Section 2 - Sugar Research and Development Corporation

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HIGHLIGHTS OF RESEARCH PORTFOLIO
A booklet, ‘Sediment Trapping Field Guide, Ideas
towards sustainable farm drainage system’, was
produced by the group with simple diagrams and
an easy-to-read format that details best practice
guidelines for farmers and other organisations
interested in options for sediment run-off
controls as part of an overall drainage system.
Despite the best intentions, some projects fail
for a variety of reasons. One promising grower
group’s project, ‘Winter soybean for biodiesel
and nitrogen fi xation’ (GGP042) was to trial
growing soybeans in winter and investigate
biodiesel production.
SRDC Annual Report 2010–2011
Unfortunately, only one grower could plant a
winter soybean crop and the group could not
sustain their project, which led to its termination.
However, from this project, the SRDC, working
with Grower Group Services has improved the
‘Rise and Shine’ workshop content that inducts
and prepares grower groups for involvement
in the GGIP program. During the workshop,
the lifecycle of projects are discussed as well
as solutions offered when a group is faced
with problems that arise during the project
such as dispute resolution.
SRDC Board members met with Mackay Racecourse Mill
representatives and local cane growers following a regional
Board meeting held in August 2011.