SRA station makes grade
manual, which is designed for growers to help tackle on-farm biosecurity risks, was also launched. A SUGAR cane research station near Gordonvale has been independently accredited for its farm management and stewardship.
Sugar Research Australia’s research station at Meringa became the second SRA station to receive the industry’s Smartcane Best Management Practice accreditation earlier this month.
It comes as five Innisfail cane growers were also awarded the title, which aims to improve management practices across the industry.
Soil health, management of weeds, pest and diseases, and irrigation and drainage are among the facets that are assessed.
SRA executive operations manager Stephen Annells said it was a valuable tool to acknowledge hard work and was rapidly growing momentum.
“SRA’s research stations grow sugarcane, but our business is research, development and adoption,” he said.
“This means some of the elements of running a research station do differ at times to running a commercial farm.”
SRA’s Mackay research station was accredited in 2016.
The accreditation at Meringa was led by farm manager Jeff Smith, who has worked for SRA and its predecessor organisation for 44 years.
About 25 per cent of the sugarcane land from Ingham to Mossman has now been independently accredited as being farmed at or above industry best practice standard.
Innisfail cane grower Alan Colgrave said he hoped the growers would hopefully inspire others.
“As someone who farms near mangrove wetlands, achieving Smartcane BMP accreditation gives me comfort to know my farming operation achieves expectations set by markets, regulators and the community,” Mr Colgrave said.
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