The Lower Herbert Water Quality Program (LHWQP), its delivery providers and CANEGROWERS Herbert River recently held a soil workshop and grower forum networking event in Ingham.

The soil workshop was an opportunity for growers in the Herbert to be ‘hands on’ with an expert and the forum a chance to share knowledge, experiences and celebrate the 2023 season.

A leader in the Australian sugarcane industry specialising in soil health and regenerative farming practices, Simon Mattsson shared his insights into the implementation of plant and biological diversity to create a healthy soil.

Producing sugarcane and mixed crop varieties such as soybeans and chickpeas on his 190-hectare property at Marian, 30 kilometres west of Mackay, Mr Mattsson completed a Nuffield Australia scholarship on soil biology and is a pioneer of multi-species cover cropping.

As part of his Nuffield studies Mr Mattsson visited New Zealand, The United States of America, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Kenya, and South Africa focussing on the beneficial and predatory microbial activities that are crucial to sustaining productive soils.

Simon Mattson explaining soil sturctures at the Lower Herbert soil workshop.

Mr Mattson said he is very passionate about agriculture and feels privileged to share his experience with other farmers to try and encourage adoption of practices that enhance biological function.

“Every farmer has certain challenges and quite frequently the weather in Ingham is at the top of the list with wet harvests and a long protracted wet season making it problematic to grow different plant species.”

“Plant diversity is essential because it creates biological diversity and there are windows of opportunity for growers regardless of their location and environment to bring more plant diversity into their system.

Mr Mattson is a consultant with Soil Land Food, an independent agricultural consultancy supporting change in Australian rural landscapes, farming, and food systems towards a more regenerative, ecological future.

Program Coordinator for the Lower Herbert Water Quality Program Carola Bradshaw said the aim of the soil workshop and forum was to connect growers with industry experts from other regions like Mr Mattson to share knowledge and form discussions with growers about their soil health and improving farm practices.

“We continually strive for the sugar industry to be more environmentally and financially sustainable and programs like the LHWQP are assisting to give growers the tools, knowledge, and innovation to make changes quicker than they would without the support.”

“My personal goal is to spread the word about the LHWQP and promote the hard work our local growers and the delivery providers have done, it is an achievement which needs to be showcased.”

“The Program ultimately leads to improved practices and contributes to innovative solutions for systems change in water quality,” added Mrs Bradshaw.

Program Coordinator Carola Bradshaw at the neworking event of the grower forum.

Kristen Kernke giving an update on AGRO groups progress during the program. 

Delivery providers of the (LHWQP) were on hand to provide project updates including HCPSL extension agronomist and project coordinator for Project CaNE Adam Royle.

Project CaNE provides grower support to develop a whole-of-farm nutrient CaNE PlanTM based on Sugar Research Australia’s SIX EASY STEPS best management practice for nutrient management, an easy-to-use paper-based nutrient management and record keeping tool that is reef regulation compliant and can be used towards BMP accreditation. 

AgroGroup Director Kristen Kernke was able to show exponential growth in the delivery of mill mud to growers across the Herbert since the project’s inception.

Kristen and husband Regan developed two mill mud spinner trucks designed to reduce mill mud application rates and enable accurate, consistent mill mud placement on cane. The spinner trucks make it economical for growers who are further away from the mills to use mill mud while also making a significant impact on water quality outcomes in the Herbert.

Cameron Liddle, owner of LiquaForce and LANDHub along with extension agronomist from Herbert AgriServices, Leanne Carr demonstrated the steps required in operating the LANDHub digital application.

Local Area Nutrient Datahub (LANDHub) was designed to deliver a shift in the level of actionable insight and accessibility of key agronomic information for growers of all levels of digital maturity. The project produces optimal Six Easy Steps nutrient management plans tailored to the region and specific farms, paddock, and soil lab data inputs.

To learn more about the delivery providers and projects being undertaken through the Lower Herbert Water Quality Program visit www.herbertrivercanegrowers.com.au.

The Lower Herbert Water Quality Program aims to prevent 140 tonnes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen from entering the Great Barrier Reef lagoon from the Herbert River catchment each year. Under the Reef 2050 plan to reduce runoff of dissolved inorganic nitrogen the Herbert River is one of the highest priority river catchments. The $16.2 million program is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation with coordination support provided by CANEGROWERS Herbert River.

Leanne Carr and Cameron Liddle showcasing LandHub at the netwokring event.

The $16.2 million program is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation with coordination support provided by CANEGROWERS Herbert River.