Determining the ideal row spacing/plant density configuration has been the focus of many trials throughout NSW Queensland. High density planting (HDP) trials were set up in Harwood (1999) and Broadwater (2000). These trials examined differences between conventional row spacings (1.5m) and HDP (4 rows in a 2.1m bed). The results from these trials indicated that the increase in yield that was gained by HDP is not sufficient to offset the huge expense involved in changing over the harvesting and on farm equipment.

Establishment of dual row cane on 1.8m at J Sneesby's in Broadwater

SRDC funded Farming System Project

The SRDC funded Farming System Project aims to assess farming systems that offer benefits of controlled traffic, less crop damage at harvest and better soil health. With an increase in in-field traffic expected with co-generation, it is an opportune time to investigate the benefits of a modified farming system.

Controlled traffic is simply matching your wheel spacing with the crops row spacing. This keeps soil compaction away from the row which improves both crop growth and trafficability. Farming systems that include the use of soybeans as a break crop, controlled traffic and zero-tillage planting are being trialed throughout the project to identify farming systems that will provide both a profitable and sustainable future for the NSW sugar industry.

Farming system trials were planted in September 2003 and compare dual rows, wide rows and single rows planted on 1.8m centres, with conventional 1.5m single rows. The 1.8m treatments apply the principles of a controlled traffic/permanent bed system with the aim of measuring yield benefits from less crop damage during wet weather harvesting and under the more trafficked system of whole-of-crop harvesting.

Five strip trials have been planted in the Broadwater, Harwood and Condong mill areas. The performances of each row configuration are being closely monitored across all trial sites. The harvest results for 2004 and 2005 farming system trials can be seen in the attached files.

Global Positioning Systems

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) has been assessed throughout the establishment and harvesting of trials. The implementation of GPS guidance with an accuracy of 2cm in the harvesting of green cane will make it easier for the operator to harvest high yielding green crops that will occur in whole of crop harvesting. Guidance will eliminate driver error in both the harvesting and in-field haulage operations, and as a result reduce compaction levels. This will reduce soil degradation, compaction around the cane stool and reduce runoff because of increased rainfall infiltration. This is an opportune time to implement GPS guidance technology in the sugar industry, as there is now an awareness of the benefits of implementing a controlled traffic farming system. Cane harvesting is a skilled job and requires concentration over a long day. Guidance will reduce the stress on these key operators allowing better job satisfaction and social benefits for sugar industry families.

This project is providing the NSW industry with the opportunity to thoroughly evaluate GPS guidance systems for whole crop harvesting. Trials have been cut green using GPS to evaluate the system under whole crop harvesting. Both sub-meter visual guidance technology and +/- 2cm RTK auto steer technology has been trialed. The auto-steer technology has been most successful to date as it has less error and reduces driver fatigue.

In a conventional farming system without guidance, compaction rates are as high as 95%. In a controlled traffic farming system with the use of guidance compaction rates are reduced to 40%. Photo 2 is a good illustration of the benefits of controlled traffic and GPS guidance. Traffic zones and cane root zones are clearly distinct and separate.

Harvesting using GPS guidance at North's site on the Tweed. Note the wide un-trafficked area on the cane rows.

 Farming System Project Harvest Results (102.48 KB)