10 March 2014
SRA Media Release

Over 100 sugarcane industry participants attended the joint Sugar Research Australia Ltd (SRA) and Burdekin
Productivity Services Ltd (BPS) information morning on Wednesday 5 March.

Dr Andrew Ward, Executive Manager, Professional Extension and Communication Unit, SRA said that the event was an ideal opportunity for everyone to gather the latest best-practice farming advice and industry information to drive some of this season’s farming decisions.

A range of leading experts presented results from SRA-funded research that examined the nitrogen use efficiency of a range of sugarcane cultivars, and results from the SIX EASY STEPS validation trials funded by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.

The increased productivity and reduced off-farm losses that new forms of nitrogen fertilisers such as Entec and Agricote products provide were also covered.

“The sessions about nutrient management and soil health were of greatest interest, in particular the new research findings and emerging technologies in the field of nitrogen.

“Both topics were identified at recent SRA industry consultation forums as two of the most important challenges facing growers today. From the positive feedback we received from attendees, these sessions addressed what they wanted to know to help them on-farm,” Dr Ward advised.

Considerable time was also allowed for questions and attendees used this opportunity to better understand how the current and future research being undertaken in the nitrogen space could help them improve the productivity and profitability of their own farming operation.

“Attendees shared each other’s experiences and took away a range of practical advice on the best times to apply nitrogen, the impact of water quality and importantly the cost benefit of newly-released nitrogen products,” he said.

The morning finished with presentations from supply chain participants Wilmar, who explained the maintenance and capital investment being undertaken at their Burdekin mills to efficiently crush what is expected to be a larger 2014 crop, and Queensland Sugar Ltd who discussed the outlook for the sugar price.

“Both SRA and BPS were extremely pleased with the enthusiastic attendance on the day. Feedback from attendees confirmed that growers and other industry participants want to connect with the whole-of-supply chain, to help them make informed decisions.

“SRA is therefore committed to providing similar events throughout 2014,” concluded Dr Ward.