Completed projects and reports
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Sugar Research Australia, Sugar Research Development Corporation and BSES reports from completed research projects and papers.
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Item Final report SRDC Project CG013 Growers working together to improve water quality in the Herbert Sugar Industry(2008) Wood, A; Wrigley, T; Phillips, K; Sheedy, PThe sugarcane area of the Herbert River district is located adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). The quality of water entering the GBR lagoon from the Herbert district is one of the most important environmental issues facing the Herbert sugar industry. However, little data on water quality are available from catchments consisting entirely of sugarcane. This project was conducted to establish a number of water quality monitoring sites in relatively small catchments where the land use is solely sugarcane and where individual growers or groups of growers could measure the quality of water in farm drains using simple tools and relate it to their farming practices. Eleven growers volunteered to participate in the programme. They were keen to participate because they felt that sugarcane growers’ reputation of being good custodians of the land had been tarnished by various external studies of water quality and they were eager to demonstrate that their activities were not polluting drainage water. A series of suitable sites for taking and testing water samples were established and V notch weirs were inserted in the drains for the purpose of measuring rates of water flow. A series of simple tools were developed for measuring sediment and nutrients drainage water leaving the farms. An experienced water engineer who had worked in the district for many years agreed to coordinate the project and proceeded to train the growers involved. He also set up and equipped a water analysis laboratory so that the measurements taken by the growers could be validated. Occasional samples were also sent to a NATA accredited laboratory for further validation of the nutrient determinations but also for measurements of pesticide residues. The growers involved in the project have recorded water quality measurements for three years and have also maintained records of on-farm practices that may impact on water quality such as tillage, fertilising, land levelling and herbicide applications and other activities that may impact on water quality. The growers were provided with information on desirable water quality levels. If their measurements exceeded these levels, growers reacted quickly to seek possible explanations for the elevated readings. The project was evaluated at the commencement, mid-term and just before its conclusion. The growers involved developed a list of the critical factors that needed to be achieved in order for the project to be successful. The mid-term evaluation was conducted with members of the Project Consultative Group and the final evaluation was again conducted with the growers involved in the project. Feedback was generally positive but there were a few areas where things could have been improved. The project outcomes consisted largely of improved knowledge, particularly amongst the growers, of what simple techniques are available for measuring nutrients, pH, dissolved oxygen and turbidity of farm drainage water. Growers learnt what constituted high, medium and low levels for the different water quality parameters and developed a better understanding of the relationship between rainfall and discharge characteristics of drains on their farms. They improved their understanding 4 of the relationship between on-farm management practices and water quality and of the accuracy and reliability of the different tools used to measure water quality. An important outcome has been the continued engagement and support of growers involved with the project, and the engagement and support of regulatory and other government support agencies through the project consultative group. This is important for the next phase of the project which aims to expand from 11 growers to around 100 growers conducting water quality monitoring. The existence of a committed nucleus of growers will be essential for helping to inspire others to participate. Likely economic benefits of the project will be increased farm profitability arising from improved farm practices associated with better management of farm inputs such as fertilisers and herbicides. Reduced input costs arising from reductions in soil tillage and more targeted applications of nutrients and herbicides will also contribute. Environmental benefits will arise from improved water quality on farm and in the downstream ecosystem, and improved soil health arising from changes in farming practices. Social benefits will include the empowerment of growers, who are now armed with better information about their farm practices and the likely impacts on water quality; greater confidence amongst growers when interacting with government and environmental groups; and improved attitudes and engagement by growers in sustainable land management.Item Nutrient management from variable rate technology in a control traffic system by the Oakenden Grower Group : SRDC Grower Group Innovation Project final report(2008) Muscat, JThe aim of the project is to determine the benefits of nutrient management system in a controlled traffic farming enterprise in an environmentally sustainable manner. The project will determine the cost benefits by comparing the conventional nutrient application to variable rate application. It will determine the difference between narrow chute planting and wide chute planting. The project will compare different legumes and the impact on the following cane crop. Oakenden Grower Group has documented a fact sheet to enable growers some insight when choosing a GPS system in a question and answer style information sheet. The Oakenden Grower group was keen to understand the economic impact of these trails which are highlighted in the trial results.Item Report on evaluation of nutrient enhancement of biodunder for cane growth(1992) Chapman, LSThree yield trials were conducted to evaluate strategies for the use of biodunder as a fertiliser for sugarcane. Cane growth in the trials was adversely affected by the weather, which was dry in summer, followed by exceptionally heavy and prolonged rainfall, and then drought conditions in autumn and winter. Under these abnormal conditions cane yield was lower than normal. The conclusions drawn from the results of these trials must therefore be extrapolated with caution, for they may not apply to more normal growing conditions.Item Report for terrain natural resource management extension officer support services to cane farmers in the Herbert and Tully region(2011) Sellick, S; Villaruz, J; Shannon, GAs part of the Reef Rescue project, BSES Limited has two contracts with Terrain Natural Resource Management involving the delivery of specific extension services to the sugar cane industry in the Terrain region sugarcane districts from the Herbert to Mossman. These extension services sit within the BSES strategic plan (2008-13) and are designed to support improvements in water quality outcomes that also potentially improve long-term sustainability of the industry.The two contracts are for Extension Support for growers to access on-farm funding (BSES code 2420420) and delivery of industry training (BSES codes 2425420 and 2430420 run as one project).Item Report for terrain natural resource management : delivery of six easy steps and integrated weed management workshops throughout the terrain region(2011) Sellick, S; Calcino, D; Shannon, G; Benson, A; Porta, MAs part of the Reef Rescue project, BSES Limited has two contracts with Terrain Natural Resource Management involving the delivery of specific extension services to the sugar cane industry in the Terrain region sugarcane districts from the Herbert to Mossman. These extension services sit within the BSES strategic plan (2008-13) and are designed to support improvements in water quality outcomes that also potentially improve long-term sustainability of the industry.The two contracts are for Extension Support for growers to access on-farm funding (BSES code 2420420) and delivery of industry training (BSES codes 2425420 and 2430420 run as one project).This report is for 2425420 and 2430420 and involves the following key areas of activity:1. Provide technical support and membership to the Terrain sugar industry working group2. Provide specific extension services to assist Herbert and Tully growers in accessing Federal Government on-farm matched funding for works that improve both productivity and water quality outcome3. Provide an increased volume of industry support in areas of nutrient management and weed management programmes4. Provide technical support to the ABCD land-use practice guidelines and industry surveys for reporting to the Federal Government.Item Final report - SRDC project BSS268 - Accelerating the adoption of best-practice nutrient management in the Australian sugar industry(2010) Schroeder, BL; Moody, P; Wood, AThis project BSS268 developed further the SIX EASY STEPS program, including additional compentents to its integrated package. It aimed to accelerate the adoption of sustainable nutrient management by: 1: Improving knowledge of the constraints to the adoption of best-practice nutrient management using grower surveys. -- 2: Developing a Soil constraints and management package (SCAMP) for improving on-farm management decision making. -- 3: Facilitating the use of nutrient management plans at block and farm scales and the implementation of soil/site specific fertiliser applications using a participative approach -- 4: Assessing the risk of on- and off-site impacts of land management paractices using vulnerability maps at catchment scales -- 5: Demonstrating the benefits of best nutrient management practices with on-farm strip trials. -- 6: Reviewing the N-use efficiency factors associated with relevant trials. 6: Reviewing the N-use efficiency factors associated with relevant trials. -- 7: Developing a computer based decision support system for the SIX EASY STEPS nutrient management package.Item Optimisation of nutrient management of the Queensland sugar industry : SRDC final report BSS176(2002) Shannon, GThis project, BSS176, set out to give the sugar industry an indication of how bringing nitrogen rates back to within BSES recommended levels would not only save production costs, but also improve ccs, thus improving profitability to the grower. A reduction in nitrogen rates back to within recommended rate range would not only improve profitability and promote best management practice but also provide other important benefits to the sugar industry in the form of positive promotion of agronomic practices to the wider community.Item Development of an Educational Package for Canegrowers on Efficient Nutrient Management : final report BSS204(1999) Webster, K; Willcox, TThe 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.