Australian Canegrower - March 2025

DISASTER FUNDING WIN FOR GROWERS

SMALL CHANGES, BIG REWARDS

TAKE YOUR FARM BUSINESS FROM GOOD TO GREAT!

The path to building a successful and sustainable business may not always be straightforward.

Join our workshops to spend time working on your business and not just in your business to plot your course to a more secure future.

The program will run as a series of workshops and webinars from March to May so get signed up for the first workshop in your district.

Workshops and webinars in the program will cover essential business knowhow topics designed to equip growers to become even better business leaders.

TOPICS INCLUDE:

BUILDING A PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS

Setting goals, developing strategy and managing the risks you haven’t thought of

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

Attracting the right people, getting the legal stuff right, working with family

WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY

Where do we start and stop? What are our obligations?

SUGAR PRICING STRATEGY

How to cut through the information and make sound decisions

Workshops are provided FREE  of charge.

Visit www.canegrowers.com.au or your CANEGROWERS district office today to find out more!

Locations and dates:

The series begins with a one-day workshop on “building a professional business” to help growers think about what their needs are to secure a sustainable future for their business.

• Burdekin · Wed 19 Mar

• Proserpine · Thu 20 Mar

• Mackay · Fri 21 Mar

• Tully · Wed 26 Mar

• Innisfail · Thu 27 Mar

• Cairns Region · Fri 28 Mar

• Isis · Wed 2 Apr

• Bundaberg · Thu 3 Apr

SUGAR INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE

What is relative payment? What’s CCS anyway?

TAKING YOUR BOOKKEEPING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Should I do my own BAS?

This program is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Queensland Government’s Drought and Climate Adaptation Program.

Editor: Robyn Devine

Advertising and Classifieds: Jane McGregor

Articles appearing in Australian Canegrower do not necessarily represent the policies or views of CANEGROWERS.

Published monthly by: CANEGROWERS, GPO Box 1032, Brisbane, Queensland 4001 Australia. ABN 94 089 992 969

Telephone: 07 3864 6444

Email: editor@canegrowers.com.au Website: www.canegrowers.com.au

Subscriptions

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COVER

The cost of the recent

for

up

Herbert River Read more on page 6

NEWS BRIEFS

SUPERCHARGING INVESTMENT IN AGRICULTURE

CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan joined Queensland Farmers' Federation's (QFF) Jo Sheppard and a select group of industry and agribusiness leaders for a deep dive into the future of Queensland ag with Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett and Treasurer David Janetzki.

The focus? Supercharging ag investment to hit the ambitious $30 billion target for Queensland agriculture by 2030.

“Working with political leaders who have a deep understanding of agriculture and are committed to working with industry puts a spring in my step – we need to crack on and get some of this done now,” Mr Galligan said.

NEXT RATOON 2025 KICKS OFF

The 2025 Next Ratoon cohort came together in Brisbane on 26 February for an exciting opportunity to connect with a diverse group of seasoned mentors, both from within the sugarcane industry and beyond.

This dynamic gathering isn’t just about building relationships— it’s a chance to sharpen essential skills in networking, negotiation, decision-making, and leadership.

Participants are gaining invaluable insights that will not only empower them but also help drive growth and innovation in the sugarcane industry, setting the stage for a more profitable and forward-thinking future.

NFF RELEASED ITS FEDERAL ELECTION PLATFORM

The 2025 Federal Election comes at a critical moment for Australian agriculture and for every Australian family that relies on farmers for affordable food and fibre.

Our sector stands at the intersection of major megatrends that will reshape farming and consumer prices for generations to come.

At the heart of National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) platform is the call for a comprehensive framework to safeguard our ability to feed and clothe Australians amid growing disruptions.

Download the platform from the keepfarmersfarming.org.au website.

SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY

175 flood-affected growers attended a meeting hosted by CANEGROWERS Herbert River in late February.

The gathering provided a one-stop-shop for support services, with those in attendance hearing from representatives of the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA), Farmer to Lifeline Farmer, rural financial counsellors, Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL) and more.

It was also the first opportunity for members impacted by the disaster to come together and catch up with mates.

CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan was also in attendance and spoke to the growers

CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan, QFF CEO Jo Sheppard, Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett and Treasurer David Janetzki discuss the future of Queensland ag

CANEGROWERS WINS REPLANTING ASSISTANCE, BUT MORE DISASTER AID REFORMS NEEDED

Primary producers impacted by last month’s devastating floods across North Queensland can now use disaster recovery grants to help cover the cost of replanting lost crops.

It’s the first time replanting costs have been included in disaster recovery funding and comes after weeks of pressure from CANEGROWERS, working in partnership with the Queensland’ Farmers Federation and other commodity groups.

CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan welcomed the decision, saying the policy change, which brings Queensland in line with other states and will apply to all future natural disasters, was an important piece of the puzzle.

“Replanting is an essential part of recovery and we’re grateful that the Crisafulli Government has recognised that and taken steps to assist growers with getting back on their feet,” Mr Galligan said. However, infrastructure damage, workforce retention, and fairer eligibility criteria for assistance remain serious challenges, he said.

One major issue is the restrictive definition of a primary producer, which excludes many modern farms that rely on off-farm income.

“Growers shouldn’t be penalised for diversifying their income,” Mr Galligan said. “Disaster relief needs to reflect the realities of today’s farming businesses, which often requires growers to work off-farm to make ends meet.”

The floods also exposed ongoing vulnerabilities in transport, power, and telecommunications - weak points that slow recovery efforts and add to economic losses.

CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens called for urgent investment in more resilient infrastructure.

“Every disaster highlights the same failures. We need proactive solutions, not just reactive fixes,” he said.

“ CANEGROWERS is pushing for a more coordinated recovery approach, including industry-based rural recovery officers who can be deployed quickly to assist affected growers.

“Having dedicated recovery specialists embedded in the industry would make the response more efficient and effective.”

Labour shortages have been another challenge, delaying essential repairs and replanting.

In December, CANEGROWERS successfully secured an extension to the disaster recovery grant deadline for growers impacted by Cyclone Jasper, recognising the difficulty of finding contractors and supplies in a tight timeframe.

As this issue of Australian Canegrower went to print, the government was expected to announce an increase in the disaster funding threshold from $25,000 to $75,000 in line with the support offered following Cyclone Jasper.

“ CANEGROWERS has been engaged in ongoing discussions with the state and federal governments about increasing the assistance threshold,” Mr Galligan said.

“Reports from on the ground are clear – $25,000 doesn’t go nearly as far as it used to, and won’t be nearly enough for help the worst impacted growers get back on their feet.

“We’ve explained this clearly to the government and backed it up with evidence. Thankfully, all indications are that they have listened and will likely announce an increase in the funding threshold in coming days.

While acknowledging the government’s efforts, Mr Galligan warned that unpredictable policy changes during crises add unnecessary stress to growers.

“Disaster relief arrangements must be clear, consistent, and pre-determined rather than adjusted under political pressure,” he said.

“As the industry works through yet another disaster recovery, CANEGROWERS remains focused on securing long-term improvements to disaster response policies.

“We’ll keep pushing for reforms to ensure growers get the support they need to recover and rebuild. Natural disasters aren’t going away, so our policies must evolve.”

All affected growers should:

ƒ Not self-assess

ƒ Gather evidence and quotes

ƒ Visit QRIDA website www.qrida.qld.gov.au/ primary-producers to lodge an application

ƒ Contact your local CANEGROWERS office for assistance and support

FORCE OF DESTRUCTION

BY RENEE CLUFF

Sugarcane growers from the Herbert River district and beyond are picking up the pieces following a disastrous rain event.

Three days of relentless rain had only just begun when Ingham sugarcane grower Victor Cervellin suspected something was not right on his farm. His intuition proved correct, after he discovered a landslide had buried a newly planted sugarcane block.

“I live on the opposite side of the creek to where this happened but I could see the colour of the water through the creek and it was getting really dark and dirty.

‘I thought there was more happening than I could see, so as soon as I could I drove to the other side and saw the landslide above my property. I could see the waterfall coming off the hill and washing through the paddock.

“At that stage I was worried there would be more, so I backed up and didn’t go back for another week. When we had a better look at it, there was more that had come down onto the property.

“Unfortunately, that was onto a block of plant cane. A lot of it’s now been buried.”

Middle: Cane fields were swamped

Bottom: Headlands and creek banks have been eroded

(Images courtesy CANEGROWERS Herbert River)

Top: A landslide impacted Victor Cervellin’s cane farm

According to the Bureau of Meteorology’s Bambaroo gauge located close to Victor’s farm, more than a metre (1,171mm) of rain fell during the first three days of February. Over the next week, daily totals ranging between 15mm and 130mm followed.

Victor said he has experienced plenty of flooding events over his many decades farming, but none was like this. “Even after Cyclone Yasi nothing like that happened,” he said. “We’ve had creek erosion and flooding in the creeks, but not a landslide. I’ve noticed about six or seven slides along the hill. Some are larger than others but that’s never happened before.

“Under the silt there may be rocks and timbers from the trees. It’s at least a metre-and-a-half deep. There’s a bit to do there. Hopefully we can bring it back to what it was.”

Victor has met with his local Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) representative and fellow sugarcane grower, Sam Spina, to apply for disaster recovery assistance.

He’s welcomed news that the cost of planting new cane is now covered in the grant criteria, following strong advocacy from CANEGROWERS

Victor’s house and shed remained high and dry but there was other damage. “I was fortunate being on the side of the hill – the drainage works quite well but I did get a lot of scouring from the water flowing through the place,” he said. “On the creek flats there’s a lot of erosion and stones.”

The Herbert River district was the epicentre of the monsoonal event which also saw parts of the Burdekin, Tully, Innisfail and Cairns districts inundated. CANEGROWERS Herbert River Chair Chris Bosworth, said an extended 2024 season meant much of the district’s crop was still relatively young.

HIGHEST 5 HERBERT RIVER PEAKS AT INGHAM PUMP STATION

“We finished harvesting on 19 December and we had a wet end to the season, then in mid-January it came out dry so a lot of people put in a lot of work to catch up,” he said. “Our floods generally come in March or April, so no one was expecting this.

“Ball park figure I would say we’ve lost 10% in yield and a unit of CCS because of the reduced cane quality and all the mud ending up in the cane supply. That figure is likely to increase as more information becomes available.

“Most cane farmers have been impacted to some extent”

Source: Bureau of Meteorology

DISTRICTS WHERE GROWERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR QRIDA DISASTER RECOVERY GRANTS

“All but a few growers would have sustained damage. It will be a long recovery.”

Chris said CANEGROWERS districts were united in their advocacy efforts to the Queensland Government to include the cost of replanting in disaster recovery grants. The peak industry body has also been pushing for the definition of a primary producer under

the eligibility criteria to include growers with off-farm income.

“There are growers who earn off-farm income who are using it as a stepping stone to purchase or lease sugarcane farms and they’re at a disadvantage,” Chris explained. “It’s a penalty on young people entering the industry and trying to make a go of it. Do we want people to join the industry?

The answer’s obviously yes. It doesn’t seem fair.”

Concerns about the broader impact of the weather event on the tight-knit Ingham community are also weighing on Chris’ mind.

“One of the worst things that happened is the power was turned off to protect the substation,” he said. “But that led to a lot of businesses losing millions of dollars collectively because there was no prior warning. If we had six to ten hours warning, we could have prepared the generators.”

Mental health impacts are also a worry and Chris is urging his fellow growers to check on their neighbours from time to time. “People in the wet end of town experienced six feet of water around them with no food and no electricity and very poor communications,” he explained. “It was scary.

“Mid-term I’m worried about growers’ mental health. We’ve just had a flooding, we had rats a couple of years ago that caused a lot of damage, and our crops haven’t been great in recent years. We all talk about resilience but there’s only so much you can put up with.”

CANEGROWERS has been advocating for:

ƒ The Disaster Recovery Grant limit to be increased from $25,000 to $75,000

ƒ The definition of a Primary Producer to be changed so growers who have off-farm income are eligible for grant assistance.

ƒ Recruitment of a local, onground Industry Recovery and Resilience Officer.

CANEGROWERS advocacy win: Disaster grant criteria has been expanded to cover replanting costs.

Mill infrastructure damaged The Australian Sugar Milling Council reports extensive repair work will be required to culverts and locomotive lines, particularly in the Herbert River District.

Miller Wilmar Sugar is continuing to assess the damage and is developing a reconstruction plan to ensure rail lines are ready for the 2025 harvest season.

At the time of printing there was understood to be no major bridge or mill damage.

Top left: The water scoured out cane paddocks

Top right: Sheds have been inundated Bottom: Sand and silt covers plant cane on Victor Cervellin’s farm (Images courtesy CANEGROWERS Herbert River)

LEADING THE WAY FORWARD

With nominations for CANEGROWERS elections now open, two board members share their experiences in helping to shape the sugar industry’s future.

CANEGROWERS Cairns Region

Chair Stephen Calcagno was in his early 40s when he first made himself available to become part of the then CANEGROWERS Babinda board.

“The Chairman at the time, Guido Ghidella, more or less tapped me on the shoulder and told me to put my hand up,” Stephen recalls. “I couldn’t see the sense in standing in the shed whingeing about the plight of the world, so I got involved.”

That decision was made two decades ago and during Stephen’s tenure, he has helped steer the industry through many challenging events. He counts working with the local miller to improve performance among the highlights. “The Mulgrave Mill wasn’t up to scratch and the board accepted the challenge to try to get it working better,” he remembers.

“We had a strategy and quite frankly, right now MSF Sugar is the envy of the milling industry. We fought that good fight and that is what puts money in growers’ pockets and helps the owners of the mill as well. Through the years we formed a good working relationship with our milling company and it’s a bonus for everyone in the end.

"The industry is so intertwined and there are a lot of challenges, so we have to work together to move forward.”

Stephen has benefited personally and professionally, too. When the Mulgrave and Babinda offices merged, he

became a Director of CANEGROWERS Cairns Region, and then Chair. Stephen has also served on the QCGO board, the Policy Council and the Finance Audit and Risk Committee. He was also elected to the Sugar Terminals Limited (STL) board as a grower representative.

“You develop skills as you go along,” he said. “Being elected to STL led to an opportunity to become a graduate of the Institute of Company Directors. That’s helped me in other parts of my business. It is very rewarding in the end.”

“I wanted to be part of the solution”

STEPHEN CALCAGNO, CANEGROWERS CAIRNS CHAIR

Leah Russo’s journey as an industry representative began much more recently. In 2022, CANEGROWERS

Herbert River Manager, Frank Scardamaglia, had encouraged her to nominate for a position on the board, but she had her reservations.

“I thought no one would vote for me,” she said. “I’m not from a farming family, I was brand new to farming, I’m a woman and I’m young. But I did nominate, mainly because I thought having diversity on the board was important. Women bring a whole new perspective and people who haven’t been farming all their life also deserve a seat because they have other life and work experiences and skills to offer.”

Leah was in fact elected along with another female representative, Zenan Reinaudo. Their experiences since then have been positive. “All the guys on the board were welcoming and explained everything to us,” she recalls.

“They enjoy having us on the board I believe, it gives them a different perspective as well.

“I’ve learnt a lot – not just regarding farming, but also political advocacy, governance, public speaking and many other life skills.

“It’s also been really great to meet different members of our industry that I wouldn’t have met before.

“People like the heads of SRA, QSL and other industry member organisations I now know, and I’ll always have those contacts.

“I would say just throw your hat in the ring and you never know what might happen. It’s natural to be nervous, but the worst that could happen is you don’t get in and life goes on.”

KEY DATES:

ƒ Nominations close: 24 March

ƒ Ballot elections: 27 March – 23 April

ƒ Results declared: 24 April

ƒ New term begins: 1 May

For more information, visit www.canegrowers.com.au/ elections

Leah Russo and Stephen Calcagno

TIME TO RETHINK POLICY AROUND DISASTER ASSISTANCE

BY DAN GALLIGAN, CEO, CANEGROWERS

The events that have affected almost one third of our industry over the last six weeks serve to demonstrate just how overdue it is for the start of a new conversation about disaster relief and recovery arrangements in Queensland.

The need for a fresh look goes right through the whole system. From preparedness to recovery.

We should not be surprised by natural disasters in Queensland, frequency has made us experts. Many of our systems for managing natural disaster are mature and experienced. For example the work done by individuals in local disaster management committees, volunteers – like the SES and others, emergency services and local and State Government officials, we have some of the most experienced, most professional and dedicated experts in the world.

In an attempt to support and recognise those aspects of the system that work very well industry bodies like CANEGROWERS and the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) and their members like Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers and Cotton Australia are working very hard to make sure the policy that sits behind those on the front lines is continuously improved. From forecasting disasters right through to follow up on recovery activities and services – there is room for improvement. Some recurring problems straight up just need to be fixed, particularly when we look at the fragility of our transport, power and telecommunications systems.

Our most recent focus has been on the national disaster relief and recovery arrangements deployed to assist all primary producers. These arrangement plans agreed between all States and the Federal Government combine to become the playbook for what assistance can be provided to local government, community and primary producers in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster.

Arrangements are usually agreed just between governments in the calmer times well removed from the actual disasters. That being the case, the reality is when a disaster strikes the playbook can be modified and renegotiated, often on the basis of specific circumstances but sometimes due to the involvement of political leaders and the escalation of the public

commentary. It can get messy, and this can serve to only provide confusion into an already very stressful environment.

Stability and certainty should be what sensible policy provides. As industries we have a very clear set of existing reform ideas. They include

1. Definition of primary producer: update this to make it reflect the contemporary nature of farm ownership, that can include off farm income from either primary or secondary partners.

2. Allow for replant costs to be included in recovery grant guidelines: significant progress has been made to fix this inconsistency that existed in Queensland policy.

3. Support for workforce needs: while personal hardship payment exists, often the challenge in rural communities is that business have to either lay off or can’t pay their staff who themselves are impacted. These means we lose the workforce who are needed more than ever at this time.

4. A consistent approach to recovery support services: we need to accept reality and have on the ready a pool of rural recovery officers, experts in this field, imbedded within industry and ready to support primary producers to prepare and respond to natural disasters.

It is incredibly important that these policy initiatives are consistent with the overall intent of helping farmers get back on the feet and back into business.

This is an economic imperative for farm, the local community and the industry as whole. We can see in production data just how badly and regularly natural disasters put a hand brake on our industry. The power of CANEGROWES to work with QFF and other industries to present a unified case for these changes makes a compelling point for reform.

Let's hope we get through the back end of this wet season without further disasters. But come what may, CANEGROWERS will continue to propose these policy solutions ready for the next event.

FROM STRATEGY TO PROFIT: ESSENTIAL BUSINESS SKILLS FOR GROWERS

BY CHRIS GILLITT

In today’s fast-evolving agricultural landscape, sugarcane growers must go beyond traditional farming practices to build resilient and profitable businesses.

Recognising this need, CANEGROWERS introduced the Business Essentials workshop series free of charge to member, a comprehensive program tailored to empower sugarcane growers with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of modern agriculture.

FLEXIBLE PARTICIPATION TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS

This program is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Queensland Government’s Drought and Climate Adaptation Program.

Now in its fourth year, the program is more flexible than ever, offering a mix of in-person workshops and online webinars, so growers can tailor their participation to their specific needs.

Purchase

Leading experts, including professionals from the cotton and grain industries, will share practical insights on a wide range of topics:

Building a professional business: Learn to set achievable goals, develop robust strategies, and manage unforeseen risks effectively.

People management:

Gain insights into attracting and retaining the right talent, navigating legal requirements, and fostering harmonious family working relationships.

Talk to your local QRIDA Regional Area Manager, Tegan McBride, on 1800 623 946 or scan to find out how QRIDA could

“I’m interested in learning more about business concepts”

JESSIE BORG, EMERGING GROWER

Workplace health & safety (WHS): Understand your obligations, establish practical safety protocols, and create a culture of safety on the farm.

Sugar pricing strategy and industry knowledge:

Demystify the complexities of sugar pricing, enabling informed and profitable decision-making. Enhance your understanding of industry-specific terms and practices, such as relative payment systems and Commercial Cane Sugar (CCS) metrics.

Advanced Bookkeeping:

Elevate your financial management skills, including considerations around managing your own Business Activity Statements (BAS).

Growers can choose sessions that align with their specific interests and needs, mixing and matching between

in-person workshops and online webinars. This approach ensures that participants can maximise the benefits of the program without compromising their operational responsibilities.

PATHWAY TO FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND RESILIENCE PLANNING

Participation in the Business Essentials workshops also serves as a gateway to financial assistance. The program guides growers in developing a Farm Business Resilience Plan, a prerequisite for accessing various grants and loans aimed at drought preparedness, disaster recovery and business sustainability. These include Drought Preparedness Grants of up to $50,000 for on-farm capital improvements and Drought Ready and Recovery Finance loans of up to $250,000.

“You are with your fellow growers. It’s an outlet to provide support”

By equipping growers with a comprehensive resilience plan, the program not only enhances operational effectiveness but also positions growers to secure essential funding for future challenges.

The program also offers personalised one-on-one support, helping you develop a comprehensive business plan and implement strategic solutions that drive real, measurable success for your farm.

Embrace this opportunity to transform your sugarcane farming business and register your interest today!

The Business Essentials workshop series is more than just a learning experience; it’s an investment in the future resilience and profitability of your enterprise.

For more details, workshop dates, and registration, visit canegrowers.com.au 

ARROW-RTC

FROM THE CHAIR

BY OWEN MENKENS, Chair, CANEGROWERS

Last month I mentioned my hope that we’d avoid another catastrophe like the flooding that followed Cyclone Jasper in 2024.

Unfortunately, that hope wasn’t realised, with the Herbert River region hit by a one-in-50-year flood that wreaked havoc on crops, infrastructure, housing and small businesses across the district.

It’s been an incredibly stressful time for growers in the area, and hopefully they’re getting all the support they need.

While Herbert River was the region hardest hit, it wasn’t the only district impacted, with floodwaters inundating paddocks from Gordonvale to Giru.

This marks the second time in two years that vast areas of the State have endured widespread destructive flooding

CANEGROWERS has not been idle, however – working hard to secure disaster assistance for those affected.

We pressed the government to announce disaster recovery grants, which they have done – now we’re working to secure an even larger support package for growers.

The big news is that disaster recovery payments have now been expanded to cover the replanting of plant crops. This achievement, realised with the help of the Queensland Farmers’ Federation and our fellow tier-one members, represents a major shift in the rules around disaster grants.

It’s a win not only for the current recovery efforts, but also sets a robust precedent for any future disasters.

I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to the Premier, the Minister for Primary Industries, and the entire LNP cabinet team for making this possible.

It’s a change that’s been years in the making, and was brought about largely through the persistent efforts of Dan Galligan and the wider CANEGROWERS team.

Of course, reshaping disaster funding parameters isn’t a simple task. The rules must work not just for cane farmers but across all Queensland agricultural producers, and with funding shared with the federal government, it involves a maze of negotiations and bureaucratic approvals.

Given the significant differences between crops across Australia, the challenge is immense.

I remain hopeful that by the time you read this, we’ll have more announcements in this space.

In other good news, CANEGROWERS has secured an emergency permit to apply MCPA using aerial and boom sprayers – a crucial win at this time of year as cane starts to get out of hand.

I’d like to remind all growers that registration is now open for the Sugar Cubed 2025 industry event in April.

I’m really looking forward to catching up with everyone there. To find out more visit sugarcubed.com.au 

A LEGACY ROOTED IN ADAPTATION

BY ROBYN DEVINE

For fourth-generation sugarcane grower Richard Zunker, farming is more than just a livelihood.

It’s a lifelong commitment shaped by tradition, innovation, and the everchanging demands of the industry.

Located in Bundaberg, Queensland, Richard and his brother Craig who have been supported by their parents Joe and Coral, have spent decades refining their approach to sugarcane farming, balancing the pressures of managing a family-run operation with the need to adopt best management practices.

The Zunker family, trading as Redtrail, has been farming in the region for nearly a century, expanding their operations over the years to include both 120 hectares of rich volcanic red

soil and 30 hectares of river country along the Burnett River.

Each type of land presents its own challenges, requiring different approaches to irrigation, fertilisation, and crop rotation.

Richard explained that one of the significant shifts in their farming practice has been the move towards lateral irrigation systems.

“We always thought about it, and when the price of power went up a few years back, we knew it was time to make a change,” Richard said.

“While the system still applies the same amount of water, the energy savings have been substantial. However, no system is perfect. Laterals have their issues like anything else, but overall, they’ve been worth it.”

Over the years, the Zunkers have faced increasing difficulties in securing reliable labour.

“It’s not just farming—every industry is struggling to find good workers”

Right and below: Bundaberg grower

Richard Zunker and his family have a passion for growing a variety of crops including sugarcane, Richard believes in the importance of understanding each paddock's unique soil system and managing soil health accordingly

“Despite investing in modern machinery, like John Deere GPS-guided tractors and state-of-the-art harvesters, finding skilled operators remains a challenge.

“We used to hire extra people, but in the end, we found ourselves constantly fixing mistakes. We decided to scale back and focus on what we could manage ourselves.”

This decision has allowed them to prioritise efficiency without overextending their resources. Today, they also handle contract work for Bundaberg Sugar, including planting, fertilising, and spraying, rather than large-scale harvesting.

Redtrail has also embraced crop rotation, incorporating peanuts into their farming system to improve soil health.

“Ten years ago, we started growing peanuts as a rotation crop, and it’s made a huge difference. The soil tests are showing better fertility, and we’re seeing improved cane yields as a result,” Richard said.

From climate variability to evolving regulations, growers navigate an ever-changing industry landscape. Richard’s philosophy in dealing with weather and large machinery that may breakdown is to have a Plan B and where possible a spare of everything just as a back up.

In the district, Reef regulations have become an increasingly significant concern for many growers, requiring detailed record-keeping and compliance measures.

Redtrail recently completed a compliance audit and Richard admitted that it was a little nerveracking as he hadn’t been through one before. He was appreciative of the support that his agronomist and Bundaberg CANEGROWERS Membership Services Extension Officer Matt Leighton was able to provide. Matt was on hand to assist Richard and his proactive approach including visiting farms ahead of audits,

reviewing records, and demystifying the process, helped Richard feel more prepared and less apprehensive about compliance.

Matt's passion for the industry and dedication to grower support has not gone unnoticed. Through times of prosperity and challenge, Matt remains a trusted advisor, ensuring that growers have the knowledge, support, and representation they need to thrive in an evolving industry landscape.

“I was overall happy with the outcome and the process. With our focus on sustainability, we need to be proactive. The old ways of over-applying fertiliser are long gone, and we’ve learned to work smarter, not harder,” Richard said.

With succession planning on the horizon, Richard acknowledges the challenges the next generation will face. His brother’s sons have expressed interest in continuing the farming tradition sometime in the future, but the high cost of land poses a significant barrier.

“Back when we bought land, it was around $7,000 or $8,000 an acre,” Richard said.

“Now, it’s pushing $40,000. That makes it tough for young farmers to get started.”

Despite these challenges, Richard remains optimistic about the future of the sugarcane industry. He sees potential in biofuels, sustainable farming initiatives, and new market opportunities.

Richard believes that the key is making sure growers are involved in these developments and discussions and don’t get left behind.

For Richard, the greatest satisfaction comes from seeing a well-grown crop ready for harvest.

“Farming isn’t easy, but when you stand back and look at a good paddock of cane, it’s worth it,” he said.

By combining modern technology with tried-and-true farming wisdom, the Zunkers continue to navigate the evolving landscape of Queensland sugarcane farming—one smart decision at a time.

Left: Peanuts are a good rotation and complementary crop for sugarcane

Right: Harvesting the peanuts

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Current as at 18 February 2025.

By Elliott Apel, QSL Assistant Manager Trading & Risk

Outlook

A drier-than-normal January and February in Brazil has led analysts to lower their 2025 crop forecasts to a range of 590-610 million tonnes of cane. Many expect an increase in sugar crystallisation capacity, which could push the sugar mix to 51-52%, resulting in 41-42 million tonnes of sugar production.

Despite the Indian government approving 1 million tonnes of export licenses, sugar production for the 2024/25 Season has continued to decline. As of 15 February, only 19.87 million tonnes had been produced, down 11.6% year-on-year, with 77 mills closed for the season, compared to just 28 a year ago.

Sugar production in Thailand remains ahead of last year, reaching 7.3 million tonnes so far, a 9% year-on-year increase. However, dry weather in the northeastern growing region poses a risk to the final stages of the harvest, which could impact total production.

Speculators Following India’s export announcement, speculators maintained a net short position into February. As of 11 February, the net short position stood at 120,000 lots.

Currency

With the threat of universal US tariffs (10%) easing in favour of more targeted tariffs, financial markets have reacted positively. The Australian Dollar has been a key beneficiary, strengthening by more than 2.5 US cents from its early February low of 60.88 US cents.

The outlook ratings above are in relation to AUD/tonne sugar prices. A bullish outlook is considered positive. A bearish outlook is considered negative.

Grower Pricing Update

The highest grower-managed pricing levels achieved across all growing regions using QSL products to date (all gross price actual/tonne) are:

• 2024 Target Price = $840 / IFC $870 (Jul24)

• 2025 Target Price = $735 / IFC $735 (Oct25)

• 2026 Target Price = $685 / IFC $690 (Jul26)

• 2027 Target Price = $650

• 2028 Target Price = $575

Key Dates:

• 20 April 2025 | Any 2024-Season Target Price Contract tonnage not priced by this date will be priced by QSL at the next market opportunity.

• 20 April 2025 | Any unpriced tonnage allocated to the ICE 11 May 2025 contract through QSL’s Individual Futures Contract and/or Self-Managed Harvest Contract after this date will be priced by QSL at the next market opportunity.

• 30 April 2025 | Last day to nominate tonnage to the QSL 2025-Season Actively Managed Pool, Individual Futures Contract and Target Price Contract.

$1500 PRIZE DRAW *

CANEGROWERS

2025 MEMBER SURVEY

All CANEGROWERS members will be invited to complete the 2025 Member Survey during March. Each member will receive an email with the survey link. It can also be found on the Member Resources page of the CANEGROWERS website.

This survey is an opportunity for you to share your opinions and ideas on CANEGROWERS. This will help CANEGROWERS to evaluate member needs, advocacy, products and services.

The survey is open for the month of March 2025.

For any questions about the survey, please contact

Your answers are anonymous and by completing the survey you will go into the draw for your chance to win some great prizes.

*Terms and conditions apply Prize draw*

x $1,500 gift card

x $50 gift card

STRENGTHENING THE FUTURE:

CANEGROWERS’ EXPANDING ROLE IN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

The coming year marks an exciting chapter for CANEGROWERS with an expansion of efforts in agricultural education, bringing fresh opportunities to schools and students across Queensland.

With new curriculum-aligned resources, hands-on learning initiatives, and an ambitious trial project, the industry is positioning itself at the forefront of agricultural education.

CANEGROWERS Shikira Kalatzis, who leads the education portfolio for the organisation, explained that one of the standout achievements this year is the redevelopment of educational resources for Year 5 to 10 students.

“The updated materials align with the latest curriculum, ensuring relevance and engagement. These resources, accompanied by supporting materials such as posters, will enhance agricultural education in high schools, providing students with up-to-date insights into the sugarcane industry,” Shikira said.

Another major initiative on the horizon is CANEGROWERS return to the Ekka’s Discovery Day.

“This week-long event provides primary schools from both urban and rural areas with an immersive experience and sneak-peek into the sugarcane industry,” Shikira said.

“Students gain hands-on exposure to key aspects of cane farming. The event is expected to attract a diverse range of schools, fostering greater awareness and appreciation of the industry among young learners.”

The highly successful CANEGROWERS Burdekin ‘Sweetest Schools’ competition is set to expand into more districts. This initiative has already generated significant interest among educators, many of whom are eager to introduce innovative agricultural topics into their teaching.

The inspiring panel of speakers at Whites Hill State College celebrating International Day of Women in Science

With the help of industry partners, CANEGROWERS is developing a structured framework that will enable more schools to participate, further embedding sugarcane education in school curriculums.

“Recognising the growing enthusiasm for agricultural learning, together with the support of the Queensland Agriculture Teachers Association (QATA) we are launching a one to two-year trial project involving six schools across Queensland. This initiative will allow students to grow sugarcane in a controlled environment,” Shikira explained.

“The participating schools will benefit from grower and industry support, including the CANEGROWERS Isis team, who will assist in sourcing billets for planting.

“If the trial is successful this will open an opportunity for the program to expand and offer more schools the opportunity to participate. More information will be provided early in 2026.

“The project is driven by a strong demand from teachers seeking fresh, hands-on learning experiences for their students, which is really exciting.

“This trial project is complemented by the CANEGROWERS educational resources where teachers and students can develop a deeper understanding of crop management, supply chains, and the industry’s challenges such as pests and diseases.”

CANEGROWERS Elisa Westmore was invited to participate sharing her career pathways and current role to senior students

CANEGROWERS Environment and Sustainability Policy Officer Elisa Westmore took the stage as a panelist at Brisbane’s Whites Hill State College in February, celebrating the International Day of Women in Science. Speaking to an audience of senior female students, Elisa and a diverse group of accomplished women shared their unique career journeys, offering insight and inspiration to the next generation of scientists.

With a background in ecology and environmental science, Elisa has held various roles within agricultural departments and organisations.

Now, she passionately advocates for sugarcane growers, championing

sustainability initiatives and navigating environmental regulations.

Elisa described the experience as both exciting and rewarding, emphasising the importance of exposing young women to the wealth of opportunities available in science and agriculture.

“I get to work alongside farmers, scientists and policymakers to tackle complex challenges, like reducing farm runoff to improve water quality in the Great Barrier Reef,” Elisa said.

“It’s inspiring to share how meaningful and impactful a career in science can be.”

Looking Ahead

Beyond high school education, CANEGROWERS is also collaborating with industry partners to develop resources tailored for lower primary students. While still in the early planning stages, this initiative reflects the industry's commitment to fostering agricultural literacy from an early age.

“By continuously evolving and strengthening our educational outreach, CANEGROWERS hopes that future generations can develop a strong connection to agriculture,” Shikira said.

“As these initiatives unfold, they will not only support student learning but also reinforce the vital role of the sugarcane industry in Queensland’s economy and communities.”

PASSION FOR INNOVATION – REAPS THE REWARDS

BY ROBYN DEVINE

In the heart of Maryborough’s sugarcane growing country, Brad and Tara Cronau of B & T Farming, are redefining what it means to be modern sugarcane growers.

With a deep respect for tradition and a relentless drive for efficiency, Brad has transformed his family’s farm into a model of process-driven innovation. His journey is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity required to thrive in the ever-evolving agricultural landscape.

Farming is in Brad’s blood. As a fourth-generation farmer, he carries forward the lessons and values passed down, but he is not one to be bound by convention. Starting in 2012 with little more than a passion for farming and an engineering background, Brad and his wife Tara took on the challenge of leasing cane farms, gradually expanding their operation through a combination of strategic investments and sheer determination.

“We started with leasing ground, hiring machines, and buying old equipment to refurbish,” Brad said.

“The first machine I bought was a cane planter that required borrowing money. We just made do with what we had and kept pushing forward.”

Through hard work and perseverance, they have since acquired a couple of farms, investing in modern equipment and improving farming techniques to maximise efficiency and productivity. This steady growth has allowed them to establish a sustainable farming operation that not only preserves the legacy of past generations but sets the foundation for the future.

One of Brad’s defining strengths is his ability to rethink traditional farming systems for better efficiency and productivity.

Early on, he transitioned from the standard 1.65 metre single-row planting system to a more efficient 2.4 metre dual-row system, a move that has dramatically improved his operation’s productivity.

Maryborough grower Brad Cronau inspecting his current crop of ginger nestled beside his sugarcane crop

“The change wasn’t easy. I said to myself if I am going to start out building equipment from scratch, I’ll go to a system that I can see myself using in the long term”

“We had multiple systems running at once before we could fully transition on the farm that I was leasing from Wide Bay Seedlings, it had 1.6 to 1.8 metre rows on it. And I transitioned to 2 metres and then I leased another farm off Maryborough Sugar, and it was on 1.65 metres. I had all three systems running at once.

“About three years after I started doing the 2 metre dual rows, I had this brainwave and wanted to go to 2.4 metres. It suited me on the hillsides we have here, because 2 metres was a little bit close in the wheel track width for my tractors to get up and that's where we’ve been moving to for the past six years.

“This is the first year we have been farming on the one system, and it’s been a big effort to phase all the other systems out but now everything we do is in multiples of three, covering 7.2 metres with each pass. That kind of efficiency makes a huge difference when you’re farming 650 hectares.”

Beyond increasing efficiency in sugarcane farming, Brad has also integrated other crops such as soybeans and ginger into his rotation, ensuring sustainability and soil health.

The addition of ginger posed initial challenges, as traditional harvesting

methods were highly labour-intensive. However, Brad’s engineering mindset led him to develop mechanised solutions, modifying existing machinery to streamline the planting and harvesting process.

“In the beginning, we were cutting and digging ginger by hand. It was exhausting and slow,” Brad recalled.

“We worked on mechanising the entire process, from digging to washing, making it far more efficient and scalable.”

Brad has also explored innovative fertilisation methods to improve soil health. By trialling carbon-based soil treatments and incorporating organic compost, he has enhanced the long-term viability of his crops while reducing his dependence on synthetic fertilisers.

“Farming this system has a lot to do with soil health, a lot of our soils here are what we call grey scrub soil, and

it compacts very easily and because we've got designated wheel tracks, we don't over work our wheel tracks.

As we have worked our beds, I have noticed that every year it just seems to be getting a little bit better. If we chop cane out, we just run through and hoe it and we can plant soybeans into it, as we have such a wide bed that is untouched by wheels.

“To me that’s the biggest asset. I believe that investing in soil health today will pay dividends for years to come.”

Like many farmers, Brad and Tara have faced their share of obstacles, from the financial constraints in the early days to adapting to new industry challenges, such as changing chemical regulations and the closure of the Maryborough mill.

However, Brad’s pragmatic approach and willingness to embrace change have kept them ahead of the curve.

“The key is to focus on what you can control and make it work”

“When we started growing ginger, it was all manual. Now we’ve mechanised the entire process. We didn’t wait for a perfect opportunity, we created it.”

Another major challenge has been the transition to hauling cane up the road to the Isis Central Mill, after the Maryborough Mill’s closure, which initially presented logistical hurdles.

Key industry stakeholders, including CANEGROWERS , are working with growers, contractors and the mill, to ensure a smoother transportation and improved coordination, ultimately securing a reliable path forward.

“We need the mill, and they need us. It’s a matter of working together and refining the system,” Brad said pragmatically.

“Sure, there were teething problems, but we’ve come a long way, and it’s a positive step for the future.”

Another challenge over the years has been navigating environmental regulations, particularly concerning the use of chemicals and soil management practices. Rather than seeing these as setbacks, Brad has embraced innovative ways to enhance sustainability.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve, whether that’s through better irrigation methods, more efficient harvesting, or testing new crops that could complement our existing rotation,” Brad said.

“We are gradually evolving as we go, doing everything ourselves is important to me, we harvest and plant our own cane, and do the same for our soybeans, manage our transport and

cart our ginger away too, we do the lot. We have been hard at it for the past 11 or so years and we are starting to see the rewards now.

“But the size of your entity helps too, we grew 35,000 tonne last year. We have a lot of our own machinery now too, but it hasn’t been easy getting to here. It wasn’t for the faint-hearted.

Brad said growing soybeans, ginger and sugarcane was a very good rotation.

“With ginger disease is one of its biggest threats, so if you had a small farm growing ginger on ginger, you could have a problem. We rotate that with our sugarcane, once the cane gets chopped out. We'll put soybeans in it for 12 months and then it goes into ginger and when that’s finished it goes back to cane for six years. That’s our cycle.

“The biggest issue is that the workload all happens from June through till November as ginger has the same harvest period as sugarcane.”

Brad believes in embracing opportunities that are beneficial to your business as they arise.

“You have to jump on them, nothing ever happens at the right time. My attitude is I will make this work. I am pretty determined, and we work out ways to work with what we have, to get to where we want to be.

“I like doing things properly and that takes time, we modify our equipment to suit, we work out processes and systems that will work and get them in place as we go along.

Looking ahead, Brad plans to further expand his farming operation, improve the mechanisation, and continue diversifying crops to mitigate risks. He sees great potential in biofuels and alternative markets for sugarcane, which could provide long-term stability for growers.

Brad and Tara are optimistic about the future of their family's entity, but it has taken hardwork and ingenuity to get to where they are today

“There’s so much opportunity in biofuels and value-added products,” Brad said.

“We need to think beyond raw sugar and explore new ways to sustain our industry.

“Farming isn’t just about individual success. It’s about strengthening the entire industry so we can all thrive together.”

“Collaboration and innovation will be key to ensuring the industry’s longevity”

Technology is increasingly playing a pivotal role in modern farming and Brad has been exploring precision agriculture techniques such as GPSguided machinery, remote sensors and innovative irrigation systems for several years. These innovations help B & T Farming to optimise resource use, minimise waste, and enhance overall productivity.

“Technology is a game-changer in agriculture,” he says. “We need to embrace it and use it to make smarter, more informed decisions. There’s always room for improvement.

“If we can make farming more sustainable while maintaining profitability, that’s the ultimate goal.”

With his sights set on innovation, efficiency and sustainability, Brad’s farming journey is far from over. As he continues to push boundaries, he remains steadfast in his mission: to build a resilient, thriving farming enterprise that will last for generations to come.

Brad has adopted his paddocks' planting system to an efficient 2.4 metre dual-row system to improve productivity

LEARNING THE BEATSHEET TECHNIQUE

SUPPLIED

BY SUGAR RESEARCH AUSTRALIA (SRA)

SRA’s Burnett Mary Agronomy Project (BMAP) project is forging ahead with 26 cane growers across 78 farms now signed up for the project which continues for another year.

“We are delighted to have involved six growers in the Isis cane growing region and 20 in the Maryborough region –a total of 5,450 ha of cane farmland to work with,” SRA Agronomist Hector Fleury said.

As part of the BMAP, planting legume crops is encouraged as fallow options with agronomic services offered for both sugarcane and the integrated fallow crops. Soybeans and peanuts are the most common crops grown in the region.

The BMAP extension/project team is working with a BMAP grower, who, though experienced in sugarcane cultivation, had not planted soybeans for seven or eight years.

“Providing him with up-to-date information was valuable for informed decision-making,” Hector said.

“In this instance, the grower had planted soybeans to enhance nitrogen fixation, increase organic matter, and manage difficult-to-control weeds during the cane cycle.

“With assistance from Productivity Officer at Maryborough Cane Productivity Services Tony McDermott

and SRA’s Jennifer Parry, we showed the grower how to use a beatsheet.”

A beatsheet is a tool used in row crops to monitor insect populations. It involves placing a sheet at the base of the plants and vigorously shaking the plants, so that insects are dislodged onto the sheet for identification and counting.

“During the inspection, caterpillars, loopers and Helicoverpa species were primarily observed. Soybean loopers (Thysanoplusia orichalcea) and bean loopers (Mocis alterna), were identified – common Australian soybean pests," Hector said.

“Cluster caterpillars (Spodoptera litura) were also present which can cause significant defoliation in soybean crops.

“At the time of the visit, the soybean crop was in the vegetative growth stage. According to Australian standards, soybeans can tolerate up to 33 percent defoliation during the vegetative stage without significant yield loss, so not a problem for the farmer.

“However, as the crop transitions to the reproductive stage, its tolerance decreases to about 16 percent defoliation. Therefore, if caterpillar populations increase as the crop enters the reproductive stage, there is a risk of damage to buds and flowers, directly impacting yields.

“Green vegetable bugs were present, but these, too, are not a problem at the vegetative stage, as they cause

damage primarily during the growth stages of pod formation and pod fill.

"While Fall Armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda) is an increasing concern in Australian crops, no infestations were detected at the time of monitoring the field."

Hector Fleury has extensive experience with soybeans and can assist in understanding the beatsheet tool, identifying beneficial and harmful insects, and managing soybean crops profitably and sustainably. He can also advise on optimal spraying times related to crop growth stages.

If you have legume crops planted and are enrolled in the BMAP, feel free to reach out to Hector for guidance.

Another service under the BMAP is to help growers, in conjunction with the Maryborough Cane Productivity Services and Isis Productivity Limited, to accumulate the necessary data, records and knowledge to become accredited under the industry’s Best Management Practices program, Smartcane BMP.

Overall the BMAP project aims to boost farm productivity with efficient nutrient use, with the benefit of less run-off and better water quality in downstream waterways and ecosystems.

For more information about the BMAP project, email hfleury@sugarresearch.com.au 

USING A BEATSHEET

Pictured top right, SRA Agronomist Hector Fleury (left) demonstrated the beatsheeting process in a soybean crop, to Maryborough grower Leo Groth (centre), assisted by assisted by SRA’s Jennifer Parry.

1. To use a beatsheet, place one end on the ground under the leaves of the plants and the other across the interrow.

2. Shake the plants over the beatsheet using either your hands or a pvc sticker (shown in Hector’s hand).

3. Take up the ends of the beatsheet and count the various kinds of harmful and beneficial insect caught on it. (If purchasing a beatsheet, some come with a chart for easier identification of the insect.)

The project is part of the $4.38 million Sugarcane Practice Change Program funded through the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program.

SUPA-WEAR® 68

ADVERTORIAL

SUPA-WEAR® 68 from HTH is an extremely light weight, hard wearing wear plate offering lighter weight and yet several times the wear resistance of traditional chrome carbide clad plates.

Made with a proprietary laser-bonding technology and using proven complex carbide alloys featuring over 30% hard refractory carbides set within an austenitic iron boride matrix providing on average (ASTM-G65 tests) 3-4x better wear than the equivalent volume of chrome carbide and up to 10x better wear than unprotected steel.

The plate surface has a very high scratch hardness. Applications are in the mining, power and agricultural sectors where extreme abrasion-resistance is required alongside very light weight.

SUPA-WEAR® 68 is available in two options:

• Single Layer (1mm on 3mm/4mm mild steel base plate or;

• Double Layer (2mm on 3mm/4mm mild steel base plate)

Classification:

DIN 8555 DIN EN 14700

MF 10-70-GZ T Fe 16-70-GZ

Application:

Fan Blades and other areas where super light weight in conjunction with superior wear performance is required: Mining, Cement Clinker, Sinter (the hardness can be maintained without any significant degradation up to 500°C). Cement pumps, slurry chutes , agricultural tynes, bucket sides, dredges, tooth adapters etc.

Typical all weld metal analysis %:

Hardness:

• Single Layer: 62 – 64 HRC

• Double Layer: 66 – 68 HRC

Forms

Welding recommendation:

The surface to be welded should be clean and free of contamination.

Use a high strength mild steel electrode (AWS E-7018) to join the base plate to the underlying machinery.

The cladding plate hard surface is non-weldable.

Supa-Wear® 68 cladding surface microstructure:

PHOTOMICROGRAPH 1

Primary Carbides Fe-Cr-C

PHOTOMICROGRAPH 2

Secondary Carbides Nb-Other

Overall performance of Carbides 66-68HRC (two layers)

Overall performance of Matrix 900 HV30

CANEGROWERS REGIONAL ROUND-UP

SUPPLIED BY CANEGROWERS DISTRICT OFFICES

MOSSMAN

We had some heavier falls in the last days of January 2025 which took us 4mm over the monthly average rainfall to 496.3mm.

A system of lows produced stalled over the top half of the state resulted in a large flood event in Queensland for the second summer in a row. February remained wet throughout with storms and showers on many nights.

With the final calculations being completed for the payment of standing cane for growers in 2024, the amount of stand-over cane was 1,979 ha and 3,294 ha were harvested to supply the Mulgrave Sugar Mill.

Following a meeting of growers held on 5 February to discuss the MSF CSA for 2025, growers signed the Cane Supply Agreement with MSF Sugar so Mossman coastal sugarcane may be delivered to the MSF Mulgrave Sugar Mill again for the 2025 crushing.

On 13 February DPI ran a Cane to Beef Workshop for interested growers and other parties in the Douglas Shire. It was an informative day and well

attended. As cattle are already farmed in the Shire there was both cattle and cane farming interest.

Those who attended learned about the economics of a beef business, the markets and agistment of cattle, the biosecurity arrangements and issues, the infrastructure needed at set up, pasture development, herd management, stockmanship and what funding opportunities are available.

Terrain have been in the area with some projects dealing with water quality, nutrient reduction and wetland development.

On 17-18 February they held a workshop looking at the Oxbow wetland in Daintree.

The outcome from the workshop was to offer the landholders around the wetland some buy in and ownership of developing a management plan for that area which could become a project if sufficient funds become available in the next rounds of funding.

CANEGROWERS Mossman members had a meeting with David Kempton on 27 February to learn more about the Advisory Group set up for the Douglas Shire and to discuss the 2025 season for growers and what will happen beyond that.

With the assistance of the Douglas Shire Council, CANEGROWERS Mossman was invited to make an application for funding from the Foundation

TABLELAND

As we reflect on the past season, there are positives to acknowledge.

Notably, all cane was successfully harvested, and market prices remain strong.

Stakeholder discussions regarding the upcoming season’s crop estimate are underway. Prior to the recent weather event, consensus pointed to a projected harvest of approximately 840,000 tonnes—an increase of nearly 100,000 tonnes compared to the previous year’s crush.

Several factors may influence the ability to reach this target. The early onset of wet conditions in December has hindered critical farming activities, including hilling up, fertilisation and weed control, as access to paddocks has been significantly impacted.

The reduced tonnage last season has had widespread financial implications across the industry.

for Rural & Regional Renewal. The application sought funds from the In a Good Place program towards running a number of events across all sections of the Douglas Shire Community to assist with people’s mental health, socialisation and assist with the challenges faced over the past year from ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the subsequent flood event.

Harvest contractors, who structured pricing based on anticipated volumes, have faced challenges in maintaining viability. Similarly, growers have struggled to meet their financial projections, while the mill has experienced losses in sugar production. Even CANEGROWERS, whose levy structure is based on tonnage, has felt the strain. The interconnected nature of the sugar industry means that setbacks in one sector affect the entire supply chain.

In the coming months, growers should remain informed about the availability of clean seed from the designated seed plot.

Additionally, this year marks an election period for Board Directors, with two to three positions becoming available. We encourage members to consider nominating for these important leadership roles.

We appreciate the resilience and dedication of all industry stakeholders and look forward to a productive season ahead.

Top: Cane to Beef workshop

Bottom: Terrain Oxbow Wetland workshop

CAIRNS REGION

Growers are looking forward to a reprieve from the recent monsoon trough, which has caused significant disruption across much of Far North Queensland.

The Cairns Region has experienced heavy rainfall events, but overall, the sugarcane crop has weathered the conditions well. However, some low-lying areas have suffered damage, with waterlogging and crop losses reported in affected parts.

The CANEGROWERS Cairns Region seed plot has coped well with the recent heavy rains and is looking excellent. Members will have access to the plot to collect their 2025 clean seed as part of a new initiative aimed at improving seed availability in the region. This initiative aligns with the priorities outlined in the Far Northern District Plan, ensuring growers have ample access to high-quality clean seed for future crops.

Matt Smith, Candidate for Leichhardt, recently met with CANEGROWERS Cairns Region Deputy Chair John Ferrando and Environment and Sustainability

Officer Joel Tierney to discuss the future of the local sugarcane industry and the increasing interest in Sunn Hemp as a fallow crop.

With sustainability at the forefront of farming discussions, Matt Smith acknowledged the importance of adopting innovative practices that enhance soil health, improve productivity, and ensure the long-term viability of the industry.

Sunn Hemp, a nitrogen-fixing legume, is gaining attention for its ability to improve soil fertility, suppress weeds, and assist in pest management—key factors in maintaining a resilient and sustainable sugarcane sector.

February was a wet month for growers in the Innisfail district.

At the time of writing (mid-Feb), well over 1,000mm of rain had already fallen in most areas across the region.

This was on top of 500mm in the final week of January, leading to swamped and lost sugarcane as well as erosion

of creek banks, headlands and paddocks. Growers have welcomed the news that QRIDA disaster recovery grants for the North and Far North Tropical Low now cover replanting costs.

The closure of the Bruce Highway for an extended period added to the disaster by inhibiting the delivery of vital supplies.

Our Innisfail extension team has been making the most of the wet weather by working with growers to ensure they

are prepared for Smartcane BMP accreditations and reaccreditations.

Some enterprises were recently reaccredited, while more are due for audits over the coming months.

The year started out like it was going to be an average crop or slightly above average crop.

In a matter of a couple of weeks, the outcome appears to be completely different. Before the 2008mm received by midFebruary, the crop was more advanced than the previous year with more length in the stick and more sticks per metre.

The long-term average is around 2.5 million tonnes, unless there is more favourable weather in the next 4 or 5 weeks, the crop appears to be more likely to be around 2.3 million tonnes.

The monsoon early February has created substantial damage to farm infrastructure and main haul roads. In some areas, the impact of this year’s event is greater than Cyclone Jasper weather event in 2023.

The volume of rain in the short period of time created high rates of overland flow with drains unable to cope with the amount of rain.

Cover crops on fallow blocks have also been heavily impacted or lost completely. Cover crops or legume crops are utilised to cover bare soil during crop rotations and during the wet season, but not very useful if the crop is lost due to flood inundation.

In 4 to 6 weeks’ time land preparation will commence for the next planting season. Fallow land will be sprayed out to ensure that there is no voluntary cane and unwanted grasses. Moisture content will play a role in the timing of ground preparation, particularly in the Tully district where heavy soils can create hard lumps if cultivated too early.

Long term planning and investment from farmers in the Tully district has assisted with wet weather farming practices, with many kilometres of drainage coil and laser levelling of paddocks occurring yearly, allowing harvesters and ground preparation equipment to be back in the paddock sooner than anticipated.

TULLY

HERBERT RIVER

The Herbert River district has been left devastated by recent floods, with growers now facing the daunting task of assessing the extent of the damage to their farms and crops.

The widespread destruction has left a lasting impact, but CANEGROWERS Herbert River is stepping up to provide the necessary support during this challenging time.

CANEGROWERS is in ongoing communication with government departments and politicians to ensure growers have access to critical disaster recovery grants of up to $75,000. These funds will be essential in helping growers replant and recover from the catastrophic floods. Alongside this, CANEGROWERS is pushing for the appointment of an Industry Recovery Officer for the district, who would assist growers in navigating the grant application process.

Recognising the immense stress and financial strain on affected growers, CANEGROWERS Herbert River has also established a Farmers Support & Recovery Centre within their

office. This centre is designed to provide crucial support through a range of services, including mental health counselling, financial counselling, and assistance with disaster recovery grant applications. These confidential, one-on-one sessions are aimed at helping growers regain control and confidence as they begin the long road to recovery. We have organised those involved in counselling sessions to come from a farming background.

The Farmers Support & Recovery Centre is only the beginning, we understand that this is a tough time for our community, and our goal is to provide both immediate relief and ongoing support as growers recover from the damage inflicted by the recent floods. It’s not just about financial assistance—this is about making sure our farmers have the mental and emotional resilience to keep on going.

BURDEKIN

Well, that was a wet February with 726.8mm of rainfall having been received at the time of writing with weary locals keeping a watchful eye on the recently formed Cyclone Alfred with the prospect of more challenging weather to come.

Damage from the Tropical Low was disbursed across the district with most of the impact being felt around the Giru area. Damage will take some time to assess but it ranged from paddock scouring/washouts, bank and road erosion washouts and crop and infrastructure inundation and already there is talk that the Burdekin will cut less than 8,000,000t for the 2025 season.

On the flipside, some growers advised the impact was restricted to a lack of solar radiation and that their crop commenced growing again once the sun shone.

CBL representatives met with local member Dale Last, MP, Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development and Tony Perrett, MP, Minister for Primary Industries on 6 February. Mr Perrett was in town to gain feedback from industry representatives about the effects of recent weather, concerns regarding the previous crush and opportunities to boost the industry.

The government subsequently approved low interest Disaster Assistance Loans and Cat C Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants up to $25,000 which also included for the first

time replanting as cost category which was welcome. The industry continues to lobby for Cat D funding to unlock higher grant amounts of $75,000 but there has been no decision at this stage and which areas in North Qld this may apply to.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox, Senator Susan McDonald and Nationals Leader David Littleproud were in the Burdekin to see the flood damage firsthand and to highlight their commitment to solving some of the issues to the Bruce Highway, in particular Plantation Creek. They were also seeking feedback on what the Opposition could do to help the industry should they regain the driver’s seat. A higher level of investment by mill owners was identified as a key issue to solve mill performance issues and there is an opportunity for the government of the day to consider baseload power generation and renewables from the sugarcane industry to help foster future investment.

The CBL Board met with Wilmar representatives David Zeller the new General Manager Cane Supply and Grower Relations along with John Tait, Cane Supply Manager, Burdekin. David Zeller was welcomed into the role and being from the Burdekin was

a familiar face and has a good knowledge and understanding of the area. A candid discussion was held regarding the 2024 season and whilst the wet weather and industrial action were contributing factors, mill performance was also a major a contributor which Wilmar are aware of.

David Zeller advised he will be holding periodic meetings throughout the year to enhance communication levels which will be welcome. A further meeting was held with Wilmar to run through mill performance payments for CBL growers under our CSA and mill performance compensation for the 2024 season of $0.26/t for the North Bank and $0.07/t were advised for the South Bank. Standover in the Burdekin totalled 261,000t and Wilmar provided a spreadsheet of CBL members who have standover and under the CBL CSA, our members will receive a compensation payment for involuntary standover.

Burdekin Cane Audit Services (BCAS) delivered their 2024 end of season review with a significant increase in Refrac Brixes noted due to wet conditions, particularly towards the end of the season.

The Cane Analysis Program (CAP Review) is underway, and Wilmar notified representative groups of their proposed changes to the CAP and timelines for feedback and intended

implementation of any changes prior to the commencement of the 2025 season.

February is the month for Changed Grouping Applications to be submitted. There was a lot of movement and activity due to some harvesting groups exiting the industry, growers wanting to cut their own cane, rationalising growers within groups and resultant siding access issues which will flow as a result. Wilmar decides on these changes at the end of the day, in terms of what is feasible and what is not, and further meetings will be held to consider same.

The Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival opening launch was held on 25 February and this is an important industry and community event which we proudly sponsor.

CBL also caught up with SRA District Manager Terry Granshaw who provided a valuable update on the SRA district plan, projects and issues for the Burdekin as irrigation efficiency, cane grub management, weeds, soil health and disease.

For growers with damage from the recent rain event that wish to lodge an application with QRIDA for disaster recovery assistance funding, CBL can assist in this process and if you need help, please do not hesitate to contact this office.

PROSERPINE

Despite very wet conditions extending into February, the Proserpine region was fortunate enough to avoid widespread crop damage effecting many cane growing regions north.

Although there were some severely lodged areas, the Proserpine region missed the deluge that resulted in more devastating floods for areas such as the Herbert and Burdekin.

However, very wet conditions and some high-water levels continued to impact on infield operations while waterlogged late ratoons had shown evidence of stunted growth. With a significant amount of standover from the previous season, early harvest cane quality would likely be a challenge. Initial discussions with growers indicate a smaller crop compared to 2024 but estimate data was yet to be finalised. It is widely felt that due to increased standover and late ratoons, the 2025 crop would again be below the regions potential.

This continues to push the case for a timelier end to the season that largely comes from improved crushing. A factor that remains critical for a sustainable and viable local industry. With mill preparations underway for the upcoming season, it is hoped that enough is done to ensure a better result for 2025.

Both CANEGROWERS

Proserpine and Queensland CANEGROWERS continued to support members in dealing with the recent Native Title claims for the region.

This is affecting various members holding Crown Leases and will require long-term legal input to ensure the best outcome for growers. The local CANEGROWERS office also continued with Business Plan support under the QCGO Farm Business Resilience Program and made lease agreements available to several members at renewal.

CANEGROWERS hosted an SRA IrriSat Workshop in February which was very informative. Interested growers should contact the SRA District Manager Dylan Wedel, for more information on future events.

With various training programs on offer at this time of the year, members are reminded of the upcoming Business Essentials workshops being held in Proserpine on Thursday 20 March. There is also the QCGO WHS Workshop being held at the Proserpine Bowls Club on Friday 4 April. Any interested members can contact the CANEGROWERS Proserpine office for more details or for the Business Essentials workshops they can register online through the QCGO website.

MACKAY / PLANE CREEK

The late finish to the 2024 crush at Plane Creek, Farleigh, Marian and Racecourse mills, combined with the monsoonal rains in early February, poses significant challenges for the Mackay region’s 2025 crop.

While paddocks cut within the optimal harvesting season are performing well, late cut paddocks will struggle as a

result of waterlogging in early February. Thankfully, damage is nothing like that being endured in northern growing regions. However, the wet season is far from over.

With these challenges in mind, CANEGROWERS Mackay Directors and management appreciated a request for a meeting from Queensland Government representatives

accreditation-ready than you imagine, and your local facilitators are ready to help you over the line. Smartcane BMP: good for your farming business, good for the industry.

For more information or to get accredited in the Mackay area, contact Steven Garrad at MAPS on 0417 326 673 or Lorelle Flynn on 0448 715 482. For Plane Creek, call Leahanna Lacey at PCPSL on 0427 624 920

We have run our first Pilot/ Escort training course for the year and will shortly be running the first Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control (ACDC) course as well. These two courses continue to be in high demand and there are only a few places left for the second 2025 course. If you would like to put your name down to do either course in March, please email your details to mackay@ CANEGROWERS .com.au or give us a call on 4944 2600 

Stephen Bennett (Burnett), Glen Kelly (Mirani) and Nigel Dalton (Mackay), to discuss the recently elected government's agricultural plans.

The meeting covered biosecurity, industry viability, land management, funding, Smartcane BMP, and production costs including electricity, water, and rates.

CANEGROWERS Mackay board members emphasised that the high cost of rates, particularly in peri-urban areas, has been brought on by the increase in land values due to the sale of farming land to be repurposed

The politicians, members of the Queensland Government Primary Industries and Resources Committee, outlined the process that would develop a 25-year blueprint for primary industry growth.

CANEGROWERS Mackay

Chairman Kevin Borg expressed appreciation for the ongoing dialogue, acknowledging their commitment to representing local growers' interests.

As we still have a few months until the 2025 crushing season begins, now is a great time to look into gaining your Smartcane BMP accreditation.

The weather has been kind with near perfect growing conditions for what looks like being a large crop for the 2025 Season.

The Board recently met with Jerome Lippens and Guy Basile to discuss planning for the upcoming season and to ensure the crop is processed in a timely manner.

Timeliness of harvest, transport efficiency and crush rate will all be of utmost importance for the coming season.

In late January, the Board met

issues affecting our industry and to gain some insight into the upcoming Federal Election.

Oreco payment delays continue, and we have engaged CANEGROWERS Legal Counsel Chris Cooper to follow up outstanding payments on our behalf.

Coordinated by Bundaberg Ag-Food & Fibre Alliance and hosted by MP Stephen Bennett, Member for Burnett and Chair of the Queensland Parliament’s Primary Industries and Resources Committee, the

BUNDABERG

From left, Member for Mirani – Glen Kelly, CANEGROWERS Mackay Deputy Chairman Joseph Borg and Chairman Kevin Borg, Member for Mackay – Nigel Dalton, and Member for Burnett – Stephen Bennett.

held on 3 February delivering key insights and opportunities for the region’s farmers while tackling critical issues shaping the industry’s future.

The forum featured Australia’s largest landfill biogas company, LMS Energy, which explored ways for Bundaberg farmers to transform organic waste and energy crops into renewable fuels. Additionally, Great Barrier Reef expert Dr. Peter Ridd provided a compelling scientific perspective on the Queensland Government’s Reef Regulations.

ISIS

The Isis district was fairly dry during the month of February with some intermittent storms.

Most growers are irrigating in earnest with the crop for the most part coming along nicely, some late cut ratoons are still behind.

The Bundaberg Ag Forum was held on 3 February. The forum focused on tackling critical issues for the region’s farmers including ‘Right to Farm’, Reef regulations, and the Paradise Dam rebuild as well as hearing from the largest landfill biogas company, LMS Energy and their plans to secure local crops to turn into renewable fuels.

Following the forum the Bundaberg Regional Council

From left: Peter McLennan, Chris Cooper, Cameron Milliner, Mayor Helen Blackburn, Dr Peter Ridd, Clare Hamilton-Bate, Kate Mirskaya, Stephen Bennett MP.

Sunwater Executive General Manager, Cameron Milliner presented on the proposed $4.4 billion Paradise Dam rebuild and the forum also hosted a robust expert panel discussion on the future of town planning and the Right to Farm, featuring Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn.

MARYBOROUGH

With all the big wet conditions in the far north, it seems strange to be saying irrigating has been on the mind of a quite a few growers over the last few weeks.

At time of writing, the steamy conditions and good sunlight are constants although the wind over the next week or so will be concerning. The first potential for a southern tracking cyclone has just popped up and I’m sure growers will be following this closely.

CANEGROWERS representatives have been busy with meetings for CSA negotiations with Isis Mill as we work toward a more united document covering the region. The next round of negotiations is due at the end of February.

forge the future of the industry in our region.

The mill held a Sugar Alliance meeting on 19 February with some very positive developments being discussed. This year will see a planting incentive along similar lines to 2024 for spring plant and continues to support reinvigoration of the industry.

Our Productivity Services board met on 21 February and spent time planning around the seed cane plot for this year and going forward. While volumes from the plot this year won’t be big, we are developing a backup sourcing from Isis where demand could outstrip available supply. Also working on the annual field day / bus trip for 2025.

made contact with our office keen to explore the formation of an Agriculture Committee, and we welcome the collaborative approach the Council is taking with agriculture in our community.

Much of our time this past month has been taken up with joint CSA negotiations with CANEGROWERS Maryborough and Isis Mill. We have also focused on reviewing the arrangements for mill supply logistics and harvesting.

Work is progressing on a haulout essentials course due to take place in early April, we are reviewing the QCA Irrigation Price Review as well as preparing for our local water plan review.

With the district election also now closing in it has been good to have some enquiries on the process of nominating for election as a director. It is a great opportunity to represent your fellow growers and help

Seen some very healthy soybean crops around the blocks and most of the planting activity has wrapped up. Earlier plantings are now at pod filling stage and promising density levels are evident.

Rocky Point has had a relatively dry start to the year compared to our colleagues up north.

This has allowed fallow maintenance and crops to be planted with a lot of late plant soybeans and cow fodder being planted.

The area could do with some rain to help everything along and we are expecting a change to come through in the near future.

We have been working with the Mill and growers to help improve on last year's disastrous outcome.

We have received an update on planned works at the Mill and an earlier than usual crush start date has been accepted.

Negotiations are also ongoing with the Mill's new cane allocation company, to try to iron out the bugs that were evident in last season's failure.

ROCKY POINT

WORKING TOGETHER

UNITED WE STAND

For more than 90 years CANEGROWERS has represented the interests of the sugarcane farmers of Queensland. Through times of challenge and opportunity, CANEGROWERS has helped family farms and the whole industry to grow and prosper.

CANEGROWERS is known and respected for its strong voice locally, nationally and internationally—the collective voice of many farmers has a powerful impact.

Growing your business | Growing your industry www.canegrowers.com.au

ACCREDITATION’S THE GOLD STANDARD

Let’s show off the great work you’re doing.

The destination’s the same, but the journey’s different for everyone.

Contact your Smartcane BMP district facilitator to discover what accreditation could look like for you.

Frank and Frankie Gallo, Tablelands

REMAIN EN GARDE AGAINST POOR POLICY INITIATIVES

Sustainability & Environment

BY MICK QUIRK

The agricultural sector is often under threat by policy ideas or initiatives that are ill-conceived and ill-informed. There are several recent examples of such potential or real threats.

One example is the biosecurity tax on farmers that the Federal Government was ready to legislate in 2024 but was stalled when the cross bench joined the coalition in announcing its opposition to the policy. This result was due to strong advocacy against the tax by agriculture peak bodies, including CANEGROWERS

Farmers already contribute significantly to the biosecurity system through industry levies and through their taxes.

And the news gets even better. While stalled, the legislation for the new tax had remained ‘on the books’ and could have been reintroduced. There is now great relief that the Federal Government has fully withdrawn the legislation.

Importantly, CANEGROWERS and other peak industry bodies remain open to working with government on policy that strengthens our defence against pests and diseases without adding extra costs on farmers.

Sometimes the policy intent is fine, but its design and mechanisms are too vague and ill-defined to assess the risk of damage to the agriculture sector.

The reform of national environmental laws by the Federal Government is a current example, with general agreement that the existing Federal legislation for the environment is not fit for purpose. The plan for a major overhaul was welcomed in principle, and the general intent seemed admirable – better protection of the environment while supporting sensible development. But the devil is always in the detail. How will land under agricultural use be affected by new mechanisms and rules? And what does sensible development mean in practice?

The various pieces of new legislation are termed the Government’s Nature Positive Plan. It was the second stage of these legislative changes which caused most concern, with its establishment of new agencies including Environment Protection Australia and Environment Information Australia.

Issues of concern put forward by NFF, on behalf of the ag sector, were many and included:

ƒ The intent to establish a ‘nature positive’ baseline for the nation, with little clarity around its definition, measurement, or scale of application in law

ƒ Lack of transparency on the data or assumptions used in baselines and decision making, and no opportunity to challenge these

ƒ Inadequate governance arrangements

The bottom line was that the government needed to include the farming sector, and other stakeholders, in the design of any new arrangements and rules of operation. The Prime Minister recently shelved plans to pass these laws before the election, apparently following objections from the WA Government and the mining industry. Their future remains unclear.

The final example concerns a highly problematic proposal from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation. Its report on ‘Sustainable nitrogen management in agrifood systems’ includes a commendable emphasis on improving nitrogen use efficiency but recommends targets for reduction in nitrous oxide emissions that would require significant reductions in nitrogen use. It also proposes greater government support for adoption of organic farming.

Its hard to fathom that entities still believe in the myth that organic farming can be anywhere near as productive as modern farming methods that optimise the supply of nitrogen and other nutrients to the crop and which encourage soil health. There are multiple studies using reliable data that show much of the world’s population would starve without modern farming systems.

Sri Lanka's Government attempt to force a transition to organic farming saw domestic rice production fall 20% in just the first six months, and the country went from selfsufficiency in rice to spending hundreds of millions of dollars on food imports. While an extreme example, it shows the risk posed by ideology over science.

This shows the absolute importance of critical thinking, and a healthy dose of scepticism, if we are to foster policies that support a truly sustainable and prosperous ag sector.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF BENEFITS THROUGH YOUR CANEGROWERS MEMBERSHIP

Membership Engagement & Innovation

BY MATT KEALLEY

2025 CANEGROWERS member survey –harvesting your views

All CANEGROWERS members are invited to complete the 2025 Member Survey.

Your voice matters. The survey is an opportunity for you to share your opinions and ideas on CANEGROWERS

This will help CANEGROWERS to evaluate member needs, advocacy, products and services. By getting involved, you can help CANEGROWERS to build a stronger, more dynamic organisation that meets your needs and shapes the future of the sugarcane industry.

The survey will be open for the month of March 2025 and each member will receive an email with the survey link. It will also be available on the CANEGROWERS website.

Your answers will be anonymous and by completing the survey, you can go into the draw for your chance to win a $1500 gift card or one of ten $50 gift cards.

CANEGROWERS Load Restraint Webinar

On 20 February, CANEGROWERS held a webinar with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) on Load restraint for the sugarcane industry. The webinar had guest speakers from CANEGROWERS and NHVR and was well attended by growers, transport operators, millers and representatives from NHVR.

The webinar provided an overview of CANEGROWERS 2024 Sugarcane Transport Load Restraint Guide which is a comprehensive resource for secure and lawful sugarcane transportation on public roads. The guide, developed by CANEGROWERS in collaboration with the NHVR, offers industry best practices for load restraint to enhance road safety and meet legal obligations.

Speakers from NHVR informed growers and contractors about their legal obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

The webinar was recorded and will be made available for download from the CANEGROWERS website.

CANEGROWERS 2024 Sugarcane Transport Load Restraint Guide can also be downloaded from the website at www.canegrowers.com.au/information-hub/publications/ transport-guide.

Next Ratoon mentoring program

The 2025 Next Ratoon mentoring program kicks off on 26 and 27 February in Brisbane. This is the second year the program is running and it will connect six younger growers with experienced and knowledgeable mentors from both inside and outside of the sugarcane industry. The program is designed to build strong connections, as well as networking, negotiation, decision-making and leadership skills. Mentees will accumulate a wealth of knowledge that will help them contribute to a profitable and innovative sugarcane industry.

The six mentees are sugarcane growers that either run their own business or are part of a family business.

MEMBER BENEFITS

CANEGROWERS offer a range of district wide benefits to our members.

Cane Supply Agreements

CANEGROWERS acts as a dedicated bargaining agent, negotiating the best possible Cane Supply Agreements for growers with sugar milling companies. Backed by a team of experienced legal professionals and industry experts, CANEGROWERS ensures members receive favourable conditions while also providing tailored local support.

Legal Advice

Members also benefit from legal assistance, with free initial advice covering issues such as land disputes, native title claims, and farm safety concerns.

Insurance

CANEGROWERS offers insurance with brokers located across all cane growing regions. CANEGROWERS

Insurance is committed to providing the best cover possible to our farming families and the regional communities they support with tailored farm products and flexible options. Get more information at www.canegrowers.com.au/insurance

Farm Supplies

BOC supplies CANEGROWERS members with industrial gases, welding equipment and consumables and safety products. See the range on the BOC website.

These mentees come from the Isis, Mackay, Herbert River, Cairns region, Innisfail and the Burdekin sugarcane growing districts. Next Ratoon is supported by six mentors who have willingly offered their time to support our mentees on their journey. These experienced people come from agribusinesses organisations in cane, cotton and education.

The six-month mentoring program will again be run by Pragmatic Thinking, a highly regarded behavioural and motivational strategy company. Mentoring will continue between March and August 2025 with monthly mentoring sessions, online learning modules and regular check-ins with Pragmatic Thinking and CANEGROWERS

The program finishes in August 2025 and CANEGROWERS is excited to watch their journey through the program.

Growers just need to quote their CANEGROWERS membership number the next time they place an order to access CANEGROWERS corporate pricing. Orders can be placed in store or phone 131 262

Health insurance

Queensland Country Health Fund offers members and CANEGROWERS staff a Corporate Health Plan – meaning a discount on annual premiums, coverage for health care anywhere in Australia with a choice of provider and a range of convenient ways to claim.

Contact Kim Anderson on 0417 622 856 or email kanderson@queenslandcountry.health

QFF farmer benefits

Through CANEGROWERS ’ membership of the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), all grower members are eligible for an extra range of services and support offered by QFF. This includes companies such as:

ƒ Mitsubishi Motors: National Fleet pricing with Mitsubishi Diamond Advantage on a range of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles. Visit your local dealership and mention you are a CANEGROWERS member or contact Nathan Finch on nfinch@mmal.com.au

ƒ Mobil: CANEGROWERS members can save on Mobil fuels available through a growing network of Mobil branded and 7-Eleven service stations. Apply online at www.mobilcard.com.au and enter the promo code QLDFARMERS.

SELF-INTEREST RULES

Industry & Farm Inputs

BY BURN ASHBURNER

Last month I wrote about the cane payment formula and the incentives that it provides.

I suggested that the incentives that lead to positive behavior has worked. CCS is higher than 12 units and mill efficiency of extracting more sugar than the CCS estimate has increased to greater than 90%. I would say there is little room to move on either of these.

However, an incentive which leads to behavior which is perhaps negative to growers is related to the miller getting the first 4 units of CCS and thus suffer proportionally less loss of income than growers if the season length is extended due to mill performance with the same amount of cane.

There is no doubt it costs the millers (albeit less than the growers) and I assume the millers balance this cost against what may be significant expenditure on “reducing the maintenance or replacements deficit”. The performance of some of the mills in the last few seasons seems to be evidence of this.

Sugar Plus Roadmap outlines the industry position where the growers want a reliable mill and a “reasonable” season length, and the mills want sufficient and reliable cane supply to maximise the utilisation of their mill capacity. There is clearly a balance which needs to be maintained.

The mill owner, being one entity, have full control over their maintenance and replacement decisions and growers rightly want to hold them accountable for the performance of the mills.

At the same time, millers expect growers to be responsible for cane supply. However, accountability on the growers’ side is more complex. The industry comprises approximately 3,500 independent growers, each will have their own business plan (whether consciously or unconsciously, written or in their head every grower has one) which may range from maximising profit to maximising lifestyle perhaps at the expense of yield as long as they have enough money from somewhere.

While collectively they determine the industry’s cane supply, individually they may not prioritise production levels essential to overall mill viability.

Millers want growers to be accountable for what they can control i.e. good farming practices to enable them to meet the farm’s yield potential (given the weather which growers cannot control). The industry, through the likes of SRA, Productivity Services and CANEGROWERS, try and ensure that growers have the opportunity to do this through R, D and E and other services like Business Essentials and Smartcane BMP.

However, we all know there is significant variation in yield per ha in any given season between grower’s with similar farm potential. If a neighboring grower produces poorly, it may not concern an individual grower, but collectively, it threatens mill viability.

The Cane Supply Agreements are the vehicle by which millers hold individual growers accountable, however this has limitations. As the adage goes self-interest rules and there are too many external considerations which lead to individual decisions like what crop to grow and whether to sell to a buyer who will not grow cane. For mill area viability growers’ as a mill area want individual growers to optimise their production but can really only rely on ensuring good services as mentioned with leadership and direction.

The Sugar Plus Roadmap offers a vision for the future, but achieving long-term industry stability requires greater collaboration—an area where the industry has struggled. While millers often adopt short-term cost-cutting strategies, the industry must collectively focus on sustainable growth. Addressing workforce challenges and ensuring proper mill maintenance will be crucial in securing the future of Australian sugarcane production.

NEVER TOO EARLY TO START PLANNING CANEGROWERS

Legal Advisor

BY CHRIS COOPER

Another season will soon begin. For some, it seems like only weeks ago that the previous harvest finished.

Growers need to turn their mind to several issues for the upcoming season.

Some suggest it is never too early to start planning, so for those interested, the following are some matters that you might turn your attention to during the supposedly ‘slack’ period.

Cane Supply Agreement (CSA)

To be entitled to deliver cane to the mill, all growers must have a current, written, signed CSA with the sugar mill owner. Check that yours is current and up to date. If you have made changes to your land holdings and/or farming business structure, you may need to update, or even get a new CSA with the correct entity, as well as new grower pricing agreements with your marketer.

Grower GEI Marketer Nomination

Growers have the right to nominate which sugar marketer will market their GEI (Growers Economic Interest) sugar that is produced from the cane they supply. Check that you have a valid nomination in place.

Harvesting Contractor

Many growers use contract harvesters to harvest and deliver their crop. Check that you have an arrangement in place with the contractor and all essential terms relating to the harvesting are finalised. Most importantly, these terms should include the contract price.

If you want to change your contractor, check the terms of your contract with the current contractor and check the terms of your CSA. Consider also any grouping arrangements associated with any change.

Harvesting Grouping

The CSA contains provisions dealing with grouping arrangements. Often there are requirements in the CSA for notification to be given by a certain date for any proposed grouping changes. Consent for existing and new group members might also be a requirement.

Delivery Point

If any changes are contemplated to the delivery point, the process under the CSA must be followed. Usually the CSA will provide that a grower’s delivery point is the same as in the previous season unless altered by agreement with the mill.

Permits and Licences

If you need certain permits or licences to carry out your farming activities make sure these are up to date. Examples include permits to burn that may be required, or perhaps permits to transport machinery or to clear drains or make farm improvements.

CANEGROWERS Membership

With the CANEGROWERs elections due to be held in April, check with your local CANEGROWERS office that your membership details are up to date to ensure your right to vote and the ability to have your say in the industry can be easily exercised.

Your local CANEGROWERS office can advise you on all these matters and more and you also can call me to discuss any issue.

This article contains general advice only. The particular facts and circumstances of each case always need to be taken into account.

The comments in this article are general in nature. For further free advice and information about this topic or other legal matters, members should contact their local CANEGROWERS office or please contact CANEGROWERS Legal Adviser, Chris Cooper on Free Call 1800 177 159

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2020 Case 8810 fulltrack cane harvester. Purchased 2021, cut 3 seasons. In good condition with plenty of spares. Ready to cut. Tully. Ph: 0407 160 758

1997 JD 7810 4x4, 7,896 hrs. Quade box., duals 20,8 38, 70%. Intergrated JD auto steer, 2630 JD screen and JD 3000 RTK reciever. JD Q-hitch. In cab 10" monitor and rear camera. Tinted windows. Cab in good condition as per whole tractor. Total rebuild of rear end 2yrs ago, receipts available. Original owner. $100K + GST. International 1486 2wd cab tractor with double bin trail with 7,000L tank, Honda pump and truck crane mounted, ideal for planting, $30k + GST. 120" howard rotaryhoe with roller and rippers, $15K + GST. HBM heavy duty billet planter, new dip, elev chains, drive shafts and bushes. New drive tyers. Stainless boxes, holds over half ton. Rear wheel steer. Tanks and PTO pump for tractor, $30K + GST. 2.5t Gessner fert box with double disc openers and 300L tank and tool bar attachment to fertise plant. On 3point hitch. $25k + GST. Case 28 plate 770 offsets, new tyres. with 30" round discs, fronts worn to 28" rear 30" with cover discs. 2 new spare 30" discs $20K + GST. Ph: 0428 682 886.

Expressions of Interest for shares. Email: rigato.office@bigpond.com with offer or any questions.

Set of half tracks to suit John Deere 3520 cane harvester. Ph: Ferdinand 0421 043 609

2001 Isuzu service truck FRR Series, diesel, 3 seater with welder, hydraulic hose maker, compressor, numerous compartments fully lockable $50k + GST. 12m V-blade $10k + GST RES Dolly trailer $20k + GST. 44 plate (28" plate) and 24 plate (32" plate) Baldan offset disc ploughs, 10L Bunded fuel tank $10k + GST. Ph: 0409 580 586

2 x 440/65 R24 tractor tyres $1,100 incl. GST each. 2 x 540/65 R34 tractor tyres $2,100 incl. GST each. All four types as new only done 500hrs. Ph: 0427 665 759

Kubota Zero Turn ZG 222 with catcher 48” cut. Fiat 980 2WD –3,500hrs, Fiat 1000 2WD – 5,000hrs, John Deere 4040 2WD – 3,600hrs, Chamberlain JD 4080 2 WD – 5,000hrs, Case 2590 2WD – 5,700hrs. Silvan Euro Spand CX2 spreader, portable bulk bin, Bunning Lowlander Mk 40-60 ag spreader (near new), complete tracks to suit cane harvester, and fuel trailer tank. Mulgrave area. Ph: 0407 160 673

Case/Stiger 9250 & 1200 Obryan Ejector bucket. With cushion hitch. 6,366hrs. Fitted with T3rra Cutta, I-Grade , Panasonic Tough Book 726hrs and JD 3000 SF1 cab receiver, no auto steer. Also have T3rra design software to transfer to your computer. Does not come with bucket receiver or in cab John Deere screen. Have an assortment of spare parts for bucket and tractor. All in working order ready to work. Selling as is where is. Ph: 0428 682 886

2012 John Deere 7200R tractor PTO, 3PL with quick hitch, 4 sets of remotes, front weights, front tyres 540/65R34, rear tyres 650/85R38, 4,510hrs. In good condition. $150,000 + GST Ph: 0427 976 416

Howard Rota Vator HR51 Rota. Ph: 0457 255 961

Terranova rotary hoe 120" Bonel 4 disc plough square. Mulgrave area. Ph: 4056 1474

One pair 21L-24 Armour earth moving/quarry tyres, currently on a backhoe. Good condition. $700 each tyre plus GST. Ph: 0419 150 350

36 plate case 770 offsets, 30" discs $40,000 and HBM plant cutter with topper $4,400. 7ft slasher with Howard box – all refurbished – $10,000 incl. GST ONO. Ph: Gavin 0448 345 139

Power harrow / airator for soil – fits on a rotary hoe $900. 2 old fertiliser box implements – each $300. 186 Ross Road Deeral. Ph: 0412 968 434

Massey 4608 excellent condition 2,000 hrs. Ph: 0418 972 705

3t fertiliser stool splitter stainless steel box 1.5–1.8m spacing $25,000 (+GST). Ph: 0429 912 135

2006 Case IH JX109OU in good condition. Always serviced – 6,800hrs $24,200 (incl. GST). Tully area. Ph: 0427 665 759

Tractor TE20 good condition $3,300 GST inclusive. Tractor AV International 130 with fertiliser equipment and scarifier $3,300 GST inclusive. Tractor AV International 140 with spray equipment $3,500 GST inclusive. Ph: 0428 183 307

Howard CH 2000 rotary hoe 4.2m wide, hyd 5 tyne ripper hillers new blades. $45,000 plus GST. Ph: 0429 912 135

2016 John Deere R4023 self propelled sprayer 1,500hrs, 2,200L tank, 85ft boom, GPS ready. $235,000 plus GST. Ph: 0429 912 135

10 blade Faggy chopper box for 3510/3520. $6,000 + GST. Ph: 0437 434 280

Valley centre pivot 8 span all running gear tyres & rims $1,000 gearboxes $750, electrical motors & gear boxes $1,000 each ONO. 2x torsion axles v-shape 2,200kg each $500 ONO. Ph: John 0418 198 177.

6 cyl. Perkins turbo-charged motor, mounted on trailer to Kelly & Lewis water pump $5,500; 6t Newton bulk fertiliser bin $2,500. Ph: after 7pm or txt 0402 686 714 / 0407 144 637

1980 Ford 7710, 4WD, 4 cyl, canopy, 5,323hrs, $21,000. 1960 Inter tractor 574, 2WD, 4 cyl, canopy, $9,500. 1960 Inter tractor 574, 2WD, 4 cyl, canopy, 4,891hrs, $7,950. 1975 Cat D3 dozer, angle tilt blade, 4 cyl, hyd tow hitch, root rake blade, 4,836hrs, $51,900. 2010 Kubota ME9000, 4WD, cab with trimble with GFX-750 GPS, 5,031hrs, total for both $47,900. 2018 Kubota, 4WD, M7040, 4 cyl, canopy, 482hrs, $46,900. Ph: Mark 0427 017 717

1968 International Farmall 756, 2WD, tricycle, 6 cyl, 5,560hrs, $5,950. 1993 140" Howard rotary hoe, crumble roller, serial 060301095, $24,500. 2006 Case iH 7700 full track harvester, Iveco 10.3L, 6 cyl motor, 2,912hrs, $156,000. 1976 rear feed whole stick planter, s/s fertiliser boxes & chutes, 2x200L spray tanks with 4 sprays, hydraulic ram trailer hitch, $4,250. 1990 8-ton bulk fertiliser bin, 3 easy chute doors, 4 stands for storage, $5,150. Ph: Romy 0467 198 700

Heavy duty two tines (legs) to suit rotary hoe $1,000 incl. GST. Ph: 0438 988 858

2022 Case 9900 cane harvester. Ph: Craig 0436 332 044

Fertiliser bin M.S.W, double row, 4t stainless bin, with double compartment and 4 cutters $25,000 (incl. GST). Ph: 0400 729 457

Rotocult 1 shot cultivator $7,000 ONO + GST. Ph: 0149 988 158

2012 Case 8800 fulltrack cane harvester fitted with Trimble GPS and new walking gear. All in good condition. Mulgrave area. Ph: 0407 160 673

Rainfall Report

Liquid fertiliser applicator croplands rate controler, adjustable centres and new pump. Ph: Craig 0436 332 044

HERBERT RIVER – BURDEKIN

Toft 5000 harvester, rubber rollers, new tyres and hoods, in good condition, great plant cutter. $20,000 + GST. 3 ton side tipper for planting $3,000 + GST. Ph: 0439 890 948

Brought to you by

2020 Case IH Austoft 8010 cane harvester, machine hours 8,250 and elevator hours 4,680, Scraper and Gripster tyres. All case modifications complete. All drive components current. Ph: 0428 635 922

1980 Ford TW20 tractor, 3,500hrs maximum, recently painted, good condition, make an offer. Ph: Laurence 0419 666 544

New Holland T6030 tractor 1,750hrs. Near new tyres VGC $57,000 + GST. Ph: 0407 154 250

Southern cross TCE3000 travelling irrigator. Herbert River. Ph: 0408 889 446

28 plate Napier offset discs, working condition, $5,000. Ph: 0448 842 792

BT D6 dozer, high lift, angle and tilt blade, five roller, 14" tracks, make an offer. Ph: 0438 743 685

3-point Linkage International plough, 4 furrows, 1 drag plough – 3 furrows, self lift, make an offer. Ph: 0438 743 685.

Moore Scoopy LD3 4 wheel drive, fair condition, make an offer. Ph: Reno on 4777 6148 after 6pm.

4t Newton tipper hooked to 4280 Chamberlain tractor. Will separate if required. Ideal for billet planting. Ph: 0416 174 014

2017 Isuzu dmax dual cab with alloy tray, 67,400km, new tyres, rwc, one owner in VGC $43,000 ONO. Ph: 0438 821 683

Case Magnum 315 2012 dual tyres front and rear with weight pack, Trimble GPS, UHF and quick hitch $210,000+. Howard rotary hoe CH 2000 4.7m with crumble roller $40,000+. Ph: Gavin 0408 782 419

LD3 Moore Scoop 4WD in fair condition, runs good, brakes need help. Ph: after 6.30pm 07 4777 6148

MACKAY-PROSERPINE

Massey Ferguson 2640 2WD, air cab, 4,600hrs, good condition, surplus to needs. Ph: 0438 545 251

Elevator extrension conveyer Belt 600mm $1k. Lely spike power marrow 3m wide $3k. 90" hr Howard rotary hoe and wheels $10k. Hodge 6" dual chain front for billet bin $4k. Fiat 540 high clearance tractor and spray tank $15k. Ph: 0428 115 456

Rotary drum type stonepicker, SJC Engineering, tipper bin at rear, always under cover, little use, very good cond. $12,000 plus GST. Ph: 0438 583 130

96 Cameco full track harvester good condition $55,000 + GST. Mackay area. Ph: 0428 654 350.

Tyres on rims, Deere – new 2x front – 380 70/R20, 2x rear – 480 70/R28. Ph: Scott 0401 245 581 or ellrotts@hotmail.com

Perkins 4 cylinder 236 pump engine for sale. $4,400. Ph: 0428 597 207

1990 Toft all rounder plant cutter plus assorted spare parts. $35,000 + GST. Ph: 0407 164 884

2006 John Deere 7420 135HP 4WD tractor, 4,813hrs, IVT, triple link suspension, hydraulics & wiring for ag leader Versa/Paradyme. All tyres replaced after 4,000hrs. $60,000 plus GST. Ph: 0429 629 337

Kinchant dam water allocation. Give away. Ph: 0448 055 047

Irrigator Avoka 75 model. Capable of carrying two hoses, however hoses are not included. Good condition. $5,000 + GST. Ph: 0417 714 209

Hardi spray tank, Hardi pump and press reg, 4x row Irvin boom, 4x trailing legs. $6,600. Ph: 0400 948 630.

Stick planter suscon box and tank mounted on planter ground driven pump and new tyres, $1,200. Ph: 0477 232 929

AutoFarm A5 GPS unit $5,000 + GST Ph: 0417 158 656 for more details.

3 x 26" McLeod stool splitter assemblies with fertiliser and confidor tubes. Ph: 0427 593 848

Case Maxxum 140HP tractor with front end loader with 4-in-1 bucket and forks/jib. Near new condition 168hrs. $140,000 ONO incl. GST. Howard 7ft slasher, good condition $11,000 incl. GST. Ph: 0418 770 218

Schneider Star Delta starter $1,900 ONO. Ph: 0447 733 366

L & L Wilkinson Haulage Pty Ltd widening drop deck and A trailer. Transporting cane harvester. Farm machinery. Farm implements. Pilot. Ph: Lee Wilkinson 0427 474 064.

2 x planting 2.5t tipper bins $3,000 each ONO. Ph: 0437 649 296.

2 tractor tyres 18-4-38, 75% rubber – $600 each. 1 plant cane or return grubber 14 tine – $1,200. A hodge plant cutter & two fan blower – $1,000. 1 Yedder 6 wheel on 3-point linkage frame for plant cane – $1,800. Ph: 0448 605 722

6 rear wheel weights for New Holland TM155. Ph: Keith on 0448 057 574 or Brock Shailer on 0439 113 511

Massey Ferguson 8110 4-wheel drive with cab, 135hp, only 2,636hrs in good condition. $55,000 incl GST. Celli Tiger spike hoe, 2.5m wide with hydraulic crumble roller and oil cooler. VGC. Don Mizzi 741 model on Fiat 750 special turbo plus MF102 half-tracks to suit. 12t self-propelled 6x6 elev infielder. VGC. 6t side tipper on Leyland tandem. GC. Mackay. Ph: 0438 606 578.

2 x New Trelleborg TM800 high speed 480/65R24 tyres. Ph: 0458 121 546

Hodge side dresser fertiliser box – with 4 front fertilizer coulters, 2 centre rippers with crumble rollers and centre drawbar at rear. Also can be used as a soil buster. Dimensions 1.7m to 2.05m. GC. In the Mackay area. $9,000 + GST. Ph: 0408 874 974 or 0418 874 974

John Deere 6520se FWD 5,100hrs, new AC power quad. Tyres 70% presents as a very clean and tidy tractor price $60,000 incl GST neg. VGC. Ph: 0438 424 538

Various farm implements: Hodge 4-furrow reversible plough. 3 row McLeod multi weeder rake. Two tyres & rims to suit fiat 1000 & 1300. Agri/Master; CB538 size 24.5/32R/1 12 ply. Ph: 0417 612 883

BUNDABERG-ROCKY POINT

Cane trash extractor. Ph: 0412 634 005

Hi lift double 6t side tipper on 23.1-26 tyres. Load sharing hitch coupled to 7485 MF tractor with Dyna VT transmission. Ph: 0413 698 922

Volvo BM 4400 front end loader. Good nrakes and hand brake 14,000hrs works well + spares, $38,500. Assorted excavator buckets and rollers suit machines with 90mm pins, prices by negotiation. Toft J150 whole stick harvester modified to load onto planter trailers, $5500. Bonel trash stripper fan always shedded good condition, $660. Don whole stick trash planter has fert boxes, water tanks (may need some repair) and suscon applicator, no trailers, $1,100. Croplands 1,100L tank and frame –no pump or boom, $4,400. 2 Farmall AMD tractors tin work is no good engines have been open to rain have 1 good engine to go with or separately. Best offers. International B 414 engine open to rain. Best offers. Prices include GST. Ph: 0427 769 086

One complete set of front and rear rims to suit John Deere 7810 tractor rear rim, size 23.1 34. $1,500 for the pair plus GST and front rim size 16.9 26, $1,000 for the pair plus GST. Genuine Toyota tray to suit 75 series Toyota Landcruiser Ute, $3,000 plus GST. Ph: 0427 577 256

Canetec BP2500 billet planter single row. New and ready for delivery. Built by Canetec in Bundaberg. $90K. Ph: 0422 669 695

4 wheel side winder trash rake good condition. $550. Ph: 0413 584 728

Spring tynes 1 ¼ ins by 1 ¼ ins suit fert box –set of six. $250. Ph: 0413 584 728

KMC 3 bed folding wing fluffer. VGC, always shedded, ready to work. Ph: 0422 118 466

Tractors for wrecking. Case International 485XL $1,000. Fiat 1000 $2,000. Both start and go. Ph: Kevin 0435 026 622

Wrecking MF 305 cane harvester, with spares. Price negotiable. Ph: Ron 0427 366 307 or Dean 0408 062 830

Don Gough whole stick cane planter $550 (incl. GST). Ph: 0413 584 728.

Ford 5000 with blade $12,000 incl. GST. Bonel 2t belt spreader $5,500 incl. GST. Trash incorporator $6,600 incl. GST. 3-point linkage offset 16 plate $1,800 incl. GST. David Brown 990 with loader $9,900 incl. GST. Ph: 0419 577 110

Plant cane cultivator 2 x 1.6m row w/ 3 weeder rakes and tines, $1,320 incl. GST.  2x1.6m row cultivator w/ 10 x 30ml tines, $1,320 incl. GST. 4 wheel trash rake, $1,110 incl. GST Ph: 0408 761 463

Rotary hoe 90 degree blades to suit Maschio G series rotary hoe. Brand new. These normally sell at $20 each new but are for sale at $6 each. There are currently 72 left hand and 72 right hand blades available. Ph: 0402 993 500

Ford 6600 tractor $6,000. Ph: 0403 064 708.

Massey Ferguson anniversary 105 harvester $7,700 (incl. GST). Trash incorporator $7,700 (incl. GST). Bonel 3-row cutaway $6,600 (incl. GST). 3-point linkage offset 16 plate $2,300 (incl. GST). Ph: 0419 577 110

Quinco side dresser fert box, Bonel plant cutter, 5 row plant marker 1.8 ctrs. Ph: 0473 989 961

New Holland T6070 tractor, $185K neg Challenge FEL, quad remotes, excellent condition, 450hrs. Ph: Justin 0415 626 715

Brand new Howard AH4000/255 2.5m heavy duty rotary hoe w/wheels $38k incl GST. Rocky Point. Ph: Greg 0421 277 126

NEW SOUTH WALES

Bonel fertiliser unit recently replaced Auger, freshly painted nothing to spend perfect working order. Ph: 0448 120 067

WANTED TO BUY

10t cane tipper bins to fit a tandem axle truck Ph: 0427 507 019

TT75 New holland front 4x4 axil parts – planetary etc. Ph: 0439 375 301.

Looking for a good condition diesel irrigation set up to run travelling irrigator. Ph: 0428 368 923

Kubota RTV side by side. Ph: 0407 761 364

Double 5 or double 6t cane trailer. Ph: 0438 583 130

2 x brake drums for front of Volvo F12 – 10 stud in reasonable condition. Ph: 0408 733 793

Wanted to buy a Patroni style hydraulic three point hitch. Ph: 0427 541 346

Looking for a good running condition dual row billet planter to be shipped to Mauritius. Please contact via mail if any available: dpaul@lamoisson.mu or ring Mauritius –(0011) 230 5984 4007.

T450 Trailco irrigator. Ph: 0419 503 293.

Valpadana interrow tractor in working order Ph: 0407 967 570

2 tractor tyres 13.6-38/12-38. Tully. Ph: 0437 681 397

HBM billet planter. Ph: 0429 651 233

2 off JD rims (flange type 16" x 42") with or without tyres. Size 480/80 R42 to suit JD7520 12 bolt 855PCD cast centre. Mareeba District. Ph: 0407 963 040

Rotary hoe 120" to 140", prefer Howard. Spray unit with Irvin boom or similar 600L plus. Maryborough area. Ph: Roger 0419 788 376.

100 to 120 HP 6 cylinder 4x4 tractor. E.g. Ford tw 20., Fiat, Case ih, basic old tractor. Mossman, Herbert, Mackay (for Ingham). Ph: Lloyd 0439 375 301

Double or triple tipper bin for NSW planting season. Happy to transport from QLD for the right unit. Contact: mildon.park@bigpond com or Ph: Richard 0412 156 622

1996 to 2004 Toft/Case 7000, wheeled cane harvester. Ph: 0420 600 943

Austoft/Case wheel harvester 1995 to 2006 model – any area. Ph: 0417 193 385.

2.5t or similar tipper bins suitable for billet planter. Mulgrave area. Ph: John 0427 563 318

4.5" Layflat hose in good condition. 200–250m. Ph: 0419 952 119

New Holland 8970 tractor suitable for wrecking. Ph: 0419 710 280 or tctownley@bigpond.com

All panels for Fiat 780. Mackay / Sarina area. Ph: 0438 421 217

Ferguson TE 20 with V8 Ford flattop engine, ½ tracks to suit Ferguson tractor, TE 20 Ferguson with reduction gearbox, Chrighton whole stick harvester with or without tractor. Mulgrave area. Ph: 0427 565 511

1x Ford 6600 or Ford 7600 two-wheel drive tractor. Ph: 0439 591 455

6 FT 3-point linkage grader blade in reasonable condition. Bundaberg. Ph: 0478 228 375

Hi clearance spray tractor. Must be a trike and must have air con cab. Send photos and information to 0407 639 985.

Tractor with FEL 100-140 HP up to $50k. NQLD area. Ph: Peter 0427 760 449

PROPERTY – FOR SALE

Cane farm Halifax total area 217 ha, CPA 126.4ha. 2 mins from Taylors Beach and 20 mins from Ingham CBD. Includes large machinery shed which has 3 phase power and water plus 2 smaller sheds. Price $1.62 million. For inspections contact Felix Reitano Real Estate on (07) 4776 5007 or email felix@reitano.com.au

288 acres 35 minutes south of Maryborough, 200 acres under cane. Permanent creek with underground mains 4 bedroom timber home, 12x9m shed with 3 phase power. Ph: 0407 398 852

PROPERTY WANTED

Sugar cane, Marwod/Sunnyside. Looking to expand, 2025 and beyond. Ph: 0408 011 983

Lease cane farm looking for lease land –Sarina, Mackay or west of Marian, open to any suggestions. Ph: Brian 0498 878 416

Wanted cane farm to lease. Will consider anywhere from Proserpine to Cairns. Minimum 5,000t. Ph: Lara 0438 990 122

Wanting to purchase a land title – Mackay district. Council approval ready to go. Cash sale no finance needed. Ph: 0407 426 626

Wanting to buy cane farm in Mackay or surrounding areas. Ph: 0437 410 434

Looking to purchase a sugar cane farm in Proserpine or surrounding area. Require land only no house needed. Ph: 0451 272 057

Want to buy farm in Victoria Plains, Eton, Pleystowe area. Ph: 0490 029 387

Wanted permanent purchase lower Mary River water allocations on Mary River, Tinana Creek and channel pipeline sections of the scheme. Ph: 0427 930 696