News & events

Posted Wednesday, 21 August 2019

Delivering consistent export quality... are you nailing it?

Workshop at the Novotel Hotel, 200 Creek Street, Brisbane, Australia

9th October, 2019

Australian horticulture fresh produce has an international reputation for “clean and green”. However, other exporting countries are improving their “clean-green” image, and often have the competitive advantage of lower production costs. To maintain our international consumer demand we could embrace competitive advantages such as delivering “consistently safe and fresh” produce with strong supply chain service and support.

Recent advances in the ‘Internet of Things’ along with, for example, improving real-time monitoring technologies, launches of start-ups offering temperature monitoring services, improving air- and sea-freight temperature-related services, and prediction of fresh produce quality on arrival at the importer offer exciting prospects to optimise our supply chains by coupling cost effective monitoring with decision aid support tools.

Posted Monday, 29 July 2019

Quad bike safety

Quad bike photo Did you know quad bikes are a leading cause of farm deaths?
Even if you travel the same speed, take the same path, complete the same routine, it only takes one thing different for disaster to strike. It could be a wash-out on the track after last night’s storm, lower tyre pressure on the left-hand side, an incorrectly packed load or unexpected vermin homes – like a rabbit hole. So even though you feel like today’s routine is the same as yesterday, some things may be out of your control.
In the examples above, your quad bike can tip or roll over even at the slowest of speeds, leaving you at risk of being trapped under the vehicle. For many this has led to tragic deaths from being crushed or from asphyxiation.
There are steps you can take to make your quad bike rides safer, such as wearing a helmet, appropriate loading, not taking passengers and performing regular maintenance checks.

There’s also the Victorian Government’s safety rebate, which offers $600 towards installing an operator protective device (OPD) or $1200 towards the purchase of an alternative vehicle, such as a side-by-side.

Posted Friday, 26 July 2019

Agriculture Victoria energy investment grants and farm energy saving assessment

Free on-farm energy assessments for any farmer with an energy bill of over $8,000 pa (includes diesel).
After assessment, a report with recommendations and an energy plan ffor the future are provided. Some recommendations can be implemented without incurring any costs.
The second stage include grants (50% co-contribution) for items identified in the assessment that could include items like solar panels, pumps, coolrooms or curtain cooling.

Posted Friday, 26 July 2019

Improve your business' refrigeration efficiency – video series

Refrigeration systems consume large amounts of electricity and depending on the industry can be responsible for up to 85% of a business’s total energy consumption.

Sustainability Victoria is providing free refrigeration masterclass webinars to equip businesses with the knowledge and confidence to better manage their refrigeration systems.

Join Michael Bellstedt, one of Australia’s leading refrigeration specialists, on a six-part webinar series that will teach you about your refrigeration system in an easy to follow format. These webinars can be viewed separately or sequentially as a series. Appropriate for business owners with any level of knowledge about their business.

Posted Thursday, 13 June 2019

Hort Connections 2019, 24-26 June at the Mebourne Exhibition Centre

Are you ready for the most influential event of the year?

Hort Connections 2019 is a space for networking, education and business for the entire fresh produce industry and it is coming to Melbourne this June 24-26.

If you haven’t already, be sure to register now and get ready for more info, more food and more fun than ever before.

Hort Innovation can’t wait to see you there and this year, our highlights include a jam-packed stand featuring…

Posted Saturday, 25 May 2019

New Cherry Industry Biosecurity Manual out now

The new biosecurity manual is out now.

Watch the video here

Posted Wednesday, 15 May 2019

Webinar: Australian fresh produce exports to South Asia

12 June 2019, 2.30-3.30pm

Join this interactive webinar to gain the latest market insights on exports of Australian fresh produce to South Asia. With a growing health consciousness amongst an expanding consumer class in South Asia there are many lucrative opportunities for Australian businesses.

Why attend?

receive an update on the market and opportunities for imported fruit in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
gain an insight into current trends in the fresh produce sector in South Asia
hear from market experts, including a leading importer.

Speakers

Mr Tarun Arora, Director, IG International Pvt Ltd
Dr Mark Morley, Trade Commissioner – India and Pakistan, Austrade

Posted Wednesday, 15 May 2019

Farm Business Financial Management for Dry Seasons

Places are still available for the “Farm Business Financial Management for Dry Seasons” Workshops which start this month .

The purpose of these workshops is to boost awareness and capability in farm business planning, risk management and financial literacy and provide options during dry seasonal conditions.

These workshops are available to farm businesses in regions currently experiencing drought and dry seasonal conditions. See locations and dates below and the attached fliers for more details.

The workshops will include: an overview of financial literacy, analysing and improving the performance of a farm business, understanding and managing risk, planning for profit, evidence-based decision making.

One follow-up individual consultation will be available to workshop participants to provide further support.

Posted Friday, 3 May 2019

Cherry Export Workshop

"Building an Export Culture" 18-19 June 2019 Peninsula Room, National Museum of Australia, Lawson Cres, Acton, Canberra
To ensure export readiness and compliance to importing country requirements, attendance at this two day event is mandatory for all mainland cherry growers and packers ahead of registrations for the 2019-20 season. You must attend the workshop to be export registered.