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Archive for the ‘Project CaNE’ Category

Herbert Growers Keen To Improve Their Knowledge Around Pesticide Use

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

On Wednesday, HCPSL’s Project CaNE team hosted a ‘Smarter Pesticide Use’ workshop. Over 80 growers from across the Herbert came along to learn and discuss pesticides available to industry and how to use them appropriately on their farms. Highlights from the day included presentations from Associate Professor Michael Warne (Director, Reef Catchments Science Partnership) on the Pesticide Decision Support Tool and Senior Reef Project Officer, Andrew Ygosse (DAF) on changes to the regulations.

Throughout the day, numerous industry experts presented on a range of topics. From pesticides in waterways, to managing drift, pest control using drones, crop ripening and new herbicide technologies.

HCPSL and the Project CaNE team would like to thank all growers who attended the workshop, shared ideas and discussed experiences around pesticide use.

Project CaNE is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

HCPSL Walk & Talk 2023!

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

HCPSL invites you to the 2023 Annual Walk & Talk!

Date: Wednesday 15th March 2023

Commencing: 8am to 2pm

Location: HCPSL & SRA Office, 181 Fairford Road Ingham

Displays and Presentations will include:

RSVP Friday 10th March:

For catering purposes, please RVSP to HCPSL on (07) 4776 1808

Project CaNE hosts SMARTER PESTICIDE USE WORKSHOP

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

Come along to hear from multiple presenters, on a variety of topics surrounding pesticide use. All growers welcome to attend.

Wednesday 22nd February 2023

From 8:30am to 3pm

Herbert River Crushers Clubhouse, Sportsman Parade, Ingham.

For catering purposes, please RSVP by Friday 17th of February to the HCPSL Office on (07) 4776 1808.

Project CaNE™ is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

Wanting to know more on mud?

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

Herbert grower, Andrew Irvin explains how applying mud has been beneficial on his farm.

Interested to know if mill by-products have a fit on you farm?

Contact HCPSL on (07) 4776 1808 to speak to a Project CaNE Team member.

Visual storytelling: Kim Kleidon

Understanding Mill Mud: Sugar Impurity to Soil Ameliorant

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

As part of the recent focus on mill by-products, HCPSL Project CaNE and Project Catalyst staff toured Victoria Mill to develop a stronger understanding of the mill’s operation and generation of mill by-products.

The tour covered the entire process of sugar extraction, highlighting various processes that impact on the quantity and composition of mill mud.

This was the first mill tour for Project CaNE Extension Agronomist Bailey Kilpatrick who appreciated the opportunity to view the milling process from start to finish.

“You can see the effort the Mill is making to extract as much sugar as they can and clean it [from impurities such as mud] as well as they can,’” he shared.

Bailey was interested to see the clarification process with the addition of flocculant and was surprised by the quantity of mud being processed at once through vacuum filtration systems. The automation and chemical inputs such as lime required to keep the juice flowing through evenly also generated interest from the tour group.

Reflecting on the tour, Bailey noted:

“There is actually a lot that goes into getting the mud extracted, it’s not a simple process.“

Keeping Mud in Mind

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

Following the informative Mill By-product Analysis presentation in July of last year, the Project CaNE team recently held a Mill By-product infield demonstration with Agro Group showcasing the latest technology and methods for applying mill-by products.

Extension Agronomist Graeme Holzberger shared how the workshop was a valuable opportunity for growers to see first-hand how the products are applied.

“To actually see the truck applying it out and have Kristen there to show the process and explain how to manage it…answered a lot of questions.“

Discussions with Project CaNE Extension Agronomists on the day touched on various topics of grower interest, including storing and managing the product once it arrives on farm, application methods such as banding, and the implications for fertiliser rates following different by-product applications.

“One of the growers already uses a product on one of his farms. He was looking at sending mud down to another farm a bit further from the mill. He was concerned about the different environment, different soil type and how that might change the effectiveness of the mud.

Another grower is from the Coolbie Rollingstone district, has never had access to the product but was keen to give it a go. Being there and seeing the process and having those questions answered, he is now considering taking up the practice.“

– Graeme Holzberger, HCPSL Extension Agronomist

Have any questions of your own around mill mud or ash? Contact HCSPL (07) 4776 1808 to speak with an Agronomist. To learn more about Clear as Mud demonstrations under Project CaNE, visit the HCPSL website: https://hcpsl.com/current-projects/project-cane-tm/

Are you considering applying mill by-products?

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

Jeff Cantamessa is investigating mill by-products under Project CaNE’s ‘Clear As Mud’ Program.

‘Clear As Mud’ demonstrations aim to gain insight into how new application methods can improve profitability and productivity for growers, as well as improve water quality outcomes in the local area.

Want to know more? Contact HCPSL on (07) 4776 1808 to speak to a Project CaNE Team member.

Visual storytelling: Kim Kleidon

Shed Meetings October 2022: Rat Management

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

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

  • Stone River Shed Meeting
  • Rat damaged cane stalks
  • Lawrence Di Bella Presents
  • Aaron Davis (Tropwater) Presents
  • Aaron discusses water quality
  • Rat Damage Abergowrie
  • HCPSL Staff present

Project CaNE investigates sub-surface applications of mill mud

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

As part of Project CaNE’s ‘Clear As Mud’ Demonstration Program, growers across the Herbert have had the opportunity to assess various mill mud application rates and methods on their farms.

At one of the sites, the project team is investigating the sub-surface application of mill mud. Sub-surface applications can provide benefits to the grower, as well as the broader environment. This application method limits nutrient loss for the grower, as more of the applied product remains in the block after rainfall. Additionally, this reduces sediment and nutrient runoff into local waterways.

The images below have been captured at a local grower’s block. The images illustrate the application method being investigated as part of ‘Clear As Mud’.

Images below are for illustrative purposes only.

For further information on Project CaNE or the Clear As Mud Program visit the Project CaNE page here.

Sub-surface mill mud application BEFORE planting.
Sub-surface mill mud application AFTER planting.

Project CaNE Team begins harvesting Demonstration sites

Posted by Ellie McVeigh

During August, the Project CaNE team began to harvest Demonstration sites. HCPSL staff member, Bailey Kilpatrick captured these photos whist assisting the harvester crew at one of the various demos sites across the Herbert. The team looks forward to sharing results and findings from these demonstrations with growers in the future.

This demonstration site is investigating Nitrogen Stabilisers as part of Project CaNE. To learn more about the project, visit the Project CaNE Page.

HCPSL