Dr Ruth Rhodes (Extension Specialist, Zululand South) and Jan Erasmus (Extension Specialist, Malelane)
This summer was made for growing cane! The rain and heat have brought vigorous cane growth and, with the mills opening soon, ripening programmes are foremost in many growers’ minds. Be sure to use the PurEst app (download the app from the Google Play Store or the i-Store) to check the suitability of fields for ripening. Eldana sprays will also be due this period. Below are more tips to keep in mind over the next two months:
- Start implementing your ripening programme.
- Check eldana levels and keep on top of your spray programme according to survey results.
- Smut roguing should continue in badly infested fields.
- Be sure to fallow your replant fields for at least 6 months.
Ripening & Harvesting
- The mills will be open soon. Remember the golden rules to win under the RV payment system: Delivering cane that is MATURE, FRESH and CLEAN.
- Fields planned for plough-out and those with high eldana numbers should be cut first.
- It is time to consider your ripening programme. Use your refractometer and the PurEst app to check which fields are suitable for ripening.
- Do not delay cutting ripened cane beyond the scheduled date.
Pests & Diseases
- Eldana levels should be closely monitored, and sprays should be starting soon if they haven’t already.
- Continue to rogue for smut in heavily infested fields.
Replant Programme
- Replant fields should currently be being fallowed. Be sure that all volunteers are removed from the field. The field should be completely clean of volunteers for 6 months, if possible, to avoid the spread of RSD to the following plant crop.
- Soil samples can be taken on your fallow fields, to ensure enough time to order fertiliser and lime. All replant fields should be sampled to depth in dryland areas to check for subsoil acidity. Sample to depth in irrigated areas if salinity or sodicity are suspected.
- Seedcane treatment with a fungicide is strongly recommended for autumn and winter planting to ensure good germination by preventing pineapple disease. Also consider using either water or filtercake in the furrow to aid germination.
- March is the last month in which you can use glyphosate effectively for killing cane for minimum tillage planting.
- If you grow cane in a frost-prone area, plant in March; April may be too late.
- Start thinking about your seedcane requirements for 2026, so that orders can be placed in winter.
General
With the new season about to begin, you should now have a comprehensive operations programme for the ensuing year.
Are there any issues you would like to bring to the attention of SASRI? Contact your Extension Specialist.
Plan training courses for your cane cutters, OHS reps, first aiders and more by contacting Shukela Training Centre. Training can take place on your farm with a certain minimum number of staff in attendance, so consider teaming up with a neighbour for training.
