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Aussie ag a higher priority than gas industry
Sign-on bonus extended for new seasonal workers
THE gas industry must not come before agriculture, according to a group of farmers. Farmers for Climate Action is reminding the federal government that while agriculture’s methane emissions are falling, methane emissions from fossil fuels are rising because of an expansion of the natural gas industry. Its comments come after Australia did not support the proposed 30 per cent methane reduction pledge at the Glasgow climate summit. Methane is widely considered to be one of the most potent greenhouse gases, and the secondbiggest contributor to global warming behind carbon dioxide. More than 100 countries committed to reducing their methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, but not China, Russia, India, Iran and Australia — some of the world’s biggest methane emitters. The US and EU argued reducing methane would play a major part in tackling climate change, and ensuring the world did not heat more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. Farmers for Climate Action chief executive Fiona
THE state government’s Summer Seasonal Harvest Sign-On Bonus has been extended, with horticulture workers new to the industry to receive $2430 on top of their wage for 40 days’ work. This bonus is available for people who begin work on or after November 1. Employers and farmers in sectors such as stone fruit, berries and cherries will be able to use the Summer Seasonal Harvest Sign-On Bonus until the end of the year to attract new pickers and packers. New workers need to complete 10 days’ work and apply for the first instalment of the bonus within 30 days. They then have 90 days to complete an additional 30 days’ work in order to receive the extra $1620 of the bonus. It is anticipated about 1100 new workers will receive the bonus to support the impending harvest. More information is available at agriculture.vic. gov.au/bigharvest
Farmers for Climate Action says while agriculture’s methane emissions are falling, methane emissions from fossil fuels are rising because of an expansion of the natural gas industry. The red meat industry has a target of carbon neutral by 2030, while the Australian Pork industry aims to be net zero by 2025.
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Davis said Australia could support a 30 per cent methane reduction commitment if it was willing to support methane emission reductions in the gas industry. “Agriculture recognises that methane reduction strategies, if adopted at scale, support productivity improvements and growth in our livestock industry,” Dr Davis said. “We’ve led — now it’s time for the gas industry to catch up. “The gas industry must not come before Australian farming families. “Ultimately, strong climate policy protects farming communities by supporting increased productivity on-farm, continued access to export markets and potential price premiums. “Australian canola growers have already had to prove their low-carbon credentials to maintain access to the EU market.” The advocacy group pointed to an Ernst and Young report that outlined how Australian agriculture could easily achieve net zero emissions by 2040, while continuing to grow.
AUSTRALIAN hay production is tipped to be down as much as 40 to 50 per cent, but demand is predicted to fall by at least that much, signalling a return more normal trading conditions, according to a recently released report. Feed Central’s November market report indicates there isn’t an under-supply of hay despite the drop in production, but buyers need to secure quality product while it’s available, as they normally would. The report warns quality is likely to be a concern again this year. Feed Central general manager Cieran Maxwell described the drop in demand as “the elephant in the room”, leading to a possible return to normality of demand versus supply. “Growers need to show urgency in providing product information so buyers can make decisions on new season purchasing,” Mr Maxwell said. “Good quality hay is around, as we are seeing through our quality assurance system, but despite favourable grazing conditions buyers are still in the market,” he said. Production has been affected by extreme weather and continued rain during the past month, with more forecast.
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This year’s drop in demand for hay could mean a return to normality of demand versus supply. Mr Maxwell said straw supply was bountiful if producers were willing to accept the prices offered, but cereal hay supply was down, with high grain prices and limited opportunities to bale because of rain leading to many cereal crops going through to grain. Lucerne is “growing like wildflowers” this season, but early vetch is looking to be as bad, if not worse than last season, although those cutting later will bring more quality. Mr Maxwell said demand could be perceived as sluggish, but those who knew that quality would be limited were now in the market.
“Buyers want high quality product that drives animal production at competitive prices,” he said. On the lot feeding front, alternative by-product roughage such as almond hulls and cotton hulls are firmly in the picture this season, once again placing price competitive pressure on straw. Cereal buyers are ‘keen on green’ new season hay with good fresh aroma, while dairies in Victoria are still dominating demand for protein hay, with lucerne demand lower than previous months. The full Feed Central November market report can be found at www.feedcentral.com.au/ national-hay-market-report-november-2021
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FOR some farmers, running a business according to best practice management techniques is something to aspire to, but for many it’s not always easy knowing where to start. To help farm business owners understand what best practice looks like, Agriculture Victoria is presenting a series of Farm Business Essentials webinars including ‘budgeting’, ‘managing profits’ and ‘succession planning’. The budgeting and managing profits webinars will be presented by Meridian Agriculture farm business consultant Paul Blackshaw. The succession planning webinar will be presented by lawyer Claire Booth, a Nuffield Scholar and cropping and beef farmer. Mr Blackshaw said the webinars would help
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with the short and long-term running of a farm business. “The more you understand your business and where it is heading in the longer term, the more you can make informed decisions,” he said. “Budgeting gives you the roadmap for financial performance and allows you to identify deficits or opportunities and make adjustments along the way. “As for managing profits, a lot of businesses are generating profits they haven’t been used to in the past. Here is an opportunity and they need to know how to best use these profits to benefit the business in the long term.” The free, one-hour Farm Business Essentials webinars will be held from 7.30pm on:
• Tomorrow: ‘Budgeting — how to create a budget, review it regularly, and use it as a communication tool’. • Wednesday, November 24: ‘Managing profits — how to make the best of high prices and good conditions and ensure business profits are put to best use’. • Wednesday, December 8: ‘Succession planning — how a succession plan helps a farming business manage succession challenges’. Those interested should register for any of these online events by 5pm on the afternoon of the webinar. To register, visit the Agriculture Victoria website events page.
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Gordon Conners 0408 131 720 Brian Ogilvie 0428 598 751 Ben Greenwood 0429 193 136 Hayden McKenzie 0428 411 201 Ian Baker 0408 509 319 Bailey Anderson 0409 614 167 Greg Wrigglesworth 0407 809 155 Page 30 – Times-Spectator, Tuesday, 9 November, 2021
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