SASTA authors had to contend with the novel challenge of having to pre-record their presentations with their slides, submit them prior to congress, and then be available live on the congress platform to answer questions. Not a straightforward undertaking – but they proved more than equal to the task, and presentations, for the most part, were of their usual high standard, and technology played the game (most of the time!). Prizes for presentations and posters were presented at the AGM, held virtually on 25 January 2022. Congratulations to all of our winners for their outstanding awards.
Our most prestigious prize is that of the Jubilee Award. This special award is made to one factory and one agriculture presenter, every three years, and the winners are sponsored a trip to the ISSCT congress to present their work. The best paper of the past three congresses (in this case, 2019 and 2021 – as the 2020 congress could not be held due to covid) is selected for this award. A big CONGRATULATIONS to Kitty Foxon, selected as winner in the Factory section. Dr Foxon won the Best Paper awards in both 2019 and 2021, and her papers were judged to be “exceptionally well researched and written and contribute to the industry’s understanding of key issues”.
In the Agriculture section, Marius Adendorff’s excellent 2021 paper on improving the adoption of irrigation scheduling, co-authored by Ashiel Jumman and Aresti Paraskevopolous, was selected as Best Paper, and Marius is the deserving winner of the Jubilee Prize.
Both Jubilee prizewinners will travel to the next ISSCT Congress, to be held in Hyderabad, India, during February 2023. Well done Kitty and Marius!
A list of all the prizewinners is presented below:
| AGRICULTURE SECTION | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jubilee Award | Marius Adendorff M Adendorff, A Jumman, A Paraskevopolous: Improving the Adoption of Irrigation Scheduling: A Demonstration Trial Case Study in Pongola, South Africa. This paper was judged to be the best paper over the 2019 and 2021 congresses. |
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| Kynoch Award for Best Paper in the Agriculture Section of Congress |
Adendorff MW, Jumman A and Paraskevopoulos A. Improving the Adoption of Irrigation Scheduling: A Demonstration Trial Case Study in Pongola, South Africa. Highly Commended: McFarlane SA, Ismael Ameer RB, Kistan CJ and Koch AC Efficacy of Mechanical Harvester Decontamination Procedures to Reduce the Risk of Ratoon Stunt (RSD) Spread. |
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| Cecil-Renaud Prize (Best Paper – authors not part of either a scientific or technological institute) |
Nicholson RJ and Kadwa M Estimating the Financial Impact of the Health Promotion Levy on Sugarcane Growers in South Africa – a Preliminary Analysis This paper was very topical to all sectors of our industry and the results and discussion were important to its continued sustainability. It was well presented and interesting, and will provide an important basis for future discussions with government and other role players. Highly Commended: Kadwa M. Fibre and Non-Sucrose Cane Content under the Recoverable Value Cane Payment System – a Time-Series Analysis per Mill Supply Area Another relevant and pertinent paper around the ever-topical cane payment system. Muhammad’s interesting graphics, flashing text and lively style ensured that his presentation was both interesting and entertaining. |
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| Student Prize |
No eligible candidates (“registered students who are not permanently employed”) this year
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| Poster prize | There was a tie for this prize.
PB Tweddle Replant Decision Support Tool: An Update Koch AC, Kistan CJ, Govender R, van Antwerpen T and McFarlane SA Molecular Disease Diagnosis and Monitoring in the South African Sugarcane Industry. Highly Commended: Paraskevopoulos A, Rutherford RS and McFarlane SA Development of a Model to Predict Smut Risk |
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| FACTORY SECTION | ||
| Jubilee Award
|
Kitty Foxon Dr Foxon’s award in both the 2019 (Foxon KM / An evaporator station model for estimating exhaust steam conversion and consumption) and the 2021 (Barker B, Foxon KM / Predicting the Effect of Processing Green Sugarcane with Brown Leaf on Sugar Colour and Sugar Recovery from Pilot Extractor Results) Best Paper awards secured her the Jubilee Award. |
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| Talbot-Crosbie Award (Best Paper) |
Barker B and Foxon K. Predicting the Effect of Processing Green Sugarcane with Brown Leaf on Sugar Colour and Sugar Recovery from Pilot Extractor Results. |
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| Cecil-Renaud Prize (Best Paper – authors not part of either a scientific or technological institute) | Kotze C Common Mistakes made during Routine Boiler Maintenance |  |
| Student Prize (Best paper by a student who is not permanently employed): | There was a tie for this prize.
Manuel TP, Mahutse R and Mutatu W. Synthesis of Lead (ii) Acetate from Waste generated during the Direct Analysis of Cane JuiceMutete R and Mutete R and Mutatu W. Laboratory-Scale Extraction and Purification of Potassium Sulfate from Stillage |
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| Poster Award | Govender I. On-Line Versus On-Site Training and Auditing. |  |
| Robin Renton Memorial Award (Best paper, author under 35): | No eligible papers presented by presenters under 35 years of age. |
