Category: Industry Information

Miscellaneous information

Grant supports sugarcane waste research for Burdekin biorefinery

Kalagro

MEDIA RELEASE

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Cameron Dick

Grant supports sugarcane waste research for Burdekin biorefinery
A future biorefinery which turns sugarcane waste into sustainable fuel will be the subject of a research and feasibility project thanks to a $500,000 grant from the Palaszczuk Government’s $5 million Waste to Biofutures (W2B) Fund.
Speaking from the Bio Based Aviation and Marine Fuels Summit in Gladstone, Minister for State Development Cameron Dick said the grant would support a research project being undertaken by Licella Holdings Ltd in the Burdekin region.
“Licella will work with the University of Queensland, Burdekin Renewable Fuels and other project partners to test the conversion of sugar cane feedstock into biofuels with the potential for marine and aviation uses,” he said.
“If the outcome of the feasibility project is positive, we could see the Burdekin region supporting a full-scale biorefinery, and the many jobs that will come with it.
Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the Queensland Government was committed to supporting regional projects that generate economic development and create more jobs for Queenslanders,” he said.
“Our region has many natural advantages including an abundance of energy dense and productive organic waste feedstock and other industry materials to produce high-value products such as sustainable fuels and chemicals.
“With our world-leading agricultural and industrial biotechnology expertise and research, the we want to see more biofuel’s business and investment such as this”
Licella’s Business Development Manager Steve Rogers said it was great to see the Queensland Government investing in companies and projects to grow the industry by getting new technology up and running.
“We estimate that a full-scale commercial biorefinery in the region would require around 60 staff in addition to about 100 workers for construction and others involved with collection of leafy trash during the cane harvesting process.”
Burdekin Renewable Fuels Chairman Greg Rossato said that around 1.65 million tonnes of sugarcane tops and trash is produced in the region every year and this project aimed to provide a commercial alternative for growers looking for an option to burning before harvest.
“The Queensland Government’s Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan is positioning our state as an Asia-Pacific hub for the industrial biotechnology and bioproducts sector.”
ENDS
Media contact: Lesley Major 0419 288 284 read more

FOWARD FARMING PROGRAM

Kalagro

FORWARD FARMING PROGRAM

Qld Farmers Federation is running a free “Forward Farming Program” at TAFE Qld Townsville (Pimlico) campus during Mach/April with 5 positions still available for anyone that may be interested.

QFF is looking for farm owners, farm workers and farm managers to be part of a targeted program.

The “Forward Farming Program”, addresses the foundational needs of farm leaders, to successfully build the skills and knowledge to plan and manage a sustainable farm business, overcoming risk and advancing farm operations with the latest use of farm technologies and performance management. The program is free and includes intensive training and mentoring.

WHAT WILL FARMING FORWARD GIVE YOU?
• An actionable plan for your farm
• One on One mentoring with an accredited business mentor
• Supportive farming networks
• Heaps of supporting learning and farming resources
• A look at the future of farming

The program will be delivered in four days over two weekends.

For any members interested additional information is attached as well as details on how to register.

Les Elphinstone
Manager KCGO

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GROWER WORKSHOPS – REEF REGULATIONS

Kalagro

GROWER WORKSHOPS – REEF REGULATIONS

As a result of workshops held last month there were a few questions raised by members which KCGO sought clarification from Dept of Environment and Science in relation to regulations.

Question & Responses are as follows:

1. Fallow Period – What is deemed to be the commencement of a fallow period? Some members were of the opinion period commenced once sugar cane was harvested, whereas others were of the opinion it would be from when alternate crop was removed and paddock became “bare”.

Response – Generally the “fallow” is the rest between sugarcane crops and the legume cover crop is part of the fallow period. So not so much about measuring the period of bare ground, more of the period between cane crops harvested and planted.

2. Block Size – Is there a minimum area size in relation to not having to obtain a soil test on a fallow block?

Response – there is no size factor in the soil testing method. Soil sampling guidelines of Prescribed Methodology for Sugarcane Cultivation (PMSC) makes mention of:
• The design of a soil sampling plan involves selecting an area for soil sampling that represents the fertility status of the blocks being planted on a growers farm that year. A single block can represent the fertility status of a number of plant cane blocks belonging to the same soil grouping.
• Separate soil samples must be taken from blocks that represent those that have (a) received and (b) not received previous applications of mill by-products.
• For plant blocks with the same soil types or soil groupings, and that are farmed the same way, select a block of average productivity that a grower considers is representative of the rest of the plant blocks in the group.
• An example in that if block is 1 hectare, at least 20 core samples should be collected for the composite sample.

It is also worth clarifying with growers that they do need to keep with their records a farm soil map that verifies the soil types are the same. read more

Local Government Elections – 28th March 2020

Kalagro

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS – 28TH MARCH 2020

Burdekin community will be heading to the polling booths at the end of next month to elect their mayor and councillors of the Burdekin Shire for the coming term of 4 years.

All local collectives and your directors are of the firm belief of the critical need to have agricultural representation on local council in order “to have a strong voice” on matters of importance to the industry eg. local rates.

Accordingly the word needs to be spread amongst members, family, neighbours and friends for anyone who has a passion and a desire to be a strong voice in local government for the agriculture and sugar cane industries as well as the community at large, to contest mayoral or councillors role.

Role of a councillor is not one to be taken lightly with a heavy demand on time in fulfilling this important community role. Additional information can be sourced from the attached “Councillor responsibilities under the Local Government Act 2009” and “Eligibility to become a Councillor” as to roles and responsibilities.

Nominations for candidates for election as mayors and councillors will be open from the publication of the Notice of Election on 22 February, until midday on Tuesday, 3 March 2020.

If anyone is interested or you know of anyone that may be interested please contact this office for further discussion.

Les Elphinstone
Manager KCGO

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Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Fund Workshops

Kalagro

CARBON FARMING AND LAND RESTORATION FUND WORKSHOPS

Interested in learning more as to how growers can restore the future of their land through the Qld Government’s Land Restoration Fund and at the same time provide an additional income stream?

The Queensland Government has partnered with the Queensland Farmers Federation to deliver a series of workshops across the state to help landholders apply for the Qld Government’s Land Restoration Fund. Free workshop is being held in Ayr.

When: Wednesday 4th March 2020
Time: 9.00am – 3.00pm AEST
Where: Burdekin Theatre, 161 Queen Street Ayr

To register your interest in attending please click here

Les Elphinstone
Manager / Company Secretary

Inquiry into the Identification of Leading Practices

Kalagro

INQUIRY INTO THE IDENTIFICATION OF LEADING PRACTICES IN ENSURING EVIDENCE-BASED REGULATION OF FARM PRACTICES THAT IMPACT WATER QUALITY OUTCOMES IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Burdekin District Cane Growers (BDCG) on behalf of its 3 collective member organisations lodged a submission with the Senate Standing Committees On Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee in relation to the above enquiry on 8th November 2019. Copy of submission lodged was uploaded to our web page for members information on 9th December 2019. As a result of submission lodged, BDCG has been extended an invitation by the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, to provide evidence at a public hearing, in relation to the committee’s inquiry. Details of hearing to be held are:

Date: Wednesday, 18 March 2020
Location: Venue TBC – Townsville
Appearance Time: 12.30pm to 1.15pm (panel session)

This will be an opportunity that the industry needs to take full advantage of and KCGO strongly encourages members to show their support of BDCG by attending in numbers and “packing the gallery” so to speak.

Additional information will be provided as it comes to hand

Les Elphinstone
Manager KCGO