australian - Canegrowers

Canegrower
CANEGROWERS
AUSTRALIAN
The flagship of the sugarcane industry
24 June 2013 Price $7. 95
Vince and Rita Papale take out
State Rural award for sustainability
2013 cane crush
kicks off
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CONTENTS
24.6.2013
3
CHAIR’S COMMENT
16
At the first Board Meeting of the new
three year term of the CANEGROWERS
State Board I had the great privilege
of being elected as State Chairman
of CANEGROWERS. It is deeply humbling
to be elected by my fellow Board
Members to advance the interests of
growers and the sugar
industry.
Paul Schembri
CANEGROWERS Chair
Burdekin growers
Vince and Rita
Papale (centre) won
the Rural award
at the Premier’s
Sustainability
Awards last
fortnight. Pictured
here with ABC-TV’s
Karina Carvalho and
Peter Lewis. Photo
by Suzi Moore.
Canegrower
CANEGROWERS
AUSTRALIAN
24 June 2013 Price $7. 95
Vince and Rita Papale take out
State Rural award for sustainability
2013 cane crush
kicks off
Editor Jasmine Hunt
Design Beth Macmahon
Advertising and Classifieds Kim Thackeray
Subscriptions Beth Macmahon
Articles appearing in Australian Canegrower do
not necessarily represent the policies or views of
CANEGROWERS
Published every second Monday by
CANEGROWERS
CANEGROWERS’ Building
190-194 Edward Street, Brisbane,
Queensland Australia
ABN 94 089 992 969
Postal Address: GPO Box 1032, Brisbane,
Queensland 4001 Australia
Telephone: 07 3864 6444; Fax: 07 3864 6429
Email: enquiry@canegrowers. com. au
Website: www. canegrowers. com. au
CANEGROWERS/Members Card Hotline 1800 177 159
AUSTRALIAN CANEGROWER ISSN 157-3039
Volume 35, Number 13
Printed by Cornerstone Press
2/69 Crockford St, Northgate, QLD
Subscriptions
Yearly subscriptions for 25 issues (postage included)
Within Australia
Overseas (AUD)
INDUSTRY NEWS
The flagship of the sugarcane industry
$140 inc GST
$220
4
Sweet success for ‘green’ sugar
4
Industry news briefs
6
Spotlight: Safe fires in sugarcane
WHAT’S NEW
10
QSL update: Potential recovery in prices, with currency vulnerable to further falls
11
Highlighting QSL’s service offerings
12
CaneConversation: Precision agriculture – what it is and
how to use it
13
Nutrition news: Is it bad for the heart to love sugar?
FARMERS TEACHING FARMERS
14
Cane farmer a reef guardian at heart
16
Young grower using technology to his advantage on his Bundaberg farm
MEMBER SERVICES
20
Healthy grower: Preventing bowel cancer
22
Classifieds
24
Weather report
24 June 2013
Australian Canegrower
1
EDITOR’S DESK
WHAT’S NEW
This fortnight heralded the start of
harvest, with the Burdekin the first to kick
off the crush.
By the time this magazine arrives in your
mailbox, most of the northern regions
would have also started harvesting,
weather permitting.
The start of harvest heralds the busiest
time in the season, and I urge everyone
to stay safe around the farm and on the
roads. Also on the safety theme, this
edition CANEGROWERS Manager – IR
and Grower Services, Greg Trost, brings
a timely reminder about safe cane fires.
Read more on page 8.
Congratulations Vince and Rita. Read
more about their win on page 4.
Also featured this edition is two
in-depth farm practice stories – one
featuring Reef Guardian Paul Gregory,
the other featuring Bundaberg grower
Andy Fyffe. You’ll find their stories from
page 14 of this edition.
Jasmine Hunt
In exciting news, CANEGROWERS is
proud to announce that Vince and
Rita Papale have won the Queensland
Premier’s Sustainability Award (Rural
category) – a fantastic and deserved win.
Entries closing soon for Sustainable
Farm Practices Award
Landcarer farmers across the country
are being encouraged to submit
a nomination in the Innovation in
Sustainable Farm Practices category
as part of the 2013 State & Territory
Landcare Awards. Nominations will
close on 30 June.
The awards, now in their twenty-third
year, honour the invaluable work that
is being undertaken by the Landcare
community, with the winners from the
State and Territory awards going forward
as finalists to the prestigious National
Landcare Awards in 2014.
To submit a nomination, or to read
about the categories, criteria and
closing dates, please visit
www.landcareonline.com.au. n
Media Watch
Ravensdown
Fertiliser Price Update
Burdekin in the limelight
Sustainability Awards for which they
received a landside of positive coverage
for the sugarcane industry.
By Suzi Moore
This week the
Burdekin has been
at the front and
centre of the media.
The overwhelming
majority of media
came out of the
area which produces
some 25% of
Australia’s sugarcane
production.
Firstly was the start
of harvest with the
Burdekin the first
area to kick off the
season, attracting
a mass of start
of season media.
Then Burdekin
cane growers Vince
and Rita Papale
and Aaron Linton
headed up a Reef
Rescue story on
ABC-TV primetime.
Later that day Vince
and Rita Papale
were crowned with
the top rural award
at the prestigious
Premier’s
2
A few days later CANEGROWERS
Burdekin also hosted the ABC Country
Hour team doing a story on the
mysterious Yellow Canopy syndrome.
They also did media around QSL/Wilmar.
This was followed by more stories
drilling down into the latest on
electricity price hikes. n
700.00
DAP pricing ‐ $USD*
650.00
600.00
550.00
500.00
450.00
550.00
Potassium Chloride pricing ‐ $USD
500.00
450.00
400.00
350.00
300.00
600.00
500.00
400.00
300.00
200.00
100.00
0.00
Left to right: Helen Becke, Ashley Bendell, Ian Becke, Phil Marano,
Marty McCarthy and Robin McConchie. Marty and Robyn are
reporters from ABC Rural.
Australian Canegrower
24 June 2013
Urea pricing ‐ $USD
CHAIR’S
WHAT’S
COMMENT
NEW
Looking forward to tackling the challenges
By CANEGROWERS
Chair, Paul Schembri
our irrigator cane growers triple over
the same period.
At the first Board
Meeting of the new
three year term of
the CANEGROWERS
State Board I had
the great privilege
of being elected as
State Chairman of
CANEGROWERS.
As cane growers, that price regime would
have literally crippled our sugar industry.
We are price takers and cannot pass our
costs to other sectors of the economy.
I recognise the enormous responsibility
that I have and I will discharge the role to
the best of my ability and undertake the
role in a conscientious manner.
Organisations like CANEGROWERS exist
simply because we believe that the best
way to promote and protect our interest
is by coming together and standing
shoulder to shoulder to achieve our
goals. I will do my utmost to engage with
our members and industry stakeholders
to achieve the best outcomes for the
sugar industry.
I want to publicly acknowledge my
predecessor Alf Cristaudo. I have
worked with Alf for 24 years within
the CANEGROWERS organisation
and I can speak volumes about his
tenacity, determination and passion
to enhance the interest of our growers
and this industry.
His contribution over 30 years of
industry service has been enormous.
As well, amongst a range of industry
roles, Alf has stood tall in international
sugar forums. His chairmanship of the
World Association of Beet and Cane
Growers (WABCG) has been a career
highlight.
In September the Board of
CANEGROWERS will formally
acknowledge his contribution to
the industry. We thank Alf for a
job well done.
CANEGROWERS has been extremely
vocal of late about proposed massive
hikes in electricity prices. The
Queensland Competition Authority
(QCA) was recommending price
increases over the next seven years that
would have seen the electricity bills of
Currently an industry discussion is under
way to establish a framework for the
future of QSL marketing.
At its last meeting, the CANEGROWERS
Board has taken a decision to support
the maintenance of the QSL value
proposition.
‘‘
I recognise the enormous responsibility that I have and
I will discharge the role to the best of my ability and
undertake the role in a conscientious manner.
‘‘
It is deeply humbling to be elected
by my fellow Board Members to
advance the interests of growers and
the sugar industry.
We are pleased that the Queensland
Government has announced a 10% cap
on electricity price increases for the
next 12 months.
marketing arrangement. QSL is owned
equally by growers and millers. For
growers, QSL provides transparency and
a substantial value proposition. We are
not in a mood to see it falter.
Paul Schembri, CANEGROWERS Chair
Ten percent is still significant, but is
decidedly lower than the projected
20% increase. In addition, Minister for
Energy and Water, Mark McArdle, and
Minister for Agriculture, John McVeigh,
have both agreed to engage in further
conversations with CANEGROWERS to
find a solution to this vexing issue.
We will engage with government with
a positive frame of mind.
We have agreed that an arrangement
that allows mills to market their
economic interest, while leaving alone
the growers’ two-thirds economic
interest for marketing under QSL.
We believe that this will preserve the
value proposition for growers and
we are not in a mood to move to
below that position.
There has to be a sensible solution to
this issue, as massive electricity price
hikes will only destroy electricity demand
with a potential to render government
electricity assets uneconomic.
The marketing of our sugar production
is vital to grower interests. Growers
demand transparency in marketing
given that as cane growers we are
exposed to so much risk, not the least
being weather, sugar prices and our
input prices.
As you know, there has been
considerable public debate and
discussion of late about the future
of QSL.
CANGROWERS supports an industry
solution to this issue. An industry
solution will be the most sustainable
solution.
Finally, this year’s harvest is upon us.
By now, most of the State’s sugar mills
will have commenced or are firing up.
This year’s forecast crop is similar in
size to last year’s crop of approximately
30.5 million tonnes.
We hope that the weather plays its part
and that it is a relatively trouble free and
safe harvest.
There are many challenges ahead and
I am looking forward tackling them. n
It has been my experience that growers
are strongly supportive of the QSL
24 June 2013
Australian Canegrower
3
Sweet success for ‘green’ sugar
The State’s top
gong in farming
was awarded to a
Burdekin sugarcane
growing family at the
prestigious Premier’s
Sustainability Awards
held in Brisbane
last week.
Burdekin growers
Vince and Rita
Papale, who were
surprised and
delighted when their
name was called,
took out the Rural
Award at the annual
event recognising
top performers in
business and
industry in Queensland.
Australia’s 2013 sugarcane crush has
commenced in earnest, however initial
crop estimates have been revised down
due to flood damage and the unknown
impact of yellow canopy syndrome,
says CANEGROWERS.
Burdekin cane growers Vince and Rita Papale (middle) with
sponsors of the Rural Award, David Foote from Australian
Country Choice (left) and David Stout from Coles (right).
Photo: Courtesy of Department of Environment and
Heritage Protection.
The Papales, who run a family
farm just out of Home Hill,
had been nominated for
implementing an impressive
range of clever environmental
projects on their property.
CANEGROWERS said the couple
had rolled out a number of projects
to lift the farm’s productivity,
water efficiency and to minimise
environmental impact on their land
and the nearby Great Barrier Reef.
Set at the heart of the property is
a wetland which epitomises the
family’s approach to farming. Here
they have transformed four hectares
of poorly-performing low-lands into
a highly productive wetland which
collects water from the farm’s cane
fields, filtering it before it goes back
into the river and out to the Great
Barrier Reef.
The couple is also well-known for
using their farm to help educate
others about the importance of
best management practice farming
and its ties to sustainable and
productive farming.
“We couldn’t believe it when our
name was called,” Vince Papale
said. “We were so honoured
because we’ve had a chance to
see a lot of farms first-hand, and
we’ve seen so many farmers doing
so many great things.”
4
Cane crush kicks off,
yellow canopy still an
unknown factor
Australian Canegrower
He says that the cane industry’s
environmental transformation is a
great untold story that Australians
could take pride in.
“Australia’s sugarcane farmers are
recognised as being amongst the
most sustainable in the world, but
perhaps because 80% of our produce
is sold overseas, we haven’t gone out
and told our neighbours about the
massive changes which have been
rolled out right across the industry,”
said Vince.
“There are so many good stories in
agriculture and we should be proud
that we feed and clothe the people
of the world,” he said as he and Rita
accepted the award from Minister
for Environment and Heritage
Protection, Andrew Powell.
In his acceptance speech, Vince
gave a special vote of thanks to
the Queensland Government for
making a point of recognising the
importance of sustainability across
all sectors of business and the
community through the Awards.
He also commended the sponsors
of the Rural Award, Australian
Country Choice and Coles, for
continuing their work in promoting
the importance of agriculture
to Queensland. n
24 June 2013
CANEGROWERS Chairman, Paul
Schembri, said this year’s crop was
originally forecast at 31.5 million tonnes,
at a value of $2 billion; however this
has been revised to 30.5 million tonnes.
The 2012 sugarcane crop yielded
30.4 million tonnes.
Sugar mills in the Burdekin region in
north Queensland were the first to start
crushing; however the full effect of
yellow canopy syndrome on this
season’s harvest will take months to
be properly evaluated.
“Yellow canopy syndrome has so far been
found in the Tully, Cairns, Burdekin and
Herbert regions in north Queensland,”
Mr Schembri said. Estimates were also
once again affected by natural disasters,
this time in southern Queensland.
“At the start of this year, the southern
region around Bundaberg and Isis
endured widespread flooding which
wiped out the young cane on many
farms, and has contributed to the
revised estimate.”
Mr Schembri said despite the reduced
crop forecast, growers are still positive
about this year’s crush – although
the threat of dramatically increased
electricity and water pricing is
weighing on their minds.
“Fair electricity and water pricing is
crucial to the efficiency and profitability
of our industry – an industry that’s very
significant to the State’s economy and
social fabric,” Mr Schembri said.
“Growers are also facing lower prices
for their sugar this season; however the
lower Australian dollar is a positive for
our growers – with 80% of our sugar
sold on the export market.
“With the start of crushing and the
hive of activity in the cane field and
on the road, I urge growers, motorists
and the community to take care on
the road, around cane crossings and
in the paddocks.” n
INDUSTRY
WHAT’SNEWS
NEW
Growers encouraged to order tissue
culture sugarcane plantlets
BSES Limited is reminding cane growers
and productivity service boards that
orders for tissue culture sugarcane
plantlets close on 15 July 2013.
Gae Plunkett, BSES Development Officer
– Varieties, Professional Extension and
Communication Unit, said that plantlets
ordered before the mid-July deadline will
be delivered to growers for planting in
autumn 2014.
“Tissue culture is an excellent source of
clean seed for all varieties and can help
reduce the spread of serious diseases
such as ratoon stunting disease, smut
and Fiji leaf gall,” said Ms Plunkett.
The latest variety selection information
including that from this year’s Variety
Adoption Committee meetings is freely
available on QCANESelectTM, – BSES’s
online variety decision-support tool.
Once a grower identifies the best
varieties for planting on their farm, they
can contact their local productivity
services board to place orders for
plantlets,” said Ms Plunkett.
“On average two trays of plantlets which
are planted in autumn 2014 can produce
up to one tonne of material for planting
in 2015.
“Tissue culture plantlets are produced
from disease-free plants. They are
then grown under sterile conditions in
the laboratory to ensure they remain
disease-free. The survival rate of tissue
culture plants is very high, creating
uniform crops.
“A commercial operation could produce
up to five tonnes of material by ordering
just ten trays.”
“Tissue-cultured crops also produce
more sticks than conventional billet
plantings. This allows for commercialscale plantings of a new variety, sooner.”
Number of seedlings
ordered in 2013
Managing the range of varieties on a
farm helps improve productivity over the
whole crop cycle.
Spacing between
plants in 2014
Visit the BSES website www.bses.com.au
for further information on varieties or to
access QCANESelectTM. n
Length of planted
row in 2014
Estimated tonnes of
billets available to
plant in 2015
90
1 tray
0.8m
72 m
0.5
180
2 trays
0.8m
144 m
1
450
5 trays
0.8m
360 m
2.5
900
10 trays
0.8m
720 m
5
Table 1: Plantlet quantity ordering information
Are you paying
too much for your
health insurance?
Top Innisfail and
Babinda cane growers
recognised
The Babinda and Innisfail district’s best
cane growers have been recognised at
the annual Cane Productivity Awards
function conducted by Innisfail Babinda
Cane Productivity Services (IBCPS).
On 23 May, 160 cane growers, South
Johnstone mill staff and harvest
contractors gathered at Warrina Lakes
in Innisfail to present the awards for
outstanding productivity achievement
in South Johnstone Mill’s 2012
crushing season.
The top prize of Outstanding Canegrower
went to Kurrimine Beach’s Melivan Pty
Ltd. Other major awards went to MP
Investments, SG Di Salvo, MSF Sugar,
JM & MC Marano and G & J Calcagno.
Zone Champions were: LJ & CH Neilsen;
AG & SJ Sacchetti; GG, J, RP & DC
Ghidella; M & R Reitano & Sons; JR,
JR & D Riordan; SG Di Salvo; F J & J
Calleja; Melivan Pty Ltd; AJ & ES D’Urso;
WC, D, GJ & TL Austin and
MP Investments Australia.
IBCPS Chairman Charlie Zappala
commended growers on their ability
to recover high productivity despite
difficult times.
“We have certainly had our share of
challenges in the last five to ten years,
which makes the effort by growers, mill
and contractors to recover and expand
our industry all the more impressive,”
he said.
The awards function also included a
presentation on sugarcane breeding
from BSES Meringa Plant Breeder
Felicity Atkin. n
e
Exclusiv
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corporat
discount
Call 1800 813 415
SPECIAL RATES FOR CANEGROWERS* MEMBERS
qldcountryhealth.com.au
*Quote your CANECARD member number to access your corporate
discount. Queensland Country Health Fund Ltd ABN 18 085 048 237
24 June 2013
Australian Canegrower
5
By CANEGROWERS
Manager – IR &
Grower Services,
Greg Trost
Care and precision
are essential for the
successful burning of
standing sugarcane
in preparation for
harvest. Burning
standing cane and burning cane tops
and trash continue to be an integral
and essential part of cane farming
operations. Fires in standing cane are
the most effective way to manage
smoke emission into the atmosphere.
An efficient fire in standing cane ensures
little or no impact on neighbours, road
users and the local community.
A grower’s cane land adjoining other
cane land
Where a cane grower’s Cane Production
Area (CPA - cane production land) is
bordered on every side by other cane
production land, the grower is not
required to obtain an individual fire
permit to light a fire in sugarcane,
tops or trash.
There are special provisions for fires lit by
cane growers under the ‘Commissioner’s
Notification’ issued by the Queensland
Fire and Rescue Service Commissioner.
Growers are permitted to light fires on
cane production land for the purpose
of burning sugarcane, tops and trash
provided that:
• No burning takes place between 10
am and 2 pm.
• Adequate precautions are taken to
prevent the spread of fire.
• The burning takes place in accordance
with recognised industry practice.
• Where a fire is lit for the purpose of
burning any residual tops or trash,
they must be at least 10 metres from
any headland, standing cane or all
other flammable material.
• Burning takes place within those
regulated times set by the local Cane
Supply Agreement. Where a local
Cane Supply Agreement does not
6
Australian Canegrower
‘‘
An efficient fire in standing cane ensures little
or no impact on neighbours, road users and the
local community.
regulate times, then burning must
take place at a time when sugarcane,
tops or trash are normally burnt in
the local area.
Prior to burning, consideration should
be given to prevailing conditions,
eg. wind direction and velocity so
that smoke emission does not create
a hazard, particularly for road users and
the local community.
A grower’s cane land adjoining
non-cane land
Where a grower’s Cane Production
Area (cane production land) adjoins a
neighbour’s property which is non-cane
land, then the grower, wishing to burn
sugarcane, tops or trash, must obtain a
seasonal permit to burn from the local
fire warden.
The grower need only make a single
application to cover the whole season.
There are obligations and conditions
on growers under the seasonal permit.
The Fire Warden may impose additional
conditions, if considered appropriate.
This seasonal permits system has been
in place for many years and has worked
very well for growers, the non-cane land
neighbours, the local fire warden and
fire service (rural and urban) and the
community, in general.
Seasonal permit have been successful
because cane growers have responded
positively to the seasonal permit
arrangement by ensuring compliance
with the conditions through good
management of fire and communication
with neighbours.
Notification to neighbours
A requirement for all fire permit
applications is that the grower must notify
24 June 2013
‘‘
Safe fires in sugarcane
all adjoining neighbours whose lands
are non-cane land, either verbally or in
writing, prior to applying to the local
fire warden for a fire permit to burn for
any reason.
Before burning takes place the grower
must give at least two hours’ verbal notice
to the neighbour prior to lighting the
fire or a minimum of 12 hours’ notice
where the neighbour is advised in writing
by the grower.
Additionally, the cane grower must act
in accordance with a permit condition
imposed by the local fire warden. If this
requires phone notification to the local
Rural Fire Brigade – First Officer or the
local Fire Communications Centre prior
to lighting the fire, then compliance
is essential. This practice avoids an
unnecessary ‘call out’ response by the fire
service should a passing motorist become
alarmed, at seeing a fire, and decide to
call the fire service to report a fire.
Expectations
The fire service has recognised the need
for cane growers to use fire as part of
cane farming operations and generally,
cane growers have the support of the
community with respect to this activity.
There is however, an expectation that
growers will continue to use fire, as a
farm management tool, safely and wisely
with minimum impact on the environment
and community.
Growers’ firefighting equipment is
also used to assist the community in
combating wild fires that have the
potential to negatively impact the rural
community and this service has been
recognised by the community, Fire Service
and government. n
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of course, the best way to see what the T6000s and
T7s have to offer is to try them for yourself. So head
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See your new holland dealer today: newholland.com
Morning tea raises big bucks for
cancer research
One of the last Australia’s
Biggest Morning Tea events was
held last fortnight at the Sugar
Museum Mourilyan. Organised
by CANEGROWERS Innisfail, the
morning tea event attracted
120 ladies and a few men, and
raised just over $2,300 for cancer
research.
CANEGROWERS has welcomed the
Queensland Government’s release of
the Queensland agriculture strategy,
saying the vision to double the
State’s agricultural production by
2040 was ambitious, but achievable.
CANEGROWERS Acting CEO Ron
Mullins said the government’s plan
was an important step in ensuring
the sugarcane industry, and
Queensland agriculture as a whole,
has a strong future.
Co-ordinator, Grace Neary said
that they were excited with the
amount of money that
was raised.
“We had excellent response
to our huge cent sale and
raffle, which had nine prizes,”
Grace said.
“With a focus on growth, the
government’s strategy is a refreshing
in-depth focus on agriculture, and
demonstrates the government’s
recognition of agriculture’s
importance to the State’s economy,”
he said.
“We appreciated the support
from local business houses in
Innisfail, Barrack’s Café with
sandwiches for the morning Tea,
a whole range of delicious treats
from supporters and staff at
our office. Everyone went away
pleased with the morning tea,”
Grace said.
“We believe doubling the production
of sugarcane is possible, providing
the setting is right; and this plan
identifies many of the factors which
will help achieve a positive setting
for growth.
She said that there were so many
that provided a prize or helped
out on the day or made a cake
or slice, and thanked anyone
who gave support to enable a
successful morning to be held. n
Top: Staff members Grace Neary and Margret Cameron.
Middle: Local grower Yvonne Garrone (on right) with friends at her table.
Bottom: Mario Coratto and Bob Chinn.
Applications open for 2014 Queensland
Week sponsorship funding
Community groups can now apply for
funding for events as part of the 2014
Queensland Week celebrations.
Sponsorship funding of up to $8,000 for
a limited number of events is available,
with successful applicants forming part
of the Queensland Government’s 2014
Queensland Week celebrations.
The Queensland Government financially
supported 13 diverse events statewide
being held this week as part of the 2013
Queensland Week celebrations.
8
Australian Canegrower
Qld ag strategy
ambitious but
achievable
The 13 Queensland Week events this year
included an indigenous music showcase
in Brisbane, a concert in Mackay, a music
festival at Point Cartwright, a theatrical
production staged between Mackay
and Cairns, and a community picnic at
Surfers Paradise.
The program guidelines can be
downloaded at www.queenslandweek.
qld.gov.au or phone 07 3405 5215 for
more information. Applications close
Friday 30 August 2013. n
24 June 2013
“Access to water is a key factor for
sugarcane productivity, and we
were pleased to see Queensland
Agriculture Minister John McVeigh
announce initiatives such as
investigating the raising of the
Burdekin Falls Dam, and a revitalised
look at an irrigation plan for
northern Queensland.
“Water and electricity are key input
costs to many cane farms, and
we welcome the government’s
announcement that it would develop
strategies to help deliver costeffective and reliable water and
electricity, although much work is
still to be done in this area.”
Mr Mullins said the strategy also
focussed on productivity gains
through the development and
adoption of innovation throughout
the supply chain. n
INDUSTRY
WHAT’SNEWS
NEW
Sugarcane BMP
Update
By CANEGROWERS Program
Director – Sugarcane BMP,
Malcolm Petrie
Last fortnight, the CANEGROWERS
BMP Project Director met with
BSES Limited’s PEC Unit to review
progress on the development
of the following BMP modules:
Drainage and irrigation; Pest,
disease and weed management;
Soil health and plant nutrition
management and Crop production
and harvest management. Drafts of
these modules are anticipated
to be finalised in the next couple
of weeks.
Consultancies who will assist
in delivering the farm business
management and natural systems
management modules have also
been assessed and awarded.
The Workplace health and
safety module is currently still
under negotiation.
For more information contact
Malcolm Petrie on 07 3864 6444
or malcolm_petrie@canegrowers.
com.au n
Farmers in top ten
most trusted
BSES and Bayer
CropScience upskill
sugar advisors
Farmers has once again been named by
Australians as one of the top ten most
trusted professions.
In the annual Reader’s Digest ‘Australia’s
Most Trusted Professions 2013’ survey,
fire-fighters and paramedics tied for first
place, while farmers came in at 10 after
rescue volunteers, nurses, pilots, doctors,
pharmacists, veterinarians and air
traffic controllers.
Sugar advisor masterclasses
arranged by BSES Limited, the
principal research, development
and extension provider to the
Australian sugar industry and Bayer
CropScience were recently held in
Tully, Airlie Beach and Bundaberg.
The five least-trusted professions were
real estate agents, sex workers, call centre
staff, insurance salespeople, politicians
and door-to-door salespeople. n
The meetings were held in the style
of masterclasses for sugar advisors
with a range of technical experts
speaking on the latest trends and
developments in the industry.
Precision agriculture
workshop to be
held in Burdekin
BSES Limited and the National Centre
for Engineering in Agriculture (NCEA)
are holding a joint workshop on
Tuesday 25 June 2013 to showcase
how precision agriculture can help
improve on-farm productivity and
profitability.
The workshop will run from 8.30 am
– 12 noon at the Clare Club, free of
charge with lunch provided. To RSVP
phone Summer Olsen on 07 4783
8602 or email [email protected] n
Frikke Botha, Manager of Variety
Improvement at BSES, presented a
masterclass which highlighted the
dilemma growers face when trying
to increase the sugar or fibre content
of their sugarcane.
“In Australia the high or low sugar
to fibre content is often blamed
on the genetic makeup of the
sugarcane, but the agricultural
practice used by growers is equally
important,” Frikke said.
For more information on sugarcane
events hosted by BSES visit http://
www.bses.org.au/page/Library/
Events/. n
Are you ready for
the changes to super?
AustSafe Super is and we can help you!
To find out how we make super easy
call your local Regional Manager.
Bruce Waltisbuhl
0400 995 824
Stacey Watson
0437 490 445
The industry super fund for
rural and regional Australia
austsafe.com.au
The Trustee of AustSafe Super ABN 92 398 191 503 is Austsafe Pty Ltd ABN 96 010 528 597.
24 June 2013
Australian Canegrower
9
Sign up for market updateS and QSL newS at www.qsl.com.au
ICE No.11 Prompt Futures Contract 24.0
23.0
22.0
Potential recovery in prices, with currency
vulnerable to further falls
By QSL Treasurer, Stephen Stone
21.0
Sugar
20.0
After a long downtrend, we have finally seen signs of a potential
recovery in raw sugar prices. As the Brazilian crush progresses we
are seeing more support from ethanol production. Whilst somewhat
impacted by rain delays in some areas, the latest UNICA report shows
a relatively low 42% of cane crushed for raw sugar production. After
making new contract lows at 16.17 c/lb, earlier in the week the JUL13
contract rallied to 17 c/lb, as we approach expiry. Given the length of the
sugar price downtrend and the aggressive nature of the sudden rally we
can expect further strength in the short-term.
19.0
18.0
17.0
16.0
A lift in prices may be modest however due to:
Australian Dollar (AUD v USD)
1.06
• Large Brazilian and Thai producers are underweight price hedging
for the current season.
1.04
• As sugar prices rally, the diversion to ethanol quickly becomes less
attractive. Ethanol will now behave like a price ceiling during the
crush, capping price gains in sugar prices.
1.02
1.00
For these reasons, we are reluctant to suggest prices will rally
significantly. Stronger prices should be taken advantage of, and
should provide more attractive hedging levels for the latter part of the
Australian raw sugar crush.
0.98
0.96
0.94
Currency
QSL Forward Fixed Price Contract (A$/mt)
510
After a period of weakness, the Australian dollar (A$) has consolidated
in recent weeks. The previously discussed move out of overweight
A$ positions by global investors took the currency to a low of US$0.93, a
level not seen since 2011. The subsequent bounce has met heavy selling
above US$0.96, with our currency now appearing vulnerable to further
falls. To recap earlier updates, the sudden weakness is a result of the
following market dynamics:
• Global Central Banks are in the process of reducing the liquidity
available for investors to invest in all assets, risky and otherwise.
490
470
• Economic data in Australia has been unimpressive, leading the RBA
to cut interest rates again
450
• Commodity prices, influenced by patchy Chinese data, have also
been loosing ground. As a large commodity exporter, Australia
clearly suffers as our Terms of Trade deteriorates quite quickly.
430
410
390
370
2013
10
• The Brazilian currency depreciating by 10 % during the past month.
This allows the Brazilian producers to accept lower global prices,
bringing their hedging forward.
2014
Australian Canegrower
2015
24 June 2013
Bad news for some is good news for Australia’s sugar industry.
Currency weakness now looks set to continue, with a test of the
US$0.90 level probable before 2013 year end. Of particular note going
forward will be the actions of the major Central Banks, with this weeks
FOMC meeting in the US critical for medium term currency sentiment.
Unless the US strongly advise market liquidity will not be reduced as
quickly as many feel and the recent recovery in the US$ will gather
sustained momentum. n
WHAT’S NEW
Highlighting QSL’s service offerings
By QSL Chief
Executive
Officer, Greg
Beashel
This, combined with what we refer to as
a commercial paper program, ensures
that QSL has good access to low cost
financing to provide advance payments
to the industry.
Pricing
With
discussions
continuing on
possible future
marketing arrangements, it’s fair to
say there are some differing views
throughout the industry.
Be assured, without industry
support, QSL will not make any
further changes to the marketing
system beyond the model being
finalised at present, where millers
have the option to sell their
economic interest sugar.
Meeting with many of our members
recently as part of these discussions,
I’ve seen that a real opportunity
exists for QSL to help our members
better understand the many services
we provide for the industry. This
article highlights some of these.
Financing
QSL pays millers for raw sugar milled
as soon as it is received at one of
the six bulk sugar terminals. This is
before being paid by our customers
and in some cases before the raw
sugar is sold.
Millers then pass this on to growers,
which provides timely cash flow
throughout the year – in and out of
season.
To do this QSL borrows money and
due to our tonnage throughput can
do so at very low rates - currently
just over 3%. QSL does not add a
margin to this interest cost for the
advances program – we charge it
at cost.
We have recently completed
negotiations for a three-year $500
million cash advance agreement with
our major banks.
Pricing decisions for growers are often
a balance of risk and reward. Our team
manage a range of pricing pools which
allow participants to choose how their
sugar is priced, consistent with the
level of risk they are willing to take –
similar in a way to when choosing a
superannuation fund.
The reality is that for most growers,
profit margins are thin, and
understanding this, QSL works hard
to achieve a price above the average
market price.
We monitor daily the changes to
currency and sugar price markets and
always aim to outperform market
benchmarks – within the risk parameters
for each pool.
I’m often told that one of the areas
members value most about QSL is our
transparency. All of QSL’s profits are
returned to the industry.
sells the majority of Queensland’s
export raw sugar to the international
market.
We currently supply more than 25%
of total Asian raw sugar imports, and
also deliver to New Zealand and the
United States.
A big part of QSL’s role is
securing high returning markets
for Queensland’s export sugar.
As we manage the end-to-end
logistics process we can match the
specific quality needs and timing
requirements for customers helping
to establish strong customer
relationships.
One of our best returning markets
today is Japan and this year we mark
the delivery of more than 20 million
tonnes of raw sugar to our longstanding Japanese customers.
Combine all of the above with our
close proximity to the growing Asian
market and we are able to attract
premium returns on the bulk raw
sugar we sell and this is returned to
our members.
Logistics
Pricing is a complex area and I’ll work
toward continuing to explain the
different parts in my future articles.
QSL operates six bulk sugar terminals
under a lease arrangement with
Sugar Terminals Limited.
Marketing
We take delivery of raw sugar,
co-mingle the sugar to optimise
storage space and manage overall
quality specific to customer needs
and arrange the shipping of sugar to
customers.
People often tend to be confused by the
term ‘marketing’. Sometimes it is used
to refer to all four of QSL’s functions and
sometimes it is used to refer to selling
sugar to customers only.
In recent discussions about changes
to marketing arrangements, the term
“marketing” has been used to refer to
the sale of sugar to the customer only.
This has caused a lot of confusion in the
industry with some understanding that
millers being allowed to market their
economic interest sugar means that this
sugar is excluded from QSL completely.
Currently QSL charters around 80
bulk vessels each year. Collectively
managing the terminals as one
allows us to keep costs down.
As we work towards the end of the
financial year, I’d like to take this
opportunity to thank you for your
continued support of QSL. n
Marketing is essentially, for QSL, the
selling part of the process. QSL currently
24 June 2013
Australian Canegrower
11
... !
Precision agriculture – what it is and how to use it
By Summer Olsen,
Development
Officer – Precision
Agriculture
Precision agriculture
(PA) is cropping
up more in
conversations
among sugarcane
growers, industry
advisors and researchers. In recent years
there has been significant adoption
of global positioning systems (GPS)
and other technologies on cane farms,
primarily for controlled traffic (Image
1). Many people think of GPS as PA and
although this is a very useful technology
that helps in the PA process, GPS on its
own is not PA.
The process of PA explained
An article entitled “Precision Agriculture:
what it is and what it isn’t” featured in
Issue 31 of the BSES Bulletin. This article
can be viewed on the BSES website at
www.bses.com.au
In that article, Dr Rob Bramley explained
that farmers are very aware of soil
variability on their farms and within
blocks. However without being able
to formally recognise, measure and
record this variability growers tend to
manage blocks as if they are uniform.
PA offers the opportunity to manage
this variability.
The PA process (Figure 1) shows that
the cyclical learning begins with the
observation stage. It is usually based
on a map or image showing in-field
variation in yield. This information is
supplemented with other spatiallyreferenced data including remote sensed
images, high-resolution soil mapping,
soil and leaf tests values and crop or
in-field assessments.
Evaluation and interpretation follow
when various data layers are combined
or overlayed to produce a holistic
picture of the in-field variation and the
reasons for it. This information allows
the identification of management zones
within blocks.
The aim is to target inputs and
management strategies to suit the
12
Australian Canegrower
Figure 1. The Precision agriculture process. Courtesy of Dr Rob Bramley, Principal Research
Scientist, CSIRO.
As precision agriculture practices continue to be adapted for our industry
and as the importance of more efficient and environmentally sustainable
farming practices increases, it is important that the industry builds
capacity to fully benefit from this type of farm management.
specific characteristics/conditions of
these zones. These zones are essentially
less variable than the original complete
block. This process continues as the
PA-focused growers add further data
layers and becomes more precise in
recognising and managing variation on
their farms.
to develop your ability to troubleshoot
and use GPS for other purposes. If you
don’t currently use these technologies
it might be useful to start with other
less-expensive GPS units and their
applications.
Using PA on your farm
Another important aspect of PA is good
record keeping. This may not sound
very exciting, but documenting farm
inputs helps interpret other PA data such
as yield maps. The spatial component
of these records – recording inputs in
relation to the land they affected – is
essential. Starting with these basic
aspects of PA, and understanding how
the process works will give you a good
foundation for more advanced activities
like interpreting yield maps and planning
for variable rate application of fertilisers
and herbicides. n
There are several things that growers
can do to incorporate PA into their farm
management activities. An understanding
of Global Navigation Satellite Systems
(GNSS), of which GPS is the most popular,
is essential because this is the primary
technology upon which many PA tools
and practices are based.
If you are already using Autosteer or
Controlled Traffic you might want to
learn more about how the technology
works – and sometimes doesn’t work –
24 June 2013
Good record keeping = good PA
WHAT’S NEW
Sugar Australia Nutrition News
Is it bad for the heart to love sugar?
By Dr Mary
Harrington,
Nutrition
Communications
Manager, Sugar
Australia
A new research study
has confirmed that
table sugar (sucrose)
does not harm the heart, at levels usually
seen to be consumed. You may ask, isn’t
this something we already know and so
why is this important?
Traditional dietary advice for avoiding
heart disease includes avoiding saturated
fat. For example, switching to low fat
margarine instead of butter, and trimming
the excess fat off meat. However,
carbohydrates also have a role to play as
they can be useful to simply replace the
fat in the diet.
In recent years, researchers have queried
whether the type of carbohydrate
replacing the fat is important. They have
suggested that replacing saturated fat
with sugar might be causing, rather than
solving, problems. Carbohydrates can be
in the form of both sugars (table sugar,
milk sugar) and starches (potatoes, bread,
pasta). So does it make a difference if it
is starch and not sugar which replaces
saturated fat in the diet?
Twenty-five studies from around the
world were included in this review. It was
led by the author Gibson, and published
in the journal Critical Reviews in Food
Science and Nutrition (2013; 53:1-24). They
found no difference in indicators of heart
disease in the blood between the studies
using sugar and those using starch. This
was at levels of sugar intake that is well
above the average for most populations.
Therefore the type of carbohydrate,
whether sugar or starch, did not seem
relevant. At levels of sugar usually
consumed in the population, there did
not seem to be any negative effects on
indicators or heart disease.
This new research is useful to help answer
queries that arise over sugar and heart
disease and to confirm a view based on
scientific evidence. The Heart Foundation
of Australia takes a similar position and
on their website they state: ‘There is
no scientific consensus that sugar as a
nutrient causes heart disease. We believe
that while overall kilojoule intake is
important, other factors such as levels of
sodium, fibre and saturated fat and trans
fat are more important in preventing
cardiovascular disease’. n
Are you getting the
reward you deserve
from your fertiliser supplier?
3 Ravensdown profits are
returned to you as a rebate
3 Ravensdown is 100% owned
by farmers
3 Ravensdown fertiliser priced
at the lowest sustainable cost
To find out how to become a Ravensdown shareholder
call 1800 624 122 or talk to your local Account Manager.
24 June 2013
Australian Canegrower
13
Cane farmer a Reef Guardian at heart
Paul Gregory says he has been a ‘reef guardian’ ever since his first trip to the reef as a child.
Paul Gregory says he’s been a “reef
guardian” since he was 12 years old.
That was nearly 50 years ago, when
Paul was enjoying an idyllic childhood
on the family farm near Gordonvale,
south of Cairns.
While his father was hard at work clearing
scrub to make way for cane, Paul was
exploring the creeks on the farm and
going fishing after school with his mates.
Then Paul’s dad took him on his first trip
to the Great Barrier Reef: “I think I’ve
been a reef guardian ever since.”
“Those sorts of childhood experiences
gave me a very strong attachment
to where I live,” Paul says. “Like most
farmers around here, if I have some
spare time I still love to get out on the
water and go fishing.
“Farmers don’t talk about it much,
but many of us think of ourselves
as custodians and make decisions
accordingly, we just need to get better
at promoting it.”
14
Australian Canegrower
Paul Gregory with wife Gillian.
24 June 2013
FARMERS TEACHING
LAND PREPARATION
FARMERS
“One look over the fence at his paddocks
convinced me it was the way to go,”
Paul said.
“The ground wasn’t bare after harvesting,
so he didn’t lose soil and fertiliser when it
rained.
“Everyone else followed suit. Within
10 years, about 95% of Gordonvale
farmers were cutting green. It was a
quantum leap in best practice farming
and led to a lot of other changes. I’m very
proud of this area and the good practices
of our farmers.”
Paul says one of Gordonvale’s great
benefits has been a strong network of
growers who are quick to take up new
ideas and work cooperatively.
He “retired” last year after 12 years as a
local councillor, and promptly bought and
leased more land from his neighbours.
He harvested 8000 tonnes of cane last
year, and this year if everything goes to
plan he will be cutting 17,000 tonnes.
“To be honest, I get just as much
satisfaction from seeing the creeks on
our property running crystal clear, as
I do from producing a good cane crop,”
Paul said.
“Our biggest issue is managing water.
Our high tropical rainfall is the reason
why the valley is so beautiful, but it’s also
our biggest challenge.”
It rains a lot in Gordonvale. The average
annual rainfall is more than two metres,
with monthly rainfalls higher than
400 mm during the wet season.
The narrow Mulgrave River flood plain
typically experiences severe floods every
year. The creeks join together and turn
the cane fields into shallow lakes. Add
the effects of cyclones and La Niña
weather patterns to the mix, and it can
lead to challenging times for growers in
the Wet Tropics.
Top: Paul says he wants his grandchildren to experience the ‘great’ Great Barrier Reef, like he has.
Above: Paul on his Gordonvale farm.
That’s why Paul decided to take up
the opportunity to be involved in Reef
Guardian Farmers, a voluntary program
to promote best practices that benefit
both the Reef and the farm.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Authority began working on a pilot
program with farmers in 2011 as a natural
extension to its existing networks of Reef
Guardian schools and councils.
“I liked the fact that Reef Guardians
belongs to us, it wasn’t something
imposed by government,” Paul said.
“It’s all about layout and drainage,”
Paul said.
“It was the farmers on the steering
committee who designed the program
and decided on the benchmarks.
“We aim to capture the water and keep
any sediment and nutrients on farm as
long as we can.”
“The Reef Guardians program publicly
recognises the good things happening
on farms. There’s also a focus on
continuously improving what we do, and
that appeals to me a lot.”
Grassed headlands and gently sloping
drills channel water around the property,
eventually filtering through 12 acres of
natural rainforest and wetland before
entering the Great Barrier Reef.
Paul has witnessed exponential changes
in cane farming practices since 1982,
when his brother-in-law became the first
Gordonvale farmer to harvest green cane
instead of burning it.
“I want my grandchildren to experience
the kind of childhood I had and be able
to enjoy a ‘great’ Great Barrier Reef,” Paul
said, “and I hope they will grow up to be
Reef Guardians too.” n
24 June 2013
Australian Canegrower
15
Young grower using technology to his advantage on his
Bundaberg cane and small crops farm
Bingera Mill supplier Andy Fyffe received the Young Canegrower award at the Bundaberg Productivity Awards in February. Although a relative new
comer to the region and to cane farming, Andy has a strong technical background in plant science. Photos by Amy Claireton.
By Amy Claireton
Andy Fyffe is a young grower filled
with enthusiasm for agriculture and
a determination to succeed. He has
followed a slightly unusual path into
farming but feels he has found his place
on a cane and small crops farm near the
Kolan River, north of Bundaberg.
“I grew up on a beef cattle farm, chose
to study agricultural science at university
and have been involved in horticulture
and plant science ever since,” he says.
“After uni I spent five years working
on my uncle’s watermelon farm near
Broome and ended up as crop manager.”
On his return to Queensland, Andy took
a job looking after plant nutrition at a
nursery near Bundaberg, and in January
2011 he bought his first cane farm, in
partnership with his uncle.
“The farm was established with cane and
I have incorporated small crops into the
16
Australian Canegrower
rotation,” says Andy. “I had experience
with watermelons so that was an obvious
choice and capsicums have become the
other mainstay crop.”
Farmers
Andy grows watermelons followed
by capsicums on 20–25 ha in rotation
with around 100 ha of cane at any one
time. He says the small crops and cane
complement each other well, keeping
the soil fresh and pests and weeds
under control.
• After studying ag science at
university and five years’ working
on his uncle’s watermelon farm
in Western Australia, Andy Fyffe
chose to start his own cane and
small crops farm in Bundaberg.
“The two small crops also complement
each other because they can both follow
the other without any significant soil,
pest or disease problems,” he says. “Each
of the crops helps sanitise the soil for the
next crop because diseases of one crop
do not build up under the other crop.”
“To me, capsicums are an interesting
plant and the fruit is versatile and
trending toward being a staple in the
Australian diet. I also like the fact that
there is less pressure over the timing
24 June 2013
u
farmers
Key learnings
• Andy says the small crops
(watermelon and capsicum)
complement the cane in rotation,
keeping soil fresh and weeds
under control.
• Andy has utilised the federal
government’s Reef Rescue
initiative to invest in GPS units
and a base station, which
minimises the impact of
machinery on the cane crop.
FARMERS TEACHING
LAND PREPARATION
FARMERS
of harvest and so it is possible to delay
picking if the price is down.”
Being a small scale grower Andy has
concentrated on growing good quality
produce, something that he intends to
further develop in the next few years.
“The plan is to invest in protected
cropping infrastructure to be able to
supply produce in the shoulder seasons
and to improve profitability through
better quality produce,” he says. “Bulk
delivery of marginal quality fruit onto the
open market is not the way forward for
smaller growers. We are putting up to 50
pallets a week of good quality capsicums
into the big supermarket chains and
consistent quality is important.”
Now with a few years of experience with
the crop rotation, Andy is in a position
to tighten up his production cycle to
meet certain marketing opportunities.
For instance he purposefully missed early
plantings of melons this year to meet a
market gap in autumn.
Andy recognises the value of cane in
his farming system to provide stability
to his business and to allow some
forward planning.
“Compared to small crops, cane is much
less volatile and the weather plays a
smaller part in the crop’s success,”
says Andy. “Having the majority of
the cultivation area growing a stable
and less-intense crop means that I can
put time into the small crops, while
being confident that the cane crop will
contribute profitably to the business’
bottom line.”
Since buying the first farm, Andy has
also purchased another farm that is very
close as the crow flies, but about 25 km
away by road. He operates both farms
with two full-time employees, one who
spends most of his time working on the
cane while Andy and the other employee
manage the growing and packing of the
small crops.
“I make the most of contractor services,
particularly in the cane,” he says. “We
do most of our own land preparation
and use contractors for planting and
harvesting. In the small crops we have a
contractor to supply labour for picking
and packing and I hire casuals for
weeding work when necessary.”
‘‘
Although Andy has had the benefit
of university training and a thorough
‘‘
We do most of our own land preparation and use
contractors for planting and harvesting. In the small crops
we have a contractor to supply labour for picking and
packing and I hire casuals for weeding work when necessary.
Andy Fyffe, Bundaberg cane grower
u
24 June 2013
Australian Canegrower
17
‘apprenticeship’ with his uncle’s business,
there has been plenty to learn in a new
district and with new crops. He says
that his solid understanding of plant
physiology has been a great help but
he is very appreciative of the assistance
he has received from good neighbours
and contractors.
“There is plenty to learn about managing
trash on these soils and the timing of
certain operations,” he says. “One area I
am keen to work more on is cane variety
selection to improve our productivity.”
The two farms have good access to onfarm water storage and the Bundaberg
Irrigation Scheme. Andy reuses drip tape
from the small crops in some of his cane
blocks and the rest is irrigated with water
winches or flood irrigation where the
blocks permit.
Andy is moving toward increased use of
organic fertiliser options, particularly in
his cane. “Organic nitrogen seemed to
last longer during the wet weather and
I can buy organic NPK blends for similar
money as inorganic fertiliser,” he says.
“Nitrogen is a major element we need
to apply so I am looking at maybe
planting a winter legume, but I also don’t
want to use up the residual phosphorus
and potassium after the small crops
come out.”
Last year Andy grew mustard, rape seed
and horseradish as winter fallow crops
for soil hygiene but has not been able
to test the efficacy of the fallow because
the paddocks have been too wet. He says
a summer legume is not feasible because
he is too busy with melons.
“The three main crops we have now offer
great flexibility because all three can be
planted in either autumn or spring,” he
says. “Cucumbers and zucchini also fit
well, giving a third crop out of the plastic
mulch. Last year we grew a small area of
cucumbers that grew well until the flood,
which significantly impacted yield.”
Andy burns the cane at plough-out
because there is not enough time to
allow the trash to breakdown before the
first of the small crops are planted.
“I am still learning how best to deal
with trash on these light forest soils,” he
says. “The trash definitely reduces weed
pressure in the cane but on these soils
there are some soil pathology problems
if we plant small crops into paddocks
with too much cane residue.”
“At the moment we are burning the last
ratoon and baling or raking the tops,”
says Andy.
18
Australian Canegrower
Capsicums and watermelons fit well with the cane rotation with all three crops being able to be
planted in autumn and spring.
“We rotary in the stool then add lime,
dolomite and silicates and broadcast any
organic fertilisers required. Then with a
second pass with the rotary and bedformer, we apply the inorganic fertiliser
and lay the plastic mulch.”
From this point on the beds remain in place
for two or three small crops and when the
plastic is pulled up cane is planted into the
beds. Andy usually runs a ripper through
the interspace and roadways then rotaries
the bed as the only land preparation before
the cane is planted.
24 June 2013
Andy has invested in two AutoFarm GPS
units, one on each farm, and a base
station. His planting contractor also
uses GPS guidance and, though it was
expensive to set-up, Andy believes it is a
worthwhile investment to minimise the
impact of machinery on the cane crop.
Financial support from the federal
government’s Reef Rescue program
assisted in the purchase of one of the
tractor-mounted units and Andy says
that any new gear they buy will have
AutoFarm on-board.
u
FARMERS TEACHING
LAND PREPARATION
FARMERS
Good quality produce is the key to success, especially for small scale growers. Andy is looking to install protected cropping structures in the next year or
so to further improve quality and to produce in the shoulder seasons.
‘‘
The [Facebook] page has always had a business focus but
now I am using it to tell our story to consumers, to explain
the food production process and as a photo journal for
the business.
Andy has embraced social media and
has found it to be a useful business tool.
Andy says he first started a Facebook
page to keep his family informed about
events on the farm.
“The Facebook page has put me in
contact with all sorts of people that I
could not ever expect to meet,” he says.
“I think it is a worthwhile and interesting
business tool.
“The page has always had a business
focus but now I am using it to tell our
story to consumers, to explain the food
production process and as a photo
journal for the business,” he says.
“Other forms of social media, such
as Linked In and Twitter, also offer
‘‘
Social media on farm
be profitable and to find a way to take
control of marketing their produce,” he
says. “Reaching a competitive scale can
be quite costly and this is a significant
impediment for many.” n
Andy Fyffe, Bundaberg cane grower
collaboration with other growers and
industry people that can happen very
quickly to help solve problems.”
Disease monitoring is a perfect example
where Andy can take a photo using his
mobile phone of something of concern
in the paddock, immediately upload the
image to Twitter or Linked In and can get
very rapid feedback and diagnosis.
As a young grower, Andy is very
concerned that there is not enough
being done to encourage young people
into careers in farming.
Farmers
farmers
Farmers Teaching Farmers is
another grass-roots Reef Rescue
initiative. Reef Rescue is aimed
at addressing off-farm impacts
on water quality by encouraging
voluntary uptake of the latest
technology and best practices.
He says that farming has ‘ticked all
the boxes’ for him as a professional
career that provides an essential service
and involves communication with the
customer. “Young growers need to be
able to achieve the scale required to
24 June 2013
Australian Canegrower
19
HEALTHY GROWER
WHAT’S NEW
Preventing bowel cancer
Information sourced from
Better Health Channel
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Bowel cancer is also called colorectal
cancer, and is diagnosed in about
12,500 Australians every year.
It mostly affects people 50 years of age
and over, but it can happen in younger
people. It is a serious disease but if
bowel cancer or its precursors (polyps)
are diagnosed early, it is often curable.
The bowel is the long ‘tube’ that
absorbs water and nutrients from
food and processes waste products
into faeces. It includes the small bowel,
colon and rectum.
• There is also some evidence that
having a diet high in red and
processed meat, and drinking too
much alcohol (more than 12.5 units
a week) and smoking may increase
your risk of developing bowel cancer.
• Being overweight or obese
(particularly for men) may increase
your risk of bowel cancer.
• People at relatively high risk of bowel
cancer can arrange with their doctor
to have regular tests to check that
everything is OK.
If untreated, it spreads deeper into the
wall of the bowel. From there, it can
spread to lymph nodes in the area.
Later, bowel cancer can spread to the
liver or lungs.
Risk factors of bowel cancer
The causes of bowel cancer are not
clearly understood. However, we know
that some risk factors make it more likely
that a person will develop bowel cancer.
These include:
• Getting older – bowel cancer more
commonly affects people aged
50 and over.
• Inheriting one of two uncommon
genetic disorders – familial
adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or
hereditary non-polyposis colorectal
cancer (HNPCC).
• A personal or strong family history
of bowel cancer.
• Having ulcerative colitis (inflamed
colon lining) for more than eight
to ten years.
20
Australian Canegrower
People experiencing these symptoms
should discuss them with their doctor.
Reducing your risk
Researchers believe that eating a
healthy diet may help prevent as
many as one third of all cancers,
including bowel cancer. Although
there is no one diet that can prevent
bowel cancer, changing your diet
could help reduce your risk of cancer
in general.
Everyone 50 years of age and over should talk with their
doctor about the screening tests that might be best for them
so that any signs of bowel cancer can be picked up early.
As people get older, little lumps called
polyps may grow inside the colon or
rectum and can become cancerous,
however not all polyps become
cancerous. If polyps are removed,
the risk of bowel cancer is reduced.
The development of bowel cancer
generally takes many years. It usually
begins in the lining of the colon or
rectum. Often very small amounts of
blood, which may not be able to be
seen, are leaked from these cancers
long before any symptoms develop.
This blood is then passed into the faeces.
• Weakness and paleness.
Screening for bowel cancer
Ninety per cent of bowel cancer is
curable if it is found early. The screening
test that is used is called the faecal occult
blood test (FOBT). This involves taking
tiny samples from two bowel motions
using a test kit. The samples are then
posted to a laboratory for testing.
Everyone 50 years of age and over
should talk with their doctor about the
screening tests that might be best for
them so that any signs of bowel cancer
can be picked up early. The Cancer
Council recommends doing a screening
test every two years to protect yourself
against bowel cancer.
Symptoms of bowel cancer
In the early stages, bowel cancer often
has no symptoms. This means that a
person could have polyps or bowel
cancer and not know it.
The most common symptoms of
bowel cancer are:
• Blood or mucus in the faeces.
• An unexpected change in bowel
habit (for example, diarrhoea or
constipation for no obvious reason).
• General discomfort in the abdomen
(feelings of bloating, fullness,
pain, cramps).
• Constant tiredness.
24 June 2013
You can help to reduce your risk of bowel
cancer by:
• Eating a healthy diet, including plenty
of vegetables and fruit and only small
amounts of animal fat.
• Eating moderate amounts of lean
red meat as part of a mixed diet
including carbohydrates (breads and
cereals), vegetables and fruit, and
dairy products.
• Eating limited amounts of
processed meats.
• Maintaining a healthy body weight.
• Exercising regularly.
• Not smoking or drinking too
much alcohol.
Following this advice doesn’t mean that
you will never get bowel cancer, but it
can reduce your risk and has other
health benefits too.
Where to get help
• Your local doctor
• Colorectal specialist
• Cancer Council Helpline ph. 13 11 20 n
Motor Market will save you time
and money on your next new car.
Our network of licensed dealers
allows us to supply new cars to you
at great prices.
Look how some members saved with Motor Market!
To be part of the savings, simply decide
on the make and model of the vehicle
you wish to purchase, then give us a call
on 1300 658 787 with your preferences,
best price and requirements.
Product^
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2012 Holden Barina
2012 Mazda BT-50 XT
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Savings quoted and delivery options are based on suppliers’ stock availability.
Stock from manufacturers may affect delivery times.
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Should you require an item within a specific time frame, please be sure
to mention this to your consultant when placing your enquiry.
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1300 658 78721
Australian Canegrower
memberplus.com.au
24 June 2013
CANEGROWERS classifieds
FIRST 30 WORDS FREE FOR CANEGROWERS MEMBERS book online anytime of the day or night
www. canegrowers. com. au or email Kim Thackeray at ads@canegrowers. com. au
Next deadline is Thursday 27 June 2013.
*As a FREE service to CANEGROWERS members, Australian Canegrower will print suitable classified advertisements UP TO 30 WORDS
FREE, FOR ONE ISSUE ONLY. A charge of $5. 50 will apply for each extra 7-word line or part thereof. A charge will apply for advertising of
non-cane growing activities. Advertisements must relate exclusively to cane farming activities, e. g. farm machinery etc. Advertisements
from non-members are charged at $11 per 7-word line incl GST. Only pre-paid ads will be accepted.
ATTENTION:
PAST & PRESENT MF105
CANE HARVESTER USERS
Seeking information from GROWERS,
CANE HARVEST CONTRACTORS and
SERVICE STAFF who worked with the
'MF105 CANE HARVESTER' about:
• ProblemsFaced;
• SolutionsFound;and
• WhatTheyWishedthe 105 had to
make it perform better.
Respond to:
[email protected]
Graham Twyford
Machinery Sales Pty Ltd
Specialising in Used Cane Harvesting
Equipment Sales
CASE 7000 WHEEL HARVESTER 2007
Iveco 10 Litre Eng. 350 HP 5,100 Hrs.
15 x 8 Blade Chopper System. Recent
Chopper Box Overhaul. Kratzmann Long
Elevator. Standard Whole Topper.
High Capacity LOW Hours!
CAMECO CHW 2500 Wheel Harvester
1995 Model. CAT 325 HP. 2,500 Hrs.
Rebuilt Eng. Shredder Topper.
WESTHILL TRACK TRANSPORTER.
Front Elevator Unloading Hi Lift.
Cummins L10 285 HP. Very Good Tracks
24” Bent Grousers.
TOFT INFIELD TRACK TRANSPORTER
Cat 3208 Eng 210 HP. Hi Lift to 4 Metres.
Side Tipper. Low Hour Machine. 24”
Grousers. VERY GOOD CONDITION.
FOR SALE
INGHAM AGENCIES
This maintenance season
buy direct from the manufacturer
• VIDAPLATE EXTRACTOR
LINERS
• VIDAPLATE CUT TO ANY SIZE
& SHAPE
• VIDAPLATE FLAT BAR 40, 50, 65,
75 & 100 MM IN STOCK
• 8 & 10 BLADE CHOPPER DRUMS
• BASE CUTTER DISCS
• CORRADINI TIPPER SPROCKETS
& CHAINS
• FLAT SPRING STEEL 40X6 FOR
WEAR STRIPS
MADE IN QUEENSLAND FOR
AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS
Take advantage of our pre-season
deals on extractor blades
Contact: Michael Pelleri
Phone: 07 47761273 Fax: 07 4776 2326
[email protected]
22
Australian Canegrower
• 1 x John Deere 6930 4WD. Excellent condition
2300hrs
• 1 x 3.6 ton Case Excavator
• 1 x 17 ton Hitachi Excavator
• 1 x Dual Row, Double Row HBM Billit Planter
Hydraulic Drive
• 1 x Double Row HBM Billit Planter Hydraulic
Drive
• 2 x Moller 3 Tonne Billit Planting Bins
• 1 x Kubota 9540 FWD Tractor Ex Con
• 1 x John Deere 5520 FWD V/G Con
• 1 x Kuboto 6040 FWD Tractor Ex Condition
• 1 x 2009 Trimble Auto pilot to suit a John Deere
3510 Harvester
• 1 x 8066 Fiat FWD Fair Condition
• 1 x John Deere 4520 – FWD VGC
WANTED
• 10 ton Elevating Bin for truck mounting
• 1 x Double Bin Trailer with Floatation Wheels
• 4 tonne HBM Tipper Bins
Call Ross on 4068 5499
or 0418 988 601
WANT TO ADVERTISE
ON THESE PAGES?
For ad sizes, prices
and a quick quote
contact:
Kim Thackeray
Ph: 07 3864 6444
or email:
[email protected]
24 June 2013
WANT TO ADVERTISE
MULTIPLIER TWO INTO ONE SUIT CASE
7700 SAI Radial Piston B/Cutter Drive
Motors
Good Condition - MAKE AN OFFER
NEW! 4 SLAT OPEN BUTT ROLLERS
Suit JD 3510/20. Helps Drop Dirt. Enquire
NOW!
McLEAN THREE QUARTER TRACKS.
Suit Case 8000. New Pins And Bushes.
Also Modify To Suit JD Wheel.
REDUCED PRICE LIMITED TIME ONLY!
12 BLADE DIFFERENTIAL CHOPPER
DRUMS Suit JOHN DEERE/CAMECO
3520/3510 MODELS 95mm Blades New
Seal Plates Supplied With Kits.
INCREASE Bin weights, Better Cleaning.
Tungsten Hard Faced on Wear Areas.
ENQUIRE NOW
NOW TAKING ORDERS FOR NEW:
BILLET PLANTER 2500 ADJUSTABLE
FURROW DEPTH & WIDTH RUBBER
MAIN FEED BELT
40 Years Associated with Sugar Cane Harvesters
Graham Twyford
48 Central Park Drive, Paget Mackay
Mobile: 0418 742 696
Phone: 07 49 526 668
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.gtmachinerysales.com.au
WANT TO ADVERTISE
ON THESE PAGES?
For ad sizes, prices and a quick
quote contact:
Kim Thackeray
Phone: (07) 3864 6444
or email:
[email protected]
WANT TO ADVERTISE
MEMBER
WHAT’S
SERVICES
NEW
Mossman - Tully
3 tyne heavy duty ripper. 1 x 3 disc plough.
1 ton fertiliser box set up with coulters.
1 x 5 disc plough. 5 x plant cane trailers.
07 4064 5153 After 7pm
Howard 5 swing plough. cat 3. Heavy
duty headstock. Little use and as new.
0427 028 631 (Tully)
Nissan Patrol Ute 1997, 4.2lt 4x4 good
condition $15,000 ono. 0409 271 016
New Holland TM190 1100hrs, Supersteer
front end, VGC. Newton 4 Tonne Side
Tipper. 0419 743 972 (Innisfail area)
Farmall Firebreak Pusher & one 3PL
Linkage PTO Driven Wash Down Unit.
0409 831 284 (Innisfail area)
Herbert River - Burdekin
2003 CAMECO 3500 wheelie. GC. Shredder
Topper 10 Blade Chop. Many extras. POA.
0429 065 022 (Burdekin)
John Deere Hi Crop final drives just arrived
for 30 to 55 series Tractors. 0427 835 762
(Burdekin)
JOHNNY FARMING
COMPANY
Australian
Distributor
Belshina Tyres & Chinese Imports
5 Tractor Tyres
5 Earthmoving Tyres
5 Truck Tyres
5 Cars & 4WD Tyres
DROVER EQUIPMENT AUSTRALIA
UTV’s, ATV’s & AG BIKES
See website for more details
P: 07 4952 2577 M: 0412 535 887
www.johnnyfarmingcompany.com.au
E: [email protected]
133 Schmidke Road Mackay 4740
International 1086 Tractor 147 HP, Air
Con, Excellent condition, $13,500 neg.
0417 710 544 (Ingham)
10 ton Newton tipper coupled to case mx
135 4wd a/c cab g/c. 0427 655 018
P&H double belt billet planter,very
good condition. Phone work hours
0419 027 569. Evening 07 4782 1942
(Burdekin area)
MF 102 Parts. Belts, wheels, diff parts,
chopper box clutch’s, elevator parts.
0415 626 715
Fiat F130 Tractor. Good condition.
0407 636 055
Mackay - Proserpine
12t self-propelled 6x6 elev. infielder. VGC.
6t side/tipper on Leyland tandem GC. Don
Mizzi 741 model on Fiat 750 special turbo
plus MF102 half-tracks to suit. Mason
9550 4 row precision vacuum seed planter
GC. 0438 606 578 (Mackay)
Ground Preparation, Ripping offsetts and
rotary hoe. Phone 0427 070 110
6 Row double disc opener Soybean
planter with fertilizer boxes VGC, property
sold. Phone 0467 597 551
New Holland 4WD Tractor 95hp. Brand
new; never used. A/c cab. Quick release
front loader with option to separate from
tractor. $50,000 + GST. 0418 710 958
Looking for a special
piece of machinery?
Beaulieu R.U.M.
Attention Canegrowers
The first step in achieving a high yielding cane crop
is a good strike and vigorous growth in the early stage of your crop.
For a cost of around $25 per acre
Can you afford not to give it a go?
For further information contact –
Burdekin & Northern Region call Wally Ford 0417 937 722
Mackay Region call Noel Jensen 0438 595 325
Childers Region call Peter Irwin 0428 427 212
Bundaberg - Rocky Point
Drop-deck, tautliner and flat top
extendable for hire. 07 4159 8174 or
0417 004 717.
Low loader with widening deck, drop deck
& flat top. Tandem Tippers. Semi Tippers.
20 tonne Excavator with tilt bucket. All
for hire. All areas of Queensland. Jason
0412 798 913
Howard heavy duty 90 inch rotary hoe
with gear box and crumble roller, $6,000
+ GST. 0448 034 046.
Wanted
Place an advertisement
in our classified
Wanted columns at
www.canegrowers.com.au
This can be achieved easily by simply adding
5 litres of R.U.M per acre to your dip water.
HBM Whole stick plant cutter with topper.
$900 + GST. 0429 629 337 (Proserpine)
1989 7700. Underslung, 12 inch Westhill
choppers
and
adjuster,
extended
elevator, good condition / tidy machine.
0428 541 197
Case 8910 4x4, 170hp air-cab tractor; GC
$28,000 + GST. Austoft 7700, 1999 model,
325hp Komatsu, 8 blade chop, Westhill
adjuster, shredder topper, swingout
radiator. G.C. 0427 595 085
1 x Hodge 3 point linkage 3 row stool
splitter with stainless steel box and
disc openers. $15,000 + GST ono.
07 4959 1451
98 Cameco track Harvester with 360hp
M11 engine 900hrs. One owner/driver,
service history, well maintained, low
component hrs, VGC. POA. 07 4959 1098
For Sale - Mackay Sugar Shares. Please
phone 0400 936 619. POA
Tractor tyres of all sizes. 07 4168 4664 all
hours.
7 or 9 tyne Hodge Ripper, older type
with approx 1 ¼” thick legs. 0419 705 530
(Mackay area)
Set of elevator flights to suit M.F. 305
or 205. Brand New or Good Condition.
0427 960 898 (Hebert area)
Wanted 1 HBM or equivalent 2x2. 5ton
tipper bin trailer. 0439 951 110
Wanted - Massey Ferguson 35X reasonable
condition prefer high clearance, but any
will do. 0408 844 610
Wanted 4” Hard Hose Irrigator in good
condition. 07 4959 6197
Wanted: Dual compartment fertiliser box.
0427 967 198
3
Point Linkage Mist Blower.
0407 595 218
Work Wanted
Looking for haul out work in the
Burdekin, small contract is fine, 4 day
roster preferably. I am experienced and
will be in the Burdekin in a couple weeks.
0468 430 383
40yr Old seeking weekend work. Marian,
Mirani, Pleytstowe, Eton area. Extensive
24 June 2013
Australian Canegrower
23
Haulout experience - Roll on Roll off, Side
Tippers and Elevators. Also exp with Stick
& Billet Planting. 0488 525 373
Mobile mechanic for New Holland,
Case and Kubota tractors for servicing
and minor repairs. Affordable rates.
0400 376 15.
My name is Matthew I am 25 years old
and looking for work as a number 3 or
4 haulout operator in the Herbert River
region. I have experience in stick and
billet planting and discing and rolling. I
recently obtained my UD license and hold
a Backhoe Ticket and First Aid Certificate.
I am happy to supply references.
0403 510 493
Hard working 29 year old male looking
for haulout work anywhere in Mossman,
Tully, Herbert River and Burdekin for the
2013 season. Have HR license, roll on roll
off experience, don’t mind the long days,
ready to roll now. Upgrading license to
MC in mid July or can get UD if needed.
0477 832 261
I am currently unemployed; I am 56 yrs
old, non-smoker and fit. I have 30 years’
experience within the transport industry
and can drive anything. I am come from a
rice and dry area farm and have experience
in tractor and bin operation and harvester
operation. I have mechanical knowledge
and have experience in mill operations
with rice. I am willing to relocate and can
send a resume if needed. 0437 959 010
Recorded rainfall (mm)
Location
7 days to 9am
Jan to Jun
0
1512
1724
0
702
717
0
945
1598
28
1
1832
2577
0
0
1561
3261
18.06.13
Mossman
29
Mareeba AP
2
Cairns
22
Mt Sophia
Babinda
Innisfail
58
4
2358
2714
Tully
93
17
2680
3154
Cardwell
13
7
1361
1655
Lucinda
12
0
1177
1653
Ingham
15
7
1509
1555
Abergowrie
17
20
1326
1429
Townsville
0.2
1
542
868
Ayr DPI
0.6
0.2
486
712
Proserpine
5
0.2
1237
1027
Mirani
10
10
1426
1118
Mackay
5
7
1594
1169
Sarina (Plane Ck)
13
2
1602
1282
Bundaberg
2
19
1036
610
Childers South
4
14
916
513
Maryborough
7
18
1100
728
Tewantin
70
36
1396
1129
Eumundi
90
32
1764
1095
1085
Nambour
111
14
1492
Woongoolba
98
14
955
834
Murwillumbah
15
37
1152
1035
Ballina
43
23
1445
1114
Woodburn
0
25
930
878
(Zero indicates either no rain or no report was sent). These rainfall figures are subject to verification. Cardwell’s year to date amount is inaccurate
due to equipment failure as a result of cyclone damage. Weather forecasts, radar and satellite images and other information for the farming
community can be accessed on www. bom. gov. au. Weather report provided by Bureau of Meteorology’s Commercial Weather Services Unit.
24
Australian Canegrower
24 June 2013
Call Kim Thackeray
on 07 3864 6444
Property
Cane Farm via Koumala 94ha home,
large sheds,full irrgation, [2] dams, grew
80tonne @ha last year , 7th in 24 in
group, 4,050 tonnes can do better. Bit of
machinery. $980.000 Phone 0407 118 074
Bellenden Ker farm. 80ha, house,
shed. Plant & Machinery neg. 70acres
plant cane, rest fallowed. $880,000.
0427 008 841
Average rainfall (mm)
Year to date
11.06.13
ADVERTISING
ENQUIRIES
Warranty: Advertisers and/or Advertising
Agents upon and by lodging material
with the Publisher for publication
or authorising or approving of the
publication of any material indemnify
the Publisher, its servants and agents
against all liability claims or proceedings
whatsoever arising from the publication
and without limiting the generality
of the foregoing to indemnify each
of them in relation to defamation,
slander of titles, breach of copyright,
infringement of trademarks or names of
publication titles, unfair competition or
trade practices, royalties or violation of
rights of privacy AND WARRANT that the
material complies with all relevant laws
and regulations and that its publication
will not give rise to any rights against
or liabilities to the Publisher, its servants
or agents and in particular, that nothing
therein is capable of a breach of Part V
of the Trade Practices Act 1984.
Indemnity: Advertisers and/
or Advertising Agents accept full
responsibility for the contents of all
advertisements and agree to indemnify
the Publisher against all liability and
claims or proceedings arising out of
the publication of such advertisement.
Provision of material or copy for
publication constitutes acceptance by
Advertisers and Advertising Agents of
this condition.
INSURANCE
Tailoring
your insurance
to your farm
has just become
easier.
CANEGROWERS Insurance
Finally. Insurance that understands farming.
Strong agricultural lobby group CANEGROWERS has
set up its own insurance service.
We have directly employed a team of qualified insurance professionals
to work with growers on their insurance needs.
Interested in getting a quote?
Call CANEGROWERS today.
He’s ready,
are you?
If you are ready, why not order your fertiliser early?
If you do, we’ll send you a $5 per tonne credit voucher
for you to spend on your next fertiliser purchase.*
Simply purchase your fertiliser and organise
pick up before 30 September 2013.
Call 1800 624 122 now to find out more.
*Terms and conditions apply, visit www.ravensdown.com.au for more information.