Chair’s Update
How time flies with preseason harvest about to start on 21 May and the start of the core season only 3 weeks later on the 11 June. The weather has been a bit of a mixed bag with intermediate showers delivering some handy falls. It would be good to see some cooler weather to help the crop ripen up as it is still very green.
With the official crop estimate for the 2025 season of 1,350,000 tonnes, this season will take the combined effort of us all working efficiently to get the crop harvested and crushed in a timely manner. We have been working closely with Bundaberg Sugar to ensure that upgrades are sufficient to process the increased crop size in a timely manner.
We have set the starting base CCS at 13.0, the same as last year and will review this regularly as the season progresses. Updated allowances for the 2025 season are included on page 3.
At this week’s Board meeting we set the crop insurance indemnity for 2025 Season at $55/t with a 50t excess and resolved that Bundaberg CANEGROWERS will cover the additional cost of top up crop insurance from $35/t to $55/t, with the initial cost for $35/t covered by Qld CANEGROWERS. Directors also resolved to leave the Bundaberg CANEGROWERS levy and Cane Analysis levy set at the same level as last year.
We will have full auditor coverage at the mill once again this year with Courtney and Katie covering the position. If anyone has a query regarding delivery advices or CCS discrepancies, please call the office to have it investigated.
Sugar Services Harvest Breakfast was held on 1st May with presentations from Bundaberg Sugar, SRA and QSL. If you would like a copy of the booklet containing the presentations, please call in to the office.
The final Oreco payments have been received in full and will be distributed to growers as soon as possible with an interest payment to follow. Delayed payments throughout the 2024 Season are not acceptable and we hope they can honour their contract for 2025 Season and beyond.
We are holding a casual get together on Friday 6 June and your invitation is included on page 10.
Here is to a smooth, prosperous and safe harvest season and I hope to see you all on the 6th.
Mark Pressler
Chairman
To read the May edition click here.