Grower groups from Queensland and elsewhere are launching a national campaign encouraging people to “eat Australian-sourced food” on Australia Day, this Thursday 26 January 2012. President of AgForce,the Queensland horticultural growers organisation, Brent Finlay, is launching the campaign with a presentation to the Deputy Prime Minister, Treasurer Wayne Swan, of a hamper of Australian produce. The Hamper is being described as a symbolic gesture of appreciation of Australian Government support... ...Read more »

Queensland horticulture body Growcom, says it intends to assess opportunities for Australian fruit and vegetable growers to generate credits under the Australian Government’s Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) scheme. The scheme allows landowners to generate carbon credits, and ultimately income streams, by conducting projects that reduce emissions or sequester carbon in the environment. Growcom’s David Putland said the scheme involved around a set of ‘approved methodologies’ that determined... ...Read more »

Australian researchers are hoping to produce new wheat varieties that contain higher levels of protein and extra ‘functionality’, without requiring additional fertiliser. They say their research will allow wheat growers in Australia access to non-traditional markets. The research is being funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) with the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA), and is being conducted in conjunction with Murdoch University, in Perth. Currently, Australian... ...Read more »

Summerfruit Australia, the peak industry body representing growers of stone fruits in Australia, has predicted a productive summer season for stonefruit growers this year. Chairman of Summerfruit Australia, Ian McAlister said conditions are as good as they could possibly be given the disruptions of last season. According to Mr McAlister, prospects for nectarines, peaches, plums and apricots this summer are positive with promising flowering and the moisture content in the soil at optimum levels. Last... ...Read more »

The major horticulture body Growcom, which represents fruit and vegetable growers in Queensland, today welcomed comments from Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research urging the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to take action to limit the powers of the two major supermarkets, Woolworths and Coles. Growcom CEO Alex Livingstone said that growers had reported to him similar stories as had been told to Senator Carr by suppliers further up the chain. “The... ...Read more »

Heinz will complete its takeover of Golden Circle before Christmas after receiving approval today from the Supreme Court of Queensland. An office copy of the Court’s orders will be lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission this afternoon at which time the scheme will become legally effective. Golden Circle Chairman Phil Cave welcomed the Court’s approval of the scheme of arrangement, which will usher in a new era for Golden Circle. “This heralds the beginning... ...Read more »

Golden Circle shareholders have revealed their overwhelming support for the takeover proposed by food manufacturer Heinz. The H.J. Heinz Company Australia Limited (Heinz) made a $288m bid for Golden Circle in October, which received unanimous support from the Golden Circle Board. Golden Circle, a 61 year-old Australian company renowned for their canned fruit and vegetables, fruit juice and jam, earlier this year listed on the National Stock Exchange after refusing a $1 a share bid from Coca-Cola... ...Read more »

Golden Circle, a 61 year-old Australian company renowned for their canned fruit and vegetables, fruit juice and jam, appears likely to agree to a takeover by Heinz after their Board unanimously recommended the proposal. Golden Circle Limited and H.J. Heinz Company Australia Limited today announced they entered into an Implementation Agreement, whereby it is proposed that Heinz will acquire all of the Golden Circle shares on issue for A$1.65 cash per share, valuing Golden Circle at approximately $288... ...Read more »