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1 CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd Newsletter Edition 2018/15 Distributed: Friday 31 August 2018 Burdekin Shire Council Rates Action Update The districts grower collectives had a constructive meeting with the Shire Mayor and CEO on Tuesday. The Mayor and CEO presented the Council s recently adopted financial hardship policy and the associated application for rates relief that is available to all rate payers. Notably is that there is a 50% rebate available on the Council s compound interest rate of 11% component for any payment plan that is approved and complied with. The policy and application can be accessed by clicking here. It was agreed by the grower collectives to lodge a submission to Burdekin Shire Councilors requesting the following be considered at their next scheduled meeting to be held on Tuesday 11th September: Extension of payment due date Allowing repayment of 2018/2019 rates over remaining period of council s financial year No interest applicable to extension/repayment program A district growers meeting is being convened by district grower collectives which will be held at 11am on Saturday 1st September at the Burdekin Diorama Home Hill (adjacent to the Burdekin River Bridge). The meeting will be to update growers and discuss any further action. Date change Sugar Code public consultation The Burdekin public consultation session on the Sugar Code if Conduct has been changed to: Thursday 6 September 9.30-10.30am at the Burdekin Theatre. Growers are encouraged to attend and to register with the Dept of Agriculture. Registration can be via an email to [email protected] or via phone 02 6272 2285. Registration is to meet workplace health and safety regulations; the information will be used to calculate final attendance numbers only. Arson attacks on cane paddocks There has been several arson attacks in the past two months in the Inkerman cane supply area. The attacks have been reported to police and investigations are ongoing. Growers are encouraged to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police.

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Page 1: Burdekin Shire Council Rates Action Update · 2018. 8. 31. · 1 CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd Newsletter Edition 2018/15 Distributed: Friday 31 August 2018 Burdekin Shire Council Rates

1

CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd Newsletter Edition 2018/15 Distributed: Friday 31 August 2018

Burdekin Shire Council Rates Action Update The districts grower collectives had a constructive meeting with the Shire Mayor and CEO on Tuesday.

The Mayor and CEO presented the Council’s recently adopted financial hardship policy and the associated application for rates

relief that is available to all rate payers.

Notably is that there is a 50% rebate available on the Council’s compound interest rate of 11% component for any payment plan

that is approved and complied with.

The policy and application can be accessed by clicking here.

It was agreed by the grower collectives to lodge a submission to Burdekin Shire Councilors requesting the following be considered

at their next scheduled meeting to be held on Tuesday 11th September:

Extension of payment due date

Allowing repayment of 2018/2019 rates over remaining period of council’s financial year

No interest applicable to extension/repayment program

A district growers meeting is being convened by district grower collectives which will be held at 11am on Saturday 1st September

at the Burdekin Diorama Home Hill (adjacent to the Burdekin River Bridge). The meeting will be to update growers and discuss

any further action.

Date change Sugar Code public consultation The Burdekin public consultation session on the Sugar Code if Conduct has been changed to:

Thursday 6 September

9.30-10.30am

at the Burdekin Theatre.

Growers are encouraged to attend and to register with the Dept of Agriculture. Registration can be via an email to

[email protected] or via phone 02 6272 2285.

Registration is to meet workplace health and safety regulations; the information will be used to calculate final attendance

numbers only.

Arson attacks on cane paddocks There has been several arson attacks in the past two months in the

Inkerman cane supply area.

The attacks have been reported to police and investigations are ongoing.

Growers are encouraged to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to

the police.

Page 2: Burdekin Shire Council Rates Action Update · 2018. 8. 31. · 1 CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd Newsletter Edition 2018/15 Distributed: Friday 31 August 2018 Burdekin Shire Council Rates

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0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Week 11

Series1 Series2

Crushing Stats

W

eek 1

1 as

at

25/0

8/2

018

2018

estimate

8,040,000

4,037,627

50%

CR

OP

CR

US

HE

D

TO

DA

TE

208,048

369,140 370,809

386,843 394,986

385,146 391,209 393,348

380,521

396,141

361,149

-

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

450,000

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Ton

ne

s

Crush Week

Burdekin Tonnes Cut Per Week

Invicta Pioneer Kalamia Inkerman

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

2014 12.81 12.41 12.52 13.17 13.78 14.16 14.24 14.38 14.50 14.75 14.83

2015 12.39 12.84 13.35 13.66 13.91 14.28 14.37 14.58 14.76 14.94 15.08

2016 11.87 12.22 10.94 12.12 12.57 12.64 12.11 12.74 13.20 13.45

2017 11.88 12.30 12.67 12.84 13.37 13.67 13.97 14.23 14.37 14.47 14.75

2018 13.40 13.82 13.91 13.82 14.30 14.50 14.66 14.85 15.08 15.05 15.22

10.5011.0011.5012.0012.5013.0013.5014.0014.5015.0015.50

CC

S

Week

Burdekin CCS Per Week

Page 3: Burdekin Shire Council Rates Action Update · 2018. 8. 31. · 1 CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd Newsletter Edition 2018/15 Distributed: Friday 31 August 2018 Burdekin Shire Council Rates

3

CANEGROWERS

members

free call

1800 177 159

For free advice on legal

issues contact

Canegrowers’ legal advisor

Chris Cooper

Enough talk on electricity, governments must walk the walk and guarantee lower prices In light of the disappointing Federal Government decision on the National Energy Guarantee, consumer and end-user groups (the

‘Group’) representing regional and urban communities have joined together to hold state and federal governments accountable on

achieving price reductions for reliable electricity across the nation.

The cost of electricity used to be a source of competitive advantage for Australian industries, now our electricity costs are amongst

the highest in the OECD. This is harming our international competitiveness and economy, providing poor outcomes for

consumers, and disproportionately and negatively impacting vulnerable consumers and communities. These conditions are

clearly unacceptable.

In June 2018, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released the Restoring electricity affordability &

Australia's competitive advantage report, providing 56 recommendations across the electricity supply chain that, if implemented,

will reduce electricity prices by at least 20-25% Australia wide by 2020-21. It is now up to state and federal governments to accept

and implement these recommendations.

The Group is seeking that all levels of government commit to:

implementing the ACCC recommendations that will achieve a minimum 20% average electricity price reduction within

the next four years;

establishing annual targets on achieving this price reduction target so the

public can hold government to account; and

ongoing consultation with industry and consumer groups

on the design and implementation of the ACCC

recommendations.

Over the past decade, there has been a myriad of government

reviews on the energy sector that has yielded very little tangible

outcomes, with electricity prices doubling for most consumers.

All levels of government will be held accountable by the Group

if ACCC recommendations are not implemented, and there is a

failure to achieve the very conservative target of a 20%

electricity price reduction within four years. There is no more

room for political manoeuvring or passing the buck.

Participating organisations include: Australian Council of Social

Service (ACOSS), Bundaberg Regional Irrigators Group,

Canegrowers, Consumer Action Law Centre, National Irrigators

Council, National Farmers’ Federation, NSW Farmers’

Association, Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC),

Queensland Farmers’ Federation, St Vincent de Paul Society

(Victoria).

The ACCC has recommended that Queensland, NSW and

Tasmania take immediate steps to remedy the past over-

investment in networks through a voluntary write down in the

RAB. With surplus capacity in place and network plans for

further increases in the RAB, electricity tariffs represent a

substantial charge for services that are not being supplied and

will not be required in the next five-year regulatory period."

"It’s clear there is no need to augment the networks in the

foreseeable future to meet the needs of agriculture."

"CANEGROWERS is calling on the development of efficient

network tariffs that enable economic development across the

state, rather than tariffs that tax activity and reduce Australia’s

international competitiveness.

Dan Galligan, CEO

CANEGROWERS

Page 4: Burdekin Shire Council Rates Action Update · 2018. 8. 31. · 1 CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd Newsletter Edition 2018/15 Distributed: Friday 31 August 2018 Burdekin Shire Council Rates

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Wilmar buys sugar trading competitor Singapore press reported last week that Wilmar has bought the

sugar trading book (both raw and refined sugar contracts) of

rival Bunge for an undisclosed amount.

The sale is part of Bunge’s plan to minimise the company’s

exposure to its sugar unit which has been struggling.

New York based Bunge continues to own mills in Brazil.

The ANZ Smart Farms and Agtech Forum: Future of Farming

with Precision Agriculture, Big Data and Robotics provides a

invaluable platform for agriculture industry experts to address

Smart Farming challenges, share knowledge, inspire new

ideas and forge strategic partnerships.

The conference is being held 3-5 December at the Sydney

Convention Centre.

For more information click here.

ACCC releases report on small business, agriculture and franchising This week the ACCC released the latest edition of Small

Business in Focus report. It highlights the ACCC’s

developments and outcomes for small business, including the

agriculture sector, over the first half of 2018.

The ACCC were contacted by 179 agricultural traders with

reports and enquiries. Small Business in Focus gives statistics

on the types of issues raised, with concerns about potential

misleading conduct or false representations made by business

operators featuring prominently.

Click here to read.

Growers urge action against sugar dumping With the world sugar price now well below the cost of

production in Australia, Queensland sugarcane farmers are

urging an escalation of government pressure on countries

dumping subsidised product on the world market.

“With the appointment of Senator Simon Birmingham as Trade

Minister, we will be seeking to make sure he fully understands

the importance of this issue to our industry,” CANEGROWERS

CEO Dan Galligan said.

“The world raw sugar price (ICE-11) has fallen to a ten year

low recently because there is a surplus on the world market

and that surplus is bigger than it should be because India and

Pakistan are exporting subsidised sugar.

“We have no issue with countries providing supports for their

farmers but when that support distorts trade because

subsidised surplus sugar is pushed onto the world market

causing prices to collapse – we get angry.

“At the current levels, the Australian sugar industry is facing

massive losses in the vicinity of $500 million this year.

“A large part of that is money lost from the incomes of

thousands of farming families.

“We are efficient producers of a quality export commodity

which earns the Australian economy more than $2 billion a

year.

“But we cannot compete against subsidies provided by other

governments which may in fact breach World Trade

Organisation rules.

“CANEGROWERS is urging the Australian Government to take

all steps available, to open a dialogue about this situation with

India and Pakistan and, if necessary, initiate formal action in

the WTO to have the trade-distorting subsidies removed.”

The Australian sugar industry is working with counterparts in

the other sugar exporting countries including Brazil, Thailand

and Guatemala on legal and economic investigations which

could support action in the WTO.

Webinar: Reducing energy costs in irrigated cane - what stacks up when? SRA-funded research economists Janine Powell and Jon

Welsh (AgEcon) provide an insight into their recently

completed case study analyses in three separate grid-

connected irrigation settings: 55kW bore and big guns, 75, 45

& 55kW centre pivot pumps and 18 & 15kW shallow well

pumps servicing flood irrigation. The short webinar will cover

policy settings, technology options and feasibility results.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email

containing information about joining the webinar. Click here to

register.

Page 5: Burdekin Shire Council Rates Action Update · 2018. 8. 31. · 1 CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd Newsletter Edition 2018/15 Distributed: Friday 31 August 2018 Burdekin Shire Council Rates

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Page 6: Burdekin Shire Council Rates Action Update · 2018. 8. 31. · 1 CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd Newsletter Edition 2018/15 Distributed: Friday 31 August 2018 Burdekin Shire Council Rates

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

Executive Comment ✓ Ongoing work on Code of Conduct review and finalisation of submission to the Federal review.

✓ District Managers catch-up teleconference to discuss current and future operational issues.

✓ Trade meetings with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Commonwealth Department of Agriculture and Water and (then) Trade Minister Ciobo in Canberra to discuss the impact of Pakistan and India trade policies.

✓ Catch-up with marketing companies to discuss the CANEGROWERS approach to sugar marketing education services and next steps.

✓ Meeting with Sunwater management on impending QCA water pricing review.

✓ Organisational and annual staff management issues and strategy planning for 18/19 year.

Legal ✓ Advising district in relation to rights of lessors and lessee under expired farm lease and relationship with mill owner and

harvest grouping.

✓ Drafting of district joint venture agreement regarding possible solar power options.

✓ Advising in relation to CANEGROWERS submission for Sugar Code review.

✓ Reviewing documentation for CANEGROWERS marketing services.

✓ Reviewing and advising on latest Rural Water Use Efficiency agreements.

✓ Review and advice regarding wording in standard farm lease document, particularly relating to treatment of water allocation.

Sugar Code of Conduct ✓ Synergies report finalised and submitted.

✓ CANEGROWERS-ACFA joint submission shared with districts, before finalisation and lodgement.

✓ Quantitative modelling being finalised in time for targeted consultation session with the Code Review Team.

Trade ✓ Met Trade Minister Ciobo and senior DFAT officials in support of Australia further pursuing all avenues to have India reduce

its sugar subsidies.

✓ Briefing with DAWR officials in relation to non-tariff measures affecting sugar trade in Japan (pol), China (SPS) and Indonesia (import licences).

✓ The Indonesia Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) has been finalised ahead of planned formal signature next week.

Electricity ✓ Briefed the AER’s Consumer Challenge Panel in relation to CANEGROWERS concern over the Energy Queensland’s

network tariffs for Ergon and Energex and Energy Queensland’s lack of response to these concerns.

✓ Provided input to the AER’s Consumer Reference Group responding to the draft RoR guideline.

✓ Met senior officials from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to discuss CANEGROWERS concerns about Energy Queensland’s approach to network pricing for its Ergon and Energex networks. AER shared our view that it is better to have CANEGROWERS’ concerns addressed in the early stages of EQ developing its regulatory proposal and TSS for 2020-25 rather than later in the process and undertook to informally raise the issues and concerns with EQ.

✓ Provided input to the development of the response to the AER’s draft Rate of Return Guideline being prepared by the AER Rate of Return Consumer Reference Group.

✓ Participated in an Agricultural Energy Taskforce meeting.

Water ✓ Commenced a dialogue with SunWater in relation to the Qld government’s expected referral of irrigation water pricing to

QCA.

Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) ✓ CANEGROWERS attended the Office of Industrial Relations (OIR) - Rural Industry sector standing committee meeting. The

main issues were:

There is a definite swing towards WHS compliance. Notices are being issued to rural businesses and then advice. The horticultural industry has been targeted to date.

The WHS Queensland Codes of Practice have been reinstated as part of regulations. From 1 July 2018 duty holders are required to comply either with an approved code of practice under the WHS Act or follow another method such as a technical or industry standard if it provides an equivalent or higher standard of work health and safety to the standard required in the code. OIR has been requested to ensure that this is well communicated.

Cane Fires ✓ CANEGROWERS have followed up with Queensland Fire and Emergency Service to start discussions on issues relating to

the Commissioners Notice. This is work in progress and Districts offices will be engaged once relevant reform structure is in place.

Page 7: Burdekin Shire Council Rates Action Update · 2018. 8. 31. · 1 CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd Newsletter Edition 2018/15 Distributed: Friday 31 August 2018 Burdekin Shire Council Rates

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

Biofutures ✓ A follow-up meeting was held with Lazuli Professional Services who have a project funded by SRA to determine what the

industry believe are the most appropriate investment options in research to address alternate income from sugar cane. This was mostly around how they engage with the growing sector of the sugar industry.

✓ CANEGROWERS attended a Queensland Biofutures Biochar workshop. The Deputy Director - Governor’s Office of Planning and Research from California addressed the workshop on progress and options for biochar in California.

Reef Regulations ✓ Met with the Department of Environment and Science to discuss the proposed reef regulations and the current status of

nutrient management plans and sediment practice regulation.

✓ DES is still working to a December 2018 timeframe.

✓ QCGO has scheduled a follow up meeting in the coming weeks and will continue to engage with DES on this issue.

✓ Met with Department of Environment and Science to discuss the reef regulations and the recognition framework for BMP programs that allow growers accredited in BMP to not be targeted by regulations as they comply with the law.

OGBR Data Project ✓ OGBR has started a project to understand what data is available on fertiliser, cane yield and application. OGBR consider

there is greater scope to get data to support nitrogen use efficiency, DIN targets and practice change.

✓ The project was put to tender and won by Agtrix, the business who created Agdat.

✓ QCGO met with Agtrix last week to understand the project objectives and outcomes.

✓ OGBR has contacted districts about the project via email.

Smartcane BMP ✓ New marketing and communication materials have been distributed to BMP facilitators, including fact sheets, posters,

banners templates and videos. A four-page spread in the new edition of the Australian Canegrower magazine launches the next phase of BMP delivery.

✓ Participated in a discussion on the Rules of Thumb project being undertaken by DAF, which is looking for consistency on key messages for improved practices in each of the farming industries operating in the reef catchments. Efforts by this project to date have created a list of practice improvements for grazing, sugarcane and bananas, all of which were already well described in the respective industry BMP programs. Feedback from the SmartCane BMP team has focussed on avoiding further duplication of effort, and on looking for opportunities to add value. This will require much better consultation and planning than has occurred to date.

✓ Participated in a workshop, convened by the Office of the Great Barrier Reef (OGBR), on indicators of farmers’ attitudes and behaviours with respect to innovation and stewardship. Participants were in broad agreement that the benefits from OGBR measuring such indicators was not clear. Further, there was a general lack of confidence in the methodology put forward for collecting and interpreting data on these indicators.

✓ Work continues on preparation of the technical report for the Phase 2 project that supported BMP delivery from 2015-2018, including analysis of practice data for each district, and collation of influence on practice improvement from facilitator reports.

Reef Alliance Project ✓ Attended the Reef Alliance Project (RAP) Management Committee meeting in Townsville.

✓ The meeting discussed the project reporting and progress, communications including the Reef Awards scheduled for Wednesday 21 November 2018 in Yeppoon, the RAP database and options to continue the RAP through a Reef Alliance Project phase 2 program to be potentially funded through Reef Trust or Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

Reef Extension Program Graduate Dinner ✓ Attended the Reef Extension Program Graduate Dinner in Townsville which celebrated the work of six graduates who were

placed with host organisations in cane, grazing and forestry. The program was part of a QFF-led Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance program. Each of the graduates spoke of their experiences and what they had learnt in the program.

✓ Matt Kealley was MC for the night and the key note speaker was Lawrence Di Bella from the Herbert Cane Productivity Board.

Biosecurity ✓ Attended the Biosecurity Taskforce meeting at QFF with DAF and Biosecurity Queensland. Discussion focused on the BQ

biosecurity strategy and progress towards its implementation by the government.

Index Based Insurance ✓ CANEGROWERS was briefed on the progress of the QFF project investigating index based insurance.

✓ The case studies for the cyclone index based options have been completed and a similar product for specified dry periods is being developed.

✓ The next steps are to test if there is any commercial interest and start discussions with the Queensland Government to see if there is an option to use the concept to offset risk in disaster relief.

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Page 10: Burdekin Shire Council Rates Action Update · 2018. 8. 31. · 1 CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd Newsletter Edition 2018/15 Distributed: Friday 31 August 2018 Burdekin Shire Council Rates

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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

2018 Season 327.87 6.66

2019 Season 360.17 5.63

2020 Season 380.21 4.26

2021 Season 387.39 3.42

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 $341

QSL Actively Managed Pool $335

QSL Early Start Actively Managed Pool $340

QSL Guaranteed Floor Pool $333

QSL US Quota Pool $547

QSL 2-season Forward Pool $378

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

For more information growers can access Wilmar'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 Default Pricing

Indicative price

Jun -17 65% 246.26

19 Jul 18 65% 246.26

16 Aug 18 65% 225.42

20 Sep 18 65% 225.42

18 Oct 18 70% 242.76

15 Nov 18 70% 242.76

20 Dec 18 75% 260.10

17 Jan 19 80% 277.44

21 Feb 19 85% 294.78

21 Mar 19 87.5% 303.45

18 Apr 19 90% 312.12

16 May 19 95% 329.46

20 Jun 19 97.5% 338.13

Jul -19 100% 346.80

Wilmar Indicative Future Sugar Prices

as at 31 August 2018

2018 Season Advances Schedule

As at 10 August 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 2018 Pool Prices

As at 10 August 2018

2018 Season Advances

Schedule

As at 31 July2018

Applicable from Default Pools %

Rate

Default Pricing

Indicative price

Initial 60% 217.95

23 Aug 18 65% 224.97

18 Oct 18 70% 241.28

22 Nov 18 72.5% 249.90

13 Dec 18 75% 258.52

24 Jan 19 80% 275.75

21 Feb 19 82.5% 284.37

21 Mar 19 87.5% 301.60

18 Apr 19 90% 310.22

16 May 19 92.5% 318.84

20 Jun 19 95% 327.45

July 19 100% 344.69

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 $341

Wilmar Managed Pool $337

Wilmar US Quota Pool $644

Estimated Wilmar 2018 Pool Prices

As at 31 July 2018

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.

For the 2018 Season Production Risk Pool we forecast that the quantity of sugar in the Pool

exceeds the downside risk to the crop (i.e. at the commencement of the Season, the Pool is

greater than 30% of total estimated PPA sugar). Accordingly the Pool Manager has

commenced pricing that portion of the Pool that exceeds this downside risk to the crop.

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

Page 11: Burdekin Shire Council Rates Action Update · 2018. 8. 31. · 1 CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd Newsletter Edition 2018/15 Distributed: Friday 31 August 2018 Burdekin Shire Council Rates

11

1. Solar energy can play a role in driving on-farm energy and water productivity but farmers face challenges in installing solar generation assets on farm and feeding excess energy back into the grid. QFF’s QCL column HERE.

2. QFF, its industry member Cotton Australia and the New South Wales Irrigators’ Council are encouraging farmers to share their experiences around securing affordable electricity. Have your say by completing the online survey HERE.

3. A new website had been created to publish the Australian Government's strategy and guidelines to assess, manage, monitor and improve water quality in Australian waterways. Check it out HERE.

4. The ATO has developed a tailored toolkit for small businesses to help them get it right this tax time, with information about keeping good records, small business tax concessions and business expenses. Download your tailored toolkit HERE.

5. It is important that we continue to recognise the positive commitments and efforts farmers, extension officers and community members are making to improve land management practices for the future of the Great Barrier Reef. Read QFF’s QCL column HERE.

6. Last week in Townsville, more than 100 reef extension officers gathered at the Reef Extension Forum organised by the QFF-led Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance and the Reef Alliance to share knowledge, experiences, and improve their capacity to deliver extension in the reef catchments. For more information check out the WIN News and 7 News stories.

7. QFF's Ross Henry has been working with Willis Towers Watson and researchers from the University of Southern Queensland to develop insurance products for farmers to protect against the potential impacts of cyclones, including loss of yield, crop damage and recovery works. Check out the 9 News story for details.

8. Are you a farmer, extension officer, industry or community member thinking about applying for the Reef Champion Awards? Don’t take our word for it, let last year’s winners convince you! Watch the video HERE and apply now HERE.

9. The Queensland Government announced last week it will appoint two drought commissioners and inject $9 million into programs to deal with the impacts of drought. Details HERE. While the Federal Government will increase its drought assistance to $1.8 billion. More information HERE.

10. The future of farming is here! Local startup Iridium Dynamics have been selected by QUT's BlueBox Robotics Accelerator Program to develop a drone for Australian agriculture. Share your feedback to help guide the team HERE.

Smartcane BMP self-assessment workshops BMP self-assessment workshops will be held fortnightly on

Monday mornings (9 –11 am) with the next meeting scheduled

September 10.

The self-assessment is the first step towards BMP

accreditation. Growers who have completed the self-

assessment and would like to continue on to accreditation

should also contact Terry or Jasmine.

Please RSVP to:

Terry Granshaw - 0437 553 149

Jasmine Connolly - 0438 934 601

Terry Granshaw 0437 553 149

[email protected]

QFF is a federation that represents the interests of peak and

national agriculture industry organisations which in turn

represent more than 13,000 primary producers across the state.

CANEGROWERS is a major commodity member of QFF.

IrrigWeb workshops IrrigWeb workshops will be held fortnightly on Thursday

mornings (9 - 11 am) with the next meeting scheduled Sep 13.

Workshops will cover: setting up a farm and paddocks;

determining the irrigation point; and entering irrigation

information.

You will need an internet capable laptop or tablet. Phones are

suitable for recording irrigation events but their screens are too

small for the initial setup. If you don’t have a laptop or tablet

please let us know so we can organise one.

Please RSVP to Marian Davis - 0428 927 079.

Jasmine Connolly 0438 934 601

[email protected]

Page 13: Burdekin Shire Council Rates Action Update · 2018. 8. 31. · 1 CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd Newsletter Edition 2018/15 Distributed: Friday 31 August 2018 Burdekin Shire Council Rates

Contact Us

HEAD OFFICE

141 Young Street, Ayr

[email protected]

Office Hours Mon - Thurs: 9am - 5pm

Fri: 9am - 3pm

4790 3600

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 [email protected]

4790 3606

0408 638 518

Email address: [email protected]

DIRECTORS

Phil Marano

Chair

[email protected] 0404 004 371

Owen Menkens

Deputy Chair

[email protected] 0409 480 179

Steven Pilla [email protected] 0417 071 861

Roger Piva [email protected] 0429 483 815

Sib Torrisi [email protected] 0429 827 196

Greg Rossato [email protected] 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: [email protected]

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 [email protected] 4782 9153

Kalamia Geraldine Cantarella [email protected] 4783 0319

Pioneer Sue Wright [email protected] 4782 5346

Inkerman Mark Saunders [email protected] 4782 1020