Press archives
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18 December 2008: SUGAR SHAKER – INDUSTRY OVERVIEW 2008
The final sugarcane crop numbers are in for the 2008 season. Sugarcane production was a smaller than expected Australian crop of 32 million tonnes (4.5 million tonnes of raw sugar) and final sugar pool prices are likely to return in the order of $325 per tonne raw sugar. The 2007 crop produced around 35 million tonnes of cane which translated into around 5 million tonnes of raw sugar. MORE
15 December 2008: FED COMMITMENT TO WORK WITH AGRICULTURE WELCOMED
The cane growing industry has welcomed the commitment of the Federal Government to work with the sector between now and 2013 to determine agriculture’s position in the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. MORE
12 December 2008: Aussie Reef Management World Class: New Report
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the best managed and healthiest coral reefs in the world, according to a recent report by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network. The report entitled ‘Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2008’ found that although 19 percent of the world's coral reefs have been lost in the past few decades, Australian reefs have continued to be relatively stable since 2004. MORE
4 December 2008: QLD SUGAR SEASON DRAGGING ITS HEELS
For the second successive year the Queensland sugarcane harvest will extend into the Christmas period, even though the season produced a smaller than expected crop of just 30 million tonnes of sugarcane. CSR’s Burdekin and Ingham mills will continue to operate at least a month beyond the optimum processing timeframe. Production in Ingham is hoped to be finalised within the week. MORE
17 November 2008: New tools for cane growers to price cane - Burdekin
Cane growers in the Burdekin can spread their risk and underpin their returns from this season via “The Burdekin Collective Pool”, an innovative structure offered by CANEGROWERS Burdekin and jointly managed by local firms Kingsman Australia and FarMarCo. MORE
13 November 2008: CANEGROWERS Board slams vote chasing Premier
The CANEGROWERS Board has questioned the motives and expressed objection to statements from Premier Anna Bligh about farming practices in Great Barrier Reef catchments. Meeting this week in Brisbane, the Board accused her of trying to enhance her green political credentials to urban voters ahead of what appears to be an election early next year. MORE
12 November 2008: Growers say Incitec record profits shocking
CANEGROWERS is not surprised by the record profit declared by Incitec Pivot today. The peak sugarcane growers group says that Incitec had taken every opportunity to maximise revenues by taking advantage of hikes in prices on the world market – moving with lightning speed on increasing prices when world prices were on the way up, but not so when those prices were on the way down. MORE
10 November 2008: SUGAR PRICE RISK TOOLS LAUNCHED FOR INGHAM
Growers are being given greater options to manage price risk in the Herbert River area with the release of the CANEGROWERS Collective Call Pool for the 2009 season. MORE
24 October 2008: State Govt out of step on reef
Today’s reef summit bought to the fore a State Government which was out of step with the Federal Government, industry, research agencies and stakeholder groups involved in managing the health of the iconic Great Barrier Reef. MORE
21 October 2008: Reef rescue program - a green political pawn
Cane growers are concerned that the course being signalled by the State Government in an effort to demonstrate its green credentials may be the political pawn that sours a major partnership, which has the potential to deliver real benefit to farmers and the environment. MORE
17 October 2008: Smut: access all areas
Sugarcane smut has now been confirmed in all regions in Queensland. While it has not been found on plants in NSW, it is only a matter of time, with smut spores identified in northern New South Wales earlier in the year. MORE
16 October 2008: Market turbulence flows through to sugar
The violent oscillations being experienced in international share and commodity markets and a rollercoaster international sugar price are hitting Australian cane growers from all angles says peak sugarcane grower group CANEGROWERS. MORE
18 September 2008: Momentum builds on good cane growing practices
CANEGROWERS, the peak body for the nation’s sugarcane producers, yesterday released its 2008 Public Environment Report (PER) for the sugarcane industry, the third in a series which seeks to draw together and objectively report on the myriad of initiatives occurring on sugarcane farms along the east coast. MORE
17 September 2008: SUGARCANE REPORT CARD GETS GREEN TICK
Climate change, water quality, water efficiency, natural resource conservation, improved productivity and reducing inputs have all been part of the cane growers’ curriculum to produce smarter, profitable and sustainable farming operations in recent years. MORE
5 September 2008: ABARE report confirms tough past season
Peak sugarcane group CANEGROWERS says the ABARE report into the financial performance of the sector confirmed that last season was tough for cane growers - but the outlook was now more optimistic. MORE
25 August 2008: Raw sugar outlook improves after slow start to season
The outlook for raw sugar is on the up after a slow start to the season, reports peak sugarcane grower group CANEGROWERS. MORE
1 August 2008: Collapse of WTO talks a warning for ETS
The collapse of world trade negotiations is a clear indication that Governments are not prepared to put their own producers at any perceived disadvantage for the good of the greater, according to CANEGROWERS. MORE
31 July 2008: Another mill to bite the dust: Mackay in 2009
Announced restructuring of the Mackay Sugar Cooperative and the closure of one its four sugar mills from 2009 is part of the continuing rationalisation of the sugar industry, says peak sugarcane group CANEGROWERS. MORE
16 July 2008: Cane growers impacted despite ag's exclusion
Cane growers would still feel the impact despite agriculture being initially excluded from a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme announced in the Federal Government’s Green Paper released today. MORE
7 July 2008: Growers must wait for ETS Green Paper
Cane growers have been advised to keep a cool head amidst the discussions of the disturbing effects of climate change and wait for the other foot to drop when the Federal Government’s Green Paper is released next week.MORE
25 June 2008: Sugar export desk gets up
The sugar industry is breathing a collective sigh of relief today, as peak group CANEGROWERS confirmed that the invaluable sugar ‘export desk’ is here to stay. MORE
18 June 2008: Sugar season starts in Queensland
The 2008 Australian sugarcane harvest is underway, with the sounds of the cane harvesters’ firing up around north Queensland. MORE
6 June 2008: Hope yet to save export desk for sugar
Queensland Sugar Limited has tabled a workable solution that would retain the critical ‘single’ export desk, by which the sugar marketing group currently markets over 80% of Australia’s raw sugar into the international marketplace. MORE
3 June 2008: CANEGROWERS backs new QSL proposal
The CANEGROWERS Board has endorsed today’s announcement that a revised constitutional amendment would be presented to the grower and miller shareholder representatives of Queensland Sugar Limited. This follows on from a fortnight of turmoil after previous constitutional amendments were vetoed by a marginal group, despite overwhelming support for the move towards a commercially driven board. MORE
19 May 2008: Blood on hands after walking away from sweet sugar deal
A minority representative grower group may have cost the sugar industry its ‘preferred supplier’ status in a corrupted international marketplace, after it voted down essential changes to the constitution of sugar marketing body, Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL). MORE
16 May 2008: Fertiliser amalgamation may limit growth
CANEGROWERS expressed alarm this week about the continuing concentration of industries servicing agriculture within Australia. This follows news that the ACCC would not oppose the proposed acquisition of Dyno Nobel Limited by Incitec Pivot Limited. The merged body will be a dominant player in the already concentrated fertiliser supply chain. MORE
14 May 2008: Budget08: No short term respite for farmers
While the Budget passed the essential test of sound surpluses and long term commitment to infrastructure, regional health and training, cane growers are concerned that there is little short-term respite from soaring input costs. MORE
9 May 2008: North Queensland cane grower runner up in Young Farmer Award
Japoonvale cane grower and canegrowers Innisfail Board Member Jamie Zammit was last night announced as the runner-up in the RNA Young Farmer of the Year Award. MORE
16 April 2008: Sugar Industry Commissioner Winds Down
A Bill introduced in Parliament this week intentioned the wind up the office of the Sugar Industry Commissioner, as per the transitional arrangements under which the position was originally established. MORE
4 April 2008: Threat to derail sugar marketing reform would result in train-wreck for the industry
A threat to derail proposed changes to the Constitution of Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL) has shocked growers and millers alike today. Marginalised grower organisation ACFA, made clear its intention to leverage its power of veto, which would give the group the power to overturn the decision of the democratic voting majority. MORE
1 April 2008: Proposed revamped QSL structure to retain critical export-desk for sugar
CANEGROWERS has urged growers and millers alike to get behind the proposed changes to the structure of Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL), announced today. MORE
31 March 2008: Media release: Water quality monitoring workshop
About 100 cane growers, representatives from NRM groups and research and extension bodies are expected to attend the Sugar Industry Water Quality Monitoring Workshop in Ingham on Thursday, 3 April. MORE
25 March 2008: Free sugarcane farm safety workshops across Queensland in March and April
A series of practical grower on-farm safety workshops, designed to provide growers with skills to meet their obligations under Workplace Health and Safety legislation, are being rolled out to all sugarcane districts across Queensland in March and April.. MORE
10 March 2008: Managing price risk integral to sweetening Aussie sugar industry
The Board of Australia’s peak sugarcane growers group, CANEGROWERS, met last week for its quarterly Board Meeting, followed by a two day planning workshop, during which the shape of the industry over the next three years was strategised. MORE
31 January 2008: QSL’s Ian White to head up Canadian Wheat Board
The impending departure of Ian White from Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL) following his appointment with the Canadian Wheat Board presents both opportunities and challenges for the Queensland sugar industry, says peak sugarcane group CANEGROWERS. MORE
18 January 2008: Cane growers spirits not dampened by recent downpours
A return to the wet seasons of old and an improving sugar market are proving to be the fillip badly needed by the sugarcane industry. Ian Ballantyne, CEO of peak body CANEGROWERS said that 2008 had started with a boost to the levels of dams and of grower confidence. MORE
21 December 2007: Sugar Shaker: Rounding up the Year that Was
Cane growers have proved they are a resilient lot, and despite mixed fortunes in recent times, are looking forward to 2008 with more optimism. With the hope of better weather and better sugar prices keeping them buoyed, cane growers are ready for the usual truckload of challenges they will need to confront and overcome in the New Year. MORE
17 December 2007: CANEGROWERS says mills must bite bullet for sugar industry future
Ian Ballantyne, CEO of peak growers group, CANEGROWERS, today warned that opportunities for the sugar industry, including the potential for better prices, may be missed if a number of fundamental matters were not dealt with urgently. MORE
26 November 2007: Recovery plan already in full swing as smut detected in Maryborough
The inevitable has been confirmed, with the detection of smut in the Maryborough area showing that the productivity stunting sugarcane disease is continuing to spread. But the local area is already ahead of the game with a plan of attack well underway says sugarcane representative group, CANEGROWERS. MORE
15 November 2007: Sugarcane AGM reports more positive future if growers can hold on
The 2007 Annual General Meeting of CANEGROWERS Queensland provided a moderately more optimistic outlook for the sugarcane industry than has reported during the previous twelve months. MORE
29 October 2007: Effective implementation key to $200 million reef proposal
Today’s announcement that a Labor Government would commit $200 million to a ‘Reef Rescue Plan’ would be welcomed by cane growers as a partial response to an earlier $300 million proposal developed by industry organisations and Resource Management Groups in Queensland, said Ian Ballantyne CEO of peak sugarcane growers group CANEGROWERS. MORE
29 October 2007: Vale Jim Pedersen
CANEGROWERS CEO Ian Ballantyne has paid tribute to former CANEGROWERS Chairman Jim Pedersen who passed away on the weekend at his Koumala home. More
14 October 2007: Vote by Wednesday, before STL ship sails leaving cane growers high and dry
CANEGROWERS CEO Ian Ballantyne warned Sugar Terminals shareholders that time was rapidly running out to lodge their proxies in a vote that could have a very large impact on the future of STL and future direction of Board decisions. MORE
1 October 2007: Sugarcane growers urged to vote in droves to protect their future
Sugarcane growers must stand up and be counted and support the proposed resolution to amend the Constitution of Sugar Terminals Limited (STL), which would limit the likelihood of inappropriate influence of large entities or single related entities from acting in collaboration against the best interests of growers, said CANEGROWERS today. MORE
14 September 2007: Revolution in the sugar industry rolls on
Australian sugarcane growers continue to adapt to change, look for options and adopt good business principles in the wake of low prices, deregulation and industry restructure. MORE
14 August 2007: Shock tactic commentary on reef health study appalling and incorrect
CANEGROWERS is appalled at the sensationalism surrounding issues with the reef following commentary on a study released by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
MORE
10 August 2007: Mechanisms for cane growers to better manage pricing risk on the way
A one month delay to the cane harvesting season brought about by unseasonably wet weather in north Queensland, a directionless sugar price and a high Australian dollar, are some of the motivators in accelerating development of better risk management tools for cane growers. MORE
16 July 2007: Queensland cane grower to head world sugar body
Mr Alf Cristaudo, a cane grower from Ingham in Northern Queensland, has been appointed as President of the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG), the international body charged with bringing together the interests of beet and cane producers worldwide. MORE
11 July 2007: Sugar the natural energy of life and part of a renewable future
According to Bill Hejl, a beet grower from North Dakota USA, cane and beet growers will continue to husband and care for their environment, however the ability to do so is increasingly determined by the policies of others. MORE
11 July 2007: Trade, Renewable Fuel & Biotechnology to sweeten dividends
International trade opportunity was a focus of sugar producers from 20 countries across the globe, who converged on Brisbane this week for the 9th congress of the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG). Delegates were briefed directly by two of the key decision makers of the US Congress during a live video link from Washington yesterday. MORE
10 July 2007: Renewable energy key to soured beet & cane outlook says International conference
Bill Hejl, a beet grower from North Dakota USA, said the future of beet and cane production worldwide looks brighter, despite beet and cane growers current sour attitude towards prices due to the lull in the market brought about by a combination of exchange rates, inflation and market pressures. MORE
4 July 2007: International sugar visitors get a taste of Queensland at world conference
CANEGROWERS is gearing up to stage the most significant event on the international sugar calendar next week. Over 200 people from 25 countries around the world are eagerly awaiting the international World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG) congress, which is being held at the Hilton Hotel in Brisbane, 9-11 July 2007. MORE
3 July 2007: 50 International delegates see North Queensland cane and tourism first hand
This media alert outlines the farm tour being undertaken by 50 overseas sugar people starting in Cairns on 4 July and ending in Townsville on Saturday. MORE
20 June 2007: Do not be stampeded into selling sugar terminals limited shares
CANEGROWERS has cautioned cane growers to not be stampeded by recent correspondence urging the sale of STL shares. The peak sugarcane body is advising growers that they have no obligation to sell until they have had clear indication of their eligibility status. MORE
7 June 2007: CANEGROWERS urge caution over sugar terminal share offer
Activity surrounding sugar terminal shares was high on the agenda when the Board of peak sugarcane body, CANEGROWERS, met in Brisbane this week. MORE
June 2007: Mills merger more than company business
CANEGROWERS Australia will closely monitor the progress of a major rationalisation of the North Queensland sugar milling sector announced today. MORE
23 February 2007: Cane growers act now to prevent another murray darling
Sugarcane growers are taking the lead in several new programs to help protect the underground watertable, which has risen to dangerous levels in the Burdekin irrigation area, threatening the area with salinity and water quality issues. CANEGROWERS and the State Government’s Rural Water Use Efficiency Project have joined forces to help sugarcane growers combat an issue, which could be as serious as the Murray Darling river problems if left unchecked. MORE
20 February 2007: Watson confirms - resistant cane varieites only counter to impact of smut
It is action stations in the cane industry today, with the tabling of the Watson report, which was commissioned by the Queensland Government to investigate the economic impact of smut on the State’s cane growers. MORE
25 January 2007: Drive change by nominating for your district CANEGROWERS board
Growers are being encouraged to throw their hat in the ring, as nominations for the Board of their local CANEGROWERS company opens on 29 January. MORE
21 December 2006: Sugar Shaker: Rounding up the Year that Was
2006 will be remembered by the sugar industry for its extremes of weather and sugar prices. The sugar price roller-coasted to 25-year highs, tempered by Mother Nature unleashing climatic extremes, including prolonged dry spells in some areas and fast and furious storms in others, then the discovery of smut in sugarcane on the eastern seaboard. MORE
20 December 2006: All you need to know about Smut - December Update
Click here to go to the latest smut update
The sugarcane industry is on high alert as another outbreak of the sugar cane disease smut has been discovered, this time in north Queensland. When suspect smut whips were found on two properties in the Ingham area over the past week, the industry braced itself, and stepped up work on the intensive management strategies it will need to minimise the economic impact of this potentially devastating disease. MORE
11 December 2006: Funding for smut busting technology announced today
Help is on the way for sugarcane growers, with the Australian Government today announcing funding for a program which will support the formation of a joint venture between BSES Limited, CANEGROWERS and well respected plant propagation business, Lowes TC, to speed up the time it takes for new, high performing varieties to be propagated and rolled out on farm. MORE
28 November 2006: Looking for smut in all the right places
There have been five separate findings of smut infected sugarcane in the Mackay region. Smut surveillance efforts across the state have gone into over-drive, and sugarcane grower group CANEGROWERS has congratulated growers and industry staff, including productivity boards, BSES and local CANEGROWERS offices, for their diligence and thoroughness in smut surveillance work. MORE
24 November 2006: Sugar reform package on track despite sugar levy discontinuation
CANEGROWERS is encouraged by the Federal Government’s resolve to continue its commitment to the reform package, despite discontinuation of the sugar levy. MORE
9 November 2006: Sugarcane smut confirmed in Mackay
CANEGROWERS fears were confirmed today, when test results on a suspect sample of sugarcane smut found on a property north of Mackay, returned a positive result during comprehensive pathology testing. Smut is a potentially debilitating fungal disease, which in its worst form, can dramatically reduce productivity and ultimately kill sugarcane plants. MORE
19 October 2006: Public Environment Report for the Sugarcane Industry Launched
Good practice leads to good outcomes for both farmer and the environment, and this fortnight CANEGROWERS gave that message to government, conservationists and the community at large with the official launch of the second Public Environment Report for the sugarcane industry. More
27 September 2006: Payment for smut removal welcomed by CANEGROWERS
CANEGROWERS has praised the State Government’s announcement of funding being made available for removal of sugarcane smut infected crops. MORE
27 September 2006: Smut response a burning issue
CANEGROWERS continues to be buoyed by the State Government’s continued commitment to funding the sugarcane smut response plan. According to Ian Ballantyne, General Manager of CANEGROWERS, the original emergency response plan continues to be the cornerstone of the attack on this dreaded incursion, for which a detailed implementation plan was being developed. MORE
22 September 2006: Stalled Doha Round fair trade negotiations must be kick-started
Negotiations to reform corrupted market access must hit full throttle and must not compromise says peak sugarcane group, CANEGROWERS following a meeting of an international alliance of countries focussed on free and open trade. MORE
19 October 2006: Public Environment Report for the Sugarcane Industry Launched
Good practice leads to good outcomes for both farmer and the environment, and this fortnight CANEGROWERS gave that message to government, conservationists and the community at large with the official launch of the second Public Environment Report for the sugarcane industry. More
12 October 2006: Payment for smut removal welcomed by CANEGROWERS
CANEGROWERS has praised the State Government’s announcement of funding being made available for removal of sugarcane smut infected crops. MORE
10 October 2006: CANEGROWERS & BSES on smut warpath in FNQ
A series of meetings are being held to encourage the main players in the sugar industry in northern Queensland to keep the threat of sugarcane smut at the top of their minds. Regions will be urged to make preparations before it is too late and smut storms the current battleline drawn around the Bundaberg and Childers area. MORE
22 September 2006: Stalled Doha Round fair trade negotiations must be kick-started
Negotiations to reform corrupted market access must hit full throttle and must not compromise says peak sugarcane group, CANEGROWERS following a meeting of an international alliance of countries focussed on free and open trade. MORE
22 September 2006: Desperately seeking sugarcane levy to fund smut-busting program
The sugarcane industry is looking to the Commonwealth to invoke a mandatory levy on all sugarcane, with the proceeds to finance the implementation of a smut action plan to combat the potentially devastating disease, reported peak sugarcane group CANEGROWERS today. MORE
27 June 2006: Harvesting starts in smut threatened cane growing areas
Cane growers are breathing a sigh of relief as the first sugarcane is harvested in smut threatened Childers. Harvest commenced yesterday in low-risk areas of Childers, as part of a carefully planned strategy embedded in harvest protocols due to be signed off by growers, millers, industry bodies and the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries today. MORE
10 May 2006: Budget has some good news for farmers says CANEGROWERS
The Federal Budget is a step in the right direction for Australia’s farmers, says peak sugarcane group, CANEGROWERS who joins the majority of commodity groups in recognising the document as mostly positive and the first real acknowledgment of the difference between city and rural circumstances. MORE
26 April 2006: CANEGROWERS take WorkChoices to farmers before harvest
Seminars designed to demystify the new industrial relations laws are being rolled out to cane growing areas across Queensland in May. Peak group CANEGROWERS is running sessions which aimed at lifting the black cloud of confusion surrounding the WorkChoices program, and shining some light on what the legislation means for growers. MORE
18 April 2006: CANEGROWERS welcomes $36 million sugar reform funding for regional projects
The announcement of $36 million in project funding as part of the ongoing reform of the sugar industry has been welcomed by CANEGROWERS, the peak group for sugarcane growers in Australia. Today’s announcement of 21 projects by Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran represents part of the $75 million allocated to regional community projects within the larger sugar industry recovery and reform program. According to CANEGROWERS General Manager, Ian Ballantyne, to date the Government has made a sound investment, which now with these projects, totals around $270 million of the initially announced $444 million package. MORE
5 April 2006: CANEGROWERS General Manager in Babinda & Innisfail this week
CANEGROWERS, the peak group for sugarcane growers in Queensland, is in Far North Queensland again this week, visiting affected growers and briefing leaders on how the proposed relief and rehabilitation packages are best structured to provide real and immediate support to farmers and others devastated by Cyclone Larry some three weeks ago. Ian Ballantyne, General Manager of CANEGROWERS will be in Babinda on Tuesday morning and Innisfail on Tuesday afternoon, meeting with growers and firming up initial assessments of the impact Larry has had on local crops, sheds, houses and infrastructure. MORE
5 April 2006: Practical labour program fundamental to cyclone clean up says CANEGROWERS
Subsidies which pay wages for cyclone clean up should help prevent the exodus of much needed workers from ravaged areas, said Queensland’s peak sugarcane group CANEGROWERS today. MORE
5 April 2006: Cyclone impact report served up by CANEGROWERS
Queensland’s peak sugarcane group, CANEGROWERS, has released an initial impact assessment in the wake of Cyclone Larry some two weeks ago. The report is the first comprehensive assessment of damage sustained by the sugarcane industry, which is an important part of the Far North Queensland community. MORE
4 April 2006: Water price announcement a bittersweet victory for cane growers
Over half of Queensland’s irrigators will be affected by changes to water pricing announced by SunWater today. Marking the end of a long hard road, a report detailing prices for the 2006-2011 period was handed down by an independent state-wide working group, which for the first time involved industry representatives and irrigators in their own right, as part of the price setting process. MORE
30 March 2006: More pain for cyclone hit growers
Sugarcane growers in the cyclone-ravaged Innisfail area were dealt another body blow today with the decision to close Mourilyan Mill for the 2006 season. MORE
28 March 2006: CANEGROWERS in cyclone ravaged areas this week to assess impact and facilitate restoration
Restoration of cyclone-ravaged areas is priority number one says CANEGROWERS, as the Chairman and General Manager of the group spend the majority of this week on the ground travelling through affected areas. MORE
23 March 2006: Assistance signals first steps in long journey to rebuild
Financial support measures announced by the Prime Minister yesterday are the first block in the rebuild of the growers and community devastated by Cyclone Larry earlier this week. The announcement came on the back of a busy day in Babinda and Innisfail, where cane growers, amongst the many groups affected by the disaster, told the PM and Deputy PM of their first hand experiences, and what the situation would now be for themselves, their families and neighbouring farms. MORE
22 March 2006: Much needed support on way for ravaged areas
Whilst concern for the immediate livelihood and welfare of the far north communities ravaged by Cyclone Larry continues, local farmers are apprehensive about the lack of reliable communication facilities left standing, especially given many grower’s isolation from town centres. MORE
21 March 2006: Cyclone Larry Shreds Livelihood of Sugarcane Growers in Far North Queensland
Many sugarcane growers in far north Queensland have lost everything - house, crop, machinery and livelihood during the devastating force of Cyclone Larry yesterday. The sugar industry alone anticipates crop losses in the order of $200 million, not taking into account damage to farmhouses, sheds, machinery, infrastructure and livelihood of growers. MORE
7 March 2006: Cane growers want sugar included in US Free Trade Agreement
CANEGROWERS has rushed to back Trade Minister Mark Vaile in urging the United States to take on more Australian sugar imports. Standing firmly behind Australia’s 5000 sugarcane growers, CANEGROWERS is strongly supporting Mr Vaile’s intention to put sugar back on the agenda when the Australia-US free trade agreement is reviewed in Washington this week. MORE
25 January 2006: Cane growers urge Government to reconsider water policy despite court decision
Queensland sugarcane growers spokesman Ian Ballantyne said yesterday’s Supreme Court decision on the outstanding water payments withheld by Burdekin irrigators demonstrated the extraordinary lengths that the State Government would go to enforce its unfair policy on water charges. MORE
20 January 2006: Better sugar prices may be passed on to growers by end of year
Good news for sugarcane growers this week, with the price of sugar breaking another barrier today, listing at a 16 year high of US 16.12 cents a pound. While better prices are not expected to hit grower’s pockets until later this year, renewed confidence is getting the year off to a more optimistic start. MORE
21 December 2005: Water pricing produces mixed response
Queensland cane growers, the State’s largest irrigators, say that the Beattie Government is moving in the right direction on water pricing policy but several key issues remain to be resolved. MORE
19 December 2005: Optimistic Aussie cane growers keep the faith although
WTO talks fall short Although the recent farm trade talks in Hong Kong delivered no immediate market access gains for the Australian sugar industry, Queensland cane growers say they will continue to support the WTO process as a necessary step for achieving a more level playing field for exporters. MORE
16 December 2005: Sugar leaders deliver strong message to international audience
CANEGROWERS Chairman Alf Cristaudo and General Manager Ian Ballantyne returned to Australia today after delivering strong messages to international sugar meetings about improved market access for Australian product and the status of sugar in international trade negotiations. MORE
14 November 2005: Farmers expect much from new Primary Industries Minister
Queensland sugarcane growers will be looking to new Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin to show strength and leadership in championing farmers’ interests, particularly on the contentious issue of higher water charges. MORE
9 December 2005: Cane growers call State's new water licence tax ' unjustified money grab'
Queensland sugarcane growers say that the Queensland Government’s new $4 a megalitre charge on water used by licensed irrigators will seriously weaken their viability at a time when they are striving to recover after years of low sugar prices and adverse weather conditions. MORE
6 December 2005: Increase in US sugar quota adds to positive outlook
Australian sugarcane growers will continue to pursue reduction of trade barriers into the lucrative US sugar market despite the US Agriculture Department’s announcement that it will further lift the quota for the import year to September 2006 by around 350 000 tonnes due to severe hurricane damage to cane crops in Florida and Louisiana and disruption to US harvesting, transport, milling and refining operations. MORE
25 November 2005: Australian growers give cautious welcome to EU sugar cuts
Australian sugarcane growers have welcomed today’s landmark deal struck by European Union agriculture ministers to overhaul the EU’s highly subsidised sugar policy, but warned that it still encouraged uneconomic sugar production in Europe at the expense of producers in the rest of the world. MORE
16 November 2005: Industry must maintain its focus on costs despite higher sugar prices
The sugar price outlook is the best for some years but cane growers will continue to need strong representation as the Queensland sugar industry continues to restructure, Alf Cristaudo, Chairman, CANEGROWERS, told the organisation’s Annual General Meeting today in Brisbane. MORE
10 November 2005: Climbing sugar prices are sweetening outlook for cane growers
The sugar industry is on the improve, but will not return to the inflated prices experienced during its hay-day said Ian Ballantyne, General Manager of the CANEGROWERS organisation, during an industry update held in Brisbane today. MORE
8 November 2005: Growers commit to making new sugar marketing system a success
Despite their disappointment at the dismantling of Queensland’s long-standing statutory sugar marketing system, the State’s cane growers say they will commit their energies to ensure the success of new contractually-based arrangements designed to retain the strengths of the existing marketing approach. MORE
8 November 2005: Sugarcane growers welcome announcement of Dalby ethanol plant
The CANEGROWERS organisation today welcomed the announcement by Dalby Bio Refinery that it would commence construction of its proposed ethanol plant early in the first half of next year. MORE
19 October 2005: Cane growers welcome car maker's blessing for ethanol blends
Queensland sugarcane growers have welcomed news that from next year major car makers will advise consumers that fuel blended with up to 10% ethanol is safe to use in their cars and won’t affect warranties. MORE
14 October 2005: Sugar industry prepares for legislative change
Queensland sugarcane growers are satisfied that the Memorandum of Understanding on new sugar marketing arrangements signed yesterday by the State Government, CANEGROWERS and the Australian Sugar Milling Council, will enable the sugar industry to retain the benefits of existing statutory selling arrangements while giving suppliers greater flexibility and more options. MORE
23 September 2005: EC decision to dump sugar surplus upsets Australian cane growers
Australian sugarcane growers have strongly criticised a decision by the European Commission (EC) to reclassify 1.8 million tonnes of quota sugar, effectively increasing its subsidised exports at a time when the World Trade Organisation has ordered it to slash exports. MORE
23 September 2005: Government biofuels policy fails to excite the nation's cane growers
There has been a mixed response by Australian sugarcane growers to the Federal Government¡¯s biofuels task force report, released by the Prime Minister yesterday. MORE
21 September 2005: Ethanol-fuelled vintage car competes with state-of-the-art solar vehicles
Ethanol will be used to fuel a vintage car in a 3000km race from Darwin to Adelaide, helping to show Australians that ethanol is a safe, viable fuel for all cars. MORE
19 September 2005: Cane growers welcome second payment of sustainability grant
Payment of the second instalment of the Sustainability Grant to all Australian cane growers and sugar millers under the Federal Government’s Sugar Industry Reform Program will boost confidence and maintain the momentum of industry recovery, said cane growers?leader Alf Cristaudo today. MORE
16 September 2005: Declassification of EU export sugar would affect world market
Australian sugarcane growers are concerned that the European Union is planning to “declassify?a large part of its sugar production. MORE
14 September 2005: Babinda cane growers measure water quality in self-help scheme
Five Babinda cane growers have launched an on-farm water quality monitoring project aimed at improving the sustainability of their cane farming enterprises while at the same time reducing the impact on the environment. MORE
13 September 2005: New water charges may price it out of reach for some farmers
Charging more for water to give government a return on its past investment in dams will make it harder for farmers to finance more efficient on-farm irrigation systems which conserve scarce water supplies, says cane growers?spokesman Ian Ballantyne. MORE
31 August 2005: Additional water charges are a worry for cane growers
Queensland sugarcane growers are concerned that the extra charge announced by the Premier yesterday for water used by licensed irrigators will increase production costs at a time when severe cost cutting is essential for future sugar industry profitability and sustainability. MORE
24 August 2005: US quota increase cause for muted celebration, say industry leader
CANEGROWERS Chairman Alf Cristaudo has given a qualified welcome to today’s announcement by the United States to increase Australia’s raw sugar export quota for 2005 by 17 000 tonnes. MORE
16 August 2005: Great Barrier Reef benefits from sugarcane best practice revolution
The Great Barrier Reef will be the real winner in a best practice revolution taking place in the sugarcane growing industry, according to Alf Cristaudo, Chairman of peak industry body CANEGROWERS. MORE
10 August 2005: No secret deal sign on sugar marketing, say cane growers
Reports that Queensland sugarcane growers have signed a secret agreement with the State Government to scrap legislation covering current sugar industry marketing arrangements were ‘totally incorrect? Chairman of the CANEGROWERS organisation, Alf Cristaudo, said today. MORE
25 July 2005: Cane growers expect Ministers to perform following Cabinet baton change
Queensland sugarcane growers will be closely watching the performance of Ministers in key rural portfolios following Cabinet changes announced by Premier Peter Beattie on the weekend. MORE
25 July 2005: Sugarcane Public Environment
Report launched Sugarcane’s first Public Environment Report, released this month during a sugarcane market outlook briefing, documents some of the outstanding achievements undertaken by cane growers in the adoption of sustainable farming practices. Progress being made by the Australian cane industry in lifting its environmental performance is good news for growers, government and the wider community. MORE
18 July 2005: 'Grey water' schemes help both farmers and townies
Kev Mischke expects that using grey water will improve the productivity of the family sugarcane farm by up to twenty percent. MORE
13 July 2005: Sugar producers keep eyes on change despite price improvement
Sugarcane growers are keen to dispel any concerns that the potential for a return to more stable world sugar prices will diminish the Queensland industry’s determination to persevere with restructuring and reform measures, diversification and investigation of value adding opportunities. MORE
7 July 2005: On-line eCOMPASS points sugar in new direction
Australian sugarcane growers will soon be able to see how they compare with the best growers around without having to leave their farm. MORE or PHOTO (511 KB)
28 June 2005: Cane growers welcome Government's change of heart on assets test
Australian cane growers have applauded the Federal Government’s ‘sensible and realistic?decision to ease eligibility requirements for re-establishment grants to struggling cane farming families under the Sugar Industry Reform Package. MORE
23 June 2005: Growers get more firepower for war against canegrubs
There is good news for the large numbers of cane growers confronted with destructive outbreaks of canegrubs this season and potential shortages of the most effective control products. MORE
23 June 2005: EU price cuts reflect extent of sugar subsidies
A substantial sugar reform program announced yesterday by the European Commission exposes the gross subsidisation of the European sugar regime but offers no immediate benefit to the Australian industry, according to Ian Ballantyne, General Manager of the peak industry body, CANEGROWERS. MORE
9 June 2005: Growers urged to apply for farm restructuring grants before it is too late
Queensland sugarcane growers have until the end of the month to apply for the Federal Government’s $75 per hectare restructuring grant to improve their farming operations. MORE
19 May 2005: Cane growers make good progress on water quality
Queensland sugarcane growers will continue to play a leading role in community efforts aimed at ensuring good quality water outcomes in coastal catchment systems, Ian Ballantyne, General Manager, CANEGROWERS, said today. MORE
18 May 2005: Project funding welcomed now for the sugar Sustainability Grant, say growers
Queensland sugarcane growers have called on the Federal Government to follow up yesterday’s announcement of the initial $4.69 million in funding for regional infrastructure projects under the Sugar Industry Reform Package with prompt payment of the delayed Sustainability Grant. MORE
17 May 2005: New data shows big numbers drain as sugar industry reform gathers pace
Australia’s sugarcane growers today released new data showing that restructuring and reform is taking place in the sugar industry much faster than generally recognised. MORE
11 May 2005: Growers say Costello’s Budget sound
Queensland sugarcane growers have described today’s Federal Budget as economically sound, providing rural Australia with security to plan its future. MORE
24 April 2005: Win on EC sugar subsidies welcomed by Australian cane growers
News that the World Trade Organisation has upheld a challenge by Australia, Brazil and Thailand against European sugar export subsidies has lifted the spirits of Queensland cane growers, who are just weeks away from the start of their next harvest. MORE
22 April 2005: New sugarcane borer is potential danger to our sugarcane industry
Australian sugarcane growers have been reminded of the importance of being alert for pest incursions, which could devastate their industry. MORE
7 April 2005: Cane continues to display its green credentials says farm leader
In the face of increased pressure brought about by ongoing dry weather and escalating market demands, Australia’s sugar industry has continued to demonstrate its sustainability says farm leader. MORE
4 April 2005: Growers look to quick payment of Sustainability Grant to pave way for harvest
With the next cane harvest due to begin in less than six weeks, payment of the second instalment of the Sugar Industry Sustainability Grant is essential to allow the Australian sugar industry to maximise the value of the available crop and to consolidate farming and operational changes, Ian Ballantyne, General Manager, CANEGROWERS, said today. MORE
18 March 2005: Canberra impressed by reform agenda provided by industry leaders
CANEGROWERS Chairman Alf Cristaudo and General Manager Ian Ballantyne returned from discussions in Canberra yesterday buoyed by the positive response of senior Federal Government representatives to the progress of industry restructuring and reform. MORE
2 March 2005: Sugar industry leaders urge Truss to end speculation on grant
The Board of CANEGROWERS, the peak body representing every sugarcane growing district in Queensland, today called on Agriculture Minister Warren Truss to end speculation about the criteria for and the timing of the delayed second payment of the Sugar Industry Reform Package’s $73 million Sustainability Grant. MORE
3 February 2005: More mill closures possible as industry adapts to deregulated environment
Further sugar mills closures are likely in Queesland as part of industry restructuring, particularly where canhe growers exercise the option in a deregulated industry to contract to supply their cane to mills of their choice, says CANEGROWERS leader Alf Cristaudo. MORE
3 February 2005: Cane growers expect delay in payment to be brief following meeting with Truss
Cane grower leaders are confident that the delay by the Federal Government in making the second $73 million Sustainability Grant to the sugar industry will be short lived as a result of a meeting they held yesterday in Maryborough with Agricultural Minister Warren Truss. MORE