Business
17 March, 2026
Early conditions setting up for a good season
HEALTHY green paddocks are dominating the Tully landscape as this season’s sugar cane and fallow crops surge ahead, helped by a run of steady rainfall followed by hot, sunny days.
Cane growth conditions across January and February
January delivered close to average rainfall for Tully, with sunshine between showers and more importantly no major flooding. February continued the pattern, bringing regular rain followed by humid, sunny days, a stark contrast to last year’s waterlogged start.
How the crop is measured at this time of year
Growers and field officers are now moving into the key measurement phase of the season.
Stalk counts: Sample sites across each sub district are used to count stalks per 10 metres. A healthy Tully crop typically carries around 90,000 stalks per hectare.
Crop height and growth rate: Height is measured to the first visible dewlap, the point just below where the leaf emerges. Daily measurements over 7-10 days reveal the growth rate. Under excellent conditions cane can grow up to 18 mm per day, but current rates in areas like Riversdale are sitting at 8 -12 mm per day, or roughly 8 cm per week. This growth rate does not occur daily, especially on overcast days where there is little growth.
Stalk weight: Stalks will be weighed in coming weeks to determine average weight. Tonnes per hectare are then estimated by multiplying stalk numbers per hectare by average cane stalk weight.
This helps build a clear picture of crop potential.
Satellite technology: Alongside field measurements, the University of New England’s Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre (AARSC) uses satellite technology to estimate crop growth. This method, carried out in late February and March, has proven highly accurate and a valuable cross check against on ground data.
A season off to a strong start
All measuring methods are reliant on crop growing. The weather since December has delivered exactly what the crop needs, moisture and sunlight. If these conditions continue, Tully’s 2026 cane crop is well positioned for a strong season.
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