Attention Herbert Growers
Next round of FARMSAFE Chemical Accreditation Course is on offer to you!
DATE: Wednesday 29th October or Thursday 30th October – 1 day only refresher
TIME: Start 7.45 am to 4.00pm
Cost: $400 pp (GST inclusive) Contact Sandra at HCPSL 47761808 to reserve your spot!
Invitation to All Members
When: Tuesday 21st of October 2025, commencing at 8am
Where: HCPSL Office, 181 Fairford Road Ingham 4850
Guest Speaker: Sugar Research Australia
Research into Alternatives to Imidacloprid for Canegrub Control
Proxy forms and copies of the financials will be available to members from the HCPSL front office prior to the AGM.
Morning tea will be provided after the meeting.
Please RSVP for catering purposes by the 20th of October – 47761808.
Proxy Forms (PDF & MS Word)
Herbert Growers please be aware of the closure of the Seed Plots – final day 3rd of October.
Growers still wanting to obtain clean seed from the HCPSL plots, contact the respective HCPSL Plot Officers ASAP.
The HCPSL Hot Water Treatment Tanks will remain open until further notice, however growers wanting to make bookings should contact HCPSL Office on 47761808.
HCPSL Director Information Evening
HCPSL invites all grower members who are considering nominating
themselves or a fellow grower for the HCPSL director elections in
February 2026 to attend an information evening with the current
HCPSL grower directors and chair.
This is your chance to;
Date: Date: Tuesday 14th October 2025
Time: 5pm
Location: HCPSL Office (downstairs meeting room)
RSVP: For catering purposes please call HCPSL on
47761808 to RSVP by Friday 10th October.
In 2023 HCPSL adopted qCPR as the primary testing method for Ratoon stunting disease (RSD). The qCPR method,
carried out by the Sugar Research Australia (SRA) laboratory, is highly sensitive and much more effective at detecting
RSD infections than the slicing or microscope (PCM) methods.
As a result, HCPSL has seen an increase in the number of positive RSD results when testing grower seed cane
material. This increase in RSD detection has led some growers to suggest they may have sourced infected material
from HCPSL Approved Seed plots.
The Q & A below will help to explain why HCPSL believes the increase in positive detections is due to the improved
testing method and not from HCPSL Approved Seed plots.
Q. How does HCPSL test their Approved Seed plots for RSD?
A. Each year HCPSL conducts intensive RSD sampling of every Approved Seed and Approved Seed source (Mother)
plot, including plant and ratoon. Every variety in every plot is sampled and sent to the SRA lab for testing. Testing of
Approved Seed plot material often includes what is referred to as ‘concentrated’ test, where the sample is
concentrated to make it even more sensitive to the detection of RSD.
Q. Has HCPSL ever had a confirmed detection of RSD in their Approved Seed Plots?
A. HCPSL has never had a confirmed positive result in any of our Approved seed plots. If a sample was to be
confirmed as a positive infection HCPSL would immediately consult with an SRA plant pathologist and follow all
advice provided, as well as notifying our members of the situation.
Q. Why are growers finding RSD in on-farm seed material initially sourced from Approved Seed plots?
A. Good on-farm and equipment hygiene (sterilisation) is critical to reducing your risk of RSD. There are several ways
on-farm seed cane material could become infected;
SRA provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and managing RSD, which can be found via their website at –
https://sugarresearch.com.au/diseases/ratoon-stunting-disease
If you would like further information about RSD or the sampling conducted by HCPSL please give me a call on
47761808 or 0417610446.
The HCPSL Hot Water Treatment Tanks will be open to growers starting the week of the 7th July 2025.
Bookings can be made by calling the HCPSL Officer on 47761808 during work hours 7.00 am to 3.00 pm.
As per Wilmar requirements ALL GROWERS must sign in at the Wilmar Office and comply with safety requirements to be allowed onsite.
HCPSL is offering growers the opportunity to undertake early CCS sampling of
commercial cane fields to assist with management of first cut blocks.
Growers will need to:
DROP OFF DAY: WEDNESDAY 28th MAY – BEFORE 9 AM
(Late samples will NOT be processed).
Download notice at: https://hcpsl.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Early-CCS-Sampling_2025.pdf
HCPSL will contact growers with the results once samples have been processed.
Please note that small mill CCS results are to be used as a guide only and not as a
direct comparison to commercial mill CCS.
The HCPSL Approved Seed plots are now open.
To collect your pre-purchased order, or to enquire about what
varieties are still available, please contact our plot officers.
Please contact the plot officer least 48hrs before wanting to
collect your allocation.
Download notice at: https://hcpsl.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Approved-Seed-Plots-Now-Open_2025.pdf
Ingham Line & Abergowrie: Richard – 0400544301
Central: Jarrod – 0499034968
Stone River: Al – 0417622129
Macknade: Adam – 0417610446
The are currently 79 farms that have not provided consent for Wilmar to pass on their farm data to HCPSL. Grower consent allows HCPSL to receive farm maps, which assists with seed inspections, RSD sampling, laser surveys, and other services to our member growers.
We ask all member growers to please check if they have opted to provide consent by visiting the Wilmar Grower Web portal and ticking the consent box.
How to Give Consent via the Wilmar Grower Web Portal
If you are unsure about whether you have provided consent, or need assistance in providing consent, please contact HCPSL on 47761808.
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181 Fairford Road, |
| Ingham Queensland 4850 | |
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07 4776 1808 |
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admin@hcpsl.com.au |
| Monday to Friday: | 7.00am - 3.00pm |
| Closed Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays | |