|
| |
‘The Drupe’: From the CEO’s desk
Tatura SmartFarm launch and Horticulture Solar Energy Project announcement
Minister for Agriculture, the Hon Mary Anne Thomas, this week officially launched Agriculture Victoria’s Tatura SmartFarm and announced the Horticulture Solar Energy Project, which is funded under the Victorian Government’s Agriculture Energy Investment Plan.
The Tatura SmartFarm is Australia’s leading smart farm research facility and is fast-tracking innovative agriculture technology solutions in a research environment and showcasing them to the horticulture industry. It includes the world’s first sundial experimental orchard of stonefruit and pomefruit. More details of the projects will be distributed in the near future.
Early Export Data
Summerfruit exports to November were 1,113 tonnes, down 11 per cent although this was very early in the season.
Trade to China had started strong with 82 per cent increase in the first month although again these are still early figures.
Once the December figures become available, they will be made available to growers/exporters involved in the relevant programs.
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting for Summerfruit Australia Ltd will be held via Zoom. Due to COVID-19 issues and the commencement of the season it has been difficult to organise a face-to-face Annual General Meeting.
As a result, the Summerfruit Australia Ltd Annual General Meeting will be held
ON: Thursday 28 January 2021
AT: 6:00pm (AEDT)
VIA Zoom.
Relevant documents will be forwarded to financial member this next along with a Zoom invitation.
Hoping harvest is continuing to present good crops. A bit of warm weather approaching this week may assist in the ripening process.
Trevor
Trevor M Ranford B.Sc., Dip MP (AIMSA), Adv Dip Hosp (Wine Marketing), AFIML
Chief Executive Officer
Summerfruit Australia Ltd.
|
|
|
|
Connecting Victorian Food and Beverage Businesses with Asia
Date: Thursday, 25 February | Time: 1:30-5:30pm AEDT
The Victorian government and FIAL invite you to an exclusive opportunity, to connect with buyers from across Asia.
All buyers are business migrants from the Victorian skilled and business migration program, all eager to grow their food & beverage product range.
FIAL’s first virtual business matching opportunity for 2021 will give export-ready food and beverage businesses based in Victoria a rare chance to connect via private, one-to-one virtual meetings with pre-qualified buyers from Asian markets.
Registrations close: Thursday, 28 January
|
|
|
In the news: Limited arrivals of imported Australian nectarines
From FreshPlaza: The Australian nectarine import season kicked off a few months ago, and the production season is proceeding smoothly. Generally speaking, the quality of Australian nectarines this season is fair, and there are no major problems. There are many varieties of Australian nectarines, which are mainly divided into yellow flesh and white flesh varieties. Each variety is marketed at different stages of the production season. As far as the fruit size of this season is concerned, the early size of nectarines was lower, and the later size was larger.
|
|
|
Water trade webinar: Where is the water market heading in the long-term?
28 January | 1:00-2:00pm AEDT
This Agriculture Victoria webinar will provide estimates of future southern Murray-Darling Basin water allocation prices based on expert insights and detailed modelling of the key drivers of the water market. Information will assist irrigators to better prepare their farm businesses for the future.
|
|
|
Biosecurity Survey from Agriculture Victoria
Agriculture Victoria is seeking feedback from all Victorians who play a part in protecting our agricultural industry from pests, weeds, disease and other threats. You are invited to respond to the online survey to help shape the future of biosecurity in Victoria.
Taking part in the survey lets you have your say on issues ranging from potential biosecurity threats and impacts, to where you like to get your information from and what could be improved. The survey will take approximately 15 minutes.
The survey will be open until Thursday 11 February.
|
|
|
VIC Industry Update: Return to offices (Agriculture)
From Monday 18 January, more office workers will be able to make a partial return to the office.
In line with previous announcements, up to 50 per cent of office workers who are not in the public service will be able to return to on-site work as well as up to 25 per cent of public service workers. Offices with fewer than 40 staff can have 20 staff on-site subject to density quotients.
Additionally, from Monday 18 January, face masks will no longer be required to be worn in offices.
Face masks will continue to be mandatory in the following locations:
- on public transport
- when riding in a ride share or taxi
- inside shopping centres, including the retail stores inside shopping centres, such as clothing stores
- inside indoor markets
- in large retail stores (over 2000 sqm), such as department stores, electronics stores, furniture stores, hardware stores or supermarkets
- on domestic flights to and from Victoria
- at airports
- in hospitals.
You must always carry a face mask with you when you leave home unless you have a lawful reason not to. Masks are strongly recommended whenever it is not possible to keep 1.5 metres distance from others.
Record keeping requirements for workplaces have not changed: an employer must keep a record of all workers and all visitors who attend the premises for longer than 15 minutes.
The total number of workers permitted on-site at any one time is subject to a density quotient of one person per two square metres in common areas. This includes areas such as open plan offices, tearooms, bathrooms and meeting rooms.
The return to work cap includes all workers, employees, subcontractors (and their workers), volunteers, and any other person engaged or permitted by an employer to perform work at the work premises (for example, consultants) who can work from home. Under the return to work cap, employers can change which workers they allow on-site each day.
When permitted under worker awards, enterprise agreements or employment contracts, start and finish times should be staggered to reduce the congregation of workers around entrances, lifts, stairwells and other high-traffic areas. Employers must allow workers to work from home if they can.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
