Good practice leads to good outcomes for both farmer and the environment 

Our environmental vision CANEGROWERS environmental vision is to share responsibility for the long-term protection of our natural environment, alongside government, the community and other industries Care and responsibility for minimising and managing the impacts of our actions Sustainability - managing sugarcane farming into the future, caring for and respecting natural resources to preserve the rich landscapes in which cane growers live Continuous improvement - striving for ever-improving environmental performance Collaboration - working with others towards viable and practical solutions Fairness and honesty - fostering open, constructive and rational debate towards sustainable solutions Communication - openly sharing facts and engaging the community Unity - sharing and owning this vision across the entire organisation and our partners Understanding - supporting sound research to understand our environment and our potential impacts

Significant adoption

There has been a significant adoption of more sustainable farming practices by Australia’s sugar growers. Sugar is taking a lead in making Queensland agriculture more profitable and better for the environment.

The Australian sugar industry is one of the world’s most efficient and innovative producers and exporters of sugar according to a large-scale environmental audit published in June this year.

The report shows a growing awareness among sugarcane growers that sustainability does not invariably mean reduced productivity and efficiency. Furthermore, there has been a significant change in attitude among individual growers towards environmental issues and an increasing adoption of more sustainable farming practices.

The audit completed by C4ES Pty Ltd for the Federal Government found that many cane growers had voluntarily introduced initiatives which have reduced impact on waterways, the Great Barrier Reef, coastal ecosystems and biodiversity. The good news for farmers is that they are already starting to see some of the social and productivity benefits of adopting ecologically sound practices.

Australian cane growers advocate an active, forward-looking policy on the environment. The accent is on sustainability: to balance the apparent conflict between efficiency and environmental constraints and wherever possible, to limit government involvement through responsible self-management and subscription to voluntary codes of conduct.

CANEGROWERS, the body which represents around 80% of Queensland’s cane growers, is playing an active role in the adoption of sustainable farming practices.

 

Best Practice

A major step forward in the environmental awareness of cane growers really came some five years ago when the industry determined guidelines were published to provide a ‘ best practice’ benchmark for all growers. These best practice farming techniques which were published in the Code of Practice for Sustainable Cane Growing in Queensland were endorsed by the Queensland Government under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

The Code of Practice addresses key environmental issues of minimum tillage, green cane harvesting and trash blanketing, fertiliser and chemical usage, irrigation and its impacts, water quality and run-off, biodiversity, soil health, and the maintenance of riparian land and wildlife corridors. Good progress has been made towards addressing these issues.

The code became the basis of a self-paced learning package aptly known as COMPASS (Combining Profitability And Sustainability in Sugar). Growers could use the self assessment workbook at home to learn more about the planning for sustainable and productive farms.

Off-shoot best management programs have been created and implemented for sugarcane farmers covering everything from irrigation management to soil nutrient management to chemical management.

Each of these programs has been run independently, but to help farmers draw these together for a “big picture” view of how efficient and effective their farming practices are, the cane industry is implementing a framework to house each of these initiatives.

 

Farm Management Systems (FMS)

FMS simply ‘packages’ all the things farmers are doing, into one place, so they can show they are using good practices on farm. By bringing everything they are already doing together, growers can compare their farm management practices with what is possible and see where improvements can be made. The cost savings through this risk assessment approach can facilitate improved returns from using better management practices which are recorded in the FMS.

The best thing about FMS is that growers who have already completed COMPASS training, taken part in Water Use Efficiency projects or developed Land and Water Management Plans, are one step ahead and well on the way to developing their own cost saving management tool. An added bonus for cane farmers is that Government regulation is much less likely when farmers can prove that they are farming responsibly.

FMS is a powerful weapon to allow farmers to work in harmony with the wider community. Some areas where environmental concerns are already being addressed include:

 

Chemical Use

Rural industries have developed chemical collection services and a self-regulatory training and education program for users of agri-chemicals. Over 60% of Queensland cane growers have completed a voluntary one-day course and have been accredited in the use of farm chemicals. The result has been a marked increase in proficient use and a reduction in application rates and frequency. This course must be completed every two years for growers to retain their certificate

 

Green Cane Harvesting & Trash Blanketing

One of the biggest cultural changes in cane growing has been the replacement of pre-harvest firing by the adoption of green cane harvesting and trash blanketing (GCTB). The volume of cane harvested green (unburnt) has increased by well over 200% in the past 10 years. In 1997, 65% of the Queensland crop was cut green compared with only 18% in 1987.

Adoption of GCTB has been driven by both ecological and efficiency reasons, and has yielded dividends in both environmental and productivity spheres.

Green cane harvesting has dramatically reduced the need for cane firing and its accompanying smoke issues, while the ensuing trash blanket protects soil from erosion during heavy rains and flooding. Blanketing increases the amount of organic matter in the soil, improving composition and structure. It also assists in weed control and conserving soil moisture. GCTB has also contributed to a reduction in nitrogen requirements, while at the same time elimination of burning has made harvesting schedules much more flexible.

 

Irrigation

More than 60% of all cane production is irrigated. Irrigation is costly, with water and associated pumping costs accounting for one third of all costs. Saving water is good business and environmentally responsible.

Irrigation water is monitored closely on all farms, with soil moisture readings an essential component of irrigation timing. Drip (or trickle) irrigation and low-pressure, overhead irrigation systems are being increasingly utilised, not just to save total volume but also to improve water use efficiency and productivity. Measurement of nutrient movement in irrigation run-off and ground water is widely practised to ensure hard-won dollars are not wasted.

Tailwater dams are commonly used to ensure that water run-off after irrigation is captured and reused. The effect has been to dramatically reduce off-farm movement of nutrients, thus protecting fragile environmental systems while increasing production and reducing costs.

 

Riparian Management

Clearance of existing vegetation is necessary to bring new land into production; however, recent recognition of both the environmental and economic importance of riparian zones (vegetation adjacent to watercourses) has changed practices of a lifetime. Trees are now being left adjacent to water ways on all new developments and trees are being replanted in already established areas, even though that replanting may reduce available area for cultivation.

Riparian zones have a major role in the filtration of nutrient run-off, stabilisation and prevention of bank erosion, and the siltation of waterways. They also play a vital part in the provision of wildlife corridors and in vermin control. Planting trees on river banks eliminates undergrowth, weeds and grasses, greatly reducing rat populations around cane fields. In turn, this dramatically reduces the need for costly chemical controls.

 

Acid Sulfate Soils

For many years, some growers have encountered ‘sour soils’ - those with high acid content which can be found mostly near coastal regions in New South Wales. These have provided generally poor levels of productivity. Exposure and drainage of acid sulphate soil has also had significant environmental ramifications, with acid run-off having the potential to affect fish breeding areas.

Recent awareness of both the economic and environmental consequences of cultivating acid soils has resulted in a more scientific approach being taken to mapping and identification of potential trouble spots, soil testing, drainage methods and neutralisation. This has produced positive environmental outcomes, while improving farm productivity.

 

Research & Extension

The Australian sugar industry commits around $38 million a year to research, development and extension with much of this targeted at improving sustainability as well as productivity.

As a direct result of the industry’s aggressive research and development program, advances have been made in areas such as pest control, where many of our programs are world class and an example to other Australian industries. Many of the pest control programs now being developed are based on integrated pest management strategies involving biological control agents, transgenic canes, the use of chemicals and changed cultural practices.

 

Future of Sugar

Australian sugarcane growers have realised that a better, more productive, more sustainable future is in their hands. They have adopted a proactive approach, addressing issues before community and conservationist concern generates restrictive and overbearing government intervention.

Cane growers regard best practice farming not as a cost but as a means of improving their productivity, efficiency and sustainability. Most importantly, they see sustainability as a basis for ensuring long-term viability and the guarantee that future generations will continue to produce sugar - at a profit.

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 and 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
(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)

CANEGROWERS is looking forward to the uptake results being surveyed now and due for release in late 2011.

 

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, 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.

 

Several public environment scorecards have been published, reporting on the adoption of good practices and environmental initiatives by Australian cane growers.  

Environment Report         2008  (1.9 MB)	Environment Report        2006  (3 MB)	Environment Report         2005  (1.3 MB)