More International Visitors,

Last week we had some guys from Mauritius, and Tanzania come and have a look at what we are doing farming wise. They had come with Dr Alan Garside who was the leader of the Sugar Yield Decline Joint Venture, that is responsible for a lot of the research, and development that we have implemented. It is still perplexing to me that people from around the world think so highly of the work that was done here, and yet the Australian Sugar Industry seems so unsatisfied with it's research and development programs.It was clear to me just how advanced our R/D systems have moved , these guys were most impressed with our approach to whole farm planning, not just concentrating on one aspect of growing cane.

Implement modification!

Once again we find ourselves in the shed building/modifying existing implements to suit our farming systems.In 2005 we were on a farm visit with a very innovative farming family, and they said one thing that really stuck with me.He said "that he was sick of farming around machinery and had made the decision to make the machinery suit the farming system". In a nut shell we for too long have been constrained with our farming to what the machinery manufactures build for the majority or traditional farmer. I saw this everywhere I travelled overseas and was told on numerous occasions how farmers would like to do things differently but could not buy "off the shelf". I am not being critical of manufacturers, they respond to the signals they are sent. We have decided to make machinery to fit our farming systems, this involves a lot of thought and sleepless nights hoping that it will work, however the work is paying off. I guess if people didn't try something different we would still be riding horses and not driving cars. You can see the plant cane emerging in the photo of the tractor with the zonal tillage implement that we modified, it works out to about $5/Ha, more cost effective than chemicals. The implement in the shed is a variable rate liquid fertiliser applicator that is run by the same Trimble system I described in an earlier post.

Visitors from Sudan.

The cane is starting to emerge, but I will show you that when more is out.We had a guy that used to work as a senior researcher in our Sugar industry, and now works as a private consultant for Sugar Industries around the world come to visit with some clients from the Republic of Sudan. This is the third year that we have hosted people from other countries to have a look at the farming system that we have implemented. I find it ironic that the research that was conducted on behalf of industry participants in Australia is valued more highly by people from around the world than by the people here in Australia.Speaking with Chris he assures me that Australia's Sugar cane farming systems are cutting edge and leading the world, I suppose that is why he brings clients here to Australia! I wonder if the outcome of the upheaval (of what although not a perfect industry R/D), will bring the future results of what we have already achieved?

Cane is planted .

We got finished planting last Monday and have irrigated to ensure enough moisture is available for good germination.It was good to see all our design work with the paddock grades and levels for the recycle pit, have all worked out great. The advantage of capturing the tail water will be had year on year and is already evident with this first irrigation, because the pit was empty we used water from the irrigation system for the first three days ,and then we have been able to close those valves and water with the recycled water.Probably doesn't sound like that much of a big deal but we have been planning this for more then 10 years, and to finally see it all work is a big achievement, as I was travelling with my scholarship, water was always a top priority and to have a more secure source is like money in the bank. It has only been a week and some cane shoots are starting to emerge I will add more photo's when the cane has emerged more.