From the Chair

BY OWEN MENKENS, Chair, CANEGROWERS

The crush is finally over, time to start looking ahead.

The crushing season has finally wrapped up, and the wet season is now upon us. As I write, there’s talk of a potential low and a cyclone forming in the Coral Sea. Let’s hope we avoid a repeat of last year’s events in the north, which had a significant impact on those regions.

The aftermath of the 2024 season revealed record-low yields in some northern areas, driven not just by a single weather event but also by prolonged cloudy conditions during the peak growing season.

Cane yields in Cairns, Tablelands, Innisfail, and Tully were well below average, as reflected in the final harvest figures. This serves as a stark reminder of how profoundly weather can affect growth – something growers, unfortunately, have little control over.

Here’s hoping the sunny weather seen in December and January continues in the wet tropics, offering better conditions for the 2025 crop.

Statewide, the situation was challenging too. Queensland managed to crush only 27.3 million tonnes of cane, one of the lowest totals in recent years.

In regions like Herbert, Burdekin, Proserpine, Mackay, and Rocky Point, nearly a million tonnes of cane remained unharvested, largely due to poor mill performance and wet weather – reminiscent of the 2022 crush.

On a brighter note, the southern region defied the trend, with reasonable yields and mills operating at full capacity.

Encouragingly, the Bundaberg/Isis region appears to have more cane ready for the 2025 season. While forecasts suggest higher totals for the coming year, much will depend on weather conditions and mill efficiency.

Opportunities for growers

It’s a busy time for CANEGROWERS as the meeting season kicks off.

Nominations for district board directors will open soon, with 2025 being an election year.

I strongly encourage all growers to consider stepping up for a role within our organisation.

Serving as a director is not only personally rewarding but also offers a chance to build meaningful friendships within the community.

If you’ve ever thought about contributing, now’s the time to get involved at the district level.

Looking ahead, Sugar Cubed conference in Brisbane this April is shaping up to be a highlight.

With an impressive line-up of speakers already confirmed, it promises to be a fantastic event.

It’s a great opportunity to connect with others across the industry, share experiences, and gain valuable insights.

The conference coincides with the ASSCT (Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists) Conference, providing attendees a chance to see the latest research and developments in our sector.

I highly encourage everyone in the sugarcane growing community to attend – both for the knowledge shared and the friendships formed. I look forward to catching up with many of you there.