The Queensland Government is connecting with primary producers who have been impacted by recent weather events.
Your feedback will help them understand what assistance Queensland farmers and their businesses need after the recent flooding.
Any information you provide is confidential.
Click on the link below, or, click anywhere on the image, or, scan the QR code on the image, to access the survey.
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/a65512900348401a812e57d743e4c104
29th January
30th January
Topics include:
2025 Approved seed [lots
Approved Seed forecast survey (for 2026 plots)
Tissue Culture Orders
Seed Inspections (RSD testing)
Important industry updates
Please RSVP to Sandra at the HCPSL Office on 4776 1808 by the 28th of January to assist with catering.
Supporting growers to drive productivity and improve water quality (WQ) outcomes may have been the focus of the Lower Herbert Water Quality Program (LHWQP), but the legacy it leaves through one of its projects, Project CaNE (Crop and Nutrient Efficiency), is much more than that.
As Project CaNE heads towards its finale in early 2025 it leaves behind a number of agronomic advisors armed with the skills and knowledge they need to support the sugarcane industry into the future.
Project CaNE, led by Herbert Cane Productivity Services Limited (HCPSL) and supported by project partners James Cook University’s TropWATER and the Department of Primary Industries Queensland, was funded through the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. The $7 million project supported a total of eight Extension agronomists, a GIS (Precision Ag) officer, and support staff over three and a half years.
Exceeding its official goals and targets, Project CaNE also brought together experienced agronomic staff with those new to the industry. Through on ground support and mentoring, these staff have been equipped with the skills they will need to continue providing sound agronomic advice to growers who continue to balance productive farm practises with positive WQ outcomes.
From an agronomic perspective, project staff were exposed to a number of upskilling opportunities including training on how to develop whole-of-farm nutrient management plans, conduct Electro-magnetic (EM) soil mapping, address soil constraints, and use of fallow crops to improve soil health, all aimed at better utilisation of farm inputs to drive productivity and profitability for growers.
Complimenting the agronomic work, increased skills and knowledge were developed through activities related to environmental outcomes. Staff assisted JCU TropWater with WQ monitoring and learnt from the information collected from the 11 project WQ monitoring sites across the Herbert sugarcane growing region installed and maintained by TropWATER.
Staff worked with agricultural economists from DPI Queensland to put an economic value on the project’s nitrogen stabiliser and mill by-product (Clear as Mud) program. Project growers dedicated their time and resources through on-ground works and the provision of land access and equipment to establish on-farm demonstration sites.
When asked, HCPSL manager and Project CaNE coordinator Adam Royle was keen to highlight some of the benefits the project has brought to the Herbert sugarcane industry.
“It’s been a great opportunity to not just support growers, but to upskill new and existing HCPSL staff at the same time. Bringing positive productivity, profitability and environmental outcomes together under the one project has been very successful. (And) although the project is coming to an end, the industry will have ongoing benefits through the capacity to continue to deliver agronomic advice by project staff who will hopefully go on to do similar work,” he said.
Adam went on to say, “I’ve had the privilege of mentoring several project staff and been the beneficiary of learning new things while working on the project, that’s a win-win for me and I believe for the industry as well”.
To learn more about Project CaNE and its achievements visit www.hcpsl.com/previous-projects/project-cane-tm
Lower Herbert water quality program factsheet.
The uniqueness of the region sitting across the wet and dry
tropics makes it highly suitable for growing sugarcane.
Yet, as one of the most intensively cropped regions, this area
presents a challenging balance for growers in managing
fertiliser and pesticide losses from paddocks.
HCPSL is looking for a keen, self-motivated person to join our field services team. The Junior Field Technician position is an opportunity for an entry level person who is enthusiastic about working in the sugarcane industry and who has a desire to learn and add value to HCPSL.
Training and practical application of sugarcane systems including operation of farming equipment and crop management will be provided primarily through on the job training. The successful applicant will also have the opportunity to attain relevant certificate based qualifications.
HCPSL envisages that after a period of time, dependant on suitability and company requirements, there may be an opportunity for the successful applicant to progress to Field Technican level.
For a copy of the full position description and selection criteria please email admin@hcpsl.com.au, visit the job vacancies section of our website (www.hcpsl.com), or collect the information from the HCPSL office at 181 Fairford Road, Ingham Queensland.
Close of applications: 3pm on Friday the 20th December 2024.
HCPSL is reviewing the way we deliver our approved seed distribution program to our members. As part of this process, we are seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from interested parties to provide a package of services in the Stone River, Abergowrie, Lower Herbert, and Ingham Line areas. Further details, including the EOI application form, are available via the link, the HCPSL office, or by emailing admin@hcpsl.com.au. Completed EOIs can be submitted by dropping off at the HCPSL office reception or emailed to admin@hcpsl.com.au by 3pm on the 2nd of December 2024. For more information regarding the EOI process please contact the HCPSL Manager on 47761808 or 0417610446.
As we push towards the end of what has been a challenging year it’s easy to focus on finishing the crush and not on how we can start preparing for next year.
Soil Sampling Tips and How to take a GPS point on your smartphone.
Soil sampling should be a vital part of every farms strategy to ensure our fallows are ready for next year’s planting and the subsequent crops.
Here are a few simple tips to help you get the most from your soil sampling to ensure you get the best possible results of your soils nutrient status.
If you’d like to discuss any soil sampling related topics with one of our Extension Agronomist, or loan one of our soil sampling augers, call the HCPSL office on 47761808.
HCPSL recently agreed to supply approx. 120-140 tonne of SRA9 into Indonesia. This decision followed several meetings with Indonesian interests and internal discussion between HCPSL management, directors and staff.
Why is HCPSL Supplying SRA9 into Indonesia?
SRA9 is an unapproved variety for the Herbert as it is currently going through SRA variety trials. HCPSL has approx. 120-140 tonne of SRA9 that cannot be distributed to growers. HCPSL was approached by an Indonesian interest seeking to purchase SRA9.
Will HCPSL be Supplying other Varieties?
No – While several varieties were requested, HCPSL has only agreed to supply SRA9. HCPSL is committed to providing approved seed cane to our members. As such, all approved varieties in HCPSL managed distribution plots are dedicated to the local industry.
Is HCPSL the only Organisation Involved in Supplying Cane into Indonesia?
No – Tissue culture plants, quarantine permits and approval to use SRA varieties have been organised and approved by SRA.
Is HCPSL Supplying all of the Cane Required by Indonesia?
No – The plantation in Indonesia is already importing material from a number of other sources, HCPSL will be supplying only a fraction of the material required.
How does this benefit HCPSL and the Herbert Industry?
HCPSL agreed to the sale of SRA9 based on a good financial return, in other words, the current deal makes good business sense. HCPSL is committed to providing the best possible service to our members and all revenue raised will be used to provide services here in the Herbert.
If you’d like further information please contact the HCPSL office on 47761808.
With the support of Project CaNE, funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, HCPSL is offering Herbert growers the opportunity to receive free EM mapping. The Project CaNE EM mapping initiative is open to all Herbert sugarcane growers and will run until January 2025.
The initiative includes access to agronomic advice from Project CaNE Extension Agronomists and drone technology that will assist with the investigation and validation of crop management decisions based on EM mapping, soil testing and crop productivity constraints.
Growers seeking more information or wanting to register their interest in being involved in the EM mapping initiative should contact our HCPSL GIS officer Rod Nielson by calling the HCPSL office on 47761808.
HCPSL recently welcomed Alwyn (Al) Maree to the team. Al takes on the position of Lead Field Technician after the departure of Jason Caruso and has already hit the ground running, working with fellow HCPSL staff to distribute and plant approved seed plots. Having grown up on a sugarcane farm in South Africa, Al has managed and worked his own farm as well as several other cropping operations before arriving at HCPSL. If you bump into Al in the paddock please welcome him to the Herbert.
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181 Fairford Road, |
| Ingham Queensland 4850 | |
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07 4776 1808 |
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admin@hcpsl.com.au |
| Monday to Friday: | 7.00am - 3.00pm |
| Closed Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays | |
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