SEDA news and events
Production of California’s stone fruit is slow to start due to the unseasonable California weather.
“Any commodity buyer knows that it’s been a weather-filled last few weeks. It’s not just the rain itself but the overall lower temperatures have slowed down the volume of stone fruit right out of the gate,” says Jon McClarty of HMC Farms in Kingsburg, Ca., who adds that the stone fruit is currently coming mostly out of the Central California region.
McClarty adds that plums are the one stone fruit that hasn’t started in full production yet and is only seeing limited supplies right now. “But peaches and nectarines are seeing a bit of a slowdown because of the weather. Moisture on the fruit is never a positive thing,” he says.
As it stands, overall volume currently is lower than this time last year. “But going forward, it looks to be a pretty normal crop of stone fruit,” McClarty says.- Read more of this article.
Researchers have found that daily consumption of nectar from the Queensland-bred Queen Garnet plum decreases blood pressure and the risk factors of metabolic syndrome.
A Victoria University clinical trial led by Professor Michael Mathai of the Institute for Health and Sport and published in the Journal of Functional Foods in March, found Queen Garnet nectar reduced blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in overweight and obese patients who consumed it over three months. Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions which increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
The nectar is among a range of value-added products including powders and chewables produced from the Queen Garnet. The specialty fresh line is in season only in February and March. Nutrafruit Limited holds the global licence to market the plum and associated products.
Overtime penalties for casual employees engaged under the Horticulture Award commences from the first full pay period on or after Monday 15 April 2019, following a decision by the Fair Work Commission (FWC), which was handed down on Tuesday 2 April 2019.
These changes have been confirmed, and include:
- A 15% loading (in addition to the initial casual loading of 25%) for ordinary hours work performed on any day of the week between 8.31pm and 4.59am;
- In circumstances where an employee works more than 12 hours per engagement or per day an overtime penalty rate of 150% (plus 25% casual loading); and
- In circumstances where an employee works more than 304 ‘ordinary hours’ over an 8 week period (an average of 38 hours per week), an overtime penalty rate of 150% (plus 25% casual loading).
These changes must be implemented by 15 April 2019. All growers must ensure they are compliant with the changes to the Horticulture Award or risk non-compliance.
A copy of the Fair Work Commission's decision can be found here.
The EMDG Scheme provides a taxable grant in the form of partial reimbursement of certain expediture incrred in the promotion of Australian products/services by Australian businesses in overseas markets (excluding New Zealand, Iran and North Korea).
Under the scheme, businesses must have a turnover of less than $50 million and spend at least $15000.00 on export promotional activities under the categories listed below. First time applicants, having satisfied grants entry requirements, may combine two financial years' worth of expenses to make up the $15000.00. The grant is payable at the rate of 50% of the eligible expenditure over the first $5000.00.
For more information on the grant and how to apply, please download the PDF attachments below.
After tests were carried out over a few years, Emilia Romagna fruit growers have began implementing the mechanical thinning of flowers. The operation must be performed at the right moment so as to obtain a good final result and save money on traditional thinning costs.
"We started thinning peach and nectarine flowers a few days ago, as results have always been positive. Of course we only intervene on the varieties with a larger number of blossoms and perform touch ups by hand," explains Giuliano Donati, technician at GranFrutta Zani in Bagnacavallo (Ravenna). Read more of this Fresh Plaza article.
With transition beginning on 29 April 2019, we are reaching out to labour hire providers and hosts across Victoria with a series of roadshows in March and April.
The roadshows will drill down on the role of the Labour Hire Authority, the legislation we work to, our compliance tools, licence applications and objections and key dates for the transition period.
Melbourne Information sessions:
Fruit & Vegetable Harvesting and Processing Industry 13 March (Wednesday) 1:30 - 3:00 (Wednesday) Melbourne CBD - Book here
Regional information sessions:
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