BURDEKIN CANE PROJECT – REEF WATER QUALITY GRANTS

Good afternoon members.

NQ Dry Tropics is a community run, not-for-profit company that has been a leading delivery agent of land and water management change across the Burdekin Dry Tropics regions since 2002. The NQ Dry Tropics’ Sustainable Agriculture Program empowers producers to use best management practices, for resilient landscapes and productive enterprises. The Sustainable Agriculture program is delivering extension, training, Innovation and Reef Water Quality Grants in the Burdekin through the Burdekin Cane project as part of the Reef Alliance Project – Growing a Great Barrier Reef.

Burdekin Cane Project is designed to provide assistance to help cane growers implement changes that improve management practices and productivity, while also reducing agricultural runoff into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. The project is a partnership between agricultural industry, regional NRM bodies and facilitated by the QFF, with a common goal of securing the future health of the Great Barrier Reef. This voluntary project is delivered in the Burdekin Dry Tropics natural resource management region by NQ Dry Tropics and is not linked to regulation.

REEF WATER QULAITY GRANTS

Over $900,000.00 is available to Burdekin cane growers over two rounds of funding, in 2017 and 2018. All Burdekin Cane Reef Water Quality Grants (RWOG) are capped at $20,000.

CRITERIA

Grower must contribute 50% through cash or in kind, up to the capped amount.

  • All RWOG are delivered in combination with extension and/or training.
  • Grower must be a participant in the Burdekin Cane Project and have an Extension Plan in place.
  • Grower will work with NQ Dry Tropics or BBIFMAC Project Officers to develop RWOG application.
  • Application will be assessed by the Burdekin Sugarcane Technical Advisory Panel.
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    On Supply Agreement

    Dear Growers

    Further to 2017 Marketing Choice communication from Greg Beashel of QLS dated 28/03/2017 posted on our website recently further contact has been made with Greg for clarity around schedules yet to be provided by Wilmar.

    The two schedules namely, grower information Wilmar is to provide QSL and that relating to co-mingling sugar at the terminals.  It is critical QSL are provided with these schedules before they can assess whether the draft OSA is acceptable. Greg also mentioned that the Federal Government had released the Productivity Commission Report today. The report recommends that the amendments to the Sugar Industry Act, which provide grower choice, should be repealed as well as recommending that QSL should lose its tax free status, both of which would have serious implications for the sugar industry. 

    Link to overview reporthttp://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/agriculture/report/agriculture-overview.pdf

     

     

    Les Elphinstone

    Kalamia Members – Seed Cane Incentive

    Offer of an  Incentive for purchasing Clean Seed Cane.

    Dear member,

    Your directors remain committed that it is in all members interest to seek to maximise the use of clean seed cane in planting to minimise the risk of disease in your crop.

     As a result the Directors have decided that Kalamia Cane Growers Organisation Ltd will again offer members an incentive for 2017 plantings, of a $10 / tonne refund on seed cane bought from our P&K Farm.

    To receive this incentive please provide copies of your paid seed cane purchase invoices ( by email, fax, post or in person ) to the Kalamia office and we will promptly process a refund to your nominated account.

     Burdekin Productivity Services has also asked that growers articulate to them your seed plant requirements as soon as practical.

     Plot opening date will be advised in due course.

     Regards,

    Les Elphinstone

    KCGO Manager / Company Secretary