Australian Canegrower - 07 December 2015

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The flagship of the sugarcane industry

7 December 2015 Price $8.95

Ingham growers prove BMP credentials

Grower choice campaign faces MP vote

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CONTENTS 07.12.2015

CEO'S COMMENT

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We have been consistent in defining our objective. We are seeking a marketing system that provides choice for growers to be able to market their proportion of the sugar for which they have an exposure and to provide a mechanism to handle pre-contract disputes.

Dan Galligan CANEGROWERS CEO

Cover: Smartcane BMP accredited grower Frank Russo on his Herbert River district farm. Photo by John Flynn.

Can egrower AUSTRAL IAN

INDUSTRY NEWS

The flagship of the sugarcane industry 7 December 2015 Price $8.95

2 Editor's desk

Opposite: Harvesting contractor Jason Borg finishes up the 2015 season on Brian Stevens farm at Ilbilbie. Photo by Kate Dukes..

3 CEO's comments 4 Herbert River proving its Smartcane BMP credentials Ingham growers prove BMP credentials

Grower choice campaign faces MP

vote

5 Sugar marketing vote 6 Regional round-up

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 24 Printed by Screen Offset Printing 202 Robinson Road, Geebung, QLD, 4034 Subscriptions Yearly subscriptions for 25 issues (postage included) Within Australia Overseas (AUD)

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8 SRA Snapshot: What this season’s billet quality survey found 9 Trade – TPP is just part of the picture

WHAT’S NEW 10 Safe storage fits every farm 13 QSL pools for 2016 Season

ON FARM 14 Smartcane BMP grower Frank Russo proves his point

LAND PREPARATION 18 Protecting your investment in land preparation and planting 20 Queensland’s evolving water markets 22 Maschio Presto - high speed, great job

MEMBER SERVICES 23 Classifieds 24 Rainfall report 7 December 2015

| Australian Canegrower

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CANEGROWERS GPO Box 1032 Brisbane Q 4001 Australian Canegrower | 7 December 2015 Australia

progress to Smartcane BMP accreditation.

It’s not as complicated or as prescriptive as you might think.

Check out the photo collection on pages 10 and 11 to see how innovative growers have been.

All of the facilities in the pictures are on accredited farms.

As the season draws to a close, Sugar Research Australia reports on its billet survey, which was initiated to get a better understanding of the quality of cane being delivered to mills.

The initial results and the work being done to address the issues are on page 8.

If you are a CANEGROWERS member, you don’t need to do anything.

This magazine contains our final feature section of the year – looking at land preparation.

Your magazines will keep arriving on schedule as a benefit of your membership and each member subscription is also entitled to a free online subscription.

Advertisers have contributed information on the implements, products and services they have on offer, from page 17.

These are great when there is more than one household in the farm business. Email me to set yours up.

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With just one edition of Australian Canegrower left in 2015, it’s time to start thinking about next year.

This edition we celebrate two recent Smartcane BMP accredited growers, Vince Blanco and Frank Russo, who farm in the Herbert River district.

They talk about their motivations for progressing through the best management practice program to accreditation – and dinosaurs are part of the reason! Read the stories on page 4 and 14.

Chemical storage is one area growers are addressing as they

And if you have some story ideas or growers you admire that you would like to read about in your magazine, let me know at editor@canegrowers.com.au.

Neroli

CHAIRMAN'S COMMENT

Marketing: not just about winning

By Dan Galligan CANEGROWERS CEO For our industry, this is the most pressing issue to discuss at the moment.

As I write this article, the outcome to what has been a protracted and enormously difficult debate on the evolving marketing system for export sugar, remains unresolved.

By the time this magazine is printed and distributed, a number of major milestones will have passed and it is my belief that we may all have a better understanding of how and who will be selling Australian sugar to the world beyond 2017.

There have been three cornerstone strategies; industry negotiation/ industry solution, state legislation and federal code of conduct.

Two of these strategies have played themselves out.

This has been a test on your industry resources like no other.

Throughout the discussions, whether in negotiations with milling companies or their peak body, or when advocating on behalf of growers to politicians, we have been consistent in defining our objective.

We are seeking a marketing system that provides choice for growers to be able to market their proportion of the sugar for which they have an exposure and to provide a mechanism to handle pre-contract disputes.

While we have done this, CANEGROWERS has persistently re-checked with growers.

During board meetings, grower meetings and in one-on-one discussions, we have constantly sought verification: ‘Are we on the right track?’

‘Is this the issue you wish us to pursue?’

The answer has always been the same and that has driven our actions.

Having only spent five and half months in this industry I can vouch for the fact that while this marketing issue is

“CANEGROWERS will unapologetically continue to

take the side of growers, in all debates. We will do so with passion and intellect but always with an eye to making sure we reflect the views of farmers.”

Dan Galligan CANEGROWERS CEO

defined often in legal and financial terms, my observation is that it is much more complex than that.

The negotiations have been polarised because the two groups, growers and mills, come to the issue from completely different perspectives.

The mills, by all accounts and tactics, believe this has been about legal and financial frameworks.

In the end they appear to have assumed that if growers could see a deal that, at least in the short term, keeps a QSL model alive and individual financial control, then all other issues would be inconsequential for growers.

Growers on the other hand want to trust their milling/marketing partner, have certainty that they will not be caught in supply contracts that leave them feeling trapped in their businesses and have tools to use to ensure they can exert control over their future.

It feels to me that this debate has been about power and control.

Our argument has not been about protecting QSL. It has been about trying to demonstrate that just as the world has changed, a single national marketing company such as QSL may perhaps not be the way of the future. It is certainly not wise for that singular role to be transferred to just one other company, especially one in a regional monopoly position.

Convincing and explaining the sugar marketing system to politicians has been difficult and for that reason it has been easy for them to be sometimes persuaded by the seemingly rational but information deficient economic argument.

While we represent such a large group of farmers, we should never presume to understand everything everyone thinks, indeed for an industry body to do so would be disingenuous.

Opinions and priorities vary by as much as there are people involved.

But we have a superior regional structure and multiple ways for famers to engage with us, so we hope and trust that as our team at CANEGROWERS have argued the case on your behalf, you can see that it is in our interests to understand what is at the heart of your interests both now and into the future.

By all accounts, the marketing debate has divided this industry in ways that have never been experienced before.

CANEGROWERS will unapologetically continue to take the side of growers, in all debates.

We will do so with passion and intellect but always with an eye to making sure we reflect the views of farmers and not simply with a view to ‘win the day’.

As we continue to debate this particular issue, it is also our role to provide certainty for farmers now and in the future; that is at the heart of this issue.

That means building bridges, looking to the future and sending a message to all industry stakeholders that there is a bright future in cane farming in Queensland.

The issues will change and evolve and solutions must be found and implemented but the ultimate outcome remains a profitable, prosperous and sustainable farming business for our farmers today and tomorrow.

That will be the ultimate ‘win’ for us. 

7 December 2015

| Australian Canegrower

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INDUSTRY NEWS

HR proving its BMP credentials

Burdekin cane region is drought declared

Tabanna grower Vince Blanco is the latest in a growing list of Herbert River growers to be accredited in the Smartcane BMP program's three core modules.

The district is leading the charge of cane farmers proving they operate under best management practice.

The Burdekin Shire Council area is part of the the 86.11% of Queensland now officially in drought.

"I was a bit hesitant, thinking it was going to be really complicated," Vince admits. "But once I sat down with my wife and with our BMP facilitator Maria Battoraro's help, it was quite easy.

"It's just a matter of recording what we should be doing anyway."

Although the impetus for Vince to push through to accreditation was that it was a requirement under a Reef Trust grant he received, he's now encouraging other growers to move beyond registration and self-assessment.

"Any farmer can do this - I've been telling them to go and see Maria and get accredited," he says.

"If we all do it it's going to be better for us in the long run for governments to see that we've put some effort into it and maybe they'll leave us alone!"

Vince's Reef Trust grant has been put towards subsoil application of nitrogen and efforts to reduce the overall rates of nitrogen he's using on his two farms.

He's moved from using 160kg per hectare to 140kg and is now trying

different rates and quality gradings of urea in an effort to reduce it further.

"I was the type of farmer who put out a lot of nitrogen, thinking that that's what was going to grow my crop," he says.

Now Vince says he realises it's not all to do with the amount of nitrogen but the way that its applied that makes the difference.

"I'm seeing results in that my ratoons this year are a lot better than what they would've been if I'd kept going with throwing it on top."

Also in the Herbert River region, Frank Russo also recently gained his accreditation in the three core modules.

Australian Canegrower paid a visit to his farm recently.

Frank is no fan of regulation and took exception to cane farmers being described as dinosaurs.

That comment motivated him to prove he was not only up for the challenge of achieving best practice but wanted to prove that a lot of what he’s been doing for a long time was already consistent with Smartcane BMP. “I had to do it just to prove that I was not a dinosaur and even the old dinosaurs can comply with all the new rules and regulations,” Frank said. Read the full article on page 14.

According to BMP Project Manager Mick Quirk, growers in the Herbert River district are seeing the value in demonstrating their improved management practices to government and their local community.

There’s also been a bit of sprucing up on the Smartcane BMP page lately.

Smartcane BMP accredited grower Vince Blanco with Herbert River program facilitator Maria Battoraro.

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Australian Canegrower

Head to www.smartcane.com.au to check out the new counters tallying up industry involvement and follow the quick link to the Latest News page to read about more accredited growers. 

| 7 December 2015

The water level of the Burdekin Falls Dam dropped to 49% in the final weeks of November and water restrictions for irrigators are in place.

The sugarcane crop forecast for the 2016 season in the Burdekin is currently estimated to be 768,000 tonnes below this year’s harvest total.

The drought declaration means that farmers are able to access a number of assistance measures.

For irrigators this includes reimbursement of the fixed charge components of their electricity accounts which can be accessed by filling in an Ergon Drought Relief Application Form.

Waivers of water licences and land rent rebates will be automatically provided by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines.

For livestock owners, the Queensland Government Drought Relief Assistance Scheme includes freight subsidies for fodder and water for livestock.

Full details are at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website: http://bit.ly/1LHUbeI For farmers experiencing financial difficulties (and not only because of drought) there is assistance available from the Federal Government in the form of a Farm Household Allowance.

Applications involve an income and assets test and regular contact with a case officer. Call the Farmer Assistance Hotline on 132 316 or go to the website for more information: http://bit.ly/1EjzW54 Rural Financial Counsellors are also available to help assess individual farming enterprises and identify options to improve their financial situation.

A full list of counsellors is on this website: http://bit.ly/1lp9l33 

INDUSTRY NEWS

Sugar marketing vote As the clock ticked towards a key parliamentary debate on sugar marketing it appeared the outcome would hinge on the independent Member for Cook, Billy Gordon.

Mr Gordon represents the cane growing areas of Mossman and Tableland and is one of the balance of power MPs in the Queensland Parliament where Labor has 43 seats and the Liberal National Party 42.

The vote will be on amendments to the Sugar Industry Act 1999 by way of a private member’s bill which was drafted and introduced to the Queensland Parliament by the Katter’s Australian Party. It aims to provide a legislated guarantee for grower choice in the marketing mechanism for sugar.

Growers are angry at moves by three large milling companies to effectively take over the marketing of all sugar produced at their mills, including that proportion which forms the basis of grower incomes.

After a visit to CANEGROWERS Tableland, Opposition leader Lawrence Springborg posted a short video on Facebook in which he committed that the LNP was cooperating with KAP to work for real choice for growers in Queensland.

As this magazine went to print, it is understood the LNP was drafting a number of amendments to the bill.

Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne put out seven media releases over 12 days in opposition to the bill, making it clear he did not fully understand that it was about ensuring choice and competition.

District offices reacted with frustration as, from the day after his appointment as minister, they had issued him with numerous invitations to meetings and farm visits which had not been taken up.

The debate on the bill in the Queensland Parliament was scheduled to begin during an evening sitting of parliament and growers along with their representatives were making plans to travel to Brisbane to attend. 

Farmer group backs media campaign The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) has backed a campaign advocating for a change to media laws which prevent regional broadcasters from competing fairly with their major metropolitan counterparts.

The Save Our Voices campaign is being led by Prime, Southern Cross Austero, WIN and Imparja.

The QFF says people in rural communities rely on regional services and they contribute to rural economies by employing locals and providing affordable advertising.

The campaign says laws created 23 years ago discourage investment in local broadcasting, limiting their ability to serve regional communities, whilst allowing metro media players to overrun their markets with programing devoid of local content.

The QFF believes media reform is urgently required.

To get involved in the campaign, go to www.saveourvoices.com.au 

World body wants growers recognised for products beyond sugar An international meeting of 33 sugarcane and beet farmer organisations has resolved to encourage negotiations towards payment mechanisms which give growers a share of the value of the whole crop.

cane is calculated according to the application of a predefined formula based on the value of the final product.

This is largely focused on sugar, occasionally on ethanol and very rarely on bagasse used for electricity.

The World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG) accounts for more than 60% of the world’s sugar production.

It held its council meeting in London last month attended by CANEGROWERS Chairman Paul Schembri and CEO Dan Galligan.

The meeting shared information on the negotiation of commercial supply contracts, the universal challenge of managing input costs, environmental pressures and

The WABCG says because of strong development of cogeneration and new uses of bagasse, the balance of the value sharing between grower and miller has shifted to the detriment of the grower.

pressures to meet the demands of nutrition and health standards.

Almost everywhere in the world, the WABCG found in a study amongst its members, the price for beet or

It says the priority is now to adapt the rules of sharing to take into account this new situation.

Paul Schembri and Dan Galligan also held meetings with global sugar traders and market analysts while in London. 

7 December 2015

| Australian Canegrower

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INDUSTRY NEWS

CANEGROWERS Regional round-up

By CANEGROWERS district offices

Mossman and Tableland To the end of Week 28 (21 November) Mossman Mill had processed a total of 933,582 tonnes of cane for a mill average of 12.56CCS. The Mossman Pool had supplied 548,590 tonnes of cane for an average of 12.05CCS and the Tableland Pool a total of 384,991 tonnes for an average of 13.29CCS. Mossman Mill will be finished crushing by Friday 27 November.

Further lost time combined with the higher amount of tonnes has pushed the projected finish date back to 20 December. The team at South Johnstone Mill is working hard to ensure that the weekly crush throughput matches or is better than planned budget targets. The mill is operating to its maximum.

LNP MPs and Independent member for Cook Billy Gordon was due to go to a vote as this magazine went to print. CANEGROWERS Herbert River continues its fight for growers rights to be upheld. Chairman Stephen Guazzo and Manager Peter Sheedy plan to visit Parliament House during the debate to discuss what is at stake with MPs of all persuasions.

Tableland Mill has toll crushed approximately 253,000 tonnes of Mackay Sugar Ccne.

Many growers are already turning their thoughts to next year. Much will depend on the type of weather over the coming months, but with more than one-third of the crop crushed after 1 November, it can be expected that the ratoons will struggle.

Cairns Region

Herbert River

The seasonal crush at Mulgrave, including transfer cane, was at the time of writing 84% of the 1.4 million estimate. Rain received during this period has caused delays in harvesting while increased estimates have pushed the season to a finish date close to Christmas.

It has remained essentially dry for the past fortnight which has enabled the harvest to proceed unhindered. Average daily throughput at the mills have tailed off a little as the season grinds on with a likely final crop total to be near 4.47 million tonnes.

Assistance with pricing is also being taken up where growers interested in using the on line system available for locking in an acceptable futures position for part of their crop are supported.

CCS has remained above the estimated season average for the week to date at just above 14.0 and this should contribute to a positive adjustment with the end of season wash up pay.

Preliminary figures show Burdekin mills crushed a total of 8,278,388 tonnes of cane for the 2015 season. That’s an increase of 217,011 on 214. The season average CCS was 14.9.

The first ever planned staggered finish that has allowed tonnes preserved under a wet weather incentive to be held to the end of the season. This will be up for a review after the season closes and all relevant information made available for a growers meeting to consider.

The Burdekin Falls Dam level has continued to drop and is now at 49%.

The Burdekin local government area has now been declared officially in drought opening up some assistance measures to farmers including rebates for some electricity charges. For information contact Ergon www.ergon.com.au

Rats have taken a heavy toll on the last remaining blocks to be harvested. Some heavily affected paddocks have not only lost yield but also sugar content.

The first forecast for 2016 issued by Wilmar was for 7.51 million tonnes but this has now been raised to 7.69 million tonnes and will be reviewed again in the new year. The increase has been as a result of the early November finish, increased sugar price, a slight increase in â–ş

Mulgrave CCS rose a little but is unlikely to make the base CCS for payment purposes. The high fibre is also impacting on the crushing rate.

Innisfail At the week ending 22 November, the crop has continued to maintain 118% of the pre-season estimate. The current estimate is 2,009,400 tonnes of contract cane and the actual crush at the mill is 1,655,000 with 354,400 transferring to Mulgrave Mill. The final crush at South Johnstone will be well above the previous record. 82% of the current estimate had been crushed. CCS level is now in dramatic decline and may struggle to match the low five year average CCS of 11.9963.

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Australian Canegrower

The private members bill on sugar marketing introduced by Katter’s Australian Party and supported by the

| 7 December 2015

Smartcane BMP is gaining momentum in the Herbert as more growers register for the self-assessment workshops and others who are advancing towards accreditation use the services available to assist with uploading records and farm visits to prepare for the final step.

Burdekin

INDUSTRY NEWS

water allocations and some recent rain received from storms over part of the production area.

All mills are currently planning works so that crushing can begin at the start of June if required and Wilmar will wait for the estimate to be complete before consulting on start dates.

Proserpine Proserpine’s 2015 crushing season came to an end on 31 October. The finish was very orderly thanks to all sectors of the industry. In total 1,671,271 tonnes of cane was crushed at a season average CCS of 14.45.

While production was slightly below the original estimate, the persistent dry conditions helped lift CCS levels during the last 2 months. District yield declined slightly to 77 tonnes per hectare, primarily as a consequence of YCS which impacted all parts of the district to varying degrees.

One of the highlights of the season was the improved availability of the mill with a reduction of time lost to mechanical failure. Time lost through either late or non-arrival of bulk sugar trains hindered overall performance.

The harvesting sector performed strongly throughout the season.

Contractors are commended for the orderly and safe harvesting of the crop, sometimes under difficult conditions.

Welcome rain was received over most of the district in early November which was beneficial to the crop. Growers are eagerly awaiting follow-up rain to reduce reliance on irrigation in what is expected to be a dry summer.

Mackay Mackay factories were consistently affected by cane shortfalls due to wet weather early in the week.

Farleigh, Marian and Racecourse

crushed a total of 204,890 tonnes.

PRS dropped to 14.15 with the season average at 14.45. The Mackay mills will finish crushing between the 23-25 November. The 2015 estimate remains at 4,965,000 tonnes.

At Plane Creek a total of 24,329 tonnes of cane was crushed for the week ending 21 November. Crushing throughput for the week was significantly restricted due to stops to bypass the number five mill after the pressure feed chute failed and the carrier chain required significant repair work.

A review of the finish date was set. Based on an expected crop of 1.30 million tonnes, no further rain disruptions and revised factory throughputs have meant harvesting is now expected to finish on Tuesday 1 December. This date will continue to be reviewed regularly and any changes will be advertised through the Wilmar grower website and the weekly production reports.

Bundaberg Millaquin finished up on Thursday, 12 November while Bingera ceased on Friday, 5 November 2015. In total the Bundaberg mills crushed 1,740,957.40 tonnes for the season, just under the estimated crop of 1,750,000 tonnes.

Millaquin crushed 972,471.28 and Bingera 768,486.14. Season CCS is 14.71 with only Plane Creek (15.48) and the Burdekin (14.92) recording higher levels.

Up until the final week there was very little impact on the crushing this year from wet weather.

The week’s highest individual CCS result was 17.30 units in

Q208A Older Ratoon and this variety also achieved the highest for the season with 18.40 units at Bingera and 19.10 at Millaquin.

Maryborough Rainfall has delayed the completion of crushing at MSF’s Maryborough mill. As at 26 November the mill has crushed 817,653 tonnes at a CCS of 13.64.

CCS levels have reduced substantially following the rainfall event.

The mill is on schedule to complete crushing by the end of the first week of December.

Rocky Point At the end of week 19, the Rocky Point Mill had crushed a total of 292,354 tonnes of cane at a season average CCS of 13.69. CCS on some varieties has dropped but the majority are holding, and the weather has been fine.

The revised estimate is now 396,048 tonnes, with 5.3 weeks to go, which would take the crush to after Christmas. However, we estimate the crush completion to be somewhere between the 16-20 of December, depending on CCS, weather and mill/ cogen performance. Another three day stoppage is required for co-gen repairs.

A number of growers are preparing grounds for soybean planting.  Scovazzi Harvesting in the Herbert River district cutting their last line for 2015. It was a record season for this family-owned business - 159,135.72 tonnes working seven days a week for five months with one machine! Photo

by Virginia Scovazzi.

7 December 2015

| Australian Canegrower

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SRA | SNAPSHOT

What this season’s billet quality survey found

By Phil Patane, Development Officer, Ingham This harvest season SRA, Wilmar and local productivity services organisations conducted a cane supply quality survey for the Herbert, Burdekin, Proserpine and Plane Creek regions.

The project was initiated to gain a better understanding of the quality of cane supplied to the mill for each respective region.

The process was undertaken in accordance with standards set by the ISSCT-agricultural engineering committee and involved multiple samples being taken from each group between 7am – 9am. Data collected included important block information such as variety, ratoon and crop condition as well as the billet quality rating, billet length and extraneous matter for all bins sampled.

It is hoped that this work will assist both parties in making decisions around farm and harvest management that will result in a more profitable harvest for all.

The survey, which continues to be communicated to the local industry, has highlighted positive results and also areas where we can improve.

On average the percentage of damaged and mutilated billets for the Herbert region was 19%, Burdekin 30%, Proserpine 26%, and Plane Creek 24%.

Gains in cane supply quality can be made by optimising the roller train and matching roller speed to chopper tip speed so billet mutilation, damage and losses are minimised.

Roller tip speed should be 55-65% of chopper tip speed. All rollers should have the same tip speed, and the butt-lifter tip speed should be at 80-90% of the roller tip speed.

Cane quality The average extraneous matter (EM) for the Herbert region was 14%, Burdekin 8%, Proserpine 9%, and Plane Creek 11%.

It is important that growers provide a row profile that matches the basecutter setup for their harvester (because each machine is set differently), to reduce pick-up losses and minimise stool damage.

Growers are urged to discuss with their operator the appropriate hill height and shape that matches basecutter setup.

The difference between chopper drums The average billet length for the Herbert was 166mm, Burdekin 169mm, Proserpine 169mm, and Plane Creek 173mm. From the data, we know that it is important to optimise the roller train and matching roller speed to chopper speed. When the feedtrain is slowed, the choppers actually pull the cane through the feedtrain rollers. The impact of the choppers pulling cane through the rollers is: - - -

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Variable billet lengths Increased juice loss Increased damage to the billets.

Australian Canegrower

| 7 December 2015

The optimum relationship between the blades and the cane bundle occurs when the cane bundle is travelling at approximately 60% of the tip speed of the chopper blades.

This gives: - lower loss per cut, - highest billet quality, and - longer chopper blade life.

Where to from here?

Harvesting losses contribute to lost profits for all sectors of the sugarcane industry. On-going work is addressing these losses for the benefit of the whole industry.

The work being done to address cane losses includes: SRA researchers are working with Wilmar to trial EHS chopper drums; a new technology that potentially reduces the loss of sugar during harvest through a cleaner chopping action. Results from the 2015 harvest will be shared soon.

Trials with the Blakey’s disks are being done in the Herbert and Tully regions where the analytical tools required to draw clear conclusions on this work are available. Information on this work will be shared in early 2016.

Economic analysis projects are being planned, for example analysing the fuel usage from different harvestings practices.

A Harvesting Forum will be run in early 2016 to review the 2015 harvest, share information on recent trials and discuss how we can continue to improve our cane harvest.

Wilmar has funded a sugar loss trailer for the Herbert, Proserpine and Plane Creek regions and it will be operated in the 2016 season. The trailers will undertake sugar loss tests on a number of harvesters and during various grower/contractor demonstration days to assist industry understand the amount of sugar and dollars we could be losing.

Thanks SRA and local productivity services would like to thank all the operators for their cooperation and feedback throughout the trials. For any further information please or for regional specific data associated with this survey, contact Phil-Anthony Patane (0431 818 482) at SRA.n

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

Trade – TPP is just part of the picture WITH 80% OF AUSTRALIAN RAW SUGAR EXPORTED AND 100% OF OUR PRODUCTION EXPOSED TO THE WORLD PRICE, CANEGROWERS ACTIVELY WORKS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR RAW SUGAR EXPORTS.

By Warren Males, CANEGROWERS Head - Economics Securing new market access opportunities for sugar in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), particularly to the US and Japan was an important step forward. But the industry’s trade agenda runs much deeper. Removing barriers to trade and the elimination of all forms of export subsidies remain key priorities.

CANEGROWERS has participated in two important trade missions during November, accompanying Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce on the Japanese leg of his recent North Asia visit and Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Robb to Indonesia.

JAPAN Implementation arrangements for the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JA-EPA) including arrangements for the entry of Australian Brand 1 (high pol) to Japan were on the agenda for official meetings in Tokyo.

Arrangements for high pol were also the focus of a separate meeting I held with officials from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). The arrangements agreed included composite sampling of high pol raw sugar as cargoes are discharged in Japan and the ability of Japanese refiners to stack high pol raw sugar next to low pol sugar in their storage facilities.

Japanese authorities are to be congratulated on this significant step forward. It ensures the trade in high pol sugar envisaged in the JA-EPA will be able to grow to the benefit both Japan’s refiners and the Australian sugar industry.

Japan’s refiners will be able to access raw sugar that can be processed at lower cost and Australian mills will be required to manufacture less Brand JA (low pol) sugar. The establishment of this high pol sugar trade ahead of the TPP’s implementation will ensure the greater benefits contained in that agreement can be captured as soon as it enters into force.

INDONESIA CANEGROWERS and other sugar industry representatives joined Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb as a member of Australia’s largest ever (360 member) trade and investment business delegation to Indonesia for the 17-20 November Indonesia-Australia Business Week 2015.

Ahead of the visit Mr Robb met with his counterpart, the Minister for Trade and Investment Tom Lembong, in Manila. The two ministers reaffirmed the negotiations towards an Indonesia-Australia

Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) would recommence immediately in the New Year. This is an important development.

Our purpose in joining Australia’s business delegation to Indonesia was to highlight Australia’s position as a major supplier of raw sugar to Indonesia, understand the threat to that trade at tariff differential that favours Thailand poses to the continuation of this trade and meet representatives of the Indonesian sugar industry to identify ways to ensure the trade continues.

To this end, we invited our Indonesian sugar industry colleagues to a sugar industry roundtable discussion to explore ways of strengthening the relationship between our two industries both in commercial terms and in collaboration on sugarcane biosecurity.

Sugar Research Australia (SRA) and its predecessors have worked closely with their Indonesian counterparts over a long period. Collaboration has included screening of varieties for resistance to sugarcane smut, a pest and disease survey of eastern Indonesia, northern Australia and PNG, the biological control of pests and diseases and a number of other projects.

This meeting was the first in an ongoing dialogue which is directed at strengthening our industry-to-industry relationship and further developing industry collaboration and capacity building in order to establish a foundation for a government-to-government agreement that will underpin further growth in the sugar trade between Australia and Indonesia.

EXPORT SUBSIDIES The removal of all forms of export subsidies will again come under the spotlight at the December World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial meeting.

With the strong support of the sugar industry, Australia is arguing for the elimination of all forms of export subsidies, including those available to developing countries under Article 9.4 of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. The issue, wrapped in trade politics between developed and developing countries, is unlikely to be resolved easily. n

Ministr for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb (sixth from right) next to CANEGROWERS Head - Economics Warren Males and the Australian and Indonesian sugar industry delegations.

Industry Spotlight sponsored by Smartcane BMP

7 December 2015

| Australian Canegrower

9

WHAT’S NEW

Safe storage fits every farm Nowhere is the adaptability of the Smartcane BMP program more evident than in on farm chemical storage. All of the storage solutions pictured here are on Queensland cane farms which have been accredited in the best management practice program’s three core modules.

CANEGROWERS Manager – Environment Matt Kealley runs through the key things to consider.

Pests, weeds and diseases are all part of farming. The upside is most growers have a good mix of chemicals at their property that do a great job of managing grubs and weeds.

The downside is that some of these products will not only kill their target but they can also pose a big risk to the environment and the people who

are using them or may unsuspectingly come into contact with them if they are not stored correctly.

Do you need to spend lots of money on a storage shed? The truth is you don't have to. Common sense, some resourcefulness, consideration of the environment and keeping health and safety in mind should see you through.

Your chemical storage needs to: 1. Be fire resistant and structurally sound - if it doesn't burn and is constructed well then you're OK. Most farmers I know can build stuff. Most also have some galvanised tube steel lying around and a welder. Work out how much chemical you need to store, grab some sturdy wire mesh that you can't fit your hand through and you’re on your way.

2. Be protected against extreme heat and exposure to sunlight.

Simple, build it or locate your storage under cover out of the sun and away from any heat source.

3. Have floors made from concrete or other material which won’t let any spills leak through and it needs to be resistant to chemical erosion.

4. Provide a method for containing spills. Bunding, a small rim or edge,

Scottish farms must have buffer strips along all water courses.

10 Australian Canegrower | 7 December 2015

is the easiest way to do this. However as long as you have a way to contain spills, the storage shed doesn't need to be bunded. The method used for containing spills must be capable of containing 25% of the total liquid stored. I have seen examples of bunded concrete floors, drums cut in half and 1,000 litre shuttles that can all meet the 25% criteria.

5. Be located in an area that is safe from flooding or inundation, and is also not in the immediate catchment of a dam or waterway. We know all about flooding in the cane industry. Enough said.

6. Be securely lockable. Spend just $20 and buy a good padlock. All storage areas must be secured to prevent unauthorized access, including by children. Only authorized people should have access to the storage area and its keys.

7. Have clear access so you can avoid hazards whilst carrying chemicals. These products cost money - you don't want to trip on something and spill it before you use it. Keep your workplace tidy.

8. Have sturdy, non-absorbent shelving that is adequate to store all of the chemical containers without stacking them up. ►

WHAT’S NEW

Once you’ve got those basics right, here are some other considerations for safety: Ventilation and handling precautions – Good air flow will prevent a build-up of chemical vapours and the areas used for handling, filling and decanting chemicals must have additional ventilation to ensure a safe working environment.

Spills - A spill kit containing an absorbent material, such as ‘kitty litter’, hydrated lime, a shovel, a broom and containers for storing the contaminated substances used in the clean up must be kept in the storage area.

you have stored and should detail the first aid requirements of each. You should have a current SDS for all of the products found in the chemical store.

Your local Cane Productivity Board or just a Google search will help you find the latest versions. These SDS must be easy to access in case of an emergency!

Check your equipment regularly - Equipment such as personal protective equipment, your spill kit, firefighting equipment, first aid kit,

mixing gear and spray applicators should be checked regularly.

This may seem like a long list but once you get going you’ll find it’s easily worked through.

And take a close look at these pictures of some of the chemical storage sheds and ideas currently being used by cane growers across Queensland. They all meet all of the requirements in a way that suits each individual farm. 

Signage - There needs to be signage indicating that it’s a chemical storage area.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) - These contain information about the chemicals

7 December 2015

| Australian Canegrower 11

QSL

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

ICE No.11 Prompt Futures Contract 20.0

Market Update

By Shaun Tupou, QSL Treasury Analyst

19.0

Current as of 30 November 2015

18.0 17.0 16.0

Sugar

15.0

This fortnight the sugar market looked to have stabilised, slipping back into the 14.25c/lb to 15.50c/lb range. A solid drive to 15.78c/lb on Tuesday (presumably spec driven) saw the March16 contract make fresh eight-month highs, before crumbling in the final hours of the session.

14.0 13.0 12.0

Spread activity has remained relatively non-descript, mirroring flat price action.

Familiar trade ranges and light volumes have meant limited attention is being given to spreads. Front spread March/May traded across a 13-point range, with a +45 high and bottoming out at +32.

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

As previously flagged, the Indian Government confirmed a proposed export subsidy on all cane in India (provided they have exported 80% of their export quota). While largely expected, much anticipation remains around how it will be implemented, with estimates of approximately 1-2 million tonnes of Indian sugar tipped to enter the global market. The sugar market had limited time to react to this news. A survey by Indian Cane Farmers was released the following day with statements regarding a downgraded crop size. Farmers claimed that production for the current year would decline by a possible 5 million tonnes.

Only time will tell how accurate these comments are, but we are reminded that crop estimates in India can be very uncertain until actually produced.

The latest UNICA (Brazilian sugar sane industry association) report for the first half of November was released last week with very little constructive news to add. A continued decline in the current sugar/ethanol mix (42.16% to 38.24%) and sugar levels (140.86kg to 128.49kg ATR) were the highlights.

The latest Commitment of Traders report was delayed due to the US Public Holiday for Thanksgiving. It’s now due tonight (30 November), with expectations that non-index funds have reduced some of their current net-long position.

Currency

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

The Australian dollar trekked higher during the course of the fortnight (0.7283 high) before plateauing into a 0.7100 to 0.7250 range. With limited local events to stimulate the AUD, the US dollar has assisted moves in the local currency. Of note, we continue to see the AUD diverge from the commodity complex, as our dollar trades higher and commodities remain under downside pressure.

460

Looking ahead, this week we are heavily snowed under with local data. The RBA cash rate target is due Tuesday (the market is expecting no action from the RBA), with GDP, Trade Balances and Retail Sales all to follow. As well as this, we’ll see a range of US data, with Mortgage Applications, Trade Balances and Non-Farm Payrolls being our key focuses. Finally, we also have Chinese Manufacturing PMIs (Purchasing Managers Index) also due out, which should create some interesting price movements.

440 420 400 380 360 340 320 2015

2016

2017

12 Australian Canegrower | 7 December 2015

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.

QSL

QSL: WORKING FOR YOU

QSL pools for 2016 Season

By Bryce Wenham, QSL Finance Manager – Supplier Relations

The 2015 harvest is now over in most parts of Queensland and thoughts have turned to the new season ahead.

In preparation for this, QSL has finalised the pools it will be operating for the 2016 season.

As in previous years, the 2016 QSLmanaged pools feature differing levels of risk and types of price management.

The QSL Pricing Pools to be offered next season are:

•

The QSL Guaranteed Floor Pool

•

The QSL Actively Managed Pool

•

The QSL Harvest Pool

•

The US Quota Pool

The table below provides an overview of each pool and its volume obligations:

QSL US Quota Pool Pool type

Pool objective

Pricing season 1

Committed

Growers will be able to nominate tonnages into these pools from early January 2016 until mid-February 2016, with millers required to finalise their pricing declarations with QSL by Monday 29 February 2016.

Updated Product Description Statements for each QSL-managed pool will soon be available on our website, www.qsl.com.au The QSL team will also visit each of our supplier areas prior to the pricing declaration date to meet with growers and provide further information on QSL’s pools.

In addition to the pool offerings above, QSL will continue to execute the individual pricing nominated by growers.

This pricing, administered by your miller but undertaken on the ICE 11 by QSL, is managed within the current Raw Sugar Supply Agreement (RSSA).

In the interim, please contact your local Industry Relationship Manager for further information:

While those growers supplying Wilmar, MSF and Tully Sugar cannot currently price through the existing system beyond the 2016 Season (as these millers do not have RSSAs with QSL beyond this date), individual grower pricing for the 2017 season is still available to those growers supplying our continuing millers – Isis Central Mill, Bundaberg Sugar and Mackay Sugar.

North Queensland districts – Carla Keith: Ph: 0409 372 305 / email: carla.keith@qsl.com.au Central and Southern districts – Cathy Kelly: Ph. 0409 285 074 / email: cathy.kelly@qsl.com.au. 

QSL Guaranteed Floor Pool

QSL Actively Managed Pool

QSL 2-Season Forward Pool 1

Committed

Committed

Committed

Uncommitted

Targets the best return over the season by pricing more frequently as shortterm market opportunities arise.

Priced over 2-seasons and targets the best return for raw sugar to be produced in the 2017 Season.

Designed to manage possible production fluctuations across the 2016 Season.

2016 Season

2016 and 2017 Season

2016 Season

Encompasses Provides a the returns for guaranteed sales made by minimum return QSL into the with the potential USA under for higher returns. the Tariff Altered Advances Rate Quota rate (at 90% by issued for the 31/12/16). importation of raw sugar.

2016 Season

Please see your miller for further details.

2016 Season

QSL Harvest Pool

This pool is only available to those Suppliers currently contracted to QSL beyond the 2017 Season.

7 December 2015

| Australian Canegrower 13

ON FARM

Frank Russo with his triple row fertiliser box on his Herbert River district farm.

SHORT & SWEET OF IT • Frank and Glenda Russo have 400 hecatres under cane in the Herbert River district.

• Frank has achieved Smartcane BMP accreditation in the best management practice program's three core modules because he wanted to show sugar industry critics that farmers are good environmental stewards. He's encouraging other growers to do the same.

• Frank uses a minimum till system with GPS guided machinery. He applies fertiliser subsurface.

Herbert grower proves his point Story and pictures by John Flynn Herbert River district grower Frank Russo believes he’s defied industry critics who labelled cane farmers ‘dinosaurs’ by gaining best practice accreditation in the three core modules of Smartcane BMP. The 70-years-young third generation farmer said he did it to prove a point – and that point might be that he and others of his generation can teach a thing or two about being good environmental stewards.

In the cane lands south of Ingham, where the Bruce Highway can be cut several times during a typical wet season, politics runs as thick as the humid air. Name your topic and it’s sure to spark a lively discussion with Frank Russo.

Grower choice in sugar marketing, multinationals in the milling sector, food security, the exodus of young people from rural communities, blaming farmers for destroying the Great Barrier Reef - with many a tough season under his belt, Frank brings to the table strong views on the issues impacting day-today life in rural Australia.

When the Australian Canegrower arrived at the Russo family’s 124 hectare Helen’s Hill farm, the newly-BMP-accredited

14 Australian Canegrower | 7 December 2015

farmer was at the wheel of a Deutz Fahr tractor, busily applying sub-surface nutrient to thriving rows of plant cane.

He uses a triple row fertiliser box constructed at the nearby Rinaudo Engineering factory in Macknade. It’s the sort of technology that is increasingly being adopted by cane farmers living in proximity to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon to ensure nutrients stay on the farm.

A closer examination revealed that the coulters beneath the fertiliser box were not spaced to split the stools. Instead, fertiliser was being applied immediately adjacent to the stool with side-dress coulters and the tractor was being driven under GPS guidance to ensure spot-on application. ►

ON FARM

It’s a methodology that, as Frank explained, was developed over several years to suit the drier country to the south of Ingham, where stools - and productivity - can suffer from being split during the drier months of the early growing season.

It’s a practice that has approval under the rigorous industry standard for granular fertiliser under Smartcane BMP.

“The big thing that has happened in farm management in the 50 years that I’ve been farming was green cane harvesting and that happened 30 years ago,” Frank said.

"

“We can't irrigate and if you stool split you’ll kill it or you’ll set it back to such an extent that it drops our production down,” Frank explained. “None of my neighbours stool split, they all apply it on the side of the stool.”

The Helen’s Hill farm is one of three in the district where the Russo family grows cane.

to green cane harvesting in the Ingham district as an example of how the industry has worked in a progressive fashion to deliver improved environmental outcomes over time

The portfolio includes Frank and wife Gwenda’s home farm at Hawkins Creek on the Cardwell Range side of the Herbert River and another neighbouring farm for a total area of about 400 hectares under cane.

Nutrient management techniques differ between the farms. At Hawkins Creek, where rainfall is slightly higher and the soil type more suitable, stool splitting works just fine according to Frank.

The use of different techniques to suit different farms is a case-in-point for why this farmer of 50 years’ experience is sceptical of efforts by government to regulate best management practices on farm and he cautions against any ‘onesize-fits-all’ approach.

Why do Smartcane BMP? As Frank recalled, it all began with a visiting public servant from a government department once telling “dinosaur” cane farmers in the Ingham region to change their farming practices or, “get out of the industry”.

“I had to do it just to prove that I was not a dinosaur and even the old dinosaurs can comply with all the new rules and regulations."

in nutrient, chemical and sediment management will benefit both the environment and the farmer’s bottom line.

“Our two biggest expenses outside of harvesting on our farms is chemical and fertiliser,” he said. “We want to use the minimum amount that we need to grow our crop and we want it to stay on our farm.

“We do environmentally friendly things, we have never been knowingly emphasising knowingly, environmental vandals.”

The Smartcane BMP program has been specifically crafted so as not to be prescriptive, which suits Frank.

He tried controlled traffic farming on a dual row 1.8 metre spacing 20 years ago but didn’t achieve productivity gains over a full growing cycle.

"

“Because of the mulching, conserving moisture and all the benefits that go with green cane, you don’t cultivate so you don’t get erosion, you don’t get soil runoff plus the trash rots and breaks down and becomes a nutrient.”

There’s an obvious parallel with the current emphasis on keeping agricultural inputs on farm.

As Frank sees things, a steady, progressive shift to improved practices

"There was a small increase in the plant cane and the first ratoon but after that it went backwards," he said. "It didn't work and it wasn't worth the investment in reconfiguring machinery to suit the row spacings."

The Russos use a minimal till system, most machinery wheel tracks are set to match the row spacing and equipment is operated under GPS guidance. It ticks the Smartcane BMP boxes for minimising compaction and tillage management.

One of concerns moving forward with Smartcane BMP is how the regulatory Continues page 16....

Frank Russo uses side-dress coulters to apply nutrient subsurface and adjacent to the stools which could struggle to recover from being split in his drier country.

That comment motivated him to prove he was not only up for the challenge of achieving best practice, but wanted to prove that a lot of what he’s been doing for a long time, before there was any Reef Rescue funding to build the machinery, was already consistent with industry best practice.

“I had to do it just to prove that I was not a dinosaur and even the old dinosaurs can comply with all the new rules and regulations,” Frank said.

“We have been laser levelling for years, we already make spoon drains. We already trash blanket, we already zero till. We are already doing it.”

He pointed to the progressive shift 7 December 2015

| Australian Canegrower 15

ON FARM

minimums for nutrient application in the Wet Tropics and optimum nutrient rates under the program are impacting on productivity.

He believes industry will need to find ways to compensate for cutting back on fertiliser use – through things such as better fertilisers, varieties or other soil health measures.

“This year I’m down to 140 kilos per hectare of nitrogen. That is bare minimum,” Frank said. “As we’re getting down to these low amounts our production is sneaking down, not getting better."

He's hoping the new varieties coming through the system can compensate for the lower usage of fertiliser.

"If they can't we just have to make a decision whether we continue to grow cane or we grow something else!"

Another bugbear for Frank is the paperwork required to keep pace with the new reality. Fortunately, it’s an area where help is available through the network of Smartcane BMP facilitators.

The program’s website at www.smartcane.com.au contains resources to help with detailed record keeping - from pocket notebooks to Smartphone aps to assist with the record keeping.

Frank was thankful for the assistance provided by CANEGROWERS Herbert River Smartcane BMP facilitator Maria Battoraro in helping collect the information needed to secure accreditation.

He attributes much of his knowledge of agricultural science to his two years as a student at Abergowrie College but said the BMP modules did help refresh that knowledge.

“I have fairly good working knowledge of the soil, bacterial activity, how fertiliser breaks down - we studied all that at school,” he said.

“I found out that the intensity they used to put into those two years of agricultural education was equivalent to tertiary level today!"

Turning back to the politics of it all, Frank affirmed that he was no poster-boy for Smartcane BMP and he would rather live without any form of regulation, be it industry driven or enforced regulation.

Nonetheless, in the absence of a choice, his message to fellow growers is that if a ‘dinosaur’ can become Smartcane BMP accredited, so can they.

“The only thing that a lot of my fellow growers have got to start to understand is that the rules are there whether we like it or not and I don’t like it as much as the next bloke,” Frank said. “But at the end of the day I don't think they’re going to change them in a hurry.

“We haven’t got a choice to say whether we comply or not because the gun’s been put at our head with a live round in it and it’s been cocked.

“To stay Smartcane BMP accredited, the way we are now, is the best.”

Sugar history needs your help The Australian Sugar Museum's crowdfunding campaign is up and running so it's time to join the crowd!

The aim is to raise $30,000 to upgrade exhibits, attract more visitors to see the story of the sugarcane industry in Queensland and secure the Mourilyan museum's long-term future.

You can help by donating to the fund and encouraging your family, friends and colleagues to do the same.

The beauty of crowdfunding is that lots of little bits of money will add up to help the museum reach its target.

The link for the campaign is https://www.indiegogo.com/ projects/making-a-sweeter-experience#/story Also keep your eyes open for details of fundraising events to attend in the New Year.

If you want more information, contact the museum or the CANEGROWERS Innisfail office. 

16 Australian Canegrower | 7 December 2015

FEATURE

VALENTINI CULTIVATORS

strongest on the market

Land preparation feature Land preparation covers a wide range of practices and what’s been considered best practice has changed dramatically over the decades.

Many cane farmers now manage their land with a zero-tillage or minimum tillage approach as this minimises soil disturbance.

The multi-pass cultivation widely practiced decades ago has now been abandoned by the sugarcane industry.

Supplied by Vin Rowe Italian manufacturer Valentini has already established an excellent reputation in Australia for its wide range of rotary hoes, power harrows, stone buriers and bed formers.

Established in 1974 the company’s philosophy is to produce the highest quality possible machinery for soil preparation and stone crushing.

It has been shown to destroy soil structure leading to problems including the loss of beneficial soil micro and macro organisms, reduced soil water holding capacity, reduced water infiltration, surface crusting and erosion.

Valentini is renowned for its sturdy construction and ability to cope in the heaviest conditions. It was the first manufacturer of its type to offer foldable machines to allow for safe and legal road transport.

Disturbing the soil as little as possible turns all of those things around and delivers savings in time and fuel.

Wherever your preference is on the tillage scale, it’s important that you are doing the right amount of preparation for your particular soil type.

Different soils will require a different amount of preparation to get the right texture to give the next sugarcane crop its best chance. What was grown in the soil during the fallow period is also a factor.

This is why the Smartcane BMP module on this area, Soil Health, allows for farms to manage their land preparation for planting in an individual way. The module is available with the other six in the Smartcane BMP program on the website www.smartcane.com.au Other considerations in preparing land for planting can include soil nutrients and pest protection. Information from soil samples can be vital.

The Valentini range of rotary cultivators has a gearbox rating of up to 400hp and includes some of the strongest on the market.

Valentini rotary cultivators feature the ‘Easy Drive Low Friction, 4 Gear’ system which keeps overheating to a minimum – a must in Queensland conditions.

This system was developed during the manufacture of the company’s range of stone crushers.

These incredibly heavy and strong machines used for road making and land clearing which place huge demands on components and Valentini has used this innovation in its range of agricultural machines.

This feature contains information from advertisers about the implements, products and services they have on offer to help you manage this important time in the farming cycle. 

NEW RELEASE

sugar cane special

Valentini also offers a range of rippers as well as the company’s own range of bed formers and stone buriers.

The range includes models with rubber hoods to reduce mud build up in sticky conditions.

Many different types of rollers are also available.

Various shaped blades are available with an option for Valentini’s patented quick release blade system. This innovation can save countless hours.

HEAVY DUTY FOLDING ROTARY HOES • Cage Roller • Anphibious Version (rubber hoods etc) • Removable Flanges • Hydraulic Rear Door Adj

FOR YOUR NEAREST DEALER CONTACT GRAHAM ROWE (03) 5623 1362

With models from three to eight metres there is a Valentini to suit any size operation.

Valentini continues to grow its reputation worldwide and in Australia.

For information on the full range please contact Vin Rowe Farm Machinery on 03 5623 1362 or visit www.vinrowe.com. au

7 December 2015

| Australian Canegrower 17

FEATURE

Protecting your investment in land preparation and planting Supplied by Crop Care Profitable cane farming hinges on setting up the plant crop and laying the foundation for several productive cropping cycles.

This includes land preparation for planting and protecting and managing that plant crop.

Hand-in-hand with grower moves towards precision farming – including GPS and laser land-forming, GPS machinery guidance and controlled traffic systems – is precision placement of inputs for maximum return from investment and to retain inputs on the farm.

For several years, Crop Care technical consultant Glen Tucker has worked closely with Sugar Research Australia researchers, extending the period of canegrub control from a single application of controlled-release product to the plant crop.

“The latest advance registered this year, suSCon maxi Intel, is a perfect fit for today’s precision farming systems,” Mr Tucker says.

“One treatment with suSCon maxi Intel granules at either planting, first working or drill fill-in, covers the crop against canegrub damage for several years – for 3 years against greyback, negatoria, consobrina and Bundaberg canegrub damage; and for 4 years against southern one-year and Childers canegrub damage.

“Applied to the plant crop, suSCon maxi Intel gives growers the opportunity to reduce application time and labour; to

maintain higher plant numbers, vigour and yield; to grow stronger ratoons and increase ratooning life; and to reduce potential off-farm loss compared with liquid alternatives.”

He says Crop Care promoted careful and precise placement of the granules for each farming system and the target cane grubs.

“Canegrub species differ in their habit and feeding zone in the soil, so control products need different placement for different species," Mr Tucker says.

"Planting depth also influences the ideal placement of suSCon maxi Intel granule band in relation to the cane sett.

“The aim is to have the product in the target grubs’ feeding zone, with sufficient soil cover (at least 10cm of consolidated soil) above the insecticide band.”

He said that as well as careful placement for maximum canegrub control, there were important environmental considerations.

“Traces of imidacloprid – the active ingredient in the majority of canegrub products – have been found in runoff water at some sites.”

Mr Tucker said the advantage of suSCon maxi Intel was the controlled release of imidacloprid from the granules over a number of years – at a level toxic to canegrubs, but with minimum risk of being lost in runoff water. “suSCon maxi Intel’s granular form also makes it easier to monitor and ensure

18 Australian Canegrower | 7 December 2015

that imidacloprid is placed where it is meant to be in the soil.

“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 fillin.”

He says the land preparation stage was an ideal time for growers to plan ahead for applying suSCon maxi Intel.

“If you are set up to plant deep (20cm or more) plan to put on suSCon maxi Intel at drill fill-in, particularly for greyback grubs.

“If you plant shallow (15cm or less), plan to put it on in the planting operation.

“If planting depth is somewhere in between, there is some flexibility (for example at planting for 2-year grubs, and at first working or fill-in for greyback).

“Whatever the depth and time of application, always aim for a minimum of 10cm of consolidated cover above the granules when the row is finished and hilled up.”

For more details on suitable application equipment, placement and calibration, refer to the suSCon maxi Intel Manual, available from your supplier, the Crop Care website www.cropcare.com.au or Crop Care field staff. 

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.

FEATURE

Queensland’s evolving water markets Supplied by Waterfind

UNBUNDLING GROUNDWATER LICENCE FROM LAND Until recently groundwater trading in Queensland has been limited.

However, the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) is gradually converting existing groundwater licences to tradeable Water Allocations.

These licences are unbundled with land and rules are currently being established to enable the temporary and permanent trading of groundwater.

The first groundwater source converted was the Coastal Burnett Groundwater Management Area (The Burnett), where 810 water licences have been converted to tradeable allocations.

Other groundwater trading regions in Queensland include: ●● Pioneer Groundwater Management Area (the majority of licences converted to Water Allocations) ●● Lower Callide Groundwater SubArea (54 licences converted) ●● Callide Valley WSS (supplemented groundwater, SunWater supplies water from aquifers) ●● Central Condamine Alluvium (still bundled with land, licences can be ‘relocated’) ●● Great Artesian Basin (still bundled with land, licences can be ‘relocated’)

SURFACE WATER MARKET UPDATE The latest climate outlook released by the Bureau of Meteorology indicates the likelihood of wetter than average conditions across southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales for December.

According to the BOM, some areas require eight times the average rainfall for the month of December to change the official drought status that is currently declared.

Experienced irrigators are not relying on an unusually wet December, so have looked to other sources to secure their water; water markets.

With a combination of drier weather, reduced allocations and high water use, a number of Queensland catchments have seen prices increase over previous years.

In order to combat this increasing trend, we have seen a sharp increase in the number of temporary trades, while the Forward Water Market has had greater activation.

This provides price certainty and security to vendors, who can “lock in” water to be delivered at a future date.

By entering into a forward contract, irrigators can secure a volume and price whilst deferring financial commitment until just prior to delivery.

For example, in the developing Burdekin Forward Market, which covers the Burdekin Haughton, the current indicated price range for forward sell orders in October-December 2015 delivery is $49-$60/ML.

BURDEKIN FORWARD WATER MARKET

20 Australian Canegrower | 7 December 2015

The chart below demonstrates the potential savings that can be secured, with completed orders (red dots) at ~$42/ML while active sell orders (blue dots) are between $40-$60/ML.

BATTLING THE DROUGHT As the Queensland drought continues to impact irrigators, water markets have provided some relief.

Irrigators participating in Queensland water markets are able to secure water for the short or long-term, rather than having to rely on favourable weather conditions or increased allocations to secure more water.

With a combination of limited rainfall, low allocations and decreased water storage; the high demand in regions will become unmanageable without better water management.

Over the past 12 months there has been a sharp increase in the volume of water traded and irrigators actively participating in Queensland water markets, which suggests that the market is becoming more comfortable with the concepts, processes and benefits that surround water trading.

Through similar challenging conditions, Waterfind has helped irrigators in other states to utilise water markets and reduce the impact of little rainfall over a prolonged period.

This experience is now being used to assist irrigators in Queensland.

For further information on water markets or trading water in your region, please contact our Queensland office on freecall 1800 890 285.

FEATURE

Maschio Presto - high speed, great job Supplied by Howard Australia Shane Otto of Bowen, North Queensland has just discovered he can do 25 hectares with a Maschio Presto speed tiller in a quarter of the time it took him to do the same work with offset disc harrows.

Shane and his wife Nikki grow watermelons, pumpkins and mangos on 324 hectares.

Soils on the farm vary from loams to grey and black.

In September, the Ottos bought a 4-metre 3-point linkage Maschio Presto and crumble roller from Honeycombes Sales and Service in Ayr. Shane said he’d seen Presto speed tillers on some of the bigger farms in the area and did some research on it.

“I needed a machine that would get over the ground quickly and deal with weeds and regrowth to stop disease ,” he said.

“Before we got the Presto, I’d have had to run tynes to knock out the high weeds, but then high weeds can also knock out the tynes, so I would have had to disc, and it was all taking too much time.

“I’ve been getting through the work so fast with the Presto, the missus asked me to sell it because I’m spending too much time at home.

“I did 25 hectares with the Presto in 4.5 hours. The same work would have taken 16-18 hours with the offsets.

“The speed tiller was going at 12- 13 km/h on a 140hp tractor at 1800-1900 revs and did an absolutely beautiful job.

"I only used about 120 litres of diesel and I would have had to fill the fuel tank twice if I’d been using the offset discs,” Shane said.

The Presto has been designed for work on tilled soils to finish off seedbed preparation and in no-tilled soils to incorporate crop residues.

It chops, pulverises and incorporates residues at shallow depth, promoting decomposition and nutrient release without too much aggressive soil movement or compaction.

Shane said because his soils are quite light, he works at about 10cm deep, which is enough to hook under the weed growth, rip it out and kill it, without disturbing the soil too much.

“The Presto breaks down clods in the black soil and incorporates heavy growth in pretty ordinary conditions,” he said.

“Using offsets, you need to adjust your wheels all the time to stop them jamming up but the Presto doesn’t drag things up into a big hump like that.

“It just leaves an excellent bed. Even where the beds are usually 30-40cm high, it leaves them completely flat.

The tillage operation covers 60% of residues with the remaining 40% left on top to prevent erosion and improve water retention.

The inclination and concavity of the hard tensile boron steel 460mm discs allows them to throw much more dirt than conventional tillers, while perfect overlapping between front and rear gangs provides consistent soil mixing with no side drift.

“It’s amazing how much work it’s saved me, not to mention the fuel. It’s much easier on the tractor too.

22 Australian Canegrower | 7 December 2015

“It’s beautiful to go into the paddocks after the Presto’s been through,” he said.

For more details, visit the website www.howard-australia.com.au or call your local dealer.  Pictured: (above) Presto folding three point tiller; (below) folding pull type tiller.

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 12 December 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 non-cane 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 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:

Specialising in Used Cane Harvesting Equipment Sales

NEW! AX7500 CANE HARVESTER “NEW AUSTRALIAN MADE” 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.

Complete Unit.

JOHN DEERE 3510 Wheel Harvester 2007 model . Tidy Machine.

editor@CANEGROWERS.com.au.

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

BASECUTTER DISCS 610mm & 585mm 5 blade and 6 blade versions HILLING SWEEPS

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.

Order Now !

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 696Phone: 07 49526 668 graham@gtmachinerysales.com.au www.gtmachinersales.com.au

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

WANT MORE NEWS, VIEWS AND PHOTOS? Find CANEGROWERS on Facebook! www.facebook.com/CANEGROWERSAustralia

7 December 2015

| Australian Canegrower 23

CLASSIFIEDS

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

Mossman –Tully

Herbert River – Burdekin

CASE TRACTOR - Maxxum 5150 Powershift,127hp 4WD 2250 hrs,20.8/38 Rear Tyres. Good condition. $35000 inc GST. Ph 0428561197 MITSUBISHI LANCER 2007 model, registration 07.07.2016, very good condition. Ph: 0457 255 961 HIGH RISE, 2.25m clearance, driven by AM7 International Diesel, Top & Bottom Spray System, A1 Condition. POA. 0438 616 791 TOFT 6000 with Rotary Chop & Cat 3306DI Motor, good Billet machine.

Mob. 0428 100 564.

2007 JOHN DEERE, 35-tonne wheeled cane harvester. Excellent condition, engine pump and pumps rebuilt, perfect commercial or billet machine. Phone Michael 0439 733 760 or Bill 0418 778 674.

2008 JOHN DEERE 3510 full track harvester. Spare engine, GPS-autosteer, ten blade chop, split BC circuit, factory reversing fan, Bissaloy elevated floors.

Pre-season repairs – engine rebuilt, BC box, chopper box, roller train, elevator & slew, intercooler, wiring harness, new HD tracked chains, grousers, sprockets, rollers & idlers. Ph: Robert 0407 167 716.

Rainfall Report

See website for more details

Recorded rainfall (mm)

P: 07 4952 2577 M: 0412 535 887

Location

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

7 days to 9am

Average rainfall (mm)

Year to date

30.11.15

Mossman

0

0

1009

Mareeba AP

3

1

594

806

Cairns

36

5

1528

1821

Mt Sophia

51

0

3139

3069

Babinda

0

0

1422

3933

Innisfail

73

0

2282

3290

Tully

20

0.5

2469

3814

Cardwell

20

0.4

1171

1922

Lucinda

0

0

794

1925

Ingham

3

0

920

1835

Abergowrie

4

0

1034

1632

Townsville

20

0

278

992

Ayr DPI

0

0

362

825

Proserpine

3

0

736

1211

Mirani

27

0

739

1333

Mackay

6

0

774

1382

Sarina (Plane Ck)

82

0

1077

1531

Bundaberg

3

6

812

885

Childers South

0

21

817

769

Maryborough

0.2

5

979

1026

Tewantin

0.2

0

1353

1447

Eumundi

20

0

1630

1504

Nambour

23

0.8

1698

1516

Woongoolba

1

6

1306

1202

Murwillumbah

0.9

33

1530

1413

3

60

1779

1632

Woodburn

0

69

1062

1250

Find CANEGROWERS on Twitter! @canegrowers 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 | 7 December 2015

2022

Ballina

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or share with us by using #canegrowers

Jan–Nov

23.11.15

WHAT’S NEW MEMBER SERVICES

03 CASE 7700 harvester in good condition. 2000 hrs on engine with spare 10.3 iveco engine. Ph: 0417 749 353 V8 CUMMINS motor 210hp, 13speed road ranger gearbox gwo $4400inc. 4 Goodyear Marathon tyres 385/65r225 only 40% worn good for scoops or similar, $1500inc. Ph: (07) 47776116 Massey Ferg 188 Tractor new tyres rops and gearbox. Good condition $6000 ono.

Ph 0409480179 1x GPS Ag Base Station. No Further Use. Good condition. POA. Ph: 0418 784 020 1x MODIFIED HBM billet planter, 1x Scania twin steering haul out. Ph: 0429 488077

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) MASSEY 305 harvester parts, in good condition. Ph: 0427 712 128 VALTRA 6400 4WD Tractor - 1ooHP, AirCon Cab, 2004 Model. 3700 Hours. Good Condition. $30 000. (incl GST) ONO. Ph: 0418 710 958 / 4950 3048.

FORD TRADER Truck Diesel with 3000lt Galvanized Water Tank and Honda electric start pump. Ex rural fire appliance. Unregistered as is. $5000 ono.

Ph. 0418185931 1996 CAMECO full track in good condition. Phone: 0407 054 417 MF 105 Cane Harvester, vgc $4400 incl.

GST Ph: 0437 184 822 BUCKET (NEW) suit 20T Excavator: 1050mm GP bucket. $2,100+GST. Ph: 0419700761.

TRAILER - Tipper Tri-Axle Supa Dog, bisalloy, spring suspension, air operated dolly lock, 2-way tail gate. $16,000+gst.

Ph: 0419700761.

1 ROW HBM Billet planter. Good working order. Heavy duty rear casters with adjustment for row width. Chains and sprockets in good order.

Granular fertilizer boxes and insecticide tank. $13500+gst. PH 0408770905 2002 LAMBORGINI MF135 4WD tractor, 2000hrs -$28000. 1992 Massey Fergurson 3645 4WD tractor, $15000 ono. Trailco 2.5 Inch Irrigator with Lister Diseal engine and trailer of pipes and soft hose - $12000. Ph: 0467 597 461 PAIR OF 580/70R-42 Pirelli tryes. Approx 40% tread.$2500. Ph 0419601959 TRACK CHAINS fitted with hardfaced grouses, chains approx 85%. $5500 Ph 0419601959 MASSEY FERGUSON 168, 8 speed manual, good condition $8000 inc GST. 0417 615 250 Diesel engine 2013 140HP water cooled duetz flywheel to radiator, intanke and exhaust 3000hrs $5000. Ph: 0428340685

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 24,836 STL shares. Ph 4129 7363 CHAMBERLAIN 4280, 2 wheel drive tractor, has brand new main clutch. New Alternator & air-cond system. Bundaberg area. Ph 0408 062 830

For sale or temporary transfer 130 Ml of Lower Mary River allocation POA. Ph 0419 681 976

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

ELEVATOR POWERHAUL with suspension in good condition. Ph: (07) 4954 5312 / Mob 0458 545 312 TWO 6 TONNE side tippers with tandem wheels and paddle, must be in VGC. Also wanted one 9 tonne elevating tipper must be in VGC. Ph 0419601959 JOHN DEERE 77/7810 with pq box.

Phone 0408 713 854

Work Wanted LHARVESTER CONTRACTOR available or 2016 cane season - Tully/ Innisfail/ surrounding district. Looking for farmers interested in smaller Group (80,000 tonne max). 0418 183 584

Property HERBERT RIVER: Cane farm 60.73ha with machinery and 4 bedroom dwelling at 194 Lannercost Ext Rd, Ingham Ph. 40454321 WANTED TO LEASE Cane farm; SarinaMackay area. Ph: 0419 771 504 WANTED TO LEASE canefarm, preferably Mackay, Sarina area. Do have considerable farming experience. Ph 0409 897 557

7 December 2015

| Australian Canegrower 25