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:

1. Collect 8 stalks per sample that are representative of their cane field.
2. Stalks must be topped and stripped free of trash.
3. Stalks must be tied off at the butt end of the cane bundle and labelled.
4. The label must have the following information:
   ✓ Grower name
   ✓ Grower contact phone number
   ✓ Variety
   ✓ Crop class
   ✓ Farm number
   ✓ Block number
5. Put the labelled bundles in the trailer located at the front of the HCPSL/SRA
   car park.

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 Herbert Sugar Industry Report for 2024 has been released.

You can read the report at: 2024-Herbert-Sugar-Industry-Report.pdf, or by going to the HCPSL website, clicking on the NEWS & REPORTS tab and selecting DISTRICT REPORTS from the dropdown menu. There you’ll find the District Reports going back to 2018.

Tayla takes on the new position of Junior Field Technician and has hit the ground running assisting with farm and approved seed plot work, machinery maintenance, and RSD sampling. Having grown up on a sugarcane farm in the Herbert Tayla will be a valued addition to HCPSL and the local sugar industry. Having graduated from high school in 2024, Tayla’s appointment is part of HCPSL’s commitment to developing and supporting youth in the sugarcane industry.

If you run into Tayla at the seed plots or while RSD sampling please be sure to say G’day.

Grants of up to $25,000 are available for affected producers following the North and Far North Tropical Low, commencing 29 January 2025, to hire or purchase equipment and materials, clean up, remove debris, replace fencing and other costs associated with the recovery process. Click on the link below for more information on how to apply.

Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants – North and Far North Tropical Low

BOOK YOUR SEED INSPECTION WITH HCPSL NOW !

Grower seed inspections, including RSD sampling, will commence on 18^th of February and continue until 2^nd of May.

After the 2^nd of May seed inspections and RSD sampling will be limited by staff availability.

We strongly urge growers to secure a booking early!

To make a booking growers will be required to contact or drop into the office and provide details of the blocks they wish to sample. This information is important as it allows staff to prepare the equipment required and conduct their sampling efficiently. Once a booking is made, a staff member will follow up with a phone call to arrange a suitable time and day.

Important Information;

• HCPSL will be using the QCPR LSB (Leath Sheath Biopsy) method.
• Seed cane must be at least seven (7) months old
• Once samples are collected, results may take up to 3 weeks (typically 2 weeks)
• 1 test per 20 hectares = no charge for HCPSL members (otherwise $10 per samples).
• Growers must supply a farm map to the HCPSL office with the location of blocks requiring inspection (this is important for effective and efficient sampling).

For further information contact the HCPSL Office on 47761808