Farming getting ‘harder and harder’ for next generation
Vince Doria’s family has farmed at Devon Meadows for four generations. He says the current economic crisis is one of the industry’s toughest challenges yet.
Horticulture
Working holiday visa changes urged
The federal government is calling for public feedback on the Working Holiday Maker visa, with one industry leader saying the current policy has led to “untold exploitation and abuse”.
Aussie almonds ‘edging back’
From a disappointing 2023 harvest to high-quality yields, Australian almond growers face a more upbeat outlook in 2024.
Fear of the ‘unknown’ in wake of annual pollination
Two years to the day since varroa mite was detected and beekeepers are anxious ahead of annual mass pollination across state borders.
Sprouts the ‘health food of the nation’
As brussels sprouts continue to infiltrate cooking shows and high-end restaurants, producers Bruce Adams says its flexibility and low cost is leading to a growing interest.
Lifetime award for apple expert
For over 40 years Kevin Sanders has dedicated his life to apples and the growth of the horticulture industry, and now his efforts have been recognised.
Japan’s hunger for Australian fruit grows
A high-value Asian market will be the focus of industry and government efforts to boost exports of Australian produce in coming years.
Australian fruit undercut by cheap imports
Cheap canned fruit imported from China and South Africa is being sold at a fraction of the cost of Australian grown fruit.
‘We didn’t expect it to be this bad’
Fruit growers are considering pulling out their trees in the wake of SPC’s decision to scale back peach and pear orders.
Hort Connections’ focus on the future
Despite the issues plaguing industry, there are opportunities abound for Australia’s horticulture sector in 2024.
Young growers nominated for national award
Two Victorian growers have been recognised for their contribution to the horticulture sector at an upcoming awards ceremony.
Consumers choosing frozen over fresh
Shoppers are becoming more price-conscious and eating less fresh fruit and vegetables, new data shows.
PALM scheme changes to give growers more flexibility
The federal government has backtracked on proposed changes to the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, with new requirements to be met for employers from July 1.
Sunny side up at Priest’s orchard
For more than 100 years, the Priest family have grown and harvested beautiful fruit. And this season was no exception.
Gippsland family to sell leading greenhouse property
A large-scale protected cropping property renowned for its eggplants and tomatoes in West Gippsland has been listed for sale.
Wine makers stuck with an ‘ocean of wine’
Wine growers are faced with difficult decisions in the wake of a national glut of wine, with some growers preparing to step away from the vineyards.
Beekeepers prepared to step away from industry
As beekeepers brace for an influx of interstate hives for almond pollination, some are worried a varroa mite infestation could end their businesses.
Businesses converge in Victoria
Growers from across Australia and overseas will come together in next month for the largest conference and trade show for horticulture in the Southern Hemisphere.
Spain’s pain is Aussie olive’s gain
A European olive oil shortage has presented some big opportunities for Australia’s Cobram Estate.
Victorian family sell tomato glasshouse in nine-figure deal
A 21ha glasshouse facility in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley has been sold in an off-market, sale-and-leaseback arrangement. See the details.
The varroa toll for Aussie beekeepers
Australian beekeepers will need to bear the financial cost of managing varroa mite as it inevitably spreads across the country and into the feral bee population.
Supermarkets pushing farmers ‘to the very limit’
Farmers have warned against the power imbalance between themselves and supermarkets for years, and now there is a renewed vigour to examine the grocery retailers.
How organic growers expanded into supermarkets
This family owned organic vegetable business has expanded into Coles and Woolworths stores across the country. This is how they did it.
I bet you never knew this about avocados
Avocados may be one of the most popular food items in Australia but there is one thing most of us are doing wrong.
Six-figure fine for western suburbs veg grower
Acting Fair Work Ombudsman Michael Campbell said a Werribee grower’s underpayments were a serious case of exploitation.
Jujube season in full swing
This relatively new fruit to Australia’s horticulture industry may be small, but it’s packing a very sweet punch.
Fruit and veg prices ‘have legitimate challenges’, Banducci says
Woolworths chief executive Brad Banducci has told the senate inquiry the accuracy of the retailer’s buying forecasts is “pretty good”, despite accusations of over-ordering to bring down prices.
Tough season for almond growers
Aussie almond growers have struggled to break even as prices drop to an all-time low and the cost of production rises.
Olive season kicking off
Lisadurne Hill Olives is beginning harvest in northern Victoria on Wednesday, with early signs in quality promising.
Sprouting success for a dedicated SA family
An intergenerational family business growing brussels sprouts in the Adelaide Hills is continuing to thrive 60 years on.
$25m-plus price tag for major Goulburn Valley fruit farms
Five Victorian farming families are offering their fruit farms as one whopping 350ha aggregation. See the details.
Revealed: Australia’s most valuable fruit and veg crops
The crops that contribute the most farmgate value to the $16.3bn horticulture sector are delivering growth despite headwinds.
‘Inflexible’ PALM scheme sees horti growers turn to backpackers
The federal government’s changes to the PALM scheme has made it “very challenging” to employ Pacific Island workers, according to this horti grower.
Fruit growers forced to sell below cost of production
Woolworths and Coles have behaved “unethically” say Fruit Growers Victoria leaders, in evidence to the supermarket senate inquiry.
Original URL: https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/horticulture