Category: Media Releases

Media

QFF – Media Release

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QFF – Media Release
QFF welcomes offset move by other major banks

The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) has welcomed announcements from Westpac and ANZ that they too will now allow farmers to offset money held in Farm Management Deposits (FMDs) against their agricultural lending. QFF CEO Travis Tobin said the capitulation from Westpac and ANZ meant that farmers do not need to consider switching banks to access the improvement to this useful risk management tool and he congratulated Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud for successfully encouraging all the banks to get on board. “The offsets provision was an important part of the positive and proactive FMD reforms that passed Federal Parliament in early 2016 but until recently, Rural Bank was the only financial institution to offer farmers the opportunity to use their FMDs to offset their borrowings,” Mr Tobin said. “NAB, CBA and Rabobank recently followed Rural Bank’s lead after the Royal Commission hearings and constant pressure from Federal Agriculture Minister,David Littleproud and we commend his persistence on this issue.” “With all the major agri-lenders now offering FMD offsets, whether to switch banks or not is one less decision farmers will need to make. With drought pressures mounting, this will be welcome for many.” “Farmers and country people are tough, but this protracted drought is challenging for even the most resilient. QFF thanks the banks for backing rural and regional Queensland by giving farmers another tool to manage risk and plan for the future,” Mr Tobin said. Help is available to farmers and rural communities affected by drought, for details about assistance and support services or to lend a hand to those doing it tough see here: Support for drought affected farmers and rural communities. ENDS

Media enquiries: Kayla Plunkett – 0448 000 692

SRA Travel and Learning Awards

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Travel and Learning Awards: broadening the skills and capability of the Australian sugarcane industry

 

Applications are open for the Sugar Industry Travel and Learning Awards (STLA) through Sugar Research Australia (SRA).

The STLA offer successful applicants up to $7,500 for an individual award or $10,000 towards a workshop or event.

These awards encourage innovative thinking and activities that can clearly demonstrate benefits to the Australian sugarcane industry. The activity should be aligned with the outcomes and strategies of the current SRA strategic plan.

The STLA are part of SRA’s investment in building the Australian sugarcane industry’s knowledge and capability.

Dr Michael O’Shea, General Manager of the Research Funding Unit, said SRA was seeking applications for innovative learning ideas.

“The awards cover a range of possible activities that will deliver benefits throughout the Australian sugarcane industry,” Dr O’Shea said.  “This includes, for example, skills-development activities that could include visiting farm trials and assessing new farming methods, visiting the growing or processing sectors of other agricultural industries, conference or workshop attendance, and then sharing this information back with industry via an adoption activity.

“These awards are on offer to all industry participants, including growers, millers, and service providers including researchers.”

The Awards recognise that it is crucial that the Australian sugarcane industry continue to develop its skills and expertise, which includes looking at other industries and other countries to generate new ideas and innovation.

“SRA is committed to investing in research that can be adopted on farm or in the mill, providing a tangible outcome for sugarcane growers and millers. All applications will be assessed in that context of their benefit to the industry,” Dr O’Shea said.

Applications close August 31, 2018.

 

ENDS

Media contact:

SRA – Media Release

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SRA appoints Mr Barry Dun as new Executive Manager

 Sugar Research Australia (SRA) has announced the appointment of Mr Barry Dun as Executive Manager, Operations.

Mr Dun comes to the role with extensive sugar industry and management experience, including as a former General Manager of Tully Sugar Limited, where he oversaw the processing of large and record crops in the region in recent years.

“He has a Bachelor of Engineering and qualifications in health & safety, and strong IT skills. Barry also brings a strong commercial focus, a deep understanding of the industry, and is respected by our grower and miller members,” SRA CEO Mr Fisher said.  Mr Dun is also a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mr Fisher said that Mr Dun also has a passion for research, development and adoption through his contribution to the SRA Milling Research Advisory Committee (MRAC).

“As the Executive Manager, Operations, Mr Dun will be responsible for SRA’s health, safety and environment, human resources, information technology, and asset management.

“These functions, including our research stations throughout the industry, are vital to seeing SRA continue to provide research, development and adoption activities for Australian sugarcane growers and millers.”

Mr Dun said he was looking forward to joining SRA in a position that supported research and development and that matched his skillset.

“We welcome Barry to the SRA team, and he will commence work on August 6, based at our Tully research station. This is part of a deliberate strategy to have more of our Executive Team based in our regions to not only support our staff, but to have even better linkages with our members,” Mr Fisher said.

Media contact:

 

Brad Pfeffer | Executive Manager Communications 

Tel 07 3331 3340 | Mob 0419 175 815

Email [email protected]  | Web sugarresearch.com.au | ABN 16 163 670 068

PO Box 86 | 50 Meiers Road | Indooroopilly Q 4068 Australia

 

Disclaimer

The information contained in this communication from the sender is confidential. It is intended solely for use by the recipient and others authorized to receive it. If you are not the recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking action in relation of the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. This email has been scanned for viruses and malware, and may have been automatically archived by Mimecast Ltd, an innovator in Software as a Service (SaaS) for business. Providing a safer and more useful place for your human generated data. Specializing in; Security, archiving and compliance. To find out more Click Here. read more

SRA Media Release

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SRA appoints new Chairman of Research Funding Panel (RFP) and members of RFP

Sugar Research Australia (SRA) has today announced that Mr Gary Longden is the new Chairman of the SRA Research Funding Panel (RFP), and Dr Phillip Jackson and Mr Jeffrey Snoad have joined as new members of the RFP.

The appointments follow the retirement of previous RFP Chairman, Mr John Pollock, and of Dr Andrew Wood from his role as an RFP member.

SRA Chairman Dr Ron Swindells said that the appointments would continue to ensure the broad depth of knowledge and expertise in the RFP, alongside existing RFP members Dr Jeremy Burdon and Dr Guy Roth (SRA Board Director).

“The RFP has formal terms of reference approved by the Board, and a primary function of their role is to provide advice and recommendations to the Board on new research investment,” Dr Swindells said. “The RFP is a vital component of ensuring that the industry’s research investment is driving Outcomes for Australian sugarcane growers and millers. The RFP ensure that SRA’s investment is managed objectively and without bias.”

Mr Gary Longden has been a member of the RFP since 2015 and has significant expertise in the industry’s milling sector, including numerous technical and management positions. He is a former director of the Australian Sugar Milling Council (ASMC), former president of ASSCT and former Director of the CRC for Sustainable Sugar Production.

Mr Jeffrey Snoad grew up in a cane growing family and is a fourth-generation industry participant.

He has over 25 years of technical, management, and consulting experience in sugar manufacturing and was a member of the ASMC Technical Committee from 2011-2015. He has been the author and co-author of numerous technical papers domestically and in international journals, and was a recipient of the ASSCT President’s Medal in 1997 and 2007.

Dr Phil Jackson was a scientist with CSIRO (1988 to 2017), leading sugarcane breeding programs and research in close partnership with (former Australian sugar industry companies) CSR Ltd and BSES Limited.  He has developed international collaborative projects in sugarcane breeding, and was Chairman of the International Society of Sugarcane Technologists Standing Committee on Germplasm and Breeding.   He retired from a position as Senior Principal Research Scientist with CSIRO in 2017.  He is currently an Honorary Fellow with CSIRO, and provides consultancy inputs to projects and breeding programs in China and India.   read more

Minister Littleproud Joint Media Release – Have your say on Sugar Code of Conduct

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AUSTRALIAN EMBLEM

Media Release

The Hon. David Littleproud MP

Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources

Michelle Landry MP

Member for Capricornia

George Christensen MP

Member for Dawson

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

 Have your say on sugar code of conduct

  • Review of the Sugar Code of Conduct begins today
  • Sugar cane growers, millers, marketers and the community encouraged to make submissions
  • The Code was introduced in 2017 to regulate the conduct of growers, millers and marketers.

The sugar industry and community stakeholders are encouraged to have their say as part of the government’s review of the Sugar Code of Conduct from today.

Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said it was logical to review whether the code of conduct was providing certainty and stability for the sugar industry.

“I understand there are a range of views on the effect the Code has had on the industry,” Minister Littleproud said.

“We want to hear from all players along the supply chain to get a clear picture of how the Code is working.”

Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said those interested in making a written submission have six weeks to do so.

“It’s important everyone gets their say on this important reform, so they need to get in and do it before it’s too late.

“Face-to-face meetings will also take place and I really encourage as many cane growers, millers and marketers as possible to have their say,” Ms Landry said.

Member for Dawson George Christensen said the code was put in place in 2017 to regulate the conduct of growers, mill owners and marketers.

“We introduced the code to make sure that our canegrowers would be able to negotiate contracts with mills and marketers in a fair environment and to give growers choice in marketers,” Mr Christensen said.

“The Coalition introduced the code to take a stand for hard-working canegrowers and to make sure they are guarded against the power imbalances in the sugar supply chain.”

The review will examine the Code in accordance with its terms of reference and provide advice to the government before the end of the year. Submissions close 5:00pm (AEST) Wednesday 22 August 2018.

For more information about the Code review visit https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/sugar-code-of-conduct-review

Fast Facts:

  • The terms of reference released for public consultation week of 1 July 2018
  • Submissions open the week of 1 July 2018 and close 22 August 2018
  • Targeted consultation will be undertaken in September 2018
  • The final report will be delivered to government by the end of 2018

Media contacts:

For Min Littleproud:              Megan Dempsey                          0408 072 809 read more

SRA Media Release – A New Tool to make fertiliser calibrations easier

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CogCalibratorTM: A new tool to make fertiliser calibrations easier 

Sugar Research Australia (SRA) has developed a new online tool called CogCalibratorTM to make life easier for sugarcane growers when calibrating their cog-driven fertiliser applicators.

SRA Adoption Officer, Mr Gavin Rodman, said calibrating a fertiliser applicator is a necessary component of efficient fertiliser nutrient management, but it can also be a mundane and repetitive task.

“Calibration is an essential activity each year, because even though growers may be using the same fertiliser blend as they did last year, the consistency and size of granules will vary from year to year,” Mr Rodman said. “In addition, different granule sizes and mixtures will flow at different rates, so when changing fertilisers, a calibration should be conducted prior to application.

“It is critical to ensure all nutrients are supplied as per the SIX EASY STEPS® nutrient management guidelines to ensure a balanced nutritional program and to give the crop the best chance of reaching its potential and to minimise any potential impacts on water quality.”

Calibrating a fertiliser applicator ensures that growers know how much fertiliser is being applied, which can assist with fertiliser orders.

With the price of urea currently around $550 ex GST per tonne, a calibration that refines the application of urea by 50 kg/ha could lead to a saving of about $27.50 per hectare, with the possibility of blended products resulting in greater savings due to their higher costs.

“With sugar prices depressed, getting ordering and application of fertilisers correct helps with avoiding unnecessary expenses,” Mr Rodman said.

Another reason to calibrate your fertiliser applicator is to comply with legislation. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (QLD), all Queensland sugarcane growers are required to keep records of soil tests, use of fertilisers and use of agricultural chemicals. This includes calibration results.

“CogCalibratorTM is a new online tool to help make this task simpler. It doesn’t remove the need to collect fertiliser in a bucket over a specified distance, but it does assist with the rate and cog configuration calculations.” read more