Dear Dave

In exciting news, three research investments have been announced by the Australian Research Council at an important time in the development of the Australian sugar industry.

New ARC projects to boost development in the sugar cane industry

New projects funded by the Australian Research Council for the sugar industry will focus on engineering sugarcane plants for biofuels; improving genetic gains in cane variety breeding and tackling major biosecurity risks to sugarcane production.

Using AI to detect weeds

Getting the message out about smart fertilisers

Researchers (right) from the Australian Research Council's Research Hub for Innovative Nitrogen Fertilisers and Inhibitors, based at the University of Melbourne, were invited to meet with local sugar extension and industry stakeholders at the DAF research station in Ayr last week to talk about the future of fertilisers. 

Research scientists, extension officers and industry reps got together for the meeting hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), who collaborated with Incitec-Pivot to bring innovative fertiliser research to the Burdekin. 

The ARC Research Hub is developing the next generation of ‘smart’ fertilisers that will support sustainable agricultural, farm profitability, and the health of soils and the environment. The research team presented the latest research and technologies to 

optimise fertiliser management that will minimise nitrogen losses and maximise uptake by crops. 

DAF Economist’s Caleb Connolly, in collaboration with SRA’s Project Agronomist Julian Connellan, presented on the economic analyses of the Enhanced Efficiency Fertiliser project (EEF60).  

About 30 people attended the day, which also included a discussion on future collaboration and raising awareness on emerging fertiliser technology that could be applied to sugarcane.

(Pictured below): The group also took the opportunity to visit the SRA Brandon station where Terry Granshaw (left) (and colleagues) presented on the latest developments in sugarcane technology. 

NSW sugar industry continues to grow stronger

The NSW sugar industry has reached the half-way mark in the crush and cane planting has begun. Just 18 months on from the catastrophic flooding of 2022, the three NSW sugar mills have crushed more than 600,000 tonnes of the projected 1.2 million tonne 2023 crop. Consistently good cane quality, high purity, and a high CCS (sugar content) have been reported by Sunshine Sugar as a result of favourable harvesting conditions and the reliable performance of the mills. 

In more good news, despite sugarcane crops being inundated under metres of water last year, sugarcane has once again proved its remarkable resilience with growers in most cases being able to harvest a crop during that season. 

The recent surge in sugar prices has further bolstered the strength of the NSW sugar industry, with growers poised to receive more than $55 per tonne of sugarcane for at least the next three seasons. This combination of factors has prompted a renewed interest in sugarcane production in the region.

Delivering SRA’s new small mill to MSF Sugar’s Tableland site are Graham Cripps (MSF Sugar), Gavin Rodman (centre) and Drewe Burgess (CANEGROWERS Tableland).

Small mill welcomed on the Tablelands

Variety management for growers in the Tableland district of Far North Queensland will now be easier thanks to the recent delivery of a small mill. 

"Variety adoption, and cane maturity, formed a significant part of the conversation when we were consulting with Tableland growers through the development of the Far North district productivity plan,” SRA District Manager, Far North Gavin Rodman said.

"It was also recognised that the tools required to gather some of this information were lacking and one of those was an accessible small mill. We're encouraging all Tableland growers to get familiar with the mill and see how it can benefit their business."

The Spring edition of Cane Matters is now available online

Neil Halpin presented DAF’s soybean research results at SRA's Bundaberg Field Day. 

Decades of soybean research drive results for canegrowers

More than 20 years of painstaking research into soybeans is paying dividends for Queensland’s sugarcane growers.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) is working closely with the farming sector and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GDRC) to double soybean production within three years.

DAF Principal Farming Systems Agronomist Neil Halpin said the research findings show soybeans are a great fit in high-rainfall coastal and hinterland areas such as Bundaberg, Mackay and the Burdekin for farmers wanting a legume rotation crop.

Precision planter in Mackay ready for loan

As part of the Central District Productivity Plan, SRA Mackay is supporting growers to trial growing a complementary fallow crop of soybeans using the SRA Precision Planter. The planter can plant through a trash blanket and cultivated ground. Growers last year took the opportunity to borrow the planter and went on to grow profitable crops of soybeans.  

District Delivery Officer Stephanie Duncan and District Manager Central Dylan Wedel have both taken part in the recent GRDC/DAF Soybean Masterclass and are now armed with the latest advice to help you make money from your fallow paddocks.  

If you'd like to give the Precision Planter a go, call Stephanie Duncan on 0459 863 298 or Dylan Wedel on 0490 029 387. 

SRA Events

Advanced Pre-Emergent Herbicide Workshop (Mossman) - CWA Hall, Mossman, Friday 6 October, 10am

Advanced Pre-Emergent Herbicide Workshop (Gordonvale) - Mulgrave Rambler, Gordonvale, Monday 9 October, 12 noon

Guided Tour to Miriwinni Lime's Mt Garnett plant - Tuesday 14 November, full day