NEIL WALPOLE

Region: Mackay

Location: Plane Creek

Property size: 180 ha

Trial area:4.65 ha

Catchment:Rocky Creek Dam

Using Serenade Prime

Neil Walpole – challenging traditions through innovation.

The Mackay Whitsunday region covers an enviable area of the Queensland coast, where tropical islands rise in azure waters adjacent to mountainous ranges. Neil Walpole has been growing cane in Koumala, (South of Mackay) since he took over the family farm in 1983, following a successful career as a primary school teacher.

Neil soon began to diversify his thinking on farm in order to cut costs.

An early adopter of change, Neil was amongst the first to green cane harvest in 1987. This meant no burning and leaving a trash blanket on the ground.