The 2020/2021 season is upon us and the stone fruit forecast and overall estimate volumes are looking much better compared to the same time last year.

Good winter rains in most parts of the Western Cape during 2020, together with good winter chill and moderate spring conditions contributed to better overall fruit set of all stone fruit commodities. Although very early in the season we are optimistic about the anticipated volumes of especially apricots and plums that is said to normalise.

Click here to read the full Fresh Plaza article...

• Additional IFAM funding keeps supply chains open to mid-2021: On 6 October, the Australian Government announced it is committing an additional $317.1 million in funding for the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM). With $95 million to directly address upcoming seasonal demand and $222.1 million to extend IFAM to the middle of 2021, the funding injection will help keep international supply chains open. Visit the IFAM webpage for more information and all IFAM-supported flight details can be found in the IFAM Flight Schedule Outbound and IFAM Flight Schedule Inbound.

• Austrade briefing on disrupted supply chains and changing consumer behavior- The extension of IFAM gives Australian businesses more time to re-engineer their business models and adjust to a different and tougher trading environment created by COVID-19. 

• Register your interest to access IFAM support- Exporters still need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and should keep in regular contact with freight forwarders to access IFAM-supported flights and to apply for IFAM grant support. Further information on how IFAM works is available on the IFAM webpage.

• CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow program now open for SME applications: Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, is on the hunt for Food and Agribusiness SMEs looking to invest in R&D to grow their business. The next round of its free, SME-focused, online learning program - Innovate to Grow. Applications for the next round of Innovate to Grow close on 16 October. Visit the CSIRO website for more information.

• Funding boost for drought water infrastructure rebate- More farmers will be able to take advantage of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme thanks to a $50 million funding boost. Federal Water Minister Keith Pitt said the $100 million scheme would be available this financial year to drought-affected livestock producers and horticulturalists with permanent plantings. Read more of this Country News article...

JobKeeper flexibilities
The JobKeeper changes to the Fair Work Act have been extended to 28 March 2021 (with some changes). Some flexibilities remain for legacy employers that are no longer receiving JobKeeper payments. The Fair Work website has info and resources to help you understand the changes and your options.

Workplace legal advice program
The workplace issues arising out of the coronavirus outbreak can be complex. The Workplace Legal Advice Program helps employers deal with issues and get on with running their business. It gives eligible employers access to free, confidential legal advice. The FAQs explain who’s eligible and how you can get involved.

Solutions to the COVID-19 restrictions limiting the supply of seasonal labour in Victoria will be discussed during a special Rural Press Club of Victoria webinar.  The webinar is free of charge.

Moderated by national agribusiness journalist Sue Neales, the webinar will hear from a panel of growers and industry experts including Victorian Shadow Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh, fruit grower Peter Hall and Australian Fresh Produce Alliance chief executive Michael Rogers. Register now! 

Click here to view the promotional blog..

 

Federal Budget 2020, What does it mean for Agriculture?

Agricultural Exports
$328 million allocated for the following:

• $222.2 million over 4 years for digital services to take farmers to market  – a single touch point for exporters that is available 24/7.
• $14.3 million over 3 years - improving regulation post COVID-19 including targeted intervention for the seafood and live export sector, dedicated case managers to help new exporters and existing exporters to expand and diversify their markets.
• $10.9 million over 3 years - building a more competitive export meat industry and working with industry to streamline export and production costs to remain competitive.
• $10 million over 4 years -  busting congestion for plant export industries. Streamlining border clearances for plant exports by reducing manual processes and improving service times and cost savings for exporters. 
• $71.1 million over 3 years for Australian export services critical to ensuring our products make it to export markets.

Agricultural Levies
$7.2 million to streamline and modernise agricultural levies legislation. This will save time and money for the almost 8,000 businesses that collect levies, as well as for thousands of farmers. See attached flyer
 
Agricultural Workforce

• $17.4 million in relocation assistance and $16.3 million to incentivise young Australians to take up farm work by temporarily changing Youth Allowance (student) and ABSTUDY independence eligibility criteria.  The relocation grants for individuals will include $6,000 if you relocate to a regional area, an extra $3,000 if you relocate with a dependent, $2,000 if you are a visa holder with the right to work in Australia

Floods & Drought
$155.6 million over four years to support drought and flood-impacted communities, including:

• $50.0 million in 2020‑21 to extend the On‑farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme,
• $19.6 million in 2021‑22 to extend the drought function of the National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency for a further year to continue coordination and community engagement for the Government's response and recovery activities; and
• $86.0 million over four years from 2020‑21, through the Future Drought Fund, to establish eight Drought Resilience and Adoption Hubs that support networks of researchers, farmers, agricultural business and community groups to enhance drought resilience practice, tools and technology.

An additional $60 million for 2019 Monsoon Trough: A strategy for long-term recovery 

Instant Asset Write Off Increase

• Now, more than 99 per cent of businesses can write off the full value of any eligible asset they purchase for their business. This will be available to businesses with a turnover up to $5 billion, until June 2022.

Rail
$528 million for regional rail services for the people of Shepparton and Warrnambool

Modern Manufacturing Strategy 
$1.5 billion for the  Modern Manufacturing Strategy which provides support for Australia's food, beverages and agribusiness sector, more than $1.3 billion is for driving collaboration between industry participants and expediting R&D commercialisation.  An additional $107.2 million is allocated to deliver the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative. The $50 million funding allocation for extension of the Industry Growth Centres initiative, including the Food and Agribusiness Grown Centre