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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A regional partnership approach to developing a sustainable sugar cane system : SRDC Final report MAS001
(SRDC, 2007) Rudd, A; Parker, D
The Mossman milling area has a unique place in the Australian sugar industry; not only is it the most northern of all mill areas but the Mossman Central Mill is one of the oldest independent milling companies and still substantially owned by its cane suppliers. It also has also established a reputation for innovation in both the processing and growing of sugarcane. By 2002 Mossman and most of the Australian sugar industry was suffering significant financial difficulties following a decade of expansion.
Development of a streamlined life cycle assessment (LCA) tool for assessing the environmental benefits of progressive cane growing : SRDC Final report UQ045
(SRDC, 2012) Renouf, M; Allsopp, P
The Australian sugar industry faces continuing expectations to demonstrate environmentally sustainable sugarcane growing practices. This has been driven by moves to protect water quality (through the Australian Government’s Reef Water Quality Protection Plan and the Queensland Government’s Reef Protection Legislation), requirements to develop best-practice guidelines, and also by opportunities to participate in greenhouse gas abatement through the Australian Government’s Carbon Farming Initiative.
Implementing an integrated sugar system in NSW : Final report NSC005
(2006) Beattie, R; Ensbey, N; Aitken, R; McGuire, P; Garside, A
The New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative’s (NSWSMC) move to whole cane harvesting for cogeneration will increase in-field haulout traffic by 30% with the potential for yield decline due to increased soil compaction. Trials were established in all three milling areas of NSW in 2003 comparing various controlled traffic (1.8 m) row spacing/ planting configurations with the conventional 1.5 m configuration. Results obtained for both one and two-year crops are reported. The trial results have indicated the potential for small yield increases and demonstrated that adoption of controlled traffic cropping systems will not result in loss of productivity. These results have given growers confidence that they can adopt a controlled traffic farming system without productivity losses. Although there were generally no major yield differences between the three controlled traffic systems evaluated, it is considered that the dual row configuration is the best option for NSW given the slower canopy closure in the other 1.8 m configurations. In addition, it is possible to zero till dual rows with double disc planting technology but this option is not possible for a wide row configuration. However the construction of the wide throat strip tillage machinery has enabled a reduced tillage option for wide throat plantings. Further trials were established in 2004 comparing fallow plant with replant to determine the effect of a legume break on the yield of the following cane crop. These trials also included tillage treatments to observe effect on zero-tilling cane through soybean stubble. These trials were established with a stalk planter, with results showing no yield penalty through zero-tilling cane. In 2005 trials were established comparing conventional tillage with zero-tillage using a disc-opener billet planter, similarly results showed no yield penalty from zero-tilling cane through soybean stubble. An economic analysis indicated that by adopting a controlled traffic, reduced tillage, legume fallow system, on a 72ha farm, a grower will improve gross margins by $12,857 when compared to a conventional system. Variable costs such as fertiliser and fuel are greatly reduced in such a system. Harvester operator visibility when cutting large two-year old crops green is severely limited due to the increased bulk of cane material so GPS guidance systems (± 2 cm) were evaluated in these trials. As a result of these trials the NSW industry has established an RTK GPS base station network, with coverage of all three mill areas. The entire harvesting fleet in Broadwater and Condong have been set up with GPS guidance in readiness for whole-of-crop harvesting, with a number of units being set up on growers’ tractors. A total of 60 GPS units are now operating on the NSWSMC base station network. A large scale extension program was undertaken throughout the life of the project with numerous field days, shed meeting, farm walks being conducted to increase the awareness among growers of the benefits of adopting the new farming system. As a result adoption of controlled traffic farming has increased dramatically since trial work began in NSW 2003. This has been a result of a broad scale extension program advocating the results of the farming systems work along with innovative growers making a successful transition to controlled traffic farming.
Options for auditing and certification of farm management systems : Farm Management Systems for the Sugarcane Industry, sub-program 4
(2006) Chambers, D; Holloway, S
Key stakeholders within the sugar industry, surrounding community and Government are concerned over the potential impact of sugar production on the environment in general and the highly sensitive world heritage listed neighbouring ecosystems in particular. An increasing number of growers are responding by upgrading management practices and seeking relevant training opportunities. An industry wide system for certification, accreditation and auditing of farmers and properties would add value to individual enterprises, demonstrate stewardship, raise the industry profile, reduce community concern, attract project related grant support, win financial rewards from banks, insurance companies and regulators and bestow advantages within niche markets for environmentally sustainable high quality products. This project reviewed approaches, systems and implementation options for certification, accreditation and auditing across a range of other industries. We reviewed documents and held wide ranging discussions with other industry sectors as well as sugar industry, government and community representatives. Having regard to the unique circumstances and diversity of regional environments across the industry, we favour a structured though flexible auditing and accreditation system. This would accommodate industry wide consensus in favour of voluntary compliance and ensure that Su
Implementation of improved sugarcane farming systems in the Clare area, Burdekin District, North Queensland : SRDC Grower Group Innovation Project Final report
(2007) Hatch, P
The MIG was interested to quantify the benefits of moving from their current 1.52m row configuration to a row configuration that better matches tractors, harvesters and haulage equipment using GPS technology. As a result of conducting this project, the MIG has confidence that preformed beds will improve their long term sustainability and profitability by reducing input costs compared to the current system, at least for the plant crop. In particular, significant opportunities to reduce: •land preparation costs, from $265/ha in the conventional practice down to $131/ha, •general growing costs, from $209/ha down to $108/ha, and •irrigation costs, from $394/ha down to approximately $305/ha, appear to exist. In total, differences of at least $300/ha saving can be made by moving from the conventional system to the preformed mound system (see Appendix 1 for more detail). As a result, all members of MIG have moved over to planting into preformed beds; however some members of MIG prefer 1.52m singles over duals on 2.0m centres. The group recognises that during the course of the project, several errors were made with the trial design; in particular there was no planting of the 1.52m conventional practice with the mound planted systems, no replication of treatments, and fertiliser rates were not the same in each treatment. This has been a great learning experience for the group, which is now better placed to conduct future on-farm research.
Interactive web-based material to support FMS : Farm Management Systems for the Sugar Cane Industry, sub-program 1
(2005) Chambers, D; Holloway, S
An interactive web-based toolset was developed to support the Australian sugar industry’s Farm Management System (FMS) program. Primary issues that were addressed in this sub-program included the provision of a system to increase ease of access to FMS resources, building a channel for the dissemination of new information to growers, and facilitating interactive support for customisation of industry wide requirements to local circumstances. The toolset developed by this sub-program incorporates a database of useful information with a linked search tool plus a series of templates and guides to help cane growers to establish their own FMS. The content of this toolset and major outputs from this project can be viewed from the www.srdc.gov.au website, following the FMS links. The framework and initial content of the toolset were developed by Agrecon in collaboration with two FMS pilot projects, in the Central and Burdekin regions, plus a range of other grower, industry and government representatives with valuable input provided by the FMS Steering Committee. The framework was developed to enable other information types such as the indicators and auditing options still being developed under other FMS sub-programs to be readily incorporated. The linked search tool allows growers to find information relevant to their particular region, management issue and information type. The database includes information for sugar producers on key legislation, codes of practice, best management practices, risks and other general guides. More than 300 records were created to establish the database, many with multiple region-specific versions of fact sheets including a simple overview of implications for cane growers and links for users requiring more detailed information. An integrated guide to producing a FMS was based on the fundamental requirements of the international standard for environmental management systems, ISO14001. This includes information and templates for mapping, record keeping, self-assessment review, risk analysis, action plans, report production and monitoring as discrete but linked stages in the FMS process. In addition to the above information that can be freely downloaded, Agrecon has also incorporated the framework and associated industry specific information within a sugarcane module under the umbrella of their broader AgrePRECISE online system. This subscription service, which will be offered free during the FMS Training sub-program to help cane growers establish their FMS, links the above information within a secure account to other databases and interactive tools. This centralised and standardised information management system will further assist growers to more rapidly establish and maintain their FMS. This resource is expected to provide valuable and consistent information to assist Australian cane producers to establish and maintain a FMS. Its dynamic web-based format of delivery allows for continuous improvement and maintenance as the industry progresses along the path of improved environmental and economic sustainability. The structure of the database, search tool and record display format makes this system very easy to maintain by non-technical personnel via a user-friendly data base editing tool. Agrecon has volunteered to continue to improve and add to the content of the FMS information system throughout the duration of the FMS program using feedback from the industry. In a similar vein, Agrecon is willing to maintain and add to the final list of “Indicators” being developed during sub-program FMS002 and to ensure that these are linked to relevant risk and BMP material as appropriate. It may also be appropriate to add the list of “Auditing options” being developed in sub- program FMS004 as ongoing inputs to this FMS database, including fact sheets with links to supporting resources.
Beach sand to black clay; Adapting technology and best practice for Homebush farming conditions : SRA Grower Group Innovation Project final report
(2008) Bugeja, T
This project aimed to adapt latest technology & best practice to suit the soil types found in the Homebush/Sunnyside district, and evaluate the cost and benefit of adopting these technologies and practices. To conduct the project the group established partnerships with QDPI, SRDC, IAR Consultants, Mackay Rural Supplies, and BSES. Issues investigated included; Refinement & assessment of planting systems and planting rates, Cost – Benefit Analysis of the adoption of available technology & best practice, Trialling “pre-plant” fertiliser, and assessment of Soybean varieties. Key results from the project included: planting rates as low as 3.7T/ha produced similar yields to planting rates of 7T/ha, resulting on cost savings; Pre-planting application of LOS+P in combination with GPS guidance and EM mapping had no detrimental effect on cane & sugar yield, but delivered significant cost savings; Southern bred soybean varieties had some quality advantages, but no yield advantage, and produced less biomass and presented some harvesting issues; the cost/benefit analysis conducted by the group, clearly showed that the technology adoption and practice change paid for itself and delivered a range of benifits. The project assisted a number of growers to convert over to controlled traffic farming systems, and identified a number of cost saving options. The project also developed the group member’s skills in conducting on farm research, which has to the successful application for a 2nd GGIP project investigating the potential of precision agriculture in conjunction with QDPI.
Improving soil health in undulating, dryland farms in the Central region : SRDC Grower Group Innovation Project final report
(2009) De Boni, R
The project sought to: Improve the condition of soil for the following cane crop by introducing break crops; Investigate zero tillage options in undulating soil conditions to reduce erosion; Compare the benefits of different rotational crops/legumes to soil health (Nitrogen fixation & Organic Matter); Reduce input costs in the production cycle; and test the suitability of a minimum/zero till planter in various soil types for cane and break crop planting. A series of trials and equipment modifications were undertaken to identify the best way to achieve this. The break crop trials showed that Leichhardt out performed Ashgrove, Stuart and Bunya varieties with wet weight biomass yields of over 12t/ha and total N of over 250kg/ha in one trial. In the Plant cane comparison trial, the zero tillage plots proved to be most profitable with the highest yields, lowest input costs, and highest profit of $352/ha compared with the full cultivation plots which returned only $141.00/ha. A range of zero tillage break crop planters were inspected and trialled, with required modifications identified. This project has assisted Farliegh & Coningsby growers to select, and successfully grow dryland soybean break crops, and has demonstrated the cost savings and improved soil management offered by zero/minimal tillage practices. This project also identified a deficiency in existing minimum tillage cane planter designs when it come to heavy clays and other difficult soil types. Additionally the growers have gained valuable skills in cost comparison trials, and appropriate trial designs, which will be off assistance as they continue to adapt their farming systems.
Enhanced delivery of PROSPER to achieve adoption of best management practices in the Queensland Sugar Industry : SRDC Final report BSS260
(2006) Wallis, ES; Russell, PG
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw declining productivity and profitability within the Australian sugar industry. This decline was driven by a combination of adverse climatic conditions, declining terms of trade, pest and disease outbreaks, and declining soil health. To survive, all sectors of the industry needed to become more profitable. The key to this was a more reliable and increasing cane supply with the minimum of input costs. BSES Limited developed the PROSPER initiative specifically to target a more reliable and increasing cane supply. The program's focus was directly on BSES' mission to "Deliver realised value in strategic and applied research and extension services to growers, millers and customers".
Best management practice for sugarcane varieties : SRDC Final report BSS 234
(2002) Telford, D; Wallis, D
This has been both a challenging and rewarding project within the northern sugar industry. Increasing economic pressure in the wet tropics has seen a need to develop and adopt better short- and long-term strategies to increase industry profitability. ?What variety do I plant?? This is probably the single most important issue given the least attention by growers. This decision remains in place for a number of crop cycles and subsequent management of these varieties will directly affect farm profitability. Better management of varieties in both a short- and long-term strategy will enable growers to increase their ccs and improve their farm profitability.Selection and management of varieties is a complex process, which involves more than the yield and ccs of varieties. It involves suitability to soil type, ratoonability, pest and disease issues, ease of planting, herbicide tolerance, ability to withstand harvest under difficult conditions, nutrient requirements, harvesting rosters and many other factors that may override planned decisions such as rainfall.A grower group process was used to facilitate greater debate of these issues by growers and testing variety best practice on their farms using an on-farm participatory trial program. The full costing of the benefits and consequences of different management options has enhanced growers decisions of ?what variety do I plant?? as well as other farming practices.The strength of this project was that it allowed growers to fully implement and evaluate a range of real variety management options that they have chosen as being best for their situation.The results from this project have made growers more aware of the consequences when choosing varieties to plant. The presentation of trial results in dollars per hectare has proved very beneficial. A lot of discussion has been generated at group meetings as a result of this information. Growers have appreciated the opportunity to discuss these results with their peers. Growers are more aware now of how important it is to calculate net returns and determine what variety or farm practice is more profitable on their farm.Information delivered to grower groups as part of this project has provided growers with the skills and knowledge to conduct reliable trials on their farms. Growers should now be able to compare different variety performance and farm management practices on their own farms to meet their individual situations and determine the most profitable practice.With the ability of growers to better test varieties for their individual situations, varieties released to the industry will have a fairer assessment based on individual needs and profitability rather than broad area recommendations.Conducting market research into what the industry wanted in the form of variety information through focus groups proved extremely useful. The original project intention was to devise a Variety Best Management Practice (BMP) Manual. However, it was quite clear from these focus groups that a complex manual was not wanted, but information in a simple and concise format was requested.This project has seen the successful use of group extension to target a large number of growers in the sugar industry. Since the commencement of this program, most northern mills, in conjunction with BSES, have established productivity groups similar to the participatory BMP process. The formation of these groups within mill areas provides an avenue to meet with larger numbers of growers more regularly than could be achieved on a one-to-one basis. This also provides an excellent opportunity for multi-agency input to discuss timely research and farming issues. One-to-one extension is still an important part of extension in the northern sugar industry. However, group extension is fostering greater discussion and exchange of ideas between growers and mill areas. This is extremely important in times of increased economic pressure.This program has been the starting point of many increases in productivity and profitability in the northern sugar industry, through better management of current varieties and the availability of more information to make variety decisions on individual farms.

Farming systems and production management

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