Hocking wins third term with top VFF grain group

THE condition of country roads remained a constant thorn for Victorian Farmers’ Federation grains group, said re-elected Bendigo region member Russell Hocking.

The Prairie farmer was reelected unopposed for a third two-year term on the council.

Mr Hocking said major achievements in his first four years on the group had been shortening payment terms for growers and the impending introduction of high-risk telehandler licences.

“Most growers were on 30-day terms end of month and now the average is under 14 days. Many are now being paid by the end of the week,” he said.

“The changes came after some insolvencies in the trade ... a lot of locals were burnt by that.

“With shorter payment terms, everyone benefits.”

The State Government last year approved developing a highrisk work licence specifically for telehandlers, encompassed in the existing non-slewing mobile crane licence (CN licence).

This will provide telehandler operators with the flexibility to choose between obtaining a new telehandler HRWL by completing a new telehandler specific unit of competency or maintain the existing CN licence requirement. Telehandler operators would not be required to hold both licences.

Mr Hocking said the training would be relevant for farmers.

“We’re now going through the work-safe channels to see what training will involve,” he said.

Mr Hocking said grains group played a key role in the annual review with government of primary production legislation.

“If we weren’t at the table with explanations on why parts of legislation were needed, they could disappear,” he said.

Craig Henderson was last week announced president of the grains group with Ryan Milgate vice-president.

Re-elected Charlton region member was Jason Mellings.

Meanwhile, Mr Hocking said while some growers had been