With the support of Project CaNE, funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, HCPSL is offering Herbert growers the opportunity to receive free EM mapping. The Project CaNE EM mapping initiative is open to all Herbert sugarcane growers and will run until January 2025.
The initiative includes access to agronomic advice from Project CaNE Extension Agronomists and drone technology that will assist with the investigation and validation of crop management decisions based on EM mapping, soil testing and crop productivity constraints.
Growers seeking more information or wanting to register their interest in being involved in the EM mapping initiative should contact our HCPSL GIS officer Rod Nielson by calling the HCPSL office on 47761808.
HCPSL recently welcomed Alwyn (Al) Maree to the team. Al takes on the position of Lead Field Technician after the departure of Jason Caruso and has already hit the ground running, working with fellow HCPSL staff to distribute and plant approved seed plots. Having grown up on a sugarcane farm in South Africa, Al has managed and worked his own farm as well as several other cropping operations before arriving at HCPSL. If you bump into Al in the paddock please welcome him to the Herbert.
The HCPSL base station network was established to support Herbert growers in setting up GPS guided systems on farm. We are always looking at ways we can improve the services we provide and are asking growers to fill in a short survey that will help us better understand the level of use of our base station network, and what GPS systems growers are now using.
The survey takes less than 2 mins to complete, and the information gathered is for HCPSL use only.
Please click on the link below or scan the QR code (right) to fill in the survey form before 31st July 2024.
HCPSL and QCAR recently announced they will be working together as a part of HCPSL’s ongoing commitment to deliver clean seed cane material to our members. Since that announcement there have been concerns that HCPSL may be handing over the management of our approved seed plots to QCAR, or another third party.
As HCPSL manager, I would like to categorically say to all of our members that this is not and will not be the case. HCPSL remains committed to coordinating, managing and delivering the best possible clean seed distribution service we can.
Why is HCPSL partnering with a third party?
HCPSL has always partnered with third parties. The majority of our clean seed distribution plots are delivered through partnerships between HCPSL and host grower. HCPSL sees our partnership with QCAR as being no different.
What has changed for HCPSL? Not that long ago HCPSL managed a handful of small approved seed plots where growers arrive on set days to cut their own seed cane by hand. In a relatively short period of time the demand for large quantities of whole stalk and billet material has grown rapidly. To meet this demand clean seed distribution plots have grown to four times the size they were less than a decade ago. Finding large suitable blocks with access to dedicated billet planters and harvesters has been a big challenge for HCPSL, which is where our arrangement with QCAR has numerous advantages.
Why is HCPSL working with QCAR? QCAR has offered to source and manage the land and machinery for our clean seed distribution plot in the Ingham Line area. In return, HCPSL will do what we have always done by supplying approved seed material from our mother plot as well as coordinating and managing the distribution of clean seed material to growers.
Does this mean some growers will be treated differently? NO! There will be no changes to the way growers can access seed cane material from the Ingham Line clean seed distribution plot, nor will there be different fees charged to different growers. There will be no change to the way HCPSL distributes clean seed material to our growers.
HCPSL’s commitment to our growers HCPSL is always looking at new and novel ways to deliver premium services to our members. In recent times this has included access to tissue culture, as well as providing new and improved methods for on-farm RSD testing. Due to increased demand HCPSL is also searching for new and improved ways to deliver clean seed material to growers. Working with QCAR is just one of a few new concepts HCPSL is exploring.
In summary, HCPSL would like to reassure growers we are committed to continuing to take the lead role in coordinating and managing the distribution of clean seed material while providing the same high level of service to all our members.
If you’d like further information please contact the HCPSL office on 47761808.
If you are wanting the new SRA43 Variety for your farm, this will be the only way of recieving this variety until released in the HCPSL Plots.
Plant costs are currently sitting between $2.00 – $2.60 (GST inc.).
Any other approved planting varieties can be ordered in Tissue Culture for pick up next Spring 2025.
Orders need to be placed by 3rd June 2024.
Please contact Rhiannan Harragon at HCPSL on 0430 905 367, or the Main Office on 4776 1808 to place your orders or for any questions regarding Tissue Culture.
As everyone is keenly aware, the district has seen some very trying environmental conditions in the lead up to the 2024 season. HCPSL has not been immune from these conditions playing havoc with the provision of services. With this in mind, we wanted to update members as to how we are currently situated with seed inspections and approved seed plots: –
Seed Inspections
Given the extremely wet conditions there is a backlog of RSD sampling. HCPSL is working through them as quickly as possible.
HCPSL staff are focusing on LSB sampling for RSD testing and growers MUST call the office to register well in advance to ensure they have results in time for planting.
HCPSL is NOT currently using the microscope for RSD testing so please do not bring in samples as they will not be processed.
If you have not received a seed inspection, and you are 2-3 weeks away from planting, please call the office so that we can prioritise testing.
Approved Seed Plots
Staff are in the final stages of conducting approved seed plot estimates. Once completed, letters will be sent out to growers with their seed cane allocation for 2024.
Due to wet conditions HCPSL will be staggering the opening dates for approved seed plots.
HCPSL will provide notice to growers as individual approved seed plots are opened. Please feel free to contact your relevant plot officer if you have any specific questions.
The start to 2024 has been a very wet one for everyone and HCPSL appreciates your patience and urges growers to plan well ahead and be proactive in booking seed inspections and RSD testing.
The Townsville DAF Economists Team, supported by Project CaNE, will be hosting a free workshop demonstrating FEAT Online at the HCPSL office. It’s a great opportunity to develop skills to examine your profitability and assist with decision making.
For Herbert cane grower Raymon Jayo, it starts with soil testing. Quite Simply, he says that soil testing is the best first step for ensuring sustainability and productive nutrient management – and a solid crop of cane.
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