Opportunities to increase significantly yield of sugarcane crops at Bundaberg

For the Australian sugar industry to remain competitive on world markets, it must progress and produce more for less. Without continuing improved productivity, the industry will lose its comparative advantage over other sugar producing countries. It is of paramount importance that all avenues to increase yield and to reduce costs are fully researched, developed and implemented. The Bundaberg sugar industry provides a good example of the management options available to increase cane yield significantly. Experience on the Churchward "Carlton" farm has demonstrated how options such as trickle irrigation, new varieties, soil fumigation, reduced nitrogen fertiliser rates, green cane agronomy and irrigation scheduling are capable of increasing yield by 40% above the present district average. The challenge for the scientific community is to develop options and to translate these into profit-winning farming systems to maintain the industry's lead over its overseas competitors.