Ken & KeithRiddell

Project Catalyst is looking for the next wave of innovation that will help move the industry forward as it continues its journey toward a more productive, profitable, and environmentally friendly future.

If you have a new and exciting practice change idea that you believe could be the next big thing in sugar cane production, to become the industry standard with grower support, practical implementation and a balance of environmental, social and economic factors, then this Expression of Interest (EOI) might be for you.

We are looking for growers to partner with experienced On-Ground Service Providers (agronomic and extension services) to detail their innovative practice change and design on-farm trials to validate the assumptions.

If you are interested, please complete the Innovation EOI Form and send it by email to info@catchmentsolutions.com.au

Closing date for the submissions to be accepted for consideration is 5:00 p.m. EST Friday 7 June 2019.

Project Catalyst is a grower led innovation project in sugar cane that was formed more than ten years ago to explore and validate farm management practice change, leading to improved water quality for the Great Barrier Reef (GBR).
With a focus on changes that have environmental, as well as social and economic benefits, Project Catalyst highlights that farmers can drive significant improvements for the environment without jeopardising the viability of their farming businesses.

Growers are supported throughout the trialling of new concepts by an experienced team including farm extension and agronomic solutions providers, economists, environmental consultants, and communications specialists. Trial design and monitoring is coordinated and standardised to allow growers to assess if the trialled practice change is beneficial to their operation or how such a practice could be modified to suit their climatic, geographic, or agronomic conditions.

Project Catalyst is now looking for the next wave of innovation that will help move the industry forward as it continues its journey toward a more productive, profitable, and environmentally friendly future.
If you have a new and exciting practice change idea that you believe could be the next big thing in sugar cane production, to become the industry standard with grower support, practical implementation and a balance of environmental, social and economic factors, then this Expression of Interest (EOI) might be for you.

We are looking for growers to partner with experienced On-Ground Service Providers (agronomic and extension services) to detail their innovative practice change and design on-farm trials to validate the assumptions.

If you are interested, please complete the Innovation EOI Form and send it by email to Catchment Solutions.

Closing date for the submissions to be accepted for consideration is 5:00 p.m. EST Friday 7 June 2019.

The 2019 Project Catalyst Annual Forum was attended by more than 185 guests in Cairns NQ.

The theme “Back to our roots – soil, water and the reef” attracted keynote speakers, Adam Jalaludin and Nicole Robinson, who shared their research into Herbicide Resistance and Soil Health, with resounding success. Organic farmer Stuart Larsson also informed and entertained as the dinner speaker.

What started as a partnership between 19 sugarcane farmers in the Mackay Whitsunday regions, their local NRM Reef Catchments, WWF and Coca-Cola South Pacific, has resulted in more than a decade of innovative farming practices to reduce nutrient runoff to the Great Barrier Reef. More than 130 growers of cane have since joined the program and actively participated in trials, forums, shed talks, and other events, to be inspired and adopt practice changes on farm.

In 2020 the forum returns to its birthplace in Mackay Whitsundays and will celebrate their achievements and the positive work being done by sugar cane growers to improve the environment and their communities.