Farming systems and production management

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Research outcomes: Growers and harvesters benefit from the ongoing research in productivity improvement, production management and agronomical techniques. Developed technologies and management practices that enhance productivity and demonstrate a high rate of return on investment.

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The influence of time of harvest on yields and CCS and the subsequent ratoon crop
(1975) Moller, RB
This report deals with the second trial of the growth analysis trial programme on the Bundaberg Sugar Experiment Station. Full details of the purpose of this programme are outlined in Project Report 1973
BSES Cane harvesting studies : preliminary report
(1977)
The sugar cane industry in Queensland has maintained its prosperity by successful mechanization of harvesting and other farm operations. Farm machinery purchases now represent a significant investment decision. It is therefore essential that harvesters satisfy industry requirements.
Stool eradication using minimum tillage or glyphosate and associated planting methods
(1985) Dick, RG
Research designed to establish practical techniques for stool destruction at the end of a crop's cycle is described. Trials conducted at the Tully Sugar Experiment Station during 1982 and 1983 have shown that glyphosate (Roundup) can kill sugarcane. The effects of various rates and methods of application of Roundup on eight varieties at four stages of growth are outlined. Cane planted by four different methods following minimum tillage operations in a trash blanket had a high percentage germination. Shoot and stalk counts at different stages of growth are tabulated.
Herbicide phytotoxicity screening Central; Southern Queensland varieties 1988 season
(1988) Tilley, LGW; Horobin, PE
Hitch design and dynamic stability of infield haulouts : Final report USQ1S
(1990) Pearce, R
This report is submitted to the Sugar Research and Development Council as a summary of the findings generated under the project USQIS, "Hitch Design and Dynamic Stability of Haulouts" . An interim report (July 1990) detailed the early stage of this project. The rationale behind this project was given in the Detailed Research Proposal which is included as appendix 2. Within this report is detailed the findings of an industry survey, a summary of the literature review and the results from the stability analysis. Included under these headings are the reasons why the particular method of analysis was used and the bearing the industry survey had on this approach. Finally the findings are presented in a manner suitable for presenting as recommendations to the intended end users of the report.
Improving water penetration in the Burdekin
(1990) McGuire, PJ
Poor water penetration represents the greatest source of preventable yield loss in the Burdekin district. The problem occurs in all four mill areas in the district with about 18 000 ha affected to some degree. Cane yield losses for the 1987 season were estimated conservately at 250 000 t. Crop yields in 1989, following good rains, indicate that actual losses may be closer to 500 000 t of cane in dry years. The promotion of remedial measures aimed at reducing the problem has been an important extension theme in the Burdekin district for many years. In March 1988, extension staff commenced an extension program focussing on the use of the 'dissolvenator' as the preferred means of overcoming the problem.
Herbicide phytotoxicity screening Central; Southern Queensland varieties 1989 season
(1990) Bridger, KW
This report summarised the results of the three sugarcane phytotoxicity trials conducted on the Sugar Experiment Station, Bundaberg during 1989. Twelve approved, or promising varieties, from the central and southern districts were oversprayed with a total of 33 herbicides x crop growth stage treatments. Visual assessments of effect were carried out over a period of up to 142 days following spraying. The results of these trials should be taken as a guide only due to variations in weather pattern and microclimate from district to district.
Development of a large capacity haulout bin : SRDC Final report DDI1S
(Sugar Research Council, 1990) Harris, HD; Pearce, F
This report is submitted to the Sugar Research Council as a summary and description of the haulout bin designs which have been generated under project DDI 1 S. Progress with the project has been partly detailed in the Progress Report submitted in October, 1989, the paper on the measurement of hitch loads in haulout bins submitted to the 1990 Conference of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, and the paper prepared for presentation to the November 1990 Conference on Agricultural Engineering. Copies of these two papers are attached as Appendix D.
Optimisation of cultural practices for efficient mechanical harvesting : SRDC Final report BS20S
(1991) Ridge, DR
Some progress has already been made in identifying field conditions and practices which lead to high dirt levels. These include lodged cane, wet field conditions and cutting with the harvester basecutter below ground level. The project aimed to extend on these findings by looking at varietal factors contributing to lodging and stool tipping, and cultural practices which lead to harvester operators cutting below ground level. The aim was to develop alternative practices to minimise dirt problems. This included investigation of the effect of row spacing on row profiles in ratoon crops.
An initial evaluation of surge irrigation as a management tool for the Burdekin sugar industry : Final report 89/7
(1991) Ham, GJ
Conventional furrow and surge irrigation were compared during the growth of second and third ratoon sugarcane crops on a duplex soil in the Lower Burdekin district. Data collection was severely hampered during this investigation by the prevailing weather. Crop yields produced by both irrigation systems were almost identical. Surge irrigation reduced pumping times by 15.7-23.5% compared with conventional irrigation, thus reducing irrigation costs directly by these percentages. Further savings would result from lower maintenance on pumping equipment. Soil moisture distribution along the furrow and 'out times' for irrigation sets were more uniform for surge irrigation than conventional irrigation.
The effect of harvester settings on cane loss and subsequent ratoon cane yield
(1992) Smith, MA
This replicated trial at Tully showed that harvester settings (basecutter height, forward speed, and direction of travel in relation to crop lodging) can significantly influence the amount of cane left in the paddock after harvest. The trial also showed that the yield components of the subsequent ratoon crop could be significantly affected by the same harvester settings.
The contribution of mechanical cane harvesting to the productivity plateau
(1992)
The invention of mechanical cane harvesters has been important in the development of the Australian sugar industry. Mechanisation of the harvest has brought many benefits. However associated with mechanical cane harvesting there are aspects which impact on crop productivity matters and hence on industry profitability. These issues are being addressed in BSES research and extension programs.
The effect of coulter ripping on GCTB ratoons at Hawkins Creek
(1992) Smith, MA
In some parts of north Queensland coulter ripping is a standard operation carried out in green cane trash blanketed ratoons. Very little ripping is carried out in the Herbert Valley, even though the soil in old ratoons appears to be highly compacted. These qqnstrip trials were set out to test whether ripping to alleviate this compaction was necessary. The results of this demonstration suggest that coulter ripping will not increase growth and that by stimulating weed competition it may have actually reduced cane growth.
Improving the yields of ratoon crops of sugarcane : SRDC Final report BS7S
(SRDC, 1992) Chapman, LS; Ferraris, R; Ludlow, MM; Hurney, AP
The economics of sugarcane growing improve with the number of ratoon crops which can be grown from a single planting. In Australia, declining yields with increase in the number of ratoons limit a cycle to three to five ratoons, according to district. However, studies by BSES indicate that the most economic strategies involved growing up to six ratoons. If this decline in yield could be reduced, then more ratoons could be obtained from a single planting with the associated economic benefits.
The effect of two different Toft basecutters on ratoon yield
(1992) Smith, MA
The visual appearance of the cane stubble remaining after harvesting with the Toft angled underslung basecutter usually fitted to 7000 series harvesters is different to that remaining after harvesting with the horizontal leg-driven basecutter fitted to the earlier 6000 series machines. This difference lead many observers to infer a greater level of stubble damage with the 7000. This trial and others in north Queensland could not detect any differences in ratoon yields due to previous harvesting with the two different basecutter types.
An assessment of surge-irrigation in the Burdekin : Final report CSR35
(1992) Matthieson, L
Furrow irrigation is the natural choice for sugarcane. It is relatively cheap to operate and generally not capital intensive, However in operation furrow irrigation has distinct limitations. It is generally inefficient in its use of water with 50% utilisation being a typical figure (Stewart 1988). With pumping costs being greater than $2 per tonne cane and QWRC water charges be i ng $32 per mega 1 i tre for farms on channe 1 supp 1 y, there is a need to increase efficiency in order to save moneY,conserve water resources and guard against rising water-tables and salinity. With furrow irrigation the furrow is both the source and the sink of irrigation water. The advance of the water down a dry furrow is typically much slower than the recession of water in a wet furrow except for short or flat furrows which are blocked. Inevitably the upper reaches of the furrow receive more water than lower down . To ensure adequate watering of the lower reaches irrigation water is often allowed to run off to waste for some considerable time. Surge irrigation is the application of irrigation water in pulses rater than continuously . If the off-phase is sufficiently long for the surface soil to dewater, it has been found (see Walker and Skogerboe, 1987) that when irrigation water is reapplied it rapidly advances over the previously wetted section such that less water is required to complete the advance phase of the irrigation. A more rapid advance gives a more uniform distribution of water. Because the irrigation on-time is only a portion of clock time (typically half) it allows better control of run off because irrigators have more time to interact with it.
Factors affecting cane farm productivity and profitability in the Bundaberg district
(1993) Queensland Department of Primary Industries
At the request of the Bundaberg Cane Productivity Committee, the Queensland Department of Primary Industries carried out a study to identify factors affecting the level of sugar yields and reasons for variation in the level of farm input use and to examine other on-farm influences affecting the profitability of cane growing in the Bundaberg district. A purposive sample of 53 cane growers was selected and information obtained through personal interview. The study examined a wide range of farm characteristics which were expected to affect sugar yields in the district. The study found that 70% of the variation in sugar yields over the survey period could be explained by: - the percentage of harvested cane consisting of Autumn plant cane; - type of irrigation use (flood or non-flood); - number of days to irrigate the crop (length of irrigation cycle); - amount of nitrogen applied to ratoon crops; - soil type; and - water use. Sugar yield and farm size were identified as important factors affecting the profitability of cane growing on specialist cane farms.
Improving the yields of ratoon crops of sugarcane : SRDC Final report BS7S (AMENDED)
(1993) Chapman, LS; Ferraris, R; Ludlow, MM; Hurney, AP
The economics of sugarcane growing improve with the number of ratoon crops which can be grown from a single planting. In Australia, declining yields with increase in the number of ratoons limit a cycle to three to five ratoons, according to district. However, studies by BSES indicate that the most economic strategies involved growing up to six ratoons. If this decline in yield could be reduced, then more ratoons could be obtained from a single planting with the associated economic benefits.
Optimising rejection of dirt by cane harvesters : SRDC Final report BS26S
(1994) Ridge, DR; Dick, RG; Garcon, CA
Project objectives were
Irrigation water use in the Eton irrigation scheme
(1994) Chapman, LS
The objectives of the survey were: to determine irrigation management strategies used by the canegrowers; to determine water use efficiency for individual blocks; and to identify irrigation practices which affect water use efficiency.