Media Release

The Hon. David Littleproud MP

Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources

Michelle Landry MP

Member for Capricornia

George Christensen MP

Member for Dawson

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

 Have your say on sugar code of conduct

• Review of the Sugar Code of Conduct begins today
• Sugar cane growers, millers, marketers and the community encouraged to make submissions
• The Code was introduced in 2017 to regulate the conduct of growers, millers and marketers.

The sugar industry and community stakeholders are encouraged to have their say as part of the government’s review of the Sugar Code of Conduct from today.

Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said it was logical to review whether the code of conduct was providing certainty and stability for the sugar industry.

“I understand there are a range of views on the effect the Code has had on the industry,” Minister Littleproud said.

“We want to hear from all players along the supply chain to get a clear picture of how the Code is working.”

Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said those interested in making a written submission have six weeks to do so.

“It’s important everyone gets their say on this important reform, so they need to get in and do it before it’s too late.

“Face-to-face meetings will also take place and I really encourage as many cane growers, millers and marketers as possible to have their say,” Ms Landry said.

Member for Dawson George Christensen said the code was put in place in 2017 to regulate the conduct of growers, mill owners and marketers.

“We introduced the code to make sure that our canegrowers would be able to negotiate contracts with mills and marketers in a fair environment and to give growers choice in marketers,” Mr Christensen said.

“The Coalition introduced the code to take a stand for hard-working canegrowers and to make sure they are guarded against the power imbalances in the sugar supply chain.”

The review will examine the Code in accordance with its terms of reference and provide advice to the government before the end of the year. Submissions close 5:00pm (AEST) Wednesday 22 August 2018.

For more information about the Code review visit https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/sugar-code-of-conduct-review

Fast Facts:

• The terms of reference released for public consultation week of 1 July 2018
• Submissions open the week of 1 July 2018 and close 22 August 2018
• Targeted consultation will be undertaken in September 2018
• The final report will be delivered to government by the end of 2018

Media contacts:

For Min Littleproud:              Megan Dempsey                          0408 072 809 read more

CogCalibrator^TM: A new tool to make fertiliser calibrations easier 

Sugar Research Australia (SRA) has developed a new online tool called CogCalibrator^TM to make life easier for sugarcane growers when calibrating their cog-driven fertiliser applicators.

SRA Adoption Officer, Mr Gavin Rodman, said calibrating a fertiliser applicator is a necessary component of efficient fertiliser nutrient management, but it can also be a mundane and repetitive task.

“Calibration is an essential activity each year, because even though growers may be using the same fertiliser blend as they did last year, the consistency and size of granules will vary from year to year,” Mr Rodman said. “In addition, different granule sizes and mixtures will flow at different rates, so when changing fertilisers, a calibration should be conducted prior to application.

“It is critical to ensure all nutrients are supplied as per the SIX EASY STEPS® nutrient management guidelines to ensure a balanced nutritional program and to give the crop the best chance of reaching its potential and to minimise any potential impacts on water quality.”

Calibrating a fertiliser applicator ensures that growers know how much fertiliser is being applied, which can assist with fertiliser orders.

With the price of urea currently around $550 ex GST per tonne, a calibration that refines the application of urea by 50 kg/ha could lead to a saving of about $27.50 per hectare, with the possibility of blended products resulting in greater savings due to their higher costs.

“With sugar prices depressed, getting ordering and application of fertilisers correct helps with avoiding unnecessary expenses,” Mr Rodman said.

Another reason to calibrate your fertiliser applicator is to comply with legislation. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (QLD), all Queensland sugarcane growers are required to keep records of soil tests, use of fertilisers and use of agricultural chemicals. This includes calibration results.

“CogCalibrator^TM is a new online tool to help make this task simpler. It doesn’t remove the need to collect fertiliser in a bucket over a specified distance, but it does assist with the rate and cog configuration calculations.” read more

New discovery on chlorotic streak disease to lead to better management

Scientists at Sugar Research Australia (SRA) have named the organism responsible for chlorotic streak disease (CSD) in sugarcane, as part of a breakthrough that had been a scientific mystery for almost 90 years.

Most importantly, the discovery is being applied to research that will lead to productivity, profitability, and sustainability outcomes for sugarcane growers and millers.

Dr Kathy Braithwaite, SRA Senior Researcher, is leading a new project aimed at developing a variety resistance screening method for CSD and working to incorporate this into the SRA plant breeding program, so that the industry is provided with more useful data on CSD susceptibility as new varieties are considered for approval.

The project is also working on further developing a diagnostic test and service, which could be integrated with SRA’s current diagnostic service for ratoon stunting disease (RSD). The CSD test already exists as a research tool and is hoped to be extended beyond the research phase and used to assist productivity services organisations in delivering clean plant source material.

“Now that techniques are available to visualise, isolate and quantify the CSD organism experimentally, we can begin to address questions such as how the organism infects naturally through the roots, how it lives within the plant and causes disease, how cells are released back into the soil, and how the organism survives for extended periods outside the plant,” SRA Researcher, Dr Chuong Ngo, said.

Tully grower, Mr Tom Harney, welcomed the news.

“Now that SRA has identified the cause of CSD, there should be better management practices for it: how to prevent it, and how not to get it in the first place,” Mr Harney said.

“There is also an information gap with varieties, and I hope that this discovery improves that.”

As part of the new discovery, SRA researchers have just published two papers on CSD and its cause in the journal Phytopathology, which is considered one of the premier international journals for plant diseases. read more