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The Burst - States get behind SWP/PLS and attracting locals to farms 🌿🚜

Berries Australia | Saturday, 19 September 2020, 11.11am

Read the latest newsletter from Berries Australia.

Premier announces easements on border restrictions for seasonal workers

Fruit Growers Tasmania | Friday, 18 September 2020, 5.00pm

Premier Peter Gutwein has today announced easements on Tasmania's border restrictions for seasonal workers. The easements come as part of a three stage plan to have the state opened by the 1 December 2020 opening date previously set by the Tasmanian Government.

Under the easements, interstate seasonal workers who have work secured on a Tasmanian farm will be able to enter the state if they are currently located in a non-affected area, including SA, WA, NT, ACT, QLD and areas of NSW.

The management of incoming workers will be based on public health advice and can only proceed in a COVID safe way. All seasonal workers will have to comply with strict conditions in place to limit movement for seasonal workers for 14 days upon entry.

Apples treated with Parka — Photo: Cultiva LLC

Helping crops fight off smoke, rain and too much sun

Fruit Growers Tasmania | Friday, 18 September 2020, 9.00am

As the country sees the headlines of the effects of the California wildfires—not only potentially burning crops, but the after effects of smoke and ash on the state’s crops—it raises the question: could more be done to protect agriculture from major weather events?

One Las Vegas, NV-based agriculture technology company is continuing to work on how its biofilms can be applied to protect specialty crops particularly. Cultiva LLC licensed a biofilm technology developed by Oregon State University in 2012 which had physical and biochemical properties to enhance a plant’s cuticular membrane.

“Today, we estimate about 70 percent of the cherry crop in the Pacific Northwest has been treated with Parka,” says Luis Hernandez, chief executive officer of Cultiva. And while its efficacy on this high-value crop has been shown, Cultiva continues to look at other crops to expand application possibilities for the Parka biofilm.

University partnership to deliver industry benefits

Apple and Pear Australia Limited | Wednesday, 16 September 2020, 2.39pm

APAL has partnered with the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Business and Economics to deliver two projects through the Future...

The post University partnership to deliver industry benefits appeared first on Apple & Pear Australia Ltd (APAL).

APAL springs back into local orchards as states tackle labour issue

Apple and Pear Australia Limited | Wednesday, 16 September 2020, 2.06pm

APAL’s Future Orchards® spring orchard walks will return to orchards in South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania, with Victoria and New South...

The post APAL springs back into local orchards as states tackle labour issue appeared first on Apple & Pear Australia Ltd (APAL).

FGT update: Looking local for seasonal labour

Fruit Growers Tasmania | Friday, 11 September 2020, 7.00pm

Growers are being advised to "get active" as the Tasmanian Government begins rolling out its Tassie Harvest Jobs campaign to entice locals to take up the more than 8,000 seasonal jobs that the fruit industry will have available in the upcoming harvest.

Given the ongoing shortage of working holiday makers present within the state, the focus and priority for this season is going to have to be on hiring and retaining Tasmanian locals to fill seasonal harvest roles.

FGT welcomes the understanding of the Government that we need experienced and trained workers to work alongside locals who will be new to the industry in this harvest. We also welcome the understanding of the Government that it is unlikely that all the available seasonal positions will be filled by locals and that other avenues will be needed throughout the extended harvest season.