Starting his position in January following the retirement of much-loved previous manager, Mike Porter, the new Manager of Canegrowers Proserpine, Brendon Nothard, certainly hit the ground running.
Originally from South Africa, Brendon has lived in Australia since 2017 and spent the last five years working for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in Mackay where 80 per cent of his time was spent in sugar.
Previously, while in South Africa he worked in a similar position for the South African Canegrowers Association.
Brendon is on-hand every day to assist his membership base of more than 130 growers located between Bloomsbury and south of Bowen.
He helps with a range of queries that includes business support and collective milling agreements, regular mill audits to ensure transparency and fair pay for growers, workplace health and safety, and transport. The group also offers member fire insurance cover.
Brendon says he is looking forward to a strong sugar season ahead and will continue to work alongside growers to maximise profitability.
“The crop is a bit smaller than last year in terms of quantity, but we are hoping for higher sugar levels with the prediction of a dryer harvesting season,” he said.
“We also have a very good global price – in fact it is the highest it’s been in 40 years!”
The main reason for the increased global sugar prices is that surplus stock has now been exhausted creating concerns of a supply shortage alongside regular increases in demand.
Overall, despite a late finish to the previous season that has left some lower yielding paddocks this year, the season is looking promising for local farmers.
General Manager of Canegrowers Proserpine, Brendon Nothard. Image supplied
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
