Industry News
Fix needed for regional councils funding
Despite significant challenges, from a protracted drought to rising input costs, burdensome government regulations and most recently, a global pandemic, the state's 24,000 farm businesses have continued to feed, clothe, and provide amenity to Queenslanders, Australians and many others around the...
Bundaberg farmers say council rates rise too high, adding to crippling operating costs
In a landscape where the cost of farming is increasing, growers say they're struggling to cope with Bundaberg Regional Council's hefty rates rise. Charles Grima, who has farmed sugarcane and sweet potatoes for decades, has had one of the area's highest increases in rates. Previously his net...
This tableware made from sugarcane and bamboo breaks down in 60 days
Scientists have designed a set of "green" tableware made from sugarcane and bamboo that doesn't sacrifice on convenience or functionality and could serve as a potential alternative to plastic cups and other disposable plastic containers. Unlike traditional plastic or biodegradable polymers --...
Death on North Queensland sugar cane farm
A company has been fined $150,000 after a worker was crushed to death while trying to repair a haul-out vehicle on a North Queensland sugar cane farm. The man was working for Warland Brothers, a diesel mechanic repair and sugar cane harvesting business, when the incident happened on October 7,...
QSL sales unaffected
Australia’s largest sugar marketer, Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL), believes any ban by China on Australian sugar exports would be a concerning development for the industry but was unlikely to negatively impact QSL growers’ sugar returns. QSL General Manager Marketing Mark Hampson said...
Food Processing Facility Major Boost for Mossman
In a major boost for Mossman, an alternative ingredient for speciality soy sauce will provide a boost for local sugar cane farmers when a food processing facility starts operating next to the Mossman Sugar Mill. A report, published in the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority, states...
Farmers says Reef, water pricing still need to be addressed
Farmers say the key issues of reef regulations and water pricing still need to be addressed. In congratulating Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and the ALP on their election win, CANEGROWERS chairman Paul Schembri said farmers were continuing to campaign for a policy environment in which the cane...
Mossman Mill / The Year That Was
Overview for the Year Mossman Mill crushing for 2020 was completed at 0530 on Friday 30th October, 2020Total tonnes crushed was 647,983 against the original budget of 701,720. This is 7.7% below estimate which can be attributed to weather conditions over the growing season.The dry weather at the...
What about the other 20%?
The State Election has come to a close, Annastacia is back in power and the deadline for rural rates bills is looming. All this on top of the news that Bingera Mill is closing, water security from Paradise Dam is now in limbo and the announcement by Bundaberg Regional Council CEO Steve Johnston...
Bundaberg Sugar makes plans to secure cane supply after Bingera Mill closure
Bundaberg Sugar Limited (BSL) is exploring how it can secure its future cane supply after closing Bingera Mill. The mill, which has operated in the Bundaberg region for 135 years, shut down after this year's crush, leaving only the Millaquin Mill operational. Chief executive Guy Basile said it...
Funding plea ahead of potential MSF Sugar Maryborough mill closure
Sugar industry jobs in the Wide Bay Burnett region hang in the balance ahead of this weekend's state election with Labor failing to commit to a rescue package ahead of a potential mill closure. MSF Sugar is considering closing their Maryborough mill after Rural Funds Management purchased 5409...
Irrigation boost for cane growers in Burdekin and Bundaberg
Irrigation innovation hubs are being established in key sugar cane growing regions in a bid to help farmers better manage their crops and increase profitability. Cane growers in the Burdekin district are teaming up with researchers from the University of Southern Queensland with the aim to produce...
Sugar season draws to a close in North Queensland
North Queensland's sugar season is drawing to a close with the first of Wilmar's eight mills expected to crush out next week. Despite wet weather hampering the start of the harvest, mills in the region remain on track to crush the last of the season's cane by the end of November. Wilmar general...
Students find sweet positives in carbon-negative hydrogen
Final-year chemical engineering students at The University of Queensland are investigating how sugarcane can be used as a clean energy source to create hydrogen. Professor Damien Batstone said bagasse and other agricultural residues were an abundant resource that could generate “green” or...
Cane grower Stephen Calcagno appointed to Sugar Terminals Limited board
Babinda cane grower Stephen Calcagno wants to ensure the best decisions possible are made for growers at all levels when it comes to shipping sugar. Mr Calcagno was appointed to the Sugar Terminals Limited board at their annual general meeting this week. Canegrowers took the unprecedented step of...
Paradise Dam wall reduction stoush continues
With the state election just days away, a war of words between the major parties over the structural integrity of Paradise Dam in the Wide Bay-Burnett region continues. The 300,000 megalitre Paradise Dam wall was slated to be reduced by five metres from May 2020, after Sunwater raised safety...
Growers & Millers Unite to Safeguard Wide Bay-Burnett Sugar Jobs
A rescue package to safeguard sugar industry jobs in the Wide Bay Burnett region hangs in the balance as the Queensland election looms, with industry leaders urging the Labor Party to commit funds before this weekend’s election. A Queensland Government contribution of $6.33 million is needed to...
Premier’s commitment to reduce water charges provides confidence boost to regional economy
The Australian Sugar Milling Council (ASMC) welcomed today’s announcement from the Palaszczuk Government to cut irrigation water costs for Queensland’s sugarcane growers by 15 per cent for three years from July 2021 if re-elected. “Increasing overseas competition, depressed global sugar...
Labor, LNP agriculture strategies questioned
If you feel like the primary production sector has been forgotten this state election campaign, you are not alone. A week out from the election, and with pre-polling and postal voting open, Queensland's agricultural lobby groups have questioned why neither major party has released a "overarching...
Labor, LNP and Australian Party promise cheaper water for Queensland farmers ahead of election
Bipartisan support has been given for cheaper water prices as the Queensland state election race enters the home stretch. Labor joined the party to announce a 15 per cent reduction in water charges for farmers accessing the state-owned irrigation schemes, and half-price water specifically for...