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canenews

CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd Newsletter Edition 2014/20 Distributed: Friday 6 June 2014

The peak weekly newsletter for cane farmers in the Burdekin

This newsletter is not to be distributed or reproduced without the express permission of CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd

Continues page 2

2014 season commencement Harvesting for 2014 commenced on Tuesday in the Pioneer and Kalamia mill areas.

Wilmar has reported that Kalamia Mill has had several issues to resolve in the first few days of crushing and that Pioneer Mill has settled into operations quite well after a 6 hour stoppage for a bagasse chute choke yesterday although there has been a bagasse feed issue today.

Some high dirt levels have also been adding to the difficulties and late zero hours that have been experienced by both mills has restricted the next day’s loadings.

There has been an instance reported of full bins being dropped/delivered by a haul out driver while the siding was being serviced by a loco. The loco drivers assistant was actually between full bins kicking in levers when the bins were dropped so there was potential for the worst possible outcome.

Also there has been unconfirmed reports of a haul out truck rollover.

All those involved in harvesting and hauling cane are urged to be cautious around the commencement period and to ensure that all training and inductions have been undertaken and monitor each other’s activities in the field to ensure everyone is working safely.

Friday 13 June

9.30-11.30am

Ayr Showgrounds Hall

Wilmar exiting QSL All welcome

Come and hear QSL’s side of the story

This meeting is being hosted by CANEGROWERS Burdekin and is an open meeting, all welcome to attend.

Inkerman Mill fails to start due to Growers making a stand against Wilmar

Inkerman growers provided Wilmar with a clear message of how angry they are by delaying the crushing start for Inkerman Mill.

Growers had clearly stated their preferred start date for the crush was Tuesday 10th June, which Wilmar disregarded, but growers biggest issue is that Wilmar have disregarded their view as to who they want to market their share of the raw sugar.

Continues page 2

CBL Director Roger Piva being interviewed by WIN news

regarding the delay to crush

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TECHCLINIC “For Queensland to develop international best practice in the

management of agricultural plastic waste”.

The Department of State Development, Infrastructure &

Planning are holding a TECHCLINIC on

Thursday 12 June

CANEGROWERS Hall,

Home Hill A TECHCLINIC is designed to address a complex

industry issue by bring together a group of between 20

to 40 people who are representative of the whole supply

chain. The goal is to innovatively come to a solution

that is commercially viable.

If you are interested in being part of the TECHCLINIC or

if you wish to put forward your thoughts please

contact Debra on 0417 709 435.

New bin consignments books introduced New consignment books have been produced by Wilmar and are being phased in over this year’s harvest. The books have been redesigned so as to be universal across all Wilmar regional mill sites.

The introduction and instructions regarding the new consignment notes has been highlighted and incorporated into the online delivery of induction for haul out drivers.

Haul out drivers that have not had to do the induction this year under the two year validation period may not be familiar or aware of the introduction of the new consignment books.

Growers are advised to become familiar with the new books and check their consignments so as to ensure that haul out drivers are entering all the required information correctly and are noting the commencement time for harvesting.

Have you checked your farm maps Farm maps were distributed to growers by Wilmar last month. By now growers should have checked the accuracy and advised any changes to their Wilmar logistics officer.

Growers are encouraged to review the farm maps again via the grower web to ensure the changes advised have been actioned.

This is necessary so as to ensure the block, paddock, variety and class data is accurate as incorrect data can effect growers ccs outcomes.

Please advise CANEGROWERS Member Services Manager Wayne Smith if you find that the changes haven’t been effected by Wilmar and he will follow up with the logistics officers.

Day Pioneer Kalamia

Tuesday 3rd June 9230 6439

Wednesday 4th June 8311 4814

Thursday 5th June 7587 6877

Friday 6th June 8875 Data not available due to communications issues

Indicated in the table below are the tonnes of cane loaded so far this week for crushing at the two mills that commenced crushing on Tuesday.

2014 season commencement continued

Members of canegrowers voted unanimously that they want QSL to market their sugar but Wilmar are pushing ahead with their NO CHOICE proposal to have their own Wilmar Sugar Trading company market both Wilmar’s share of the sugar and the growers 2/3rds share of the sugar.

Growers refuse to be on the back foot and just lay down and accept this treatment.

Growers have made it clear they are prepared to stand shoulder to shoulder and fight this big international company.

In the lead up to the protest we had received numerous phone calls from growers advising they are sick of Wilmar’s bullying tactics and sick of being treated with disrespect and having their views ignored.

CANEGROWERS will re-join the discussion when Wilmar are prepared to respect growers views and rights and when Wilmar accepts that CANEGROWERS members completely CONDEMN their current proposal.

Inkerman Mill fails to start due to Growers making a stand against Wilmar continued

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MORE INFORMATION ON

Wilmar exiting QSL

CANEGROWERS Burdekin articles click here >

SAY NO TO WILMAR petition click here >

SAY NO TO WILMAR on facebook click here >

SAY NO TO WILMAR handle for twitter

#saynotowilmar

What it means for growers more information

from CANEGROWERS click here >

Information from QSL click here >

Information from Wilmar click here>

Growers concerns on Wilmar exiting QSL raised in parliament Federal members from Dawson and Capricornia, George

Christensen MP and Michelle Landry MP have raised cane

farmers concerns on Wilmar exiting QSL.

To view their speeches click on the photos above.

New QCGO Board Announced The CANEGROWERS restructure which was announced

earlier this year has now been implemented. This structure is

now two-tiered.

The newly formed Policy Council, with representation from

every mill area, will set proactive, responsive and robust policy

direction for the organisation. The Policy Council will interface

with the new streamlined Board of eight which will meet more

frequently, setting priorities and overseeing the running of the

business on behalf of members.

The new CANEGROWERS Board was elected by the Policy

Council this week. The representatives on the Board are as

follows:

Chairman - Paul Schembri

Senior Vice Chairman - Allan Dingle

Vice Chairman - Steve Guazzo

Kevin Borg

Owen Menkens

David Lando

Joe Russo

Rajinder Singh

CANEGROWERS Burdekin policy council members are

Philip Marano

Russell Jordan

Owen Menkens

David Lando

CANEGROWERS Directors and Managers at the QCGO policy

meeting in Brisbane earlier this week

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Wilmar to invest further in India sugar business Indian Daily News & Analysis website

is reporting that debt ridden Shree

Renuka Sugars and equity partner

Wilmar Sugar Holdings are about to

proceed with a rights issue to raise

funds to pay down debt.

The report can be viewed by clicking

here

Wilmar reports losses in sugar business

Reuters reports Wilmar posted a 49% fall in first-quarter (Q1-14) net profit.

“The sugar division's loss widened to $54M from $13.6M a year earlier on deeper losses in sugar milling,” Reuters reported.

Reuters went on to say, “The higher losses in Q1-14 were mainly due to the negative timing effects of unrealised sugar hedges, said Wilmar, forecasting losses for the milling business in the second quarter as well.”

The Reuters article also contains comments from Mr Kuok regarding his preference for an integrated sugar business which aligns with the intent contained in Wilmar’s corporate statement which is:

through scale, integration and the logistical advantages of its business model, Wilmar is able to extract margins at every step of the value chain, thereby reaping operational synergies and cost efficiencies.

The article is available by clicking here.

Kuok Khoon Hong, chief executive officer of Wilmar International

Propagation Workshop, Land-care Nursery Kennedy Street

Ayr

This Saturday, 7th June 2014

8.00am – 11.30am

Open to the public, volunteers and members - all are welcome.

NURSERY WILL ALSO BE OPEN FOR SALES

#saynotowilmar

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QSL update By Carla Keith, Industry Relationship Manager Week ending 6 June 2014

QSL Market Update By Stephen Stone, Treasuer

as at 2 June 2014

QSL Grower Representative Member elections underway

We’re pleased to report that we’ve received an overwhelming

response to our call for QSL Grower Representative Member

nominations. As a result, we’re currently conducting elections in the

Burdekin, South Johnstone, Proserpine and Mossman growing

regions. In other regions we received the same number of

nominations as the number of positions available and so elections

weren’t necessary.

QSL Grower Members are the voice of cane farmers from across the

state and a vital communication link between QSL and its growers.

We strongly encourage eligible growers to vote for a nominee who is

well connected to local growers, understands their concerns, and has

the enthusiasm and drive to share their feedback with QSL while also

keeping abreast of our activities.

To vote for a grower representative member for your mill area, you

must be a sugar cane grower who supplies sugar cane under contract

to a mill in your mill area. Voting forms are available on our website at

http://www.qsl.com.au/qsl-grower-representative-member-election-

process. Voting closes at 5pm Friday 20 June 2014 and the

successful candidates will be announced shortly after, with all Grower

Representative Members appointed by the end of August for a three-

year term.

Further information on QSL’s Grower Representative Members and

the current election process are available on our website, or contact

us (Carla Keith (0409 372 305/carla.keith@qsl.com.au or 0409 285

074/cathy.kelly@qsl.com.au) for further information.

Farewell Bob Rossi, QSL Grower Representative Member

QSL extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of

Queensland sugar industry stalwart and QSL Grower Representative

Member Bob Rossi, following his death on the weekend. Bob, who

farmed at Aloomba, south of Cairns, was a larger-than-life character

who made an enormous contribution to our industry as well as his

local community. His feedback as the QSL Grower Representative

Member for Mulgrave was highly regarded and his good humour

always enlivened any meeting of this group. He will be sorely missed.

QSL secures $500m contract with Korean customers

QSL has secured a $500 million contract to supply 1.164 million

tonnes of sugar to three of Korea’s largest refiners - CJ Cheiljedang

Corporation, Samyang Corporation and TS Corporation. The deal

marks a 40-year partnership between Korea and QSL, and signifies

the exchange of more than 22 million tonnes of sugar. Please see

the attached media release for further details.

2013 Season Pool Performance

Last month it was agreed between millers and QSL to bring forward

the date of the June Advance payment by one week to 18 June 2014.

Mills will pay growers shortly after this date in accordance with local

agreements.

Sugar

Sugar prices were generally range bound over the past

few weeks, with little changing by way of fundamental

developments. The JUL14 contract traded between 17-

18 c/lb, again finding support at the increasingly

important technical support level of 17c/lb. Prices

along the curve tracked a similar path. Sugar traders

now concede the 2c/lb on offer between JUL14 and

the back months may cover the cost of finance, yet

does little to further encourage the carrying of sugar.

Prices look set to remain in this sideways pattern, at

least in the short-term. The main influencing factors

driving market sentiment are well documented. Weak

physical premiums, with negligible increase in carrying

incentive, look set to cap price strength. Physical

premiums will continue to shoulder more of the burden

we feel. Speculators appear to be tiring of the weather

trade, significantly reducing their positions last week.

This position movement does not suggest, however,

the increasingly probable El Nino weather event that is

now priced in at these levels. We believe the slow start

to Brazil’s crush is just part of a story unfolding, which

may derail sugar production if the El Nino hampers

global production further. Given analysts were already

calling for tighter sugar balances into 2015, any

weather surprise will surely cause a sharp move in

sugar prices?

We continue to see both ethanol and a weather

premium providing price support between 16-17 c/lb.

Currency

Conditions in the currency markets can best be

described as lacklustre in recent weeks. Despite an

unpopular Federal Government budget and continued

weakness in commodity prices, support at the US 92

cent level remains in play. What has surprised many

analysts is the pick-up in appetite for Australian dollar

denominated bonds, largely driven by little investor

yield on offer elsewhere.

This week brought a raft of economic data, including

an RBA interest rate meeting. The meeting was not

expected to deliver any rate moves, yet was closely

watched for official comment around currency strength.

Elsewhere, the market eagerly awaits US employment

data on Friday 6 June. If this number confirms a more

robust US economy, we may see the green shoots of a

stronger US$ trend re-emerge.

Key levels to watch in the currency market remain US

92-95 cents, with an eventual breach of support and

renewed weakness the more likely scenario to evolve.

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7

DATES TO

REMEMBER

Landcare Propagation

Workshop, 8-11.30am,

Saturday 7 June,

Kennedy Street Nursery

Queen’s Birthday Public

Holiday, Monday 9 June

Tech Clinic, Thursday

12 June,

CANEGROWERS Hall

Burdekin Show Public

Holiday, Wednesday 25

June

National Tree Day,

Sunday 27 July, Juru

Walk Plantation Park

@BurdekinCANE

CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd

www.canegrowersburdekin.com.au

The CANEGROWERS Burdekin App is available by

scanning the above QR code

SCA

N H

ERE

Seeking individuals working in the sugar industry to participate in a focus group exploring the barriers and facilitators to adoption of workplace

health and safety practices.

This research project is commissioned by the Primary Industries Health and Safety Partnership and has ethical approval (JCU HREC H5587).

The focus group session is being held in Ayr on the 10th June at 5:30pm at the Seventh Day Adventist Church Hall, 15 Parker Street.

If you are interested in participating, or would like more information, please contact Jemma King 07 4781 6102.

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Pricing information 2013 Season Advances & Payments

as at 07 May 2014

* paid

The Advance Program is a guide only. CANEGROWERS Burdekin takes

no responsibility for its accuracy. It only applies to growers who did not

forward price for 2013 (the default method). Growers who have forward

priced for 2013 will be paid the same percentage of their final expected

proceeds. For individual advance rates check your grower forecast on the

Wilmar website.

Wilmar Indicative Future Sugar Prices

as at 5 June 2014

Estimated QSL 2013 Pool Prices

As at 16 May 2014

$/tonne IPS

% estimated

return

Initial * $219

22 August 13* $235

26 September 13* $256

24 October 13* $262

21 November 13* $275

19 December 13* $284

23 January 14* $305 77.5%

20 February 14* $317 82.5%

20 March 14* $332 85.0%

24 April 14* $341 87.5%

22 May 14* $349 90.0%

19 June 14 $368 95.0%

Final Payment $388 100%

Gross $/Tonne IPS

Net

2014 Season $437 $413

2015 Season $469 $450

2016 Season $484 $464

$/Tonne IPS

GROSS

% Priced

QSL Harvest Pool $391 96%

QSL Discretionary Pool $398 100%

QSL Actively Managed Pool $410 100%

QSL Growth Pool $424 100%

QSL Guaranteed Floor Pool $393 100%

QSL US Quota Pool $390 net 96%

QSL 2013 Season Forward Pool $433 99%

$/Tonne

IPS

GROSS

% Priced

QSL Harvest Pool $429 25%

QSL Discretionary Pool $437 35%

QSL Actively Managed

Pool

$437 32%

QSL Growth Pool $437 36%

QSL Guaranteed Floor

Pool

$432 100%

QSL US Quota Pool $496 net 54%

QSL 2014 Season Forward

Pool

$424 76%

QSL 2-season Forward

Pool 2015

$448 6%

QSL 3-season Forward

Pool 2015

$454 57%

QSL 3-season Forward

Pool 2016

$455 11%

Estimated QSL 2014 Pool Prices

As at 16 May 2014

Growers can monitor QSL pool performance via the Price Pool Matrices published on

the QSL website (www.qsl.com.au). This information is updated regularly and provides a

sense of how the QSL-managed pools are performing over the current season.

$/tonne IPS

% estimated

return

Initial * $249

21 August 14 $282

23 October 14 $303

18 December 14 $325

22 January 15 80.0%

19 February 15 82.5%

19 March 15 85.0%

23 April 15 87.5%

21 May 15 90.0%

25 June 15 95.0%

Final Payment 100%

2014 Season Advances & Payments

as at 04 June 2014

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The forecast rain outlook for the next 12 months for

Brandon is represented below. To see the latest

forecast for your postcode click here.

The weather tool provides a seven day forecast for

your desired postcode along with a 12 month rainfall

outlook, SOI information and sea surface

temperatures.

CANEGROWERS weather update

Send through your free job

listings to

bdk@canegrowers.com.au

FREE

The Legal Guide for Primary Producers is available from the Ayr office.

Drop in today to pick up a copy.

Work Wanted

HR Licence, construction &

labouring exp

Ph: 0438 652 089

Haulout / Harvester/ Planiting

Work Wanted

HC Licence, Experienced

Ph: 0467 959 886

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Matt Linnegar to move to ARLF The NFF has this week announced the resignation of CEO, Matt Linnegar, who will leave the organisation in July to become CEO of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF). For more, see our media release here.

Marsh v Baxter This week the Supreme Court of WA handed down a verdict on the case between neighbouring farmers Michael Baxter and Steve Marsh. The Court found in favour of GM canola grower Michael Baxter.

Mr Marsh was suing his life-long neighbour for $85,000 in alleged damages after about 70 per cent of his 478 hectare Kojonup organic farm was decertified in late 2010, from the presence of GM canola. Mr Marsh was also seeking a permanent injunction to prevent his neighbour from planting GM canola crops within 1km of his farm or future swathing.

The WA Supreme Court Judgement Summary is available here. The Agricultural Biotechnology Council of Australia (ABCA), has developed a website to explore some of the issues around coexistence with GM crops, available here.

The NFF Innovation Committee will be discussing NFF’s policy position on Biotechnology and related matters at the next meeting. For further information please contact Rural Affairs Manager, Dave McKeon.

Coastal shipping review The NFF met with Government representatives this week to discuss the review of coastal shipping regulation currently underway. A key issue is the extension of Australian workplace laws to foreign seafarers in the coastal trade, which directly affects the cost of shipping around Australia. The NFF also lodged a submission with the Government setting out its key concerns and echoing the concerns of Tasmania about the effect of cabotage on producers who rely on sea freight to get their goods to market. The submission is available here.

Review of the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 The Government is currently reviewing yet another piece of legislation which imposes compliance burdens on small business. Feedback is sought on issues such as the impact of the Act on small business, the level of understanding of the Act amongst small business operators and their ability to effectively utilise the Act for their benefit. The NFF is preparing a brief submission to this review. Submissions are also encouraged from any members who would like to have their voice heard by emailing the Attorney-General’s Department directly on ppsareview@ag.gov.au by 6 June 2014. Please make sure you copy in Sarah McKinnon to these emails so that your concerns can be reflected in our submission.

Modern awards objective The NFF wrote to Senator the Hon. Eric Abetz this week calling on the Coalition Government to reconsider its support for amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 last year requiring all modern awards to provide for weekend penalty rates. The issue is likely to come up later in the year when the Pastoral Award 2010 and the Horticulture Award 2010 are reviewed by the Fair Work Commission. It is an issue with the potential to significantly increase labour costs on farms and we will be advocating strongly with Government and the Fair Work Commission against changes that have this effect.

ABARES Weekly Australian Climate, Water and Ag Update:

High maximum and minimum temperatures, up to 6 degrees Celsius above average, continued

across large parts of Southern Australia this week.

QFF & NFF

Updates

CANEGROWERS

is an active

member of

National Farmers’

Federation (NFF)

and Queensland

Farmers

Federation

(QFF) , a

partnership

through which we

have been able to

concentrate and

leverage

influence in areas

of importance to

the cane

industry. As part

of a range of

services, NFF &

QFF provides a

range of

information,

including weekly

cross-commodity

updates.

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The rainfall forecast for the next eight days indicates that falls in excess of 15mm are likely across eastern New South Wales

and Victoria, and north-east Tasmania.

The world wheat indicator price (US No. 2 hard red winter, free on board Gulf ports) averaged US$328 a tonne in the week

ending 27 May 2014, compared with US$339 in the previous week.

For the full report, please see here.

Electricity tariff hike will hit Queensland’s farm sector

THE QFF has joined with fellow industry groups in criticising the Queensland Competition Authority’s recommendation of an increase of 15 percent for most farm electricity tariffs. The QCA made the recommendation last week, determining that tariffs 62, 65 and 66 should increase by 15 percent (or 10pc if the carbon tax is abolished). It recommended the transitional tariffs 21 and 22 increase by 18pc and 17.5pc respectively. These tariffs are used by some irrigators in southeast Queensland. The decision now rests with the State Government as to how the QCA’s recommendation would be managed.

QFF CEO Dan Galligan said the rise was a huge impost on one of agriculture’s key inputs – electricity – and was a significant threat to farm productivity and profitability. QFF will be working with its members and the State Government on finding solutions to the steep proposed increase in electricity costs.

Latest QFF submission available on QFF website

QFF has updated the submissions section of its website with two significant submissions in the last week. QFF has made submission to the Queensland Competition Authority on its review of industry assistance measures, highlighting the relatively few assistance measures received by the agricultural industry and the important role that these assistance measures play. QFF has also submitted to the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection on its draft Queensland Waste Avoidance and Resource Productivity Strategy (2014-2024), highlighting the proactive work of industry in reducing farm waste. Both submissions are available on the QFF website.

National disaster inquiry

THE Productivity Commission is conducting an inquiry into the funding of Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) with the first round of submissions due at the end of this week. QFF has been canvasing its members about policy improvements for natural disaster management and will make a submission by the due date. QFF has had considerable experience dealing with exceptional natural disasters over the past decade and will continue to advocate for improved planning and response to ensure farms and businesses resume production and service as quickly as possible. The inquiry also provides a timely opportunity to relook at insurance issues for both public and private assets. The Productivity Commission issues paper is here.

WA ruling a win for farmers right to choose farming methods

THE recent ruling by the Supreme Court of WA in the Marsh v Baxter case is a sensible ruling that has taken due consideration of the complex issues that come with neighbour-to-neighbour interactions, particularly regarding issues such as organics and GM crops. QFF supports farmers’ rights to choose a farming system that suits them, be that a conventional farming system that uses genetically modified crops, or an organic farming system. QFF also supports GM technology as an extremely valuable farming tool that has made a huge contribution to farm profitability and productivity, as well as sustainability outcomes. It also has great potential in the future. The WA ruling found that the farmer growing GM canola (Michael Baxter) had not contaminated his neighbour’s (Steve Marsh’s) organic crop. The court highlighted the organic standards of ‘zero tolerance’ of seeds allegedly blowing onto the neighbouring property was ‘unjustifiable’.

Queensland Safe Work Awards 2014 open

DO you know or work for a company that is doing great things in work health and safety? They can be nominated for the Queensland Safe Work Awards 2014. Visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au to enter or nominate someone else, and view example entries and films of previous winning initiatives. Entries close Friday 27 June and winners will be announced by Safety Ambassador Mal Meninga at the awards ceremony on 23 October.

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MEDIA RELEASES

New international MOU to strengthen Australia’s and Sri Lanka’s sugarcane plant breeding programs

Sugar Research Australia Ltd (SRA) and the Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI) of Sri Lanka have signed a ten-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will expand the potential of both countries’ sugarcane plant breeding programs.

Mr Paul Wright AM, Chairman, SRA, said that the broad-reaching MOU—which will not only allow the organisations to exchange germplasm and other cane materials, but to share information and identify collaborative research and development opportunities—will benefit SRA Members and levy payers.

“The genetic base of commercial sugarcane varieties is narrow. To sustain and build upon SRA’s world-class plant breeding program we must seek new agreements to expand the genetic diversity, and improve the parent population of our program,” Mr Wright said.

The critical importance of new germplasm for the Australian sugarcane industry is highlighted by the fact that in the 2013 harvesting season, the top three varieties, which represented over 65 per cent of the cane crushed in Australia, had two or three foreign grandparents.

“The MOU adds to the 15 variety exchange agreements that SRA currently has in place with foreign sugarcane producing countries. It is my expectation that this new relationship will help to develop a successful range of varieties that can grow favourably in our diverse environments and deliver strong profit and opportunities at the farm and the mill,” said Mr Wright.

Mr S.K. Cyril, Chairman, SRI said that ‘’the MOU for scientific collaboration between SRA and SRI will be of great significance for the two institutes since it will make possible the exchange of sugarcane genetic material and new scientific knowledge and information on sugarcane production and undertaking collaborative research programs.”

Mr Cyril further added that “SRI has given its highest priority to sugarcane crop improvement aiming at diversifying the superior varietal spectrum in commercial plantations. SRI has developed an internationally-recognised sugarcane crop improvement program with the technical and financial support of FAO during the early 90s. The institute has been able to enrich its sugarcane germplasm collection with more than 1400 accessions and it has planned to expand it further by collecting varieties locally and internationally for more successful breeding of new sugarcane varieties. Sugarcane Research Institute, Pakistan has been collaborating with SRI since 2010 for improving its sugarcane breeding. It helped us to enrich the diversity of the germplam by adding 93 new varieties. The collaboration with SRA will also help to further expand the germplasm collection which will increase the richness of the genetic resource of sugarcane making it possible conducting crop improvement research with a greater success.”

“Continuous generation of scientific knowledge is essential for sustainable development of the sugar industry. Sharing knowledge and information on sugarcane production between two institutes and the collaborative research programs that will be undertaken will make a significant contribution to improve research and development activities on sugarcane in the two countries,” he further said.

Both Chairmen agreed that the MOU—which begins immediately—will significantly contribute to improving their country’s competitiveness in the global sugar industry.

13

CaneClips

Gae Plunkett, Development Officer Varieties, recently travelled to Northern NSW and spoke with Anthony Young about the new varieties released from the SRA breeding program in NSW.

GrubPlan for Canegrubs

Canegrubs are currently the most significant economic pest of sugarcane in Australia. This is why SRA has compiled a number of resources to assist growers and advisors in identifying and managing canegrubs.

Symptoms of canegrub damage

Identifying canegrubs

Canegrub biology

Monitoring and risk assessment

Your SRA at Work

Sugar Research Australia has recently launched its Strategic Plan that provides the road map for SRA's direction and how the business will respond to the needs of Members and levy payers. You can view SRA's 2013/14 - 2017/18 Strategic Plan here. SRA has also announced that it will invest over $16 Million in its research, development and extension program in the 2014-2014 financial year. Research projects allocated funding to commence from 1 July 2014. The last months have involved the nomination and election of Group G and Group M Delegates, which culminated in the first SRA Delegate Meeting that was held on 22 May in Brisbane. One of the roles of SRA Delegates is to foster a positive and useful two-way relationship between Members and SRA. You can find the details of Delegates representing your Mill Area or Mill Group on our Website or by phoning us on 1300 SRA 111 (1300 772 111). We encourage you to contact your local Delegate. Group G Delegates Group M Delegates

SRA in the Field

5th June 2014 - SRA/MAPS Field Day With short seminar sessions and demonstrations around the farm, this year's field day focuses on soil health and irrigation efficiency

Contact Us

HEAD OFFICE

141 Young Street, Ayr

Office Hours Mon - Thurs: 9am - 5pm

bdk@canegrowers.com.au

Fri: 9am - 3pm

4790 3600

PROJECT

& TRAINING

CENTRE

CANEGROWERS Hall,

68 Tenth Street, Home Hill

Office Open By Appointment

4782 1922

Debra Burden Regional Manager 0417 709 435

4790 3603

Wayne Smith Manager: Member Services 0428 834 802

4790 3604

Gary Halliday SmartCane BMP Facilitator 0438 747 596

Michelle Andrews Manager: Finance & Admin 4790 3602

Tiffany Giardina Payroll & Administration 4790 3601

Martine Bengoa Insurance Consultant 4790 3605

Email address: firstname_lastname@canegrowers.com.au

DIRECTORS

Phil Marano

Chair

marano@bigpond.com 0404 004 371

David Lando

Deputy Chair

david@landoandsons.com.au 0417 770 345

Russell Jordan jorfar@exemail.com.au 0427 768 479

Owen Menkens owen_menkens@hotmail.com 0409 480 179

Steven Pilla mpbella@bigpond.com.au 0417 071 861

Roger Piva rogerdpiva@gmail.com 0429 483 815

Sib Torrisi sibbyt58@bigpond.com 0429 827 196

Arthur Woods artywoods1@bigpond.com 0415 961 945

canenews is read by the majority of Burdekin cane

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are also circulated to all CANEGROWERS Offices,

businesses, industry, politicians, Government

Agencies and members of the community.

Published Weekly by:

CANEGROWERS Burdekin Limited

ABN: 43 114 632 325

Postal Address: PO Box 933, AYR QLD 4807

Telephone: (07) 4790 3600

Facsimile: (07) 4783 4914

Email: bdk@canegrowers.com.au

Please direct all advertising enquiries and materials

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Disclaimer

In this disclaimer a reference to “CBL ”, “we”, “us” or “our”

means CANEGROWERS Burdekin Limited and our

directors, officers, agents and employees. This newsletter

has been compiled in good faith by CBL . Although we do

our very best to present information that is correct and

accurate, we make no warranties, guarantees or

representations about the suitability, reliability, currency or

accuracy of the information we present in this newsletter,

for any purposes.

Subject to any terms implied by law and which cannot be

excluded, we accept no responsibility for any loss,

damage, cost or expense incurred by you as a result of

the use of, or reliance on, any materials and information

appearing in this newsletter. You, the user, accept sole

responsibility and risk associated with the use and results

of the information appearing in this newsletter, and you

agree that we will not be liable for any loss or damage

whatsoever (including through negligence) arising out of,

or in connection with the use of this newsletter. We

recommend that you contact CBL before acting on any

information provided in this newsletter.

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Contact us today with the details

CANEGROWERS Directors have an intimate

knowledge of local and regional needs.

CANEGROWERS Directors are growers, just

like you, doing demanding work for little

monetary return. They understand your

needs.