Newman Government funding has helped Burnett sugarcane growers reap a sweet reward from a water efficiency project that began in May 2012.
Member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett said canegrowers in his electorate had recorded yield increases of more than 15 per cent on long-term averages by participating in the Bundaberg Irrigation Planning and Management Project (BIPMP).
“This innovative project is helping canegrowers build the necessary knowledge and skills to improve on-farm water management, and I congratulate Bundaberg CANEGROWERS for their work in developing the BIPMP,” he said.
“Initiatives such as the Irrigation Planning and Management Project support the Government’s commitment to growing a four pillar economy, and Burnett canegrowers are an important part of that goal.”
Mr Bennett said the State Government has supported the BIPMP by providing $30,000 in funding.
“This funding, which was used to buy six weather stations, was provided through the Water Use Efficiency (RWUE) program – a partnership between government and industry to assist Queensland’s irrigators,” he said.
“This project aims to maximise crop water use efficiency and economic returns, which is why these weather stations are so important.
“The weather stations have been linked to 12 soil monitoring sites forming a network of remote access scheduling tools to support farm management.
“These tools enable Canegrowers in Burnett to learn more about the relationship between daily weather influences and crop response, which allows them to plan for the best use of water.”
Mr Bennett said as a result of these weather stations, canegrowers have access to data about air and soil temperature, rainfall, wind speed and direction and soil moisture, all at the click of a mouse.
“This information assists canegrowers in managing tasks such as overhead irrigation and chemical application to improve efficiency, productivity and profitability, while reinforcing the industry’s environmental responsibilities,” he said.
“The Newman LNP Government is proud to support the Burnett canegrowers through providing funding for the weather stations.
“This type of project builds on one of Queensland’s strengths in the agriculture industry and I commend those involved for their efforts.”
Bundaberg CANEGROWERS members can access data from the weather stations and soil monitoring sites at www.bdbcanegrowers.com.au/irrigation.php