YOUR FARM,
YOUR WAY
Smartcane BMP is a
program for you to
document and celebrate
the way your farm.
Since 2014, Smartcane BMP has been working with cane farmers across Queensland to record and verify their practice improvements. This has helped set the record straight and secure growers’ reputation as stewards of the land.
Three core modules enable growers to be accredited in
- soil health and nutrients
- irrigation and drainage
- weeds, pests and diseases
Accreditation in these modules remains the gold standard for Smartcane BMP. Through a network of dedicated district facilitators Smartcane BMP continues to focus on supporting growers to collect and collate farm records and other required evidence to achieve accreditation.
ACCREDITED MODULES
- 1
- 2
- 3
OTHER MODULES FOR YOUR BUSINESS
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Soil health and nutrient management
Different regions, soils and weather means best-practice techniques look different for everyone. This module covers soil nutrient management, including soil testing and interpretation, use of ameliorants, tillage, controlled traffic, cane trash and calculating the right amount of nutrients to apply. It also goes through use of fallow and legumes to boost the levels of nutrients in the soil and to help break pest and disease cycles.
Irrigation and drainage management
Water drives most chemical and physical processes in soils, plants and the atmosphere—so efficient water use is a win-win situation for both your crops and the environment. This module covers ways you can boost your profits and productivity by saving electricity, saving water and reducing loss of chemicals and nutrients in run-off and deep drainage.
Weed, pest and disease management
Using pesticides and herbicides responsibly is essential so we can have continued access to these products. This module covers selecting the right products for your farm, understanding the product’s label requirements and any regulations. It also covers the timing and method of applying chemicals to avoid loss into waterways and other environments and secure your reputation as a steward of the land.
People and Business
This module covers some of your key obligations around labour management, workplace health and safety and environmental risk management. All growers can self-assess for Module 4. Only growers accredited in the core modules (1-3) will be eligible for accreditation when Module 4 is available for certification in late 2025. This module provides accredited growers with the additional criteria required by global sustainability standards like VIVE and ProTerra assuring a fully sustainable Australian sugar supply chain.
Planting and Harvesting
Planting success has a major effect on farm profitability for the subsequent 4–5 years. This module covers the industry best practice for planting, including choosing the variety of cane and using clean seed. The module also covers efficient harvesting—many growers are requesting their harvest contractors to vary the harvester set-up and speed to reduce harvest loss and minimise effects on crop regrowth.
Farm business management
Knowing how your business is performing, and which factors are driving your profits, reduces the amount of guesswork around cashflow, profitability and your cost of production. This module covers business performance, succession planning and goal setting.
Natural systems management
Most farms have wetlands, waterways or riparian zones which are critical to the farm’s surface drainage. Some farms also have patches of native vegetation. This module covers ways you can protect the natural systems on your land and how these systems can make contributions to conserving native species.
Workplace health and safety
As a business owner, you have legal obligations to minimise the risks you and your workers are exposed to. This module covers these obligations, so you know the documentation and processes you need to have in place. And there are many useful resources to help you ensure the risk of injury on your farm is kept as low as possible.