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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Adoption of an optimal season length for increased industry profitability : SRDC Final report BSS264
(BSES, 2007) Di Bella, LP; Cristaudo, A; Wood, AW
The project aimed to maximise commercial cane sugar (CCS), sugar yields (TSPH) and industry profitability in the Herbert region by exploiting regional variation in CCS, soil moisture and trafficability. There is significant potential to increase total sugar production, and individual grower and district CCS through better management of harvesting scheduling.
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.
Utilising available technology to better manage yield variability within blocks : SRA Grower Group Innovation Project final report
(2008) Blackburn, L
The specific aim of this project was to gain information on the different layers of information collected at a block level to allow site specific crop management. The Blackburn Brothers have also investigated the farm economic within the fallow period by introducing fallow options like peanuts. Blackburn Brothers have collected a number of different layers of information such as: Satellite imagery, EM Mapping “soil”, Yield Mapping, soil analysis and leaf analysis, from the information collected, management of the nutrient applied, the gross margins achieved, all have allowed for better decision making that have improved the bottom line. A replicated strip trial site was established and determined that there was no significant difference between the peanut fallow and bare fallow in the plant cane crop while the economics determined that the peanut fallow achieved $1147.22 per hectare more than the bare fallow. Within these two treatments two nitrogen rates were utilised 45kg / ha and 150 kg / ha with no significant difference achieved. The results achieved by utilising available technology to better manage yield variability within blocks has been adopted over the total farming area (470 ha) by the confidence achieved by conducting this project. The group has also now undertaken that complete record keeping will be utilised and this will lead to better management decisions to be made at a block level.
Adoption of an optimal season length for increased profitability; findings from the 2006 'maximising profitability in the Herbert sugar industry workshop' : Final report BSS264
(2006) Di Bella, LP
In 2003, the Herbert sugar industry established an industry working team to investigate ways to manage the harvest and processing of larger crops and investigate methods of increasing industry profitability. In 2004 SRDC funded the BSS264 adoption of an optimal season length for increased profitability project. The project aims are to maximise CCS, sugar yields and industry profitability in the Herbert region by exploiting regional variation in CCS, soil moisture and trafficability. The project was also funded to develop economic models, SugarMax and Rainrisk models specific to the Herbert region. In 2005, SRDC funded the Herbert industry study tour of Southern Africa to investigate the season length issues and farm management systems. This report presents the findings from an industry workshop conducted within BSS264.
Raising awareness and adoption of sustainable cane growing practices : SRDC Final report BSS238
(2002) Azzopardi, M
This project aimed to raise awareness and adoption of sustainable canegrowing practices in the Queensland and New South Wales sugar industries by providing canegrowers with the capacity to critically assess their farming systems, identify areas for improvement, and develop action plans.The project built on the development of the Queensland sugar industry?s Code of Practice for Sustainable Cane Growing (CANEGROWERS, 1998) and the New South Wales sugar industry?s Best Practice Guidelines for Acid Sulfate Soils (Sunshine Sugar, 2000). Both of these documents provide growers with clear advice on their obligations in relation to legislation like the Queensland Environmental Protection Act 1994. However, they do not provide a mechanism for growers to check their compliance with best practice recommendations, nor develop plans to implement changes required. This project aimed to fill this identified gap in the process of improving cane farming practices and sugar industry sustainability.The project was initially expected to be conducted between 1 July 1999 and 1 July 2001. However, much of the work on the project did not commence until November 1999 (with the appointment of a project officer). The project?s finishing date was also delayed (with SRDC approval) until 1 May 2002 to ensure all milestones could be successfully met.
Implementation of the Rocky Point Strategic Plan as a model for local area industry development : SRDC Final report BSS247
(2002) McGregor, D
The Rocky Point Strategic Plan was initiated as a direct result of concern from both growers and the sugar mill about the future viability of the local industry. The aim was to follow a similar procedure to the Maryborough cane industry with the vision of duplicating their success story.At the same time as the Strategic Plan was evolving the Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) was developing a Reclaimed Water Scheme (part of the Northern Wastewater Strategy) involving the use of this water for irrigation of cane at Rocky Point.In January 2000 I was employed by the BSES as a Development Officer and Northern Wastewater Reuse Coordinator under a jointly funded 3 year project by SRDC and GCCC to assist with the Strategic Plan and provide liaison between the GCCC and the cane industry.A work plan was produced with specific goals and activities. Priority was allocated to work activities that were expected to have the greatest impact on achieving the goal of reaching the annual cane production of 550,000 tonnes. High Density Planting (HDP), Irrigation and Lateral Expansion were seen as the major drivers for achieving this goal.A change in row spacing from single to quad rows (HDP) has been identified in local trials as the best opportunity for growers to lift productivity. For example, quad row Q138 plant cane yield at the Skopp site was 140 tc/ha compared to 90 tc/ha for the conventional single rows. It is also worth noting that there was a positive response in favour of the quad rows with all HDP trials at Rocky Point, with all varieties (Q138, Q141, Q124). However because of the cloud over the future of quad rows, the short-term solution to increasing production by changing row spacing appears to be with convincing growers to adopt the dual row system, and trial work was initiated to promote this change. The impact of this on production predictions is enormous. Quad rows were expected to provide a 40% increase in productivity compared to 15% for dual rows.Lateral expansion through growing cane at Beaudesert was identified as a potential source of increased cane supply. A nursery of cane plants has been established at Beaudesert and was expected to grow to 30,000 by 2003. However the current low cane price has produced a negative impact on this initiative. Unless there is a positive upward movement in the cane price in the near future, the cane production from the Beaudesert area will remain insignificant (<3,000 t).Irrigation of cane using water from the GCCC Reclaimed Water Scheme is expected to commence in August 2004. There was an excellent response from growers to the expressions of interest for allocation of reclaimed water for irrigation of cane. The area of irrigation from Stage 1A of the scheme will be 340 ha and involve six farmers. In general, cane farmers at Rocky Point have limited experience with irrigation. An effort was made to educate Rocky Point cane farmers on irrigation with the aim of establishing a good knowledge of Best Practice Irrigation before the commencement of irrigation in the district using reclaimed water. Also, the surface irrigation trial conducted this season has provided valuable information on crop response to irrigation and irrigation scheduling.Other activities to encourage growers to increase production were based on general extension of the Best Management Practice principles endorsed by the BSES. Improved weed control management would top the list of activities that was expected to have the most impact.
Beneficial use irrigation strategies with treated urban effluent : Final report 972471
(2000) Ridge, DR
Objectives for research:1. To identify the demand for effluent water by comparing three levels of water application to assess economics of crop response to water, and the impact on balancing storage capacity;2. To select irrigation strategies which (a) minimise impact on deep drainage and watertable elevation, (b) which sustain or improve water quality of adjoining streams and (c) which allay any concerns with community health issues;3. To develop a soil management system to optimise capacity of the crop to take effluent waters, while maximising productivity under wet conditions. This will allow future adoption of the green cane production system and its large environmental and community benefits;4. To monitor changes in soil salinity and sodicity associated with irrigation;5. To use historic weather records and a water balance model to place project results in an historic perspective and determine long-term probability for water use and storage needs;6. To ensure community and industry ownership of the project, and its outputs, through a participative extension process.
A participatory approach to improving furrow irrigation efficiency : SRDC Final report BSS206
(2002) Linedale, AI
A combination of low water use efficiencies on a significant proportion of furrow-irrigated farms, and a serious decline in water availability for a majority of farms, gave strong impetus to improving application efficiencies of furrow irrigation, which is practiced over 35% of total cane production area in the Bundaberg district. This project, which was based in the Millaquin/Qunaba area, has identified the main operation of contributors to low application efficiencies and methods to alleviate them.Evaluation of data from three irrigation seasons using the irrigation simulation model SIRMOD provided practical, low-cost solutions to a range of problems encountered. In most cases, ensuring suitable and stable inputs, and refinement of inflow rates and cut-off times raised application efficiencies substantially. Deep infiltration, outflow, and losses associated with end-fill were strongly reduced.The project demonstrated that monitoring of common operational factors such as inflow, advance rate and cut-off time, provides excellent information for evaluation of irrigation efficiencies. The simulation model SIRMOD proved particularly useful in evaluation of irrigation practices and provided direction for improvement of application efficiencies. Participating growers involved in the monitoring programs were able to form action plans quickly which modified inefficient practices. In many cases, this led to highly significant improvements to application efficiencies and resulted in better use of available water. A survey conducted at the close of the project indicated that improvements to a number of practices associated with application efficiency are underway.Monitoring and evaluation outcomes were relayed to participating growers through shed meetings, demonstrations and personal contact. Technology transfer to district growers involved similar events and included also field days, workshops, bus tours, displays and presentations. A practical furrow irrigators? handbook was produced for ongoing extension.
Quantifying the socio-economic impacts of harvesting residue retention systems : SRDC Final report BSS173
(2002) Small, FG
BSS173: 'Quantifying the socio-economic impacts of harvesting residue retention systems' is a project jointly funded by the Sugar Research and Development Corporation and Land and Water Australia (formally Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation) from 1996 to 2002.The project was initially established after concerns that regulations on burning cane overseas would be introduced in Australia, and the socio-economic implications would not be known. There are a number of issues associated with burning of cane both before and after harvest. These include health concerns, pollution, nuisance and cleaning issues.The effect of the imposition of burning restrictions on growers was also a major concern, particularly with respect to furrow irrigation. Field trials were carried out in the Proserpine district to determine the effect of trash on furrow irrigation and to develop management methods to overcome any difficulties. These trials were used in conjunction with APSIM, an agricultural production simulator, and SIRMOD, a surface irrigation model, to determine optimal furrow irrigation under a number of situations.
APSIM based determination of irrigation attributes and best use of limited water in supplementary irrigation areas of the Australian sugar industry
(2000) Hardie, M
The current industry focus on improving irrigation efficiency has identified the need for a better understanding of the potential gains from irrigation and use of irrigation resources in many sugar producing regions. This paper was conducted as a component of project BS183S, Statewide adoption of best irrigation practices for supplementary and full irrigation districts, to determine a range of irrigation attributes and irrigation strategies for the use of limited allocation in supplementary irrigation areas.Identifying strategies for the best use of limited irrigation resources is difficult with short term field trials. Crop simulation modelling enables these strategies and a range of irrigation attributes to be determined on a long-term basis wherever climatic and soils data is available. APSIM (McCown et al. 1996, Keating et al. 1999) was employed to determine rainfed yield, effective rainfall, crop response to irrigation, potential yield, and irrigation requirement using ?synthetic? climatic data (Hardie and Mallet 2000) for six supplementary irrigation areas of the Australian sugar industry. This information was used to asses current and potential gains from irrigation, identify strategies for the best use of limited allocation, and raise questions about the current level of allocation and irrigation infrastructure in the Proserpine, Sarina, Mackay, Bundaberg, Mareeba and Childers areas.

Farming systems and production management

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