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.
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.
This is a reminder for Tissue Culture Orders for Spring 2024 delivery.
If you are wanting the new SRA 40 for your farm this will be the only way of receiving it. SRA 40 will not be released from HCPSL plots until 2025.
Plant costs are currently sitting between $2.05 and $2.50 (GST INC) – Any other approved planting varieties can be ordered in Tissue Culture for pick up next Spring 2024.
Orders need to be placed by 23rd of October 2023
Please contact Rhiannan Harragon HCPSL on 0490 905 367 or the Main Office on 4776 1808 to place your orders or for any question regarding Tissue Culture.
Yesterday, HCPSL met with Grower Collectives representatives and a number of planting contractors to investigate ways to better manage RSD and the adoption of Approved Seed cane.
HCPSL Company Manager Lawrence Di Bella presented data on the level of infection in growers “supposedly clean seed cane” to be used for commercial planting for the past 3 and current year.
YEAR
PERCENT INFECTION
2020
9%
2021
7%
2022
9%
2023
9.1%, year to date.
These figures are very concerning and really indicates that growers must be very valiant with their farm hygiene and obtain Approved Seed on a regular basis to get on top of this disease.
HCPSL, currently has around 5000-6000t of Approved Seed cane available through its plots this year, with orders for only for about 4000t at present. Not all varieties are available, but there are considerable volumes of MQ239, Q200, Q208, Q253, SRA26 and SRA31 still available. Growers who are seeking more of these varieties are asked to contact HCPSL staff to arrange collection of this cane.
HCPSL has wholestalk and billet harvesters in most plots now days making it easier for growers to access Approved Seed cane.
Photo above – Cutting Approved Seed cane at the HCPSL Stone River plot this year.
This year growers have the option for Hinchinbrook Towing Service- 0400 702 113 to collect cane from the Approved Seed plots on a fee for service arrangement. Whole stalk trailers can be collected from farm, dropped off to the appropriate HCPSL Approved Seed plot farm and then returned when filled with cane. Another option available is the collection of billets from the plots and delivered to your billet planter for planting.
Research undertaken by HCPSL and SRA clearly shows that growers who use Approved Seed cane for planting on average have a 13% increase in financial returns when compared to growers who don’t use Approved Seed cane.
Photo above – Cutting Approved Seed cane at the HCPSL Central plot this year.
Getting cane from the neighbour is not “clean” cane! Your neighbours may have RSD present in the cane you are getting from them.
Ask your self- “When was the last time when I purchased Approved Seed cane from the HCPSL plots, used tissue culture cane or long hot water treated cane?”
It is time now to get Approved Seed cane for your farm for nextyear and don’t forget to sterilise all your planting equipment before you plant it!
Contact your HCPSL officer to obtain Approved Seed cane- 47761808.
Are you considering planting tissue culture in 2024?
To secure your tissue culture for June 2024 delivery, please place an order by Tuesday 20th June.
If your considering planting SRA40, seed cane will not be available until 2025. So if you wish to obtain this variety in 2024, it will only be available via tissue culture seedlings.
To place a tissue culture order, contact HCPSL on (07) 4776 1808 to speak with Rhiannan.
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