Learn about the digital traceability platform using blockchain technology in the sugar industry. This new technology allows product traceability across each major data collection point throughout the paddock-to-packet supply chain of Australian sugar. Blockchain is driven by the demand of food and beverage companies and consumers seeking to understand the sustainability of products across the supply chain.
The resource highlights that customers want confidence that the sugar they purchase is sourced from sugarcane growers who implement sustainable best management practices and reduce their environmental impact.
CANEGROWERS has implemented a Smartcane BMP program that assists growers in demonstrating best management practices across the farm. The need for IT consultants and computer programmers in this industry will support how data is collected and managed within blockchain technology.
Learn how Harvest Mate uses industry data and agronomic and economic analysis to inform decision-making during sugarcane harvesting operations. Harvest Mate is a web-based portal and app developed by Sugar Research Australia and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF). This innovative tool allows sugarcane growers and harvesting contractors to capture additional sugarcane and sugar yield from the paddock.
Hear about how a sugarcane harvester operates to ensure optimal practices are met during harvest. Agronomic and harvest conditions are entered into the software, which uses algorithms to predict whether a change in harvester settings or on-ground practices could increase yields and a net benefit to the grower.
An opportunity for future development is to be able to program the harvesting machine to feed data into Harvest Mate directly, therefore supporting decisions in identifying optimal practices to increase revenue on the farm.
This resource was produced as part of PIEFA’s Ag Week 2023 Activities but can be used at any point and incorporated into your lesson plans throughout the year.
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Keywords
Ag Week, cane, traceability, blockchain, sugar, sugarcane, smartcane bmp, harvest mate, DAF, Sugar Research Australia, sustainable, 5 questions, technology, innovation, STEM, farms, automation, production
Developed by: PIEFA