GROWERS EMBRACE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ONLINE

At latest count, 60 growers have graduated from SRA's free Online Sugarcane Nutrient Management (OSNM) training program since it was launched in March 2023. More than 140 growers have enrolled in the program.

Based on the SIX EASY STEPS® workshops, the OSNM program was developed for sugarcane growers who want to refresh or up-skill their knowledge of nutrient management for sustainable sugarcane production.

A hybrid workshop which combined faceto-face learning of nutrient management principles, practical demonstrations, and support for growers to get started on their online journey was held by SRA Principal Agronomist Dr Danielle Skocaj and District Delivery Officer Glen Park in Ingham on 9 March 2023.

A series of workshops followed in Mackay, Bundaberg, Mossman and Tully.

Among attendees at the Herbert hybrid workshop was grower, CANEGROWERS Herbert River Director and Lower Herbert Major Grants Project Officer, Leah Russo who farms with husband Santo, on 140 hectares in the Ingham Line area of the Herbert.

The couple recently purchased a new farm and Leah applied the new knowledge gained as a graduate of the OSNM program on the farm. Collecting their own soil samples, Leah reviewed the results before seeking further expert advice from Danielle.

Danielle takes up the story:

“Leah and Santo followed our best practice soil sampling guidelines, collecting their sample at the start of the fallow period and sending it to a reputable soil testing laboratory well before planting their new sugarcane crop,” Danielle said.

“As a result of completing the training program, Leah was able to interpret the soil test results, identify soil constraints and select the most appropriate fertiliser products to meet the crop’s nutritional requirements. Leah then reached out to SRA for additional support.

“The new block is low in phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and zinc. The soil is also severely sodic.

“Together, Leah and I are working on the most effective soil amelioration strategy.”

Leah says she enjoyed completing the OSNM program and has recommended it to others, including a farmer new to sugarcane growing in the district.

She had this to say about the online training program’s value for growers:

“Being a relatively new grower, I gained a lot of knowledge from the program regarding soil health and how to apply the SIX EASY STEPS® into my farming practice.

“Because I had completed the program, I felt confident to check my soil test recommendations and to ask for help from Danielle when I needed extra expert advice.

“I urge all growers to undertake the program even if you have completed SIX EASY STEPS® workshops previously. The extra added benefit of becoming an appropriate person to produce your own farms’ Nitrogen and Phosphorus budget (N&P budget) is great, with new legislation requiring all growers to have an up to date N&P budget each season.”

Growers wanting to participate in a hybrid workshop and receive support in their OSNM journey should express their interest to their SRA district manager.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

The development of the SIX EASY STEPS

Sugarcane Nutrient Management Program commenced as part of the CRC for Sustainable Sugarcane Production. Its development and ongoing improvement has involved a multiorganisational collaboration led by Prof. Bernard Schroeder and included Dr Andrew Wood and various SRA staff.

A grower who successfully completes the Online Sugarcane Nutrient Management training program can be considered an Appropriate Person under the definition of the Queensland Government’s Reef protection regulations. They will be able to develop and verify their own farm’s nitrogen and phosphorus budget (N&P budget) without needing to seek outside agronomic assistance.