Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR) has successfully challenged Wilmar Sugar to extend its crush end date for Herbert region mills giving more farmers a chance to minimise standover cane.

The QCAR Herbert River team met with Wilmar management at the Victoria Mill on Thursday (December 5) to contest a notice to growers advising the Herbert mills’ expected finish time and date would be 6pm Tuesday, 17 December.

QCAR Herbert District Chairman Matthew Pappin had argued Wilmar’s notice was invalid as the miller did not first consult with QCAR and it had not given 10 business days’ notice – both conditions outlined in QCAR’s Cane Supply Agreement (CSA).

Mr Pappin said the 17 December date had risked farmers being unable to push through the district’s remaining 270,000-odd tonnes of cane.

“There’s a lot of farmers out there, if the weather does fine up, that can remove more or potentially all of their crop,” Mr Pappin said.

QCAR Herbert River District Manager Lawrence Di Bella said Wilmar, in adhering to QCAR’s CSA, agreed in principle during the meeting to move its crush cut-off time for QCAR members to midnight on 19 December.

“We estimated the Hinchinbrook community, excluding the milling sector, stood to lose about $22.8 million if we don’t harvest the remaining cane. 

“Both QCAR and Wilmar have agreed to be flexible in extending the finishing date further pending weather and cane supply to allow all growers to harvest cane.

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The QCAR Herbert Harvest Management team (from left):  Matthew Pappin, Johnathan Biasi, John Board and Walter Giordani concerned by grey rain clouds over the district.

QCAR Herbert River District Chair Matthew Pappin, along with other members of the Harvest Management team, met with Wilmar at the Victoria Mill on Thursday, December 5, to push for a longer crush to give every farmer the best chance at getting their crop off.

Heavy rains have caused havoc at Luciano Mammarella’s farm in the Herbert River district.