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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    How will climate change impact climate variability in sugarcane growing regions? : SRDC Final report JCU032
    (SRDC, 2012) Everingham, Y
    Sugarcane is the fastest growing, largest biomass and highest sucrose accumulated agricultural crop today that offers a valuable contribution to delivering a sustainable future (Skocaj, 2013). Aside from cereal crops, sugarcane is the largest contributor of carbohydrates for human consumption and the conversion of sugarcane to raw sugar produces a wide variety of important by-products such as bioenergy, biofuels, bioplastics, paper, animal feed and synthetic fertilizers. Climate is a key driver of sugarcane production and its by-products. Given the significant contribution sugarcane production systems make to economic growth and development, especially in poor countries where sugarcane contributes to the economy, it is critical to understand how this production system will be impacted by climate change.
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    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.
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    Sugar communities and resilience to change : opportunities for enhancing women's participation in sustainability initiatives
    (Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC), 2008) Jakku, E; Bellamy, J; Bohnet, I; Finlayson, W
    This project was funded by SRDC, in partnership with CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems and the University of Queensland. The project commenced in November 2005 and this final report, completed in November 2008, summarises the key outputs, outcomes and lessons that have emerged from the project.
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    Raising awareness and adoption of sustainable cane growing practices : SRDC Final report BSS238
    (2002) Azzopardi, M
    This project aimed to raise awareness and adoption of sustainable canegrowing practices in the Queensland and New South Wales sugar industries by providing canegrowers with the capacity to critically assess their farming systems, identify areas for improvement, and develop action plans.The project built on the development of the Queensland sugar industry?s Code of Practice for Sustainable Cane Growing (CANEGROWERS, 1998) and the New South Wales sugar industry?s Best Practice Guidelines for Acid Sulfate Soils (Sunshine Sugar, 2000). Both of these documents provide growers with clear advice on their obligations in relation to legislation like the Queensland Environmental Protection Act 1994. However, they do not provide a mechanism for growers to check their compliance with best practice recommendations, nor develop plans to implement changes required. This project aimed to fill this identified gap in the process of improving cane farming practices and sugar industry sustainability.The project was initially expected to be conducted between 1 July 1999 and 1 July 2001. However, much of the work on the project did not commence until November 1999 (with the appointment of a project officer). The project?s finishing date was also delayed (with SRDC approval) until 1 May 2002 to ensure all milestones could be successfully met.
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    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.