“Queensland Reef Quality Program

Growers interested in providing feedback to the Dept of Environment and Science can do so directly as per factsheet or alternatively provide your comments to this office to enable a submission to be lodged on behalf of the collective. Comments are to be provided to this office by Wednesday 14^th February.

Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement is considering two options to accelerate improved reef water quality:

• Option 1 – The current approach – no additional legislation
• Option 2 – Enhance and broaden reef protection legislation (Option preferred by government)

Summary Of Current Regulations In Relation To Sugarcane in the Burdekin:

• Growers required to comply with particular farming practices including fertiliser and chemical applications using prescribed methodologies.
  • Calculating and applying the optimum amount of N and P.
  • Mill mud nutrient deductions must be made from bag N and/or P fertiliser application rates.
  Record Keeping – growers are required to keep records of soil tests, use of N and P fertilisers and agricultural chemicals. Soil sampling and analysis – soil sampling regime must align with the minimum regulated method. BMP programs not formally recognised as an alternative means of complying with minimum regulatory standards.

  Summary of Additional Regulations to that currently in place In Relation To Sugarcane (existing) in the Burdekin:

  Stage 1

  • Placement of fertiliser – no ground based broadcast fertiliser application.
  • Calibration – Fertiliser equipment calibrated prior to the season, change of product and crop stage ie. plant and ratoon.
  • Soil Loss Controls – Use of measures that will minimise the release of soil to receiving waters. At least one of the following practices are utilised:
    • A green cane trash blanket,
    • Laser levelling away from watercourses.
    • Recycling pit or constructed wetlands designed to capture run-off.
    Fertiliser re-sellers to keep and produce records of nutrient application advice provided to their clients.

    Stage 2 (to be undertaken within two years of the regulation commencing)

    • In addition to continuance of stage 1 adoption of a nutrient management plan in all reef catchments within two years of commencement of legislation

    With Option 2 growers accredited against BMP or like programs will be deemed as complying with the minimum regulatory standards.”

    

Sugarcane nitrogen rate mate tool launched

Canegrowers now have a new online tool at their disposal to help with calculating nitrogen costs.

The ‘Sugarcane Nitrogen Rate Mate’ has been developed by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) as a step-by-step guide to help growers to calculate nitrogen rates, cost savings and more.

DAF agricultural economist, Samuel Cook said growers could save money by monitoring their nitrogen use more closely and changing their method of calculating fertiliser rates.

“By using the tool, it will help growers analyse the impact of nitrogen use on farm profitability,” Mr Cook said.

“Growers undertake a simple and quick assessment of their nitrogen requirements, and the tool will estimate the cost savings a farmer can make by reducing their nitrogen rate.

“The step-by-step guide is easy to use and contains graphs showing current costs and potential savings.

“Until now, growers have had to calculate this for themselves by using a worksheet, which can be time consuming and difficult to analyse.”

Mr Cook said feedback was welcome from growers about the usability and functionality of this tool.

The Sugarcane Nitrogen Rate Mate is available from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website at http    : http://bit.ly/NitrogenMate  or call 13 25 23.