Growing sugarcane in Queensland

Smartcane BMP is the voluntary best management practice (BMP) program for the sugarcane industry.

The program has 8 modules that cover:

• soil health and nutrient management
• irrigation and drainage management
• weed, pest and disease management
• planting and harvesting
• farm business management
• natural systems management
• workplace health and safety
• pathway to sustainable sugar.

It links with the Six Easy Steps program, and can help you to meet the Reef protection regulation requirements.

You can receive industry accreditation after:

• completing modules 1, 2 and 3
• undergoing an independent audit to verify that your practices meet industry best practice.

Smartcane BMP is managed by Canegrowers and is supported by the Queensland Government.

Economics and business management

• FEAT Online is a free tool to assist sugarcane growers measure farm profit and evaluate different farming system changes. Using FEAT allows you to test different farming options before making a financial commitment.
• Harvest Mate is a free web-based portal and app to help sugarcane growers and harvesting contractors record cane and sugar yield from the paddock. The decision-support tool uses data:
  • collected by Sugar Research Australia (SRA) from trials across the sugar industry
  • supported by detailed economic data collected and analysed by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
• Read about sugarcane economics, including the results of sustainable sugarcane production, to help you assess the costs and benefits of different management practices.
• The sugarcane industry roadmap to 2040 outlines actions in the near, medium, and longer term, to strengthen and build the industry.

Biosecurity

• There are 6 sugarcane biosecurity zones in place in Queensland.
• The Biosecurity Plan for the Sugar Industry outlines key threats to the industry, risk mitigation plans, identification and categorisation of exotic pests and contingency plans.
• Create your on-farm biosecurity management plan to reduce the risk of introducing or spreading an infectious disease, pest or weed.
• Encourage visitors to use the Farm Check-In app when entering your agricultural property to minimise the spread of pests and diseases.
• Find out if you need to be registered as a biosecurity entity.

Technology

• Learn how to use current and emerging technologies on your farm.
• Search the AgTech product directory
• Read the Precision Agriculture for the Sugarcane Industry guide (PDF, 1.06MB) to understand how you can apply these farm management techniques.
• Watch the showcase videos to see how cane growers apply precision agriculture methods.

Stay informed

• Learn how rotating crops with grain legumes improves the productivity and profitability of sugarcane production.
• Read about Queensland research trial case studies and results from the last 10 years.
• Learn how Project Catalyst trials have validated new farm management practices and improved environmental outcomes.
• Explore the CSIRO research library.

Connect with industry associations and networks

• Australian Cane Farmers
• Australian Canegrower
• Australian Sugar Milling Council (ASMC)
• Sugar Research Australia