Process for developing farm nutrient management plans in the wet tropics

SIX EASY STEPS is an integrated nutrient management package for the Australian sugar industry. It enables the adoption of best-practice nutrient management on-farm. Sugarcane growers and advisors commonly implement steps 1 to 4 of the SIX EASY STEPS framework to develop nutrient management plans (NMP) for individual or multiple blocks of the same soil type based on a single soil assay from the block/s. Developing whole-of-farm NMPs and implementing steps 5 and 6 is more difficult because there is no consistent process to follow. To ensure all six steps of the SIX EASY STEPS nutrient management program are applied to the whole farm, a process was developed for advisory staff in the wet tropics to follow when preparing whole-of-farm nutrient management plans. The process comprises of five key stages. A key feature of this process is greater interaction and consultation between sugarcane growers and advisory staff to develop practical and rational whole-of-farm nutrient management plans. This is achieved by 1) collating datasets to identify soil types and nutrient requirements; 2) engaging with the grower to understand their farming system, previous experiences, nutrient management preferences, limiting factors and opportunities to refine nutrient management practices; 3) drafting whole-of-farm NMP; 4) refining the draft whole-of-farm NMP in consultation with the grower; and 5) reviewing and updating the NMP on an annual basis. Consideration is given to the many complex factors influencing nutrient management when developing the whole-of-farm NMP; these also include individual grower?s goals and expectations. The wet tropics Sugar Industry Partnership (WTSIP) extension officers and other advisory staff have adopted this process. Advisors who have completed the whole-of-farm NMP process are supportive of the consistent approach and like the flexibility of being able to tailor delivery outputs to suit individual grower requirements. Sugarcane growers who have received a whole-of-farm NMP commented on how they are encouraged to take ownership of their final NMP and given the opportunity to undertake on-farm evaluations of different nutrient management practices with the support of their advisor. Development of whole-of-farm NMP?s will foster widespread adoption of the full SIX EASY STEPS program throughout the sugar industry.