The summer season has brought some severe hail storms to parts of the industry. The age of your cane, and the extent of the damage, will affect how you manage your hail-damaged field.

Young cane (for example, three months old) is the most susceptible to yield reduction following hail damage. Hail can damage green leaves, resulting in reduced growth and yield potential. In addition, the canopy may be damaged to the extent that a second round of weeding may become necessary due to increased light penetration. In cases of severe damage, young cane may even need to be cut back.

Older stalks can also be bruised by hailstones, and extensive stalk damage will make it difficult for the plant to recover. Stalks can become infected with fungi, which may lead to red and sour rot.

After a hail event, it is best to wait at least five days before determining the extent of damage to the cane. Check if there is new growth on the undamaged growing shoots. Split a number of cane stalks lengthwise to check for damage to any growing points or any discoloration in the stalk.

Once you have checked the extent of damage to your cane, use the decision tree below to assist with your management decisions. You can use this decision tree to check both your millable cane (which has some stick) and unmillable cane (too young to mill), and to make decisions about re-application of fertiliser, or slashing back of younger cane.