WHAT IMPACT DOES TIME OF HARVEST HAVE ON SUGARCANE CROPS IN THE HERBERT RIVER DISTRICT?

SEASON LENGTH, harvest management, and mill starting and finishing dates have significant impacts on all sectors of the value chain in the Herbert River district. The industry needs to seek opportunities to maximise profit across the value chain to ensure industry long-term viability. Previous research findings have been contradictory and difficult to interpret because of confounded effects of crop age, crop management, nutritional status and environmental conditions. Over the past three years a series of trials was conducted in the Herbert River district to investigate what impact season length and harvest time have upon different varieties. The trial results indicated that variety x time of harvest interactions exist and could have a significant effect on industry profitability and sustainability. When season lengthening is required, extension of the season forward, as opposed to lengthening the season at the end of the harvest window should be considered. The disadvantages of an earlier start far outweigh the disadvantages of a late harvest finish, because of the loss in sugar yield, loss of yield in subsequent ratoons, and the possibility of premature ploughing out of a crop due to ratoon failure. Varieties were identified for optimum productivity at different times in the harvesting season and this should assist in improving the management of varieties. The results of these trials will be used by industry to assess the impact of time of harvest on variety performance and to develop strategies to maximise crop profitability.