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.

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8

Sensors for improved harvesting feedback: evaluation of suitability : Final report 2016/954
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2017) Keeffe, E
A feasibility study was conducted to investigate the value and application of sensors in the harvesting environment for improved feedback for quality and loss control. A desktop study, this project (a) investigated the current practices and processes of the harvesting community, including the present use of sensors, (b) Isolated the cause and effect of harvest quality and loss and the issues that are currently preventing change, (c) identified what contractors, growers and millers need and/or wish to achieve from the addition of sensors on harvesters (d) identified and evaluated commercially available sensors and other measurement systems for their suitability to measure certain parameters in the harvesting environment, and (e) identified four sensing systems most likely to succeed in future efficacy testing. The project was conducted with a strong consultative approach with industry, using surveys, focus groups, presentations and one-on-one meetings to discuss regional issues and potential solutions. Ultimately, industry has prioritised the following quality and loss pathways: (1) extractor losses, (2) basecutter quality (height control), and (3) cane supply quality. Spectral imaging, proximal NIR spectroscopy and radar technologies were favoured solutions.
Improvements in base cutter design and cane feeding : Final report NCE004
(SRDC, 2002) Harris, H
This project followed on from Project US2 (Cutting of sugarcane), which showed that conventional basecutters and knockdown angles contributed to cane damage and loss by way of disk contact, multiple layered cuts and stalk bending.
Development of an improved method of harvester performance testing - in association with the jet-clean system project : Final report NCA001
(2001) Harry, H
In seeking to evaluate the performance of some advanced cleaning system concepts such as the NCEA Jet Clean System (NCA 006) and the NCEA Clean Flow Fan the NCEA became aware of the lack of objective automated harvester performance assessment systems. On this basis the research team set out to apply some greater level of automation and objectivity to the assessment of Extraneous Matter and Cane Loss during field experimentation. As a result of these investigations an automated billet sampler was built and trailed successfully, a trash sampling mechanism was commissioned but not adopted due to field difficulties, an improved acoustic cane loss monitor based on billet/fan-blade impact recognition was successfully commissioned and trailed and a multi purpose CANBUS based on board data management system developed in conjunction with a commercial yield monitoring product. All of these tools were used in the assessment of the NCEA Cleaning system research projects and the Cane Loss monitor will be subjected to extensive laboratory and field evaluation by the BSES in the 2002 season.
Lightweight elevator and advanced secondary cleaning system for cane harvesters : SRDC Final report BS210S
(2001) Norris, CP
The goal of this project was the development of a prototype lightweight harvester elevator and integrated secondary cleaning system. The goal was commercially driven and proposed transfer and adaptation of high-speed conveyor technology (from mining and from other agricultural materials handling applications) and advanced pneumatic cleaning concepts to the cane harvester. The design brief targeted enhancing machine performance (ie cane loss, extraneous matter and pour rates) whilst reducing machine weight and improving machine stability. The development has not, however, resulted in a commercially viable prototype. Because of unforeseen difficulties relating to the design adopted for the hugger belt system, the final goals could not be met within the framework of the initial project. When 'pushing the limits' of machine development, problems such as this must be expected, particularly when the development is being undertaken on limited manpower and fiscal budgets. The project, however, has in no way been unsuccessful. Whilst the nominated final goal has not been met, the project has very significantly progressed knowledge relating to the cleaning of cane, and has clearly shown that the concepts embodied in this project have very considerable potential.
A review of opportunities to improve the design and performance of sugarcane harvesters
(2010) Davis, RJ; Whiteing, C; Norris, CP
This review is a response to the recognition by the SRDC that the Australian sugarcane industry needs an informed basis from which to make decisions as to appropriate investments in harvesting sector research. There is a renewed interest at a grower and regional level for improved harvester designs and harvesting practices. SRDC continues to receive requests from industry to support sugarcane harvester research and development. This review looks at component research on the Australian type ‘chopped cane’ sugarcane harvester, harvesting performance and harvest and transport system analysis undertaken in Australia and overseas and considers the benefits delivered. Opportunities to improve the design and performance and reduce the costs of sugarcane harvesting along with recommendations for further research, development and extension to facilitate productive and profitable adoption are identified. It is concluded that ‘chopped cane’ harvester and harvesting performance research has delivered significant direct and indirect benefits to the Australian sugar industry and a number of key examples are highlighted to demonstrate these benefits.
Chop-throw; a potential driver for the next generation of pneumatic cleaning systems : SRDC Final report BS52S
(2000) Norris, CP
The objective of this project was to determine if the chop-throw concept offered potential for high efficiency pneumatic cleaning systems, by virtue of the inherently high efflux velocities and billet presentation from the thrower mechanism.The project only investigated attributes of the ?chop-throw? concept, as related to potential enhancements to the cleaning of cane. Performance monitoring of the current design was not considered to be part of this project.
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.
Regional evaluation of high density planting : SRDC Final report BSS241
(2003) Collins, J
This project was successful in comparing two farming systems: conventional 1.52-m single rows and the High Density Planting system (HDP), which consists of four rows on a 2.1-m wide bed using controlled-traffic and minimum-tillage principles.Site-replicated strip trials were used to compare the performance of the two farming systems under field conditions in all the major sugarcane districts of Queensland and New South Wales. A significant yield response was measured in 9 of the 21 plant-cane trials and 8 of the 15 first-ratoon trials. Where a response was measured between the two planting configurations, the HDP treatment produced an average of 37% and 16% more cane compared to the 1.52-m rows in the plant and first-ratoon crops, respectively. No difference in yield or CCS was measured between the two farming systems in any of the second-ratoon crops. Stalk counts and sample harvests were effective methods of monitoring crop growth in the trials. The stalk-count data and associated cane-yield data collected from the trials highlight the importance of good establishment. Poor germination in both planting configurations was a significant problem in the trials planted in the 1999 season in the wet tropics. Of the seven trials planted, only one had acceptable germination. Adverse weather conditions also caused widespread germination failures in commercial plantings throughout this district that year.A major part of this project was the design and construction of equipment to allow management of the trials. Over the project, significant modifications were made to the harvester to improve the feeding characteristics and overall machine performance. When correctly adjusted, the bed-forming and planting equipment worked well in most soil types. The very narrow traffic area in the HDP system caused some harvester navigation problems, particularly in large, heavily lodged crops. The cumulative stool damage and loss of vigour were major factors contributing to lack of response in the second-ratoon crop. The installation of a guidance system (DGPS or similar) on the harvester would have overcome this problem. Considering the vast range of harvesting conditions experienced, the equipment performed extremely well.

Farming systems and production management

Browse

Filters

Advanced Search

Filter by

Settings

Sort By

Results per page

Search Results