Focus on environment
Good practice leads to good outcomes for both farmer and the environment. Download Sugarcane Environment Report (1.81MB) The majority of cane growers live adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef, waterways and wet tropics and have daily interface with heritage listed locations. Having these treasures in their backyard, a backyard which will become their children’s and their great grandchildren’s, makes cane growers very aware of the environment – perhaps even more so than the vast majority of Australians, given their close physical proximity and emotional connection to the icon.
CANEGROWERS have put together several public environment reports which show cane growers stewardship of the land. The enviornment reports have been distributed widely, bringing into focus cane growers across Australia who have kicked the twin goals of profitability and sustainability. The reports are available for download from the publications section of this website.
Some of the good farming practices being adopted widely by growers are highlighted below:GOOD FARM PRACTICE |
BENEFITS |
Green cane harvesting and trash blanketing Retaining stubble from one year to the next and working the crop, including harvest, without burning the trash |
§ Increased soil moisture, plant available water and organic carbon percentages § Reduced potential for soil erosion § Reduced off-site leakage/loss of nutrients and pesticides § Increased beneficial soil micro-organisms, earthworms and other beneficial |
Reduced tillage Minimum tillage systems Soil remains relatively untouched during the preparation and growing season by less working of the field. This includes separating where cane is grown from vehicle traffic in the paddock. This is achieved by matching wheel and row spacing, reducing the impact of compaction to the same small area |
§ Improved soil heath by conserving organic matter, preserving beneficial soil biota and soil fauna habitat § Reduced soil compaction § Increased rainfall infiltration and moisture holding capacity § Reduced crop damage and pest incursions § Improved fertiliser management § Reduced erosion risk § Improves nitrogen fixation by legume break crop § Improved weed control though reduced weed germination which lowers costs and facilitates uptake of banded/hooded herbicide application § Lowers costs of production |
Rotation cropping and Legume break cropping The planting of fallow land, about 15% of a farm area, on an annual rotational basis with nitrogen fixing legumes (for example soybeans, peanuts and chickpea) |
§ Improved soil structure and moisture holding capacity § Returns nitrogen to soil and reduces need for fertilisers § Offers good weed control options § Assists to control cane pest and disease issues § Facilitates the uptake of minimum tillage by planting to suit controlled traffic configuration for cane § Delivers a better balanced soil biota § Fewer root pathogens § Increased ability to biologically fix nitrogen, improving soil condition and productivity § Reduce the need for irrigation through improved moisture holding capacity § Leads to improved profitability |
Precision agriculture Matching crop agronomy to the production potential of different parts of paddock/farm |
§ Allows tailored application of inputs such as fertiliser/herbicides through use of mapping, soil tests, variable rate technology and hooded sprayers (which minimises over/under application) § Increases yield potential of farm by targeting input needs § Provides valuable yield and paddock variability data for decision making § Promotes improved farm record keeping § Facilitates uptake of better paddock design by identifying soil type variability; should result in better matching of irrigation system to soil type § Facilitates the uptake of better farming technology § Improved profitability after initial outlay |
Controlled traffic Row spacings match equipment |
§ Reduced soil compaction § Reduced damage to the cane plant and roots and ease of harvesting lodged crops with minimal impact on cane plant stalks and stool § Reduction in fuel and time due to reduced overlap |
Guidance systems This tool can be utilised for controlled traffic (the tracks used by planters, tractors and harvesters are laid down with the aid of a Global Positioning system (GPS) |
§ Reduced soil compaction § Reduced damage to the cane plant and roots and ease of harvesting lodged crops with minimal impact on cane plant stalks and stool § Reduction in fuel and time due to reduced overlap |
Wider row spacing Similar to controlled traffic, but with modifications to row widths and farm machinery |
§ Reduces the distance travelled in carrying out operations and therefore reduces fuel use and greenhouse gases § Allows for more effective use of farm time because of less travel time § Improved soil condition and productivity by reducing soil compaction and promoting better soil health through increased micro-organisms § Improved soil moisture holding capacity, rainfall and irrigation capture and increased ability of crop to utilise moisture, which could reduce the need for irrigation |
Multiple row cropping |
§ More effective use of farm inputs, leading to cost savings per unit of farm input § This system has many synergies with controlled traffic, for example matching farm machinery with crop row widths |
Water Recycling Systems Retaining and recycling tail waters on farm |
§ Improved efficiency of water use and irrigation infrastructure, particularly important given the rising cost of water § Improved habitat for birds, fish and wildlife |
Establishment of efficient irrigation systems |
§ Improved efficiency of water use and better targeted application of water use § Energy savings and savings in farm labour with the more effective use of the grower’s time § More effective use of farm infrastructure and improved productivity from the cane § Improved timing and rate of application and better use of limited water available which reduces the amount of time that the cane plant is stressed § Improved irrigation distribution uniformity § Reduction in water losses during irrigation (less deep drainage, less water loss in windy conditions) § Electricity and labour savings (low pressure overhead irrigation systems v winch irrigation) § More effective use of farm land with good designs which lead to less land lost to winch irrigation tow paths |
Impressive uptake of good farming practices
Please note that the uptake in the first three items (GPS, water quality and controlled traffic) is particularly impressive given that they are such new additions to the good farming practice repertoire