Commitment and Vision: Perspectives from the CANEGROWERS Policy Council

The CANEGROWERS podcast delves into the rise of rural crime and its profound effects on growers, both in terms of their physical and emotional well-being. In this episode, we engage in a conversation with Chris Cooper, the legal counsel for CANEGROWERS, to gain insights into the nature of crime and unlawful activities. Additionally, Kevin Borg, the Chair of CANEGROWERS Mackay, shares his personal experience of how theft has impacted his business. Lastly, Helle Cook, the CANEGROWERS Insurance Regional Manager - Southern, sheds light on the available support for growers from an insurance perspective.

Chris Cooper, legal counsel for CANEGROWERS looks back on 40 years of fighting for growers' legal rights.

Uniquely in the world, Queensland sugarcane growers can price their sugar up to several years ahead. CANEGROWERS members fought hard for grower choice so the organisation provides  tools, education and information so they can do the best they can in this environment. This podcast  explains the important link between farm budgeting, risk analysis and sugar pricing and outlines CANEGROWERS' programs and services including Business Essentials, professional workshops supported by the government Farm Business Resilience Program (jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Queensland Government’s Drought and Climate Adaptation Program).

After 39 years representing his fellow sugarcane growers, most recently as CANEGROWERS Chairman, Paul Schembri is retiring to spend more time on his Mackay farm. 
In this podcast he reflects on four decades of significant change in the Australian sugar industry, surviving a practical joke at his first ever meeting, robust gatherings of growers and the advice of mentors who helped him along the way (including Bill Benson and Malcolm Pratt who join in for a chat). 
 CANEGROWERS is a membership organisation for sugarcane growers in Australia. 

In May 2022, eight members of the CANEGROWERS Policy Council are retiring from representing their fellow Queensland sugarcane growers. This podcast is a parting word from seven of them. 
They talk about the big changes and issues, the pressures, rewards and their focus on a positive future for the industry. 
Listen to Phil Marano (Burdekin), Jeff Atkinson (Maryborough), Tony Ross (Mackay), Allan Dingle (Bundaberg), Roger Piva (Burdekin), Michael Pisano (Herbert River) and Glen Fasano (Mossman).
 CANEGROWERS is a membership organisation advocating on behalf of sugarcane growers in Australia. 

Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainable food and Australian sugarcane growers are proud of the way they farm and their product. This podcast looks at what defines sustainable sugar and how CANEGROWERS is working to make sure Queensland farmers can show the world that they fit the bill using accreditation programs and blockchain technology.

CANEGROWERS is a membership organisation advocating on behalf of sugarcane growers in Australia. This podcast series examines key issues and challenges and celebrates successes.

 An explanation of what’s wrong with modelling water quality,  regulating agriculture, and relying on report cards in Australia's Great Barrier Reef management and the CANEGROWERS way forward for a sustainable future for the environment and sugarcane farms.
CANEGROWERS is a membership organisation advocating on behalf of sugarcane growers in Australia. This podcast series examines some key issues and challenges and celebrates the successes.