Knowledge and technology transfer and adoption

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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
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
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.

Knowledge and technology transfer and adoption

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