project bgreen not business as usual in this issue
TRANSCRIPT
IN THIS ISSUE
The peak industry newsletter in the Burdekin
OCTOBER 1 2021 ISSUE 2021/18
Growing the Agriculture
Workforce: Update on
regional industry
consultations
Crush Stats
Cane burning change 1st
October
Round 2 of Pricing Essentials
course on the way
Data work to track
sustainable sugar
Business Basics Regional
Grants
Want to promote a business
or service to members?
A page in history 1972
Seeking diversity in farm
leadership
Burdekin Irrigation Project
Pricing information
Project BGreen – not business as usual A new Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) research
collaboration will examine whether alternative sugarcane processing could deliver new
opportunities for Australian sugarcane producers.
Meeting with Project BGreen proponents Burdekin Renewable Fuels in Home Hill, Dawson
MP George Christensen said the R & D venture will set a new course for the Australian
sugarcane industry leading to greater profits for growers while meeting local and global
expectations for green products.
“Project BGreen will create a pathway for potentially higher returns to local growers while
eliminating cane burning and reliance on fossil-fuel derived products - without the need for
mandates or ongoing subsidies.
“This project will further solidify the Burdekin as the sugarcane capital of Australia.
“The proposed new bio-factory will create north Queensland jobs by building on the
existing skillset available in the Burdekin region and deliver a new highly-skilled workforce
creating new green products from the bioeconomy,” Mr Christensen said.
The bio-refinery will use sugarcane juice to produce bio-plastics, while the cane trash and
bagasse will generate syngas and hydrogen to power the refinery.
Burdekin Renewable Fuels Chair, Greg Rossato, said the CRCNA-funding will contribute
towards the development of the first phase of a techno-economic business case for a
biorefinery to be built in Home Hill.
“The techno-economic study will assess the project’s return on investment and financial
viability, assessing the availability of sugarcane and sweet sorghum in the region, the
technology required to establish and run a bio-refinery, product markets and a grower
pricing model to understand how producers will be paid for their cane.”
CRCNA CEO Anne Stünzner said diversification is vital for the Queensland sugar industry
and Project BGreen offered an innovative solution which, if successful, could be developed
in other sugarcane producing areas.
“BGreen will de-risk future project investment by establishing a business case to support
discussions with stakeholders including potential investors. The work undertaken in the first
phase is critical to enable strategic discussions with relevant decision-makers and
stakeholders.
“It will demonstrate the potential for resetting north Queensland’s sugar industry towards
higher value green chemicals and will offer a pathway to transition the sugar industry from
trade-restricted raw sugar,” she said.
The project team are due to deliver their final techno-economic feasibility report mid-2022.
UPCOMING EVENTS
4 OCT
2021
Public Holiday
Queens Birthday
Office Closed
5 OCT
2021
57 International Drive, Ayr
Landcare Monthly
Meeting
Growing the Agriculture
Workforce: Update on regional
industry consultations The Queensland Farmers’ Federation is encouraging agribusinesses and farmers to
attend an industry consultation in Ayr. On 19 October, QFF will be consulting the
industry as part of the preparation of the Queensland Agriculture Industry
Workforce Plan.
Agribusinesses, farmers and related businesses in North Queensland are invited to
participate in the regional consultations to discuss industry workforce issues. The
consultations will inform the Queensland Agriculture Industry Workforce Plan,
which will chart a five-year response to the challenges raised by the industry.
The Plan will drive action for building the capability of agriculture businesses and
their workforce for a contemporary, competitive and adaptable industry. It will
strategically respond to the issues that the agriculture industry has reported
including attraction, retention, skilling and business capability.
The Plan is developed in partnership with Jobs Queensland. Following the regional
consultation, Jobs Queensland will present a Workforce Planning Connect
workshop at Ayr. These workshops are designed to assist agribusinesses to plan for
their workforce needs.
The Eventbrite page provides more information about the consultations, and you
are welcome to share this with your industry networks. To register for the regional
consultations and/or register for a Jobs Queensland Workforce Connect
workshop, please visit QFF’s events webpage.
Agribusinesses and farmers are also invited to have their say in an online survey to
contribute to the Queensland Agriculture Industry Workforce Plan. https://
www.surveymonkey.com/r/366PW7M
Crush Stats - Week 16, 25th September 2021
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Inkerman 38,739 36,589 54,098 77,946 71,880 55,475 50,559 54,332 88,790 79,749 85,347 79,850 25,056 35,053 85,089 83,216
Kalamia 36,906 71,739 69,194 83,734 71,267 77,829 66,993 81,446 84,527 77,122 73,704 84,161 22,825 22,345 81,298 81,294
Pioneer 49,058 63,402 78,089 84,519 79,484 81,875 90,331 82,181 89,274 85,730 77,460 87,861 24,807 - 63,927 81,820
Invicta 84,369 144,45 148,62 158,26 150,07 147,70 144,37 161,01 163,15 149,43 150,34 156,99 21,662 - 130,77 168,55
Tonnes 209,07 316,18 350,00 404,46 372,70 363,87 352,26 378,96 425,74 392,03 386,85 408,86 94,350 57,398 361,08 414,88
-
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
450,000
-
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
450,000
Ton
ne
s
Crush Week
Burdekin Tonnes Crushed Per Week
Invicta Pioneer Kalamia Inkerman
11.9912.16
12.53
13.1913.52
14.01 13.97 14.12 14.1314.31
14.61
15.00 15.0015.24
15.4915.29
15.77 15.65 15.62 15.58
14.7115.00 14.91 14.93 15.04
12.8513.05
13.4513.71
14.0714.28
14.4514.78
14.96 14.90 15.0015.21
14.9714.66
14.35
14.85
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
CC
S
Week
Burdekin CCS Per Week
2020 2021
5,313,870
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Week 16
68%
Season
estimate
7,850,000
Cane burning change 1st October
As detailed in the Cane Supply Agreement growers are requested to observe the reduction in burning for harvest allowance
conditions that are effective as at 1st October.
Growers and harvest contractors are also encouraged to conduct smaller burns that will assist in minimising stale cane and
dextran levels going into the change, from burning cane for up to two consecutive harvest day’s requirements to one and a half
harvest days burns that is effective of 1st October.
Quantities of cane for harvest must be in accord with the quota of Bins notified by the Mill Owner for each day and the cane
yield estimate for the Block to be burnt.
Round 2 of Pricing
Essentials course on the
way
CANEGROWERS is planning to deliver a second round of its
popular Pricing Essentials for Cane Growers course. The first
round, in the later part of 2019 and early part of 2020, had
more than 140 growers in all regions attend the two-day
program which aims to build skills around determining cost of
production and managing sugar price risk exposure to boost
farm profitability.
Funding has been secured and CANEGROWERS is working with
TAFE Qld on a plan for the coming months. Members will be
notified when the details and logistics of where and when the
courses will be offered is finalised.
Data work to track
sustainable sugar The serious work to link Smartcane BMP into a future
blockchain process has begun. As part of CANEGROWERS
efforts to secure market recognition and value for growers'
sustainable sugar production, a data workshop with KPMG
Origins has been held.
The aim is to cross-reference datapoints from Smartcane BMP
to the blockchain platform to support the traceability of
sugarcane and sugar through the supply chain, allowing a
growers' Smartcane BMP certificate to be attached to the
sugar and attribute value back to growers. This builds on two
years of work that has proved that our supply chain can
support this type of innovation.
Want to promote a business or service to members? CANEGROWERS is developing an Advertisers' Directory for release in early 2022. It will be 48 page, full colour directory with a
range of advertising spaces available to proudcts and services of interest to sugarcane farms and families.
If you have or know of a business of interest to CANEGROWERS members and you'd like to look at the options, please contact
Jane McGregor [email protected]
Business Basics Regional
Grants The second round of the Queensland Government's $5,000
Business Basics Regional Grants program is now open.
Aimed at sole traders and small businesses with a turnover of
up to $300,000, the grants are designed to help regional
businesses increase their core capabilities and ability to adopt
current best practice. Apply now here.
A page in history With the new Haughton River Bridge now open, a look back at the 1972 floods caused by Cyclone Althea where the bridge was
suspected of causing mass farm erosion due to pile up of heavy debris.
Seeking diversity in
farm leadership CANEGROWERS has participated in a forum of
supporters of the National Farmers' Federation
Diversity in Agricultural Leacership program.
NFF established the program to particularly
build opportunities for women and
CANEGROWERS joined it two years ago seeking
to provide opportunities for women in
sugarcane busineses to be involved in the
mentoring and leadership development
opportunities the program offers.
The forum was an opportunity for all partners to
join discussions with other industry bodies as
well as interested agribusiness companies to
track how the program is going and seek
strategies to increase and expand diversity
opportunities.
Through the course of the next year,
CANEGROWERS will again be seeking interest
from the sugarcane industry for participants
who would like to be part of this valuable
program.
There's more about the program on the NFF
website here.
Burdekin Irrigation Project -
Round 2 Expressions of Interest
are now open Are you interested in saving on energy and irrigation costs by improving
your irrigation systems?
Then express your interest in the Burdekin Irrigation Project (BIP).
Participation in the project means you will receive one-on-one support to
measure current water and energy use, identify potential efficiencies and
develop a tailored irrigation improvement plan.
More information about the BIP is available on the SRA website:
www.sugarresearch.com.au/growers-and-millers/irrigation
Expressions of interest close on 15 October 2021.
To express your interest in reducing costs and improving irrigation efficiency,
complete the Expression of Interest form available here. Submit the
completed forms to Armin Wessel ([email protected]) or
Terry Granshaw ([email protected]) at SRA by close of
business on Friday 15 October 2021.
Pricing information - 2021 season
Estimated 2021 Pool Prices
As at 31 August 2021
Net pool price
($/Tonne IPS)
Wilmar Production Risk Pool $606
Wilmar US Quota Pool $759
Wilmar Managed Pool $587
Estimated 2021 Pool Prices
As at 27 August 2021
Net pool price
($/Tonne IPS)
QSL Harvest Pool $576
QSL US Quota Pool $784
QSL Actively Managed Pool $588
QSL Early Start Actively Managed
Pool
$535
QSL March Guaranteed Floor Pool $455
QSL April Guaranteed Floor Pool $477
QSL 2-season Forward Pool $463
QSL 3-season Forward Pool $460
2021 Season Advances Schedule
As at 27 August 2021
2021 Season Advances Schedule
As at 30 July 2021
Default Default
Advances
Default Pricing
Indicative price
June 21 65% 316
15 Jul 21 65% 316
12 Aug 21 65% 316
16 Sep 21 65% 316
14 Oct 21 70% 408
18 Nov 21 72.5% 422
16 Dec 21 75% 437
20 Jan 22 80% 466
17 Feb 22 82.5% 480
17 Mar 22 87.5% 509
14 Apr 22 90% 524
19 May 22 92.5% 539
16 Jun 22 95% 553
July 22 100% 582
Percentage rate approved by QSL Board
Default Default
Advances
Default Pricing
Indicative price
June 21 70% 353
15 Jul 21 70% 374
19 Aug 21 70% 385
16 Sep 21 70% 425
21 Oct 21 72.5% 440
18 Nov 21 75% 455
16 Dec 21 77.5% 470
20 Jan 22 80% 485
17 Feb 22 85% 516
17 Mar 22 87.5% 531
21 Apr 22 90% 546
19 May 22 95% 576
16 Jun 22 97.5% 591
July 22 100% 607
Advances Confirmed
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.
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.
Growers can monitor pool performance on the
Wilmar and QSL websites.
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
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Postal Address: PO Box 933,
AYR QLD 4807
Telephone: (07) 4790 3600
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
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Subject to any terms implied by law and which
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Contact us
Directors
Phil Marano
Chair
0404 004 371
Owen Menkens
Deputy Chair
0409 480 179
Glenn Betteridge
Director
0407 169 273
Steve Pilla
Director
0417 071 861
Roger Piva
Director
0429 483 815
Greg Rossato
Director
0418 713 563
Staff 141 Young Street, Ayr
Office Hours
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4790 3600
Greg Watson
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Finance & Administration
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Payroll & Administration
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Insurance
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