Proserpine projects pave way for cleaner future

An innovative, flexible project pioneered right here in Proserpine some three years ago is gaining a lot of attention lately particularly with the unseasonal weather.

Peter Sutherland, who used to work under the banner of BSES Limited, now works with Canegrowers Proserpine in a subdivision known as Sugar Services Proserpine (SSP).

While Mr Sutherland’s role won’t change a great deal from his former duties with the BSES, the time factor might.

"We’ve gone from four staff members down to one, so growers might have to be mindful of that," Mr Sutherland said.

Mr Sutherland says a big part of his role will be his continued involvement with the variety trials and clean seed plots.

The program is called the "one eye sett" and offers a much more flexible alternative to planting the traditional way.

"It’s a way to quickly propagate from a small amount of cane. It’s an eight-week head start which is vital during unseasonal weather like we are having now and it’s as disease free as we can make it," Mr Sutherland said.

First: The cane is cut from from the clean seed plots of hot water treated cane.

Second: The cane is then cut into three cm billets and put in the incubator to rapidly germinate the one eye setts.

Third: The germinating setts are dropped into 80mm pots and covered with our own specially formulated potting mix (with secret ingredients)

Fourth: The potted plants are moved to the hothouse for 2 weeks to complete the establishment phase.

The warm conditions inside allow the plants to grow rapidly even during cold winter days. And finally the plants are moved outside to harden in the sun for a few weeks prior to planting in the field with the mechanical

planter.

"In 2009 the BSES gave Proserpine 5 plants of the Q240 variety … this year we have 18,000 to plant and the growers have leapt on it. Their number one comment is; "Look it’s already coming up behind the planter", it basically minimises the risk, you don’t have to have your heart in your throat about the cane shooting, because the hard work is already done," Mr Sutherland said.

How does it work?

Peak farming body steps in

No doubt you’ve seen this guy around. He’s usually out in the fields sharing vital research and development information with the Whitsundays’ cane farmers.

He’s an extension officer with the BSES and under a restructure of the organisation that looks after these roles, his position would be wrapped up.

That’s if it wasn’t for the forward thinking of Canegrowers Proserpine the peak farming body in the Whitsundays who have stepped in to fill this vital role that farmers have grown accustomed to over the past half a century.

Canegrowers Proserpine manager Michael Porter said his organisation had an obligation to growers.

"If the BSES is going to close up their operations here … and its vital to have a productivity service in the Whitsundays … then at the very least canegrowers will be putting something in place. We have an obligation to ensure that this service is not lost," Mr Porter said.

In fact, Peter Sutherland is not going anywhere. He might be hard to pick because he won’t be wearing the BSES shirt – but that’ll be the only difference according to Mr Porter.

"This bloke has been here nearly four years. He’s well liked and respected among the growing community who lean on him heavily for advice."

Mr Porter said the BSES which has informed canegrowers that they will close their Proserpine service on June 30 was a backward step and a huge blow to the local industry.

"So we are going to set up our own service here. It might be a subsidiary of Canegrowers Proserpine but it won’t be reliant on membership. The service will be provided directly to growers, it transcends membership … productivity is the most important thing for growers. At the moment we are talking with Sucrogen to see they will fund 50 per cent of the service," Mr Porter said.

Mr Porter said the imperative of the BSES restructure was to make the organisation more financially viable.

"Given the small amount of money they get from the government on both levels, it’s not enough under their current structure. The BSES is undertaking this restructure to prove to the government that they have a sustainable infrastructure and maintain their biosecurity obligations - by restructuring it makes them more eligible for funding," he said.

With several research and development funding pledges made recently, Mr Porter said governments always promised a certain level of funding around election time.

"I guess it really depends on whether they are genuine."