Download (4Mb) - USQ ePrints - University of Southern Queensland
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Methodology<br />
The project was undertaken in the following stages:<br />
1. Data collection and review (Mallee industry and comparative sugar industry).<br />
2. Identify and outline the key issues and develop discussion paper and analysis framework.<br />
3. Consultation, discussions and workshops between project team, mallee industry and stakeholders.<br />
4. Analysis and assessment including assessment <strong>of</strong> supply chain and business drivers,<br />
identification <strong>of</strong> gaps, opportunities and requirements.<br />
5. Mallee delegation visit to the NSW sugar industry and formal workshop to discuss and<br />
benchmark supply issues.<br />
6. Final reporting and recommendations.<br />
The design and scope <strong>of</strong> the project was structured around the framework illustrated in the flow chart<br />
below, which illustrates elements <strong>of</strong> the supply chain and informs the structure <strong>of</strong> this report.<br />
Initially an assessment was undertaken <strong>of</strong> mallee productions systems and contrasts with sugarcane<br />
production. Crop growth cycle, field layout, crop management, yield and supply areas impact the<br />
efficiency and economics <strong>of</strong> biomass harvesting operations. It is important that an accurate resource<br />
inventory <strong>of</strong> biomass supply exists to assess supply volumes and constraints. Changes to field layout<br />
and age at harvest can have significant impacts on harvest efficiency.<br />
Consideration was given to harvesting, transport and storage systems for both mallee and sugarcane.<br />
Mallee harvester design and capability will be important to improve throughput, losses, product<br />
quality issues, and harvesting economics. Transport and storage systems will impact infield and longhaul<br />
transport requirements. Trailer size and configuration as well as product bulk density and pay<br />
load will impact supply chain economics and system performance. Storage will impact handling costs<br />
and quality changes to biomass material (eg moisture content).<br />
Biomass products and processing options will also impact the supply chain. A number <strong>of</strong> product<br />
options have evolved for sugarcane and exist for mallee. Potential mallee products will be impacted<br />
by market price, production volumes and conversion efficiencies. This will in turn impact the best<br />
approach for material harvesting and handling.<br />
Industry and business structures have played a major role in the evolution <strong>of</strong> the sugar industry and<br />
the ability <strong>of</strong> regions to adopt best supply chain management practices. Ownership within the supply<br />
chain and payment systems all impact the supply chain and consideration has been given to<br />
developments in the sugar sector that may have relevance to mallee.<br />
Integration along the supply chain through material supply planning and logistics management,<br />
information collection and system modelling has been effective in improving the logistics <strong>of</strong> the<br />
sugar supply chain and consideration has been given to approaches that may have relevance to mallee<br />
systems.<br />
Finally consideration has been given to component costs <strong>of</strong> the supply chain and harvest-haul<br />
operation pricing using appropriate costing models. Of particular importance is the sensitivity <strong>of</strong> the<br />
delivered cost <strong>of</strong> biomass per green tonne based on key drivers such as harvester pour rate and<br />
production volumes.<br />
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