Flood recovery requires more than cleanup
The State and Federal Governments have announced a funding package for primary producers impacted by flooding in North Queensland, with grants of up to $25,000 available to help growers with clean-up and repairs to farm infrastructure. While this is a good start and will help growers get on with vital recovery work, it will fall far short of what is required by those in the hardest hit areas.
CANEGROWERS will continue to advocate an increase in the funding threshold to $75,000, the same level of support available when Cyclone Jasper struck last year. We will also contiune to push for changes to recovery grant rules so growers can use these funds to replace lost crops, and we are in talks with the State Government around updating eligibility criteria for funding to help ensure no primary produces are left behind, irrespective of their business structures.
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In case you missed it - CANEGROWERS has announced an exciting speaker lineup for Sugar Cubed 2025, with Australian cricket legend and McGrath Foundation President Glenn McGrath AO as keynote speaker. McGrath’s inspiring journey - from cricketing greatness to championing cancer care - sets the tone for the event.
Closing the conference is Warren Davies, The Unbreakable Farmer, who will share his powerful story on mental health resilience in farming communities.
Hosted by CANEGROWERS, Sugar Cubed 2025 aims to empower and support the sugar industry. Tickets are on sale now, with early bird pricing available.
Got a few minutes?
Do you love online surveys? If you're like the rest of us, the answer almost certainly, no! However, I would really like to encourage every CANEGROWERS member to set aside 15 minutes in March to help inform the future direction of your industry body. CANEGROWERS will email a survey directly to every member on 3 March and it will remain open for five weeks, until 31 March.
I realise we are all time poor these days, and the idea of sitting in front of a screen for 15 minutes answering questions doesn't seem very appealing, but this survey is vitally important to your organisation. Your answers will help inform the issues, opportunities, and challenges that CANEGROWERS prioritises over the next five years.
So please, keep an eye on your inbox for this survey and take the time to let us know what you would like your organisation to work on.
Crackdowns Are Coming – Are You Ready?
Load restraint laws haven’t changed - but enforcement has. Authorities are tightening their grip, and growers caught with unsecured loads are facing steep fines and legal trouble. Don’t let one mistake put your business at risk.
CANEGROWERS has your back with a must-attend webinar to walk you through our new industry-specific Load Restraint Transport Guide - your best defence against penalties. Plus, we’ve lined up NHVR reps to answer your questions directly. No fluff, no legal jargon - just the straight facts you need to stay compliant and keep hauling without hassle.
Fines are real. Prosecution is real. Protect yourself.
Biosecurity tax scrapped
CANEGROWERS, working with the National Farmers' Federation and other ag bodies from across the nation, has brought down the Federal Government's proposed Biosecurity Protection Levy, forcing its withdrawal from the Senate.
We fiercely opposed the unfair and deeply flawed tax which would have seen farmers paying the price for biosecurity threats over which they had no control or responsibility.
National Farmers’ Federation President David Jochinke thanked Agriculture Minister Julie Collins for listening to calls to scrap the tax, but made it clear: farmers won’t stand for policies that unfairly burden them financially.
This victory proves the power of united industry voices. Now, the focus shifts to securing strong biosecurity measures without unfair costs on farmers who already bear the brunt of keeping Australia’s agriculture safe. Read more here
Roving Reporter
If you were out and about around the southern growing region recently, you may have bumped into Australian Canegrower editor Robyn Devine, who was in the area chatting to growers and gathering stories for your industry magazine.
Every year the Australian Canegrower features interesting stories and grower profiles from right across the industry. But we rely on your tips to find those all-important stories to cover.
So, if you've got an inside scoop, interesting story, or know of grower who deserves recognition, please get in touch at editor@canegrowers.com.au
Sugar Market Update
Sugar prices dipped in January following the announcement of India's sugar export program for 2025. This announcment, coupled with reports of increased crop supply out of Brazil, saw the global sugar price drop by around $50 per tonne.
To make matters worse, as sugar prices dropped, the cost of fertiliser rose by 15-20% over the past month. Watch the full February CANEGROWERS Marketing Information Service report below.
