What We Do

What We Do

ON THIS PAGE

• Membership of CANEGROWERS
• Benefits of Membership
• A list of just some of the things we do 

CANEGROWERS is made up of large and small, corporate and family owned, irrigated and dryland growers. With such a broad cross-section of interests at hand, it is the ideal vehicle to draw on this diversity of views and carry forward focussed priorities on behalf of Australian sugarcane growers.

CANEGROWERS is the peak representative body for Australian sugarcane growers. Over 80% of Australian sugarcane growers are members of the highly successful lobby, representation and services group.

Based in Queensland, the State that produces around 95% of Australia’s raw sugar output, the CANEGROWERS National Office represents the interests of cane growers Australia wide.

Government and business leaders recognise CANEGROWERS as the authoritative voice of cane growers.

Membership ensures that growers’ needs are represented at the highest possible levels of industry and government decision-making. We safeguard growers’ interests on all issues likely to affect their business.

The CANEGROWERS organisation exists to:

• Provide strong leadership for cane growers within a viable sugar industry
• Deliver effective representation and valuable services to Queensland cane growers
• Ensure cane grower strength and influence at local, district and state/national/international levels through unity and shared common values

Benefits of Membership

Firstly who are we?

• Recognised as Australia’s leading representative single commodity group
• 80% voluntary membership
• Local, state, national and international reach and influence

We are known for

• Assisting to maximise growers’ efficiency and profitability
• Contributing to long-term industry efficiency
• Enhancing organisation effectiveness
• Developing a positive external environment for cane growers
• Recognising and managing diverse growers’ needs while maintaining organisation unity
• Providing a foundation and structure for future industry development and planning
• Defending members’ right to farm
• High international standing and influence

Just some of the things we do

SUGAR OVERSIGHT, COMMENTARY & MONITORING

Marketing

• Fought for QSL retention and restructure, which ensured the industry kept access to its
  long-standing line of credit - essential to continuation of strong export pricing. The milling company alternate solution would have destroyed transparency and financial stability

• CANEGROWERS recommended model was accepted, bringing market understanding,
  networking and transparency to the new QSL structure and retention of voluntary single desk

Financial

• Pricing/risk management options initiated in 2004 were picked up three years later by CSR

• Grower pool/audit of mill operated/QSL managed systems

• Institutional awareness – conduct regular briefings for banks, financial institutions, major corporate players and chambers of commerce state-wide and regionally

Political

• Disaster mitigation - policy, relief, delivery

• Economic advice to key stakeholders

Trade/Market Access

• Global Alliance foundation members

• Sugar marketing and trade issues

• Active in trade reform - recently seeing the EU switch from being a mass exporter to mass importer

AGRONOMIC, PRODUCTIVITY, SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability (Environmental)

• Decades of audit and accountability history

• Integral to developing a suite of good farm practice tools such as Code of Practice/BMP/SmartCane

• Reef Rescue

• Science/productivity driven

Sustainability (Commercial)

• Stimulating competition in farm inputs (chemicals and fertilisers)

• Water pricing, irrigation & drainage issues

• Environmental sustainability

• Property rights

• Cane firing and rural fire arrangements

R & D

• Industry research and extension matters

• Restructure

• Emergency Pest & Disease Response - Smut

• Crop protection, rats, canegrubs and other pest issues

• Alliances with Dupont, Plant Health and others

ADVOCACY

Assorted Advocacy

• Transport, licensing and fuel issues

• Union/award issues - industrial representation and advice

• Training & training funding

• Workplace health and safety

• Tax & national issues

• Property rights

• Grower assistance in drought, flood, cyclone

• Mill collective contracts & mill performance pressure

Services

• Crop insurance

• Legal and technical advice

• Payroll & wages

• Financial

• Cane testing

• Negotiation of cane and sugar quality schemes

• Membership discounts & buying service

• Assistance with grants and applications

Information dissemination

• Australian Canegrower magazine fortnightly

• Media Releases

• Public environment reporting

• Grower CDs and Industry DVDs

• Comprehensive grower & industry website

• Information updates

• Banking, finance, government and stakeholder briefings

• Events such as the CANEGROWERS Conference

• Children’s education materials

Negotiation on significant industry issues affecting growers:

• Mills - collective bargaining with mill owners on cane supply, processing & payment, allowances & bonuses

• Government - Federal, State and Local

• Industry bodies - NFF, QFF, Growcom, Agforce, Dairy, Forestry

• Banking & finance - schemes & major
  lending institutions

KEEP OUR SUGAR INDUSTRY STRONG:  JOIN CANEGROWERS TODAY

Representation at every level:  Local. State. National. International.