Grower case study on economics of an improved farming system

Abstract

There has been a lot of research done by the Sugar Yield Decline Joint Venture providing insights and recommendations on how to improve the farming system to combat yield decline in cane fields. This paper explores a cane farming family's experience with implementing practices advocated by the YDJV and describes the changes they have made to their farming system. This description includes the specific practices that they were using before implementing the recommendations, the changes they have made, and the economic, environmental and social impacts that these have had on their business. The new farming system includes controlled traffic, reduced tillage, peanut rotation, flood irrigation from new on-farm storage, with GPS technology linked to land levelling, planting, harvesting and fertiliser application. One significant finding was the changed farming system showed a return on investment on the old farming system of minus 10.8% improving to plus 5.9% for the new system. Cane gross margin per hectare on the old system was ñ$148 versus $1157 on the new system. The Loeskow family cannot stress enough the need to continually investigate improved farming practices and invest in new technology and equipment. A preparedness to continually change has been the key to the Loeskow family success.