Kalamia Cane Growers & Kalagro
Enhancing the productivity and profitability of growers
Miscellaneous news
NUFARM SUSCON MAXI INTEL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
A reminder to members who participated in and received their accreditation in March 2019 that rebate claims need to be submitted by 31st January 2020 for product purchased during 2019 calendar year.
How to claim is outlined in the attached reminder notice.
Les Elphinstone
Manager KCGO
Harvest Management Group Meeting Brief
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BPS Newsletter
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COLLECTIVE UNIFICATION
Since our last grower information update that was held on Thursday 31st October the 3 collectives have been unable to reach agreement/common ground on a couple of issues, mainly levy options and asset contribution which has currently delayed proceedings. Representatives from the combined collectives held a meeting last Thursday in an effort to establish whether there remained a commitment to the unification concept. This was reaffirmed during the meeting however directors came to the realisation that new unified entity structure is unlikely to be in place prior to the commencement of the 2020 season.
The board of KCGO has also previously expressed a strong desire for involvement of 3rd party consultant to overview the unification concept to ensure all aspects are addressed as well as to include recommendations of issues/options that may not have been fully addressed. Discussions have taken place with two organisations, with a quote provided based on initial scope of works. Consultancy quote is quite expensive and further discussions in the new year are required in order to negotiate reduction in price/scope of works.
At this point and with office closures for 2 weeks over the Xmas/New Year period a further combined collective grower meeting will not take place this year, with end of January or February to be a more likely scenario. Whilst acknowledging the initial timeline provided to members with “new entity” to be formed by 1 April 2020 in readiness for 2020 season, a greater emphasis is being placed more on “getting it right the first time” rather than meeting a time constraint/deadline.
There were a number of topics raised at last grower meeting including but not limited to, the cap/no cap methodology, request for a more detailed costing of budget expenses, delay in signing memorandum of agreement until full unification concept details have been put to growers to enable “poll” to be conducted. At the end of the day it is not KCGO board’s decision to proceed with unification, it will and always has been your board’s intention that ultimately it will be KCGO members who make the final decision.
QLD GOVERNMENT RURAL WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
BDCG has lodged a submission on behalf of KCGO, PCGO and ICGO in response to the consultation paper in relation to the above opposing that the Burdekin not be included in the proposed water measurement framework.
For any members interested the consultation paper can be accessed by Click here.
The matter has also been discussed with a representative from Lower Burdekin Water who confirmed that there will be no impact on their ratepayers given there is no Water Allocations or Licenses attached to supply of water.
Les Elphinstone
Manager KCGO
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SUBMISSION TO SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE
A copy of submission lodged by BDCG in relation to “The Identification of leading practices in ensuring evidence-based regulation of farm practices that impact water quality outcomes in the Great Barrier Reef” is below for members information.
All submissions lodged can be accessed by the following government website link.
Les Elphinstone
Manager KCGO
(click to view full size)