Latest news with #growers
The Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Protected status a ‘game-changer' for Northern Ireland apple growers
The Armagh Bramley apple's Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, secured in 2012, has been described as a "game-changer" for growers. This elite European recognition ensures that only Bramley apples grown, picked, and packed within the Armagh area can be sold under that name, akin to Champagne. The PGI status has significantly boosted demand for the apples, both domestically and abroad, by guaranteeing authenticity and protecting their unique heritage. Fifth-generation grower Greg MacNeice attributes the apple's distinctive sharp flavour and firm texture to Armagh's specific soil, slopes, and mild, damp climate. The Armagh Bramley apple, one of only three Northern Irish products with PGI status, has also fostered a thriving local craft cider industry and is celebrated annually at a food and cider weekend. European protected status a 'game-changer' for Armagh Bramley apple growers
ABC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
150 jobs in doubt as Bega winds down peanut processing plants in Queensland
Bega Group has announced it will close two of its peanut processing plants, putting the jobs of about 150 people in doubt. The Peanut Company of Australia (PCA), which was bought by Bega Group in 2017, has two plants: Tolga in Far North Queensland and Kingaroy in the South Burnett. In a statement released by Bega Group, it said PCA had been under sustained financial pressure for several years prior to its acquisition, losing $5–10 million a year. Bega Group chief executive officer Pete Findlay said they explored several options to sell the business. "Unfortunately, we've been unable to find a buyer that could sustain a long-term future for employees and growers," he said. "We understand the impact this decision will have … employees will be offered redundancies, support services, and redeployment incentives and opportunities where possible. "Some employees will also be able to continue in their roles until closure." He said peanut growers were advised the company could make no commitments beyond the current season's crop. The ABC understands Bega Group plans to meet with growers this afternoon.
RNZ News
04-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Agrecovery: Rural recycling on the rise
rural farming about 1 hour ago Agrecovery's seen huge growth in the 20 years it's been operating, with those in the primary sector looking for new ways to recycle on-farm plastic. "We know the farmers and growers are wanting solutions
NHK
04-07-2025
- Business
- NHK
Japan rice price index projects decline
A survey shows Japan's growers and wholesalers expect rice prices to drop over the next three months as government stockpiles have been released into the market. The price outlook index as of June fell by the most on record. The Rice Stable Supply Support Organization released the findings of its June survey on Friday. The index on the outlook for the next three months dropped by 24 points from a month earlier to 35, on a zero to 100 scale. The margin of decline was the largest since the survey began in 2012. The index for the current rice prices fell 10 points to 83. A reading of 100 means respondents strongly expect prices to be higher compared with the previous month.
ABC News
04-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Growers find it pays to invest up-front to counter rising labour and production costs
The rapid development of artificial intelligence may have some worried about losing their jobs, but farmers embracing the technology say it could be the answer to their workforce troubles. As the minimum wage rises and finding workers gets harder, they are turning to automation to keep costs down while growing the same amount of food. While the creative solutions have the potential to dramatically improve profitability, grower groups say getting it wrong can be an expensive mistake. Preparing the ground and laying irrigation for a cherry tomato crop used to take Jason Gatt's company Sunripe a week. They can now prepare 32 hectares in just over two days using autonomous tractors fitted and guided by GPS navigation to create precise rows to exact measurements. "We're investing where we think it's going to pay for itself over time and we're seeing the result as it goes," he said. Mr Gatt started using the technology 15 years ago and now has more than 20 GPS tractors across his properties. "The next step we'll be going to is instead of doing a single row we'll be going to three-row machines," he said. "Anything we can do to get labour down or get it more efficient we're definitely working towards. "People don't realise that it's not just that wage that you're getting, it's also your superannuation and all the other expenses on top of that." Around the country more growers like Mr Gatt are investing heavily up-front, exploring automation and simplifying old processes to remain viable. In the latest benchmarking report from Level Up Hort — a program funded by grower-owned research corporation Hort Innovation to improve business performance — workforce efficiency was a critical factor in overall profitability. "There's been a lot of discussion around labour, increased costs of labour and challenges with securing and retaining labour," said project leader Steff Carstairs. "In general, labour continues to be a pain point for horticultural businesses, and a major cost. "Those who seem to be doing better have greater efficiencies around their labour management." The report, which represents businesses producing 5,596 hectares of vegetables and onions across six states, showed the most profitable growers spent the equivalent of about a third of their income on labour. For the least profitable farms that figure rose to 51 per cent. Richard Shannon, the executive officer of the National Farmers Federation's Horticulture Council, said over the past five years business costs had gone up significantly, but grower returns had not. "That's across the board — all other inputs have gone up at the same time," he said. "That's led to a big squeeze across the industry and everyone's feeling the pinch." The latest contribution to the squeeze is the minimum wage which rose by 3.5 per cent from $24.10 to $24.95 per hour on July 1. Rather than an hourly rate, workers covered by the Horticulture Award can be paid a piece rate based on how much they plant, pick, sort and pack fruit and vegetables. They are also guaranteed to receive at least the national minimum wage. Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said that meant all workers would be paid more. "We obviously apply that to all the awards, and in particular the horticulture awards, so you can see how that works in with the piece rate," she said. Mr Shannon urged growers who were looking for creative solutions to reduce their wage bill to do their homework and get advice before making an expensive decision. "Ideally visiting other farms, getting on an industry tour, whether that's domestic or overseas, just to get a better idea of what their options are," he said. "I guess the old adage is to be working more on your business rather than in your business. When Bundaberg producer Ray Fulcher transitioned from small crops to custard apples and figs it forced him to take a more strategic look at his growing methods. It was a long process to determine the optimal conditions for his figs, which are grown in a greenhouse previously used for roses. "It's all temperature controlled and humidity controlled to a degree," he said. "The irrigation is all hydroponic and it makes life very simple for a grower … but it's very expensive. "Those greenhouses when I put them in cost about $2 million and most average people can't afford that." Mr Fulcher adapted his workforce too, moving to labour hire contractors to get in a certain number of workers at specific times in the season. "We can't find enough good workers," he said. "To be honest probably young people don't really like that environment that we're in. "In winter it's very comfortable working conditions, but in summer it's horrendous." Mr Fulcher said growers had to accept labour costs were a part of doing business and should focus on optimising the workforce. "You want to do it? You've got to pay the extra cost," he said.
