The Bundaberg District Canegrower - Bundaberg CANEGROWERS
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The Bundaberg District Canegrower Volume 15, Issue 1 The Bundaberg District Canegrower Volume 15, Issue 1 January 2019 Chairman’s Comment H appy New Year. I hope you all had some time off to celebrate the festive season and charge your batteries Crop outlook At this stage it's anyone‘s guess at crop size for 2019. I think it would be fair to April. Applications by a grower to join a harvesting group must be received by the Mill Owner by the for 2019. I think that most of us have say that it's behind where it should 21 April of each year and the Mill already used up most of our recharge be. Rain is desperately needed now. I'd Owner must advise the grower by with the trying weather conditions hope we can improve on last years the 5 May of that year of the continuing and showing little signs of tonnage for everyone's benefit. grower‘s new Delivery Point to improving over the coming weeks. Preliminary discussions with Bundaberg ensure the efficient and economic Sugar suggest that Millaquin will operation of the Mill transport Hot, dry and windy has been the operate in six (6) day mode and Bingera system. Growers who have been weather pattern over the last six (6) to will be in five (5) day mode. For that to advised of a new Delivery Point eight (8) weeks and it's certainly taking change we would need to see a crop shall notify the Mill Owner by the 15 its toll on the crop. Days over 30 well above 1.5 million tonnes. Let's May if they will accept the new degrees and winds above 20 kph almost hope. Delivery Point. In the absence of any everyday has, along with crop use, used Application to the Mill Owner from all available soil moisture. In many Sugar Price a grower prior to 21 April, and any cases, crops that have been irrigated are The sugar price has improved slightly notification of acceptance of a showing signs of stress so it's not good recently to be just above thirteen (13) Delivery Point by a grower to the for those that haven't. Most of us are cents per pound. In some cases that Mill Owner prior to the 15 May for struggling to cope with the continuing might cover costs. That equates to about those growers advised of a new dry spell and irrigation schedule that is $425/tonne for the 2019 crop. Still a Delivery Point, the grower‘s longer than seven (7) to ten (10) days is long way from twenty (20) cents but at membership of their harvesting only maintaining crop. We can only least it is improving. group shall be deemed to be the hope we get some reprieve soon. same as the previous season. Roads In order to avoid some of the issues that We will be compiling our list of roads arose last year I suggest you sort out that require maintenance before the start your harvesting needs sooner than the of the crush to take to Council. If you 21 April deadline. have a road issue please contact the office and we will add it to the list. Proposed Reef Regulations I have invited The Hon. Leeanne Enoch Harvesting Group MP Minister for Environment and the Action List arrangements Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science The collective contract stipulates the and Minister for the Arts and her key following arrangements for grouping. advisors to participate in a tour of the Closing date for the 2019 Bundaberg/ Isis / Maryborough region autumn approved seed 8. Grouping to showcase some of the many voluntary d i s tr ib ut io n c los e s 1 programs that we have implemented to February 2019 8.1 Formation.— The Mill Owner improve the environmental, social and shall provide an indication of the economic sustainability of our sugar likely modes of crush for the coming cane based agribusiness industry. Season in writing to Bundaberg CANEGROWERS Ltd by the 14 (Continued on page 2) Bundaberg CANEGROWERS Ltd Newsletter Page 1 Phone (07) 4151 2555 Fax: (07) 4153 1986 Email: bdb_office@bdbcanegrowers.com.au Website: www.bdbcanegrowers.com.au
The Bundaberg District Canegrower Volume 15, Issue 1 Chairman’s Comment continued (Continued from page 1) agricultural power use patterns on the health check to our members. This network in terms of base load and off service is available to all members, In collaboration with the Maryborough -peak use and including worthwhile regardless if you have your insurances and CANEGROWERS Isis boards the time-of-use incentives for agricultural placed with us or not. tour will include an overview of the businesses during off-peak periods initiatives being undertaken in the and over weekends; If you are wanting an Insurance Health region to demonstrate the advanced That QCA recommend promotion of Check, please contact our qualified sustainable practices and hopefully increased co mpetition in the insurance professional, Ray Goodwin demonstrate the fact that regulations to electricity market (Allocation of CSO on 0418 891 783 to arrange an protect the reef are not required in to the ERGON network division of appointment. this region. Energy Queensland); That QCA recommend continuation Allan Dingle The Isis, Maryborough and Bundaberg of the policy to fund the SFIT from Chairman CANEGROWERS organisations have general revenue. also written to our Federal electorate MPs, Ken O‘Dowd, Keith Pitt and Llew Unless electricity prices are affordable O‘Brien advising them we (16 cent/kwh ceiling) and as such fundamentally support peer review of reduced by at least 33% on current we the underlying reef science and the are in danger of significant employment establishment of the Institute for Policy disruption to our community and having Science Quality Control as proposed by dams full of water and no one able to Dr Peter Ridd. Indicative QSL Pool Prices afford to draw on them. (AUD per tonne) QCA Regulated Retail Current as of 11 January 2019 Soybean Update Electricity Prices for 2019/20 The majority of the earlier planted Gross Price BRIG has lodged a submission with the soybeans are looking very good and are AUD/T IPS QCA on the 2019/20 regulatory QSL Pool currently flowering. These soybeans 2018 Season electricity price setting process. We have now entered the key reproductive understand that the state government phase and to maximise yields, Harvest Pool $371 directs the QCA to treat the 2019/20 limitations such as water stress need to Actively Managed Pool $369 price determination in a given be avoided. Given the current weather methodological way, and that leaves conditions this is not an easy task as Guaranteed Floor Pool $347 very little room for any alternatives to growers juggle maximising soybean and US Quota Pool $755 be considered. cane yields and paying electricity bills. The younger, smaller plants are 2-Season Forward Pool $399 However we have asked : struggling a bit as they have had little Early Start Actively $371 rain since they were planted making Managed Pool That QCA formalise what BRIG and good irrigation paramount to try and get many others have been reporting. the plant as large as possible before they 2019 2-Season Actively $401 That is, there is no need for demand start to flower. Managed Pool based tariffs for small business (including irrigators) in regional With most domestic grain prices staying Queensland to ration use and mitigate high due to ongoing drought conditions against further network build. There across the country, there is good support is sufficient capacity in the system for for soybean prices. If growers wish to the foreseeable future. plant soybeans now they need to select That QCA recommend that the correct varieties and have the correct transitional tariffs and obsolete tariffs plant population as it is outside the be converted to ―legacy‖ tariffs and planting window for the popular A- remain available for existing 6785. cu sto me rs to 2 0 2 5 . Thi s is particularly relevant to water Insurance Health Check infrastructure providers such as It is worth taking the time to do a health SunWater. check on your insurance, this will That QCA recommend ensure that you have the right level of For further pricing information please implementation of volume based food cover if the unthinkable happens. Ray visit www.qsl.com.au a n d fi b r e t a r i f f s , r e f l e c t i n g Goodwin is offering a free insurance Page 2
The Bundaberg District Canegrower Volume 15, Issue 1 QFF Energy Savers Plus Program Extension Reserve List Open T he Energy Savers Plus Program Extension (ESPPE) has now commenced and will deliver 200 funded improvements, through the implementation of commercially feasible and practical energy wish to be involved should the availability arise. energy audits to Queensland farmers. As management strategies and solutions. If you would like to be included on the part of the program successful reserve list, please email your interest to participants receive a grant up to The initial 200 program participants espp@dnrme.qld.gov.au. Additional $20,000 per business based on a 50% co have already been selected, however information on the ESPPE program can -contribution for implementation of the should the circumstances of any of the be found on the participant web page at: audit recommendations. The main selected participants change and they https://www.qff.org.au/participant - objective of this program is to assist can no longer proceed with the program, information/. agricultural businesses identify and DNRME have opened up a reserve list realise energy savings or productivity for any additional farmers who may 2019 CANEGROWERS’ Elections T he timetable has been set for the 2019 CANEGROWERS Election process. Held every three (3) years, the CANEGROWERS elected positions. These local boards then nominate from Wednesday, 1 May 2019. The first step towards nomination is to elections are an opportunity for all representatives to sit on the contact Allan Dingle on 0427 006 956 members to elect Directors to sit on the CANEGROWERS Queensland Policy or Dale Holliss on 0417 009 236. board of their local CANEGROWERS Council which elects the ne w district. CANEGROWERS Queensland Board. CANEGROWERS Queensland will conduct the election if required. Bundaberg has six (6) Directors that sit Members wishing to nominate for a on the Boards and nominations for the district board position have until 5pm on Members are urged to ensure that their positions open Monday, 28 January Monday, 18 February to act. The membership records are up to date. The 2019. Both men and women of all ages election process will be finalised by official roll for each election is to be are encouraged to nominate as Monday, 15 April 2019 and the new finalised by 5pm on Monday 18 candidates fo r these impo rtant directors will take on their official duties February 2019. 2018 Indicative Advances Program Based on QSL reports 28 December 2018 Notes: Uncommitted Pool Advance FPFC Advance 1. The program above represents indicative advances Advance Dates payable by QSL to Bundaberg Sugar based on estimated (AUD/tonne IPS) Rates pool returns, the marketing plan and forecast cash flows at the time. These indicative amounts will be reviewed Payment Increase To on a regular basis and updated for changes in forecasts. Advances highlighted in bold in the table above have Date been approved by the QSL Board. 2. This program is indicative only and should not be taken Initial $237.00 $237.00 as a commitment by Queensland Sugar (or Bundaberg Sugar) with regard to the estimated pool return, advance 24-Aug-18 $11.00 $248.00 $248.00 rate or date of increase. The program may change during the season depending on movements in a number 19-Oct-18 $13.00 $261.00 $261.00 of factors including the marketing plan, sugar price and currency movements and timing of cash flows. 23-Nov-18 $30.00 $291.00 $291.00 3. The advance rates are GST exclusive. 4. The net adjustment, for the estimated US Quota and 14-Dec-18 $4.00 $295.00 $295.00 QSL premiums & costs, to be added /(subtracted) to / (from) to ICE No.11 and Foreign Exchange pricing 25-Jan-19 $6.00 $301.00 80.0% results for the Committed Pools (e.g. Fixed Price Forward Contract FPFC) is $2.80. 22-Feb-19 $9.00 $310.00 82.5% Disclaimer: This report has been prepared for general information only. It does not have regard to the specific circumstances of any 22-Mar-19 $19.00 $329.00 87.5% individual or group who may read it. It is not intended as an offer to buy or sell commodities, futures or options, nor is the accuracy of 19-Apr-19 $10.00 $339.00 90.0% the report content guaranteed. However, as market circumstances can change quickly, Queensland Sugar Limited and Bundaberg Sugar Ltd disclaim any responsibility or liability for decisions or 17-May-19 $9.00 $348.00 92.5% actions of any individual relying in whole or in part on information contained herein. Individuals contemplating decisions relating to any 21-Jun-19 $9.00 $357.00 95.0% material discussed in this publication should take appropriate financial advice. Final Page 3 $19.00 $376.00 100.0%
The Bundaberg District Canegrower Volume 15, Issue 1 Student scholarships available I n partnership with industry sponsors, the AgriFutures™ Horizon Scholarship is an initiative supporting knowledge at a range of industry events. Research shows that Horizon Scholars are typically two (2) to three (3) years ahead of other university graduates in students enrolled in full-time study at Who can apply terms of their career readiness and an Australian university by providing: To be eligible for the Horizon industry networks. Scholarship, students must be an A bursary of $5,000 per year for the Australian citizen or permanent resident Previously, the Horizon Scholarship final two (2) years of your degree enrolled full-time in their last two (2) program was eligible to students that Professional development workshops years o f an agriculture -related were in their first two (2) years of Annual industry work placements undergraduate degree at an Australian tertiary studies. Now, the Horizon aligned with the scholar‘s areas of university with a maximum two-year Scholarship is offered to students in interest and their sponsor‘s industry gap b et ween hi gh sch oo l and their last years of study, to best connect Opportunities to network and gain tertiary study. students with industry networks and giving them this continued advantage when entering the workforce. Suitable degrees include, but are not limited to: Agricultural Science Rural Science Livestock/Animal Science Veterinary Science Agribusiness Plant Science Agricultural Economics Resource Management Sustainability Food Security Agricultural Economics Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths (STEM) with major studies and subject selections relevant to, and aligned with, agriculture Scholarship recipients will be selected on the basis of their commitment to a career in agriculture, as well as their leadership potential and tertiary academic record to date. Recipients will be required to attend the workshop (held in the first week of July in 2019), and complete two (2) weeks of work placement each year of the scholarship. Reasonable costs associated with these activities are covered by the program. Applications for the AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship are now open. Students studying an agriculture-related degree, in their last two (2) years of study, are eligible to apply to receive a $5,000 bursary and professional development opportunities. Apply before 1 March 2019 at https:// w w w. a g r i fu t u r e s . c o m. a u / p e o p l e - leadership/horizon-scholarship/ Page 4
The Bundaberg District Canegrower Volume 15, Issue 1 NEXTCROP/2019: development program for future leaders for the Australian Sugar Industry What is NEXTCROP/2019? You will be ready to step up and be September 2019. Each session will be NEXTCROP/2019 is a personal and a leader and you‘ll have a sneaky run over 1-3 days and each will require professional leadership program for the suspicion you already are (or could be) travel to locations across Queensland Australian sugarcane industry, funded an innovator, collaborator and change- and NSW. To be offered a place, you by Sugar Research Australia. In its first maker. We‘re looking for people who must be willing and able to attend all year, the program is targeted at are early to mid-career and have shown sessions. sugarcane growers. The program is themselves to be an emerging leader of designed to find and cultivate the next the sector, regardless of age. NEXTCROP/2019 is funded by Sugar crop of individuals who are ready to Research Australia, however all step up and take their businesses and our How do I apply? participants are expected to pay $750 as industry to the next level. A p p l i c a t i o n s f o r a contribution to their place in the NEXTCROP/2019 close on 30 program. This will be the only outlay as Participants will hear from some of January 2019. SRA will be looking for travel and accommodation costs are Australia‘s best speakers on topics such you to showcase why they should invest included. as innovation, leadership and culture. in you as leader in our next crop. You‘ll connect with people from across Following your application, a selection More information the Industry and engage with industry panel will be convened to assess all More details about the program and influencers for mentoring and project applicants and determine who will be how to apply are available on the work. the NEXTCROP/2019 participants. following website: https:// www.nextcropleaders.com/. Who should apply? What kind of commitment and Aimed at sugarcane growers, what cost is involved? you will have in common with other If you‘re successful, you will be applicants is your open, creative, required to attend four (4) face-to-face inquisitive mind and a demonstrated sessions, and two (2) webinars and a commitment to the sugar series of online units, between April and industry's success. Farm Management Grants F arm Management Grants are now available to assist eligible Queensland primary producers or their Rebates of up to 50 per cent of the amount paid for professional advice, to a maximum of $2,500 for each financial enterprise from a suitably qualified professional, at or after 23 March 2017. relatives offset the costs of professional year of the scheme, are available. To advice associated with transferring an receive a rebate for a financial year, an Full eligibility information and terms interest in the primary production application must be received in that year and conditions can be found in the Farm enterprise. and may include an application made Management Grant guidelines (http:// before professional advice is received. www.qraa.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/ Costs eligible for the rebate include pdf_file/0006/7908/Farm-Management- those for professional advice provided This scheme will close to applications on Grants-Guidelines-FINAL-V2.0.pdf) by suitably qualified professionals 30 June 2019. including for example, How to apply accountants, succession advisors or Eligibility Applications for Farm Management solicitors – view the Frequently Asked To be eligible for a Farm Management Grants can be made via the online portal Questions (http://www.qraa.qld.gov.au/ Grant, you must: (https://applyonline.qraa.qld.gov.au/). current-programs/farm-management- be a primary producer, or a relative of grants/farm-management-grants-faqs) or the primary producer for a primary For further information or assistance guidelines (http://www.qraa.qld.gov.au/ production enterprise with your application, Freecall 1800 623 __data/assets/pdf_file/0006/7908/Farm- have paid, or will pay for advice 946 or contact your local Regional Area Manage me nt -Grants -G uidelines- relating to transferring or acquiring an Manager Mark Barrett on 4154 2874. or FINAL.pdf ) for more details. interest in the primary production 0417 775 547 Page 5
The Bundaberg District Canegrower Volume 15, Issue 1 Have a digital electricity meter? Check your electricity usage online with Ergon’s ‘My Account’ F rom 1 December 2017, new rules mean all new and replacement electricity meters will be digital meters. and will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in gauging a better understanding of their electricity usage. registration-form.html or click on the My Account icon on the Ergon Retail Business homepage. If you require any If you have a new digital meter, you assistance please contact Courtney on may notice that there are no longer To register for My Account go to 4151 2555. ‗previous‘ and ‗current‘ readings on h t t p s : / / m ya c c o u n t . e r g o n . c o m. a u / your Ergon bill as digital meters do not record electricity use this way. They measure usage, which is collated for the month and put on your bill. For many people, the meter readings were how they kept track of their usage. For those wondering how they can now monitor their usage, Ergon has a free online tool for small business customers known as My Account. This gives customers the ability to view and pay bills and manage their account including access to up to two (2) years of historical bills. Ergon are currently in the process of upgrading the features of My Account which once completed, will greatly improve the ability for irrigators with digital meters to view and monitor their kWh usage and demand load profile online. These additional functions should be ready for use in coming weeks ERGON Safe Entry Policy F ollowing a significant number of injuries caused by entering premises where dogs are unrestrained, What does securely restrained mean? Limitations The ―No Entry‖ policy may not apply if: A life threatening situation exists Securely restrained is defined as, the ERGON has reviewed the hazards and dog is: that requires immediate response risks associated with this work practice . Placed securely in the house or other A natural disaster has occurred that suitable location (i.e. placed inside requires ―making safe‖ and/or power The following policy comes into effect the premises without a means of supply restoration on Monday, 14 January 2019 and must escape); or Other unplanned emergency work is apply to all workers when entering required where the customer cannot Placed securely in a fenced off area ERGON customer premises, whether be notified of the requirement to separated from the area where they are registered as having dogs or restrain their dog/s before entry workers and contractors are required not. to perform work (i.e. locked behind a Dog/s are free roaming in the public No entry to a customer premise fence without means to escape); or domain where a dog/s cannot be confirmed Restrained by either a suitable rope Dog/s are capable of crossing as securely restrained or chain secured to a suitable anchor property boundaries. Once the dog/s has been confirmed point away from the area where as securely restrained, entry may workers and contractors are required For more information visit occur. www,ergon.com.au/safeentry. to perform work and ensures safe access (i.e. tied to a suitable anchor point). Page 6
The Bundaberg District Canegrower Volume 15, Issue 1 CLASSIFIED & JOB ADVERTISEMENTS As a free service to financial members, small suitable classified and employment advertisements of up to 30 words only will be printed. Advertisements will be accepted from non-members, charged at $11 per 7-word line or part thereof. Contact: Bundaberg CANEGROWERS Office on telephone 4151 2555 or fax 4153 1986. CLASSIFIEDS FOR SALE 1 x TVT155 New Holland and 14 ton Carta Bin. 1 x 180 CASE PUMA and 14 ton Corridinni Bin. 1 x 3 row belt spreader (Fertiliser/ Manure). Contact 0428 937 164 or email bunearth@bigpond.net.au New Regulations on Casual Employment F ederal Minister for Jobs and Industrial Relations Kelly O'Dwyer recently made two (2) important This addresses a recent Fair Work Commission (FWC) decision which provides eligible award-reliant casual availability for rosters to give casual employees more say over when they work; announcements that you need to know employees with a right to request to 5. Have employees tender their about if you employ casual workers. convert to full-time or part-time availability and provide shifts using a employment. workforce planning model that limits WorkPac v Skene regular and systematic hours; The Government will create new The details are still to be decided and it 6. Having a statement on all rosters regulations that employers who have is understood that the Government will stating that casual hours are not a been found to wrongly categorise be "consulting" businesses. What the guarantee of ongoing regular and employees as casual, will be able to ask Federal Government will specifically systematic work and can be changed, the court to offset casual loadings need to address is what rights employers varied or cancelled dependent on already paid, against any orders to will have to refuse such requests. operational requirements and staffing backpay those workers. levels; What does this mean for you? 7. En s ur i n g ca s ua l e mp l o yme n t T his p revents "do ub le -d ipp ing" Employers can take some practical steps contracts specify that there is no practices that could have resulted from to reduce their level of risk such as: entitlement to ongoing and regular the WorkPac v Skene case a few months 1. Comply with relevant Modern Award and systematic work and employees ago, where a truck driver who was casual conversion clauses and are compensated with the 25% casual employed casually through a labour- document all conversations with loading in lieu of annual leave and hire firm, was found to be a full-time employees who elect not to convert to sick leave entitlements; employee entitled to annual leave and part-time or full-time employment 8. Ensure pay slips specify payment of sick pay. when offered; the 25% casual loading. 2. Offer casual employees part-time or Extension of casual conversion full-time positions when they become Need help? available, again documenting all Should you require any further advice rights related correspondence; regarding regular or systematic casuals, The Federal Government said they will 3. Where possible, limit rosters to please don't hesitate to contact Kate legislate that "regular casual employees" weekly or fortnightly; Odgaard on 4151 2555. will have the right to request to move to full-time or part-time employment. 4. Have employees tender their Articles appearing in The Bundaberg District Canegrower do not necessarily represent the policies and views of Bundaberg CANEGROWERS. Page 7
The Bundaberg District Canegrower Volume 15, Issue 1 SUGAR SERVICES NEWS Autumn Plant source inspections T he autumn planting season is fast approaching and BSSL staff will be commencing inspections and RSD need to provide at least two (2) weeks notice prior to planting for inspection to occur. laboratory for testing and results sent back to the grower. Once samples are collected and sent for analysis it usually testing of grower plant sources in the takes a couple of weeks for the results to next couple of weeks. Growers If you have stood over plants for an return. The earlier these sources are intending to plant should complete the early autumn plant it is recommended checked the easier it is to find and test ―plant source inspection form‖, which you have these checked for suitability an alternate source if the first one was sent out with the Approved Seed and are not showing signs of red rot or returns a positive result prior to you Cane Order form and post or fax the other associated problems that might planting that block. form back ASAP. Otherwise contact impact on a good reliable germination. Michael Turner on 0427 130 467 or Once the Approved Seed Distribution Caitlyn Killick on 0428 508 818 to All sources will also be tested for RSD commences in March, BSSL staff may arrange an inspection time. Growers and samples will be sent to the not have time to inspect these sources. Yellow Canopy Syndrome (YCS) O bservations of blocks around the district over the past couple of weeks are showing signs of yellow of the midrib and viewed with a hand held magnifying lens to determine if veins are stained blue-black. If stain is arounds checking water etc. for any signs of yellowing and contact your BSSL officer Michael Turner 0427 130 leaves throughout. These blocks will be blue-black a sample and photo of that 467 or Caitlyn Killick 0428 508 818 to inspected and tested using a ―prototype leaf is taken and sent to SRA for inspect. BSSL officers are also YCS investigative tool‖ which can give confirmation of YCS. monitoring the area for YCS as they do an indication that YCS may be their rounds and any suspicious developing. A cross section of a leaf is Growers are urged to keep an eye out on sightings are investigated. cut and a stain is placed on the surface their farms as they do normal run Sugar Industry Dinner showcasing the 2018 Season Awards Friday, 15 March 2019 at The Waves Sports Club, Bundaberg Tickets: $45.00, available from Bundaberg CANEGROWERS. The Bundaberg District Canegrower PRINT POSTAGE PAID POST AUSTRALIA 100001222 PRIORITY If undeliverable return to: PO Box 953 BUNDABERG QLD 4670 Bundaberg CANEGROWERS 32 Bourbong Street (PO Box 953) Bundaberg Qld 4670 Phone: (07) 4151 2555 Fax: (07) 4153 1986 Email: bdb_office@bdbcanegrowers.com.au Website: www.bdbcanegrowers.com.au ABN: 66 110 868 801 Page 8
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