Steve has expertise in online NIR Cane Analysis System (CAS) – development of in-process NIR analyser for the analysis of prepared sugarcane, and CAS systems currently used in 14 Australian and five overseas sugar mills. SRA provides calibration and operational support to all users of the system. He has also researched the estimation of sugarcane composition using Ternary relationships – development of mathematical models using measured brix in juice to estimate the composition of sugarcane and determine its maturity status; these models are used for in-field testing of sugarcane maturity. He grew up on family owned sugarcane farms at Victoria Plains in Mackay supplying North Eton mill (no longer operating) and at Mena Creek in Innisfail supplying South Johnstone Mill.