Sweet Success At Proserpine's Cane Showcase

The 2026 Show Whitsunday Cane Exhibit brought together growers from across the district to celebrate the skill and pride that goes into producing some of the region's best sugarcane.

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A longstanding feature of the show, this year’s exhibit highlighted 100 years of Canegrowers, whilst providing an opportunity for growers to showcase their crops and compete across a range of categories, from plant and ratoon cane to sugar content, district exhibits and youth competitions.  

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“It went really well, despite it being a bit wet,” said Brendan Nothard from Canegrowers Proserpine.  

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“It was good to see growers turn up and put their best cane forward.”  

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The competition continues to be an important part of the show, not only recognising excellence in cane production but giving opportunity for the agricultural community to share knowledge, celebrate achievements and support one another.

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One of the highlights of this year's exhibit was the inaugural Schools’ Sweetest Cane Program, which saw five schools from across the district grow and manage their own cane crops on school grounds.  

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Supported by their mentors, Canegrowers Proserpine and Sugar Services Proserpine staff, students were involved in every stage of the process, from planting and growing through to harvesting, juicing and testing their cane to determine which school produced the sweetest crop.  

Proserpine State High School was named the program’s first winner, with organisers encouraged by the strong support shown by participating schools and hopeful the initiative will continue.  

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“The school seemed really supportive of the program, and hopefully we can continue with it into the longer-term future,” Brendan said.  

A special thank you goes to the judges, volunteers, sponsors and industry partners including Sugar Services Proserpine, Sugar Research Australia and Canegrowers Proserpine for their ongoing support.  

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Results

Watts Farming had an impressive year, winning Champion Six Stalks of the Show and taking home CANEGROWERS Proserpine Insurance Trophy.  

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Dale Holcombe was another standout exhibitor, claiming Champion Stool of Ratoon Cane, the Overall Heaviest Stalk with a weight of 4.25kg, Highest Quantity of CCS in Plant Cane, and first place in the CANEGROWERS Young Farmers Trophy.

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In the District Exhibit competition, Lethebrook was awarded first place, followed by Kelsey Creek and Town. Jeppesen Farming won Champion Stool of Plant Cane, while John Casey secured the award for Highest Quantity of CCS in Four Stalks of Ratoon Cane.

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The next generation of cane growers showcased their promise, with Emily Holcombe taking out first place in the Kids Cane Under 18s section, ahead of Connie Linneweber and Max, Bella and Vincent Orr.

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