1

CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd Newsletter Edition 2018/1 Distributed: Thursday 25th January 2018

Continues page 3

Olam Pulses Reps visit Burdekin Pulses Division representatives of multinational agribusiness Olam

International visited the Burdekin last week.

After the demise of the Blue Ribbon Group that went into receivership last

year the Olam representatives were undertaking a fact finding visit at the

invitation of SunRice with the intention to offer growers Olam’s specialised

services in contracting and marketing for mainly mung beans and chick peas

grown in the Burdekin.

Although Olam have processing and storage facilities in the Darling Downs

region they intend to utilize the SunRice processing and storage facilities for

pulses located in Brandon. Other parts of the Pulses division include

wholesale and retail of pulse sowing seeds as well as providing marketing

options to growers for other grains such as sorghum and wheat.

Olam’s website quotes that the pulses division has steadily developed into a leading grass-roots accumulator of pulses from the

farmgate to consumer markets on the Sub-Continent and Asia. In addition, they supply to leading Australian based trading

exporters on a delivered container terminal basis.

Any growers interested in finding out about and understanding Olam’s services for pulse crops can contact Procurement Manager

Brett McIntyre on 0417 759 574 or Pulses General Manager Phill Ryan on 0419 778 437.

CBL Manager Wayne Smith met with Olam International

representatives last week, Phill Ryan, Leigh Beutel &

Brett McIntyre

Sugar can sweeten Australia’s trade with UK and Europe

Queensland’s sugarcane farmers are being strongly represented in a

National Farmers’ Federation ‘Team Australian Agriculture’ delegation in

Europe and the United Kingdom this week.

“The planned withdrawal of Britain from the European Union offers the

Australian sugar industry a fantastic opportunity,” CANEGROWERS

CEO Dan Galligan said. “We want to reopen an historic sugar export

market which was lost when the UK joined the European Common

Market and we also want to increase opportunities for EU refiners to

source Australian sugar.

“This NFF-led reconnaissance mission is ahead of formal Australian

Government talks on our trading relationship with the region post-Brexit,

including a future Free Trade Agreement with the EU. It will involve

industry-to-industry talks, finding out exactly what food processors and

manufacturers want from Australia.”

CANEGROWERS Head of Economics Warren Males will travel with representatives from the sheep meat, dairy, grains and

horticulture industries.

“Prior to joining the EU, the United Kingdom was a major buyer of Australian sugar with British refineries taking around 30% of our

raw sugar exports,” Mr Galligan said. “But that trading door was slammed closed in 1973.

CANEGROWERS Head Economic Warren Males (in the Wallabies

scarf) talks with the President of the German farmers organisation DBV

Joachim Rukwied at Green Week, an international food and agriculture

expo with 1200 exhibitors in Berlin

2

Variety Performance & 2018 Planting With the autumn planting window almost upon us Wilmar have released the 2017 season results and supply data for cane variety

and class for each mill area in the Burdekin which may be of benefit to growers in selecting varieties for planting.

PIONEER

% of Fibre Dirt

Variety Plant 1Rat 2Rat Other Total Supply Plant 1Rat 2Rat Other Total

Q183 119653.69 110130.25 199439.44 295122.36 724345.74 41.2 14.8 14.98 14.53 13.98 14.42 16.2 4.4

Q240 214533.24 141019.44 38824.27 5034.05 399411 22.7 13.81 14.67 14.52 12.87 14.17 14.3 2.7

Q208 49018.86 37995.55 39407.89 64824.5 191246.8 10.9 14.1 14.54 14.91 14.36 14.44 15.6 3.3

KQ228 51989.67 27602.22 34640.66 64157.26 178389.81 10.1 14.17 13.97 14.27 13.14 13.79 15.2 3.8

Q253 32419 45857.34 8162.47 2318.02 88756.83 5 13.12 13.17 12.71 11.37 13.06 14.8 3.2

Q232 16190.39 18644.83 18041.01 6683.73 59559.96 3.4 13.3 14.78 13.75 13.26 13.9 15.2 3.2

Q252 3227.43 23851.1 18249.06 539.83 45867.42 2.6 14.78 14.35 14.01 13.17 14.23 15.2 3.8

Q247 0 3929.36 3714.5 10280.25 17924.11 1 13.3 15.4 11.83 13.05 13.31 16.7 4.3

Experimental 2070.18 1676.3 1860.92 1062.16 6669.56 0.4 13.36 11.55 13.18 12.37 12.7 15.8 3.6

Q200 0 0 2478.94 4173.01 6651.95 0.4 14.1 14.54 13.96 14.76 14.46 16.4 3.6

Q133 0 0 4436.04 1941.15 6377.19 0.4 14.32 13.33 14.34 13.32 14.03 15.8 4.6

Tellus 502.16 741.51 1191.2 1635.55 4070.42 0.2 15.29 13.86 14.94 13.19 14.08 15.8 3.5

Mixed 478.52 1412.89 1256.68 792.96 3941.05 0.2 14.32 13.33 13.23 13.11 13.37 15.4 3.6

Q238 0 0 1479.89 1780.62 3260.51 0.2 13.3 14.78 13.17 11.97 12.51 16 4.6

T O N N E S C C S

INVICTA

% of Fibre Dirt

Variety Plant 1Rat 2Rat Other Total Supply Plant 1Rat 2Rat Other Total

Q183 147934.42 137429.04 315475.45 451490.3 1052329.21 34.6 14.78 14.44 14.66 14.23 14.46 16.2 4

Q240 420425.59 247133.64 65988.26 2048.28 735595.77 24.2 14.18 14.42 14.35 14.01 14.27 14 2.4

Q208 167505.32 84096.99 144148.55 195504.21 591255.07 19.5 14.26 14.96 14.86 13.58 14.28 15.9 3.5

Q232 118123.66 57317.64 14779.78 450.7 190671.78 6.3 14.24 14.38 14.3 12.82 14.28 14.8 2.7

KQ228 32042.94 22496.58 39302.42 77307.76 171149.7 5.6 14.07 14.09 14.36 14.04 14.13 15.2 3.6

Q252 22921.12 83973.78 35562.68 626.76 143084.34 4.7 14.3 15.05 14.14 13.19 14.69 15 3.3

Q253 16585.92 47463.02 15295.14 206.76 79550.84 2.6 13.68 13.14 13.42 12.73 13.3 14.9 3.1

Mixed 4273.58 2212.52 11855.69 4979.26 23321.05 0.8 13.75 15.08 14.48 13.82 14.26 15.7 3.8

Q247 0 533.96 1775.76 6887.7 9197.42 0.3 14.24 14.46 14.22 14.33 14.32 15.7 3.9

Q200 365.74 1348.76 1950.36 4628.34 8293.2 0.3 13.79 10.97 14.66 13.39 13.32 15.5 4.2

Tellus 0 314.88 0 2267.43 2582.31 0.1 14.78 15.05 14.66 12.42 12.74 17 3.2

Q177 803.12 0 0 704.8 1507.92 0 13.65 15.08 14.48 10.2 12.03 15.2 2

Experimental 232.22 0 0 0 232.22 0 13.21 0 0 0 13.21 14.2 2.7

T O N N E S C C S

INKERMAN

% of Fibre Dirt

Variety Plant 1Rat 2Rat Other Total Supply Plant 1Rat 2Rat Other Total

KQ228 199660.77 130278.7 130788.06 139325.43 600052.96 34.8 13.48 13.7 13.67 12.9 13.44 15.7 3.5

Q208 88400.12 70240.17 81519.06 117407.57 357566.92 20.7 13.99 14.69 14.54 13.43 14.07 16.1 3.2

Q240 124147.05 140756.14 72956.83 8662.63 346522.65 20.1 13.66 13.54 13.66 12.99 13.59 15 2.6

Q183 42945.36 32334.48 77418.46 140740.16 293438.46 17 14.88 14.39 14.32 13.23 13.89 16.4 4

Q253 6084.68 24469.52 13030.03 6624.06 50208.29 2.9 13.29 12.56 12.34 12.36 12.57 15.8 3.4

Q252 3323.34 13359.03 13761.86 1320.93 31765.16 1.8 14.71 13.91 13.76 12.96 13.89 15.5 3.4

Q232 4169.91 6060.39 3858.25 401.22 14489.77 0.8 13.84 13.7 13.91 10.98 13.72 15.9 2.7

Mixed 1385.71 915.73 180.52 26.41 2508.37 0.1 14.46 14.05 14.19 12.1 14.27 15.7 2.5

Q238 102.76 147.26 1768.76 337.73 2356.51 0.1 14.8 13.68 14.19 13.3 14.06 15.9 4.6

Q200 0 0 0 1225.81 1225.81 0.1 13.99 14.69 14.54 13.44 13.44 16.7 4.3

Q171 0 0 0 694.46 694.46 0 14.46 15.77 14.19 12.7 12.7 16.7 6.5

Experimental 277.76 0 0 207.15 484.91 0 11.98 0 0 12.26 12.1 15.9 2.1

SRA8 292.33 0 0 0 292.33 0 13.74 13.91 13.76 12.96 13.74 15.7 1.7

Q247 0 0 0 237 237 0 14.8 13.68 14.19 12.56 12.56 17.2 2.7

T O N N E S C C S

KALAMIA

% of Fibre Dirt

Variety Plant 1Rat 2Rat Other Total Supply Plant 1Rat 2Rat Other Total

KQ228 157078.96 81632.24 88598.22 123024.32 450333.74 28.1 13.6 13.74 13.9 13.46 13.65 15.6 3.8

Q183 57179.48 24872.34 102740.68 196879.57 381672.07 23.8 14.14 13.31 13.86 13.3 13.58 16.8 4.3

Q240 103375.3 138070.09 37532.26 2863.34 281840.99 17.6 13.76 13.62 13.74 13.48 13.69 15.1 3

Q208 54121.64 40895.32 40027.56 85382.12 220426.64 13.8 13.92 13.85 14.06 13.19 13.65 16.3 3.4

Q253 21715.84 33624.92 16551.88 7540.62 79433.26 5 12.69 12.57 12.91 11.44 12.57 16 3.1

Q252 11515.96 26195.42 26671.77 1428.94 65812.09 4.1 14.37 14.21 13.81 12.95 14.05 15.8 3.4

Q232 19055.88 11688.14 11369.5 5586 47699.52 3 13.81 13.94 13.49 11.95 13.55 15.7 3.3

Mixed 2257.6 3824.6 2356.3 5758.24 14196.74 0.9 13.91 13.2 12.66 13.49 13.34 16 3.7

Q247 0 0 593.5 7013.24 7606.74 0.5 13.81 13.94 14.43 12.9 13.01 16.9 3.4

Q200 0 0 953.32 5679.36 6632.68 0.4 13.92 13.85 15.52 13.86 14.1 17.1 3.1

Q171 0 0 1534.76 1014.18 2548.94 0.2 13.91 13.2 15.35 13.3 14.53 16.2 7.4

Q238 0 0 0 2347.28 2347.28 0.1 13.81 13.94 13.49 13.05 13.05 16.4 3

Tellus 0 0 1185.54 0 1185.54 0.1 14.14 13.31 15.12 13.3 15.12 15.3 4.5

Q133 0 0 0 168.58 168.58 0 13.91 13.2 12.66 12.97 12.97 15.5 1

T O N N E S C C S

3

Have you applied for Ergon waived charges & deferred payments It has come to our notice that there are several growers who have not got around to applying for the drought relief on charges

available from Ergon.

The Burdekin Shire is still one of the Shires in Queensland that have been drought declared. The declaration has been in place

since November 2015. Ergon offer drought relief in the form of waived charges and deferred payments.

Waived charges

If you are mainly using electricity to pump water for farm or irrigation purposes, Ergon will waive the fixed charges on your

account. These include annual fixed charges under Tariff 66, service fees and minimum payments. They don't include minimum

demand charges. The waiver will continue until the drought declaration has been revoked.

Deferred payments

If you are experiencing financial difficulty as a result of the drought, you can defer payments on electricity accounts that are used

for farming purposes. The option to defer will continue until the drought declaration has been revoked. When that happens,

repayment terms will be arranged on a case-by-case basis.

The relief available is a significant saving and can be applied for by completing Ergon’s fairly straight forward application form

which is available by clicking here or calling at the CANEGROWERS Burdekin office for any assistance to complete the

application (please bring all relevant Ergon accounts).

“Australia’s access to the whole EU is now restricted to a small quota of just 9,925 tonnes and EU refiners are forced to source

their sugar elsewhere.

“While Australia has strong markets in the Asia-Pacific, if the economics stack up, there is no reason why European and British

sugar refiners shouldn’t be able to buy our high-quality product.

“We have no interest in jeopardising the future of EU or UK sugar beet growers. There is a strong demand for raw cane sugar in

Europe and in the UK alone there is an 800,000-tonne shortfall between domestic sugar production and consumption. We want

British refiners to be able to source Australian raw sugar to help fill that gap.”

The European Union has recently signed trade agreements which have increased market access to sugar from Panama,

Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and South Africa at zero duty but Australian sugar remains capped at a non-commercial amount subject

to a €98/t CXL duty. Out-of-quota sugar is subject to a prohibitive €339 per tonne duty - so it’s no wonder no further trade occurs!

“The NFF delegation provides an opportunity for CANEGROWERS to strengthen relationships in Europe and the UK and discuss

the opportunities that lie ahead for European and British importers,” Mr Galligan said.

“The big benefit for the Australian sugar industry is stronger demand for our raw sugar.”

The NFF-led delegation is an initiative of and funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water

Resources under the Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation programme.

Sugar can sweeten Australia’s trade with UK and Europe continued

4

Options for managing limited irrigation water With very limited rainfall so far and the forecasts not overly optimistic it seems timely and a beneficial reminder to reproduce the

following information that was developed for Burdekin cane growers and distributed three years ago.

These options are very general in nature. Every grower’s circumstance, water situation and approach to risk will be different. Feel

free to call BPS extension staff for specific advice for your crop or for more information about irrigation scheduling and what tools

are available to help make decisions.

Growers need to know their water use to make informed decisions for the current season.

Irrigation Management

Prioritise irrigation requirements. Do not sacrifice irrigations on crops with high yield potential during peak growing periods. It is

generally better to get crops growing quickly with optimised irrigation, rather than trying to save water for late in the season for a

crop that has been drought stressed.

Do not over-irrigate young plant and ratoons. There can be a tendency for young plant and ratoon cane to be overwatered. These

crops can handle some stress up to the point of making cane without affecting yield.

Manage irrigation volumes and frequency. On soils that do not crack it may be possible to increase the time between irrigations.

In conjunction, inflow rates and cut-off times will need to be adjusted to ensure that the volume of water being applied does not

increase.

Alternate Row Irrigation. Some soils may be suitable for alternate row irrigation if they soak well.

Minimise losses. Ensure inflow rates are high enough to get water down the field quickly (lateral soakage needs to be maintained)

to minimise drainage losses. Cut-off water before it reaches the end of the field to reduce run-off losses.

Recycling. Use recycle pit water first to ensure the pit is empty most of the time to catch any run-off.

Groundwater. If you have access to underground and surface water, use both sources and ensure mixing rations are appropriate.

However, over extraction of groundwater could lead to a deterioration in water quality and an increase in salinity levels.

Farming Practices

Fallows. Consider extra fallow area this season, depending on your water and cropping situation. It is more beneficial to grow

70% of your area to its potential, rather than growing 80% of your area with a significantly reduced yield.

Trash blanketing. A green cane trash blanket on appropriate soils will reduce surface evaporation. This might be an option for late

cut ratoons.

Cultivation. Avoid deep ripping and excessive cultivation; on most soils deep drainage is increased with deep ripping.

Banked ends. Banked ends may be necessary to ensure the ends of rows get sufficient water especially when water is cut-off

early.

Furrow shape. V-shaped furrows can assist with getting water

through quickly while still getting lateral soakage into the side of

the bed.

Record keeping. Monitoring and recording irrigation applications

and the volumes applied will assist with decision making and

managing reduced allocations.

These options have been developed by BPS extension staff, and

Farmacist and Agritech consultants.

For more information contact BPS extension staff.

BPS Office 4783 1101

Rob Milla 0490 036 329

Marian Davis 0428 927 079

Terry Granshaw 0437 553 149

tgranshaw@bps.net.au

Contact Terry on 0437 553 149 to attend

the next Smartcane BMP workshop on

Tuesday 30th January, 9am @ BPS office

5

Round three of Reef Trust Tender funding package to support cane farmers and the Great Barrier Reef Burdekin and Wet Tropics sugarcane farmers can bid for funding of up to $500,000 to improve the efficiency of their nitrogen

fertiliser use and reduce nitrogen runoff leaving their farms and entering the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon. The Australian

Government has made up to $11.8 million of funding available in the Burdekin and Wet Tropics regions. Delivered as part of the

Government’s $225 million Reef Trust, this investment will support sugarcane farmers to reduce nitrogen runoff by better

matching fertiliser application to crop requirements.

Round three of the repeated tenders will build on the success of previous tenders in the Wet Tropics and Burdekin regions, where

early outcomes have shown success. In 2017, the Burdekin repeated tenders saw farmers successfully bid for a total of $4.7

million for round one and $4.46 million for round two. Once again NQ Dry Tropics will support Burdekin farmers through the

bidding process.

NQ Dry Tropics Sugarcane Team Leader, Luke Malan, said that this was a great opportunity for farmers to build upon the success

of the previous year’s Reef Trust tender programs. “This third round of the reef tender will support the Burdekin sugarcane

industry to further improve nitrogen use efficiency and the quality of water flowing to the Great Barrier Reef,” he said.

“Sugarcane farmers will have the chance to implement on-farm nitrogen reduction or irrigation improvements that they may have

been thinking about for some time, which enhance water quality entering the reef whilst at the same time reducing fertiliser costs

and maintaining yields,” he said.

The Reef Trust competitive tender is an innovative way to encourage sugarcane farmers to put a price on the cost of improving

their nitrogen and irrigation management practices. Farmers design their own projects and, if successful, are offered grant funding

for the total cost of their project. Interested farmers are invited to bid for funding through competitive reverse tenders. Funds will

be allocated to successful bidders offering the best value-for-money projects.

Applications for round three of the repeat tenders will be open for submission between 29 January and 5 March 2018. Mr Malan

said that NQ Dry Tropics would ensure that farmers hear about the opportunity and have the information they need to make a

decision to submit a tender bid.

“NQ Dry Tropics is committed to making this project a success. We have been working closely with the Australian Government

Department of the Environment and Energy to provide information and tools farmers will need to develop an informed bid for their

proposed project,” he said.

NQ Dry Tropics will host a workshop at 9am on 5 February 2018 at PCYC, 164 MacMillan Street, Ayr. The event will show

farmers how to submit a tender application. Interested growers are invited to attend. For information about the tender and how to

register for the workshop, go to NQ Dry Tropics website at www.nqdrytropics.com.au email burdekintender@nqdrytropics.com.au

or phone 07 4799 3500.

6

North Queensland farmers committed to improving reef health Queensland’s new Minister for the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch today (Wednesday) met with farmers in Innisfail to see

firsthand the industry-led innovations helping to protect the reef while strengthening the state’s agricultural industry.

In support of the Queensland Government’s five-year $247 million investment into improving reef water quality, farmers in Far

North Queensland are leading from the front through the Wet Tropics Major Integrated Project (Wet Tropics MIP) and Cane

Changer project.

Ms Enoch said these two projects highlighted positive partnerships made between government, industry and farmers, and

demonstrated the commitment and stewardship of farmers in the region.

“Wet Tropics MIP and Cane Changer are breaking new ground in how they’re helping farmers manage the sustainability of their

enterprises, industry, and achieve accelerated water quality improvements for the Great Barrier Reef,” Ms Enoch said.

“The Wet Tropics MIP is using farmer-led ideas to test and trial fresh ideas, with a view to roll out these solutions to other reef

catchments.”

“Some innovative approaches include the opportunity for landholders to trial the Reef Credits scheme, which allows those who

have implemented projects that reduce nitrogen, sediment or pesticide losses to earn and then sell Reef Credits to buyers,

including government, industry and not-for-profit organisations.

“Meanwhile, Cane Changer is coming up with transformative ways to better understand and recognise the factors that influence

the adoption of best management practices in the cane industry, and how these practices can bolster the resilience of the cane

industry.

“Using the expertise of behavioural scientists, Cane Changer involves the wider cane community to drive change within the cane

industry.”

Innisfail cane farmer and CANEGROWERS Queensland Director Joe Marano has been involved in both projects and says the

reason behind their success is their positive approach to working with farmers.

“They’ve listened to cane growers and recognise the positive changes we’re making on our farms, so we’ve been able to work

collaboratively towards better outcomes for all,” Mr Marano said.

“The previous Environment Minister, Dr Steven Miles, and the Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Science Taskforce should be

commended for recommending and implementing these new initiatives, and we look forward to these working partnerships

continuing.”

Terrain NRM is coordinating the Wet Tropics MIP. Chief Executive Officer Carole Sweatman said the banana and cane industries

have a long history of innovation.

“The project combines actions ranging from known solutions to things that are new or untested, like bioreactors. It’s drawing on

the best local knowledge and available science to deliver solutions that are good for farmers and the reef,” she said.

“Cane and banana farmers have said for a long time that water quality is not just a farmer issue, and the Wet Tropics MIP works

with all parts of the community to drive catchment-wide change.

“The project builds on the many water quality improvements already happening in the region. Significant work has also been

undertaken in delivering a range of catchment repair improvements and tailored extension services.”

Doctor John Pickering, chief behavioural scientist at Behaviour Innovation, said Cane Changer is about recognising the hard work

that cane growers are already doing on their farms.

“From speaking with over 400 cane growers over the past 18 months, it is very clear that cane growers want the best for the

environment, and they want the best possible future for their families,” Dr Pickering said.

“Cane Changer is about working towards a better future for the industry and building on the history of successes to drive further

innovation and change.”

7

Farm Business Analysis Assistance now available

Queensland farmers experiencing financial distress can

now access no-cost expert financial analysis and advice,

with Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and

Fisheries, the Hon. Mark Furner MP today announcing the

launch of the Farm Debt Restructure Office.

The Office provides eligible primary producers with a no-

fee, no-obligation assessment of their business and

financial position, to help them make informed decisions

on the future of their agricultural enterprise. Once

approved, an independent service provider seeks to

review and analyse past, present and future business

operations. The analysis will provide the enterprise with a

set of options aimed at repairing, reducing and

rationalising the impacts of current financing issues that

they may be facing.

This Farm Business Analysis Assistance package doesn’t

replace a producer’s existing financial providers or

advisors, but complements them by offering an alternate

opinion.

The Office and all consultations undertaken are overseen

by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development

Authority (QRIDA). If you'd like more information on the

Office, Farm Business Analysis Assistance and how it

could help your clients please contact QRIDA’s Daniel

Elder who is based in Roma.

Daniel Elder - Manager, Farm Debt Restructure Office

Email: daniel.elder@qrida.qld.gov.au

Phone: 0400 228 677

In addition to the Farm Business Analysis Assistance,

QRIDA as the Queensland government’s specialists in

rural finance, also provides other farm debt services

including Farm Business Debt Mediation and conduct the

Queensland Rural Debt Survey.

For more information on eligibility and how to apply for

Farm Business Analysis Assistance, primary producers

can visit www.qrida.qld.gov.au/fdro or Freecall 1800 623

946 and ask to speak to the Farm Debt Restructure

Office.

Changed Harvest Grouping Applications for 2018 Season Completed forms must arrive at Wilmar’s Burdekin CS&T

office located at Inkerman Mill before Wednesday 28th

February, 2018.

A copy of the Grouping Guidelines and Application Forms

is available on the Grower Web or by clicking here.

QSL Grower information sessions QSL will be holding grower information sessions in February on

marketing and QSL payments.

Tuesday 6 February

3.30pm to 5.00pm – GST/ Growers Home accountants

Golf Club, Ayr

Have you accessed your QSL Payment Statement yet ? Need

help understanding leading up to the next BAS deadline ? Got a

general question about your Statement?

QSL will be running this session for Growers/ Home accountants

5.30pm to 7.00pm – 2018 QSL Marketing

Golf Club, Ayr

Ginette Barrett, Treasury Manager will be providing a market

update along with overview of 2018-Season QSL Pricing Options

and pricing declaration date details.

Wednesday 7 February

9.00am to 10.30am – 2018 QSL Marketing

Canegrowers Hall, Home Hill

Ginette Barrett, Treasury Manager will be providing a market

update along with overview of 2018-Season QSL Pricing Options

and pricing declaration date details.

11.30am to 1.00pm – GST/ Growers Home accountants

Canegrowers Hall, Home Hill

Have you accessed your QSL Payment Statement yet ? Need

help understanding leading up to the next BAS deadline ? Got a

general question about your Statement?

QSL will be running this session for Growers/ Home accountants

Email rebecca.love@qsl.com.au to register your interest.

8

CANEGROWERS Queensland … taking up the fight on all issues affecting cane farmers

Executive Comment

• QCGO met with Energy Queensland stakeholder engagement staff to discuss the year ahead with respect to the

consultations on tariff structures and the regulated revenue reset.

• Finalisation of QCA submission.

• Meeting with CGU to discuss how to improve service delivery and strategic relationships in our insurance business.

• Meeting with advisors and internal team around specific project proposals for industry leadership development and

negotiation training.

• Further development of industry good engagement processes and the constitution of the Australian Sugar Alliance.

• Meeting with ASMC to discuss development of strategy for industry policy development on trade and market access.

Legal

• Making arrangements for district negotiation training options.

• Ongoing assistance regarding the harbour dues question in the Tully area.

• Discussions with growers regarding liability for contribution by neighbours to dividing fences issues.

• Advising in relation to district office commercial leasing matters.

Trade

• Preparations for participation in the National Farmers’ Federation ‘Team Australian Agriculture’ delegation travelling to

Europe and the United Kingdom preparing the ground for Australia’s forthcoming FTA negotiations with Europe and our

future trading relationship with the UK following Brexit.

• CANEGROWERS participated in a teleconference with T&L Sugars about future arrangements following Brexit.

• Met with ASMC to discuss the development of a strategic plan for the industry’s approach to trade policy and market access.

• Following Brazil’s complaint in the WTO and discussions between the Thai, Brazil and Australian industries, Thailand’s sugar

policies changed on 16 January, the day after its Prime Minister issued an order to eliminate domestic sugar price control and

restructure the country’s sugar system to be in line with WTO requirements. At the same time the Thai Cane and Sugar

Board issued regulations that abolish the Thai sugar production quota system; require Thai mills to carry one month of sugar

in reserve and change the cane pricing calculation.

Electricity

• CANEGROWERS met senior executives from Energy Queensland to agree a process to share information and work together

to develop new tariff structures that will meet the needs of irrigators following the abolition of transitional tariffs in 2020.

• CANEGROWERS lodged a submission to the QCA review of Ergon’s retail electricity prices for 2018-19.

Economics and Trade Committee (ETC)

• Arrangements are being made for CANEGROWERS ETC to meet in Bundaberg on 21 February to coincide with a

Bundaberg Irrigators Group field day

Marketing

• CANEGROWERS is assisting the Mackay Area Committee in its preparations for negotiations with Mackay Sugar, following

its decision to withdraw from QSL, for the introduction of Grower Choice in the Mackay area.

Smartcane BMP

• Discussions with EHP regarding implementation of the new marketing and communication strategy, and finalising the

agreement for the next phase of BMP delivery. The aim is to have the new agreement (June 2018 to June 2022) finalised

and signed-off by the end of March.

• Revised registration and business linking procedures are undergoing further testing, and these will lead to easier use and to a

more streamlined communication with growers who have more than one accredited farming business.

Bonsucro

• CANEGROWERS attended and presented at Bonsucro week in Nicaragua. The five-day conference included a member’s

day session, conference with workshops and visits to San Antonio mill and the Monte Rosa mill.

• Over 150 people attended the event. Attendees were mainly from Central and Southern America with representatives also

coming from South Africa, the US, Australia, Thailand, and the UK.

• Attendees represented mills, growers, Non-Government Organisations, traders, certification bodies, and end-users including

Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mars and Shell.

• CANEGROWERS presented on Smartcane BMP, the work with Bonsucro on alignment and cross-certification, mechanised

9

CANEGROWERS Queensland … taking up the fight on all issues affecting cane farmers

farming practices and sustainability. There was great interest in Smartcane BMP and the practices and equipment used in

Australia to improve our production and efficiency.

• CANEGROWERS also spoke in a panel session about labour needs and conditions. The discussion focused on the working

conditions and health issues of cane cutters in the Central American and South American cane growing regions. The

mechanisation and working conditions of the Australian industry is of great interest to many cane growing countries.

• CANEGROWERS met with Bonsucro staff throughout the week. Discussion was on Smartcane BMP cross-accreditation and

the practical steps to achieve this in the next six months. Bonsucro are also keen to improve communication and

engagement in the region.

• Nicaraguan Mills are working on increasing production, improving working conditions, efficiency and to provide sustainably

produced sugar. The Monte Rosa mill is Bonsucro certified.

• Mills in this region and across Central America are wanting Bonsucro verification / certification and are continually striving for

increased mill efficiency and increased cane production.

• There is increased mechanisation, moving away from cane cutting by hand with the Monte Rosa and San Antonio mills

looking to get to 100% in the next few years. There is also expansion of assets, area and markets by these mills including

alcohol, ethanol, mill capacity and electricity.

• End users are focusing on sustainably sourced sugar for 2020 either through certification or credits. They are also looking at

ways to demonstrate change and impact by supporting workers’ rights and health. NGOs support developing regions to

improve civil needs and health issues.

• Australia is held in high regard for its practices, mechanisation and innovation which means other cane growing regions are

following our lead and striving to improve. Observed technology and practices in Nicaragua were similar to those used in

Queensland. The mills are extracting all the available value from the cane and the desire to improve productivity, efficiency

and sustainability is strong.

Transport

• CANEGROWERRS met with Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Police and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to

discuss options to assist growers to fully understand the current regulations for access to public roads by oversize agricultural

vehicles. It was agreed that the following would be covered in a series of workshops if there was interest from growers.

Form 14 and the details in this for zone 1 - 2.5m to 3.5m. If the venue allows we could demonstrate the correct measuring

of vehicle dimensions and flags etc.

The various gazetted notices

Coastal notice 3.5m to 4.0m

Northern notice 3.5m to 5.0m north of Rockhampton for major and minor roads

Bundaberg notice 3.5m to 5.0m for Bundaberg regional council roads (minor) only for 3.5m to 5.0m

The new permit application system with NHVR. The delegation of issuing permits will be taken back from TMR by NHVR

and there will be a new online portal for permit applications. Growers and CANEGROWERS staff (if your office wants to

be able to offer a service and/or provide advice to members) will need to be introduced to this portal and have some

training.

Chain of Responsibility and what it means for growers.

Transport and Main Roads have also been requested to revise the current list of flotation tyres in the Queensland

Agricultural Machines and Cane Bins Flotation Tyres Mass Exemption Notice 2017 (No. 1).

EEF60 Project - Support of Cane Farmer Trials of Enhanced Efficiency Fertiliser in the Catchments

of the Great Barrier Reef

• A milestone report is due at the end of January 2018 and the process of collecting and collating information is underway. A

total of 55 sites have been successfully completed by SRA.

• SRA have subcontracted Behaviour Innovations (John Pickering) to complete a study on enhancing understanding of

attitudes and behaviours towards Enhanced Efficiency Fertilisers (EEF). This is designed to monitor any change in growers ’

attitude and behaviour before and after the project.

• SRA have also contracted Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Mark Poggio’s team) to complete the

economics associated with the results of the project.

Department of Environment and Science (DES) meeting

• QCGO and ASMC (Jim Crane) met with DES to discuss reef regulations and other reef related matters.

• The Reef Regulation RIS will be reissued for a further 4-week consultation. The expected date is 22 January 2018.

• QCGO will be finalising the draft submission it was working on before the 2017 election. If Districts have any further

comments, please send them through to QCGO.

• The new environment Minister Leanne Enoch is starting in the role this week. QCGO has been advised she will be visiting

the Cairns region during the week of 22 January 2018 and we have been liaising with the district to arrange a farm visit.

10

11

Pricing information

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.

Crop Year Indicative Price Movement

2017 Season 348.47 -2.67

2018 Season 385.82 -4.66

2019 Season 406.76 -7.17

2020 Season 414.49 -7.77

Calculation using ICE Closing Prices or equivalent Bank Swap Rates and

prevailing AUD/USD exchange rates

Refer to https://www.wilmarsugarmills.com.au for additional Pricing

Information and trends

Net pool price

($/Tonne IPS)

QSL Harvest Pool $433

QSL Actively Managed Pool $416

QSL Guaranteed Floor Pool $370

QSL US Quota Pool $575

QSL 2-season Forward Pool $497

Advance Rates are based on a grower's individual estimated final sugar price.

For more information growers can access Wimar's monthly Pool Reports,

Allocation Account Amount Reports, their applicable Advance Finance Charge

via the reporting page of the Pricing and Payments

section of the GrowerWeb. The cashflow forecast tool is also available in the

Pricing & Payments section.

Default Default

Advances

Cash on delivery

Advances

Jun -17 65% 90%

Jul -17 65% 90%

Aug -17 65% 90%

Sep - 17 67.5% 90%

Oct -17 70% 90%

Nov - 17 72.5% 90%

Dec -17 75% 90%

Jan - 18 80% 90%

Feb - 18 85% 90%

Mar - 18 90% 90%

Apr -18 92.50% 92.5%

May -18 95% 95%

Jun -18 97.5% 97.5%

Jul -18 100% 100%

Wilmar Indicative Future Sugar Prices

as at 25 January 2018

2017 Season Advances Schedule

As at 12 January 2018

QSL Indicative ICE 11 prices

The figures quoted above are indicative of available ICE 11 prices as at the

current date and reflect the weighted average AUD/mt price. The prices have

been adjusted to include Over-the-Counter (OTC) margin fees charged by

banking institutions and, therefore, may differ from daily prices quoted by the

ICE #11 Exchange and/or other Marketers of Growers’ Economic Interest in

Sugar (GEI Sugar). Values also do not account for any adjustments resulting

from local grower-miller pricing arrangements. For more information, view the

latest QSL Market Snapshot here.

Estimated QSL Pool Prices

As at 12 January 2018

2017 Season Advances

Schedule

As at 29 December 2017

Applicable

from

Forward

Pricing

Default

Pools %

Rate

Default

Pricing

Indicative

price

Initial 60% 60% 252.08

24 Aug 17 70% 70% 305.64

19 Oct 17 72.5% 72.5% 309.12

14 Dec 17 90% 75% 336.99

25 Jan 18 90% 80% 350.55

22 Feb 18 90% 82.5% 361.50

22 Mar 18 90% 87.5% 383.41

19 Apr 18 90% 90% 394.36

17 May 18 92.5% 92.5% 405.32

21 Jun 18 95% 95% 416.27

July 18 100% 100% 438.18

Percentage rate approved by QSL Board

The program above is indicative only in its entirety and should not be taken as a

commitment by QSL with regard to either the advance rate or date of increase.

The program may change during the season depending on movements in the

marketing and shipping plans, sugar price and currency movements and timing

of cash flows. Suppliers’ positions in relation to any pricing elections may also

impact the timing and size of advance payments.

Confirmed

Net pool price

($/Tonne IPS)

Wilmar Production Risk Pool $418

Wilmar Managed Pool $424

Wilmar US Quota Pool $638

Estimated Wilmar Pool Prices

As at 29 December 2017

Wilmar has contributed economic interest sugar from its farms to this pool, to provide added

tonnage to the pool and also to align the interests of growers and Wilmar to maximise the pool

price outcome. Wilmar economic interest sugar in this pool will receive the same price as

growers. The pool is priced on a 1:2:2:1 basis

As of the 29 December Wilmar has sufficient tonnage delivered to the Bulk Sugar Terminals to

cover all previously priced and physically sold tonnage and has now begun pricing the

Production Risk Pool.

Gross Pool Prices are an estimate based on the tonnes hedged and current market price (as

at the last business day of the month) for unhedged tonnage.Allocation Account Amounts

begin the season as estimates and are reviewed and updated on a monthly basis as actual

premiums and costs are known.

The monthly pool price report is available on the Wilmar grower web

Contact Us

HEAD OFFICE

141 Young Street, Ayr

bdk@canegrowers.com.au

Office Hours Mon - Thurs: 9am - 5pm

Fri: 9am - 3pm

4790 3600

bdk@canegrowers.com.au

CANEGROWERS Hall

68 Tenth Street, Home Hill

Wayne Smith General Manager 0428 834 802

4790 3604

Michelle Andrews

Manager: Finance & Admin 4790 3602

Tiffany Giardina Payroll & Administration 4790 3601

Racheal Olsen Solaris Insurance Brokers

Manager racheal_olsen@solarisinsurance.com.au

4790 3606

0408 638 518

Email address: firstname_lastname@canegrowers.com.au

DIRECTORS

Phil Marano

Chair

marano@bigpond.com 0404 004 371

Owen Menkens

Deputy Chair

owen_menkens@hotmail.com 0409 480 179

Steven Pilla spilla8@bigpond.com.au 0417 071 861

Roger Piva rogerdpiva@gmail.com 0429 483 815

Sib Torrisi sibbyt58@bigpond.com 0429 827 196

Greg Rossato greg_rossato@outlook.com 0418 713 563

canenews is read by the majority of Burdekin cane

farmers and their families in the Burdekin. Copies

are also circulated to all CANEGROWERS Offices,

businesses, industry, politicians, Government

Agencies and members of the community.

Published Fortnightly 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

to the above.

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.

Burdekin Cane Auditors—Workplace Coordinators

Site Name Email Phone

Invicta Ray Collinson ray@burdekincaneaudit.com.au 4782 9153

Kalamia Vicki Lewis vicki@burdekincaneaudit.com.au 4783 0319

Pioneer Geraldine Cantarella geraldine@burdekincaneaudit.com.au 4782 5346

Inkerman Mark Saunders mark@burdekincaneaudit.com.au 4782 1020