Growers can now maximise profits and reduce inputs through improved nutrient management planning thanks to Mackay Area Productivity Services (MAPS), as part of the Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Program (MWWQP).
Nutrient management plans developed for specific farms allow growers to better understand their soils and growing conditions.
By having this detailed knowledge, growers in conjunction with agronomic assistance from MAPS, can more effectively plan what, when and how to apply nutrients to their blocks to maximise yields, and reduce inputs and runoff entering local waterways.
Nutrient management starts from the ground up with soil testing and interpretation of those
results by agronomists.
Growers can access this detailed soil analysis with MAPS via funding from the MWWQP.
One grower who has taken advantage of the funding available is Albert De Boni, a generational cane grower from Devereaux Creek.
“Our soil tests are what govern how much nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous and sulphur that we put on,” he explains.
“We could be up for within excess of $250,000 this year just for fertiliser alone.”
The soil analysis determined that the pH of Albert’s farm was lower than ideal to
maximise nutrient uptake from applied fertilisers.
As a result, with support and financial assistance from the MWWQP, Albert and MAPS worked together to design and construct a liquid lime spreader that could accurately apply lime to the rows.
This increased the pH, allowing less nitrogen fertiliser to be applied, and optimising the cane’s ability to use that nitrogen.
This project reduced the amount of overall nitrogen applied, thereby lowering costs, and moved away from blanket spreading of powdered lime, meaning smaller amounts of lime could be applied more accurately.
“The less you apply, the less chance you have of it getting into our river systems,” said Albert.
“Therefore, projects such as this one are reducing costs and improving environmental outcomes.”
“MAPS has been very, very helpful. If we can get funding to do a project, it sort of
encourages us to have a go,” said Albert.
If you would like to see what programs and assistance could be available to you, please contact Reef Catchments or visit their website www.reefcatchments.com.au
The MAPS Projects are funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
Cane farmer, Albert De Boni, uses liquid lime spreader to save money and the environment. Photo supplied
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