The 38th annual Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ASSCT) Conference will be held next month and organisers are urging sugar industry researchers, millers and growers to take advantage of the early bird registration period, which closes on 18 March.

Organised by ASSCT and Mackay Sugar, the three-day event is set to take place at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre from 27-29 April and is expected to attract more than 300 visitors.

The conference, themed Emerging Technologies in a Global Industry, will feature keynote addresses by two international sugar industry experts, 40 technical research paper and 20 poster presentations, approximately 50 trade displays, industry tours, and evening networking functions.

ASSCT President Terry Doolan said the conference would provide sugar industry representatives a feast of information on the latest industry research and technologies available to farmers and millers.

“Our keynote speakers, Bonsucro CEO Simon Usher and Praj Industries Executive Chairman Pramod Chaudhari, will share their knowledge and experience in ‘creating shared value’ and ‘growing beyond just sugar milling’ respectively,” Mr Doolan said.

“Simon’s presentation will provide a look into how Bonsucro was radically repositioned through knowledge sharing, performance improvement, technology transfer and new resources, while Pramod’s presentation will discuss how diversification will shape the future of the sugar industry and the various useful industry technologies that will reduce effluent and energy consumption, and increase yield and quality.”

The conference will also include an Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Knowledge Sharing Workshop, whereby attendees will explore emerging renewable energy technologies relevant to the sugarcane industry. The workshop will also cover bioremediation of fertiliser run-off and include an industry feedback session.

Mr Doolan expects the ARENA workshop will be well-received by all participants.

“The ARENA workshop will provide attendees with a better understanding of the agency’s charter, ARENA funded sugar industry projects, and the various funding opportunities available to the sugar industry via the agency.

“Sugar industry personnel not attending the conference are also welcome to attend the ARENA workshop, at no cost,” Mr Doolan said.

The conference’s technical paper and poster presentations will explore various topical subjects including but not limited to the provision of nitrogen for cane, the effect of Pachymetra root rot and nematodes on some elite sugarcane clones in Australia, optimising productivity and variety recommendations through analysis of mill data, and industry perspectives on precision agriculture.

For further information and bookings, visit www.assct.com.au, email assctadmin@ozemail.com.au or phone 07 4954 3956. All technical papers presented at the 2016 conference will be available from the ASSCT website after the event.

Source – Mackay Sugar