Month: March 2019

SRA to build industry knowledge on interactions between on-farm practice and water quality in priority Great Barrier Reef catchments
Sugarcane growers in multiple priority catchments of the Great Barrier Reef will gain a clearer understanding of the relationship between farm management and water quality through a new project to be undertaken by Sugar Research Australia (SRA).
Called Cane to Creek 2.0, the project expands on two successful water quality projects that have been running in the Wet Tropics under the direction of SRA.
These projects have looked at herbicide, pesticide and nutrient management in multiple catchments of Far North Queensland. Cane to Creek 2.0 will build on the momentum of these projects and expand their footprint across sugarcane growing regions from Mossman to the Burdekin.
Cane to Creek 2.0 is funded by a partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation with support from SRA.
SRA Executive Manager, Regional Delivery, Mr Ian McBean, said this investment would improve understanding and acceptance of the link between farming practices and water quality.
“This will lead to increased adoption of improved practices that have been shown to improve productivity, profitability and sustainability for the sugarcane industry,” Mr McBean said.
“Building on that, Cane to Creek 2.0 will provide a platform in a number of priority catchments for growers, researchers and advisors to agree on and test potential solutions to better match nitrogen and herbicide application to their specific requirements.”
As the lead agency for the Australian sugarcane industry, SRA plays a pivotal role investing in and researching activities related to the interaction between farming systems and water quality.
Mount Sophia farmer Glen Anderson is a keen participant in the existing Cane to Creek project that has been running in the Mulgrave area for the last two years.
“Farmers want to know what’s coming off their farms and whether they can improve it,” Mr Anderson said.
“Farmers learn more on their own farm and it reinforces what we’ve learnt in the workshops, seen in the training, and read in the magazines. By getting involved you can find out exactly what’s coming off your farm and by trying out different practices you can see what difference it makes to your costs, yields and water quality. This is a win for the industry and for our environmental sustainability.”
Fishery Falls grower Len Parisi is also involved in the current project and said it gave him the facts about what was happening on his farm.
“We want to save the reef as well, like everybody else, so that’s what we’re doing here. Although there has been lots of research done on this, as a grower it’s good to have real data, sit down, and have a look at it,” Mr Parisi said.
“As we get more data, we can continue to modify our practices and then we can know that we’re reducing run-off of nutrients and chemicals into the waterways. Then we can educate everybody what we are doing on farm, because we are in a pretty sensitive area.”
For a video of Cane to Creek visit https://sugarresearch.com.au/sra-information/media/ read more

NUFARM SUSCON ACCREDITATION – BURDEKIN REGION

Nufarm is rolling out a comprehensive suSCon maxi Intel Stewardship program encompassing technical and application training in 2019. There is no cost to participants in attending . Attendees sit a short exam after the presentations and are issued an Accreditation number which growers will be able to use to receive a rebate on purchases via Nufarm’s website. Session scheduling for the Burdekin is as follows. Resellers will be in attendance however participation is open to growers who use/may use this product.

Date Time Town Group Venue Meal
Wed 27th March 7.00-9.00am Ayr Ag N Vet Ayr RSL breakfast from 7am
Wed 27th March 10.00-11.30am Ayr Elders Ayr Home Hill Ayr RSL Smoko
Wed 27th March 1.00-2.30pm Ayr BGS Ayr RSL Lunch from 12.30
Wed 27th March 6.00-7.30pm Home Hill LMK Ayr Home Hill LMK Ayr Home Hill BBQ dinner Home Hill shed from 5.30pm
Thurs 28th March 8.00-9.30am Ayr BGA Ayr Home Hill Ayr RSL breakfast from 7.30am
Thurs 28th March 10.30-12.00pm Ayr EE Muirs Ayr RSL lunch from 12.00

For any growers interested in attending please contact Nufarm Field Development Officer – North Qld, Nicholas Matthews on mobile 0428 736 660 or email [email protected].

Les Elphinstone
Manager KCGO