Current News

• Professor Matt Whiting from Washington State University talks about how to manage crop load at the recent Export Workshop.
• Mike Omeg from Orchard View Cherries talks about production forecasting and cropload management at the recent Export Workshop.
• Short Video from CherryHill explaining the Dowell Pruning Method
• Steve from Chappies Orchards explains how to count buds and prune to prevent overcropping
• Simon Rouget from Koala Orchards gives a Lapin pruning demonstration

Update on the COVID Safe Plan requirements.

There has been a change to the requirements for regional businesses in relation to COVID Safe Plans.

For businesses (excluding abattoirs, meat, seafood and poultry processors) operating in regional Victoria a COVID Safe Plan is now advised, but not mandatory.

For permitted businesses operating in metro-Melbourne, a COVID Safe Plan remains mandatory.

We are still awaiting clarity on the definition of warehousing and cold storage and having a High Risk COVID Safe Plan place as it relates to agricultural industries. 

This change is documented in the updated Workplace Directions (No 2). This Directions notice also details obligations on employers. All Directions notices are available here (scroll to the bottom of the page).

More information on COVID Safe Plans is available via Business Victoria 

**Please understand that the information is changing on a daily basis and we will try to keep our members informed of all updates.

ACCC’s Murray-Darling Basin inquiry interim report

The ACCC’s Murray-Darling Basin water markets inquiry interim report has today been released and can be accessed on the ACCC website at https://www.accc.gov.au/focus-areas/inquiries-ongoing/murray-darling-basin-water-markets-inquiry/interim-report
 
The interim report discusses a range of issues identified throughout the inquiry and sets out potential options for improving the operation of Murray-Darling Basin water markets. The ACCC welcomes your feedback in response to the interim report. Further information about making submissions can be accessed at https://www.accc.gov.au/focus-areas/inquiries-ongoing/murray-darling-basin-water-markets-inquiry/interim-report. The ACCC requests submissions by 28 August 2020.

On-Farm Drought Resilience Grant Program
This program will close on 28 August 2020, or when government funding for this program is fully allocated, whichever comes first.
The Victorian Government through Agriculture Victoria of the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (Agriculture Victoria) has established the On-Farm Drought Resilience Grant Program to assist eligible farm businesses to invest in on-farm drought preparedness and to seek business advice. The program is a key component of the increased drought assistance being provided to Victorian farmers. Visit the Rural Finance website for more information...

Agriculture Workforce Plan Support:

• Worker Relocation and Transport - Support the attraction of workers to fill vacant job roles through providing financial support to businesses to offset the costs of worker accommodation, travel to work costs and relocation costs.
• Worker Induction and Re-Training - Provides grants between $1,000 and $100,000 (up to 100 per cent of total eligible project costs) to support eligible employers to induct workers into new job roles and deliver re-training that has been necessitated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Business Adaptation - Provides grants between $10,000 and $300,000 (up to 50 per cent of total eligible project costs) to support eligible businesses to meet the costs of complying with COVID-19 health, safety and social distancing requirements or adapt to required business changes imposed from the COVID-19 pandemic.

To register your interest and to discuss the program further please register here https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-covid-19/agriculture-

 
Recruitment Support - There is a job matching platform called Sideckicker where you can register your interest for workers for the up coming season:  Find employees on the platform