Establishing a million tonne harvesting co-operative : Final report HGP001

Abstract

The aim of the project was to form a million tonne harvesting co-operative in the Broadwater Sugar Mill area involving the amalgamation by way of merger of 7 registered harvesting groups with the option for 2 current harvesting contractors to become part of the proposed one river co-op.

It was anticipated that the average price of harvesting would reduce across the river by approximately $1 per tonne of cane. While the NSW industry boasts harvesting prices among the lowest in Australia it was believed that the industry needed to take that further step.

The formation of the co-op would not only enable growers to reduce their major input costs with harvesting representing around 25% thereof but would also provide a list of benefits.