Chair’s Update

It’s hard to believe that the harvesting season is only a month away … how times flies.

The core season start date has been set as 15 June, all being fair and equal. There will be pre-season harvesting of mill plantation cane, including organic before this. We have been advised by mill management that everything is on track, providing supply logistics don’t get held up too much. The flood in March has put a lot of track work under extreme pressure but we have been advised that critical works will be completed on time.

The estimate for the 2026 Season has been locked in at 1,200,000 tonnes of cane with the mill grower split being 54% to 46%.

At our May board meeting we set the starting base CCS at 13.30 in part due to the drying of the crop and the initial QSL Advance payment being set at 50%, in saying that you can adjust your Advance Rates independently if you desire via QSL Flex Pay. Contact Menn Mutton on 0437 498 148 for further details. Updated allowances for the 2026 season are included on page 3.

Crop insurance indemnity for 2026 Season has been set at $50/t with a 50t excess and it was resolved that Bundaberg CANEGROWERS will cover the additional cost of top up crop insurance from $35/t to $50/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.

Fuel prices have eased a little however I’m not sure if they will stay that way, supply seems to be okay however I don’t think anyone can predict any further than about three  (3) weeks ahead. Fertiliser prices are up there with supply being virtually non-existent, hopefully as the year goes on this may change.

The draft determination by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) on regulated retail electricity prices in regional Queensland for 2026–27 has been released and includes several tariff changes, including the removal of some tariffs. If you require assistance navigating these changes, please contact the office on 4151 2555.

Sugar Services Harvest Breakfast was held on 30 April 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.

Here is to a smooth, prosperous and safe harvest season.

Mark Pressler

Chairman

To read the May edition click here.