Globalisation is now the catch phrase being used for producers being able to access the world trade market on an even footing with overseas competitors. But the reaches of globalisation are starting to effect all of our lives on a daily basis.

Sugar production is generally considered to be predominantly owner-operated. So it might reasonably be assumed that much of the farm work, including the harvest, is performed by family labour. But the effects of industry globalisation have now reached our cane farmers and effect the ways those in the industry organise their farm work in response to its pressures.

Researchers from Central Queensland University used data from the first nationwide social survey of Australian sugar growers and examined the patterns of labour use including family, farm hand and harvest workers across the industry.

Researcher Dr Jim McAllister presented the team's findings (Difference in farm labour use within the Australian (east-coast) sugar industry by David Grasby, Jim McAllister and Stewart Lockie) at this year’s Agro-Trend in Bundaberg.

Jim McAllister teaches sociology at the Rockhampton Campus of Central Queensland University. His research interests include: Agricultural property inheritance; Working for wages in rural Australia: wage earners in various primary industries within Australia and the Fitzroy River basin; Farm workers in a changing agriculture: study of paid agricultural employment; Rodeo: farm workers and their admirers, at play; and Agricultural employees in developing countries of the Pacific Rim.

Picture: Keeping things sweet: Jim McAllister looks at on-farm labour use in the region\'s sugar cane industry.