The 32nd annual Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ASSCT) conference has the theme of "Industry impacts of biotechnology - now and in the future".

Conference president, Dr Mike Cox said Bundaberg is very fortunate to host the event which attracts delegates from Australia and overseas.

"The society's members are practising sugar mill technologists, researchers in both the agricultural and manufacturing sectors and personnel from related industries such as canegrowers and equipment suppliers," Dr Cox said.

"Dr Eric Mirkov from Texas AgriLIFE Research will discuss genetically modified sugarcane and sugar beet in the US while Dr Richard Broglie from DuPont Agricultural Biotechnology will highlight some exciting arrangements for future delivery of biotechnology solutions for the Australian sugarcane industry.

"These papers will be complemented by a number of technical papers and workshops on a variety of topics including industry outcomes of the Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) for Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology (SIIB), which will wind up in the middle of 2010 after seven years of research."

Delegates will have the opportunity to participate in agricultural and manufacturing tours including smut screening facilities and Bundaberg Sugar's Millaquin Mill.

"We urge canegrowers, millers and research technologists to attend this conference as there are many benefits in keeping up with the latest sugar industry research and development," Dr Cox said.

The ASSCT conference runs for four days but delegates are able to register for the full program or individual day attendance if preferred.

* For details visit www.assct.com.au