Farming systems and production management

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://elibrary2.sugarresearch.com.au/handle/11079/13844

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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1991 - 199922000 - 20054

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Has files: YesSubject: search.filters.subject.Water management

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    Increased profitability and water use efficiency through best use of limited water under supplementary irrigation : SRDC Final report CSE001
    (SRDC, 2005) Inman-Bamber, NG
    The objectives of this project towards increased profitability and water use efficiency was to:
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    Irrigation risk management strategies to reduce water use and maximize profitability; a paradigm shift in performance to $ per unit of water : Final report CTA038
    (SRDC, 2003) Inman-Bamber, NG
    The Australian sugar industry is predisposed to maximize the benefits of irrigation because of its geographic and climatic location. However mistakes of older irrigation schemes elsewhere in Australia, need to be avoided. Performance criteria such as $ produced per unit of water used 'which have the long term aim of very closely matching plant water use with water applied, will be the single most important factor ensuring longevity of irrigation areas' (Meyer, 1997). Matching plant water use and irrigation, requires knowledge of climatic demand for water, soil water supply, and crop response to water deficits.
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    Efficient use of water resources in sugar production; optimising the use of limited water under supplementary irrigation
    (2000) Inman-Bamber, NG; Robertson, MJ; Muchow, RC; Wood, AW; Wegener, MK; Spillman, MF
    About 60% of sugar produced in Australia depends on irrigation. In some regions, production would be impossible without irrigation; in others, irrigation is used to supplement rainfall. It can improve production and reduce risks in the more variable rainfall environments. The whole subject of supplementary irrigation has taken on a new focus in recent years as termsof- trade for cane growers continue to deteriorate, and as pressure mounts for more efficient management of a scarce national resource. Best practice with limited water, however, depends on complex biophysical and economic factors as well as sensitive off-site impacts. From a biophysical point of view, questions arise as to the probability of achieving the desired irrigation responses in the various regions and seasons, and the extent to which this is affected by crop water requirements at various stages and by variety and soil type. From a management point of view, the questions concern source of the water, the amounts available, and the best crop type and block on which to apply it. Finally, from an economic point of view, the questions concern the interactions between the above factors and the size of the investment required, the likely price of cane, and the probability of achieving sustained profitability from the investment during its lifetime. The aim of this project, therefore, was to address this complexity by developing and applying a generic methodology for assessing the payoffs of supplementary irrigation, taking account of the above factors.
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    Best practice irrigation management to maximise profitability and ensure sustainability in the Ord sugar industry : SRDC Final report CSR22
    (2003) Wood, AW; Engelke, JM; Sherrard, JH; Plunkett, GM; Triglone, T; Bakker, DM; Horan, HL; Muchow, RC; Inman-Bamber, G
    The Ord Sugar industry was established in 1995 with the commissioning of a sugar mill and the first full season of commercial production was in 1996. It is now a major industry in Stage 1 of the Ord Irrigation Area, currently occupying over 4000 hectares and producing around 60,000 tonnes of raw sugar annually for export. The climatic conditions in the Ord impose a high water requirement for sugarcane crops. Growers face a considerable challenge in meeting that requirement whilst maximising their profitability and minimising drainage losses and potential impacts on the environment. Groundwater levels have risen substantially in the 30 years since the start of irrigation in the Ord. Consequently the development of appropriate irrigation practices for sugarcane is a key requirement in the management of rising water tables and in the sustainability of Ord sugarcane production. The first step in developing best practice irrigation management was to gain a better understanding of the range of irrigation practices being used by the industry at the beginning of the project. A survey conducted to benchmark irrigation practices used on the 1995/96 sugarcane crop indicated very high rates of annual water application, making the development of irrigation practices that maximise profitability and minimise groundwater accessions a key priority for the Ord sugar industry.
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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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    Increased adoption of efficient sustainable irrigation practices by Australian canegrowers : SRDC Final report BS127S
    (1997) Holden, JR; Hussey, B; Shannon, EL
    SRDC funded the three-year project 'Increased Adoption of Efficient, Sustainable Irrigation Practices by Australian Canegrowers in July 1994. The broad objectives of the project were to; Determine perceived limits to adoption of more efficient irrigation practices; Increase grower awareness of the benefits of more efficient water use; Research and develop a technical package for more efficient irrigation techniques; Demonstrate and promote best irrigation practice for irrigation of sugarcane. The overall aim was to: 'improve productivity, profitability and sustainability of canegrowing through increased adoption of efficient irrigation techniques by Australian canegrowers."