In a positive step for growers across the Herbert sugarcane district, the Herbert Variety Management Group (HVMG) will hold its inaugural meeting at 3pm on Wednesday 17 June at the SRA Ingham Office (181 Fairford Road).
The group will bring together grower representatives from across the district, from Abergowrie to Halifax and Crystal Creek to Bemerside, and will work closely with SRA’s Herbert Variety Development Team, Wilmar, and Herbert Cane Productivity Services Limited (HCPSL). The group will be coordinated by SRA District Manager, Jess Portch.
The establishment of the HVMG aims to strengthen collaboration across the district and improve understanding of sugarcane variety performance under local growing conditions. The group will share knowledge and experiences from across the region, recognising the influence that factors such as soil type, microclimate, farming practices and harvest timing can have on variety performance.
“The Herbert district has a diverse range of growing environments, and while variety trial data provides valuable information, there is significant benefit in understanding how varieties perform under commercial farming conditions across the district,” Jess Portch said.
“Where knowledge gaps are identified, the group will help guide future extension activities, demonstration sites and information packages to ensure growers have access to practical, locally relevant information that supports variety selection and management decisions.”
The HVMG will also play an important role in identifying opportunities to accelerate adoption of high-performing varieties and support productivity improvements across the district.
As part of the inaugural meeting, Tully Sugar’s Cane Productivity and Development Manager Greg Shannon will address the group and share insights from the highly successful Tully Variety Management Group.
“Greg will discuss how collaboration between growers and industry stakeholders has helped drive variety adoption and deliver tangible productivity outcomes for the Tully district over many years,” Jess Portch said.
“The Herbert Variety Management Group represents an important investment in the future productivity and profitability of the district and will provide a valuable forum for growers and industry partners to work together in addressing emerging opportunities and challenges.”
