Sugarcane crush is underway

THE 2023 sugarcane crush is underway, with harvesters roaring into life across the Atherton Tablelands this week as growers, harvesting crews and mill workers start the race to get Queensland’s 30 million tonnes of cane cut and crushed by the end of November.

“The weather is pretty spectacular at the minute. We have blue skies and cool temperatures, so perfect weather for harvesting,” Canegrowers Tableland chairman Claude Santucci said.

“We had a bit of a cold snap come through a few days ago, so that will help push up the sugar content a bit, although it will be a while before we start getting decent levels. “The early cut cane from last year is looking really nice … if we can keep this weather and the mill has a good run, I’m hopeful we can have a pretty good 2023 season.” pervisor Ryan McArthur said word had spread among the trades staff and “we’ve started attracting more inquiries from people to work with us across all of our divisions which is exactly what we wanted to achieve, particularly in our Townsville Thomas Steel facility, as we have loads of great jobs on offer here.”

Tully Mill is expected to be the next cab off the rank when it fires up this week, with the remainder of Queensland’s 19 sugar mills coming online over the coming weeks.

Latest estimates put the crop at 30.55 million tonnes of cane, producing between 4 and 4.5 million tonnes of sugar.

Festival princesses high tea

l BABINDA

THE Babinda Harvest Festival’s first event of the year is Meet the Princesses High Tea this Sunday from 2pm at the Babinda RSL Club.

Susan Cooper of the festival organising committee said limited tickets, costing $40, were still available from Carly on 0428 310 466.

“This year’s harvest festival theme is Step Back in Time and the festival will be held this year on Saturday, September 16.

Other planned activities are: Babinda Harvest Festival Cabaret on Saturday, August 12, Babinda Trades Competition –best dressed shop on Saturday September 9-16, Harvest Festival Golf Day on Sunday, September 10, St Rita’s Trivia Night on Wednesday, September 13, Babinda Harvest Festival Markets on Saturday, September 16 and Grand Street Parade on Saturday, September 16.