News - Grower Group Services

GIVE conference 2011

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -1000

The next GIVE conference is being planned for March 2011 in Yamba NSW.

Grower Innovation Virtual Expo (GIVE) is a grower-focused forum within the Australian sugar industry. GIVE is unique because it brings innovative and leading cane growers together to transfer information grower to grower. This expo will include farm visits, field demonstrations, research presentations, keynote speaker/s and informal exhibitions.

The NSW sugar cane industry is hosting GIVE 2011 at one of northern NSW premier destinations, scenic Yamba! With close proximity to Harwood & Broadwater sugar mills and their associated sugar refinery and biomass renewable energy power plants, this conference will give an opportunity to showcase many innovations of the growing and harvesting sectors within one geographical area. It will also offer an exciting and informative experience for the 250-300 delegates from across the entire Australian Sugar Industry expected to attend.

For more information click here

Call for Grower Group Innovation Projects

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -1000

SRDC is calling for applications for Grower Group Innovation Projects (GGIPs) to commence in January 2011. GGIPs are an initiative to help grower groups in the sugar industry to build their capability for innovation, by conducting their own research into more profitable and environmentally sustainable sugarcane farming systems. Groups of any size and at any location in the Australian sugar industry can apply for funding.

Proposals must demonstrate that groups include or have access to appropriate skills to design and conduct a research activity, and to interpret and communicate the results.

SRDC recognises that growers have good ideas and Grower Group Innovation Projects are a way for these ideas to be tested. These projects will also allow growers to trial new research findings and make them work in their own district.

Funding can be used to conduct an R&D project, including related activities such as group coordination and meetings, and accessing support people to enhance group skills and to assist with conduct of the project. Depending on the scope of individual projects, SRDC will provide funding of up to $80,000 per project over terms of up to three years.

SRDC Investment Managers and Grower Group Services are keen to work with you to develop your ideas into a project. Their names and contact details are in the Application Kit, or call SRDC on 07 3210 0495.

Proposals are due to SRDC by Friday 3 September 2010, so act now:

• Download the Grower Group Innovation Project Application Form and Application Kit below

• Discuss your project idea with other members of your group, and with Grower Group Services and SRDC.
• Prepare a draft application and email to others for comment.
• Email the completed Application Form to apply@srdc.gov.au by 3 September.

GGIP Application Kit

GGIP Application Form

Sediment Trap Design Field Guide

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -1000

The Silkwood Drainage Board conducted a GGIP investigating different sediment trap designs and the benefits of installing traps. The link below is to a field guide developed by the group which covers:

identifying the need and benefits of sediment traps
wet tropics field tested sediment trap designs
design data on sediment trap performance
photos of retro fitted operational sediment traps

Sediment trap design field guide