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Back to Basics – Episode 4: What is soil pH?

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

Back to Basics Virtual Series

Episode 4: What is pH?

In this week’s Back to Basics video, HCPSL Extension Agronomist Adam Royle chats about soil pH. Throughout the video Adam unpacks what causes low soil pH, why a low pH is problematic to crop growth and how to improve your soil pH.

On a few occasions throughout the video Adam refers to last week’s episode on soil CEC. To watch last week’s video head to our Facebook page, YouTube channel or the HCPSL website.

As always – if you have feedback, questions or would like further information on the topic, please leave a comment for the team or contact HCPSL.

Back to Basics – Episode 3: What is soil CEC? And why is it important?

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

Back to Basics Virtual Series

Episode 3: What is soil CEC, and why is it important?

In this episode, HCPSL Extension Agronomist Adam Royle explains Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC). He discusses the importance of being aware of your soils CEC, and what factors determine the CEC. Finally, Adam explains how CEC levels impact your lime or gypsum application with a simple demonstration.

If you have feedback, questions or would like further information on topic, please leave a comment or contact the Project CaNE team at HCPSL.

Back to Basics – Episode 2: What is Soil Texture?

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

Back to Basics Virtual Series

Episode 2: What is Soil Texture?

In this video, HCPSL Extension Agronomist Ellie McVeigh discusses soil texture. Ellie provides a basic overview of soil texture, and how texture impacts nutrient & water holding capacity. Finally, the video covers how to conduct a ‘Ribbon Test’ in the field.

Links to the graphics used in this video can be found on the HCPSL website.

If you have feedback, questions or would like further information on the topic, please leave a comment or contact the Project CaNE team at HCPSL.

Soil Texture Graphic: https://thinkingcountry.com/2016/11/30/soil-texture-sand-silt-and-clay/

Ribbon Test Graphic: Probability of either ribbon length or grittiness being correct when… | Download Scientific Diagram (researchgate.net)

PRESS RELEASE: HCPSL Warren’s Hill GPS Base Station is operational

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

PRESS RELEASE


HCPSL Warrens Hill GPS base station is operational.


Recently HCPSL has made a significant investment, with the installation of a new GPS base station to its community network. The new base station will operate on frequency 466.1000. Like all HCPSL base stations in its network, it has been surveyed in for transferability between other base stations when operating across the district.


The new installation is part of a strategy to improve GPS base station signal across the Herbert cane growing region.
During HCPSL’s recent Strategic Planning process (conducted in late 2021 and early 2022), HCPSL members identified the GPS network as critical to farm operations in the district and requested the company to continue to provide this service to its membership. The HCPSL Board recently approved its 2022-23 budget, with further upgrades and maintenance of the GPS network approved to be undertaken over the next few months.


For more information concerning the HCPSL GPS base station network please contact the HCPSL Manager.

PRESS RELEASE: HCPSL Warrens Hill Base StationDownload

Back to Basics – Episode 1: Soils of the Herbert with Dr. Andrew Wood

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

Back to Basics Virtual Series

Episode 1: Soils of the Herbert with Dr. Andrew Wood

Dr. Andrew Wood has been involved in the Australian Sugar Industry since the early 1980’s, working for CSR in the Herbert district. Andrew initiated a detailed soil mapping and analysis program, eventually covering over 50 000ha of the Herbert. Additionally, he has played a key role in encouraging the adoption of numerous best management practices across the industry.

In this video Dr. Andrew Wood will provide an overview of the various soil types across the Herbert district. He highlights the impact the Herbert and Stone river systems have had on distributing soils in the district.

If you have feedback, questions or would like further information on the topic, please leave a comment or contact the Project CaNE team at HCPSL.

Project CaNE launches Back to Basics Virtual Series

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

Over the past few years, HCPSL has offered various Back to Basics Workshops to Herbert Growers. This year, as part of Project CaNE, the team has created a Back to Basics Virtual series.

The Back to Basics Virtual series will cover a range of topics, focusing on soil properties, nutrition, and ameliorants. Each topic will be discussed in a short video by a Project CaNE Team member or a guest presenter. The team has created the Back to Basics Virtual series to allow all growers access to information on basic soil properties.

A weekly Back to Basics episode will be available via Facebook, YouTube and the HCPSL website. Episode 1 will be presented by Dr. Andrew Wood, focusing on ‘Soils of the Herbert’.

Stay tuned for Episode 1 this Sunday!

Press Release: Theft of cane from Approved Seed Plot

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

Last week cane was stolen from one of the HCPSL Approved Seed plots. The variety stolen was SRA36. If you have any information pertaining to the theft it can be reported confidentially to the HCPSL Manager by phoning 0448 084 252 or emailing ldibella@hcpsl.com.au

HCPSL has cameras located at some of its Approved Seed plots to prevent this from occurring. HCPSL is currently reviewing all its camera footage and asks that those involved with this specific activity to come forward to discuss the matter with the HCPSL Manager, free of reprisals in this specific case. HCPSL is concerned that hygiene practices were not followed.

Theft from HCPSL Approved Seed plots means that growers who were allocated cane may unfairly miss out and that hygiene in relation to disease management maybe compromised. The area in which the cane was removed will now be isolated and monitored over the next 12 months to ensure that no diseases (like RSD) has been introduced into the plot.

If a anyone is found trespassing on HCPSL Approved Seed plots and stealing cane, the matter will be forwarded to the police and dealt with accordingly. Entering HCPSL Approved Seed plots and farms is only permitted when accompanied by a HCPSL Employee or when permission is granted by HCPSL.

HCPSL has completed RSD testing of all its farms and Approved Seed plots for 2022, with no RSD being detected. HCPSL is required to follow strict hygiene practices to ensure that the cane sold from Approved Seed plots is free of RSD; with acts of theft compromising our position.
All HCPSL Approved Seed plots are now open, so please contact the appropriate HCPSL staff to collect cane ordered.

To download a copy of the Press Release, view the document below.

Press Release: Theft from HCPSL Approved Seed PlotDownload

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS WEED? IPOMOEA TUBEROSA

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

Weeds on the HCPSL watch list:

Have you seen this weed?

Ipomoea tuberosa has been recently located in the Abergowrie area.

About the plant

Merremia tuberosa is a climbing vine that is native to Mexico and parts of central America that has become invasive on various Pacific islands and parts of the United States. The vine overgrows tall hardwood forest canopies and smothers native trees and shrubs. The plant is easily identified by its yellow flower and finger like leaf pattern.

The Issue

In the Abergowrie area the weed has inhabited riparian areas, killing trees that it has grown over.

The weed is also a significant problem in sugarcane fields climbing up plants and smothering cane. The plant has the opportunity to re-establish rapidly in the cane crop with multiple sprayings in a growing season to control the weed.

If you have seen this weed, please notify HCPSL on 0400544301 or 0448084252.

Tissue Culture Plants Dispatched to Growers

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

Almost 16,000 tissue culture sugarcane plants were received by Herbert growers from HCPSL last week. HCPSL will have ordered over 30,000 tissue cultured plants this year. The next shipment of plants will arrive from the nursery around September this year.

This year growers have ordered new varieties like SRA 26, SRA28, SRA31 and SRA36 and older varieties like Q200, Q208, Q231, Q232 and Q253.

The uptake of tissue cultured cane has been growing steadily over that past 4 years in the region. Many growers have opted to purchase the new SRA varieties, so that they can get more cane on farm next year.

Growers who wish to order tissue cultured cane for next year, please contact Rhiannan Harragon on 4776 1808.

Pictured below: (1) HCPSL Staff Rhiannon Harragon & Jason Caruso with tissue culture plants at Macknade. (2) Herbert Grower, Quentin Bosworth receiving his tissue culture last week. (3) Tissue culture plants ready to be dispatched to Herbert growers.

Project CaNE Electronic Record Keeping Tool and Fertiliser Rate & Price Comparison Tool

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

This year along with a CaNE Plan, Project CaNE growers will have the opportunity to utilise both an Electronic Record Keeping Tool and a Fertiliser Rate & Price Comparison Tool.  

The project team hope that by providing an electronic alternative to traditional record keeping, it will allow for convenient, digital recording of applications for growers.

Additionally, Project CaNE staff developed the Fertiliser Rate & Price Comparison Tool to allow growers to make informed choices, considering the current high price of fertiliser. This tool will allow growers to compare product N, P, K and S, against dollars.

For further information about either of the tools, contact a member of the Project CaNE team (Adam Royle or Graeme Holzberger) on (07) 4776 1808.

HCPSL