MEDIA RELEASE
26 September 2011
First ever sugarcane Nuffield scholarship awarded to CANEGROWERS Burdekin grower, Bryan Granshaw
This week peak group CANEGROWERS has congratulated north Queensland sugarcane grower, Bryan Granshaw, who has been awarded the first ever sugarcane Nuffield scholarship, which was sponsored by the Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC).
The Dalbeg sugarcane grower was over the moon to have his inventive research proposal funded by the prestigious program, but says he was even more honoured when he met the field of innovative farmers across Australia – past and present – to be accepted into the program.
Accepting his award during a ceremony held in Adelaide on the weekend, Bryan Granshaw said his research proposal drills down into how to get more out of the natural biologies and synergies that exist within our soils.
His project is focussed on little-known technique - intercropping - which is essentially when two or more crops are grown simultaneously in the same paddock. It is a complex balancing act between achieving greater yields and achieving agronomic benefits through companion cropping, without having the crops competing for physical space, nutrients, water or sunlight. Intercropping strategies are best suited to interspacing a deep-rooted crop with a shallow-rooted crop, or planting a tall crop with a shorter crop that requires partial shade, making sugarcane an ideal crop to research the potential benefits.
Bryan says the Nuffield scholarship will enable him to learn how farmers in other parts of the world manage two different crops when intercropping. In February next year, he will head to a selection of top farms and research stations in Europe, United Kingdom, Canada, United States (California and Washington DC), Mexico, Brazil and New Zealand. He will investigate how farmers across a range of commodities are incorporating intercropping successfully to improve soil conditions to maximise yields, within a sustainable farming system.
Bryan is a third generation cane grower on his family’s property, where he works in partnership with his brother Terry and father John. They are predominantly sugarcane growers; however also intercrop with legume crops such as soybeans and mungbeans. On their property, the Granshaws have incorporated a number of innovative, future‐focused concepts such as green cane trash blanketing, reduced tillage, legume fallows, intercropping and controlled traffic to develop a farming system that is sustainable both for now and into the future.
Soil health forms the foundation of their farming system, and it’s this passion that has driven Bryan to his Nuffield research topic. Acting CEO of CANEGROWERS, Ron Mullins said Bryan was known in the industry for his interest in sustainable farming practices. "His business card says he is a ‘food, fibre and energy producer’ and he has long been active in learning more about working with Mother Nature and harnessing the natural biology and synergies that already exist within our soils," Mullins said.
SRDC Executive Director Annette Sugden believes Bryan will make an excellent Nuffield scholar. “Bryan thinks holistically, integrates science into his operations and demonstrates the benefits of adopting the latest on-farm research available," she said.
Media comment: Ron Mullins | CANEGROWERS Acting CEO | 0417 790 156
Annette Sugden | SRDC Executive Director | 0407 736 145
More information: Suzi Moore | CANEGROWERS Communications | 0427 641 239
or 07 3864 6444 Bryan Granshaw is on a farm tour and has poor mobile service. Please contact Suzi if you are looking to contact Bryan over the next week.
