Farmers, agribusinesses, stakeholders and rural communities can weigh-in on the role of the Future Drought Fund’s Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs.
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Deputy Secretary Matt Lowe said the eight hubs, which started in 2021, were under review to evaluate their performance. One of the hubs is based at the University of Melbourne’s Dookie campus.
“There is no one way to be ready for drought. The local hubs and nodes mean that drought-proofing farms can be tailored to individual regions,” Mr Lowe said.
Last year the Productivity Commission presented a report on the Future Drought Fund, which found the hubs could be clearer about their roles.
“The review will look at how the hubs are performing, as well as how they’re governed and operating. The review will also look at how effective the program is,” Mr Lowe said.
Growers from around the nation are travelling to Hong Kong to showcase Aussie fresh produce to potential buyers from across Asia at the industry’s flagship tradeshow, Asia Fruit Logistica, from September 4 to 6.
Held annually, Asia Fruit Logistica covers the entire fresh produce industry value chain. The event is attended by more than 700 exhibitors from across 43 countries and regions, and 13,000 buyers and trade visitors from across the globe.
Hort Innovation chief executive officer Brett Fifield said accelerating global demand for Australian fresh produce has never been more important for the sector.
“Over the past decade, Australia’s horticulture exports have grown from $1.21 billion in 2013 to $2.81 billion in 2023, a compounded annual growth rate of 8.8 per cent, and we are still growing,” Mr Fifield said.
“This year it is encouraging to see the largest ever contingent of Australian growers and exporters make their way to Asia Fruit Logistica under the Grown in Good Nature Australia Pavilion.”
The Goulburn Valley will be part of the event, with Fruit Growers Victoria and Seeka from Bunbartha represented.
Register burn-offs online
Register your burn-off on the Fire Permits Victoria website.
Photo by
Keith Pakenham
As hundreds of thousands of Victorians begin preparing their property for fire season, landowners are encouraged to register any planned burn-offs online
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said the Fire Permits Victoria website was the preferred platform for community members to register their burns.
“By registering your burn-off, it allows emergency services to verify the fire is not an emergency and avoid unnecessary call outs for local brigades,” he said.
“It also allows us to display burn-offs on the CFA website, preventing needless calls to Triple Zero (000).”
The website allows you to notify emergency services of your burn-off, and also check and apply for a permit, if necessary. However, if your burn is taking place within the next two hours, you must register your burn via the phone line on 1800 668 511.
Federal Government farm business lender RIC (Regional Investment Corporation) will host a free webinar on September 18 for farmers, advisers and agriculture industry representatives to learn more about RIC’s low-cost Farm Investment Loan.
RIC chief executive officer John Howard said RIC’s Farm Investment Loan was aimed at supporting farmers who have experienced significant financial downturn, as a result of an unforeseen disruption or cumulative impacts to their business.
“To be eligible for a Farm Investment Loan, farmers need to show their underlying business is solid, but that they need help to recover following an event that has financially impacted their business, like drought or other natural disasters, or even a biosecurity event,” Mr Howard said.
The free webinar is on Wednesday, September 18 from 12pm to 1pm, and to register visit: http://www.ric.gov.au/events
Fertiliser facility transformed
Incitec Pivot Fertilisers president Scott Bowman with IPF Portland site manager Therese Walton.
Incitec Pivot Fertilisers (IPF) has unveiled its newly upgraded fertiliser import and distribution facility at Portland, following a $20 million investment in the site.
As the largest supplier of fertilisers on Australia’s east coast, IPF says its investment in this strategically important facility will enhance its operational efficiency and storage capacity, delivering benefits for growers.
“The upgraded facility can now blend up to 300 tonnes of fertiliser per hour, increasing output and ensuring customers across Victoria and South Australia receive product promptly,” IPF president Scott Bowman said.
“It will not only enhance supply to the local and domestic market, but ensure customers have access to customised formulations that provide exact nutrients needed for maximum yield and more environmentally sustainable outcomes.”
The Portland site was first commissioned as a fertiliser manufacturing plant in 1968, by Cresco Fertilisers. In 1972, Cresco Fertilisers in Victoria was sold to Pivot.
The site now dispatches more than200,000 tonnes of fertiliser each year, with future growth expected in line with forecast increase in Australian crop production.
