Content
Last chance for feedback on TR4 Code of Practice
ABGC appointments and job availability
Time to get the grass growing
Ag outcomes from the Jobs and Skills Summit
Recognising exceptional rural women
Fair Farms National Conference & Awards
Last chance to have your say on TR4 Code of Practice
Time is running out to have your say on the proposed Code of Practice for the management and control of Panama TR4 in Queensland.
The Code aims to provide a more streamlined, modern approach to managing biosecurity risks associated with the disease. It will provide growers with a tool to help prevent a TR4 infection on their property or, if a property is infected, mandatory measures of containment that have shown to minimise the spread of disease so farming can continue.
The opportunity to provide feedback closes this Friday 16 September.
For more information, and to share your thoughts, click here or simply visit www.abgc.org.au and follow the links.
ABGC appointments and job availability
The ABGC recently announced the appointment of Leanne Erakovic as its new Chief Executive Officer, following the retirement of Jim Pekin.
In addition to a wealth of other experience, Leanne has spent the past six years with the ABGC, most recently in the position of Executive Officer.
As such, the ABGC is now advertising for a new Executive Officer to be based at Head Office in Brisbane. Details about this position, focussed on policy and membership, can be found here: https://nrmjobs.com.au/jobs/2022/20014395/executive-officer
Time to get the grass growing
The dry time for cultivation and earthworks is fast coming to a close in Far North Queensland.
Growers should be starting to establish ground cover on exposed soil to keep it from washing away in the upcoming wet season.
Contact ABGC’s Best Practice Team for more information on how to conserve soil on-farm: bmp@abgc.org.au #bananabestpracticepaysoff
Ag outcomes from the Jobs and Skills summit
The National Farmers Federation – of which the ABGC is a member of the Horticulture Council -acknowledged some gains from the Jobs and Skills Summit held earlier this month, but noted that more tangible action to ease worker shortages in the short term was needed.
In a statement released after the event, NFF President Fiona Simson said: “Farmers have been waiting for answers for years. We waited for the Ag Visa, we waited for the election, and we waited for the Jobs Summit. We’re sick to death of waiting.
“We’ve been feeling the pinch of worker shortages for longer, and more acutely, than any other part of the economy. We cannot be pushed to the back of the queue, it’s time to deliver solutions.”
ABGC will continue to work with NFF (through the Hort Council) to press for real action. Full list of Summit Outcomes here.
Nominations open to recognise exceptional rural women
Applications are now open for the 2023 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.
Winners from each state and Territory receive a range of opportunities and a grant to support their work, before going onto the national event.
AgriFutures is also holding a range of Q&A sessions in September and October for the awards, as well as their Acceleration Grant program. Applications for both programs close on 19 October 2022. Apply here.
Fair Farms National Conference & Awards
The Fair Farms National Conference & Awards will see industry experts, growers, workplace relations specialists, retailers and peak industry bodies will come together in one place to discuss the current state of workplace relations in Australian horticulture.
For more information head to www.fairfarms.com.au/fair-farms-conference
