From page 29 The reason for finishing up are many nails in the coffin :
• Mexico - competing against them in the world market / environmental and labour costs
• Labour - the new laws , trying to keep up and the speed they are implemented . In agriculture it takes years to get your crop into production and responding quickly is not easy . Workers ’ rights and wages isn ’ t the issue . The new laws have come from Fair Work not doing their job . If an employer and employee have an issue , Fair Work should have it sorted out within 72 hours , not years later . Our nearest Fair Work office is six hours away . Secondly when a repeat offender is discovered , the retailers ’ grower code of conduct should be enforced
• Environmental - Water , power , compliance costs , all government costs put against my business , and there is nothing I can do about it . Yet I grow plants that extract carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and supply you with food , but I pay the same as everyone else for power and I think this needs to change . This is only one of many things .
The new Minter Magic will focus on almonds and citrus . I already grow 73ha of almonds . In June 2022 I start planting another 82ha I already have 100 ha of citrus , and in September 2022 I am planting another 20ha . The farm will be fully planted again . The last the last three years of farming hasn ’ t been pleasant . People who know me , know that I love farming . The decision to redevelop or sell was the hardest decision I have made in my life . I have a new bank , a new start with no 24 / 7 farming activity that asparagus brings , and our new labour laws that don ’ t suit that . As my accountant said , boring farmers make money , so I am trying this out . Last of all , I would like especially thank my wife Anne- Marie , family , staff and friends for putting up with me over this difficult time . I can ’ t wait to get that smile back on my face again in this new phase of our lives ."
The challenges faced by top line horticulturists like Darren Minter are not new , so when new entrants research what crops makes the most sense , they too discover that permanent planted crop like almonds ( and citrus ) tick a lot of boxes . Almonds don ’ t need the same level of labour because they are mechanically harvested , they don ’ t need to be rushed to market as they have a shelf life of more than two years and they remain a high value , high health , versatile product that is in demand around the world . The demand on water resources runs along similar lines to many other permanent planted crops , but the many other aspects to almond farming build a compelling case to make the switch .
industry . australianalmonds . com . au
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