Season Update
Unfortunately, the picture across the state looks much the same as it did last month. Rain continues to disrupt harvesting and planting in the far north, while drier conditions through the central districts have exposed lighter-than-expected crops. Further south, Bundaberg and Isis have enjoyed some of the best harvesting weather in the state.
From Tully to Cairns, considerable time has been lost to rain, while progress in Proserpine remains particularly uneven. Crop estimates have been lowered in the Burdekin and at Plane Creek, with a similar revision expected around Mackay. CCS remains the bright spot - generally strong across the state, although not enough to make up for reduced tonnes.
Mill Performance
On a positive note, many Queensland mills seem to be performing reasonably well this season, and that deserves to be acknowledged. We rightly call mills out when poor performance leaves growers carrying the cost, so it is only fair to recognise when they are keeping the season moving. However, two of our smaller districts are facing serious mill-related challenges.
Rocky Point Mill
Rocky Point growers face a much bigger issue than this season’s mill performance, with the mill owner advising it will terminate cane supply agreements at the end of 2027. This would leave around 50 growers without a local processing option and put the future of the district’s sugarcane industry – and the businesses and jobs it supports – at risk. Work is under way to determine whether transporting cane to Condong can provide a commercially viable alternative.
Isis Mill
Meanwhile, the operational picture at Isis has improved, with reliability and throughput strengthening after earlier boiler repairs and industrial delays, however, the business remains under financial pressure. The mill recently secured a Queensland Government loan to support short-term cashflow. The local CANEGROWERS Boards have b F welcomed that support, while growers are showing their own confidence in the district by continuing to plant.
CANEGROWERS is working closely with both districts, growers, mill owners and other industry partners to find a sustainable path forward. Rocky Point growers need reliable crushing now and certainty beyond 2027, while Isis needs long-term financial stability alongside its recent operational improvements. In both cases, growers must be kept informed, involved and at the centre of the decisions ahead.
Cane comes to Brisbane
The Ekka once again provided a great opportunity to put sugarcane in front of the wider Queensland community, with up to 10,000 people visiting the industry stand over the course of the show.
The virtual reality experience was again a major drawcard, giving thousands of city families a closer look at how cane is grown, harvested and turned into the products they use every day.
As always, what stood out most was the genuine interest in our industry and the respect people have for the work growers do. Our Brisbane team, together with growers and industry partners from SRA, ASM and Sunshine Sugar, did a terrific job telling that story.
As Chairman Owen Menkens reflects in his latest newspaper column, perhaps the divide between city and country is not as wide as it sometimes seems – What city-country divide?
Biofuels Push
Owen and I have spent much of the past week in Canberra, meeting federal ministers and senior departmental officials to make sure growers are at the centre of Australia’s emerging biofuels industry. The timing was important, with the Federal Government launching consultation on a national demand mechanism for low-carbon liquid fuels, including ethanol and biodiesel. It is the biggest step forward in national biofuels policy in decades and the government deserves credit for it – but the direction and the pace now both matter.
Owen and I also took part in the NFF Leaders’ Summit, The National Table, where around 250 industry leaders discussed agriculture’s place in the decisions shaping Australia’s future. I joined one of the panel discussions, making sure the sugarcane industry and the growers we represent were part of that national conversation.
On Thursday, I joined leaders from across the sugar and bioenergy sectors, along with researchers, regional representatives and national-security experts, for a media event at Federation Mall. Bringing those voices together sent a strong message that Australia already has the feedstocks, infrastructure and expertise to begin building a domestic cleaner-fuels industry.
Our message throughout the week was simple – this opportunity must deliver at the farm gate. For growers, success means new markets for cane, more value from every tonne and more profitable farm businesses. That requires policy that creates real demand for Australian-made fuels and gives investors the confidence to act. CANEGROWERS is right in the middle of that conversation, making sure growers are not left behind as the industry takes shape. Read more about the Canberra biofuels event.
Other news....
Paraquat
CANEGROWERS continues to work with industry partners on the regulatory changes affecting paraquat, assessing what they could mean for sugarcane production and coordinating the industry’s response. The focus is on preparing growers, managing risk and identifying practical weed-control options for the future.
Sugar Code of Conduct Review
CANEGROWERS met with the DAFF officials leading the Sugar Code of Conduct review to discuss our submission in more detail. Our message was clear – dealings between growers and millers must be in good faith, the Code needs effective ACCC enforcement, and pre-contract arbitration must remain as a backstop when cane supply negotiations reach a deadlock.
Sustainability Framework
Work is moving ahead on a Queensland sugar industry Sustainability Framework in partnership with Sugar Research Australia and other industry organisations. Our priority is ensuring it reflects the industry’s practical achievements and recognises Smartcane BMP as the foundation of our sustainability credentials.
Celebration of the century
Celebration of the century
There are now just eight weeks to go until our Centenary Gala Dinner at Brisbane City Hall, and tickets are selling quickly. If you are planning to join us, don’t leave it too late to secure your tickets.
We will also launch the CANEGROWERS Centenary coffee-table book at the Gala. This will be a limited edition, so keep an eye out for the next issue of Australian Canegrower, which will include a pre-order form for anyone wanting to secure a copy.
Legends of Cane Country
Legends of Cane Country
Our Legends of Cane Country nominations have been considered and the recipients chosen. We will announce their names publicly in the coming weeks before celebrating their contribution to the industry at the Gala Dinner in Brisbane on 29 October.
Merchandise
Merchandise
Our centenary merchandise is a simple way to mark 100 years of CANEGROWERS and the people and communities that have shaped our organisation.
The range includes shirts for men, women and kids, along with hats, hoodies and other practical items designed for everyday wear. It’s also a chance to show your connection to an industry built on generations of cooperation, resilience and shared effort.