DEVELOPMENT OF A HARVEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN THE HERBERT

THE ABILITY to collect and use accurate, reliable productivity data at block level is critical to variety selection. All data at block level begin at bin deliveries to the mill weighbridge, with the recording of the weight. Sampling and analysis procedures at the mill result in data on CCS levels. The spatial area any lot of cane was harvested from is the remaining element required to arrive at sugar tonnes per hectare. Arguably, sugar tonnes per hectare remains the best basic parameter to evaluate all aspects of farming systems, including varietal performance over soil types, row spacing, minimal tillage, multi rows and nutrient application. Such block data have long been collected in the Herbert with limited success. The level of reliable, accurate block data provided by the harvest average between 75% and 85%. Investigations into the reasons for this low value revealed inaccurate cane consignment as the main reason for block data error and, subsequently, spurious data. Further problems that are unrelated to productivity issues but are identified as resulting from bad consignment include equity related problems and unequal finish to the harvest. Strip trials on farms, variety trials, Moddus strips and nutrient experiments all rely on correct consignment for dependable results. The ability to confidently use accurate regional productivity data to facilitate best farming decisions and practice is seen as critical to future industry viability and long term sustainability.