Approved Seed PlotsRemaining Material & Plot Closures
Due to order cancellations and change of estimates several HCPSL distribution plots still have approved seed cane available to growers. Growers wanting any of the remaining seed cane material should contact the respective plot officers as soon as possible. Plots will remain open until at least the end of September with an official closure date yet to be decided.
Remaining approved seed availability as of the 18th of September 2025 – see PDF attached
Notice to growers wanting to place tissue culture orders for Autumn 2026 delivery.
If you’re wanting the newly approved SRA48 and SRA32 on your farm in 2026 ordering tissue culture is the best way to ensure you get them. Cost per plant is currently $2.10 and $2.60. All other varieties approved for planting in the Herbert can also be ordered as tissue culture for pick up in Autumn 2026.
Orders must be placed with HCPSL by the 25th of June 2025.
Disclaimer – HCPSL cannot guarantee the tissue cultured plants to be free from smut or other diseases, nor can we guarantee that smut will not infect the cane upon delivery. HCPSL takes no responsibility for orders not delivered due to the fault of the supplier or grow-out nursery. The buyer takes full responsibility for ordering tissue cultured plants that are not approved at the time the order was placed, he/she also takes responsibility for the tissue cultured plants after they are delivered. The PBR Licence terms and conditions published on www.sugarresearch.com.au/xyz apply to all receipts of Sugar Research Australia cane plants and tissue-culture material. By taking delivery, collecting, or otherwise obtaining any of these materials you accept and agree to be bound by the PBR licence terms and conditions as they appear on the website above.
Whole Stalk Plant Cutter Inspections
HCPSL reminds growers who are planning to use a whole stalk plant cutter at one of HCPSL’s Approved Seed plots to ensure they get their cutter and planting trailers inspected well in advance.
Inspections primarily look at whether the plant cutter and trailers have all the necessary guards and safety features in place. Plot officers will also be inspecting and sterilising all whole stalk plant cutters before working in the Approved Seed plots.
HCPSL recommends that growers wanting to pre-purchase Approved Seed in 2025 read the information thoroughly before placing an order. Pre-purchase orders close on 1st April 2025.
Shed Meetings
29th January
8am Macknade Golf Club
1pm Bambaroo Rural Fire Brigade
5pm SRA/HCPSL Office
30th January
8am Stone River CWA Hall
1pm Abergowrie CWA (Finns) Hall
Topics include:
2025 Approved seed [lots
Locations & varieties
Changes to whole stalk cutting
New ordering system
Approved Seed forecast survey (for 2026 plots)
Tissue Culture Orders
Seed Inspections (RSD testing)
Important industry updates
Chlorpyriphos de-registration
Suscon Maxi Intel withdrawl
Paraquat Review
Please RSVP to Sandra at the HCPSL Office on 4776 1808 by the 28th of January to assist with catering.
HCPSL EOI – Approved Seed Distribution Plots
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.
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.
As everyone is keenly aware, the district has seen some very trying environmental conditions in the lead up to the 2024 season. HCPSL has not been immune from these conditions playing havoc with the provision of services. With this in mind, we wanted to update members as to how we are currently situated with seed inspections and approved seed plots: –
Seed Inspections
Given the extremely wet conditions there is a backlog of RSD sampling. HCPSL is working through them as quickly as possible.
HCPSL staff are focusing on LSB sampling for RSD testing and growers MUST call the office to register well in advance to ensure they have results in time for planting.
HCPSL is NOT currently using the microscope for RSD testing so please do not bring in samples as they will not be processed.
If you have not received a seed inspection, and you are 2-3 weeks away from planting, please call the office so that we can prioritise testing.
Approved Seed Plots
Staff are in the final stages of conducting approved seed plot estimates. Once completed, letters will be sent out to growers with their seed cane allocation for 2024.
Due to wet conditions HCPSL will be staggering the opening dates for approved seed plots.
HCPSL will provide notice to growers as individual approved seed plots are opened. Please feel free to contact your relevant plot officer if you have any specific questions.
The start to 2024 has been a very wet one for everyone and HCPSL appreciates your patience and urges growers to plan well ahead and be proactive in booking seed inspections and RSD testing.
Grower seed inspections, including RSD sampling, will commence in early March (weather dependent) and continue until 3rd May. After the 3rd May seed inspections and RSD sampling will be limited to field staff availability.
Important Information;
HCPSL will be using the QPCR LSB (Leath Sheath Biopsy) method.
Seed cane must be at least (7) months old.
Once samples are collected, results may take up to 3 weeks (typically 2 weeks).
1 test per 20 hectares = no charge for HCPSL members (otherwise $10 per sample).
Growers must supply a farm map with the location of blocks requiring inspections.
For bookings or further enquires please contact the HCPSL Office on 4776 1808.
