Insight Focus
- Wet conditions in the wake of ex Tropical Cyclone Jasper are limiting activity.
- Farmers are instead carrying out maintenance and preparing for the crush.
- Despite weather issues, a good crop is expected from the region.
What’s Happening on The Farm?
After last month’s good growing weather, the monsoon has really moved in, with plenty of rain and not much sun, meaning things have slowed up a bit in the field. February has been all about maintenance, getting the machinery and implements ready to go when harvest starts.
MSF Sugar has been actively out and about repairing the lines and areas that were impacted by the deluge of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and ensuring everything is in order for the start of the crush. That is a reassuring feeling for growers in the area.
Normally we would be out in the fields spraying but the fields are too wet to use regular machinery, many growers are turning to drone contractors to support their spraying programs. This is a relatively new technology in the industry. Personally we will see how things go over the next little while, but wwe may look at using this technology and contractors on some of our blocks if this weather continues.
Maintenance of machinery has been the focus due to wet field conditions.
At What Stage Is Your Crop?
The crop that wasn’t impacted by the flooding of the cyclone event is looking good and has been growing efficiently. Overall, I’m anticipating a good average crop this year for the region, which is a pretty positive outcome considering the deluge that some growers endured.
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Plant crop of SRA 28, promising new variety for on the northern region.
What Big Concerns Do You Have Now?
My biggest frustration is the cost of inputs. For example, the costs of parts has become so exorbitant since COVID hit Australia that we are doing a lot of the labour and jobs ourselves that we used to outsource to help with the budget. But that is just increasing our workload dramatically.
It’s a huge problem for Australia and does not just pertain to our industry. The ongoing costs of inputs for business are having an impact.
What Are You Proud of or What Are You Doing Differently?
I had the opportunity this month to meet with the Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities, Mark Furner MP and the Director-General of Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), when they visited the region to see the impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
They appeared to have gained a better insight by their first-hand experience of the impacts from the deluge. It was great to speak with them in a one-on-one capacity and to see them on the ground at the coalface.
