24 hours of lost opportunity at each mill.

Cane quality continues to rise across the board with an average PRS of 12.35% for the week and Commercial Index of 102.25. To date, the mills have processed 643,275 tonnes of cane.

A total of 59,829 tonnes of cane was crushed at Plane Creek for the week. Crush throughput, CCS and bin weights are all very pleasing.

The week saw a reduction in the number of cane supply stops due to weather conditions and mechanical breakdowns in the field. Shredder tips were turned during the week.

Other factory stops included repairs to the hot water tank and also the governor control on boiler two’s induced draft fan. Overall, the factory is performing well. The highest CCS sample for the week was from a rake of second ratoon Q138 at 16.00 from the Koumala Productivity District.

Maryborough As at 9 July MSF Ltd had crushed 92,961 tonnes at CCS of 12.51. Weather conditions over the past week have been good for harvesting and very little lost time has been experienced to date. Most groups are supplying standover cane as a result of the drought last season.

NSW The harvest season is now under way in all three NSW mill areas. Wet weather has hampered the start at both Broadwater and Condong mills whilst the recent showers have not impacted to any degree at Harwood.

Approximately 200,000 tonnes of cane has been harvested between the three mills with CCS levels below budget.

All three mill areas are cutting over estimate and this trend is predicted to continue. We are anxious for some dry weather conditions to enable harvesting to continue un-interrupted to ensure that the crop is removed with the desirable time frame. n

SNAPSHOT | SRA

Preliminary variety x herbicide phytotoxicity trial results

By Phil Ross, Development Officer, Mackay Most growers have at some time experienced an unintended effect on their cane after spraying certain herbicides. The SRA weed agronomy team of Emilie Fillols, Allen Eaton and Tim Staier have been testing seven herbicides on eleven varieties, to check for any phytotoxic reactions. Phytoxicity simply means a toxic effect by a compound on plant growth.

Monopoly (MSMA) showed the most visual symptoms, but only for the first two weeks after spraying. Clincher also showed stronger visual symptoms compared to other herbicides, but only for the first week after spraying.

Pictured right: examples of symptoms.

A pot trial was used to assess the likelihood of phytotoxicity symptoms leading to a yield reduction. A follow-up field trial will assess varietal and herbicide combinations with potential yield reductions.

The varieties tested were:

Growth rates

Q208A

KQ228A

Q232A

Q238A

Q240A

Q242A

Q249A

Q250A

Q252A

Q253A

SP801816A

Varieties were assessed for visual symptoms and growth rates at weekly intervals, and for leaf and stem biomass after eleven weeks of growth.

All varieties showed some slight foliar symptoms (yellowing and/ or necrosis) for all herbicides for the first three weeks after spraying.

Symptoms did not show on new growth after the first three weeks.

• Clincher, Krismat, Monopoly, Soccer on Q232A , Q238A , Q242A and Q250A . n

• Soccer caused the most slowing for the varieties Q238A and SP801816A

Was there any phytotoxicity?

Foliar symptoms

A field trial to be planted in 2015 will screen:

• Clincher caused the varieties Q232A , Q238A , Q249A , Q250A and SP801816A to slow the most

These varieties were screened by spraying with the following herbicides at the 4-5 leaf stage (see table below).

Clincher reduced the biomass of Q208A the most.

Field truthing

For each variety, no herbicide caused a significant slowing in growth rate when compared to the untreated control over the eleven weeks of growth. Some herbicides caused some varieties to temporarily slow down more than other varieties:

Q208A was included as it is known to show few phytotoxicity symptoms, while KQ228A was included as it is more likely to show symptoms.

Biomass of KQ228A and Q232A were reduced more by Krismat than other herbicides, suggesting that growers need to be cautious in using ametrynbased herbicides on these two varieties.

Actril DS - Q253A

Monopoly - Q232A

Amicide 700 - Q242A

Rattler - Q253A

• Monopoly caused the varieties Q232A , Q238A , Q249A and SP801816A to slow the most.

Clincher Plus - KQ228A

• Rattler caused the most slowing for the varieties SP801816A, Q238A and Q249A • The growth of the variety Q242A was the least affected by these herbicides.

Soccer 700 WG - Q238A Krismat WG - KQ240A

Biomass Biomass is the best indicator of any potential yield effect.

Concentration

Product rate

g/kg or mL/L

kg or L /ha

Volume water/ ha (L)

Adjuvant

Adjuvant rate (mL/100L)

ametryn / trifloxysulfuron

731.5 / 18.5

2

150

Agral

250

Monopoly

MSMA

720

6.6

300

Activator

125

Clincher Plus

metolachlor

960

2.7

60

Activator

125

Soccer 700 WG

metribuzin

700

2.2

250

none

Rattler

asulam

400

8.5

100

Wetspray 1000

Actril DS

2,4-D / ioxynil

577/ 100

2

100

none

Amicide 700

2,4-D

700

3.1

50

Activator

Herbicide

Active (s)

Krismat WG

20 July 2015

200

120

| Australian Canegrower

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520 500 480 460 440

0.86

420as we saw a late The JUL15 contract rolled off the board on a positive note recovery from life-of-contract lows in the last seven sessions.

400 Of note at delivery 0.82 was the 460,000 tonnes of sugar going to one single receiver who also took 0.80 on all of the MAY15 expiry deliveries. OCT15 has traded 380 fairly solidly since 0.78 360 assuming the prompt position, trading over a relatively narrow range (11.90c/ 0.76 lb – 12.48c/lb) before closing at the upper end of it (12.41c/lb) on Friday.

340

15.0

0.84

14.0 13.0 12.0 11.0

0.74

Australian Dollar (AUD v USD)

Spread activity has been a surprise, with a moderate strengthening in the front of the board peaking at -110 points in the OCT15/MAR16 before 2015 drifting back to -121 points. Given the large move in the spec short position (100k contracts down to 46k) short covering would be the likely explanation for most QSL Forward Fixed Price Contract (A$/mt) of the move. With this strong recovery, it is now difficult to forecast a widening of the spreads as had been previously anticipated.

520

2016

Data0.98 source: QSL Daily Market Report (Futures and Currency) & QSL Daily Indicative Prices 0.96 Macro 500 themes around the potential Greek exit from the Euro and Chinese stock J:\RISKMGT\Daily Market Report 0.94 market plummeting have dominated this fortnight. As such, the Brazilian Real has 480 J:\RISKMGT\Long-term Target Pool traded a pretty volatile range relative to the previous month or so. Opening around 0.92 460before strengthening to just below 3.10, last week saw a rapid weakening out to 3.15 0.90

3.23 440 before drifting back to around where we started the fortnight. With sugar slightly higher, we will likely see some Brazilian pricing return to the market at these levels.

0.88 0.86

420

0.84

UNICA’s second half June figures showed a stronger than expected result with 400 46.5 million tonnes of cane crushed and sugar only 70,000 tonnes behind last 380 production at 2.51 million tonnes. Despite the bullish print, accompanying year’s commentary still stressed preference for ethanol production as well as the 360 likelihood of some cane being left in the ground due to flowering and lower ATR.

0.82 0.80 0.78 0.76

340

0.74

QSL Forward Fixed Price Contract (A$/mt)

Currency) 520 & QSL Daily Indicative Prices

There remains a lot of ‘what ifs’ in the sugar market at the moment, with recent Brazilian beginning to provide further evidence 2015weather patterns 2016 2017 of the El Nino forecast, while rapid slowing in the Chinese and associated developing Asian economies begin to muddy the demand picture somewhat.

With this in mind, the market looks set for a period of consolidation with news pieces likely to drive rallies and sell-offs within a 11.50-13.00c/lb range.

Currency

500

As noted, macro themes have been dominant this fortnight and the issues around Greece, and to a greater extent China, have combined to allow the AUD to finally break the 75-cent level for the first time in about six years. Opening the fortnight at 0.7629, trade has been pretty much one way with a few brief pauses and we now sit at 0.7424.

480 460 440 420

The Greek referendum was held last weekend with a ‘no’ vote to further austerity confirmed. The ECB now needs to decide whether they will cut crisis funding off to the Greek banks, with a risk of financial disaster and further volatility in world markets.

400 380 360 340 2015

2016

2017

The RBA met on Tuesday for their July meeting. As expected they kept interest rates on hold, with commentary remaining hawkish around employment and CPI data, before deciding whether further action is necessary. As the Greek situation unfolds the AUD may become more volatile, with an appetite for the downside likely and welcomed by the RBA.

While all care is taken in the preparation of this report the reliability or accuracy of the information provided in the document is not guaranteed. QSL does not accept any responsibility to any person for the decisions and actions taken by that person with respect to any of the information contained in this report.

8

Australian Canegrower

| 20 July 2015

201

QSL

QSL: WORKING FOR YOU

QSL finalises 2014 season pool results

By Bryce Wenham, QSL Finance Manager – Supplier Relations The 2014/2015 Financial Year has come to a close, bringing with it the end of QSL’s 2014 Pool activities. All applicable costs and earnings for the period have now been calculated and the 2014 QSL Shared Pool finalised and applied to all pools.

The final results for QSL’s 2014 Pools are as follows: QSL PRICING POOL

instruments enabling our pricing team to capitalise on intermittent rallies in the market and protect these gains against the falls that inevitably followed.

The 2014 Harvest Pool result of $401 per tonne was $33 per IPS Mt above the passive benchmark. This is a solid result, given this pool has a reduced amount of discretion compared to our other pools to speed up or slow down pricing to reflect our view of the market.

AUS/TONNES IPS NET

2014 Harvest Pool

$401

2014 Discretionary Pool

$436

2014 Actively Managed Pool

$440

2014 Growth Pool

$438

2014 Guaranteed Floor Pool

$426

2014 2-Season Forward Pool

$413

2014 US Quota

$505

Key 2014 season themes The continuing global raw sugar surplus supressed ICE 11 values during the 2014 season, with prices ranging between 11 and 19 US c/lb. Despite this, all of QSL’s 2014 Pools outperformed the passive benchmark (ie. the average return that would have been achieved without a market view) by between $33 and $74 – an impressive result in a testing year.

These returns were underpinned by our marketing strategy, which secured sales with long-standing QSL customers in order to optimise available premiums in a market awash with sugar.

The 2014 Discretionary, Actively Managed and Growth pools were our strongest performers for the season, with their increased discretionary limits and the timely use of financial

It also contains the Production Buffer tonnage, which is that portion of the crop set aside to absorb in-season crop falls. As a result, a sizable proportion of the Harvest Pool must be priced and sold after the crush, providing a small window in which to secure value for growers.

This can work in the growers’ favour in a rising market like that experienced in the 2011 season. However this year QSL’s pricing and marketing teams worked hard in a disappointing market to keep this pool above a passive benchmark of just $368, after initial hopes of a move into a more balanced global market and improved prices failed to eventuate.

2014 QSL Shared Pool result All pools, excluding the US Quota result, incorporate a 2014 Shared Pool result of a deduction of $3.07 per tonne (the Shared Pool figure for the US Quota was $91.79 and represents increased shipping and stevedoring charges associated with exports to the USA). This result reflects a decline in raw sugar premiums during the 2014 season as a result of the continuing global raw sugar surplus.

Thankfully these were partially offset by a weaker Australian dollar. QSL is happy to report that a cost-saving initiative by our finance team to have QSL declared a payroll-tax exempt entity also proved successful, with approximately $3 million in savings backdated to 2010 reflected in the 2014 Shared Pool result.

Other costs and earnings reflected in the Shared Pool include:

• Premiums, including those reflecting the value of any freight advantage (Far East premium), shipment flexibility, quality and polarisation levels.

• Corporate earnings.

• Sea freight charges.

• Discharge port costs.

• Banking and execution costs.

• US quota purchases.

• Any other marketing costs, which can include costs for unwinding forward pricing and sales if these tonnages are not received.

• The cost of sugar storage and handing at the bulk sugar terminal.

• The cost of QSL’s raw sugar quality management scheme.

• Raw sugar brand allowances.

• QSL’s direct operating costs (such as rent, wages, etc).

• Finance costs for the advance scheme and funding of futures’ margins associated with forward pricing.

Full details of our 2014/2015 business performance will be shared in this year’s QSL Annual Report, due for release in October. n

20 July 2015

| Australian Canegrower

9

CROP NUTRITION & PROTECTION

Crop nutrition & protection feature The improved farming system has the potential to significantly reduce farming costs, improve soil health and arrest sugarcane yield decline.

A body of industry research investigating declines in sugarcane yield, including the landmark Sugarcane Yield Decline Joint Venture (SYDJV) program, has highlighted soil health as a key determinant in productivity and profitability of cane farms. The research identified three major aspects of sugarcane production which impacts on soil health and by extension the yield that growers are able to extract from their crop: • Compaction – primarily caused by a mismatch of machinery wheel or track spacing's with row spacing's, leads to a range of problems including reduced porosity, reduced soil water holding capacity and increased soil tensile strength (related to constriction of root growth), and physical stool damage.

• Tillage – excessive tillage leads to a reduction in soil structure, resulting in a suite of problems including a loss

of beneficial soil micro and macro organisms mainly through a loss of soil carbon and physical destruction, reduced soil water holding capacity, reduced water infiltration, surface crusting and erosion.

• Monoculture – Successive ploughout replant leads to a continuous sugarcane system. This contributes to a build-up of pests and diseases that are favoured by sugarcane.

Introduction of break crops, particularly nitrogen fixing broadleaf crops, creates an opportunity to re-balance soil-borne pathogens/ beneficials, and add nitrogen and carbon into the system.

Permanent beds with wider row spacing using controlled traffic systems result in lower compaction and increased profit while reducing environmental impacts.

Trash blanketing and fallow cropping have many benefits including increasing the supply of soil carbon and the soils ability to hold and supply water to the crop.

The benefits can be seen in the medium to long term and result from gradually improving soil health

and enhanced sustainability.

As each region and farm is unique, there is no one ‘recipe’ but rather a set of guidelines for growers to experiment with and develop strategies which best suit their farm situation.

Check your progress online The Soil Health and Nutrient Management module in the sugarcane best management practices program, Smartcane BMP, is a great way to check whether you are up to date with the latest practices. Many of our growers have found by working through this module and discussing options with their local facilitator, they have come away with some great ideas for coming seasons. You can access the free tool by going to www.smartcane.com.au This edition we bring you some great articles and advertisements supplied by some of our key crop nutrition and protection suppliers to the sugarcane industry. We hope you find this feature informative and get in contact with any of the advertisers for more information. n

Sugarcane grows stronger with Stress Shield protection

™

Sugarcane often grows stronger and healthier when treated with Confidor® Guard. This is because Confidor Guard may also provide beneficial Stress Shield effects such as increased heat, cold and drought tolerance, and enhanced natural defences against fungal attack. So try Confidor Guard this season and see what it can do for your sugarcane.

The strength to grow.

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www.bayercropscience.com.au Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd 391–393 Tooronga Road, Hawthorn East, Vic 3123.

ABN 87 000 226 022. Technical enquiries 1800 804 479 Confidor®, Stress Shield Inside and graphics® are registered trademarks of the Bayer Group.

Stress Shield™ is a trademark of Bayer.

10 Australian Canegrower | 20 July 2015

Ask your dealer for your free cooler and thermos pack* * Limit one per customer. While stocks last

Controlled Release Fertiliser For Cane

Agrocote® gives canegrowers a fertiliser solution that will feed crops for 3, 4 or 6 months, depending on product and blend selection.

It is a proven technology that combines a sulphur and polymer coating to control the rate of release from urea granules. Agrocote only needs to be applied once, either at planting/hilling up or after harvest in ratoon crops. It will continue releasing nitrogen throughout the season, without the fear of significant losses from leaching or denitrification.

Increase your returns Multiple independent cane trials have shown that using Agrocote at 25 percent of total nitrogen can increase returns by 10 to 20 percent, after deducting fertiliser costs.

Agrocote blends Popular cane blends are available as an Agrocote option. In fact, Impact Fertilisers’ entire blend range has an Agrocote option. Prescription blends can also be made.

Impact Fertilisers is the exclusive distributor of Agrocote from ICL Specialty Fertilizer, in Australia.

Please contact your local distributor for more information about how you can benefit from Agrocote this growing season.

Local focus, global strength www.impactfert.com.au | Customer Service 1800 88 44 88 Agrocote® is a registered trademark of Everris International BV

CROP NUTRITION & PROTECTION

Correct placement of grub control crucial Supplied by Crop Care As spring planting gets underway, growers are reminded that to be effective, canegrub control products need to be applied at the right soil depth. This is also critical for minimising off-farm chemical loss.

With up to four-year control of canegrubs now possible from suSCon maxi Intel applied to this season’s plant crop, growers have the opportunity to reduce time and labour; to maintain higher cane-plant numbers, vigour and yield; to grow stronger ratoons and increase ratooning life; and to lower potential off-farm loss compared with liquid alternatives.

However, all of these benefits depend on precise placement of the granules for your target grub species and planting depth.

Why the emphasis on placement?

Mackay-based Sugar Research Australia (SRA) development officer Phil Ross said canegrub species differed in their habit and feeding zone in the soil, so control products needed to be in different positions in the soil for different species.

over a number of years at a level that was toxic to canegrubs, but with minimum risk of losing imidacloprid in water runoff. “suSCon maxi Intel’s granular form makes it easier to monitor and ensure that imidacloprid is placed where it is meant to be in the soil, and reduces the potential for loss in runoff water,” says Glen.

Target grub species and planting depth As well as positioning suSCon maxi Intel granules at the correct depth in the soil for the target species, Mr Tucker said planting depth also influenced the placement of the granule band in relation to the cane sett. The following diagrams indicate the best placement for different situations.

“The aim is to have the product in the target grubs’ feeding zone, with sufficient soil cover above the insecticide band,” says Phil.

“As well as careful placement for maximum canegrub control, there are important environmental considerations.

At some sites along the coast, Queensland Government water-quality monitoring has recorded imidacloprid levels above the proposed threshold.

Imidacloprid is the active ingredient in the majority of canegrub products.

Incorrect placement is suspected to be a key contributor to imidacloprid traces in runoff water.”

Crop Care technical consultant Glen Tucker (left) said imidacloprid was released from suSCon maxi Intel granules

12 Australian Canegrower | 20 July 2015

Mackay-based Sugar Research Australia (SRA) development officer Phil Ross

• Granules need to be placed below or through the root mass to target these species – best achieved by application at planting.

• This is also the best application time for very shallow planting (10-15cm) on all grub species.

• The minimum band width of 15cm can be achieved with two delivery tubes dropping granules behind the planter board to mix with incoming soil to a depth of 2-3cm, with further soil brought in by discs behind the planting boot. The granules will not harm the sett or young cane roots.

DIAGRAM 2 (below) Recommended placement of suSCon maxi Intel at first working:

DIAGRAM 1 (above) Recommended placement of suSCon maxi Intel at planting: • This is the most suitable application for controlling two-year-life-cycle canegrubs (registered for Childers, Negatoria, Consobrina two-year race, Bundaberg species). These species usually feed during the first year, inflicting minor damage before descending deep (40-60cm) into the soil to moult and overwinter. The following spring they move back up to feed on cane roots, causing extensive damage to the roots of young plant and ratoon crops.

• This is the recommended timing where greyback and two-yearlife-cycle grubs occur together.

Continued page 14 ►

Have you heard the latest intel?

We’ve set the bar even higher.

suSCon maxi Intel - longer control, same price.

• Provides up to 3 years protection against greyback, negatoria, consobrina and Bundaberg canegrub damage in sugarcane.

• Provides up to 4 years protection against Childers and southern one-year canegrub damage in sugarcane.

• Controlled release of active, imidacloprid, resulting in the most prolonged control of target pests in sugarcane on the market. www.cropcare.com.au • Customer Service 1800 111 454 Crop Care Australasia Pty Ltd ACN 061 362 347 This is a guide only and no substitute for professional or expert advice. The product label should be consulted before use of any of the products referred to in this advertisement. Crop Care Australia Pty Ltd shall not be liable for any results, loss or damage whatsoever, whether consequential or otherwise through the use or application of products and/or materials referred to herein.

CROP NUTRITION & PROTECTION

• Like the other target, one-year-life-cycle canegrubs (Southern 1-year), greyback canegrubs generally don’t descend below 35 cm in the soil.

• Granules need to be placed above or through the root mass.

• Recommended where planting depth is 17-20cm.

• Granules applied to the bottom of the furrow at first working can be worked into the base of the furrow and covered with more soil by normal ‘scratchers’. If the furrow base is less than 15cm wide, cut away before applying the granules. Application behind tynes or cutaway discs is not recommended, as the applied band is too narrow for effective canegrub control.

Application equipment & checking placement

DIAGRAM 3 (right) Recommended placement of suSCon maxi Intel at drill fill-in: • For moderate to deep planting (20-30cm), where greyback canegrub is the target species.

• Granules need to be placed well above the sett.

• At the half-open drill stage after commencement of tillering, granules can be dropped into the furrow and mixed with soil to form a 2-3cm-deep band, 1520cm wide. Application behind tynes or cutaway discs is not recommended, as for Option 2.

A precision granule applicator is needed to apply an accurate dose of suSCon maxi Intel granules in an even 15-20cm-wide band directly to the plant row. Several applicators are now available, which can be driven from the planting mechanism, or by a land wheel for applications at first working or drill fill-in.

During application, growers are advised to regularly check that desired placement is being achieved.

For more detail on suitable application equipment, placement and calibration, refer to the suSCon maxi Intel Manual, available from the Crop Care website www.cropcare.com.au, Crop Care field staff or Customer Service 1800 111 454. n

Great Land® plant growth promoting microbial from Terragen Biotech is a unique formula that can promote root growth and above ground biomass in sugarcane.

The active ingredients in Great Land® are soil microbes. These beneficial microbes promote plant growth by increasing the availability of nutrients in the soil and improving the efficiency of plant metabolism and stress resistance.

www.greatland.net.au

 Can be tank‐mixed with other compatible products  Applied using existing spray equipment  No immediate or residual environmental impact and exempt from environmental regulations.

For more information about Great Land® and its application please contact Terragen Biotech on (03) 9018 2230 or contact your local distributor: • Soils First (Innisfail) – John Bletsas 0438 851 168 • Mackay Rural Supplies – Bruce Drysdale 0418 775 727 • A&B Rural Supplies (Ayr) – Angelo Licciardello 0427 500 208 • AgPlus – (Bundaberg) – Tim O’Dea 0429 112 225

14 Australian Canegrower | 20 July 2015

CROP NUTRITION & PROTECTION

Improved sugarcane growth following use of Great Land® Supplied by Terragen With a great deal of focus being applied to soil health and plant nutrition management in the sugarcane industry, as well as Reef Regulations and other environmental issues facing cane growers, it’s timely to report on some very promising results in trials using microbial organisms to promote the growth of sugarcane.

Trials using Great Land® have shown improved sugarcane root stock mass and above ground biomass.

It contains plant growth promoting microbials that help enhance crop growth by making nutrients in the soil more readily available for uptake by the plant’s root system.

Terragen Biotech Pty Ltd manufactures the product in South East Queensland.

In September 2014, Farmacist Pty Ltd was engaged to conduct a series of pot trials using Great Land. Jayson Dowie, Senior Agronomist with Farmacist, conducted the study with the aim to specifically examine the product’s impact on root growth and root mass on a widely grown variety of sugarcane.

Sugarcane (KQ228 variety) was grown from one-eye setts and harvested at seven weeks, 14 weeks and 21 weeks.

The cane was subjected to three different treatments, a control (T1), an application of product equivalent to 100 L/ha (T2) and an application equivalent to 200 L/ha (T3).

Following the application of Great Land®, differences in root biomass and plant biomass (above ground) were observed after 21 weeks growth.

When harvested at 21 weeks the plants in the 100 L/ha group had dry root mass

78% greater than the control group. In plants that had an application equivalent to 200 L/ha the dry root mass was 84% greater than the control group.

Similarly, the above ground biomass of the plants that had the equivalent of 100 L/ha was 49% greater than the control group after 21 weeks growth.

For those that received the equivalent of 200 L/ha, the mass was 72% greater than the control group.

“An important finding from our initial trials is the increase in root mass,” said David Yunghanns, Managing Director of Terragen Biotech.

"This indicates that the plants will have a stronger anchor in the ground which should benefit cane growers.

“An extended version of this recent study to get results from cane that will be grown for more than 21 weeks is planned,” he added.

“In-field trials are also underway, supervised by Farmacist, in both the Mackay and Burdekin regions and we expect to receive the results in August. We anticipate the results from these trials will build on the pot trial work,” added Yunghanns.

Other results obtained from soil incubation tests using Great Land®, conducted elsewhere in Australia in over 200 farms over a two-year period, show improved levels of various soil nutrients, a reduced need for inorganic fertilisers, and plants that are better able to handle low moisture conditions.

“We believe the results coming out of our product research indicate that Great Land® could provide real benefits to cane growers,” added Yunghanns.

If you would like more information about Great Land® contact Terragen on (03) 9018 2230 or go to www.greatland. net.au or contact your local distributor: Soils First (Innisfail) – John Bletsas 0438 851 168 Mackay Rural Supplies – Bruce Drysdale 0418 775 727 A&B Rural Supplies (Ayr) – Angelo Licciardello 0427 500 208 AgPlus (Bundaberg) – Tim O’Dea 0429 112 225. n

20 July 2015

| Australian Canegrower 15

CROP NUTRITION & PROTECTION

Benefits add up with higher capacity SP spraying system Supplied by McIntosh Distribution Achieving new efficiencies is critical whether you are a large or small cane business and MSF Sugar will quickly attest to the benefits of moving to a higher capacity, self-propelled (SP) spraying system for weed management.

In addition to the operational efficiencies, it has delivered improved application and weed control, more versatility, better safety, as well as environmental benefits, which are highly valued when you farm adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

“It has been a big investment, but it has resulted in big improvements, including cost savings, yield increases, a safer workplace for our employees and improved environmental performance,’’ said Trevor Crook, MSF Sugar’s General Manager of Agriculture.

The integrated grower, processor, marketer and exporter of raw sugar, grows cane over about 9500 hectares in three locations, including 4000ha

16 Australian Canegrower | 20 July 2015

around Maryborough, 2800ha on the North Tropical Coast and 2700ha on the Atherton Tablelands.

Trevor said spraying was previously carried out by many, much smaller sprayer units at varying degrees of efficiency.

“Training and safety compliance was difficult to manage and having the people available to apply herbicides at critical times was quite challenging,’’ says Mr Crook.

“We knew we had to upgrade our systems, but had limited ability to achieve the outcomes we wanted if we had to upgrade many smaller units.

“Going with Miller Nitro SP sprayers allows us to upgrade to the best and latest technology and facilities for safety compliance and efficiency on just one machine.’’

MSF Sugar initially engaged with a contractor who used a Miller Nitro

sprayer back in 2008. The company purchased its own Miller Nitro a few years later for the expanding Maryborough properties and last year, for its South Johnstone and Tableland operations, it acquired another two Miller Nitro 5240 sprayers, which are distributed in Australia by McIntosh Distribution.

“They are high capacity SP spray rigs with 4500-litre tanks. We also went with the auto grease option for easy maintenance. In a few minutes, the whole machine is greased,’’ says Mr Crook.

“Our farms are quite scattered and we need to move quickly and efficiently between farms.

“We need high clearance and at 1.8 metres, the Miller Nitros are one of the highest clearance machines available.

“Having the boom at the front of the machine made a huge difference for our cane operations. ►

CROP NUTRITION & PROTECTION

"We can do the spraying a lot faster and with more precision.

“Timing of operations is critical with spraying and weed control. You need to be able to take advantage of the optimum window for application.

We are now getting better weed control and weed management.’’

The Miller Nitro 5240 sprayers are powered by the 240-horsepower, Cummins QSB 6.7L turbo diesel, Tier III engines, and while they can be configured with any GPS guidance and product control system, MSF Sugar’s Miller units feature FarmscanAg guidance and Raven spray controllers to ensure accurate applications and boom section control. This also ensures minimum off-site loss of herbicide, a key consideration for the company’s environmental performance alongside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Trevor said they carried out knockdown and pre-emergent boom spraying, and droppers were attached to the boom for direct spraying between the cane.

MSF Sugar’s Frank Gatt and Sebastiano Basile with one of the company’s Miller Nitro 5240 selfpropelled sprayers on its Silkwood farms.

"Our operators have much better visibility of the 27m boom and potential obstacles.

“We have a lot of short rows on some farms, but with the large boom on the front it doesn’t take long to get out of corners.

“Our farming system is based on 2m controlled traffic and the Miller Nitros fit perfectly into this system. We have dual row cane on 2m beds and we can operate at 4m with the narrow tyres, straddling two beds. It’s a stable base at 4m. We can then pull it into 3m for the headlands and crossings, as well as travelling on the roads.’’

“They are a complete weed management tool that is also suited to other inter-row operations using implements mounted off the front, instead of the boom. This could be part of a contingency plan for those wet

seasons when we need to complete operations after the cane is out of hand of conventional tractors.’’

The 50:50 weight distribution with the machines and Miller’s fourwheel, independent Hydra-Link suspension, including full suspension travel and automatic hydraulic levelling for each leg, ensures a stable, smooth ride for the boom and operators, as well as minimum soil compaction, which is another strong focus on the MSF Sugar farms.

With the engine noise isolated behind the tank, drivers also enjoy Miller’s ultra-quiet SprayView cab with highback adjustable, air ride seat and the multi-function joystick, armrest command centre and Miller Systems Monitor all at their fingertips.

“There is no comparison with our old boomsprays. Our operators are very happy,’’ Trevor said.

“Having the one machine (type) has meant we can get our spraying systems and facilities set up for optimum efficiency and safety. We can invest a lot more training into less people and develop a highly professional operation that our people can be proud of and where our operators can take pride in their job, which is often the least preferred task in the cane farming business.

“Above all, our farm hygiene and management standard has improved, leading to lower unit cost of production,’’ he said.

For more information: Tim Morris, McIntosh Distribution, on 0427 782 118. n

5240 • Tight turning radius • 4 wheel steer available • High crop clearance (1.83m) • Gain productivity through tank and boom sizes • Local service and support National Distributor for Miller www.mcintoshdistribution.com.au

Contact your local dealer or visit www.millersprayers.com.au 20 July 2015

| Australian Canegrower 17

ON FARM

A four-year rolling contract with Maryborough Sugar Factory is getting Nambour cane growers on the road to recovery

SHORT & SWEET OF IT • It has been a long, hard slog for Nambour growers since the Moreton Mill shut its doors in 2003. But a new rolling contract with MSF Limited is breathing new life into the Sunshine Coast cane industry.

• Growers are hauling their high quality cane 150kms up the Bruce Highway for crushing, and while the transport costs are high, the lower growing costs in the high rainfall, alluvial plains of the Maroochy River, make hauling cane to Maryborough a viable option.

This on farm story has been brought to you by the

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT REEF PROGRAMME

LONG-HAUL BACK TO BUSINESS

By Amy Claireton It is a long haul from Nambour to Maryborough, but for growers in the old Moreton Mill area it is a life-line back to viability.

Last year, MSF Limited offered growers a four-year rolling contract to supply cane from their productive farms on the Maroochy River and hinterland.

One grower who is pleased to see a new future for the cane industry in the area is Garry Petersen. Garry, his wife Liz, and parents Doug and Marie, continued to grow cane after the mill closure in 2003 and invested in the development of the cow-candy business.

The 10 years following the mill closure have been difficult for growers like the Petersens, who did not want to sell their farm but had limited options available to them.

“Growers invested heavily in the cow-candy project, but it never really got off the ground,” says Garry.

18 Australian Canegrower | 20 July 2015

“When the overseas investors pulled out completely last year, we were left with nothing to show for the $21 million that had been put into the project, except for some very specialised machinery that can’t be used for anything else.”

Doug and his brother, Tom, purchased their current farm on the Maroochy River in 1951 and Garry is a fourth generation cane farmer in the Nambour district.

“Every two or three years this whole farm floods, top-dressing the blocks with nutrients and sediment,” says Garry.

“These alluvial soils rely on regular flooding to keep them productive.”

After the mill closed, Garry grew soybeans on half the farm and while very successful, the market has since been well supplied from other regions. ►

ON FARM

Each year the Petersens would grow cane on the other half of the farm in the expectation of supplying the cowcandy factory, however MSF Limited provided a back-up option for growers to supply cane on a spot price basis and paying $10–11 per tonne haulage.

“Most years we have sent some cane to Maryborough and that’s really what’s kept us in business over the last decade,” he says. “In 2007–08 we achieved the highest price for a tonne of cane from a first ratoon crop that tested 17 or 18 units.”

The new deal with MSF Limited has provided some long-term security to the 17 growers in the Nambour area and drawn some growers back into cane from other crops.

Garry expects the amount of cane to be delivered from the Nambour district this year to be almost double last year’s supply, with potential to expand to 70,000 over the next few years from existing growers. MSF is subsidising the transport and providing the B-double trucks to haul the cane 150km up the Bruce Highway.

Although the haulage is expensive Garry says it is still a viable option, because the Moreton farms are all rain-fed so they have no irrigation or pumping costs to pay, while still achieving high yields similar to irrigated crops in other areas.

“It puts us on a similar playing field as other growers, and means we can stay in business,” he says.

Every couple of years Garry and Liz Petersen’s farm becomes part of the beautiful Maroochy River. The old rail bridge, which took their cane directly to Moreton Mill in Nambour until it closed in 2003, provides an excellent fishing platform for locals.

Garry and his father Doug work the farm together along with Paul, one of Garry’s three sons . Paul also drives one of the haul-outs during harvest.

The Petersens farm a total area of 180 ha of their own land and leased land on neighbouring properties.

Garry cultivates to plant and then maintains a full green cane trash blanket. In 1996 the Petersens visited cane farms in the Herbert River area to see how they were implementing green cane trash blanketing on farms that have a lot in common with the Maroochy River farms.

“After that visit we changed to planting on 1.8 m centres, green cane harvesting and bought a full-track harvester,” he says. “It really changed our lives—I have never liked burning and now it is very rare that we need to burn, other than the occasional block of standover cane that has lodged badly.”

The farm is mostly alluvial river flats with some peat swamps, so keeping the harvester off the row is critical.

They flat plant and scuffle the plant cane blocks to keep them weed free.

Fertiliser is applied using a threerow stool splitting machine, placing the fertiliser high in the bed where it is least likely to be washed away.

“I like to fish and know how important it is to keep fertiliser out of the river system,” says Garry.

Fifth ratoon crops are fairly common on the fertile alluvial soils, however Garry is secretly proud of a block of cane next to the machinery shed that has plant cane in it now, after a 21-year ratoon.

“It has taken a few years to find new, disease resistant varieties that suit this area,” he says. “We now have all new varieties and Q208 seems to be performing the best so far.

Once we have varieties planted that are performing well, we look at each block’s productivity rather than sticking to a set rotation.

Sometimes this will give us some older ratoon blocks around the farm.”

Garry is convinced of the benefits of including a legume in the cane rotation, having had success with soybeans in previous years. “We can’t make a profit from the grain here, but soybean is the best green manure crop available,” he says. “It provides good soil protection over summer and supplies all the nitrogen required for the following plant cane crop. We plough in the soybeans in January and don’t have to worry about harvesting in wet weather in April or May. “We tried cow peas a few years ago and found that they are too hard to get rid of. Soybean volunteers are easy to control,” he says.

The Petersens are part of a cane harvesting group with a contract to cut 20,000 tonnes of cane from theirs and neighbouring farms. Garry and Liz’s son Paul works full-time on the farm and drives one of the two haul-outs during harvest.

Continues page 20 ► 20 July 2015

| Australian Canegrower 19

ON FARM

The Petersens cut cane 4 days a week, sending 12 B-double trucks a day 150 km north to Maryborough Sugar Factory from their farm on the north bank of the Maroochy River.

“A lot of cane was planted last year in response to the MSF supply contracts,” says Garry. “It is good to see the industry revived in this district.”

Chris Coutts-Smith, MSF Cane Supply Superintendent, says firming up supply arrangements with the established canegrowers in the Nambour area makes good business sense. “The viability of the MSF Limited relies on increased throughput,” he says. “The growers in the Nambour area produce high volumes of excellent quality cane and MSF values the contribution these experienced growers can offer.”

With limited options available for expansion in the Maryborough district, MSF has been looking further afield for caneland for several years. While supply from the Nambour area has been sporadic and usually more of a salvage operation recently, MSF are keen to secure the land and the growers with a longer-term contract arrangement.

Although there are high freight costs, there are really no other start-up costs for MSF and so far they have attracted commitment from 17 growers with up to 800 ha of caneland.

“We expect the area to supply around 55,000 tonnes this season, more than double the supply from the last few years,” he says.

20 Australian Canegrower | 20 July 2015

“The growers are changing over to newer varieties and Q208 is performing well for them. We have worked on estimates of 75 tonnes/ha from the district, but yields are much higher than this so far this year.

“The Petersens produce over 10,000 tonnes of cane a year, making them one of our larger individual suppliers,” he says. “Providing a fouryear rolling contract to secure the Petersens and other growers is good for both the growers and MSF.” MSF operates a road-only transport network, which gives them more flexibility when taking on new growers.

The 17 growers currently supplying MSF from Nambour are spread from Bli Bli and Valdora, up to Cooroy.

MSF did not previously have maps for most of the farms, so over the summer break Chris surveyed the farms and is processing the maps now. These maps will be used for crop forecasting and yield data collection.

He expects the total supply area to reach 600–800 ha, making the district a valuable asset for MSF. “Even if MSF were to secure new land closer to the mill, the Nambour area would remain an important supply area,” says Chris. n MSF expects the area to supply around 55,000 tonnes of high quality cane this season

CANEGROWERS WELCOMES UNESCO DECISION ON REEF CANEGROWERS has welcomed the UNESCO World Heritage Committee’s decision not to list the Great Barrier Reef as ‘in danger’.

Although climate change is the greatest single long term threat reef’s health, and cane growing is just one of the many industries that border the reef, the sugarcane industry has been very visible in driving action where they can.

CANEGROWERS CEO, Dan Galligan told media that the UNESCO

decision will fortify the strong commitment by Queensland’s cane growers to ongoing sustainable land and reef action. He told them that that there could be no question of cane growers’ investment in making real change.

“Over the past two decades sugarcane growers have channelled huge sums of money and massive amounts of time and effort to bring the latest technology and practices online as soon as they can,” he said.

This has culminated in the bringing together of two decades worth of productivity, profitability and sustainability programs into one robust, strategic effort – the Smartcane BMP. He also acknowledged some of the other proactive government partnerships such as the Australian Government Reef Programme and the Rural Water Use Efficiency initiative whose co-contributions to large farm projects have meant growers could bring expensive new sustainability initiatives to their farm sooner than they otherwise would have been able.n

Getting to know you This column is about putting faces to the people you may hear from or talk to in the CANEGROWERS office. This edition, meet Tracey Turner.

What’s your role in CANEGROWERS? This July I'll have been with CANEGROWERS for seven years. I am the office administrator in the Brisbane office, where my primary role is working with the Policy Department, but also includes Smartcane BMP, making travel arrangements, co-ordinating meetings and general admin duties.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job would have to be working with the Policy boys, Burn Ashburner, Matt Kealley and Warren Males.

Also, because I have a varied role, I have a lot of interaction with district offices and external bodies, which I really enjoy.

What do you see are the challenges?

The main challenge in my role is compiling data when we need it for policy reporting.

This is a key part of the business for our department and it can hold us up sometimes when we are waiting for figures to come through. We are getting there, though, and the data does flow in more seamlessly than past years.

Where and what was your first paid job and what did that lead to?

My first job was in the accounts payable department of the Gas Corporation of Queensland (now known as Origin Energy). I was with them for nine years, before leaving to work with Ashby Utting and Tony Libke, where I primarily looked after Canegrowers Financial Services. When I returned from maternity leave after having my son, Reece, the opportunity arose to move up a couple of floors and work for CANEGROWERS’ Policy Team, headed by Bernard Milford, which was an amazing experience.

What do you like to do on your days off and on weekends?

During the Rugby League season, our Sunday mornings are spent

Tracey Turner, with husb and Ron and 8-year-old son Reece supporting Reece’s U8 Wests Mitchelton Panthers team. But as soon as we get the chance, we love to take off camping. Our black Labrador Buddy is the first one ready to go. He loves it just as much as we do. The photo is of myself, my hubby Ron and our 8-year-old Reece at Fraser Island in Easter. It was an amazing holiday! n 20 July 2015

| Australian Canegrower 21

CLASSIFIEDS

*As a FREE service to CANEGROWERS members, Australian Canegrower will print suitable classified advertisements UP TO 5 LINES FREE, FOR ONE ISSUE ONLY. A charge of $5. 50 will apply for each extra line or part thereof. A charge will apply for advertising of noncane growing activities. Advertisements must relate exclusively to cane farming activities, e.g. farm machinery etc. Advertisements from non-members are charged at $11 per line incl GST. Only pre-paid ads will be accepted.

FIRST 5 LINES FREE* FOR CANEGROWERS MEMBERS! Book online anytime of the day or night at www.canegrowers. com.au or email us at ads@CANEGROWERS.com.au.

Next deadline is 24 July 2015.

JOHNNY FARMING COMPANY

Australian Distributor Belshina Tyres & Chinese Imports 5 Tractor Tyres 5 Earthmoving Tyres 5 Truck Tyres 5 Cars & 4WD Tyres DROVER EQUIPMENT AUSTRALIA

UTV’s, ATV’s & AG BIKES

FOR SALE - 1 X 4040 John Deere 2WD Air Cab in good condition - 1 X 2Tonne Silkwood Implement Side Dresser on wheels with colters - 1X 3.6 tonne Case Excavator - 1 X 17 tonne Hitachi Excavator - 1 x Kubota 9540 FWD Tractor Ex Con - 1 x John Deere 5520 FWD V/G Con - 1 X Kubota 6040 FWD Tractor Ex Condition - 1 x 2009 Trimble Auto pilot to suit a John Deere 3510 Harvester - 1 X John Deere 4520 – FWD VGC - 1 X Ford Aero Max Prime Mover with Hydraulics - 1 X 2013 5tonne 3 row adjustable stool splitter with confidor tank 07 4068 5499 OR 0418 988 601 email: sales@rbengineeringnq.com.au www.rbengineeringnq.com.au

See website for more details

P: 07 4952 2577 M: 0412 535 887 www.johnnyfarmingcompany.com.au E: johnnyfarmingco@bigpond.com 133 Schmidke Road Mackay 4740

JOHNNY FARMING COMPANY New Hydraulic Heavy Duty

OFFSETS

3 metre width, 28 discs, All bath bearings $11,000 plus GST ($12,100 incl GST) Other size offsets available are 1.8m, 2.2m, 2.5m, 3m & 3.4metres.

3 point linkage offsets available also

New Heavy Duty

SLASHERS

2.1 metres width $3,300 incl GST Other sizes available are 1.2m, 1.5m & 1.8m

Johnny Farming Company

Phone (07) 4952 2577 or 0412 535 887 (John) or 0407 638 674 (Andrew) 133 Schmidtke Road Mackay Qld 4740

Beaulieu R.U.M. Attention Canegrowers The first step in achieving a high yielding cane crop is a good strike and vigorous growth in the early stage of your crop.

This can be achieved easily by simply adding 5 litres of R.U.M per acre to your dip water.

For a cost of around $25 per acre Can you afford not to give it a go?

For further information contact – Burdekin & Northern Region call Wally Ford 0417 937 722 Mackay Region call Noel Jensen 0438 595 325 Childers Region call Peter Irwin 0428 427 212

22 Australian Canegrower | 20 July 2015

Graham Twyford Machinery Sales Pty Ltd Specialising in Used Cane Harvesting Equipment Sales 2010 MASSEY FERGUSON 7475 4WD Tractor 140/150HP. 3,130 Hrs. Fitted with Single Axle Carta elevating trailer. Double door. Very Tidy Unit.

2011 MASSEY FERGUSON 5465 4 WD Tractor 120 HP. 1,967 Hrs. Fitted with 6 tonne Side Tipper BSM type.

CAMECO 1995 TRACK HARVESTER Cat 325 HP Eng. Recent Rebuild.

12’’ x 6 Blade Diff. Chopper 95mm Blade. Good Tracks. Shredder topper.

READY TO CUT. 2005 JD 6920 4WD Tractor 150 HP 5,264 Hrs. Coupled to a HBM Billet Planter 1,000 L. water tank on tractor.

Complete Unit.

NEW! 4 SLAT OPEN BUTT ROLLERS Suit JD 3510/20 and CASE. Helps Drop Dirt. Enquire NOW! NEW PLANTING TIPPERS Triple Side Tippers on trailer remote hydraulics.

Immediate Delivery.

IN STOCK NOW 12, 10, 8 & 6 BLADE DIFFERENTIAL CHOPPER DRUMS Suit ‘05 to current 3520 CAMECO/JD. Tungsten Hard Faced on Wear Areas.

New seal plates, Clamping Bars & Dowels with kit.

Graham Twyford 48 Central Park Drive, Paget, Mackay Mobile: 0418 742 696 Phone: 07 49 526 668

Email: graham@gtmachinerysales.com.au Web: www.gtmachinersales.com.au

Do you want a FREE electronic version of Australian Canegrower delivered to your email inbox every fortnight?

To receive your free electronic copy, email us on: editor@CANEGROWERS.com.au.

WHAT’S NEW MEMBER SERVICES

Mossman –Tully IH tractor 766 turbo model mechanically VGC, rear tyres 23-1-30 VCG, $5000 inc GST 07 4066 9889 CASE MAGNUM 7120 4WD air cab tractor 180HP. $30,000 or will trade up or down for a smaller tractor or late model 4WD vehicle. Ph: 0419 911 226 MACHINERY CLEARANCE – Farm Sale – Peanut thrasher, 4-row wide body K.M.C, excellent condition, with spare parts, ready for work, $45,000+gst.

Potato harvester, 2-row Grimme GB1500, excellent condition, make an offer. 2-row Kverneland 3000 potato planter, setup with granny boxes, jets, auger drive fertilizer box, a bargain at $8000+gst.

4-row Kverneland potato planter with stainless steel fertilizer box, excellent condition, $8000+gst.

Herbert River – Burdekin SURPLUS MACHINERY 6’ Howard Slasher, galvanised top single wheel, 180 hp gear box - $4000. 24 Plate John Shearer offset 5/40 - $5000. All in good condition. Ph: 07 4777 4696 or (after hours) 07 4777 4572.

PRIME MOVER International 2670 1982 model McGrath 40 foot trailer. Ph: 07 47766249 FORD D SERIES TRUCK, 7T – Petrol

INGHAM AGENCIES EXTRACTOR FAN BLADES GREAT RANGE! BETTER PRICES! NEW PRODUCT AVAILABLE CORRADINI TIPPER

Engine. Good condition – no rust, $5,800 O.N.O. Ph: 0429 101 163 2007 TM190 coupled to 1998 12 tonne Carta Tipper, double doors.

Good Condition. POA Phone: 0407 636 055 2009 COLORADO DIESEL 4x4 LX Dual Cab. 100,000kms, towbar, bull bar, alloy wheels, many extras. RWC. Ex con. $24,000 inc gst. Ph: 0407 038 010 CASE 770 Offset 56 Disc, Hydraulic Fold for Transport, Good Condition, $30,000 INC gst. Ph: 0417 765 044 JOHN DEERE 8970, 400 HP with Linkage, Good Condition. Ph: 0417 765 044 2.5M HYDRAULIC Fold Side Slasher. P.T.O. Driven. Good Condition. Ph: 0417 765 044

Mackay – Proserpine AIR COMPRESSOR – 130CFM Atlas Copco, Deutz diesel engine, trailer mounted, new tyres. $4,500+GST. Ph: 0419 700 761.

BUCKETS (NEW) suit Backhoe or 5T Excavator: 1300mm mud bucket, $800+gst. 650mm GP bucket, $600+GST. Ph: 0419 700 761.

BUCKETS (NEW) suit 20T excavator: 600mm to 1050mm wide GP buckets.

From $1,900+gst. Ph: 0419 700 761.

QUICK HITCHES (NEW) - suit various excavator / backhoes.

Prices from $800+GST. Ph: 0419 700 761.

MILLABLE LOG, Red Ash, 1.5m x 10m, any offers. Ph: 07 4958 5253

CAMECO 2000 track harvester, 5ft primary extractor, leg base cutter box, all new walking gear, $110,000 inc GST. Ph: 0407714172 MF 105 cane harvester, vgc, $7700 inc GST, includes second wrecked harvester for parts. 2x variant irrigation guns, $330 each. Ph: 0428 367 078 SHED GANTRY 4400x3800x9mm - $800.

8 meter flat spray boom adjustable nozzels - $800. Fiat 600, make good spray tractor or farm tractor, rego - $8800. Tyre 420/70R24 continental, near new $900.

5.90-15 planter rim & tyre $80. All prices include gst. Ph: 0407 773 929 HARDI BOOM, 24m, 3Point Linkage, Tee Jet multiple nozzles, pump and Hardi Spray controller. Ph: 0409 131 281 STL Shares for sale Ph: 0417 778 319 90 IRRIGATION PIPES, 4ins x 30ft with sprinklers and IBC couplings GC Ph: 0427597356 ABLUTION BLOCK with toilet, shower, laundry and hot water system; in GC; $5,500 inc GST. Ph: 0418 495 755 HODGE PLANT CUTTER $1500 - Hodge Stripper 1000pto, 6 blades at bottom with Hodge Topper hydraulic driven $1500. Both good condition. Ph: 0427 597 356 CONFIDOR 3-row disc opening applicator with 600L tank & pump. Good condition - $12,000 with gst ONO. Ph: 07 4945 1254 ROTARY HOE, Howard heavy duty AR80".

New top panel & blades - $9,000 with gst or ONO. Ph: 07 4945 1254 TRACTORS, Fiat 615, Fiat 750, Inter 766.

Ph: 4959 8433 4 BRIDGESTONE 689, 245-70-16 tyres, 80%. $220.00 Incl GST for the lot. Ph: 0414 871 913 HODGE 2T Fertiliser Box, $5,500, Ph: 0417 611 809

Bundaberg - Rocky Point

ELEVATOR FLIGHTS

BASECUTTER DISCS 610mm & 585mm 5 blade and 6 blade versions HILLING SWEEPS VIDA PLATE STRIPS VIDA PLATE LINER

MADE IN QUEENSLAND FOR AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS Contact: Michael Pelleri Phone: 07 47761273 Fax: 07 4776 2326 sales@inghamagencies.com.au

DROP-DECK, tautliner and flat top extendable for hire. 07 4159 8174 or 0417 004 717.

K line speedtillers for hire, efficient tillage implement, phone AgQuip hire. 1300 859 869 www.agquiphire.com.au 91 AUSTOFT 7000 leg box vertical arm primary extractor, ideal small tonnage or plant cutter, in very good condition. Ph: 0407 398 852 / 0408 964 516 07 MASSEY FERGUSON 7485, dyna VT, auto farm A5 GPS, full suspension, 8700 hours, good condition. $57,500+ gst. Ph: 0427 696 541 2 X 1995 FORD 7840 Tractors –approx 8500 hrs–full details –Kevin 0407179320 HOLDEN COMMODORE 2007 Silver Ute – excellent condition- full details – Nathan 07 41527444 (work hours)

20 July 2015

| Australian Canegrower 23

MEMBER SERVICES

3/4 TRACKS to suit JD 3520 and 1/2 tracks to suit Austoft harvesters. Ph 0410634049 or 0427572648 SUIT FORD row crop tyres and rims 320/85 R-38,320/90 R-54 Titan tyres 90% ph 0457930627 BILLET PLANTER - single row HBM planter fitted with covering discs and dual press wheels. Ready to work, Good condition. $8,000+GST 0417764952

Wanted 60” HOWARD rotary hoe. Preferably with AR gearbox.

Ph: 0407 739 294 TYRES of all sizes. 0418 775 698 all hours.

BILLET PLANTER, reasonable condition, all considered. Ph: 0427 769 086 CUT-AWAYS single or 3 row. Ph: 0437 998 040 (Bundaberg - Rocky Point) STANDARD TOPPER to suit Case 7000.

Approx 4 tonne belt spreader, gc. Ph: 0418292210 / 0408292210. (Bundaberg Rocky Point) GATE VALVES 150mm flanged must be in good condition. 0418 716 043 HEAVY DUTY linkage ratooning disc harrows. Ph 0428188836 SHREDDER TOPPER to suit 2003 Cameco CHT3500.Ph 0410634049 or 0427572648 (Gin Gin) SUSCON APPLICATOR.4 buy 19.l-16.1 tyres. Ph: 0457 930 627 24HP 2 CYLINDER Southern Cross EDE motor. Anything considered. Ph: 0414 871 913 (Mackay - Proserpine) REAR WHEEL WEIGHTS to fit 34” rim SAME tractor pattern. Ph: (07) 4958 5691 (Mackay-Proserpine) 150mm gate valves flanges in good condition. Ph: 0418 716 043 (MackayProserpine)

Rainfall Report Recorded rainfall (mm) Location

7 days to 9am

Average rainfall (mm)

Year to date

06.07.2015 13.07.2015

Jan–July

Mossman

0

0

1009

Mareeba AP

5

0

575

1761 724

Cairns

31

3

1324

1628

Mt Sophia

87

4

2840

2655

Babinda

97

0

1413

3402

Innisfail

78

18

1792

2849

Tully

98

13

2106

3303

Cardwell

21

2

1030

1686

Lucinda

35

2

716

1705

Ingham

20

8

801

1591

Abergowrie

37

2

945

1457

Townsville

0.6

0

244

882

Ayr DPI

0.2

0

348

727

2

9

601

1049

Proserpine Mirani

4

7

608

1155

Mackay

16

5

644

1209

Sarina (Plane Ck)

3

10

752

1316

Bundaberg

0

2

572

652

0.4

7

595

552

Maryborough

2

24

692

781

Tewantin

9

21

985

1111

Eumundi

11

2

1299

1172

Nambour

8

2

1370

1169

Childers South

Woongoolba

5

3

1039

906

Murwillumbah

0.8

2

1219

1103

Ballina

11

34

1369

1265

Woodburn

3

6

768

968

Zero indicates either no rain or no report was sent. These rainfall figures are subject to verification and may be updated later.

Weather forecasts, radar and satellite images and other information for the farming community can be accessed on www. bom.gov.au. Weather report provided by the Bureau of Meteorology’s Commercial Weather Services Unit.

Positions Vacant WANTED retired experienced cane farmer for temp/part time work on cane farm in Bundaberg. Ring Kevin 0435026622 wk

Property MACKAY: For sale cane farm Pinnacle area 07 4958 5253.

HERBERT RIVER: Cane farm 60.73ha with machinery and 4 bedroom dwelling at 194 Lannercost Ext Rd, Ingham Ph. 40454321 INGHAM: Cane Farm for sale. Hawkins Creek. Total area 48.3ha. CPA 46.6ha.

Shed, electricity and water. Genuine enquiries Ph. 0407 635 175 WANTED TO LEASE - Cane farm; SarinaMackay area. Ph: 0419 771 504

24 Australian Canegrower | 20 July 2015

Our Reef Heroes are the many farming families along the Queensland coast who are working to protect the Great Barrier Reef for future generations.

Using the latest technology and innovative practices they are improving their farms, reducing soil erosion and protecting water quality.

Their efforts should be celebrated and we want all of Queensland to know what’s happening on sugarcane farms. Each week a new page on the CANEGROWERS website will introduce you and all Queenslanders to them.

The list will grow and grow!

http://www.canegrowers.com.au/page/ reef-heroes/

www.canegrowers.com.au/page/insurance

WE PROVIDE SOLUTIONS

CANEGROWERS INSURANCE Insurance designed by CANEGROWERS for cane growers At CANEGROWERS, our business is protecting your business.

That’s why we have developed CANEGROWERS Insurance, to ensure our members have access to the best possible personal and commercial insurance products on the market.

CANEGROWERS Insurance products are tailored to meet the specific needs of growers and their families. Our dedicated team provide a personal on-farm service, taking all the complications out of finding the perfect insurance solutions for members.

CANEGROWERS is an Authorised Representative of NAS Insurance Brokers. AFS Licence No: 233750

We are following best practice…

We are reducing cultivation to help increase profit…

We are always telling mates about products that work…

www.bayercropscience.com.au Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd, ABN 87 000 226 022, 391– 393 Tooronga Road, Hawthorn East, Victoria 3123.

Technical Enquiries 1800 804 479. Confidor ® is a Registered Trademark of Bayer.

BCH0332

We are Confidor

Peter Tibaldi Cane grower & planting contractor Mossman, Qld