Burdekin cane farmers prove sustainability leads to higher profits

Farm trials funded by the Queensland Government have proven sustainable practices increase profitability and protect the Great Barrier Reef.

Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection and Great Barrier Reef, Dr Steven Miles said one Burdekin Nitrogen Trials project farmer was making $28,000 more profit per year by reducing fertiliser while increasing sugar produced per hectare.

“Working with 23 cane farms we have tested different nitrogen fertiliser rates across different soils throughout the Burdekin. These results prove growers right across the Burdekin can make more money and reduce their impact on the Reef,” Dr Miles said.

“When I met with some of the growers I was struck by their enthusiasm. They told me they were skeptical at first but could not argue with the results delivered from their own land.

"I would like to thank all the growers involved in the project for their trust in the project team, keeping an open mind and making these changes on their farms’.

The Queensland Government has committed nearly $3 million for the trials, which began in 2011.

The trials were delivered in collaboration between Burdekin growers, Sugar Research Australia (SRA), Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation.

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke said the trials had shown farms were more profitable when adopting the industry standard, SIX EASY STEPS™ and good farming practices.

“Growers are more profitable by adopting best practice nitrogen rates compared with using higher rates of nitrogen traditionally used by growers,” she said.

“These trials also showed what rate of nitrogen fertiliser would maximise grower profitability and minimise the amount of nitrogen being lost in local waterways.”

SRA Executive Manager, Technology, Dr Peter Allsopp said SRA’s involvement in the project focussed on delivering value for Australian sugarcane growers and millers by bringing science into the field in a practical way.

“SIX EASY STEPS™ is a science-based nutrient management tool that enables the adoption of best practice nutrient management on-farm,” Dr Allsopp said.

“It is acknowledged as industry best practice for nutrient management to optimise productivity and profitability without adversely influencing soil fertility or causing off farm impacts”.

Burdekin grower David Defranciscis said he hoped the trials – which he had been involved since 2012 - would give the industry confidence to embrace change without compromising profitability and supply.

“These trials have proven I can reduce how much fertiliser I use while maintaining my farm productivity and saving money,” he said.

“I have been able to reinvest some of those savings into improving my soil which will hopefully improve my productivity and profitability in the future”.

While these trials are ending in 2017, Department of Environment and Heritage Protection has launched a new $700,000 project taking key components of RP20 and offering it to up to 90 farms across the Burdekin over the next two years.

“I am pleased to announce trials like this will now be rolled out to more growers. A new project Complete Nutrient Management Planning for Cane Farming (RP161) is being delivered by Farmacist, a locally owned and trusted specialist agronomy service”, Dr Miles said.

“On farm help will involve $5,000 worth of agronomy with personalised one-on-one extension with farms visits from Farmacist agronomists, whole farm and tailored nutrient management planning, fertiliser box calibrations and farm decision support.

“The Farmacist team is working with growers to help them improve their profitability. SRA and David Defranciscis are both working with the project,” Dr Miles said.

Farmacist project manager, Jayson Dowie said: “We are very excited to be a part of this project. It offers a great opportunity for growers to feel comfortable they are meeting industry requirements by providing them with soil specific nutritional plans, tailor made to their farm, as well as improving other farm efficiencies using targeted one-on-one extension.”

Burdekin growers interested in improving their profitability by implementing more effective management practices on their farms can contact the Burdekin Farmacist office on 07 4782 2300 or call 0429 837 497. More information is also available at www.qld.gov.au/FarmingInReefCatchments.

ENDS

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