We have passed the three-quarter mark for the 2024 season, with a total of 11.78M tonnes of cane processed across our eight North Queensland mills.
This represents 77 per cent of the total estimated 15.34M tonne crop.
The first of our mills are currently expected to crush out in the first week of December, with most of our other factories finishing up later in December.
This week, we started the process of estimating next year’s crop. The 2025 season farm maps have been uploaded to GrowerWeb. Growers are asked to update their maps with plant, fallow and other relevant information, then return them to their local Cane Supply and Transport office.
HERBERT
• The 2024 crop is currently averaging 75 tonnes per hectare, and cutting at 97 per cent of the latest adjusted estimate.
• Thanks to the harvesting sector for the high level of communication with our operations centre.
• We currently expect to finish the Herbert season in early December.
BURDEKIN
• Weather conditions remain favourable for harvesting.
• CCS is back to budgeted levels, and the season-to-date average is now sitting at 14.2 units.
• We currently expect all of our Burdekin factories to be finished before Christmas, pending weather conditions.
PROSERPINE
• The Proserpine crop continues to cut above estimate at 103.6% season to date, when compared to the original estimate.
• In the last three weeks we have seen average bin weights drop from 9.6 tonnes to 9.3 tonnes as the dry weather continues and temperatures increase.
• We currently expect to finish the Proserpine season in mid December.
PLANE CREEK
• The Plane Creek crop continues to cut above estimate with an average yield of approximately 86 tonnes per hectare.
• With fine weather continuing, the CCS is sitting at 14.38 units average for the week with a season-to-date average of 14.06 units.
• We are progressing through the season and are focused on processing the entire crop. We currently expect to crush into January.
IAN DAVIES
General Manager - Cane Supply and Grower Relations