On Friday 14^th June, the Next Gen Reps met in Brisbane for their first face-to-face meeting since the Case IH Step UP! Conference.

The day began with a meeting where the Reps gave regional updates, disucssed future Next Gen projects and forming additional Next Gen regional groups. Also discussed were current industry matters such as Yellow Canopy Syndrome and Bonsucro accreditation.

Mid-morning the Next Gen Reps headed down to the QSL offices to meet with QSL MD & CEO, Greg Beashel and General Manager Sales and Business Development, Brent Casey.

After an overview discussion about QSL with Greg, the Reps listened to a presentation from Brent outlining where the sugar market is today, where it has come from and where it could be in the future.

The Next Gen Reps were grateful for the opportunity to openly discuss with both Greg and Brent current market conditions and other topics of interest.

After a quick lunch, the Next Gen group visited the BSES laboratories at Indooroopilly.

Next Gen Reps tour the Glasshouses at BSES

Here the Reps had a tour of the ‘Red Shed’ where they witnessed first hand the work going into GM cane and biosecurity. They were also shown around the ‘Glasshouses’, including the quarantined zone where cane from all over the world is isolated and studied.

Next Gen Reps in the labs at BSES

The Reps then returned to the meeting room to finalise the Next Gen Industry Action Plan. The Reps agreed to take the plan back to each of their regions to gain feedback from their peers.

The Next Gen Reps would like to extend a huge thank you to Brent Casey and Greg Beashel of QSL and to Neil Fisher and Nicole Thompson of BSES for allowing them the opportunity to visit their facilities and for giving time to talk with them.