AGFORCE has taken on a new commodity for the first time in its 21 year history, with the lobby group now set to represent cane farmers.
It comes after members of the Burdekin based Invicta Combined Growers' Organisation last week unanimously voted to transition to become AgForce Cane and to make ICGO members the founding cohort.
The decision is subject to a number of prerequisites which are on track to be finalised by the end of May, in time for the 2020 crushing season.
ICGO approached AgForce earlier this year, asking if they would consider adding cane as a commodity.
The group agreed, pending a vote from ICGO members.
ICGO Chairman Ricky Mio said consultation with their members revealed that they needed to become part of something bigger in order to most powerfully represent them and advance their interests.
"They're not only cane farmers," Mr Mio said.
"Farmers are diversifying, and we want to present them with the opportunity to become members of an organisation that provides greater value as well as an insight into other commodities such as cattle, grains, sheep and wool.
"This is the first time that I can remember where we as sugar cane farmers will directly be a part of an organisation that represents farmers from other agriculture industries.
"This is an opportunity for us farmers to not only have a choice but also to be part of something inspiring."
Mr Mio said becoming the fourth commodity for AgForce provided cane farmers greater representation on a state and national level to influence decision makers.
"A strengthened voice to speak on behalf of agriculture to our communities and our governments is a benefit to all.
"Together, in one organisation from as far north to the western border and now along the eastern coast, we will stand as a community."
But the sugarcane industry's peak industry body Canegrowers say the AgForce's decision would do nothing to benefit the industry.
Canegrowers chair Paul Schembri said AgForce's decision promoted division and distraction within agriculture in Queensland.
"It is disappointing that rather than building on the historic collaboration and cooperation Canegrowers and AgForce have shared, the AgForce Board has decided to intentionally work as an alternative voice on sugarcane issues through an agreement with a small group based in the Burdekin," Mr Schembri said.
"To suggest, as AgForce has done, that setting up another sugarcane voice at the state level is somehow creating more unity within agriculture is an insult to our sensibilities, especially given their public statement outlining a plan to recruit for members from within our industry."
Mr Mio and AgForce have both said they hoped all Queensland cane farmers would have an opportunity to be represented by AgForce Cane.
