First stop was Flavorite’s hydroponic farm at Tatura, where Ms Thomas announced funding for three businesses.
Support through the Regional Jobs Fund will help Flavorite invest in a new multi-million-dollar glasshouse that will allow it to grow produce year-round in a temperature and pest-controlled environment; help the company become more sustainable by using technology to reduce CO2 emissions to reduce waste; and increase its process and packaging capability.
Shepparton East fruit grower Kalpack received support to invest in a $6 million organic fruit-packing and processing facility that will be the first of its kind in Victoria, sorting fruit by size, ripeness and defects to help reduce waste.
The third project to be supported through the fund is farm irrigation systems manufacturer Padman Stops, which plans to expand into civil construction.
Ms Thomas said the investment would future-proof the businesses, help them expand and create up to 150 new jobs.
An hour or so up the road at Yielima, the minister caught up with dairy farmers Mark and Kaylene Walpole, who are about to modernise their operation by installing three free-stall barns that can house up to 1000 cows each, and an 80-unit rotary milker.
Mr Walpole, a second-generation farmer, said the shift would see them move from traditional grazing systems and improve cow comfort.
“Currently we’re still about 50 per cent grazing; this will see us move to 100 per cent TMR (total mixed ration) system, which will make feeding more efficient.”
Mr Walpole said the shade and shelter provided by the barns, which allow the cows to move around freely, would also help protect the herd from weather extremes.
The complex will cover about 10 hectares and should be finished mid-2022.
Ms Thomas said the Victorian Government was proud to partner with Dairy Australia on the Dairy Transition project to support farmers like the Walpoles to adopt new practices and technologies to help make their businesses more sustainable, productive and profitable.
“These are the farms of the future,” Ms Thomas said.
“We’re seeing farmers putting in these modern dairy housing systems which reuse water, recycle manure for bedding and can be adapted to capture methane for energy.
“The Dairy Transition project is helping Victorian farmers navigate their way through this rapid period of change and modernisation to ensure the sector continues to move ahead with resilience and confidence.”
She said farmers were at the forefront of tackling climate change challenges.
“That’s why through the agriculture sector emissions reduction pledge the Victorian Government is supporting real action and investing almost $20 million in emissions reduction activities to support farmers ... including research to evaluate methane-inhibiting feed additives such as seaweed.”
Ms Thomas’ final stop was Cobram, where she caught up with Cobram and District Fruit Growers’ Association members to discuss fruit fly management, supply chain challenges and seasonal labour shortages.
She acknowledged labour continued to be a challenge but pointed to initiatives such the renegotiated deal with Tasmania to quarantine an additional 1500 Pacific Islands workers for Victoria; the extension of the seasonal sign-on bonus, which she said had been very successful; and various grants to support the agriculture industry as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We need to look at how we attract different cohorts ... grey nomads, kids out of school ... and get better at telling good stories,” she said.
“It’s not just about picking and packing ... and yes, it can be hard work, (but) the industry needs to tell the good stories about the sector (such as) the range of careers and the lifestyle.”
Ms Thomas said she believed the recent decision by the Fair Work Commission backing a minimum wage ($25.41/hour) would also help attract workers as it would provide confidence they would be paid appropriately.
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