annual report 2009, sugar industry research institute ... · milled a total of 126,381 tonnes...

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8.1 PRODUCTIONSugar cane production in 2009 declined by 359,053 tonnes, a fall off of 21% from the previous year. There was also a corresponding 10.7% fall in sugar output of 15,195 tonnes. From the total of 1,334,579 tonnes cane milled a total of 126,381 tonnes yielded a cane/sugar ratio 10.61 tc/ts. This above average cane sugar ratio achieved enabled sugar production to surpass the low of 124,570 tonnes produced in 2005.

Several factors would have contributed to the fall off in cane production. Foremost among these were the pend-ing divestment which affected field practices on some estates, problems with fertilizer availability and cost, the impact of Tropical Storm Gustav, effects of flooding in some areas and significant dislocation in the movement of canes to factories which caused canes to be diverted from the Frome and Monymusk areas to Appleton, from the Bernard Lodge area to Worthy Park and Monymusk and from Trelawny to Frome.

Cane harvested in 2009 was the lowest quantity reaped for the last 60 years. On the positive side, cane qual-ity measured in JRCS improved appreciably from 9.97 in 2008 to 11.09 JRCS in 2009. As a result of this improve-ment the price per tonne of cane averaged J$3,031.88 in 2009, an increase of J$528.95/t. The total quantity of cane harvested in 2009 was 1,351,281 tonnes from 26,296 ha at an average yield of 51.4 tc/ha. Sugar yield was 4.81 ts/ha compared to 4.74 ts/ha obtained in 2008, Table 8.1.

Cane yield on the estates declined by 6.6 tc/ha and on private farms by 4.8 tc/ha for an overall 5.8 tc/ha decline. Cane yield by fac-tory area is illustrated in Fig. 8.1.

The fall-off in the quantity of cane harvested ranged as follows: Clarendon fell by less than 1%, St. Elizabeth 2.8%, Worthy Park 12.1%, Trelawny 26%, St. Thomas 29.1%, Frome 29.3% and Bernard Lodge 35.8%. Bernard Lodge estate, and in particular Innswood Farm, experienced the worst decline caused by the area of cane lost to fire of unknown origin.

All cane growing areas recorded continued declines in production and productivity from 2007 levels (Table 8.2, Fig.8.1).

Among the three categories of cane producers, cane har-vested in 2009 was distributed as follows:-

8 AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION & EXTENSION SERVICES

Table 8.1: Cane & Sugar Production 2009 vs. 2008

2009 2008Area in Cane (ha) 33 654 35 560

Area harvested (ha) Estates 15 425 17 652 Farmers 10 871 12 238 Total 26 296 29 890

Cane harvested (t) Estates 814 866 1 048 716 Farmers 536 415 661 618 Total 1 351 281 1 710 334

Productivity tc/ha Estates 52.8 59.4 Farmers 49.3 54.1 Average 51.4 57.2 ts/ha Average 4.81 4.74

Cane Milled (t) 1 334 579 1 697 010Sugar Produced (t) 126 381 141 576 tc/ts 10.61 11.99 JRCS 11.09 9.97

Sugar Price (t) $46 000 $44 500Cane Price (Avg/t) $3 032 $2 453

69.9 70.6

59.3 57.052.1

84.0

69.065.3

50.846.2 50.6

49.6

71.3

58.252.9

52.347.5 51.9

43.4

52.0 55.4

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Tc/h

a

Fig. 8.1: Cane Yield by Factory Area - 2007, 2008, 2009

2007

2008

2009

Annual Report 2009, Sugar Industry Research Institute, Jamaica

30

ReplantingThe Sugar Industry Authority (SIA) continued to pilot the Industry’s cane expansion programme with funds pro-vided through the Sugar Transformation Unit (STU) of the Ministry of Agriculture. The Extension Department played a pivotal role in the process involving processing of applications, development of Farm Business Plans, providing technical guidelines in cane establishment and compiling progress reports critical to loan disbursements. Loans disbursed during the planting season contributed significantly to the 979 ha planted by farmers.

A total of 3,298 ha representing 56% of the year’s target of 5,851 ha was replanted by the industry for the year ended October 31, 2009. The estates planted a total of 2,319 ha or 69% of their target, while farmers planted 979 ha, achieving 39% of their’s, Table 8.3.

Fertilizer/Nutrition Escalation in the prices of fertilizers globally and locally

caused cutbacks to the quantity of fertilizer used as well as the area receiving fertilizer. Up to October 31st, 2009 a total of 25,366 ha representing 96% of the area har-vested received fertilizer, much below recommended dosages, Table 8.4.

8.2 REGIONAL EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

WET WEST

Pest and Disease Control The Frome area encountered several conditions relating to the control of pest and diseases during the year. Firstly, there was an outbreak of the fall army worm on the Bell Isle Farm of Frome estate as well as on two other pri-vate farms, a fresh outbreak of Sugarcane Smut Disease and the new Orange Rust Disease was detected on Bull Head farm subsequent to its discovery in other areas of the Industry. Extension Agronomists engaged in inform-ing growers on how to deal with these problems.

The St. Elizabeth area also experienced similar incidenc-es of pest and disease on estates as well as on private farms which prompted officers to collaborate with the Agronomy Department to conduct surveys to determine the extent of damage. Following a change in the weather from prolonged drought to periodic showers the canes showed a steady recovery in thriftiness.

From field surveys the following were observed:-

Several farms were visited and monitored to determine

Table 8.2: Cane Harvested by Factory Area - 2007, 2008, 2009

Tonnes Cane Tc/ha

Factory Area 2007 2008 2009 2007 2008 2009

Frome 666 554 605 129 427 891 69.9 65.3 52.9St. Elizabeth 250 133 166 011 161 378 70.6 50.8 52.3Trelawny 148 714 103 140 75 838 59.3 44.0 47.5Clarendon 315 401 272 114 271 493 57.0 50.6 51.9Bernard Lodge 211 475 203 301 13 586 52.1 49.6 43.4St. Thomas 213 793 178 320 126 438 84.0 71.3 52.0Worthy Park 213 061 179 319 157 657 69.0 58.2 55.4Total/Average 2 017 631 1 710 334 1 351 281 65.5 57.2 51.4

Table 8.3: Area Planted (hectares) November 1, 2008 to October 31, 2009

Estates Farmers Factory Area 16% Area 16%Areas Planted Target Planted Target Total

Frome 16 758 172 949 188Monymusk/ 680 593 162 303 842New Yarmouth 323 234 - - 323Bernard Lodge 500 570 97 168 597Everglades/Trelawny 268 338 182 266 450Golden Grove 73 259 155 206 228Appleton 311 405 124 275 435Worthy Park 148 200 87 327 235Total 2319 3357 979 2494 3298

Table 8.4: Area Fertilized

Areas Estates Farmers Total

Frome 4020 4300 8320Clarendon 4500 1700 6200Bernard Lodge 1810 653 2463Trelawny 303 488 791St. Thomas 757 755 1512Appleton 2614 746 3360Worthy Park 1197 1523 2720Total 15 201 10 165 25 366

AreaType of Disease Severity Affected (ha)Smut (Ustilago scitaminea) Very severe 134Rust (Puccinia kuenhii) Low 12

AreaPest Severity Affected (ha)Army Worm Low 6.15Jumping Borer Low 4.04

Tonnes % of TotalSCJ Estates (pre-divestment) 547 299 40.5Private Estates 267 567 19.8Cane Farmers 536 415 39.7


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the levels of smut infection. The disease was considered sufficiently severe in some locations to warrant replant-ing. However, the farmers affected decided against that approach, as the canes were far advanced. The more prudent approach adopted was to standby for replanting following the next harvest.

RTM Demonstration Two of the four demonstration plots planted with use of the Reduced Tillage Machine (RTM), established in 2008, were reaped. Yields, although low, were similar to other plant cane fields in the area affected by prolonged drought.

Emergency Seed Cane Project Four nurseries under the Emergency Cane Seed Project totalling 4.80 ha were established in the Frome area. Two of the farmers involved are shown standing by nurseries of BJ8783 in Figs. 8.3 & 8.4.

SIA Loan Programme Monitoring Under the SIA Replanting Pro-gramme the extension team at Frome monitored some 210 hectares of fully established cane, Table 8.5.

Cane yields obtained in 2009 from canes planted under the SIA Replanting Loan Programme in 2008 ranged from 65 tc/ha to 90 tc/ha. Just over 48% of the cane planted yielded over 70 tc/ha Table 8.6.

Divested Farms - Frome The 12 divested farms in the Frome area produced cane yields averaging 49 tc/ha. It should be noted that all farms produced

yields below 70 tc/ha, which is the minimum yield target for each farm. On the other hand, the JRCS values achieved were generally high, ranging from 10.79 to 12.05, Table 8.7.

Spring Valley Project During the 2006/07 crop, illicit fires damaged six farm-ers’ properties, each approximately 2 ha in size resulting in a loss of approximately 95% of the total production

Fig. 8.2: Smut Whip in Infested Field in St. Elizabeth

Plots prepared using RTM YieldName Area (ha) (tc/ha)Randall Wilson 1.7 66L.B. Rhoden 1.0 56Evon Sitcheron 1.21 Fall PlantClifford Lofters 0.8 Fall Plant

Emergency seed cane nurseries in the Wet West

Farmer Area (ha) VarietyOrmine Clarke 1.60 BJ 8783Errol Pinkney 1.60 BJ 8783Lucius Jackson 0.80 BJ 82105Buchanan Brothers 0.80 BJ 8783

Table 8.5: Loan Programme, Wet West

# of # of # of # of 2009 Progress Business Appli- Recomm-Type (ha) Reports Plans cations endations

Replanting 163.72 63 84 84 262Emergency Seed Cane 4.8 10 2 2 15Ratoon Maintenance 42 4 - 4 8Total 210.52 77 86 90 285

Table 8.6: Plant Cane Yields, Wet West (2009)

Range tc/ha Area (ha)

65 -70 24.965 -70 108.43 71 - 75 63.4376 - 80 38.9281 and over 23.77Total 259.45


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Fig. 8.3: Farmer Pinkney in Nursery Plots (BJ8783)

Fig. 8.4: Emergency Seed Cane plot, BJ8783, at Ormine

Clarke’s farm

and income. In response to a special request from the Cane Farmers’ Association, SIRI intervened and provided fertilizer and herbicides to assist in rehabilitation and field maintenance. That effort enabled some 799 tonnes of cane to be produced in 2008,Table 8.8.

However, in 2009 cane yields declined as most farmers did not follow-up with ratoon maintenance. This was compounded by late conduct of or no weed control in some cases. Monte Scarlett was the only farmer who followed-up with recommended practices and this was reflected in his relatively good results. Unfortunately one farmer, Mr Earl Saunderson, passed away during the year

and the field was abandoned.

DrainageWith the assistance of SIRI’s Agri-Engineering Depart-ment assistance was given to Holland in mapping to reclaim some 120 ha for cane expansion Fig. 8.6.

Similar assistance in mapping and correcting other drainage issues at Holland using GPS technology led to reclaiming some 134 ha of cane land lost to flooding. That area has now been returned to cane production.


33

Training Demonstrations Training seminars conducted in the Frome area covered the following topics; Cost Effective Weed Con-trol Practices, Factors Affecting Sugar Quality and Premium Payment, Fertil-izers and Crop Nutrition and Efficient Harvesting. Some 66 persons partici-pated.

In St. Elizabeth demonstrations in reduced tillage technology on 4 farm-ers’ holdings totalling 4.04 ha pro-duced some 120 tonnes of seed cane which was sold to other areas. A train-ing session was held at the Sydney Pagon High School to educate third year students on sugar cane agrono-my. There was a subsequent visit to the Appleton factory. In extension education activities some 60 farmers participated in a Pre-Crop Seminar and another 55 participated in SIRI’s Disease Control Seminar.

CLARENDON

Maturity Testing Harvesting in Clarendon was again guided to a great extent by the matu-rity testing of canes prior to harvesting. This procedure also influenced the quality of canes received at the Core Sampler and contributed to the higher payments to growers when compared with the previous year’s.

Field monitoring exercises indicated improvement in the delivery profile of canes with just about 70% of the cane Fig. 8.5:Fields established under SIA Replanting programme, Wet West

Table 8.7: Divested Farms Production 2009, Wet West

Area Reaped Total Farms (ha) JRCS tonnes tc/ha

Barham Cane Holding 54 10.79 3490.89 64.654 - West producers 60 11.08 3241.62 54.03Prospect Cane Holdings 35 11.54 1799.89 51.43Bull Head - Errol Pinkney 39 11.32 1992.97 51.1Karl Salabie & Company 47 11.48 2736.64 58.23Peggy Barry 50 11 2721.86 54.44Western Investment 35 10.99 1907.79 54.51Mesmac Ltd. 47 11.85 2478.11 52.73Tingling Brother 100 12.05 5991.45 59.91KLA & C 49.58 11.87 3452.68 69.64Westmoreland Quality 30 11.56 1772.92 59.1Evergreen 12 10.85 780.66 65.06Total/Averages 660.75 11.365 32367.48 48.99

Table 8.8: Spring Valley Project

2008 2009 Cane Area Cane Area reaped reaped reaped reapedNames (t) (ha) (t) (ha)

Osbourne Glenn 168 2 136 2Dudley Grant 171 2 98 2Wilfred Pearce 99 1.4 82 2Earl Saunders 25 0.4 ** 0Monte Scarlett 156 2 186 2Elisiah Davis 179 2 98 2Total 799 595 **Abandoned


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Fig. 8.6: Satellite Imagery of Drainage Network at Holland

Fig. 8.7: NIC tractor Constructing Drains

in Elim

Fig. 8.8: Cane Preparation in Clarendon


35

delivered in 48 hrs of “kill,” Table 8.9.

While the quantum of cane delivered to the factory has seen a decline compared to the previous year there was an obvious improvement in the cutting and piling Fig.8.8, which contributed to JRCS levels of 11.16 (estates) and 11.05 (farmers).

Emergency Seed Cane Programme

To meet the needs of the cane replanting expansion programme, an emergency seed cane programme was instituted with the main focus being that of providing adequate varieties that are disease resistant. A total of 18 hectares were planted under this programme, Table 8.10:

Content Pivot Group The Extension Unit continued to monitor the perfor-mance of farmers under the Common Fund for Com-modities financed Centre Pivot project established in 2005. Yields obtained are outlined in Table 8.11.

Production targets which were set have not materialized

due to misunderstandings among members of the group leading to some withdrawing support and failing to coop-erate. This has seriously hampered the functioning of the system as some growers reverted to using the conven-tional flood irrigation system which resulted in the pivot often getting bogged down in soggy zones. Furthermore, farmers exhibited a general disenchantment leading to a failure to practice good agriculture. Much effort was expended in trying to induce cooperation between the parties concerned and to have them carry out acceptable field practice.

Reduced Tillage Technology The use of the Reduced Tillage Machine (RTM) con-tinued to show much promise as a viable alternative to conventional tillage. This method has been tried repeat-edly in Clarendon and has reaped a measure of success.

Table 8.9: Delivery Profile of Cane Farmers

% % % % % Deli- Deli- Deli- Deli- Deli- Time very very very very very Range (hrs) 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

12 - 24 33.5 27 23 21 25.5 24 - 48 32.5 44.39 48 48 44.5 48 -72 24.5 26.82 26 28 23 > 72 0.5 1.79 3 3 7

Table 8.10: Varieties Planted under the Emergency Seed Cane Programme

Grower Variety Hectares

Nadine Nugent BJ8783 4George Anderson BJ8841 4Neville Barnett BJ78100 3Yvonne Davis BJ7504 2Webley Poyser BJ78100 2.4Erwin Clarke BJ7504 1Total 16.4

Table 8.11:Production/Productivity of Pivot Group Farmers

Area in Area Tonnes TonnesGrower Cane Reaped 2008 2009 tc/ha Remarks

Denbigh Farms 22.67 19.05 805.74 547.76 28.75 Poor plant populationLynberth Sybron 11.74 8.7 142.15 85.26 9.8 Needs replantingJoseph Gonez 6.5 4.53 118.57 150.13 33.14 Poor plant populationBoysie Morris 5.5 0.81 123.98 60.75 75.00 Steady productionAnthony Hayman 3.03 1.5 68.93 106.86 71.24 Steady productionEgbert Rhoden 1.82 1.2 61.25 20.74 17.28 Smut InfestedWilford Dukan 2.02 1.5 84.35 83.16 55.44 Smut InfestedAlbert Prince 1.62 1.46 42.82 69.3 47.47 Poor plant populationGerald Beech 1.62 1.56 49.91 78.62 50.4 Water ShortageMary Peterson 1.62 1.54 86.86 94.69 61.5 Smut InfestedGeorge Williams 1.62 0.81 37.01 22.93 18.95 Smut InfestedSeymour Smith 1.22 0.64 nil nil Needs replantingHermine Williams 0.81 1.21 20 10.31 14.72 Needs replanting Derrick Charlton 0.81 1.23 70.74 72.71 89.77 Steady productionDazel Knight 0.61 0.41 10.72 27.64 66.00 Poor plant populationMaurine Boothe 0.41 0.32 25.16 22.71 71.00 Steady productionTotal 6.62 46.37 1864.7 1453.9 31

Grower Area (ha) Tonnes tc/ha VarietyAston Henry 1.2 0 * BJ7548Wilford Dukan 1.5 62.97 42 BJ78100Marion Morrison 2 160 80 BJ78100Harold Graham 2 155.61 77.8 BJ7504 * Field not harvested


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The single-row tool has also been used to resuscitate four farms, three of which were smut infected. These fields were harvested and the results are tabulated as follows:-

All the plots installed with drip irrigation and planted to BJ8532 and J9501, established under the CFC project (except that of M. Morrison in Vernamfield that was pre-viously replanted) succumbed to severe smut infection. The status of these plots all in the Vernamfield/Ryhmes-bury area is as shown below.

Training The need for growers to become more diligent in their approach to cane production was emphasized in a semi-nar convened during the year to address harvesting man-agement issues.

Cost effective weed control practices were demonstrated in a trial at Bullard Farm. Emphasis was on pre-emer-gence weed control during cane establishment. Several farmers were invited to view the results of the demonstra-tion, Fig.8.10.

With irrigation water being a high cost commodity, the extension unit sought to educate farmers on the need for water conservation and reducing runoff. This was dem-

onstrated by the use of alternate furrow irrigation which is known to reduce water use by as much as 30%.

ST. CATHERINE & EAST

JRCS StudyThe impact of reaping method on JRCS was evaluated in the St. Catherine area over the years 2005-09. From 180 samples collected and analysed each year findings were as follows:-

Higher and narrower range of JRCS values were ob-tained when the canes were harvested green and manually cut, Table 8.12.

Canes burnt and mechanically harvested varied greatly in quality and carried a wider range of JRCS values within a single field.

Mechanically harvested canes carried the lowest av-erage JRCS value, but occasionally indicated values even higher than some obtained in green cane har-vesting and in cane burned and manually cut.

Given that hurricane Dean struck in 2007, it was felt that cane harvesting would prove particularly challenging in 2008. Data from the 2008 harvest was therefore isolated for special analysis, Table 8.13.

In 2008 the JRCS values and ranges were higher than those previously obtained, but in general they followed the same pattern. Green canes freshly cut and delivered yielded the highest JRCS values while canes mechanically cut often gave more variable JRCS ranges and lower JRCS averages.

In efforts to determine the main factors responsible for lower JRCS in mecanically har-vested canes, load components were separated into mature stalks, tops, trash, suckers and other non-cane materials and expressed as a percentage of total sample weight, Table 8.14.

In general mechanically harvested canes had higher levels of extra-neous matter than found in the average load of cane sampled. Surprisingly, the percentages of XM were lower than the average obtained in 2007. Nonetheless, the trend remained the same in which higher percentages of tops, suckers and trash were found in the canes mechanically harvest-ed. However, non-cane mate-rial tended to be much higher in

Grower Tonnes tc/ha Status

S. Less 96 32 Replanted with RTM B. Earle 187 72 Replanted with RTM P. Morgan nil AbandonedM. Morrison 891 80 RatooningN. Nugent 177 79 Replanted with RTM K. Evans 30 16 Abandoned

Fig. 8.9: Cane Growers Training Seminar in Clarendon


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manually harvested cane.

JRCS values decreased in the latter part of the cane harvesting season, May to July, when the weather became wet and machines were picking up more dirt and roots from the fields. In such conditions, mechani-cally harvested cane pro-duced lower JRCS values than otherwise. Earlier work showed that extraneous matter (XM) averaged 28% in mechanically harvested canes and 25% in manu-ally harvested canes. Dirt formed the highest portion of XM in manually cut canes (influenced by the loading system).

Cane Husbandry The anticipated divestment of Bernard Lodge factory, scheduled to be concluded in 2008, resulted in some field practices on the estate being put on hold. The cor-rective measures that were applied came much too late to be effective, especially in the control of weeds. This was very evident in the con-ditions of some fields after they were reaped. Associ-ated farmers also carried out very little cultivation practic-es and were even reluctant to accept replanting loans.

Some 114 farmers attended 16 sessions in which issues pertaining to the grades and dosages of fertilizers were discussed. Issues such as proper grade selection, timing of application, fertil-izer availability and rate of application were discussed. In drip irrigated fields, farm-ers were advised to use fer-tigation (application of fertil-izer in the irrigation water).

In St. Thomas approximately 120 ha was soil sampled for

Fig. 8.10: Pre-Emergence Weed Control Trials, Rhymesbury

Fig. 8.11: Irrigation Water Application, Clarendon


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nutrient determination, 75% of this was on the FM Jones estate. A field established with the RTM in 2008 yielded exceptionally well (over 90 tc/ha). Efforts are being made to use the implement on a larger scale on the estate and on small holdings. Monitoring of phases 1 and 2 of the

F.M. Jones cane expansion project continued. Up to June 2009 some 122 ha were completed.

Seminars held during the period received full support from the estate’s management and farmers as well as selected group of students from the St. Thomas Technical High School. From a Pre-Crop Seminar held in Janu-ary 2009 and a Disease Control Seminar held in October close to 200 persons attended.

In St. Catherine 14 discussions on weed control were held with farmers and 2 on the estates. Discussions were reinforced by individual farm visits and demonstrations of activities such as selection, mixing and application of herbicides, identification of weeds and safety in the use of herbicides.

TRELAWNY

Harvesting and Cane Quality Field exercises to ascertain the maturity of sugar cane fields were conducted before and during the first half of the crop. The results were made available to the cane farming department to inform the process of quota allocation to farmers. Fields amounting to 258 ha were tested. Various exercises were conducted to illustrate to farmers the recommended harvesting practices.

Emergency Seed Cane Nurseries Three plots were established under the Emergency Seed Cane Nursery Programme in response to the outbreak of Orange Rust and Smut diseases. Varieties established were BJ8783 and BJ7938 Table 8.16, Fig. 8.14 & 8.15.

Weed Control Practices Various methods were used to expose growers to best practices in weed control. Concepts imparted at pre-crop seminars were emphasized and reinforced with farm visits and weed control demonstrations. Some of the poor practices identified were; improper nozzle type, unrecom-mended rates and application techniques as well as late application of herbicides. These issues were addressed at two weed control demonstrations, Figs. 8.16 & 8.17.

Training Various training exercises were organized to update farm-ers and enhance technology transfer, Table 8.17.

Farmers were exposed to Reduced Tillage Technology as part of a method and result demonstration conducted at Dee-Side. Figs. 8.18 & 8.19.

Disease Control Surveys conducted for Orange Rust found the disease to be present in one field planted with BJ82156 at Trelawny

Table 8.14: Extraneous Matter (XM) measure-ments, Manually vs. Mechanically harvested cane,

2008, Bernard Lodge

% % Suckers/Tops Trash Non-Cane

Mechanically 12.1 11.2 4.7Manually 7.2 4.9 8.7Average 9.65 8.05 6.65

Table 8.15: Comparison between Mechanical/Burnt Harvested Canes, 2008

# of Mean Samples JRCS Range of JRCS

Burnt, Mechanically harvested 50 8.91 8.07 - 9.25Burnt, Manually harvested 50 9.08 8.27 - 9.65Difference 0.17 0.20 - 0.40

Table 8.12: Comparison of Green Cane and Burnt Canes Harvested Manually & Mechanically 2005 -2009

# of MeanCategory Samples JRCS Range of JRCS

Burnt/MechanicallyHarvested 180 8.95 7.04 - 11.56Burnt/Manually Cut 180 9.96 8.7 - 10.97Green Harvested 180 10.65 9.32 - 11.01

Table 8.13: Comparison of JRCS values in Canes Harvested Mechanically & Manually - 2008

# of Mean Category Samples JRCS Range of JRCS

Burnt/Mechanically Harvested 60 9.03 8.68 - 10.00Burnt/Manually Cut 60 9.59 9.28 - 11.60Green Harvested 60 10.9 9.65 - 11.68

Table 8.16: Emergency Seed Cane Nurseries

Grower Variety Hectares

Clive Bennett BJ 8783 3Oliver Green BJ 7938 4Advanced Farms Tech. BJ 7938 3


39

Sugar and another planted with BJ7555 at Hampden. Farmers were advised of the potential threat that this new disease posed. Advice was given on replacement variet-ies at a seminar conducted on the topic. This was rein-forced during farm visits.

High levels of Brown Rust infestation were observed in fields planted by Trelawny Sugar at Hampshire Farm, Figs. 8.20 & 8.21. The fields started showing signs of infection as early as six weeks after planting. All the fields were planted with mixed varieties of cane seeds import-ed from outside the area. Recommendations for replace-ment varieties were made to the estate.

CENTRAL AREA

Maturity Testing Maturity testing was carried out in order to guide the farmers on how to make reaping decisions. Based on the Hand Refractometer readings, advisories were given to farmers on reaping schedules.

Juice quality tests were carried out on 432 ha of which Worthy Park estate accounted for 359 ha and farmers 73 ha.

Overall, cane quality for the cropping period was good. The levels of extraneous matter in deliveries were low and farmers continued to make efforts to deliver canes relatively free of dirt and trash. The fibre contents of some canes were high due to the prolonged drought experi-enced over the period and the locations of the fields on steep free draining slopes.

Crop Nutrition The large sugar cane farms continued to carry out the

crop nutrition program as recommend-ed by SIRI, in terms of fertilizer grades and rates of application. However, high harvesting and fertilizer costs caused some farmers to cutback on use of inputs. Consequently, area fertilized by farmers amounted to just about 56% of their total acreage.

Disease Control During the year Orange Rust Disease intensified and became a major problem on some varieties grown in the Worthy Park area. The impact on cane was made worse by the serious drought which affected the area. Variet-ies BJ9186, BJ7230 and BJ82156 were most severely affected. Brown Rust was found mainly on BJ7504 variet-ies. Meanwhile, BJ8532, J9501 and BJ8534 were severely smut infected. The estate continued on a path of acceler-ated replanting of fields of smut and rust infected varieties.

Meetings/Field Day One farmer’s meeting was held in Berick on field

productivity and field maintenance. Fourteen farm-ers were present.

A Seminar was held in Lluidas Vale to sensitize farm-ers on the presence and identification of Smut and Orange Rust. Also farmers were advised on the vari-eties to plant and those to be rejected.

A Field Day was held jointly with the Jamaica Asso-ciation of Sugar Technologists (JAST) at Worthy Park to familiarise farmers and JAST members with the Orange Rust and it’s effect on susceptible varieties. Some 80 persons were in attendance.

Loan Programme The replanting programme among farmers for 2008/09 was disappointing as a total of only 34.04 ha (repre-senting 46% of loans approved) was planted. Although loans were approved, many farmers were unable to use them for want of functional tractors serving the area. Loans approved totalled $5,198,079 for an area of 74.1 ha.

Table 8.17: Training Seminars & Field Demonstrations

Training Location Participants

Pre-Crop Seminar Long Pond Members Club 84Smut/Orange Rust Seminar Long Pond Members Club 71RTM Demonstration Deeside 45Weed Control Demonstration Hampshire 11Weed Control Demonstration Garredu 9Total 220


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Fig. 8.12: Cane Cutters attempting to pile cane

Fig. 8.13: Bell Loader in Operation

in Trelawny

Fig. 8.14: BJ8783 field in Trelawny


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Fig. 8.15: BJ7938 field in Trelawny

Fig. 8.16: Demonstrating chemical mixing

Fig. 8.17: Demonstrating spraying technique


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Fig. 8.18: Opening planting furrow with RTM

Fig. 8.19: Seed pieces dropped in furrow


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Fig. 8.21: Severe brown rust at Trelawny Sugar

Fig. 8.20: Mild brown rust at Trelawny Sugar


annual report 2009, sugar industry research institute ... · milled a total of 126,381 tonnes...

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