Marian Davis, BSES extension officer, said the course would equip cane growers with the skills and knowledge to maximise crop growth and minimise nutrient losses.

"Growers will be able to produce a nutrient management plan for their own property that takes into account soil types, landscape and all nutrient sources," Ms Davis said.

"The aim of the workshops is to provide growers with information on soils and nutrients so that they can farm more profitably and sustainably.

"By knowing and applying the latest in nutrient recommendations growers can be confident they are applying sufficient nutrients for crop growth without adversely impacting on the environment."

BSES Limited’s Six Easy Steps program includes:

1. Knowing and understanding soils.

2. Understanding and managing nutrient process and losses.

3. Regular soil testing.

4. Adopting soil-specific fertiliser recommendations.

5. Using leaf analysis as a check on the adequacy of fertiliser inputs.

6. Keeping good records and modifying nutrient inputs where and when necessary.

Ms Davis says the Six Easy Steps program will prepare cane growers for Reef Rescue, a key element of the Australian Government's Caring for our Country initiative.

Reef Rescue is initially funded for $146 million over five years and is designed to foster farming practice changes which will improve water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.

Under the Reef Rescue package, water quality incentives and reef partnerships will be delivered through the regional natural resource management groups and peak agricultural industry bodies.

"Nutrient management in the sugar industry is aimed at sustainability," Ms Davis said.

"We are aiming to minimise leaching, run-off and gaseous losses while maintaining the soil resource and farm profitability."