Register for a COMPASS course today

Well over a quarter of sugarcane growers have already completed a COMPASS course, and with COMPASS being the first step to completing a farm management system (FMS), many more growers are looking to complete the workshop in the next 12 months. Register your interest in an upcoming workshop in your area by contacting the COMPASS Coordinator in your region, please call:

NORTHERN: 07 4776 2500
BURDEKIN: 07 4782 5455
CENTRAL: 07 4954 5100
SOUTHERN (Isis): 07 4126 3979
SOUTHERN (Bundaberg): 07 4151 2555

eCOMPASS (online learning tool)

The COMPASS workbook has been converted to an on-line self assessment system. This on-line resource tool is only available to CANEGROWER members, and BSES Limited service fee payers. User name and password is required for access. Click the following link for more information http://compass.bsesdirect.com/

For more information contact:
Eve McDonald, Communications Coordinator, Brisbane
Ph (07) 3331 3340
Email eMcDonald@bses.com.au

COMPASS self assessment program

COMPASS stands for COMbining Profitability And Sustainability in Sugar. COMPASS is a way for sugarcane growers to assess the economic and environmental sustainability of their farms. COMPASS uses a straightforward easy to use workbook and facilitated workshops have been designed to help growers identify more sustainable farming practices. It can help you make your farm business more efficient and profitable as well as operating with awareness for preserving the environment.

COMPASS helps you quickly determine, on a scale of 1 to 4, how your farm practices compare with guidelines like the Code of Practice. Growers assess their current farming practices in a wide range of areas, from fertiliser application to harvesting, riparian management to business management, and everything in between.

Ranking 1 is the top ranking and usually recommends practices or guidelines that go above and beyond what is required in current recommendations, including the Code. Setting the standards for Ranking 1 gives all growers something to work towards. Growers who are generally adhering to current Best Practice recommendations but still have some room for improvement should fit into Ranking 2. Ranking 3 growers are those who need to take a closer look at the sustainability of some of their farming practices to identify where they can improve, and Ranking 4 growers have some way to go before they can be satisfied they meet industry Best Practice.

Your rankings are your business. COMPASS is a self assessment guide – it is to help you determine how sustainable your farm is and the rankings give you a better idea of what you can do to improve if you wish.

The COMPASS Self Assessment Workbook helps growers ensure they are meeting their obligations under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and adhering to the recommendations of the industry’s Code of Practice for Sustainable Cane Growing in Queensland and other Best Practice guidelines.

Major sugar industry partners, including BSES Limited, CANEGROWERS, Sugar Research Development Corporation, Environmental Protection Agency, New South Wales Cane Growers Association, and the Rural Water Use Efficiency Initiative, developed the COMPASS Program. FarmBis Queensland assists with the delivery of the program to growers by providing a 75% subsidy on the cost of the workshop.

Every grower who attends the workshop receives a signed Statement of Attendance from the Chairman of CANEGROWERS, as well as regular updates on sustainability issues relating to the sugar industry.

The COMPASS Steering Committee consisting of representatives from the industry and government meets regularly to ensure COMPASS is up to date and relevant to growers.

COMPASS is here, and its here to stay. Government and agribusiness is starting to recognise the value of the program to the industry and community, and the COMPASS Steering Committee is securing support to continue to improve the COMPASS Program into the future. This has become an important goal now that the invaluable SRDC funding provided to develop the initiative has come to an end.

Those growers who have already taken part in a COMPASS Workshop are to be congratulated for their commitment to the future of the industry. Those growers who would like to know why they should give up their time and resources to attend one should contact their local BSES facilitator and CANEGROWERS office.