Northern District
Progress update
| Project | What we’re doing | Status | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agreeing Tully’s local industry work plan | A joint review with Tully industry representatives will clarify which local activities have been delivered and what still needs doing. SRA, productivity services, the mill and CANEGROWERS will use the review to agree a practical industry work plan. | In progress |
Formation of a unified collective of representatives from each local organisation to form the Tully Cane Crop Development Coordination Committee (TCCDCC). An MOU has been signed by the Chairman of each local group. Local agronomy and TCPSL staff are reviewing priorities to assist the newly formed TCCDCC. |
| Local variety guidance for Tully growers | SRA will support the Tully Variety Management Group with local performance information, coordination and practical variety activities. Work with the mill, productivity services and CANEGROWERS will help compare potential varieties and prepare guidance that reflects conditions in Tully’s different growing areas. | In progress |
Annual TVMG Field Walk was held in August 2026. Annual TVMG Fallow Crop Meeting will be held on Monday 26/10/26 to launch the updated and printed Tully Fallow Crop Guide. |
| Comparing varieties on commercial farms | Commercial demonstration sites are proposed to compare promising varieties with known standards under local farming conditions. SRA Variety Development, productivity services and grower hosts will measure establishment, maturity and relevant disease or fibre traits to help growers assess how varieties fit their farms. | In progress | Commercial demonstrate site has been planted with newly released varieties, 2 x promising clones and varieties from other districts. |
| Project | What we’re doing | Status | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local evidence for choosing newer varieties | The planned Herbert Variety Management Group will bring growers, productivity services, Wilmar and SRA together to review local variety performance. Commercial demonstrations and practical advice will help growers compare suitable newer varieties for sugar production, disease resistance and local management needs. Agronomic packages will be developed for newly released varieties. | In progress |
Two meetings of the HVMG have been held so far. A survey has been sent to meeting participants to get feedback on the Group's direction and varieties requiring more information. |
| Matching varieties to harvest timing | SRA, Herbert productivity services, Wilmar and grower collaborators plan to track how key varieties mature through the season. Portable scanning will help build local maturity profiles, supporting harvest scheduling, decisions about crop ripeners and, later, variety selection at planting. | On track |
12 growers have been assisted in a pilot to make decisions around paddock selection for harvest and/or application of growth regulators. Selection of growers/paddocks underway to monitor for 2027 season. |
| Comparing varieties on commercial farms | Commercial demonstration sites are proposed to compare promising varieties with known standards under local farming conditions. SRA Variety Development, productivity services and grower hosts will measure establishment, maturity and relevant disease or fibre traits to help growers assess how varieties fit their farms. | On track |
2 propagation sites have been planted. 9 varieties selected and planted in above propagation sites. |
| Setting up liquid canegrub applicators correctly | SRA and Herbert Productivity Services plan on farm demonstrations of liquid insecticide applicator setup in plant and ratoon cane. Individual assistance will help growers check their timing, equipment and application method, supporting more reliable greyback canegrub control using current approved treatments. | In progress | Planning is underway to organise an on farm workshop prior to planting in the 2027 season. |
Northern District overview
The above Activities for the Northern district (Tully and Herbert) are part of the action plan from the SRA Strategic Plan (2026- 2031). Priorities contained within the Strategic Plan have an Action Plan outlining the delivery roadmap to achieve its outcomes. Progress updates for action in your district can be viewed in the tables above on this page.
For more information contact Jess Portch, SRA District Manager, Northern
