NEED FOR CROPPING SYSTEMS R&D TO SUIT THE EVOLVING SUGARCANE FARMING SYSTEM

THE SUGARCANE CROPPING SYSTEM in Australia continues to evolve. In the past decade a number of better management principles (BMPs) have been developed for use onfarm. Research into aspects of the cropping system seeks to add value to the industry by contributing to these BMPs. This paper illustrates the importance of R&D in the development of principles for sustainable sugarcane production in Australia. It provides an economic assessment of the ‘Current improved’ sugarcane farming system in three different regions of the Australian sugar industry (Southern Region, Burdekin and Wet Tropics), predicts characteristics of future sugarcane cropping systems, and identifies R&D needs/priorities that will assist in the evolution of the sugarcane production system from now to 2040. The ‘Current improved’ sugarcane farming system in the three identified regions was summarised together with aspects of contributory R&D. FEAT (Farm Economic Analysis Tool) was then used to gauge the economic implications of current practices on hypothetical farms in three sugarcane regions during seasons with a) favourable and b) unfavourable weather conditions. Possible ‘Future’ cropping systems scenarios were identified by taking account of current objectives of the primary sectors of the industry, factors influencing the choice of practices in the three regions, and some important external drivers. This process provided a framework to assist in the identification of R&D needs. The economic analyses showed that the hypothetical farms across the three regions remained profitable during ‘favourable’ seasons. Returns on investment ranged from 5.5% (Wet Tropics) to 8.7% (Burdekin). These returns are diminished during unfavourable seasons. As with a previous study, we again suggest that the developing farming system has been aided by continuing outcomes and outputs from R&D. Given the current ircumstances of expansion and consolidation in the industry, we suggest that the sugarcane production system will evolve via an ‘Interim’ period to an innovative ‘Future’ farming system. However, the relevance and success of the ‘Future’ system is highly dependent on it meeting both the requirements of the industry itself and those of external parties (Australian and off-shore). Static or average attitudes to the farming system, that do not take account of innovation through R&D, will compromise the sustainability of sugarcane production in Australia.