This year's ANZAC Day saw hundreds turn out to remember the efforts of Australia and New Zealand's great service men and women. Veterans, schools, clubs and businesses poured into the streets to march in grand parades, and packed in close to attend services held across the Hinchinbrook Shire. Beautiful wreaths were lain and the bugles mournful tones echoed across respectful silences as flags were lowered to half mast. A gunfire breakfast, coffee and traditional ANZAC biscuits kept everyone going
Read the full storyAllan Colquhoun grew up in Sydney, but his life has taken him far beyond the city limits. In his youth, he worked with a station owner named Bob, whose property combined dairy and sheep farming with a focus on Jersey bulls and cows. One vivid memory that’s stayed with him is of Bob chasing down a bull meant for butchering on his stock horse —a beast that, to Allan’s amazement, climbed over the holding fence one hoof at a time to escape. Allan spent most of his working life as a coastal travelle
Read the full storyHinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism held their monthly Coffee Connect last week, being hosted by local business Wild Local. There was a very strong attendance at this event, with Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and KAP Senate candidate, Robbie Lyon. Rebecca and Dom Zaghini provided a delicious light snacks and gave the audience an overview of their business journey from inception to their current location, the diverse range of products they provide and some insight into t
Read the full storyOver the weekend, the Ingham Kennel Club hosted six rounds of dog shows, featuring judges from across Australia who rotated to ensure fair and balanced competition. Dogs were entered into one of seven group categories, with the Toy Group attracting the largest number of entries. Sunday's shows saw the Italian Greyhound emerge as a standout, making up 20 of the 170 total entries across the weekend. Unique and rarely seen breeds like the Xoloitzcuintli and Briard added excitement to the event, of
Read the full storyThe growing season rolls on, and the weather gods continue to throw curveballs to sugarcane growers.
After a relatively dry period following the February onslaught, the recent rain events may well cause a further downgrade in crop expectations.
The southern Wilmar crushing regions would appear to be a beneficiary of rain, however, the Burdekin and Herbert regions are looking for some sunshine to get the crop growing again.
With crop estimates released in early April, it is important for growers to cross-check that their GEI-nominated cane tonnes are aligned with their mill crush estimate.
The sugar market continues to find export support on price dips and scale-up trade selling on market rallies. This sideways trading pattern may well continue until the harvesters roll into the Brazilian crop in April.
In general, analysts are pulling back their forecast for Brazil as dry weather persists, and a delayed harvest will increase anxiety in the market as export stock levels are always low at this time of the year. The Indian harvest is nearing completion, with Wilmar estimates of 26.3M tonnes of sugar looking to be very close to final production.
The AUD continues to be bounced around by a gyrating USD reacting to the latest policy changes in the US. The risk of an escalated global trade war through reciprocal tariff hikes bodes poorly for the AUD. In addition, the recent Australian employment data suggests that the jobs market may be weakening, which could open the door for further rate cuts from the RBA. This should also keep the AUD under pressure.
In more positive news, we will be hosting information sessions ahead of the start of the 2025 crush to update growers on the sugar market and how marketing with Wilmar can benefit them.
Those attending will also get the opportunity to meet our new consultant, who will be taking over from Angus McKerrow in Plane Creek after his seven years of service to the region.
If you’re interested in attending an information session near you, please complete the registration form or contact your local consultant.