RURAL REPORT
SRA to build industry knowledge on interactions between on-farm practice and water quality
SUGARCANE growers in multiple priority catchments of the Great Barrier Reef will gain a clearer understanding of the relationship between farm management and water quality through a new project to be undertaken by Sugar Research Australia (SRA). Called Cane to Creek 2.0, the project expands on two successful water quality projects that have been running in the Wet Tropics under the direction of SRA. These projects have looked at herbicide, pesticide and nutrient management in multiple catchments of Far North Queensland. Cane to Creek 2.0 will build on the momentum of these projects and expand their footprint across sugarcane growing regions from Mossman to the Burdekin. Cane to Creek 2.0 is funded by a partnership
between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation with support from SRA. SRA Executive Manager, Regional Delivery, Mr Ian McBean, said this investment would improve understanding and acceptance of the link between farming practices and water quality. “This will lead to increased adoption of improved practices that have been shown to improve productivity, profitability and sustainability for the sugarcane industry,” Mr McBean said. “Building on that, Cane to Creek 2.0 will provide a platform in a number of priority catchments for growers, researchers and advisors to agree on and test potential solutions to better match nitrogen and herbicide application to their specific requirements.”
As the lead agency for the Australian sugarcane industry, SRA plays a pivotal role investing in and researching activities related to the interaction between farming systems and water quality. Mount Sophia farmer Glen Anderson is a keen participant in the existing Cane to Creek project that has been running in the Mulgrave area for the last two years. “Farmers want to know what’s coming off their farms and whether they can improve it,” Mr Anderson said. “Farmers learn more on their own farm and it reinforces what we’ve learnt in the workshops, seen in the training, and read in the magazines. By getting involved you can find out exactly what’s coming off your farm and by trying out different practices you can see what difference it makes
to your costs, yields and water quality. This is a win for the industry and for our environmental sustainability.” Fishery Falls grower Len Parisi is also involved in the current project and said it gave him the facts about what was happening on his farm. “We want to save the reef as well, like everybody else, so that’s what we’re doing here. Although there has been lots of research done on this, as a grower it’s good to have real data, sit down, and have a look at it,” Mr Parisi said. “As we get more data, we can continue to modify our practices and then we can know that we’re reducing run-off of nutrients and chemicals into the waterways. Then we can educate everybody what we are doing on farm, because we are in a pretty sensitive area.”
FNQ Growers Celebrate Pacific Labour Mobility Partnership
FNQ Growers has celebrated the unique partnership between Australia and Papua New Guinea which is helping connect farmers across the region with a workforce. The organisation hosted an event with Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Marise Payne, and PNG ministerial dignitaries including Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Rimbink Pato, Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations Mehrra Kipefa and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister William Samb. The event celebrated the relationship between the two countries, specifically under the Pacific Labour Mobility program, which is one of a suite of solutions being delivered by Leanne Kruss, Agriculture Workforce Manager (FNQ), to address workforce challenges in the regional agri-food sector. Senator Payne said Pacific mobility was an important part of the Pacific Step Up. The StepUp is a range of measures to strengthen Australia’s
engagement with the Pacific. “We know the capabilities that you have in PNG will address the challenges that farming and business people in Australia find in filling so many of these roles,” Senator Payne said. “The potential is enormous.” Ms Kruss said Far North Queensland was a major benefactor of pacific labour mobility programs. “It is very rewarding to be a part of the partnership, particularly in our region where the real benefits are being delivered on the ground,” Ms Kruss said. “An industry’s most valuable asset is its workforce, and I’m happy to report that our farms are strategically embracing opportunities such as those presented by pacific labour programs as part of their core business strategies. “The pacific labour programs have proven to show benefits over other labour sources in the low skilled area of employ-
ment. “Increasing benefits and efficiency are produced through economies of scale year on year with workers returning to employers work ready, trained and familiar with their operating site. Papua New Guinea Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Rimbink Pato praised the close working relationship between the two countries, particularly in labour mobility. “This will empower our people to bring needed skills and needed remittances to the rural communities in PNG,” Mr Pato said. “It is a very important focus of the partnership. “ Ends For more information on the Pacific labour mobility programs or media comment, please call Leanne Kruss on 0431 743 633 or leanneFNQAgriculture@gmail.com FNQ Growers Media Release Lea Coghlan - Communication Consultant FNQ Growers
SRA appoints new General Manager, Research Funding Unit: Dr Harjeet Khanna
SRA Adoption Officer Gavin Rodman, Fishery Falls farmer Glen Anderson, SRA Principal Researcher Belinda Billing, and Technician Chris Sterling installing water quality monitoring equipment at Glen’s farm in October 2018 as part of the Cane to Creek project.
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SUGAR Research Australia (SRA) has appointed Dr Harjeet Khanna as General Manager of the Research Funding Unit within SRA. The SRA Research Funding Unit helps to inform and manage SRA’s investments in research, development and adoption (RD&A) activities that deliver profitability, productivity and sustainability outcomes for sugarcane growers and millers. The RFU work with the Research Funding Panel (RFP), which is an independent skills-based panel appointed by the SRA Board. The RFP and RFU ensure there is a rigorous evaluation process for potential projects and investments and that they align with the objectives of the SRA Strategic Plan and government priori-
ties. The RFU and RFP also receive guidance from grower and millers through advisory committees. SRA CEO Mr Neil Fisher said that Dr Khanna was previously a Program Manager within the RFU team and she comes to the role with wide-ranging scientific and management experience. “Dr Khanna has extensive experience in plant tissue culture, biotechnology and molecular biology and a distinguished research career in Australia and overseas, working on a range of crops,” Mr Fisher said. “She is also wellknown to SRA’s research partners with whom we invest, through her role as a Program Manager since 2013. She has played a crucial role in overseeing a range of projects,
including the major program of work on yellow canopy syndrome (YCS). “These skills will be a strong asset to SRA and the industry and we look forward to Dr Khanna taking on this role within the Executive Team at SRA.” Dr Khanna said she looked forward to continuing to build on an effective research program for the Australian sugar industry, working in partnership with the rest of the RFU team and the Research Funding Panel. “SRA continues to be firmly focused on outcomes-driven research that delivers on the needs of our investors. The RFU play a key role in that and I look forward to continuing that in this role,” Dr Khanna said.
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