THE RAIN CAME FALLING DOWN

The strong monsoonal rain event in January brought a sudden end to a very long 2022 season in many districts with Mackay and Prosperine withstanding a solid wet season over a short period of days.

Sugarcane growers are a resilient bunch and whilst the weather forced Mackay Sugar to call the crush out on 13 January for many growers it was good to see the rain, given the failed wet season of recent years.

With some reports of wash outs and erosion caused by fast moving groundwater in paddocks across the district creating concern and groundwater laying in fields it was a relief when subsequent fine weather ensured the fields were able to dry out and Pioneer stayed below minor flood levels.

Mackay Area Productivity Services CEO Anthony Schembri said the weather event had created issues in the Farleigh/Richmond/ Habana area, just to the north of Mackay, with the area receiving a localised pulse event of 250mm in around an hour.

This damaged the Mackay Sugar’s tramlines in the area that will require repairs during the maintenance period before the crush starts again this coming season.

MOST OF THE CROP IS LOOKING REALLY GOOD WITH SOME GROWERS EXPECTING AN EVEN BETTER CROP FOR THIS COMING SEASON AT THIS STAGE BUT THERE MAY BE SOME DAMAGE TO CANE AREAS WHERE CANE IS YET TO BREAK GROUND/GERMINATE

Groundwater swept trash off recently harvested fields and down onto river flats and for some growers there has been some damage to established ratoons but to date thankfully the damage has not been widespread.

While the Mackay district saw a solid wet season event that brought an end to the crush, the issue going forward into the 2023 season will be the impact on standover cane on growers.

South of Proserpine, photo credit Rob Murolo

Proserpine’s Precipitation

At the time of print the waters in the Prosperine district had largely receded and growers were out assessing the damage according to CANEGROWERS Proserpine District Manager Brendon Nothard.

“I have had a handful of members report damage to roads and creek walls, including a few pumps going under water,” Brendon said.

“It’s largely unknown at this time the final outcome of the cane fields, some growers have expressed concern about their late ratooned areas and fallow, but the impact will only be known in the coming weeks.

“In general most of the cane remains in good condition with

some paddocks lodging due to the combination of wet soil conditions and winds.”

The monsoonal rain doesn’t appear to have significantly impacted the crop and there is a cautiously optimistic outlook for the upcoming season.

“Most of the crop is looking really good with some growers expecting an even better crop for this coming season at this stage but there may be some damage to cane areas where cane is yet to break ground/ germinate.

“Despite some areas receiving in excess of 1,000mm of rainfall, the rain came over a number of days which meant damage is expected to be limited.”

Photo: Supplied by Mackay Sugar