Australian Canegrower - December 2023

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF AUSTRALIA'S SUGARCANE INDUSTRY

December 2023 Price $14.95

FACT OR FICTION

WHAT ARE THE VALUE-ADDING OPPORTUNITIES

The latest AgTech

Seeking clarity on mill future

Biocommodities on the rise

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Rattoff response

05

FNM goes into voluntary administration

07

STL needs to win back grower confidence

08

New Board directors for SRA

10

CEO comment

14

From the Chair

An emergency permit allows aerial application

CANEGROWERS is seeking clarity for Mossman growers

CANEGROWERS calls on STL to repair relationships

Two cane growers join the team

Culture and working together creates strong leadership

The final countdown has begun for the 2023 crush

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Value added opportunities

22

High biomass varieties

24

A buzz in Mackay

32

Regional round-up

41

Policy updates

Are there attractive opportunities for growers?

Research into integrating energy canes in cropping systems

The momentum is growing for diversification in Mackay

44

Legal updates

46

Classifieds

47

Rainfall report

Editor: Robyn Devine Design & classifieds: Eleanor Fraser 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 Yearly subscriptions for 12 issues (postage included) Within Australia: $176 inc GST Overseas (AUD): $265 COVER IMAGE Greg Rossato and the Burdekin Renewable Fuels team explore value added opportunities, with an eye on the future Read more on page 16

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NEWS BRIEFS

the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

WELCOME TO THE NEW QFF PRESIDENT

RATTOFF USE IN RATOONING CANE

Emerald cotton grower Aaron Kiely has been elected President of the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), succeeding Allan Dingle, a sugarcane grower from Bundaberg, who is stepping down following completion of his four-year tenure in the role.

“I would like to thank QFF’s members for trusting me to take on this important position not only for QFF but for the Queensland agriculture sector,” Mr Kiely said. “I would also like to thank outgoing President Allan Dingle for his service to the agriculture sector and his leadership of QFF during the past four years.”

QFF CEO Jo Sheppard also extended her gratitude to Allan for his contribution to QFF and the membership during his time in the President position.

CANEGROWERS has been successful in its application to the APVMA for an emergency permit that allows aerial application of Rattoff in ratooning cane in the Herbert and Mossman Districts over the next 12 months. The permit will allow these growers to target persistently high population of rats which are now affecting the growth of ratooning crops. Growers can contact their local productivity service organisation or district CANEGROWERS office for further information. Pictured L-R: Joe Moro, QFF Director and QFVG Chair; Kay Tommerup new QFF Vice President and eastAUSmilk Director; Russ Higginbotham, QFF Treasurer and NGIQ member; Mark Mammino: Georgie Krieg, new QFF Director and cotton grower; Jo Sheppard; and Aaron Kiely new QFF President.

TRADE UPDATE CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens, CEO Dan Galligan and Trade Advisor Warren Males held a productive meeting with the Australian High Commissioner to the UK, The Hon Stephen Smith, in London last month. The meeting centred on highlighting the substantial value and triumphs resulting from the successful implementation of the Australia/United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement.

It is worth mentioning that the second shipment of Australian sugar has already arrived in the UK, and the industry has commendably fulfilled its quota within the first year of operation.

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DECEMBER 2023 – VOLUME45/NUMBER 12

GROWERS SEEK CLARITY ON MILL FUTURE The future of Mossman's cane industry is in limbo, following the announcment earlier this month that Daintree Bio Precinct Ltd and its subsiduaries, including Mossman Mill operator Far Northern Milling, would be going into voluntary administration.

While the news came as a bitter blow to growers in the region, the appointment of an administrator was a necessary step given the company’s ongoing financial struggles, CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan said.

“Mossman growers, together with the staff and executive of Far Northern Milling, have worked tirelessly to make a success of the mill and bio-precinct initiative over the past few years,” Mr Galligan said.

“Unfortunately, circumstances have conspired against them, with Covid, workforce shortages, adverse weather, and reduced through-put, just a few of the challenges the local industry has had to contend with.”

Mr Galligan said growers, the local industry, and the wider community must be front-and-centre of any decisions made on the future of the mill.

“Growers have already invested over $10 million in the upcoming 2024 season, and they haven’t been fully paid for the 2023 season yet, either. The closure of the mill would be devasting for sugarcane families in the region.

“And it’s not just growers and mill staff who would suffer.

As one of the region’s largest employers, Mossman Mill

injects a lot of cash into the local economy, both directly and indirectly. Its loss would impact the whole community.

“It’s vital that administrators remain in constant communication with the industry so that local growers can have clarity on any decisions that could seriously impact their livelihoods.”

Despite the challenges of recent years, Mr Galligan said there remains an opportunity for the local sugarcane industry to evolve into a sustainable bio-production hub.

“Our industry is on the cusp of an evolution into the production of sustainable bioproducts, such as bioplastics and sustainable aviation fuel.

“Mossman was already well advanced along this road and the region still has a wealth of opportunities ahead if this current situation can be managed positively to deliver the right investment to deliver the mill and the industry a new lease on life.”

CANEGROWERS has been holding discussions with various stakeholders with an interest in the mill and community in an attempt to find a constructive path forward. Growers were hoping to get more clarity on the mill's future at a creditor meeting in late November.

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the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

STL NEEDS TO WIN BACK GROWER CONFIDENCE CANEGROWERS has called on Sugar Terminals Limited to take the first steps on the long road to repairing its relationship with growers following last month’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) where grower shareholders voted down the STL Board’s remuneration report.

CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens said the debate over STL's insourcing decision, which has caused increasingly bitter and personal division within the industry over the past 12 month, could have been avoided if the issue had been managed better.

"The decision itself was controversial ... and the way it was executed is symptomatic of a greater risk."

“Twelve months ago, growers were largely unconcerned about STL,” Mr Menkens said.

“The company was viewed as a guardian of some of our most strategically important industry-owned assets, and as such, it enjoyed a certain amount of trust and respect within the grower community.

“That trust has clearly been eroded, with grower shareholders voting down the STL Board’s remuneration report in a clear signal of their frustration at the company’s actions over the past year.”

“The decision itself was controversial and this division has continued throughout the year as both STL

and QSL have travelled the industry to argue their case for the role of operating the terminals. This very visible debate has continued right up to AGM season.

Management of the industry’s bulk sugar terminals is very close to the hearts of growers, who funded two-thirds of their construction, and the decision to insource terminal operations took growers by surprise, Mr Menkens said.

"This major change came out of the blue for growers and shareholders.

“The industry ownership and management of our sugar terminals is one of our greatest assets as an industry.

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DECEMBER 2023 – VOLUME45/NUMBER 12

These expectations, set out by grower leaders from across the state at their recent CANEGROWERS Policy Council meeting in Brisbane, include:

“CANEGROWERS has very clear expectations of the incoming Board of STL." "We need confidence and stability around this issue, not radical changes, corporate posturing and division.”

Mr Menkens said that at the heart of the issue is the corporatisation of STL’s shareholder base, and a larger shareholder contingent that is no longer active in the industry. These issues, he insists, must be addressed.

“The insourcing decision and the way it was executed is symptomatic of a greater risk, that the STL board becomes out of touch with the industry it serves. Unfortunately, we have a situation where the majority of STL shares are held by corporate entities, millers and marketers.

“CANEGROWERS has very clear expectations of the incoming Board of STL."

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Terminal ownership and control must remain within the active side of the Australian sugar industry

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Reliable operations of terminals must guarantee and prioritise sugar is ready for trade

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Pricing models must be transparent, operating on a cost recovery basis and with no differential pricing across terminal facilities

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Growers should be encouraged to become active in their use of their voting rights and be encouraged to use their votes to influence the operations of STL

Mr Menkens congratulated newly elected STL Director Steve Kirby on his appointment to the Board, and acknowledged the contribution of outgoing Director Stephen Calcagno.

"It's not an easy job and, as we've seen, it can be quite thankless at times. But it's vitally important that growers continue to have strong representation on the STL Board and I wish Steve all the best in the role," Mr Menkens said.

"Having sat on the CANEGROWERS Queensland Board with Stephen Calcagno for a number of years, I know he is a fierce advocate for growers and will always do what he believes is in the best interests of the industry. I thank him for his work as a director of STL." With the new STL Board now in place for the next three years, Mr Menkens called on Board members to reflect on how their decisions impact the wider industry.

"Now is the time for STL Board members to examine their decisions to ensure the outcomes of those decisions are in the best interests of the whole industry.

"The Board of STL must be vigilant about its purpose and ensure it does not lose touch with the industry it serves."

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the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

TWO CANEGROWERS JOIN THE SRA BOARD Chris Bosworth and Donna Campagnolo were appointed as directors at Sugar Research Australia (SRA)’s Annual General Meeting on 16 November 2023.

SRA Chair Rowena McNally thanked retiring Board Director, Mr Peter Russo for his valued contribution to Australia’s sugarcane industry during a time of significant change within the industry and the organisation.

“I would like to confirm that our members have voted on the appointment of two new directors and sincerely welcome Mr Chris Bosworth and Ms Donna Campagnolo,” Ms McNally said.

“In welcoming both Chris and Donna, I want to acknowledge their knowledge and expertise of our industry and the regional communities which they represent.

As a sugarcane grower within the Herbert River district, Chris Bosworth brings more than 45 years’ experience and commitment to the sugarcane industry. Chris has held various board position across the industry, representing growers locally and more broadly. As a current Director of CANEGROWERS and Chair and Director of CANEGROWERS Herbert River, Chris is committed to supporting SRA’s role as the industry’s peak research body.

Chris Bosworth

Donna Campagnolo

Donna Campagnolo (B.Sc.) is a thirdgeneration Innisfail sugarcane grower with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Queensland.

Donna has an extensive background in research, development, and extension, in addition to biosecurity within the sugar industry and the public sector.

Donna’s experience has allowed her to develop a deep, practical understanding of legislative processes

and procedures, particularly about Australia’s biosecurity potential risks.

Significant roles on various industry and sporting committees provides Donna with a unique set of skills to drive the strategic direction of SRA.

10TH ANNIVERSARY RESEARCH FUND CALL SRA has announced the establishment of a $16 million 10th Anniversary Research Fund to deliver impactful research investment to Australia’s sugarcane industry.

SRA’s Interim CEO Shaun Coffey has invited growers, millers, industry bodies, researchers, universities, and innovators to submit their visionary ideas to solve the sugarcane industry’s challenges and deliver tangible outputs with industry-wide outcomes.

All submissions must be received by 5 pm AEST on Wednesday 20 December 2023, visit the https://sugarresearch.com.au website to learn more.

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DECEMBER 2023 – VOLUME45/NUMBER 12

CELEBRATING AGRICULTURE

All Queensland farmers and farming communities

Grow you Good Thing was the theme for this year’s National AgDay on Friday 17 November providing a wonderful opportunity for CANEGROWERS to bring some country to the city as part of the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) celebrations at the Queen St Mall in Brisbane. Members of the public were able to engage with industry representatives and learn a little more about the agriculture sectors.

support regional and rural small businesses to enhance a variety of office and small business skills.

Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA) created a National Ag Week digital learning kit as an extra resource for primary and secondary teachers.

This kit includes videos discussing the technologies and innovations that support the agriculture industries.

We are registered BAS agents and are deeply committed to sharing knowledge that empowers individuals to enhance their skills, whether it is refining existing ones or building new ones, and boosting confidence to attain their goals.

As part of the resource CANEGROWERS Senior Manager for Membership Engagement and Innovation Matt Kealley provides an overview of the blockchain technology in the sugar industry. While Sugar Research Australia’s Phil Patane explains the inner workings of the web-based portal and app Harvest Mate.

Visit www.piefa.edu.au to learn more.

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CANEGROWERS Matt Kealley brought sugarcane to Brisbane thanks to Rocky Point growers

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the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

IT’S CULTURE THAT DEFINES US

BY DAN GALLIGAN, CEO, CANEGROWERS

In the last magazine for the year it seems appropriate to do a little bit of reflection.

It is not only a good idea, but also good practice to look back and learn before we charge head long into another year of the cut and thrust of agriculture.

This year has been remarkable in many ways, but I feel it was also a year when CANEGROWERS’ culture and values were tested.

Ours is a culture that has been honed over decades. It has been formed by the many efforts of farmers who saw the need for collective representation and collective action to preserve, build, and advance this industry. Working together, not just for themselves, but for the benefit of the whole industry, with the interests of all growers in mind. It’s an approach has been called upon and tested this year.

The decision by STL to move to an insource model of terminal operations was dropped on growers in January and has dominated and divided discussions amongst many growers ever since.

Yet, what many people don’t see is the thoughtful consideration and generosity of leadership displayed behind the scenes.

This leadership, by growers who are advocating for an outcome based on our core objectives and needs, is unattached to politics or personalities.

Equally, the culture of delivering industry-wide perspectives could not have been more obvious and positive than during the mid-year departure of the first tariff free shipment of Australian sugar to go to the United Kingdom in 50 years.

This was only possible because growers invested in the advocacy on the free trade deal and growers backed Smartcane BMP certification, which was the key reason that Tate & Lyle sugar refiners were willing purchase the cargo.

“This culture of collective action and a desire to look toward a future that goes beyond just their own individual interests is their greatest hope of success.”

And they have done it again since, with a second shipment leaving Australia in October. That is a significant win for the whole industry delivered only because of the decision of growers.

Finally, late in the year we have seen the disappointing reality of Far Northern Milling (FNM) being placed into administration.

As it is in the south at Rocky Point, so it is in the far north at Mossman - growers and CANEGROWERS coming together to do all they can, to see their industry and their community survive.

This culture of collective action and a desire to look toward a future that goes beyond just their own individual interests is their greatest hope of success.

There are many more examples of moments of leadership and culture that test us as an organisation. Our values and respect for each other will continue to be the backbone upon which we should always lean as we navigate difficult issues.

Finally as we move into the end of the year I would like to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas and look forward to working with you again in 2024.

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12

the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

HIDDEN DANGER ON QUEENSLAND SUGARCANE FARMS SUPPLIED BY RESOURCES SAFETY AND HEALTH QUEENSLAND

Arthur Reck was left 930 hectares of land when his uncle died. He knew he was inheriting sugarcane. What he didn’t expect to find were deadly explosives.

“Modern explosives, on the other hand, desensitise over time.”

Luckily for Arthur, he knew what he was dealing with and “just left it alone and called the police.” The police called RSHQ and explosives inspectors disposed of the old gelignite safely.

Arthur was preparing to auction off items on the farm, North of Bundaberg, when he came across gelignite inside an old Ute. “I knew what it was as soon as I opened the door and looked in there,” he said.

Gelignite is a nitro-glycerine-based explosive. It was sold to clear rocks and stumps from farms during the 1970s to the 1980s.

But gelignite (also referred to as dynamite or AN60 explosives) becomes more dangerous with age.

Just one stick is enough to seriously harm or kill a person. Arthur had 10 times that amount on his property.

Haydn Isaac is an inspector with Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ), the regulator for explosives, and says Arthur’s case is not uncommon.

“On average, we’re recovering gelignite from one sugar cane farm every year, and we know there’s more out there,” Haydn said.

“The thing that most people don’t realise, is that nitro-glycerine explosives become more dangerous as they age which can lead to an unplanned explosion from changing temperatures or the way they’re stored.

RSHQ inspectors say the dangerous nitro-glycerine explosives are mostly being found by younger Queenslanders, after their parents or relatives pass away. And where there’s explosives, there’s detonators, typically with the NOBEL or ICI brand, and found in small square tins or cardboard boxes.

“The best thing you can do is call RSHQ so we can make sure you and your family are safe,” said Haydn.

Arthur’s advice to fellow sugarcane growers: “Don’t do it yourself. It’s not worth it.”

If you believe there are explosives on your property, call RSHQ’s 24-hour Explosives Hotline on 1300 739 868.

Inspectors are there to help.

It is illegal to have explosives in Queensland without a licence or authority to do so, however, there is no penalty for surrendering explosives.

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AUST

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FROM THE CHAIR

BY OWEN MENKENS, Chairman, CANEGROWERS

The final countdown has begun, with Queensland’s 2023 sugarcane harvest winding down across most regions.

Terminals Limited (STL) AGM sadly turned into an exercise in accusations without any fundamental justifications for the insourcing decision or any long-term plans for the terminals’ functions.

Already Bundaberg, Isis, Maryborough and Mossman have completed their crush, and by the time you read this column, Cairns, Herbert River, Burdekin and Proserpine will most likely have followed suit, weather permitting.

Growers have long memories, especially when it comes to the assets of which they funded over 60% of the construction costs.

A few districts are running behind schedule due to wet weather and mill availability issues, but with a little luck we will get most of the crop crushed before Christmas.

While still not ideal, this is a huge improvement on last year.

The drier weather has helped, but unfortunately it is also a side effect of last year’s extended crush.

When the harvest goes into January it is quite difficult to grow a decent crop, which was been the case for this year.

Mill performance has been slightly better than last year in most areas, but we still need more effort by milling companies to get our mills up to 85-90% availability.

There has been some sad news for Mossman growers with Far Northern Milling going into voluntary administration.

This is a very concerning time for growers who are unsure as to whether their cane will be crushed next year.

CANEGROWERS has been working with all the stakeholders to try to make sure that the mill can continue.

Sugar mills are an important part of a community fabric, especially in a town like Mossman.

Hopefully there is a way they can trade their way out of the situation and give growers the confidence they need to invest in their crop for next year and in the years to come.

These terminals give the Australian sugarcane industry a competitive advantage, as sugar produced during the crush can be held over in storage for the March-May contracts.

As we look at the world market now, the ability to hold sugar over for another contract can make a big difference in the final price achieved by growers.

Therefore, terminals should be looked at from a whole of industry perspective and not necessarily a pure return on investment method.

STL, as a listed company, will always have to try to maximise return for its shareholders.

It can consult with growers, but at the end of the day it will always be bound by the corporate governance rules of a listed company.

It did not consult with cane growers prior to making the insourcing decision, which is allowed under the corporate structure of its organisation.

In making this decision though, STL must give growers undisputable evidence as to why this decision was made.

At this stage, we feel this evidence has not emerged.

The other major issue is that the relationship between STL and Queensland Sugar Limited has become very toxic, as evidenced at the STL AGM.

It is vitally important that whatever decisions are made, CANEGROWERS Mossman is one of the key decision makers.

This brings into question how the new storage and handling agreement will be negotiated without emotions getting in the way. CANEGROWERS will need to get involved if this process fails.

It is also sad to see what is happening with the current arguments around our sugar terminals. The Sugar

Lastly I would like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

HOW MUCH TIME HAVE YOU SPENT WORKING ON YOUR BUSINESS RATHER THAN IN YOUR BUSINESS? As the new calendar year approaches, perhaps it is opportune to take time out to think strategically about your business.

What are the risks your business will face over the course of the coming year? The next year after that?

The next five years? A lot can happen!

While it is not possible to plan for every eventuality, it is worthwhile to consider and prioritise your efforts to make changes, even small ones, that will improve your business’ ability to endure, and to minimize the stresses and strains along the way.

CANEGROWERS Business Essentials workshops help you identify, assess, and manage business risks such as drought, by developing strategies and actions to address these risks.

The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) has grants and loans available to assist primary producers to implement plans to mitigate drought. This will require that you have a business plan.

The Business Essentials workshops are designed to help you develop your plan for this purpose.

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

Workshops starting in February 2024. Given the current dry conditions as well as the dry outlook due to El Niño drivers, the workshops will be provided FREE of charge.

If you identify drought as a key risk, there may be actions that can be implemented before drought takes hold, and which will reduce its impact on your business.

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

Register your interest today on our website or using the QR Code

16

the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

FACT OR FICTION WHAT ARE THE REAL VALUE-ADDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR QUEENSLAND’S SUGARCANE INDUSTRY?

BY ROBYN DEVINE

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s declaration, in March this year, that Queensland “is perfectly positioned to be a clean energy superpower because we have both the sunshine and feedstocks including the largest sugar industry in the nation” shone the spotlight brightly on sugarcane.

Sugarcane is a valuable and versatile crop. The Queensland crop forecast is currently for 29.4 million tonnes of cane and whilst this estimate may be down from the start of the season, sugar remains Queensland’s second largest agricultural export, generating over $2 billion in export earnings.

There is a crucial role for sugarcane to play in a vibrant industry, whilst sugar crystals remain the lucrative product for growers, the opportunity for value-added products are beginning to be explored.

In July 2022, the Sugar Plus industry roadmap was launched, outlining a pathway to secure and grow its value for future generations.

Globally, consumer behaviour is propelling a greater demand and there is an increased interest in decarbonisation and renewable resources, having agricultural sources of feedstocks produces potentially new opportunities for sugarcane growers and the industry as a whole.

Right: Greg Rossato and Richard Wall with samples of products produced using the tops and trash of sugarcane.

Burdekin Renewable Fuels Pty Ltd (BRF) was set up by a progressive group of growers. It has collaborated with and provided assistance to private investors and researchers alike who are looking with interest at the

In the Burdekin, growers have had their eyes on the future of the industry through making more from their cane for some time. region’s hectares of lush cane and its production system based on a reliable water supply for irrigation.

BRF Chairman and Home Hill grower Greg Rossato said the core aim is to ultimately build more value for growers while expanding the region’s industrial and employment base.

“In around 2017 a member came into the office with an idea to use the cane tops and trash to provide a product to the Japanese energy market,” Mr Rossato explained.

“We set about doing some feasibility work on separating the tops and trash

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DECEMBER 2023 – VOLUME45/NUMBER 12

and pelletising them. We even went to Japan to look into the potential market.

“What we found was that for the amount of return, we needed to expand the idea into a project that used the whole crop—and the idea of B Green was created.”

Project B Green, led by the growers, had the goal of establishing a biorefinery to transform cane into green hydrogen for fuel and chemicals, such as ammonia and glycols, monoethylene and monopropylene glycols, for plastics and fibres. In the end, the journey landed on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and glycols.

“We have learnt a lot since then and the learnings are that the challenges are great!” Mr Rossato said.

“Most of the technologies are still immature, and while there are some available here and now, in my opinion the most efficient opportunity at this current time is pelleting biomass for power generation.”

Sky Renewables takes the tops and trash and converts them into pellets and according to Mr Rossato that market is available right now as the Japanese Government promotes cofiring programs to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

“By 2030 the Japanese market will need up to 50 million tonnes of biomass,” Mr Rossato explained.

“And they have identified that sugarcane is the most sustainable crop to supply into that market, sugarcane has been included in the

biomass products that can be used in their Feed in Tariffs (FIT).”

Mr Rossato acknowledged that in the Project B Green pre-feasibility study there was a return on investment into aviation fuels and glycols, but the risks and capital expenditure is very high. The technologies are still in their infancies, and to date, there are no samples of commercialised technologies.

Mr Rossato warns that growers need to tread carefully whilst continuing to explore the different opportunities.

“Currently, with the sugar juice so valuable at around of $900/tonne, we would continue to make sugar but stage the project to mitigate the risks, as the project has very high capital costs,” Mr Rossato said.

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE ‣

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the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

“Growers are sitting on a valuable resource, the markets are there, the prices are there for the products, we just have to work out how to make it happen.

potential at present but Government and Industry reforms will be required to grow the industry and to incentivise the significant investment that will be required.

“We always went into this with expectation that we may get nowhere but at least we will know what options are out there, we will have the information. We want to get the biggest value out of any of these options.”

“Cogeneration utilises bagasse as a renewable fuel. Producing around 9 million tonnes of bagasse per annum from around 30 million tonnes of cane purchased, more bagasse can become available for more cogeneration if mills invest in those complex engineering projects to improve steam, mechanical and thermal energy efficiencies in the mills themselves as well as new cogeneration capacity, which in today’s cost environment will be upwards of $100 million for a 35 MW plant for example,” Mr Rynne said.

Airlines worldwide have publicly committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and SAF is one of the strongest tools available to airlines to reduce their emissions.

Earlier this year, the Queensland Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Qantas to collaborate on developing a SAF industry in Queensland, with Ampol and ENEOS to investigate feedstocks and existing refinery infrastructure.

Biofuels are a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to traditional combustible fuels.

“Sugar mills also require significant annual upgrades and large injections of capital to maintain their operability and reliability. Addressing supply risk and achieving reliable annual cane supply and revenues on sugar and by-products will also be essential to fund new cogeneration and bio-ethanol capital projects.

Australian Sugar Milling Council (ASMC) Director Policy, Economics and Trade David Rynne acknowledged that cogeneration and bio-ethanol as an input to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), have the strongest commercial

“Cogeneration is attractive to mills because it is known and understood from a technical and engineering perspective and because of the potential circular loop of benefits – that is, energy efficiency investments

allows for additional bagasse liberalisation to occur which would then provide for more cogeneration to occur.

With the Queensland Government’s announcement of funding to support SAF facilities to power flights, the industry’s potential contribution to national SAF supply is a topical discussion point.

The International Energy Agency calculated that by 2040, 19% of the aviation industry’s fuel consumption would need to be SAF in order to achieve the industry’s voluntary 50% abatement target. In Australian terms this equates to 1,800 ML’s of annual demand by 2040 (by comparison there is currently 440 ML of Australian ethanol capacity including 60 ML at the Sarina distillery). Through new 2nd Generation ethanol technologies that can utilise bagasse and tops and trash, there are opportunities for the sugar industry to increase its bio-ethanol production further.

“As ethanol-to-SAF costs will be an estimated 3-5 times more expensive than conventional aviation fuel, it will be necessary to create both demand and supply drivers.

“Ideally these would come in the way of ongoing and increasing voluntary commitments by the airlines to de-carbonise, and government interventions such as mandates that reduce risk, create demand certainty, then supply expansion occurs which then leads to a lowering of costs through greater demand.

“Australia’s current policy settings are unlikely to incentivise the commercialisation of bio-fuels, including SAF. For example, the available carbon incentive is currently not sufficient to cover the cost difference between SAF and conventional fuels.

Bagasse silo at Millaquin Mill, Bundaberg

“That is, the Safeguard Mechanism which compels the airlines to reduce their carbon emissions year-on-year may be ineffective in incentivising

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DECEMBER 2023 – VOLUME45/NUMBER 12

Collecting the tops and trash in the Burdekin.

“As SAF costs will be 3-5 times more expensive than conventional aviation fuel, it will be necessary to create both demand and supply drivers.”

SAF consumption as a carbon price of more than $300 per tonne would be required to bridge the gap between conventional jet fuel and SAF—much higher than the $75 carbon cap announced as part of the mechanism.

“For bio-fuels, including SAF, numerous government programs have been effectively implemented overseas.

These programs involve a mix of mandates like the U.S Low Carbon Fuel Standard that drive demand for

various bio-fuels, including ethanol, as well as assistance to consumers and distilleries to drive bio-fuels supply. Like Brazil, the United States, the European Union and Thailand, Australia will also need a suite of additional demand and supply incentives to realise the significant environmental and economic benefits from a mature Australian bio-fuel industry” Mr Rynne said.

The Department of State Development, Local Government, Infrastructure and Planning’s Queensland New-Industry Development Strategy (QNIDS) sets out the Queensland Government’s approach to developing the new industries that will be in demand as the world moves to a decarbonised future.

“Building on Queensland’s strengths it identifies emerging industries that have the most potential to enable industry and economic growth and to help existing industries, such as agriculture, to decarbonise and then to thrive in a decarbonised economy,” the department’s spokesperson said.

One of the six emerging industries targeted in QNIDS that is particularly

relevant to the industry is number six, the bioeconomy including biofuels, such as renewable diesel and SAF, and future foods.

The development of the bioeconomy sector in Mackay is an example of how the Queensland Government deploys a long-term industry development strategy to build a connected supply chain.

READ ABOUT THE BIOCOMMODITIES ON THE RISE IN MACKAY ON PAGE 24

The challenge remains for the industry to achieve its potential, but without support and incentives from government policies the obstacles are onerous. With attractive possibilities and opportunities on the table for the future, the need remains for sugarcane, that one plant with many products, and growers to stay pivotal in these discussions.

“I’m passionate about this because we’ve got to look to the future. If we can re-value every acre of cane, get the value up for the grower, that would be great,” Mr Rossato said.

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Far North Queensland Daniel Messina 0429 660 238

Central Districts Amanda Sheppard 0418 264 393

James Formosa 0437 645 342

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Sonia Ball 0418 978 120

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QSL GROWER PRICING UPDATE

Your Trusted Partner Current as at 15 November 2023.

Sugar Market & Currency Influence

Commentary

Outlook

Brazil

Rain delays caused moderate disruptions to both harvesting and port logistics in mid-October in the Centre South Brazil region. The port line up blew out to an all-time record of 4.5 million tonnes of sugar, with 99 ships waiting to be loaded. By the end of October, 560 million tonnes of cane had been crushed and 37 million tonnes of sugar produced.

Neutral

India

Harvesting is now underway in all major sugarcane-producing states of India following the retreat of the monsoon. The government’s ethanol mandate may be called into question given the dry growing conditions leading to a poor crop outlook and the increased emphasis on food security for the world’s largest population.

Thailand

Late monsoon conditions brought much needed rainfall to cane areas in Thailand, however many are saying it may be too late for a significant crop recovery. To date, 2023 has seen the fourth-lowest cumulative rainfall in the last 15 years.

Speculators

Speculators increased and decreased their position in line with market movements throughout October, holding a 189,000 net long position as of 7 November.

Neutral

Currency

Positive fundamentals from a weakening US Dollar following a softer-than-expected US inflation print, and a Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) interest rate increase provided strong support for the Australian Dollar (AUD). However, the weak macroeconomic environment generated by global geopolitical tensions has kept the AUD under pressure and trading in the low 60 US cent range.

Neutral

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 The highest grower-managed pricing levels achieved across all growing regions using QSL products to date (all gross price actual/tonne) are: • 2023 Target Price = $950 / SMHC $960 (Mar24) • 2024 Target Price = $840 / IFC $870 (Jul24)

Key Dates: • 20 February: Last day to price 2023-Season Target Price Contract tonnage before the pricing window is automatically extended and roll adjustments apply.

• 20 February: Last day to achieve or roll pricing allocated to the March 2024 ICE 11 contract through the Individual Futures Contract or Self-Managed Harvest Contract.

• 2025 Target Price = $735 / IFC $735 (Oct25) • 2026 Target Price = $685 / IFC $690 (Jul26) • 2027 Target Price = $650

QSL GROWER-MANAGED PRICING FILLS – 2023, 2024 & 2025 SEASONS Tonnes 200,000 180,000 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0

< $499

2023 Season

$500

$520

2024 Season

$540

$560

$580

$600

$620

$640

$660

$680

$700

$720

$740

$760

$780

$800 >

2025 Season

This chart captures all pricing achieved as of 15.11.23 by growers from across all sugarcane growing regions using QSL’s Target Price Contract, Individual Futures Contract and Self-Managed Harvest products. Prices quoted at AUD/tonnes actual gross.

Disclaimer: This report contains information of a general or summary nature and is based on information available to QSL from many sources. While all care is taken in the preparation of this report, the reliability, accuracy or completeness of the information provided in the document is not guaranteed. The update on marketing and pricing activity does not constitute financial or investment advice. You should seek your own financial advice and read the QSL Pricing Pool Terms, which are contained on QSL’s website. Nothing contained in this report should be relied upon as a representation as to future matters or that a particular outcome will be achieved. Information about past performance is not an indication of future performance.

The information in the report is current as at the time of publication and is subject to change, as the information is based on many assumptions and is subject to uncertainties inherent in any market. QSL does not accept any responsibility to any person for the decisions and actions taken by that person with respect to any of the information contained in this report.

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the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

ENERGY CANE

BY RENEE CLUFF “So, we considered whether we could increase biomass by looking at the agronomic performance and chemical composition of a group of genotypes from the SRA breeding program that have not been commercially released.

There were 17 genotypes in the trial and only five were released varieties.

“We were aiming to get high biomass, so the focus leaned towards energy canes rather than high sucrose yielding varieties.”

Sugarcane varieties with high biomass have been examined to support diversification of the industry into bioenergy production.

For more than 150 years, Australia’s sugarcane industry has been solely focused on producing sugarcane with high sucrose content. However, as the world moves away from dependence on fossil fuels and progresses towards a biofuels economy, a Queensland researcher has investigated the viability of a new cropping system integrating traditional sugarcane varieties alongside high biomass canes (or energy canes) and sorghum.

The $1.3-million ‘Suitable Biomass for a Sustainable Sugarcane Industry’ project in Far North Queensland aimed to break the mould for

sugarcane variety R&D to deliver long-term, commercially viable diversification options.

It was a three-year collaboration coordinated by the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) in partnership with The University of Queensland, Far Northern Milling Pty Ltd, Sugar Research Australia and supported by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Professor Botha found that integrating energy cane varieties into the cropping process could indeed increase biomass yield by up to 25-per cent, however it would also result in a significant decrease in sucrose recovery.

Crop scientist Frederik (Frikkie) Botha from the University of Queensland was project lead and told Australian CANEGROWER the research was driven by industry needs.

“We were approached by Far Northern Milling in Mossman because at that time, their main problem was that they weren’t getting enough biomass into the mill,” the Professor explained.

“There was about a 25-per cent feedstock shortfall.

UQ Professor Frederik (Frikkie) Botha led the study

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DECEMBER 2023 – VOLUME45/NUMBER 12

“It is worth noting that although there were significant variations between the genotypes, the bagasse from all of them is a suitable substrate for anaerobic digestion, as well as other lignocellulosic applications such as the production of high-value products and jet fuel through fermentation technologies,” he said.

“Although the high biomass clones had similar tonnes of sucrose per hectare, they were all much worse off than the commercial varieties in recoverable sucrose due to the lower sucrose concentration and higher reducing sugars. Ideally you want both sugar and biomass, but I don’t think that’s an achievable goal.

“The only way you can get high sugar concentration is by slowing growth down; the only time the crop accumulates sugar is when growth is arrested.”

With the peak in the biomass accumulation rate achieved at around six months of sugarcane growth, a re-think of sugarcane cropping and milling systems is necessary if the industry is to consider a move towards high biomass rather that sucrose production. This includes potentially harvesting high biomass varieties much earlier in the season and enhancing mill equipment and processes to make ethanol from cane juice.

However, Professor Botha said significant challenges would need to be overcome.

“We will have to rethink the cropping cycle but in the Far North the devil is in the big wet. When it dumps rain, you just can’t get into the paddock to get the crop out,” he said.

“We got spoiled growing sugarcane for sugar.”

One of the sorghum trials was abandoned due to severe Pokkah boeng disease

“It’s always difficult to move a mature industry into something new.

“It’s a well-established system and if the price is good, you can make money.

“Also, the transition to a non-sucrose production facility for the mills is not that simple. It’s not like you close a few gaps and suddenly you are getting ethanol.”

Sorghum was also looked at as a potential complementary feedstock, however the results weren’t promising.

One trial crop even had to be abandoned due to being severely affected by Pokkah boeng disease.

Professor Botha said the main issues, though, are tropical seasonal weather patterns and integrating the crop into the milling system.

“Sorghum has many uses, including food from its grains, feed from its leaves, fibre from its bagasse, and fuel from its sugary juice,” he said. “This presents an opportunity to increase ethanol production and feedstock.

“One of the main challenges of growing sorghum in tropical areas is its tendency to flower early due to minimal variation in day-length, which supresses biomass accumulation.

“Incorporating new crops into the existing sugarcane milling infrastructure and partitioning

feedstocks for both fuel and sugar during normal sugarcane processing also remains challenging.

“One thing that was crystal clear from the research was that you can’t bring sorghum into the front end of a sugarcane season.

“In my mind, rather than bringing sorghum into the production system, it would be more beneficial to bring in higher biomass cane and cut it earlier in the cropping cycle.”

Despite the challenges, Professor Botha remains confident that high biomass varieties—as well as other potential plant species—do have a place in the future of Australia’s sugarcane industry.

“The biofuels market size is expected to grow from 1.80 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2023 to 2.32 million barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2028.

“Bagasse and juice can be better exploited to derive more economic value than with the current focus at Australian sugarcane mills.

“It’s definitely going to be a viable option because it’s a renewable energy source and if you’re in marginal growing conditions, you can potentially make more money from an energy-based system than a sucrose-focused one.”

THE FUTURE IS COMING: BIOCOMMODITIES ON THE RISE IN MACKAY

BY KIRILI LAMB

There’s a buzz in Mackay and Plane Creek as momentum and enthusiasm grows for diversification of sugarcane-based products.

Precision fermented proteins, biopharmaceuticals, sustainable aviation fuel and bio-plastics manufacturing—and a proposed State Development Area to house it. Within 10 years, but as soon as two, domestic and international biocommodities manufacturers will be establishing in the region, taking the leap from pilot projects to commercialisation.

CANEGROWERS Mackay Chairman Kevin Borg said that the time was ripe for the development of a vibrant biofutures sector that uses sugarcane as its base.

“The idea of value-adding has been discussed many times, certainly over the 40 years I’ve been in the cane growing industry. It’s never quite got there. But now, there is strong political will to see this develop. The industry is getting support from government in terms of policy and action, it’s never looked as positive,” Mr Borg said.

Above: Racecourse Mill

“The manufacturers are looking to the Mackay region because of our stability, capability, and also because more

“We go forward with that same passion to see our growers get a premium for their cane, as the feedstock for any biocommodities.” and more growers are accrediting under Smartcane BMP, which is the cane growers’ sustainability hallmark.

These manufacturers are looking for a transparently sustainable supply chain, from paddock to port.”

Mr Borg sits, along with Mackay District Manager Michelle Martin, on the Greater Whitsunday Biofutures Leaders Group. For quite a few years, this position was filled by the late CANEGROWERS Mackay CEO Kerry Latter.

“Kerry had a great passion for the development of a biofutures sector and worked hard to see it realised for the betterment of the local industry.

The Leaders Group takes in key decision-makers from across the region’s sugar value chain, local and state government, and from regional economic development. Its purpose is to steer and support the development of a biocommodities sector for the region.

The Leaders Group is a flow-on from the State Government’s designation of the Mackay region as appropriate for development as a biocommodities hub in the 2016 Queensland Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan.

In the roadmap, there is particular emphasis on Mackay as a hub for development of a Future Foods sector.

Earlier this year, the Queensland Government called for comment on a proposed 1,019 ha State Development Area around Racecourse Mill at the edge of Mackay city and the nearby Rosella locale.

Kevin Borg MCL Chairman and Dylan Wedel SRA District Manager at LSQ Bioeconomy forum 2022

Future Foods include precision fermented plant-based proteins—in this case milk or egg alternatives that use raw sugar as the feedstock. It is a next-generation fermentation process defined by CSIRO as “a technique in which microbes are genetically reprogrammed to produce specific, customised molecules that can serve as new food ingredients.” A solution for a rapidly growing world population (reaching 9.8 billion people by 2050

according to the United Nations), where traditional protein sources are expected to be unable to meet global demand.

The race is on to scale up production of protein from renewable, low carbon feedstocks—like sugarcane—to complement traditional and other emerging protein sources. The sector is expected to be a $700B market by 2040. Find out more by googling CSIRO Future Protein Mission.

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE ‣

26 At the head of the Greater Whitsunday Biofutures Leaders Group is Kylie Porter, CEO of the regional economic development peak body Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3).

“The Leaders Group brings together those decision-makers around the one table, we tend to leave personal agendas or individual company objectives at the door and talk about how to establish an industry that doesn’t yet exist at scale, globally,” Ms Porter said. “So, some of these are really big conundrums about how we do that.”

“The region-wide approach and this level of collaboration is unusual. It’s not seen widely across the world in this space, and I think that’s sending a really strong signal that this region is ready to embrace a new and emerging industry. That we are willing to do what it takes to get it started.

the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

products to actual commercial scale.

There are a range of huge advantages for the region.”

She sees the emergent industry as part of generational change, particularly important in the context of the larger shifts that are occurring in global industries and economies.

“Our region will transform over the next generation. We will need to think about the transferability of our workforce skills. At the moment we see we have a very large exposure to one industry, the mining sector. Over the next 30-50 years, that exposure to our workforce is going to increase. We need to be mindful of looking for new, emerging industries which link to our strengths, that we can capitalise on in the future,” Ms Porter said.

She added that beyond the need for scientists and precision engineers, the biocommodities sector would need support from a diversity of skills areas.

“The potential around synthetic biology or sustainable aviation fuel is hugely impactful for our regional economy, not just in terms of economic output, but also in terms of skilling. These industries will require a different level of skills, jobs and careers.

“We also need a really strong technical skills base to deliver the product in its end form: our region has developed a really solid reputation for having a world-class workforce in that space.”

“And also, around innovation, it is going to require a whole range of innovative thinking to get some of these new

For growers, Ms Porter felt that these emerging sectors, whether fuel or food, offered industry security.

“It will provide confidence that their product has long-term viability. This is about transforming the future of the industry,” Ms Porter said.

This strategy allows the region’s world class engineering sector to springboard off one of its oldest industries, sugar, and both sectors can enjoy a place in a world economy that is seeking renewable feedstocks like sugarcane to sustain the planet’s needs in terms of food, fibre and fuels.

Mackay region has a long history with diversifying sugar, and Plane Creek Mill is home to the Wilmar Bioethanol distillery, established in 1927 and which produces 60ML of ethanol per year for fuel, pharmaceuticals, printing and food. It also produces 258ML of BioDunder fertiliser and liquid stock feed.

Mackay Sugar’s Racecourse Mill site has housed the QUT-owned and operated Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant for 12 years. Professor Ian O’Hara, QUT Deputy Dean, Faculty of Engineering leads the plant.

“The Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant supports the research and development of new biofuels and bioproducts technologies,” Prof O’Hara said.

“The pilot plant has been operating since 2010 and supported dozens of projects with industry partners from across the sugar industry, Australia and the world. Recently, pilot plant activities have supported the development of a new sustainable aviation fuel technology being developed by Mercurius Biorefining.”

Above: Kylie Porter speaking at the Greater Whitsunday Showcase Right: Prof Ian O’Hara, QUT biocommodities pilot plant

Mercurius Project Manager Eric Seck said his company’s pilot project concluded in June 2023, with research continuing now in the US. However, they are keen to return to the Mackay region, to step up from that pilot phase to a pioneer plant, and a first of its kind test production of carbon negative sustainable aviation fuel, renewable diesel and bioplastics from bagasse.

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE ‣

28

the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

“It turned out, when we really looked at the ecosystem, there was nowhere for these companies to manufacture,” Ms Stansfield said. “So even if we did amazing science, gave robust technology, it didn’t matter because there were no factories.”

With support from the CSIRO venture capital arm Main Sequence from February 2022, Cauldron was established, with a plant in Orange, NSW. The company not only seeks to manufacture and research, but to also build factories for other companies using microbes to “create the new generation of food, feed and fibre”.

Mercurius Pilot Plant Eric Seck, Project Manager Karl Seck President, CEO Nasttaze Naveda Project Engineer

“We want to have the facility site planned and operational as soon as possible. We have plans to go from 100kg to 30 tonne per day, and would like to build in Queensland in 2025-26,” said Mr Seck.

shows outstanding promise in delivering material for diverse and quality bioplastics and foods and are at the stage of seeking funding to commercialise. The owners declined to comment further.

“There are challenges in finding a site, but we hope to establish at or around a sugar mill in the region.

We like bagasse as a feedstock. It has excellent potential as it is aggregated at the mill site, other feedstocks are a challenge because they require transport of low density material.”

Currently, it is the Future Food sector that is preparing to take it’s turn at the QUT Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant. Prof Ian O’Hara said the QUT pilot was looking forward to engaging with the future foods sector.

He said the future for sustainable fuels is “potentially massive” with demand into the billions of litres annually.

Likewise, bioplastic presents a huge market opportunity.

“Bioplastics, such as next generation polymer PEF, derived from FDCA produced from bagasse has use in packaging materials, such as bottles and food. These have superior performance characteristics over the commonly used material PET and are easier to recycle. The market is already large, in the billions of dollars per year and growing.” Mr Seck said.

Local business Townsend Industry has invested heavily in pioneering an exciting and highly precise “separation” process of milling that

“The pilot plant is currently undergoing a major upgrade to support new and emerging technologies including the development of new food products by converting sugar into alternative proteins and fats. Once this upgrade is complete, the pilot plant will have significantly expanded capability to support new product development in the sugar industry for the next decade.”

Cauldron Molecules is an emerging Australian precision fermentation company, that plans to establish a scalable plant in Mackay in the near future. CEO Michele Stansfield said Cauldron had developed building on her experience in precision fermentation research and development with other companies.

Ms Stansfield said that the 25,000L Orange facility was a demonstration plant producing 60t of product per year: “It is the largest publicly available plant south of India.”

The Orange plant was upscaled, and Cauldron are now seeking to establish in a region like Mackay that has all the right synergies for sustainable production.

“We are currently doing a feasibility study and working with the Queensland Government on the potential co-funding of a facility in the Mackay region, of which we would hope to have the first lines functional by the end of 2025.

Speaking at the time of the feasibility study announcement in January 2023, Deputy Premier and State Development Minister Steven Miles said it would be an Asia-Pacific first.

“The proposed $300 million facility will provide the anchor infrastructure Queensland needs to catalyse a new commercial-scale industry, complement the region’s agricultural and manufacturing strengths, protect existing jobs in the sugar industry, diversify the local economy and create new local jobs,” Dr Miles said.

“Queensland can be at the centre of meeting the global demand for food with our strong animal agriculture industries and the natural resources,

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DECEMBER 2023 – VOLUME45/NUMBER 12

Mackay Sugar and its growers’ capabilities sit at the heart of many of these plans.

talented workforce and government commitment to growing the biofutures industry, which includes Future Foods.”

The feasibility study is looking at a 500,000L line facility, but Cauldron is interested, in the longer term, in establishing a four-million litre facility.

Ms Stansfield said that the limiting factor for Cauldron’s production was the availability of sugar, but they were exploring business models that shared the value of the manufactured product.

“We are looking to work with the industry, not just acquiring sugar from it,” she said. “Sugar is $900 a tonne at the moment, but say on average $530 a tonne, where you look at protein, and protein is worth anywhere between $15 and $300 a kilogram, so there’s a huge uplift in the value of that sugar, and we are looking at mechanisms by which we can share that with millers’ and growers’ business mechanisms.”

And it is not just Cauldron that are looking at Mackay’s combination of stable sugar supply, engineering capability, renewable energy, and port facilities. US manufacturer Pivotal Ingredients also announced in July an intention to establish a Mackay facility, aiming for the next two years to commence construction.

Mackay Sugar CEO Jannik Olejas said the sugar industry has a long history within the region, and in the past the industry has been able to adapt and adjust to make the best use of new opportunities when they presented themselves.

“The biofutures space is presenting a potential for diversification and we are excited to explore what lies ahead,” Mr Olejas said.

Jannik Olejas

“The biofutures sector is only just in its infancy and already presents significant opportunities for those willing to be part of it. After many years of generating green electricity via our cogeneration plant, which is exported to the grid and provides energy to approximately one third of Mackay

One of the logistical challenges remains volume of production, although confidence is firm. households each year, Mackay Sugar is proud to contribute to the sectors ongoing development.

“We look forward to partnering with like-minded business and industry to create value, sustainably, across the region.”

“Securing the volume of land under cane has been a priority for us for several years and continues to be something we focus on by trying to engage all relevant stakeholders,” Olejas said.

“The opportunities being brought forward by the bio-futures sector makes this an even more exciting time to be involved in the sugar industry, and whilst there will always be the typical agricultural challenges, the infrastructure we have in place already positions us well for future growth.”

He said it was pleasing to see so many stakeholders actively collaborating to explore the topic of biofutures.

“We believe it to be important that we all appreciate that need to collaborate, which includes “inviting” new people into our industry,” Mr Olejas said.

“We need people with ideas on how to use precision fermentation or produce sustainable aviation fuel—all based on those products that we, growers and millers, know very well how to produce.

This way we shall hopefully succeed in creating value for all who have skin in the game.”

30

the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

GROWING ORGANIC Demand for Australiangrown organic sugar is continuing to rise.

Bundaberg Sugar has been growing, milling and refining organic products for the past five years, after receiving Australian Certified Organic status in 2018. To begin with, it produced 2,000 tonnes per year of Organic Raw Sugar, but to meet demand has recently expanded its organic hectares and product line to include Organic White Sugar.

National Sales Manager Zachary Blowes said the move was to meet global interest in not just organic sugar, but Australian-grown organic sugar.

“The demand is growing for organic sugar that is a Product of Australia,” he said. “We are also certified to other organic standards in the global markets such as the US, Japan and Europe for exports to these countries.”

Mr Blowes believes there is plenty of opportunity for growth in the organic sector. “I believe we need to educate consumers that organic sugar grown here in Australia is readily available in both white and raw varieties,” he said.

“Any businesses looking to expand into new markets involving organics have a great opportunity to purchase a locally-grown product as opposed to an imported product.”

It’s not only Bundaberg Sugar’s organic farms that must meet strict regulations. The milling and refining systems must also comply with special processes to ensure nonorganic and organic sugarcane are kept entirely separate.

“The lengthy conversion from conventional land to certified organic land takes three years,” Zachary said.

“For sugar to be organic, the farm block and production facility have to meet stringent Australian Certified Organic Standard (ACOS) and National Standard for Organic with all inputs and processes to dispatch rigorously assessed by the auditing body.”

Bundaberg Sugar remains the only Australian producer of certified organic sugar.

REPORT YELLOW CRAZY ANTS CALL: 1800 CRAZY ANT P: (07) 4241 0525 | E: yca@wtma.qld.gov.au W: www.weeropics.gov.au/yellow-crazy-ant | Facebook: @ycaweeropics

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DECEMBER 2023 – VOLUME45/NUMBER 12

SHARING THE SUGARCANE STORY CANEGROWERS has hosted several visits from Japanese delegations this year with the most recent being from the Agriculture, Livestock, and Industrial Development Corporation (ALIC), a public agency in Japan under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Mr Hiroyuki Yamazaki, Senior Counsellor and Mr Yuichi Takada, a researcher at ALIC were supported

by Ian Lewis the Principal Consultant from Lewis Agri-Food Chain Solutions

Japanese delegates had the opportunity to discuss farm practices with Board members of Bundaberg CANEGROWERS at Mark Pressler’s farm

based in Adeliade. They met with CANEGROWERS in Brisbane to discuss the Queensland sugar industry and were very impressed with the advocacy work, projects, information and support that CANEGROWERS offers to growers.

The delegation travelled to Bundaberg the next day and met with the Board of Bundaberg CANEGROWERS on Mark Pressler’s farm where they discussed farming practices, irrigation and learned more about sugarcane production and the industry.

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the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

CANEGROWERS REGIONAL ROUND-UP SUPPLIED BY CANEGROWERS DISTRICT OFFICES

MOSSMAN

Harvest week—20

CCS to date—11.74

Tonnes to date— 372,404 (95.49%)

With many months this year receiving well above their monthly average rainfall, we saw a massive dry spell during October with less than half the monthly average rainfall and this has continued into November.

This finally gave the opportunity for cane in the wetter areas to be harvested. Unsurprisingly, the tonnes and CCS were very disappointing from these wetter areas. At a time when tonnes and especially sugar are usually on the increase, the district average reached a high of 11.8CCS mid-September and then began to decline.

The Mossman mill estimate was reduced to 388,000 tonnes of cane and at the week ending 19 November 2023, Mossman mill is at 372,403 tonnes processed with an average of 11.74CCS. The Mossman Tableland growers had supplied 135,910 tonnes of cane for an average of 13.53 CCS. It took until this week (Wk20)

Last bin tipping

to achieve the highest weekly Mossman mill average CCS at 12.48CCS. Mossman mill finished their 2023 crushing with the last bin being tipped on Wednesday 22 November.

Mossman mill hosted another group tour of some Mossman State High School students and teachers from Humanities studies. The group had a tour and got to sample some raw sugar and molasses, while learning how to make sugar

TABLELAND

Harvest week—26

At the time of writing there is a week to go to finish the season.

which has been accredited to poor growing conditions at the end of last season due to wet weather. The season to date CCS is 13.78.

The Tableland Mill has averaged around 29,500 tonnes per week, with a crush rate of close to 180t/hr. There has been a significant decrease in the size of the crop this year, with a reduction of 15%,

Drewe Burgess, the agronomist attached to CANEGROWERS Tableland will be retiring in the new year. Drewe has been a wonderful influence in the cane

and about the history of the 130-year-old Mill.

On the 10 November FNM advised growers that operations for 2024 were no longer assured. Following this on 20 November Daintree Bio Precinct Ltd sent notice that the board would be placing the companies under Voluntary Administration.

Since then, there have been a plethora of meetings and

CCS to date—13.75

industry on the Tablelands for the past decade and will be sorely missed.

The Board and staff of CANEGROWERS Tableland would like to wish everyone a happy and safe festive season.

Drewe Burgess will retire in the new year

endless work to try and secure 2024 operations given growers have already invested over $10 million in the 2024 crop and a number have started forward pricing.

CANEGROWERS Mossman AGM was held on 23 November 2023 where growers were provided with the latest update and discussions were held about further support for milling operations in 2024.

Tonnes to date— 719,948 (91.13%)

33

DECEMBER 2023 – VOLUME45/NUMBER 12

CAIRNS

Harvest week—23

CCS to date—11.95

Tonnes to date— 1,063,617 (90.60%)

The weather has been fine of late, allowing growers to focus on farm works and the anticipated finale of the 2023 season in very early December.

Members took delivery of their bean orders recently and demand for the bean planter is increasing. Unfortunately, the mud spreader is out of action which is not ideal at this time of high demand. We are looking

INNISFAIL

to get this back in the paddock ASAP, but it does require some major works.

CANEGROWERS Cairns Region team members Kasey Lane, Sarah Standen

Harvest week—22

TULLY Final stages of season 2023 have commenced, with 90.5% of estimate cut and 88.6% of area harvested.

Current estimate is 2,545,000 tonnes with 240,900 tonnes remaining. CCS levels are holding up better than anticipated, CCS season to date is at 12.85, with week 26 CCS at 12.98.

The higher than anticipated CCS is partly attributed to the use of crop ripener, which is becoming more popular, particularly in varieties that sucker heavy. The crop ripener

CCS to date—11.64

meetings held over two days continue to be a highly regarded source of information for growers particularly regarding productivity constraints and water quality trends across the district.

At the time of writing the South Johnstone factory has crushed just over 1.15 million tonnes and is scheduled to complete crushing operations on or around Wednesday 6 December.

Despite some light showers, conditions are very dry, which is in stark contrast to the beginning of the season. Overall, planting for the 2024 season has been notably reduced due to early wet weather.

and Director Paul Gregory, supported the National AgDay event hosted by Gilvear Planning held recently in Babinda. This was a wonderful initiative by Gilvear Planning and a successful fundraiser.

The Cassowary Coast Reef Smart Farming team once again held shed meetings across the district. The five scheduled

CANEGROWERS Innisfail Chairman, Joseph Marano was awarded Honorary Life Membership of Terrain NRM at their recent Annual General Meeting. This award acknowledges Joe’s many years of partnering with and service to Terrain including several,

Harvest week—25

CCS to date—12.82

slows sucker growth resulting in higher CCS. Since the start of the season, estimates have fallen from 2,650,000 tonnes, 95.6 tonnes per hectare to 2,545,000 tonnes, 88.4 tonnes per hectare, resulting in a downward trend of 7.5%.

The last 5 weeks have been extremely hot and dry, resulting in a deterioration of ratoons and plant crop for 2024. Much needed rain arrived in the week of 24 November, with variations between 19 and 50mm falling across the district. There will be a rush of people filling to plant cane in the next week as the cane takes advantage of the rain fall.

Joseph Marano was awarded Honorary Life Membership of Terrain NRM

Estimates could even fall further as the remaining cane cut last in 2022 has failed to grow. The remaining cane is a testimony of season length, ideally, ratooning cane needs to be completed by early November to give it the best chance to produce reasonable yield.

On 23 November, CANEGROWERS Tully held their AGM, with special guest CANEGROWERS Senior Manager Matt Keally in attendance outlining advocacy direction and programs for the

Kasey Lane and Sarah Standen celebrating National AgDay in Babinda

Tonnes to date— 1,151,877 (85.54%)

highly successful Reef Water Quality programs.

CANEGROWERS Innisfail Board, management and staff would like to acknowledge the hard work and contribution of our members and their families and congratulate them on another successful season. We would also like to acknowledge MSF Sugar and Mitr Phol for their efforts and continued investment in the local industry. We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Tonnes to date— 2,251,037 (81.56%)

future of farming. Refael Vaya from American Sugar Refinery was also a special quest via Teams. Refael outlined some of the trends in end users of sugar.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank CANEGROWERS members, CANEGROWERS staff and families for their dedication throughout the year and wish everyone a happy and safe holiday period. A special thanks to the harvesting crews and farm staff for their dedication to the cane industry.

34

HERBERT RIVER At the time of writing this report we have approximately five days to the end of the 2023 season in the Herbert.

the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

Harvest week—22

only in the standover cane but have also been affecting standing one year cane and emerging ratoons.

It has been a challenging season due to mill performance and also the area the harvesters have had to cover towards the end of the season.

CANEGROWERS Herbert River and QCGO are working with Sugar Research Australia (SRA) and Herbert Cane Productivity Services to address the rat issue in the Herbert River.

Rats continued to be a problem throughout the season not

CANEGROWERS applied for a permit to apply rat bat

BURDEKIN At the time of writing the Burdekin district still had three out of their four mills in operation with remains of 176,987t left to crush.

Kalamia Mill was the first factory to finish the 2023 season and crushed out its last cane on 18 November and this factory had a great season with a 90% availability. Full marks to Wilmar and it goes to show how critical good mill performance is in achieving a decent season length. For the record, Kalamia Mill crushed 1.51 million tonnes of cane with a provisional CCS of 14.3 units.

In view of Kalamia Mill finishing much earlier than the other three mills, CANEGROWERS Burdekin had asked Wilmar to transfer more cane and keep Kalamia Mill open to process cane from the other mill areas to optimise district crushing capacity. Wilmar offered to keep Kalamia Mill open after it

CCS to date—13.01

aerially via helicopter or UAV to regrowing ratoon crops across the district and this permit has been granted by Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).

The growers in the district now have a number of options for applying RATTOFF. SRA is also trialling four different flavours of RATTOFF to see if they can find a more

Tonnes to date— 3,839,198 (95.98%)

effective coating, so the baits are more readily consumed by the rats.

CANEGROWERS Herbert River has contacted the Agriculture Minister’s office to request a visit from the Minister to the district to inspect the rat damage and discuss the widespread losses sustained by growers in the district.

Tonnes to date— 7,573,621 (93.50%)

Harvest week—24

CCS to date—14.72

has crushed out its own cane, to process cane transfer from other mill areas in the Burdekin subject to certain volume thresholds being achieved and maintained. We advised Wilmar that the absence of a cartage subsidy as part of the overall transfer proposal solution rendered the transfer solution to be deficient in terms of its overall effectiveness.

Burdekin Bowen Integrated Floodplain Management Advisory Committee (BBIFMAC) held their AGM on 2 November followed by a field trip, and it was good to get an update on their activities. BBIFMAC is another great organisation doing some important work on behalf of the local agricultural community. We also caught up with representatives of Wilmar Marketing who provided a product, performance and market update and pleasingly Wilmar’s outlook on global sugar prices remained positive which is good for grower and industry confidence.

Grower Consultation at the Clare Club on 24 November and there are further upcoming meetings on number of water issues and reviews in the short term.

The QSL STL insourcing battle came to a head at the STL AGM in Brisbane on 22 November which CBL sent several representatives along to attend to ensure active growers have a say on these important industry assets. CANEGROWERS Burdekin also attended a Sunwater QCA Price Path

CANEGROWERS Burdekin would like to wish all of our members a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Thank you for your ongoing support and loyalty which is appreciated, and we look forward to being of continuing service to you for the 2024 season and beyond.

Inkerman Mill was due to finish on 28 November, Invicta Mill on 29 November and Pioneer Mill on 2 December but rain had started to fall so hopefully the heavens don’t open up too much and we can get the remaining crop off by these dates, or worst case shortly thereafter. These factories should have finished earlier, but unfortunately issues with mill performance have cost growers valuable crushing time and days count dearly particularly if it rains which then compounds the problem.

Growers please note that the number of compliance audits

by DES has increased as the government has employed more resources in this area which is now being reflected in increased audit activity. Please ensure you get into the habit of - good record keeping at the time of application, getting your soil tests done, completing your N&P budget and applying the correct amount of nutrients.

35

DECEMBER 2023 – VOLUME45/NUMBER 12

PROSERPINE

Harvest week—23

With dry conditions persisting, the estimate was again revised down to 1.7 million tonnes with 1.57 million tonnes, 92%, crushed by 26 November.

optimal with average CCS at 15.43 for the second to last week in November. This taking the to-date average CCS to 14.48 for the mill, slightly higher than the initial season estimate.

There remains concern that poor late season milling performance and a wet season fast approaching, would again result in more than the planned stand-over. Crush rates were under pressure over the month of November with both internal and external factors contributing to milling challenges.

A temporarily closed Queensland Rail line, resulting in a ‘sugar up’, and electricity cuts were two such factors that contributed to the loss of valuable crush days.

However, given the dry weather, harvesting conditions remained

Both CANEGROWERS Proserpine and Sugar Services Proserpine (SSP) AGMs were held on 13 November.

These were well attended, and the support of members was highly appreciated. The attendees also included representatives from Wilmar Sugar and QSL and provided some interesting discussions around investments in the mill and continued negotiations between the CANEGROWERS Board and Wilmar. The Board also held their last meeting for the year and will be resuming duties in January 2024.

Kelsey Creek Water and Six Mile Creek Irrigators

CCS to date—14.45

Cooperatives also held their AGMs on 16 November. These both being administered by CANEGROWERS Proserpine.

Sugar Research Australia (SRA) held a Weed and Pest Update at CANEGROWERS on 22 November. This was also followed with a Disease Management Information session on 28 November. There also remains growing interest in the low-cost irrigation probes that are being promoted by SRA which is encouraging.

Further interest in expanding on-farm irrigation systems is being supported by the QRIDA Drought Preparedness Loan.

With the support of QCGO, many growers have been able to secure significant amounts of grant funding to supplement the purchase and installation of various forms of irrigation infrastructure.

Tonnes to date— 1,514,308 (88.04%)

An ACDC Chemical course was organised and hosted by CANEGROWERS Proserpine on 1 November. This formed part of the Smartcane BMP program to ensure growers were able to access accreditation as required.

CANEGROWERS Proserpine also said goodbye to Executive Officer Sarah Addis. New Executive Officer, Bronte Proctor, will be continuing to serve and support the organisations that service our local grower community and the Proserpine Sugar Industry at large.

CANEGROWERS Proserpine office will be closed from Monday 25 December until Friday 5 January 2024. The CANEGROWERS team would like to wish growers a safe and well deserved break this festive season.

MACKAY

Harvest week—25

CCS to date—13.63

Tonnes to date— 4,275,152 (80.04%)

PLANE CREEK

Harvest week—23

CCS to date—14.20

Tonnes to date— 1,072,772 (76.63%)

With both Mackay and Plane Creek lagging behind most of Queensland’s sugar industry the prospect of cutting right up to and beyond Christmas is looking increasingly likely at the time of writing.

Creek, along with the District Manager have been in frequent discussions with both millers on the subjects of mill performance and equity.

Hopes for an earlier finish are pinned on a Daily Double of the onset of rains holding off and mill performance, which has by and large been sadly lacking again across the 2023 crush.

CANEGROWERS Harvest Management representatives in both Mackay and Plane

It is vital that growers maintain a strong and united voice to keep our regional industry strong.

There has also been discussions with NHVR regarding an extended crush and permits for oversize vehicles during the Christmas curfew. While reluctant, NHVR have urged that clearance permit applications need to be submitted by 1 December to

Photo by Kirili Lamb: Aerial view of the Pioneer Valley

be sure of processing prior to the Curfew.

CANEGROWERS Mackay have communicated this among the local membership through updates and urge anyone who considers they may still need to apply, to act promptly.

Any growers requiring assistance with any issues are encouraged to call 4944 2600 to get the ball rolling on a solution. Keep an eye on our Facebook page, The Billet and weekly District Manager Updates for emerging training and industry opportunities.

36

the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

BUNDABERG

Harvest week—25

The 2023 crushing season finished on Tuesday 7 November crushing a total of 989,298 tonnes for the season.

The Bundaberg CANEGROWERS board met with the new Bundaberg Sugar Cane Supply Manager, Michael Green, who has taken over the role from Matthew Curtis. We wish Matt well in his new role with Bundaberg Walkers Ltd (Foundry) and look forward to working with Michael into the future.

The season average CCS was 14.7449 and the assigned area Relative average CCS was 15.0570. The highest CCS result for the season was 19.50 units for Q208A old ratoon.

These high CCS results can be attributed to the prolonged dry weather experienced in the Southern region.

There were a few setbacks during the season affecting crushing and our assessment was that mill availability was approximately 94%. We would like to thank Mill Manager Rob Zahn, Cane Supply Manager Matt Curtis and all mill staff on a job well done.

ISIS The district has finally received some muchneeded rain with most areas recording a good couple of inches. Fire restrictions have been lifted and the cane is responding well.

The final bin of the 2023 crushing was tipped at 5:16pm on Wednesday 8th November.

The total tonnes crushed for the season was 1,084,257 tonnes.

The Isis share was 734,309 tonnes with a YTD CCS of 14.87 The highest individual CCS for the season was recorded during week 17 by Bud and Lindy Harris from Wallaville at 18.91 for some 3R Q208.

At the time of writing, 20 November, we have received rainfall across the district, the local fire ban is coming to an end and fire permits and conditions returned to normal.

We hope the steady showers of rain continue to avoid further dry conditions and restrictions.

On behalf of the Bundaberg Sugar industry we would like to thank Bruce Thompson, Area Director Bundaberg QFES, for his continued support and understanding with local fire

Harvest week—21

We announced the appointment of Letitia Taylor to the CANEGROWERS Isis board.

Letitia, together with her husband Paul and parents-in-law Col and Jan, farm on their property located at Cordalba. Letitia comes to the board with diverse skills including agronomic qualifications as well as farm business owner experience.

Our board now consists of three male and two female directors.

The Office has been kept busy with tariff assessments, arranging individual fire permits, reconciling end of crush and trash bale reports, enquires about the new Business Energy Saving rebates & drought preparedness grants and preparing for the AGM.

CCS to date—14.75

ban restrictions that reduce impact to the industry.

Now is the time to consider the use of a legume crop to fix some additional nitrogen for the following season’s crop.

There is also the advantage that the nitrogen from the legumes does not need to be counted in the Nitrogen and Phosphorus budget that every grower is required to have prior to applying fertiliser to a cane crop, including planting an autumn crop. To find out suitable varieties and other information about soybeans including marketing and harvesting, contact Matthew Leighton on 4151 2555 or 0437 084 035.

Growers are reminded that there are restrictions for moving vehicles wider than 2.5m during the Christmas period. If growers think they

CCS to date—14.86

Our Elf on the Shelf has made their annual visit to the office.

Tonnes to date— 989,198 (100.00%)

will be travelling on critical roads between Christmas and New Year, they need to apply for permits to travel. Further information about times and locations can be found in the Bundaberg CANEGROWERS Newsletter. For assistance, please contact Matthew Leighton on 0437 084 035.

Planning for 2024 Season is underway and growers will be kept informed via email, newsletter and meetings where required. If you are not on our email list and would like to be, please contact the office on 4151 2555 or send an email to bdb_office@bdbcanegrowers. com.au.

Finally, we wish you all a safe and Merry Christmas and hope you find some time to spend with your family and friends.

Tonnes to date— 737,238 (100.00%)

37

DECEMBER 2023 – VOLUME45/NUMBER 12

MARYBOROUGH 2023 season finished on 8 November with a total from the southern portion of almost 350,000.

The feeling around the district has been relief, for actually finishing well before Christmas. with conditions drying out extensively in October, the size of the crop fell away but CCS remained high even through the last week of the crush.

Harvest week—21

CCS to date—14.34

Tonnes to date— 346,408 (100.00%)

There was a lot of fertilising activity just before this rain so the crop should certainly get a good kick along for next year.

Fingers crossed the follow up rain needed is not far away.

In a positive sign for 2024, planning is underway to have an earlier draft harvest roster being worked on collaboratively with harvest groups early in 2024.

guest attendees and speakers with Robyn Devine attracting a lot of attention after her presentation on communication and the future.

The sugar price has held near record positions for most of the season and the long term picture is positive.

Planting activity this year has refreshed the crop, but there is good opportunity for planting expansion in the next few years.

The Maryborough Office will close for the Christmas break from 22 December and reopen on 2 January 2024. Manager Cameron Waterson will be on leave from 18 December and returning 29 January 2024.

Irrigation activity was starting to crank up until the welcome rain for the week of 20 November.

CANEGROWERS met with mill and transport representatives on 8 November to review the successes and issues for the fleet through this season.

Certainly growers have reported a smoother operation this year, even though the season started poorly due to maintenance delays on the trailers.

ROCKY POINT

Harvest week—13

CCS to date—13.88

As of week 13, 19 November, the Rocky Point Mill has crushed a total of 157,403 tonnes of cane at a season average CCS of 13.9.

To the midway point of the harvest, the crop fell 10% on average from the original estimate, largely due to the dry conditions experienced over the year. Our estimate has dropped from 276,000 to approximately 247,000 tonnes.

We have yet to determine the estimated cessation of crushing date, but anticipate it being the week before Christmas, the weather will play its part in the conclusion of the crush.

We are still trying to prioritise the two year old cane, as much of it won’t make three year old.

The end of season meeting was held on 17 November with a good roll up. Our thanks to the

Given that we are some 400mm below our yearly rainfall average,

We wish all the growers and their families a very merry Christmas for 2023 and a prosperous 2024.

Tonnes to date— 157,390 (59.39%)

there is a high chance we will see some wet weather. The district has had approximately 85mms of rain in the last month, which has helped but we still need regular rainfall to establish the crop for next year.

38

SHOWCASING THE LATEST AGTECH

the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

This is a brief summary of some of the machines on show.

BY CHRIS GILLITT On the rich and fertile soils of Gatton, farmers from all over Queensland eagerly immersed themselves in a festival of technology and innovative ideas at the Gatton AgTech Showcase.

The Gatton Smart Farm aims to accelerate the adoption of agtechnologies by creating an ecosystem enabling co-innovation between industry, research community and AgTech solution providers.

FarmDroid is a solar-driven robot that can seed and weed a field autonomously! It uses highprecision GPS to mark the exact placement of the crop. When it returns to perform mechanical weed control, it cleans between and inside the crop rows by recalling and avoiding each individual plant (i.e., where the crop is expected to be).

While the showcase was primarily aimed at the horticulture sector, it is exciting to “look over the fence” and see the innovations and techniques being developed and ultimately producing practical solutions demonstrated in the field.

In the machinery and equipment realm there were solutions in two categories of weed management—mechanical cultivation and chemical control.

Within each of these, the approaches and application of technology varied.

Some were specialised implements drawn by tractors, others were selfdrive units. Some made use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), or machine learning to do the job and adapt to conditions.

They were all operated on the day and demonstrated their capabilities to the amazement of visitors.

While many of these investments in mechanical innovation may be best suited to intensive and high-value cropping, the lessons being learned as they become more mainstream will certainly provide opportunities to adapt and apply to broadacre crops such as sugarcane. These approaches

ROBOTTI is an autonomous, multipurpose tool carrier, which means it can be mounted with a variety of implements. It can perform tasks such as precision seeing, weeding, harrowing, ridging, and spraying. It is designed for long working hours and can run for up to 60 hours before refueling!

will ultimately unlock and enable more widespread application, such as for precision agriculture applications.

Robotics and automation coupled with Machine Learning and AI methods could combat labour shortages and free up management time for less routine tasks. The frontiers are even more broad when also considering the impact that could be achieved

FarmDroid is a solar-driven robot that can seed and weed a field autonomously! It uses highprecision GPS to mark the exact placement of the crop. When it returns to perform mechanical weed control, it cleans between and inside the crop rows by recalling and avoiding each individual plant (i.e., where the crop is expected to be).

SwarmFarm Robotics uses “swarmbots” which are best described as a robot-tractor that can be used in a range of applications (with the ability of attaching a range of implements). With its precise guidance system, it can perform operations suitable for precision agriculture. In the application demonstrated at Gatton, the robot was following a path and running a smart spot-sprayer for weed control.

The Flux AI assisted spot-sprayer is trained to recognize the crop being sprayed and activates solenoids to shoot herbicide onto weeds that are growing in the cropped beds (while recognising and avoiding the crop!). As it travels down the rows, the sound from the solenoids firing lets you know that the weeds are under attack!

from bioengineering—on the input side (e.g., for improved varieties, or for control of pests, diseases, and weeds), and on the output side (e.g., for alternative products).

The Gatton Smart Farm facility hosted an AgTech Showcase, organised by Hort Innovation and the Queensland Government.

39

DECEMBER 2023 – VOLUME45/NUMBER 12

TIME-HONOURED JOINT VENTURE

The Dockery brothers forged a farming partnership over more than half a century, with a Don-Mizzi harvester their consistent third wheel.

For well over five decades, James and John Dockery, pictured above, together grew and harvested sugarcane on the steep slopes of their Goldsborough Valley farm. The countless hours working side by side cemented their brotherly bond, while from 1967, there was a third mainstay: a Don-Mizzi tractor-mounted harvester.

The machine remains in working condition and for John, it evokes memories of his late brother. James, who died earlier this year, was the harvester operator and also zealously maintained it.

The Don-Mizzi mounted harvester was designed by the late Laurence Mizzi of Ingham.

James and John Dockery, James was the sole operator of the harvester over the time it was in service.

“I’d be driving beside him with the bin,” John explained. “Because the blocks are so steep, we had to cut all one way. He (James) spent a lot of time in that harvester and he almost slept with it. You can see it’s been looked after. He’d spend all week in the seat and then every Saturday, he’d spend all day washing it and servicing it. He deserves a medal. Without him, the job wouldn’t have been done.”

While the tractor paint remains original, other parts of the machine were custom modified many years ago.

An extractor was fitted in late 1967 and the tractor itself then needed an

upgrade. In 1972 it was fitted with a Fiat 1000 motor and turbo to manage the requirements of both the extractor and the landscape.

“It was hungry for power,” John said.

“We never had enough horsepower and we were the first to put a Fiat 1000 on a Mizzi. Others were putting on auxiliary motors but they were attached to the side and the king pin would break all the time. We said no, we’re not going to do that, so we put the Fiat 1000 on and everybody said we were foolish. But we never looked back. Fiats are always good for power, they’re underestimated.”

The new horsepower led to the need for a wider elevator on the harvester to cope with the volume of billets.

The larger size of the engine also necessitated a requirement for an extension to the topper “Soot from the topper would fall on the radiator,” John explained. “So, we extended the topper arm and also turned the radiator vent to the side to prevent it being covered and blocked.”

After 51 years of unbroken service, the harvester was retired when John and James called time on their farming careers in 2018.

40

the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

98% GROWER REACCREDITATION IS WHY SMARTCANE BMP IS HERE TO STAY Australian agriculture is a vibrant and vital sector, contributing significantly to the nation’s economy and global food supply.

In recent years, the ag industry has recognised the importance of diversity and best management practice programs in achieving sustainable growth and success.

Australia’s sugar cane industry has evolved by adapting to the changing demands and challenges of the modern world. Today, cane growers face a new set of challenges, including the need to embrace diversity in all its forms, both in the field and within their farming practices.

Best Management Practice (BMP) programs have become an integral part of Australian agriculture by providing a framework for growers to demonstrate and implement sustainable and responsible farming practices that are adaptable to their farming system. BMPs are designed to address environmental, social, and economic challenges faced by an industry, ultimately leading to increased efficiency and productivity. These programs are no longer a moral obligation but a pathway to a stronger and more sustainable agricultural sector.

Smartcane BMP is more than a BMP program but is a comprehensive approach that empowers sugarcane growers to maximize productivity while minimizing environmental impacts. It provides farmers with a toolkit of principles and practices, allowing them to implement tailored strategies based on their unique circumstances. The program covers various aspects, including land and soil management, water quality, and farm productivity, all aimed at achieving sustainability and compliance with stringent environmental regulations.

Re-accreditation in Smartcane BMP is important for growers and the industry, as it signifies a commitment to demonstrating best practices and a dedication to the environment. To maintain accreditation, growers undertake a Smartcane audit every 5 years.

This safeguards the industry to stay ahead in the adoption of sustainable practices, benefits from the latest technologies, and remains competitive in the global market.

Greater than 95% grower retention in the Smartcane BMP program demonstrates the industry’s commitment to best management practices by upholding high

standards of sustainability and environmental stewardship. High levels of grower reaccreditation elevate Australian sugar access to vital markets, both domestically and internationally. Many consumers, end users and key stakeholders now demand proof of good practices, and dwindling renewals could result in missed business opportunities.

The Australian sugarcane industry continues to thrive sustainably and ethically, and Smartcane BMP is instrumental in ensuring this. Reaccreditation retention is the linchpin holding this commitment together, highlighting the ongoing dedication of growers to responsible farming practices. As the world looks to agriculture to address pressing environmental concerns, such as climate change and water quality, the Smartcane BMP program, with its high reaccreditation retention, positions our industry as a leader in agriculture, setting an example for others to follow.

CANEGROWERS delivers the Smartcane BMP project (2022-2026) with funding from the Queensland Government’s Reef Water Quality Program and CANEGROWERS.

41

DECEMBER 2023 – VOLUME45/NUMBER 12

DIVERSIFICATION AND SUGAR PLUS Sustainability & Environment

BY MICK QUIRK Most nations around the world have committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

To meet this ambitious goal, alternative sources of hydrocarbons will be needed, especially for heavy vehicle fuels and the production of plastics. Guided by the Sugar Plus Initiative, the Queensland sugarcane industry is evolving and diversifying to become an essential producer of these critical new products.

Biofuels are critical to reducing emissions. While electric vehicles receive much attention, there are many vehicles and modes of transport for which electrification is not a viable solution in the short term. This includes farm vehicles, where electric tractors are mostly small and unsuitable for broadacre agriculture. Hydrogen tractors are estimated to be a long way off. The aviation industry is also looking for sustainable alternatives to their current fuel, with the frontrunner being sustainable aviation fuel made from sugar.

Furthermore, regular light vehicles make up a significant portion of emissions, and not everyone can afford to switch to electric cars overnight. It is becoming increasingly clear that we need to reduce emissions more quickly than anticipated, and people will need an alternative to fossil fuels for their internal combustion engine cars within the next twenty years.

The Queensland sugarcane industry could also provide feedstock for the development of bioplastics. Plastic pollution is a significant environmental concern, and microplastics have been found in the bloodstreams of animals. Sugar offers an ideal feedstock for alternative “bioplastics” that function similarly but break down much faster in the natural environment.

The demand for these sustainable products is predicted to be substantial. As a result, the sugar industry is wellpositioned to play a pivotal role in providing the necessary feedstock for these products, thereby boosting its economic potential.

To make these possibilities a reality, strong policy action and coordination are necessary. This is where the Sugar Plus vision comes in. National planning for industrial-scale projects ensures reliability and efficiency across the supply chain, supporting the commercial viability of major projects.

Sugar Plus outlines precisely what is needed, who should do what, and when it should happen. Key stakeholders, including growers represented by CANEGROWERS, the mills, and state and federal governments, have all signed on and agreed to their roles in the short, medium, and long term to support increased production of alternative products like biofuels and bioplastics.

In the meantime, several exciting projects are taking shape in the Mackay and Burdekin regions. In Mackay, Townsend Industries are developing a range of biopackaging from sugarcane, with the support of the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia, while the QUT Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant aims to develop commercially viable biofuels and biocommodity products and boost regional biomanufacturing. These initiatives are supported by the Queensland government, which recently announced that investigations are underway to identify a State Development Area for “biofutures,” with a development scheme to be drafted in 2024.

The State government has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Qantas to develop the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry in Queensland. Licella has since received funding to establish a biorefinery in the Burdekin region, aiming to transform sugarcane tops and trash into military-grade sustainable aviation fuel.

Sugar Plus is poised to support more innovative projects like these, paving the way for new industries that will not only benefit the Queensland sugarcane industry but also contribute to a greener and more sustainable future for all Australians.

The merit of Queensland sugarcane as a sustainable source for biofuels and bioplastics is further evidenced when growers become certified in Smartcane BMP. This sends a clear message that your farms are managed in a manner that reduces farm emissions of greenhouse gasses and decreases the risk of impacts on downstream environments.

42

the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

AMERICAN SUGAR REFINING SUSTAINABILITY AUDITS Membership Engagement & Innovation

BY MATT KEALLEY CANEGROWERS has taken proactive steps over the last five years to understand the sustainability and ESG drivers for sugar from our international customers and ensure that Smartcane BMP can deliver against these ever changing needs.

The strategy is to get access to premium markets, leverage premiums and make our sugar the first consideration for buyers because we can prove our sustainability credentials.

This work is paying off.

American Sugar Refining (ASR Group) who are the largest cane sugar refiner in the world buy Queensland sugar through the US Quota and more recently under the UK Free Trade Agreement via their UK subsidiary Tate & Lyle.

The ASR Group has a 100% sustainable sugar commitment and when they make this claim, they require their raw sugar suppliers to be certified against an internationally recognised sustainability standard such as Bonsucro, Proterra, SAI-FSA or Fairtrade, or the raw sugar produced at a mill has been verified in accordance with the ASR Group due diligence process. This means the mill and a sample of the supplying farms have been subject to a third-party audit within three years. Smartcane BMP certification has been acknowledged as a means to meet this commitment.

In September 2023, ASR conducted third-party social verification audits in the Burdekin, Tully, Innisfail and Tableland districts with the respective mills and three Smartcane BMP accredited growers from each district.

CANEGROWERS has been working with ASR Group since 2017 and have facilitated ASR’s requests to undertake social verification audits in Queensland to demonstrate the sustainability credentials of Queensland sugar underpinned by the Smartcane BMP program.

Rafael Vaya, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at ASR travelled from the US to shadow the audits in the Tableland district this year. He also met with CANEGROWERS, mills and growers as part of the visit.

The ASR Group recognise Smartcane BMP as a verification for their sustainable sourcing needs for sugar at the farm level and are wanting to work with CANEGROWERS on further sustainable sourcing opportunities and Green House Gas reporting that could be supported by Smartcane BMP certification.

Next Ratoon mentoring program Mentee applications for the Next Ratoon mentoring program closed on 1 December 2023. The program will connect eager and aspiring young growers with experienced and knowledgeable mentors from both inside and outside the industry.

If you would you like to be part of CANEGROWERS Next Ratoon Program as a mentor get in touch via www.nextratoon.com.au or send an email to nextratoon2024@canegrowers.com.au

43

DECEMBER 2023 – VOLUME45/NUMBER 12

VALUE ADDING IS COMPLEX Industry & Farm Inputs

BY BURN ASHBURNER While on leave I met up with a recently retired friend who has been CEO of sugar milling organisations in Africa and the pacific.

He asked me if Australia was still very focused on diversification of the sugarcane industry. Of course, I said we were and a lot was happening in that space. His comment was that to him from his retirement in Africa “everyone except the sugar industry itself seems vitally interested in diversification in Australia”. Why would he make this observation?

The Queensland Government has promoted the sugarcane industry as having all this wonderful renewable sustainable feedstock which can be turned into a multitude of products.

This is true and the QUEENSLAND BIOFUTURES 2016-2026 10-Year Roadmap has attracted a lot of interest over the last seven years. This has been aided by other government initiatives and there is no doubt government strategic direction is clear. Maybe significant enabling policies will follow.

In general, the demand for renewable, sustainable products using sugarcane as feedstock is increasing i.e. sustainable aviation fuel. We also hear that there are significant dollars available for investment if there is a reduction in the carbon footprint and a financial return. Added to this many of the products from sugarcane can be produced with available technology.

So, government and non-industry stakeholders (researchers and technology providers) have good reason to talk up sugarcane as a feedstock.

As an industry there is perhaps not an obvious consolidated coordinated whole of industry approach. This is probably manifested in the slow implementation of Sugar Plus.

However some of the slow progress could be because there is a level of competition between grower and grower (mill area versus mill area) and between milling companies, i.e. which area or mill company can attract the viable option first and add value. Thus, sharing information is limited.

There is also the relationship between millers and growers.

Are they working together or working in isolation? This is different in each mill area however it just seems logical that value adding with millers and growers working together would provide an advantage over working in isolation.

The sugarcane industry itself has developed the Sugar Plus Roadmap launched in July 2022. This talks about better business as usual (based on raw sugar which is still seen as the backbone of the industry), adding value across the industry with diversified uses of sugarcane in the medium term and ending up building a future sugarcane bioeconomy in the longer term.

Millers and growers have current skin in the game and any change must add value however the experience to date seems to be that viability will rely on some form of policy. For example, currently there is a demand for sustainable aviation fuel from sugarcane feedstock but the production cost is, I understand, about four times the cost of fossil-based aviation fuel. There are, however, significant environmental benefits. The challenge for policy makers is to turn this environmental benefit into something tangible to add to the viability.

This magazine has showcased a number of viewpoints and initiatives and thus my take is that my friend is wrong in that the industry is vitally interested. Maybe we could do things better.

CANEGROWERS is committed to working with the whole industry to advance Sugar Plus and the value-add opportunities.

44

the official magazine of australia's sugarcane industry

ELECTRICAL SAFETY A WIDE ARC OF RESPONSIBILITY— NOT JUST GROWERS CANEGROWERS Legal Advisor

BY CHRIS COOPER Queensland government legislation imposes a whole range of duties and responsibilities on persons and entities in an attempt to manage electrical safety. Death or injury and loss and damage to property can be serious consequences of failing to meet the required electrical safety standards.

Both the Electrical Safety Act and the Work Health and Safety Act impose duties on persons who conduct a business or undertaking to ensure the safety of their workers and others.

Growers are subject to those requirements and there have been numerous prosecutions against farmers in recent years for failing in their duty to ensure the electrical safety of their workers. Significant fines have been imposed.

It is not just growers that have responsibilities. Many licensed and unlicensed electrical contractors have been fined for similar offences. The Electrical Safety Act also imposes safety duties on designers, manufacturers, importers, suppliers, installers, repairers and persons in control of electrical equipment.

The network operators and providers Energex and Ergon also have safety obligations as a recent prosecution shows.

On 20 October 2023, Ergon was sentenced in court for failing to comply with its duty under the Electrical Safety Act to ensure its works were electrically safe.

In this case workers on a farm were picking pineapples using a harvester. The harvester came in contact with or was very close to an overhead power line. Tragically one worker died, and a number of others were seriously injured.

It was established during the investigation that the power line had sagged mainly as a result of a problem with Ergon’s infrastructure namely a broken stay wire. Ergon was fined $300,000 plus legal and court costs.

If growers have concerns about sagging Ergon wires and associated safety concerns then they should report it in writing to Ergon.

This recent case may encourage those responsible for erecting and maintaining electrical infrastructure to ensure it is properly maintained.

There is much information available to help growers meet their electrical safety standards. CANEGROWERS makes available the CANEGROWERS Workplace Health and Safety Guide for sugar cane farms which includes links to other materials such as Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2020— Electrical Equipment Rural Industry.

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.

45

DECEMBER 2023 – VOLUME45/NUMBER 12

VALE ROBERT (BOB) MARSH CANEGROWERS lost an industry stalwart on 1 November when Robert Thomas Marsh aged 87 passed away in Townsville. Robert, better known as Bob, worked at the Herbert River office from 19 May 1969 until 12 February 1988.

Always passionate for the industry, Bob provided advocacy and service to the growers in the Herbert as an Executive Officer, before becoming

Left to right—BACK: Mike Lacey, Alan Antcliffe, Sharon Fighera, Maria Battoraro.

FRONT: Leona Gangemi, Sue Beccaris, Leanne Bonassi, Bob Marsh

Manager from 1977 until 1988.

Bob took over from John Kenny and was replaced by Peter Sheedy after his departure in 1988.

CANEGROWERS passes on condolences to his wife Janet, his sons, Geoffrey and Brian (known as BJ) and their families including four grandchildren. Bob Marsh

THEN GET THE CELLI SPIKE ROTOR. The removal of UK tariffs for Australian sugar following Brexit has sent demand and prices skyrocketing. So, calculate how much your returns and income would increase by switching to sugar production, then get a Celli Spike Rotor, proven to produce a better performing crop with: Better performance in heavy and wet soils

Angled boron steel spikes to penetrate the ground deeply

Non-panning, unlike an ordinary rotary hoe

Even more effective when combined with the Celli (Combovator) bed former

“The cane grows higher when I use the spikes rotor because it doesn’t pan” - Len Collins, Cane Farmer, Tully Don’t wait. Take full advantage of the sugar boom with the Celli Spike Rotor and Celli Bed Former

1800 327 642 | +613 8001 3015 | sales@farmgard.com.au | farmgard.com.au/sugar

Want a free Esky? and 50% off your first set of blades Scan here Purchase your Spike Rotor by March 2024

46

CLASSIFIEDS FIRST 5 LINES FREE* FOR CANEGROWERS MEMBERS!

Book online 24/7 at www.canegrowers.com au or email us at ads@canegrowers.com.au Next deadline is 13 December 2023 MOSSMAN–TULLY Bonel whole stick harvester / Double fan cane stripper / Four trailers. Ph: 07 4056 1742.

1956 International Super AMD Tricycle Tractor– good condition–Tully Mill Area–$3,000 ONO. Ph: 0428 850 214.

Great Plains 6m 3PL planter, currently set up for zonal planting however have all units for solid planting, $25,000 + GST. Hodge 5.5m (18ft) roller, has done little work since purchased new in 2016, $12,000 + GST. Gason VHD 10ft twin rotor slasher, centre mount, square back, $12,000 + GST. Ph: Peter 0427 976 416.

Ferguson TE20, Petrol/Kero model, $3,300.

Text or phone after 7pm on 0407 144 637 or 0402 686 714.

Fiat 640 high-rise tractor with 600lt rear tank & 100lt front tank. 680mm clearance, all electric pumps, LED work lights and head lights.

Registered. 5790 hrs. Ph: 0428 401 115.

2 x 480/70R34 tractor tyres. 5 years old. 95% rubber. 1 tyre needs minor repair. $1,000 (inc GST) for both tyres. Ph: 0408 728 072 (Tully).

Hydraulic Spraying Machine–High Rise Diesel Motor, 1600 litre stainless steel tank $25,000 + GST. Ph: Tim 0428 183 307.

Tatu heavy duty 25 plate offset 2021 model new condition. Ph: 0439 965 921.

USED/NEW MACHINERY FOR SALE SECONDHAND 8970 JOHN DEERE TRACTOR NEW CYCLONE SLASHER/MULCHER All machines located in Ingham.

DIESEL FITTER POSITION AVAILABLE PARTS MANAGER POSITION AVAILABLE Contact us via phone or email for further information.

SNG Machinery Sales

90 Origlasso St, Ingham

07 4776 6003 (Parts) 07 4776 1066 (Sales) admin@sngmachinerysales.com www.sngromano.net.au

* As a FREE service to CANEGROWERS members, Australian Canegrower will print suitable classified advertisements UP TO 5 LINES FREE, FOR ONE ISSUE ONLY. A charge of $5. 50 will apply for each extra line or part thereof. A charge will apply for advertising of non-cane growing activities. Advertisements must relate exclusively to cane farming activities, such as farm machinery, etc. Advertisements from non-members are charged at $11 per line incl GST. Only prepaid ads will be accepted.

Toft 6000 harvester $20k Liquaforce 5 row applicator $25k stainless steel 25000L tanker on tandem axle trailer $15k 10 tonne side tipper $12k kubota 8580 $22k grubbers ploughs plus more call Rodney. Ph: 0429 984 920.

Farm clearance sale ... all machinery in good working order all reasonable offers considered.

2 x 90” Howard rotary hoes. Fiat 640 Hi Clearance 32”3400 hrs, Hardi 600L sprayer5 row boom +4 irvine spider legs. 3row plant cane cleaner, Ford 4500 loader backhoe + 1t bag boom + tree trim cage. New Holland TS125A 125hp 4x4 16 speed ps 11800hrs. Trailed 4T MSW 3 row stainless steel fertilizer bow with stool splitters or drop on top. John Deere 3130, Superior 8 ft galvanised Hd slasher, 2x 20.8 x38 tyres (30%), rims, centres & weights to suit ford or new holland axle, 900L cropland spray tank. Ph: 0437 504 272.

Celli rotary hoe 90 inch $5,500. 2 implement rollers each $100. 1000 litre plus fuel tank on stand $1,100. Single row fertiliser box stool splitter $400.

186 Ross Road DEERAL. Ph: 0412 968 434.

Hodge Bulk bag lifter–$700 (plus GST).

Ph: 0439 965 921.

Olympic 20.8.42 65% $500+ GST; front end loader with 4 in 1 bucket, blasted and 2pac painted, resembling required $4500+GST. Ph: 0437 434 280.

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, Michigan 110-14 Elevator Scraper–new engine & spare engine, D Massey Ferguson 3635 4WD– 5,500hrs, 6tonne tipper bin, Silvan Euro Spand CX2 spreader, portable bulk bin, Hustler Super Z Zero turn mower, Bunning Lowlander Mk 40-60 Ag Spreader(near new), complete tracks to suit cane harvester, half tracks to suit cane harvester, and fuel trailer tank. Mulgrave Area. Ph: 0407 160 673.

2012 Case 8800 fulltrack cane harvester fitted with Trimble GPS and new walking gear. All in good condition. Near new 6t side tipper.

Mulgrave area. Ph: 0407 160 673.

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

2022 Case 9900 Harvester. Ph: Craig 0436 332 044.

2018 Case 8810 Harvester. Ph: Craig 0436 332 044.

1 of 2021 Case Puma 225 Cut with 16T GTB Razor Tippers All Articulated units. Ph: Craig 0436 332 044.

Babinda area–2006 Case 7700 Track Harvester.

10.3Lt Iveco Motor 3,500hrs. Very good condition.

Ph: 0467 198 700. AH: 4067 1498.

International 866 Tractor $11,000, 1000 Litre plus Diesel Tank on Stand $1800, 2 Ripper Coulter’s each $1900, Single Fertiliser Box Stool Splitter $700, Implement Rollers Each $200, 3 Row Scratcher $700, Line Marker $500.

Ph: 0412 968 434, 186 Ross Road DEERAL. Multi-Weeder $350; Cane Drill Marker $250; Silvan 600L Water Tank $300. Ph: 07 4065 2165.

Howard 80 inch Ripper Rotary (new blades & new ripper tips) $3,300. GST incl. 2 x second hand Tractor tyres. 20.8 38 8 ply $100 ea. GST incl. Ph. 0438 988 858.

Silkwood Implements whole Stick plant cutter with topper $5,000 Includes GST. Ph: Ron 0407 667 819.

Quantity of used Harvester track plates–curved and flat Ph: Ron 0407 667 819.

2015 Case 280 Magnum Ultimate 1750 hrsequipped with Case Trimble FMX 1000 GPS $300,000 includes GST. Ph: Ron 0407 667 819.

Kubota M9540 4850 Hrs G/C $38,000 + GST. Two Ford 5000 articulated tractors coupled to 4 t side tippers $10,000 each + GST. One Ford 5000 tractor $8,000 + GST. Ph: Jamie 0427 089 009.

HERBERT RIVER–BURDEKIN Holden RG Colorado 4x4 Space Cab Ute. 2015 model. White. 6sp Manual. Alloy Tray, Bullbar, Tow Bar, Redarc “In-car” Electric Brake Controller, Anderson Plug, Neoprene Seat Covers. VGC. $25,500. Ph: 0427 550 721.

Single row Scuderi Fert box mounted on 6 Leg Grubber. Good working order. $250 incl GST. Single row HBM upright stick planter. Working order. $200 incl GST. Ph: 0431 458 850.

1997 Fiat Agri Genius 190. Good condition, one owner, Hyd toplink, hubs for dwels–5,200 Hrs. Ph: 0419 666 544.

3 -5 International Disc harrow 28 Plate Ph: 0408 889 446.

6 x 1 1/4” Coil Tynes Suit 2 1/2” bar. $200 inc gst, 2 x 1 1/4” ripper legs. $100 inc GST. Ph: 0431 458 850.

Scoopmobile 4wd Loader, excellent condition, no leaks, new rubber. Brakes need attention.

Perkims 354 Motor. LD 6 Model. $17,000 plus GST. Ph: 0417 070 844.

Loader Moore Scoopmobile. perkins 6 cyl 354 Motor. Runs nice. No faults or cracks in 1 metre dirt bucket new tyres. $18000. Photos available.

John 0417 070 844.

47 1996 Fiat 130 with 80 inch Kuhn Rotary Hoe. Under 2000 hours. $45,000 + GST for both.

Ph: 0427 337 929.

Double Row McLoed fertiliser box with various sprockets for various applications.

Ph: 0417 612 883 for price.

Holden Commodore Ute 2012 SSV Redline v8 6L 6 speed gear box. Immaculate condition 220ks. $26,000 photos available. John 0417 070 844.

6 Tonne side tipper Farview Engineering.

Ph: 0407 761 364.

2020 Case Maxxum 135 CVX Premium, 50kph Fully factory optioned, Front 3PT linkage, 4 electric remotes, New One Lift 60 Challenge Loader with 4 in 1 bucket and forks, New Trimble GFX1260 GPS 3120hrs 160k+GST. Ph: 0427 678 572.

Krone 1500 Vario pack baler $16500. Krone mower 2.8m easy cut flail $36000 as new.

Ph: 0447 461 132.

AR 50” Rotary Hoe, fully reconditioned.

HR 42 120” Rotary Hoe, fully reconditioned.

Ph: 0407 643 441 for price.

Case 5150 4wd w front end loader $18,000. 100 hp. chamberlain canelander $3,500. Massey ferguson 178 $8,000. Fert box 2t drop on top $950. Back blade suit 100hp no hydraulics $500.

Ph: John 0417 070 844. Photos available. All items plus GST if applicable.

2015 Austoft 8800 harvester. Good condition.

Ph: 0499 888 919 or 0429 989 502.

MF178 Tractor. Reasonable running condition Multipower, no canopy, new mud guards $10,000.

Chain driven Row. Fertiliser box 1.5 tonne. trailled $1,000. 3pl Back blade no hydraulics. $600. Chamberlain Canelander Tractor good for spare tractor or tow boat $4,000 Ask for photos.

Ph: John 0417 070 844.

MACKAY–PROSERPINE For sale ready in January. 2007 3510 wheelie.

Recon 9lt engine new intercooler recent turbo.

Chopper box base cutter box has done 40000 since rebuilt widen fronts. Fire suspension system 10 blade ifit drums. All work done by sammits harvesters in Mackay. $165000 2014 3520 tracky basecutter and chopper box done 20000 ton since done up tracks in good condition 10 blade ifit drums all work done by sammits harvesters. Fire suspension system. Aprox 6000 engines hours and 11000 frame hours widen fronts. $195000 Claas 640 arion with 10ton Toft elevator bin 7000 tractor hours. $55000 Case mx120 with 9ton Toft elevator bin aprox 6000 tractor hours $55000.

T-line twin steer with 14ton Carter bin 600 rear tyres $75000. Call or msg 0400 794 857.

SPEARMAN

DIESEL FITTING P/L 3M WIDTH INCLUDES ROLLER

IN STOCK

Celli Tiger 190 Rotary Hoe 8 Maxwell Crescent Tolga Industrial Estate

0418 350 651 0419 725 781 spear@spearmandiesel.com.au

Rainfall Repor t

Brought to you by

RECORDED RAINFALL (mm) Month prior (Oct 2022)

Month to date (1 Nov–22 Nov)

Year to date 2023

Year to date 2022

Whyanbeel Valley (Mossman)

37.8

61.2

2908.6

2583.8

Mareeba Airport

0

0.6

434.6

761.2

Cairns Aero

21

6.2

1734.4

1600.6

Mt Sophia

108

13

3185

3367

Babinda Post Office

70.5

0

0

3714.7

Innisfail

39

71.4

3245.2

2962

Tully Sugar Mill

51.9

27.1

3330.2

3181.8

Cardwell Marine Pde

36

51.3

1421.3

1434.2

Lucinda Township

21.6

19.8

1590.8

1739

Ingham Composite

32.4

11.2

1543.5

1565.4

Abergowrie Alert

7

3

834

309

Townsville Aero

8.4

8

1026.2

1040.6

Ayr DPI Research Stn

7.6

5.4

1081

835

Proserpine Airport

20.8

1

1467.6

1090

Mirani Mary Street

11

56.2

1494.9

820.7

Mackay MO

11.6

13.6

1328.4

820.2

Plane Creek Sugar Mill

14.4

65.6

1400.3

965.8

Bundaberg Aero

2.6

69.8

485.8

957

Childers South

6.1

60.8

474.7

1068.8

Maryborough

33.8

79

579.6

829.8

Tewantin RSL Park

34.6

51.8

750

2240.2

Eumundi—Crescent Rd

13.4

0

0

2324.4

Nambour DPI—Hillside

14

112

678.7

2048.7

Logan City Water Treatment Plant

13.5

84

515

1382

Murwillumbah Bray Park

36.5

107.9

813.1

497.9

Ballina Airport

156.4

162.8

162.8

2502.4

New Italy (Woodburn)

65.2

119.6

119.6

2272.2

LOCATION

Zero indicates either no rain or no report was sent. These rainfall figures are subject to verification and may be updated later.

Weather forecasts, radar and satellite images and other information for the farming community can be accessed on www.bom.gov.au.

Weather report sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology Recent Rainfall Tables.

48

CLASSIFIEDS

Hodge side dresser fertiliser box–with 4 Front Fertilizer Coulters, 2 Centre Rippers and Coulters with Crumble Rollers and Centre Drawbar. Also can be used as a soil buster. In the Mackay area. $11,000 + GST. Ph. 0408 874 974 or 0418 874 974.

Bonel Plant Cutter for sale GC $450.

Ph: 0428 782 202 GPS Autosteer kits, can be fitted to any tractor, FJ Dynamics brand, $12,000 inc GST. Ph: 0401 847 162.

BUNDABERG–ROCKY POINT FALC 3600 RU Rotary hoe with twin bed formers, was set up for strawberries. Selling now as surplus to needs. $25,000 + GST Ph: 0447 714 015.

Howard HR100 inch Rotary, Napier 24 plate offset discs, Yeoman 11 tyne chisel plough and other excess equipment. Ph: 0417 617 084.

Fert. Box ratoon side dress 2 row. Hodge plough.

Mossman-Tully. Ph: 0427 119 553.

3-row stool splitter Confidor Applicator in good condition. Mulgrave Area. Ph: 0415 386 322.

New Holland 8970 Tractor suitable for wrecking.

Contact 0419 710 280 or tctownley@bigpond.com.

Trailco TP 125 Hard Hose Irrigator or larger. Contact 0419 710 280 or tctownley@bigpond.com.

No Till Vacuum planter fitted with disc openers and John Deere planter boxs, will plant 3rows at 2 x 400mm at 1.6 m centers, has water tanks for inoculant, row widths can be adjusted.Soybean plates included. $16500 incl GST. Ph: Alan 0409 632 656.

1x Ford 6600 or Ford 7600 two-wheel drive tractor.

Ph: 0439 591 455.

7T Tractor 200 auto command, super steer, GPS ready, 5549 hours, great condition, farm work only. $110,000. Ph: 0427 503 738.

JCB 3185 Fastrac high speed tractor with 7 tonne hi lift tipper bin–Will separate. Ph: 0413 584 728.

Trailer with side tippers suitable for billet planter.

Ph: 0448 482 213 before 7pm.

Rover 52 inch mower, zero turn, Kawasaki motor, 19 horsepower. $4,000. Ph: 0427 503 738.

2011 John Deere 3520 wheel cane harvester, very tidy machine. Ph: 0413 584 728.

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

3 Point Linkage Cane Topper. Ph: 0417 542 783 for price.

Gessner 2 row bed former. Excellent condition, always shedded, no further use $17,000 ONO. Ph: 0422 118 466.

Looking for a late model billet planter to up grade my old one. Not trailer type. Mackay region Ph: 0408 190 493.

MF165 H/C 212 Engine 8 Speed original 4225 HRS Remotes ROPs Canopy $12,500 inc GST. 2x Two Row 3PL Faun potato planters set up to lay trickle tape while planting $3,000 + GST each.30 RJ Hydrant sealing caps, good condition $80.00 each. Two row potato harvester–Grimme D.L 1500–sorting table–canopy $40,000 + GST. Ph: 0427 597 363 or 0408 062 830.

Trailer with side tippers suitable for billet planter (Mossman–Tully). Ph: 0448 482 213 before 7pm.

New Holland T6070 Tractor, $185K neg Challenge FEL, Quad Remotes, Excellent condition, 450 Hrs. Ph: Justin 0415 626 715.

Wanted–crumble roller to suit Howard HR40 90” rotary hoe or two 50cm steel depth wheels.

Ph: Alan 0467 786 464.

Brand new HOWARD AH4000/255 2.5m Heavy Duty Rotary Hoe w/wheels $44k inc GST. Rocky Pt. Ph: Greg 0421 277 126.

Wanted 10-14 tonne elevating tipper coupled to a 4WD tractor. Ph: 0437 503 818.

Massey Ferguson harvester 102 base cutter box.

Ph: 4954 1174 for price.

Elevator chains for 102. Ph: 4954 1174 for price.

Pegoraro 120 inch rotary hoe in good condition.

Ph: 0417 542 783 for price.

4000 litres of 50/50 diesel/petrol mix suitable for firebug burners or parts washing. Ph: 0411 196 860.

Southern cross LAH 7 stage turbine pump. Please phone 0407 595 218.

4040 John Deere for sale. Ph: 4954 1174 for price.

Water meter never used Siemens brand (no before or after the meter pipework required) 150 MM Flanged, Table D/E Ph: 0411 196 860.

6 and 8 inch cast iron flanged Gate Valves. New never used. Ph: 0411 196 860.

1973 Ford 5000 2wd with 4ton Newton side tipper $11000 +GST .3m niemeyer nr1411 Power Harrows $5600 + GST. Ph: 0437 184 822.

2 fan stripper $500. Moller single chain planter $4000. Roberts 6T goose neck trailer $5000.

Grubber & box $300. Hodge upright planter $3000.

Ph: 0408 776 336 OR 4959 1765 after 7pm.

Celli Tiger spike hoe, 2.5m wide with hydraulic crumble roller and oil cooler. VGC. Mackay.

Ph: 0438 606 578.

Don Mizzi 741 model on Fiat 750 special turbo plus MF102 half-tracks to suit. Mackay.

Ph: 0438 606 578.

12t self-propelled 6x6 elev infielder. VGC. Mackay.

Ph: 0438 606 578.

6t side tipper on Leyland tandem. GC. Mackay.

Ph: 0438 606 578.

Massey Ferguson 8110 4-wheel drive with cab, 135hp, only 2,636 hours in good condition. $55,000 incl GST. Ph: 0438 606 578.

2 x Single axle Hi lift tipper bins, one 8 tonne and another one 7 tonne $12,000 each plus GST. Ph: 0413 584 728.

Plant cane cultivator 2 x 1.6m row w/ 3 weeder rakes and tines $2,200 incl GST, Land plane w/ 4m. hyd. tilt blade $4,400 incl GST, 2x1.6m. row cultivator w/ 10x 30ml. tines $2,200 incl GST .4 wheel trash rake $ 1650 incl. GST. Ph: 0408 761 463.

NSW Hodge 1 tonne fertiliser side dresser box for sale. In good condition. Have used this season. No future use. Good coulters and double disc openers do a great job. Hodge 2000 series. Comes with different sprockets etc.

Ph: 0438 428 113.

WANTED WTB–4.5’’ Layflat hose in good condition. 200250 metres. Ph: 0419 952 119.

All panels for Fiat 780. Ph: 0438 421 217.

Mackay / Sarina area.

WTB 11-12ft roller–Herbert Rover area.

Ph: 4776 1386.

Chasing some unwanted plow discs to use on a fire pit project. Ph: Simon 0448 744 013.

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

Wanted permanent purchase Lower Mary River Water Allocations on Mary River, Tinana Creek and Channel Pipeline sections of the scheme.

Ph: 0427 930 696.

Wanted–Water tank trailer, about 5000 Litres.

Ph: 0417 784 642.

Wanted 6 Cylinder Turbo Cat Motor.

Ph: 0417 193 385.

WTB Tractor with FEL 100-140 HP up to $50k.

NQLD Area. Ph: Peter 0427 760 449.

Double 5 or 6 tonne side tipper with load sharing hitch. With or without tractor. Ph: 0418 379 253.

14 tonne elevator bin and tractor 50klm box or more. Preferably JCB. Ph: 0400 794 857.

Wanted 2 X 2ND hand tractor tyres. 14.9–23 to suit Massey 35. Ph: Michael 0419 952 119.

49 PROPERTY: FOR SALE Cane Farm Halifax total area 217 ha, CPA 126.

4 ha. 2 minutes from Taylors Beach & 20 mins from Ingham CBD. Includes large machinery shed which has 3 phase power & 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.

Cane Farm–Ingham Line Established irrigated cane farm with a large machinery shed, plus smaller shed. Includes travelling “Monsoon” irrigator and pump. It has a total area of 144.11 hectares with a CPA of 129.58 Hectares. For further details, contact Felix Reitano Real Estate on 4776 5007.

35

$

(+ GST & delivery)

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.

Mulgrave Sugar Cane Farm - 82 Ha on 2 titles will sell separately. Lot 1–47 Ha with water License. Lot 2–34 Ha with house and shed.

Ph: 0437 293 241 Mulgrave Area.

2 Tableland Farms 59.145ha and 23.395ha 9(203.65 acres) on 4 Titles Walkamin area.

304 megs Tinaroo irragation water, 65ha CPA, 10ha avocado and mangos, 2 houses, sheds, machinery, center pivot and hard hose irrigator.

Soil and climate suitable for vast array of other crops. Ph: 0439 951 110.

PROPERTY: WANTED Want to buy farm in Victoria Plains, Eton, Pleystowe area. Ph: 049 00 29 387 Wanting to buy/lease cane farm. Close to Racecourse mill, Tekowai, Alexandra areas.

Ph: 0438 545 251.

Wanting to buy/lease cane farm in the Septimus area. Ph: 0417 607 722.

Wanted permanent purchase Lower Mary River Water Allocations on Mary River, Tinana Creek and Channel Pipeline sections of the scheme.

Ph: 0427 930 696.

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WISHES GROWERS AND OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS

a Merry Christmas

Compare Your Cane And make real decisions, year on year.

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