Time to make bio-evolution a reality
For some time now, people within Queensland’s sugarcane industry, me included, have been talking about an industry evolution. We’ve been...
Harvest winds down
The final countdown has begun, with Queensland’s 2023 sugarcane crush rapidly winding down across the state. Bundaberg was first to cross the...
Next election vital for our regions
The 2024 Queensland State Election is now less than a year away and already we’re seeing some soft campaigning by the major parties. We can...
Free trade should include a fair go for farmers
As I write this column, Australia’s trade minister is preparing to meet with his European counterpart to discuss, and possibly even agree, a...
Working together we can achieve much
Disunity is death - it’s a phrase you often hear bandied about, especially in politics. And it’s true, of course, in all aspects of...
Time for sugar marketers to step up
Earlier this month, a ship loaded with Queensland sugar sailed up the River Thames to the Tate & Lyle Sugars refinery in London. It was the first...
Advocating for regional Australians
As I write this week’s column, I am on a flight to Canberra, where I’ll travel to Parliament House with CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan for a...
Mill sales show confidence in our industry
The news that Bundaberg Sugar is up for sale came as a surprise to many within and outside the industry when it was revealed this month. Not only is...
What El Nino?
We’re almost three months into the 2023 sugarcane crush and the big dry that our weather gurus predicted has yet to materialise. In fact,...
Government failing on biosecurity
Ask anyone to sum up the Australian way of life and the word barbeque will almost certainly come up, and for good reason, the backyard barbie with...
Sweet milestone reached as sugar heads to the UK
Years of hard work by Australian trade negotiators and the sugarcane industry have come to fruition this month, with the first commercial shipment of...
More than an industry, a community
.jpg)
Recently, I was in Mackay for the funeral of local CANEGROWERS CEO Kerry Latter, who died following a short battle with cancer. A friend and...
Power price shock a gut-punch for growers
.jpg)
Just when you thought things couldn’t possibly get any more expensive, the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) has decided we’re not...
Time to rethink ethanol
.jpg)
Australia is in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, which shows no sign of letting up any time soon. The price of everything from housing to...
Crushing it – cane harvest underway
.jpg)
The 2023 sugarcane crush is officially underway, with cane harvesters firing up across far north Queensland this week. The Tableland and Tully...
Growing importance of women in sugar
.jpg)
Like most ag sectors, Queensland’s sugarcane industry has long been viewed as a male dominated space. And historically, at least at leadership...
Could 2023 be the bumper year we’ve been waiting for?
The 2023 sugarcane crush is just weeks away and once again growers are heading into harvest with a sense of trepidation and optimism. While...
Sugarcane – the solution to air travel’s emissions problem
Most people are aware of the Australian Government’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 43 percent below 2005 levels by...
Exciting time to consider cane
Employment in the regions is always a hot topic, with many people unemployed or forced to move away to find work. But there are opportunities...
Sugarcane growers ahead of the game on climate policy
Reducing emissions is a challenge facing every sector of the Australian economy, and unfortunately agricultural industries are no exception. With the...
Funding commitment recognises hard work and exciting future
For the best part of a decade, Queensland’s cane growers have been working hard to improve farming practices, not only making their businesses...
Growers deserve answers on terminals move
There has been a lot of talk in the media about Queensland’s bulk sugar terminals and who will operate them. Sugar Terminals Limited...
Good research must be grower focussed
Queensland’s 2022 cane crush is finally over. Unfortunately, we are at least a month behind where we should be regarding the crop cycle, which...
Resolutions
New Year’s Resolutions It’s that time of the year again when, after indulging over the Christmas period, we promise to do things...
Consider the sugar industry in 2023
Christmas is just around the corner, and we are all looking forward to enjoying quality time with friends and family. December-January is usually a...
Shared challenges
Often when we face challenging times, we tend to feel like we’re the only ones doing it tough. This can be true not just of individuals, but at...
Engaging the workers of tomorrow
One of the greatest challenges to this year’s cane harvest continues to be workforce shortages, both in the paddock and at the sugar...
Constantly innovating to meet community expectations
Australians have long supported, and in many cases have been willing to pay a premium for, Australian made agricultural products. Whether...
We all have a part to play
Queensland’s sugarcane harvest is finally approaching the midway mark. The crop is large and healthy, and the world sugar price is...
The truth from positive reef report
There are many great things about being a farmer, but among the best is living and working on the land day in, day out and feeling connected to...
Immersing city folk in the cane growing life
Advocating on behalf of Queensland’s sugarcane farming families and the communities they support is at the very heart of what CANEGROWERS does...
Finding help for fatigue
Recently, during Farm Safety Week, farmers were being urged to consider the impact of fatigue on the risk of injury at work. Farming can be physically...
Bigger, bolder, better industry for the future
Did you hear recently about a new vision for the future of sugarcane in Queensland? It’s big and bold and has the backing of the whole...
Why pre-harvest cane fires still light up the sky
In the past, smoke on the horizon during sugarcane season was a familiar sight. It’s become rarer in many regions in recent decades, but fire...
Here’s to a successful, safe harvest
This is an exciting, busy and nerve-wracking time for sugarcane growers and the coastal sugar regions from Mossman to the Gold Coast. Within...
Taking up the baton
The CANEGROWERS Policy Council has met amid a genuine feeling of optimism for the 2022 season. It was an upbeat gathering of 20 growers representing...
Four decades fighting for growers
This column, my last as Chairman of CANEGROWERS Queensland, brings down the curtain on 39 years of fighting for the cane farming families of...
Setting the record straight on Smartcane BMP
As a cane grower accredited in the industry’s voluntary Smartcane BMP program for productivity, profitability and sustainability I am dismayed...
Standing up for farmers’ right to farm
Most cane farmers, in fact most farmers in Queensland, have experienced some form of friction with members of the wider community about their...
Farmers wary of land values leading to rates hit
We are fast approaching the time of year when new land valuations are circulated by the Queensland Valuer General and in some farming regions,...
Fertiliser costs bite into farm budgets
One of the great ironies of farming is that when the price you earn for what you grow rises, often the cost of your basic business necessities heads...
Planting for careers in the future
The harvest months in the sugar industry are as much about planning for the future crop as they are about cutting mature sugarcane. Similarly, the...
Water woes in a two-tier discount regime
The second step of the Queensland Government’s election promise to reduce water costs for farmers has been taken. What CANEGROWERS said during...
Farm safety facts are a solemn reminder
The Safer Farms Report 2021 has been sobering reading. My state and my age group have featured strongly, and not in a good way. FarmSafe Australia...
Project wraps up but YCS mysteries remain
Industry scientists and growers have worked on the mystery of Yellow Canopy Syndrome (YCS) since it first appeared in 2012 but despite all the effort,...
Power to grow our industry
.jpg)
2 July 2021 The start of July is an important time for sugarcane growers who use electricity to irrigate and CANEGROWERS is able to help with the...
Confusing, costly reef regs must be wound back
17 June 2021 CANEGROWERS opposed the first reef regulations in 2009 and we take every opportunity to re-state that opposition and outline a different...
National and global activity
21 May 2021 As we draw towards the start of the 2021 crush, the many details close to home that get the massive effort of the sugarcane harvest...
Sharing sugarcane's powerful environmental story
CANEGROWERS Chairman, Paul Schembri CANEGROWERS has always believed in our environmental credentials. Our modern farming systems, our technologies,...
Ministerial meetings hear grower issues
A very important role of CANEGROWERS is amplifying the voice of individual Queensland sugarcane growers. Backed by the weight of numbers of members in...
Industry backs Babinda grower for STL Board
Growers have a strong voice in an important role following the election of Babinda sugarcane grower and CANEGROWERS Cairns Region Chairman Stephen...
Misguided reef policies risk economic hit
A detailed analysis has revealed the Queensland Government risks an economic hit to the state of $1.3 billion over ten years with a misguided push to...
LETTER to the Editor - Time to get real about backing farmers
.jpg)
Coronavirus has delivered a stark reminder to governments and consumers alike about the importance of our food supply chains. These supply chains...
Global Sugar Alliance London 2019 Communique
WTO moves against sugar subsidies welcome Communiqué 28 November 2019 Sugar subsidies continue to depress the world sugar price and are...
No tick of approval from growers
.jpg)
A claim from the Environment and Great Barrier Reef Minister Leeanne Enoch in a recent media release (issued 18 October) on reef regulations for...
Sugarcane's economic contribution to Queensland
.png)
The Queensland sugarcane industry is a powerhouse supporting regional communities and the state economy. A report, commissioned by CANEGROWERS, has...
LETTER to the Editor - Response to the Environment Minister
CANEGROWERS has sent the letter below to Queensland and Australian newspapers responding to some recent comments and claims by the Queensland...
Reef science in spotlight
A speaking tour by prominent north Queensland academic Dr Peter Ridd has raised questions around some of the scientific studies of the Great Barrier...
New Notice for safe and legal cane fires
.jpg)
An updated Notice has been drawn up by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and CANEGROWERS to ensure cane fires are safe and legal where they...
LETTER to the Editor - Invitation to the Premier
The Federal Election result last weekend seems to have flicked a switch for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. She’s moved quickly to travel to my...
LETTER to the Editor - Please use your vote wisely
I urge all sugarcane growers in Queensland and the people who depend on our industry to take a big picture view of the future into account when voting...
Confidentiality of grower data
.JPG)
AgForce’s recent decision to delete its members’ Best Management Practice records in anticipation of the Queensland Parliament passing the...
Australia, Brazil and Guatemala join forces in WTO action against India
Australia, Brazil and Guatemala join forces in WTO action against India 18 March 2019 Global Sugar Alliance member Guatemala has joined Australia...
LETTER to the Editor - Congratulations cane growers!
Congratulations cane growers! I write to congratulate Queensland’s Smartcane BMP accredited sugarcane growers. You are being acknowledged...
LETTER to the Editor - Big brother warning for farm sector
Big brother warning to farm sector In the Queensland Government’s proposed new laws to regulate farm practice in Great Barrier Reef catchments...
Cyclone risk cover - closer than you think
.jpg)
Like drought, cyclones are part of the farming landscape in Queensland. Despite this, insuring crops against cyclones has long been viewed as fantasy....
Graduation for scholarship growers
.jpg)
The first three recipients of a CANEGROWERS scholarship for rural leadership courses have finished a busy and rewarding week in Canberra. Simon...
Proud of our BMP commitment
.jpg)
At CANEGROWERS we are proud of our focus on Smartcane BMP and the solid commitment of growers to the program as the path...
LETTER to the Editor - ACCC vindicates electricity stance
ACCC report vindicates CANEGROWERS electricity campaign It’s not generally polite to say ‘I told you so’ but in this case…...
Cane to Coast tells growers' story
.jpg)
CANEGROWERS believes that Queensland’s cane farmers are doing remarkable things when it comes to protecting and caring for their environment and...
LETTER to the Editor - Reef report
Reef report undervalues grower commitment Queensland’s cane growers should hold their heads high and reject the criticism in a recent...
Hands-on cane farming classroom
.jpg)
Six class groups of school children were educated, entertained and got their hands dirty as CANEGROWERS again joined in the RNA’s Rural...
Cane regions off the drought list
.jpg)
The Queensland Government has revoked drought declarations covering all or part of 11 local government areas including sugarcane growing regions,...
Global Sugar Alliance raises alarm over subsidised sugar exports
Global Sugar Alliance raises alarm as subsidised sugar exports start to flood world market 9 May 2018 Meeting in New York today the Global Sugar...
Poster prize at ASSCT
.jpg)
CANEGROWERS has won a prize for a poster and presentation at the 2018 Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists conference in Mackay in...
Sugar: we're making more and eating less
.jpg)
As an economist, CANEGROWERS Head-Economics Warren Males likes numbers. So during the debate about a sugar tax, he's been collecting some numbers...
LETTER to the Editor - Power prices
Farmers demand power price answer On behalf of Queensland’s farmers using irrigation, I am demanding an answer. Why, in its draft...
LETTER to the Editor - Reef science
Reef science questions concern farmers Sugarcane growers up and down the Queensland coast are concerned about the questions around the integrity of...
How to keep a sugar market edge
.jpg)
Australia’s sugar industry needs to remain focused on continuing production and sustainability gains as smaller sugar-producing nations look to...
Election: What do the parties say?
.jpg)
In this 2017 Queensland State Election campaign, CANEGROWERS has urged the political parties to commit to actions which will secure the livelihoods of...
Strong voice with a bright future
.jpg)
Chairman Paul Schembri has told the CANEGROWERS Annual General Meeting that the past year has emphasised the importance of a strong, united and...
Alliance demands energy action
.jpg)
As the Queensland election battle intensifies, three of the peak bodies representing business have combined to make sure that the issue is acted on by...
It's safe! Code survives Senate challenge
.jpg)
A vote of 37-18 has emphatically ended the bid by a New South Wales Senator to disallow the Sugar Industry Code of Conduct. The result is a big relief...
Wet Tropics growers embrace Cane Changer
.jpg)
Project Cane Changer is a CANEGROWERS initiative that works with growers to recognise, value and accelerate their efforts to adopt farming practices...
Cane fires burning in 2017
There's more smoke on the horizon in the 2017 Australian sugarcane season than for many previous years as growers who have been cutting green for...
New funds to tackle fire ants
.jpg)
CANEGROWERS joined a coalition of conservation, community and farming organisations urging a July meeting of the Agriculture Minister's Forum to...
Minister signs cane industry commitment
.jpg)
A Queensland State Government minister put his signature on a commitment to the sugarcane industry at the July 2017 meeting of the CANEGROWERS Policy...
Introducing EEF60: cane farm fertiliser trials
.png)
CANEGROWERS has been awarded a contract to run a series of 60 on farm trials of enhanced efficiency fertilisers and is now looking for growers to host...
Innisfail board proves its water quality credentials
.png)
All five members of the CANEGROWERS Innisfail Board have achieved Smartcane BMP accreditation, the first CANEGROWERS district to achieve...
Aerial bid to control rats in sugarcane
.png)
Rats are one of the cane industry's most persistent pests, costing growers millions in lost revenue each year. CANEGROWERS has gained approval for...