Horticulture

Labour shortage issues could become worse after Federal Court decision on backpacker tax

The challenges keep on coming for the region’s horticulture growers after the Federal Court ruled the backpacker tax legal. The Australian Taxation Office won its appeal in the Federal Court on August 6, in a case that involved British backpacker...

Rodney Woods

08 Aug 2020

Horticulture

Ardmona orchardist a leader in innovation

Ardmona’s Plunkett Orchards orchard manager Jason Shields is up for an award to recognise the application of innovation in agriculture. Mr Shields was nominated for the Agricultural Innovation Award as part of the Victorian Regional Achievement and...

Jamie Salter

06 Aug 2020

Horticulture

Anger over fruit juice health star rating

Citrus growers are unhappy over a multi-national government decision to give juice a lower health rating than diet cola. The bizarre outcome has come about because the health rating is determined by the level of juice in food — natural or...

Geoff Adams

22 Jul 2020

Horticulture

Anger over fruit juice health star rating

Geoff Adams

22 Jul 2020

Horticulture

Harvest labour questions over border closure

Seasonal labourers are among the cross-border travellers banned from entering Victoria under tougher new restrictions introduced by NSW on Tuesday night. The action has raised concern in Victoria for businesses relying on seasonal workers to harvest...

Geoff Adams

21 Jul 2020

Horticulture

Barham avocado grower features on TV

A Barham avocado grower has featured on a television program which takes a look at the businesses of Australian fresh food growers. Katrina and Tim Myers’ business, Barham Avocados, appeared on a segment of My Market Kitchen screened on...

Geoff Adams

13 Jul 2020

Horticulture

Businesses surprised by border closure

Barham avocado grower Katrina Myers has been surprised to hear the announcement of the NSW-Victoria border closure.

Geoff Adams

06 Jul 2020

Horticulture

Harvest Trail Services will secure seasonal workers

A multi-million program hopes to encourage more Australian job seekers to take up seasonal harvest jobs in major horticulture regions across Australia, including the Goulburn Valley. The $24.1 million Harvest Trail Services program will cover...

Jamie Salter

02 Jul 2020

Horticulture

Fruit fly action plan funding extended for Goulburn Murray Valley group

Moira Shire Council has received $522 800 to continue delivering the Goulburn Murray valley’s fruit fly regional action plan. The funding is part of the Victorian Government’s one-year extension of the Managing Fruit Fly in Victoria Action...

Rodney Woods

01 Jul 2020

Horticulture

Border closures likely to impact fruit harvest labour

Fruit growers will need to find alternatives to backpackers when harvest season comes around again in the Goulburn Valley, according to industry bodies. Fruit Growers Victoria grower services manager Michael Crisera said the Seasonal Worker Program...

Rodney Woods

27 Jun 2020

Horticulture

Looking at orchard survival during drought

A webinar held by Apple and Pear Australia will unpack findings on orchard survival during the millennium drought. On-farm monitoring was undertaken in irrigated citrus, almonds, avocados and grape vines in the Riverland and Sunraysia throughout the...

Jamie Salter

18 Jun 2020

Horticulture

Apple harvest comes to a close

Growers across the Goulburn Valley have finished picking apples as the season comes to a close with the arrival of winter. Integrity Fruits orchardist Peter Hall said he had just finished picking apples for juice last week, and the last of the red...

Country News

03 Jun 2020

Horticulture

Australian Organic chief executive officer Niki Ford to work with NFF and ACCC

Australian Organic chief executive officer Niki Ford has been appointed to the ACCC’s Agriculture Consultative Committee and will also join the National Farmers’ Federation Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program 2020. As part of the...

Country News

21 May 2020

Horticulture

Successful walnut season for local growers

Walnut harvest has come to an end and local growers are pleased with the results. Katunga Walnuts owner Chris Bethell said he finished harvesting by hand on his 2 ha farm a few weeks ago. “We do it by hand in two or three goes, we...

Country News

14 May 2020

Horticulture

New podcast for horticulture growers

Horticulturists across Australia can now get industry news on-the-go thanks to the latest podcast released by life science company Bayer. HortCast, targeted specifically at horticulture growers and advisers, will delve into market trends, seasonal...

Rodney Woods

06 May 2020

Horticulture

Deterring Queensland fruit fly

Nearly 80 000 unmanaged fruit trees have been removed to deter Queensland fruit fly, as part of Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Project’s free tree removal program. GMV regional fruit fly co-ordinator Ross Abberfield said the program...

Country News

04 May 2020

Horticulture

SPC begins processing new super fruit

Pomegranates will now be processed at Shepparton’s SPC factory, just as tomato season comes to an end.

Country News

30 Apr 2020

Horticulture

Growers supported through visa extensions

Temporary visa extensions will help Australian growers by allowing visa holders to work in agriculture until the coronavirus crisis passes. The new amendment applies to the Pacific Labour Scheme, Seasonal Worker Program and working holiday makers...

Country News

20 Apr 2020

Cropping

Rain, rain go away, come again another day

The recent rain across Victoria’s north-east has done more bad than good, according to Agriculture Victoria’s seasonal risk agronomist Dale Grey. Mr Grey said despite 50 mm falling across the region so far this year, it had not improved soil...

Rodney Woods

19 Feb 2020