Crop Loss After a Deliberate Blaze on the Tableland

CANEGROWERS Tableland Chairman Claude Santucci (pictured) lost eight hectares of standing cane and two hectares of trash blankets in the blaze.

We lost eight hectares of standing cane and about two hectares of trash blankets that were on a cane paddock that had already been harvested.

Claude has two sugarcane properties on the Tableland, but it was the smaller Chewko property that was affected.

“We lost eight hectares of standing cane and about two hectares of trash blankets that were on a cane paddock that had already been harvested," Claude told Zoe Thomas, reporter for the North Queensland Register.

The publication reported a 37-year-old Chewko man faced court after he allegedly lit multiple fires that destroyed crops around Mareeba, Biboohra and Chewko in early October. Police charged the man with 12 counts of setting fire to vegetation.

The cost to Claude’s business is not just the disappointing loss of the crop but there will be extra associated costs due to the loss of cane trash blankets.

"I will incur extra expenses in the sense that because all the trash has been burnt, now that I've harvested, I don't have a trash blanket there to protect moisture and to hold back weed control," Claude said.

"My extra expenses will include extra waterings and herbicide control to get this new crop away.”

CANEGROWERS Insurance Regional Manager Helle Cook said incidents like this is when it is good to know that CANEGROWERS members have access to crop insurance in the event of a fire that was not planned.

“In this case the fire occurred during harvest season and swift action meant that the cane was harvested and off to the mill the following day. Therefore the loss, if any, will be minimal,” Helle said.

“In other instances a fire or hail event may happen out of season and the damage to crop result in subsequent losses. This is when crop insurance can kick in and help minimise a financial loss.”

A CANEGROWERS member who experiences a fire or hail event that cause damage to their crop can contact their local district office to start the claim process.

The claim process steps include having the damage/loss assessed by a cane inspector and completing the relevant crop insurance claim forms.

CANEGROWERS are here to help – and knowing a membership includes access to crop insurance brings peace of mind to growers.