HEAVY rain and wet field conditions have meant that the cane season has wrapped up this week, a few days before the Proserpine Mill could process the entire crop.
The 2024 season has pushed into December due to a number of factors, including a later-than-planned start, industrial action earlier this year, wet weather delays, and some challenges with plant reliability.
Wilmar Sugar and Renewables Proserpine Cane Supply Manager Peter Luke said, at this point in time, it was impossible to say when the season would end.
“We finished the season at Proserpine Mill, on Tuesday, due to wet field conditions and inadequate cane supply,” Mr Luke said.
“Widespread rain over the past week put the brakes on harvesting operations, and the mill has not processed any cane since last Thursday afternoon (December 12).
“Discussions with the harvesting sector and grower representatives over recent days confirmed there was little prospect of cane supply picking up significantly this week.
“A storm on Monday night brought another 40mm to 120mm of rain to the region, further reducing the prospects of cane fields drying out enough to resume harvesting and crushing operations.
“On Tuesday, we consulted with grower representatives and advised that we will shut Proserpine Mill for the 2024 season, due to there being an inadequate amount of cane being supplied to the factory, on a regular basis, to support the commercially justified operation of the mill.”
Mr Luke said the factory processed approximately 1.67m tonnes of cane for the season, which represents about 97 per cent of the total forecast crop.
“I’d like to thank all growers and harvesting contractors for their efforts throughout the 2024 season and extend our best wishes for a safe and relaxing Christmas with family and friends,” he said.
