Cane Matters

Targeting balanced nutrition and productivity constraints in the Herbert was a two-year project conducted in the Herbert River catchment, involving 19 cane growers across more than 5000 hectares of cane land. In this episode, we hear from one of those growers who participated in the project. The project was delivered by Sugar Research Australia (SRA) in partnership with Herbert Cane Productivity S...

In this episode we catch up with Sugar Research Australia, District Manager Central, Dylan Wedel to discuss a demonstration project examining root system differences across sugarcane varieties, and what they could mean for crop management. Interest in root systems has been growing among Central growers, particularly around how different varieties establish, and perform under varying conditions. Th...

In this episode, we unpack a high-priority SRA project that is accelerating the search for alternatives to imidacloprid, for effective canegrub management for Australian cane growers. Join SRA’s Lead Entomologist Dr Kevin Powell as he answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the project and shares the latest updates on current field trials investigating effective and economic agri...

In this episode, SRA Translation Research Manager Dr Barry Salter discusses new long-term soil health trials that are examining practice changes to trash management, to increase soil carbon. The project is assessing farming systems and residue management practices through monitoring of soils over time, assessment of sugarcane productivity and economic analysis of practice changes, to understand po...

In this episode we hear about an SRA-funded research project that is progressing technology aiming to allow the quantification of Ratoon Stunting Disease (RSD) in every rake of cane that enters a mill. If successful, the project could revolutionise industry’s understanding of the true distribution of this bacterial disease, within each milling region. Leading this significant project is Lead Field...

At Sugar Research Australia (SRA) our District Managers are the key point of contact with SRA, for growers, millers and other industry partners. They are located in Queensland’s Far North and Northern districts, the Burdekin, Central and Southern districts including Northern New South Wales. All SRA District Managers have one thing in common – a passion for problem solving, innovation and adoption...

In this episode we sit down with remote sensing specialist Johan Deutschenbaur, discussing an exciting new research project investigating the use of drones - equipped with hyperspectral technology - to predict sugar content (or CCS) in sugarcane, in real-time, in the field. As you will discover, the project aims to enhance the efficiency of SRA's Variety Breeding Program by replacing labour-i...

Hear from Sugar Research Australia (SRA) Weed Science Leader Emilie Fillols explaining the game changing new App, helping Australian sugarcane growers to easily identify weeds and other invasive flora on-farm.   Pl@ntNet is a free app that uses automated recognition technology to identify plants, by uploading images onto the platform.    Ms Fillols collaborated with the developers of the global Ap...

In this podcast we speak with Shamsul Bhuiyan, SRA Manager – Biosecurity & Disease Screening. We learn about the world-leading research conducted at SRA's Woodford Pathology Research station, protecting the Australian sugar industry from the threat of disease. For almost 30 years, researchers at Woodford have not only developed preeminent disease screening techniques to help develop disea...

Explore the Harvest Mate Auto project, led by SRA District Manager Central Dylan Wedel, which is building on previous investment into the original Harvest Mate web-based portal and app. Harvest Mate Auto integrates live data from harvester monitoring systems and enables automation of data entry to generate real time predictions of optimal harvesting practices. Harvest Mate Auto will expand the cap...

Did you know it takes at least 12 years to breed, trial and release a new variety of sugarcane for Australian commercial farming use? In this episode – the second in our two-part series examining SRA’s Variety Breeding Program - we examine the different trial phases of the program, to produce new cane varieties with superior productivity and agronomic traits, such as high yield, sugar content (CCS...

In the first of a two-part series, we explore the meticulous process of breeding new varieties of sugarcane for the Australian sugar industry. Developing varieties with superior productivity and agronomic traits such as high yield, sugar content (CCS), and good resistance to disease is central to helping the industry to remain productive, sustainable and profitable. It's a process that takes...