Insight Focus
- Mills struggling to get going, causing harvesting delays,
- Concerns that rain may also disrupt harvesting
- New planting method being tried out.
In this series, we’re following farmers around the world. We’ll look at what they’re up to on the farm, hear their concerns, and celebrate their triumphs. Here’s the link to the farmers’ bios in case you missed them
What are you up to on the farm at present?
I am currently in the throes of preparation for planting and waiting to harvest my cane. In the district some growers have started planting and the harvest has commenced, although there have been delays as the mills have struggled to get going due to a variety of issues. We remain cautiously optimistic that these challenges are being resolved and we can all start moving forward together for a positive season.
What stage is your crop at?
The crop is ready for harvest, it has been dry and sunny here in recent weeks, and the growers are keen to harvest their current crop.
What are your biggest concerns at present?
Mill reliability is an ongoing concern and there is also a prediction of a significant weather event to occur. If that predicted rain does happen, it will affect our harvesting and ultimately delay the overall finishing date for the district which would not be good. We already have a December finishing date so nobody in the industry will be keen to see it go any later. As we can’t control the weather, we are all waiting to see the outcome of these predictions.
What are you most proud of doing differently this year?
In relation to this year’s planting I am trialling something different that I am excited about, I have gone to zonal raised bed preparations. I have a new machine, called a bed renovator, that forms a raised bed, it’s more efficient and environmentally sustainable by using less passes during planting, saving fuel costs as well as disturbing less soil. Other growers have been using this farming practice, but it’s my first time, and I’m optimistic for a successful trial on my farm so I can employ it with my future planting.
