Dear Growers

The strength of CANEGROWERS has always been its system of drawing representation and leadership positions via a democratic process. Every member of CANEGROWERS is eligible to nominate for the CANEGROWERS Triennial Elections and every member can vote. This is a powerful characteristic for an industry organisation and supports our capacity to advocate on behalf of all growers, by growers who represent growers. CANEGROWERS looks to improve the prosperity of the whole industry by bringing a grower focus to all issues. From the most experienced farmer to a relatively new entrant to the business of cane growing, farmers across the State who have a desire to have a say in the future of their industry, have a direct and transparent path to be able to make a difference. The nominations opened 1 February for the 2022 Triennial elections.

If you are interested in nominating please complete the Herbert River Nomination form or collect from the CANEGROWERS Herbert River office and email to election2022@canegrowers.com.au or post to:

The Returning Officer, CANEGROWERS,

GPO Box 1032, Brisbane Qld 4001

Please Note: Nominations close at 5.00pm Friday, 25 February 2022.

Below are the IMPORTANT DATES for the Election;

Nominations opened on 1 February 2022

Official Rolls close at 5.00pm on 25 February 2022

Nominations close at 5.00pm on 25 February 2022

Ballot papers to be posted by 15 March 2022

Ballot papers to be received by 5.00pm 14 April 2022

Election counting of votes on 19 April 2022

Declaration of election results on 20 April 2022

Elected members term commences 1 May 2022

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Frank Scardamaglia

Manager

CANEGROWERS Herbert River

Email: frank_scardamaglia@canegrowers.com.au

Phone: 0475 818 800

Major Grants Project – Grower Incentive Grants

Grower Incentive Grants are now available for Herbert growers who are able to improve water quality associated with on-farm nitrogen management practice changes by receiving financial support. Grower Incentive Grants are part of the Major Grants Project which aims to improve the quality of water flowing from the Herbert River catchment to the GBR lagoon while at the same time improving productivity and profitability of the Herbert sugar industry. Grower Incentive Grants are being managed by CANEGROWERS Herbert River as part of the Lower Herbert Water Quality Program (LHWQP) which is funded by the Reef Trust Partnership.

Herbert growers can apply for a Grower Incentive Grant of up to $25,000 (excluding GST) for a single farm project and they must provide a ≥50% matching Cash Contribution of the total project cost towards their Grower Incentive Grant Project.  A number of growers can collaborate in a multi-farm project to collectively receive up to $100,000 (excluding GST) and each providing a ≥50% matching Cash Contribution of the total project cost.

Grower Incentive Grants are being managed by CANEGROWERS Herbert River as part of the Lower Herbert Water Quality Program funded by the Reef Trust Partnership. Please contact:

Caroline Coppo – LHWQP Program Coordinator (0437 046 255) or Paul Marbelli – Grant Officer (0408 180 552)

For an overview of the Grower Incentive Grants and to determine if it is suitable for your farming business please visit the MAJOR GRANTS PROJECT tab on the CANEGROWERS Herbert River website or click on the button below.

Funding for Cane Loss Monitor – Expressions of Interest

CANEGROWERS Herbert River have been successful in applying for a Agriculture technology grant from AgiFutures Australia. The grants primary goal is to increase the uptake of technology in the agriculture sector in Australia.

CANEGROWERS Herbert River have an opportunity to subsidise Cane Loss Monitors for Harvesters in the Herbert River District.

If you are interesting in applying for this funding from CANEGROWERS Herbert River on behalf of your Harvester group please email frank_scardamaglia@canegrowers.com.au or contact Frank on 0475 818 800.

Ag Career Start

Ag Career Start is a structured gap-year program encouraging young Australians to try a career in agriculture by connecting them to jobs on Australian farms. The Program will train the next generation of workers and secure a skilled and enthusiastic workforce for seasons to come.

Find out more here.

Growers share why soil health matters to them

SRA caught up with some North Queensland sugarcane farmers who’ve focused on improving soil health, about the changes introduced on their farms and the resulting benefits.

They’ve shared their experiences in a video on our YouTube channel. Agronomist Dr Danielle Skocaj also discusses some of the improvements observed at one of the farms.

The growers are also featured in our extended soil health coverage in the Summer edition of CaneConnection

Watch growers Chris Bosworth and Allan Lynn who feature in - Improving soil health - YouTube

Farm Maps returned to Wilmar

Wilmar are requesting maps to be returned to Wilmar as soon as possible so they can get an early estimate and ascertain for eg. amount of fallow etc.

Please contact Wilmar for any assistance with this.

Quad bike fatality on a rural property

In November 2021, a rural property owner died after appearing to roll his quad bike.

Initial enquiries suggest the man was in all likelihood mustering cattle on his own in a slopey area that also appeared to be sodden and boggy at the time. Investigations indicate the quad bike had been fitted with an Operator Protection Device (OPD) by the manufacturer. For reasons unknown, it appears the OPD had been removed with the upper mounting bracket remaining.

Investigations are continuing. Read the full incident alert here.

Growers call for investment in farm best practice program

Queensland’s sugarcane industry has a results-focused suggestion of where the Federal Government could invest some of the reported $1 billion it is planning to commit to the Great Barrier Reef. 

Read the full story by clicking on the button below.

Expert to examine yellowing cane in the Herbert

SRA experts will examine several sites around Ingham next week following multiple reports of yellowing cane.

District Manager Phil Patane (pictured) said several growers had contacted him to report yellowing of their crop, while Herbert Cane Productivity Services had received similar reports.

“We’ve had more than 100 millimetres of rain over the past week, combined with high temperatures, so it may be a stress reaction in the crop,” Phil said. “But it’s also important to examine whether there’s something else involved.”

SRA Entomology Leader Dr Kevin Powell will visit the Herbert district to inspect the yellowed crops. Dr Powell has been undertaking research into yellow canopy syndrome and whether insects or mites play a role in the syndrome.

Herbert growers who’ve observed recent yellowing of their crop are encouraged to contact District Manager Phil Patane.

Call for farm cooperation in new reef funding 

CANEGROWERS welcomed the announcement of a new Federal Government $1 billion investment in Great Barrier Reef projectsf and urged that it be directed to cooperative landholder programs such as Smartcane BMP.

Through the commitment of growers, this voluntary program is ahead of the targets set for it when the State Government contributed to its rollout, demonstrating a positive impact on water quality while also balancing the need for profitable farming businesses. 

Listen to CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan talk about reef program funding and where it should be directed on the ABC Queensland Country Hour on 28 January or read the Media Release on the CANEGROWERS website. 

Welcome new project manager

CANEGROWERS has welcomed Chris Gillitt to the staff to manage the CANEGROWERS Business Essentials program. Chris is an agricultural economist with sugar industry experience. The first of the two-day courses are scheduled to be held in Innisfail, Tully, Herbert River and Mackay in February and March. 

Contact your local office for information or read more about the program and register your interest on the CANEGROWERS website. 

QSL Update

2022-Season Pre-Crush Advance Payment

The QSL Pre-Crush Advance Payment Scheme opens for nomination on 1 February 2022. The scheme gives growers a payment for their 2022-Season QSL GEI Sugar in March 2022 — before the crush begins. Growers who have been accepted by QSL to participate in the scheme (at QSL's discretion), will receive $50/tonne of sugar IPS on 25 March for up to half of their 2022-Season QSL GEI Sugar. Nominations close 11 March 2022 and can be made via your QSL Direct account. Please note, a cost of $0.50/tonne IPS sugar applies.

Find out more by reading the Pre-Crush Advance Fact Sheet by clicking here.

Key dates:

• 1 February 2022: QSL Pre-Crush Advance Payment Scheme opens for nomination. Nominations can be made via your QSL Direct account.
• 15 February 2022: March 2022 ICE 11 Contract Pricing Completion Date for growers using the Individual Futures Contract and Self-Managed Harvest Contract. This is the final day to achieve or roll pricing allocated to this contract. Any tonnage that has not been priced by this date will be priced by QSL at the next market opportunity.
• 21 February 2022: Final day to achieve 2021-Season Target Price Contract targets before the pricing window is automatically extended and roll adjustments apply.
• 1 March 2022: Nominations open for the QSL 2022-Season Actively Managed Pool.
•  

Market Update Podcast

Catch up on all the latest sugar market news and currency activity in this week’s Market Update Podcast by clicking here.

Cultivate Farms online pitching event

Cultivate Farms brings aspiring farmers and investors together and they're hosting an event online on Thursday 3 March 2022. If you're interested in watching Queensland farmers pitch their farming dreams and plans to investors you can get more information and register to attend by clicking here.

CANEGROWERS Herbert River Directors

Chris Bosworth    0418 983 507      ca_ltbosworth1@bigpond.com

Jeff Cantamessa  0418 182 067      jeff@jefcan.com

Paul Marbelli        0408 180 552      Marbie08@bigpond.com

Steven Marbelli    0417 621 970      marbi.70@bigpond.com

Michael Pisano    0429 113 465       Pisanom220@gmail.com

Terry Motti            0417 636 863      tezmot71@gmail.com

Sam Torrisi           0408 779 598      Torrisi5@itnq.com.au

Zenan Reinaudo   0400 762 103     mzreinaudo@bigpond.com