Mackay Whitsunday - News, updates and events.
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News, updates, and events from the CaneRise website
September 2023 | Newsletter No.1
Welcome to CaneRise
Thanks for signing up to the CaneRise Mackay Whitsunday newsletter. We’ll be delivering the latest news, updates, and events from the CaneRise website every couple of months.
CaneRise is a website designed for farmers to easily find local information, tools and resources to grow productivity and profits through sustainable practices.
Throughout the website you can
- find useful apps, downloadable spreadsheets, fact sheets and links on the Tools and Resources page
- check out what other cane farmers are doing in the region on the Grower Stories page
- learn about local Water Quality Projects
- find upcoming community and industry Events
- track down funding and grant opportunities on the Funding page
- and find fun resources and facts about cane farming for schools and the community on the Community Education page.
We’re always adding more features and information to CaneRise so keep reading this newsletter to find out what’s new and pass it on to anyone else you think might find it useful.
If you have a story, event or other information you think should be on CaneRise, we’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch using our contact page.
Water Quality Projects
Did you know there are heaps of projects featured on the CaneRise website that can help save money and time, all while improving the land and waterways?
The Latest Project Updates
- MAPS – feedback from growers on Agtrix GIS software
- SRA – Peer reviewed paper Effects of farming practices on end-of-paddock run-off water quality in the Central region and Cane to Creek trial results for 2022 and 2023
- Farmacist - infographic describing value to farmers from Precision Ag projects.
- CANEGROWERS Mackay - set of three factsheets as part of the Mackay Irrigation project, including How to Promote Deeper Rooting Activity and Increase Water Extraction Rates
- Project Catalyst - Practice Change factsheet and announcement of their 2024 forum Leading Revolutionary Change, Shaping the Future
Funding Available
From grants to rebates and credits, there is a wide range of funding available to farmers for a variety of sustainable practices and projects. Current funding opportunities are always available on our website.
Featured Funding Opportunity
For who? Farmer peer-to-peer groups
From who? The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF)
How much? Between $5,000 to $20,000
For what? Activities that showcase the work of groups and facilitate communication, capacity building and involvement with other farmers.
Events and Activities
Looking for something to do, or just wondering what’s on? You can stay connected with the Mackay Whitsunday cane growing community with the help of our regularly updated list of events.
Featured Event
CANEGROWERS Mackay Annual General Meeting.
Wednesday 29 2023
2:00 pm
Mackay Turf Club
Ron’s customised high-rise sprayer saves money and reduces runoff
Ron has customised a sprayer to his needs by obtaining an old cotton-picking machine and modifying it to create a high-rise sprayer with 1.8m clearance and 4 wheels for greater stability. It’s been a labour of love for Ron and his son, a boilermaker by trade. They have built the machine together using recycled metal from his farm and with custom parts designed and manufactured locally in the Mackay–Sarina area.
“As for all farmers, we’re always experimenting, modifying things and doing things differently. We want this country to be better than what we came into it.”
Sometimes it just takes the right tool for the job, so we’ve collected tools and resources in one convenient location to help you make sustainable practice changes. Best of all, they’re free!
Featured Tool
FEAT Online
FEAT is a free tool that evaluates the impact of farm management decisions. Users can assess questions about finances, fallow management, row spacing and tillage, machinery costs and much more.
Thanks for your interest in CaneRise and for contributing to the Mackay Whitsunday region through sustainable practices. If there is something you’d like to see or share in an upcoming newsletter, don’t forget to stay in touch!
CaneRise is supported by organisations in the Mackay Whitsunday region that are working in partnership to improve outcomes for cane farmers and the environment.
