Concerns have been raised about ongoing erosion on the south bank of the Burdekin River, particularly near Home Hill, where experts believe the risk of a channel avulsion—a sudden shift in the river’s course—is at its highest. The erosion has reportedly damaged protective vegetation and riverbank stability, raising questions about the current approach to managing flood and flow-related risks in the Burdekin Delta.

A recent statement by Professor Eric Wolanski (Townsville), Chris Hopper (Townsville), and Chris Canavan (Home Hill) calls for more comprehensive and future-focused planning. The group argues that while the Burdekin River Trust’s $5 million commitment toward bank restoration is a step in the right direction, a more detailed understanding of the river’s physical dynamics is essential.

They suggest that a portion of the funding be used for a full topographic survey of the riverbed and banks, including the underwater terrain. This, they say, would allow for more accurate hydrodynamic modelling and ultimately lead to more reliable long-term solutions. “Waiting for a major flood to trigger significant damage isn’t a viable strategy,” the group noted in their joint statement.

One potential long-term measure put forward is dredging sand from the riverbed to redirect flow and relieve pressure from vulnerable sections of the bank. The group argues that this could be economically viable, as sand is a globally valuable commodity that could be sold to offset operational costs.

The concerns tie into wider research conducted by Wolanski and Hopper on how dams and climate change can accelerate channel avulsion and coastal erosion in river systems such as the Burdekin. Their 2022 paper, published in Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology, highlights the risks posed to Ramsar-listed wetlands in the Great Barrier Reef catchment.

With the region’s economy and community closely tied to the river, discussions about erosion management and flood mitigation are expected to continue among residents, scientists, and government agencies alike.

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Concerns have been raised surrounding ongoing erosion on Burdekin River

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Queensland’s sugarcane growers have backed Owen Menkens to lead the industry through a pivotal period, re-electing the Burdekin grower for another three-year term as Chairman of CANEGROWERS Queensland.

Mr Menkens was returned to the role by the grower-only Policy Council, which also elected Innisfail grower Joe Marano as Senior Vice Chair and Burdekin’s Steven Marbelli – a newcomer to the state board - as Vice Chair.

“This is a grassroots organisation, run by growers for growers,” Mr Menkens said.

“To be re-elected by my peers is an incredible honour. It shows the trust we’ve built and reflects the important work we still have to do.”

The appointments cap off CANEGROWERS’ triennial election process, which began in February when growers nominated for their local district boards. Those local elections concluded in April, with new district boards officially starting their terms on 1 May.

Each district board then nominated a representative to the Policy Council – one from each mill area. The newly formed Council met in Brisbane today for its first meeting, where it elected the state board, including the Chairman, Senior Vice Chair, Vice Chair, and board members.

This bottom-up structure ensures the organisation remains fully accountable and representative – from paddock to policy – with every leadership role held by a grower elected by fellow growers.

Also elected to the state board were returning members Joseph Borg and Kevin Borg (Mackay), and Michelle Fischer (Rocky Point), alongside three new faces – Glenn Betteridge (Burdekin), Claude Santucci (Tablelands), and Steven Marbelli (Herbert River).

While new to the state board, all three bring deep experience as district directors and Policy Council members, ensuring that this injection of new blood also comes with a solid understanding of the organisation and the issues it faces.

“The strength of this board lies in its mix of continuity and renewal,” Mr Menkens said.

“With experienced leaders like Joe Marano and Kevin Borg alongside committed new board members like Glenn, Claude and Steven, we’ve got the right team to move the industry forward.”

The Policy Council will now establish a series of industry committees to lead focused work on key priorities including mill performance, supply chain efficiency, sustainability, diversification, and grower profitability.

These committees will be made up of grower representatives who bring firsthand experience and deep regional knowledge to the table.

The board also welcomes new Policy Council members Leah Russo (Herbert River), Charles Papale (Burdekin), Brett Leach (Mackay), and Peter McLennan (Isis) joining a number of returning councillors.

“We’ve significant challenges ahead, but just as many real opportunities. This grower-elected leadership team is well positioned to shape a strong, sustainable future for Queensland’s cane industry,” Mr Menkens said.

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Owen Menkens. Photo supplied

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Hello,

I attended the Burdekin Theatre on Friday the 16th May to hand out the awards and certificates for all the winning competitors in the Burdekin Eisteddfod. It was so rewarding to see their little faces as they received their awards. Congratulations to all winners and competitors of the event.

I was honoured to open and lead the BCA Walk for Domestic Violence on Sunday. What an amazing event.  To see everyone standing in solidarity and strength was a very impressive site. We gathered to not only walk but to raise awareness for those who cannot, those who live in fear and those whose lives have been forever changed by domestic and family violence.  It was a powerful event and congratulations to the organisers.

Burdekin Shire Council is inviting the Community for feedback on the upgrade of the Burdekin Aquatic Centre.  We have a draft Masterplan that we would like your feedback on for the next stage of the improvements.  They include:
• Building new amenities in a new location, closer to the Centre’s entry;
• Providing unisex and disabled facilities within the design of the amenities;
• Improving visual contact with the wading pool by relocating the Chatterbox;
• Providing shade in front of the new amenities to provide an area for marshalling during carnivals;
• Moving the grassed area to the Queen Street end of the site.

If you would like to review the Master Plan please go to the Burdekin Shire Council Website and type in Burdekin Aquatic Master Plan. We welcome your opinion.

Hope to see you at the Sweet Days Hot Nights on the weekend.
Event Details are:
Burdekin Cultural Fair featuring First Fire
• Date: Friday 30 May 2025
• Time: 6:00pm – 11:00pm, Gates open 5:00pm
• Location: Home Hill Showgrounds.

Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships
• Date: Saturday 31 May 2025
• Time: 11:00am – 5:00pm, Gates open 10:30am
• Location: Home Hill Showgrounds.

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Many will recall the ABC series The Black Hand, which told the harrowing story of the Mafia in North Queensland. Among the many confronting moments in that program was the tragic story of Jean Morris, a young woman whose life was cut short by domestic violence and whose grave remained unmarked for nearly a century.Earlier this week I had the privilege of attending the unveiling of her headstone. It was a powerful moment of remembrance, justice, and dignity for a woman who was, for so long, forgotten by history.Sadly, Jean’s story is not just a distant memory. Despite the millions invested in education, awareness, and prevention, domestic and family violence continues to run rampant in today’s world. It is a sobering reminder that we must do more than raise awareness, we must act, every day, to challenge attitudes, support victims, and foster a culture of respect and safety for all.Burdekin Shire Council has recently joined the Not Now, Not Ever. Together. campaign and signed the pledge to work toward a Queensland where everyone is equal and free from violence. This is not just a symbolic gesture, it is our commitment to being part of the solution.As we reflect on this important message, we also come together this weekend to celebrate one of our region’s signature events, the Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival. This festival not only showcases our rich cane-cutting heritage but also reminds us of the strength, resilience, and spirit of our Burdekin community. I hope to see many of you there.Should you wish to reach out, don’t hesitate to contact me directly by phone at 0447 150 582, or feel free to send an email to mayor@burdekin.qld.gov.au.

If you’ve ever walked along the main strip of Home Hill, you may have noticed some unique, archival army gear hanging from the ceiling above the walkway. It marks the entrance to Annzack Tradings—a local oddity, institution, and treasure trove of vintage memorabilia, rare collectables, and stories from all over the country and beyond.

Step inside and you’ll likely be greeted by Kenneth Hall—or just Ken, as everyone in town calls him. Owner, collector, conversationalist, and accidental shopkeeper, Ken has been running Annzack Tradings for 13 years. But he’s not just in the business of selling stuff—he’s also hunting for it.

“One of the most important things I want people to know is: bring your stuff in,” Ken says. “I get asked all the time how I stock the shop. Well, a lot of it’s from the internet these days, but even better is when people walk in the door with something from the back shed.”

Ken is passionate about preserving history—not profiting off it. “If you brought in your grandfather’s medals and asked what I’d give you for them, I’d say absolutely nothing. Take them home and keep them,” he says. “But if you want help getting replacement ribbons or a re-mount, I’ll help you with that.”

Growing up in Charters Towers, Ken spent time farming in Collinsville and Gumlu before moving to the Burdekin.

Ken’s love for the vintage world intensified after appearing as an army captain extra in Australia, the Baz Luhrmann film shot in Bowen. He even crashed the premiere in uniform—not out of mischief, but pride. “That’s when I really started chasing military gear, tracking it down from Victoria and beyond.”

Since then, the business has grown in its own quiet way. “It’s pretty static,” Ken says. “But I’ve sold all around the world, and met thousands of people. A lot of them come back every year—grey nomads mostly. They always say, ‘Glad you’re still here.’”

And in a town like Home Hill, being known is its own kind of success. “I walk down the street and everyone says, ‘Hi Ken.’ I couldn’t tell you all their names—there’s too many—but everyone knows me, and that’s a nice thing.”

Annzack Tradings isn’t your typical antique store. It’s part collection, part conversation, and all heart—just like Ken himself.

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“One of the most important things I want people to know is: bring your stuff in!”

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Heating up ahead of the Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival this weekend, the Home Hill Chamber of Commerce meeting last Wednesday was its usual entertaining mix of guest speakers and lively debate.

Erin Brennan from the Home Hill Choral Society gave the audience a heartfelt and engaging insight into the 94-year history of this dynamic community group of players and performers.

Attendees were delighted by a PowerPoint presentation featuring photos from performances over the years and outlining the impressive efforts of committee members to generate funding and provide a dedicated venue for the group.

Bringing the community together with their regular shows, the Home Hill Choral Society is an exceptional group of community-oriented individuals.

Next to take the stage was Councillor John Furnell, who got everyone excited about the Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival.

Handing out event programs and branded balloons, John gave a passionate speech about the upcoming event, which is due to take place at the Home Hill Showgrounds this weekend.

Last to speak on the night was Rachael Smith, Editor of Burdekin Life Newspaper, who presented the latest bi-monthly edition of Core Life and Tripping Magazine.

Core Life is a business networking magazine, and Tripping is a leisure publication. Both are printed within the same book in a flip-format. Printing 15,000 issues every two months, the publications have been running for over 10 years and are distributed from Mackay to Ingham, including the Whitsundays, Burdekin, and Townsville.

During the evening, Rachael also launched the brand-new monthly Home Hill Happenings feature, debuting in the paper this week, and thanked local businesses for their support.

She finished by sharing that the newspaper now has a budget for a local, dedicated Sales Representative to join the team and encouraged interested community members to apply.

The evening came to a close with more conversation and networking opportunities.

Special thanks to the Home Hill Chamber of Commerce committee for presenting a positive and lively evening. Thanks also to Councillors John Furnell and Fina Vasta for attending.

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Uli Liessmann from Home Hill Chamber of Commerce, Erin Brennan from the Home Hill Choral Society and Councillor John Furnell at last week's Home Hill Chamber of Commerce Meeting. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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Time may be running out for residents to nominate their Local Legends in the lead up to Queensland Day but Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, wants to be sure the Burdekin’s legends receive the recognition they deserve.

Across the state communities are nominating people that embody the Queensland spirit and those who are awarded legend status will certainly be celebrating Queensland Day in style.

“In every community you have people who just get in and get the job done without any fuss,” Mr Last said.

“Queensland Day is when we celebrate everything that makes Queensland great, and those people
definitely make Queensland great.”

“There are no strict rules for what makes someone a Local Legend in our communities so there are no specific criteria when it comes to nominating them for recognition. Whether it’s someone who patrols the beaches, helps people in need or mows the sporting fields, they make a huge contribution and they deserve our thanks.”

“It can be very easy to focus on the challenges that we face but the reality is we live in the best state in Australia. Shining a light on those unsung heroes is just one way to ensure that, this Queensland Day, every Queenslander can see an example of the people that make our state the best.”

“When you think about what we have achieved as Queenslanders, there is almost always people behind the scenes who have made huge contributions. Unlike other states, we don’t talk ourselves up as Queenslanders but, for one day of the year, I think we can make an exception and make sure those people are recognised.”

Selected Local Legends will be presented with their awards at Suncorp Stadium on Queensland Day when Queensland’s favourite places and produce across 15 categories will also be celebrated.

“Queenslanders work hard but, when the time’s right, we all like to enjoy great food or drinks or even a bit of a getaway,” Mr Last said. “It’s almost impossible to pick the best of those categories so we are asking Queenslanders to have their say and settle the argument.”

“There is a range of categories from best beer to best coffee and best meat pie to best landmark. People can vote for one of the existing contenders or nominate their own.”
“In my job I do a lot of travelling throughout Queensland and, without being biased, I know that there are quite a few places in the Burdekin that would easily be contenders. While it’s a competition to some degree, it really is about having a bit of fun and celebrating the positives.”

“Queenslanders love to compete, especially when we are the underdogs, but we do that with the best spirit and sense of humour. With the last few years being such challenging times, generating some pride in our community and our state is a win for everyone.”
Voting and nominations are now open via www.qld.gov.au/qld day. Nominations for Local Legends close at 11.59pm on Sunday, June 1st.

Contributed with thanks to Member fr Burdekin Dale Last.

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Who are you going to nominate as a Local Legend in the lead up to Queensland Day?

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This week’s Good Deed goes to one of our own — Burdekin Life journalist Jacob Casha — who, since moving to town just over a month ago, has proven himself an asset not only to the newspaper but also to the community.

Well-known at the Home Hill Bowls Club for his enthusiastic participation in the sport, attending local soccer games, and joining the Tennis working bee, this young man is truly embracing local life.

Kate Caswell from Home Hill Tennis took the time to write into the paper to nominate him for some recognition.

“Since coming to town, Jacob has really gotten into the community spirit and taken up pickleball and bowls,” she shared.

“This week we had a working bee to clean off some mould, and Jacob came along and added operating a pressure cleaner to his skill set! Thanks for helping out, Jacob.”

Jacob’s kind gesture shows that small acts and time given to worthy causes are incredibly meaningful to the community and inspire kindness in others.

If you’re looking for ways to get involved locally, follow Jacob’s lead and volunteer your time to help others.

Not only will you get the warm fuzzies from lending a hand and the satisfaction of a job well done — you may also form some great connections along the way.

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Last week at Home Hill State High School, Year 7 and 8 students in the STEAM class took on a hands-on engineering challenge inspired by one of history’s greatest inventors. Tasked with building Da Vinci bridges out of paddle pop sticks—without glue or tape—students quickly learned that patience, persistence, and resilience are crucial ingredients in the creative process.

The activity, while frustrating at times due to the fiddly nature of the materials, encouraged students to problem-solve, revise their designs, and keep trying even when the bridge collapsed. Most students successfully reached step five of the construction, a testament to their teamwork and determination.

The lesson extended beyond engineering—it was about embracing the journey of invention. As the students discovered, even the best ideas require trial, error, and multiple revisions before reaching their full potential--A reminder that persistence pays off in learning and life.

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Hailing from Townsville, Anne Walsh of Anne Walsh Fine Art travels to Home Hill’s 170 Arts on the Avenue on the first Saturday of each month to host a wonderful Art Class to foster creativity and artistic talent.

With a love for coastal seascapes, Anne has a passion for nature and water scenes to evoke feelings of immersion and escapism through each brushstroke and her talents have been commended on several occasions. Anne’s joy of sharing art with others has led her to become a much-loved teacher, and over the past four years, she has mentored students within the Burdekin Shire privately through one-on-one classes and in workshops conducted at either the Burdekin Art Society or with the Burdekin Artisan Community Association.

“My love and passion for painting is what inspires me to help other artists with their artistic journey, and I enjoy being able to share my knowledge and techniques,” Anne explained.

“I like encouraging each artist to just enjoy the process of painting or drawing with enthusiasm and self-belief, then to see what they accomplish is inspiring.”

The Burdekin Artisans have happily welcomed Anne into their studio for the past few months where artists of all experience levels have flourished and thrived, especially those who had never picked up a brush or pencil before.

“The classes are based on each student bringing whatever they want to work on, whether it be watercolour, acrylics, drawing, pastel or oils and I help each artist individually and as a whole on composition, colour mixing, brush techniques, perspective and tonal values,” Anne outlined.

In each workshop, Anne prides herself on establishing an enjoyable and relaxed atmosphere for her students to explore their creativity freely with individual guidance.

“Art is such a personal expression and can sometimes be quite daunting for those who would like to have a go but feel hesitant, so I love to make the experience fun and full of laughs,” added Anne.

“I also get to meet some beautiful, interesting and like-minded people along the way.”

On Saturday the 7th of June, Anne will teach another fantastic class from 9am to 2pm at 170 Arts on the Avenue. Bookings are essential and can be made by phoning 0497 356 355.

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What: Art Class with Anne Walsh
When: Saturday the 7th of June, 9am to 2pm
Where: 170 Arts on the Avenue, Home Hill

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Anne Walsh has been guiding artists of the Burdekin Shire for the past four years (Photo Supplied)
Anne's next class will be held on the 14th of June at 170 Arts on the Avenue (Photo Supplied)

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Truck drivers across Australia are receiving vital wellbeing support when and where they need it most thanks to a new, first-of-its-kind mental health campaign from Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds, led by actor, comedian and truck enthusiast Shane Jacobson.

Launched on National Road Safety Week’s Regional Roads Day last Monday, the 19th of May, the campaign delivers preventative mental health support to truck drivers travelling Australia’s most isolated freight routes using geo-targeted radio messages, billboards, and podcast content to reach drivers where traditional support can’t.

More than half a million Australians work in trucking, warehousing and logistics, and truck driving remains the most common occupation for men in the country, however, the industry ranks last out of 19 sectors for mental health with many drivers spending long, isolated shifts away from family, friends and support.

“We know how important connection is for mental health and wellbeing, but every day, truckies are driving away from the people they love,” How Ya Travellin’? host Shane Jacobson said.

“They’re isolated for long periods of time, working unpredictable shifts, with little access to healthy food or exercise options which makes it easy for their mental and physical health to slide without anyone noticing.”

Hijacking the airwaves for the next six weeks, the How Ya Travellin’? campaign will interrupt commercial radio breaks along some of Australia's most isolated freight routes like the Eyre, Great Northern, Hume and Stuart Highways to replace ads with tailored, time-based wellbeing tips and real stories of overcoming mental health challenges.

Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds CEO Naomi Frauenfelder notes the campaign has been designed to break into moments of isolation with simple, timely reminders of support to help truckies feel a little less alone, even on the most remote roads.

“We often hear from drivers that something small, a family worry, a stressful interaction, a moment of doubt, can spiral into something overwhelming after going uninterrupted for ten hours and a thousand kilometres alone in the cab,” added Naomi.

Since its launch just last week, the campaign has already begun to spark plenty of meaningful and important conversations between truckies around mental health, with many rallying behind the initiative in support of those who prop up one of the most integral industries in Australia. More information about the campaign can be found at www.healthyheads.org.au.

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An impactful and inspirational fundraising event will grace the four walls of Home Hill’s beautiful Burdekin Memorial Hall this October to raise vital funds for those impacted by cancer across North Queensland.

Raelene Grantz will host a wonderful Gala Afternoon Tea on Sunday the 19th of October titled Burdekin Fights Back to stage a selection of guest speakers, exciting entertainment, multi draw raffles, cent sales and of course a delicious buffet to raise funds for the Cancer Council foundation.

In February of last year, Raelene was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine yearly mammogram, just twelve years on from her twin sister, Maree, facing her own breast cancer battle. Fortunately, the sisters are both now cancer free and have a strong desire to give back to the Cancer Council of North Queensland’s North Ward branch at Gluyas Lodge in Townsville.

“Being a cancer survivor myself and having family, and friends in the Burdekin that have had cancer, I just want to give back and the Townsville Hospital was so caring towards me when I battled cancer last year,” shared Raelene.

“I hope my fundraising goes to research and supporting family and friends of those how have cancer as I firmly believe research is the answer to finding a cure for all cancers.”

Raelene hopes the region will save the date for the October event, and she invites the entire community to attend what is shaping up to be a gorgeous afternoon.

To donate to Raelene’s Cancer Council fundraising page, visit www.doitforcancer.com.au/fundraisers/raelenegrantz.

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What: Gala Afternoon Tea
When: Sunday the 19th of October from 2pm
Where: Burdekin Memorial Hall, Home Hill

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Rural landholders across the Burdekin Shire are now eligible to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to assist with clean-up and reinstatement costs following the North and Far North Tropical Low disaster event that occurred earlier this year between the 29th  of January and the 28th of February.

The Rural Landholder Recovery Grant Scheme has been activated to support primary producers whose properties and livelihoods were impacted by this declared natural disaster. Funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments, this initiative aims to help landholders get back on their feet by covering direct recovery costs.

Eligible local government areas include Burdekin, Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Charters Towers, Flinders, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island, Tablelands, Townsville and Yarrabah and to qualify, landholders must meet the following criteria:

• Own or lease at least 10 hectares in one of the disaster-declared areas.
• Operate a primary production enterprise on that land.
• Hold an ABN that was active during the disaster event.
• Have earned at least $20,000 gross from primary production in the year before the disaster.
• Have no more than $250,000 gross off-farm income.
• Intend to re-establish the enterprise on the affected land.
• Not have already received financial assistance through other disaster loan or grant schemes for the same event.

The grant is reimbursable and can cover a range of expenses such as debris removal, damaged fencing, restoration of access roads, infrastructure repairs, and more. Applicants are required to provide supporting documents such as a rates notice or lease, 5–10 photos of the damage, insurance information, and evidence of expenditure.

Applications for the Rural Landholder Recovery Grant will close on the 13th of February, 2026, but eligible landholders are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to support timely recovery.

For full eligibility criteria and to apply, visit the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) website.

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Simon Hood, Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing

North Queensland has seen a nice drop in temperatures this past fortnight, which is a welcome change to our growers who are still busy out in the field preparing for the start of the 2025 season. Our team has also been active on the ground, meeting with growers to finalise their pricing and provide updates on what’s happening in the market.

For those participating in the Managed Pool Plus for the 2025 season, you would have recently received an update detailing the pool’s valuation, pricing strategy, and market outlook.

While it's still early days, the pool is tracking well above the benchmark price, supported by strong base pricing in both the futures and currency markets. The use of option strategies allows for downside protection while maintaining the opportunity to benefit from potential market rallies.

Launched last year as a new pooling option for Wilmar growers, the Managed Pool Plus has attracted strong interest from those seeking a more stable approach amid market volatility. Nominations for the 2026 season are now open and will close on 30 June. I encourage you to contact a member of the team if you’re considering this option for your pricing next season.

In broader market news, the #11 sugar contract remains range-bound due to limited activity from both buyers and sellers.

Attention is centred on Brazil’s bi-weekly UNICA reports, which offer key metrics such as harvested tonnage, CCS, and sugar mix. Yield data comes from the monthly CTC reports. The May reports indicate the Brazilian harvest is running behind schedule, with lower-than-expected yields, CCS, and sugar mix. However, it's still early in the season, and recent weather-related delays may be offset in upcoming updates.

Given the current "watch and act" sentiment, we expect prices to remain within a broad trading range of 17.00 to 18.50 USc/lb. A weaker-than-anticipated UNICA update could push prices toward the upper end of that range, while further declines in oil prices could pressure the lower end by reducing ethanol parity pricing.

Queensland’s 2025 sugarcane crush is officially underway, with harvesters firing up across the Tablelands district this morning. It marks the start of a new season that growers hope will bring better fortunes after a tough run last year.

Around 28.5 million tonnes of cane are expected to be cut and crushed across 13 districts, from Rocky Point in the south right up to Mossman in the far north.

The crop is down slightly from last year, with recent widespread flooding across north Queensland causing major losses to plant cane, while prolonged cloudy weather also slowed growth in some districts.

Despite this, growers are hoping to turn the page on 2024, which was one of the most disrupted seasons in recent memory. Unseasonal rain, mill breakdowns and industrial action caused major delays that saw some districts harvesting into January – and around a million tonnes of cane left in the paddock.

“Growers are eternal optimists,” CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan said.

“They’ve done their part, growing the best crop they can under the conditions. Now we will be working together with the rest of the supply chain to make this season work.”

While last season’s industrial disputes have been resolved, the reality is, multiple difficult harvesting seasons have had a cumulative impact on the profitability of farmers, Mr Galligan said.

“In the brief break since the last harvesting season we’ve been in urgent talks with the sugar manufacturers, and while we’re seeing a real willingness to tackle the problems and get things back on track, there are no quick fixes, unfortunately.”

Workforce shortages are also creating challenges, especially in regional areas where skilled mill workers, harvester drivers and haulout crews are in short supply.

CANEGROWERS is working with local offices and the Queensland Farmers’ Federation to help address these issues.

“There’s huge potential in this industry,” Mr Galligan said.

“But we won’t fully unlock it until we can consistently harvest the entire crop in most efficient and profitable time.”

With the first cane bins filling up, growers are crossing their fingers for dry weather, reliable mills, and a smooth run through the season.

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Photo supplied: CANEGROWERS

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