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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    Harvester performance testing literature review; loss measurement in sugarcane harvesting : Final report CO02008
    (BSES, 2002) Brotherton, A
    In the process of development of a performance testing protocol for sugarcane harvesters, the need for an independent review of the literature pertaining to sugarcane loss measurement became apparent. This review was commissioned by SRDC to concentrate on the methodology of testing. The loss process is shown to be complex and the subject is one where the statistical aid to engineering investigation is so affected by this complexity that great care needs to be taken in trial procedures and analysis to ensure the validity of results. From the examination of recent detailed data, backed up by the historical information, suggestions for future development are included. The obvious facts from the literature are that: (a) the classical approach of taking measurements, in the field, of inputs and outputs of the desired clean cane is subject to the effect of variability such that the resources required for the establishment of adequate significance of differences makes the procedure almost impractical; (b) such testing in a test facility of machine processes can produce adequate results; (c) the direct method of collecting cane 'lost' does not cater for juice and minute fragment loss. This 'invisible' loss is shown to be a major consideration and its variability between treatments may invalidate comparisons using direct collection methods. A less obvious matter is the apparent reduction in the sucrose content of the desired clean cane as it passes through the harvest process. The latter consideration suggests that the measurement of the sucrose weight loss (a dry weight measure) would be of more value than the cane weight loss. Some recent trials have provided information on the sucrose weight of the input and output, and the results indicate that control of variability is superior to that obtained in the clean cane weight analysis. Future development approaches suggested are: (a) developing test facility techniques for machine process evaluation. Aim to establish the closure error; (b) examining the sucrose loss measurement.
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    The value chain of the Australian Sugar Industry : developments in the period 1970-2005 and future opportunities
    (2006)
    This report by the Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC) provides an overview of the “state-of-the-art” of value chain improvement in the Australian sugar industry. It seeks to firstly, improve the level of awareness of the scope and potential benefits of value chain Research and Development (R&D) by regional participants in the sugar industry. Secondly, it seeks to stimulate thinking and interest in conducting further value chain R&D to underpin a vibrant industry. SRDC, as part of its R&D investment philosophy, believes that adoption of whole-of-system solutions based on integrated management of the value chain, particularly at mill area and regional levels, offers the opportunity to enhance revenue and cost efficiency to the benefit of all industry participants. The report draws on the following sources: • a review of value chain R&D conducted during the last decade by Higgins et al (2005); • presentations and discussions at the Value Chain Forum hosted by SRDC in Townsville in October 2005; • publications on value chains, particularly those concerning the Australian sugar industry; and • extensive discussions with representatives of the various sectors and regions of the Australian sugar industry, and with researchers. The report begins with a bold vision of what the sugar industry could look like in five or ten years. Achieving this vision, however, will require far-reaching changes to the existing value chain. The report then provides an explanation of value chains, and of the key factors that underpin their successful operation. It emphasises the central role of trust and commitment to the philosophy of “cooperating to compete” in improving the operation of value chains. Trust creates the environment within which investments in developing relationships (people, time, capital, processes and systems, transparency) and in re-negotiating reward systems, can flourish. The report then provides a very encouraging snapshot of value chain developments that have occurred and/or are in progress in three regions — Maryborough, Mackay, and the Herbert. It demonstrates that the pace of value chain improvement has accelerated greatly in the last five years and that benefits are being realised. Clearly, many interesting and far-reaching developments are underway and will in time enhance the operation of the value chain across the entire industry.
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    Precision agriculture options for the Australian sugarcane industry
    (2007) Bramley, RGV; Davis, R; Bartels, R; Schmidt, E; Bruce, R
    Precision agriculture (PA) has been embraced in other Australian agricultural industries. With the increase in adoption rates of new farming system principles including controlled traffic within the sugarcane industry, many growers and harvesting contactors are turning to PA to improve their profitability and productivity. Recognising the high level of interest among members of the Australian sugarcane industry in the potential of PA, the Sugar Research and Development Corporation called for projects to review and analyse technologies that are applicable to sugarcane farming and harvesting. SRDC commissioned two studies following this call. The first was undertaken by CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems and examined research and experience with PA in a range of cropping industries worldwide over the last 15 years including sugarcane in Australia, Mauritius, South Africa, the USA and South America. The second study was undertaken by the National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture in partnership with FSA Consulting. Their report describes how PA technologies operate, their uses, opportunities, limitations, risks and costs with respect to precision farming in the sugar industry. The report also describes how PA technologies can be integrated into a management system that will have both economic and environmental benefits for sugarcane production and harvesting. Both papers are provided in this publication. These findings were presented at an SRDC-hosted Precision Agriculture workshop on 11 May 2007. The purpose of the workshop was to identify what aspects of precision agriculture would benefit sugarcane farming and harvesting and to determine the priorities for R&D. The reviews were presented by Dr Rob Bramley (CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Adelaide) and Rod Davis (FSA Consulting in partnership with NCEA, Toowoomba). Approximately 60 people attended representing growers, millers, BSES Limited, productivity service organisations, CSIRO, QDPI&F, universities, agricultural consultants, CANEGROWERS and agribusiness. The workshop sought to generate priority issues for further R&D to support the Australian sugarcane industry’s adoption of PA technologies. These priorities have been identified below.
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    Precision agriculture; an avenue for profitable innovation in the Australian sugar industry, or expensive technology we can do without? : SRDC Final report CSE018
    (2007) Bramley, R; Webster, T; Thorburn, P
    Precision Agriculture (PA) is an all-encompassing term given to a suite of technologies which promote improved management of agricultural production through recognition that the potential productivity of agricultural land can vary considerably, even over very short distances (a few m). The key technologies involved are yield monitors, remote and proximal sensing, the global positioning system (GPS) and geographical information systems. This project was conducted in response to the recognition by the Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC) that the Australian sugar industry needs an informed basis from which to make decisions as to appropriate investment in PA. The project took the form of a review of published literature on PA and two industry workshops: the first conducted mid-project to provide the Industry Reference Group with an opportunity to review project progress and to make input to the recommendations emerging from it; the second conducted at the completion of the project to inform industry of the conclusions drawn and to promote industry input into SRDC’s priority setting with respect to future PA research. The review briefly discusses the philosophy underpinning PA, looks at PA research and application in a range of cropping systems, including sugarcane production, from around the world and considers the key drivers of short range spatial variability in these production systems. Constraints to the adoption of PA and its likely economic benefits are also considered in light of experiences from around the world. The opportunities that PA offers to the Australian sugar industry are identified, along with recommendations of further research, development and extension to facilitate its productive and profitable adoption. It is concluded that sugarcane production is ideally suited to the adoption of PA. However, a number of key tasks in Research, Development and Extension (RDE) are identified which will be required to enable its implementation in the Australian sugar industry.