Measuring soil health, setting benchmarks, and supporting practice change in the sugar industry
Project Background
| Project Name | Measuring soil health, setting benchmarks, and supporting practice change in the sugar industry |
|---|---|
| Project Owner | Sugar Research Australia |
| Project Partners | University of Queensland, University of Southern Queensland, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Burdekin Productivity Services, Herbert Cane Productivity Services Limited, Wilmar Sugar |
| Project Contact |
Daniel Skocaj |
| Project Investors | University of Queensland, University of Southern Queensland, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Burdekin Productivity Services, Herbert Cane Productivity Services Limited, Wilmar Sugar |
| Project Summary | 1. Demonstrate the benefits of transition to improved farming systems on soil health, productivity and profitability. 2. Create a soil health knowledge platform and a network of extension and adoption officers with improved capability to transfer knowledge and promote farming system changes. 3. Develop a soil health Toolbox to measure soil health across a range of soil types and farming systems. 4. Establish benchmarks for soil test interpretation. 5. Conduct research to address the root system knowledge gaps. |
| Region | Burdekin and Herbert |
| Project Duration | 2017-2022 (5 years) |
Research/Demo Sites
Site one
| Site Type | Farming systems and soil health demonstraton site |
|---|---|
| Site Subtype | Commercial |
| Location Name | Osborne - Burdekin |
| Site Contact |
Terry Granshaw |
| Site Purpose | Demonstration of conventional and improved farming systems and their impact on soil health, productivity and profitability |
| Soil Type | Sandy Clay loam |
Site two
| Site Type | Farming systems and soil health demonstration site |
|---|---|
| Site Subtype | Commercial (Wilmar Farm) |
| Location Name | Mona Park - Burdekin |
| Site Contact |
Terry Granshaw |
| Site Purpose | Demonstration of conventional and improved farming systems and their impact on soil health, productivity and profitability |
| Soil Type | Grey Duplex soil |
Site three
| Site Type | Farming systems and soil health demonstration site |
|---|---|
| Site Subtype | Commercial |
| Location Name | Giru - Burdekin |
| Site Contact |
Terry Granshaw |
| Site Purpose | Demonstration of conventional and improved farming systems and their impact on soil health, productivity and profitability |
| Soil Type | Cracking clay |
Site four
| Site Type | Farming systems and soil health demonstration site |
|---|---|
| Site Subtype | Commercial |
| Location Name | Macknade - Herbert |
| Site Contact |
Richard Hobbs |
| Site Purpose | Demonstration of conventional and improved farming systems and their impact on soil health, productivity and profitability |
| Soil Type | Terrace silt loam |
Site five
| Site Type | Farming systems and soil health demonstration site |
|---|---|
| Site Subtype | Commercial |
| Location Name | Abergowrie - Herbert |
| Site Contact |
Daniel Skocaj |
| Site Purpose | Demonstration of conventional and improved farming systems and their impact on soil health, productivity and profitability |
| Soil Type | Red Sandy Loam |
Site six
| Site Type | Farming systems and soil health demonstration site |
|---|---|
| Site Subtype | Commercial |
| Location Name | Lannercost - Herbert |
| Site Contact |
Richard Hobbs |
| Site Purpose | Demonstration of conventional and improved farming systems and their impact on soil health, productivity and profitability |
| Soil Type | Silty Clay |