Improving harvest efficiency in the Mossman Central Mill area : SRDC Final report

Abstract

The Mossman sugar industry in 2004 was characterised by small farms and small blocks, an excessive kilometer/tonne transport ratio, an aging transport infrastructure with a bin fleet of limited capacity, a decreasing area of supply and a harvest window limited by topography. A project to improve the overall efficiency of the harvest and transport sector of the Mossman sugar industry commenced in 2005. Changes to improve the efficiency were developed through a series of workshops with representatives from the Mossman Central Mill, Mossman CANEGROWERS, the Queensland branch of the Mechanical Cane Harvesters Association and Mossman Agricultural Services. This group looked at a range of payment and harvest management issues. The project was managed through two broad work programs; industry consultation looking at payment options and monitoring of a group of harvesters.