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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Subject: search.filters.subject.Capacity building

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    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.
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    Helping sugarcane farmers integrate electronic recording systems into their farming business : SRDC Grower Group Innovation Project final report
    (2012) Reinaudo, M
    The use of timely and accurate records can improve farm profitability through the evaluation of past, current and future performance of the business. Electronic farm management records are relatively new for the sugar industry and in many cases the value of this information is yet to be successfully demonstrated to growers. This project provided growers with an opportunity to integrate electronic record keeping into existing farming businesses and evaluate the values of farm management records. The grower group consists of 15 businesses, representing a combined total area of over three thousand hectares of sugarcane farming land. Group participants had a spread of computer and record keeping skills ranging from nill to very tech savvy. A thorough process was utilised to select an appropriate program for the duration of the project (January 2010 – December 2011). This involved a review of the most widely used ‘of-the-shelf’ record keeping products in agriculture, with emphasis on the sugarcane industry, and then narrowing down to three products of preference for the group. In order to make an informed decision, the group utilised several sources of information. This included contemporary literature on each program, meetings and demonstrations with each of the product agents, a group field study to source first hand information from growers using the programs and development of a decision table to assist group members with the final selection. Final selection of the program was decided through a group vote, with Farm Works receiving the majority of votes. The group proceeded with purchasing the software and hardware and successfully implemented the electronic record keeping system into their existing cane farming business. The grower group project delivered a strong focus on people development through improved knowledge and experience in using electronic records for farm management purposes. In many cases, the growers involved were not accustomed to keeping electronic farm management records, therefore this project provided a significant step forward from existing manual / paper based record keeping. Over the course of the project, the level of electronic record keeping increased significantly and a greater array of records are now documented by grower group participants. This project demonstrated that electronic record keeping represents the future in optimising the management of contemporary sugar farming enterprises. Many of the group members have embraced the technology and are now looking at alternate applications within their respective business. That said producers with a lesser affinity for technology and/or complexity of the system have struggled with its application. Not all grower group members will continue to use the Farm Works program beyond the life of the project. This is largely a function of some of the co-operating producers struggling with the technology and its applicability to their specific farming system / operations. This reinforces the need for each grower to consider which type of record keeping system will best suit their needs before implementing a change. Only with appropriate training and support will a new district & industry norm be established. With the variety of packages available to producers, the broader Industry also faces the challenge of establishing a common set of variables / parameters that can be recorded in each district and the ability to share information between systems. Achieving consistency in this regard, would greatly enhance the ability for cross regional / Industry wide assessments
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    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.
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    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.
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    Research Seminar, Bundaberg 2 March 1988
    (2012) Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations (BSES)
    Fourth seminar held in Bundaberg focussing on southern canegrowers district. Topics cover research, research funding and extension.