CANEGROWERS Media Release 

15 July 2011: Extraordinary weather calls for cane fires to help growers through harvest

Cane growers are asking communities to ‘bear with them’ as the extraordinary wet conditions in sugarcane regions have meant the use of cane fires to prepare cane for harvest is being utilised in more regions this season.

In common with many Queenslanders, cane growers did it tough during this year’s wet.  Marred by heavy, ongoing rains and topped off with a cyclone, the 2010 sugarcane season is one growers would rather forget, a season that left most of them with standover cane in the paddocks. 

Unfortunately, the legacy of that season is still with the industry, causing ongoing problems for the 2011 season.

“These fields of standover cane are a nightmare for the cane harvesters,” said CANEGROWERS Chief Executive Officer, Steve Greenwood. 

“The torrential downpours during 2010 encouraged weeds and vines to take hold and, because it wasn’t harvested last year, the cane has sprawled, fallen over and tangled. 

“Enduring cyclonic winds didn’t help the situation.  In these circumstances, the only way to get the harvesters into the fields and get the cane off is to burn it before harvesting,” Mr Greenwood said.

Mr Greenwood said growers take workplace health and safety very seriously and the extraordinary WH&S risks caused by the weather conditions in 2010 and the following natural disasters can be assisted by burning cane.

“During Cyclone Yasi, fields in affected regions were strewn with remnants of damaged buildings, including metal and wood scraps, which are difficult to locate in large cane fields. Burning cane pre-harvest helps growers to spot the scraps to ensure they don’t cause potentially costly damage to harvesters and machinery, and pose any danger to workers.  

“In addition, burning can be used to control diseases and vermin such as introduced rat species.”

Mr Greenwood said most growers would prefer not to burn their cane, but this season has left them with few options. 

“In most areas, sugarcane growers prefer to harvest the cane  green (without burning) as the trash blanket left behind acts as mulch, limiting weed growth, reducing erosion, helping to retain moisture and recycling nutrients back into the soil,” he said.

Mr Greenwood said that he expected that the problems of the 2011 season would be a rare occurrence.  He asked sugarcane communities to have patience while the industry struggles to put the last effects of the 2010 season behind it.

Media comment:             Steve Greenwood  |  CANEGROWERS CEO  |  0488 721 156
More information:          Suzi Moore  |  CANEGROWERS Communications  |  0427 641 239 or 07 3864 6444