Twelve of the region’s most innovative cane farmers from the Tully and Herbert districts took a break last week from planting to travel to Mackay for a two day forum with farmers from the Mackay and Burdekin region. The guys were feeling a little easier about leaving their planting when the drizzle set in that morning and followed the bus south.

Over 50 cane farmers met in Mackay for the Project Catalyst forum to share their knowledge and experience in innovative practices for growing cane. The group spent a day at the entertainment centre hearing from experts and each other about trials and successes for the past year of Project Catalyst. There was plenty of time to talk to other Project Catalyst participants about their farming practices, as well as compare shed tidiness during the second day to visit farms in the area. Our northern farmers were impressed with the range of trials being undertaken and the successes that had already been achieved; including skip row planting, mill mud spreaders, grub control using soil mapping, and trialing rotational crops.

Project Catalyst is a pioneering partnership between the local NRM group, Reef Catchments, the Coca-Cola Foundation, WWF and participating sugarcane farmers located in the Mackay Whitsunday region. Last year the project expanded to include 10 growers in the Wet Tropics and Burdekin regions.

Project Catalyst is ‘grower led’ – and involves a group of innovative farmers (termed A-Class growers) that are developing and testing management practices that improve the water quality of the water leaving sugar cane crops. The project aims to reduce the environmental impact that sugar cane production has on the Great Barrier Reef.

Project Catalyst gives A-Class cane growers the support they need to make sustainable practices a reality – the lessons learnt will be passed on to the rest of the industry, helping to ensure its future viability. Growers are invited to participate in Project Catalyst on a voluntary basis. Farmers are invited to participate based on their history of trailing new farming techniques and practicing industry best-practice, and their willingness to share ideas and learnings with other growers.

Despite the weather clearing up on the second day, the northern guys weren’t regretting leaving the farm at a busy time. They had to admit by the end of the trip that despite their hesitation, it was well worth the time out of the paddock for the inspiration, and the sharing of ideas and experiences with like-minded cane farmers.