Insight Focus
- This month has been spent inspecting and repairing the damage caused by Cyclone Jasper.
- But the cyclone left behind ideal cane growing weather.
- There is a risk of another tropical cyclone making landfall in the coming months.
What Are You Up to On the Farm?
Now that the water from last month’s flooding after ex Tropical Cyclone Jasper has receded, the weather has been favourable and provided the opportunity to clean up paddocks, remove debris and see what creek bank erosion has occurred.
The cane is actively growing and that means its WORK, WORK, WORK!
It’s not only the cane that is active – but weeds are also growing rapidly, so we have been kept busy spraying over the rows using the Hi-Rise spray unit.
We have also been in the paddock finishing off the late plant cane and discing my fallow, getting ready to plant legumes in the next week or two.
What Stage is Your Crop at?
The floods had a severe impact for some growers in the region, especially those close to the rivers and in low lying country. But for many the impact was not so extensive, and the recent excellent weather has been great for growing sugarcane, meaning the crop is looking promising.
The weather is hot, humid and every couple of days we get a storm – its prefect for growing sugarcane and for me it’s great that I get to work in the air-conditioned cab of my tractor!
What Are Your Biggest Concerns at Present?
It would be great for us if this wonderful weather were to last for another month, to help the cane before the monsoon season arrives. But we all know we can’t control the weather and my usual concern is that from late March until April there is still a chance of future potential cyclone hitting our shores.
But those of us living in the tropics are well-seasoned in dealing with extreme weather, so it’s business as usual for everyone around here.
