Published since 1986
OCTOBER, 2021
Mitchelton wines recognised
www.farmernews.com.au
Farm worker plan PAGE 5
Next gen farmer support PAGE 13
PAGE 25
Looming labour shortages threatens second season GROWTH MARKET JUST out of Whitfield in the King Valley, there’s a small farm doing big things. Andrew Boyd started off breeding Murray cod for the table market, but expanded into native fish when he purchased established business Glenwaters Native Fish Farm. Initially a dairy farmer, Andrew had always had an interest in aquaculture. The fish were seen as a lifestyle change, however, keeping up with demand and the rigours of all the different breeds keeps Andrew busy from dawn until dusk, seven days a week - and he loves it. Turn to page 2 and 3 to read about Glenwaters Native Fish Farm.
CHRISTIAN 0409 475 462
LUKE 0428 107 552
MARK 0429 930 083
7847 GOULBURN VALLEY HWY, SHEPPARTON VIC 3631
03 5832 5500
www.goulburnvalleyag.com.au
FOR many Victorian farmers who are experiencing one of the best years on recent record, the lack of an available workforce has many concerned they will be ploughing produce back into the ground. Signs are promising of a bumper crop in the fruit growing district of Cobram and surrounds, with growers holding their breath until they have got through the vagaries of spring storms to be truly confident. However, the hope of a strong season is overshadowed by looming labour shortages. Karen Abberfield from the Cobram and District Fruit Growers Association (CDFGA) fears that the shortage of labour will be as bad if not worse than the previous season. “It was estimated that about 25 to 30 per cent of fruit was not harvested in the Cobram area over last season,” Ms Abberfield said. “Many growers had to make the difficult decision to not harvest all of the available crop after a time in the growing cycle that had seen them expend 100 per cent of outgoings. “All of the trees had been pruned, thinned, watered, treated for pets, fertilised and so on, and to have a significantly reduced marketable yield was debilitating. “And then growers incurred additional costs
BY EMMA OLIVER eoliver@ nemedia.com.au
of managing fallen fruit to make sure it did not become a haven for fruit fly.” The other major noneconomic impact is the effect on growers’ mental health. “It’s incredibly difficult to work so hard, to hold strong expectation and then be impacted so negatively,” Ms Abberfield said. “Each year the growers contend with nature whether that is insufficient rain, hail damage, storms or extreme pest incursions. “Last year’s crop was excellent quality and it was heartbreaking to see it rot when it is such a valuable commodity that people around the world need.” In Cobram and surrounds the majority of crop activity is stone fruit. A dynamic and demanding type of crop, there is a short window of time to get the fruit picked once it’s ripe, and then to market to ensure the fruit is at the required standard of quality. “Unlike other crops the fruit just can’t be held either on the tree or in storage,” Ms Abberfield said. “It was the stone fruit industry that was really significantly impacted by labour shortages. ■ Continued page 23
NORTH EAST & GOULBURN MURRAY PLATINUM DEUTZ-FAHR DEALER
TRACTORS RANGING FROM 50-350HP
FINANCE FROM
0%P.A.