Potato Shortage At its Worst in Tasmania Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) Fertiliser prices have soared, the cost of farming equipment has gone up and unrelenting rain means the potato season is behind schedule. Tasmania could be in for a potato shortage and the growers have warned. In Australia, Yolla’s Brett Neal has been […]
Record-Breaking Almond Harvest Despite Pandemic Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) While some horticulture industries are having one of the most challenging harvests with workforce shortages and heavy tariffs, one sector continues to go from strength to strength. Almond production is booming now with around 123,000 tonnes expected to be harvested in Australia this year […]
Biodiversity Market a Step Closer in Agriculture Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) Plans to pay farmers for the biodiversity benefits they deliver have progressed today with the Australian Government kicking off the legislation process. The legislation will underpin a national voluntary biodiversity stewardship market. It will be designed to provide a consistent and credible […]
Growers and Workers Decide Piecemeal Rate Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) The Fair Work Commission last week acceded in its draft determination to all variations the Australian Workers Union had requested to piecework provisions within the Horticulture Award. These variations include a new floor for the earnings for pieceworkers so that they’re guaranteed the […]
Prices of Cherries and Groceries to Increase Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) Few fruits say ‘Christmas in Australia’ like the cherry. However, growers are warning a price hike could be on the way ahead of the festive season. At his 40-acre orchard at Orange, in central-western NSW, Guy Gaeta grows nine different varieties of […]
Discounted Loan Rate for Switching to Green Agribusiness Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) BA Group Executive Business Banking, Mike Vacy Lyle, said: We are excited to launch this pilot that will offer participants funding, at discounted rates, to invest in eligible initiatives that enhance both natural resources and climate resilience for the future. Mr […]
Agriculture Industry Looking to Recruit Women Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) In Australia, there are many people that are looking for the inclusion of women in the agricultural industry. With National Ag Day on November 17, Ms Hermanson said it was a good time to reflect on the impact of women in agriculture and […]
Issues in Supply for Wheat Market Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures has just had their fifth monthly gain in a row. That is the longest rally in wheat futures since 2007. While wheat stocks are not as tight as in the 2007/08 period, it illustrates that there is […]
South Australian Grape Growers Taught Aftercare Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) Grapegrowers will receive some insight into the best way to manage their vines following a hail event, during a webinar this Friday. With several major hail events causing damage in the Barossa, Adelaide Hills and Riverland regions, the meeting will discuss what actions […]
Record Sales for Australian Macadamia Industry Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) The Australian macadamia industry is heading for a record harvest of about 54,000 tonnes of nut-in-shell this year, a haul worth more than $275 million. While the majority of the nation’s orchards have finished harvest, these figures won’t be confirmed until next month. […]
Australia to Compromise its Farming? Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) The findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suggest Australia may have to jettison tracts of the bush unless there is a massive investment in climate change adaptation and planning. The potential impacts of climate change on employment and the livability of the […]
Australia – U.K. Trade Deal: A Complete Overview Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) The UK’s trade agreement with Australia is the first it has negotiated from scratch, setting the template for a line of new deals currently underways. Analysts are forecasting this will lead to increased competition for British farmers. In particular, a forecasted […]
Australian Farmers Adapting to Climate Change Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) Australian farmers have proven their resilience, rebounding from drought and withstanding a global pandemic to produce record-breaking output in 2020-21. But while the pain of drought is fading from view for some, the challenge of a changing climate continues to loom large. Farmers have endured […]
The Future of the Seasonal Worker Programme Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) John Howard, under pressure from farmers in relation to workforce shortages, but unwilling to create a seasonal worker program, introduced the second-year backpacker visa in 2005 to be granted in return for three months (more specifically, 88 days) of agricultural work in […]
Australia Invests Millions into Low Emissions Fund Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) Australia’s prime minister on Wednesday launched a billion Australian dollar ($738 million) investment fund to fast-track emerging low emissions technologies including carbon capture and storage as he bolsters his government’s green credentials ahead of elections due within months. Prime Minister Scott Morrison […]
Australia to Hire Low-Skilled Workers Post Covid? Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) Australia has been built on immigration. In recent years it has been skilled migration, and that will continue to be important to us, especially as we recover from the COVID economic malaise. Skilled migrants are offered visas that can lead to permanent […]
Air Tactics to Tackle Global Pandemic At the present time, the number one biological security threat to Australian agriculture is a bacteria most will never have heard of: Xylella fastidiosa (Xf). This so far incurable bacterial disease causes plants to wither and possibly die (dieback), scorching and browning leaves and reducing the size of fruit in a […]
Demand for Mushrooms Shoot Up After Pandemic Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) Since the season of fall has arrived, mushroom season is back in full force. Not only that, the demand for this vegetable has also increased exponentially. Currently, sellers and exports are finding themselves in a situation where Asian mushroom prices are sky-high. […]
Women Farmers Changing Landscape of Agriculture Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) Women have always been critical contributors to agriculture and food production across the world. According to the UN, almost a third of women’s employment globally is in agriculture, including forestry and fishing – and this statistic may exclude self-employed and unpaid family workers. While […]
Fruit Pickers Guaranteed Minimum Wage Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) Fruit pickers are now guaranteed minimum wage after a ruling by the Fair Work Commission. The Australian Workers’ Union applied to the commission in December last year to amend the Horticulture Award, to guarantee every worker on every farm is entitled to take home the […]
