Canegrowers Network Mackay

08/04/2026

Women in Sugar & Ag (WISA&A Burdekin) to mark the end of an era ✨
After nearly three decades of connection and collaboration, Women in Sugar & Ag will host its final conference starting Sunday 26 April with a relaxed Meet & Greet.
Book now to join the WISA&A in the Burdekin to take part in the bittersweet celebration of the legacy, achievement and friendships that have developed and shaped the industry since 1997.
💫Women in Sugar & Ag Conference💫
Sunday 26 April: Meet & Greet.
Monday 27 April: Burdekin Bus Tour (casual clothes & bring a hat and suitable footwear👒).
Monday Night 27 April: Farewell celebration dinner & entertainment in Ayr.
Details: Cost is $50 per person (partners welcome).
📍 Note: Attendees to arrange their own travel/accommodation.
RSVP by ‼️13 April ‼️and include which activities you wish to attend and any special dietary requirement.
📣Organisers are calling on everyone to 'reach out to past members and ensure they are invited along to this special farewell'.
☎️RSVP to Kimberly on 0413 864 784 or email [email protected]

03/04/2026

The Canegrowers Network meeting for Friday the 10th of April 2026 has been cancelled.

Don't forget the WISA conference is on Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th of April, hosted by our colleagues in Ayr. If you would like more information on the conference, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Happy Easter to all!

22/12/2025

Canegrowers Network Mackay District held their Christmas Break up on 12-12-2025. Most of the Mackay Sugar growers were finished harvesting so 12 gentlemen joined 16 ladies and visited Tom Deguara's Machinery and Tractor Museum at North Eton. This is where we were supposed to go for the outing for the 2025 WISA Conference but it was too wet. Afterwards we went to the iconic General Gordon Hotel at Homebush for lunch, Ann's famous quiz and Secret Santa. Ann's quiz was a beauty this year and followed the machinery theme.
Merry Christmas to all, and Best Wishes for a Happy Healthy, and Wealthy 2026.

21/11/2025

11/11/2025

Great Promotion of sugarcane growing for the students.

Join George the Farmer and his mates Simone and Shaun as they head north to sunny Queensland to learn all about sugarcane — one of Australia’s sweetest and m...

10/11/2025

Canegrowers Network Mackay District Christmas Party arrangement below. If you wish to carpool arrange it yourself with the ones in your geographical area. RSVP 28th November

21/10/2025

If your calendar is like mine the Christmas Parties are coming thick and fast. Add this date to your diary if you wish to attend.

20/10/2025

Warren Waples, General Manager Operations at Mackay Sugar Ltd was the guest speaker at the October, Canegrowers Network meeting.
His address touched on five subject areas.
INTRODUCTION.
Warren spoke about his extensive work history.
2025 CRUSH PROGRESS.
Taking into account the number of tonnes of cane left and the weather conditions and crush rate the estimated finish of the 2025 sugarcane crush is 16 December.
CAPITAL INVESTMENT.
Farleigh Mill has the first horizontal mud filter to be installed at a sugar mill in Australia,
Marian Mill has also had new technologies. Molasses/massecuite reheaters have been installed.
Racecourse Mill has had a new No 4 evaporator pan.
CANE SUPPLY NETWORK
There is 854kms of rail network, 35 locomotives and approximately 6500 cane bins to maintain.
Improved planning and scheduling tools are being developed for cane supply network.
There are vacancies for loco drivers. If you know someone who would be interested in that role, please let them know.
2026 SEASON
The planning for the 2026 maintenance season is well underway. Works to be completed in May with plant commissioning and steam trials conducted for an early June start of crush.
A review of crop estimating is currently under review.

At the Network meeting Brad Dunn QSL Grower Relationship Manager, gave a quick report on the new Flexi Pay option which is being launched in 2026. Workshops to be held in February and May.
QSL hold regular educational workshops to help you make informed marketing decisions.
Karen Vloedmans, QSL Grower Relationship Officer reported on the World Events and the predicted market reports.
Mrs Judy Thatcher, Board Member, Mackay Canegrowers Ltd, gave a quick report about Canegrowers activities since the last meeting.

20/10/2025

Great Christmas Gift for the young cane farming children, also for their friends so they learn what Sugar Cane Farming is all about.

Mackay Author Nikki Townley's "No Drama Cane Farmer" restocked 😍

14/09/2025

The next Canegrowers Network Meeting is Friday 10th October at Canegrowers Board Room. Guest Speaker is Warren Waples, General Manager Operations Mackay Sugar. He is responsible for managing the three Sugar Mills, Assets Management and Cane Supply logistics. Come along to the meeting to hear what Warren’s visions for the future and what improvements that he envisages will happen to secure a better outcome for the growers and the millers alike.
Morning Tea from 9:15 to 9:45am meeting to follow.