CaneConnection articles

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Benefits of controlled traffic farming : the Mackay experience
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Hussey, B
Many growers in the Mackay region have moved to controlled traffic farming. This system is built on permanent wheel tracks where the crop zone and traffic lanes are permanently separated. Growers using this system have reaped a number of benefits.
Eyes on herbicides
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Ross, P
Growers will be very aware of the increasing scrutiny the sugarcane industry is under regarding herbicide run-off from farms.
For our growers in New South Wales
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013)
New soil management guidelines to help you manage costs and farm more sustainably. On-farm nutrient management should be based on a sound understanding of soils.
The fallow – one of the busiest times on the farm
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Hussey, B
While your land has a break from growing cane, you have an ideal opportunity to undertake many farm operations which are not possible during the normal growing period. Make the most of the opportunities which the fallow offers you to set your farm up for high-yielding profitable cane crops in the years to come.
Which fertiliser should I apply to my ratoons?
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Calcino, D
The 2013 harvest is well into the current season. Now until Christmas is the time the ratoons receive fertiliser to take them through the next 12 months. Which fertiliser do ratoons need and how much nutrient should be applied? The easiest, most reassuring way to work out which fertiliser a crop needs is to take a soil test. While it costs a few dollars, a soil test can potentially save a grower far more money. It provides the only sure method of knowing exactly what the crop requires.
Calculating tissue-cultured plantlet orders
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Plunkett, G; Fletcher, R
Tissue culture is an excellent source of clean seed for all varieties and can help reduce the spread of serious diseases such as ratoon stunting disease, smut and Fiji leaf gall.
Exotic weed finds its way to Australia : Red witchweed : Striga asiatica
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Ross, P
Growers will be aware that the Class 1 Declared weed Striga asiatica (red witchweed) is present on a few farms in the Mackay area. Biosecurity Queensland is continuing to survey properties to define the weed’s distribution. To date the weed has been confirmed on four farms.
Do I need to apply more or less nitrogen after the fallow?
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Calcino, D
As you’ve read in the previous article, growing a fallow crop can provide a wide range of benefits. Growing legumes in the fallow is a common practice. However, questions remain about the amount of nitrogen (N) available for sugarcane in plant and ratoon crops following legume fallows, and whether N applications to these crops can be reduced.
Changes to biosecurity within the Queensland sugarcane industry
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Ogden-Brown, J
The sugar industry has a long history of working with governments to prevent the spread of serious pests and diseases, and to manage incursions or outbreaks.
Welcome to the first edition of CaneConnection
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Ward, A
In this edition we cover a variety of seasonally relevant issues as well as an update on our work into understanding Yellow Canopy Syndrome.
Understanding soil organic matter and why it's important
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Hussey, B
Increasing soil organic matter is widely regarded as beneficial to soil function and fertility. In agricultural production systems, it is integral to sustainable farming.
Efficient pumps : keeping your costs down
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Davis, M
Knowing how much a pump costs to run and how efficiently it is pumping makes it easier to decide what to change. Replacing a pump is a significant investment, but poorly performing pumps could be costing more to run than the cost of replacement.
Welcome to the second edition of CaneConnection
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Ward, A
With the crush now completed we focus on the new crop and laying the foundations to maximising productivity and profitability in the coming season. For every cropping cycle, obtaining the maximum yield potential starts with the fallow. In this edition of CaneConnection we discuss some of the key considerations during this important phase. We also review what the latest research says about how much nitrogen should be applied after the fallow. Likewise in the ratoon crops, good weed and nutrient management underpins future success and as such we have some helpful stories focusing on these areas.
It's planting time and diseases are waiting to attack
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Ogden-Brown, J
With spring planting approaching, it is important that growers are aware of the soil-borne diseases that could affect their overall crop performance. The two diseases that could have the most impact are pineapple sett rot and pachymetra root rot. By understanding the diseases, you can plan to prevent and control the diseases to maximise emergence and crop yield.
Yellow Canopy Syndrome update
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Olsen, D
SRA is leading the Solving the Yellow Canopy Syndrome research project, which is funded by the Sugar Research Development Corporation, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Queensland (DAFFQ) and BSES. With our project partners – Burdekin Productivity Services Limited (BPS), Herbert Cane Productivity Services Limited (HCPSL) and DAFFQ – we have made good progress in ruling out some possible causes and setting up new trials to learn more.
Are you rat ready?
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Ross, P
Cane growers are allowed to bait for rats from 1 October through to 30 June. However, there are a few things you need to consider in managing rats. The rats that cause most damage to cane, the ground rat (Rattus sordidus) and climbing rat (Melomys burtoni), are both native mammals and are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. Baits may be used as part of a management program under the conditions of an industrywide Damage Mitigation Permit, issued by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.
Using diuron-based herbicides? Know your no-spray periods
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Ross, P
Following the Australian Pest and Veterinary Medicines Authority APVMA review of diuron, the APVMA permit PER 13874 which allowed for the phase out of old stock of diuron-based products has now expired. This means that all diuron-based herbicides should be used as per their new product label instructions.
Diuron – can we keep it?
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2014) Ross, P
Although good progress was made towards achieving the Reef Protection Plan’s 2013 target of a 50 per cent reduction in pesticide loads, with water quality improvement continuing to be a major priority, a new target of 60 per cent reduction has been set. This could mean that diuron-based herbicides run the risk of further restrictions on use if run-off levels are not brought under control.
Using the ‘off-season’ to get your farming equipment right for the season ahead
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2014) Hussey, B
The ‘off-season’ – December through to April – is a great time for growers to repair and maintain farm machinery. It is also an excellent time to find out what other growers are doing, and to think about modifications to existing equipment and purchasing new equipment that might improve farming operations in the season ahead.
Fertilising the 2014 ratoon crop
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2014) Calcino, D
With the planting for 2014 well advanced, attention needs to be paid to the nutrition of the ratoon cane.