Browsing by Author "Milla, R"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Incidence and economic effects of ratoon stunting disease on the Queensland sugarcane industry : ASSCT peer-reviewed paper
(ASSCT, 2021) Magarey, RC; McHardie, R; Hession, M; Cripps, G; Burgess, D; Spannagle, B; Sutherland, P; Di Bella, L; Milla, R; Millar, F; Schembri, A; Baxter, D; Hetherington, M; Turner, M; Jakins, A; Quinn, B; Kalkhoran, SS; Gibbs, L; Ngo, C
Ratoon stunting disease (RSD) has had a significant influence on productivity and profitability in the Australian sugarcane industry for at least the last 76 years. There have been few attempts to objectively quantify the incidence and economic influence of the disease across the industry. Most Cane Productivity Service (CPS) groups routinely monitor RSD in plant sources and, in some cases, in commercial crops. Surveys by 12 Queensland CPSs were conducted in 2017- 2020 with sampling of different proportions of commercial crops (5-25% of farms) in each region. The latest molecular technology was adopted to assay samples. RSD incidence varied between 0 and 60% in commercial crops and 0 and 41% in plant source inspections. The data suggest that implementation of the three pillars of RSD management (disease-free seed-cane, equipment sanitation and planting into fallow ground devoid of volunteers) were essential to minimise RSD incidence. Failure to adequately address any one of these pillars often compromised RSD management. An economic analysis suggested that RSD led to an annual loss of $25m in the study areas in the 2019 crop. This is significant, but it is unlikely to be the largest single disease constraint on productivity.
Sodic soils and rising groundwater management in the Burdekin
(2013) Milla, R
Sodic soils are a production limiting issue for large areas of the Burdekin region. Saline soils, saline groundwater and rising groundwater tables also have a high possibility to further limit yield potential. Rising groundwater levels are a very serious threat and there is some urgency in being able to efficiently deal with the issue. Many growers and advisors in the region are not well educated about the interaction between all of these factors, as well as the most appropriate management strategies. This project developed structured workshops to build awareness and understanding by growers and advisors in the underlying science of sodic and saline soils and groundwater interaction. It presented and discussed management options for a range of scenarios. The workshop help to identify the best amelioration strategies (gypsum, lime, mill mud) for growers and with gypsum prices increasing significantly (from $100 to $180/T spread over the last few years) the most cost effective solution needs to be adopted to promote more sustainable farming systems. The project assisted the private consultant Roger Shaw to travel to the Burdekin region and share his knowledge on the issues described. These workshops were facilitated by Rob Milla (Burdekin Productivity Services) and attended by 22 technical advisors and 39 growers. The workshops were an excellent opportunity for growers and advisors to increase their knowledge and be able to discuss practical management options with a very experienced consultant. Collective agreement with advisors and growers was that an industry wide (and industry led) approach is required to address the very serious and potentially production limiting issue of rising groundwater and conjunctive use of this high conductivity water with low conductivity channel water.
Understanding the effect of harvester speed on subsequent ratoon performance in the Burdekin : Final report 2014/092
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2017) Milla, R
In 2014 six harvester speed trials were established in the Burdekin to investigate the effect of harvester speed on crop yields and subsequent ratooning, and the economics associated with harvesting at different speeds. These trials came about after discussions with growers identified harvester damage as a major cause of yield loss in ratoons. The trials compared the recommended best practice harvesting speed of 7-8 km/h to lower speeds (5-6 km/h) and higher speeds (9 km/h or higher).