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An exciting new project will see CANEGROWERS develop a world-class best practice system for sugarcane growing.
The CANEGROWERS Sugarcane BMP is a far more effective approach to industry change than regulations as it focuses on the business of sugarcane and delivers the environmental outcomes which will meet the expectations of the Australian community. As key milestones of the project are met, the Queensland Government has committed to rolling back the regulatory controls.
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Project contact
Malcolm Petrie
BMP Project Director
T: 07 3864 6444
M: 0408 748 141
E: Click Here |
Key project milestones
March to May 2013 period
- Completed 14 District Working Group workshops (Proserpine, Mossman, Rocky Point, Mackay, Tully, Herbert River, Innisfail, Burdekin (Incl. Pioneer/Kalamia), Tablelands, Bundaberg, Isis, Maryborough, Cairns (Babinda and Mulgrave)). The aim of the workshops was to seek feedback on the development and delivery of the future BMP program. 28 March 2013
- Contracted the development of the Cane BMP database system. The consultant has had previous experience in the development of the Cotton, Grazing and Grain BMP database systems. 7 May 2013
- Completed 4 Regional Working Group workshops (Southern, Central, Burdekin and Northern). The aim of the workshops was to seek feedback on the development and regional delivery of the future BMP program. 8 May 2013
- Circulated an expression of interest for the development of the following modules to external consultancies.13 May 2013
- Landscape and biodiversity management
- Workplace health and safety
- Farm business management
- Convened a meeting of the BSES PEC Unit to commence the development of the following 4 modules. 14 May 2013
- Drainage and Irrigation
- Pest, disease and weed management
- Soil health and plant nutrition management
- Crop production and harvest management
Project Summary
A new world-class Best Management Practice (BMP) for Australian sugarcane growers
An exciting new project will see CANEGROWERS develop a world-class best practice system for sugarcane growing.
CANEGROWERS has secured $3.5M of funding for development and delivery of a Sugarcane BMP in partnership with the Queensland Government, in an outcome which will give sugarcane growers an opportunity to showcase that they manage their industry best management standards. As key milestones of the project are met, the Queensland Government has committed to rolling back the regulatory controls.
The CANEGROWERS Sugarcane BMP is a far more effective approach to industry change than regulations as it focuses on the business of sugarcane and delivers the environmental outcomes which will meet the expectations of the Australian community.
Success hinges on high grower adoption
A robust system and a high level of adoption of that system by sugarcane growers is the key to winding back the regulation, and ensures the sustainability of the industry into the future.
Growers have experienced firsthand the enormous work involved in compliance with regulations - it is expected that sugarcane growers will sign-up to a practical, industry led and developed system.
The rate at which regulation will be wound back, is directly linked to the rate at which cane growers adopt the new industry-led system.
What will the Sugarcane BMP look like?
The basic philosophy is that there are no set ‘recipes’, but rather a recognition of on-farm management styles that allow for progress towards the adoption of an improved cropping system that is based on best practice principles.
CANEGROWERS will be working with growers to develop a series of 7 web based education and training modules covering a wide range of activities, including:
1. Integrated water system management
2. Pest, disease and weed management
3. Soil health and plant nutrition management
4. Landscape and biodiversity management
5. Crop production and harvest management
7. Workplace health and safety process management
8. Farm business management
The practices contained within each module will be categorised depending on ability to improve productivity, profitability and stewardship.
Building on existing work
There are already a lot of products which have been developed over the past 30 years. The Sugarcane BMP project will consolidate and build on this and emerging work. It will also build on the successful Reef Rescue program, and be integrated into any future Reef Rescue-type initiatives.
Will growers be audited?
Many sugarcane growers operate to a best practice industry standard and will already comply with main parts of the BMP system. Signing on to any or all of the below steps is completely VOLUNTARY.
- Growers can undertake a self-assessment of how they comply with the modules.
- Growers can elect to undertake training to improve their knowledge in certain areas to assist achieving module accreditation.
- Growers can request an independent assessor - a qualified professional - to provide an assessment on their performance against the BMP.
What happens to the data?
Data will be owned by the sugarcane industry and will be collated to help support industry productivity, extension and R,D&E. Collated data will not identify individual farms, unless specifically requested, and will underpin industry strategy and direction, and provide indicators on progress towards meeting government policies and programs. Aggregated at the appropriate scale, data will:
- Inform the progress and success of the BMP program.
- Support industry R,D&E needs, product development and training.
- Support district and regional extension needs, product development and training.
- Provide baseline information to support continuous improvement in meeting industry reporting requirements.
Timelines and delivery
By June 2014:
- 1520 growers will have completed self-assessment of BMP modules (75% of these coming from cane growing areas between Mossman to Mackay).
- 380 will achieve BMP recognition (75% of these coming from cane growing areas between Mossman to Mackay).
- Recognised Prior Learning and professional development will be supported under the program.
A system that the community can rely on
The public want to believe that their iconic sugarcane industry is doing the right thing – but to do this they would like to see evidence of the progress the industry has made.
The Sugarcane BMP will be the robust system on which Australians can base their pride in our sugarcane growers on a global scale. It will become the platform of proof that can be used to show Australians and the world – the leading technology and practices for which our sugarcane growers are now renowned.
Click here if you want to read more
This industry initiative has been funded by the Queensland Government in partnership with peak sugarcane body CANEGROWERS
Fact Sheet
