ORGANISERS of this week's Victorian Farmers' Federation horticulture group annual conference hope it will be productive.
With no election of office bearers required - Sue Finger, Gaye Tripodi, Owen Brinson and Paul Casey will continue in their roles for another year - and no resolutions to debate, much of the time has been allocated to policy discussion on four topics: biosecurity, planning, regulatory barriers and food safety.
The conference is at the All Seasons Resort, Bendigo, from 10am tomorrow, as part of the VFF conference and annual meeting.
Potato joy
A HOT summer has brought a bigger, better crop of potatoes across Tasmania.
Local media reported last week the farm gate value of this year's crop, now being harvested, would be $100 million. Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association advocacy and policy manager Nick Steel said it was "a godsend" after last year's rain-affected harvest.
Stonefruit search
THE stonefruit industry is looking for a new chairman to head up its peak body, Summerfruit Australia.
The current chairman, Lake Boga stonefruit grower Ian McAllister, has decided not to renominate for a position on the board of seven directors.
Nominations for the vacancies close on May 3 and a postal ballot, if required, will be held from May 16 to June 6.
- For more details, phone (02) 6041 6641.
- Send your horticulture news to Sandra Godwin, The Weekly Times, PO Box 1728, Swan Hill 3585, email godwins@theweeklytimes.com.au or fax (03) 5032 9352.
