Knowledge and technology transfer and adoption

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://elibrary2.sugarresearch.com.au/handle/11079/13847

Research outcomes: Research results and new technologies are communicated and transferred in an appropriate and timely manner across the industry value chain, supporting increased uptake of best-practice and innovative technology. A skilled advisory sector that drives the adoption of new technology. An industry knowledge base that incorporates and makes freely available the most up-to-date production methodologies to industry. Collaborative alliances, partnerships and networks that optimise synergies, integrate knowledge and share best-practices.

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 55

Constraints to the adoption of Green Cane Trash Blanketing (GCTB) in central and southern districts : final report BS109S
(1996) Norrish, SA
Ten focus group meeting were held with sugarcane growers from Proserpine to the New South Wales border to discuss their experiences with green cane trash blanketing (GCTB). The meetings were conducted by the Rural Extension Centre, UQ-Gatton in conjunction with the BSES. The meetings were held between 1 and 3 February 1994, and each was attended by 8 to 16 growers. An additional four focus groups were convened by BSES for representative of the mills and harvesting contractors in Mackay and Bundaberg. Results across all groups were reasonably consistent.
Enhanced Productivity Information to Improve Extension Programs and Research Data : final report BS128S
(1997) Cox, J
A project was undertaken to extend previously available productivity software tools. Using the end product of a previous project as a prototype, a new application was recreated in a different programming language. The new application enhanced the areas lacking in the previous version of the software, and increased the target user group considerably. Software titled PRODIV V2x was rewritten to manipulate productivity data. The software and manual was distributed to all interested extension and productivity centres. The new version of the software included previously available report options along with several new options useful for summarising the increased block parameters. These automated reports assist extension in collating and displaying aproductivity reports in an easy to comprehend format. All project objectives were achieved and the program is currently available for use in any mill area where the data are available. The project supervisor is continuing research within the productivity area and will utilise existing research in a new project.
Promotion of integrated pest management in sugarcane: Final report BS184
(1998) Halvorsen, L; Robertson, LN
Associate Professor and agricultural science writer Lisa Halvorsen was invited to work with the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations for five months. Her aim was to help develop effective communications strategies for disseminating information on integrated pest management (IPM) and related areas through the media and other outlets, as well as to produce extension-type written materials. Professor Halvorsen was on sabbatical from the University of Vermont Extension System, and had previous experience of promoting IPM including in queensland cropping systems. She worked with extension officers and researchers at all five BSES research stations from Meringa to Bundaberg, lending communications support in four areas: writing/editing, instruction/consultation, media relations, and marketing. Specific projects undertaken were dependent on the needs and interest of personnel at each station.
Reducing the risk of exotic pests and diseases of sugarcane : final report BS194S
(1999) Vandermaat, AV
'Reducing the risk of Exotic Pests and Diseases in Cane' was a project aimed at maximising the effectiveness of the Australian sugarcane industry's quarantine system. The main objective of the project was to complete an educational CD-ROM package and to determine if the technology offered an additional opportunity for training and information transfer. The Cane Guard package was produced to provide the user with the flexibility to learn at their leisure and the ability to revise a topic as many times as necessary. Users can also review what they have learnt by doing a quiz. It is envisaged that the technology used for Cane Guard will eventually replace the traditional lecture-style or printed formats currently being used throughout the Australian sugarcane industry.
Development of an Educational Package for Canegrowers on Efficient Nutrient Management : final report BSS204
(1999) Webster, K; Willcox, T
The aim of this project was to facilitate responsible nutrient management for the sugar industry by providing extension support in the form of a training course for canegrowers. This educational package will enable growers to develop crop management strategies by understanding and addressing nutrient loss, soil properties and crop nutrition, while at the same time, reduce offsite impacts to the environment. Three pilot soil fertility courses have been conducted. The first was conducted with Extension/Productivity Board staff in Mackay, the second with farmers in Ingham, and the third with researchers and agribusiness people in Townsville. Participants were asked to evaluate each pilot course. Overall, participants were satisfied with the content and quality of the short course. Each section in the course was evaluated and considered appropriate, with most people stating they had a better understanding of all topics covered. The soil test interpretation and fertiliser box calibration practicals were also considered useful. The majority of participants indicated that they were now able to calibrate their own fertiliser box. Many participants stated that they were more likely to take soil tests to better tailor their fertilising now that they knew how to interpret them. Much of the feedback was constructive and used to improve the course manual and presentation. Soil fertility courses will be conducted with farmers in all mill areas of Queensland and New South Wales in 2000 after extension specialists in each district have been trained to conduct the course. This course has been prepared to ensure that growers become more efficient users of nutrients and to prevent long-term environmental repercussions. Improved fertiliser use, balanced nutrition, reduced production costs and environmental awareness will be outcomes demonstrated by farmers as a result of attending this course. Fertilising needs fine-tuning and an educational package for cane growers on soil fertility and efficient nutrient management is one way to achieve a sustainable cane farming system.
Canegrowing and sustainability - a survey of Australian cane growers with particular reference to the Code of Practice for Sustainable Cane Growing in Queensland : final report BSS238
(2000) O'Grady, C; Christiansen, I
The sustainable management of soil and water resources is crucial both for the productivity of sugarcane growing and for the protection of the environment. Canegrowers recognise the importance of maintaining the condition of the natural resource base for farm viability. Community concern over recent years has focused attention on the potential impacts of agricultural practices on the off-farm environment, particularly aquatic and marine ecosystems and regional biodiversity.The Australian sugar industry has responded to these concerns by taking a proactive approach to environmental management. The Code of Practice for Sustainable Cane Growing in Queensland (CANEGROWERS, 1998) and the New South Wales (NSW) sugar industry?s Best Practice Guidelines for Acid Sulfate Soils are examples of the industry?s initiatives towards environmental management and self-regulation.A survey of all cane farmers in Queensland and NSW was carried out in April 2000. The survey had several aims. Firstly, to benchmark awareness and opinions of the Queensland Code of Practice and the NSW Best Practice Guidelines. It also benchmarked current farming practices in relation to industry-accepted best practice, an indication of the level of adoption of the Code. Growers? perceptions of environmental issues in cane farming areas were also sought. Additionally, the survey served as a prompter to cane farmers about the Code and Guidelines.
An integrated decision support system (DSS) to improve the utilisation of productivity data by extension, research and productivity programs : final report BS182S
(2001) Cox, J
Utilising previous research outcomes, a software application titled SUGARSCAPE was developed to provide extension, research and productivity staff within the Australian sugar industry a means of collating block and farm productivity data.The original concept was to assist extension, research and productivity staff with the production of productivity reports through a suitably designed software application. The application designed by this project increased the scope of previously available productivity report options, and also included a spatial reporting component. Over a period of three years a software application was developed and trialed by a user group. This ensured the end result was derived by the needs of the industry. Towards the end of the project Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations (BSES) extension staff participated in training sessions using the software application on their own computers; feedback was documented on evaluation forms and will be used as guidelines for further research. To date the software has been received enthusiastically. To assist users a user manual and on-line help documentation have been created and will be distributed with the software application.With the exception of one objective, all project objectives were met. Most of the recommendations for further research have already been undertaken through another Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC) project titled ?Facilitate the accessibility of productivity data by sugarcane farm managers through the SUGARSCAPE productivity software application.? This project will be completed by July 2001.
Towards long-term sustainability of sugarcane farming in the Johnstone River catchment
(2001) Stewart, RL
Cane farmers are important stakeholders in the Johnstone River Catchment. Their engagement in the sustainability debate is essential, however, at times they appear to be isolated from it. The Johnstone River Catchment Management Association (JRCMA) saw the need for their engagement and applied to The Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC) for a grant to do an action research project to achieve that end. Growers meeting in small groups discussed all aspects of cane growing with the aim of producing a booklet of guidelines for best management practices for the catchment. Growers were invited to speak freely but challenged to be certain that the practices they nominated were sustainable and demonstrable on their own farms. More than 100 growers participated in the discussions over two years and a booklet entitled “Growers perspective of best management for sustainable cane farming (Documenting practices in the Johnstone, Moresby and Liverpool Creek Catchments)” was published in best management practice format. The project received wide acclaim and The Honourable Rod Welford; Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage launched the booklet in April 2000. Demonstration of best practices for sustainable farming from a grower’s perspective were achieved through a major field day organised by the JRCMA and through a series of video clips of many practices throughout the catchment. “The Most Significant Change Approach” also known as “The Story Method” was used to determine changes growers perceived were occurring in the farming, agency and general communities as a result of this project. Focus group technique was also used to gauge the effect of the project on the general community and agency groups.
Developing marketing skills for sugar industry technology transfer personnel : final report BSS193
(2001) McMahon, GG
The role of technology transfer and research in the sugar industry is changing rapidly. Industry needs and priorities have to be developed. Many of the service organisations are now voluntary funded. Solutions to industry problems are becoming more complex and difficult to implement. There are significantly more issues confronting the industry and the capacity of the industry to respond has decreased. Most of the funding organisations are now requiring projects to incorporate a technology transfer plan within the proposal.As a result, the complexity of technology transfer within the sugar industry is increasing dramatically. Technology transfer professionals within the industry receive little formal training within their discipline, because there are very few quality providers of such training. BSES felt that it was necessary for staff in this profession to receive some marketing training to become better equipped to deliver the products and services that sugar industry participants wanted and needed. SRDC funded the project in 1997 and a training program was developed and delivered to sugar industry technology transfer personnel from a number of organisations within the industry.
Developing a new approach to extension for widespread adoption of Best Management Practice
(2002)
MUL001 has sought to improve the uptake of research outcomes by the sugar industry’s growing sector. It is recognised that the traditional one-to-one extension approach is no longer affordable and the current system was not adequately facilitating the uptake of research at a time when the industry needed to make every post a winner. This project developed a group extension program in the Mulgrave region to promote the development and adoption of best management practice. 13 productivity groups were established which sought to involve 100% of growers. These groups utilise discussion type meetings and field demonstrations in order to enhance the individual knowledge and understanding of various aspects of sugarcane production, which are relevant to the management decisions faced at the time. Typically each group would meet 4 to 5 times each year. Emphasis is placed on learning from other growers as well as people with specialist knowledge in each particular field. Monitoring programs were also utilised to enhance the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes of individuals. Monitoring harnesses the power of learning-by-doing and has proven very effective. Monitoring programs for production constraints such as canegrubs, rats and weevil borer were coordinated by this project and strategically timed to enhance the effectiveness of group activities. The group extension program has been in operation since March 2000 and continues to improve in effectiveness and grower participation. Throughout the project 89% of growers participated in the extension program and on average, 63% of cane production areas were represented at each group activity. Although it is difficult to objectively measure change in knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes, there are numerous examples of subtle but visible change in the behaviour of farm managers, which could be attributed to the extension program. An important output of the project has been the development of a communication structure. This structure has proven invaluable to maintain information flow throughout all sectors of the industry and maintain a dialogue in an age of continuous change and uncertainty. This structure will be necessary to drive real and sustained change in the industry.
Improving the profitability of canefarmers in the wet tropics : Analysis and strategies : final report BSS222
(2002) Hanlon, D; Rigney, JT; McMahon, GG; Garrad, S
This document provides the results of a 4-year benchmarking project in the Wet Tropics region of the Queensland sugar industry. The project examined production costs from Tully in the South to Mossman in the North as well as the different production systems of the Atherton Tablelands. the bulk of participants came from the Innisfail Tully region. the project was a joint activity between BSES and RCS. Both parties provided complimentary skills to the process, with RCS providing the business acumen and tools and BSES the technical advice and local contacts. Both organisations successfully ran the Prophet project (BS91S), which stimulated an interest in business management.During the period covered by this survey the industry experienced some of the worst conditions ever: a combination of low prices and low yields meant that many growers lost money for most of the period of the project.
The development of an extension network amongst growers in Tully with a view to improving industry profitability in a participatory atmosphere : final report BSS253
(2002) Finlayson, D
The challenge for industry personnel was to develop a network amongst canegrowers in Tully that would provide more effective extension of research and development than current methods could achieve. A project in Mulgrave had been operating successfully for twelve months and was based on groups of growers that were dealing with similar issues. We used this model to design a program that would utilise extension resources pre-existing in Tully to provide an on-farm, participatory approach to increase the adoption of best management techniques within the sugarcane farming system.A steering committee was formed with representatives of the four major bodies in the Tully sugarcane industry ? Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations (BSES), CANEGROWERS, Cane Protection and Productivity Board (CPPB), and Tully Sugar Limited. This steering committee met initially to develop the program and acted in an advisory capacity to local extension staff. This project was instrumental in that it provided the operating funds required to get the whole process off the ground and allowed it to gather some momentum.Grower groups were established in each of the seven mill districts within Tully. These were named ?Farmer Forums? to dissociate them from ?shed meetings? and to foster an interactive rather than a ?sit there and listen? type atmosphere. All of the groups were satisfied with our proposal and committed themselves to the process.The whole basis for the groups was to encourage participation and active learning. The best way to achieve this in a farming community is to get farmers' hands dirty. The program resorted to informal meetings in a shed or under a house when the weather prevented any outside activity, but generally the groups met and undertook a practical, timely exercise on-farm. These exercises ranged from timing of weed control to harvesting and transport issues.The groups also set up particular demonstration sites, managed by the growers under professional guidance, which are being used to show how best management techniques might improve current farming methods.The groups were a little slow to grasp the whole 'group' concept but were all positive about setting their own direction. As a result, the demonstration sites are a mixture of old and new technology. Some groups wanted to jump straight into the new things and other groups saw the benefit of getting the basics right before they tackled any new issues.Although the whole concept of group learning is not new to agriculture in Australia, it has proved to be a continual learning experience for both the growers and staff as we develop this program in Tully. During the course of the project we have shared these experiences with other districts and will continue to exchange ideas.Although the project and SRDC funding have finished, there is no intention to let the group process end. The steering committee will meet again to revise the program and the groups will continue to operate indefinitely.
Final report Sugar Research and Development Corporation Preparation of a CD Rom library of plant-parasitic nematodes
(2003) Nobbs, J
Plant parasitic nematodes are of considerable importance to all cropping industries within Australia. Losses caused by plant parasitic nematodes currently recorded in Australia is estimated at between $300 to 450 million. The correct identification of nematodes is essential not only in developing risk management programs, but also for preventing the introduction of plant disease. This project affected Program 3.1 (Crop Protection) within the program SRDC and assists with the design and implementation of pest monitoring systems by developing a CDRom for the identification of plant parasitic nematodes and the symptoms they cause. The CD-Rom provides information regarding specific nematode pests and their distribution, host range, symptoms and life cycle. It is also the first step in identifying potential nematode problems by researchers in state government agricultural organisations and AQIS. It can be used as a training tool for personnel interested in plant disease and quarantine. Diagrams and photographs are included in the CD-Rom to explain characteristics of the groups of plant parasitic nematodes recorded from Australia and illustrate the disease symptoms they cause. The CD-Rom is designed in a similar way to a Web Site. It contains sections on Techniques, Nematodes and Crops which can be accessed by clicking on icons or headings. Each page contains an index to assist with navigating within the page to areas of particular interest The main outputs of this project have been the CD-Rom and a new edition of “Plant Parasitic Nematodes – sugarcane”. The CD-Rom is to be formally launched at the 3rd Australasian Soilborne Disease Symposium at Tanunda in February, 2004. The availability of the CD-Rom will be published in growers magazines such as the Sugarcane Growers Magazine and will be available for sale in November, 2003. A diagnostic service has been made available during this project which was advertised using a pamphlet (Appendix B). This service provided specimens of sugarcane nematodes for description in the CD-Rom. The CD-Rom will provide training and educational benefits to researchers and industry members and provides information concerning identification and control methods, that will assist with management strategies and allow incursion risks to be assessed. With increased understanding of the role of nematodes in sugarcane crops, cost reduction and economic savings will occur.
Building young farmers' capacity for change in the central district : final report BSS271
(2005) Muscat, J
In agriculture, young farmers are rapidly becoming a scarce commodity and any encouragement and assistance for existing young farmers will play an important role in the future of that agricultural industry. The sugar industry is no exception, and must assist in capacity building of its young farmers, as they will be the future managers of this industry. As the sugar industry comes to terms with the challenges that face its growers and their survival, the investment in building young farmers capacity for change will play a vital role in industry sustainability. This study tour allowed 13 young farmers from the Central Region to investigate, observe and discuss issues that the group had highlighted earlier at a group meeting. The young farmers in this group have been active for a number of years, but activity declined in the last two years because the downturn in the sugar industry (low sugar price and droughts) has forced members to seek alternative income for survival. The experiences of the study tour have reinvigorated the members of this group and the group is keen to look at the challenge that confronts this industry with optimism it deserves
Farming systems tour for the Herbert sugar industry : final report BSS282
(2005) Poggio, MJ; Di Bella, LP; Waring, M
The 'Enhanced Farming Systems Tour' to Sarina and Emerald was aimed at building the capacity for change, learning and innovation through the investigation of several enhanced farming systems in the Sarina and Emerald districts. The study tour participants investigated minimal-tillage equipment, controlled traffic, crop rotation and harvesting. The enhanced farming system has potential to improve environmental, economic and social benefits for the Herbert sugarcane industry. The study tour was an industry-wide approach with participants from CSR, QMCHA, CANEGROWERS, HCPSL, BSES and growers
Sugar industry training on community engagement : final report BSS278
(2006) McGuire, PJ; Coutts, J
Two community engagement workshops were run by Coutts J&R for the New South Wales sugar industry. The first workshop focused on crisis and issues management. The second workshop focused on how best to use the NSW cogeneration project to raise a more favourable profile with local communities.
Improving extension capacity : final report BSS279
(BSES, 2006) Matthews, RW; Chapple, D
The extension staff in the Burdekin district are both fresh-faced and full of new ideas. One of their largest hurdles to jump is the implementation of science into the real world. Growers are some of the hardest nuts to crack, and the attendance at this conference provided some usual insight on how to make inroads with the local industry. the staff members that attended the conference gained form the experiences that other extension officers (change practice agents) have utilised in their everyday lives.The key learnings from the conference have been discussed with local industry staff to encourage a more positive outlook towards change management. Discussions revolved around how can we do things better locally, and how can we improve the use of the Burdekin Cane Productivity Initiative and BSES' PROSPER project to maximise the impact of research and development. The rapid adoption of the use of double-disc-opener cane planters is one of the big positives to have been driven successfully by CPI and local RD&E.
Bus tour for southern region growers to contrast grain and sugar industry group dynamics : final report BSS288
(2006) Callow, BG
The grower-group concept in the sugar industry has been constantly enhanced and provides a great opportunity to share information and experience with other growers. This tour saw the enhancement of learning opportunities through the opportunity to meet with growers from other agricultural sectors. The trip visited Moree to learn from grain and cotton growers of their experiences in the implementation of new farming systems, especially of the change process, advantages and disadvantages, and the long-term benefits. The trip then took the participants to visit the cane industry in northern NSW, specifically in the Harwood area and Rocky Point in south eastern Queensland.
Everything you wanted to know about cane payment but were too afraid to ask - information workshops for female business partners in the sugar industry : final report BSS289
(2007) Burgess, DJW; Ward, MJ
After a grower shed meeting at a Tableland cane farm, Drewe Burgess from BSES and Mick Ward from Bundaberg Sugar spent quite some time answering questions from the grower?s wife on cane payment, why harvesters cut in rounds, relative CCS, sugar pricing and general industry matters.As a result, Drewe and Mick successfully put a proposal to SRDC to support, with BSES, Bundaberg Sugar, QSL and CANEGROWERS a series of female ?Farm Business Partners? workshops on these issues in the Tableland and Innisfail-Babinda region.Workshops were run in Mareeba, Innisfail and Babinda in October 2006. Feedback from the 60 participants was excellent.As a result of the workshops, the investigators believe that female farm business partners value opportunities to increase their industry knowledge so that they can contribute more effectively to the farm business, and that just as traditional primarily male-participant activities cater for a male farmer environment (eg shed meetings), a feature of the success of these workshops was that they catered specifically for women. Hence, the workshops were designed with start and finish times to allow for children to be dropped off and picked up from school, an equal or greater number of female presenters, venues away from the (male-domain) farm shed, and workshop activities that build on women?s propensity to network and share information.
Implementing methods for wider industry adoption : SRDC final report CSE009
(2007) Jakku, E; Everingham, Y; Inman-Bamber, G; Thorburn, P
Many of the challenges that the sugarcane industry faces are complex systems issues and R&D addressing these issues requires the active participation of industry stakeholders. A deeper understanding of processes that contribute to effective engagement between researchers and end-users is therefore essential to deal with the ongoing and evolving complexities of sugarcane systems. Without this knowledge, millions of dollars of R&D investment will be wasted and immeasurable environmental, social and economic benefits will be lost. The framework developed in this project has the potential to improve the way in which participatory research and technology development are conducted. However, in order to realise these impacts, the framework needs to be further developed to more clearly guide interactions between scientists, extension officers and farmers. Building capacity within the industry to implement learnings from this framework could help maximise the impact of complex technologies in the Australian sugarcane industry. This will assist the industry to profit rather than suffer from the complex challenges that it faces.