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 Boosting productivity in Maryborough by assisting cane growers to understand their soils : final report MSF007(2014) Dougall, A; Estbergs, A; Sugars, MThis project was based around producing a soil map of the Bauple area which is south of Maryborough. The soil map will be a valuable tool for improving productivity in the area because it can facilitate better farm management, for example variety selection by soil type and more specific management of different soils. We used this mapping project as an extension tool to teach growers about their soils and how to better manage them, this resulted in four main extension activities:Item Implementing methods for wider industry adoption : SRDC final report CSE009(2007) Jakku, E; Everingham, Y; Inman-Bamber, G; Thorburn, PMany of the challenges that the sugarcane industry faces are complex systems issues and R&D addressing these issues requires the active participation of industry stakeholders. A deeper understanding of processes that contribute to effective engagement between researchers and end-users is therefore essential to deal with the ongoing and evolving complexities of sugarcane systems. Without this knowledge, millions of dollars of R&D investment will be wasted and immeasurable environmental, social and economic benefits will be lost. The framework developed in this project has the potential to improve the way in which participatory research and technology development are conducted. However, in order to realise these impacts, the framework needs to be further developed to more clearly guide interactions between scientists, extension officers and farmers. Building capacity within the industry to implement learnings from this framework could help maximise the impact of complex technologies in the Australian sugarcane industry. This will assist the industry to profit rather than suffer from the complex challenges that it faces.Item Final report Sugar Research and Development Corporation Preparation of a CD Rom library of plant-parasitic nematodes(2003) Nobbs, JPlant parasitic nematodes are of considerable importance to all cropping industries within Australia. Losses caused by plant parasitic nematodes currently recorded in Australia is estimated at between $300 to 450 million. The correct identification of nematodes is essential not only in developing risk management programs, but also for preventing the introduction of plant disease. This project affected Program 3.1 (Crop Protection) within the program SRDC and assists with the design and implementation of pest monitoring systems by developing a CDRom for the identification of plant parasitic nematodes and the symptoms they cause. The CD-Rom provides information regarding specific nematode pests and their distribution, host range, symptoms and life cycle. It is also the first step in identifying potential nematode problems by researchers in state government agricultural organisations and AQIS. It can be used as a training tool for personnel interested in plant disease and quarantine. Diagrams and photographs are included in the CD-Rom to explain characteristics of the groups of plant parasitic nematodes recorded from Australia and illustrate the disease symptoms they cause. The CD-Rom is designed in a similar way to a Web Site. It contains sections on Techniques, Nematodes and Crops which can be accessed by clicking on icons or headings. Each page contains an index to assist with navigating within the page to areas of particular interest The main outputs of this project have been the CD-Rom and a new edition of “Plant Parasitic Nematodes – sugarcane”. The CD-Rom is to be formally launched at the 3rd Australasian Soilborne Disease Symposium at Tanunda in February, 2004. The availability of the CD-Rom will be published in growers magazines such as the Sugarcane Growers Magazine and will be available for sale in November, 2003. A diagnostic service has been made available during this project which was advertised using a pamphlet (Appendix B). This service provided specimens of sugarcane nematodes for description in the CD-Rom. The CD-Rom will provide training and educational benefits to researchers and industry members and provides information concerning identification and control methods, that will assist with management strategies and allow incursion risks to be assessed. With increased understanding of the role of nematodes in sugarcane crops, cost reduction and economic savings will occur.Item Developing a new approach to extension for widespread adoption of Best Management Practice(2002)MUL001 has sought to improve the uptake of research outcomes by the sugar industry’s growing sector. It is recognised that the traditional one-to-one extension approach is no longer affordable and the current system was not adequately facilitating the uptake of research at a time when the industry needed to make every post a winner. This project developed a group extension program in the Mulgrave region to promote the development and adoption of best management practice. 13 productivity groups were established which sought to involve 100% of growers. These groups utilise discussion type meetings and field demonstrations in order to enhance the individual knowledge and understanding of various aspects of sugarcane production, which are relevant to the management decisions faced at the time. Typically each group would meet 4 to 5 times each year. Emphasis is placed on learning from other growers as well as people with specialist knowledge in each particular field. Monitoring programs were also utilised to enhance the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes of individuals. Monitoring harnesses the power of learning-by-doing and has proven very effective. Monitoring programs for production constraints such as canegrubs, rats and weevil borer were coordinated by this project and strategically timed to enhance the effectiveness of group activities. The group extension program has been in operation since March 2000 and continues to improve in effectiveness and grower participation. Throughout the project 89% of growers participated in the extension program and on average, 63% of cane production areas were represented at each group activity. Although it is difficult to objectively measure change in knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes, there are numerous examples of subtle but visible change in the behaviour of farm managers, which could be attributed to the extension program. An important output of the project has been the development of a communication structure. This structure has proven invaluable to maintain information flow throughout all sectors of the industry and maintain a dialogue in an age of continuous change and uncertainty. This structure will be necessary to drive real and sustained change in the industry.Item Specialist grower groups enhancing BMP packaging and adoption in Innisfail, and Babinda districts : Final report IBS002(Innisfail Babinda Cane Productivity Services, 2008) Horsford, BIt was generally accepted throughout the sugar fraternity that grower group structures within the Innisfail / Babinda region were generally disjointed and, at times, lost credence by peers through the lack of network communications available to the existing group structures. Funding opportunities for these loose groups and some individuals were limited as government agencies demanded accurate grant applications, community consultation, fiscal accountability and prompt acquittal of funds. Even with this ad hoc approach there was a history of innovation (from the region) and it was felt structured and better organised grower groups would assist greatly in nurturing and developing these innovative ideas. The concept was to develop the skills of key leaders to lead and develop the group processes throughout the district whilst recognising the unique locality and nature of the industry in this region.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 Innovative farmers in the Herbert : Environmental protection agency project final report(2007) Shannon, G; Park, GFarming systems innovation has been taking place in the Herbert region since the early days of the sugar industry. During the 1960s and 1970s a complete change in the farming system took place with the introduction of green-cane trash blanketing. From the 1990s the greatest change taking place is the tackling of yield-decline issues, based on improvements to soil health using a whole-farm system centred on reduced tillage, legume fallows and controlled traffic. This project was developed to create a 'snapshot' of three different groups of growers at varying stages of implementation of the whole-farm system. It was considered that this would aid the adoption process through peer learning and group extension processes.Item Share-farming options for the Australian sugar industry : SRDC Final report BSS298(2007) McGuire, PJThe Australian sugar industry is faced with an aging farmer population, high land prices that limit expansion and a large number of small farms. Share farming and leasing have the potential to solve these three problems.This report presents a snap shot of share-farming and farm-leasing practices in four cane-growing regions: Cairns, Mackay, Bundaberg-Maryborough and New South Wales. Key learnings from the project include:Item Sugar yield decline joint venture, phase 2 : SRDC Final report(2006) Garside, AL; Bell, MJ; Pankhurst, CE; Stirling, GR; Magarey, RC; Blair, BL; Moody, PJ; Robotham, BG; Braunack, MV; Agnew, JAResearch in phase 2 has greatly increased our understanding of how farming systems operate, the key components of farming systems, and how they can be manipulated to provide better outcomes.