Chair’s Update
How uncomfortable was the weather in the lead up to the storms and rain that we received in the middle of February. Most places received some most welcome falls between 60 – 120mm and irrigators have been rewarded with some excellent growth since. With the price where it is, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to get into irrigating, however if fertiliser has been applied you really need to water it.
The ICE11 price has kept crashing and the Aussie dollar has been going up so we are being dealt with a double whammy. From reports, the ICE11 should level out but the dollar could keep appreciating. This places forward pricing in the spotlight as there were some very good opportunities to help cushion this drop in the market.
Don’t get me wrong though, even the professionals get it somewhat wrong, this being said keep an eye on the price daily and if you need some help, please get in touch with Glenn Harris our Southern Region QSL Grower Rep.
Beginning for the 2026 Season, Bundaberg growers will see an adjustment to the starting Advance rate and program structure for the 2026 Season. More information can be found on the insert included with this newsletter. If you have any questions, contact Tanya or Glenn.
I would like to welcome our newest Sugar Services staff member Lily Schipper to the position of Field Officer. One-eye Sett propagation is well underway with Matt Leighton and Tanya getting on with the job and Lily has commenced in time to assist.
Michael Turner has also returned on a casual as-needed basis and Michael will also be available to train Lily in her new role.
SRA47 finally got the green light for release so please watch this variety, it may not be for everyone, but it will give us some choice alongside another newly released variety, SRA44A.
We extend our best wishes to Micheal Green as he moves on to his next chapter, with that BSL have been conducting interviews for a replacement Cane Supply Manager. I would like to thank Micheal for the positive effort and changes that he instigated whilst in the role. When a new Cane Supply Manager has been appointed, we will schedule a meeting to discuss 2026 Season transport arrangements and options for improvement. We want to ensure our next crop is harvested in a timely manner and we achieve an outcome that is fair for all growers.
The Grain in Cane Co-op has decided that 2026 will be their last season, this will be unfortunate however due to low throughput and high fixed costs, it is no longer viable to continue operations.
Tickets are now on sale for the Bundaberg Sugar Industry Dinner and 2025 Season Awards being held on Friday 27 March. This is a great night to celebrate the achievements of the past season and I encourage you all to attend. Please call the office to book your tickets.
Harvesting Group Arrangements
The Collective Contract stipulates the following arrangements for grouping:
8 Grouping
8.1 Formation.- The Mill Owner shall provide an indication of the likely modes of crush for the coming Season in writing to Bundaberg CANEGROWERS Ltd by the 14 April. Applications by a Grower to join a harvesting group must be received by the Mill Owner by the 21 April of each year and the Mill Owner must advise the grower by the 5 May of that year of the Grower’s new Delivery Point to ensure the efficient and economic operation of the Mill transport system.
Growers who have been advised of a new Delivery Point shall notify the Mill Owner by the 15 May if they will accept the new Delivery Point. In the absence of any Application to the Mill Owner from a Grower prior to 21 April, and any notification of acceptance of a Delivery Point by a Grower to the Mill Owner prior to 15 May for those growers advised of a new Delivery Point, the Grower’s membership of their harvesting group shall be deemed to be the same as the previous season.
Mark Pressler
Chairman
To read the February edition click here.