Canegrower
AUSTRALIAN
CANEGROWERS
The flagship of the sugarcane industry
16 April 2012 Price $7.95
Crop protection feature
Clarence hopes pinned
on huge 2012 planting
1st prize $8,500
2nd prize $3,500 | School prize $3,500
People’s Choice $2,500
Most viewed (month) $200 | Most viewed (overall) $1,000
Make a short, quirky, 2-minute movie
for YouTube on Aussie sugarcane
The best entry will be awarded some
sweet prize money.
Entries close 1 August 2012.
Details, terms & conditions:
www.canegrowers.com.au
This competition is a partnership between CANEGROWERS & Reef Rescue
Reef Rescue is an Australian Government
Caring for our Country initiative, aimed at addressing
off-farm impacts on water quality by encouraging
uptake of the latest technology and best practices.
CONTENTS
ACTING CEO’S COMMENT
Prior to Easter, the new Queensland
Cabinet of 19 Ministers and 11
Assistant Ministers was sworn
in for official duties. This week,
CANEGROWERS Chairman Alf
Cristaudo and I met with the Minister
for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry,
John McVeigh to
brief him on the
sugarcane industry
and the issues
impacting on
members.
16.4.2012
3
17
Ron Mullins,
CANEGROWERS
Acting CEO
Cover: Northern NSW
cane grower Andrew
Fischer said after two
disastrous seasons,
growers have high
hopes for a bumper
couple of years. Photo
by Gordon Collie.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Canegrower
AUSTRALIAN
CANEGROWERS
The flagship of the sugarcane industry
16 April 2012 Price $7.95
Crop protection feature
Clarence hopes pinned
on huge 2012 planting
Editor Jasmine Hunt
Design and Classifieds Beth Sinclair
4
Industry news briefs
6
Diuron interim label extended
7
Enviro notes: Social licence to operate
8
Industry spotlight: Brazil back in the black, even for ethanol
9
Place in profile: Phillipines
WHAT’S NEW
10
QSL market update: Continuing crop uncertainty in CS Brazil
11
Tully Sugar announcement and QSL’s approach to foreign
ownership
16
Target 10,000 – on target
Advertising Kim Thackeray
Subscriptions Beth Sinclair
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: [email protected]
Website: www.canegrowers.com.au
CANEGROWERS/Members Card Hotline 1800 177 159
AUSTRALIAN CANEGROWER ISSN 157-3039
Volume 34, Number 8
Printed by Harding Colour, 7 Proprietary Street
TINGALPA QLD 4173
Subscriptions
Yearly subscriptions for 25 issues (postage included)
Within Australia
Overseas (AUD)
$140 inc GST
$220
CROP PROTECTION
12
The sprayer for now and the future
14
Protect plan crop and future ratoons in one go
FARMERS TEACHING FARMERS
17
Reef Guardian Farmers program keeps kicking goals
20
Clarence hopes pinned on huge 2012 planting
MEMBER SERVICES
21
Member deals
22
Classifieds
16 April 2012
Australian Canegrower
1
EDITOR’S DESK
WHAT’S NEW
I hope you all had a happy and safe
Easter. We’ve had some lovely weather
lately – I hope you’ve had a few good
days of sunshine to relax and enjoy.
You would have received with this
magazine a booklet featuring the
facts on the research and
development reforms.
Biochar presentation in Mackay
Back to work now – as the flurry
of activity before harvest season
continues.
These fact sheets feature important
information regarding to the
reforms, and answer many
frequently asked questions.
The Mackay Conservation Group has
invited growers to attend a Biochar
presentation that is to be held at Central
Queensland University on 18 April 2012.
If you need another copy of the
fact sheets, all of the information
is also available at
www.canegrowers.com.au
The presenter, Barry Batchelor, is an
award-winning organic gardener,
permaculture designer and the owner of
Black Earth Products.
This edition of Australian Canegrower
includes a crop protection feature,
starting on page 12.
We also feature the Reef Guardian
Farmers program this edition, with a
three page article on the latest farm
tour in the Burdekin.
It also looks at the work done by
Vince and Rita Papale, who converted
four hectares of poor-performing
low-land into a highly productive
wetland. Turn to page 17 to read
all about it.
Jasmine Hunt
Barry will talk about the history, present
and future of Biochar production.
The presentation will be held on
Wednesday, 18 April at 7 pm-8.30 pm
followed by a light supper; at room
1/G.03 (Cook Lecture Theatre), Central
Qld University, Boundary Rd Mackay.
The presentation is free but attendees
are urged to RSVP to mcgmail@bigpond.
com to assist with catering. For more
information call 0458 767437. „
Media Watch
The next big story for sugarcane: harvest workers
By CANEGROWERS Communications
Manager, Suzi Moore
Harvest is almost upon us, and already
there are reports of a labour shortage,
due in part to the exodus of some 500
skilled sugar industry workers to wellpaid jobs in the burgeoning mining
sector. The media has jumped on the
story of the Pacific workers scheme not
starting until mid 2012 – too late for the
sugarcane industry which will be well and
truly in the middle of harvest by then.
Act NOW – please inform your
local office of your harvest labour
needs ASAP.
With a potential shortage of labour
to bring in the promising 2012
crop looming, CANEGROWERS is
urging members to think about their
requirements now, and register them
with their local CANEGROWERS office.
Once CANEGROWERS has a list of
positions which need to be filled,
it will begin a targeted campaign
through the media to attract workers
to fill those vacancies. But to be
successful – we need the positions for
each area now – as the closer we get to
harvest, the harder it will be.
2
Australian Canegrower
Register now: Free cane haulout
training for 210 new recruits who
are Australian citizens or permanent
residents living
in Queensland.
One proactive program is free haulout
training – but it is first in best dressed –
so applicants need to register as soon
as possible with their local
CANEGROWERS office.
210 new recruits of Cane Haulout
Operations have been funded by Skills
Queensland and AACC under the special
Natural Disasters Jobs & Skills Package.
The free training will be conducted
across the state, at dates and locations
which are currently being finalised:
• Mossman
• Cairns
• Mareeba
• Tully/Innisfail
• Ingham
• Burdekin
• Mackay
• Bundaberg/Maryborough/Isis
• Other areas
CANEGROWERS is urging any grower
who knows someone who might be able
16 April 2012
to take advantage of this opportunity to
let them know. Time is of essence, and
we are looking for your help in assisting
to attract new recruits.
This is an important initiative for many
reasons, but most of all, it will help get
much needed new trained entrants into
the sugar business by harvest.
New ‘Careers’ section on the
CANEGROWERS website
CANEGROWERS is building a new
careers section on its website to help
inform workers of the jobs available
in the sugarcane industry, the skills
and qualifications they need (and
forthcoming training sessions listed),
and to point them in the direction of
our local offices in the locations they
would like to work. The
new page can be found
on our website
www.canegrowers.com.
au/page/jobs/ „
WHAT’S
COMMENT
NEW
CANEGROWERS’ engages with new Queensland Government
Following the Queensland election result,
CANEGROWERS CEO, Steve Greenwood
was quick off the mark in congratulating
Premier Campbell Newman on the LNP’s
mandate for government and support for
agriculture. We now are looking forward
to working with the new government to
ensure that the CANEGROWERS policy
agenda is met.
‘‘
Prior to Easter, the new Queensland
Cabinet of 19 Ministers and 11 Assistant
Ministers was sworn in for official duties.
This week, CANEGROWERS Chairman Alf
Cristaudo and I met with the Minister for
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, John McVeigh to
brief him on the sugarcane industry and the issues
impacting on members.
Issues discussed included the six major platforms
CANEGROWERS lobbied for throughout the election
campaign: removing inefficient government costs, rebuilding
and reskilling the workforce, reinvesting in research and
development, reducing green tape, reinvigorating plans for
growth and retaining and enhancing biosecurity measures.
As we have already noted, there are clear efficiencies to be
made within the Queensland Government, but there are also
a lot of strengths to be preserved – so it is about finding the
right balance and making smarter decisions in forming a
stronger future-focussed government to lead the State.
The Minister was also invited to familiarise himself with the
industry by visiting some cane growing regions and to
attend the next meeting of the State Board. CANEGROWERS
will also be meeting with other key ministers in the near
future to familiarise them with the sugarcane industry and
the key issues.
This week, CANEGROWERS Chairman Alf
Cristaudo and I met with the Minister for
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, John McVeigh
to brief him on the sugarcane industry and the
issues impacting on members.
Ron Mullins, CANEGROWERS Acting CEO
‘‘
By CANEGROWERS Acting CEO
Ron Mullins
label conditions until review complete. The review will be
completed by no later than 30 November 2012. [Editor’s note:
more on diuron on page 6.]
Finally, the Directors of Ravensdown Fertiliser Australia
Ravensdown are recommending changes to the constitution to
the Redeemable Preference Shares (RPS). The RFA Board has
approve changes to Redeemable Preference Shares (RPS) to
create a new ‘R’ class which requires new customers requiring a
minimum of 100 R Class RPS @ $1 each. The proposals will be
put to shareholders at Ingham on 23 April 2012.
A prospectus detailing the new R class shares has been
circulated to shareholders who will be required to vote on
the changes. Grower shareholders are urged to lodge their
proxy vote supporting the changes which are required to
grow the Ravensdown business by removing the obstacle of
requiring large expenditure on shares up-front. Existing Q Class
shareholders will not be disadvantaged with the changes. „
High on CANEGROWERS priority is electricity and water
charges which are currently before the Queensland
Competition Authority. QCA has released its draft report on
electricity which indicates for large regional users prices are
set to rise.
CANEGROWERS will submit a detailed response to the draft
report which is due by 13 May 2012. A key point in the
CANEGROWERS’ response is to identify the number of users
who draw more than 100Mw - the arbitrary cut off QCA has
identified to distinguish between small and larger users.
The impact of the QCA recommendations on SunWater
charges will also be considered by CANEGROWERS.
Water issues have also been taken up strongly by
CANEGROWERS. Engagement with the Queensland
Competition Authority on CANEGROWERS’ position, including
a freeze on water prices for irrigation for 12 months, initiation
of a review of the iniquitous terms of reference of the current
QCA review and extending the term of the review and lift
restraints placed in QCA by Ministerial Direction to maintain
prices and revenues, has continued in earnest.
Another key area CANEGROWERS has been active in is the
retention of diuron. The APVMA confirmed last week that it
continues to allow use of diruon for now and reinstates revised
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, John McVeigh with
CANEGROWERS Chairman, Alf Cristaudo.
16 April 2012
Australian Canegrower
3
Winners are grinners at Herbert River
Productivity Services awards night
The 2011 Herebert River Productivity
Services awards night was held on
Friday 23 March 2012. Apart from
recognising the region’s high achievers,
the evening also functioned as a farwell
Improved Farm Layout
for Greg Shannon, who left BSES Limited
earlier last month after 16 years of service
to Herbert River growers.
Award winners are as follows:
Adrian Covell
Farm Presentation for Harvesting
Vince Russo
Mangrove Jack Environmen
CANEGROWERS Herbert
Life Time Achievement
Dr Andrew Wood
Innovation
Raymond De Lai
Harvesting Efficiency
E Quabba
On-Farm Co-Operator
Joe, Eric, Matthew Girgenti
Robert & Peter Quabba
Orazio & Anthony Marino
Frank & Alan White
Alan Pace
Consistent High Productivity
Pace Farming Co.
NFF
REPORT
A Robino
The Manager - Rural Affairs
A & J Fortini
Last fortnight the new manager for
Rural Affairs commenced at NFF,
David McKeon.
G Irlam
Vella Enterprises
Chiesa Enterprises
Hinchinbrook Nominees Pty Ltd
Farmer of the Year
John Biasi & Family „
Tully Sugar and QSL announce extension
of supply agreement to 2015
Tully Sugar Limited and QSL have
announced they have agreed to
extend Tully Sugar Limited’s Raw
Sugar Supply Agreement (RSSA)
with QSL until June 2016.
In making the announcement,
Mr Qin Yelong, President of COFCO
Tuhne and a member of Tully Sugar’s
Board of Directors, said the decision
should give Tully growers confidence
that the new owners of the company
had grower interests at heart.
“A strong industry is built around a
strong and respectful relationship
between miller and growers,”
Mr Qin said.
“We are conscious of the growth
opportunities available in the Tully
area at the moment and we are keen
to finalise a new cane supply contract
with growers that will provide
4
Australian Canegrower
opportunities for them to price sugar
out to the 2015 season.”
Greg Beashel, Chief Executive and
Managing Director of QSL, said
QSL was pleased it would be able
continue its strong relationship with
Tully Sugar Ltd.
“We are working hard to deliver
value to our milling partners and
we are very pleased that we’ll be
able to continue to work with Tully
for the next three years, providing
robust sugar marketing, pricing,
financing and logistics services to
them,” said Beashel.
Tully Sugar Limited was acquired
by Chinese Agribusiness Company
COFCO Corporation, one of China’s
largest food and agribusinesses,
in July 2011. „
16 April 2012
David comes to NFF from Department
of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
(DAFF). During his time at DAFF
he worked on a variety of issues,
including the National Food Plan,
Sustainable Agriculture Policy,
Environmental Regulation, Drought
Policy, and Research and Development
Corporation Governance. Prior to his
time in government David worked
on a number of mixed farming
operations, including the family
property in western NSW.
Fuel Tax Credit scheme under
threat?
NFF members may have noted recent
press reports suggesting that the Fuel
Tax Credit Scheme (Former Diesel
Fuel Rebate) is a potential target for
the government to find savings in
the upcoming budget. The NFF has
followed up with the Treasurer’s office
on this issue making it clear that we
will actively oppose any suggestion
of removing the Fuel Tax Credit for
farmers. We are also now compiling a
dossier of arguments with the help of
the Economics Committee to defend
the Fuel Tax Credit Scheme. „
INDUSTRY
WHAT’SNEWS
NEW
Applications for 2013
Nuffield scholarships
now open
Applications for 2013 scholarships are
now open and will run until 30, June 2012.
Nuffield is offering up to 20 scholarships
for primary producers across Australia.
The application form and more details
are available below and by visiting:
http://www.nuffield.com.au/schols.html
The scholarships on offer include:
• A sugar cane grower anywhere
in Australia, supported by the
Sugar Research and Development
Corporation
• A primary producer anywhere in
Australia, to study Natural Resource
Management, supported by the
Sidney Myer Fund
• A primary producer in Queensland,
supported by the Sylvia & Charles
Viertel Charitable Foundation
• A primary producer anywhere in
Australia, supported by Woolworths
• A primary producer anywhere in
Australia, supported by Rabobank „
Empty 1,000 litre
Container Disposal
Feedback
Any feedback would be useful and
can be forwarded to Matt Kealley at
CANEGROWERS Australia either by
phone 07 3864 6444 or email
[email protected] „
AgStewardship Australia, who manages
the DrumMuster program, is seeking
feedback on 1,000 L containers.
Newman names
his cabinet
AgStewardship Australia has provided
the following questions and is seeking
feedback from growers ASAP:
1.
Whether farmers with unwanted and
empty 1,000L chemical containers
are able to dispose of them from
their farms; and if so, how?
2.
If not, what are the obstacles to
disposing of these containers?
3.
What, if any, alternative uses do
farmers have for these containers
prior to disposal?
4.
Are farmers aware of companies or
services that collect empty 1,000L
containers from farms or other
collection points? If so, have they
used these services?
5.
New Queensland Premier
Campbell Newman has named
his cabinet – including a change
of duties for previously pinned
Agriculture Minister,
Andrew Cripps.
Andrew Cripps is now
Minister for Natural Resources
and Mines, while the job of
state Agriculture, Fisheries
and Forestry Minister has
been given to newcomer
John McVeigh.
CANEGROWERS has formally
welcomed the new ministry and
plans to meet with all relevant
ministers as soon as possible. „
What other waste issues, if any, are
causing concern on-farm and why?
Who’s protecting
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D10/ASS1956/QLD
Australian Canegrower
5
Diuron interim label extended –
use conditions summarised
Growers can now use diuron from
1 April 2012 at a rate of 1.8kg ac
per hectare per year.
The APVMA will finalise its review
of diuron after receiving a final
environmental assessment report
from the Department of Sustainability,
Environment, Water, Population and
Communities (DSEWPaC).
113 submissions were received
in response to the environmental
assessment that was published in July
2011. Submissions were received from
registrants, diuron chemical users,
user groups, state governments and
environmental groups and some of the
material - which included data from
the Reef Monitoring Program - is quite
substantial and contains new studies
and information in relation to the use
and impacts of diuron and therefore will
require careful consideration.
In the absence of a final environmental
assessment the APVMA is not making a
regulatory decision at this time.
Once this final assessment is received,
the authority will take at least 12 weeks
to develop regulatory outcomes for
the future of diuron, before the review
is finalised.
Instructions for use of diuron products
during suspension
‘‘
Growers can now use diuron from 1 April 2012
at a rate of 1.8kg ac per hectare per year.
• DO NOT USE on driveways, paths,
lanes, drains, ditches, fence lines, car
parks, tennis courts
• DO NOT USE in non-crop areas
Restricted crop uses
In the interim period, the following
restraints apply:
• DO NOT USE in banana, coffee, paw
paws, pineapples, sugarcane or tea
between 5 December 2011 and 31
March 2012
• DO NOT USE in factory sites,
commercial and industrial areas
UNLESS the area is adequately
bunded to retain any runoff
• DO NOT USE in irrigation channels
or drainage ditches UNLESS ALL
irrigation tailwater and rainfall can be
captured and held on farm
• TREE CROPS: Apply under trees
only as a directed band spray over a
maximum of 50% of the area
6
Australian Canegrower
• DO NOT spot spray greater than
5% of total farm area. „
Advice for CANEGROWERS
members and sugarcane industry
during this interim period (based
on suspension label conditions)
Maximum rate of application
is 1.8kg of active constituent
per hectare per year.
3.
DO NOT apply if greater than
50 mm rain fall is expected
within 3 days of application.
• DO NOT use in water-logged areas
4.
• DO NOT apply if greater than
50 mm rain fall is expected within
3 days of application
DO NOT irrigate within 3 days
of application.
5.
DO NOT apply to fields where
the slope exceeds 3%.
6.
DO NOT apply within 20m
of a down slope water body,
unless a minimum 5m wide
effective vegetated treatment
area (EVTA) between the edge
of the down slope water body
and any points where low
flow runoff exits the inter-row
furrows of the crop.
• DO NOT apply more than 1.8
kilograms of diuron active per
hectare in any 12 month period (refer
to rate conversions provided below).
• DO NOT irrigate within 3 days of
application
• DO NOT USE on right-of-way areas
• Apply as a COARSE spray only
2.
Restraints (All Crops):
When using or otherwise handling the
product, follow the instructions of the
current label except as follows:
• DO NOT USE around agricultural
buildings
• DO NOT apply when there is nontarget terrestrial vegetation within
130 m downwind from the
application area
Growers can use diuron after
31 March 2012 as no-use
period has ended.
• DO NOT apply by air
In the interim period, the use of diuron is
no longer approved for these situations
and the following restraints apply:
• DO NOT apply within 20 m of a
down slope water body, unless
a minimum 5 m wide effective
vegetated treatment area (EVTA)
between the edge of the down
slope water body and any points
where low flow runoff exits the
inter-row furrows of the crop
1.
When APVMA started the review, they
suspended the label, replacing it with a
new interim label with more stringent
conditions of use. These instructions
apply to the use of products containing
diuron during the interim period.
Prohibited crop uses
‘‘
As growers may have heard, the
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary
Medicines Authority has again allowed
sugarcane growers to use diuron until
the review is completed, no later than
30 November 2012.
• DO NOT apply to fields where the
slope exceeds 3%
• DO NOT replant treated areas
within 2 years of application of
diuron except when otherwise
stated on label
• DO NOT use on very light sandy
or gravelly soils as crop damage
may occur
16 April 2012
Full details about the diuron
suspension and review are
available at www.apvma.gov.au
INDUSTRY
WHAT’SNEWS
NEW
Enviro Notes
Social licence to operate
By CANEGROWERS Senior Manager –
Environment, Matt Kealley
legislation, regulations and legal licenses
from government that are mandatory.
The turn of phrase “social licence to
operate” is something that I have heard
numerous times over the last couple of
years, yet its meaning is hard to describe.
To put this into my way of thinking, a
social licence recognises that the activity
in question has a number of laws to
comply with, yet the public doesn’t trust
that the activity is complying with them.
Looking into this topic, I have found
that the advocates usually refer to the
“social licence” as a type of approval that
must be sought and granted from local
communities in which the activity
is operating.
I have heard this logic being applied to
sugarcane and its proximity to the Great
Barrier Reef with some green groups,
parts of government and the community
speaking about a “social licence to
operate” to ensure the reef is adequately
shielded from the hazards of farm
practices and inputs that may run-off in
rainfall or weather events creating risk to
the reef.
The “social licence” would provide a level
of comfort that the risk is managed, yet
it is over and above compliance with
This then raises doubt and the
expectation is that a further level of
commitment is needed for the activity to
continue operating in the same space.
According to Katherine Teh-White,
companies that understand how their
social impact affects their reputation,
political influence, profitability and even
viability see that the social licence to
operate is not just theory - it is a new
approach to running a business.
Teh-White feels the corporate world
needs to recognise it cannot operate
without a social licence and must
show commitment to listening and
implementing the needs of the
community.
I feel Teh-White has a point. I also think
there is an added level of complexity
in agriculture and the Queensland
sugarcane industry. Firstly, agriculture,
particularly sugarcane, is not located in
a single location which makes measuring
impacts difficult.
Second, a lot of these communities were
built on the back of sugarcane – therefore
does the consent from the community
still need to be sought?
Third, who grants a social licence to
operate? Fourth, how is it measured?
Finally, who pays?
Whether a “social licence to operate” will
be required for sugarcane to be grown in
Queensland is one of speculation. I think
it will be a challenging proposition to
implement, yet I also see that community
expectations will need to be satisfied
in some form. Whatever the outcome,
sugarcane must continue to demonstrate
its excellent practices and world leading
techniques that allow us to operate in
these changing times. „
16 April 2012
Australian Canegrower
7
Brazil back in the black, even for ethanol
By CANEGROWERS Chief Policy
Officer, Bernard Milford
Figure 2. History of total cost (TC) and price of hydrous ethanol in Centre-South Brazil
CANEGROWERS
receives news on
costs of production
from a group in
Brazil, PECEGE,
which is part of the
prestigious ESALQ,
the agriculture
section of the
University of São
Paulo.
This organisation collects information
on cane growing and processing costs
from producers that represents about
25% of the sugarcane in the Centre
South region – making it an impeccably
large, statistically valid sample. The latest
update is for the 2011/2012 season.
Figure 1. History of total cost (TC) and price of Raw (VHP) in Centre-South Brazil.
From an Australian point of view, there
is some disturbing news in this latest
update. Everyone in Brazil is making
money!
Costs went up significantly last year, up
to 18% for cane growers in the traditional
areas (the study splits traditional areas,
mostly in São Paulo state, from expansion
areas further west).
One reason for this was yield. The
2011/12 crop-year saw a massive fall in
the crop yields, reduced levels of ATR
(sugar content) and low utilisation of the
industrial capacity.
The consequence was the increase in the
product cost. Nonetheless, prices moved
up, too, both for sugar and for ethanol.
Sugar, as would be expected with prices
at last year’s level, was profitable, even
with the lower crops. Ethanol, while not
as well paying as sugar (as usual), was
also in the black, except, in the traditional
area, only just so.
One reason for the lower yields was lack
on inputs. Brazilians have been holding
back on fertiliser and replanting; these
results will doubtless allow some of this
to resume, with expected increases in
production.
Whether they will allow expansion,
which has been stalled since the GFC,
remains to be seen. All in all, a valuable
insight into the dynamics of our biggest
competitor. „
8
Australian Canegrower
16 April 2012
INDUSTRY
WHAT’SNEWS
NEW
Philippines
Philippines
By Jasmine Hunt
As early as 1850s, sugar was introduced in
the Philippines and became a subsistence
crop among early Filipino farmers.
Population:
94,013,200
The United States, through the LaurelLangley Agreement [The Laurel-Langley
Agreement was a trade agreement
between the Philippines and the United
States which was signed in 1955 and
expired in 1974], granted the Philippine
a high quota for sugar into the US
markets. Soon, sugar became a leading
export earning crop of the country.
Capital:
Manila
Currency:
Peso (PHP)
Official
Language/s:
Filipino (Tagalog),
English
Grows:
sugarcane
Growers
550,000
One of the effects of the sugar boom in
the country was that lands planted with
sugar increased ten fold. In Negros, the
leading sugar producing province in the
Visayas, 70% of its total agricultural lands
were turned into sugar lands. Ownership
of land began to concentrate in the
hands of few but rich families.
Mills
27 (13 refineries)
Beet
production:
853,669 tonnes
(2007)
Sugar
production:
1.97 million tonnes
Imports
150,000 tonnes
Exports
154,000 tonnes
Sugar
consumption:
22 kg per capita
per year
On the other hand, the small farmers
became landless – merely working as
tenants and farm workers, which resulted
in extreme poverty of the rural areas.
When sugar production became
mechanised in other developed
countries, including the US, Europe and
Australia, Philippine sugar production
became less price competitive and thus
the market for their sugar was reduced.
However, the Phillipines still produces
about 1.9 million tonnes of sugar per
year, and has 13 refineries. In 2011/2012,
Philippine mills crushed 199,000 tonnes
of cane per day, with an average milling
capacity of 7,400 tonnes of cane.
Each fortnight, I will profile a country
that is of interest to readers. Countries
or places will either be sugar producing
locations, or countries or places
experiencing changes in domestic
consumption of sugar. If you have a ‘Place
in Profile’ suggestion, send it to editor@
canegrowers.com.au „
Information sourced from the Philippine
Partnership for the Development
of Human Resources in Rural Areas
(PhilDHRRA)
50,000 HUNGRY PEOPLE
THANK GOD FOR
THE SALVOS EVERY WEEK.
WE THANK GOD FOR YOU.
DONATE NOW
13 SALVOS (13 72 58)
salvationarmy.org.au
16 April 2012
Australian Canegrower
9
SIGN UP FOR MARKET UPDATES AND QSL NEWS AT WWW.QSL.COM.AU
ICENo.11PromptFuturesContract
34.0
32.0
Continuing crop uncertainty in CS Brazil
By Simon Burgess, Executive Manager Sugar Marketing, QSL
30.0
Summary of recent market movement
28.0
26.0
Prices on the global market declined slightly during the first
week of this reporting period (26 to 30 March) and funds and
speculators were buyers, increasing their net long positions,
as the May’12 contract fell.
24.0
22.0
20.0
18.0
After a slight dip during the second week of this reporting period
(2 to 5 April), the May’12 contract climbed again to trade close to
values well within its recent range of US 20-25c/lb.
16.0
14.0
The May’12 contract opened at US25.41c/lb on Monday 26 March
and closed at US24.58c/lb on Thursday 5 April.
Crop uncertainty in Brazil
AustralianDollar(AUDvUSD)
1.15
1.10
Analysts note that current weather forecasts are varied, but rain
is possible in the near term. However, even if this occurs, some
production losses are still expected.
1.05
1.00
0.95
0.85
The anticipated size of the CS Brazil harvest is still unclear, but
analysts’ production forecasts range between 512 and 520 million
tonnes of cane, to produce roughly 32 to 34 million tonnes of sugar.
0.80
India and Thailand meeting demand
0.90
The Indian government recently announced the approval of another
one million tonnes of exports under OGL6. Mills will be allocated
licenses by quota based on their production over the previous three
years. The previous round of export licenses, OGL 5, is now almost
fully allocated.
0.75
QSLForwardFixedPriceContract(A$/mt)
Analysts have noted production in India rose 13 per cent in the
year up to March with higher cane crushing in key growing regions,
equalling 23.2 million tonnes of sugar.
In Thailand, 92.8 million tonnes of cane have been crushed this
season, from which 9.7 million tonnes of sugar has been produced.
The harvest looks set to surpass 100 million tonnes of cane,
possibly reaching 105 million tonnes, equating to roughly
10.5 million tonnes of sugar.
645
595
545
495
Good weather and greater capacity utilisation at mills has boosted
crushing and contributed to the successful season in Thailand.
Analysts note the Thai crush may end two to three weeks early
this year.
445
395
345
2011
10
Despite recent scattered rainfall, concerns about the Centre South
Brazil crop persist due to dry weather in the region. The lack of
precipitation has been depleting soil moisture and increasing
stress on developing cane which has already faced a hot, dry
growing season.
2012
Australian Canegrower
2013
16 April 2012
QSL is almost fully sold for the 2011 season and continues to see
good demand for the 2012 season and beyond. „
WHAT’S NEW
Tully Sugar announcement and QSL’s approach to
foreign ownership in the milling sector
By Greg
Beashel,
Managing
Director and
Chief Executive
Officer
This week I’d like
to confirm what
some of you may have already heard.
Tully Sugar and QSL recently reached
an agreement to extend our raw sugar
supply agreement to June 2016 (2015
season). This new cane supply contract
allows QSL to continue our work to
deliver value for Tully Sugar and all
our members.
This announcement addresses
speculation in the industry about new
foreign ownership in the milling sector
and the commitment of new owners to
QSL. QSL is a company set up to serve
the interests of the sugar industry and
we need to be responsive to all of our
members and their needs.
Our approach to new members is to
welcome them to the industry, make
sure they understand the pooling
system and the benefits it provides
and determine how QSL can best add
value to their businesses. This process
may lead to some changes to improve
our marketing system and it is very
important this is done in a way that
adds value for the whole industry.
Tully Sugar approached QSL to renew
our agreement in advance of the 30
June deadline as they see this as the
most effective way to encourage
expansion and increase cane
production. The agreement provides
Tully the opportunity to price sugar
out to the 2015 season.
This ability to price to the 2015 season
is just one example of the value QSL
offers to our members. The QSL
model also provides value for our
members through:
Tully Sugar and QSL have announced an agreement to extend their raw sugar supply
agreement to June 2016.
• Pooled sales and premiums –
QSL’s combined marketing volume
brings greater bargaining power
and higher, transparent premiums
for our members. We have recently
added flexibility in our sales
contracts to supply sugar from other
origins which we expect to add
approximately $10 million to pool
returns this season.
• Financing – QSL’s low cost of
funding is a result of our collective
approach and unique structure. Our
structure and constitution ensures
savings are returned to members.
• On time, in full delivery – Pooling
helps manage quality and
production issues and provides
customers with raw sugar on time
to their specifications, ensuring
continuing customer demand and
higher premiums.
• Supply chain – QSL’s quality control
is closely tied to our monitoring of
raw sugar from every end of our
supply chain and leveraging QSL’s
shipping and logistics efficiencies
that come from running six
terminals as one operation.
• Pricing Flexibility – Our model
provides a number of QSL
managed pools, where QSL makes
pricing decisions for our members
as well as the option for members
to make their own pricing
decisions. There is considerable
interest in QSL managed pools
operating over multiple seasons
and we hope to expand our
offering of future year pricing
options in the near future.
We are currently forecasting a record
Seasonal Pool return for the 2012
season of $510 to $520 per IPS tonne.
The market outlook for the near future
is very positive for Australian sugar
reflecting the strong demand from our
Asian customers. „
16 April 2012
Australian Canegrower
11
CROP PROTECTION
Protecting your crop from the start
and disease management plan to suit
your needs.
By Jasmine Hunt
Welcome to our feature for this
fortnight: Crop Protection.
With land preparation and planting now
under way, now is also the time to focus
on protecting your crop from potentially
critical pests and diseases.
As you know, it is very important to
choose and implement the best pest
This feature includes new products and
information from Irvin Farm Machinery,
Axichem and Crop Care.
Spray booms are now an integral
part of many farms’ crop protection
arsenal, and can be an important tool in
preventing spray drift. Irvin Farms is a
long time manufacturer of spray booms,
and has a number of options to suit your
farm. Read more below.
And, we all know that damage from
cane grubs can wreak havoc on
sugarcane yield, so protecting when
planting is crucial. Crop Care’s product
suSCon Maxi is well known in canegrub
protection. Read more about it,
including application tips, on page 14. „
The sprayer for now and the future
Supplied by Irvin Farm
The shape of the future is not easy
to predict. Technology advances,
environmental requirements, market
evolvement can become a chaotic mix.
The Irvin Boom has the capability and
capacity to meet these demands.
Irvin Booms meet these demands by
having adjustable width and height
toolbar booms that can accommodate
from 4 to 7 rows, nozzle platforms with
hoods, spray bars, flat booms, edge
sprayers and double swivels.
The sprayers are used for a variety of
specialist duties such as liquid fertiliser
application, banded spraying, edge
maintenance and plain old interow
application.
On many farms the boom is in use over
most of the year with little time for
maintenance except for what needs to
be done to keep the sprayer operational
at any time. The galvanised components
are well suited to handle this demanding
environment.
one job to another simply by unpinning
one attachment and pinning another
onto the boom. There are no bolts to
seize creating infield angst when things
go wrong.
The Irvin Boom’s simplicity was borne
out of a need to be able to change from
There is no need for specialised tools.
Hosing can be simply repositioned with
12
Australian Canegrower
16 April 2012
reusable cable ties. Nozzles can be preset
or positioned by hand.
The range of Irvin Booms is designed
to partner the farmer on his journey to
sustainability whatever that is in their
particular situation. „
High Quality
Low Cost
Crop Protection
READ
SAFETY DIRECTIONS
BEFORE OPENING
OR USING
! AC AXIS 900
AC IMPRESSOR 350
AC NUTLESS
900g/kg Atrazine
350g/L Imidacloprid
750g/kg Halosulfuron
Grass and Broadleaf Weed Control
Grey Back and Childers Grub Control
Nutgrass Control
CAUTION
KE OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
KEEP
READ
REA SAFETY DIRECTIONS BEFORE
OPENING OR USING
AC AXIWETTA
AC JOKER 625
AC MUT 700
1000g/L Alcohol Alkoxyylate
625g/L Amine 24D
700g/kg Glyphosate
Wetting Agent
Broadleaf Weed Control
Control of Annual and Perennial Weeds
AW
240
AC GROWLER 450
AW PUTOUT
AW IMPLODE
450g/L Glyphosate
250g/L Paraquat
250g/L Imazapic
Control of Annual and Perennial Weeds
Grass and Broadleaf Weed Control
Annual Grass and Broadleaf Control
POISON
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
READ SAFETY DIRECTIONS BEFORE OPENING OR USING
AW
CHOP 500
Insecticide and Termiticide
AW CHOP
500g/L Chlorpyrifos
Insect Control
Contact Nev Watts
Mobile – 0400 242 436
Email – [email protected]
Website - www.axichem.com.au
Contact AxiChem for
nearest
Agent
16 Aprilyour
2012 Australian
Canegrower
13
CROP PROTECTION
Protect plant crop and future ratoons in one go
Supplied by Crop Care
Planting is the biggest expense in the
sugarcane crop cycle, so it makes good
economic sense to set the crop up for
several productive ratoons.
An important aspect of this establishment
phase is to protect the crop for as long as
possible against canegrub damage.
One of the greatest advances in cane
growers’ planting toolkit has been the
advent of sustained-release suSCon Maxi
granules, which will protect the crop
against canegrubs for several years from
one application to the plant crop.
Crop Care business manager Kerrie
Mackay said that suSCon Maxi is the
only product registered for controlling
greyback canegrub for two years in
central and northern Queensland, and for
3-year control of Childers, Negatoria and
Southern one-year canegrubs in southern
Queensland.
“By comparison, registered liquid
treatments only protect the crop for one
year,” she said.
“For more than a decade, extensive BSESCrop Care trials on commercial cane farms
have found suSCon Maxi to be the most
economical, convenient and effective
canegrub treatment to apply to the plantcane crop – leading to yield increases
over the life of the crop.”
Ongoing developments with
Childers cane grub control
Ms Mackay said that following on the
heels of last spring’s updated registration
of suSCon Maxi for new farming systems
(including minimum tillage and dual
rows), Crop Care had applied for the
registration of suSCon Maxi to be
extended to even longer term control
of Childers canegrub.
“From 2002, Crop Care and BSES Limited
trials on Childers and Bundaberg cane
farms demonstrated the effectiveness
of the product against Childers and
Negatoria canegrubs – leading to the
current 3-year registration of suSCon Maxi
against these two grubs,” she said.
“Continuation of these studies in the Isis
Mill area has shown ongoing control
of Childers canegrub into subsequent
ratoons with a resultant yield increase.”
Technical consultant to Crop Care, Glen
Tucker, has been closely involved in these
long-term trials.
Reduced grub numbers
“Control of Childers canegrub with
suSCon Maxi was similar to suSCon Blue
and suSCon Plus in first ratoon crops –
but generally better in second and third
ratoon crops,” said Glen Tucker.
“In young fourth ratoon cane there
was still a significant reduction in grub
numbers at several suSCon Maxi-treated
sites, compared with untreated plots –
indicating that control had extended into
the fourth year (third ratoon) of the crops
treated with suSCon Maxi.”
An application for suSCon Maxi is
currently before the APVMA for extended
control of Childers canegrub, which is
expected to be approved in spring 2012.
Tips for best results from suSCon Maxi
Application options
• Treatment with suSCon Maxi granules
at sett level at planting is generally
the most effective and convenient
method, particularly for two-year life-
cycle canegrubs such as Childers and
Negatoria grubs.
• Of the open-furrow application
options, treatment ‘at or near first
working’ is more reliable than ‘at fillin’ for medium to shallow planting.
However for deep planting (30cm
or greater), application at drill fill-in
is best, particularly for greyback
canegrub. BSES trials show that either
method gives the same result, as
long as granules are at least 10cm
(4inches) below the consolidated soil
surface.
Importance of the right equipment
• Precise metering equipment is
important, to evenly distribute the
relatively small amount of suSCon
Maxi used.
• The recommended rate is 10-15 kg /
ha – which is only 150-225 gms (less
than a cupful) to apply per 100metres
of row. This volume is half that of a
suSCon Blue application, so requires
greater application precision.
• Machines to accurately apply the
recommended small volumes of
suSCon Maxi granules have two
principles in common – the rotating
shaft of the metering mechanism
continuously delivers precisely
measured volumes from either
separate fluted rollers, or dimples or
grooves in the shaft; and the quantity
delivered per hectare travelled is
independent of ground-speed.
• To adapt an applicator previously
used to apply suSCon Blue, replace
the fluted rollers with new stainless
steel rollers with smaller, finer
scallops to get a consistent flow at
the correct rate. „
Harvesting of ratoons from the same area of treated vs non-treated rows provided clear trial results. The full bins on the right show the much greater
yield of cane from rows that had been treated with one application of suSCon Maxi granules to plant cane. In the same trial, the bins on the left show
the much lower yield of cane from a similar area of ratoon crop, where plant cane had not been treated with suSCon Maxi.
14
Australian Canegrower
16 April 2012
1
1
0
2
N
I
S
N
O
I
T
A
NEW REGISTR
ub to the label
one-year cane gr
rn
he
ut
So
of
n
Additio
(3 year control)
tion
ting recommenda
Dual row plan
hods)
et
m
g
tin
nal plan
(using conventio
s
ilders cane grub
- Greyback and Ch
mmendations
ting systems reco
an
pl
ge
la
til
um
or dual rows
Minim
planter) in single
er
en
op
sc
di
e
bl
(dou
grub
- Greyback cane
Yield and profit
mised
Secure greater protection of your investment by
incorporating
ti suSCon
SC Maxi
M i into
i t your grub
b control
t l program.
Maximise
Minimise
Protection
2 or 3 year grub control*
depending on the species
Yield
Return on investment
Environmental Impact
Labour
Maximum long term protection.
*suSCon Maxi is now registered for 3 year control of Southern species of canegrubs.
16362
April
suSCon Maxi is a registered trademark of Crop Care Australasia Pty Ltd. ABN 80 061
347 2012
Australian Canegrower
15
WHAT’S NEW
Target 10,000 - on target!
By Sonia Ball
A meeting of enthusiastic cane
growers, CANEGROWERS Mackay
board and elected members and staff
convened for the third time last week
at the CANEGROWERS Mackay office to
exchange ideas and keep the ball rolling
on project Target 10,000.
The committee, specifically tasked
with establishing and developing new
initiatives to increase the fertiliser
tonnages sold through Ravensdown
Fertiliser Australia, has hit the ground
running.
CANEGROWERS Mackay Chairman
Paul Schembri, who sits on the newlyelected committee under Chairman Greg
Plath, said Target 10,000 was initiated
to increase Ravensdown sales in the
fertiliser market, countering any risk
of returning to “days of old when we
paid very highly to live and farm in an
environment with less competition”.
‘‘
Attending the inaugural Target 10,000 meeting at CANEGROWERS Mackay are, from left,
CANEGROWERS Mackay chairman Paul Schembri, Target 10,000 chair Greg Plath, Ravensdown
account manager Wayne Berginey and Victoria Plains cane grower Ian Stevenson.
Mr Plath said Ravensdown is part of the
project, which is important, as actioning
some of the incentives and ideas need to
be in consultation with the company. „
It can be as simple as looking at the big picture, ‘do you
want to own your own fertiliser company supplying you
with good quality fertiliser at the least possible cost?
‘‘
Greg Plath, Mackay cane grower and
Chairman of Target 10,000 committee
Mr Plath said the initial meeting had
been an outstanding success in terms of
the generation of ideas, and the second
and third meetings were a success in that
some of the shorter-term initiatives had
been both executed and well-received by
the broader sugar growing sector.
“Talks at our first meetings mainly
revolved around identifying viable
actions that would help the group to
meet its target to increase the current
level of fertiliser sales in the region,
and some great ideas were generated,”
Mr Plath said.
“We (CANEGROWERS) put a lot into
getting Ravensdown to the east coast of
Australia a few years ago, and they took
up that challenge at quite a significant
investment.
16
Australian Canegrower
“We’ve all had a taste of the cost of
fertiliser when there is little competition.
We should never forget that, and we
should all be working together to avoid
being placed in that position again,”
he said.
“It can be as simple as looking at the
big picture, ‘do you want to own your
own fertiliser company supplying you
with good quality fertiliser at the least
possible cost’?
Mr Plath said a lot of ideas had been
evolving from the meetings with some
easy to implement, while others would
take a bit more planning.
“But we are certainly off to a great start!
“We’ve short listed some of those ideas
and actions and we will now work
together to implement them.”
16 April 2012
FARMERS TEACHING
LAND PREPARATION
FARMERS
Reef Guardian Farmers program keeps kicking goals
Participants of the Reef Guardian farmers tour on the Burdekin last month. Photos by Sonia Ball.
By Sonia Ball
It’s a bug’s life, particularly if you are
one of the billions living in the rich
bio-diverse wetlands at Vince and Rita
Papale’s cane farm on Groper Road at
Home Hill in north Queensland.
Checking out this healthy and functional
wetlands system was just one of the
highlights of the recent meeting and tour
of the Reef Guardian Working Group,
invited guests and other stakeholders.
[Editor’s note: read more about the
Papale’s farm on the next page.]
On Monday 12 March, 15 members
of the working group travelled from
different cane growing regions to
Home Hill for the meeting, held to
discuss the development, progress
and direction of the Reef Guardian
Farmers pilot program.
Amongst those attending the meeting
were Reef Guardian Farmers from outside
the region Tony Ross, Mackay; Paul
Gregory, Cairns; and Jeff Cantamessa
and Alan Robino, Herbert River region.
The meeting, coordinated by the Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Reef
Guardian Farmers, was held at “Willie’s
Shed” – at Home Hill cane grower Will
and Johnellen Lucas’s farm.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Reef Guardian Farmers Mackay-based
project manager Kate Steel said the
meeting was productive.
“There were a lot of positives to come
out of the meeting, with one of the main
ones being our review and endorsement
of the assessment standards for Reef
X
Guardian Farmers,” Ms Steel said.
Farmers
farmers
Key learnings
•
•
•
Burdekin grower, Will Lucas
has installed customised water
recycling pits to ensure water is
retained on farm.
The Lucas’ have adjusted their
irrigation practices, turning off
water before it reaches the end
of the run, halving the amount
of water used from 40 to 20
megalitres.
Vince and Rita Papale have
transformed four hectares of
poorly-performing low lands
into a highly productive natural
wetlands habitat.
16 April 2012
Australian Canegrower
17
Left: Participants of the Reef Guardian farmers tour.
Right: Vince and Rita Papale are proud of the wetland habitat they have re-established on the family farm at Home Hill.
“These guidelines were developed in
close conjunction and consultation
with farmers, and we now have those
guidelines. The great thing about having
these standards is that there is no ‘tick
and flick’ approach - no right and wrong
- just a simple identification of what
growers are doing now and the plans
and direction for where they are
heading,” she said.
Members also were asked at the meeting
to identify some of the things they saw
as successes achieved since the launch
of the pilot program.
Ms Steel said feedback in this area was
very good with the following perceived
by members to have been achieved:
• Raising of community awareness
of the role of farmers.
• Recognition of the pilot program not
being influenced by a green agenda
in terms of developing the standards
for Reef Guardian Farmers.
• Heeding the input put forward
by farmers.
• General approval for the approach
(encouraging approach) to farmers
being taken by Reef Guardian
Farmers.
• The general acceptance that Reef
Guardian Farmers is encouraging
and promoting ‘leading into change’
rather than ‘pushing change’.
• A flexible program tailored to the
individual farmer, their location
and situation.
• The creation of something that is of
true value to farmers and something
they can be proud to be a part of.
• Engaging the industry in the
development of the program.
Ms Steel said industry perception of
the pilot program also was achieving
the recognition for the acceptance that
sustainability was not just about getting
environmental outcomes, but recognising
the equal importance of social and
economic factor in farmers’ practices
and business management.
Following the meeting the group was
joined by invited guests and presenters
- bringing the tour number to around
27 - to view local Reef Guardian Farmers’
properties and sites of interest in
the region. „
Reef Guardian Farmers tour
By Kate Steel, Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Authority
First up on the agenda for the Reef
Guardian Farmers tour was a stop at
farm owned by grower Will Lucas, to
inspect his irrigation system.
Will and Johnellen Lucas have adjusted
their irrigation practices to conserve
water resources and pursue their goal
of no run-off.
“One of the biggest changes to how
we irrigate was simply turning off the
water sooner, before it reaches the
ends of each run. This is just one way
that we have halved our water use
since my father farmed here, from
40 megalitres to 20 megalitres per
hectare,” Mr Lucas said.
18
Australian Canegrower
Mr Lucas is also currently installing a
water recycling pit to ensure excess
irrigation waters from neighbouring
properties and his own cane paddocks
are retained.
“There is no one formula for what a
pit should look like and design needs
to take into account slope, soil type,
flood vulnerability and expected water
volumes,” Mr Ham said.
The pit is comprised of approximately
2 km of channels, culminating in a weir
where a pump will extract water, before
it overflows onto adjacent cane land.
Mr Ham said the recycling pit project
exhibited strong design elements and
provided demonstrable water quality
improvements.
Recycling pits capture the first flush of
water from the paddocks that is likely to
contain elevated nitrates and pesticides.
The quality of the captured water is
tested and then reused accordingly.
Tour participants then travelled on
to the Papale farm to hear about the
transformation of a reconstructed
wetland and inspect machinery and
technology to improve soil management
and fertiliser applications.
HamAg Consulting Principal Gary Ham
explained that each site is unique when
it comes to designing and implementing
recycling pits.
16 April 2012
Tour participants heard that cane
farmers on the Burdekin delta face
unique challenges when dealing with
water use and water quality.
X
FARMERS TEACHING
LAND PREPARATION
FARMERS
The delta’s sandy loam soils increase
the risk of irrigation water draining deep
down to aquifers, and the proximity
of the ocean can cause salinity in
groundwater that impact on crop
health. Deep drainage can also cause
nitrogen-based fertilisers to leach into
groundwater, and eventually the lagoons
of the Great Barrier Reef.
Vince and Rita Papale know the delta
well and said they believed that
managing water resources in the
Burdekin was the key to sustainable
farming and protecting the Reef.
“My family has been growing cane
on this property since 1976, and after
two generations of farming I had been
watching some trends,” Vince said.
“Most significantly, yields were
declining whilst the costs of
production kept increasing.”
Vince said the decrease in productivity
was not economically sustainable so he
set about investigating water quality.
Since then the Papales have improved
yields through understanding and
adjusting their water quality, and the
costs of production have been reduced
by fine-tuning fertiliser applications to
limit run-off.
“We are always fine-tuning our
operations to improve profitability and
productivity,” Vince said.
North Queensland Dry Tropics Project
Officer Lisa Baynes showed visitors how
four hectares of poorly-performing
Not your usual drain - part of Lucas’ recycle pit development.
lowlands had been transformed by the
Papales into highly productive natural
wetland habitat.
“It was a carefully planned and executed
process to remove and store topsoil,
relocate subsoil and replace the topsoil
on adjacent paddocks,” Vince said.
“The result is that elevated and levelled
paddocks are now more productive than
previously, and the wetland provides a
beautiful centrepiece of the property.”
Burdekin Bowen Integrated Floodplain
Management Advisory Committee
member Dennis Stubbs and Burdekin
Regional Council officer Brooke
Corrie collected water samples from
the wetlands system to show tour
participants the diversity of
invertebrates present.
Brooke said the wetlands water sample
was literally teeming with life.
“It really shows this system is at
optimum health and there are no
chemicals or fertilisers entering the
wetlands,” Brooke said.
Feedback from the tour group
participants was positive with many
enjoying the opportunity to talk to other
Reef Guardian Farmers and see the
progress they are making.
Tony Ross, Reef Guardian Farmer from
Mackay, said the exchange of knowledge
and positive ideas and experiences was
well worthwhile.
“It was a great success and I would really
like to see a similar tour to Reef Guardian
Farmers in the Mackay area in the near
future,” Mr Ross said. „
Wetlands under development.
16 April 2012
Australian Canegrower
19
FARMERS TEACHING
FARMERS
FARMERS
TEACHING
LAND PREPARATION
FARMERS
Clarence hopes pinned on huge 2012 planting
By Gordon Collie
A decision by the North Clarence
Harvesting Cooperative to diversify
into cane planting looks set to rescue
the embattled southernmost growing
region. Hopes are pinned on the group
getting up to 800 hectares of new crop
in the ground this year to make up the
cumulative losses from two horrendous
wet seasons.
With Harwood mill crushing up to 80
percent of two year old cane, the full
brunt of two severe floods and poor
growing conditions will reflect in the
2012 harvest which is likely to be halved
to around 300,000 tonnes.
North Clarence co-op chairman and
Chatswood Island grower Andrew
Fischer said interest in using the group’s
contract planting service had exceeded
all expectations since it was introduced
last year.
“Our service has certainly come along
at the right time with a big backlog of
planting that needs to be done this
season to get things back on an even
keel,” he said.
Andrew said the planting business was
providing a valuable cash flow while
helping with the cooperative’s long term
viability by ensure a future cane supply
for harvest.
“We had two of our worst seasons with
damaging January floods in 2010 and
2011. The 2012 season has also been far
from ideal with cool, overcast growing
conditions.”
As a result early estimates were for only
about half of what was a disappointing
600,000 crush last season. Andrew said
the Clarence had a long way to catch up
on past performance where Harwood
had crushed up to 900,000 tonnes in a
season.
The decision to introduce a cane planting
service had come about following an
amalgamation which has left only two
harvesting groups to cut the entire
Harwood crop.
The North Clarence co-op which has
operated since 1989 acquired a third
harvester in the merger.
“The intention was to sell the surplus
machine, then we came up with the idea
of getting into contract planting as there
is a real demand for this service in the
region,” Andrew said.
20
Australian Canegrower
North Clarence NSW cane grower, Andrew Fischer, said the Clarence needed a big 2012 planting
season. Photo by Gordon Collie.
The co-operate now runs with three full
track cane harvesters for the first half
of the season with the third machine
dedicated to supplying two billet planters
from about the end of August.
Andrew said the 2010 planting had been
badly disrupted by wet weather with
many growers not getting any new crop
in the ground.
This led to a pent-up demand for planting
services last season which the harvest
cooperative was able to help meet.
“We had originally intended to operate
just one planter and thought perhaps
we might get 500 acres (200 hectares),”
Andrew said.
“When growers were notified of the
new service and we got bookings for
800 odd acres (320ha), we purchased a
second planter.”
It proved to be another challenging
planting season with wet weather delays
and crop still being planted in December.
Despite this, the group still managed
to plant around 450 ha, including a
significant amount for non members.
“If it hadn’t been for our effort, a lot
more cane would not have been planted
in the mill area, leading to a very serious
crop shortfall in the seasons ahead,’’
Andrew said.
“We anticipate there will be demand for
up to 2000 acres (800 hectares) in the
coming season as there is still a good bit
of vacant land planted to beans.
16 April 2012
“We will be geared up to go from the
end of August and weather permitting
we will have a big year.”
Andrew said having a dedicated
harvester supplying two planters side
by side with a total crew of seven was
an efficient system to cover about
12 ha a day.
“This time last year we were hoping for a
reasonable season. It didn’t turn out that
way so there will be a carry-over demand
for the 2012 planting with a big area of
plough-out replant.’’
Andrew said he regarded his own farm as
being among the more fortunate, even
though he estimates the coming harvest
will be down to 8000 to 9000 tonnes.
The property normally supplies about
16,000 tonnes from 240 ha.
“We managed to get 70 acres (30 ha)
planted two years ago on some higher
ground and it’s looking reasonable for
this season.”
“We got about half a crop of beans in
last season – around 50 – odd acres.
(20 ha). They are looking ok for an
April-May harvest.”
“We will have something like 140 acres
(60 ha) of new cane to plant ourselves
this year, if we can get it.”
The Clarence really needed a big
2012 planting season without any
weather disruptions to secure its future,
Andrew said. „
MEMBER
WHAT’S
SERVICES
NEW
Member deals through CANECARD
CANEGROWERS has negotiated
a great range of member-only
specials with the following list of
suppliers. You must quote your
CANEGROWERS membership
number to access all discounts.
A full list of the CANEGROWERS
member-only deals is available
at www.canegrowers.com.au or
contact Member Services on 1800 177 159.
Suppliers directory
CANECARD
Member Deals
Phone No
Accommodation & Travel
The Manor Apartment Hotel
07 3319 4700
Hilton Brisbane (Quote D# - 758350813)
1300 662 450
Royal Albert Hotel
1800 655 054
The Gulls Apartments, Townsville
07 4772 1381
Hertz Car Hire (Quote CDP# 401322)
CANECARD Direct
13 30 39
1800 177 159
Kestrel Weather Meters, Soil Augers
Financial & Legal
1300 131 293
CANEGROWERS Retirement Fund
CGU Insurance
07 3864 6444
CANEGROWERS local office
C.J.Cooper and Associates
07 3864 6441
ULA Financial Advisers
07 3229 6894
Suncorp - Financial Package
13 11 75
Health & Wellbeing
BUPA - CANEGROWERS Private Health
1300 653 525
Member Plus (Shopping Service)
1300 658 787
Electrical & White Goods, Motor Market
House & Garden, Home & Office Furniture
Rural Supplies & Equipment
Members can enjoy the guaranteed
year round ‘set daily rate’ that will
not fluctuate in the ‘peak season’
and free membership to Hertz #1
Club Gold.
Quote CDP number: 401322
1800 252 888
ARL Soil Testing
1800 624 122
BOC Gases & Safety Equipment
1300 727 292
WD Ag - Chemicals
1800 839 661
Duraface - Harvester Spare Parts
07 3856 6500
Nungar - Work Clothing & Boots
02 6928 1134
Ravensdown Fertiliser Australia
1800 624 122
Contact Member Services on 1800 177 159
or check out the full list of suppliers
at www.canegrowers.com.au
Saving you money today!
Set rates
all year
round
Phone 13 30 39 or check out
www.hertz.com.au
BOC Gas & Gear
A
comprehensive
range
of
exclusively priced products for
CANEGROWERS members.
All your gas, welding products,
abrasives & power tools along
with a full range of safety clothing,
footwear and PPE are available
from your local Gas & Gear centre.
To ensure access to the discounted
products, you must register your
account with BOC Australia using
your membership number.
Check out: www.boc.com.au
Reliance Petroleum - Fuel & Lubricants
MEMBER DEALS
CANEGROWERS alliance with Hertz
ensures that a comprehensive
range of vehicles are available to
members at discounted rates.
Additional fees may be applicable,
such as credit card surcharge, fuel,
optional extras, stamp duty and
GST.
Refractometers, CANEGROWERS Merchandise
AustSafe Superannuation
Hertz
10% - 35% off
exclusively priced
for members
To register for your discount
phone 1300 727 292
Suncorp Financial Package
Suncorp have tailored a special
Financial Package for CANEGROWERS
Members.
BeneÀts to members include:
• 50% off Agribusiness and Personal
Loan Establishment Fees*
• 0.7% discount on Standard Variable
or Asset Line Home Loans*
Great Ànancial
beneÀts for
CANEGROWERS
Members
• No Account Keeping Fees for the Àrst
12 months on an Everyday Options
Account*
Members are advised to shop around
to achieve the most competitive Contact Suncorp Agribusiness on
Ànance to suit your needs.
13 11 75 your local Manager is closer
* Terms & Conditions apply, please request
than you think
16 April 2012
Australian Canegrower
21
CANEGROWERS classifieds
FIRST 30 WORDS FREE FOR CANEGROWERS MEMBERS book online anytime of the day or night www.canegrowers.com.au or
contact Beth Sinclair on 1800 177 159, or email [email protected]
*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.
DEALING IN
QUALITY USED CANE HARVESTERS
& RELATED EQUIPMENT
WANTED TO BUY
Good Quality Used Harvesters
Contact:
Mobile:
E-mail:
Website:
FOR SALE
• 2005 Cameco 3510 track machine, complete
motor rebuild, dennison double pumps,
reversing fan & cooling package, extended
elevator, separate circuit to suit chopper &
base cutter. VGC $175,000.
• John Deere 6930 4WD. Excellent condition.
2300 hrs.
• 7920 John Deere 4WD. Duals. 1140 hrs.
• 1 Tandem 8 Tonne airbag high lift side tipper
• 2005 Cameco Elevator + Fronts complete, GC.
• Case 1894 Tractor 4000 Hrs & 7 Foot
Howard Slasher
Call Ross on 4068 5499
or 0418 988 601
Joe Pasquale
0427 827 314
[email protected]
www.pasmach.com.au
GRAHAM TWYFORD
MACHINERY SALES PTY LTD
Specialising in Used Cane Harvesting Equipment Sales
CASE 2008 TRACK HARVESTER 7700 Iveco 10
Litre 350 HP Eng. 3,125 Machine Hrs. 15″x 8 Blade
Chopper 65mm Blade. 300 mm Elevator Extension.
Commerical Pumps. STD Topper. D5 Tracks 16″
Grousers. LOW HOUR MACHINE. VERY TIDY.
CASE 2007 TRACK HARVESTER 7700 Iveco 350
HP Engine. 4,500 Hrs. 15″x 8 Blade Chopper 65 mm
Blade. Kratzmann Long Frame Elevator With 300 mm
Top Extension. Shredder Topper. SAI Chopper Motors.
D5 Type Tracks 18″ Grousers. High Capacity Machine.
ENQUIRE NOW !!
BSM 10 TONNE RH SIDE TIPPER Coupled to JD
6900 4 WD Tractor. Very Tidy Unit.
1998 EHS 14 TONNE ELEVATING CANE TRAILER.
Tandem Axle. Good Condition.
AUSTOFT POWER HAUL LH SIDE TIPPER 1992
Model. Cummins 150 HP Eng. 10 Tonne Bin.
MULTIPLIER TWO INTO ONE SUIT CASE 7700. SAI
Radial Piston B/Cutter Drive Motors. Good Condition.
“Make an OFFER”
Liquid Nitrogen
Beaulieu R.U.M.
CAMECO SHREDDER TOPPER Suit 3500/3510 & JD
3510/3520.
an effective Nitrogen source in liquid form
Beaulieu R.U.M. (Liquid N plus traces) at 15 to 25 litres per ha is a growth alternative to 250 to
410kg Urea!
Easy to Use
a) Available in 20, 200
and 1000 lt containers
b) Min mix 1 part R.U.M.
in 10 parts water
c) Non corrosive, fully water
soluble, apply when chemical
spraying
d) Apply through all types of
spraying systems
Advantages
1. Easy and effective
means of nitrogen
applications
2. Supplies nitrogen
and traces in 100%
available form
3. Soil friendly, will
not lower PH organic
carbon levels
4. Cost effective, value
for money.
When to Use
Sugarcane planting billet dip or spray inject
Ratoon - band spray
or side dress with coulter
tyne injection.
Foliar - boom spray
For your local distributor please phone Beaulieu R.U.M. on 1800 020 909
22
Australian Canegrower
16 April 2012
MCLEAN 6 ROLLER THREE QUARTER TRACKS
Suit Case 8000. New Pins and Bushes. Complete With
Dead Axle.
WESTHILL 5 ROLLER HALF TRACKS Suit Cameco
3500/3510/3520. Good Condition.
TOFT 6500 TRACK FRAMES WITH HUBS AND
CHAINS. 2 Sets Case 2002/03 Track Frames No
Hubs.
NEW 4 Slat Open Butt Rollers Suit JD 3510/20. Helps
Drop Dirt. Enquire NOW !
AVAILABLE NOW! DIFFERENTIAL CHOPPER
DRUMS Suit JOHN DEERE/CAMECO 3520/3510
MODELS 12 Blade Sets 95mm Blade & 10 Blade Sets
95mm Blade. 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 Enquire Now
Contact: Graham Twyford,
40 Yrs Associated With Sugar Cane Harvesters
48 Central Park Drive, Paget, Mackay
Mobile: 0418 742 696 Phone: 07 4952 6668
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.gtmachinerysales.com.au
MEMBER
WHAT’S
SERVICES
NEW
Mossman - Tully
Screw compressor. Trailer type comp air C38GS
100DB. Powered by 3 cylinder deutz diesel
motor. Three phase and single phase output.
$16,000 + GST. 07 4066 9889 (Tully)
Heavy duty 3 tyne ripper with coil tynes,
spare shoes for ripper legs $1,400 Incl GST.
07 4067 1324 or 0427 671 347 (Babinda)
5 and 6 Tonne Side Tipping Bins with Rams Ex
Case Austoft Power Hauler in GC. 0439 654 602
(Innisfail Area)
Bonel plant cutter with topper. Whole stick
cane planter. 3 Tyne ripper. 2 Tonne workshop
floor crane. 600L Sylvan spray tank. 5 plant
cane trailers. P.O.A. 07 4064 5153 after 7pm or
0429 653 461 (Innisfail area)
Ford 8240 SLE 110 HP Tractor FWA A/CAB
Power shift Radar Weights. Near new condition.
Only 200 hours. $37,000 + GST. 7 Ft 6 Finishing
Mower $3,000 + GST. m.0400 337 036 or
07 4093 3101 (Tablelands)
2” solid set irrigation pipes with trailer, 3ptl
rope wick, Hodge 5 furrow reversable plough,
Hustler peanut thrasher, 11mtr home-made
boom spray with 900ltr SStank hydro fold etc.
0409 912 062 (Tablelands)
Herbert River - Burdekin
AUSTOFT 7700 2004 Model. High capacity
machine. Diesel pump upgrade. New larger
radiator. Cut approx.. 200,000 Tonne. One
owner since new. VGC. 07 4777 1618 or
07 4777 1602 (Ingham)
Howard CH2000 4.2m Rotary/hoe, 6 Para R/
legs, 4 M/tines, Road trailable width 2.4m,
Current model. 0439 556 234 (Ingham)
1 x 6630 john deere primem 750hours new 2.
7.5 yard steel body 4 stage highdurlic ramm.
Price on apply. Ph. 07 4782 0140 after 7pm at
night. (Inkerman)
International 1950C Truck 1980 model, 6x4,
Pioneer and Invicta rails, a/c, new tyres on
tubeless rims in good condition. $15,000 +
GST or nearest offer. 0427 829 557
2008 Nissan Patrol Utility,3 lt turbo diesel,tow
bar,Bull bar,Warn winch,spot lights,side
rails and steps,GME UHF,bonnet and light
protectors,seat covers and dash mat,alum.
chekker plate inserts in tray, excellent
cond. 107,000 km. RWC,$37,000 GST incl.
0429 182 192 (Ingham)
Toft 12” differential chopper drums 95mm
blades. 07 4777 4217
Mackay - Proserpine
10 Front weights for 7810 John Deere Tractor.
$100 each + GST. 07 4959 7080 or 0438 789 106
or 0447 955 844 (Mackay Area)
3 Point-linkage Hay Rake. $500. 0438 789 106
or 0447 955 844 (Mackay Area)
Injector pump to suit 3306 direct-injection CAT
motor. P.O.A. 07 4959 7080 or 0447 955 844 or
0438 789 106 (Mackay Area)
New West Hill Toft chopper shafts, 3 blade, 15”,
$1200 + GST. 0427 588 037 (Mackay)
GET YOUR HAULOUT DRIVING FASTER!
ACCOMMODATION
TRANSPORT
LICENCED
RELIABLE
MOTIVATED
SAVE TIME ON
ADMINISTRATION AND PAYROLL
Satisfaction
Guaranteed
we have
have
we
HAULOUT DRIVERS
HAULOUT
DRIVERS
ready RIGHT
NOW!
LOCAL SUPERVISION
ready RIGHT NOW!
6)30.(;065-9,,,58<09@
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
*/90:4J*694(*2
See website for more details
3]S;OL:OHTYVJR/V[LS5LIV9VHK4HJRH`83+
P: 07 4952 2577 M: 0412 535 887
www.johnnyfarmingcompany.com.au
E: [email protected]
133 Schmidke Road Mackay 4740
CLEARANCE MACHINERY & PLANT AUCTION
Australian Agriculture
College Corporation
Burdekin Campus, Clare
North Queensland 4807
t 1 x Wooden Topped Trailer, 4.9 x 2.1,
t
t
t
t
t
t 1 x Toft 7000 Wheeled Harvester with Komatsu
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
Engine, Double Augers, Side Trim Knives, includes
set of Half Tracks, 5,000 hrs (approx)
1 x John Deere 6610, 4x4, Air Condtioned
1 x John Deere 1750, 2x2, Rops with Turf Tyres
1 x White 8310, Field Master, 4x4, Air Conditioned
4 x Sheraton Challenge Lathes
6 x Electric Bench Grinders
1 x Metal Cutting Band Saw
1 x Timber Docking Saw & Bench
1 x Remag 12 Speed Heavy Duty Bench Drill
1 x Hare & Forbes Pedestal Drill
1 x Abby 1,000kg Workshop Hoist
3 x Stihl Whipper Snippers
2 x Zeonoa Whipper Snippers
7 x Push Mowers
12 x Flowerac 260 Welders (3 phase)
2 x CIG Transarc Welders
1 x CIG Transmig Twin 130 Welder (3 phase)
1 x Liquid Arc Welders 280 (3 phase)
Various Welding Helmets, Face Shields, Screens,
Oxy Gauges, Hoses etc
Ferry Rural, Ayr
P: (07) 4783 7559
F: (07) 4783 7556
www.ferryproperty.com.au
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
4 Wheels Flat Top
1 x Fuel Tank Trailer
1 x 6x4 Trailer with Hardi Spray Tank
1 x 6x4 Trailer with Extended Sides
1 x 6x4 Trailer with Water Tank
1 x 1998 Toyota Hilux Dual Cab Ute
(Unregistered, needs repairs to gearbox)
1 x Portable Cattle Panels etc
Various Steel Benches with Vices
Various Stanless Steel Benches
Assorted Saddles & Bridles
Assorted Tools
Assorted Farm Implements & Equipment
Assorted Lengths of Steel
Assorted Office Desks, Chairs, Steel
Filing Cabinets
Various Other Farm Implements
Assorted Farm Tools & Equipment
◊ Over 400 Items
◊ Most Items Without Reserves
◊ Catalogue available 7 days before auction
Saturday 12th May 2012 at 8.30am
Registration from 7.00am
Inspections 10th & 11th May 2012
Catering on site
Bill Micola 0418 778 674
Angelo Castorina 0407 169 414
[email protected]
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: Andrew Dibella
Phone: 07 47761273 Fax: 07 4776 2326
[email protected]
16 April 2012
Australian Canegrower
23
MEMBER SERVICES
New Holland 2008 T7050 set up with
aircompressor 190hp approx 40000hrs good
condition rear tyres 650/65R42 front tyres
600/65R28 $95000 plus GST. 0413 769 769
(Mackay)
7 tyne ripper c/w depth wheels, VGC always
in shed surplus to requirements. 0418 855 845
(Calen)
Hodge 1 ton junior fertiliser box, with 4x1 1/4
legs, culter and ripper legs, crumble roller
drive. VGC, $2500 GST Inc. Neg. 07 4942 1910
(Mackay area)
Stihl 026 chain saw and new 18” bar & chain
and adaptor. $350 GST Inc. 07 4942 1910.
(Mackay area)
Planting trailers, $300 each. 07 4942 1910.
(Mackay area)
McLeod double row grubber with 12 x 1” legs
plus 4 elephant ears for hill up. $1100 GST Inc.
Neg. 07 4942 1910. (Mackay area)
Bonel trash extractor with topper and gatherer,
VGC. $2500 Neg. 07 4942 1910
Stub Shafts for Cameco, 12” and 15” adjusters
and an assortment of plates and spacers. Please
phone 0427 588 037 (Mackay)
12t self-propelled 6x6 elev. infielder. 6t side/
tipper on Leyland tandem GC. Don Mizzi
741 model on Fiat 750 special turbo plus
MF102 half-tracks to suit. Whole stick plant
cutter with single blower GC. Mason 9550
4 row precision vacuum seed planter GC
0438 606 578 (Mackay)
2 Crop divider spirals, brand new, left hand
side. Ph. 0418 495 755 (Mackay)
2009 Case IH 8000 Series Wheel Cane
Harvester. Low Hours, Standard Topper,
Kratzman
elevator,Excellent
Condition.
0417 733 842 (Racecourse)
For Sale 2 x MF 7495 with 2 x EHS 17 Tonne
Elevating Tippers. 2500 hrs approx. $200,000 +
GST each. 0418 455 111 (Proserpine)
1998 Crop Divider saws complete with
motors and rams $500. Double racecourse/
Pleystowe roll-on, roll-off trailer $4500 + GST.
0428 565 654 (Mackay)
CANEGROWERS RETIREMENT FUND
www.crf.net.au
Phone 07 3864 6444 for a Product Disclosure Statement
WEATHER REPORT
Location
03/04/2012
Mossman
Mareeba AP
Cairns
Mt Sophia
Average rainfall
Recorded rainfall in mm
7 days to 9 am
Year to date
Jan to Mar
10/04/2012
2
0
1428
0.4
0
712
1585
680
4
0.4
1587
1459
19
0
2217
2260
Babinda
163/8
0
1388
2708
Innisfail
41
3
2064
2224
Tully
21
5
2026
2623
Cardwell
0.4
1
1655
1513
Lucinda
2
3
2307
1465
Ingham
22
7
1898
1397
9
2
1313
1286
0.4
0
1017
814
Abergowrie
Townsville
CANEGROWERS RETIREMENT FUND
A Fund for all seasons
Ayr DPI
0.2
0
874
Proserpine
0.8
0
1355
911
2
4
1390
996
Mirani
Mackay
643
6
1
1234
996
0.6
0
1596
1147
Bundaberg
0
0.8
577
489
Childers South
1
5
698
396
Maryborough
180
109
833
494
Tewantin
208
127
1277
689
Eumundi
219
105
1378
709
Nambour
191
108
1643
715
Woongoolba
45
17
769
491
Murwillumbah
62
40
891
641
Ballina
28
30
636
576
Woodburn
28
23
541
491
Sarina (Plane Ck)
(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
24
Australian Canegrower
16 April 2012
4” IBC Irrigation pipes, 30ft long x 55 + 75
sprinklers, some with risers. $50 each Neg,+ 1
galvo irrigation trailer, VGC. $2000 + GST, Neg.
07 4942 1910 (Mackay area)
Fiat F130 4x4 tractor plus Bob Smith 10 tonne
tipper $55,000 + GST. Fiat F140 4x4 tractor
Mclean 12 tonne single delivery elevating bin
$60,000 + GST neg. 07 4945 7111
Toft elevator $2000+gst,4080 chamberlain and
6 tonne tipper $15,000+gst.phone Graeme on
0418 776 156 (Farleigh)
2009 Case IH Austoft 8000 Series Wheeled
Harvester, Low Hours, Std Topper, Kratzman
elevator, Excellent Condition. 0417 733 842
Kinchant Dam water allocations for sale,50
Megs and 20 Megs,already subdived.$450.00 a
Meglitre. 07 49541164 or 0401 567 874.
John Deer soya bean planter(mechanical
type),8 row,marker arms,end tow,GC. $12,000.
0428 588 197
Bundaberg - Rocky Point
Drop-deck, tautliner and flat top extendable
for hire. 07 4159 8174 or 0417 004 717.
Sweet Potato and other crop planter, in very
good condition. $1,000 + GST. One heavy duty
potato mulcher. $1,000 + GST. Ph 0459 350 689
(Bundaberg)
Planting tipper bin approx. 3 tonne $3900
ono (inc GST) 07 5486 1136 or 0419 788 376
(Maryborough Area)
J.D. 6620 125hp FWA G.C. $33,000 inc gst.
0412 628 671 (Millaquin)
ROPS Frame Bare-Co to suit Chamberlain
C6100 – 354. $770 inc GST. 0413 584 728
(Maryborough).
Wrecking Toft 6500. 0413 584 728
(Maryborough).
New right hand glass door to fit for 60,70,80
or 90-90 Fiat $300 Maschio G 400 Rotary hoe
with crumble roller& some spare parts $12,000
John Deere Sq plough 7 furrow with some
spare parts $15,000 Hodge cutter& Blower
twin 6 blade fans with hyd topper Toyota Dyna
400 Tip truck, new ram, no redgo $6,000 + gst.
0417 644 001 (Bundaberg)
Massey 305 Cane Harvester, 4ft primary and
Toft topper. P.O.A. 07 4126 9164 (Isis)
Warranty: Advertisers and/or Advertising
Agents upon and by lodging material with
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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
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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.
Hodge fertilizer box with coulter ripper and
crumble rollers $2200 (inc GST), MF35 high
clearance spoke wheel ideal restoration project
$4400 (inc GST), 13 x 3” irrigation pipe with
stands Southern Cross fittings $55 each (inc
GST), Hydro Tytan pump on frame with bronze
impellor needs work $550 (inc GST), IH scarifier
$550 (inc GST), Massport chipper mulcher little
use $550 (inc GST) 0419 655 716 (Maryborough
Area)
Hydraulic slew trailer, hitch heavy duty with
rams, suit Toft 6000 or 6500 (tow your own
plant tippers) $1,500 + GST. 0413 584 728
(Maryborough)
Superior 6 foot linkage vineyard/orchard slasher
- $6000+GST.NOBILI BNE-180 MULCHER$4000+GST-both in very good condition.PhDean 0408062830 or Tony 0427158275.
NSW
2 x McLean side-tipping bins, 12 tonne, 45
cubic metre capacity, load cells, 4 m discharge
and load sharing hitches, exc condition 0415
663 747. (Richmond River, NSW).
Toft Power Haul Transporter. Green model.
Cummins motor – 6 cylinder. Engine & running
gear good. Tyres 30%, No bin – cab chassis.
0412 414 394 (Richmond)
Full track Bin. Toft approx.1976 build. V8
Mercedes diesel motor. Approx. 6 tonne side
tipping basket. $24,000 inc. GST. 0412 414 394
(Richmond)
Wanted
Tractor tyres of all sizes. 07 4168 4664 all
hours.
Scrap steel all kinds - big or small, dead
machinery, tractors and harvestors - kennedy/
north. 0438 414 360 (Innisfail Area)
10 tonne Carta bin. Ph. 0418 495 755 (Mackay)
9.5x36 rear tractor tyre. 0407 585 732 (Mackay
area)
CAT d2 track parts. also haulout driver for 2012
crushing season, approx 80000tons great rates.
0419 705 393 (Inkerman area)
Grouser plates 16” or 18”. 0428 565 654
(Mackay)
Single row Fertilizer box. Anywhere from
Ingham – North. 07 4056 2047 or 0429 160 668
(Mulgrave Area)
Toft 7000 Wheeled Harvester. 94-98 model.
Please phone 0420 600 943 (Mackay area)
4 Furrow Howard Square Plow. 0429 805 174
(Mackay area)
3 Row Fertiliser Bin. 07 4129 7118 or
0428 769 622
Diesel motor and pump for irrigation of cane
- 80 to 100 hp. 0419 788 376 (Maryborough
area)
Positions Vacant
Harvesting contractor for Mirani-Eton Road
area. Ph. 07 4959 1045.
Maragna Family Farms is seeking a qualified
and motivated person for the position of Farm
Manager. Responsibilities include all facets of
crop production and harvesting including staff
management and budget preparation. Email
[email protected] or call 0428 292 134.
Haulout operator wanted for 2012 crush
season in the Koumala area. Must have UD
or HR Licence. Shared rental accom avaliable.
please contact Jason Ph: 0407 140 699 or
07 4950 3999.
Experienced farm hand wanted for Burdekin
area. Experience in irrigation, cane, cattle &
small crops. Land levelling experience would be
an advantage. 0428 826 846 or 07 4782 6846.
Work Wanted
I am a semi-retired farmer looking to have
my own tractor and trailer as part of a carting
contract in the Mackay area. Willing to purchase
as part of a going concern or will provide my
own gear. To discuss options please phone
John on 0417 566 692.
Experienced harvester operator requires
position for 2012 season, any area.
0400 790 460.
Qualified mechanic available for all breakdowns
and repairs. No after-hours callout fee.
Bundaberg based - will travel 100km either
side. 0477 989 592
Property
LAND FOR LEASE: Approx.13ha xcane land (last
crop 2007) close to Sarina. Ph: 0429 433 454
CANE FARM P.O.A. 5 minutes north of Sarina.
Total farm area 112.32ha. Full plant/equipment
included. Large machinery/work shed. Several
bores/wells. Large brick veneer 5 bedroom
home. Excellent condition. Landscaped
gardens. Ph: 07 4956 6467.
WANTED TO LEASE Land in Calen area, either
under crop or ex cane land Ph: 0418 855 845.
MARWOOD CANE FARM. Total area 185 acres.
147 acres of CPA. 110 mega litres Kinchant Dam
Water. 105 mega litre Bore. 4 Bedroom Home.
Machinery List available. $1.1 Million. Please
contact 4959 2640 or 0428 165 142.
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