Australian canegrower - 09 November 2015

Canegrower AUSTRALIAN

The flagship of the sugarcane industry

09 November 2015 Price $8.95

World industry takes stand on sugar health

Farmers call for increased ethanol mandate

PUMPING & WATER TREATMENT

CONTENTS 09.11.2015

EXECUTIVE COMMENT

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What does the Great Barrier Reef have to do with a time travelling movie? A new push to enforce Reef regulations triggered a ‘back to the future’ feeling!

This time though, growers who are engaged with Smartcane BMP will easily meet the water quality requirements.

Matt Kealley CANEGROWERS Manager - Environment

INDUSTRY NEWS Cover: This edition contains a 10-page irrigation parts and equipment feature.

Photo by John Flynn.

Canegrower AUSTRALIAN

2 Cane business wins safety award

The flagship of the sugarcane industry

09 November 2015 Price $8.95

3 Executive comment 4 Farmers push for increased ethanol mandate

This page: Harvest at Bellenden Kerr. Photo

by Bernard Milford.

4 Ravensdown - fighting for full value recovery World industry takes stand on sugar nutrition campaigns

Farmers call for increased ethanol fuel mandate

5 World industry takes a stand on sugar consumption 5 Review highlights rural data blackspots Editor Neroli Roocke Design, subscriptions, advertising and classifieds Wayne Griffin 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 22 Printed by Screen Offset Printing 202 Robinson Road, Geebung, QLD, 4034 Subscriptions Yearly subscriptions for 25 issues (postage included) Within Australia Overseas (AUD)

$140 inc GST $220

6 Regional round-up

FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT 9 SRA Snapshot - BMP training program underway 10 QSL Market Update 12 Spotlight - Growers recognised in prestigious sustainability awards 14 Drip irrigation in North Queensland 16 Dowdens - tired and trusted for over 40 years

MEMBER SERVICES 18 Assistance for Burdekin farmers bidding for quality funding 18 Isis growers benefit from water use efficiency investment ®

19 New FieldNET can upgrade nearly any brand pivot 21 Noting the past and pausing in the present to see the way ahead 23 Classifieds 24 Rainfall report 09 November 2015

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EDITOR’S DESK

With the harvest drawing to a close in some districts I’m sure you, like me, can now see the end of the year on the horizon and are starting to look forward to the quieter time that the hot summer months bring.

regulations and future market access for your sugar.

It’s a time which is useful for reflection and planning – going over the past year and laying down plans for the new one.

There are case studies and product reviews on everything from drip tape systems, to overhead irrigators, remote controls systems and pipes.

Regional round-up from page 6 will bring you up to date with where the districts are with their crush and there are some pictures of storm damage in the Isis district recently!

If you’ve not yet registered or gone through the self-assessment process of Smartcane BMP, the period after harvest is an excellent time to do that.

Why? CANEGROWERS Matt Kealley explains on the adjacent page how the best management program links to reef

For irrigated growers, this magazine contains ten pages of food for thought around your water infrastructure.

The feature starts on page 13 with an interview with Isis grower Norm Anderson on page 21.

In the meantime, if you have a picture that sums up the end of the season at your place, like cutting that final row, I’d love to publish it.

You can email me at editor@canegrowers.com.au

Neroli

QSL’s Market Update this magazine again brings better news, with the ICE No.11 sugar price sitting just below 15 c/lb.

That’s an improvement on August and the article on page 10 considers what El Nino and production overseas mean for 2016.

Cane business wins safety award Mackay district business Cane Train has won a Queensland Government Worksafe Award for the Best World Health & Safety Practices in Small Business.

Cane Train is a set of business work, health and safety policies and procedures designed to help contracting businesses meeting their legal obligations.

It was developed by Janine Borg and Kristy Thomsett, of Koumala, who between them have many years of experience in business administration, management and ownership.

“When we started out there was nothing available in the marketplace, so we started from scratch and developed our own,” Janine said.

“We were very surprised and grateful to CANEGROWERS Mackay for nominating us for the award.”

At the Queensland Government Worksafe Award ceremony, Kristy Thomsett (L) and Janine Borg (R) were congratulated

by Queensland Safety Ambassador Shane Webcke.

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EXECUTIVE COMMENT

Reef and market access – back to the future for growers

By Matt Kealley CANEGROWERS Manager Environment October 21 2015 was ‘Back to the Future’ day. In the movie Back to the Future 2 Marty McFly and Doc Brown travel to 2015 from 1985 in their time machine.

I haven’t seen any flying cars recently, but it has felt like back to the future for sugarcane farmers and Reef regulations.

The Queensland Government is establishing a targeted compliance program to enforce Great Barrier Reef (GBR) protection requirements.

It is urging all cane growers in the Wet Tropics, Burdekin and MackayWhitsunday regions (regulated catchments) to adopt regulated standards and improve water quality.

This wasn’t unexpected. It was part of their re-election platform. It puts sustainability, environment and the importance of the reef to the community and government into perspective.

So how will these regulations affect cane growers in Queensland?

You will be required to keep records for fertiliser and chemicals, undertake soil tests, use the results of soil the tests to calculate and apply no more than the optimum amount of fertiliser, follow chemical product label instructions and follow specific controls when using herbicide products containing atrazine, ametryn, hexazinone and diuron.

Fortunately, growers who have engaged with the Smartcane BMP program and

“Although I don’t have access to a time machine, I’m sure that sustainability for the Queensland sugar industry will be about both the Reef and market access.”

Matt Kealley CANEGROWERS Manager - Environment

are keeping records will easily meet these regulations.

Our tool for achieving sustainability, Smartcane BMP, is growing.

And while the government is working up a strategy of enforcement it has also asked the GBR Water Science Taskforce to consider a mix of tools such as regulation, market-based trading, incentives and on-ground support to find the best approach to meet water quality targets. Draft recommendations will go to Environment Minister Steven Miles in December 2015.

To date, 870 growers have completed core modules by self-assessment, representing 41% of the cane area, over 156,000 hectares. 26 growers have been accredited in the core modules.

Even though I don't have a time machine, I'm sure that sustainability for the Queensland sugar industry will be about both the Reef and market access.

End-users and manufactures such as Unilever and Coca-Cola already want sugar sustainability guarantees.

The Coca-Cola Company has a goal to source 100% of its sugar from sustainable sources by 2020.

Recently Coca-Cola’s global chief of sustainability, Bea Perez, visited cane growers that are part the Project Catalyst program in Queensland to see firsthand their innovative and sustainable farming practices that are reducing runoff to the Reef.

The Smartcane BMP facilitators met in Townsville recently to share experiences, improve the process for accreditation and lift the engagement of growers.

There is excellent progress towards the targets and the trend for completion of self-assessment and accreditation is positive.

I believe the sustainability challenges can be best met by Smartcane BMP. It uses best management practices to support your business and influence community perceptions.

It can meet the end-user sustainability needs. It can easily meet reef regulations through self-assessment and the free record keeping tools. It offers support from local Smartcane BMP facilitators.

Like ’Back to the future’ I think we need to try and predict what’s coming and be ready – I'm pretty sure sustainability will drive innovation but I'm not sure when we will get flying tractors. n

Mackay grower Tony Bugeja (pictured right) hosted the Protject Catalyst Coca-Cola trip which looked at innovative farming practices. Coca-Cola aims to buy all of is sugar from sustainable sources by 2020. Photos by Warren Papas.

09 November 2015

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Farmers push for increased ethanol fuel mandate CANEGROWERS HAS TOLD A PARLIAMENTARY HEARING INTO A QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT MOVE TO MANDATE AN ETHANOL LEVEL IN FUEL THAT THE SUGAR INDUSTRY IS IDEALLY SUITED TO PROVIDE THE FEEDSTOCK FOR INCREASED PRODUCTION OF BIOFUELS IN THE STATE. But the 2% minimum being proposed is not enough to encourage investment and expansion.

The CANEGROWERS submission on the Liquid Fuel Supply (Ethanol and Other Biofuels Mandate) Amendment Bill 2015 says a 2% mandate is below current ethanol production levels which would be sufficient to supply a 4% mandate.

The submission recommended the introduction of a mandate with clear provisions for a ramping up of the mandate in line with the lead time for increasing production. This would provide the surety and targets required to stimulate new investment in bio-fuel production.

“For instance 5% to 6% will allow existing feedstock from by products like molasses and fibre which are the low hanging fruit in the current sugar industry, to be utilised. It would be expected that the timing of the increase will be within a 2-4 year period, to coincide with the development of this first level of investment,” it said.

CANEGROWERS also urged the parliament to guarantee bipartisan support for an extended period to any ethanol mandate.

“Investors require a level of certainty and a 10 year commitment would be a minimum benchmark to deliver this … there needs to be unequivocal support from all political parties for a firm ethanol mandate: this in itself will provide a level of confidence necessary for significant investment to occur,” the submission said.

The submission also pointed out that the Bill, as it is currently drafted, does not provide for a clear minimum percentage difference between ethanol and petrol prices to the consumer and made the point that a clear difference would help to drive demand.

When the environmental benefits of biofuels are weighed up against fossil fuels, CANEGROWERS recommends that the sustainability clause in the bill needs to recognise industry production standards such as Smartcane BMP.

Ravensdown – fighting for full value recovery In its Annual Report, Ravensdown Fertiliser Australia (RFA) says it remains committed to maximising value from the sale of its assets before winding up the company. Chairman Greg Campbell says all nine staff ceased employment and all fertiliser stocks have been sold.

The Report shows the store and bagging plant are recorded on the balance sheet as being worth $6.95 million and the company has a loan of $6.927 million payable to Ravensdown Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd (NZ).

At the recent Annual General Meeting, grower representatives expressed their disappointment at Ravensdown’s exit from the Australian market and the impact of the loss of value of Redeemable Preference Shares, rebates and the

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deposits which had been paid by growers but not allocated at the time the company ceased operations.

CANEGROWERS remains bitterly disappointed that on the face of the latest reported financials of RFA, redemption of the Redeemable Preference shares may be at less than the full $1 value.

CANEGROWERS continues to engage with RFA and Ravensdown Fertiliser Co-operative Ltd (NZ) in seeking an outcome which results in the RPS holders receiving full value for their RFA shares.

In addition, CANEGROWERS is exploring legal avenues to recover full value in the event RFA/RFC fail to honour the clear commitments given to growers that RFA RPS shares would always be worth $1.

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More cane for Mackay Racecourse Projects, comprising Mackay Sugar and Black River Asset Management, has entered into an agreement to acquire a 3,244 hectare cattle property for an undisclosed sum.

Hylton Park, in the Blue Mountains area, will be developed for 900 ha of cane over the next two years which Mackay Sugar estimates will deliver an extra 65,000 tonnes to its mills.

Mackay Sugar Chief Executive Officer Jason Lowry said the agreement is in line with the company’s strategic plan of increasing its annual Mackay throughput to 5.8 million tonnes by 2021.

At the Mackay Sugar Annual General Meeting, the company revealed an overall loss of $11.4 million despite increasing its revenue to $475 million.

The Board had decided to take a fair value adjustment and write down the Company's milling assets. The underlying profit before the ajustment was $8.2 million.

Growers are the meeting raised concerns about the finanical position and the performance of the company's mills. Grower Director Syd Gordon was re-elected to the Board.

Patricia hits US sugarcane Acres of sugarcane have been flattened in the United States by heavy wind and rain associated with Hurricane Patricia, dubbed the strongest storm ever recorded in the western hemisphere.

Patrician hammered Mexico’s Pacific coast before impacting the southern US including the state of Louisiana which has a $2 billion sugarcane farming industry.

Louisiana Sugar Cane League agronomist Herman Waguespack said the remnants of the storm hit during the harvest.

“We were getting record sugar recovery before because we had such dry harvest conditions and really good weather so far this year,” he said.

“We are going to have some losses because the cane is down. The mills are going to have to deal with some of that extra leaf material and mud.”

INDUSTRY NEWS

REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS RURAL DATA BLACKSPOTS The report from a recent Regional Telecommunications Review has underlined the need for improved rural connectivity and farming groups have called on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to implement its recommendations.

National Farmers’ Federation President Brent Finlay said farming families rely on communications infrastructure to stay connected and run their businesses.

“The review highlights that, despite ongoing investment, rural areas are continuing to fall well behind on quality, reliability and affordability of telecommunications services,” he said.

The Queensland Farmers’ Federation CEO Ruth Wade said smartphones and tablets could revolutionise farming but limited coverage was hurting business and some internet packages on farms were three times the rate being paid in nearby towns.

The Report recommended the Universal Service Obligation be changed to reflect customers’ reliance on data, as well as voice services.

“Quality and reliability of data connections are now equally important for small businesses as copper-based voice services,” Mr Finlay said.

The NFF has offered to help progress the proposed Consumer Communication Standards and Consumer Communication Fund to ensure they deliver maximum impact for rural Australians.

WORLD INDUSTRY TAKES A STAND ON SUGAR CONSUMPTION The Global Sugar Alliance has united to counter claims on the negative impact of sugar consumption and the singling out of sugar as the main cause of problems with diet, obesity and health.

At a recent meeting in São Paulo, Brazil, the world group has described the current anti-sugar push as uninformed at best. It called for the focus of discussion to be bought back to science – which still firmly supports a balanced diet and exercise regime.

“The Alliance joins the many leading nutrition scientists and health groups in saying that singling out one component of our diet is unhelpful and will not solve the problems,” said

Elizabeth Farina, President of UNICA, who was attending the talks on behalf of the world’s largest sugar exporting nation, Brazil.

The Alliance says it will defend sugar, a naturally produced sweetener. It is working to build a closer collaboration between members and to promote an evidence and scientifically based discussion. It says a single focus on sugar as responsible for today’s health issues only detracts from comprehensive and integrated global solutions to obesity and related health problems.

In the face of claims that the Alliance was only protecting the market for sugar for its members, the answer was a resounding ‘No’.

While consumption is growing in developing countries with population growth across Asia and the Middle East, in many developed markets like Australia,

consumption of sugar is actually on the decline.

CANEGROWERS Head-Economics Warren Males, who was attending the talks on behalf of Australia, said there has been a drop in consumption of 23% in Australia since 1980 while over the same period obesity had doubled and diabetes has tripled.

“It is no wonder that nutritionists, doctors and even the head of Diabetes Australia have come out strongly saying that this does not support a correlation between sugar and obesity on Australian soils,” he said.

“Similarly, consumption of added sugar in Canada has been declining over the past 20 years,” said Sandra Marsden, President of the Canadian Sugar Institute.

“In fact, worldwide consumption of sugar has been either declining or stable according to a recent peer reviewed publication."

The Alliance says sugar is a source of energy within a healthy diet. It advocates a focus energy balance, in other words energy-in from foods and energy out through physical activity.

It encourages a sciencebased discussion about sugar in relation to diet and health, focussing on balanced dietary patterns with strong input from public health and nutrition experts.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

CANEGROWERS Regional round-up

By CANEGROWERS district offices

Mossman and Tableland To the end of Week 24 (October 25), Mossman Mill had processed a total of 783,667 tonnes of cane for a mill average of 12.50 CCS. The Mossman Pool had supplied 444,167 tonnes of cane for an average of 12.02 CCS and the Mareeba Pool a total of 339,500 tonnes for an average of 13.10 CCS. The factory had improved throughput this week crushing 40,095 tonnes of cane, with just the one stop required for a clean of the evaporators.

Tableland Mill crushed 26,367T in week 19 and 29,838T in week 20. The CANEGROWERS Tableland AGM will be held on Wednesday December 16 at 6.30pm at the Mareeba Soccer Club.

Tully Tully has now crushed 2 million tonnes, and all involved are making the best of the current conditions to try to get the remaining 800,000 tonnes off before Christmas. Recent rain has been good for the 2016 crop establishment however this will be offset by cane that is ratooned late. At the moment it is all hands on deck and hoping to get the best finish possible.

Herbert River Harvesting and crushing is reaching the final stages (advancing to the 80% milestone). The mills are feeling the effects of processing a significantly larger crop than the pre-season estimate and the harvesters are at full stretch covering the hectares required to fill the bin quotas. The forecast finishing date is likely to extend beyond November 27.

lower CCS and depressed prices.

CCS for Week 19 is heading for 14.3 which is still positively influencing the season to date result. Young cane has generally benefited from the rainfall event over October 19-20 and fertilising is moving into full swing.

Growers are joining workshops to register and self-assess for Smartcane BMP as it becomes evident the Reef agenda is here to stay. Full accreditation has been completed by eight local growers to date and more than 50% of the Herbert’s cane area is under management of growers who have registered and self-assessed. There will never be a better time to enrol and you will be surprised by how far you have already come with industry best practice.

There has been no breakthrough in the deadlock over marketing and hence no further negotiations on a Cane Supply Agreement beyond the 2016 season. The position of all the major collectives remains united on this matter. Growers are urged to consider that we are always stronger together whatever temptations may be put out to entice you to think otherwise.

Burdekin We are nearing the end of the 2015 crush with 92% (7.569m tonnes) of the 8.25m crop crushed at the end of Week 20. Weekly CCS has fallen to 15.76 and the season average to date is 14.83. The mills are averaging

The district has demonstrated its two different climate zones in the crop yields. Whilst the dry areas south of Toobanna and in the Upper Stone missed much of the beneficial rain that has spurred the rest of the district to an amazing turnaround in crop yields, the estimates are holding at some 112% of the total original estimate. This indicates the crop could possibly exceed 4.5 million tonnes for the first time since 2008.

Some farms are recording best ever yields per hectare this year which is an enormous help in offsetting the

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over 378,000 tonnes per week.

Wilmar has advised that if there are no rain disruptions, based on the revised estimate and factory throughputs, harvesting is expected to finish as follows; Invicta Mill on November 3, Kalamia and Pioneer mills on November 6 and Inkerman Mill on November 12.

Whilst the lack of rain has benefited the harvesting process with only 2.5 hours lost, the Burdekin Falls Dam level continues to drop and is now at 56%.

This compares to 83% at the same time last year. The dam level is dropping by over 1% per week. Water restrictions for irrigators and residences remain in place and there is a great deal of concern if the region is hit with another failed wet season. CANEGROWERS Burdekin has been endeavouring to have the region drought declared to provide some relief to growers from the out of control cost of electricity.

We were sorry to hear of the recent passing of Rupert (Rupe) Becke.

Rupe committed close to 30 years to the Burdekin cane industry as secretary to Invicta, Inkerman and Pioneer Mill Suppliers Committees.

Proserpine Proserpine Mill has performed well for the majority of the season and last fortnight’s throughput of 189,440 tonnes was a good effort in spite of a few setbacks. Light rain disrupted harvesting early in the fortnight, however only minimal processing time was lost. ►

INDUSTRY NEWS

An 11 hour stop was required after a 90 tonne bulk sugar locomotive was derailed at the sugar bin. Further time was lost due to a service cancellation of a bulk sugar train; the resulting 16 hour stop was utilised to prepare the mill for the final run home.

Proserpine Mill is nearing the completion of the 2015 crush. 1,586,270 tonnes have now been processed with less than 85,000 tonnes left to be harvested. The welcome rain caused a slight reduction in CCS early in the fortnight, however the season average CCS continued to rise to 14.37. Failing any further disruptions, harvesting should be completed by Saturday October 31.

CANEGROWERS Proserpine and Sugar Services Proserpine will be holding their AGMs on Friday, November 27 at 2:00pm at the Prince of Wales Hotel. Members of both organisations are invited to attend.

Mackay The Mackay area mills crushed a total of 191,062 tonnes of cane for week ending October 25. All factories were affected by rain early in the week and used the opportunity to complete maintenance.

Availability was good at both Racecourse and Farleigh. Marian was affected by a major stoppage on its bagasse reclaimer hoist. Average availability for the mills was 82%.

PRS for the week was 16.09, down from the previous week.

Total cane crushed to date is 4,162,593 tonnes for a PRS

average of 14.35. The 2015 season estimate is 4,965,000 tonnes.

A total of 56,355 tonnes of cane was crushed by the Plane Creek mill for the week ending October 24. Harvesting was disrupted early in the week by some welcome rain, causing a mill stop on Tuesday morning. A cleaning intermission was held on Wednesday and a stop was caused by the number 4 turbine alternator tripping on Friday.

High CCS levels persist even after the rain. The highest CCS sample for the week was from a rake of third ratoon Q208 at 18.52 from the Dawlish Productivity District.

Major varieties supplied were Q208A (28.6% of supply) with a CCS average of 16.66 units, followed by Q232A (14.1% of supply) at 15.64 units and Q238A and Q242A both at 12.7% of supply) with an average CCS of 15.47 and 15.79 units. The variety with the highest CCS for this week was Q208A which averaged 16.66 units.

Isis

A serious incident involving a motor cyclist and one cane train occurred on the Plane Creek Bridge. It is a timely reminder of the serious risks which exist around the cane railway network.

CANEGROWERS Mackay members have been forwarded the first edition the new monthly magazine – The Billet, which replaces the fortnightly newsletter.

The magazine will be complemented

by CEO Weekly Updates which are emailed to ensure members receive timely and up to date information.

Bundaberg The 2015 crush is moving closer to the season end with approximately 92% of the estimated crop processed. During the week Bundaberg Sugar mills crushed a total of 82,280 tonnes bringing the season total so far to 1,602,870 tonnes.

CCS results remain high. Bingera mill had an excellent result with a slight increase averaging 16.09

units and Millaquin was slightly below, averaging 15.98. The district weekly average was 16.02 units and 14.64 for the year to date.

Four days short of the advertised termination of crushing, the skies opened up. Rainfall registrations ranged up to 116 mm on October 28 causing harvesting to cease. Strong winds and hail caused damage to sheds, irrigators and homes in the Isis Central Mill, Cordalba and North Isis areas. The mill stopped crushing and sent employees home and cane was left at sidings until a full inspection could be made of the railway line. The Gregory River had a strong flow cutting the Farnsfield Road with 1.5 metres of water at the crossing.

Subject to further wet weather, the termination was expected to be pushed back to Friday November 6. Prior to this rain event, Isis Mill had crushed 1,242,284.45 tonnes at a seasonal average CCS of 14.29. 37,716 tonnes of the estimated 1.28 million tonne crop remains to be harvested.

Continues page 8

A destructive storm cell moved over the Isis growing district on October 28 leaving damage in its wake. Along with cane being lodged by the strong wind and hail, trees were knocked over and some farm infrastructure was damaged.

Bits of Joe Russo's shed (left) were found 300m from where it was blown over although the tractors inside were undamaged. The irrigator on the La Rocca's North Isis farm (right) was among those left twisted by the wind.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Regional round-up continued.....

Much of the remaining cane was lodged by the storm and will be difficult to harvest as the ground will be slow to dry out. The upside of the storm rain is the benefit to the plant and ratoon cane for 2016 season. Prior to the rain, irrigation was beginning to get into full swing.

Friday November 20 is set for the CANEGROWERS Isis Limited; Isis Productivity Limited and Central Harvesting Cooperative Limited AGMs.

Maryborough As at October 29, MSF has crushed 711,515 tonnes of cane at a CCS of 13.60. The mill has crushed 30,184 tonnes to date this week but had to stop due to rain.

The district has received between 40 and 100 mm of rain over the past two days. This has been very welcome on ratoon and plant cane and has filled many dams throughout the district.

The rain delay will put back the completion of crushing toward the end of the third week of November.

Our AGM has been tentatively set down for November 26 at 2.30 pm.

New South Wales The NSW harvest is progressing well with all three mill areas passing 70% of the expected final crush.

Estimates have now firmed up and we anticipate a total crop of 2,155,000 tonnes for the season.

Condong is expected to crush out around the end of November whilst both Harwood and Broadwater are expected to go to the middle of December. Cane quality and purity is very good with CCS above budget. Despite the forecast for El Nino conditions, showers and storms continue to be disruptive.

Harvesting equipment is working overtime and whilst fields are holding up, infield track transporters are still needed in some areas. The high percentage of plant cane available for harvest provides for softer inter-rows which can be easily damaged if it has not dried out properly. The continuing use of the track transporters pushes harvest costs up with high fuel and labour costs.

A recent tragedy on the Pacific Highway at Broadwater, which saw an horrific accident involving two cars and a multi lift cane truck, has devastated the local industry. The driver of the cane truck, who had operated these trucks for over 30 years, was killed along with the driver of one of the cars who was the son of a local cane farmer. Our sympathy and condolences go out to the families and friends of the deceased. n

Burdekin solar farm The Queensland Government has approved an application for a solar farm at Clare in the Burdekin region which will mean that over 230 ha of prime land will be lost to agriculture.

The Deputy Premier announced that she had decided to approve the application even though it conflicts with the regions IPA Plan which stresses, “the protection of Good Quality Agriculture Land from conflicting forms of development and land use activities”.

Two of the reasons given for the approval are the Queensland Government’s commitment to increasing renewable energy sources by 2020 and the provision of up to 200 jobs during construction and five ongoing operational jobs.

A condition of the approval was that the approved use is limited to 30 years and after decommissioning the site is to be returned as far as practical to its pre-development condition.

LOOK UP

FOR YOUR MATES

Contact with overhead powerlines can kill.

So for your sake and your mate’s, please look up and live.

For electrical safety information specific to your industry, visit ergon.com.au/outdoor-workplace

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| 09 November 2015

SNAPSHOT | SRA

SRA welcomes new Chairman and Board members at AGM Sugar Research Australia (SRA) has announced new appointments to its Board following its Annual General Meeting in Brisbane.

Following the retirement of Mr Paul Wright AM from the position of Chairman, Dr Ron Swindells has now been appointed Chairman. Dr Swindells has been a Board member of SRA since its creation in 2013 and brings to the position a long experience with the sugar industry, with a particular emphasis on sugar milling.

He has held senior roles in the industry including as CEO of Mackay Sugar for 10 years and as Manager of Millaquin Mill and Bundaberg Refinery for Bundaberg Sugar Company.

Two new Board members have been appointed to vacant positions on the SRA Board. These are Dr Guy Roth and Mr Ian Sampson.

Dr Roth has worked for 25 years as an agronomist, scientist, research manager, policy advisor and educator in agriculture. He currently runs his own research and development agribusiness in Narrabri, NSW, and an irrigated horticultural farming business at Mudgee. He was formerly CEO of the Cotton Catchment Communities Cooperative Research Centre.

Mr Ian Sampson is a non-executive director of a public health insurance company, chairs a committee for the Board of an energy retailer, chairs a syndicate of the CEO Institute and is an executive director of a private company.

He was a director of the Sugar Research Development Corporation (SRDC) and a range of other companies and organisations in the commercial and not-for-profit sectors. Mr Sampson was chair of the SRDC Audit and Risk Committee for three years.

Current Board member Dr Ian Johnsson was re-elected at the AGM. These well-known names join current Board members Dr Helen Garnett, Mr Mike Gilmour, and Mr Steve Guazzo.

SRA CEO Neil Fisher welcomed the new Chairman and Board appointments and said that the Board would continue to focus on the needs of investors.

“The Board provides vital leadership in continuing to see SRA set a high benchmark as a world-leading agricultural research institution,” Mr Fisher said. “SRA is committed to delivering valued solutions for a growing Australian sugarcane industry.” 

BMP training program underway

By Belinda Billing, SRA BMP Training Coordinator Sugar Research Australia (SRA) is working to develop practical training packages to help growers develop skills and understanding to undertake best management practices on their farms.

As part of the Smartcane BMP program, SRA is working with industry recognised professionals to develop training packages in the areas of: • Wet Tropics drainage management (Mossman Agricultural Services) • Irrigation fundamentals and use of on farm tools (AgriTech Solutions) • Soil health and nutrition (Peter McGuire, formally of SRA/BSES) • Pest and Weed Management (Mossman Agricultural Services)

Smartcane BMP, while also developing practical skills and knowledge to improve productivity and farm management.

We hope this training program will also assist in improving the quality of water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef by helping growers to manage farms more efficiently.

For example, by improving drainage on Wet Tropics farms we can increase productivity, ensuring more of fertiliser is in the paddock where the cane needs it, and there is less in our waterways.

The first courses will begin rolling out from December this year, with delivery planned for all Queensland cane growing areas. The program will run until March 2017. 

• Six Easy Steps (accredited courses) (SRA and CANEGROWERS Mackay) These training packages are being designed with input from regional BMP facilitators, industry leaders and staff from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to ensure the courses are locally relevant for all cane growing regions.

We are working hard to ensure these courses help growers to meet 09 November 2015

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QSL

Sign up for market updateS and QSL newS at www.qsl.com.au

ICE No.11 Prompt Futures Contract 20.0 19.0

Market Update

By Stephen Stone, Treasurer

18.0

Current as of 02 November 2015

17.0 16.0 15.0

Sugar

14.0

It was another volatile period in raw sugar futures, with the front contract pushing toward the US15c/lb level before closing the week at 14.50c/lb. There has been no fundamental news of note in recent weeks. The impact of current El Nino weather patterns on global sugar production will remain as the key price variable. With the Brazilian harvest almost complete we now have real evidence of how current weather patterns can impact actual production outcomes. This is why we have seen the sugar price rally over 30% from recent lows. The threat of a damaging weather event is no longer just a possibility, it has arrived.

13.0 12.0 11.0 10.0

Australian Dollar (AUD v USD) 0.97 0.95 0.93 0.91 0.89 0.87 0.85 0.83 0.81 0.79 0.77 0.75 0.73 0.71 0.69 0.67 0.65

Where to from here for sugar prices? Is this recent move enough to change behaviour to ease the global deficit prediction for the 2015/16 season? We think it’s unlikely. Key variables now in play are sugar stock levels and how El Nino plays out in the Northern Hemisphere. Production in India is forecast to be down after a disappointing monsoon season, yet the country has an enormous sugar stockpile as a buffer. What of the forecast for Thai production? As the world’s second largest exporter, the Thai season soon to be underway is critical for the direction of sugar prices.

One takeaway from recent market activity is the inability of prices to correct after a period of sharp rises. This may suggest any price weakness as speculative positioning becomes stale is likely to be short lived. Producers are well priced as a result of weaker currencies.

Consumers are likely to be underweight after a five-year surplus cycle.

The Brazilian inter-crop period traditionally leaves the market exposed to much guesswork and reacting to sentiment and rumours. This is likely to see volatility remain at heightened levels. We now see support at US13 c/lb and look for levels above US15c/lb into the 2016 calendar year.

Currency

QSL Forward Fixed Price Contract (A$/mt) 520 500 480 460 440

The recovering US economy may control the destiny of global currency markets at present, however Australia does have a sub-plot that requires close monitoring. The domestic economy remains weak. The RBA will be forced to cut interest rates again in an effort to pump prime the economy. These themes have been in play for some time and have resulted in the Australian dollar gradually sinking lower. It has been consolidating quietly in recent weeks, above the US$.7150 level. As Australia prepares for a horse race that stops a nation, the RBA will be preparing for an interest rate cut, lowering the official rate to an historical low of 1.75%. This may happen on Melbourne Cup day. If not, it will most likely happen in coming months with the currency continuing to weaken as a result.

We see this week’s RBA meeting as a key driver for currency sentiment. If our Central Bankers don’t adjust interest rates, the market will scour their words for insight into WHEN that will happen, not IF.

420 400 380

Continued currency weakness is probable as we head into the end of this calendar year and the start of 2016. We see levels under US$0.70 as only a matter of time which is good news for our industry.

360 340 320 2015

2016

2017

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.

10 Australian Canegrower | 09 November 2015

QSL

QSL: WORKING FOR YOU

Understanding the International Polarisation Scale

By QSL Finance Manager – Supplier Relations Bryce Wenham QSL quotes its pool prices in tonnes IPS. But just what is IPS and how is it used

by QSL? Not all tonnes of sugar are equal, with the sucrose content (as measured by Polarisation) of sugar varying from batch to batch.

The International Polarisation Scale (IPS) is designed to recognise this fluctuation in sugar quality and enable a standard unit price for sugar while still rewarding suppliers for the actual Polarisation (Pol) of the sugar they produce.

HOW IS THE IPS ADJUSTMENT APPLIED? The IPS tonne price quoted for QSL Pools is also based on the standard 96 degree Pol baseline, with payments to suppliers subsequently adjusted to reflect the Pol levels of the sugar they have delivered. For example: • •

The scale was devised by the Sugar Association of London and defines the premiums and penalties applied to sugar above or below a base line level set at 96 degrees of Pol.

Mill A produces 10 tonnes of sugar at 98 Pol Mill B produces 10 tonnes of sugar at 99 Pol

While both mills have produced the same number of tonnes, Mill B has effectively produced more sugar sucrose and therefore should be paid more for this.

Sugar produced in Queensland generally has a Pol higher than 96 degrees, and so the IPS adjustment applied to each tonne delivered to QSL is usually a positive one for Queensland millers and growers, based on the following scale:

Pol level

The ICE 11 raw sugar futures prices are quoted at basis 96 degrees of Pol.

To recognise the difference in Pol and pay accordingly, QSL adjusts the mills’ tonnes to be both basis 96 degrees by applying the International Pol Scale, as illustrated below:

Adjustment

above 96º to and including 97º

add 1.5%

above 97º to and including 98º

add an additional 1.25%

above 98º to and including 99º

add an additional 1%

below 96º to and including 95º

deduct 1.60%

below 95º to and including 94º

deduct an additional 2%

below 94º to and including 93º

deduct an additional 2.5%

It is important to note that this scale is cumulative, so if the sugar delivered was 98 degrees Pol, then it would receive a premium of 1.5% (96-97 Pol) + 1.25% (97-98 pol) = 2.75%.

Should someone deliver sugar at 96 Pol, then no adjustment would be necessary as that is the standard Pol baseline used.

When sugar below 96 Pol is delivered, the penalties outlined in the table would apply.

• Mill A’s tonnes becomes 10 tonnes x 1.0275 = 10.275 tonnes IPS • Mill B’s tonnes becomes 10 tonnes x 1.0375 = 10.375 tonnes IPS

If the QSL Pool price is $400 per tonne IPS: •

Mill A would be paid for 10.275 tonnes IPS @ $400 = $4110.

•

Mill B would be paid for 10.375 tonnes IPS @ $400 = $4150

As you can see, both mills have produced the same number of tonnes actual sugar, but Mill B has received a

higher payment than Mill A which recognises the higher Pol of the sugar they produced. In short, the effect of the IPS formula is to pass on directly from the market the additional value paid for higher Polarisation sugar.

DIFFERING SUGAR BRANDS The above calculation has been simplified for explanatory purposes, with the actual calculation more complex in practice.

As a marketer, QSL may request supplying mills to make different brands of raw sugar that are suitable for certain markets only.

A brand of raw sugar is identified by a range of Polarisation. Queensland’s major brand of raw sugar is ‘Brand 1’ – a raw sugar with Polarisation in the range of 98.7 and 99.01 degrees which can be sold to a majority of refiners around the world. ‘JA’ sugar is a raw sugar made to have Polarisation typically between 97.7 and 98 degrees which is suitable for the Japanese market.

When a sugar mill makes a raw sugar other than Brand 1, it changes the amount of raw sugar that can be recovered from cane as crystal sugar and the purity of the molasses made. Where raw sugar other than Brand 1 has been produced, the IPS tonnes calculation adjusts the tonnage to be an equivalent tonnage of Brand 1 sugar with a polarisation of 98.95 degrees, taking into account the actual amount of Reducing Sugars and the Ash and water content of the raw sugar produced.

The outcome of this IPS tonnes calculation is to ensure millers and growers are indifferent to which brand of raw sugar QSL requests their mill make, while still rewarding the millers for the higher overall quality of the raw sugar produced and rewarding growers for the overall higher quality cane supplied.

09 November 2015

| Australian Canegrower 11

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

Sugarcane growers recognised in prestigious Premiers Sustainability Awards

By Suzi Moore, CANEGROWERS Communications Manager When not only your neighbours, but people the length and breadth of the coast of Queensland stop to look over the fence to check out the latest results of innovative practices being trialled on your farm, it is not surprising that the Bugeja and Puglisi farms have been awarded the honour of being listed as finalists in the prestigious Premiers Sustainability Awards announced last week.

Better soil health, better crops, better productivity, better profitability and good quality water leaving the properties are hallmarks of the innovative 460-hectare Bugeja family cane farming operation in Mackay and Puglisi’s 188ha of sugarcane and a 2ha cocoa plantation in Mossman.

The Queensland Government Premiers Sustainability Awards recognise top honours in sustainability. While it is not surprising to Queensland’s cane growers that their industry has performed so strongly in this category over so many years, it does send a good message to urban Australia.

Leaders in sustainable business and in government are overwhelmed year after year by the strength and innovation on Queensland cane farms.

Tony and Mark Bugeja and Gerard, Terese and Angelo Puglisi join a field of impressive farm businesses to have their efforts recognised through these awards.

In the last decade just some of the extensive field of sugarcane growers to have their farming efforts recognised include Doug and Kim Rasmussen (Mossman), Ray and Rosemary Vicarioli (Cairns Region), Mario and Heidi Racanello (Tully), Paul and Donna Marbelli (Ingham), Vince and Rita Papale (Burdekin), Bryan and Terry Granshaw (Burdekin), Lawrence and Josie Bugeja (Mackay) and Ashley and Leone Petersen (Maryborough).

Growers up and down the coast have gone from having their credentials

Better soil health, better crops, better productivity, better profitability and good quality water leaving the properties are hallmarks of the innovative Bugeja family cane farm in Mackay and Puglisi sugarcane and cocoa operation in Mossman. heavily questioned, to being recognised world-wide for cutting edge technology and sustainable cane growing – and all in just 20 short years.

Sustainability has become such a point of pride for our iconic industry.

Mossman growers Terese and Gerard Puglisi

Mackay grower Tony Bugeja.

These types of awards show our urban cousins that our sugarcane growers see their guardianship of the coastal strips astride the rainforest and Great Barrier Reef as part of their legacy – both to their community and to their families who many hope will maintain the farming tradition in years to come.

The Premiers Sustainability Awards recognise farmers who are always looking for the next improvement, the next way to save money or improve productivity or become more environmentally sustainable. The Puglisis and Bugejas typify this and everything they learn, they are making available not just to their neighbours, but to anyone who is interested in better practices to feed the world and to make a better living doing it.

It is not surprising that Gerard Puglisi and Tony Bugeja were amongst the first to be accredited in the sugarcane industry’s best management practice program, Smartcane BMP. These farmers see the Smartcane BMP as extremely valuable to help them identify opportunities for tweaking improvements on farm, showing the community they are doing the right thing and, down the track sometime soon, showing the world our farms and sugar are world-class.

If you would like a quick look around their farms, we’ve uploaded short videos of both to our Virtual Bus Tour section of our YouTube site www.youtube.com/canegrowers. 

12 Australian Canegrower | 09 November 2015

Industry Spotlight sponsored by Smartcane BMP

FEATURE

Irrigation parts & equipment 10-page feature Irrigation is as much about economics as it is about pipes and water.

There’s no use pumping unlimited amounts of water onto a crop if the benefits of paying for the water and electricity are not going to show up on your bottom line.

There are many places to go for advice to make sure that every drop that reaches the plants counts – local productivity services and independent consultants are an excellent place to start.

A number of programs have been running in various districts using government funds to improve farm irrigation efficiency.

Two of the well-known industry and government partnerships are the Queensland Government’s Rural Water Use Efficiency – Irrigation Futures program and the Australian Government Reef Programme.

The BBFIMAC Energy Efficiency Gains for Australian Irrigators’ project is another recent example.

Funded by the Australian Department of Industry and Science this Burdekinbased organisation has run field days and information sessions to assist farmers to remain profitable in the face of increasing electricity costs.

The project’s website has pulled together on-line tools, fact sheets about energy saving and farm and equipment case studies.

These are available to everyone at http://eegai.nceastg.usq.edu.au/eegai/ In this 10-page Feature you will find articles and promotions covering a range of equipment options for you to consider for your farm.

Each farm visit is led by the farm owner who gives an insider’s tour of their farm – which you can watch from the comfort of your home.

This season has been proudly bought to you by CANEGROWERS, with funding from the Rural Water Use Efficiency – Irrigation Futures program and Australian Government Reef Programme.

If you want a sneak peak, we’ve uploaded the episodes to our YouTube page where the general public can get in and also take a look around our farms: www.youtube.com/user/CANEGROWERS

Farm visits on DVD soon Keep checking your Australian Canegrower magazine bag because between now and Christmas you’ll be receiving the entire Season 5 of the Virtual Bus Tour on DVD. Get a good look around the paddocks, sheds and innovations of 12 cane farms across Queensland.

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T50

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T100 165m run, 38mm hose T150-2 T150-2 200m run, 52mm hose.

T200-2 up to 300m run, 63 - 76mm hose.

T250-2 up to 400m run, 63 - 76mm hose.

T300-2 up to 400m run, 76 - 89mm hose.

T300 TURBO up to 400m run, 76 - 89mm hose. up to 400m run, 89 - 114mm hose.

T400 T400-2 up to 600m run, 89 - 114mm hose.

T450-2 up to 600m run, 89 - 114mm hose.

T300 TURBO T400 TURBO up to 600m run, 89 - 114mm hose.

50m BOOM up to 400m run, 76 - 102mm hose.

85m BOOM up to 600m run, 102 - 114mm hose.

TCS20 Effluent Irrigator up to 200m run.

85m BOOM T400 TURBO

50m BOOM

TRAILCO hard hose Polyreels :

T100

Use polyethylene pressure hose.

T200-2

T250-2

TP40

TP32 100m run, 32mm hose.

TP40 120m run, 40mm hose TP90 TURBO up to 350m run, 90 - 110mm hose.

TP110 TURBO up to 394m run, 110 - 125mm hose.

TP140 TURBO up to 500m run, 125 - 140mm hose.

TP140 TURBO

T300-2

TP90 TURBO

TP110 TURBO T450-2

TRAILCO IRRIGATION (AUST.) P.O. BOX 1278 EAGLE FARM, 4009 Phone : (07) 3260 1828 Fax : (07) 3260 1877 Web : www.trailco.com.au Email : sales@trailco.com.au

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09 November 2015

| Australian Canegrower 13

FEATURE

Drip Irrigation in North Queensland Supplied by Rivulis Irrigation Australia’s 6,000 sugarcane growers constantly need to increase yield and keep control over costly overheads and input costs to ensure profitability.

To help growers achieve both these goals, Rivulis Irrigation has been producing sugarcane irrigation systems since the early 1980s and developed the T-Tape drip system.

The system is straightforward to install with benefits that go far beyond water savings.

Whereas conventional flooding irrigation between crop rows leads to rapid but inefficient saturation, T-Tape drip irrigation is controlled, allowing plants to uptake the moisture that’s required for growth while allowing better water conservation.

One unique benefit of not wetting the rows between cane is grass and weed growth is kept to a minimum.

The surface stays dry and unfavourable for the germination of weeds.

This has subsequent flow on effects to less spraying of weeds meaning less chemicals, fuel and labour.

Critically important for growers is the efficient management of fertiliser costs.

Further savings by using drip irrigation are realised by providing crops with nutrients directly at their root zone, rather than the surface where fertilisers can easily run-off.

Fertiliser leaching is a considerable expense for a grower’s bottom line with continued raising input costs requiring more efficient application.

Additionally, environmental pressures for farmers in north Queensland to manage nutrient run-off into the reef is leading to an increase of drip irrigation use.

Drip irrigation dramatically reduces fertiliser run-off compared to flood irrigation as fertiliser is applied directly through the sub-surface drip lines.

Drip irrigation often leads to increased tonnage per hectare in conjunction with additional returns per crop.

Sugarcane producer Joe Bianco of Mareeba had his T-Tape drip system installed in 1998 and reports having 165 tonnes per hectare and an additional crop every five years than he had prior to installing T-Tape.

“At $37 a tonne, that’s an extra $6,105 per hectare, meaning about $305,000 additional revenue for my farm,” Joe said.

With healthy plants and an additional crop of cane, along with savings on fuel, water and maintenance and reduced labour, the T-Tape drip system quickly pays for itself and continues to help him run a profitable operation.

“My drip irrigation system paid for itself in five years as I am cutting an extra crop every five years,” he said.

Irrigation designers plan T-Tape drip systems that ideally match an area’s growing and soil conditions.

Additionally the system can be designed to allow for alternate crops in the future.

As with most farm operations, maintenance is sometimes required with the best prevention being good farm hygiene and incorporating periodic flushing of lines.

However if a section of tape becomes damaged it can be easily repaired through a small hole and a couple of joiners.

“It only takes five minutes to fix a hole, which is a lot cheaper and easier than repairing a gearbox in a pivot,” Joe said.

With increased pressures on profitability, more farmers are adopting drip irrigation to save water, fertiliser and labour, while ensuring healthy high yield crops.  Pictured: Joe Bianco’s crop grown on Rivulis T-Tape cut 173 Tonne / ha (70 Tonne / acre) this year.

14 Australian Canegrower | 09 November 2015

Rivulis Irrigation

Leaders in drip & micro irrigation

Don’t just take our word for it...

Joe Bianco, Mareeba

40 ha sub-surface T-Tape installed in 1998 and still going strong!

“165 tonnes per hectare and an extra crop every five years. At $37 a tonne, that’s an extra $6,105 per hectare, meaning about $305,000 additional revenue for my farm.”

“I can run the farm myself. If I used flood, I would need another person just for labour. With drip it’s just a matter of pushing a button.”

“We use 5.5 megalitres per hectare. The local average for flood is 12.5 per hectare”.

When it comes to drip irrigation, it is more than just products. You need to work with a company that has a proven record of delivering systems that deliver real results.

We have been helping Australian canegrowers irrigate with drip for over 30 years.

From designing a system that ensures low energy costs, to assisting in the development of a suitable nutrition program, we work with growers to provide the best drip irrigation solution for their crop.

Find out how drip irrigation can work for you by contacting your local Rivulis representative: North QLD | John McDonnell – Ph 0418 418 992 Wide Bay | Marcus Ashley – Ph 0418 712 118 North NSW | Guy Boyd – Ph 0419 797 905

Man

ufactur

for over in

www.Rivulis.com.au | 1800 558 009

Au s

i ng

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FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Dowdens - tried and trusted for over 40 years Supplied by Dowdens Pumping and Water Treatment

For over 40 years, Dowdens Pumping and Water Treatment has been selling and servicing irrigation products throughout central and northern Queensland – designing each and every system to improve farming efficiencies, reduce downtime and increase the longevity of pumps and irrigators.

As a company that has built its foundation on the servicing and development of agricultural pumping systems, Dowdens Pumping and Water Treatment has the experience to engineer a solution to suit any agricultural application.

The Dowdens Mackay-Whitsunday agricultural irrigation team of Glenn Agnew, Brett Hayes, Jeff Roberts, Kevin Krog, Mike Sanderson, Eileen Mason and Nathan Cross is one of the most experienced ag sales teams in Australia, with over 125 years of combined irrigation system design and operational experience between them.

Dowdens is committed to the Queensland agriculture industry.

We take a leading and proactive role in improving Queensland’s on farm productivity, whilst lowering farming's overall environmental impacts.

We offer our customers a range of services including design, manufacture, installation and servicing of all Valley Irrigation equipment.

Since 2002 Dowdens Pumping and Water Treatment has been the sole authorised Valley Master Dealer for the Mackay – Whitsunday regions.

In 2005 the Bugeja’s noticed the price of power beginning to affect the farm’s profitability, so the decision was made in 2009 to invest in their first Valley Centre Pivot from Dowdens.

Over the past 13 years Dowdens has delivered significant water and power use savings for countless Queensland sugarcane farmers via the supply of reliable Valley Irrigation equipment.

Increasing the farm’s irrigation efficiency was implicit in the design of the first of two Valley Centre Pivots Dowdens supplied.

A prime example of on farm energy savings would be the Bugeja family’s five sugarcane farms, located in the Palmyra and Homebush districts, which produce 28,000 tonnes of cane per annum and have over 380 ha of sugarcane needing irrigation.

The Bugeja’s irrigation practices were featured in the 3 August 2015 edition of Australian Canegrower in an article called ‘Taking the pressure off irrigation costs’.

The Bugeja family has been a customer of Dowdens since 1973.

In 2009 a 40 ha parcel of their Homebush farm took 240 hours to be irrigated using a soft hose irrigator (only operating at night to take advantage of off-peak power costs), delivering 30 L/ sec being fed by a 45.5 kW pump motor.

Once the first Valley Centre Pivot had been installed and commissioned

by Dowdens the same area could be irrigated in 74 hours, delivering 40 L/sec being fed by a 22.5 kW pump motor.

The centre pivot is run both day and night as the smaller 22.5 kW feed pump motor necessitates far less power compared to the soft hose 45.5 kW pump motor.

Total irrigation cost per run (including farm labour @ $25/hr) for the 40 ha parcel using the soft hose was $1,556 ($38.90/ha), compared to the centre pivot total cost of $236 ($5.90/ha).

With irrigation cost savings from each run equalling $33/ha the Bugeja’s haven’t looked back since investing in quality Valley Irrigation equipment.

For more than 60 years, Valmont® Irrigation has led the centre pivot and linear irrigation industry by providing the most reliable precision irrigation equipment and technology advancements for agriculture.

The Valley® brand of centre pivot and linear irrigation equipment provides solutions toward meeting the world's growing demand for food.

Centre pivots and linears provide precise water, chemical and fertiliser applications that can result in improved crop yields, reduced labour costs, more efficient energy consumption, increased water conservation and reduced runoff.

Contact Dowdens Pumping and Water Treatment today and let us help improve your farms productivity while lowering your overall irrigation operating costs! 

16 Australian Canegrower | 09 November 2015

AS SOLID AS THE GROUND IT STANDS ON. valleyirrigation.com

VALLEY STANDS THE TEST OF TIME. 速

Great ground deserves great irrigation. That way, you get the most out of your investment.

Hands down, Valley is the name successful growers depend on. Easy to use. And reliable as sun-up tomorrow. Get quality. Get service. Get ahead. You can count on that with Valley. 速

FEATURE

Assistance for Burdekin farmers bidding for water quality funding Supplied by NQ Dry Tropics NQ Dry Tropics has won a contract to help Burdekin cane farmers bid for funding to reduce nitrogen levels in the water leaving their farms and entering the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon.

The Australian Government has made up to $2.5 million available under the $140 million Reef Trust to improve water quality in the Burdekin Dry Tropics region, with farmers invited to take part in a reverse auction to bid for up to $500,000 to fund their on farm nitrogen and irrigation management projects.

NQ Dry Tropics CEO Dr Scott Crawford said that NQ Dry Tropics, along with trusted partner organisations Burdekin Productivity Services (BPS), Farmacist, Burdekin Bowen Integrated Floodplain Management Advisory Committee (BBIFMAC) and Agritech Solutions, will assist local farmers through the bidding process.

farmers to put a price on the cost of improving their nitrogen and irrigation management practices.

Farmers design projects and those awarded a tender will be offered an upfront payment in 2016 and then annual payments over two years for the total cost of their project.

As part of the two-step, market-based competitive tender process, farmers will be invited later this year to submit an expression of interest, and then a reverse auction will be run to allocate funds to successful bidders offering the best value for money projects.

Dr Crawford said that NQ Dry Tropics would ensure that farmers across the region hear about the opportunity and have the information they need to make a decision to submit an expression of interest.

“This is a great opportunity for cane growers to implement on-farm nitrogen reduction or irrigation improvements that they may have been thinking about for a long time, which improve water quality entering the reef lagoon,” he said.

“NQ Dry Tropics and our local partners are committed to making this project a success. We have been working closely with the Department of the Environment to provide information and tools farmers will need to develop an informed bid for their proposed project,” he said.

The Reef Trust competitive tender is an innovative way to encourage cane

For information, go to NQ Dry Tropics website at www.nqdrytropics.com.au 

DRAG IRRIGATION HOSE AUSTRALIA office

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CONTACT TIPSA OFFICE IN AUSTRALIA: TEL: (02) 9517 9995 EMAIL: tipsa.sydney@tipsa.com

PLEASE ENQUIRE NOW!!!

To better support our distributors, Tipsa currently stocks all types of hoses and accessories in Australia

18 Australian Canegrower | 09 November 2015

Isis growers benefit from water use efficiency investment Isis growers are now benefitting from an investment in district-wide weather stations being installed through a partnership between the Queensland Government, CANEGROWERS and Isis Productivity Limited.

The Rural Water Use Efficiency – Irrigation Futures project will give growers access to site specific weather data to improve pesticide and herbicide application decisions and record keeping.

Previously growers had relied on data from the Bureau of Meteorology site in Bundaberg, up to 50 km from some Isis district farms. The Isis district data will be more useful and credible.

The weather stations and the data they generate will also greatly enhance the ability of all growers to fulfil their responsibility to maintain records under the Smartcane BMP programme.

Additionally, access to reliable evapotranspiration (ETo) data will further enhance irrigation scheduling capacity through the district which will improve crop water use efficiency and help to reduce soil water runoff, another criteria of the Smartcane BMP programme. 

FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

New FieldNET® upgrades nearly any brand pivot Supplied by Lindsay Corporation Growers gain full remote monitoring and variable rate irrigation control through a simple, economical upgrade.

Many growers today manage multiple brands of irrigation systems.

Pivot Control, the industry’s first solution for upgrading old and new pivots to remote control, provides a single consistent irrigation experience.

“It is simple, it is very intuitive. You can take a 30-year-old pivot and bring it

right up to date with this unit,” said Jared Gardner, a grower in Rocky Ford, Colorado, USA, who tested the product on his Zimmatic pivot and two other brands.

number of sectors available on most basic VRI products.

Growers working with agronomists and crop specialists can upload custom prescriptions to FieldNET with a touch of a button.

""

Unlike other remote irrigation control products, Pivot Control mounts at the pivot point and combines with GPS at the end of the pivot for increased precision and greater flexibility.

Growers can operate their pivot in the field at the control box or remotely using FieldNET – minimising the chance for user error.

From a smartphone, tablet or computer, growers can receive alerts and control their equipment including pivots, pumps, injectors, and sensors.

Pivot Control comes standard with 360-sector variable rate irrigation (VRI), offering twice the

IT IS SIMPLE, IT IS VERY INTUITIVE. YOU CAN TAKE A 30-YEAR-OLD PIVOT AND BRING IT RIGHT UP TO DATE WITH THIS UNIT.

“There’s really nothing else like it on the market.

"Pivot Control provides growers an affordable and easy way to own features that can more effectively manage irrigation resources,” said Reece Andrews FieldNET business manager.

For more information, visit www.myfieldnet.com/pivot-control. 

THE LINDSAY ADVANTAGE

IRRIGATION SOLUTIONS THAT INCREASE YOUR PROFITS

Lindsay is the single-source irrigation manufacturer that can develop the right system for your individual needs. We’ve combined the strengths of all Lindsay companies and products into one simple yet powerful package: the Plan to Profit Portfolio.

www.lindsay.com

Lindsay Australia Warehouse: Lindsay International (ANZ) Pty Ltd 19 Spencer Street Toowoomba QLD 4350

© 2013 Lindsay. All rights reserved. Zimmatic is a trademark of the Lindsay Corporation.

09 November 2015

| Australian Canegrower 19

“ This latest hose is the one.

I’ve trialled and tested it for over six years.

Bought several more.

No leaks and a generous 10 year warranty.”

“This is the one, Angus.”

Says Norman Anderson of Childers about his Flowmaster irrigator hose.

Flexible, lays flat

Long service life

Operational factors

The Flowmaster hose is work proven in our cane fields.  Snaking minimised for easy reeling.  Fits easily on a standard reel.  Deploys easily and is light to handle.

It’s the tough and extremely durable polyurethane cover with its exceptional resistance to abrasion, cutting, ozone, UV, weathering and microbiological attack that puts Angus Flowmaster in a class of its own … and ensures it delivers an excellent performance in our tough farming conditions.

Steamed to size in the manufacturing process minimises (near enough eliminates) snaking and ensures the hose coils back easily after use.

The circular woven high tenacity polyester reinforcement is totally encapsulated in a tough elastomeric poly cover and lining.

With a maximum swell of only 6%, the pressure is maintained and unacceptable hose contraction is eliminated. Ideal for both travelling irrigators and linear irrigation.

See your local irrigation specialist supplier for Angus Flowmaster hose

www.flexiblepipelines.co.uk

NORTHFIELD 2038

Norm Anderson, cane grower in the Childers region speaks from experience as he operates 21 travelling irrigators 4 centre pivots

Angus Flexible Pipelines Australia Pty Ltd. 9 / 67 Depot Street, Banyo, QLD. 4014.

Ph: 61 7 3256 7624

FEATURE

Noting the past and pausing in the present to see the way ahead Supplied by Angus Flexible Pipelines Growing sugarcane in significant quantities has been a five generation activity for the Anderson family in the Isis region of southern Queensland. While Norm Anderson presently steers the ship, he counts on his two adult sons, Graeme and Justin to run it.

In steering the ship in the direction of continuing prosperity Norm has reached various ports of call which essentially boil down to delivering financial conservatism, working increased acreages and careful diversification to help counter the ups and downs of cane growing.

This is all despite the fact that a good deal of their country is not perfect for irrigated sugarcane. It is undulating county and the family uses many travelling irrigators as the primary method of delivering water to the growing crops, although they also operate four centre pivots.

Norm’s knowledge of sugarcane growing, the economics and the future is not just based on local experience, it is also based on a knowledge of other regions in Australia as well as other countries and their different methods.

He also has a deep and practical knowledge of milling, having been the Chairman of Isis Central Sugar Mill for a short time and a director for 17 years.

Our discussion covered his views on cane growing, crop diversification, advice for the younger generation and mentoring.

ON KEEPING THE FAMILY TOGETHER “Well from day one it is openness, honesty and inclusiveness,” he says of working as a family. “Then the next layer is financial conservatism and showing there is a sharing of proceeds on a reasonable basis.

“And next, the maintaining of good family traditions so the young know what is expected, respect good family ways and working for the greater outcome,” explained Norm.

It is continual communication between the family that showed as incredibly important as well as the involvement of his wife, Donna.

“She is a retired school teacher, but has always played a part,” he said, emphasising that the family are cane growers and that the market is growing.

He has advice for the next generation of growers on how to navigate around the not-so-easy patches.

DIVERSIFICATION “I’ve encouraged our family to diversify, but to do so carefully,” he said.

“We’ve tried various crops, including trials for different varieties of wheat for a research organisation and our own trialling of crops such as green beans, soy, peanuts, yam and green legume crops in rotation with sugarcane.”

GPS on tractors and telemetry (the transmission of messages to remotely located equipment) he said can save many hours.

“Another item is the variable rate of applying fertiliser and pesticides according to soil and plant needs, rather than blanket coverage,” he said. “Techniques keep improving.”

Another area that interests Norm is GPS data tracking and a typical application is keeping the tractor wheels on the same hardened track to reduce fuel consumption. Row width is matched to machinery, including the harvester and haul out equipment being used.

The crop the Andersons have chosen is macadamias based on a confidence about the future of the nut.

CONTINUES PAGE 22...

“There are two important things with diversification in my view … don’t be too timid and miss out on economies of scale, but hedge your bets … don’t go too far too soon,” he said.

“For the enthusiastic diversifiers, my suggestion is don’t change for the sake of change.

“For us, diversification meant a need for more land so we leased the additional land before going in deeper. Overall we have doubled our acreage over the last nine to ten years.”

The Andersons currently have about 600 hectares committed to sugarcane and in four years expects to have 70 hectares of approximately 20,000 macadamia trees.

TECHNOLOGY Better use of technology is another of Norm’s key points to facing the future.

09 November 2015

| Australian Canegrower 21

FEATURE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21...

“Technology keeps bringing on improvements with machinery, use of machinery and reductions in labour. Even hoses for the travelling irrigators are so much better,” he said.

“We’ve been trialling Angus’ latest hose, Flowmaster, and their advanced manufacturing technique has more-or-less eliminated the old problems of snaking, wearing and puncturing we have associated with hoses.

“Overall, it is working smarter, not harder or longer. Easy to say, many don’t do it.”

WORLD VIEW After visiting other sugar producing countries, Norm believes Australia ranks very highly in both equipment and growing.

“In this country we built the world’s best harvesters,” he said. “Our efficiencies in the area of growing and harvesting, in particular per hour are better than Brazil, a country which is at least a ten times bigger producer than Australia.

“For 30 years we have been cutting green cane on our farms and it has meant a greatly improved yield and a massive drop in the cost of production, as well as a better lifestyle for the families.”

He went on to point out that US sugarcane growers and European beet growers are being subsidised yet Australia competes whilst receiving the world sugar price and coping with its variations.

Norm said that despite the ups and downs, he looks to maintain an average rate of production.

“With the expanding population and greater personal spending power in markets like China we will in part be insulated against declines in sugar usage in diets in the western world,” he said.

ENERGY CHALLENGE The rising cost of electricity is making things hard, Norm observed. He wants to see improvements in the electricity use of high pressure irrigators, especially for low rainfall areas and in view of the current sugar price.

“The cost of energy to irrigate has become so expensive that it is putting our industry at high risk,” he said.

“Energy costs have increased by close to 100% in nine years.”

“The cost of pumping a megalitre of water at low pressure to tree crops is much lower than high pressure to sugar cane. Ergon Energy has just announced a record profit of nearly one billion dollars.

“For cane growers, sensible diversification is the future and I believe the preferred crops are macadamias, avocadoes and small crops. But, we also intend to be significant sugarcane growers,” he explained.

Over a cup of tea, Norm brought out one of his favourite quotes, the words of American writer William Arthur Boyd (1921 – 1994).

“A pessimist complains about the wind, the optimist expects it to change, the realist adjusts the sails.”

“That is what our family enterprise is doing,” he said.

“Diversifying to adjust.“ 

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22 Australian Canegrower | 09 November 2015

4/08/2015 7:53:16 AM

WHAT’S NEW MEMBER SERVICES

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 16 October 2015.

*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.

Beaulieu R.U.M.

Graham Twyford Machinery Sales Pty Ltd

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

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

Specialising in Used Cane Harvesting Equipment Sales

NEW AUSTRALIAN MADE AX7500 CANE HARVESTER COMING TO MACKAY One machine on demo in Mackay 10 & 11th Nov at 986 Munbura Road.

The other machine will be on display at 48 Central Park Drive Mackay from the 10th until the 13th of Nov. Viewing Mon Nov 16th at AYR showgrounds, Tue 17th at Ingham HCPSL, Wed 18th at Innisfail Showgrounds, and Thu 19th at Gordonvale H & F Harvester repairs.

Viewing times, 8am-2pm.

Built by Aussie’s for Aussie conditions. Cummins Power.

ENQUIRE NOW !!

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

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

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

WESTHILL TRACK INFIELD TRANSPORTER Front Unloader 4 Metre Delivery. 12/14 Tonne Elev.

CAT. 3306 TA Eng. 275 HP. Eaton Track Drive Pumps, Sun strand Pump Driving Elevator with Radial Piston Motors. NEW Walking Gear, Inc. 24’’ Curved Grousers, Chains, Track Rollers, Front Idlers & Sprockets.

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 49526 668 graham@gtmachinerysales.com.au www.gtmachinersales.com.au

09 November 2015

| Australian Canegrower 23

CLASSIFIEDS

Mossman –Tully SMALL QUANTITY of Sugar Terminals Limited shares for sale. Ph: 0438 686 110 1985 TOFT HARVESTER, CAT3306, 2 blade chop, half tracks, spare wheels & many extra's. $55k neg. Other equip for sale: Hickling bins & elevator, Case CX90 2-wheel tractor & slasher, Same Buffalo tractor. Call for pictures or further info 0438 714 978 CASE TRACTOR - Maxxum 5150 Powershift, 127HP 4WD 2250 hrs, 20.8/38 Rear Tyres. Good condition. $35000 inc GST. Ph: 0428 561 197

“Hurry Farmers and List your Machinery” Bid Farm Equip is pleased to announce dates for its annual end-of-year auctions on the rst Wednesday of November and December. A unique online auction platform, Bid Farm Equip connects buyers and sellers around the world to move equipment and assets in the agriculture, trucking, construction, and heavy machinery industries at market values.

“View and Bid Online”

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:

1800 859 883

www.bidfarmequip.com.au

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 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

Herbert River – Burdekin CASE 770 offset 56 disc, hydraulic fold for transport. Good condition $25,000.

PH 0417 765 044.

editor@CANEGROWERS.com.au.

Rainfall Report Recorded rainfall (mm) Location

7 days to 9am

Average rainfall (mm)

Year to date

02.11.15

Mossman

0

0

1009

Mareeba AP

0

0

581

806

Cairns

12

12

1449

1821

Mt Sophia

15

7

3085

3069

Babinda

0

0

1422

3933

Innisfail

26

26

2195

3290

Tully

25

6

2446

3814

Cardwell

2

9

1144

1922

Lucinda

7

4

790

1925

Ingham

45

2

904

1835

Abergowrie

10

0

1023

1632

Townsville

3

0.8

252

992

Ayr DPI

8

0.2

358

825

Proserpine

8

11

657

1211

Mirani

14

16

686

1333

Mackay

7

3

697

1382

Sarina (Plane Ck)

8

17

851

1531

Bundaberg

45

48

703

885

Childers South

18

60

755

769

Maryborough

5

79

872

1026

Tewantin

23

31

1277

1447

Eumundi

9

34

1527

1504

Nambour

11

39

1610

1516

Woongoolba

12

10

1194

1202

2022

Murwillumbah

7

26

1399

1413

Ballina

19

20

1596

1632

Woodburn

5

9

912

1250

Johnny Farming Company

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

Jan–Nov

26.10.15

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.

24 Australian Canegrower | 09 November 2015

JOHN DEERE 8970, 400HP with linkage.

20.8 x 42 tyres. Good condition. PH 0417 765 044 Ford 7810 4wd a/c 110hp low hours 2700 hours $24,000 + gst. Newton 4tonne fertilizer bin tyres good for plant work $4,000 + gst. MSW 3 tonne s/s side dresser $12,500 + gst. Ph:0408 456 218

Mackay – Proserpine 12T SELF-PROPELLED 6x6 elev infielder VGC. 6t side/tipper on Leyland tandem GC. Don Mizzi 741 model on Fiat 750 special turbo plus MF102 half-tracks to suit. Mason 9550 4-row precision vacuum seed planter GC. 0438 606 578 (Mackay) CAMECO 2000 track harvester, 5ft primary extractor, leg base cutter box, all new walking gear, $110,000 inc GST. Ph: 0407714172 ALUMINIUM PIPES - approx 50 lengths of 4 inch pipes 9 meters in length with southern cross couplings which are in good order. Ph 0427 756 564 AVOKA 4” travelling irrigator, NO hose, working condition; $5000 + GST. PTO irrigation pump, 4”, GC; $3500 + GST. Ph: 4959 5207 MACLEAN 5 ROLLER half tracks, new stone guards, VGC $6500 plus GST Ph 0418 159 998 300SX Southern Cross irrigator, 200m hose, 400 new cable, new cable rollers, Nelson slow-return gun, good tyre, 3inch hose, no leaks, excellent condition, $6500 +gst. Ph: 0427 355 391 BSES Harvester fronts to suit Toft or Cameco, twin spirals, saws, new saw motors, $1500+gst. Ph: 0427 355 391 CASE HARVESTER back tyres and rims, 80% tread, $2000 each plus GST Ph 0418 159 998 VALTRA 6400 4WD Tractor - 1ooHP, AirCon Cab, 2004 Model. 3700 Hours. Good

Condition. $30,000. (incl GST) ONO. Ph: 0418710958 / 49503048.

MASSEY FERGUSON 5460 dyna 4, 125 hp 4WD air cab, 600hr, $60,000. Diesel eng duetz 140HP mechanical water cooled flywheel to radiator intake and muffler watch dog, $5000. Ph: 0428 340 685 TANDEM CARTING TRAILER with 2 x 3000lt plastic water tanks in frames; reasonable condition. $4000 + GST ONO Ph: 0419 771 504 1996 CAMECO 2500 full track harvester in GC. PH: 0407 054 417 EX RURAL FIRE TRUCK, Ford Trader Diesel with 3000 Lt. galvanized tank and Honda electric start pump. Unregistered and as is condition. $5,500 inc GST. Phone 0418185931.

SOUTHERN CROSS LAH Turbine 7 stage complete including 40hp electric motor.

Ph: 0407 595 218 MASSEY 305 harvester, various parts including elevator & topper in good condition. Ph: 0427 712 128.

INFIELD TRANSPORTER 10 tonne sidetipper, needs little work; $35000 + gst. 160/90 Fiat with Double 6 tonne sidetipper; $50000 + gst. Deutz 160hp, fair condition; $10000 + gst. Ph: 49592302 AH

Bundaberg - Rocky Point 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 GENERATOR for sale. New not used no longer required. PRO MAX 7500A 14hp Briggs & Stratton - $1000. Ph: 0407 692 239 CASE 970 TRACTOR low hours , rear transmission over hauled , VGC $12000

plus Gst Ph 0431 290 004 or 0755 466 867 TOFT 7000 harvester – early model, 240hp Komatsu, leg base cutter, 2 blade chop. Ph: 0413 584 728

Wanted TRACTOR TYRES of all sizes. 0418 775 698 all hours.

ADJUSTABLE V RAKES, for raking cane stool. Bundaberg region. Ph: 07 4159 3323 or email photos to gailcrosset1@ hotmail.com DOUBLE OR TRIPLE BIN - 2 tonne side tipper in good condition. MackayProserpine. Ph: 0419 771 504 PEDRICK stick rake. Ph: 0407 960 575 SECOND-HAND loader backhoe or excavator. PH 0417 765 044.

3PL QUICKHITCH to suit ford 5000 also 5-7 tyne ripper with crumbler roller suit 110-150hp tractor. Ph: 0418 456 290 BLADE SAVER ADJUSTER for 12 inch chop, also set of small wheels for crop lifters. Both for Toft 94 full track. Phone Alana on 0428 591 048

Work Wanted HARVESTER CONTRACTOR available for 2016 cane season - Tully/ Innisfail/ surrounding district. Looking for farmers interested in smaller Group (80,000 tonne max). 0418 183 584 GENERAL FARM machinery maintenance and repairs. Mackay area. Ph 0428 529 216

Property HERBERT RIVER: Cane farm 60.73ha with machinery and 4 bedroom dwelling at 194 Lannercost Ext Rd, Ingham Ph. 40454321

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ONFIDO

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Technical Enquiries 1800 804 479. Confidor ® is a Registered Trademark of the Bayer Group. BCH0773A