New farming system improves family prospects

摘要

Lower sugar returns and rising costs of farm inputs are forcing Australian sugarcane growers to pursue more efficient crop production systems. Environmental pressures are an added impetus to move from long establishedpractices to more efficient and sustainable farming systems. The savings needed to ensure survival can no longer be achieved simply by reducing inputs within the existing farming system. A new approach is needed. The Petersen family and other innovativegrowers have accepted this challenge by developing new farming systems to meet their particular circumstances.