Industry News
Power partnership receives funding for farm microgrids
Australia has gone from having a competitive advantage in energy costs to being one of the most expensive countries in the world. The price of electricity has increased about 10 times the rate of inflation over the past 10 years for Queensland farmers. Additionally, many regional customers face...
2018-19 irrigation water and area down the drain
Water is a critical input for Queensland’s agricultural sector, essential to produce world class food, fibre and foliage. However, a recent report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows the volume of water used for irrigation was at its lowest level since 2010-11, down 26 per cent to 7.2...
CaneConnection: Winter 2020
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Black snow from sugar cane harvest ignites Burdekin artist’s creative fire
Making jewellery from sugar cane ash started out as a joke for artist Tamika Savorgnan but now she is working to keep up with demand, embedding cane ash in resin keychains, coasters and pendants. It is a delicate process. "Picking it up with your hands is impossible," says Ms Savorgnan, who uses...
Farmers change practices to improve Great Barrier Reef health
AN Innisfail sugar cane farmer has reduced his fertiliser use by 20 per cent, without affecting yield. Third-generation cane farmer Sam Spina, who farms alongside brother Michael, said implementing simple changes had both increased profitability, while providing beneficial environmental outcomes....
Sugar cane harvest fires up on the Burdekin
The annual sugar cane harvest is finally under way on the Burdekin after wet weather delayed the season start. Wilmar's Invicta Mill was the first of their four Burdekin mills to fire up operations for the 2020 crush, following wet weather in late May. Wilmar's Burdekin regional operations manager...
Sugar crush starts for MSF in Far North Queensland with Wilmar set to follow
The sweet smell of molasses is again wafting across the north as the annual sugar cane harvest kicks off in the region. MSF Sugar's Tableland Mill was one of the first to fire up today, with the crush getting under way. MSF Sugar cane supply manager Mick Ward said the company's two other northern...