Chair’s Update
As I write this Millaquin has received the last cane for the season and the rain has been steadily falling over the last few days. Growers finished a couple of days earlier with company cane coming in over the last few days which saw almost everything harvested that was included in the original estimate. A total of 1,205,229.24 tonnes was crushed for the 2024 Season, a record throughput for Millaquin Mill. Sugar has been below what we are used to for most of the year which will see a season average of 13.5897 CCS for the assigned area and Relative average CCS was 13.8190. The weather made it a peculiar season with some rain and storms being sporadic over the district with only a couple of wet weather stoppages. In saying that there have been some growers impacted more than others. Our initial assessment is that mill availability was 96%. We would like to thank growers, contractors and Mill Manager Rob Zahn, Cane Supply Manager, Micheal Green and all mill staff on a job well done.
In week 29 No. 1 Mill failed due to some extremely high loadings of mud and cane stool, this is an avoidable problem which should not have happened. Harvesting operators need to keep a close eye on the product they are sending to the mill. Mill staff were able to bypass No. 1 Mill and recalibrate the NIR to No. 2 Mill to complete the end of the season, this was a very good outcome. Auditors have been kept busy overseeing operations of the lab and applying corrections where necessary due to some extended cut-to-crush times.
Next year’s tentative estimate of approximately 1.3m tonnes is going to take a bit more to handle within the designated 23 weeks for crushing per the Bundaberg Collective Cane Supply Contract. We will be working closely with Bundaberg Sugar representatives to try to facilitate the best outcome for all parties involved. To get the crop crushed within the 23 weeks, growers and harvesting contractors will also need to play their part on what could be another record crop in 2025.
The price has rallied again with some excellent prices being achieved, if any growers need help with the QSL Direct app and pricing strategies, please call Glenn Harris on 0409 601 349 and he will help answer any questions.
There have been some delays with Oreco payments and instalments will be paid upon receipt from Oreco. Interest due on the late instalments will be charged according to the Agreement.
In November, briefings were provided to Jamie Gorry, DPI Rural Economic Development Director – South Region, Tom Smith MP, Member for Bundaberg and Stephen Bennett MP, Member for Burnett to provide current views of the Bundaberg Sugar Industry in respect to matters including biosecurity, Reef Regulations, research funding, right to farm and the economic importance of the sugar industry. More information can be found on page 10.
Michael Turner has finished work and will be on extended leave prior to retirement, we wish Michael a happy retirement filled with many adventures and special memories. David Dowson is available on 0429 334 553 for any Sugar Services related matters.
Soybeans are an option for planting at the moment with the planting window for A6785 closing around Christmas time, however there are other varieties suitable for planting later whether they be for grain production or just fallow crop. Contact Matthew Leighton if you have any questions.
Bundaberg CANEGROWERS office will be closed from 5pm, Friday, 20 December until 8:30am, Thursday, 2 January 2025. If you require assistance during this time, please contact myself or Tanya Howard on 0409 485 154.
Finally, on behalf of the Board, myself, and staff I would like to wish everyone a happy, safe and joyous Christmas and a happy new year.
Mark Pressler
Chairman
To read the December edition click here.