The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has compiled a one pager that contains information about the recent Full Federal Court decision in the matter of WorkPac v Rossato. The decision confirms that employees who were notionally engaged as casuals but can demonstrate that they were working fixed, regular shifts are considered to be permanent employees in the eyes of the law. The practical effect is that those employees can retroactively claim leave and other entitlements of permanent employees despite having received a casual loading. Visit the NFF website here...

Download the PDF Brochure for more information...

HIA Trade Hub

• International Trade insights and updates during COVID-19. With COVID-19 creating disruption on a global scale, the virus has and will continue to have an impact on international trade. During this time, Hort Innovation’s international trade team is continuing to gather information and insights - using them to adjust international marketing and engagement activities, and also bringing them together in this international trade hub for all industry participants. Visit the HIA website for more information...

Food Innovation Australia

• Market Diversification Virtual Workshop- Combining a three-part webinar with a one-on-one consultation, this interactive online event will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to diversify and grow your business in the post-COVID-19 landscape.  Market Diversification Virtual Workshop.                                                                                                                                                                                                  When: Tuesday 16 June–03 July, 11:00 am - 13:00 pm
  For more information or to register for this event, please visit the FIAL website...

• Food Safety Governance For Directors- The safety of our food supply is critical to the health of all Australians and to the viability of businesses dealing with food. The workshop, run via Zoom, is designed to provide a governance overview for Directors, Executives and senior management of food manufacturing and supply businesses based in Australia to support the production and sale of safe food both domestically and overseas.  When: Thursday 18 June 13:00 pm - 16:00 pm.                                                                                                                                                     For more information or to register for this event, please visit the FIAL website...

Australian Trade and Investment Commission

• FTA Digital Seminar Series - Navigating the Export Journey- This webcast will focus on getting exporters started, including things to consider and where to go for help. Not sure which markets might suit your product or service? Take the journey to hear about the tools, tips and touch points to help your business.                                                                                                                                                                                          When: 10 Jun 2020 AEST, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM.                                                                                                                                                   Visit the Australian Trade and Investment Commission website for more information or to register for this event...

Upskill My Business

• Connects you to short courses, online events and resources from the state’s top education providers and industry experts. Visit the Business Victoria website for further information...

Agriculture Victoria

• Building farm resilience for challenging times Webinars- Helps identify how to safeguard your core business operations when unexpected situations occur. Complementing the recently expanded On-Farm Drought Resilience Grant allowing farmers to apply for up to $5000 for business planning and up to $5000 for infrastructure investment:

                       -Farm Business Resilience Webinar 2: Your Financials- Register here
                        Jane Foster, Agribusiness Consultant, ORM,  will provide tips on how to work with the ‘new norms’ around accessing and extending                           bank finance and discuss the use of  other financial buffers.                                                                                                                                             When: Thursday, June 18, 2020, 01:30 PM Australia/Melbourne

                      -Farm Business Resilience Webinar 3: Your Resources- Register here
                        Participants will be shown how to identify critical work flows, exposures and vulnerabilities, set priorities and access potential impacts                         using a risk matrix.                                                                                                                                                                                                            When: Thursday, July 2, 2020, 01:30 PM Australia/Melbourne

                      -Farm Business Resilience Webinar 4: Your Plan - Register here
                        An expert panel from across agriculture will discuss how farmers have  successfully built business resilience over the last decade,                             where are the main gaps, and how  can farms build resilience into the future.                                                                                                                 When: Thursday, July 16, 2020, 01:30 PM Australia/Melbourne                        

• Instant Asset Write Off has increased from $30,000 to $150,000 and businesses can now claim an immediate deduction of up to $150K for the purchase of assets in the 2019‑20 income year. This will change as of the 1^st July 2020 so now is a good time to speak with your accountant if you are looking at purchasing such things as netting, new machinery etc.

• On-Farm Drought Resilience Grant Program – Up to $10,000 to put towards expert advice or infrastructure investment, there are 3 new eligible infrastructure investments under the Resilience Grants:

                        -technologies to improve mobile phone connectivity         
                        -weed control (e.g. purchase of registered herbicide)
                        -soil moisture probes (as an explicit investment under soil moisture monitoring activities).

Join Australian Red Cross in a five-part series of free webinars exploring drought and wellbeing. We have invited expert speakers along to share their insights with us so we can better support our own communities, ourselves and our loved ones in these tough times. The webinars are free but limited to 500 attendees so click below and register for one or all five today!

•  Maintaining wellbeing through drought & prolonged stress  (10-11am Wednesday 17 June)
• The drought cycle; adaptation and strengthening resilience  (10-11am Wednesday 1July)
•  Wellbeing after the rains (10-11.15am Wednesday 15 July)
• Family wellbeing in the face of ongoing stress (10-11.15am Wednesday 29 July)
• Preparing for tough times (10-11.15am Wednesday 12 August)

Download the webinar brochure here for more information...

Summerfruit Australia Ltd has organised to conduct Zoom sessions to take growers through the registration process. There will be two sessions that you can select from:
 
SESSION 1:    Friday 12th June 2020 at 12:30 pm (Eastern Standard Time) OR;
SESSION 2:    Thursday 18th June 2020 at 4:00 pm (Eastern Standard Time)
 
You need to register for one or other session by return e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or text to 0417 809 172 and include a contact e-mail address. Reply with the appropriate SESSION and your e-mail address. Once you have registered you will be forwarded the relevant ZOOM details for the meeting you have registered for. If you cannot use Zoom on your computer, there will be phone in details.

Jeff Scott will be presenting on the registration process and hopefully representatives of the Department and Audit will be available. You can download a copy of the Registration Work Manual, which will help you navigate the registration process. Jeff Scott will cover off on the relevant components.
 
It is proposed that registration will open on Monday 22nd June and close on Monday 13th July 2020
 
If you have any queries and/or issues please contact: Trevor Ranford,  Chief Executive Officer Summerfruit Australia Ltd. 0417 809 172, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Australian stone fruit industry is 'quite pleased' with the 2019/20 season, which featured increased values, despite several challenges domestically and internationally.

Summerfruit Australia CEO Trevor Ranford noted that different growing areas had some hail in a couple of regions across the season, while others dealt with high water costs, but overall, the industry's production was strong across all of the commodities.

"The industry went into the export season on the back of a record year 2018/19, with over 23,000 tonnes," Mr Ranford said. "There was a level of confidence, particularly in the Chinese market, and growers had come to terms with what they needed to be supplying to get good prices. I think in the first couple of years there were issues surrounding poor quality fruit into the market, but over the past two fruit has been harvested at increased maturity, and a better understanding of the market, especially through people from the industry visiting and building up relationships. While some challenges take the gloss off what we have achieved, it was still a strong year. I think we need to recognise the work of John Moore and Ian McAlister and others who have spent 10 years opening China up for the industry." - Read more of this Fresh Plaza article.