By Deanne Jeffers
GOULBURN Valley growers have been left devastated, after a “tornado-like” storm ripped through the region before Christmas, destroying over 1,000ha of crops from Tatura to Bunbartha.
Some growers have reported 80-100 percent of their crop destroyed, but orchardists like Mitch McNab, manager of McNab & Son’s Orchards and chair of Fruit Growers Victoria (FGV), says for many, it is too soon to tell the extent of the damage.
“The problem is you don’t see the ramifications of that probably six months later,” said Michael Crisera, grower services manager FGV.
“If you’ve only got 40 percent of a crop to pick, with the way the wage rules are now, you have to pay a minimum award to someone for their daily eight hours. If they do piece rates, they’ve got to be paid. If they only pick two bins a day, they’ve got to be paid nearly $120 a bin,” he explained Mr Crisera, who said the value of picking is not often known until after the hard work is done.
Wendy Lovell, member for Northern Victoria, invited new leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, John Pesutto, and the new shadow minister for Emergency Services, Ann-Marie Hermans, to meet producers and tour some affected farms, including McNab & Son’s Orchards in Ardmona last week.
Revealing damage to his family’s orchard, Mitch said, “The biggest challenge is going to be meeting supply for some of these suppliers. Growers have contracts in place that they’re obligated to try and meet, and I think it’s going to be a bit of a challenge for some.”
He said it adds to concerns growers have endured the past 24 months, including the rising cost of producing and logistic issues like the state of the roads impacting transport, October floods and an unprecedented wet year that has made harvesting crops and spraying more difficult, further making crops vulnerable.
The State Government has made support available for flood and storm-affected farmers, with up to $250,000 for primary producers’ concessional loans and a slew of smaller grants. FGV told the Opposition Leader they would like this increased up to $1M to assist larger primary producers in their recovery.
For support, please visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/floods
