EEF60 COMMUNIQUEProject updateIt’s been a year since the inception of the EEF60 Project and I would sincerely like to thank all those involved for their efforts to date. With harvest well and truly underway, there is no doubt that it is a busy time for the entire industry. Closing out this season will be a major project milestone in that we will have secured 55 years of the 180-year trial data target. We do have the challenge of securing extra sites to make up for the five trial sites lost due to unforeseen circumstances in the 2018 year. It is very reassuring to hear that most growers are keen to remain involved in the project and that some additional sites have already been secured for the 2019 season. If any growers are interested in finding out more about the project don’t hesitate to contact the EEF60 extension officer in your region.The current activities in the CANEGROWERS Brisbane office is the compilation of the Stage 3 Milestone Report, which covers all extension and research activities between 1 January and 31 July, due in early September. To date we’ve delivered more than 800 hours of dedicated extension support to growers and created nutrient management plans for over 15,000 hectares of cane land. I am very happy with what we’ve achieved so far in putting this project together. EEF60 is truly a coordinated industry project requiring collaboration from all stakeholders - growers, extension personnel, researchers and the mills. - Burn Ashburner, CANEGROWERS

Edition 2 | September 2018

This project is funded by the Australian Government Reef Trust and Queensland Government Great Barrier Reef Innovation Fund.

Research update The research teams are in the midst of a busy time for the project. Led by Julian Connellan in the North, Nicholas Hill in the Burdekin and Central, and John Panitz in the Southern Region, the teams are approaching the half way point of harvesting the trial sites established in 2017. They have also begun fertilising these sites again for next year, while also coordinating their activity around harvesting the remaining sites. Sites with water quality equipment are also being re-established. Preliminary individual results are being communicated to grower participants with the assistance of extension staff. A handful of extra trial sites are also being sought across the industry to ensure the project achieves its objectives of 60 sites over three years (180 trial years’) worth of data. Once all the harvest results have been collected, the project team will plan to communicate aggregated results to industry.

John Panitz discusses the EEF60 project in the Southern Region.

Researcher profile SRA Researcher Julian Connellan is leading the EEF60 team in the Far North, with 29 trial sites stretching from Cairns to Ingham. Originally from northern Victoria, Julian has been working in the agricultural sector for more than 20 years as an agronomist and researcher, beginning with grapes and citrus before moving into the sugarcane industry. Julian joined SRA in 2011 as part of the RP20 project based in Ayr and is now enjoying the change of scenery and pace of life in Cairns as he heads up the EEF60 project, together with technicians James Oldacre and Andrew Cominardi. “We have a great group of farmers involved in this project and are hoping to get a few more from the Mossman region to come on board also,” he said. “While it is still very early days for this trial, everything is progressing well and we are all looking forward to eventually seeing what impacts and benefits EEFs can deliver for farmers and for the environment.“The first round of trial sites are now being harvested and the team is out collecting data so it’s a busy time for everyone involved as we all hope for a positive season.”

Julian Connellan collects samples in the Far North.

Nicholas Hill (right) and Eric Kok inspect a trial site in the Burdekin.

This project is funded by the Australian Government Reef Trust and Queensland Government Great Barrier Reef Innovation Fund.

Extension update: HCPSLDespite an unfavourable start to the year with the March floods inundating several of the EEF60 trial sites in Ingham and Tully, all blocks have recovered well and there are no visible long-term productivity impacts. All 15 EEF60 growers established in 2017 have received their nutrient management plans. This involved collecting soil tests, understanding the soil types on their farms, ameliorant applications and fallow management in order to provide personalised fertiliser recommendations in line with the SIX EASY STEPS guidelines. Several growers are now implementing these nutrient management plans on their farms and are finding the colour-coded fertiliser maps (included in nutrient management plans) very helpful.Given this project is in its initial year, the process of developing nutrient management plans has been the main source of one-on-one extension with the EEF60 growers. Once the first year of data has been collected, it can be extended to other growers in the district via shed meetings or other group extension activities. For the time being, HCPSL staff are focused on extending how the industry aims to improve water quality through the use of enhanced efficiency fertilisers. This message has been extended to local, national and international visitors.

Extension profile Shannon O’Brien started work at Herbert Cane Productivity Services Ltd in March this year as an Extension Officer. She completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours at the University of Queensland. Previously employed by DSITI (DES) under Phil Moody and Diane Allen’s supervision, Shannon has worked on a number of crop nutrition projects. Shannon is involved with the EEF60 trial and several other projects, primarily focusing on crop nutrition and developing nutrient management plans. Through these projects, she aims to improve grower’s productivity and sustainability through better nutrient management.

HCPSL staff share how enhanced efficiency fertilisers can reduce nitrogen losses to a group of Pacific Island delegates.

Contact detailsSUGAR RESEARCH AUSTRALIA Dr Barry Salter - Key Focus Area Leader P: 07 4963 6802 E: Bsalter@sugarresearch.com.au

CANEGROWERSBurn Ashburner - Project Manager P: 07 3864 6474 E: burn_ashburner@canegrowers.com.au

Got something to share? If you have something to share or would like to know more about an aspect of the EEF60 project, email info@canegrowers.com.au with your question or suggestion.

“My farm is at the end of the catchment - the last one before it gets to Cairns - so we have always been keen to do the right thing for our environment and our business,” he says. “This is a well-designed trial which I believe is going to give us some really robust scientific results on fertiliser usage which will benefit the entire cane industry and our immediate surroundings. “If we can all use fertiliser that has been scientifically proven to do its job and not get lost or washed away because of run-off, then we can continue to prove that it is possible to co-exist as responsible and sustainable land use managers and neighbours to the Great Barrier Reef.”Paul says by getting involved in projects such as the EEF60 trial he feels he is helping to change perceptions of the industry while continuing to learn new farming practices with the potential to improve his profitability, productivity and sustainability outcomes.

Grower profileCANEGROWERS Cairns director Paul Gregory is one of nearly 60 cane growers participating in the EEF60 trial project. Paul’s 240+ ha cane farm is located in Packers Camp, a small district south of Cairns bordering the wetlands of Trinity Inlet, feeding into the nearby Great Barrier Reef lagoon.

EEF60 COMMUNIQUEEdition 2 | September 2018