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.
On Tuesday the 25th of July, HCPSL was on show with Herbert grower representatives attending a bus trip to HCPSL sites. Representatives from ACFA, AgForce, Herbert River CANEGROWERS and HCQR, as well as HCPSL Board members and staff, got to view firsthand the on-ground services and extension activities that HCPSL delivers to the Herbert cane industry.
Photo above- Lawrence Di Bella (HCPSL Company Manager) and Rhiannan Harragon (HCPSL Field Agronomist) discussing Approved Seed cane options and tissue culture.
Grower representatives had presentations or viewed firsthand the following:
Visited the HCPSL Ingham Line, Central and Macknade Approved Seed plots.
Discussed different Approved Seed methods available to growers.
A presentation from Adrian Mizzi on their grower group concerning how they have combined their resources to better utilise Approved Seed cane from the HCPSL Approved Seed program.
The tissue culture plants to be planted out by HCPSL and growers in the next few weeks.
Visited the HCPSL Ratoon Variety Trial at the Orient to see varieties grown on sodic soils.
An update from Project CaNE and Project Catalyst projects.
An update on the HCPSL GPS basestation network and precision agriculture services provided by HCPSL.
An update on the Hinchinbrook Community Feral Pig Management Program and Project Squealer.
The activities and extension services HCPSL undertakes and provides in weed and pest management.
HCPSL’s role in the Soil CRC, the research undertaken and outcomes from this program that will benefit the local industry.
Rhiannan Harragon (HCPSL Field Agronomist) also presented data on the number of growers who requested RSD testing of seed cane for planting and the level of RSD infection. To date it was revealed that 69% of growers had not tested their seed cane prior to planting and that 9% of the samples tested were infected with RSD. The grower representatives all agreed it is very concerning growers were not testing their seed cane sources before planting and that there was a high level of RSD infection in growers seed cane. Growers are urged to purchase Approved Seed cane from HCPSL to curb the infection of RSD in commercial cane crops and to take advantage of the free seed cane inspection service HCPSL provides.
The day was very successful with Grower representatives leaving satisfied with the services being provided by HCPSL to their members.
Photo above- Adam Royle (HCPSL Senior Extension Agronomist) and Luke Buono (JCU Tropwater Water Quality Technician) presenting to the delegates.
For more information on the services offered by HCPSL please refer to the company website- www.hcpsl.com or contact the Company Manager- Lawrence Di Bella.
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.
An initiative of theHinchinbrook Community Feral Pig Management Program.
“The Queensland Feral Pest Initiative (QFPI) provides funding from the Queensland Government and Australian Government.” QFPI Round 6- has funded this project.
PROJECT UPDATE
Use of GPS/Radio tracking collars and “Judas” pigs
The Hinchinbrook Community Feral Pig Management Program (of which HCPSL is a partner) was successful in obtaining funding to investigate “Novel technologies to better manage feral pigs.”
As part of the project, the research team has commenced activities using GPS/Radio tracking collars fitted to “Judas” pigs. It is envisaged that the use of GPS tracking in conjunction with drone and thermal imagery cameras will allow the program to gain a better understanding of feral pig population numbers and habitat utilisation.
The project team has been working with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) to seek approval to fit tracking collars to 3 female feral pigs. A permit to Use Animals for a Scientific Purpose has been sort and approved via a Grant of Application for Registration as a Scientific User- HCPSL (Reg No. SUR001683). DAF have appointed Dr. Bronson Logan (DAF veterinarian) to assist the project team with fitting the GPS/ radio tracking collars.
The project team have purchased the following items with the research funding in preparation for the fitting of the GPS radio tacking collars:
Three SIR GPS/radio tracking collars have been purchased from Lotek Advancing Wildlife Science from Canada.
Equipment to administer anesthetics to the feral pigs in order to fit the collars.
Radio tracking equipment.
Two remote area cameras and solar accessories to be used for monitoring purposes.
A few weeks ago, 3 young sows were captured within the Hinchinbrook Shire, fitted with SIR GPS/radio tracking collars, and released back into the wild at 3 different locations. These feral pigs will be now tracked over the next few months to gain useful information on their movements, the habitats they utilise and hopefully congregate with other pigs with which they will roam, to provide intelligence on how to manage the larger populations of feral pigs across the district. It is intended that the information collected will provide strategic insights to program partners on how to better manage feral pigs across the shire longer term.
Photo above- One of the feral pigs captured and fitted with a SIR GPS/radio tracking collar waiting release back into the wild.
We are asking the farming and general community to assist the research project by not deliberately killing these collared pigs if it can be avoided. If you have accidentally killed one of the pigs fitted with the SIR GPS/radio tracking collar, we ask that you please return it to the Hinchinbrook Shire Council office (contact phone numbers are on the collar) or the HCPSL office, so that our valuable research can continue. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
The Herbert Variety Committee meeting was held on the 5th of April 2023. The outcomes from the meeting are as follows:
The industry delegates approved the RELEASE of SRA40 (seedling number- QS07-7049) for Herbert growers. This variety will now be propagated by HCPSL for distribution through their Approved Seed plots in 2025. Growers who wish to order tissue culture cane for delivery in 2024, please contact Rhiannan Harragan (HCPSL Field Officer)- 47761808 or 0400 558 766.
The meeting reviewed the smut data on SRA31, and it was decided to distribute SRA31 from HCPSL Approved Seed plots in 2023.
The industry delegates voted against the release of QN08-2274 based upon smut concerns. Growers who have this seedling planted in HCPSL strip trials and growers who have obtained from other sources are not permitted to plant this clone any further.
The industry delegates voted to put SRA37 on hold based on sugar quality concerns. SRA will continue to undertake research on this variety.
The industry delegates voted to put on hold QS10-8459, QS10-7130 and SRA21 pending more data on smut and mill characteristics.
Governance of the RVC:
The Herbert RVC have established governance procedures in which the meetings are run and managed. Governance procedures that need to be followed:
SRA and HCPSL present variety data to the committee and they do not have a vote on the progression or release of any variety.
Currently, the voting delegates consist of representatives from the following groups- 3 miller representatives and 3 grower representatives (currently 2 delegates from CANEGROWERS Herbert River collective and 1 delegate from the combined ACFA, AgForce and HCQR collectives).
Clones and varieties being considered for HOLDING or MAX PROPAGATION are voted upon by the delegates. The decision from the delegates will be by majority rules.
Clones and varieties being considered for RELEASE to industry will be voted upon by the delegates also. In this situation for a variety to proceed to RELEASE the vote must be unanimous, with all delegates voting in favour.
SRA31- Distribution through HCPSL Approved Seed plots
During 2022, it was decided to hold off on the distribution of SRA31 based upon some observations of smut. Critical review of the situation indicated the unusual smut infection was likely due to the interaction between very high temperatures and herbicide application. During the 2023 Herbert RVC meeting it was decided to proceed with the distribution of the variety to growers from HCPSL Approved Seed plots.
Growers who are wishing to purchase SRA31 from the HCPSL Approved Seed plots are requested to contact the HCPSL office- 47761808, immediately to order planting material.
Rogue clone found in SRA28
HCPSL and SRA staff identified a rogue clone in some HCPSL Approved Seed plots during their routine inspections of the plots for diseases and variety correctness. QN05-1380 has been found to be mixed with SRA28 with some cane supplied to growers in the past 2 years.
QN05-1380 was discarded by the SRA plant breeding program because its poor yield performance.
Variety tracing activities have been undertaken by both HCPSL and SRA staff to identify how the mix up occurred, however there are no clear leads on how QN05-1380 became mixed with SRA28 in the first place.
The HCPSL Approved Seed plots of concern are as follows:
HCPSL Central plot
HCPSL Abergowrie Erkkila plot
HCPSL Fairford Farming plot (Hamleigh)
The impacted growers have been recently contacted. These growers have been asked to obtain new stocks of SRA28 from HCPSL, if they wish to continue growing the variety to ensure variety correctness.
Growers can be reassured that cane purchased from HCPSL Approved Seed plots is RSD free.
HCPSL is requesting all growers to be on the lookout for the rogue clone and report it to HCPSL immediately. Photographs on the next 2 pages will highlight the visual differences between SRA28 and QN05-1380. QN05-1380 has a similar stalk colour appearance to MQ239.
HCPSL and SRA apologise for any inconvenience caused. HCPSL will ensure that growers who wish to obtain new SRA28 planting material in 2023, will be able to do so.
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:
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.
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.
HCPSL will start seed cane inspections for growers tomorrow (Tuesday 31 January) for all Herbert growers. This year things will be done a little differently. HCPSL will be using three different methods of testing this season.
SRA’s Molecular Plant Pathologist Dr Chuong Ngo and Translational Research Pathologist Dr Rob Magarey visited HCPSL on 24 January to train HCPSL staff on the new Ratoon Stunting Disease (RSD) testing method called leaf sheaf biopsies (LSB).
A core (otherwise called a leaf punch) is taken from the leaf sheath of the cane plant, mixed with distilled water, and then sent off to the laboratory for analysis. The RSD bacteria weeps from the leaf punch into the distilled water over a few hours and is then analysed.
Photo above – Dr Chuong Ngo, Molecular Plant Pathologist, presents at the HCPSL training day.
This sampling method is just as accurate as the expressed xylem sap method and both use the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) test that was made available to growers two years ago by HCPSL. However, the LSB method is more efficient in the field for collection of samples. It can also be done earlier in the year that phase contrast microscopy (PCM) method. The PCM (microscope) method will still be made available to growers, but this method can be less accurate when detecting RSD than LSB and qPCR.
HCPSL staff will only be testing cane that will be used for planting in 2023. Growers will only be permitted to sample one block/variety for every 20 ha farmed. This ruling has been put in place to allow HCPSL staff to get across all farms. There will be no charge for Herbert growers using the seed inspection service.
Growers who wish to undertake a whole of farm RSD survey will be invoiced accordingly. This is not a core HCPSL service. Full farm RSD surveys will only be undertaken mid-year after all seed inspections are completed for cane to be planted this season.
The other change this year is that growers will need to come into the HCPSL office with their most recent farm maps, downloaded from the Wilmar website, to book a seed cane inspection with HCPSL staff. Due to changes at Wilmar concerning data management and security, HCPSL currently does not have copies of grower farm maps and data.
HCPSL is working with Wilmar to gain access to farm data, but new computer systems will need to be upgraded before growers can go online through the Wilmar website to grant permission to HCPSL to gain data access. Both HCPSL and Wilmar apologise for the inconvenience caused and are working together to resolve this matter.
Photo above (Left) – HCPSL field staff expressing sap for a xylem sample.
Photo above (Right) – A leaf punch collected for a LSB sample.
The turnaround time from collection to receiving your results using the LSB and qPCR methods is about two weeks, so growers will need to plan which varieties/blocks they want tested. RSD samples will be processed by both the SRA and Metagen labs located in Brisbane and Gatton respectively.
HCPSL and SRA data have shown that growers who utilise Approved and disease-free planting material will grow on average 11 tonnes cane per hectare (tch) more than growers who don’t.
Don’t take it for granted that the cane you are planting this year is disease free, get it tested!
Growers are urged to contact the HCPSL office ASAP to organise a seed cane inspection by HCPSL field staff.
To download a copy of the Press Release, view the document below.
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