High density planting as an economic production strategy: (c) a farming system and equipment requirements

Agronomic trials have indicated the potential for high density planting (HDP) to significantly increase sugarcane yields. However, commercial adoption requires innovation in the farming system and development of suitable HDP equipment. In the development of this farming system, concepts developed in other industries were evaluated. The farming system which is evolving is based on the concept of controlled traffic and using raised beds for guidance and to enhance drainage of the rootbed. Precision guidance systems to minimise space lost to trafficways and minimum tillage concepts are embodied in the system. While many machine concepts have been transferred from other industries, the project has necessitated the development of new planting equipment and harvesting equipment. Constraints on the width of equipment were instrumental in the development of the preferred layout of four rows at 0.47 m spacing being planted into raised beds separated by 0.7 m wide controlled traffic pathways on 2.1 m centres. All equipment has a track width of 2.1 m and a footprint about 0.3 m wide. It is believed the use of compacted trafficways will minimise trafficability problems that would otherwise be expected with equipment having relative high ground pressures operating under potentially adverse weather conditions.