Page 26 - Tropic Magazine Issue 19

TROPIC • AGRICULTURE

Industry evolution

BIO-FUTURE
The new owners of Mossman
Mill begin the transition
away from sugar and into
manufacturing.

Words Renee Cluff
Far Northern Milling secured its
purchase of the mill from Mackay
Sugar Limited in July, becoming the
first group of growers to buy back a
sugar mill it had previously owned.
The farmers are now on a mission to
make it viable by moving away from the to reinvent the wheel for the sugar time jobs are expected to be created in
volatile global sugar market and into mill,” she said. “We’re working with a the manufacturing division. Douglas
higher value green products. Daintree number of different companies that Shire Mayor Julia Leu said it’s a clean
Bio-precinct will be built on 49 hectares have developed the technology to use and green vision that not only secures
of land adjoining the mill. Chair of Far the cane from the mill to make value- jobs but will boost economic growth.
Northern Milling Maryann Salvetti is adding products. “They range from “We are saving the town of Mossman
now putting together a team to decide intermediate green chemicals to food because the sugar cane industry will
exactly what products will be made grade products to anaerobic digestion,
there. “The workers are now secure, the so quite a huge range of different
growers are now secure, our funding products.”
is secure so now the real work begins On initial estimates, an extra 86 full
We are saving
the town of
Mossman...

continue into the future and we have
countless families, businesses, growers
who are dependent on the industry,”
she said. “But what’s really exciting is
the bio-processing plant which will
allow the mill to move away from just
jobs for six months of the year to
all-year round.”

Stopping the squeeze
Have you ever been disappointed by a bruised avocado?
You can blame your fellow shoppers, according to
Australian Avocados, whose research has discovered 97%
of consumers squeeze the fruit when assessing ripeness.
To improve post checkout quality, its launched a marketing
campaign to help people pick the perfect Hass based
on colour. It showcases the different stages of ripeness,
ranging from what to look for in avocados that will be
ready in a few days, to those ready to eat now.

26 • Tropic • Issue 19