Mill mud application
Banded mill mud application onto sugar cane was initially developed in the Mackay region by Gerry Deguara as part of his project catalyst activities during the 2009 -10 season. Gerry developed a three-row, tractor drawn mill mud applicator that applied mill mud and/or boiler ash at an application rate of 50 wet tonnes/ha.
The ABCD framework of farming practices for sugar cane identifies filter mill mud application at rates of 50 t/ha, banded onto 3 rows as an A class practice. The success of the Catalyst project and the subsequent expansion of using the banded application method has delivered a widespread and rapid uptake of an A class practice to growers within many sugar cane growing regions that is deemed to have a positive effect on water quality.