ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the implications of the apparent move by fanners to protect their central investment in their farms by excising parts of the production/labour process, and by withdrawing towards a core of activities which can be reproduced as 'family-farm/owner-operatorship'. It focuses on 'the third ingredient' - farm work, and the social consequences for farm employees of changes in the structure of the Australian sugar industry. S. Encel has described graziers and their contribution to Australian society, both as agricultural producers and decision makers throughout the country, and in terms of their role as a social elite. Family farming is a feature of cane production in the whole Australian industry, but just what that expression means seems to be changing quite rapidly. The 'award' rate is established by negotiation between Canegrowers, the industrial organisation of the sugar cane producers, and the Australian Workers' Union.
