From tomorrow, Tuesday 25 November, an independent research agency, Intuitive Solutions, will be conducting confidential telephone surveys with 400 growers to give them the opportunity to provide feedback about SRA’s performance and to identify new research and development opportunities, in our Annual Survey.
How the Annual Survey guided SRA’s workplan in 2025
Listening to and understanding the needs of Australia’s sugarcane growers and milling companies is central to Sugar Research Australia’s (SRA) purpose. It ensures that research investment remains relevant and that SRA continues to deliver value back to the industry. Each year, SRA commissions an independent research agency to seek direct feedback from levy payers on how the organisation is performing, where improvements are needed, and how future research funding should be prioritised.
During November and December this year, independent research agency, Intuitive Solutions, will again undertake randomised telephone surveys of 400 growers. The survey gives growers an opportunity to share their views on performance and research priorities for the coming years.
To protect privacy, all individual responses are kept completely confidential. Intuitive Solutions provides only summarised results and anonymous comments to SRA.
“If you get a call from Intuitive Solutions, I encourage you to participate – your feedback informs how we work and invest levies for the benefit of the industry’s productivity and profitability.” CEO, Mick Bartlett
What growers told us in 2024
Results from the 2024 SRA Grower Survey showed that growers continue to hold a broadly positive view about the future of the Australian sugarcane industry.
Head of Strategy and Data, Ben Simpson, said that more than two in three (68%) were optimistic about the 2025 year ahead. Although slightly less than 2023, sentiment has remained positive for three consecutive years, reflecting improved commodity prices and better operating conditions across much of the industry.
“Optimism was consistent across different farm sizes and regions, though sentiment was lowest in those regions, where local conditions continued to challenge operations during the 2024 crush,” Ben said.
“However, the survey also revealed areas where growers were looking for stronger performance from SRA. Overall satisfaction among growers averaged 6.3 out of 10, slightly below last year’s result but still within the historical range.”
Feedback highlighted several key drivers behind this shift:
Visibility of SRA staff in regions: Growers reported wanting more “boots on the ground” and more frequent, direct engagement with local staff. Satisfaction was strongly linked to perceptions of about how active and visible SRA is in each district.
Variety performance: Many growers expressed frustration that newer varieties were not consistently outperforming older ones and called for a stronger focus on breeding for productivity and resilience.
Pest pressure and regulation: Canegrub management and the reduced availability of certain chemicals, such as imidacloprid and paraquat, were recurring concerns.
Milling performance: Mill throughput and capacity issues were cited as major constraints, with flow-on impacts to harvesting schedules and crop quality.
Despite these challenges, growers said they continued to value the practical, research-based tools and information SRA provides. Examples were the Weed Management Manual and Variety Guides, other SRA publications and website downloadable factsheets.
What matters most to growers
When asked about the urgency of different research areas, growers ranked varieties as the number one priority for investment, followed by crop protection and milling and processing.
At a more detailed level, the top five priorities identified by growers and millers were:
- Developing new varieties with improved production and milling performance
- Accelerating breeding efficiency and developing new traits
- Sustainable pest management
- Sustainable management of diseases and ongoing biosecurity
- Supporting variety adoption decisions through robust performance data and availability of planting material.
How SRA responded to the 2024 results
These insights have directly shaped how SRA planned and delivered its research investments and engagement activities in 2025, with the Board and management taking swift actions to address key themes from the 2024 survey.
Accelerating variety improvement: SRA is expanding its investment in genomic selection and accelerating testing of new clones to deliver higher-yielding and more resilient varieties faster. Trials are being scaled up to 10,000 clones per year by 2030, supported by new data-driven tools to improve selection accuracy.
Responding to pest management challenges: Following grower feedback, SRA has prioritised research to identify alternative insecticides and integrated pest management strategies for cane grubs and weeds management. Field trials are underway to fast-track viable alternatives following regulatory changes, and the Pl@ntNet app was launched earlier in the year along with online training to support grower IPM decisions.
Strengthening regional engagement: SRA has increased its on-ground presence in several regions by recruiting new staff, recharging its District Manager network, appointing new experienced officers in Tully, Meringa, and the Burdekin, and aligning extension and adoption activities with local priorities. This ensures growers have direct, trusted points of contact to discuss research outcomes and local issues. In addition, a dedicated General Manager – Adoption was recruited and commences work in January.
Enhancing communication and access to information: SRA has launched targeted campaigns to improve awareness and use of its digital tools and region-specific updates. Feedback from growers has guided improvements to the monthly email news, introducing Cane Matters Monthly. The team also streamlined the new Variety Guides, and collaborations were formed with local productivity services to ensure practical, timely advice.
Tailoring engagement by region: Recognising that research priorities vary between districts, SRA is taking a more localised approach to planning and delivery. This includes regional stakeholder workshops and pilot programs for 2026 to trial new engagement models where grower satisfaction was lowest.
Continuing the conversation
“At SRA, listening leads to action,” Mr Bartlett said. “The views of growers and millers directly influence our priorities – from variety development to pest control and beyond. Your feedback drives the improvements we make each year.”
Survey results and insights will be communicated to industry later this year.
