Insight Focus
- New cane crop varieties look very promising.
- Weed management to protect the cane is underway.
- Everyone on alert until cyclone season ends in March.
What Are You Doing On The Farm?
The monsoonal rain, from the previous month has mostly stopped and in the drier conditions its time to start our weed management program. That means we’re out in the fields using the high-rise spray unit combating any of the vines that if left will smother the cane. The main weeds we spray for in our district are the convolvulus, balsam and calopo vines.
What Stage is your Cane Crop At?
Along with our sugarcane we grow legumes to assist with the health of the soil and our soyabeans are looking tremendous at the moment. Although it’s not viable for us to harvest the soya beans, because of the high rainfall in our area, they’re important in supporting the sugarcane, as they break up the soil structure and also help to reduce our reliance on dissolvable inorganic nitrogen (DIN).
What Are Your Biggest Concerns?
Until the end of March we are generally on cyclone watch, luckily this year it has been relatively quiet but we’ll remain on alert until the cyclone season is over. It’s always a concern at this time of the year and can have the potential to impact on the crop.
What are you Most Proud Of/ Doing Differently This Year?
One of the most pleasing things on farm is seeing how the varieties from the Sugar Research Australia (SRA) breeding program are doing, we’re currently growing SRA6, SRA9, SRA26 and SRA28 and they look exceptional, we’re optimistic about these varieties and the future crop.
