An eye to diversify
Research group helping growers innovate
SUGAR Research Australia (SRA) is helping Far North growers explore new avenues and stay ahead of the market.
During the 2017/18 financial year the organisation launched several initiatives, including helping to optimise the feedtrain of 24 harvesters, reducing sugar loss for the value chain and improving profitability.
Highlighted in the SRA’s recently released 2017/18 Performance Report, the organis- ation also released six new sugarcane varieties that have a range of productive traits for growers and millers.
Fishery Falls cane grower Len Parisi is one Far North grower trialling some of the new sugar cane varieties at his property.
Passionate about innovation, he said introducing new varieties would allow him to stay ahead of the market.
SRA has also developed the “CogCalibrator” tool to make calibrating fertiliser boxes easier and allow growers to save money on fertiliser inputs.
The organisation’s investment also initiated the development of a blueprint for sugarcane mill managers to guide improvement strategies.
The blueprint details new processing technologies and their cost-benefit relative to conventional technologies in the Australian industry.
Chief executive officer Neil Fisher said SRA had also embarked on major initiatives to improve the adoption of technology in the industry and to modernise the sugarcane breeding program.
“We are delivering against the four goals in our strategic plan: driving profitability; improving sustainability; enhancing capability; and strengthening organisational excellence,” he said.
“Our performance report is one tool we use to communicate how SRA is delivering for our investors against these overarching goals.”