Prior to the conference staff from a number of the Productivity boards including HCPSL attended a biosecurity training workshop to become qualified Authorised Inspection Persons (AIP). The training covered the latest in biosecurity legislation and current regulations as well as the General Biosecurity Obligation held by all Queenslanders to ensure they do not spread a pest, disease, or contaminant. The training familiarized staff with their role and responsibilities as inspectors and covered off on biosecurity processes including the inspection of machinery in sugarcane production and the issuing of biosecurity certificates.
HCPSL would like to take this opportunity to remind growers and contractors who work in the sugarcane industry of their General Biosecurity Obligation. If you have machinery or equipment requiring an inspection, please contact the HPCSL office on (07) 4776 1808.
Last week, HCPSL and Burdekin Productivity Services (BPS) hosted productivity services groups from across the industry at the 2022 Combined Productivity Services Group Conference. Productivity groups from Mossman to Isis were in attendance. Over 60 industry agronomists and advisors visited the Herbert to explore news ideas, discuss issues, and share findings.
Conference attendees visiting the Macknade site.
Over 2 days the groups focused on a range of topics, including – diseases, varieties, pests, technology, weeds, and nutrition. Throughout the conference, the groups discussed industry and district specific issues they faced.
Alike to the Herbert, delivering clean seed was a key triumph and core focus for many productivity groups. While RSD, pigs and rats were highlighted as common issues across various districts.
Initial presentations became the catalyst for extensive group discussion around methods for managing RSD and the effective delivery of clean seed. Conference participants then visited the Macknade site, where varieties were spotlighted. Presenters from across the industry explored the use of genomic selection, molecular markers and tissue culture.
During Day 2 the management of 2,4-D drift, weeds and feral pigs was discussed by the groups. Finally, the benefits of nutrient management, soil sampling and soil health were explored in detail by presenters. Presentations highlighted the need for soil health in sustaining productivity. To conclude the conference, interested participants were invited to visit the HCPSL hot water tanks at Victoria Mill.
Presentations and discussions from across the 2 days proved widely beneficial for all in attendance. HCPSL thanks all productivity groups and industry professionals who attended the conference and shared knowledge, contributed ideas and engaged in robust discussions.
HCPSL would like to acknowledge the following Sponsors of the 2022 Combined Productivity Services Group Conference – Wilmar, Nufarm, SRA and Burdekin Productivity Services.
Photo above: Rat baiting of sugarcane with a drone in the Herbert 2022.
HCPSL was notified by CANEGROWERS on the 1st of December 2022 that the Permit to Allow minor use of a registered Agvet Chemical Product for the control of Australian Native Ground rats in lodged sugarcane crops has been granted (permit number PER92695) on the 30/11/2022. The permit is valid for the period 30 November 2022- 30 November 2027. It allows aerial application of RATOFF sachets into lodged cane from a helicopter or drone.
There are now 2 permits in place for rat management that have been approved in the last 2 months:
Damage Mitigation Permit (permit number WA0047339)- held by HCPSL for ground baiting applications.
APVMA permit (PER92695)- held by CANEGROWERS for the use of Ratoff® via helicopter or drone.
Conditions under the APVMA permit:
Use must be in accordance with conditions of a Damage Mitigation Permit issued by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science.
The Permit Holder (Canegrowers) will need to advise the APVMA each year of the total area of cane crops treated via aerial application methods.
Accurate records of baiting activities must be recorded in the return of operations form, which HCPSL will compile on behalf of the Herbert industry. Cane farmers will need to notify HCPSL when rat baiting has occurred, estimated cane losses, and estimated number of rats taken. HCPSL will be reporting areas treated to CANEGROWERS to meet the various permit reporting requirements to DES and APVMA accordingly.
The HCPSL Company Manager would like to thank Mick Quirk (CANEGROWERS) who coordinated the permit submission documentation and meeting with key governmental staff concerning this matter.
For more information concerning the permit, please contact: Lawrence Di Bella- HCPSL Company Manager on 0448084252.
Photo above: Helicopter rat baiting in the Herbert region 2022.
HCPSL has been granted a Damage Mitigation Permit (permit number WA0047339) on the 11/11/2022, for the culling of rats in Herbert sugarcane fields from the Queensland Department of Environment and Science (DES).
Under the permit Herbert River canefarmers will be permitted to cull the Grassland melomys (Melomys burtoni) and Cane rat (Rattus sordidus) found in sugarcane fields. The registered rat baits available to the industry are Ratoff® and Racumin®.
Conditions under the permit:
Activities authorised by this permit are to be undertaken in strict accordance with the Property Management Plan that was received by DES on the 10/10/2022. Importantly, non-lethal methods to deter the breeding of both rat species must be applied as the preferred method to control the afore-mentioned species.
The activities associated with this permit only apply to relevant properties (all Herbert cane farms) as listed by HCPSL and received by DES on 28/10/22.
Accurate records of animals taken under this permit must be recorded in the return of operations form, which HCPSL will compile on behalf of the industry. Cane farmers will need to notify HCPSL when rat baiting has occurred, estimated cane losses, and estimated number of rats taken. Reporting to DES will be undertaken every 3 months.
The HCPSL Company Manager would like to thank Rod Nielson (HCPSL staffer) and Mick Quirk (CANEGROWERS Brisbane) who have assisted with the permit submission documentation and meeting with key DES staff.
For more information concerning the permit, please contact Lawrence Di Bella- HCPSL Company Manager on 0448084252
Congratulations to Ethan Waters the winner of 2022 C.N. Barton Medal for best JCU engineering thesis seminar. He received the award on Thursday evening of the 27th of October at JCU. Additionally, Ethan was the runner-up for the Engineers Australia | Institute of Engineering Technology Student Seminar Competition QLD Finals for Software, Electrical & Electronic Engineering. He received the award on Wednesday night, the 19th of October, at the Engineers Australia office in Brisbane.
Ethan was the James Cook University representative, presenting his thesis on “Sugarcane Health Monitoring and Ratoon Stunting Disease (RSD) Detection with Freely Available Multispectral Satellites”.
Ethan thanked Engineers Australia and the Institute of Engineering Technology for hosting the events. He also thanked his JCU supervisors, Mostafa Rahimi Azghadi and Carla Ewels, for their guidance and the team from HCPSL who assisted him with his studies.
Ethan will continue to work (as a JCU student) with HCPSL staff to progress the research he has undertaken into RSD detection.
Once again congratulations Ethan, your dedication and hard work has paid off.
Recently, HCPSL held a series of Shed Meetings across the district. Due to the number of rats and significant crop damage across the Herbert, rat management was a key focus of these meetings. The HCPSL team discussed developing an Integrated Rat Monitoring Approach to effectively manage the pest in the Herbert.
Additionally, Aaron Davis from Tropwater (JCU) also presented Water Quality information from throughout the district. This data is being collected as part of HCPSL’s Project CaNE.
The meetings were well attended in all locations. Thank you to all growers who attended, HCPSL values grower feedback and discussion on these important issues.
For further information on the topics discussed at the recent shed meetings, please contact HCPSL (07) 4776 1808
High numbers of rats and significant crop damage has been observed across the Herbert cane growing region in the past few weeks.
Large areas of devastated cane have been observed in the Abergowrie area, with rat damage now starting to occur across the district.
Rat damaged cane
Because of the large crop to harvest this year and the late finish to the harvest season, growers are urged to monitor fields yet to be harvested for rat activity.
As a part of an Integrated Rat monitoring approach, rat baiting can be considered. HCPSL has been working with the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science and CANEGROWERS Brisbane to secure an aerial rat baiting permit, for use in the Herbert cane growing region.
HCPSL proposes to have a series of shed meetings to discuss the rat issue and several other topics on the following dates:
10th of October 6pm Bambaroo Rural Fire Brigade Shed
11th of October – 7am HCPSL Macknade office
6pm Long Pocket Finn’s Hall
12th of October – 7am Stone River CWA Hall
6pm HCPSL Ingham office
To achieve a coordinated approach to the rat issue, growers are urged to attend the meeting in their relevant area (if possible). A coordinated approach to rat baiting is now being proposed.
A severely rat damaged cane block in the Abergowrie area.
RSVP: For catering purposes and to have your farm maps available for the meeting, please phone 47761808 if you will be attending.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE HCPSL SHED MEETINGS.
To download the Press Release, view the document below.
My name is Ethan Waters, I am in my 4th year for a double bachelor’s in electrical engineering and data science. I am currently conducting my honours thesis with the goal of detecting RSD with the satellite sentinel-2. I am in the process of developing a free prototype program that will inform farmers which of their blocks likely contain RSD. This will allow them to make more informed decisions to prevent the spread of RSD, increasing yield and profits for farmers. The benefit of using large scale imaging with a satellite is the ability to analyse an entire farm for RSD at the same time, rather than relying on a limited number of samples. Therefore, this will provide a more accurate indication of whether a block contains RSD than sample testing.
Brief Methodology Explanation:
Sentinel-2 is a multispectral satellite which captures the reflectance of different waves, including those that cannot be seen with the human eye. A number of different vegetation indices will be calculated for each satellite image and used as an input to an algorithm I develop. I am specifically interested in vegetation indices that look at moisture and water retention of plant matter, given that RSD reduces water retention.
Above: JCU Student, Ethan Waters.
Future Plans:
Demonstrating a successful prototype would provide strong grounds to apply for a number of grants and investments into sugarcane research to identify and prevent disease. This will help growers in the industry increase yield and profits.
We need your help!
HCPSL staff will be contacting growers over the next few days asking for permission for Ethan (JCU student) and HCPSL staff to access your farm data to undertake this study. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
If Ethan is successful in identifying RSD using satellite imagery, it will greatly assist growers better understand and manage the disease.
For more information on the project contact Ethan Waters on 0435 626 685.
Rat numbers are on the increase across the Herbert cane growing region. Growers are urged to monitor crops for rat infestations over the next few months and take the necessary action to manage this pest before significant crop damage occurs.
Lodged and open crops, since the recent rains have allowed for weeds to emerge within the crop and for rats to easily forage on laying down cane stalks. Significant crop damage due to rats was observed late last year and will continue again this season, due to ideal conditions being experienced.
HCPSL and Project Catalyst, recently conducted a workshop on “Rats, Pigs and Soils”, where Travis Van Dooren from Travearth Drone Services (mobile: 0423 638 628) showcased his drone mounted rat bait dispensing device. The device can drop industry approved rat baits from a drone precisely and accurately into large standing and lodged crops of cane. This service will allow farmers to target smaller blocks and blocks where larger aircraft cannot service.
Local aerial operators Liddles and Travearth are available to undertake rat baiting activities of large or small cane blocks in the local area.
As a part of an integrated rat management program farmers are also urged to manage weed infestations within crop and along riparian areas. Weed seed is a source of protein for rats and allows them to reproduce into significant numbers, if left unmanaged.
Growers should consider rat baiting problematic blocks as a part of their integrated rat management program before significant crop losses occur this year.
For more information about implementing an integrated rat management program, please contact a HCPSL Extension Agronomist.
Travis Van Dooren showcasing his drone-mounted rat bait dispenser at the recent HCPSL & Project Catalyst workshop.
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.
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