Between burns and biofuel: Burdekin canegrowers seek environmental sweet spot

As pollution concerns mount and lucrative opportunities emerge in the sustainable economy, the days of cane field burning may be numberedSign up for the Rural Network email newsletterJoin the Rural Network group on Facebook to be part of the communityAs the sun sets over the Burdekin north of Townsville, an eruption of smoke stretches across the horizon. Torched cane fields force a flurry of fauna into a frenzied escape, only to get picked off by circling vultures. The firestorm is over in minutes, covering the district in a sprinkle of silt known as "Burdekin snow".The spectacle, which has become a symbol of this far north Queensland region, is a pre-harvest burn of unwanted excess from the sugarcane crop. But as environmental and health concerns mount, and the lucrative opportunities of the sustainable economy become more apparent, the days of cane field burning may be numbered.Sign up to receive Guardian Australia's fortnightly Rural Network email newsletter Continue reading...