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.

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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Facilitating the commercialisation of products from GM sugarcane : communications plan
(2007)
This project addresses the knowledge gap of how management affects soil biological processes. This is important because management has to maximise soil health and nutrient relations. Knowledge of soil biology in context of management strategies will allow optimising economic and environmental outcomes for the sugar industry. The project assessed how management options of the ‘new sugarcane farming system’ (reduced tillage, legume break crop, trash blanketing, and reduced nitrogen (N) fertiliser application), impact soil biology. We examined the functional groups and activity of soil microbes in context of soil N availability and gaseous emissions. Sugarcane soils in North and Southern Queensland, including the Yield Decline Joint Venture site in Ingham and two commercial farms with contrasting management practices in Bundaberg, were used for this research. A suite of well established and new methods were applied to analyse soil biological processes. A focus on soil microbiological processes is justified because microbes are the main drivers of N turnover in soil. Microbes supply N to crops by breaking down complex organic matter and soil-bound N, but also c This document has been developed by the Sugarcane Gene Technology Group (GTG) with assistance from Cox Inall Communications. The document provides a five year Strategic overview to guide communications across the sugar industry supply chain while GM cane technology is being developed for commercialisation. The document also provides a detailed two year Communications Plan to guide communications to engage stakeholders and raise industry awareness of GM issues and industry capacity to support GM cane commercialisation. The Sugarcane GTG is mindful of the commercialisation issues facing other agricultural industries, in particular the grains industry, and of the work of the Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PMIC) as it works towards facilitating a framework to enable commercialisation of products from GM technologies. There is a clear need for the establishment of a framework on an industry-by-industry basis. The Sugarcane GTG is working to develop such a framework for the sugar industry, and this document also assists in the communications of this endeavour.ompete with plants for more easily-accessible N. Microbes convert N into easily leachable nitrate and gaseous N forms and are drivers of carbon (C) turnover in the soil. These microbial processes have not been comprehensively studied in sugarcane soils with different management. A special focus of this study was the development and application of novel molecular techniques to monitor soil microbial gene expression. This approach allows microbial functional analysis by treating soil as a “super organism” rather than deducing function from the presence of particular microbial taxa which is biased towards known microbial taxa.
SRDC Travel and Learning Project final report Grower Innovation Virtual Expo
(2008) Aylward, C
GIVE 2008 was a follow up to the very successful GIVE 2006. GIVE stands for Grower Innovation Virtual Expo.For the first time in the history of the Australian sugar industry, groups of growers have been funded to undertake R&D activities through SRDC’s Grower Group Innovation Projects. As the results of these investments are completed, the GIVE conference provides a dedicated venue for these grower groups to present their results. With over 270 attendees (mainly growers) and 21 grower group presentations, and 4 guest speakers over the two days, GIVE 2008 was extremely successful, with all participants rating the event very highly. A wide range of agronomic and harvesting topics were covered in the conference providing attendees with up-to date information and technology applications. Appendix 7 provides a copy of the conference program. Presentations made at the 2008 conference can be downloaded at http://www.giveday.org.au/ SRDC supported this event with a TLOP. This assisted with the costs of the venue, bringing in guest speakers, and organising the associated field trips.
Enhancing an economic way of doing business in the cane industry : SRDC final report DPI015
(2008) Poggio, MJ
Economics is often viewed by farmers as complex and time consuming. Economic work in the Australian sugar cane industry had been undertaken in the past but the large majority of this work was not targeted towards growers and was unsuitable for extension purposes. The emphasis over many years has been on farm viability through increased production with little emphasis and support to growers on analysing whole of farm profitability. The sugar industry is currently going through a period of volatile sugar prices, rapidly rising input costs and adjustment to deregulation. The need to focus on farm profitability through the use of economic tools and grower education is critical in maintaining a sustainable sugar cane industry. To remain viable, growers must now concentrate on reducing on-farm costs as well as increasing cane production. The recent introduction of derivative cane pricing mechanisms to growers is another example of the importance in understanding production costs and business profitability over time. This project aimed at assisting growers to analyse their production costs and identify opportunities to improve profitability through the implementation of sustainable farming systems. Quantifying the economic benefits of farming system changes is instrumental to speeding up grower adoption rate. Providing economic information in an easy to understand format and participatory involvement from growers to develop real life case studies was an important component of this project. Training on economics was also delivered through several forms of media to build on the current knowledge base in the industry and support more informed decision making skills. An Agricultural Economist was appointed on the 17th of October 2005 to service the Herbert and Burdekin regions. Five grower groups were approached in the Herbert and Burdekin regions to participate in the project. A baseline survey of the grower participants identified the current knowledge gaps, potential training needs and economic topics of interest. Each grower group provided a base for the collection of data on specific economic topics and provided feedback on the presentation of the results.
GIVE 2009 project report
(2009) Di Bella, LP
The Grower Innovation Virtual Expo (GIVE 09) was hosted by the Herbert Young Farmers and Herbert and Tully grower groups. The event was also supported by Herbert Cane Productivity Services Limited (HCPSL), Tully Cane Productivity Services (TCPSL), BSES Limited, CSR Sugar, Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (QDPI&F), CANEGROWERS Herbert River, Grower Group Services (GGS) and the Tropical City Group. The primary objective of the event was to encourage growers to discuss there own experiences, research and development which they were undertaking in there own businesses. The Tully/ Herbert organizing group also wanted to challenge and encourage growers within there regions to seek opportunities to improve their own farming businesses. The event was held on the 24th and 25th of March, 2009 in the Tully/ Ingham area. It is perceived by all involved that the GIVE 09 event was a major success.
Developing an integrated cropping-systems RD&E program for the sugar industry
(2008) Allsopp, PG
Sugarcane trash is used extensively as garden mulch in an industry with a value in excess of $20 million per annum. The incursion of sugarcane smut has complicated the movement of trash by companies that provide sugarcane mulch products,this assessment considers the survival of smut spores in relation to the proposal to store baled trash until there was a low risk of viable spores being present.The project aimed to develop industry-wide integration of cropping-systems RD&E to maximise effectiveness and efficiency of RD&E expenditure and expertise.

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