Completed projects and reports

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Optimising productivity and variety recommendations through analysis of mill data : ASSCT peer reviewed paper
(ASSCT, 2016) Stringer, JK; Croft, B; Di Bella, L; Sefton, M; Nielsen, R; Larsen, P; De Lai, R; Davies, I
Production peaked in the Herbert River mills in 2005 but since then productivity has declined. Analysis of mill data in the Herbert has successfully identified groups of farms with similar productivity over time and the major factors associated with these groupings. The major finding of the study was that those growers who have adopted new farming systems had significantly higher productivity than those who use traditional practices. The impact of the Pachymetra resistance of previous varieties on yield of the current crop was also significant, suggesting this may be a major factor contributing to poor ratooning in the Herbert. In the small farm size groups, low and high performing growers had similar levels of % plant, % young crops, % old crops and % old varieties. However, the low and high performing groups varied significantly in terms of new varieties, suggesting that the small farm size low performing group were not adopting the new, more productive varieties to the same extent as the small farm size high performing group. Manager’s age was also an important factor associated with cane yields. Growers who regularly (five or six years out of six) obtained clean seed had more than 10% higher yields than growers who never or infrequently obtained clean seed and greater than 6% higher yields than growers who only obtained clean seed in three or four years out of six. Results from this research has allowed the Herbert Cane Productivity Services Limited (HCPSL) to design targeted extension strategies with the region. This will result in better variety recommendations and increase productivity.
Pachymetra root rot surveys of the Tully district update 2018 : ASSCT peer-reviewed paper
(ASSCT, 2019) Shannon, GJ; Magarey, RC; Macgillycuddy, L; Stringer, JK; Lewis, M
Pachymetra root rot is a soil-borne disease that impacts all sectors of the Australian sugar industry. The disease attacks the root system of sugarcane crops, affecting yields and leading to stool loss and shortened crop cycles, thus impacting the farming, harvesting and milling sectors. Monitoring the disease is, therefore, important so that optimised management practices are adopted, so bringing benefits to the entire value chain. A survey of the Tully district conducted in 2004 showed that pachymetra root rot was widely distributed across the Tully mill area; a second survey undertaken in 2013 sought to determine trends in disease incidence after some significant changes occurred in the cultivar mix. Crop resistance had shifted significantly with a change in cultivar resistance and there was a consequent increase in disease severity. Financial losses from reduced yield were estimated at $5.5 million in 2013; this compares to just under $1.0 million in 2004. This paper reports on a third survey in 2018 that is a five-year update to provide snapshot of the status of this disease in the Tully sugar industry. While the disease is still widespread, its severity has decreased with financial losses estimated to be $3.5 million.

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