 #15 February 2021
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Export workshop 2020-21 - Save the date
The export workshop will held as a hybrid event this year: A combination of webinars and field days. Save the dates:
- Export registration workshop (webinar) - Wed 16 June. This session is mandatory for anyone wishing to register for export in the 2021-2022 season.
- Production and Management webinars: Hear from national and international speakers on a range of tropics. Two sessions on different topics Wed 23 June and Thurs 24 June.
- Cherry export 101: A workshop for cherry growers or packers new to exporting will be run separately. Dates to be advised.
- Field days: TBA
More details in the next issue of "Cherry". |
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National Lost Crop Register
The lack of labour across Australia available to producers of fresh fruits and vegetables has already resulted in lost crops. With no silver bullet in sight we sadly expect this to continue through summer and into next year. It is vitally important as an industry that we record and track these losses. Read more
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Melbourne X-ray facility approved for Vietnam
Steritech to begin treating table grapes and cherries at new site, improving trade efficiency. Read more
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Fresh look at the megatrends shaping Australian agriculture
- Growth juggernaut: Three billion empowered consumers
- Fractal politics: Beware the dance of giants
- More from less: The permanent race for advantage
- Cascading planetary risks: Coming, ready or not
- Disruptive technologies: Opportunities for the brave
“The article seeks to help farmers, government and industry make informed decisions about an increasingly uncertain future,” ABARES acting executive director Jared Greenville said.
“Each of the megatrends, and the sub trends we explore, involves challenges and opportunities. While the full implications of these megatrends might take decades to play out, it is useful to consider how we are positioned to respond to the changes coming our way.
“We find Australian agriculture has some crucial strengths, including a positive a long-term growth outlook in key markets, and our track record of market-driven productivity growth, innovation and competitiveness.
“Australian agriculture is well positioned, but it is critical that industry, government and communities have the tools and information they need to understand the risks and opportunities they face, so they can create a future they want.
“Well-informed decision making and risk management will remain central to Australian farming and we hope this Insights article supports this process.”
Stocktake of Megatrends shaping Australian agriculture is available for download here. |
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ABC Gardening Special: Cherry Picked
In Victoria’s Yarra Valley with a view of the Warramate Hills, 20,000 cherry trees are thriving. There are 38 different varieties that ripen at slightly different times, and Jane is here for picking time, which lasts from early November to late December.
Peter Foster has been a fruit grower all his working life and manages this 50-hectare property. As a commercial crop, they are known to be difficult to grow with too much rain causing the fruit to split. Cherry growers go to a lot of trouble to keep their cherries dry to prevent this water damage, even using helicopters to dry them off. Watch the video by clicking on the image
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Robotic pollination trials to start in Aus
Israeli agri-tech start-up Edete Precision Technologies for Agriculture is due to begin commercial field trials of its robotic pollination system in Australia, reports Future Farming.
Trials of artificial pollination technology to start in Australian almond orchards, as growers struggle with declining bee population. Read more
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Energy efficiency grants - expressions of interest
Future increases in energy costs pose significant risks to farm businesses. To help manage these risks, the Victorian Government has been assisting farmers to implement energy efficiency projects through free on-farm energy assessments and grants.
The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Program also offers financial incentives to farmers who implement energy efficiency projects. Whilst the VEU Program has delivered significant energy and cost savings across other sectors, so far there has been limited uptake in the agricultural sector.
We are currently seeking expressions of interest from eligible farm businesses who wish to be promoted as case studies demonstrating the financial, and environmental benefits of agricultural energy efficiency projects supported by the VEU Program. Read more.
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HARPS – FAQ for growers
Hort Innovation has developed a frequently asked questions document for growers concerning the Harmonised Australian Retailer Produce Scheme (HARPS), with detailed information on the background of the program and HARPS version 2.0. Please feel free to share the information with your networks. The FAQ can be found on the Hort Innovation website
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Making Hay and Electricity While the Sun Shines: Agrivoltaics provides a bright opportunity for Australian Agriculture
A new application of solar power generation – agrivoltaics – is being deployed in paddocks and vineyards around the world, showing encouraging results for an ongoing partnership between renewable energy and agriculture. Read more
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Chile's Asoex sees recovery in Chinese cherry market
With only days until the Chinese New Year this Friday, of which Chile is the main supplier of cherries, the Cherry Committee of the Association of Chilean Fruit Exporters (ASOEX) has reported seeing a recovery in the Chinese cherry market. Read more
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Still no evidence of foodborne transmission of COVID-19
A report commissioned by the New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre, authored by Joanne M. Kingsbury and Rob Lake, found that there is currently no evidence of foodborne transmission of COVID-19 and there is negligible risk of spread from food products or packaging. No published studies of SARS-CoV-2 survival on fresh produce were located
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CGA website updates
- Cherry Mentor Program (domestic sales) (members area)
- Detailed trade statistics (members area)
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Marketplace
Have an item to sell or advertise? Connect to over 800 people by advertising in the CGA newsletter. Rates for growers and associate members are $240 per page (A4) web equivalent, $120 for half a page, $60 for a quarter of a page and $30 for text only. Prices are for 2 consecutive months (issues). Add 10% if you are not a grower or Associate member. Contact CGA at export@cherrygrowers.org.au for more information.
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Funding, grants and scholarships
AgVic are currently seeking expressions of interest from eligible farm businesses who wish to be promoted as case studies demonstrating the financial, and environmental benefits of agricultural energy efficiency projects supported by the VEU Program. Read more
Coles Nurture Fund Grant - Grants of up to $500,000 to small and medium size businesses to develop new market-leading products, technologies, systems and processes and enable them to take the next step in creating value for business and customers. Please click here to apply and for further information. The deadline for applications is 5pm Friday 19 March 2021 and application forms should be emailed to nurturefund@coles.com.au
NSW Export Assistance Grants which can be used for:
- marketing materials
- website internationalisation
- pivoting to online delivery
- e-commerce development
- market research
- international tradeshow and trade missions
- costs to protect business in international markets… and more!
To find out if your NSW business is eligible or to submit an application go to http://bit.ly/NSWEAG
Until filled: state-based Climate-Smart Agriculture Fellowships will build the capacity of farmers to manage climate risk, while supporting business and industry resilience in Victoria, Queensland and NSW. Fellows will also be supported to plan and deliver a project that supports their communities to be more sustainable in the face of a changing climate.
Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job (RATTUAJ) is an Australian Government program that assists eligible participants to relocate to take up an offer of employment. Relocation assistance helps participants accept work outside of their area by removing the financial barriers that can prevent people relocating. From 1 December 2020, all job seekers participating in employment service programs will be immediately eligible for the Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job program. View the Factsheet for Job Seekers and the Factsheet for Employers.
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Events and seminars
- April 22 2021: Global cherry summit. Hotel Sun Monticello Conference Center in San Francisco de Mostazal, Chile.
- Save the date - Wed 16 June Export registration workshop (webinar) - This session is mandatory for anyone wishing to register for export in the 2021-2022 season. Approximately 4 hours.
- Save the date Wed 23 June and Thurs 24 June: Production and Management webinars: Hear from national and international speakers on a range of tropics. Two sessions on different topics. Approximately 4 hours each.
- Save the date - Wednesday 18 August 2021: Fresh Produce Safety Centre's flagship event, the Fresh Produce Safety Conference
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