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Soil to Food Conference, Atherton – 3rd & 4th June

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

Interest in soil health has been gathering momentum within the Wet Tropics farming community for the past decade. This event is an opportunity for farmers and the agricultural industry to connect with each other and share ideas and innovations that support healthy soil leading to healthy people and profits.

Speakers include:

Topics on the agenda include:

DETAILS 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER THROUGH EVENTBRITE

The event is delivered by Terrain NRM through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. It is also supported by Wet Tropics SoilCare, TNQ Drought Hub, Sustainable Table, Regeneration International, Lower Wet Tropics SoilCare, Tropical Pasture Seeds, Cairns Micro Greens, Eco Bananas, Skybury and Mungalli Biodynamics.

REMINDER GROWERS: Wilmar Data Consent Changes

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

If you wish to do so, please take the time to actively Opt IN to provide HCPSL with your mill data.

What are some of the activities that HCPSL uses grower data for?

The Opt In is voluntary and at any time you can Opt Out if you wish to do so.

To allow HCPSL access to your data, visit the Wilmar grower portal and ‘TICK’ the HCPSL option under ‘Consent Given’.

If you require assistance using the online portal, visit the HCPSL office. Further information can be found via the HCPSL website: https://hcpsl.com/wilmar-data-consent-change-to-opt-in-notice-and-information-sheet/

USING SOIL TESTING TO MATCH CROP NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

With current fertiliser prices, it is essential, now more than ever, that your fertiliser blend and rate is matched to crop requirements.

Taking a soil sample ensures you are not over or under applying specific crop nutrients. By taking a soil sample, a HCPSL agronomist can provide you with tailored nutrition advice, ensuring adequate crop nutrition and minimising unnecessary input application.

To make sampling easier, visit the HCPSL Office to borrow a soil auger.

If you’d like more information or advice on soil sampling, please contact HCPSL on (07) 4776 1808.

Project CaNE™ is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

Grower grants help improve nutrient runoff and water quality in the Herbert catchment

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

Grower Incentive Grants made it possible for Herbert growers to invest in new machinery by receiving financial support to better improve water quality associated with on-farm nitrogen management practice changes and the results in Nitrogen run-off are evident.

Results from a trial in the Abergowrie area conducted by the Queensland Government, HCPSL, James Cook University and Terrain NRM in 2013 revealed sub-surface fertiliser application reduced runoff losses of Nitrogen, phosphorus and Sulphate-S from recent applications when compared to surface applications in the Herbert Catchment.

The application of fertiliser provides essential nutrients to enhance sugarcane growth and yield. The rate of application and where fertiliser is placed in the soil profile influences plant uptake and the loss through runoff and deep drainage.

HCPSL Company Manager Lawrence Di Bella, who participated in the study stated, “The findings from this study clearly shows sub-surface applications of both liquid and granular fertilisers had a positive impact on reducing nitrogen runoff from cane farms. The study also looked at cane yields from the various practices to find that broadcast applications of fertiliser on the soil surface had lower yields when compared to other methods. These results are a win-win for the environment and growers’ hip pocket.”

Grower Incentive Grants are part of the Major Grants Project and the Lower Herbert Water Quality Program (LHWQP). Funded by the Reef Trust Partnership the aim is to improve the quality of water flowing from the Herbert River catchment to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon while at the same time improving productivity and profitability of the Herbert sugar industry.

The Lower Herbert Water Quality Program aims to prevent 140 tonnes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen from entering the Great Barrier Reef lagoon from the Herbert River catchment each year. Under the Reef 2050 plan to reduce runoff of dissolved inorganic nitrogen the Herbert River is one of the highest priority river catchments. The $16.2 million program is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation with coordination support provided by CANEGROWERS Herbert River.

More information and interviews: Jason Wolfgram | Communications Manager – Lower Herbert Water Quality Program | 0436 469 018    

Media Release: Grower grants help improve nutrient runoff and water quality in the Herbert catchmentDownload

Grain harvesting commences in the Herbert

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

It is a strange sight to see a grain header operating in cane country in the Herbert district.  Gino and Remo Zatta commenced harvesting soybean crops this week in the Bambaroo area. The soybean crop was grown over the cane fallow period and the block will be planted back to sugarcane within the next few weeks. Rotational crops and fallow cover crops are becoming the norm as apart of the sugarcane farming system.

If you’re looking at growing rotational crops and you need some assistance in the Herbert, please contact DAF and HCPSL staff.

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POSTPONED: Herbert SRA Smut Workshop – this Friday!

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

SRA apologise for the postponement – Due to unforeseen circumstances, the below workshop is postponed.

Sugar Research Australia is hosting a Smut Workshop this Friday! Come along to gain a better understanding of the disease and the importance of an integrated disease management program.

Date: Friday 28th April 2023 (This Friday)

Time: 8:30am to 12:30pm

Where: SRA/HCPSL Station, 181 Fairford Road Ingham

Wilmar Data Consent Change to Opt In – Notice and Information Sheet

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

HCPSL PRESS RELEASE

05/04/2023

Dear Herbert canefarmers,

HCPSL is seeking access to grower farm data at allow our company to provide services to your business now and into the future. Below is a Wilmar information sheet, why data consent is being sought and the management of your data in relation to privacy and confidentiality.

Please take the time to read through the Wilmar document. Each grower will be required to actively Opt In to provide HCPSL data.

What are some of the activities that HCPSL uses grower data for?

The Opt In is voluntary and at any time you can Opt Out if you wish to do so.

HCPSL takes data management seriously, to ensure that your confidentiality and privacy is not compromised in anyway. HCPSL is required to manage your data appropriately under the Privacy Act (1998) and has its own systems in place to protect your data.

Please follow the directions provided on the Wilmar information sheet on how to actively Opt In to provide HCPSL and other industry providers your consent to access your farm data and maps.

If you are not sure how to actively Opt In via the Wilmar website, HCPSL administration staff will be able to assist you by coming into the HCPSL office between 7am-3pm Monday to Friday. Remember you will need to bring with you your username and password to the Wilmar website, so that the HCPSL staff can assist you navigate the website to allow you to actively Opt In.

If you have any further questions pertaining to HCPSL accessing your data or data protection, please contact:

Lawrence Di Bella

HCPSL Company Manager on:

Mobile- 0448084252

Office- 47761808

Email- ldibella@hcpsl.com.au

HERBERT HOSTS CANE REGEN FORUM 2023

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

Earlier this week, the annual Regenerative Cane Farming Forum was held in Ingham. The forum attracted over 85 growers, from various districts, from the Far North to the Burdekin. The event had a practical focus, allowing forum attendees to learn and gain knowledge from farmers who have successfully changed their farming system.

As always, grower innovation was also a key theme throughout the forum. Attendees had the opportunity to visit farms and see cover crops, controlled traffic, permanent beds, soil health, compost and new machinery in action.

The forum was greatly beneficial for both growers and industry professionals. The event allowed attendees to build on existing knowledge, share ideas, discuss limitations and connect with other like-minded growers.

Thank you to the forum organisers, Soil Land and Food and the Regen Cane Network, who put together a valuable event for cane farmers in the Herbert and throughout North Queensland.

REGEN CANE FARMING FORUM this week! Register now!

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

The 2023 Regen Cane Farming Forum: It’s on again!

This time we will be back in Ingham, North Queensland. If you are a Cane Farmer or work in the industry then join us for this exciting event of networking and sharing of practical information.

Learn from cane farmers who are innovating and making changes to their farming system as they share their experience in the paddock.

The forum will include small group visits to 4 farms in the Ingham district over 2 days along with a fantastic social night of networking and a chance to meet innovative companies supporting cane farmers who are sponsoring the event.

Growers and industry professionals from all districts welcome to attend!

REGISTER HERE: https://events.humanitix.com/regen-cane-farming-forum-2023

If you have not been before then check out our video of the 2019 event! You wont want to miss it! 

Herbert Growers recognised at Annual Industry Awards

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

Following the Walk & Talk, HCPSL held the annual Industry Awards. The awards recognise grower’s commitment to productivity, innovation, research, and the boarder industry. HCPSL is proud to announce the award recipients below.

HCPSL