From the Chair

By Owen Menkens, Chairman CANEGROWERS

DISTRICTS BOARDS – THE ENGINE ROOM OF CANEGROWERS

The skies were relatively clear over most cane-growing regions in August, and we also saw some improvements in mill performance. But with a wetter than usual Spring predicted and less than half the crop currently cut and crushed, growers are keeping a wary eye on the horizon.

We can only hope that the expected rain holds off or is not as widespread as forecast, and that we get some good conditions to get our crop off for this year.

I especially feel for the growers in Rocky Point who have yet to start harvesting and are looking at a very difficult situation for this year.

With these issues in mind, it was great to catch up with the District Boards of Bundaberg, Maryborough and Isis in August.

As part of our director induction process, we like to get our CEO Dan Galligan, CFO Jodie Mittelheuser, Legal Counsel Chris Cooper and myself in front of all the new directors at the start of a new term.

We have 85 directors across 13 districts. They are the engine room of our organisation and have the closest relationship with our members, so their input is so important in guiding the direction of the organisation.

The most important role of a district director is negotiating cane supply agreements with mills, but their role encompasses so much more.

Dealing with equity issues, mill performance issues, cane supply and transport issues, as well as council and planning issues, are just some of the important and challenging matters directors must tackle.

Therefore, it is our role to make sure that all directors are provided with training in governance and financials to help them carry out their role.

We are fortunate as an organisation to have the experience of Chris Cooper and Jodie Mittelheuser to give support to directors and district managers regarding their obligations.

Some of the most difficult decisions you ever have to make as a director are at a local level.

Hopefully over this term we can come up with a way to integrate these directors more closely.

There is so much to learn from directors in other areas regarding farming and other issues. I have always found that the most rewarding part of being in CANEGROWERS is learning from growers in other districts.

We are unique as an agricultural organisation to have strong local boards as well as the State organisation.

This federated model gives us the ability to be fully integrated in our approach to policy. There should be a connection between each member and the top of the organisation.

Hopefully we can continue to improve this going forward.