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
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?
Enable farm productivity analysis studies.
Access grower farm maps to enable HCPSL to undertake activities like RSD testing.
Access grower farm maps to enable biosecurity activities to occur during pest and disease incursions.
Allow HCPSL to maintain permits for industry to rat bait.
Attract funding to maintain the Hinchinbrook Community Feral Pig Management Program.
Support the industry in times of natural disasters.
Attract funding to maintain and operate extension services required by industry.
Defend the industries right to farm.
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:
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.
Grower of the Year (Sponsored by Wilmar) – Chris Butler
Young Grower of the Year (Sponsored by Wilmar) – Anthony Marino
Mangrove Jack Award (Sponsored by Herbert River Catchment Group) – Remo Pietrobon
Harvesting Efficiency Award (Sponsored by SRA) – GNC Harvesting (Greg & Nicole Chiesa)
Innovation Award (Sponsored by Rabobank) – Agro Group
Farm Presentation for Harvesting Award (Sponsored by Honeycombs) – A & S Castorina
Improved Farm Layout Award (Sponsored by Canegrowers Herbert River) – Robert Bonassi (Roblea Investments)
R&D On-Farm Co-operation (Sponsored by HCPSL) – Geoff Low, Pace Farming, Paul Cantamessa, and Jeff Cantamessa
Lifetime Achievement Award (Sponsored by HCPSL) – Dr. Rob Magarey, Steve Guazzo, and Tony McClintock
Last week over 90 growers attended HCPSL’s annual Walk and Talk. Growers had the opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding on a range of topics including – variety development & new varieties, mill mud & ash benefits, managing diseases, the soil biome, micronutrients, as well as reef & carbon credits.
The HCPSL Team would like to say thank you to all growers who attended, asked questions, shared experiences, and participated in open discussions throughout the day.
HCPSL would also like to extend our thanks to the sponsors and supporting organisations of the 2022 Walk & Talk Day – GBRF, Australian Government Reef Trust, Agro Group, Green Collar, Project CaNE, Project Catalyst, Soil CRC, Sugar Research Australia, Stoller and Wilmar.
The votes have been counted for the 2023 HCPSLGrower Board elections.
Four candidates contested the 2023 HCPSL Grower Board elections, to fill the 3 positions on the HCPSL Board.
The results of the election are as follows:
Gino Zatta- 79 votes
Michael Pisano- 72 votes
Greg Erkkila- 66 votes
Anthony Girgenti- 55 votes
Number of informal votes- 3
Gino Zatta, Michael Pisano and Greg Erkkila are the 3 growers elected to the HCPSL Board.
HCPSL would like to thank all growers who nominated for the election.
These three growers will be joined on the Board with the 3 Mill appointed Board members:
Ian Davies
Peter Larsen
Cameron Barber
A special thanks to our outgoing Board members: Nicole Butler (Miller Board member) and Michael Waring (Grower Board member) (who did not seek re-election) for their dedication and years of service to the company.
The vote count was supervised by Peter Timms (HCPSL Commercial Services Manager) as the Returning Officer and independent observers / vote counters Greg Shannon (Tully Sugar Productivity Manager) and Peter Sutherland (Tully Cane Productivity Services Manager).
The new Board will be installed on the 28th of March 2023.
Signed: Peter Timms, HCPSL Commercial Services Manager.
Dr. Alan Garside “The Father of the Modern Sugarcane farming system” passed away on the 10th of March 2023, in Townsville. A service to celebrate Alan’s life was held at Morley’s funeral house Townsville on the 16th of March, with family, friends, and representatives from the Australian sugarcane industry in attendance.
Dr. Alan Garside
Alan led the Sugarcane Yield Decline Joint Venture Program, for 14 years through the early 1990- early 2000’s. This was the largest research program ever undertaken by the Australian sugarcane industry. Alan brought together a multidisciplinary team of scientists to investigate why cane yields were declining in the industry. The key findings of the program are still relevant today:
Breaking the sugarcane monoculture with rotational crops.
Increase soil organic matter through the use of soil amendments and cover crops.
Management of compaction.
Remediating soils that were constrained by factors like high levels of sodium or aluminium, low organic carbon and salinity.
Minimizing tillage to maintain soil structure and organic matter.
Management soil borne diseases (like Pachymetra) through the use of variety rotations.
Management of soil pests like nematodes through break crops and other means.
Other notable agricultural successes include the development of the Northern Australian soybean industry, with Alan being involved with the selection of 2 significant varieties, one being Leichardt.
Alan was also well recognized internationally, working with agriculture industries across four continents- Australia, Asia, Africa and South America during his working career.
Alan was commissioned by HCPSL in the early 2010’s to undertake a study into the productivity constraints of the Herbert sugarcane industry.
Alan lived a fruitful and eventful life. The poem “That Man is a Success” is a testament of Alan’s life.
That Man Is A Success
Author Unknown
That Man is a success who has lived well,
Laughed often and loved much;
Who has gained the respect of intelligent men and women and
the love of children;
who has filled his niche and
accomplished his task;
who leaves the world
better than he found it,
who has never lacked
appreciation of Earth’s
beauty or failed to express it;
who looked for the best in others,
and gave the very best he had.
Alan’s knowledge, passion for agriculture and friendship will be greatly missed.
Please note there will be NO parking on-site at the HCPSL & SRA Offices. Please park on Sportsman Parade. Shuttle buses will be running from Sportsman Parade to the HCPSL Office from 7:45am.
HCPSL received a visit by Queensland Senator the Hon. James McGrath last Thursday (2nd of March) to gain a better understanding of the sugarcane industry and activities undertaken by HCPSL.
The Hon. Senator James McGrath was elected to the Senate for Queensland in 2013, re-elected in 2016 and 2022. The Senator is currently the Deputy Chair of Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters.
The Senator met with the HCPSL Company Manager- Lawrence Di Bella and HCPSL Administration Manager- Sue Beccaris to discuss pest and disease issues experienced by the local industry and other company related matters.
HCPSL would like to thank the Senator for taking the time to visit HCPSL in his very busy schedule.
Photo above (left to right): Lawrence Di Bella, Hon. Senator James McGrath and Sue Beccaris.
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