PROSERPINE district contract cane harvesters David Hinschen and his brother Wayne are testament to the trials and tribulations associated with gathering in a crop that underpins much of Queensland's rural economy.
In partnership for 24 years, they are maintaining a tradition started by their father, an early pioneer of industry mechanisation, following early work as a hard-working cane-cutter.
The well-respected brothers have faced an especially difficult season after drenching rains fell across most of coastal Queensland earlier this summer.
About 160,000 tonnes of cane, or about 14 per cent of Proserpine district's mill area, are believed to have been harvested, with yields impacted by the unremitting weather pattern.
"It's down considerably," David said of Proserpine district's sugar crop.
"It's been extremely wet and we only managed to get 70pc of the crop off, leaving 30pc in the field."
The Hinschens had been cutting cane that had weathered three cyclones in only two years.
"So you can't blame the crop," David said.
The brothers' busy contract venture centres on its two harvesters, namely single-row John Deere and Cameco machines. Both are fitted with tracks to ensure they can tiptoe over wet ground to minimise ground compaction.
"Everything around Proserpine is geared for wet weather because the mill does not stop if it rains," David said.
On a good day, each of their harvesters can manage 800 tonnes a day, which they unload into 10t bins.
"In a good crop, you can do nine bins an hour, but it falls to as few as three an hour in bad crop," David said.
"It changes from day to day, depending on the season."
David and Wayne were the first in the district to use the larger 10t bins, introduced not only to improve efficiencies but also to make for a safer workplace.
"They are a big improvement on the older roll-on/roll-off system, which could be quite dangerous," David said.
The key to a successful contract cane harvester business hinged on keeping a close eye on the logistics involved.
Essentially, three men are on haul-out duties with each harvester - part of a four-man team that sees each man working six days on before taking two days off.
"So we always have staff available," David said.
The roster is essential to relieve staff, who may have to start at 3.30am during the height of the season.
Traditionally, the partnership sees Wayne operating south of Proserpine, leaving David to focus on crop being grown around the river, towards the dam.
By any yardstick, the brothers have cane harvesting in their blood, undertaking the demanding requirements of the job despite being a mechanic and carpenter, respectively, by trade.
The brothers have overseen the arrival of green cane harvesting technology as burnt cane operations fell away over the past 15 years.
"It was very difficult to start with, but the district's 100pc green cane now," David said.
Both brothers are committed to the Queensland Cane Harvesting Association, with David putting his hand up to be its current president. However, with many cane harvesters now owned by farming co-operatives, it's proving increasingly difficult to introduce new members to the association.
The Hinschens say it is important to have a lobby group to address issues like spiralling fuel costs.
It is also needed so it can hear first hand of new cane harvester developments due to be unrolled by the major manufacturers.
While this looks to be a significant challenge in the years ahead, the Hinschen family believes the cane farming community can only benefit from the expertise of professional contract harvesters down the track.
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