 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
AUSVEG Weekly Update
17-Jan-2012Netafim renew as AUSVEG Strategic Partner
Innovative irrigation company Netafim has renewed its Strategic Partnership with AUSVEG.Netafim invented the world's first driplines for commercial applications and was formed on the principles of water sustainability and conservation.
The irrigation specialists provide dripperlines, sprinklers, filters, valves and crop management technologies.
Recently AUSVEG and Netafim worked together to provide an overview - including a farm tour - of the Australian vegetable and potato industries to a group of delegates from Israel.
AUSVEG looks forward to working with Netafim in the future.
Please click here to learn more about Netafim.
Ruling on forklift registration court case
The District Court of South Australia has arrived at a ruling in the case of Williams v Zerella, a case of importance to the agricultural industry.The main point at issue in this case related to whether a forklift used in the loading bay at Zerella Farms needed to be registered and insured in accordance with the Motor Vehicles Act(SA).
The case found that as the loading bay was not a 'road' or 'road related area', the forklift did not need to be registered or insured.
Please click here to download a copy of the Case Note for Williams v Zerella.
Please click here to download a copy of the full judgement.
Legal disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed above represent only an interpretation of this case by the author. This document does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon for that purpose. Please consult a legal professional should you have any questions or concerns about the matter above or any other matter of a legal nature. AUSVEG accepts no liability for action taken as a result of this document.
Industry heavyweights head to Virginia
AUSVEG invites our South Australian growers to a free EnviroVeg information session in Virginia on Monday 23 January 2012.Headlining the bill will be Coles Head of Quality, Policy and Governance Jackie Healing who will be provide a 20-minute presentation on quality issues and participate in a 10-minute Q&A session with local growers. Also featuring will be Julian Carbone, Business Development and Marketing Manager for the Adelaide Produce Markets, who will provide SA growers with the latest market trends from South Australia's vegetable distribution and marketing centre. Environment Coordinator Jordan Brooke-Barnett will update growers on the benefits and savings that can be made by joining the vegetable industry's free EnviroVeg Program.
Local growers are invited to drop in, hear some speakers, grab a bite to eat and meet their AUSVEG representatives.
Location: Grow SA Virginia Horticultural Centre, Old Port Wakefield Road Virginia SA
Date: Monday 23 January 2012
Time: From 4:00pm-6.00pm, with refreshments and finger food provided.
If you would like to attend please RSVP by calling AUSVEG on 03 9822 0388 or email jordan.brooke-barnett@ausveg.com.au
Attendance is FREE.
Victorian growers warned of rising rabbit populations
The Victorian Department of Primary Industries, through their monitoring, have reported that rabbit numbers are starting to rise from a 15 year low.This is due to recent high rainfalls resulting in strong pasture growth which improves the survival rates of the pests, as well as extending their breeding season.
Growers are urged to consider the action, such as warren ripping, that they can take to control rising rabbit numbers on their properties.
Rabbits are preferential grazers and choose to eat soft green plants which are high in protein whenever possible. This makes leafy vegetables an ideal source of food for these destructive pests.
Please click here for more information.
Vegetable SIP White Paper released for public comment
The Australian vegetable industry's Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) White Paper has been released for public comment and will be open for feedback until February 16 this year.AUSVEG welcomes all feedback from members of the vegetable industry including growers and those in the supply chain, as well as researchers, retailers and the general public.
This is a vital opportunity for all participants involved in the industry to have their say on the future investment of vegetable industry levy funds.
Please click here to download a copy of the vegetable industry's Strategic Investment Plan.
Comments regarding the SIP White Paper should be submitted to AUSVEG in writing either by email or post, by no later than Thursday 16 February 2012. Please use the contact details listed below:
Email: info@ausveg.com.au
Post: AUSVEG
PO BOX 2042
Camberwell West
VIC 3124
New minor use chemical permits
Please click here to download a copy of a permit for postharvest treatment of specified citrus and tropical fruit to control various fruit fly species.Please click here to download a copy of a permit for control of grass weeds in carrots.
Please click here to download a copy of a permit for control of colletotrichum rot in strawberry runner productions.
Please click here to download a copy of a permit for the control of grass weeds in parsnips.
Please click here to download an adverse reporting form for horticultural permits.
Economic Brief - Ian James: Economic Sub Program, National Vegetable Industry Development Program
Outlook for key economic variables impacting on vegetable growersWhile there is a general feeling of apprehension and uncertainty about the economy; here is a punt on the likely direction of some key economic variables that growers are likely to face in 2012.
Less volatility in prices - Climatic conditions will always impact on economic returns to vegetable growers and these will vary across the country. However, the extreme climatic conditions in parts of the country in early 2011 initially led to shortages followed by a strong supply response which led to marked volatility in prices. It would be most unusual to see the same level of volatility in 2012.
Consumer caution to remain - Consumers acted very cautiously in 2011, paying down debt and making considered consumption decisions. We can expect more of the same in 2012, although we are not likely to see the savings rate rise much above its present level of 10%.
Consumers confronted new realities in 2011. Falling house prices and equity markets shook their concepts of wealth and concerns about overseas developments entered the psyche of their decision making. Nonetheless most were able to find work. Official forecasts suggest a slight rise in unemployment, but economic growth is expected to accelerate which should support job creation. Consumers are likely to have money to spend; attitude and confidence remain the key.
Interest rates to fall - Most economists believe that official interest rates will fall further, particularly in the early months of 2012. While we can expect that the banks will not pass the full reductions on to consumers they will in all likelihood pass on some of it. Falling interest rates should be a positive for vegetable growers by providing some relief to family budgets. However, don't expect the banks to be generous in cuts to overdrafts or other small business funding.
Volatility in exchange rate the best bet - Although nobody is expecting a collapse in export commodity prices, official forecasts suggest that the peak in commodity prices has passed. This coupled with an expected narrowing in the gap between overseas and Australian interest rates, also suggests that the peak of the Australian dollar/US dollar rate has passed. For vegetable growers, feeling the pressure from imports will supply some relief. But you wouldn't want to hang your hat on economist exchange rate forecasts, as history suggests that they will get it wrong. A safer bet is that the exchange rate will be volatile. Since the Australian dollar was floated in 1983 it has averaged a variation of around 14c US over the course of each year.
Data continues to send mixed signals - Retail trade figures for November 2011 were released during the week showing flat sales compared to the previous month. Even the food component of retail trade was flat. Despite talk of the growth of online shopping, most vegetable sales to consumers continue to pass through either greengrocers or supermarkets, so this data remains relevant to vegetable growers.
Data was also released for building approvals for November. After a dismal 2011, the November figures were much better with dwelling approvals up 8.4% on October. In particular, an increase in the number of private house building approvals, (up 4.8%) was encouraging, if only because the sharp fall observed in the previous month was at least arrested.
