Australia's Bumper crop under threat from harvest worker shortage
(Even when it's not the weather, it's the lockdowns!)
__
After battling through years of drought farmers across the country are being rewarded with a second year of above-average rainfall, but a lack of harvest workers is threatening to derail the bumper crop.
A large crop requires a large workforce to operate machinery, drive trucks and manage the large network of grain terminals across regional Australia.
Usually, skilled workers from the Northern Hemisphere would travel to Australia to work on the harvest.
During the last 18 months, thousands of those workers have left the country and borders have not yet reopened.
Rod Gribble, president of the Australian Custom Harvesters Association, said the situation for his members was dire.
"Our members have been advertising for months and months but there's just no skilled operators around," Mr Gribble said.
Mr Gribble said millions of dollars worth of crops could be lost in adverse weather if crops are not harvested on time.
"That's mega, mega millions of dollars lost," he said.
#Australia
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2021-08-02/harvest-worker-shortage-threatens-bumper-crop/100327190
(Even when it's not the weather, it's the lockdowns!)
__
After battling through years of drought farmers across the country are being rewarded with a second year of above-average rainfall, but a lack of harvest workers is threatening to derail the bumper crop.
A large crop requires a large workforce to operate machinery, drive trucks and manage the large network of grain terminals across regional Australia.
Usually, skilled workers from the Northern Hemisphere would travel to Australia to work on the harvest.
During the last 18 months, thousands of those workers have left the country and borders have not yet reopened.
Rod Gribble, president of the Australian Custom Harvesters Association, said the situation for his members was dire.
"Our members have been advertising for months and months but there's just no skilled operators around," Mr Gribble said.
Mr Gribble said millions of dollars worth of crops could be lost in adverse weather if crops are not harvested on time.
"That's mega, mega millions of dollars lost," he said.
#Australia
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2021-08-02/harvest-worker-shortage-threatens-bumper-crop/100327190
www.abc.net.au
Harvest workers shortage threatens to derail another bumper crop
Australian cropping regions are on track for a record year, but with international borders still closed there are growing concerns about a shortage of workers to complete the harvest.
Vegetable crops, glasshouses and wine grapes north of Adelaide damaged in hailstorm
Among the most affected vegetable crops were lettuces, tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchinis, many of which are grown in glasshouses around Virginia, about 30 kilometres north-west of the Adelaide CBD.
Phan Le estimated the damage to his glasshouses and crops at $200,000, with almost all of his tomatoes ruined.
#Australia #gsmHail
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-29/sa-vegetable-growers-count-cost-of-hailstorm/100579320
Among the most affected vegetable crops were lettuces, tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchinis, many of which are grown in glasshouses around Virginia, about 30 kilometres north-west of the Adelaide CBD.
Phan Le estimated the damage to his glasshouses and crops at $200,000, with almost all of his tomatoes ruined.
#Australia #gsmHail
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-29/sa-vegetable-growers-count-cost-of-hailstorm/100579320
www.abc.net.au
Vegetable growers count the cost of damaged glasshouses and crops after hailstorm
Lettuces, tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchinis are among the crops badly damaged in storms that swung through South Australia yesterday.
Australian farmer warns urea supply crisis could halt normal life within weeks
- AdBlue needed for diesel vehicles — half of all trucks on Australian roads run on diesel (along with a quarter of all registered vehicles.)
- Fertilizer for food:
“'Not only will we not be able to grow cattle and we will not be able to grow food and we will not be able to grow grain or anything like that, but even if we could, we can't move it, because we can't turn a wheel in a truck because we have no Adblue,'
As of February we might not have a truck on the road in Australia, we might not have a train on the tracks.
'So quite literally the whole country comes to a standstill as of February.'
#fertilizer #Australia
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/farmer-reveals-the-terrifying-reality-of-australia-s-urea-shortage/ar-AARGHto
- AdBlue needed for diesel vehicles — half of all trucks on Australian roads run on diesel (along with a quarter of all registered vehicles.)
- Fertilizer for food:
“'Not only will we not be able to grow cattle and we will not be able to grow food and we will not be able to grow grain or anything like that, but even if we could, we can't move it, because we can't turn a wheel in a truck because we have no Adblue,'
As of February we might not have a truck on the road in Australia, we might not have a train on the tracks.
'So quite literally the whole country comes to a standstill as of February.'
#fertilizer #Australia
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/farmer-reveals-the-terrifying-reality-of-australia-s-urea-shortage/ar-AARGHto
‘Perfect storm’ of issues behind latest price hike causing pain at the supermarket checkout
It’s an essential item that most Aussies consume daily – and it just got a whole lot more expensive, with even more pain on the way.
“Dairy is becoming more expensive to make, with farmers slugged by skyrocketing prices when it comes to things like grain and fertiliser.
We also have fewer cows in Australia in the wake of the drought of 2018-19, which saw many farmers cull their livestock to get through that tough period.
#WarOnDairy #AnimalAg #Australia
https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/perfect-storm-of-issues-behind-latest-price-hike-causing-pain-at-the-supermarket-checkout/news-story/4190149e9c2996d2537286c58d656cd2
It’s an essential item that most Aussies consume daily – and it just got a whole lot more expensive, with even more pain on the way.
“Dairy is becoming more expensive to make, with farmers slugged by skyrocketing prices when it comes to things like grain and fertiliser.
We also have fewer cows in Australia in the wake of the drought of 2018-19, which saw many farmers cull their livestock to get through that tough period.
#WarOnDairy #AnimalAg #Australia
https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/perfect-storm-of-issues-behind-latest-price-hike-causing-pain-at-the-supermarket-checkout/news-story/4190149e9c2996d2537286c58d656cd2
news
‘Perfect storm’ behind new price hike
<p>As a nation, Aussies love our dairy – but it seems the glory days of $1 milk are now well and truly behind us.</p>
Meat industry warns food shortages imminent unless workers can access rapid antigen testing
Australians are being warned there could be meat shortages within two weeks unless meat workers are being given priority rapid antigen testing.
The meat industry says it’s now an emergency, with hundreds of workers forced into COVID isolation.
In some supermarkets, meat shelves are completely bare, emptied by a perfect storm of holiday shortages and the COVID effect.
The big grocery chains such as Woolworths and Coles say the stock is often there - the problem is getting it into stores, because COVID is causing high absentee rates among retail staff and distribution workers.
“We do expect the supply chain issues will continue for at least 12 months,” Retailers Association’ spokesperson Fleur Brown told 7NEWS.
“However, they are critical at the moment.
Meat Industry Council CEO Patrick Hutchinson has called it an “emergency” situation right now. “We’re now seeing a large amount of meat workers who actually can’t get to work,” he said. “There’s hundreds and hundreds of staff up and down the eastern seaboard, certainly QLD, NSW and VIC who aren’t able to get to work at this stage.” He’s also calling for rapid COVID tests to keep meat workers on the job or risk meat shortages within two weeks.
#WarOnMeat #Australia
https://7news.com.au/news/australia/meat-industry-warns-food-shortages-imminent-unless-workers-can-access-rapid-antigen-testing-c-5182666
Australians are being warned there could be meat shortages within two weeks unless meat workers are being given priority rapid antigen testing.
The meat industry says it’s now an emergency, with hundreds of workers forced into COVID isolation.
In some supermarkets, meat shelves are completely bare, emptied by a perfect storm of holiday shortages and the COVID effect.
The big grocery chains such as Woolworths and Coles say the stock is often there - the problem is getting it into stores, because COVID is causing high absentee rates among retail staff and distribution workers.
“We do expect the supply chain issues will continue for at least 12 months,” Retailers Association’ spokesperson Fleur Brown told 7NEWS.
“However, they are critical at the moment.
Meat Industry Council CEO Patrick Hutchinson has called it an “emergency” situation right now. “We’re now seeing a large amount of meat workers who actually can’t get to work,” he said. “There’s hundreds and hundreds of staff up and down the eastern seaboard, certainly QLD, NSW and VIC who aren’t able to get to work at this stage.” He’s also calling for rapid COVID tests to keep meat workers on the job or risk meat shortages within two weeks.
#WarOnMeat #Australia
https://7news.com.au/news/australia/meat-industry-warns-food-shortages-imminent-unless-workers-can-access-rapid-antigen-testing-c-5182666
7NEWS
Meat industry warns food shortages imminent unless workers can access rapid antigen testing
The meat industry predicts “critical” shortages in Australia within two weeks.
Aldi getting desperate in Australia
Aldi Australia CEO just sent this to everyone on the Aldi mailing list, desperately trying to tell people to "rest assured, there isn’t a food shortage, just complications and delays associated with less employees", as Australians walk around empty shelves.
Functionally it is the same thing - people can’t get food. It hasn't been sent to us, or processed and packaged, or stacked on the shelves, or picked and harvested, or fertalized due to ongoing Adblue shortages in Australia or...
Meanwhile abbatoirs are shutting down due as asymptomatic workers are required to stay at home. Meat IS running short already.
The shortest supply chain is the one that starts and ends right in your own home! Grow your own.
#SupplyChain #Australia #WarOnMeat #FoodShortage
Aldi Australia CEO just sent this to everyone on the Aldi mailing list, desperately trying to tell people to "rest assured, there isn’t a food shortage, just complications and delays associated with less employees", as Australians walk around empty shelves.
Functionally it is the same thing - people can’t get food. It hasn't been sent to us, or processed and packaged, or stacked on the shelves, or picked and harvested, or fertalized due to ongoing Adblue shortages in Australia or...
Meanwhile abbatoirs are shutting down due as asymptomatic workers are required to stay at home. Meat IS running short already.
The shortest supply chain is the one that starts and ends right in your own home! Grow your own.
#SupplyChain #Australia #WarOnMeat #FoodShortage
Another “asymptomatic outbreak” is promising to shutdown yet another Aussie abbatoir.
This is an unabashed and unmitigated war on ranchers, the meat industry, and fundamentally, your ability to feed your family.
#Australia #WarOnMeat
This is an unabashed and unmitigated war on ranchers, the meat industry, and fundamentally, your ability to feed your family.
#Australia #WarOnMeat
Australian media pushing the idea of C19 shots for your pups.
Between this and the pope (next post), time to start a tag for #WarOnPets.
Part of the #PostAnimalEconomy …
#Australia
Between this and the pope (next post), time to start a tag for #WarOnPets.
Part of the #PostAnimalEconomy …
#Australia
Federal government holds urgent talks with industry leaders to address supply chain issues
The federal government has held urgent talks with industry leaders to find a solution to widespread supply chain issues caused by COVID-19.
Essential services have been severely impacted by the Omicron outbreak, with thousands of workers isolating after having contracted the virus or being designated a close contact.
The staffing crisis has lead to bare shelves at supermarkets and forced some major food retailers to enforce product limits on several items.
Coles this week restricted the amount of meat products, pain killers and toilet paper customers can buy, among other products.
#Australia #SupplyChain
https://7news.com.au/sunrise/on-the-show/federal-government-holds-urgent-talks-with-industry-leaders-to-address-supply-chain-issues-c-5271167
The federal government has held urgent talks with industry leaders to find a solution to widespread supply chain issues caused by COVID-19.
Essential services have been severely impacted by the Omicron outbreak, with thousands of workers isolating after having contracted the virus or being designated a close contact.
The staffing crisis has lead to bare shelves at supermarkets and forced some major food retailers to enforce product limits on several items.
Coles this week restricted the amount of meat products, pain killers and toilet paper customers can buy, among other products.
#Australia #SupplyChain
https://7news.com.au/sunrise/on-the-show/federal-government-holds-urgent-talks-with-industry-leaders-to-address-supply-chain-issues-c-5271167
7NEWS
Federal government holds urgent talks with industry leaders to address supply chain issues
The staffing crisis has lead to bare shelves at supermarkets and forced some major food retailers to enforce product limits on several items.
Meat section completely cleaned out at Aldi, Victoria, #Australia.
via JoJoSpark in @iaf_chat
#WarOnMeat #FoodShortages #SupplyChain
via JoJoSpark in @iaf_chat
#WarOnMeat #FoodShortages #SupplyChain
The Northern Territory’s food shortage crisis has crippled businesses over the last week, with residents posting footage of empty supermarket shelves on social media, pleading for help.
The Territory has been soaked, with flooding forcing road closures and the destruction of parts of the Trans-Australian railway, dubbed the nation’s “umbilical cord”, stretching supplies.
“The rainfall received in the area was a 1 in 100 / 200-year event,” Anthony Meere, the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) General Manager said at the time.
It has become so devastating in South Australia the Defence Force has been called in to fly supplies to Coober Pedy, which has been cut off since last week.
Simple essential items including milk and meat were included in 20 tonnes of essentials that were flown out by the RAF on Monday — the first of four.
#Australia
https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/flooding-causes-food-shortages-with-mcdonalds-restaurant-running-out-of-fries-shelves-bare/news-story/0cef83618cb7fddac6cdfa8dbf8b2608
The Territory has been soaked, with flooding forcing road closures and the destruction of parts of the Trans-Australian railway, dubbed the nation’s “umbilical cord”, stretching supplies.
“The rainfall received in the area was a 1 in 100 / 200-year event,” Anthony Meere, the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) General Manager said at the time.
It has become so devastating in South Australia the Defence Force has been called in to fly supplies to Coober Pedy, which has been cut off since last week.
Simple essential items including milk and meat were included in 20 tonnes of essentials that were flown out by the RAF on Monday — the first of four.
#Australia
https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/flooding-causes-food-shortages-with-mcdonalds-restaurant-running-out-of-fries-shelves-bare/news-story/0cef83618cb7fddac6cdfa8dbf8b2608
news
Maccas fries hit by ‘200-yr’ Aussie disaster
<p>A McDonald’s restaurant has reportedly become one of the latest victims of Australia’s disastrous weather, with major flooding seeing supermarket shelves bare and fries disappearing from the menu.</p>
Aussie Farmer warns farming is becoming economically unviable (as was the plan!), with costs of inputs rising beyond what can be recouped. Farmers are forced to sell off their farms, often to the very technocrats themselves who have perpetrated this:
#Australia #WarOnFarms
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-02-03/pinata-farm-questions-farm-viability/100799344
#Australia #WarOnFarms
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-02-03/pinata-farm-questions-farm-viability/100799344
www.abc.net.au
Is farming worth it? Stressed farmers ponder futures after tough few years
Hundreds, if not thousands, of Australian farmers could be considering throwing in the towel due to financial pressures and stress, a major grower says.
Australia: pork supply set to plunge as Japanese encephalitis detected across piggeries
Experts say Japanese encephalitis will impact pork supply as infected piggeries experience production losses of up to 80 per cent. There are now 30 New South Wales piggeries affected by the mosquito-borne virus and 11 people have been infected, with three deaths nationwide.
"It's also the mental health impact on the people, because there's been a lot of stillborn or abortions or abnormalities in piglets … which can be very stressful seeing … day in, day out."
The disease has no impact on the safety of consuming pork, but Dr Britton said production losses were likely to affect availability.
"I think it will affect the supply of pork, because it has impacted a number of the bigger properties as well as some of the smaller ones," she said.
#Australia #Pork
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/japanese-encephalitis-detected-in-30-nsw-piggeries-pork-supply-set-to-plunge/ar-AAWowb1
Experts say Japanese encephalitis will impact pork supply as infected piggeries experience production losses of up to 80 per cent. There are now 30 New South Wales piggeries affected by the mosquito-borne virus and 11 people have been infected, with three deaths nationwide.
"It's also the mental health impact on the people, because there's been a lot of stillborn or abortions or abnormalities in piglets … which can be very stressful seeing … day in, day out."
The disease has no impact on the safety of consuming pork, but Dr Britton said production losses were likely to affect availability.
"I think it will affect the supply of pork, because it has impacted a number of the bigger properties as well as some of the smaller ones," she said.
#Australia #Pork
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/japanese-encephalitis-detected-in-30-nsw-piggeries-pork-supply-set-to-plunge/ar-AAWowb1
Foot-and-mouth disease detected in Indonesia; Australian livestock sector on alert
Going after cows next ? Because animals are dirty and dangerous and pandemic ridden…
#WarOnMeat #PostAnimalEconomy #Australia
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-05-06/foot-and-mouth-detected-in-indonesia-cattle-council/101045720
Going after cows next ? Because animals are dirty and dangerous and pandemic ridden…
#WarOnMeat #PostAnimalEconomy #Australia
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-05-06/foot-and-mouth-detected-in-indonesia-cattle-council/101045720
www.abc.net.au
Australian livestock sector on alert after foot-and-mouth disease detected in Indonesia
There's confirmation of more than 1,200 cases of the contagious disease, which can lead to significant production losses and trade restrictions costing billions of dollars.
Farmers left heartbroken as Queensland floods ruin crops
Shoppers warned the price of fresh fruit and vegetables will rise after latest rain event
Farmers who risked planting after the February deluge lost entire crops and face financial ruin after the second deluge.
Lockyer Valley’s mayor, Tanya Milligan, said crops were rotting in the ground and 90% of insurance claims have been rejected.
“A lot of those farmers were hoping and depending on that (insurance payout),” Milligan said.
“We will have farmers that have no intention to replant. You have people that have just lost absolutely everything and they will be wondering is it all worth it?
#Australia - #GrandSolarMinimum precipitative extremes
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/may/16/is-it-all-worth-it-farmers-left-heartbroken-as-queensland-floods-ruin-crops
Shoppers warned the price of fresh fruit and vegetables will rise after latest rain event
Farmers who risked planting after the February deluge lost entire crops and face financial ruin after the second deluge.
Lockyer Valley’s mayor, Tanya Milligan, said crops were rotting in the ground and 90% of insurance claims have been rejected.
“A lot of those farmers were hoping and depending on that (insurance payout),” Milligan said.
“We will have farmers that have no intention to replant. You have people that have just lost absolutely everything and they will be wondering is it all worth it?
#Australia - #GrandSolarMinimum precipitative extremes
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/may/16/is-it-all-worth-it-farmers-left-heartbroken-as-queensland-floods-ruin-crops
the Guardian
‘Is it all worth it?’: farmers left heartbroken as Queensland floods ruin crops
Shoppers warned the price of fresh fruit and vegetables will rise after latest rain event
More on #SupplyChain so broken that nations can't export their wheat — here Australia (see above, South Africa, also):
Australia's record wheat harvest is no fix for the global food crisis
Logistical challenges hold back exports as concerns grow over next year's crop
Clogged ports and soaring fertilizer costs are impeding Australia's bid to boost exports of its bumper wheat harvest, worsening a global food crisis
#Australia #wheat
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Markets/Commodities/Australia-s-record-wheat-harvest-is-no-fix-for-the-global-food-crisis
Australia's record wheat harvest is no fix for the global food crisis
Logistical challenges hold back exports as concerns grow over next year's crop
Clogged ports and soaring fertilizer costs are impeding Australia's bid to boost exports of its bumper wheat harvest, worsening a global food crisis
#Australia #wheat
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Markets/Commodities/Australia-s-record-wheat-harvest-is-no-fix-for-the-global-food-crisis
Nikkei Asia
Australia's record wheat harvest is no fix for the global food crisis
Logistical challenges hold back exports as concerns grow over next year's crop
New rules will effectively shut down U-Pick farms in NSW Australia — read more here and sign the petition if you are in the area:
“They currently have a proposal underway to deciminate all the Pick your own farms in NSW and want to put unrealistic limitations on the number of visitors per day that attend these farms. The current proposal they have is to only allow 50 people per day to attend the farms and a maximum of 10 days per year that these farms are allowed to open for PYO.”
#WarOnFarms #Australia
https://www.change.org/p/save-pick-your-own-farms
“They currently have a proposal underway to deciminate all the Pick your own farms in NSW and want to put unrealistic limitations on the number of visitors per day that attend these farms. The current proposal they have is to only allow 50 people per day to attend the farms and a maximum of 10 days per year that these farms are allowed to open for PYO.”
#WarOnFarms #Australia
https://www.change.org/p/save-pick-your-own-farms
Change.org
Sign the Petition
Save Pick Your Own Farms
Australia: Food processors warn gas crisis may shut them down and see food prices rise further
#Australia #EnergyCrisis
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-09/food-processors-warn-gas-crisis-could-shut-them-down/101138228
#Australia #EnergyCrisis
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-09/food-processors-warn-gas-crisis-could-shut-them-down/101138228
www.abc.net.au
A $900,000 monthly gas bill spells trouble for this business. It says Australia's food security is next
Businesses say the soaring price of gas is threatening to close them down, which could put Australia's food security at risk if the crisis is not solved soon.
AUS: Fruit and vegetable costs to skyrocket in coming weeks
Aussies are being warned the price of all fruit and vegetables will spike in coming weeks as farmers face labor shortages and growing production costs.
Tyson Cattle, from the national industry representative AusVeg, told Today the issues were critical and "impacting grower confidence to plant more crops".
"They're unable to access the pickers and packers needed to actually get crops off the ground and onto supermarket shelves," Tyson told Today.
#Australia
https://9now.nine.com.au/today/fruit-and-vegetable-costs-to-skyrocket-in-coming-weeks-labor-shortages-cripple-industry/b6476c3a-1fcc-4d89-93a9-e579f802474a
Aussies are being warned the price of all fruit and vegetables will spike in coming weeks as farmers face labor shortages and growing production costs.
Tyson Cattle, from the national industry representative AusVeg, told Today the issues were critical and "impacting grower confidence to plant more crops".
"They're unable to access the pickers and packers needed to actually get crops off the ground and onto supermarket shelves," Tyson told Today.
#Australia
https://9now.nine.com.au/today/fruit-and-vegetable-costs-to-skyrocket-in-coming-weeks-labor-shortages-cripple-industry/b6476c3a-1fcc-4d89-93a9-e579f802474a
9now.nine.com.au
Fruit and vegetable costs to skyrocket in coming weeks
Aussies are being warned the price of all fruit and vegetables will spike in coming weeks as farmers face l...
BEE LOCKDOWN: Australian authorities destroy bees, ‘lock down’ transport to stop varroa mite infestation.
Everyone knows bees are critical and KILLING THEM is a terrible way to “solve” a parasite problem.
(I have had good luck planting mints near my hives — just as menthol is used as a treatment! — I bet the folks in @iaf_bees have more ideas too…)
#Australia #bees
https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/nsw-bees-sent-into-lockdown-to-stop-deadly-varroa-mite/news-story/2107fec79b991c5666dbc6b96b3f97b6
Everyone knows bees are critical and KILLING THEM is a terrible way to “solve” a parasite problem.
(I have had good luck planting mints near my hives — just as menthol is used as a treatment! — I bet the folks in @iaf_bees have more ideas too…)
#Australia #bees
https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/nsw-bees-sent-into-lockdown-to-stop-deadly-varroa-mite/news-story/2107fec79b991c5666dbc6b96b3f97b6
news
Deadly threat facing bees expands
The threat to Australia’s honey bees has expanded after a deadly parasite was discovered at more NSW properties.