The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has extended its locust response to include sugarcane growing regions along the Queensland coast. This follows outbreaks on grazing properties in western and north-western Queensland.
Control options for locusts in sugarcane are currently limited, as no registered products are available for use. DPI is actively monitoring the situation and providing information to the cane industry to support their decision on whether to apply for an Emergency Use Permit (EUP) through the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
For more information, read/download the factsheet below.
Final Tissue Culture orders for Spring 2026 delivery are now open!
Ordering Tissue Culture plants of the new SRA48 and SRA32 Varieties will be the best way to guarantee you to receive these varieties in 2026.
Cost per plant is currently between $2.20 – $2.70 (GST incl)
Orders MUST be placed with HCPSL by the 12th of November 2025.
Please contact Rhiannan Harragon – 0490 905 367 or the HCPSL Office on 47761808.
FARMSAFE Chemical (formally ChemCert) Course on offer!
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!
Annual General Meeting
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.
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.
Grower Member Invitation
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;
Learn how to nominate for a director’s position on the HCPSL board.
Understand what it takes to fulfil the role of a HCPSL director.
Ask current HCPSL grower directors about their experience as a director.
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;
Cane volunteers in fallow blocks
Infected material or parts in planters
Infected farming and cutting equipment (coulters, slashers etc)
Other potential transmitters (animals etc)
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.
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.
