Overcoming Adversity In Burdekin's Cane Sector

Passionately advocating for the interests of local growers and contractors is Charles Quagliata, the Burdekin District Chair of Queensland Cane, Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR).
As the 2024 crushing season unfolded, anticipation was high among growers and the broader community, however, their optimism was quickly met with challenges.
Several factors led to the delayed crush, including delays in mill readiness, sporadic industrial actions and unexpected rain showers in late June, all of which hindered progress and prevented them from fully utilising the early favourable conditions.
“We were looking forward to making a really good start this year as we had the advantage of having a dry start, but unfortunately there were delays between mills being ready and a couple of days of industrial action,” said Charles.
“It’s very disappointing that we ended up receiving rain at the end of June, where we’ve missed the opportunity to supply close to a month’s worth of cane due to growing evidence that most mills were not properly ready,” he added.
At the core of QCAR's mission lies a commitment to resolving operational challenges and
ensuring the sustainability of the cane industry in Queensland. Charles voiced concerns over ongoing issues with staffing shortages and operational inefficiencies, emphasising the significant impact on both mill operations and the field sector.

“QCAR have constantly and continually engaged with mill management about specific problems, and nothing seems to get done about it.  In fact, it feels as if it is being received on “Deaf Ears”” Charles remarked.

“We are aware that the shortage of staff is an issue, but it’s just one issue! We understand that whilst mills face this issue, so too do we as well in the field as growers and contractors, but unfortunately, the miller’s problems seem to continually fall back on the grower, their third party contractors and in turn, the entire local community and quite frankly, this continual transfer of risk is not acceptable to QCAR and its members.”

“We and our underlying harvest sector colleagues are disgusted with the arrogant reception received from local CS&T operation management when we raise such concerns and observations, and while senior management continue to fail to intervene to curb such conduct, then we have no unjustified reasoning to question our Miller’s good faith, integrity and genuine interest in providing a long lasting processing service to our communities.”
Central to QCAR’s objectives is the optimisation of the crushing season to an efficient 18-20 weeks. Charles stressed the importance of achieving this timeline not only for operational efficiency but also for mitigating the financial burden on growers and the broader community.
Charles also emphasised the economic consequences of extended crushing periods and the need for timely resolutions.

“QCAR’s priority is to get season lengths back to 18 or 20 weeks crushing so we can have all the ratooning done by the end of September, and as our Miller’s very own published data compiled by Dr Lisa McDonald shows, to have an ultimate crop for the next season we need to finish ratooning in September.”

“Ratooning in November and December is just an absolute joke!”  

“This and other research by our various productivity services concludes financially disastrous consequences for the Growers, the Miller and the local communities, particularly for the following season’s crush.”

“We’re just causing a lot of financial impact onto these growers by not having an 18-20 week crushing and it’s a lot of money for the town that’s getting lost.”

Looking ahead, Charles remains optimistic about overcoming the current challenges. He emphasised the necessity of collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to ensure a successful upcoming season and a sustainable future for the Burdekin's sugarcane industry.
"As QCAR works towards achieving the best possible outcomes, it’s important that we put an end to disruptions that harm our members," Charles affirmed.
“We look after a lot of local milling issues and engage with members, and the Burdekin District Board will continue to keep an eye on day-to-day operations with the Miller and its Cane Supply and Transport.”
“The growers, harvest sector and broader community are the innocent affected third parties in this dispute between the Mill and the Unions. I demand to see it resolved asap, and without any further belligerence, so we can get this crush properly underway as we’re already too far behind, and in a year where we were initially presented with such dry conditions, it is completely unfathomable that we are in this predicament!”

In the intricate interplay between weather patterns, staffing, machinery and unmasking the reality of mill readiness, Charles stands as a very strong advocate for the Burdekin’s sugarcane industry and is eager to provide the best possible outcome this crushing season.

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Panikos Spryou and Charles Quagliata,  Burdekin district chair of Queensland Cane, Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR). Image supplied

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