Cropping solutions for the sugarcane farming systems of the Burdekin : Final report 2011/922

Abstract

The 'Cropping solutions for sugarcane farming systems of the Burdekin' project investigated cropping opportunities within the sugar dominant farming systems of the Burdekin. The project was designed to assess the impact and interaction that delayed planting has on sugarcane productivity both with and without different sequences of break crops (grain legumes, maize). This project objective was to assess both short (3-9 months) and longer (15-18 month) break cropping situations. Through a rigorous agronomy trial program, this project developed locally relevant agronomic packages for soybeans and mungbeans in tropical cane systems and investigated the profitability and productivity implications of longer fallows within the cane system. The project assessed agronomic management strategies (tillage, nitrogen, herbicides, varieties) for grains and developed information packages for grains (collation of relevant existing and project developed information and practices) including how to best transition in and out of sugarcane to allow successful break crop during the fallow period; and increase the skills and capacity of growers and local agribusiness to enable successful break crop management and production.