'Six Easy Steps' nutrient management program: improving with maturity!

THE ?SIX EASY STEPS? is a comprehensive, integrated and science-based nutrient management program developed by and for the Australian sugar industry. It is recognised as the basis for promoting and adopting nutrient best management practice (BMP) in sugarcane production in Australia. It is underpinned by six logical steps that are intended for cyclical learning and continuous improvement. The program was developed using an eleven-stage framework and focuses on profitable sugarcane production without causing adverse influences on soil fertility or off-farm effects. This paper reports on initiatives that contribute to the SIX EASY STEPS program being used as intended, i.e. to facilitate improved knowledge of soil/nutrient management and practices on-farm. Importantly, this continual learning process is applicable to growers, advisors/extension providers, specialists and researchers. This reinforces the use of the six logical steps, especially within STEPS 5 and 6, to further refine and adjust soil specific nutrient guidelines contained within STEP 4 of the program. Developments reported here cover general improvements to the SIX EASY STEPS that have occurred with time. These include the extensive short-course/workshop program, various decision support applications such as NutriCalcTM and FertFinder, and nutrient management planning initiatives. We also report on developments that have implications for STEPS 5 and 6 of the SIX EASY STEPS program. This introduces the concept of a ?SIX EASY STEPS TOOLBOX?. Currently these developments relate almost exclusively to nitrogen (N) due to an emphasis on environmental issues associated with water quality. Several management options relating to N are described and discussed. These include N requirements based on yield, decision support tools for determining N rate, N use efficiency (NUE), multi-facetted analyses of data, enhanced efficiency fertilisers (EEFs) and better alignment of N inputs to crop requirements. The need for R&D and nutrient management tools for other nutrients are also highlighted. The establishment of a SIX EASY STEPS Advisory Committee (SESAC) is proposed as a mechanism to ensure that future nutrient management tools and developments are assessed, and if appropriate, included as options in the SIX EASY STEPS TOOLBOX. The SIX EASY STEPS program is evolving and maturing with time, and adapting to stakeholder (industry, government, community and environmental) needs. It is becoming more specific and focuses on the needs and circumstances of individual sugarcane enterprises in different parts of the industry. It continues to have a balanced approach that considers the agronomic, economic, social and environmental aspects of nutrient management.