Sugar

CANEGROWERS has today launched the 2024 Sugarcane Transport Load Restraint Guide, an essential tool created in partnership with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).  This industry-specific guide aims to enhance road transport safety and streamline compliance for sugarcane growers and transport operators.

A smart irrigation system powered by artificial intelligence will tell sugarcane farmers when and where to water their crops in an advance that could one day revolutionise agriculture – and help preserve the health of the Great Barrier Reef.

Situated on Harwood Island, overlooking prime agricultural land and the majestic Clarence River, is one of the oldest continuously operating sugar mills in the country. The Harwood Sugar Mill and Refinery has been crushing cane since 1874, and is one of three facilities in the state owned and managed by Sunshine Sugar … In 2024, the Harwood Sugar Mill and Refinery is proud to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

Investigations are continuing following the tragic passing of a 67-year-old man in the Clarence Valley last week. Shortly after 10am on Thursday, July 25, emergency services were called to the riverside village of Lawrence, around 25km north of Grafton, following reports a semi-trailer transporting sugarcane was submerged in the Clarence River.

Did you know that the amount of sugarcane Brazil processes in a fortnight equates to Australia’s total production in a season? It gives a perspective on the sugarcane industry in NSW ... Sunshine Sugar staff held a session for potential new cane growers at Greenridge Hall ... “It’s a good resilient crop" ...

The sight of cane harvesters firing up in paddocks across Queensland’s most northernly district has come as a huge relief to Mossman growers, with a one-year commercial deal between growers and MSF Sugar enabling the 2024 cane crush to finally get underway.  After months of sensitive negotiations with the State Government, trucks have begun hauling Mossman cane 100km down the Captain Cook Highway to MSF’s Mulgrave Mill at Gordonvale.   

The race is on to get Mossman’s cane crush underway, following confirmation the State Government would chip in up to $6 million towards the cost of transporting the cane 100kms south to MSF’s Mulgrave Mill ... the local Douglas Shire Council, Douglas Chamber of Commerce, MSF Sugar and the Queensland Government, Premier Steven Miles announced the government would cover nearly half of the  transport costs.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the Albanese Labor Government’s plan to take water from food production in the Murray Darling Basin Plan in exchange for a $300 million sugar hit is yet another slap in the face for regional communities. VFF Water Council Chair Andrew Leahy said the funding package announced by Water Minister Tanya Plibersek will go nowhere close to what will be required to support communities targeted for water buybacks.

Simon Mumford, lismoreapp.com.au. Today, the stacks that tower over the Sunshine Sugar Mill billow steam, but over two years ago the future of the historic mill on the banks of the Richmond River was uncertain after the 143 year old mill experienced its highest ever flood level. Broadwater’s iconic Sunshine Sugar Mill was one of six significant large businesses that received government funding...

The time for talking is over! Immediate, large-scale, effective action is what’s required if we’re to have any hope of halting the march of Red Imported Fire Ants, CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens has said.

Thousands of Queenslanders have come out in support of the small far north community of Mossman, calling on the State Government to keep the local sugar mill operating to help underpin investment in the community ... The single biggest employer in the region, Mossman Mill went into liquidation last month, casting a pall over the local sugar industry and the community it has supported for over a century ... the e-petition closes on Sunday ...

Rising prices for a range of rural commodities including cattle, cotton and dairy have seen the NAB Rural Commodities Index* increase for the fourth month in a row. NAB’s March Rural Commodities Wrap ... reports the Index increased 2.2 per cent month-on-month in February and is back up around levels last seen in April 2023.

Canegrowers and the Australian Cane Farmers Association are calling on the State Government to support Mossman’s recovery as the far north Queensland community continues to struggle in the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

For the first time in thirteen months, the NAB Rural Commodities Index saw an increase in November, with cattle prices being the single greatest driver. NAB’s December Rural Commodities Wrap ... reports the Index increased 3.5 per cent month-on-month in November, retracing its October fall to be slightly above its September level.

Australia’s farmers are approaching the end of the year with a hint of improving optimism as rural confidence levels nudge slightly higher in the latest quarter. The Q4 Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, found net level farmer confidence across the nation edged up marginally…

Meeting in London, Global Sugar Alliance members celebrated the sugarcane industry’s positive contribution to sustainable global food and energy security, acknowledged the role of ethanol, derived from sugarcane, as an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels  and renewed their call for all countries to fix the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Global food commodity prices are set for respite in 2024 after three years of record highs caused by war, adverse weather and rising energy and input costs, according to Rabobank’s annual Agri Commodity Markets Outlook report. The specialist food and agribusiness bank predicts that global prices of key food staples sugar, coffee, corn and soybeans will fall...

Australian sugar, barley and feed grain prices were stronger in September, in contrast to cattle prices which have reached their lowest levels since late 2014, according to NAB’s October Rural Commodities Wrap ... the Wrap reports the NAB Rural Commodities Index* fell 4.6% in September and is now 34% below the peak in rural prices back in June 2022.

Queensland’s 2023 sugarcane harvest has finally hit the halfway mark with over 50% of the estimated 30.1 million tonne crop now cut and crushed at the state’s 19 sugar mills ... Tableland district, which kicked off this year’s crush on 21 May, is now on the home stretch, as is Bundaberg, with both districts having crushed more than 75% of their crop.

The removal of tariffs on Australian barley by Chinese authorities has seen barley prices trend higher since the start of August, according to NAB’s September Rural Commodities Wrap. The NAB Rural Commodities Index* fell 1.6% in August and is now 30.7% lower compared to when Australian rural commodity prices peaked in June 2022.

Rural Bank’s Australian Agricultural Exports Report 2022/23 has found that export values reached a record high in 2022/23, driven by the 2022 winter crop. Australia’s top 13 export markets recorded year-on-year growth with the top 12 all achieving record highs, led by China, with Japan and the US retaining their places as Australian agriculture’s second and third most valuable markets.