R[0]="2103"; T[0]="Changing times for women in the sugar industry"; A[0]="By ... CSIRO"; Dn[0]="20071024"; Dt[0]="Wednesday 24 October 2007"; Acats[0]="a20a49"; B1[0]="      A project to improve women's participation in decision making in the sugar industry has discovered that the role and status of women "; B2[0]="in the industry is changing... "; B3[0]=" "; B4[0]=" "; B5[0]=" "; S1[0]="      A project to improve women's participation in decision making in the sugar industry has discovered that the role and status of women "; S2[0]=" in the industry is changing.
      Researchers from CSIRO and the University of Queensland interviewed both women and men working in various roles "; S3[0]=" in the sugar industry.
      'The message from both men and women is that the industry is starting to accept women in what "; S4[0]=" were traditionally male roles and there is greater recognition of their contribution,' project leader Dr Emma Jakku of CSIRO said.
      Many of "; S5[0]=" the women interviewed felt that they are now more accepted on industry boards and at industry meetings and are increasingly being employed in different sectors "; S6[0]=" within the industry.
      Women who are employed in industry sectors, such as extension and milling, said that their focus was on doing "; S7[0]=" their job well, rather than their gender.
      'The message from both men and women is that the industry is starting to accept "; S8[0]=" women in what were traditionally male roles and there is greater recognition of their contribution,' project leader Dr Emma Jakku of CSIRO said.
    "; S9[0]="   'The majority of women we interviewed rated their participation within the sugar industry as highly important to them personally.
      Their reasons "; S10[0]=" ranged from the need to be involved in their family business, through to the need for women's perspectives to be heard,' Ms Jenny Bellamy of "; S11[0]=" University of Queensland said.
      Women in the study identified a need for better communication, networking and information exchange among women in the "; S12[0]=" industry.
      Many women, especially in the growing sector, work off farm to help support their family and are unable to attend industry "; S13[0]=" meetings, meaning that this group of women needs to give and receive information in other ways.
      To try and meet this need, "; S14[0]=" a group of motivated sugar women are working together to create an email and online network to improve communication and information sharing.
      "; S15[0]=" This research is being funded by the Sugar Research and Development Corporation as part of its strategy to help the men and women of the "; S16[0]=" Australian sugarcane industry respond and adapt to change.
      The researchers are collaborating with: Bundaberg, Isis and Wet Tropics Women in Sugar groups, "; S17[0]=" BSES Limited, CANEGROWERS, Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Burnett Mary Regional Group for NRM, Terrain NRM, FNQ and Wide Bay Area Consultative Committees, "; S18[0]=" Isis Mill, Centacare and individuals across the industry... "; R[1]="1918"; T[1]="Smut's economic impact less severe than expected: report"; A[1]="By ... Editor"; Dn[1]="20070222"; Dt[1]="Thursday 22 February 2007"; Acats[1]="a20"; B1[1]="      A report on the outbreak of sugar cane smut in Queensland has found the economic impact is not as bad as expected.... "; B2[1]=" "; B3[1]=" "; B4[1]=" "; B5[1]=" "; S1[1]="      A report on the outbreak of sugar cane smut in Queensland has found the economic impact is not as bad as expected.
"; S2[1]="       The fungal disease has been found on more than 80 properties.
      Many crops have been ploughed in, but the "; S3[1]=" State Government says that might not have to happen in the future.
      Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin says the report recommends replacing "; S4[1]=" susceptible cane varieties with smut resistant breeds during the normal planting cycle.
      'The report was commissioned in November last year when it "; S5[1]=" became clear that cane smut was widespread and established and that it was no longer possible to prevent or control its spread,' he said.
  "; S6[1]="     'The Queensland Government moved from a containment and eradication approach to a long- term economic management approach, driven largely by industry.'.. "; R[2]="1774"; T[2]="Australian Cane Growers Live up to their Hardworking Reputation"; A[2]="By ... Editor"; Dn[2]="20061223"; Dt[2]="Saturday 23 December 2006"; Acats[2]="a20"; B1[2]="      Cane growers in far north Queensland and northern New South Wales are living proof of why Australian farmers are held in high "; B2[2]="esteem around the world for their hardworking nature... "; B3[2]=" "; B4[2]=" "; B5[2]=" "; S1[2]="      Cane growers in far north Queensland and northern New South Wales are living proof of why Australian farmers are held in high "; S2[2]=" esteem around the world for their hardworking nature.
      Following a tour of popular cane growing areas, Brazilian cane equipment expert, Carlos Visconti, "; S3[2]=" noted that Australian operators are cutting twice as much cane as Brazilian operators, but in half the time and with fewer operators.
      "; S4[2]=" Carlos, Engineering Manager at Case IH's Brazilian Piracicaba plant, joined fellow Case IH staff, including engineering, marketing and product support representatives from Sydney, Bundaberg and "; S5[2]=" Louisiana USA, visting 300 customers and cane growers from Mossman in north Queensland to Wardell in northern NSW.
      'In Brazil, a "; S6[2]=" Case IH Austoft 7700 harvester will run for about 3,000 hours and cut on average 150,000 tonnes of burnt cane, whereas in Australia, the same "; S7[2]=" volume will be cut in around 1,500 hours.
      This level of productivity comes down to the commitment of Australian workers and their "; S8[2]=" ability to use their machines as effectively and efficiently as possible,' Carlos said.
      'When I talked to operators about hours spent harvesting, "; S9[2]=" this hardworking nature again came to the fore.
      For example, in Brazil cane growers will run 24 hours with three, sometimes four "; S10[2]=" drivers operating in shifts.
      This is a luxury compared to Australia where one operator might work to the limits of the machine "; S11[2]=" in just one shift,' said Carlos.
      The tour was an opportunity for Case IH to gather valuable information about the needs "; S12[2]=" of Australian cane farmers and to thank Australian cane growers for their business.
      Case IH Global Director for Sugar Cane Marketing, Billy "; S13[2]=" Lawson, remarked, 'Australians are passionate about gaining maximum productivity and this passion has seen them grow to become a major competitor in the world market.' "; S14[2]=" Bundaberg-based cane harvester engineer, Mal Baker, was pleased with the findings.
      'It's an important part of the Case IH product development process "; S15[2]=" that we get out there and talk to customers to find out what their real needs are.
      We were also pleased to "; S16[2]=" be able to show off our hardworking farmers!' During the tour, Case IH highlighted improvements to its 2007 range which will increase reliability, while some "; S17[2]=" development machines were also discussed.
      For example, the new model Case IH Austoft 7000 and 7700 cane harvesters feature a large displacement "; S18[2]=" 10.3L Case IH engine, packing 355 Hp with a steep torque curve to maintain rated engine speed.
      The high displacement to power "; S19[2]=" ratio enables a long engine life with less stress on components, which in turn reduces long-term ownership costs.
      Customers will also "; S20[2]=" benefit from the separate hydraulic circuits for the base cutter and chopper which will mean that each unit can independently keep its speed and maintain "; S21[2]=" throughput with reduced stalling when the going gets tough.
      Designed in Australia for Australian conditions the 'live toe' crop divider eliminates crop "; S22[2]=" 'hanging' on the divider, which improves field efficiency and increases the amount of field time actually spent harvesting.
      In 2007, Case IH "; S23[2]=" will supply in excess of 400 cane harvesters from its Piracicaba plant.
      The plant has been producing cane harvesters since the early "; S24[2]=" 1980's, initially as a collaboration with the Austoft brand and then under full-ownership... "; R[3]="1697"; T[3]="Mackay growers ready for smut challenge"; A[3]="By ... Editor"; Dn[3]="20061127"; Dt[3]="Monday 27 November 2006"; Acats[3]="a20"; B1[3]="      Farleigh district canegrower Michael Deguara's 'business as usual' approach to the detection of smut in the Mackay region typifies the stance many "; B2[3]="growers have adopted for the management of this disease... "; B3[3]=" "; B4[3]=" "; B5[3]=" "; S1[3]="      Farleigh district canegrower Michael Deguara's 'business as usual' approach to the detection of smut in the Mackay region typifies the stance many "; S2[3]=" growers have adopted for the management of this disease.
      Mr Deguara said smut was going to show up in out district sooner "; S3[3]=" or later.
      'Like most cane growing regions in the world who have successfully overcome the smut problem, we will do the same,' "; S4[3]=" Mr Deguara said.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries senior extension agronomist John Hughes, a member of the Mackay-based FutureCane project team, "; S5[3]=" said the resilience and cooperation that exists between growers coupled with sound, practical agronomic management practices will minimise the impact of this disease in the "; S6[3]=" region.
      Mr Hughes said healthy interagency collaboration between the DPI&F, BSES and MAPS (Mackay Area Productivity Services) will continue to deliver a "; S7[3]=" consistent message to all cane growers to address the disease issue.
      'There will be an undoubted quiet acceptance of the industry-endorsed smut "; S8[3]=" management protocols being adapted by BSES and MAPS for the Central Region and feedback from growers points to a united objective to overcome the smut "; S9[3]=" threat,' Mr Hughes said.
      'The FutureCane team will fully support the integration and delivery of the regionally adapted smut management protocols,' he "; S10[3]=" said.
      Mr Hughes said there were already more than 120 regional growers progressing the Integrated Farming Systems management objectives being promoted by "; S11[3]=" the FutureCane team and BSES extension staff giving them a sound basis to implement the recommended farming practices,' Mr Hughes said.
      'Incorporating "; S12[3]=" the introduction of smut resistant sugar cane varieties into a farming system that already acknowledges the need for stringent farm hygiene and use of rotational "; S13[3]=" cropping strategies to reduce soil-borne diseases is practical and achievable.
      'Twelve years of targeted soil health research recommendations thanks to the findings "; S14[3]=" of the Sugar Yield Decline Joint venture project team have identified the long-term impacts of sugar monoculture across a range of productivity issues,' Mr Hughes.
"; S15[3]="       'Through the collaborative work of the DPI&F, BSES and MAPS, this research knowledge has contributed greatly to the development of an integrated "; S16[3]=" farming system ensuring Queensland has an environmentally and economically sustainable sugar industry.' Mr Hughes was confident that cane growers would take on board the voluntary "; S17[3]=" smut protocol management recommendations, incorporate the requirements into their farming practices and focus on objectives for a productive and profitable future... "; R[4]="1661"; T[4]="Sugar cane smut found on third cane farm"; A[4]="By ... Editor"; Dn[4]="20061123"; Dt[4]="Thursday 23 November 2006"; Acats[4]="a20a86"; B1[4]="      A third Mackay cane farm has been found to have sugar cane smut, confirming fears that the fungal disease is widespread.... "; B2[4]=" "; B3[4]=" "; B4[4]=" "; B5[4]=" "; S1[4]="      A third Mackay cane farm has been found to have sugar cane smut, confirming fears that the fungal disease is widespread.
  "; S2[4]="     The disease has been found on a property, 20 kilometres from the original find near Mackay, which had been discovered on Melbourne Cup "; S3[4]=" day.
      Mackay Area Productivity Service spokesman Alan Royal says smut now looks to be well-established in central Queensland.
      'It's "; S4[4]=" very, very sad but it's right across the other side of town and the whips were reasonably advanced but they're certainly not big whips like "; S5[4]=" we've been seeing,' he said.
      'What did frighten me was on the weekend in one row at the initial farm, you know "; S6[4]=" we were seeing whips that were four, five feet long, so it's got a hold there but let's hope we can get on top of "; S7[4]=" it.' Meanwhile sugar cane farmers in Western Australia's Ord Valley are looking for new varieties, because some which were once resistant to cane smut are "; S8[4]=" not any more.
      The disease was first found in WA's north-west in 1998.
      CJ Ord River Sugar spokesman Wayne "; S9[4]=" Paul says 100 varieties have been tried in the past five years but only a handful have shown promise.
      He says smut "; S10[4]=" is also expected to reduce next year's crop.
      'Q95 is probably the worst.
      It's getting a bit of smut "; S11[4]=" now whereas it didn't have earlier on, so that will probably be mostly ploughed out over the next couple of years,' he said.
    "; S12[4]="   'We'll be looking for other varieties, Queensland's obviously going to have to find some smut-resistant varieties so we'll both be in the same boat.'.. "; R[5]="1634"; T[5]="Smut out of control"; A[5]="By ... Editor"; Dn[5]="20061111"; Dt[5]="Saturday 11 November 2006"; Acats[5]="a20"; B1[5]="      The Qeensland Government has conceded it cannot stop the spread of smut in the sugar industry, admitting yesterday that the deadly fungal "; B2[5]="disease was 'widespread'... "; B3[5]=" "; B4[5]=" "; B5[5]=" "; S1[5]="      The Qeensland Government has conceded it cannot stop the spread of smut in the sugar industry, admitting yesterday that the deadly fungal "; S2[5]=" disease was 'widespread'.
      Instead of biosecurity eradication, cane growers were told a group led by former Liberal politician David Watson would now "; S3[5]=" identify ways of managing the problem.
      The industry believes the only way this can happen is replacement of existing varieties with smut "; S4[5]=" resistant types that invariably yield less sugar.
      When smut was discovered earlier this year in the Bundaberg-Isis growing area, farmers were told "; S5[5]=" they would be compensated if they ploughed it in.
      Yesterday, tests confirmed the worst fear of growers - that smut had been "; S6[5]=" discovered further north on a property at Habana near Mackay, one of the state's biggest sugar producing regions.
      Six out of the "; S7[5]=" 10 blocks of cane on the property are infected.
      Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin said the outbreak confirmed that Queensland had a "; S8[5]=" 'multi-point incursion' of smut instead of only the problem on 69 properties in the Bundaberg-Isis area.
      'What this means is we are "; S9[5]=" no longer addressing the problem as a biosecurity eradication and containment program centred on the Bundaberg-Isis area,' said Mr Mulherin, who represents Mackay.
    "; S10[5]="   'We now move to an economic recovery focus to deal with this established and widespread disease.' Dr Watson, an economist who used to head "; S11[5]=" the Liberal Party's state political wing, and a team of cane growers, scientists, millers and bureaucrats now have to 'assess the impacts of the spread "; S12[5]=" of smut and identify measures to manage the problem and facilitate economic recovery'.
      An interim response is due by December 18 and "; S13[5]=" the final report by February 18.
      Canegrowers chairman Alf Cristaudo said the only truly effective measure against the impact of smut was "; S14[5]=" to replace susceptive varieties with resistant ones.
      Unfortunately, resistant varieties tended to be less productive.
      The Habana outbreak had "; S15[5]=" been identified by a grower during a routine inspection, Mr Cristaudo said... "; R[6]="1487"; T[6]="Rain delays sugar harvest"; A[6]="By ... Editor"; Dn[6]="20061006"; Dt[6]="Friday 6 October 2006"; Acats[6]="a20"; B1[6]="      Too much rain has delayed the sugar harvest in northern New South Wales.... "; B2[6]=" "; B3[6]=" "; B4[6]=" "; B5[6]=" "; S1[6]="      Too much rain has delayed the sugar harvest in northern New South Wales.
      Mills are facing a drop in "; S2[6]=" production, with an unusually wet season making crushing difficult and reducing sugar content levels.
      Greg Petersen from the Condong Mill near Murwillumbah "; S3[6]=" says the harvest could now drag on until early next year.
      'This year has been particularly difficult with the amount of lost "; S4[6]=" time we've had with the wet weather,' he said.
      'All up we're around 800 or so hours of lost time which is "; S5[6]=" nearly five weeks of the season.
      That's put us back to finishing early January.'.. "; R[7]="1461"; T[7]="Dietary fibre found in sugar cane to tackle obesity"; A[7]="By ... Editor"; Dn[7]="20060927"; Dt[7]="Wednesday 27 September 2006"; Acats[7]="a09a10a20"; B1[7]="      With Australia taking over as having one of the world's fastest growth rates of childhood obesity, a timely breakthrough could soon see "; B2[7]="our school children eating foods enriched with dietary fibre which comes from sugar cane... "; B3[7]=" "; B4[7]=" "; B5[7]=" "; S1[7]="      With Australia taking over as having one of the world's fastest growth rates of childhood obesity, a timely breakthrough could soon see "; S2[7]=" our school children eating foods enriched with dietary fibre which comes from sugar cane.
      Austrade's Fukuoka-based Senior Trade Commissioner, Jarrod Waring said "; S3[7]=" Japanese school children will lead the way, now Japan has placed orders for an Australian sugar cane by-product, bagasse, which is being made into dietary "; S4[7]=" fibre.
      'Bagasse, a by-product of sugar can now be converted into enriched dietary fibre that can be added to any processed food "; S5[7]=" or products to make it healthier,' Mr Waring said.
      'Japan has already placed orders with Kristevefourspace Ussy who has a memorandum of "; S6[7]=" understanding with Mossman Central Mill in Queensland to produce the world's first commercial bagasse dietary fibre.
      'Export potential to Japan is "; S7[7]=" high, the current production volumes are already forward purchased this season amidst the Japanese Government's growing concerns for its unhealthy youth demanding increased daily fibre "; S8[7]=" for intake for their school children.
      'The product is highly valued in Japan where it will be added to children's lunches as "; S9[7]=" part of a new government initiative,' he said.
      The announcement follows this month's meeting of the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) in "; S10[7]=" Sydney which addressed the growing problem of obesity in Australia and around the world.
      Australia has one of the world's fastest growth "; S11[7]=" rates for childhood obesity with two-thirds of Australian men, half of all women and a quarter of all children either overweight or obese.
    "; S12[7]="   Mr Waring said the demand for bagasse is in huge demand in Japan and it won't be long before the benefits of bagasse are "; S13[7]=" seen in Australia.
      The concept to produce bagasse was borne out of research done by Professor Shinto of Ryukyu University in Okinawa "; S14[7]=" Japan and was brought to the sugar cane industry in Far North Queensland by Austrade's Okinawa District Manager Yasushi Miyazono.
      The process "; S15[7]=" has now gone beyond the concept and marketing stage to commercial start up.
      Cairns based company Kristevefourspace Ussy (KFSU) has a joint "; S16[7]=" venture with Mossman Central Mill to produce dietary fibre out of sugarcane bagasse which is 40 per cent of the total cane biomass and is "; S17[7]=" usually burnt as fuel for their boilers.
      KSFU Managing Director Gordon Edwards said bagasse is readily absorbed into processed foods and cooking "; S18[7]=" without any flavour or texture.
      'We use steam, heat and pressure to break the cellulose and hemicelluloses structure of the bagasse and "; S19[7]=" this is then dried and milled as dietary fibre, with a value ten times that of bulk sugar,' Mr Edwards said.
      The "; S20[7]=" Far North Queensland (FNQ) Area Consultative Committee's sugar cane reform spokesman Fred Marchant believes the project is leading the way for sugar cane diversification and "; S21[7]=" assisting the FNQ century old sugar industry move into the 21st Century... "; R[8]="1324"; T[8]="Smut diseases on Mycology Congress agenda"; A[8]="By ... Editor"; Dn[8]="20060823"; Dt[8]="Wednesday 23 August 2006"; Acats[8]="a20a33a93"; B1[8]="      A workshop on smut diseases will be a topical issue under discussion at the Eighth International Mycology Congress (IMC8) in Cairns because "; B2[8]="of its recent detection on sugar cane farms in the Childers area... "; B3[8]=" "; B4[8]=" "; B5[8]=" "; S1[8]="      A workshop on smut diseases will be a topical issue under discussion at the Eighth International Mycology Congress (IMC8) in Cairns because "; S2[8]=" of its recent detection on sugar cane farms in the Childers area.
      But sugar cane is not the only major primary industry "; S3[8]=" in Queensland that could be affected by smut diseases.
      Karnal bunt, a fungal disease which has not been detected in Australia, could "; S4[8]=" cause more than a billion dollars worth of damage to the wheat industry if it were to arrive, according to Department of Primary Industries and "; S5[8]=" Fisheries principal plant pathologist Roger Shivas of Brisbane.
      Dr Shivas will run a workshop on smut diseases at James Cook University on "; S6[8]=" Sunday August 20th as part of IMC8.
      'Workshop participants will be shown how to recognise smut fungi, how to collect them, how "; S7[8]=" to study, identify and name smut fungi, and how to preserve them,' he said.
      'Recent developments in the classification of smut fungi, "; S8[8]=" based on morphological and molecular characteristics, will be presented at the workshop.' The workshop will benefit from a contribution by Kálmán Vánky, the world's foremost "; S9[8]=" authority on the identification and taxonomy of smut fungi.
      Dr Vánky is the author of several books and more than 300 research "; S10[8]=" papers on smut fungi.
      Drs Shivas and Vánky are putting the finishing touches to a book which describes and illustrates all 300 "; S11[8]=" species of smut fungi that occur in Australia.
      'The importance of this work, like the workshop, is that it will help those "; S12[8]=" who identify smuts get it right,' Dr Shivas said.
      Mycology is the study of fungi including mushrooms, moulds, truffles and yeasts.
  "; S13[8]="     Some fungi contribute to the formation of lichens and there are many fungi that cause disease in animals and plants.
      "; S14[8]=" IMC8 is the first time the congress has been held in the southern hemisphere.
      About 700 speakers and delegates will come from "; S15[8]=" around the world to take part... "; R[9]="1305"; T[9]="Sugar prices drop"; A[9]="By ... Editor"; Dn[9]="20060818"; Dt[9]="Friday 18 August 2006"; Acats[9]="a07a08a20"; B1[9]="      World sugar prices have fallen below 13 US cents a pound, down from a high of more than 18 cents earlier this "; B2[9]="year... "; B3[9]=" "; B4[9]=" "; B5[9]=" "; S1[9]="      World sugar prices have fallen below 13 US cents a pound, down from a high of more than 18 cents earlier this "; S2[9]=" year.
      It is bad news for Australian growers, who are about halfway through the harvest and had been hoping for a breakthrough "; S3[9]=" season.
      The fall is being blamed on news of a 3 million tonne world sugar surplus, a good harvest in Brazil and "; S4[9]=" forecasts that India could triple its exports... "; R[10]="1232"; T[10]="Sugar industry fuming after funding announcement"; A[10]="By ... Editor"; Dn[10]="20060805"; Dt[10]="Saturday 5 August 2006"; Acats[10]="a20"; B1[10]="      Queensland Canegrowers say the sugar industry has missed out badly in the Federal Government's decision to extend wages subsidies for cyclone-affected farmers "; B2[10]="and businesses in the state's far north... "; B3[10]=" "; B4[10]=" "; B5[10]=" "; S1[10]="      Queensland Canegrowers say the sugar industry has missed out badly in the Federal Government's decision to extend wages subsidies for cyclone-affected farmers "; S2[10]=" and businesses in the state's far north.
      Prime Minister John Howard has announced farms and businesses affected by cyclone Larry can now "; S3[10]=" receive wage subsidies for 26 weeks instead of 13.
      But Canegrowers spokesman Ron Mullins says most of the harvesting and planting crews "; S4[10]=" are not covered by this arrangement.
      'We wanted the wages subsidy to cover both harvesting crews and planting crews that are currently "; S5[10]=" now engaged in post-cyclone operations,' he said.
      'However, it only covers those employees who were engaged immediately before the cyclone.'.. "; R[11]="1054"; T[11]="Cane smut found on 30 properties"; A[11]="By ... Editor"; Dn[11]="20060708"; Dt[11]="Saturday 8 July 2006"; Acats[11]="a20"; B1[11]="      Sugar cane smut has now been found on 30 farms in the Childers area of south-east Queensland.... "; B2[11]=" "; B3[11]=" "; B4[11]=" "; B5[11]=" "; S1[11]="      Sugar cane smut has now been found on 30 farms in the Childers area of south-east Queensland.
      The disease, "; S2[11]=" which can cause major crop losses, was found for the first time on the east coast less than a month ago.
      Chris "; S3[11]=" Adriaanson, from Queensland's Department of Primary Industries, says the disease will not be eradicated.
      He says in the future, farmers will have "; S4[11]=" to rely on resistant crop varieties to eliminate the impact of the disease.
      'It depends on what you define as eradication,' he "; S5[11]=" said.
      'If eradicating means biologically extinguishing the disease, then that's never been the objective, it's not part of the way we have "; S6[11]=" to do this business.
      'What we've got to do is eliminate the impact of the disease and we will achieve that by "; S7[11]=" destroying all of the known infestations and allowing all of the susceptible material to be replaced over the coming four years with resistant material.'.. "; R[12]="1029"; T[12]="Smut-affected cane to be burned ahead of harvest"; A[12]="By ... Editor"; Dn[12]="20060708"; Dt[12]="Saturday 8 July 2006"; Acats[12]="a20a33"; B1[12]="      The Department of Primary Industries in Queensland says it is focussing on the harvest of healthy sugar cane in Bundaberg and Childers "; B2[12]="to ensure a regular supply of cane to local mills... "; B3[12]=" "; B4[12]=" "; B5[12]=" "; S1[12]="      The Department of Primary Industries in Queensland says it is focussing on the harvest of healthy sugar cane in Bundaberg and Childers "; S2[12]=" to ensure a regular supply of cane to local mills.
      New protocols to control smut will see infested blocks in south-east Queensland "; S3[12]=" burned prior to harvesting.
      Chris Adriaansen says the process is time-consuming, so they will not start burning infested blocks until next week.
"; S4[12]="       'We've already got two teams on one of the large infested properties and that team is sorting out the infested from "; S5[12]=" the non-infested blocks,' he said.
      'Once we've gone through and again got ourselves just that little bit ahead for the harvester on "; S6[12]=" that particular farm, and a couple of the others as well, then our teams will start going back through, removing the whips and we will "; S7[12]=" start burning.'.. "; R[13]="944"; T[13]="Spread of sugar cane disease 'inevitable'"; A[13]="By ... Editor"; Dn[13]="20060619"; Dt[13]="Monday 19 June 2006"; Acats[13]="a20a33"; B1[13]="      Queensland Canegrowers says it is implementing measures to try to stop the further spread of an exotic cane disease.... "; B2[13]=" "; B3[13]=" "; B4[13]=" "; B5[13]=" "; S1[13]="      Queensland Canegrowers says it is implementing measures to try to stop the further spread of an exotic cane disease.
      "; S2[13]=" Four properties in Childers, in Queensland's south-east, are now under quarantine after more samples of suspected sugar cane smut were detected.
      "; S3[13]=" Canegrowers' general manager Ian Ballantyne says the Isis region has delayed its crush and other sugar regions may have to do the same.
    "; S4[13]="   'Already we're restricting the movement of harvesters between farms.
      We're restricting the movement of vehicles between farms.
      So "; S5[13]=" if we delay harvest, we're able to put more of those protocols in place,' he said.
      Canegrowers also says it is inevitable "; S6[13]=" more cases of an exotic cane disease will be found in the state.
      Mr Ballantyne says more properties will probably will be "; S7[13]=" quarantined in the coming days.
      'I think it's inevitable at the moment.
      Now whether or not we find more "; S8[13]=" a great distance away is the real question,' he said.
      'Obviously there is a concentration in one particular area.
      "; S9[13]=" It's been sourced back, if you like we've tracked back farm to farm to see where that's come from but at the moment the fear's "; S10[13]=" highly likely that we'll find more in that general region at least.'.. "; R[14]="940"; T[14]="CSR fungal threat"; A[14]="By ... Editor"; Dn[14]="20060619"; Dt[14]="Monday 19 June 2006"; Acats[14]="a20a33"; B1[14]="      Leading sugar company CSR could suffer a 10.6 per cent slump in net profit in the new financial year because of a "; B2[14]="fungal disease affecting a single Queensland cane crop... "; B3[14]=" "; B4[14]=" "; B5[14]=" "; S1[14]="      Leading sugar company CSR could suffer a 10.6 per cent slump in net profit in the new financial year because of a "; S2[14]=" fungal disease affecting a single Queensland cane crop.
      Sugarcane smut, which can can slash yields by more than 30 per cent, was "; S3[14]=" discovered last week on a small and remote farm near Bundaberg.
      While the discovery means that CSR's primary growing catchments in "; S4[14]=" the Herbert and Burdekin regions may escape unscathed, fears exist that the contamination may have spread to a refinery, ABN Amro Morgans has warned.
  "; S5[14]="     According to the broker, any spread could result in lost time and a delay of up to 18 months for replanting healthy "; S6[14]=" crops.
      The disease, which is common in overseas cane growing regions, has never before struck on Australia's east coast.
    "; S7[14]="   An airborne fungus, sugarcane smut is capable of wreaking damage worth hundreds of millions of dollars if left unchecked.
      "; S8[14]=" So far Queensland Primary Industries officers have quarantined the 100ha farm at Childers.
      'While we continue to see strength from CSR's "; S9[14]=" diversified earning streams, we remain watchful of any further spread of smut disease,' the ABN Amro report added.
      The fungus, which "; S10[14]=" stunts infected plants and prevents the possibility of regrowth, could lead to a decrease in CSR's cane tonnage from 15 million tonnes to 10 millions "; S11[14]=" tonnes.
      As a result, sugar EBIT would tumble 22 per cent, from $196.6 million to $153.3 million, the broker warned.
    "; S12[14]="   ABN Amro said it remained 'cautiously optimistic' about the chances of containing the disease and maintained its 'buy' recommendation for the stock... "; R[15]="934"; T[15]="Authorities step up actions to contain smut outbreak"; A[15]="By ... Editor"; Dn[15]="20060619"; Dt[15]="Monday 19 June 2006"; Acats[15]="a20a33"; B1[15]="      More sugar cane experts will be flown into the growing area around Childers in south-east Queensland affected by the exotic cane smut "; B2[15]="fungus, so more inspections can be carried out... "; B3[15]=" "; B4[15]=" "; B5[15]=" "; S1[15]="      More sugar cane experts will be flown into the growing area around Childers in south-east Queensland affected by the exotic cane smut "; S2[15]=" fungus, so more inspections can be carried out.
      Staff from the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations (BSES) are monitoring the fields where "; S3[15]=" the fungus has been found on more than one farm.
      BSES chief executive Eoin Wallis says its staff will work on a "; S4[15]=" rotational basis.
      'We're doing surveillance at the moment on a logical base, both related to the wind direction and linking it to "; S5[15]=" sources of either machinery or plant material movement from farm-to-farm,' he said.
      'So we have a strategy in place where we're going "; S6[15]=" out and surveying and we need to do that for some weeks to come.' He says growers may have to abandon some varieties of sugar "; S7[15]=" cane.
      'It's too early to tell everyone to change their variety to one of those resistant ones,' he said.
      "; S8[15]=" 'We'll have to work through beyond the spring planting to work on strategies that will give growers the best option to maintain their productivity, whilst "; S9[15]=" increasing their percentage of resistant varieties being grown.'.. "; R[16]="918"; T[16]="Sugar leaders meet over disease"; A[16]="By ... Editor"; Dn[16]="20060615"; Dt[16]="Thursday 15 June 2006"; Acats[16]="a20"; B1[16]="      Sugar industry leaders will meet in the south-east Queensland town of Childers today to work out ways of tackling an outbreak of "; B2[16]="the potentially devastating disease sugarcane smut... "; B3[16]=" "; B4[16]=" "; B5[16]=" "; S1[16]="      Sugar industry leaders will meet in the south-east Queensland town of Childers today to work out ways of tackling an outbreak of "; S2[16]=" the potentially devastating disease sugarcane smut.
      The sooty powder, which stunts and kills cane plants, was first detected in a paddock near "; S3[16]=" Childers last week and last night members of a response team found a 'significant number' of infected plants on the same property.
      "; S4[16]=" 'They have found what they've referred to as a 'hotspot' in a block on the property where there is a significant number of plants showing "; S5[16]=" infestation,' said Department of Primary Industries (DPI) general manager of plant biosecurity, Chris Adriaansen.
      'That's obviously another area we've got to work "; S6[16]=" out from on the farm.' Mr Adriaansen said he and the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin will meet today in Childers with "; S7[16]=" representatives of the peak farmers' organisation Canegrowers and the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations (BSES).
      Mr Mulherin said the DPI was doing "; S8[16]=" everything it could to eradicate the disease and growers whose cane had to be destroyed will receive compensation.
      Advertisement: 'Owner "; S9[16]=" reimbursement costs will be paid for all plants or crops destroyed as part of the response,' Mr Mulherin said.
      'Full provisions of "; S10[16]=" cost sharing will apply, which will include an industry contribution of 20 per cent towards all costs.' Under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed, the "; S11[16]=" Australian Government will pay half the costs, with the remaining half shared among state governments.
      But Queensland provides around 94 per cent "; S12[16]=" of Australia's total raw sugar production and about 98 per cent of Australia's sugar exports are Queensland grown.
      The smut spores were "; S13[16]=" discovered eight years ago in the Ord River area of Western Australia.
      It is also rampant in Africa and South America and "; S14[16]=" has spread to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea... "; R[17]="908"; T[17]="Sugar cane disease find devastating"; A[17]="By ... Editor"; Dn[17]="20060613"; Dt[17]="Tuesday 13 June 2006"; Acats[17]="a20a33"; B1[17]="      Inspectors have quarantined a sugar cane farm near Childers in south-east Queensland to prevent an outbreak of the smut disease.... "; B2[17]=" "; B3[17]=" "; B4[17]=" "; B5[17]=" "; S1[17]="      Inspectors have quarantined a sugar cane farm near Childers in south-east Queensland to prevent an outbreak of the smut disease.
    "; S2[17]="   Smut disease is a highly contagious fungal infection which attacks cane crops with vigour.
      Once it takes hold farmers have no "; S3[17]=" option but to destroy their crops to prevent further outbreaks.
      Joe Russo is one of the nation's largest cane growers and the "; S4[17]=" disease has been found on his property near Childers.
      'It's very devastating for the Russo family,' he said.
      'Smut "; S5[17]=" is something that we've always dreaded could arrive on the east coast of Australia and I think it's arrived in Childers and not only that, "; S6[17]=" on our own family farms and it's been an extremely difficult time in the last few days,' he said.
      'There is no "; S7[17]=" movement on or off the property.
      Any vehicles that do have to go on there for whatever reason have got to be "; S8[17]=" disinfected.' Mr Russo says has no idea how the exotic disease made its way on to his property.
      Australia has been largely "; S9[17]=" free of the disease apart from an outbreak in Western Australia eight years ago which was contained.
      But quarantine inspectors are taking "; S10[17]=" no chances.
      'It's only been one stool of cane identified - no other infected area has been identified but let me say "; S11[17]=" that if this went unchecked it could have serious ramifications for the industry,' he said.
      Queensland Canegrowers Association general manager Ian Ballantyne "; S12[17]=" believes this outbreak could threaten at least 10 per cent of the nation's sugar crop if it is not contained.
      'There's a "; S13[17]=" series of protocols under Plant Health Australia regime where the Government, ourselves, our experiment stations go onto alert and we set up a range of "; S14[17]=" mechanisms to look at how we go about eradication of this disease,' he said.
      Vigilant Cane growers are being urged to be "; S15[17]=" extra vigilant in checking for stunted plants now that the disease has been detected.
      The disease reduces yields but can be controlled.
"; S16[17]="       The chief executive of the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations (BSES), Eoin Wallace, says growers should report any suspicious growth.
    "; S17[17]="   'Be vigilant on their crops and look at their crops as they're driving past, look for any of these whip-like characteristics, stunted growth or "; S18[17]=" grassy-like appearance,' he said.
      Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin says his department has launched a response plan that will monitor farms in "; S19[17]=" the region and educate growers about the warning signs of the disease.
      'It's not a blame game, it's about my department, BSES, "; S20[17]=" [the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations] and the industry working together to control this disease and getting on with the business of growing cane and "; S21[17]=" producing wealth for the regions in the state that grows sugar, he said.
      No cause for panic The Australian Cane Farmers Association "; S22[17]=" says the discovery is no cause for panic, but it has changed the face of the industry.
      The association's chairman, Ross Walker, "; S23[17]=" says it was only a matter of time before the disease reached Queensland and growers need to rethink their operations.
      'Anyone who "; S24[17]=" plants a susceptible variety now is really asking for trouble, so I think farmers need to immediately reassess their planting for this coming year and "; S25[17]=" put in varieties that are at least intermediate and or totally resistant to the disease,' he said... "; R[18]="898"; T[18]="Fears over sugarcane disease"; A[18]="By ... Editor"; Dn[18]="20060613"; Dt[18]="Tuesday 13 June 2006"; Acats[18]="a20a33"; B1[18]="      An exotic disease is threatening the future of the Queensland sugar industry after being found on a farm in the state's southeast.... "; B2[18]=" "; B3[18]=" "; B4[18]=" "; B5[18]=" "; S1[18]="      An exotic disease is threatening the future of the Queensland sugar industry after being found on a farm in the state's southeast.
"; S2[18]="       Queensland's Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPIF) today confirmed sugarcane smut was found in the Childers area on Thursday.
    "; S3[18]="   The farm has been quarantined and eradication of the infestation has started, as has a surveillance program in a 10-15km radius from the "; S4[18]=" property and in other sugarcane areas.
      DPIF general manager plant biosecurity Chris Adriaansen said sugarcane smut was one of the sugarcane "; S5[18]=" industry's 'major nasty diseases'.
      The $2 billion Queensland sugar industry, which is still recovering from Cyclone Larry that ravaged farms in "; S6[18]=" March, accounts for 95 per cent of the Australian crop.
      'It infects the plant and severely stunts its growth so you "; S7[18]=" end up with a significant loss in production,' Mr Adriaansen said.
      'The worse case scenario is that ...
      "; S8[18]=" we could end up with the entire crop being affected, having a significant impact on production and productivity.
      The wind-borne disease "; S9[18]=" is usually found in South America and Africa.
      In 1997-98 it was detected in the Ord River area of Western Australia, "; S10[18]=" which produces less then 1 per cent of the nation's crop, but has been largely contained.
      It is the first case "; S11[18]=" of sugarcane smut in eastern Australia.
      Queensland Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said the response to the disease "; S12[18]=" has been 'fast and efficient'.
      He said a control plan developed by the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations (BSES) with assistance from "; S13[18]=" the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) has been activated.
      'Under the plan, a BSES task force has begun tracing all "; S14[18]=" movements of cane and machinery from the suspect property and has commenced a survey of neighbouring farms,' Mr Mulherin said.
      'The "; S15[18]=" property has been placed under quarantine under the Plant Protection Act, prohibiting the movement of any host plants from the property, as well as the "; S16[18]=" movement of any machinery or other items which have been in contact with sugarcane.
      'BSES, AQIS and my department are working "; S17[18]=" closely with the sugar industry to ensure the outbreak is eradicated or contained as quickly as possible.'.. "; R[19]="868"; T[19]="Ethanol industry faces axe: warning"; A[19]="By ... Editor"; Dn[19]="20060608"; Dt[19]="Thursday 8 June 2006"; Acats[19]="a04a05a20a36a94"; B1[19]="      The Federal Government is about to kill off the fledging ethanol industry as it embarks on a review of nuclear energy, according "; B2[19]="to industry and interest groups... "; B3[19]=" "; B4[19]=" "; B5[19]=" "; S1[19]="      The Federal Government is about to kill off the fledging ethanol industry as it embarks on a review of nuclear energy, according "; S2[19]=" to industry and interest groups.
      However, Prime Minister John Howard strongly rejected suggestions yesterday that he was focusing too much on "; S3[19]=" nuclear options and ignoring renewable energy.
      He has commissioned former nuclear physicist and Telstra boss Ziggy Switkowski to lead a review "; S4[19]=" of the nuclear industry, including whether Australia should export more yellowcake, enrich uranium and build nuclear power stations.
      Mr Howard denies his "; S5[19]=" hand-picked taskforce is biased towards nuclear energy and says it will not be looking at specific sites for reactors.
      Dr Switkowski "; S6[19]=" said yesterday that his training did not mean he was biased in favour of nuclear energy.
      'I approach this with an open "; S7[19]=" mind,' he said.
      The Labor Party and environment groups have attacked the taskforce's narrow terms of reference, calling for it to "; S8[19]=" look into other forms of electricity generation.
      Mr Howard said his Government had already provided incentives that had generated $3.5billion of "; S9[19]=" investment in renewable energy.
      'We ought to be looking at all of these things and we are, and we have done "; S10[19]=" a lot of work in relation to renewables,' he said.
      He denied the inquiry was a smokescreen for increasing uranium exports "; S11[19]=" and establishing enrichment plants.
      Treasurer Peter Costello ruled out a carbon tax to make nuclear energy more competitive.
      "; S12[19]=" Next week the Senate is due to debate a Bill that will destroy the biofuels industry, according to submissions to a parliamentary inquiry.
    "; S13[19]="   Interest groups fear that, if passed, the Fuel Tax Bill 2006 will flood Australia with cheap Brazilian ethanol.
      The National "; S14[19]=" Farmers Federation says the Bill will have a substantial impact on the cash flow of Australian farmers by delaying payments of fuel tax credits.
  "; S15[19]="     The Bill would abolish the e-Grant electronic system, forcing farmers to claim their fuel tax rebate through the business activity statement system, "; S16[19]=" the federation says in a submission to the parliamentary inquiry.
      Queensland National Barnaby Joyce, a proponent of the ethanol industry, has "; S17[19]=" voiced concerns about the Bill.
      Democrat leader Lyn Allison said yesterday the complex legislation was a sop to oil companies.
    "; S18[19]="   'The Bill removes any sort of subsidy effectively from the biofuels industry,' she said.
      'At our [parliamentary] inquiry hearing [on "; S19[19]=" Monday] the biofuels people said it's the end of our industry.' Senator Allison said the Bill would undo many of the environmental benefits negotiated "; S20[19]=" by the Democrats.
      'The Treasurer has resurrected his 'level playing field' for fuel excise for the third time, just three years "; S21[19]=" after he was forced to back down under pressure from the Democrats and the biofuels industry,' she said.
      'Mr Costello has "; S22[19]=" joined the petro-fuel dinosaurs in pretending that oil is an infinite resource with no greenhouse or regional consequences.
      'The Tax Fuel "; S23[19]=" Bills are discriminatory against biofuels and unfair on small business and farmers, and should be substantially modified or dropped.' Mr Costello says the current "; S24[19]=" complex system of administering fuel tax concessions will be replaced with a single system of fuel tax credits claimable through the business activity statement.
  "; S25[19]="     The fuel tax credits system will be progressively introduced over six years beginning on July 1 this year.
      The "; S26[19]=" legislation will gradually lift the excise on Australian ethanol from 2.5c a litre to 12.5c, and will lower the excise on imported ethanol.
    "; S27[19]="   Construction giant Transfield says the impact from the Bill on the biodiesel industry has been 'very much underestimated'.
      'We "; S28[19]=" see this Bill as a terminal threat to an industry which we believe is in Australia's interests to develop.' Mr Howard has named three "; S29[19]=" more members of his inquiry panel - nuclear safety expert Sylvia Kidziak, Dulhunty Power Ltd chairman Martin Thomas, and former supervising scientist with Environment Australia "; S30[19]=" Dr Arthur Johnston.
      They will join professors George Dracoulis and Warwick McKibbin, of the ANU, on the taskforce... "; R[20]="845"; T[20]="Ethanol studied for fuel price relief"; A[20]="By ... Editor"; Dn[20]="20060607"; Dt[20]="Wednesday 7 June 2006"; Acats[20]="a20a36a94"; B1[20]="      Soaring petrol prices will be targeted under a separate energy review flagged yesterday by John Howard.... "; B2[20]=" "; B3[20]=" "; B4[20]=" "; B5[20]=" "; S1[20]="      Soaring petrol prices will be targeted under a separate energy review flagged yesterday by John Howard.
      Industry Minister Ian "; S2[20]=" Macfarlane said last night his department would consider a range of energy options, including biofuels such as ethanol, to provide relief to motorists and business.
"; S3[20]="       While the Prime Minster said consideration of energy alternatives would be conducted under a separate process to the nuclear inquiry's terms of "; S4[20]=" reference, he said there was 'merit' in considering other options.
      Mr Macfarlane said he was particularly concerned that the savings generated by "; S5[20]=" ethanol were not being passed on to motorists.
      'We want to look at options to lessen the impact of high oil prices,' "; S6[20]=" Mr Macfarlane said.
      'The price savings with ethanol in the main are not being passed on to motorists and that is something "; S7[20]=" we will look at.
      'There are alternatives, including biofuels, ethanol, LPG, LNG, CNG and hydrogen.' Liquefied natural gas and compressed natural gas "; S8[20]=" offer an alternative to petrol and produce less pollution but have high production costs.
      Mr Howard is believed to favour a future "; S9[20]=" review into alternative transport fuels - such as ethanol and bio-diesel - in response to soaring world oil prices.
      'There is merit, "; S10[20]=" in light of what is happening concerning energy, in looking at other aspects of the whole energy scene, but I think nuclear warrants a separate "; S11[20]=" examination for a number of reasons,' Mr Howard said yesterday.
      'It does have characteristics that other sectors of the energy sector don't "; S12[20]=" have.
      We have recently had an energy white paper, although some of the basis on which that paper was drawn up, namely "; S13[20]=" the price of crude oil, has shifted and I don't shut out the possibility of other examinations in relation to energy because energy is plainly "; S14[20]=" one of the big challenges this country has.' One cabinet minister said the threat of high oil prices had driven the need to have a "; S15[20]=" further look at alternative fuels.
      This is likely to please the Nationals, who are pushing for a greater take-up of ethanol as "; S16[20]=" an alternative to standard petroleum.
      During last month's visit to Washington, Mr Howard discussed the development of energy alternatives during talks with "; S17[20]=" US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman.
      Nationals leader Mark Vaile said last month that consumers were paying the price for the lethargic promotion "; S18[20]=" by oil companies of biofuels.
      He suggested the Government bring forward the target of using 350million litres of biofuels by 2010... "; R[21]="705"; T[21]="Sugar's FEAT a hit with growers"; A[21]="By ... Editor"; Dn[21]="20060511"; Dt[21]="Thursday 11 May 2006"; Acats[21]="a20"; B1[21]="      An e-based solution to an age-old problem may be the answer for sugar cane growers looking for ways to save costs and "; B2[21]="improve profitability in subsequent seasons... "; B3[21]=" "; B4[21]=" "; B5[21]=" "; S1[21]="      An e-based solution to an age-old problem may be the answer for sugar cane growers looking for ways to save costs and "; S2[21]=" improve profitability in subsequent seasons.
      The design of a Farm Economic Analysis Tool, or FEAT, by officers from the joint Department of "; S3[21]=" Primary Industries and Fisheries and BSES Ltd FutureCane program allows cane growers to easily compare different farming systems in economic terms.
      FutureCane "; S4[21]=" business development officer, Paul Stewart, said FEAT was designed specifically for the cane industry using grower experiences and feedback.
      Mr Stewart was "; S5[21]=" speaking at this week's annual conference of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists in Mackay, part sponsored by the department, on the role of "; S6[21]=" a decision-making tool like FEAT to facilitate on-farm change within the industry.
      'We found there wasn't really a simple way to compare "; S7[21]=" different farming systems, so we designed our own spreadsheet which has been really well received by local growers,' Mr Stewart said.
      'While "; S8[21]=" the main purpose of FEAT is to compare the profitability of different farming systems, the tool is capable of calculating the gross margins for each "; S9[21]=" cane ratoon and complementary crops.
      'Some popular features include the program's ability to identify the optimum number of ratoons to maximise profitability "; S10[21]=" and to accurately calculate machinery operation costs,' he said.
      'While FEAT is an electronically-based tool, the printed sheets can be used to "; S11[21]=" discuss management practices and farming systems changes.' Mr Stewart added that FEAT has proved to be a hit amongst cane growers, harvesters and millers right "; S12[21]=" across Queensland.
      'The uptake of FEAT has demonstrated positive results for growers, harvesters, millers and advisory staff from government and industry,' he "; S13[21]=" said.
      'We have also found that FEAT provided some unexpected social benefits to the industry.
      'It really has helped "; S14[21]=" increase communication within farming businesses, as well as improving the sharing of skills and knowledge between partners within the business and has increased confidence in "; S15[21]=" the future of the cane industry,' he said.
      The FutureCane partnership between DPI&F and BSES offers cane farmers an opportunity to explore "; S16[21]=" sustainable cane farming systems.
      The program can also improve business operations and provide tools to assess options for the future.
    "; S17[21]="   More information about FEAT is available from FutureCane officers across the state, or from DPI&F on 13 25 23... "; R[22]="695"; T[22]="Cane farmers share innovative farming techniques"; A[22]="By ... Editor"; Dn[22]="20060511"; Dt[22]="Thursday 11 May 2006"; Acats[22]="a20a55"; B1[22]="      A BUS tour of far north Queensland cane farms will be an opportunity for growers to see new farming systems being implemented "; B2[22]="by other farmers within the region... "; B3[22]=" "; B4[22]=" "; B5[22]=" "; S1[22]="      A BUS tour of far north Queensland cane farms will be an opportunity for growers to see new farming systems being implemented "; S2[22]=" by other farmers within the region.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries FutureCane senior agronomist Derek Sparkes said the bus trip to "; S3[22]=" cane farms in the Tully district would be conducted Monday, May 8.
      'This tour will be an excellent opportunity for growers to "; S4[22]=" look at other farming techniques adopted on other farms in the Tully area,' Mr Sparkes said.
      'For example, there has been "; S5[22]=" more than 1500ha of cane planted under controlled traffic and this area in increasing.
      'Controlled traffic means matching the cane row widths "; S6[22]=" to the machinery wheel widths, particularly harvesting machinery, which is normally 1.8m or 1.9m wide.
      'Some growers have GPS systems with self-steer "; S7[22]=" tractors as well as zonal tillage and legume fallows.' The GPS system uses satellites to identify the tractor's location within 2cm.
      This "; S8[22]=" is connected to the hydraulic steering on the tractor and steers it automatically in a dead straight line.
      'The main strength of "; S9[22]=" GPS in the future is its use in yield monitoring as it can identify the more productive areas of the paddock so the farmer can "; S10[22]=" apply inputs accordingly,' Mr Sparkes.
      Things they will see include: ' 1.8m super singles and dual-row controlled traffic cane.
      "; S11[22]=" ' Legume fallows (zero till legumes and planter, wick wiper weed control).
      ' Whole-of-farm GPS project at Dore Farming, Tully.
    "; S12[22]="   ' Tractor with GPS and self-steer equipment and other associated equipment.
      ' Elevator extension demonstration.
      ' Soil pits "; S13[22]=" on 1.5m and 1.8m systems and water infiltration demonstration.
      ' Tree planting and lagoons.
      'We will have some discussion "; S14[22]=" on the economic benefits of 1.5m and 1.8m cane rows,' Mr Sparkes said.
      The bus tour, including lunch, will be free of "; S15[22]=" charge.
      As space on the bus is limited, it will be first in, first served.
      Farmers wishing to attend "; S16[22]=" to book a place on the bus are invited to contact Derek Sparkes at Cairns DPI&F on 4044 1609.
      Pick-up times as "; S17[22]=" follows: ' 7am: Leave Gordonvale at Mulgrave Rambler.
      ' 7.30am: Arrive Babinda (pick-up at TGT) ' 8am: Pick-up North Innisfail (Palmerston Highway "; S18[22]=" Driver Reviver) ' 8.15am: Pick-up South Innisfail (Locos) ' 9.30am: Arrive Euramo (Dore Farming Company).
      ' 5pm: Return time at Gordonvale.
  "; S19[22]="     The trip is being sponsored by FNQ NRM and organised by DPI&F FutureCane... "; R[23]="581"; T[23]="Isis Central Sugar Mill & DPI&F seek new products and markets for mill members"; A[23]="By ... Editor"; Dn[23]="20060303"; Dt[23]="Friday 3 March 2006"; Acats[23]="a20a93"; B1[23]="      DPI&F agricultural economist Bill Johnston (2nd left) with Isis Central mill staff during talks on the soybean project.... "; B2[23]=" "; B3[23]=" "; B4[23]=" "; B5[23]=" "; S1[23]="      DPI&F agricultural economist Bill Johnston (2nd left) with Isis Central mill staff during talks on the soybean project.
      "; S2[23]=" A collaborative project between the Isis Central Sugar Mill Cooperative and the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has taken a step forward with the "; S3[23]=" awarding of a Sugar Industry Innovation Fund (SIIF) grant.
      DPI&F agricultural economist Bill Johnston said the $224,000 State Government grant announced this "; S4[23]=" week would fund the program to diversify the mills portfolio of agricultural interests and secure improved profits, develop new markets and strengthen business adaptability.
  "; S5[23]="     He said DPI&F and the Isis mill are involved in the industry backed 'Target 100' initiative that encourages cane farmers to reach the "; S6[23]=" goal of producing a district average of 100 tonnes of cane per hectare.
      Mr Johnston said the department is working with "; S7[23]=" mill management to find ways to boost cane yields, with a major focus through the introduction of soybeans as a rotation crop.
      "; S8[23]=" Isis Central Sugar Mill company productivity officer Paul Nicol said their management team is promoting the introduction of soybeans to cooperative members because the "; S9[23]=" crop demonstrates a number of key benefits.
      'Soybeans provide a major benefit of being a useful pest break-crop during the cane "; S10[23]=" rotation that helps to halt cycles of insect infestation, which under continuous monoculture cropping can reduce yields.
      'Apart from the potentially "; S11[23]=" valuable cash crop, the greatest benefit from using soybeans is because they fix nitrogen and improve soil health and structure, which continues to assist cane "; S12[23]=" growers by substantially increasing yields for up to the next four cane crops,' Mr Nicol said.
      He said Isis mill has "; S13[23]=" had some remarkable success with soybean crop quality and are now looking to value-add by storing and drying the beans at the refinery.
    "; S14[23]="   The beans can then be processed into high grade soy flour or utilised for oil and stockfeed.
      Isis mill in particular "; S15[23]=" would like to acknowledge the work of Brett Tucker who planned and organised group visits to enable the project to be put up.
    "; S16[23]="   DPI&F Bundaberg senior Trade and Business officer Brett Tucker has been assisting the Isis mill through a detailed marketing study into both domestic "; S17[23]=" and international soybean markets.
      The DPI&F team is investigating the type of soybean quality and specifications required to enter those markets.
  "; S18[23]="     To promote the successful adoption of soybeans by Isis growers, Mr Johnston has developed an on-farm economic decision tool that allows a "; S19[23]=" closer inspection of the production economics of introducing soybeans into the cane rotation.
      'One aim has been to conduct grower training "; S20[23]=" programs so that they can assess all the options to diversify into this new and exciting era in Queensland agriculture.
      The "; S21[23]=" training program is run in conjunction with Canegrowers, Isis Target 100 and FarmBis to ensure producers maximise their management decisions and forward-planning strategies.' Mr Johnston "; S22[23]=" said.
      The economic decision tool software is available on CD Rom as part of the training package.
      All cane "; S23[23]=" farmers are being afforded the opportunity to participate.
      Mr Johnston said that the success of the soybean project would be measured "; S24[23]=" by its adoption, through improved cane yields, maximised profits and a sustainable sugar industry... "; R[24]="567"; T[24]="May field day to uncover more magic in the molasses"; A[24]="By ... Editor"; Dn[24]="20060302"; Dt[24]="Thursday 2 March 2006"; Acats[24]="a20a54"; B1[24]="      North Queensland graziers wanting a first-hand look at an alternate way to manage their herd that may reap greater financial benefits should "; B2[24]="mark May 25 in their diaries... "; B3[24]=" "; B4[24]=" "; B5[24]=" "; S1[24]="      North Queensland graziers wanting a first-hand look at an alternate way to manage their herd that may reap greater financial benefits should "; S2[24]=" mark May 25 in their diaries.
      The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries research team will be delivering the results of their "; S3[24]=" high-input system evaluation at a field day at the Rebgetz's Thalanga property, west of Charters Towers.
      The field day will begin at "; S4[24]=" 8.30am and is scheduled to finish at 1pm and be followed by lunch.
      Newly-appointed MLA board member, Jay Simms of Hughenden, will "; S5[24]=" chair the day.
      DPI&F scientist Geoffry Fordyce will explain why beef businesses in the region should consider high-input management systems (HIM) to "; S6[24]=" either complement or replace strategic low-input management (SLIM).
      'High-input management uses high-level fortified molasses feeding, as opposed to low-input, which uses mainly "; S7[24]=" dry licks with fortified molasses for some weaners,' Dr Fordyce explained.
      On show at Thalanga will be cows, calves and steers that "; S8[24]=" have been managed using either HIM or SLIM systems.
      'We will also be providing performance data for breeding female cattle and growing "; S9[24]=" steers using the SLIM and HIM systems, as well as a cost-benefit analysis of the two systems.' Dr Fordyce said the HIM system enabled early "; S10[24]=" tight calving to achieve big weaners which is a vital part of the system that gets steers to 500+ kg at 2.5 years of age.
"; S11[24]="       A key point is that HIM systems are not expected to be cost-effective where pasture utilisation is excessive.
      'On "; S12[24]=" the day, cattle producers will be able to ask questions of many stakeholders about the system,' Dr Fordyce said.
      The high-input systems "; S13[24]=" project is supported by Meat and Livestock Australia, beef producer collaborators, and several commercial sponsors... "; R[25]="485"; T[25]="Export trial signals potential profits for cane growers"; A[25]="By ... Editor"; Dn[25]="20060222"; Dt[25]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[25]="a08a19a20"; B1[25]="      A trial shipment of Burdekin-grown soybeans to Indonesia could signal a lucrative complementary crop for Queensland cane growers..... "; B2[25]=" "; B3[25]=" "; B4[25]=" "; B5[25]=" "; S1[25]="      A trial shipment of Burdekin-grown soybeans to Indonesia could signal a lucrative complementary crop for Queensland cane growers.
      The "; S2[25]=" 22-tonne trial soybean shipment left from the Port of Townsville on 14 October 2005 bound for the Indonesian food market.
      The Department "; S3[25]=" of Primary Industries and Fisheries' (DPI&F) FutureCane project encourages cane growers to use a fallow legume crop, such as soybeans, as part of an integrated "; S4[25]=" farming system.
      Up until now, the benefits of growing soybeans have been realised through supply of organic matter and nitrogen following cane "; S5[25]=" crops, enhanced soil health and the breaking of monoculture disease cycles.
      Grain crops have also in the past been marketed to the "; S6[25]=" domestic market.
      With domestic transport costs rising, securing an export market for the soybean crop could mean a diversified income stream for "; S7[25]=" growers.
      Having an export option for a fallow crop illustrates an ability to value-add to implementation of a complementary farm enterprise with "; S8[25]=" cane that diversifies income streams and manages business risks for growers.
      The trial shipment of a container of the soybeans, all loaded "; S9[25]=" into separate one tonne bags, marked the end of five months of negotiations with an export agent that included input from shipping agents John Swire "; S10[25]=" and Sons, the Townsville Port Authority, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and the regional DPI&F FutureCane team.
      Cane growers in Burdekin "; S11[25]=" are capable of growing commercial soybean grain crops, and the FutureCane team are keen to build on the trial shipment.
      This trial "; S12[25]=" export shipment has created much interest that can only be seen as positive for cane growers looking at income diversification.
      Ultimately an "; S13[25]=" ideal mix of domestic and export market options for soybean grain from the Burdekin is the aim, so as to ensure that cane growers are "; S14[25]=" making use of their fallow legume cropping systems to optimise financial returns.
      Growers interested in finding out more about the export chain "; S15[25]=" initiative for soybeans from the Burdekin can contact Stephen Sinclair or Dave Brown via the DPI&F Call Centre ph: 13 25 23... "; R[26]="454"; T[26]="Healthy Sugar Project wins Innovation Grant"; A[26]="By ... Editor"; Dn[26]="20060222"; Dt[26]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[26]="a02a05a20a55"; B1[26]="      A century-old Queensland sugar mill has been awarded a $913,074 Australian Government innovation grant to develop a low-glycemic raw sugar alternative that "; B2[26]="promises to reduce blood glucose absorption while increase muscle mass... "; B3[26]=" "; B4[26]=" "; B5[26]=" "; S1[26]="      A century-old Queensland sugar mill has been awarded a $913,074 Australian Government innovation grant to develop a low-glycemic raw sugar alternative that "; S2[26]=" promises to reduce blood glucose absorption while increase muscle mass.
      Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane today announced Mossman Central Sugar Mill Company "; S3[26]=" as one of 13 Queensland companies to be awarded funding worth more than $8.1 million in the latest round of Commonwealth innovation funding.
    "; S4[26]="   Nationally, more than $39 million was awarded for 63 projects under the Commercial Ready and Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET) programs.
      'Mossman "; S5[26]=" mill's low-glycemic sugar project is a great example of an established Queensland company using innovation and invention to get an edge in the marketplace,' Mr "; S6[26]=" Macfarlane said.
      'It's an exciting project for an industry that has faced some tough times in recent years - and through the "; S7[26]=" Commercial Ready program, the Australian Government is pleased to provide some extra support in bringing this unique sugar product to market.' Other Queensland companies awarded "; S8[26]=" innovation funding this round include: o Loklite Pty Ltd, of Brisbane, awarded a $957,079 Commercial Ready grant to develop a resin-based panel technology that is "; S9[26]=" waterproof, termite proof and fire resistant for use in the building and construction industry.
      [Contact: Mr Allan Branagan 07 3849 7955] o "; S10[26]=" Replikun Biotech Pty Ltd, of Toowong, awarded a $1,035,109 Commercial Ready grant to help commercialise a new cancer drug designed to stimulate a patient's own "; S11[26]=" immune system to specifically detect and destroy cancer cells.
      [Contact: Dr Shane Storey 07 3327 9829] o Renewed Resources Pty Ltd, of "; S12[26]=" Parkwood, awarded a $47,360 COMET grant to commercialise a process to convert waste products from power generation (bottom ash) and organic biomass into high performance "; S13[26]=" horticulture and landscaping products.
      [Contact: Mr Humberto Rico 07 5574 5662 or 0416 032 089].
      A list of the "; S14[26]=" latest innovation grants and information on the Commercial Ready and COMET programs can be found at www.ausindustry.gov.au, or phone the AusIndustry hotline 13 28 46, "; S15[26]=" or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au... "; R[27]="447"; T[27]="DPI&F FutureCane conducts legume planting demonstrations in FNQ"; A[27]="By ... Editor"; Dn[27]="20060222"; Dt[27]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[27]="a01a02a19a20"; B1[27]="      Trial plantings in far north Queensland cane-growing districts aim to demonstrate the financial and environmental benefits of fallow legume crops on farm "; B2[27]="systems... "; B3[27]=" "; B4[27]=" "; B5[27]=" "; S1[27]="      Trial plantings in far north Queensland cane-growing districts aim to demonstrate the financial and environmental benefits of fallow legume crops on farm "; S2[27]=" systems.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries FutureCane senior agronomist Derek Sparkes said legume fallow or 'break' crops have proven to: "; S3[27]="
      * break the pest and disease cycle
      * fix nitrogen for the following cane crop
    "; S4[27]="   * increase the organic matter in the soil stimulating microbial activity
      * Increase profitability 'Growing legume fallow crops improves soil quality "; S5[27]=" and provides a healthier environment for the next crop of cane,' Mr Sparkes said.
      'At the same time, the ability to reduce "; S6[27]=" tillage and fertiliser costs and minimise legume-growing costs helps to maximise the profitability of cane farms.' Commonly used legume crops are soybeans, Dolichos lablab, and "; S7[27]=" cowpeas.
      'Different planting methods are available and these can incur different costs and produce different results with the various legumes,' Mr Sparkes "; S8[27]=" said.
      'The information we gather from these demonstration plantings will be passed on to cane farmers.' 'The plantings are being carried out "; S9[27]=" on six sites - four in Tully and one each in Innisfail and Gordonvale.
      'They will demonstrate four planting techniques - zero-tillage, "; S10[27]=" zonal-tillage, planting on hills and broadcasting - with two legume species, namely Dolichos lablab and soybeans.' Mr Sparkes said each method would be assessed for "; S11[27]=" cost of establishment and its impact on soil erosion which could lead to significant environmental damage.
      The nitrogen fixed by the legumes "; S12[27]=" would be measured as well.
      'As the trials progress this year, DPI&F FutureCane and participating cane farmers will conduct field walks to "; S13[27]=" give farmers the opportunity to see the results of the different techniques,' Mr Sparkes said.
      'They will be able to discuss nitrogen, "; S14[27]=" soil compaction and the economics of fallow legumes.'.. "; R[28]="379"; T[28]="Vaile to fight US on sugar"; A[28]="By ... Editor"; Dn[28]="20060222"; Dt[28]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[28]="a20"; B1[28]="      Australia will urge the US to prise open its lucrative sugar markets as part of a fresh push to improve access for "; B2[28]="farmers under the free trade deal... "; B3[28]=" "; B4[28]=" "; B5[28]=" "; S1[28]="      Australia will urge the US to prise open its lucrative sugar markets as part of a fresh push to improve access for "; S2[28]=" farmers under the free trade deal.
      Investors may also be able to buy shares listed on US bourses through Sydney and Melbourne "; S3[28]=" stockbrokers under efforts to broaden the access of financial services to the huge American market.
      The Howard Government's renewed attempt to secure "; S4[28]=" a better deal from the free trade agreement came as Acting Prime Minister Mark Vaile defended lopsided results from the first year of the pact.
"; S5[28]="       Imports from the US rose 5.7 per cent while merchandise exports fell 4.7 per cent, leading to fears Australia is getting the "; S6[28]=" raw end of the deal.
      Mr Vaile, Australia's chief negotiator on the trade deal, called for patience and blamed the stronger dollar "; S7[28]=" and increased competition from Asia for the disappointing results.
      Under pressure from the farm sector, Mr Vaile said yesterday he would ask "; S8[28]=" Washington to consider opening its sugar markets when he met US Trade Representative Rob Portman in March.
      'There may be an opportunity "; S9[28]=" in the future to include it and so we'll continue to put that forward as an ambition of ours, to get sugar included in the "; S10[28]=" bilateral agreement,' he said.
      Sugar was controversially excluded from the trade deal after Washington was heavily lobbied by US farm interests.
  "; S11[28]="     But Australia will argue that the trade pact is a flexible framework and the US should agree to changes.
      'These "; S12[28]=" bilateral agreements like this have got to provide win-win opportunities - there's got to be opportunities for both sides,' Mr Vaile said.
      "; S13[28]=" 'Sugar will be something that I'll raise during those discussions.' National Farmers Federation president Peter Corish welcomed Mr Vaile's decision to raise the matter.
  "; S14[28]="     'These agreements are designed to be dynamic and if there are changes that provide benefits, they should be explored,' Mr Corish said.
  "; S15[28]="     '(But) I think it would be very difficult to get movement on sugar.' In another twist to the trade debate, rebel Queensland "; S16[28]=" Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce signalled he may block a move to scrap a drug-price safeguard in the FTA unless sugar farmers are given greater access "; S17[28]=" to US markets.
      Senator Joyce said he had seen no evidence supporting complaints by the Americans that an 'evergreening' amendment, put forward "; S18[28]=" by former Labor leader Mark Latham, was deterring investment in the pharmaceutical industry.
      The clause was designed to stop drug companies extending "; S19[28]=" patents to fend off cheaper generic brands.
      'If the Americans are saying they need to have their case heard about pharmaceuticals, then "; S20[28]=" they would have to have our case about sugar heard,' Senator Joyce said... "; R[29]="299"; T[29]="Better communication improves profitability for farmers"; A[29]="By ... Editor"; Dn[29]="20060222"; Dt[29]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[29]="a02a20a46a47a72"; B1[29]="      Tully cane farming families and partnerships will have the opportunity to learn how to maximise the benefits of planning and decision-making through "; B2[29]="better communication... "; B3[29]=" "; B4[29]=" "; B5[29]=" "; S1[29]="      Tully cane farming families and partnerships will have the opportunity to learn how to maximise the benefits of planning and decision-making through "; S2[29]=" better communication.
      Too often members of a family business assume that all is well when in reality there is some underlying dissatisfaction.
"; S3[29]="       Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries FutureCane project is hosting a workshop in Tully this month to help farmers use communication to "; S4[29]=" make the most of their business prospects.
      FutureCane business development officer Terry Reid said the workshop, entitled Improving profitability through communication, aimed "; S5[29]=" to help farmers tackle such difficult issues as talking with wives, brothers, sons, daughters and husbands about planning for the future and making significant changes "; S6[29]=" in their business.
      The workshop presenter, Lyn Sykes, a rural family communication specialist, will conduct the workshop in the Tully Mill Hall "; S7[29]=" on Thursday, November 24, 9am to 3:30pm.
      Issues she will cover include: ' Decision making -where it can go wrong, how to "; S8[29]=" make it better.
      ' Principles of good communication like listening.
      ' Separating family and business issues ' How to "; S9[29]=" maximise family members contributions to the business ' Appreciating different roles within the family ' Increasing income through enhanced communication skills Ms Sykes, who is "; S10[29]=" based in Dubbo, New South Wales, works with producers throughout rural and regional Australia in developing effective communication, especially in relation to the family business.
"; S11[29]="       She is often in demand for her practical, educational and humorous speeches among private and government organisations.
      'Ms Sykes "; S12[29]=" will give you insight and ideas on how to make your family life and business life move together in a positive direction,' Mr Reid said.
"; S13[29]="       'If you are interested in improving the profitability of your farm business or planning the intergenerational transfer of your farm assets and "; S14[29]=" business, then this workshop will be important to you.' Numbers are limited and registration is required to ensure sponsorship through the FarmBis program.
    "; S15[29]="   To secure your place please RSVP by November 21 to Gwen Arcidiacono on 4068 2214 or Tully Canegrowers on 4068 1077.
      "; S16[29]=" Cost of the workshop is $35 per business, conditional on FarmBis Group Training Grant eligibility.
      FutureCane is hosting the workshop in partnership "; S17[29]=" with FarmBis, Tully Canegrowers, FNQ ACC Small Business Answers, Centacare, Relationship Australia and local businesses... "; R[30]="120"; T[30]="Export trial signals potential profits for cane growers"; A[30]="By ... Editor"; Dn[30]="20060222"; Dt[30]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[30]="a02a19a20a72a81"; B1[30]="      A trial shipment of Burdekin-grown soybeans to Indonesia could signal a lucrative complementary crop for Queensland cane growers..... "; B2[30]=" "; B3[30]=" "; B4[30]=" "; B5[30]=" "; S1[30]="      A trial shipment of Burdekin-grown soybeans to Indonesia could signal a lucrative complementary crop for Queensland cane growers.
      The "; S2[30]=" 22-tonne trial soybean shipment leaves from the Port of Townsville this Friday (October 14) bound for the Indonesian food market.
      The Department "; S3[30]=" of Primary Industries and Fisheries' FutureCane project encourages cane growers to use a fallow legume crop, such as soybeans, as part of an integrated farming "; S4[30]=" system.
      Up until now, the benefits of growing soybeans have been realised through supply of organic matter and nitrogen following cane crops, "; S5[30]=" enhanced soil health and the breaking of monoculture disease cycles.
      In addition, grain crops have been, up until now, marketed to the "; S6[30]=" domestic market.
      With domestic transport costs rising, securing an export market for the soybean crop could mean a diversified income stream for "; S7[30]=" growers.
      'Having an export option for a fallow crop illustrates an ability to value add to implementation of a complementary farm enterprise "; S8[30]=" with cane that diversifies income streams and manages business risks for growers,' Burdekin cane grower Tom Lashmar, who has grown the trial shipment, said.
  "; S9[30]="     Mr Lashmar said the export of the trial shipment of a container of the soybeans, all loaded into separate one tonne bags, marked "; S10[30]=" the end of five months of negotiations with an export agent that included input from shipping agents John Swire and Sons, the Townsville Port Authority, "; S11[30]=" the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and the regional DPI&F FutureCane team.
      'The process from initial contact with an export agent to "; S12[30]=" where we are today, has been a process of give and take on both sides, but the end result has been rewarding.
      "; S13[30]=" I have realised the importance of negotiation and supply chain relationships, but also the reward in achieving another soybean trading option to manage my business "; S14[30]=" risk.' DPI&F FutureCane trade and business officer Stephen Sinclair said cane growers in the Burdekin are capable of growing commercial soybean grain crops, and the "; S15[30]=" FutureCane team were keen to build on the trial shipment.
      'This trial export shipment has created much interest that can only be "; S16[30]=" seen as positive for cane growers looking at income diversification,' Mr Sinclair said.
      'Ultimately an ideal mix of domestic and export market "; S17[30]=" options for soybean grain from the Burdekin is our aim, so as to ensure that cane growers are making use of their fallow legume cropping "; S18[30]=" systems to optimise financial returns.' Ron McLean, chairman of the Townsville Port Authority, said: 'The Townsville Port Authority is committed to ensuring our port continues "; S19[30]=" to nurture and expand the local exporting community by providing an efficient and effective avenue for exports.
      I believe the region has "; S20[30]=" immense economic potential, and support all initiatives that foster this potential.' Growers interested in finding out more about the export chain initiative for soybeans.. "; R[31]="35"; T[31]="NQ cane growers learn how grower-driven groups can sustain communities"; A[31]="By ... Editor"; Dn[31]="20060222"; Dt[31]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[31]="a20"; B1[31]="      Building profitability on the farm and the flow-on benefits this has on the industry and communities are a critical part of the "; B2[31]="mission of grassroot grower-driven groups... "; B3[31]=" "; B4[31]=" "; B5[31]=" "; S1[31]="      Building profitability on the farm and the flow-on benefits this has on the industry and communities are a critical part of the "; S2[31]=" mission of grassroot grower-driven groups.
      Cane farmers and researchers from Burdekin, Herbert and Mackay and Tully districts recently took the opportunity to "; S3[31]=" learn from the experiences of a successful grower-driven group fromVictoria at a workshop facilitated by Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries FutureCane.
      "; S4[31]=" Chief executive officer of the Birchip Cropping Group and Wimmera Farming Systems (BCG), Alexandra Gartmann, highlighted the importance of farmers' prosperity to their communities.
  "; S5[31]="     'We have an interest in maintaining population and facilities because we want to create an environment where we want to live,' she said.
"; S6[31]="       BCG's mission is to improve profitability and long-term viability of communities through research, demonstrations and exchange of ideas among farmers and industry "; S7[31]=" groups.
      DPI&F FutureCane business development officer David Brown said the workshop was the initiative of a north Queensland grower-driven group, Advance Burdekin "; S8[31]=" Collective Research Inc.
      (ABC Research Group).
      'The group was formed last year to bring together like-minded cane farmers to "; S9[31]=" increase their input into research and development to ensure their needs would be met,' said Mr Brown.
      'We are interested in the "; S10[31]=" long-term profitability of cane-farming systems.
      ABC Research Group member Andrew Saunders said the group of like-minded Burdekin farmers wanted to work together "; S11[31]=" to look at how they could do things differently to make gains.
      'This group feels that farmers themselves are in the best "; S12[31]=" position to know how to improve their farm systems to increase profitability and sustainability,' Mr Saunders said.
      The group is looking at "; S13[31]=" row width spacing for controlled traffic, use of GPS guidance systems, companion planting, such as soybeans, to put nitrogen into the soil and alternate income "; S14[31]=" streams, including soybeans, navy beans, silaged cane tops, kenaf, maize and sunflowers.
      'The ABC Research Group wants to learn more from a "; S15[31]=" successful grower-driven group that already had runs on the board,' Mr Saunders said.
      Ms Gartmann told they group they must learn to "; S16[31]=" challenge themselves and empower themselves to ask questions.
      'BCG seeks to lift the knowledge levels of its members as well as that "; S17[31]=" of the local communities,' she said.
      'Agronomic farming system information is our core business, but viability relies as well on a sustainable "; S18[31]=" natural resource base and social community.
      Environmental stewardship is very much in our interest.' Brian Tabone of the Herbert River Young Farmers "; S19[31]=" Group Inc.
      said his group encouraged the promotion of ideas and farming systems to provide viability and sustainability.
      'We "; S20[31]=" hold workshops and meetings and organise bus trips to other growing areas to see how they do things and how we can learn from them,'.. "; R[32]="34"; T[32]="There s magic in the molasses"; A[32]="By ... Editor"; Dn[32]="20060222"; Dt[32]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[32]="a20a26a27"; B1[32]="      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries researchers see potential magic in molasses in their efforts to achieve higher pregnancy rates and heavier "; B2[32]="weaners... "; B3[32]=" "; B4[32]=" "; B5[32]=" "; S1[32]="      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries researchers see potential 'magic' in molasses in their efforts to achieve higher pregnancy rates and heavier "; S2[32]=" weaners.
      Margaret Creek, the property of Stan and Delma Haselton near Giru, will be the site of an informative beef cattle field "; S3[32]=" day on the DPI&F's evaluation of high-input management systems on Thursday, September 8.
      More than 150 beef producers from as far as "; S4[32]=" Mackay and Mareeba are expected to travel to Margaret Creek to see the 'magic' for themselves.
      Principal scientist Geoffry Fordyce said high-input "; S5[32]=" systems use a high level of energy-dense feed supplements for extended periods, complemented with strategies such as hormonal growth promotants.
      'In the "; S6[32]=" project, we use molasses fortified with urea, protein meal, phosphorus and Rumensin,' Dr Fordyce said.
      DPI&F extension officer Alan Laing warns that "; S7[32]=" the 'magic' would not work if the systems were used to increase stock numbers or used in an over-grazed situation.
      'To gain "; S8[32]=" maximum benefit, stock numbers must still be adjusted to match available pasture,' he said.
      He said the steers at Margaret Creek had "; S9[32]=" achieved a spectacular gain of 265kg in 12 months after weaning.
      'This is an excellent result and we are in a position "; S10[32]=" to meet our ultimate goal of developing a system that can produce consistently higher profits from north Australian breeding herds,' Mr Laing said.
    "; S11[32]="   'At the project's three sites - Margaret Creek, Thalanga west of Charters Towers and DPI&F's Swan's Lagoon Research Station inland from Ayr - we "; S12[32]=" expect to turn off finished steers ranging from 500kg to more than 600kg liveweight at two to three years of age,' Mr Laing said.
  "; S13[32]="     'The high growth achieved is not just due to supplements,' Mr Laing said.
      'Earlier concentrated calving made possible by the "; S14[32]=" system, puts weaners well ahead.' He said practical molasses-based supplements were fed to young cattle throughout the dry season on the three project sites and "; S15[32]=" cows were fed from about August until the season break.
      Mr Laing said the long-term average weight gain per year for steers "; S16[32]=" without using high-input systems had been only 105kg on typical north Queensland spear grass country... ";