Sugarcane Annual 2019

Print Post Approved Publication No. PP100008014

Volume 23, Nos. 5 & 6 $20

ANNUAL

2019

INCORPORATING OCTOBER–NOVEMBER 2019 BI-MONTHLY & NEXT GEN FARMER ISSUE 40

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Nitrogen Stabilization Volatilization of ammonia % urea-N Applied

25

Reduction of Nitrate Leaching Soil Amendment

Improve soil structure Reduce sodium levels in the soil Improve nutrient uptake Improve water infiltration

Sodium Leached PPM

Liquid replacement for gypsum 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0

Ca 7.5%, S 12.4% (w/v)

w w w.c r o p v i t a l i t y.c o m

UAN + Thio-Sul

10 5 0

Ease of application

0

2 4

6

8 10 12 14

Days800 after the application

700 600 500 400 300

CaTs vs Gypsum - University of California800 Sodium Leached PPM

N 16%, S 35% (w/v)

UAN

15

800 700 600 500

200 100

0

400 300

600

2nd Irrigati 2nd Irrigation

Check

5003rd Irrigati 3rd Irrigation

Gypsum

Gy

4004th Irrigati 4th Kg/Ha Irrigation 112 560

3005th Irrigati 5th Irrigation

100

Check

700

1st Irrigation 1st Irrigati

200 0

Sodium Leached PPM

Reduction of Ammonia Volatilization

20

Sodium Leached PPM

Blending with UAN, Urea, SOA, N26

Gypsum Check

Gypsum

Gypsum Gypsum

CaTs Gypsum

2241 Kg/Ha 2241 93 Litres Kg/Ha Kg/Ha 1120 560 Kg/Ha 1120 560 Kg/Ha

CaTs

93 Litres

200 100 0

C

SECTION 1

OVERVIEW

This section supported by

SECTION 2

AREA ROUNDUP

This section supported by

AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

SECTION 3

S E C T I O N

This section supported by

OVERVIEW

THE FUTURE

SECTION 4

INDUSTRY IN FIGURES This section supported by

This section supported by

Section 6

AUSTRALIAN CANE FARMERS 2019

P roudly s po nso re d by

Section 7

MILLING & MARKETING

S E C T I O N

This section supported by

SECTION 9

INDUSTRY ORGANISATIONS SECTION 10

SUPPLIERS’ DIRECTORY

5

AREA ROUNDUP

14 16 18 20 20 22 24

Mossman/Tableland South Johnstone/Mulgrave/Tully Herbert River Region Burdekin Region Central Region Southern Region New South Wales

S E C T I O N

26 29 31 32

S

13

4

8

37

68 Sugar Research Australia 70 Performance report 71 Yellow canopy syndrome update 74 Industry adopting versatile herbicide with improved efficacy 75 CSIRO – for the reef, a sweet set of apps 76 Sugarcane research for a profitable industry 77 R&D organisations

S E C T I O N

S

S

5 45

46 A short history of pivot irrigation 50 Irrigation in the Australian sugarcane industry 52 Concerned about soil-water availability? Turn your soil into a sponge!

9

INDUSTRY ORGANISATIONS 78 Peak bodies 79 Government bodies

IRRIGATION

57

58 Milling in the Australian sugar industry 59 Public sentiment and sugar 61 Milling NSW –Sunshine Sugar 63 QSL Marketing – Another challenging season…

64 …but a successful year for QSL 66 Milling and refining organisations Marketing organisations and sugar terminals

38 Australian production 42 World production 43 The international scene

E C T I O N

7

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & ADOPTION 67 25

INDUSTRY IN FIGURES

S E C T I O N

Gm sugarcane in Australia – where we are CEEDS – a new approach to planting sugarcane Helping plants to fight the food war An ‘artificial leaf’ that turns carbon into fuel

E C T I O N

54 The Australian Cane Farmers Association 56 Chairman’s comment

MILLING & MARKETING

3

THE FUTURE

6

AUSTRALIAN CANE FARMERS 2019 53 S E C T I O N

2

Section 8

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & ADOPTION

S E C T I O N

6 Foreword 6 Sugarcane statistics 2018–19 8 A farmer’s reflections on the year that was 10 A snapshot of Australian agriculture 11 World Sugar Outlook – 2019–20

Section 5

IRRIGATION

1

E C T I O N

78

1 0

SUPPLIERS’ DIRECTORY

80

COVER: In a time of market-distorting sugar subsidies – none of which come our way – we must maintain our marketing edge with a commitment to BMP across all industry sectors – the processors, the researchers and the producers.

Australian Sugarcane P.O. Box 766, Toowoomba, 4350. Phone (07) 4659 3555, Fax (07) 4638 4520, E: sugar@greenmountpress.com.au DELIVERY ADDRESS: 120 Herries Street, Toowoomba, Queensland. 4350 EDITOR: Brian O’Connell Phone (02) 6778 3255, Fax (02) 6778 3256, Mobile 0413 130 777 ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Lloyd O’Connell & David Dowling Phone (07) 4659 3555, Fax (07) 4638 4520 PRODUCTION MANAGER: Mick Allan GROUP SALES MANAGER: Michael Cook Phone (07) 4659 3555, Fax (07) 4638 4520, Mobile 0428 794 801 Email advertising@greenmountpress.com.au

CONTENTS OF ADVERTISEMENTS are the responsibility of the advertisers. All statements and opinions expressed in Australian Sugarcane are published after due consideration of information gained from sources believed to be authentic. The following of advice given is at the reader’s own risk, and no responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of the matter published herein. No portion in whole or part may be reproduced without permission of the publisher. Copyright 2019.

Published by Berekua Pty. Ltd., 40 Creek Street, Brisbane, Queensland.

Registered by Australia Post Publication No. PP 100008014. ISSN 1442–5157.

PUBLISHED: APRIL, JUNE, AUGUST, OCTOBER, DECEMBER, FEBRUARY — SUGARCANE ANNUAL

2 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

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An offer document setting out relevant information is available in print or email form if you wish to consider selling your G-Class STL shares to QSL. This document is available from Morgans or from one of the QSL regional offices. Please note that QSL does not provide financial advice and growers will need to make their own assessment about this matter.

OVERVIEW THIS SECTION BROUGHT TO YOU IN ASSOCIATION WITH

5

SECTION 1

OVERVIEW

Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

Foreword O By Brian O’Connell, Editor, Australian Sugarcane

I

Brian O’Connell.

’VE said it before and I’m moved to say it again. You’ve got to love farming, there’s never a dull moment – take this past year for example. We’ve had floods and fires, droughts and distressed dams – Paradise lost as it were.

Three mills have changed hands, two went from majority grower ownership whilst the other returned into the hands of the growers.

India went to the top of the table when it came to production but wouldn’t come to the table when it came to market distorting sugar subsidies.

And when it came to the reef, the State Government went for regulation rather than responsible self-managed best practice.

But this incredible industry keeps on keeping on – through the challenges of the proverbial droughts and flooding rains, growers supplied just under 32.5 million tonnes of sugarcane from just under 380 thousand hectares to the 24 sugar mills.

And this is what the industry does year in year out. An economic benefits study commissioned by the Australian Sugar Milling Council – see our Section 7 – found that in the face of weather and price variables, Australian raw sugar production has remained relatively stable since 1991. Australian mills produced some 4.4 million tonnes of raw sugar in FY

Mill area 2018–19 Mossman Tableland Mulgrave South Johnstone Tully Northern Herbert River Mills Burdekin Mills Proserpine Mackay Sugar Mills Plane Creek Central Bundaberg Isis Maryborough Rocky Point Southern Queensland Condong Broadwater Harwood New South Wales Total/average

Harvested area (ha)

Compiled from data supplied by Australian sugar mills

6 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

2018. This compares with an annual average 4.7 million tonnes since 1992.

The data collected also showed that in 2017/18, the Australian sugar manufacturing industry paid over $350 million in pre-tax wages to just under 4,000 resident employees with an average wage across the industry of approximately $77,000. This compares favourably to data provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics of average weekly earnings in Australian manufacturing of just under $68,000 and an all Australian industries average of under $63,000.

And wait, there’s more! The flow on to cane communities from the manufacturing industry with goods and services purchases and wages amounted to around $2 billion.

So, we know what the industry can do and what it has consistently done but now, what does the future hold? Well the general feeling from amongst the pundits is that world consumption will exceed production for the first time in two years, placing some upward pressure on prices and improving grower returns. But don’t get overly excited, those same pundits suggest that high carry-over stocks will put a dampener on any substantial rise in prices – surprise, surprise! n

12,199.0 4,137.4 11,861.0 22,205.2 29,701.3 80,103.9 57,043.2 69,036.8 21,254.5 69,435.6 17,308.5 107,998.6 18,049.9 14,656.7 11,707.6 3,885.9 48,300.2 362,482.6 4,512.6 6,371.6 5,142.6 16,026.9 378,509.5

Tonnes of cane per ha 91.0 97.2 82.3 72.2 86.7 83.2 82.7 116.2 73.5 67.3 66.0 68.3 72.9 82.0 67.9 100.8 76.7 84.1 117.5 120.4 137.3 125.0 85.9

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SECTION 1

OVERVIEW

Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

A farmer’s reflections on the year that was O By Mike Hetherington, Southern Region Director ACFA

I

T would not be to often that two consecutive cane harvests are reported in the same annual report and, fortunately, it won’t happen this time. But it’s going to be a closerun thing though! Let’s put the blame on the rain – or lack there-of!

While most growers in the Southern Region started 2019 with positivity after a good clean harvest, we ran into a dry season which saw some areas have some rainfall at some time – but ‘summing’ up, this does not make for the best crop outcome.

How much irrigation the crop received, once again, became ‘cash governed’, rather than driven by ‘crop need’.

Press # for a ‘new’ tariff Electricity retailers have given the game away by having a phone menu selection option for farmers looking to arrange ‘payment schemes’ – or some similar title. Much time and effort has seemingly gone into trying to head farmers off at the pass with ‘new’ Tariff Schemes. ‘New’ is a thinly disguised code for ‘more expensive’.

The Australian Energy Regulator is a body supposed to be empowered to declare whether a charge is fair or not. Having read reports of

Mike Hetherington – Sharing moments with old mates is important for the soul!

their deliberations, I could not say if this body has any teeth or not. I was simply overwhelmed with ‘Committee’ speak.

Let’s keep an eye on the few ‘low pressure’ boom irrigators who are running with solar power. It’s full marks to them and a lesson for us all if they can establish long term viability!

So, back to the irrigation itself and the latest bombshell in the Bundaberg/ISIS irrigation.

Paradise lost!

Paradise lost!

Paradise lost? Well lots of it anyway. Safety concerns have seen what is being called a permanent reduction in Paradise Dam’s capacity.

8 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

Well not completely, but fairly well shaken.

This ‘dam wall – released water’ fiasco for a major water storage in the middle of a drought was, I am sure, a long way from the average farmer’s mind. Hence the ‘bombshell’ – five metres off the wall height! And that’s where most of the water is – in the top bit.

I used to have engineering drawings of the dam from being on a Community Reference panel referring to the Burnett River Storages.

These are long gone to an Engineering student as an undergraduate project, so I cannot quote, except from memory.

Two things I recall the engineers saying were: O The cost in $/megalitre stored was outside the then current world standard; and, O The rock formations at the Paradise site would make it difficult!

This seems to have come back to bite us.

To be frank, I supported anything that would

provide water to my farm. As a family, we had spent heaps on endlessly setting up for the great day water actually flowed through our almost ‘white elephant’ farm irrigation system.

I guess I should have argued for something different? All I can say now is that all those years ago an animal that wanted to be a horse ended up being built by a committee and, in 2019, it has turned into the proverbial camel!

Here’s hoping the committee that has the responsibility to govern the System does better in 2020 and beyond.

And will Fire Ants also bite us on the bum!

Biosecurity has become an issue. 2018–19 saw the Fire Ant incursion in the South East corner becoming a financial problem to Rocky Point farms. A usual amount of ill feeling has accompanied this menace – ‘why me?’ for some farmers and ‘where are the controls?’ for others. I don’t know if a bounty could be applied to ants, but perhaps it’s worth a try?

Obviously, it would become a case of ‘bring your own ants’ to claim.

With so much development activity in the South East corner involving shifting soil, I would wonder if there is any way to stop the spread.

Try inspecting a Mack truck and dog travelling at 110 km/h on the Pacific motorway! And a lot of people have reservations about helicopter spraying effectiveness.

Fortunately, some farms are claiming success in the eradication of the little biters.

SRA has a new home in the Wide Bay. Out Moore Park way a new facility was recently opened. To put down roots again the district can only be for the better. 2018 had some farmers wondering just where SRA had gone.

Looking back to the Kalkie area satellite photos shows the old BSES Station buildings etc still intact, but time moves on.

Now to beat rather than to lead?

Natural Resource management has trundled along in the Wide Bay. the Burnett Mary Group continues to grow and influence. The new ‘Reef Regs’ style of Resource Management is reputed to be coming to Bundaberg in the future, yay!

Mind you, I seem to recall that the ‘old’ 2018 way of doing things was by ‘leading’, rather than ‘beating’!

Sussing out sometimes soothing social media While I am not directly involved, from conversations with the Next Gen leaders, Next Gen is providing a great support to the young ones in and around the South. I have not attended Next Gen activity in a while as I have hit the magical 60 wall – an ‘older Australian’ you know. I do know though that the Facebook forums that this generates help a lot of people when they’re feeling a bit ‘out there’ and isolated.

This leads onto the explosion in the last year of farming related social media tech. I see some of the harvesting related posts are so funny, romantic (as much as a steel chopping machine can be romantic) and from the heart – I’ve even been quietly moved at times to thank the ‘big Zuck’ for inventing Facebook.

24/7 harvesting has become the norm in the last few years and missing being part of that game can lead to personal depression and loss of clarity at work. Being able to share the sunrise with your mates is sometimes very important to the soul!

The unfortunate side of the social media is the emergence in the last year of the ‘heated’ – pun intended – environmental/climate change debate. It’s becoming so polarised; I sometimes fear for people’s safety if these very angry antagonists should ever physically meet.

The last year has cranked it up so much. It needs debating I know, it’s just that in the heat of the moment I hope everyone will make time to take a deep breath, stop the vehicle and only then send a terse text!

And I suppose I should close on a sugar price thought – while it’s not the best, the CCS levels so far for 2019 have relieved the pressure. And obviously the down dipping Aussie Dollar has helped! But be careful because, as we all know, the dollar value is decided by ah, ummm, them, maybe? n

SECTION 1

OVERVIEW

T hi s sect i on brought to you i n as s oc iati on wi t h

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SECTION 1

OVERVIEW

Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

Snapshot of Australian agriculture Ever wondered where your industry – that’s the Australian Agricultural industry – stands in the overall scheme of things when it comes to the Australian Economy?

Well, much of the data and research compiled by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is now available in the form of infographics – the ‘pretty pictures’ on this page are worth thousands of words.

Contribution of agriculture to the Australian economy, 2017–18

Share of agricultural production exported, 3-year average, 2014–15 to 2016–17

Australia’s key agricultural export markets, 2017–18 (A$ billion)

10 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

World Sugar Outlook – 2019–20

SECTION 1

OVERVIEW

T hi s sect i on brought to you i n as s oc iati on wi t h

O By Charley Xia, ABARES

World sugar prices to rise marginally in 2019–20 The world indicator price for raw sugar (Intercontinental Exchange, nearby futures, no.

11 contract) is forecast to rise by 1 per centto US12.5 cents per pound in 2019–20. World consumption is forecast to exceed production for the first time in 2 years, placing some upward pressure on prices. But high carry-over stocks will provide a substantial buffer against any substantial rise in prices.

World production is forecast to fall in 2019– 20 because production decreases in Australia, India and Thailand are expected to more than offset increases in Brazil. Mills in India and Thailand are under significant pressure to export record carry-over stocks to accommodate forthcoming production and pay farmers. This is expected to cause strong price competition in import markets.

In 2019–20 Brazil’s sugar production is forecast to increase from five-year lows. Brazilian mills have focused on ethanol production in 2019 but are expected to reduce their allocation

of cane to ethanol production in 2020. Returns to ethanol are forecast to fall because a depreciating Brazilian real will improve returns to sugar exports and falling oil prices will reduce demand for ethanol. The introduction of a carbon market in Brazil in 2020 is expected to limit falls in demand for ethanol.

India’s sugar production is expected to fall significantly in 2019–20. This follows a fall in the area planted to cane in 2018 as a result of below average seasonal conditions during last year’s planting season. The current monsoon season has also caused significant flooding to growing regions in Maharashtra, the second largest cane-producing state in India.

In Thailand, the rising prices of corn, cassava and rice relative to sugarcane are estimated to have reduced the area planted. EU beet production is forecast to rise marginally from the low drought-affected levels in 2018. In Australia, below average seasonal conditions are estimated to have reduced cane yields for the 2019 crushing season.

Lower Australian dollar to support export returns In 2019–20 the Australian dollar is forecast to depreciate more against the US dollar relative to the currencies of competitors including Brazil, India and Thailand. This is expected to improve

TABLE 1: Sugar outlooka Category Worldb Production Brazil Consumption Exports Closing stocks Stocks-to-use ratio Price Australiac Area Production Exports value Returns to canegrowers

Unit

2017–18

2018–19s

2019–20f

% change

Mt Mt Mt Mt Mt % USc/lb

193 31.2 183 63.0 82.5 45.1 12.7

186 30.0 185 65.3 83.5 45.2 12.4

183 31.0 187 66.7 79.1 42.3 12.5

–1.5 3.3 1.3 2.1 –5.3 — 1.2

’000 ha kt kt A$m A$/t

389 4481 4032 1536 39.4

380 4725 4217 1680 35.1

375 4450 3654 1533 36.9

–1.3 –5.8 – 3.3 –8.8 4.9

a Volumes are raw equivalent. b October–September years. c July–June years. f ABARES forecast. s ABARES estimate.

Sources: ABARES; ABS; ASMC; F.O. Licht; International Sugar Organization; USDA

AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019 — 11

SECTION 1

OVERVIEW

Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

Australia’s competitiveness in Asian import markets. A greater proportion of Australia’s reduced 2019 crush of raw sugar is expected to be stored and sold later through futures contracts. The price of March 2020 contracts traded at a $30 per tonne premium compared to October 2019 contracts in early September 2019.

Opportunities and challenges Record carry-over stocks in India and Thailand Less than expected falls in production in India and Thailand in 2019–20 risks increasing the pressure on sugar mills to offload record carryover stocks. Carry-over stocks in both countries are estimated at 22 million tonnes.

This represents around 35 per cent of annual world trade and is equivalent to Brazil’s average annual exports over the last three years. The export of carry-over stocks presents a significant downside risk to forecasts of moderate price rises.

FIGURE 1: World sugar balances, 2011–12 to 2019–20

WTO investigation into Indian Government subsidies Australia’s sugar industry has been concerned about India’s longrunning sugar subsidies for many years, and considers that these subsidies have contributed to a glut in the global sugar market and driven prices lower, negatively affecting Australia’s sugar industry.

Australia considers India is in breach of its World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations in providing these subsidies. At Australia’s request, the WTO Dispute Settlement Body established a panel on August 15, 2019 to hear the dispute.

Disputes against India’s sugar subsidies have also been taken by Brazil and Guatemala and dispute panels were established at the same time. In India, millers are under pressure to reduce inventories and pay the agreed share of their government subsidies to cane farmers.

The total mill arrears payable to farmers remains at record levels. But a range of further Indian Government bailouts has resulted in some millers holding out strategically to minimise losses.

Bailouts include increases to domestic sugar prices, ethanol mandates, government purchases, export subsidies and provision of soft loans.

Government subsidies supporting the Indian sugar industry reduce market competition and incentives to innovate. Impediments to resource reallocation and entrepreneurship are expected to constrain long-term productivity growth in the Indian sugar industry.

Consumption growth constrained by health awareness and sugar taxes

f ABARES forecast.

Note: October to September year. Volumes are in raw equivalent.

FIGURE 2: Forecast changes in sugar production, major producing countries, 2019–20

World sugar consumption is forecast to increase by 1 per cent in 2019–20. But world demand growth is being constrained by health concerns, sugar taxes and a substitution towards alternative sweeteners.

In the past two years, sugar taxes have been legislated in India, Ireland, the Philippines, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Malaysia is the latest country to introduce a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. The introduction of sugar taxes globally is expected to further constrain demand growth and provide an incentive for food and beverage industries to reduce sugar content and diversify products.

Investments in the Brazilian sugar industry

Note: October to September year. Volumes are in raw equivalent.

12 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

The RenovaBio program is attracting global investments in the Brazilian sugar industry.

Brazil already has 339 sugar mills capable of processing 763 million tonnes of cane per year.

These investments are expected to further increase the productivity and capacity of sugar milling for sugar and ethanol production in Brazil over the next decade. This will place further downward pressure on prices in the medium term. n

AREA ROUNDUP THIS SECTION BROUGHT TO YOU IN ASSOCIATION WITH

OVERALL COMMENT The Area Roundups are drawn from reports supplied by growers over the past year. As per usual the weather has been challenging with the traditional mix of cyclones, floods and drought.

13

SECTION 2

AREA ROUNDUP Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

Mossman/ Tableland O By Gerard Puglisi Northern Director Summer 2018–19 2018 went down as one of our wettest and hottest years on record with just over 4770 mm of rain falling for the year and a stretch of days over 40 degrees. The end of 2018 saw just over one metre of rain fall from December 23–31 with most of the rain received at night with very hot and humid days.

The 2018 Mossman/Tableland crush ended with the Mossman Mill tipping its last bin for the 2018 season on November 5. The Tableland Toll Crushing of around 295,000 tonnes of Mossman Cane was also completed in late November. This was a tremendous effort for all involved.

Crops in the Mossman and Tablelands regions were looking very good – we had been lucky that the two late-season cyclones in 2017 caused very little damage to the crop. The signs were there for another reasonable crop for 2019.

But the drier crush meant rats had become an issue last year as they looked for any moisture they can find, usually from the heart of the ratooning cane.

Autumn 2019 It was a bit like Ground Hog day with another wet start to the year to add to the wet end to 2018. In Mossman the wet season definitely lived up to its name and in the first three months of the year the region received around 2270 mm of rain.

The northern crop handled the wet start of the year pretty well but then along came TC

Flood damage on Puglisi Farming.

14 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

Trevor in mid-March. There was some major erosion damage in the district. The persistent rain and at times wild winds, resulted in areas of lodged cane. These were isolated and it was hoped they would have a minimal effect on the 2019 crop.

Winter 2019 Following a very average start to the 2019 Crush, the factory settled down and began working with some consistency. Similarly, most farmers were now well into their planting programs.

On July 5 – after a long 28 months of tireless support and effort from the growers and the Board Directors of Far Northern Milling – the settlement of the Mossman Mill purchase was announced.

October–November 2019 The 2019 crush is drawing to an end with the Mossman Mill aiming to be finished in the middle of October baring any major weather events or major breakdowns.

After spending most of this year in talks with the state Government, on 19 September, the Queensland Government passed legislation designed to help preserve the health of the Great Barrier Reef.

Under this legislation, new Reef protection regulations, which are proposed to commence on December 1, 2019, set minimum practice standards for all sugarcane, beef cattle grazing, grains, banana and horticulture production in Reef regions along the coast of Queensland, excluding Cape York.

I am sure that most Farmers will be frustrated and disappointed following the passing of the legislation that will see a greater regulatory burden placed on Queensland’s farmers while not guaranteeing any benefits for the Great Barrier Reef.

This will stifle much needed flexibility and sustainable growth in several established agricultural industries and communities across the Reef catchments.

Far Northern Milling (FNM) has employed some key people in management roles and – season to date – mill availability is 80.4 per cent which is a pleasing improvement on recent years. Stops to repair a number of boiler tube leaks have been the most significant impact on consistent factory reliability throughout the season. Work planned for the coming offseason will address several of the problem areas in the Thompson Boiler.

The toll-crushing agreement of around 200,000 tonnes of Mossman cane from the Tableland area through the Arriga Mill has been underway since the start of the crush and is progressing well – Arriga Mill is due to completes its season a couple of weeks after the Mossman Mill finishes.

This year’s planting saw a slight reduction

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AREA ROUNDUP Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

in the original forecast area due to the dry weather. For the cane that has been planted it has been a relativity good growing period with a dry start and just enough light showers to help keep it going – hopefully we will receive a decent amount of rain to really help kick it along. Most farmers have now shifted their focus to starting their fertiliser and spraying routines.

If the dry weather continues reducing the need for major weed control and farmers are on top of their fertilising programs the signs are there for another decent crop on the coast for 2020.

All in all, the 2019 crush has been below expectation and the Mossman/Tableland regions are hoping for an increased crop for next year.

South Johnstone, Mulgrave, Tully O By Michael Camilleri, Northern Director Summer 2018–19 It was extremely dry towards the end of last year and the weather forecast predicted it would remain mostly dry through the Christmas Holiday period. And then the rain arrived!

Unable to finish their crop preparation work, farmers were disappointed with the onset of an early wet season that caught everybody by surprise. It leaves you to question the value of modern-day weather forecasting technology when they totally miss the mark.

The Monsoon dumped a heap of rain on North Queensland. Ayr, Giru, Townsville, Ingham Mossman and the Daintree all flooded with everywhere in between receiving heavy rains.

The Daintree River peaked at 12.6 metres, exceeding the previous record which was 11.8

metres in 1996. When the rain forces you indoors, there is no better time to maintain and repair machinery and harvesters.

We lost a lot of sunlight with the monsoonal cloud cover. But the new crop seemed to be shaping up well despite the long dry spell and early onset of rains.

Autumn 2019 It’s raining again. Or rather it hasn’t stopped raining. We did get about 4 dry days which allowed Tully Mill to crush for two days but then we had to stop again due to the wet weather.

An old timer told me that if it rains on the day of the equinox its likely to rain on and off until the next equinox. There are two equinoxes each year – one in autumn and one in spring – and it was raining during the 2019 autumn equinox.

Some varieties had fully arrowed while others were just beginning – the likelihood of a high CCS seemed optimistic.

Planting was held up and some fallow crops still had legumes to be harvested.

Mulgrave and South Johnstone Mills were busily repairing bridges, some receiving a re-decking treatment while others got their pylons repaired.

The rest of us were chomping at the bit to get out of the season gate to prepare for next year’s crop and take advantage of an increasing sugar price.

Winter 2019 The mills started in the middle of June but the crush was repeatedly delayed by rain. The few fine days we experienced were overcast and bleak, further delaying drainage from the blocks.

Planting contractors and farm supply businesses were under enormous pressure to service their clientele in the limited fine weather days available.

October–November 2019

Leonardi DiPalma bridge in flood.

16 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

Indian sugar exports, campaigns opposing sugar consumption, reef regulations, extremely wet weather and mill breakdowns at start-up have all left growers feeling unappreciated for their effort. As custodians of the land, growers are accused of doing the wrong thing to the point of affecting our individual livelihoods and lowering community morale.

South Johnstone Mill to date has an average CCS of 12.60; Mulgrave Mill has a CCS of 12.50 and Tully Mill has a CCS of 13.00. It is extremely unusual for Mulgrave Mill to have a lower CCS than South Johnstone Mill. This has been happening roughly since both mills combined crushing areas to share the workload, and it appears to be getting worse.

MSF Sugar in their wisdom decided to change the pool nomination dates without consultation with grower representatives. The new date was October 31, two months earlier

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AREA ROUNDUP Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

than the previous year’s nomination date in December.

If a grower does not select a marketer of their choice, they automatically default into MSF Sugar marketing. Was this a ploy to catch some growers off-guard during the busy harvesting season?

At the start of the year, QSL released a package called QSL Direct. After several meetings between grower representatives, MSF Sugar and QSL, MSF Sugar denied their growers access to QSL Direct, claiming it was a disadvantage to their growers. This created an imbalance among growers in different areas of the industry when other mill areas have access to QSL Direct and the included products.

In a mediocre attempt to remedy the imbalance, MSF Sugar will be offering in 2020 the ability for growers to manage 100 per cent of their GEI Sugar through self-managing the individual “Late Season Pool”, which is the same as the QSL Harvest Pool.

MSF Sugar will be negotiating with QSL to allow growers to manage 100 per cent of their GEI Sugar allocation using QSL Harvest Pool.

This only allows growers the use of one single product from the QSL Direct package.

The weather has now cleared, the CCS content is rising, and with a finish date towards the end of November in sight, next year promises an improved crop.

NORTHERN REGION 2018 HARVEST SUMMARY Mill area Tonnes Tonnes per Average hectare CCS Tableland 402,033 97.2 14.43 Mossman 1,110,058 91.0 13.82 Mulgrave 976,449 82.3 14.49 South Johnstone 1,602,948 72.2 13.62 Tully 2,575,142 86.7 14.45 Northern Region production: 6,666,630 tonnes

Herbert River Region O By Carol Mackee Herbert Director Summer 2018–19 October and November were extremely dry with temperatures over 40 and at times reaching 45 degrees. Needless to say, we were feeling the heat going into summer – as was everything else. The leaves were burning on the trees and the cane was under stress, then along came the rain and it kept right on a coming.

The eastern side of the Ingham District copped a massive fall in December of 1.2 metres overnight. January falls were 980 mm and again in February 1 metre of rain. Cane paddocks were inundated and some crops were lost.

If the western side had copped the same amount of rainfall that was along the coast, the damage would have been horrendous.

The water was backed up behind the mangroves because the trash formed a wall and the water was not able to get away. We all felt for those farmers who had substantial losses – with the low world prices this was a double whammy.

Autumn 2019 Rain was still falling in the Herbert Region.

Although it was generally only nuisance rain it was enough to stop farmers from planting.

Crushing was delayed and it was turning out to be an extremely trying time for both millers and farmers. The ground was saturated to the point where, even when simply walking on it, water was seeping out – the soil was just mud.

Wilmar had a trying time when it came to fixing washouts and line repairs following the extreme weather events. They did well to get the crush underway.

Flood damage.

18 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

Winter 2019 It was great to see some sunshine after so

much rain and the mills were able to get going.

It was even better to experience some cold weather putting some much-needed CCS into the cane.

Farmers were hard at work preparing their ground and getting planting underway. After the extreme weather there was a lot of catching up to do.

With soaring temperatures at the end of last year and then the excessive rain has taken its toll – in some areas the sugar content was well below average. Too many suckers in the cane!

October–November 2019 It has certainly been a year of extreme weather with the wettest December, January and February we have seen for some time – over 4.2 metres of rain fell in some areas.

Paddocks were inundated, cane stools died out, putting a lot of strain on our farmers who haven’t been able to replant all that was lost.

Not many farmers were able to put in early plant and contractors were behind by a good month and a half before they were able to plant any cane at all. Planting was still being carried out at the end of September.

We are now having a dry spell and the cane crop is falling away under the dry conditions.

The latest forecast has lowered the crop to around 4.1milliom tonnes. The sugar content was down when we first commenced crushing

but has now risen and is averaging season to date 13.47 CCS. There is no doubt about it, we either have a feast or a famine with no in between as we now need rain to help the plant cane along.

As our district is a monoculture area, I recently attended a meeting looking at an alternative crop for the district. The meeting was focused on industrial hemp. This would be a trial crop in Australia. There are many varieties of hemp, not just the smoking sort. Interesting times ahead.

We are now nearing the end of the 2019 season and it would be wonderful to see a price rise for sugar. It recently met someone who had worked in the industry over 10 years ago – he could not get over the fact that we were getting a price at that time around $30.00 a tonne and we are still getting the same price now! He found it incredible and wondered how we were managing. I think we wonder too.

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AREA ROUNDUP T hi s sect i on brought to you i n as s oc iati on wi t h

HERBERT 2018 HARVEST SUMMARY Mill area Tonnes Tonnes per Average hectare CCS Herbert River 4,718,178 82.7 14.24 Mills Herbert production: 4,718,180 tonnes

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AREA ROUNDUP Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

Burdekin Region O Compiled by the editor Summer 2018–19 Cyclone Penny and the arrival of the monsoons saw heavy rain, strong winds and flooding across the entire Burdekin in January and early February. This resulted in widespread lodged cane, water erosion and loss of irrigation infrastructure.

The small town of Giru south-east of Townsville; Wilmar’s Invicta Mill; and many surrounding farms were inundated when the Haughton River broke its banks.

And the rain – together with the rain clouds – hung around for several weeks. Many growers (and their cane) did not see any sunshine over that period, causing concern for the welfare of the crop.

One big ray of positive sunshine is that the inundation will have recharged the aquifer.

The Burdekin has been without a significant replenishing flood for nearly a decade. As a result of the general dry, there has been heavy demand for irrigation and associated salt intrusion. Here’s hoping the underground supply will have been filled and flushed.

Wilmar announced in late 2018 that they were investing about $70 million in its Burdekin mills in 2019 to further improve safety, performance and reliability.

Autumn 2019 Wilmar extended the offer of a cash payment to cane growers who get their environmental accreditation. Wilmar’s BMP Incentive Payment scheme provided growers with a one-off payment of 15 cents per tonne of cane, capped at 25,000 tonnes, once they achieve their BMP accreditation.

Wilmar also ran information sessions in early March and April to provide growers with first-hand information about the world sugar market, pooling and pricing and preparations

for the 2019 crush. Other topics included the sugar supply chain and the season outlook for Bio Dunder. Similarly, there were informal meetings looking at farm productivity; R&D trial updates; and soil sampling.

Winter 2019 Finally, some sunshine after so much rain and the crush was able to get underway Farmers were able to prepare their ground and getting planting underway – there was a lot of catching up to do.

The 2019 crushing season started with Kalamia Mill on 4 June with the other Burdekin mills to follow a week later. By the end of June, the Burdekin mills had crushed more than one million tonnes of cane.

By mid-September Invicta, Inkerman, Kalamia and Pioneer mills had all passed the one million tonnes of cane crushed for the season. At that time the average CCS for the Burdekin was 14.50.

October–November 2019 Wilmar stages mock incidents across all of its milling regions each year to better prepare crews for emergency situations. A recent mock railway incident in the Herbert region was the first opportunity to trial a new track layer over the Google Earth system. Wilmar owns and operates Queensland’s third largest rail network, with 1600 km of track across its Herbert, Burdekin, Proserpine and Plane Creek milling regions.

Having the railway tracks on Google Earth allows the company to share the exact GPS coordinates with police, fire and ambulance for where an incident occurs.

Inkerman Mill is expected to be the first of Wilmar’s eight factories to crush out for 2019, with the last day of harvesting on November 11. Kalamia, Pioneer and Invicta are expected to follow follow shortly.

BURDEKIN 2018 HARVEST SUMMARY Mill area Tonnes Tonnes per Average hectare CCS Burdekin Mills 8,023,650 116.2 15.02 Burdekin production: 8,023,650 tonnes

Central Region O By Steve Fordyce, Central Region Director Summer 2018–19

Mackay Sugar’s Marian Mill on a very wet day.

20 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

Fire in December after the 2018 crush affected many farming operations with some farms totally burnt out. These fires were fuelled by hot weather, westerly winds and low humidity. Finch Hatton – Eungella, Sarina, Blue Mountains, Bloomsbury, Sarina and Carmila areas were all affected. Resources were

extended because of so many fire fronts.

Fortunately, rain followed in December as the weather conditions changed. Previous falls had been received in different areas but they were never general.

Rain in January saw crops recovering well.

In late 2018 Mackay Sugar announced that it had received a non-binding indicative proposal from Nordzucker AG to subscribe for up to 70 per cent of the share capital of Mackay Sugar Limited. Nordzucker is one of the leading sugar manufacturers in Europe and is headquartered in Braunschweig, Germany.

John Agnew the CEO of MAPS retired at the end of January. Anthony Schembri took on the CEO role upon John’s departure.

Winter 2019 Mackay Sugar began the harvest with Farleigh first off the mark on the 4th June.

Marian followed on the 6th June and Racecourse commenced on June 11 when full cane supply was available.

Conditions are wet in some areas where falls of up to 50 mm were received a week before the commencement of harvesting.

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AREA ROUNDUP T hi s sect i on brought to you i n as s oc iati on wi t h

Autumn 2019 The district received reasonable rainfalls this wet season to give a much-improved position on last year. The estimate was for about 5.1 million tonnes of cane which was disappointing.

Early crop establishment had been hindered by the prolonged dry period prior to December and irrigation had not being used to its potential because of the increasing cost of water and electricity.

YCS was visibly affecting the crops growth.

The MAPS staff held rounds of shed meetings and there was a comprehensive report from SRA addressing the issue.

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AREA ROUNDUP Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

Nordzucker acquired a 70 per cent controlling interest in the share capital of Mackay Sugar through an investment of $60 million in equity and the provision of a shareholder loan of up to $60 million to the company.

This followed an 18-month long worldwide search by Mackay Sugar to find a partner to invest in the business and improve milling performance.

A shareholder meeting to vote on the transaction was held on Monday, July 29, 2019 at which the shareholders of Mackay Sugar overwhelmingly voted to support the deal.

July saw falls of rain that ranged from 40 mm to over 200 mm across the district. These falls brought harvesting to a stop for a short time. But this supported maintaining the crop estimate and provided favourable conditions for planting and ratoons.

October–November 2019 The past year has seen the ownership of Mackay Sugar take a new change moving into the future. After a difficult period in recent times, Nordzucker became 70 per cent owners after Mackay Sugar Shareholders and Growers voted to accept the offer. This offer deals with debt and a recapitalization plan to improve the milling performance and lead to improved crop production. This investment will allow the local industry to have the confidence going forward.

The full Board of Mackay Sugar is Michael Gerloff Chairman, Sven Buhrmann, Frank Knaelmann, Mark Day, Maurie Maughan, Paul Manning Deputy Chairman, Lee Blackburn and George Williams MSL General Manager is Jannik Robin OLejas from Denmark who has relocated to Mackay. By the end of the year there will be five Nordzucker staff relocated to live permanently in Mackay.

The Nordzucker Group, based in Braunschweig, Germany, is one of the leading sugar manufacturers in Europe, with 18

production and refinery facilities producing up to 2.7 million tonnes of refined sugar annually.

The Group also processes sugar beet into bioethanol and animal feed. Sustainability along the entire value chain is a top priority for the company. Nordzucker has approximately 3,200 employees producing its products and services to provide a strong foundation for further growth.

The last six months didn’t give the crop for this year a very good start with very small amounts of rain. To date CCS has been a little below expectation. It is believed that the disease YCS is affecting the crops. All sectors of the industry are looking for a resolution of the issue.

The RSSA with QSL was concluded twelve months early. This allowed growers to choose their marketer for GEI sugar for the 2019 season. The choice was Mackay Sugars marketer QCS or QSL. Growers could supply to which ever marketer they chose. Also, growers could apply a percentage to either marketer. QCS have engaged Arthur Douglas to support growers in supporting their choice. Arthur has several years of experience in Agricultural Banking. QSL have a team of support for their marketing options led by Cathy Kelly

CENTRAL REGION 2018 HARVEST SUMMARY Mill area Tonnes Tonnes per Average hectare CCS Proserpine 1,561,592 73.5 14.95 Mackay Sugar 4,672,633 67.3 13.96 Mills Plane Creek 1,142,588 66.0 14.73 Central Region production: 7,376,810 tonnes

Southern Region O By Michael Hetherington, Southern Director Summer 2018–19 Whilst ISIS Central region recorded the lowest January rainfall since 1958 other places up North were experiencing/suffering record rainfall. Cane crops in the Southern region, when irrigated, were looking very good. An early cut in 2018 and then the December 2018 rainfall gave ratoons a good start.

Irrigation kept them rolling – the efficacy of booms and pivots was obvious. Windy conditions were making the ‘old school’ travelling irrigators struggle. The cost of operating irrigators is high but it’s also unavoidable. The corners where the winch didn’t reach were a grim reminder of what life before irrigation was like.

Autumn 2019 Now full steam ahead at the Mackay mills with Nordzucker on board.

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There were haves and have nots in the Wide Bay farming area. The haves – up to 150 mm

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AREA ROUNDUP T hi s sect i on brought to you i n as s oc iati on wi t h

Why the Paradise Dam became a fiasco will take years to discover.

(6 inches for the old timers) and the have nots – maybe 15 mm (maybe half an inch) all within the Bundaberg/Childers/Wallaville triangle.

Compare this to the Far North and it makes one wonder.

Winter 2019 Crushing starts were later than usual in the ‘dry as’ Southern Region.

Those who have worked to grow the crop with irrigation should be given awards by the community for keeping the economy alive.

Management of the system has improved but the cost was the main reason for low usage compared to availability. Watering ground ahead of any planting preparation seems to be a necessity, given the way soil moisture is.

October–November 2019 The middle south has been labouring along in drought and not a lot else. Until the bombshell of the Paradise Dam. Queensland and northern New South Wales became obvious. Southern Queensland needs dams to survive. The Northern Rivers of New South Wales needs levy banks.

Why the Paradise Dam became a fiasco will take years to discover. Perhaps it’s just that I have missed the news regarding the building of levies in New South Wales over the years. The major storage on the Burnett River has always been right up there in the news. I guess too much water as per NSW is less problematic than too little as per Southern Queensland.

Through being a Member of Landcare Committees years ago, I was a minor Committee man on the “Community Reference Panel for the Construction of a Storage on the Lower Burnett”. I was a desperate dryland farmer who supported practically anything to give me water. We had even installed the on-farm works and yet for years no water came to the boundary. I recall my confusion at the decision-making process regarding where, when and how much storage was to be.

What I would say to summarise is that the

animal that wanted to be a horse was made by a committee and came out a camel, called Paradise. What is needed is to find anyone who said “I told you so” and hopefully from that make the best of a bad lot.

At one stage the quantity of water being sold was so small as to cause the owner of the water to claim that economy of scale was not being reached and water price would have to rise. Now irrigators are worried, in extremis, that they will simply run dry. And all this is irrelevant to some sugar growing areas which makes it difficult on the matter of lobbying.

So, what else in the Region – high, high, high, CCS and with a reasonable market outlook sugarcane farming and milling is still attractive to international sugar industry participants.

In November, Isis Central Sugar Mill shareholders voted overwhelmingly to accept a proposal from international sugar producer Almoiz Group to acquire a majority interest.

Based in Lahore Pakistan, the company is recognised globally as a high-quality producer of white refined sugar and molasses – corporate clients include Pepsi.

Almoiz will invest up to $35 million subject to approvals. When asked why, their people said “sugar per hectare” To the current harvest, it looks like average for a finish, seeing as so little has stopped the field work this year.

Then we’ll see about this water.

SOUTHERN REGION 2018 HARVEST SUMMARY Mill area Tonnes Tonnes per Average hectare CCS Bundaberg 1,315,907 72.9 14.80 Sugar South Isis 1,202,300 82.0 14.65 Maryborough 795,353 67.9 13.49 Rocky Point 391,765 100.8 13.63 Southern Region production: 3,705,320 tonnes AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019 — 23

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NSW

Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

O By Robert Quirk, NSW Director and senior Vice Chair

AREA ROUNDUP

Summer 2018–19 Australia is truly the land of droughts and flooding rain. There had been metres of rain in the North of Queensland and NSW farmers were now thinking their crops would go unharvested and could make a stand over crop.

The three rivers in NSW were affected by the unseasonably dry weather, with some areas reaching critical drought conditions.

Autumn 2019 Despite struggling through the worst drought in history for the Northern Rivers of NSW, there will still the prospect of a reasonable cane harvest closer to the coast. Upstream on all rivers the rain had not fallen in the same quantities.

The harvest of soy beans started around the end of April, early May. Some crops were lost to the dry, others made a reasonable crop of beans.

Winter 2019 Drought and frost – it was a terrible winter in NSW. Rainfall was well below average for this time of the year. NSW had received some of the coldest weather for the past few years with temperatures dropping to minus 4.7°C away from the coast.

There had been frost damage across the three rivers with some growers suffering major losses.

Even though it had been dry, we started the harvest for a few days then of course rain arrived which stopped us for over a week.

October–November 2019 The harvest has had some good and bad

This group of teachers interested in ‘Cane and Carbon’ added to the 2000 or so visitors who have been similarly hosted at the Quirk cane farm over the last 20 years.

24 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

parts and with little to no rain coming, the outlook for 2020 may not be good.

This year we had a very dry summer which included January and February, rain in March triggered good growth but then at the start of harvest much of the cane growth was less than 6 months old.

We started the harvest on low sugar. The cold nights and warm days with a lot of sun light has increased the CCS as one would expect. Research tells us that the night time temperature must drop below 18C degrees, and the larger the difference between the night and day temperatures the more perfect for the sugarcane to make sugar, of course sunlight is needed also.

Planting started in mid to later August with many growers having to water or stop planting.

The watering in NSW is done with 4000 litre tanks doing three rows at a time – very time consuming but it works.

With little to no rain in the forecast, the projections for 2020 are not looking good. We have had major frosts in some areas requiring some of the year-old cane in NSW to be harvested instead of being left to go through as a two-year old crop for next year.

Always the optimist – if we get a good summer rainfall it is amazing what can happen to sugarcane. Sugarcane has been growing in NSW for well over one hundred years and I see no reason for it not to be here in another 100 years.

All NSW mills will finish around the end of November, and with even reasonable growing conditions this should go well for the 2020 crop.

I had a visit from a group of geography teachers from around the country – a bus load of around 45. They visited to see sugarcane being grown. While some were from sugarcane areas around Mackay most were from areas inland and south where sugarcane cannot grow.

They were interested in our Acid Sulfate soil remediation and the carbon work we are doing. One can gauge the interest of a group by their questions. By this measure they were very interested.

I was able to tell them that ongoing measurements show my 100 hectares farm has captured 77,000 tonnes of carbon in CO2 equivalents in the last 20 years. The carbon has been stored in the ground, using cover crops and residue retention. This group added to the 2000 or so visitors who have visited in the last 20 years. n

NSW 2018 HARVEST SUMMARY Mill area Tonnes Tonnes per Average hectare CCS Condong 530,167 117.5 11.73 Broadwater 767,245 120.4 12.13 Harwood 705,977 137.3 12.02 NSW production: 2,003,390 tonnes

Domonic Hogg (left) and Brett Alvos from Northern AgriServices Casino consider Entec an essential piece of the agronomy package in sugarcane and summer crops such as corn.

THE FUTURE THIS SECTION BROUGHT TO YOU IN ASSOCIATION WITH

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THE FUTURE Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

GM sugarcane in Australia – where we are

S

RA and its predecessor organisations have a strong history of investing in frontier technologies to make a step change in the Australian sugar industry’s productivity, profitability and sustainability.

In recent decades, an example of this investment came via a Joint Venture with DuPont that sought to develop herbicide tolerant cane (HT-cane) using genetic modification (GM) technology.

When this partnership was formed in 2009, with rigorous industry consultation, this technology offered significant potential for the Australian industry, and there was a strong imperative for Australia to maintain its global competitiveness by being the first country to move towards this technology.

The science Given the significant resources required to develop and deliver a GM crop, herbicide tolerance was chosen to focus on a single trait.

Glyphosate resistant sugarcane would offer an environmentally and socially acceptable solution to modify herbicide practices and lower costs. Through the Joint Venture, HT-cane was successfully developed and the technology was introduced into Q208A and Q240A. SRA developed more than 2000 independent

The investment in this research enhanced the technological capabilities of SRA research scientists and brought a range of innovative technology to our investments.

26 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

(sugarcane transformation) lines, and conducted field trials and other related activities over five locations.

In the early stages of the Joint Venture, work also occurred to develop ‘synthetic seed’ planting technology, but this technology faced local technical and cost challenges so SRA did not make a subsequent investment in this project.

Skills and capacity development The investment in this research through the partnership has enhanced the technological capabilities of SRA research scientists and brought a range of innovative technology to our investments. These new skills and capabilities continue to underpin the delivery of outcomes via our investment in yellow canopy syndrome (YCS), tissue culture, and the breeding program in general. SRA has developed capabilities in sugarcane genetic transformation, GM product technology regulation and stewardship.

Change in global agtech towards sugarcane In the early 2000s, there was global enthusiasm for the potential that GM technology offered the agriculture sector, as well as sugarcane’s potential as a source of biofuel and high-value products. This created a flurry of investment from major companies around the world. But market sentiment shifted as the anticipated returns on investment did not arise beyond maize, soybeans, cotton and canola, while consumers and regulators did not embrace the technology as anticipated. Monsanto (now merged with Bayer), Syngenta and DuPont (now merged with Dow Agrosciences and called Corteva) all made significant investments but subsequently stopped or notably reduced their focus on sugarcane.

Sugarcane also faced additional hurdles compared to other crops when it came to commercialisation of the technology, due to the crop cycle and planting method.

A big challenge was around how the economic benefit of GM technology would be shared among all stakeholders, including growers.

Even though refined white sugar crystals do not contain any genes (DNA), there has been an increase in anti-GM sentiment, which has also created concern around key Australian markets if Australia were to adopt this technology. There has been an increase in the marketing tactic of labelling sugar crystals as ‘GMO free’.

In that context, DuPont approached SRA

SUGAR CANE NUTRITION FOR THE LONG RUN. ✔ Keeping Nitrogen where it’s needed ✔ Driving Phosphorus uptake ✔ Protecting nutrients when you need them most ✔ Potential for improved cane and sugar yield ✔ Unique patented formulation

incitecpivotfertilisers.com.au

eNpower is a trademark of Incitec Pivot Limited.® Nutrient Advantage and GranAm are registered trademarks of Incitec26/7/19 Pivot Limited. Incitec Pivot Fertilisers is a registered trademark of Incitec Fertilisers Limited ABN 56 103 709 155. Incitec Pivot Fertilisers is a business of Incitec Pivot Limited ABN 42 004 080 264.

TM

IPL0244_EnpowerSugarcaneBrochure_4ppA4_V7.indd 1

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indicating that they were reducing their investment in sugarcane and to terminate the alliance with SRA. As part of the termination agreement, DuPont required SRA to destroy all GM material held by SRA and developed under the Joint Venture. This has now occurred and the termination agreement between DuPont and SRA was completed in early 2019.

Regulation The technology faces major regulatory challenges, most notably: O Approvals required in Australia and our export markets are not assured; O Individual grower implementation isn’t a practical pathway, thus requiring whole regions and their mills to participate in the operational and financial aspects of commercialisation; and, O The immediate financial cost of retaining commercial rights appears unlikely to generate a return on investment for the overall industry. The commercialisation process involves an overlapping sequence of approvals by multiple governments and agencies in Australia and overseas.

The approval process typically takes five to seven years with an estimated cost of $15m–$25m, with additional technology licensing fees likely to add tens of millions of dollars of cost over the life of the GM HT cane being available for use to Australian growers.

As well as the formal technical regulatory approvals, commercialisation also requires agreements with herbicide suppliers for the new label recommendations; with growers and mills for potential royalty collections; and with mills and marketers for potential segregation of processing, shipping and marketing.

The future In light of these challenges, SRA has

consulted with the Australian Sugar Industry Alliance (ASA) about the future of this technology for our industry. At this time, we have deemed that it is neither affordable nor efficient to further pursue the technology to commercialisation. The research side of much of this work has been successful, and it has added significant capability and technology that will contribute to our industry’s research endeavours in the future. But success in research does not always align with the rapidly-changing opinions of regulators and the public, particularly regarding technology such as GM, where misinformation and fear carry significant public sway.

SRA is also reviewing the global status of gene editing technology to identify new pathways to input and output traits that could deliver value to the Australian sugarcane industry.

Examples could include alternative herbicide resistance or value-added traits such as higher sucrose production or production of other industrial products in sugarcane, such as novel carbohydrates or plant oils. While the current regulatory requirements of gene editing technology appear less onerous than GM, this technology is still expected to face challenges.

For example, the Court of Justice of the European Union recently ruled that gene edited crops should be subject to “the same stringent regulations as conventional genetically modified organisms”. Therefore, SRA is taking a cautious approach to investment in this technology.

SRA is also monitoring new technologies in the synthetic seed space and investigating whether these technologies are suitable for Australia.

Drawn from: SRA’s CaneConnection Spring 2019.

For more information on the SRA/DuPont GM sugarcane joint venture email: communications@sugarresearch.com.au

Through the Joint Venture, HT-cane was successfully developed and the technology was introduced into Q208A and Q240A. The termination agreement required SRA to destroy all GM material developed under the Joint Venture.

28 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

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In the early stages of the SRA/Dupont GM Sugarcane Joint Venture – see page 26 – researchers began to develop ‘synthetic seed’ planting technology, but this technology faced local technical and cost challenges so SRA did not make a subsequent investment in this project. SRA however, is monitoring new technologies in the synthetic seed space and investigating whether these technologies are suitable for Australia.

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THE FUTURE T hi s sect i on brought to you i n as s oc iati on wi t h

CEEDS – a new approach to planting sugarcane O By Dr Paul Carver – New Energy Farms (Developer of the CEEDS Technology)

T

HE cane multiplication and planting techniques which are used to plant 26 million hectares of world sugarcane production have hardly changed over hundreds of years. Commercial sugarcane varieties are sterile, they do not produce seeds, so new crops must be established by techniques using vegetative propagation.

Traditionally, whole stems, harvested from standing crops, would be laid in furrows (a technique still used in many countries today) but modern refinements have progressed to billets and even short stem sections with perhaps only one or two buds per stem section. This is a multiplication and planting methodology which can require between 12 tonnes and 20 tonnes of whole cane stems to be planted per hectare and can use up to 20 per cent of the cane planted area just to produce planting material for the next year’s crop.

Recognising that establishing new cane crops was inefficient, and also a research area of sugarcane production that had been neglected, the plant technology business New Energy Farms (NEF) set out to develop new techniques to vegetatively propagate sugarcane to allow

it to be planted like conventional seeded row crops.

Farmers planting many other of the world’s important crops like wheat, maize, rice and barley have easier logistics compared to sugarcane growers. Seed is readily available, and logistically easy to plant. CEEDS technology provides the possibility of planting less than 400 kg of sugarcane plants per hectare, encased in growing medium containing crop protection products, all with a protective waxy coat. That is the reality of CEEDS technology, developed by NEF after nine years of research.

Not GM technology This is not GM technology and it is not another refinement of tissue culture technology. It is a new technology based upon understanding the physiological processes which take place in plants that are vegetatively propagated and using that knowledge to create radically different planting propagules.

The primed plant material, in its protective coat, with its targeted crop protection products and growth promoters (if desired) is about the size of a potato and can be planted with

CEEDS propagules – The primed plant material, in its protective coat, with its targeted crop protection products and growth promoters (if desired) is about the size of a potato and can be planted with automated planters.

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automated planters. NEF data suggests up to 50x less weight of planting material is required per hectare resulting in improved logistics and speed of planting.

Soil compaction reduced The dramatic reduction in the amount of material planted per hectare, and the reduced weight of planting equipment requires much less initial soil preparation and will produce far less soil compaction.

Extended planting window Another advantage is that the planting propagules can be created at different times of the year, creating the possibility of extending planting windows. Soil compaction and erosion/ run off issues must be constantly addressed in sugarcane production and this technology could have an important and positive role to play.

Enhanced plant health The process for creating CEEDS does not require material to be collected from production fields. It is a horticultural process that passes through several stages of controlled growing, undertaken in protected glasshouse/shaded environments, before the primed plant material is encapsulated and ready for planting. The enhanced plant health of the final planting material, derived from the clean and virus free material used at the start of the process, dramatically reduces the chances of any disease contamination between successive crops of cane. All too often, decisions on ratooning are driven by plant health issues so the excellent

CEEDS plantation in United States.

30 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

initial disease-free levels in the planting material for first year crops, created by the CEEDS technology process, should be a very positive benefit.

The production process also reduces the costs of multiplication and the areas required to actually produce the planting material for future crops. The areas of sugarcane planting that are normally designated for cane/billet production for new crops can now be harvested as commercial sugarcane.

Another interesting feature of the vegetative propagation process in sugarcane is that field plantings are often determined by the suitability of the existing crops to provide the correct material to be planted. This may not always coincide with the best climatic conditions in which to establish new crops. With CEEDS technology, planting can be scheduled at optimum times of the year as the production processes can be geared to produce planting material at any nominated date.

It is also clear that CEEDS technology can have a significant impact on the introduction of new sugarcane varieties. The technology provides higher rates of multiplication than simply using tissue culture technology to bulk up the scale of the multiplication in the years before the first commercial introduction of a new variety. Bringing new varieties into the market more quickly is a recognised aim of all sugarcane production areas and a new variety delivery route that involves CEEDS technology can achieve that aim.

CEEDS technology has been developed and patented by New Energy Farms Ltd, operating from research bases in Canada, USA and the UK. It is currently being introduced into some of the important sugarcane growing areas of the world. In 2014 NEF granted a License to Syngenta for the use of CEEDS technology in the Brazilian sugarcane market.

Some sectors of the industry have suggested that CEEDS technology is producing ‘artificial seeds’ which is an interesting compliment.

The technology does have the capability to revolutionise the complete supply chain for vegetatively propagated crops. It can drive down multiplication costs, produce propagules which are easier to plant and also assist in the more rapid introduction of new varieties.

Vegetative propagation is a very important technology which has received far less funding and research effort over many decades when compared to seed technology. However, it is a vital technology and many important commercial crops such as cassava, banana, pineapple, potato, yam and sweet potato, as well as sugarcane, are dependent upon it to enable new crop areas to be established. CEEDS technology has created an exciting new way forward for sugarcane growers in Australia to consider.

For more information: www.newenergyfarms.com

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Helping plants to fight the food war

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T

ROPICAL agriculture presents humanity with its most pressing food security challenges – but it is also the world region that harbours some of the most exciting opportunities, as farmers and scientists step up to the challenge of ensuring there is enough to feed tomorrow’s grandchildren.

This is why one of the leading innovators in this field, Professor Pamela Ronald from the University of California, is keen to help people understand the tide of change heading our way and join her in the journey.

“I really enjoy talking to people because there’s a lot of curiosity about agriculture and especially plant genetics,” she says.

“But we are also seeing public trust in science eroding. People have started to pick and choose what they ‘believe’, as if scientific knowledge is a buffet of ideas and you only need to consume what is personally appealing.”

Finding genetic solutions to the food crisis Professor Ronald’s research is looking to find genetic solutions to the food crisis, such as ways to make staple crops like rice more resilient to disease, pests and climate impacts. Without such a defence crops fail, food prices spiral upward and people starve.

Pointing to the chance to not just break the poverty cycle in the tropics but turn the region into a global food centre, Professor Ronald explains how we now possess some of the most powerful biological tools in human history; technologies such as molecular biology (genetics) that have the potential to endow crops with innate disease immunity and increased tolerance to adverse growing conditions such as droughts or flood.

Ancient rice variety A recent example of this was Professor Ronald and colleagues identifying a gene from an ancient rice variety that allows the plant to survive even while submerged by floodwater.

The gene (called Sub1) has now been crossbred into cultivated rice varieties at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines. The resulting cultivars are now being grown by more than six million subsistence farmers in India and Bangladesh.

Professor Ronald has also isolated a gene (called Xa21) that protects rice from bacterial blight, one of the most destructive diseases of cultivated rice. It infects millions of hectares annually and is capable of causing crop losses as high as 75 per cent during a severe epidemic.

Professor Ronald was a keynote speaker at the 2019 TropAg Conference in Brisbane.

Environment benefits And Professor Ronald is quick to point out that it’s not only farmers who benefit from such science, but also the environment. “With advances in gene-based breeding has come opportunities to enhance the sustainability of agriculture by reducing the need for chemical sprays, such as insecticides.”

She says this type of breeding innovation results in a trifecta of benefits, all based on genetic enhancements: more food reaches consumers, farming systems become more sustainable, and production costs for farmers are reduced even as their harvests are increased, putting more money into their local communities.

These innovations not only help lift rural communities in developing countries out of poverty, but also strengthen the viability of farmers in developed countries.

The scope for beneficial impacts excites Professor Ronald and she is keen for people to understand the science and share in a sense of excitement for the future.

Her public communication credentials include: O A 2015 TED Talk - The case for engineering our food, that has been viewed by over 1.7 million people and translated into 26 languages.

O She also founded the UC Davis Institute for Food and Agriculture Literacy to provide the next generation of scientists with the training they need to become effective communicators.

O In 2019, Professor Ronald was awarded the American Society of Plant Biologists Leadership in Science Public Service Award.

O She is also the co-author of Tomorrow’s Table, written with her husband, organic farmer Raoul Adamchak, which explores the role of genetic improvement in sustainable agriculture.

More information: Professor Pamela Ronald, pcronald@ucdavis.edu

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An ‘artificial leaf’ that turns carbon into fuel has been created

S

CIENTISTS have created an ‘artificial leaf’ to fight climate change by inexpensively converting harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) into a useful alternative fuel. The new technology was inspired by the way plants use energy from sunlight to turn carbon dioxide into food.

“We call it an artificial leaf because it mimics real leaves and the process of photosynthesis,” said Yimin Wu, an engineering professor at the University of Waterloo who led the research. “A leaf produces glucose and oxygen. We produce methanol and oxygen.”

Making methanol from carbon dioxide, the primary contributor to global warming, would both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide a substitute for the fossil fuels that create them.

The key to the process is a cheap, optimized red powder called cuprous oxide. Engineered to have as many eight-sided particles as possible, the powder is created by a chemical reaction when four substances – glucose, copper acetate, sodium hydroxide and sodium dodecyl sulfate – are added to water that has been heated to a particular temperature.

The powder then serves as the catalyst, or trigger, for another chemical reaction when it is mixed with water into which carbon dioxide is blown and a beam of white light is directed with a solar simulator.

Yimin Wu, engineering professor at the University of Waterloo, calls the process an ‘artificial leaf’ because it mimics real leaves and the process of photosynthesis. (PHOTO: Pixabay)

32 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

Engineering professor Yimin Wu. (PHOTO: Brian Caldwell, University of Waterloo)

“This is the chemical reaction that we discovered,” said Yimin, who has worked on the project since 2015. “Nobody has done this before.”

The reaction produces oxygen, as in photosynthesis, while also converting carbon dioxide in the water-powder solution into methanol. The methanol is collected as it evaporates when the solution is heated.

An hour-long chemical reaction creates the engineered red powder that is the key to new technology to turn carbon dioxide into fuel.

Next steps in the research include increasing the methanol yield and commercializing the patented process to convert carbon dioxide collected from major greenhouse gas sources such as power plants, vehicles and oil drilling.

“I’m extremely excited about the potential of this discovery to change the game,” said Yimin, a professor of mechanical and mechatronics engineering, and a member of the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology. “Climate change is an urgent problem and we can help reduce CO2 emissions while also creating an alternative fuel.”

For more information: www.uwaterloo.ca

n

ADVERTORIAL

Power up your planting blends Rob Dwyer, Technical Agronomist – Tropical Systems, Incitec Pivot Fertilisers Incitec Pivot Fertilisers is introducing a powerful addition to DAP that will help growers keep the nitrogen where it’s needed for longer, drive phosphorus uptake and potentially improve crop yields and quality. Our new product, eNpowerTM 18:20, is DAP coated with a patented new formulation ammonium stabiliser, DMPG. It works just like ENTEC®, by inhibiting the nitrifying bacteria in the soil, stopping them from converting the ammonium nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen. If you’ve had experience with ENTEC, you’ll know the advantages this

Matching nitrogen supply with crop demand The best fertiliser programs match nutrient supply with crop demand to avoid over and under application and to help crop growth progress towards optimum yields and quality.

This is easier said than done!

In most vegetable and summer crops, nitrogen demand increases after planting as the crop grows, then peaks at 40-70 days after planting.

If most of the nitrogen is applied at planting or within the first month, this can result in a lot of nitrate nitrogen available in the soil that the crop can’t yet use. This nitrate nitrogen is vulnerable to losses, particularly in the case of heavy rainfall or unexpected rain following irrigation.

Nitrate leaching occurs when nitrates move down through the soil profile

incitecpivotfertilisers.com.au

can bring. It can mean better nitrogen efficiency, reduced losses from leaching, runoff and denitrification, better protection in the wet and a nitrogen supply that better matches crop demand.

Incitec Pivot Fertilisers developed the new formulation ammonium stabiliser because DAP and ENTEC were not chemically compatible. DAP is a key planting fertiliser for sugar cane and range of other tropical and temperate crops, so this is an important step towards better outcomes for more growers.

beyond the root zone. Leaching losses can be significant, particularly on lighter soil types with a cation exchange capacity (CEC) of 4 or less. Denitrification occurs where soil oxygen has been depleted in high soil moisture situations, and results in the loss of nitrogen to the atmosphere.

In cane, nitrogen is important for early vigour and successful establishment, so protecting the planting fertiliser by using eNpower 18:20 may help better match nitrogen requirements between planting and the last side dress opportunity prior to out of hand stage.

Using eNpower 18:20 provides an alternative for growers looking to better match nitrogen supply with crop demand by keeping the nitrogen in the soil in the ammonium form until it is needed by the crop.

Ammonium nitrogen is not subject to leaching or denitrification losses.

Most crops, including sugar cane and maize, prefer ammonium nutrition, so there is no delay in the availability of nitrogen. In fact, eNpower 18:20 could help promote quality and consistency in produce in some crops by reducing the incidence of nitrate flushes.

Using eNpower 18:20 is a good way to set crops up for success, whatever the season. Australia’s tropical and sub-tropical cropping regions are subject to unpredictable rainfall, and while good rains can lead to good yields, they can also rob the crop of nitrogen. Using eNpower 18:20 helps protect nutrients for when the crop needs them most.

Driving phosphorus uptake Phosphorus is essential for photosynthesis, plant growth and crop development and is the most expensive macro nutrient. Switching from DAP to eNpower 18:20 has the potential to increase the uptake of phosphorus by two mechanisms.

Firstly, phosphorus uptake is strengthened when crops take up ammonium nitrogen rather than nitrate nitrogen. As the plants absorb the positively charged ammonium nitrogen, they naturally compensate by seeking out negatively charged nutrients such as orthophosphate (phosphorus). This effect can give emerging cane crops a better start.

The nitty gritty As with ENTEC, eNpower 18:20 will only be available from accredited advisers who have proven their understanding of the product by satisfactorily completing a training course and assessment. This helps ensure the best practice use of eNpower 18:20 for the best possible results in crop.

Growers will be able to use eNpower 18:20 as a straight or in blends. As with any fertiliser decision, it should be based on a sound understanding of the soil nutrient status and the

the rhizosphere slightly more acidic while the DMPG is active. This ‘very localised’ change to pH improves phosphorus and zinc availability. See table below. Rhizosphere influences, of which rhizosphere acidification is one example, can greatly benefit crop production.

Secondly, the use of ammonium stabilisers promotes rhizosphere acidification, via a process referred to as partial ammonium nutrition.

The rhizosphere is the specific zone immediately around each plant root (generally within 1 mm distance).

Ammonium stabilisers make only pH value

Nutrient uptake (µg/m root length)

Root distance

Rhizosphere

P

Fe

Mn

Zn

Cu

K

Nitrate

6.6

6.6

123

55

8

7

1.4

903

Ammonium

5.7

5.6

342

71

20

13

2.0

1127

Ammonium with N inhibitor

6.6

4.5

586

166

35

19

4.6

1080

Table 1: Influence of the nitrogen form on the uptake of other nutrients.

Source: Adapted from Thomson et al. (1993) J. Plant Nutr. 16, 493-506.

requirements of the crop. Always arrange soil testing and analysis through the Nutrient Advantage® laboratory to determine an appropriate fertiliser strategy.

In Incitec Pivot Fertilisers’ incubation trials, the DMPG ammonium stabiliser has been shown to be effective on other nitrogen fertilisers present in blends with eNpower 18:20. However, to ensure the ammonium stabiliser works effectively in a blend, eNpower 18:20 must provide at least 50% of the total nitrogen in the blend.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ENPOWER 18:20 Read the eNpower 18:20 brochure or Contact 0428 111 471 or rob.dwyer@incitecpivot.com.au

Starter fertilisers for cane vary widely depending on soil fertility and the needs of the crop. Some popular planting fertiliser blends such as CK 55, CK 55(Zn), CK 66 and DAP(S) can be made using the new eNpower 18:20 instead of DAP. Urea blends are not recommended for use at planting in cane.

ENTEC urea will continue to be recommended for sidedressing in plant cane situations and in ratoon cane where growers are looking to protect their nitrogen investment against losses.

eNPowerTM is a trademark of Incitec Pivot Limited®.

ENTEC is a registered trademark of EuroChem Agro GmbH®.

Nutrient Advantage is a registered trademark of Incitec Pivot Limited®.

ADVERTORIAL

Using ENTEC in dry seasons Rob Dwyer, Technical Agronomist – Tropical Systems, Incitec Pivot Fertilisers This year, early ratoon growth in many cane growing districts has been slow due to a combination of dry conditions and cool overnight temperatures, even in the north. This has put fertiliser programs behind schedule.

The dry weather has also meant that growers and their advisers have not been thinking about the risk of nitrogen losses from leaching, denitrification or runoff. This is a case of “out of sight, out of mind”. But actually, ENTEC has a good record of success when applied in the dry.

That’s because it doesn’t stay dry forever.

How long ENTEC remains active in the soil depends on biological activity. When soils are dry, ENTEC remains active for longer. This means ENTEC is likely to still be actively inhibiting the nitrification of applied fertilisers even after a few months of dry weather. This is particularly relevant this season, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting a delayed start to the monsoon, related to the late retreat (movement south) of the Southwest Indian monsoon.

Often, when there is a dry start to the season like we’ve had this year, the next rain event is a big one. That’s when ENTEC delivers good results for growers, because the nitrogen is stabilised as ammonium and available in the root zone for use when the crop starts growing.

For example, in a replicated small plot trial in the Herbert district in 2013/14, using ENTEC increased cane and sugar yields over a traditional urea blend, even though it was dry for two months after the fertiliser application (Figures 1&2). It began raining on Boxing Day and then four months later, Cyclone Ita hit, providing another major deluge. At the end of the season, where 150 kg/ha of nitrogen was applied as an ENTEC urea blend, 81.5 t/ha of cane was cut with a sugar yield of 11.2 t/ha. The same rate of nitrogen supplied as a urea blend yielded 53.7 t/ha of cane and a sugar yield of 8.4 t/ha. The losses from the untreated urea blend appear to have been so significant that even applying a higher rate of nitrogen did not improve yield.

Cane yield Response (t/ha) comparing ENTEC and urea blends, Herbert district, 2013/14 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

e bc

cd ab

a

Zero N

110 kg/ha N as urea blend

110 kg/ha N as ENTEC urea blend

150 kg/ha N as urea blend

150 kg/ha N as ENTEC urea blend

Sugar yield response (t/ha) comparing ENTEC and urea blends, Herbert district, 2013/14 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

d

a

Zero N

abc

d ab

110 kg/ha of N 110 kg/ha of N 150 kg/ha of N 150 kg/ha of N as urea blend as ENTEC as urea blend as ENTEC urea blend urea blend

Figure 1: ENTEC urea provided higher yields despite a dry start to the season in 2013.

Figure 2: Sugar yield response (t/ha) from ENTEC and urea blends, Herbert district, 2013/14

Source: Herbert Sustainable Farming Systems group, the Queensland government and Herbert Cane Productivity Services Limited. Significant difference shown by letter at P <0.05.

Source: Herbert Sustainable Farming Systems group, the Queensland government and Herbert Cane Productivity Services Limited. Significant difference shown by letter at P <0.05. * Sugar yield was detrimentally influenced by lodging and the interaction of Cyclone Ita and wind resistance on the higher cane yield grown with ENTEC performance up to the onset of this weather event.

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ADVERTORIAL

It was a similar story after another dry start to the season in Innisfail in 2017/2018. In January 2018 there were a few moderate rainfall events. This was 42 days after the fertiliser was applied. However, it was much later (77 days after fertiliser application) that the first significant rainfall event occurred (170 mm in February 2018).

Using an ENTEC urea blend provided statistically

significant increases in cane and sugar yields compared with an untreated urea blend, based on the Six Easy Steps nitrogen rate of 110 kg/ha (Figures 3&4). The ENTEC treatment at 110 kg/ha of nitrogen yielded 72 t/ha of cane and 12.2 t/ha of sugar. The untreated urea blend at the same rate yielded 60 t/ha cane and 10.4 t/ha of sugar.

ENTEC was able to deliver yield increases of 20% (t/ha of cane) and 17% (t/ha of sugar) respectively.

Sugar yield response (t/ha) comparing ENTEC and urea blends, Innisfail, 2017/18 cd

Cane yield response (t/ha) comparing ENTEC and urea blends, Innisfail, 2017/18 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

abc

bcd

a

Zero N

cd ab

82.5 kg/ha of N 82.5 kg/ha of N 110 kg/ha of N 110 kg/ha of N as urea blend as ENTEC as urea blend as ENTEC urea blend urea blend

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

abc

bcd

ab

a

Zero N

82.5 kg/ha of N 82.5 kg/ha of N 110 kg/ha of N 110 kg/ha of N as urea blend as ENTEC as urea blend as ENTEC urea blend urea blend

Figure 3: ENTEC urea outperformed urea at Innisfail in a dry season.

Figure 4: Sugar yield response (t/ha) from ENTEC and urea, Innisfail, 2017/18

Source: Assessment of potential benefits of EEFs in sugarcane cropping systems by Wejin Wang et al, Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Significant difference shown by letter at P <0.05.

Source: Assessment of potential benefits of EEFs in sugarcane cropping systems by Wejin Wang et al, Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Significant difference shown by letter at P <0.05.

ENTEC is typically active across all of the unpredictable seasonal conditions cane growers face. Where agricultural soils have a pH(w) of more than 4.5,1 nitrogen fertilisers are better protected from leaching, denitrification and runoff with ENTEC.

the required compacted soil cover. Managing volatilisation is the first step towards achieving the best potential from ENTEC use. Additionally, the StoolZippa can reduce losses of nitrogen from runoff.

If the fertilisers are incorporated into the soil with 10 cm of compacted soil coverage, the nitrogen is also protected against volatilisation losses. Consider incorporation with a StoolZippa®as a means of more consistently achieving

Considering the current sugar price,2 growers need to optimise potential yields through better nitrogen use efficiency. Every tonne matters. At current prices, growing one extra tonne of cane/ha could cover the price difference between using urea or ENTEC urea.3

References: 1 Dwyer R, “Understanding ENTEC in a sugar cane system” (2019) https://www.incitecpivotfertilisers.com.au/news-and-insights/agronomic-insights/sugar/understanding-entec-in-a-sugar-cane-system 2 Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL) daily price on 31 October 2019 of $393.88/t https://www.qsl.com.au/sugar-prices 3 Assumes the daily price from 31 October 2019 of $393.88/t (as above) and a minimum CCS of 10%.

Current average CCS is 14.07% (Australian Sugar Milling Council 27 October 2019).

Assuming an application of 150 kg/ha of urea, the additional spend on ENTEC is $39/ha.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT USING ENTEC THIS SEASON feel free to give me a call to discuss on 0428 111 471 or email rob.dwyer@incitecpivot.com.au

incitecpivotfertilisers.com.au

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Australian production 45000

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Australian cane production

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Australia

Source: SRA Mill Stats 2018 Season

ABOVE: Australian cane farmers produced 32.5 million tonnes of cane, down on the 2018 crop of 33.3 million tonnes. This season the industry was faced with severe flooding in the north and drought in the south.

BELOW: Despite the reduced cane tonnage, cool to cold nights and warm days with a lot of sun light increased the CCS levels – sugar production rose in 2018 to over 4.7 million tonnes.

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38 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

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Australia

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

500 2001

0

2000

500

0

'000 tonnes

Australian sugar production

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Australian sugarcane area

SECTION 4

INDUSTRY IN FIGURES

450 420

Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

390 360 330

'000 hectares

300 270 240 210 180 150 120 90 60 30 0 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Australia

QLD

NSW

WA

Source: SRA Mill Stats 2018 Season

ABOVE: The mills’ continued push to increase the planted area of cane resulted in over 7000 hectares of additional harvested cane.

BELOW: Although the cane yield was reduced, this was happily offset by a benign end to the season which delivered increased sugar yields.

Australian yields over time 100

14

90

Cane tonnes per hectare

10

70 60

8

50 6

40 30

4

20

2

10 0

Sugar tonnes per hectare

12

80

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Cane tonnes per hectare

Source: SRA Mill Stats 2018 Season

40 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

Sugar tonnes per hectare

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SECTION 4

INDUSTRY IN FIGURES

World production

Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

World sugar supply and use 26

200

24

180

22

160

20

120

14

million tonnes

140

16

million hectares

18

100

12 10

80

8

60

6

40

4

20

2

0

SOURCE: ABARES Ag Commodities Sep Qtr 2019 s ABARES Estimate

World area (M ha)

Consumption (Mt)

Production (Mt)

Closing stocks (Mt)

2018–19s

2017–18

2016–17

2015–16

2014–15

2013–14

2012–13

2011–12

2010–11

2009–10

2008–09

2007–08

2006–07

2005–06

0

ABOVE: World sugar consumption and carry-over continued its upward trend; as did the intensity of anti-sugar consumption lobbying.

BELOW: For the first time in over a decade and a half, Brazil has been supplanted as the world’s largest sugar producer – India accounted for over 33 million tonnes of the world’s reduced total production of 179 million tonnes.

Major sugar producers 40

180

35

120

20

100

Countries (Mt)

140

25

80

15

60

10

40

5 0

20 2013–14

2014–15

2015–16

2016–17

2016–17

2017–18

2018–19

European Union

Brazil

China

Africa

Australia

United States

Mexico

India

Thailand

World total

SOURCE: USDA Sugar World Markets Trade May 2019

42 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

0

World (Mt)

160

30

SECTION 4

INDUSTRY IN FIGURES

The international scene Major importers of Australian sugar (2017–18)

T hi s sect i on brought to you i n as s oc iati on wi t h

World raw sugar price 28 26

13%

13%

4% 4% 4%

24 US cents per pound

22

25%

20 18

World Sugar Price: Prices have flatlined at around the lowest levels in nearly a decade with just a glimmer of an increase projected next season.

16

42%

14 12

Other countries including Taiwan, Malaysia and New Zealand (248,000 t) Source: Australian Commodity Statistics 2018

2019–20f

2018–19s

China (155,000 t)

2017–18

USA (137,000 t)

2016–17

Korea (1,543,000 t)

2015–16

6 2014–15

Japan (915,000 t)

2013–14

8 2010–11

Indonesia (477,000 t)

2011–12

10

2012–13

2017–18 Total tonnage all sugar exports = 3,475,000 tonnes 2017–18 Total value of sugar exports = A$1.687 billion

Average of New York No. 11 monthly spot prices

s ABARES Estimate from Ag Commodities Sep Qtr 2019 f ABARES Forecast from Ag Commodities Sep Qtr 2019

Major Importers: Asia remains our major market – we continue to be seen as a sustainable producer of a high quality product which is reliably delivered – a reputation the industry strives to maintain.

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AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019 — 43

Sugar exports by major producers (2018–19)

SECTION 4

20

18

18

16

16

14

14

million tonnes

Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

20

12

12

10

10

8

8

6

6

4

4

2

2

0

0

Australia

Colombia

European Union

India

South Africa

Brazil

Cuba

Guatemala

Mexico

Thailand

million tonnes

INDUSTRY IN FIGURES

NOTE: Includes exports of both raw and white sugar measured in raw sugar equivalents.

SOURCE: USDA Sugar World Markets Trade May 2019

ABOVE: In terms of exports, Australia (3.8 million tonnes) is ranked third in the world, a long way behind Brazil (19.6 mt) and Thailand (12 mt).

BELOW: Our regional neighbours, Indonesia and China, were again the largest importer of the world’s sugar production – both are clients of the Australian sugar industry.

Sugar imports by major consumers (2018–19) 6

5

5

4

4

3

3

2

2

1

1

0

0

million tonnes

million tonnes

6

Indonesia

United States

Malaysia

Saudi Arabia

China

UAE

South Korea

Iran

SOURCE: USDA Sugar World Markets Trade May 2019

44 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

European Union

Russia

Japan

IRRIGATION THIS SECTION BROUGHT TO YOU IN ASSOCIATION WITH

45

SECTION 5

IRRIGATION Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

A short history of pivot irrigation

F

RANK Zybach was born in Oregon in 1894. His family moved to Nebraska later that year. He began farming, but enjoyed inventing and designing much more. And invent he did – he is credited with designing and building what would become the first centre pivot in 1948.

Apparently, he got the idea after seeing a poorly done irrigation demonstration in 1947.

On the way home he remarked to his friends, “There has to be a better way to irrigate.” Frank started on the first ‘self-propelled sprinkling irrigation apparatus’ system later that year. His original pivot swung around on a set point, sprinkling water over the crops. It was also only about four feet tall and got stuck easily. He said the hardest part about making it was keeping the towers aligned.

In the years that followed, he modified and refined the design to improve operational efficiency.

The patent The pump was placed at the centre of the field next to a well, irrigation pipes supported by trusses were mounted on wheeled towers that could make a circuit of the field under their own power, leaving that distinctive circle pattern.

Gun-style sprinklers sprayed water out from the pipes at set intervals, with smaller nozzles closest to the pivot and the largest nozzles at the end of the line. The system could cover 133 acres of a 160-acre field - a quarter of a one square mile farming section - and didn’t have to be disassembled by workers when it was time to plant, till, or harvest.

Frank was issued a patent for his invention in 1952. He and his partner, A.E. Trowbridge, attempted to sell the systems in the local area for two years. Farmers being farmers – they were a tad sceptical and were reluctant to invest

Frank Zybach’s prototype centre pivot irrigation machine.

46 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

Frank Zybach, inventor of the first ‘selfpropelled sprinkling irrigation apparatus’.

in this innovation.

But there was a business man on the lookout for investment opportunities.

Born in 1922 in Omaha, Nebraska, Robert B. Daugherty was a graduate of Central High School in Omaha and Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. After graduating from Carleton in 1942, Daugherty served in World War II. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps, first serving in the Pacific Theatre, and later in China.

After the war ended, Daugherty was considering a career in the Marines until his uncle and mentor, Frank Daugherty, convinced him to consider post-war business options.

Robert recognized the potential of a small manufacturing company on a farm just west of Valley, Nebraska, owned by an inventor named Sam McCleneghan. After careful consideration,

Robert B. Daugherty.

anz.valleyirrigation.com

SECTION 5

IRRIGATION Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

Daugherty invested $5,000 – nearly his entire life savings – to acquire a half interest in the Valley machine shop that produced built-toorder grain elevators for area farmers – Valley Manufacturing was born.

In 1954, Frank Zybach licensed his patent to Robert Daugherty. Valley Manufacturing engineers spent the next decade refining Zybach’s innovation – making it sturdier, taller and more reliable – and converting it from a hydraulic power system to electric drive.

In the 1960s, Valley Manufacturing became Valmont Industries and in the 70s, the company

Valley Manufacturing engineers spent a decade refining Zybach’s innovation – making it sturdier, taller and more reliable – and converting it from a hydraulic power system to electric drive.

Satellite image of the ‘pivot polka-dot’ pattern – an image that evokes intensive irrigated farming in America’s mid-west.

48 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

began developing overseas markets, which saw the formation of Valmont International.

Photos courtesy of Valmont Industries.

For more information: www.valleyirrigation.com or www.smithsonianmag.com

n

EDITOR’S NOTE… In the late 1970s our family was farming in North West NSW, 100 kms west of Moree on the Mehi River. Like others in the area, we had a water licence and were looking for an efficient and economical way to irrigate some 300 hectares of undulating country on the high bank of the river.

A neighbour purchased a Valley lateral move, the first in Australia we were told, and we followed a few months later. We were impressed with the potential of the machine but wary of how it would cope with the challenges of farming in that area.

We soon realised that the machine was built tough and could go virtually anywhere when it climbed up the bonnet of our neighbour’s Suzuki Sierra whilst he was working on another tower.

And although designed to operate on prepared wheels tracks, our machine handled our black soil/mud plains well – I never saw it bogged – I saw the wheels buried in mud in half-metre deep wheel tracks after sudden storms but the lateral just kept on moving down the block.

Challenges like strong hot winds that evaporated 80 per cent of the overhead sprinkler spray before it could reach the ground – well they were something else. We were impressed with the beautiful rainbow effect but not the application efficiency.

The Valley guys – always helpful – came out from the States to take a look – they too were surprised but not in a nice way.

We worked with them on a solution – we were sure there was one.

So now many, if not most, of the centre pivots and laterals in our part of Australia have drop pipes hanging from a u-shaped pipe attached at the top of the overhead delivery pipe – the sprinkler heads are positioned just above the crop. This markedly limited evaporative losses and wind drift.

As we moved forward, we worked with Valley tweaking various aspects of the machine. We got to learn a lot about irrigating in harsh environments. Within a few years we had a very efficient system that met our needs and helped pay off the farm, all this in the middle of a drought.

At one time we were the only property with green crops for 50 kms in any direction.

Our place was a very popular feeding spot for all native and introduced fauna species – needless to say, we didn’t get much sleep.

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SECTION 5

IRRIGATION Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

Irrigation has been a central feature of agriculture for at least 5000 years and is the product of many cultures. In 2000, the world area of irrigated land was estimated at 2.8 million km² – by 2012, this estimate had increased to 3.2 million km², an irrigated area about the size of India (thankfully not all of the world’s irrigators operate under ‘India’ style farm subsidy policies).

Irrigation in the Australian sugarcane industry O Drawn from SRA’s Irrigation of Sugarcane Manual

T

HE need for irrigation has been recognised in sugarcane for over 100 years. In the Burdekin, Bundaberg and Central regions, groundwater and surface water sources have been used from the late 1890s. There were a number of drought years around that time that proved the importance of a regular water supply.

The irrigated area in Queensland has gradually risen from less than 9000 hectares in 1933 to 192,000 of irrigated sugarcane in 2008–09 (ABS, 2009). Over 40 per cent of the Queensland sugarcane crop is irrigated which accounts for 60 per cent of total cane production.

The requirement for irrigation varies by region (Table 1). Areas with low levels of effective rainfall (e.g. Burdekin) see the greatest response to applied irrigation, while areas with

Drip tape being installed.

(PHOTO: Steve Attard)

50 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

high amounts of effective rainfall are unlikely to benefit economically from irrigation. Within districts the need for irrigation can also vary from season to season.

Full irrigation is a term used to describe the irrigation practice in areas of low effective rainfall. In these areas most of the crop’s water requirement will come from irrigation.

Regions with higher levels of effective rainfall and where irrigation is used strategically to stabilise and increase yields are often called supplementary irrigated. Compared with fully irrigated areas, supplementary irrigation supplies a smaller proportion of the crop requirement.

Crop response to irrigation Given adequate growing conditions, approximately 100 mm (1 ML/ha) of water (irrigation or rainfall) is needed to produce 10 tonnes of cane per hectare. Very efficient irrigation practices can use the same amount of water to produce up to 15 tonnes of cane per hectare.

Cane grows fastest under conditions of adequate moisture, sunlight and temperature

Furrow irrigation – water is introduced to the furrows from open channels, a gated pipe or plastic fluming.

(over 24°C). Growth measurements of over 40 mm per day have been recorded. As the moisture is removed from the soil by the growing crop, growth rates decline rapidly in response to the moisture stress.

Crop yield responses to irrigation vary between districts because of climatic conditions.

APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems simulator) modelling conducted by Hardie et al.

(2000) showed the increase in production from irrigation for six sugarcane-growing regions when irrigation water was unlimited (Table 2).

frequently as daily (or even a number of times per day) to accurately supply crop needs. The system can be used to wet only the plant root zone and has the potential to water the crop evenly throughout each cane block. Other advantages include flexibility with fertiliser application and use with automation.

SECTION 3

IRRIGATION T hi s sect i on brought to you i n as s oc iati on wi t h

Drawn from SRA’s Irrigation of Sugarcane Manual – Technical publication MN14002 For more information: www.sra@sugarresearch.com.au n

Irrigation systems Furrow irrigation is the most widely used irrigation system for sugarcane. It has low equipment costs and is simple to operate. It is suitable for land with up to three per cent slope although greater slopes have been used. But application efficiency with furrow irrigation is very variable, ranging from 30 per cent to 90 per cent.

Overhead irrigation systems include lowpressure systems, such as pivots and lateral moves, and high-pressure water cannons.

Correctly set up irrigators can be used on many soil types and provide uniform water distribution under most conditions. Water application efficiencies over 75 per cent can be obtained with good management.

Drip irrigation allows small irrigations as

High pressure water cannon.

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AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019 — 51

SECTION 5

IRRIGATION Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

Concerned about soilwater availability? Turn your soil into a sponge!

A

SOIL conditioner made from natural corn starch is now available to help efficiently manage crop-available water and nutrients, resulting in larger, more uniform plants and better yields.

Zeba from UPL is a soil enhancement, water and nutrient management technology with diverse applications in agriculture.

Originally developed by the US Department of Agriculture for use as a farming aid, this formulation has been extensively trialled in many different crops around the world.

Typically applied as a dry granule but also available in powder form, it is compatible with standard application equipment. A liquid fertilizer compatible formulation is also in the pipeline.

The granules work like a sponge, absorbing in excess of 400 times their original weight in water which is released back to plants as they need it. It is capable of holding and releasing

FIGURE 1: As moisture is drawn from the hydrogel by plant roots, the Zeba particles reduce in size, promoting water and oxygen movement in the soil to stimulate more vigorous root development

water over and over again through the growing season.

Binds with nutrients Studies have shown that the product also binds with and releases water-soluble nutrients, keeping more fertiliser in the root zone for plants to use and reducing nutrient leaching.

Zeba increases a soils ability to aggregate, holding onto soil particles. This provides an increase in soil aeration, enabling microbes and plant roots to survive and flourish.

“We have seen clear data to support the ability of Zeba to reduce bulk density along with aggregation, and yet Zeba is able to hold soil moisture,” said Ian Cass, UPL. This unique combination reduces soil water velocity which directly affects the way soil particles move within the soil profile. This in turn reduces leaching which increases the efficiency of nutrients as plants, and the soil matrix as a whole, take advantage of the conditioning benefits of Zeba.

Some soil conditioners reportedly increase the soils’ pore spaces to the detriment of the environment, where there is an increase of the water flow through to lower zones.

“Zeba is not in this category,” Ian said. “It maintains the soil structure around its zone of influence, reducing the natural tendencies of a soil to leach, yet aggregating soil to stabilise air pockets. This allows better root growth and increased microbial function.”

Since the product is based on corn starch, it has a very high carbon content and will, when broken down, revert to a substance which is a source of food for microbes. These microbes within the soil matrix increase and add to the soil aggregation properties while fixing and mineralising nutrients.

Sugarcane trials “Data from trials in sugarcane in India and Brazil are very promising, showing increases in yield and CCS,” said Ian, “and we’re currently doing trial work to quantify the benefits in cane in Australia.”

“Zeba is showing promise in Australia not only as a means for improving water efficiency, but also for promoting faster emergence and increased stand establishment for higher-quality, higher-volume yields.”

Zeba is currently available from agricultural retailers.

For more information visit zeba.com

52 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

n

2019

53

SECTION

6

AUSTRALIAN CANE FARMERS 2019

Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

The Australian Cane Farmers Association ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE NORTHERN REGION Don Murday Director Chairman Ph: 0418 774 499 E: mangopk@bigpond.net.au

Gerard Puglisi Deputy Chairman (Junior) & Next Gen Officer Ph: 0428 988 136 E: gtpuglisifarming@bigpond.com

54 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

Michael Camilleri Director Ph: 0419 738 702 E: maalacaneng@bigpond.com

HERBERT REGION Carol Mackee Director Ph: 07 4777 4957 E: cjmackee@activ8.net.au

CENTRAL REGION Steve Fordyce Director Ph: 0408 883 907 E: stevefordyce@bigpond.com

ACFA HEAD OFFICE Stephen Ryan General Manager Ph: 07 3211 0022 Freecall: 1800 500 025 Fax: 07 3303 2024 E: StephenRyan@acfa.com.au

SECTION

6

AUSTRALIAN CANE FARMERS 2019

T his sect i on brought t o you i n as s oc iat i on wi t h

Stephen McKeering Director Ph: 0439 088 654 E: stevemckeering@hotmail.com

Alicia Opajdowska Administrator Ph: 07 3211 0022 Freecall: 1800 500 025 Fax: 07 3303 2024

NSW REGION Robert Quirk Deputy Chairman (Senior) Ph: 0413 677 727 E: rgquirk@bigpond.com

Australian Cane Farmers Association Ltd BURDEKIN REGION

Level 3, 183 North Quay, Brisbane, QLD 4000

Appointment pending

Postal address:

SOUTHERN REGION Michael Hetherington Director

GPO Box 608, Brisbane QLD 4001 Ph: 07 3211 0022 Freecall: 1800 500 025 Fax: 07 3303 2024 E: admin@acfa.com.au Website: www.acfa.com.au

Ph: 0407 621 694 E: randomdudesfarming@hotmail.com

AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 55

SECTION

6

AUSTRALIAN CANE FARMERS 2019

Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

Don Murday, Chairman.

Chairman’s comment O By Don Murday – ACFA Chairman

T

HE past year has been another eventful one with developments on many fronts, including unfavourable weather, sugar markets and yet more reef regulations. We have also seen the sale of three former growerowned sugar mills – two now exiting majority grower ownership and one re-entering.

These sales reflect decades of the erosion of profitability, mostly due to subsidised sugar flooding the export market. The World Trade Organisation and multiple Free Trade Agreements have not been able to resolve the issue of producer support in the world’s sugar industries. With most of Australia’s sugar destined for export markets, our unsubsidised farmers and millers can do little more than play the agonising role of spectators to a spectacle of corruption and drawn-out legal processes.

WTO dispute Late 2018, the Global Sugar Alliance called on governments to take action in the WTO to initiate formal actions against Indian sugar subsidies.

Australia’s counter‐notification of India’s illegal sugar subsidies, lodged in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and supported by thirteen WTO Members increased global pressure on India to bring its sugar policies back into line with WTO rules and its commitments.

Australia, Brazil and Guatemala jointly lodged a request with the World Trade Organisation’s Dispute Settlement Body to establish a WTO Panel to investigate and rule on whether India’s high sugarcane prices and export subsidies exceed its WTO obligations.

Seeking a WTO Panel was an important escalation of the issue first raised by Australia in 2018 and follows failed consultations with India earlier in 2019. It was the next step in bringing India to account for its trade-distorting sugar policies, which have driven down global sugar prices and adversely impacted the livelihoods of Queensland’s cane farmers and sugar mills, and the regional communities they support.

The action has the strong support of all sectors of the Australian sugar industry. The request for a Dispute Panel was to be discussed on July 22, 2019 at the WTO Dispute Settlement Body Meeting.

Then, astonishingly, on August 29, the Indian government approved an export subsidy of AU$216 per tonne, totalling AU$1.3 billion, to assist its sugar industry to export more than 6 million tonnes over the next year.

India, in eight of the past 10 years, has produced a quantity of sugar in excess of its

56 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

domestic requirements. This is mostly due to its regulated cane prices.

India’s high cost sugar producers require generous export subsidies to compete with lowcost exporters like Australia.

Indian raw sugar production is expected to be around 29–30.5 million tonnes in 2019–20 while its domestic raw sugar consumption requirements are approximately 26 to 27.5 million tonnes.

Market information suggests that India is currently holding over 14 million tonnes of raw sugar in storage.

Reef regulations In February 2019 the Great Barrier Reef Protection Measures Bill was introduced into the Queensland Parliament. The Bill was passed in September with the new laws proposed to come into effect on December 1, 2019.

ACFA’s view Under this legislation the government is regulating what is considered voluntary, industry best practice. For example, methods for nutrient management, which are effective in providing positive outcomes to growers and the industry. We are concerned that such action by government will only serve as a disincentive to the voluntary adoption of and the continuing improvement of best practice. We do not accept that a regulatory approach is the best mechanism to achieve a high standard of environment stewardship in a diverse, complex and climate-exposed ecosystem.

The loss pathways for Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) are various and are difficult to predict – but farmers know that DIN represents dollars and the objective of farmers is to use management practices which result in the maximum amount of nitrogen entering the sugarcane plant and the minimum amount escaping into the environment; whether it is the atmosphere or water systems. We look to our research organisation Sugar Research Australia to make continued progress with this.

We argue that accredited sustainability programs such as Smartcane BMP and Bonsucro provide the right mix of stewardship and market-led incentive to bring farmers into more sophisticated and finer-scale management practices, including nutrient management.

To facilitate trust, it would be helpful for water quality data to be more readily available to farmers and their advisors, with assistance available to interpret the data. The new legislation will impose costs on farmers, both initially and on an ongoing basis. n

MILLING & MARKETING

57

SECTION

7

MILLING AND MARKETING

Milling in the Australian sugar industry

A

USTRALIA’S sugarcane industry is one of the nation’s biggest rural industries and sugarcane is Queensland’s largest agricultural crop. The industry is primarily located along Australia’s eastern coastline, from Mossman in far north Queensland to Grafton in northern New South Wales.

Over 4000 cane farms grow sugarcane on around 380,000 hectares annually. There are 24 mills, owned by 8 separate milling companies.

Major products The industry’s major product is raw crystal sugar, which is sold to refineries both domestically and abroad. Approximately 95 per cent of Australian raw sugar is produced in Queensland with the balance from Northern New South Wales.

Up to 35 million tonnes of sugarcane is grown each year. Over a season, the sugarcane crop can produce up to 4.7 million tonnes of raw sugar, one million tonnes of molasses and 10 million tonnes of bagasse (a fibrous cane residue, which fuels boilers to co generate steam and electricity).

Approximately 85 per cent of the raw sugar produced in Queensland is exported, generating up to $2 billion in export earnings for Queensland.

Green energy Sugar mills are almost self-sufficient in energy. By burning the fibrous cane residue, bagasse, they generate electricity and steam for factory operations. In addition, more than half of the renewable electricity generated (around 500 GWh) is exported to the electricity network.

The use of renewable bagasse to produce ‘green’ biomass energy reduces the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions by over 1.5 million tonnes annually.

Industry changes The Australian sugarcane industry has undergone significant rationalisation over the past decade. Several mills have closed and a number of growers have left the industry, resulting in an amalgamation of farming and harvesting operations.

Changes to mill ownership has promoted greater efficiency of operations. The sugar industry directly employs about 4000 people across the growing, harvesting, milling and transport sectors, with a further 12,000 employed indirectly.

The Australian Sugar Milling Council – ASMC Established in 1987, the Australian Sugar Milling Council represents Australia’s raw sugar manufacturers and exporters.

The ASMC members manufacture 90 per cent and collectively export over 50 per cent of Australia’s raw sugar. On their behalf, our aim is to be a leading voice for change to create opportunities for a more profitable and sustainable Australian sugar industry.

58 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

ASMC’s Sugar Policy Insights publication – first launched November 2018 - looks at key policy and market issues of importance to the viability of Australia’s sugar industry.

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Public sentiment and sugar O B y Julie Iommi, Director, Communications ASMC ASMC Chairman John Pratt.

Our areas of focus are to: O Enhance trade policy and market access outcomes; O Strengthen our social license to operate; O Advocate industry responsive government policies; O Ensure research strategy and governance that delivers results; and, O Promote industry revitalisation that fuels investment

ASMC members Australian Sugar Milling Council members own and run 18 sugar mills, which produce 93 per cent of Australia’s raw sugar. The current members are: O Isis Central Mill Company Limited; O Mackay Sugar Limited; O MSF Sugar Limited; O Tully Sugar Limited; O Wilmar Sugar Australia Limited; and, O ASMC Board.

The Sugar Milling Council Board currently consists of seven (7) Directors including a Chair and two (2) Deputy Chairs. Board members are nominated by the represented member companies.

John Pratt Mike Barry Mark Day Shayne Rutherford Shunjie Guo John Gorringe

(Wilmar Sugar) Chairman (MSF Sugar) Deputy Chairman (Mackay Sugar) (Wilmar Sugar) (Tully Sugar) (Isis Central Sugar Mill)

T

HE public conversation about sugar has changed dramatically over recent years.

Sugar has been labelled the new ‘fat’ and is seen by some as a leading cause of rising obesity levels within the community.

Misunderstandings about the natural origins of sugar – from the sugarcane plant – and questions about the production and refining process have raised concerns about ‘naturalness’ and accusations of sugar being ‘toxic.’

ASMC and Canegrowers set out to understand the impact of anti-sugar ‘noise’ on the community using an online survey.

Drawing on theory from the field of risk communications, the goal of the survey was to determine whether there was a gap between the technical assessment of risk e.g. sugar as a carbohydrate and the public’s perception of and feelings about the risk e.g. ‘is sugar bad for me?’

Working on the basis that sugar is a low risk product, especially when consumed by healthy individuals as part of an active lifestyle, the survey quantified the degree to which consumer confusion has reduced belief in this ‘fact.

Julie Iommi.

Key findings and discussion O Health was the dominant concern when people were asked what they ‘felt about sugar’ (Figure 1): • 49 per cent were negative or very negative about sugar and health; and, • Professional women (over 35 and earning over $100,000) were more likely to be critical of sugar and be ‘very negative’ about sugar and health.

O Groups considered to be ‘at risk’ from sugar as it relates to health were identified as: • The overweight; • People who eat high amounts of sugar; and/or.

• People with diabetes.

AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019 — 59

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FIGURE 1: Public sentiment survey 2018

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FIGURE 2: Public response to health statements

O Respondents from regional Queensland showed the highest levels of support for the industry (69 per cent), but all Australians were broadly supportive (>54 per cent) particularly in terms of: • J obs provided in local communities (61 per cent); and, •U se of sugar in non-food products such as bioplastics or biofuel (44 per cent supported growth in this area).

O Older audiences were much more likely to think of sugarcane growers when thinking of ‘the industry’, while younger audiences were more likely to think of food and drink manufacturers.

Interestingly, a high percentage of respondents were fence-sitters opting for ‘neutral,’ ‘not sure’ or the ‘don’t know’ category for many questions (Figures 1 and 2).

This represents a risk and an opportunity for

the sugar industry People who are confused, have yet to make up their minds, or perhaps feel overwhelmed by all the information on sugar are open to tip to the positive or the negative.

Next steps ASMC and Canegrowers want to work with public health advocates and community influencers to identify ways to address negative perceptions surrounding sugar and health.

The industry is developing a strategy with a focus on building trust by being transparent and responsive.

By engaging and acknowledging people’s genuine concerns about sugar, the goal is to rebuild trust.

A successful measure will be that the risk of fence-sitters becoming critics will reduce.

Drawn from ASMC Sugar Insights July 2019.

For more information: www.asmc.com.au

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n

Milling NSW – Sunshine Sugar

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S

UNSHINE Sugar is a partnership between the grower-owned NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative (formed in 1978) and the Australian family-owned business Manildra with each holding a 50 per cent share. It is the only 100 per cent Australian owned producer of raw and refined sugar products.

Sunshine Sugar owns and operate sugar mills at Harwood, Broadwater and Condong and a refinery co-located at Harwood. Sugar production has been a major industry in the Clarence, Richmond and Tweed Valley’s for over 150 years, with the Harwood Mill being the longest running sugar mill in Australia, having commenced operation in 1874.

Sunshine Sugar is the retail name used for the NSW sugar industry. This industry supports more than 500 farming families and over 1,000 direct and indirect employees. The farming footprint covers some 34,000 hectares with up to 2.4 million tonnes of cane grown and 275,000 tonnes of raw sugar produced each year. These operations contribute over 200 million dollars per annum to the Northern Rivers’ economy.

Sunshine Sugar CEO Chris Connors.

The Manildra Harwood sugar refinery The refinery commenced operations in 1988 when the grower-owned NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative Limited and family-owned Australian agribusiness Manildra Group joined forces to form a partnership to produce, distribute and market refined sugar products throughout Australia.

The refinery, which is located alongside the Harwood Sugar Mill on the majestic Clarence River, produced its first refined sugar on 28 September 1989 and since then has produced over five million tonnes of refined sugar and related products. The refinery capacity is 260,000 tonnes per year. It is one of the largest employers in the area and is a major contributor to the economic and social prosperity of the region.

Located on Harwood Island, the Harwood sugar mill sits on the banks of the Clarence river and is the oldest continuously operating sugar mill in Australia and has been crushing cane since 1874.

Low GI Sugar sweetens Malaysian tastebuds Following initial enquiries made some eight months ago by Central Sugars Refinery based in Kuala Lumpur, significant tonnage of this allAustralian and Bonsucro certified sustainable product has already made its way to Malaysia with ongoing supply arrangements in place.

Central Sugars Refinery (CSR) is one of Malaysia’s most popular brands providing

The Manildra Harwood Refinery is one of the largest employers in the area and is a major contributor to the economic and social prosperity of the region.

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sugar and specialty sweetener ingredients for consumers, retailers, foodservice distributors, food manufacturers, culinary professionals and specialty markets across Malaysia.

Sunshine Sugar’s Low GI sugar has helped to fulfil one of CSR Malaysia’s commitments to the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that it has signed with the National Diabetes Institute of Malaysia (NADI).

This MOA collaboration is focused on the promotion of a healthier lifestyle among Malaysians; with a commitment to spread awareness of consuming sugar responsibly, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and fighting diabetes.

CSR Malaysia’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Hishammudin Hasan, commented “Low GI sugar, sourced from 100 per cent Australianowned Sunshine Sugar, will play an important role in our contribution to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and in fighting diabetes and other associated diseases alongside NADI.” CSR Malaysia is packaging the Low GI sugar sourced from New South Wales as ‘Better Brown’, and has supported its introduction with a major advertising campaign pitching a wholesome and tasty sugar that is suitable for every Malaysian looking to lead a healthier lifestyle.

It’s successful launch in the Malaysian market has led to ongoing orders of Low GI sugar into 2019.

Sunshine Sugar’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Chris Connors said; “The enthusiastic response we have had from CSR Malaysia is testament to the quality and innovation that our Low GI Sugar represents.”

He went on to say: “Like many countries, Malaysia has increasing rates of overweight and obesity. Since introducing Low GI sugar to its consumer and industrial customers, the uptake has been strong, which is creating more market opportunities for our growers and mills here in Australia.”

Sunshine Sugar’s Low GI Sugar – which was was a finalist in the Ingredient Innovation category of the Australian Food & Beverage Industry Awards – retains naturally occurring and beneficial antioxidants. One hundred percent natural, low GI sugar is more slowly digested, absorbed and metabolised – resulting in a lower and slower rise in blood glucose.

For further information, contact: Vivien Miller Communications Manager; Ph: 02 6640 0467.

Sunshine Sugar’s Low GI Sugar, which commenced production in the Northern Rivers in mid-2018, has now attracted international attention.

62 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

QSL MARKETING

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Another challenging season…

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O By Guy Cowan – Chairman’s Report, QSL Annual Report

T

HE 2018–19 financial year and the 2018 Season was another challenging one for our industry, with a significant global surplus and 10-year price lows.

In Queensland, the make-up of the state’s sugar milling sector saw significant transformation during the past year, with a change in ownership for the Mossman and Mackay mills.

In a move that bucked the trend of the past decade, Mossman Mill returned to the hands of its growers, with the newly created Far Northern Milling Pty Ltd taking ownership of the former Mackay Sugar Ltd mill and working to forge a new supply agreement with QSL. Mackay Sugar Ltd and its remaining Mackayregion mills subsequently passed into majority control of German sugar producer Nordzucker, having transitioned to a QSL On-Supply Agreement and Marketing Choice for supplying growers just prior to the historic sale vote.

ABOUT QSL QSL is a public company limited by guarantee and incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001. It is are a pass-through organisation which operates on a costrecovery basis, returning all net value created through its activities to Queensland cane growers and sugar millers who choose to use our services.

Driven by the best interests of our members and the long-term prosperity of the Queensland sugar industry rather than corporate profits or shareholder dividends, QSL is a registered charitable institution and as such, exempt from income and payroll taxes.

And as we go to print, further international investment in our milling sector looks likely, with the Pakistan-based Almoiz Group seeking to acquire majority ownership in Isis Central Sugar Mill Co Ltd. We welcome the ongoing investment in our industry and look forward to working with all of these new stakeholders as they embrace their new Queensland ventures.

I am pleased to advise that during the reporting period QSL remained the largest exporter of Australian sugar, and the single largest supplier of Australian product for South Korean refiners, building on a 40-year relationship with these valuable customers.

Other key markets for the year included Japan and Indonesia, as well as lucrative quota sales to the United States.

Once again, our long-standing relationships with blue-chip refiners in Asia have been the mainstay of our sales program, and I thank these valued customers for their ongoing business and support.

On the Operations front, we entered the second year of our strategic Operating Agreement with bulk sugar terminal owners Sugar Terminals Limited (STL) and continue to work closely with them to keep costs low and safely optimise the utilisation of these important industry assets, with a particular focus on diversifying activity through the development of non-sugar opportunities.

QSL has emerged from a period of significant uncertainty in the industry, with the cloud of substantial litigation now lifted, to emerge as a key player, both in providing marketing options to growers and millers, and as an effective operator of all sugar terminals.

Our role in defending and enhancing the Australian sugar brand is crucial to the future of our industry. Whether you are a terminal owner, miller, grower or one of our international refining customers, QSL is focused on delivering a service that not only exceeds your expectations, but expands your opportunities.

During the past year we have continued to refine and increase our offering on all fronts, with new products, services, initiatives and platforms across all divisions. It is innovations such as these that our industry must constantly seek and leverage to stay competitive in a global market. Tough times – whether they

Guy Cowan – QSL Chairman.

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be a ‘low pric’e environment or production challenges – will always come.

It is QSL’s mission to provide the tools and services required to help the Queensland sugar industry successfully steer a course through them.

As a low-cost, not-for-profit and innovative organisation returning all net value generated to the industry we serve, we aim to provide service second to none for the Queensland sugar industry and we encourage all members to discuss how we can best serve you.

Thank you to all QSL customers, members, management and staff for your support and hard work during the year, and to the QSL Board members for their invaluable contribution.

…but a successful year for QSL O By Greg Beashel – Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

T

HE past year was another successful one for our business:

Greg Beashel, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

O Safety remained at the forefront of our activities, and we finished the reporting period with a Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate of 2.5, a significant improvement on the previous year’s result of 7.5 and a reflection of our commitment to continuous progress in this area.

O We completed the second year of our new Strategic Operating Agreement with terminal owner Sugar Terminals Limited, receiving 3.94 million tonnes of sugar and unloading over 97,000 trucks and train wagons across the state’s six bulk sugar terminals during the reporting period.

O The QSL operations team also loaded 112 ships during the year, delivering all of these in full, on time and within specification, and once again had a number of apprentices achieve industry recognition for outstanding performance and commitment through the TORGAS Apprentice Awards.

O Our ongoing project to re-roof 12 terminal storage sheds around the state continues to run to schedule and under budget, with the completion of the new Bundaberg Shed 2 roof during the past financial year. This marks the eighth new roof since this project began in 2012.

O On the marketing front, we faced another year of surplus despite a record ethanol/ sugar ratio in Brazil. India took the mantle of

64 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

the world’s largest sugar producer and also quickly drew international condemnation for their contentious export subsidy scheme which not only exacerbated the global sugar surplus, but actively worked against the market signals required to reduce both supply and stocks, and revive prices which spent much of the year trapped below the cost of production for Australian producers.

O Despite this trying environment on the markets, QSL’s Marketing and Pricing team achieved solid results, outperforming the market and securing a net weighted average pool return for QSL’s managed pool products of $368.67 per tonne IPS, $15.16 per tonne IPS above our performance targets.

O We remained the largest marketer of Queensland sugar and expanded Marketing Choice arrangements to cover growers in Mackay milling districts, allowing them to access QSL’s full range of pricing and payment services for the first time. We also introduced new QSL-managed and growermanaged pricing products, as well as a new pre-crush payment option for those growers using QSL Direct.

O We launched an industry-first app, which now delivers sugar prices, indicative pool values, market news and a range of handy cane-to-sugar value conversion tools in a user-friendly format that’s accessible when and where it’s convenient for our members.

This same app also allows QSL Direct growers to access their QSL pricing decisions and place, edit and cancel orders, providing a safe and easy way to manage their pricing on the go. In addition to this new online platform, we were careful to maintain a strong focus on face-to-face service, with increased farm visits, regional Board tours and regional office support in sugar communities throughout the state.

O Our Corporate Services team renewed our committed funding arrangements, ensuring access to seasonally based flexible funding at a competitive rate.

O We also completed the first year of our threeyear talent management strategy, with a core focus on succession planning, management of critical competencies and building people capability to support future strategic growth.

We’re already seeing the fruits of this, with our third culture assessment identifying an impressive strengthening of culture across all corporate teams and voluntary staff turnover levels well below industry benchmarking.

And finally; O We secured a successful outcome in the legal action initiated by Wilmar against QSL regarding losses associated with the 2010 Season, with the Supreme Court of Queensland dismissing the matter in May this year.

All of these achievements, together with

many more contributions across the business, helped QSL remain a trusted partner for those who chose to use our services, and a valuable resource for the industry we serve. I would like

to sincerely thank all those who have supported us during the past year. We look forward to finding new ways to benefit your business in the year to come. n

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FY19 Highlights Marketing Marketing Choice successfully implemented in Mackay

Filled 3753 grower pricing orders

Largest Australian sugar supplier to South Korea

QSL-managed ICE 11 pools outperformed our performance benchmark by

$15.16 per tonne IPS

Highest returning QSL-managed pool =

2-Season Forward

$397/t Net IPS

Operations Loaded

3.63 million tonnes Received

of sugar for shipment

3.94 million tonnes

Unloaded

49,113 trucks and 48,449 train wagons

at 6 terminals

Retained safety and environment certifications

112

vessels loaded

100%

delivered in full, on time

Mental health first aiders at every terminal

Corporate Services

New talent management strategy implemented 6

Released industry-first QSL app

Finance facilities renewed

| Queensland Sugar Limited Annual Report 2018-19

AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 65

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Milling Australian Sugar Milling Council HEAD OFFICE

Level 11, IBM Building 348 Edward Streeet, Brisbane QLD 4000 Ph: +61 7 3231 5000 Fax: +61 7 3112 5013 E: asmc@asmc.com.au POSTAL ADDRESS

GPO Box 945, Brisbane QLD 4001 Website: www.asmc.com.au

Refining Sugar Australia HEAD OFFICE

265 Whitehall Street, Yarraville VIC 3013 Ph: +61 3 9283 4558 Fax: +61 3 9689 7450

Wilmar Sugar Australia HEAD OFFICE

Wilmar Sugar Australia Townsville Head Office Level 1, 5-21 Denham St, Townsville Qld 4810 Ph: 07 4722 1972 E: info@wilmar.com.au

Mackay Sugar CORPORATE OFFICE

Mackay Sugar PO Box 5720, Mackay Mail Centre Mackay Queensland 4741 Australia Ph: +61 7 4953 8300 Fax: +61 7 4953 8340 E: info@mkysugar.com.au

NSW Sugar Milling Cooperative CORPORATE OFFICE

NSW Sugar Milling Cooperative Suite 1, Level 1, Cnr River and Martin Streets Ballina NSW 2478 Ph: 02 6681 2700 Fax: 02 6681 2799 E: ballina@sunshinesugar.com.au Website: www.sunshinesugar.com.au HARWOOD MILL & REFINERY

Harwood Island NSW 2465 Ph: 02 6640 0400 Fax: 02 6646 4550 E: harwood@sunshinesugar.com.au 66 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

Marketing & terminals Queensland Sugar Ltd HEAD OFFICE Level 12, IBM Building 348 Edward Street, Brisbane Queensland 4000 Ph: +61 7 3004 4400 Fax: +61 7 3004 4499 Email info@qsl.com.au www.qsl.com.au POSTAL ADDRESS

GPO Box 891 Brisbane Queensland 4001 Australia

Sugar Terminals Ltd HEAD OFFICE

Level 11, IBM Building 348 Edward Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 Ph: 07 3221 7017 E: info@sugarterminals.com.au www.sugarterminals.com.au POSTAL ADDRESS

GPO Box 1675 Brisbane QLD 4001 Australia BULK SUGAR TERMINALS

Cairns, Mourilyan, Lucinda, Townsville Mackay, Bundaberg

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & ADOPTION THIS SECTION BROUGHT TO YOU IN ASSOCIATION WITH

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RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT & ADOPTION Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

Sugar Research Australia

S

UGAR Research Australia (SRA) is an Industry-Owned Company that invests in and manages a portfolio of Research, Development and Adoption (RD&A) projects that drive productivity, profitability and sustainability for the Australian sugarcane industry.

As the declared Industry Services Body for the Australian sugarcane industry under the Sugar Research and Development Services Act 2013 (Cth), SRA is responsible for the direct provision of RD&A activities as well as the ongoing management and investment of funds received from industry levy payers and government, for the benefit of the sugarcane industry and for the wider public good.

The core responsibilities of SRA are to: O Deliver cost-effective research and development services to the Australian sugar industry to enhance its viability, competitiveness and sustainability; O Carry-out, coordinate and provide investment for R&D activities in relation to the Australian sugar industry; O Facilitate the dissemination, extension, adoption and commercialisation of results of R&D activities; and O Support and develop industry research capacity.

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SRA operates research farms, laboratories, and offices across the Australian sugarcane industry.

The SRA research effort extends across the industry and occurs for all growers and millers.

SRA had 164 (full-time equivalent) staff as at June 30, 2019, who operate across the business in a range of roles that support and drive RD&A for the Australian sugarcane industry.

SRA strives to build an investor- centric and performance-driven culture, empower staff and equip them for success and optimise SRA’s organisational facilities, systems and processes to support delivery of the RD&A investment portfolio.

This includes continual improvement in our safety culture, as demonstrated by a significant increase in SRA’s conformance rate following recent safety audits.

Performance framework SRA has developed a targeted approach to our operational objectives to ensure that the services we deliver to the industry can be measured and are of value. Alongside these objectives, SRA has developed a performance monitoring and evaluation program to measure and demonstrate our performance against key performance indicators in our Strategic Plan and Annual Operational Plan.

The 2017/18–2021/22 Strategic Plan was developed with extensive investor and industry consultation. The plan is built upon the needs of our investors and key stakeholders and it has drawn on the lessons from our 2016 Independent Performance Review.

Our Strategic Plan is underpinned by four goals with a focus on measures of success and outcomes.

These goals are: O Drive profitability; O Improve sustainability; O Enhance capability; and, O Strengthen organisational excellence.

RD&A priorities The key deliverables that underpin SRA’s research agenda respond to the priority challenges and opportunities of the sugarcane industry and, more broadly, the priorities of the agricultural sector, government and the wider Australian public. More specifically, the KFAs and associated RD&A activities that SRA invest in respond to the issues raised during consultation with industry, government and researchers, as well as the principles, strategies and priorities set out in industry and government strategy documents.

Drawn from Sugar Research Australia’s 2018–19 Annual Report. n

68 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

R

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PERFORMANCE REPORT 2018/19 SUMMARY Sugar Research Australia Limited (SRA) is Australia’s specialist sugarcane research organisation.

We invest in evidence-based research, development and adoption (RD&A) activities on behalf of sugarcane growers and millers to meet industry challenges and opportunities.

Working with government, research and industry partners, SRA is committed to achieving our goals to drive profitability, improve sustainability, enhance capability, and strengthen organisational excellence.

In pursuit of these goals we are guided by SRA’s Strategic Plan 2017/18 – 2021/22 and Annual Operational Plans which outline our key focus areas (KFAs), activities, intended outcomes and performance measures. SRA’s Performance Report 2018/19 provides an overview of our performance in delivering these plans during this period.

The Performance Report is by no means exhaustive but rather provides an aggregated and succinct review of the performance of SRA’s KFAs. This report is a companion document to SRA’s 2018/19 Annual Report where significant initiatives, collaborations and corporate governance overviews are provided.

In addition, SRA’s website and periodical publications, such as CaneConnection, MillingMatters and electronic newsletters, provide further information on SRA’s research portfolio and the impact this research is having on the Australian sugarcane industry.

OUR IMPACT PATHWAY

$38.1 MILLION

INCREASE OF

INVESTED IN RD&A ACTIVITIES DURING 2018/19

COMPARED TO 2017/18

ACROSS

INCREASE OF

184

10%

WITH A

INCREASE FROM

FROM 2017/2018

RD&A PROJECTS

4.0:1.0

AGGREGATED RETURN ON RD&A INVESTMENT

OUR LOCATIONS

FOR 2017/2018

RATING OUT OF 100% (BASE: USE PRODUCT)

CANE CONNECTION

INGHAM BRANDON

FACTSHEETS

MACKAY

164

2.9:1.0

OUR PRODUCT & SERVICE USAGE & RATINGS % USING

MERINGA TULLY

$100,000

FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT STAFF

E-NEWSLETTER

UPDATES, FIELD DAYS, ETC.

TECHNICAL MANUALS

BUNDABERG CANECLIPS

43% &57% FEMALE STAFF

MALE STAFF

WEBSITE

WOODFORD ONLINE TOOLS

INDOOROOPILLY CONDONG BROADWATER

70 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

0%

20%

40%

SOURCE: SRA GROWER SURVEY, JUNE 2019

60%

80%

Yellow canopy syndrome update

S

UGAR Research Australia continues to invest in research to understand yellow canopy syndrome (YCS).

YCS Identification There are many causes of leaf yellowing in sugarcane. YCS affects leaves in the mid-canopy and has a specific pattern of leaf yellowing and progression. Yellowing occurs when levels of sucrose and starch accumulate past a lethal upper threshold.

After a successful trial in Bundaberg, a YCS in-field midrib test kit will undergo regional validation across the industry during 2019â&#x20AC;&#x201C;20.

SRA is also developing a unique YCS biomarker, investigating six genes of interest.

The role of insects, phytoplasmas, and other bacteria in combination with environmental triggers are being investigated The most recent experimental work does not support a single cause of YCS. Phytoplasmas and other bacteria are intermittently detectable

and only measurable at very low concentrations.

A broad-spectrum insecticide has been effective in suppressing YCS expression but the identity and role of a specific insect, if any, is yet to be determined.

Environmental stress response expressed through gene expression, products of metabolism and protein levels is consistently represented across all samples sets. Therefore, several factors need to be present to trigger YCS expression. Experimental work is focused on identifying the key factors so that management options can be progressed.

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A chemical option is under investigation which in most cases prevents YCS symptoms expression under experimental conditions Insecticide trials indicate removal of insects in general does suppress YCS symptom development by preventing the accumulation of sugars in the leaf. These trials have used a broad-spectrum insecticide (not Imidacloprid

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and not registered for commercial application above ground in sugarcane) at high doses as an experimental tool to confirm or eliminate the role of an insect in YCS. Please note, this is not a test of the suitability of this chemical as a management option. Insecticide trials will be conducted at six locations across the industry in 2019–20.

The outcome of these trials will be pivotal to any YCS management program surrounding a chemical option for industry.

A chemical option is enabling SRA to quantify the impact of YCS on yield and identify potential causes In contrast to last year, this year’s harvest results from a small chemical trial indicated no significant difference in yield (tonnes of cane per hectare and tonnes of sugar per hectare) between the insecticide treated plots and the untreated control. In this trial there was also no significant correlation between symptom expression and yield loss. Whether a correlation exists between yield and YCS severity (number of yellow leaves during the peak growing period or “YCS season”) as a proportion of the overall canopy throughout the life of the crop is currently being investigated.

YCS impact on CCS Analysis of commercial cane sugar (CCS) shows there is no penalty associated with YCS. This is consistent with all results from past trials and sampling across the regions.

Recommended management options Research indicates that when a healthy balance between leaf sucrose export (supply) and crop growth (demand) exists, plants have more vigour. But when supply exceeds demand, sugars will begin to accumulate in the leaf.

Once an irreversible upper threshold is breached,

cell death and leaf yellowing occur.

Therefore, whenever possible, use all available resources together with best practice farming to ensure plant growth does not slow.

High plant vigour will enable the crop to better cope with stress (environmental and biological) to reduce the incidence and severity of leaf yellowing.

What to look for – key symptoms of YCS O Overall the crop generally looks quite orangeyellow, with the yellowing extending into the youngest leaves in the worst affected crops.

O Young leaves show faint yellowing at the tip. This progresses to a stronger yellowing generally to one side of the leaf and towards the leaf tip.

O Leaves 5 or 6 generally show uneven coarse mottling, with areas of uneven green and yellow tissue developing.

O Unlike typical viral or nutrient deficiency symptoms, this symptom is uneven, and looks more like a stress condition or herbicide effect.

O It extends right down the leaf blade.

O The midrib remains white and is the last part to turn yellow.

O Leaves in the lower canopy are more uniformly yellow, showing areas of brownblack necrotic spots.

O Leaf tips and some margins begin to die, with older leaves senescing earlier.

O Once affected, yellow leaves do not recover. In extreme cases, cane stalks may become thin and rubbery and root health is compromised.

O Symptoms may also ‘come and go’ in waves.

SRA acknowledges the funding contribution of the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries towards this research activity.

For more information: https://sugarresearch.com.au

n

Helping you access short term, skilled labour now

The LABOUR PLACEMENT division of The-Gate is essentially a service introducing Australian farmers needing short-term skilled labour, to keen and experienced young workers with farming backgrounds.

The-Gate offers a pool of skilled international farm workers with header and other large machinery experience.

So to get the ball rolling on solving your short-term labour needs, go to www.the-gate.com.au and register (for free) on The-Gate’s database or contact Catherine on 0408 717 459

www.the-gate.com.au 72 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

R

Keeping Regional Australia Moving

Your on-site fuel & lubricant solution people Bulk fuel and storage solutions for all farming equipment and transport, tailored to your needs. Local depots and deliveries throughout Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Call 1300 4 LOWES today.

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RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT & ADOPTION Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

Industry adopting a versatile herbicide with improved efficacy

A

YEAR on from its release, a new herbicide formulation is proving to be a very versatile option – it’s delivering control of a wide range of weeds and also providing long periods of efficacy, especially when rain has been both limited and infrequent post-harvest.

AmiTron (active ingredient amicarbazone) is filling the void for a UV stable broadleaf herbicide. It provides both pre- and postemergent activity against a wide range of broadleaf weeds (particularly vines), grasses and some sedges.

Mark Ellwood, UPL Area Sales Manager, believes the formulation is not only a great fit for early application in ratoons and plant cane, it can also be used as a late spray for vines in advanced cane.

“It’s a really versatile herbicide,” he said.

“It can be applied as a directed spray at outof-hand or serve as a later high clearance application to control vines after canopy closure, eliminating the need to use a helicopter for vine spraying.”

“Vines are problematic as they have large tough seeds and the vigour to germinate from depth and push through a trash blanket,” said Mark. “AmiTron is unique in that it has the ability to move through the soil with pulses of irrigation or rainfall, allowing it to reach deeply embedded germinating vine seeds.”

“And because it’s UV stable, you can apply it without worrying about when you’ll get followup rain.”

Reducing risk to the reef Importantly, recent studies by the Australian Institute of Marine Science show that AmiTron is up to 10 times less of a risk to seagrasses and corals than other PSII class herbicides such as diuron and hexazinone.

But the objective should still be to reduce risk of any contamination off-target by using sensible practices. The sugar industry Best Management Practice Guidelines should be reviewed for current advice prior to using AmiTron in any crop.

Handles dry times Minimal rainfall is required for activation – as little as 2–5 mm – and short or long-term residual efficacy can be achieved depending on the rate applied. This proving particularly important with so many cane regions experiencing dry starts in the past few seasons.

And the formulation is proving just as effective over a fresh green trash blanket as it is on bare soil, providing growers with flexibility for use on ratoon or plant cane.

Growers who used the product as a late application last season have reported far fewer vines when it came around to harvest time from just that one spray at out-of-hand.

Cane growers who haven’t tried the new herbicide so far this year can still use it later this season to control troublesome vines. A postemergent spray of one kg per hectare can be applied in ratoons or plant cane after canopy closure for effective vine control.

For more information: www.amitron.com.au

NSW cane farmer Tim McMahon was well pleased with a tank mix of 200 g/ha Balance and 500 g/ha AmiTron (with 1L/ha paraquat where needed) on ratoon cane.

74 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

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CSIRO – for the reef, a sweet suite of apps?

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RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT & ADOPTION T hi s sect i on brought to you i n as s oc iati on wi t h

The challenge Trusting water quality data versus going with your gut feel?

Nitrogen losses from intensive crop production into wet tropical catchments of north Queensland are a major threat to the health of the Great Barrier Reef. But owing to the lack of information on these losses and the extreme variability in climate and rainfall over very small distances, it’s been difficult for growers to link nitrogen that appears in the environment and nitrogen management on their farm. There’s also been the expectation that changing fertiliser management practices could affect crop yields.

The response Harnessing the digital revolution to support fertiliser application decisions We’re developing a suite of apps, called 1622, to deliver information services to farmers that address their concerns, make for faster change in farm management practices and help growers reduce impacts of cropping on the Great Barrier Reef. Our 1622 apps are at different stages of product development, with our earliest app, 1622WQ (‘water quality’), ready for public release very soon.

1622WQ provides real-time water quality information. It allows farmers to see, for example, the influence of recent rainfall on water quality or whether management actions such as recent fertilising has affected nitrogen losses. Farmers can also see the seasonal climate outlook to help plan ahead.

The 1622WhatIf? function of the app allows farmers to evaluate the risks and benefits of

CSIRO is developing a suite of apps to deliver information services to farmers and help reduce the impacts of cropping on the Great Barrier Reef.

changing nitrogen fertiliser applications. For example, ‘what if I change my fertiliser rate, harvest date and/or fertilising date and how would that affect my crop yields and nitrogen losses?’

1622Crop uses our drone-based LiDAR system, satellites and other novel sensing technologies to help farmers use less nitrogenbased fertiliser without affecting their profits.

Growers can compare different management strategies in real time through the season.

The results 1622 meeting industry needs For the first time, farmers will have realtime information on key factors for growing sugarcane. When complete, 1622 will bring together information on sugarcane production and environmental performance to help farmers: O Evaluate their crop management; O Facilitate better decisions; and, O Help them protect the Great Barrier Reef.

For more information: www.csiro.au

n

CSIRO’s 1622 app uses our drone-based LiDAR system and satellites to help farmers use less nitrogen-based fertiliser.

AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019 — 75

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RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT & ADOPTION Th is se c t i o n brou g ht t o y o u i n as soci a t i o n wi t h

Sugarcane research for a profitable industry O By CSIRO

D

RAWING upon our expertise in genetics, molecular biology and management we work closely with the Australian sugar industry to produce better sugarcane varieties.

Sugarcane produces most of the world’s sugar and is being increasingly used for renewable energy supply through production of ethanol and electricity.

Our efforts are mainly focused on improving sugar yields to help support Australia’s $1.5 billion sugar industry. Our sugarcane research is undertaken in close collaboration with Sugar Research Australia Ltd (SRA) and the Australian sugar industry.

Harnessing sugarcane genetic diversity

Sucrose is produced in the sugarcane plant’s leaves and transported to storage tissue in the stem.

Modern commercial sugarcane varieties are derived from two species. One, the ‘original sugarcane’ (Saccharum officinarum), has brought the genes for high sugar content. The other, a wild relative of sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum), provides hardiness to harsh environments and the ability to ratoon or produce additional profitable crops from re-growth after harvest.

But there are many varieties of these two species, and other related species that may be crossed with sugarcane, that have not yet been used in breeding programs. These species are expected to provide a rich source of untapped genes for breeding programs and may provide beneficial traits to cultivated sugarcane.

Our sugarcane researchers are now evaluating plant material produced in collaboration with SRA and research institutes in China. The aim is to identify favourable traits and genes such as: O Resistance to pests and diseases, including sugarcane smut; O Biomass yield, offering potential for renewable energy production in the future; and, O More efficient water use, which is important for the sustainable production of sugarcane.

DNA markers for better sugarcane varieties

Using cultivated and wild varieties, we are developing new sugarcane varieties with increased yield, sugar content and smut resistance.

76 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

DNA markers can flag the presence and location of useful genes or detrimental genes and help breeders to select the best combinations of genes. We have identified a number of DNA markers associated with smut resistance, high sugar content and cane yield. Along with SRA, we are now testing the reliability of these markers for speeding up progress in the breeding program.

The markers have also been used to produce a detailed map of the sugarcane genome that

shows how the genes are linked to each other.

CSIRO is part of an international consortium to sequence the entire genome of sugarcane. This exciting initiative makes use of cutting-edge technologies and will eventually revolutionise sugarcane breeding.

Faster flowering for new genetic tools Under natural conditions, sugarcane plants flower only once a year and only at some locations, which reduces opportunities for crossing. We are studying flowering in sugarcane to identify ways of controlling the process.

Making the plants flower more often would enable traits to be combined faster.

Understanding the triggers for flowering may also identify ways to prevent flowering in commercial fields, as this can reduce sugar yields.

Increasing sugar accumulation Sugarcane leaves produce sugar using carbon dioxide and sunlight, and transport it to the storage tissue in the stalk. The sugar is extracted from the stalks at the sugar mill.

By studying the unique features of the sugarcane stalk that allow it to store very high concentrations of sugar, we aim to identify ways of increasing the yield. A model for the pathways of sugar movement into the storage tissue has been developed and is now being tested to identify control points.

We have also discovered new ways of directing proteins into this storage tissue using experimental genetically modified sugarcane plants.

For more information: www.csiro.au

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RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT & ADOPTION T hi s sect i on brought to you i n as s oc iati on wi t h

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R&D organisations contact details ASSCT Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists: Secretariat POSTAL ADDRESS

PO Box 5596 Mackay Mail Centre QLD 4741 Ph: 07 4954 3956 Fax: 07 4829 4115 E: admin@assct.com.au Website: www.assct.com.au

Herbert Ph: 07 4776 1808

Innisfail Babinda Ph: 07 4064 3300 (South Johnstone) Ph: 07 4067 1266 (Babinda)

Isis Ph: 07 4126 1444

Mackay Ph: 07 4963 6830

Maryborough Ph: 07 4121 1100

Mossman

SRA HEAD OFFICE

Sugar Research Australia (50 Meiers Road), PO Box 86 Indooroopilly QLD 4068 Ph: 07 3331 3333 Fax: 07 3871 0383 E: sra@sugarresearch.com.au Website: www.sugarresearch.com.au

Cane Productivity & Sugar Services QUEENSLAND Bundaberg Ph: 07 4151 2555

Burdekin Ph: 07 4783 1101

Ph: 07 4098 2286

Mulgrave Ph: 07 4043 3342

Plane Creek Ph: 07 4956 1488

Proserpine Ph: 07 4945 1844

Rocky Point Ph: 07 5546 1481

Tableland Ph: 07 4048 4207

Tully Ph: 07 4088 0706

NSW Broadwater Ph: 02 6620 8257

Condong Ph: 02 6670 1745

Harwood

Ph: 02 6640 0479

n AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019 — 77

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INDUSTRY ORGANISATIONS

INDUSTRY ORGANISATIONS

Peak bodies Australian Cane Farmers Association HEAD OFFICE

Level 3, 183 North Quay, Brisbane, QLD 4000 GPO Box 608, Brisbane QLD 4001 Ph: 07 3211 0022 Freecall: 1800 500 025 Fax: 07 3303 2011 E: admin@acfa.com.au

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman Don Murday (Northern Region) Ph: 0418 774 499

Directors erard Puglisi (Northern Region) G Ph: 0428 988 136 ichael Camilleri (Northern Region) M Ph: 0419 738 702 arol Mackee (Herbert Region) C Ph: 0419 652 102

CANEGROWERS AUSTRALIAN OFFICE

Canegrowers Building Level 6, 100 Edward Street, Brisbane GPO Box 1032 Brisbane QLD 4000 Ph: 07 3864 6444, Fax: 07 3864 6429 E: info@canegrowers.com.au www.canegrowers.com.au

STATE OFFICES New South Wales SW Canegrowers Association N 239 River Street, Maclean PO Box 140 Maclean NSW 2463 Ph: 02 6645 2515 Fax: 02 6645 3250

Queensland ueensland Canegrowers Q Organisation Canegrowers Building GPO Box 1032 Level 6, 190 Edward Street Brisbane QLD 4000 Ph: 07 3864 6444 Fax: 07 3864 6429 E: info@canegrowers.com.au

S teve Fordyce (Central Region) Ph: 0408 883 907

Chairman

Stephen McKeering (Central Region) Ph: 0439 088 654

Senior Vice Chairman

ichael Hetherington M (Southern Region) Ph: 0407 621 694

Vice Chairman

obert Quirk (NSW Region) R Ph: 0413 677 727

SENIOR MANAGEMENT Chief Executive

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Paul Schembri Ph: 07 4959 8237 Kevin Borg Ph: 07 4950 2272 Owen Menkens Ph: 0409 480 179

Dan Galligan CEO

General Manager: Stephen Ryan

Chief Financial Officer

dministration Officer: A Alicia Opajdowska

Industry

Jodie Mittelheuser Burn Ashburner – Senior Manager

Economics Warren Males – Head

Environment & Sustainability Mick Quirk – Senior Manager

Communications Neroli Roocke – Manager

78 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

Membership Engagement and Innovation Matt Keally – Senior Management

REGIONAL OFFICES FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND Mossman Centenary Building Shop 1, Front St (PO Box 789) Mossman QLD 4873 Ph: 07 4098 2377 Fax: 07 4098 3567

Tableland S hop 11B/94 Byrnes Street (PO Box 1359) Mareeba QLD 4880 Ph: 07 4092 6065 Fax: 07 4092 5857

Cairns/Mulgrave 29 Norman Street (PO Box 514) Gordonvale QLD 4865 Ph: 07 4056 1251 Fax: 07 4056 3669

Cairns/Babinda 87 Munro Street (PO Box 169) Babinda Qld 4861 Ph: 07 4067 1313 Fax: 07 4067 1775

Innisfail 18–22 Bruce Hwy (PO Box 67) Mourilyan QLD 4860 Ph: 07 4063 2477 Fax: 07 4063 2488

Tully 59 Butler Street (PO Box 514) Tully QLD 4854 Ph: 07 4068 4900 Fax: 07 4068 2351

NORTHERN QUEENSLAND Herbert River 1–13 Lannercost Street 1 (PO Box 410) Ingham QLD 4850 Ph: 07 4776 5350 Fax: 07 4776 5380

Burdekin 141 Young Street (PO Box 933) Ayr QLD 4807 Ph: 07 4790 3600 Fax: 07 4783 4914

CENTRAL Proserpine 88 Main Street (PO Box 374) Proserpine QLD 4800 Ph: 07 4945 1844 Fax: 07 4945 2721

Mackay 120 Wood Street (PO Box 117) Mackay QLD 4740 Ph: 07 4944 2600 Fax: 07 4944 2611

SOUTHERN Bundaberg 32 Bourbong Street (PO Box 953) Bundaberg QLD 4670 Ph: 07 4151 2555 Fax: 07 4153 1986

Isis/Childers 48 Churchill Street (PO Box 95) Childers QLD 4660 Ph: 07 4126 1444 Fax: 07 4126 1902

Maryborough 106 Bazaar Street (PO Box 172) Maryborough QLD 4650 Ph: 07 4121 4441 Fax: 07 4121 6115

Rocky Point 1214 Stapylton/Jacobs Well Road Woongoolba QLD 4207 Ph: 07 5546 1481 Fax: 07 5546 1481

NSW Canegrowers Association 239 River Street PO Box 140 Maclean NSW 2463 Ph: 02 6645 2515 Fax: 02 6645 3250

Government bodies Department of Agriculture and Water Rescources

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INDUSTRY ORGANISATIONS

Ph: 1800 900 090 Website: www.agriculture.gov.au

NSW Department of Primary Industries Ph: 1800 808 095 Website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Ph: 13 25 23 Website: www.daf.qld gov.au

Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Ph: 13 74 68 Website: www.dnrme.qld.gov.au

Queensland Department of Environment and Science Ph:13 74 68 www.des.qld.gov.au

Plant biosecurity Plant Health Australia Ph: 02 6215 7700 Website: www.planthealthaustralia.com.au

AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019 — 79

S E CT I ON 10 – TRADE DIRECTORY

SUPPLIERS’ DIRECTORY

SECTION 10

SUPPLIERS’ DIRECTORY

AG CHEMICALS AND FERTILISER

TILLAGE

Adama – www.adama.com Bayer – www.bayer.com.au/ Incitec Pivot Fertilisers – www.incitecpivotfertilisers.com.au/ LiquaForce – www.liddles.com.au/ Nufarm – www.nufarm.com Natural Water Solutions – https://www.nwsolutions.com.au OCP – Organic Crop Protectants – www.ocp.com.au/ Sumitomo – www.sumitomocorp.com.au/ Tessenderlo Kerley International – https://www.tessenderlo.com Yara Australia – www.yara.com.au/

BMS Lasersat/Vantage – http://vantage-wa.com.au Gessner Industries – www.gessner.com.au/ K-Line Industries – www.k-line.net.au/

TRAINING AND EDUCATION Agsafe – https://www.agsafe.org.au/ CountryCo Training – www.countryco.com.au/ Ergon Energy – www.ergon.com.au/

TYRES AND TRACKS Big Tyre – www.bigtyre.com.au/ Titan Australian – https://titanaust.com.au/

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

ENGINEERING AND MACHINING

SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

Shute Upton Engineering – www.shute-eng.com.au/

IRRIGATION Draintech – www.draintech.net.au/ Leverlink – www.leverlink.com.au/ Lindsay Irrigation – www.zimmatic.com/ Padman Stops – www.padmanstops.com.au/ Trailco Irrigation – www.trailco.com.au/

MACHINERY Case IH – www.caseih.com John Deere – www.deere.com.au/en/ McDonald Murphy Machinery – www.mcdonaldmurphy.com.au/ New Holland – www.newholland.com

PETROLEUM Lowes Petroleum – www.lowespetrol.com.au/ Penrite Oil Company – www.penriteoil.com.au/

ACFA ����������������������������������������������������������� IBC Agri Tune Australia �������������������������Rainfall Chart Agsafe �������������������������������������������������������������� 7 Case IH ������������������������������������������������������� OBC Charlton’s Fishing ������������������������������������ 43, 60 Countryco Training �������������������������������������������� 9 Dinner Plain ���������������������������������������������������� 68 Incitec Pivot �����������������������������������������27, 33-36 LiquaForce Australia �������������������������������������� 19 Lowes Petroleum ������������������ 69, 73, onsert biro McDonald Murphy Machinery ������������������������ 21 Nufarm �������������������������������������������������������������� 3 Padmaqn Stops ���������������������������������������������� 49 QSL ������������������������������������������������������������������ 4 Shute Upton Engineering �������������������������������� 17 Sumitomo �����������������������������������������������IFC, 15 Tessenderlo Kerley International ���������������������� 1 The Gate ���������������������������������������������������������� 72 Trailco Irrigation ���������������������������������������������� 51 UPL Australia �������������������������������������������� 39, 41 Valmont ���������������������������������������������������������� 47

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80 — AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL 2019

1/09/2010 11:54:49 PM

T

he Australian Cane Farmers Association (Australian CaneFarmers) has provided more than 90 years of service to the sugar industry.

What services will you receive? ●

A minimum levy that provides everything a cane farmer needs from a representative body

●

The Australian CaneFarmer – the Australian CaneFarmers’ publication that includes news, views, markets and politics

●

Free subscription to Australian Sugarcane, the Australian sugar industry’s leading research and development magazine

●

Branch network and local representation

●

Crop insurance, general insurance, life insurance and financial advice

✔ Australian CaneFarmers embraces the grass roots structure ✔ Cane farmers receive value for money ✔ Australian CaneFarmers is your organisation and all cane farmers are eligible to apply for individual membership

✔ Australian CaneFarmers has a proven record of fighting for growers where others have either given up or not begun

Be part of sugar’s future... become a member of Australian CaneFarmers Freecall 1800 500 025 or visit our website at www.acfa.com.au for your local ACFA board member

Australian CaneFarmers would like to thank their partners:

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