The Rudd Government has passed legislation to overhaul the bulk wheat export marketing system.The reform honours an election commitment, giving Australian wheat growers the right to choose who exports their produce for the first time in 60 years. The House of Representatives today accepted the amended Bill passed by the Senate last week, clearing the way for the new bulk wheat export marketing system to be in place by 1 July 2008. The reformed system is designed to provide new opportunities for growers... ...Read more »
Food manufacturers will soon have access to a new CSIRO-bred barley variety, which reportedly has significant human health benefits. A licence agreement between the CSIRO/Australian Capital Ventures Limited joint venture and Austgrains Pty Ltd is set to enable the production of large scale commercial crops of ‘BARLEYmax’, which has been created by CSIRO using “conventional plant breeding techniques”. Dr Bruce Lee, Director of the CSIRO Food Futures Flagship, indicates that... ...Read more »
While conditions across the Australian grains belt have been variable, a forecast increase in the area planted provides optimism regarding winter grains production in 2008-09, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE). ABARE’s June issue of the Australian Crop Report indicates a good season could be possible - vital given the recent difficult years and current skyrocketing food prices. “Although substantial areas have been dry sown, the... ...Read more »
As the world struggles with escalating wheat, rice and dairy costs it now appears Australian fresh fruit and vegetable prices are set to rise as well. Chief Executive Officer of Growcom, Jan Davis, claims that fertiliser and chemical prices now comprise between 11 per cent and 14 per cent of total farm input costs with the recent dramatic increase in prices blamed on a lack of fertiliser suppliers. “Growers are concerned that limited competition in the fertiliser supply industry is creating... ...Read more »
The Horticultural Code, introduced last year, could soon be extended to incorporate retailers. The code currently regulates trade in horticulture produce between growers and wholesale traders to encourage greater clarity and commercial transparency in transactions between these parties. It was also set-up to provide an alternative to litigation by setting out an effective and inexpensive way of resolving disputes that may arise between growers and traders. The Australian Competition and Consumer... ...Read more »
Australian wine grape production is forecast to increase by 19 per cent to 1.67 million tonnes in 2007-08, as a result of improved growing conditions in key production areas, according to a new ABARE report - ‘Australian Wine Grape Production Projections to 2009-10′. “Forecast production in 2007-08 is higher than early-season estimates because of greater than expected resilience of vines suffering from drought stress, and water purchasing by growers in drought-affected... ...Read more »
Hidden environmental costs make food production more vulnerable than previously thought and food industry professionals should prepare for continuing rising food prices, a new report has shown. The report, Secure and Sustainable Food Systems for Victoria, produced by the Victorian Eco-Innovation Laboratory (VEIL), investigated the relationship between food, resources, health and the environment. The ability for Victoria to feed itself in the decades ahead has been questioned and follows similar... ...Read more »
Australia may have its own food crisis, with the WA Vegetable Growers Association indicating their fear that WA will be unable to feed itself with fresh local produce by about 2020. The WA Vegetable Growers Association has called on the state government to create a regulatory authority to license growers and ensure sufficient production levels. Grower margins have become an issue as skyrocketing costs outweigh any increases in sale prices. Chief Executive of the WA Vegetable Growers Association,... ...Read more »
Peak horticulture body Growcom has reacted with outrage at Queensland legislation introduced last night which has withdrawn damage mitigation permits for the shooting of flying foxes. The decision came after almost a decade of campaigning by conservationists. Growcom Chief Executive Officer Jan Davis said the lack of consultation with Queensland’s $1.14 billion fruit industry on the issue was a disgrace and the decision must be reversed immediately. “Primary Industries & Fisheries... ...Read more »
Australian researchers have been working hard for more than a decade to spice up the local macadamia industry, and the results look promising. The first trees of 20 new superior varieties, bred as part of a national macadamia breeding program, were planted in orchards in Mackay recently. Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries and Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin said the project was entering the last testing phase before the macadamia varieties were made available to industry. “The... ...Read more »