Category: Industry Information

Miscellaneous information

Upcoming Events of Interest

Kalagro

Upcoming Events of Interest

A number of events are being held within Burdekin/Bowen region in the coming months which may be of interest to our members. Details below.

Ayr Monitoring and Evaluation Workshop – 14TH JUNE 2018

Whether you’re a seasoned extension practitioner or new to the field, this one-day training course will take participants on a journey of professional development and show the most important client for their monitoring and evaluation activities is you! The course will provide practical guidance on monitoring and evaluation within an agricultural practice change context. It will identify the current and emerging requirements and expectations of key funders within the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan arena, as well as providing useful protocols, tools and technologies to help you demonstrate the value of extension efforts. Presented by Brian Stockwell, learn more about:

  • Your role in a best practice monitoring and evaluating framework;
  • The tools, templates, technology and protocols of the trade;
  • Building networks and understanding your target audience; and
  • The purpose and practice of Paddock to Reef.
    • read more

    SRA – Media Release

    Kalagro

    SRA – Media Release

    SRA extends thanks to Mr Ron Mullins  

     

    Sugar Research Australia (SRA) has thanked Mr Ron Mullins for his work with SRA over the last 18 months and for the critical role he has played in helping develop the strategy for industry-led adoption activities.

    In his time with SRA, Mr Mullins has been leading the SRA Adoption Group and been a driving force of the development of the new Adoption Strategy along with Mr Sean Kenny (Rural Consulting Group).

    SRA CEO Mr Neil Fisher said that Mr Mullins came out of retirement for the role because he believed in SRA, its people, its grower and millers Members, and its purpose.

    “Ron is highly regarded throughout the industry, with 47 years of experience before his retirement, working in various roles within CANEGROWERS, including as CEO,” Mr Fisher said.

    “We are grateful to have had someone with his knowledge of the industry during this time, and for his work ensuring a smooth transition for the strategy under the leadership of new Executive Manager, Regional Delivery, Mr Ian McBean.

    “Ron’s knowledge helped us to identify the adoption gaps and strategies and, more importantly, allowed us to gain our Members’ trust as we engaged with our Members and industry through this process.

    “Ron met with over 40 organisations and over 200 individuals not just once, but also followed up with a second visit, which was pivotal in gaining industry support for the strategy.

    “His local industry knowledge in each of our regions was invaluable, but never let Ron try and show you a short-cut between districts.

    “Thank you to Ron for all his hard work for SRA and our Members.

    “The delivery of the Adoption Strategy will now continue under the guidance of Mr McBean and our Regional Coordinators.”

    ENDS

    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

     

    Futures Forum Workshop – Summary

    Kalagro

    Futures Forum Workshop was held in Mackay last month which saw stakeholders from the Australian sugar industry come together to look at what’s in store 20 years and more into the future. Representatives from agribusiness, research organisations, government, and influencers discussed challenges, especially around productivity and profitability and the need for all sectors to lift international competitiveness. SRA Chairman Dr Ron Swindells said the purpose of the forum was be to be thought-provoking, inspirational, and interactive, so that it could deliver possible pathways forward.

    For any growers who may be interested a summary of workshop is attached for your information.

    thumbnail of Attachment – Futures Forum Workshop Summary Document

    Kalamia Members Notice – Drought Declaration Lifted

    Kalagro

    Kalamia Members Notice – Drought Declaration Lifted

    Dear member

    You may have read/heard in the media that yesterday Agricultural Industry Development Minister, Mark Furner, revoked a number of shire drought declarations, of which Burdekin Shire was one. This was based on recommendations put forward by local drought committees. This will have a direct financial impact on members who have taken advantage of Ergon Energy’s Drought Relief Assistance which will now no longer be available. Accordingly growers will now need to reassess the most appropriate tariff that meets their current farming practices. Links to current Agricultural and Small Business Tariffs follow:

    https://www.ergon.com.au/retail/business/tariffs-and-prices/rural-tariffs

    https://www.ergon.com.au/retail/business/tariffs-and-prices/small-business-tariffs

    https://www.ergon.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/469045/Energy-Price-Factsheet-Business-1-July-2017-to-30-June-2018.pdf

    Members who decide to make a tariff change, please call Ergon Energy on 13 10 46 (7am – 6.30pm, Mon – Fri). The following prompts will need to be provided.

    • Option 1
    • Quote Ergon Energy account number
    • Advise user type as “business”
    • Option 6
    • Option 1
    • Ergon staff member then will assist with your requirements

    Steve Attard of AgriTech Solutions offers an advisory/consultancy service to assist growers in determining the most suitable tariff based on current farming operations. Aspects AgriTech take into consideration include:

    Tariffs Current and Proposed

    • How this may impact on your business
    • Pump and pumping costs
    • Basics of minimising energy losses
    • Irrigation management
    • How irrigation management impacts upon energy cost

    If anyone is interested in discussing their current power situation with Steve, he may be contacted on mobile 0418 155 844.

    If members require any assistance, as always please do not hesitate to contact this office.

    Les Elphinstone

    Manager / Company Secretary

    Kalamia Cane Growers Organisation Ltd

    Kalagro Ltd

    140 Young Street Ayr Qld 4807

    PO Box 597 Ayr Qld 4807

    Tel:  07 4783 1312 

    Mob: 0447 128 312

    Email: [email protected]

    DISCLAIMER: This e-mail and any attachments to it (the ‘Communication’) is confidential and is for the use only of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient of the Communication, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, delete the Communication, and do not read, copy, print, retransmit, store or act in reliance on the Communication. We do not guarantee the integrity of the Communication, or that it is free from errors, viruses or interference. read more

    SRA appoints Regional Coordinator for the Burdekin

    Kalagro

     

    SRA appoints Regional Coordinator for Burdekin Region 

    Sugar Research Australia (SRA) has taken major steps forward in the delivery of the industry-led Adoption Strategy for the Australian sugar industry with the appointment of its Regional Coordinator for the Burdekin Region.

    SRA has today announced the appointment of Mr Anthony Curro as Regional Coordinator for the Burdekin. Mr Curro is well-known in the region in particular for his work for SRA as an Adoption Officer and with the Natural Resource Management Group, NQ Dry Tropics.

    The Adoption Strategy has been developed in consultation with the Australian sugarcane industry and SRA’s Government investors and stakeholders over the last 12 months. It aims to provide a more strategic focus to increase the uptake and implementation of new and existing technologies in the sugar industry.

    SRA Executive Manager, Regional Delivery, Mr Ian McBean, said that Mr Curro comes to the role with experience in innovation, soil health, and precision agriculture. He appreciates the importance of understanding the full farming system before improvements can be made to the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of the industry.

    “Mr Curro will work closely with the local industry including Burdekin Productivity Services, millers, growers, local CANEGROWERS, the Australian Cane Farmers’ Association, NRM groups and others to deliver strategic outcomes in his region.

    In achieving the SRA Adoption Strategy objectives, Mr Curro will also work with SRA researchers and Regional Coordinators and SRA Adoption Officers in other regions to ensure cross regional linkages are established and maintained.

    ENDS

    SRA Information for Members

    Kalagro

    SRA Information for Members

    Grower members,

    Change to SRA Constitution and Investment

    It has come to KCGOL’s attention that SRA board meeting held recently indicated that SRA may, at their AGM in October 2018, seek to change the Constitution in order to provide more flexible investment decisions to be made.  In particular, Australian Sugar Industry Alliance (ASMC and CANEGROWERS founding members) has sought SRA to invest in the area of trade policy and market access.  SRA has agreed to the proposition subject to some conditions.

    Issues pertaining to trade policy and market access are currently outside of the objectives of SRA – which are set out in rule 5.1(a) of the Constitution –

                “Delivering cost effective Research and Development services to the Australian sugar industry to enhance its viability, competitiveness and sustainability”.

    SRA have indicated that the proposed amendments will be incorporated in a discussion paper for feedback prior to being presented at the SRA AGM in October 2018.

    Issue – Should SRA spend limited resources on Trade Policy and Market Access, or focus on its core business of Research and Development including propagation of varieties of cane, pests and diseases etc? What will be the impact on growers?

    Voting on proposed changes to the Constitution

    For growers to vote on the proposed amendments to the SRA Constitution, you will need to be a member of SRA – not just paying the compulsory SRA levy.  Membership is not compulsory, only payment of the levy.

    If you are not an existing member of SRA, KCGOL recommends that you complete the attached Membership Application Form and drop it in to the office whereby form will be submitted to SRA on your behalf.

    Not sure whether you are an existing member of SRA, please let KCGOL know and we will make enquiries with SRA on your behalf.

    Once the discussion paper has been released by SRA, it will be posted to our webpage.

    Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any queries. read more

    Fire Permits – 2018 Season

    Kalagro

    A reminder to all members of the need to complete their annual  “Application For Permit To Light Fire” prior to season commencement. Application form and explanatory notes are attached.

    Application for a ‘Permit to Light Fire’ is made through your local fire warden. If unsure of your fire warden contact details they can be located via the “Fire Warden Finder” by using the following link https://www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/Pages/fw_finder.aspx. After receipt of your application the fire warden may impose conditions on a permit to reduce unwanted risk or nuisance to other people, property or to the environment. The fire warden may refuse to issue a permit if they believe that appropriate safety measures cannot be reasonably achieved.

    It is also a timely reminder of the importance of providing a safe working environment on farms not only for growers but contractors and employees alike. Some, but certainly not limited to, thought provoking questions/safety behaviours that should be given consideration when undertaking such a task as a sugar cane burn could include:

    1. Who is in charge and will monitor/have overall control during the burn.
    2. Those involved deemed to be competent, are wearing the appropriate PPE and clearly understand their role during the burn
    3. Burning start points, location of individuals, wind direction, direction of the burn, designated escape routes in an emergency.
    4. Method of communication for individuals during the burn eg. mobile phone.

    Having in place set procedures, adequate training and rules around tasks undertaken as part of farming operations is critical in any legal defence should someone be maimed or worse, killed and an action taken against a farmer/contractor for a breach of WH & S legislation.

    At the end of the day no one wants to experience or be involved in a workplace incident or injury but nevertheless no one can afford to ignore safe work practice

    So let’s all stay safe in 2018

    thumbnail of CSO-010-ApplicationPermitLightFire

    thumbnail of CSO-010-ExplanatoryNotes