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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1990 - 199933

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Start date: 1990End date: 1999

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 33
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    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.
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    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.
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    Review of current and future investments in high density planting : SRDC Final report
    (SRDC, 1999) Munro, AJ; Leslie, JK; Tudroszen, NJ
    The BSES is presently confronting the issue of how to facilitate the adoption of HOP as a commercially productive system. Relevant preliminary project proposals have been submitted for SRDC funding. This consultancy assesses these proposals in the light of identified uncertainties and views developed on the best strategy for implementation.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.