HCPSL report- September, 2014

Transcription

1 HCPSL report- September, 2014 A word from the Manager. The past months have been extremely busy for the staff of HCPSL with the management of approved seed plots, seed inspections, conducting of trials, harvest management activities, development of new extension projects, laser levelling, etc. The past 24 months has seen some HCPSL staff and I involved in meetings, data analysis and discussions concerning the local industries current productivity trends. HCPSL and SRA staff have been working on numerous fronts to investigate what is driving productivity in the district and ways to increase productivity over time. Let s firstly discuss current productivity trends for the region. We regularly hear industry say- We want the industry to have a district average of tcph consistently or Our current productivity levels are inadequate. I believe that we all want to higher productivity than we are experiencing at present, so the later comment is justified. In relation to sustaining a district average of tcph overtime maybe unrealistic, however no doubt that everyone would be pleased if we could achieve this. The graph on the next page highlights that our actual district average tcph is about 83 tcph, between The graph 1 highlights that there has only been 11 times in 64 years that our district average has exceeded an average of 85tcph; with most of those years occurring in the past 20 years. Graph 2 highlights that between 1990 and 2013 the picture is no so good in relation to productivity with tcph declining over this time (as indicated by the black regression line on graph 2 ). (Thanks to HCPSL and SRA staff for collating the graphs). The graph also highlights the impact of rainfall (indicated in blue) on productivity. If is fair to say that in general that the higher the average rainfall the lower crop yields; the exceptions being the Ingham Line and Stone River areas were lack of rainfall cane be a contributing factor to lower productivity in some years. I regularly hear growers say- Varieties are the only reason why we have the productivity issues we have. This is not actually the case and that productivity is linked to a number of issues and reasons; with varieties only being a part of a bigger picture. To get the industry back on track to achieving high productivity, HCPSL will launch its Target 85 program. The purpose of the program is to get our district average to 85 tcph annually. The Target 85 program will be launched at the HCPSL AGM scheduled for the 6pm on the 21 st of October, Venue: HCPSL offices. HCPSL members and the public are invited to see what plans and strategies are being put in place for the district to meet this target. HCPSL would like to thank its membership for their continued support. See you at the HCPSL AGM. If you have any concerns or suggestions on how we can service our members better please contact me on (office), (mobile) or ldibella@hcpsl.com.au ( ).

2 Tonnes cane/ha (TCH) & Hectares (thousands) Tonnes (millions) & Rainfall (m) Tonnes cane/ha (TCH) & Hectares (thousands) Tonnes (millions) & Rainfall (m) Graph Herbert River District Productivity from 1950 to 2013 (11 out of 64 years above 85 TCH) Year TCH Hectares (thousands) Target 85 Tonnes (Millions) Rainfall (m) Linear (TCH) Graph Tonnes cane/ha (TCH), Rainfall, Total Hectares, and Total Tonnes Harvested from 1990 to TCH Hectares (thousands) Target 85 Tonnes (Millions) Rainfall (m) Linear (TCH) Year

3 Farm data collection time!! Growers will receive a letter in the mail soon containing farm maps and sheets for recording information on farm activities undertaken in the past 12 months. It is important that you take the time to complete the maps and data entry sheets. It is also a requirement under the cane supply agreement that all growers must provide farm data to HCPSL by the specified time. The information is used for the following: Correct cane consignment Cane payment Productivity analysis Seeking opportunities to increase productivity Maintaining permits in place for the industry to conduct business (like rat baiting) Defend the industry position on specific matters Seek funding to support programs that involve the cane industry (like the feral pig management program), etc. HCPSL manages the industries data on its behalf and fully respects grower privacy and confidentiality. Maps and data sheets must be returned to the HCPSL office by the 28 th of November, If you have new ground that requires measuring, please advise Glynis Romano by the 17 th of November. Biosecurity: a number of machinery inspections and plant movements were undertaken during the 2 months. Growers are reminded that a quarantine permit is required when shifting machinery outside of the Herbert region. Greg Shannon (from Tully Sugar and Tully Productivity Services Board member) has been appointed to represent all Queensland Productivity Services Groups in discussions with government concerning changes to the Queensland Sugar Industry Biosecurity Acts and legislation. HCPSL has put forward its position to the working group.

4 Approved Seed cane It has been a busy very year with the Approved Seed plots, with the highest amount of cane ever sold tonnes were sold to growers in 2014, with most growers focussing on the new varieties. HCPSL was able to meet all grower orders for the 4 new varieties: Q226, Q250, Q252 and Q253. The plots are now closed. 113 tonnes were treated at the HCPSL hot water facilities at Victoria Mill this year. The tonnages were down on previous years because many growers opted to purchase cane from the Approved Seed plots instead. The tanks are now closed. Field and technical services: HCPSL staff were involved with the provision of the following services to growers during the period: o Herbicide and nutrient recommendations. o Soil test recommendations. o Laser levelling surveys. Pest and disease management: Seed inspections 645 seed inspections were undertaken this year on 98 farms with 24 blocks to found with RSD from 9 farms. Feral pig management. The Hinchinbrook Community Feral Pig Management Program (HCFPMP) is currently funded by the Hinchinbrook Shire Council (HSC), HCPSL (on behalf of the cane industry), Forestry Industries, Queensland government and till recently Terrain NRM (under the Reef Rescue Program). The HCFPMP partners recently submitted a project proposal to the Queensland government program- Nest to Ocean. This project will deal with the management of feral pigs on turtle populations along the coastal areas adjacent to cane lands. The HFPMP is now awaiting to see if its application was successful. Growers are urged to contact David Bacchiella on , if you require assistance to manage feral pigs on farm.

5 Yellow Canopy Syndrome (YCS) Still no answer to the cause of YCS. However every effort is going into finding the causal agent of YCS, leading to a methodology to manage the syndrome (if possible). SRA announced $4 million dollars to research YCS over the next 3 years, in May SRA has funded 3 specific projects to work on YCS, 2 projects will be led by SRA and 1 project to lead by the University of Western Sydney. Both Burdekin and Herbert Productivity Services Groups are also partners in these projects. Trying to find the cause of YCS is probably one of the most challenging issues facing the industries researchers. We can t learn from overseas experiences because the syndrome has not yet occurred in any other major cane growing industry- we are writing the book on YCS, as we progress the research into this issue. Getting on with the research Within the project numerous samples of soil, leaf, roots, leaf and stalk will be collected and analysed. The following tests will be undertake on these samples: plant hormones, plant starches, rna, DNA, plant toxins, the presence of pests and diseases. These samples have be sent to labs in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canada and the USA. The cost of samples can be as high as $2000 per sample, so the dollars can add up very quickly when undertaking multiple samples. In the past 2 months, SRA and HCPSL staff have established field trials in the Herbert to assess various chemicals (like soil fumigants, fungicides, insecticides, miticides, sunscreens and plant hormones) and crop stresses. This research will hopefully assist us to identify the causal agent and develop possible tools to assist in the management of the syndrome. There will also considerable research into crop monitoring through field experimentation, crop surveys, remote sensing, attempting to quantify yield loss and CCS impacts caused by the syndrome. SRA Research Officer- Davey Olsen will be presenting the latest research findings at the HCPSL AGM at 6pm on the 21 st of October. All are welcome to attend.

6 Occurrence and field observations During the past 2 months the distinctive waves of YCS have declined or appear generally less severe when compared to those experienced during February - July, It is now difficult to find any blocks in the Herbert that don t have YCS at varying levels. During August and September the worst impacted blocks noticed were in the Yuruga and Hawkins Creek area, with KQ228 being the most impacted. Yellow Leaf Syndrome (YLS) was also found in KQ228 were YCS was found. Photographs below highlight the recent incidence of YCS and YLS in the Hawkins Creek area in KQ228. At present the worst impacted areas for cane yield reduction appear to be in the Abergowrie, Victoria Estate, Palm Creek, Blackrock and along the riverbank areas of Trebonne, Hamleigh, Ripple Creek, Stone River and Ingham; with Q200 being the worst impacted. These blocks were severely impacted by YCS in early growth stages between February and June and failed to produce adequate yields by harvest time. Photo left: KQ228 (right of photo) severely impacted by YCS and YLS compared to Q183 (left of photo), which has little YCS and no YLS present. Hawkins Creek, September Photo below: KQ228 severely impacted by YCS and YLS at Stephen Maneti s farm at Gangemi s Road, Hawkins Creek; September Update/ more information on YCS SRA Professional Extension and Communications (PEC) team will continue to provide regular updates of the project through the SRA website via annual reports, cane clips, media releases, bulletin articles and factsheets. For further information go to the SRA website

7 Herbert Regional Variety Trials (RVTs). In 2013 HCPSL fully funded the establishment of the Herbert Regional Variety Trials (RVTs) following recommendations from the Herbert Plant Breeding Review meeting. The trials are a cooperative effort between HCPSL and SRA. The RVTs were established to complement the existing SRA plant breeding effort, with the RVTs targeting some of the more challenging soils and environments found in the district. It is proposed to plant two trials annually with approximately experimental varieties. These trials will also focus on ratoonability, with trials being harvested as old ratoons. HCPSL appointed Sam Sellick (HCPSL Field Agronomist) to manage these trials. HCPSL undertake the field work required for the trials and source the varieties from the SRA plant breeding program. The data generated by these trials is then feedback into the SRA plant breeding program. The 2013 RVTs were planted at on a dry heavy clay soil at Matthew Pappin s farm at Helens Hill and at Robert Quabba s farm, in the Seymour on a wet heavy clay soil. The Pappin trial was harvested on the 24 th of July, Due to the very wet conditions experienced in the Seymour area, the Quabba trial is yet to be harvested. The 2014 trials were planted on a Hamleigh clay at Carla Accornero s and on a sandy soil in the Upper Stone at Steve Fortini s farm. It is hoped that this program will deliver more new varieties to growers in the Herbert, especially for challenging environments and soils farmed. Above: Planting the RVT at Stone River, Photo on left: Sam Sellick standing between a plot of QN (left) and Q208 (right) at the Pappin trial harvest.

8 Queensland Government funded Nitrous Oxide and Denitrification projects. HCPSL field staff are working with Queensland Government research staff on this project. The project is comparing controlled release urea products, Entec (a nitrification inhibitor coated urea) against conventional urea. This year s trials are located in the Hawkins Creek area. It is hoped that these trials will provide industry with the knowledge for managing nitrogen losses. The results of this trial will be reported once the trial is harvested. Various nitrogen fertilisers being assessed at the Hawkins Creek site. Melissa Royle collecting soils samples for the trial. SRA Grower Group and JCU Compost and Biochar trials Monitoring is ongoing at the SRA Grower Group funded trial. The JCU project trial site was established in late December, Biochar and mill ash treatment were applied in December. Monitoring has commenced on this site. The final biochar treatment was applied at planting in June, The results of these trials will be published at a later date. Everris controlled release fertiliser trials To date the Hawkins Creek and Braemeadows nitrogen trials have been harvested. The Abergowrie nitrogen trial is yet to be harvested. The mound planted potassium trial has been harvested. Trial results from these trials will be reported at a later date.

9 The Wet Tropic Industry Partnership Terrain NRM recently contracted the Wet Tropics Industry Partnership to deliver training and extension to cane industry, as a part of the Reef Water Quality (formerly Reef Rescue) program. The partnership consists of the 6 CANEGROWERS regional offices between Ingham and Mossman, ACFA, HCPSL, Mossman Ag Services, Tully Cane Productivity Services, SRA PEC and Tully Sugar. HCPSL will be responsible for the delivery of the training and extension activities in the Herbert, while Herbert River CANEGROWERS is managing the project on behalf of the partnership group. Don Pollock has been employed as the Project Coordinator. All growers who receive Reef Water Quality (Reef Rescue) grants for rounds 6-8 will be required to commence their BMP, while undertake training and extension to be eligible for the grant payments. Growers who are not involved with the grants program will be encouraged to participate in this project also. The project will deliver industry training and extension in the following areas: Nutrient management Pesticide management Sediment and wetlands management Precision agriculture The training and extension will be hands on and have a key focus on productivity and sustainability. This project will be launched also the HCPSL at 6pm on the 21 st of October, Smartcane BMP HCPSL sees this project as a good opportunity to review and improve their farm business practices. We urge growers to become involved. For the industries sake- GET INVOLVED TODAY!! If you wish to register and/or attend a workshop you may do so by contacting either Maria Battoraro ( ) or Richard Hobbs ( ).

10 The Herbert Water Quality Monitoring Project The Herbert Water Quality Monitoring Project commenced 3 years ago to monitor water quality through the whole Herbert Catchment area. The following land uses are being monitored as a part of the project: sugarcane, urban, mining, grazing, mixed cropping (maize and peanuts) and natural systems, for nutrients, pesticides and sediment. The project has been funded by SRA (formerly SRDC), the Hinchinbrook Shire and Atherton Tablelands Regional Councils and Queensland Government Departments of DAFF and DEH. Terrain NRM manage the project on behalf of the industry and community partners. There are very strict sampling protocols for sampling and processing of samples, to ensure that the data is of the highest quality standard. To date some issues have arisen in the cane sub-catchment areas of the Herbert for elevated levels of nutrients (especially nitrogen) and pesticides (especially Duiron) coming off cane farms. A series of meetings coordinated by HCPSL are scheduled with industry over the next 2 months to seek ways to address these concerns. The issues being experienced in the Herbert cane sub-catchments are similar to issues being experienced in other cane growing regions (like the Far North, Burdekin and Central regions). The Herbert cane industry is not unique when it comes to cane related water quality issues. The industry needs to be proactive in managing water quality issues as they arise through the various means it has available. Photos above- Graziers (photo on left) and mixed cropping farmers (photo on right) from the Upper Herbert area discussing and managing their water quality issues as a part of the project. HCSPL website Check out the new look HCPSL website-