Following inspections of farms in the Lower Herbert region, Queensland Cane Agriculture & Renewables (QCAR) member Michael Penna and Senior Technical Officer Lawrence Di Bella viewed firsthand the impacts of the recent floods.
Visiting members’ farms on December 27, 2023, Mr Penna and Mr Di Bella discovered many blocks to be waterlogged with floodwater still present in some blocks.
On some farms, cane trash blankets had shifted due to the flooding occurring just after harvesting and, in some cases, had been deposited on young plant and ratoon crops.
The impacted cane blocks will experience some cane yield losses and stool death may occur where the trash has smothered cane.
During the inspection, some infrastructure damage was noticed on members’ farms with wash outs along drainage lines and some headlands.
Overall, the crop damage is not significant in the Lower Herbert when compared to previous floods.
The crops outside non impacted areas are growing well, and the rain was welcomed.
Additionally, it is hoped that rain and the recent flooding will impact on rat numbers throughout the district with growers noticing dead rats on farms and along roads when travelling throughout the district.
Cane trash on top of young ratoons in the Lower Herbert area
A drainage line impacted in the Lower Herbert
Photos supplied
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2023 Burdekin Life Pty Ltd.
