WEEKLY UPDATE
26 March 1999
Milk production figures
Milk production figures to the end of February, 1999, show that Victorian
milk production is up 7.1% on the same period for last season. Production by
region is 1,465 million litres for Gippsland, 1,884 million litres for
Northern Victoria and 1,603 million litres for Western Victoria. This
amounts to production increases of 10.1%, 9.3% and 3.2% for Gippsland,
Western and Northern Victoria respectively.
Tatura Milk Industries Step up
Tatura Milk have announced a step up of 17 c/kg butterfat and 42 c/kg
protein to apply from March 1, 1999. The step up will be paid 4c/kg
butterfat and 10c/kg protein with April proceeds on May 15, 6 c/kg butterfat
and 15 c/kg protein with May proceeds on June 15 and 7c/kg butterfat and
17c/kg protein with June proceeds on the July 15. Further step ups are
anticipated prior to announcement of the final price for 1998/99.
Target: $12 billion in food exports by 2010
The Government's 'Food Industry Statement' target of $12 billion in food
exports by 2010 is beginning to bite. At a recent industry meeting of
processors from various food sectors, including Nestle and Bonlac, the
Leadership Education and Training Strategy (LETS) Team heard that Business
Victoria has secured funding to progress the food export initiative.
Particular emphasis is now being given to address training requirements for
achieving the industry target. The importance of production was clearly
recognised as it will be impossible to achieve processing results without
raw product. Further discussion highlighted the need to build trust and
understanding between production, processing, retailing and service
providers. For further information contact Tony Audley 9207 5606.
Awards
Interviews for the ADFF study tour to New Zealand will be held at the UDV
office on Tuesday 6th April. Short listed applicants will be contacted and
informed of their interview time. Three applicants will be nominated by the
UDV to participate in this tour which covers both the North and South
island. The itinerary includes farmstays and attending the Mystery Creek
field day activities.
Applications for the UDV New Apprentice/Trainee of the year award and for
the New Zealand tour close on Wednesday the 31st March.
This award is sponsored by the Weekly Times and the VDIA. Shortlisted
applicants will be notified of their interview time and interviews will be
held on Friday 16th April at the UDV. This tour will also visit the South
and North islands of New Zealand with an interesting program of visiting
farms and attending the Waikato field day.
The Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program for 1999
will be held from Sunday 27th June - Friday 2nd July. The College, which is
near Geelong, offers the program which aims to develop the leadership
qualities of young Australians involved in agriculture. The UDV sponsors a
number of places in this program each year, based on nominations which come
through from UDV members, Branches or District Councils. Selection
procedures will ensure fair and equal consideration of all applicants.
Nominations will be ranked according to merit against a set of criteria
determined by the selection panel. For further information contact Kathryn
Feil on 9207 5608.
Effective Speech, Communication and Presentation Skills
Courses in Effective Speech Communication and Presentation Skills
facilitated by Geoffrey McComas will be held on the April 21,27 and May 3.
Each session will have a maximum of nine participants. The UDV will pay
travel allowance to the UDV office and the course fee however, a day
allowance will not be paid. All Central Councillors are encouraged to apply.
If you are interested in participating contact Tony Audley on 9207 5606.
Women in the dairy industry
A GippsDairy program for Women in the Dairy Industry was held at Traralgon
on Monday. The day highlighted the diversity and strength of the skills and
talents of the women who attended. Activities throughout the day covered
Edward DeBono's Six Thinking Hats theory. Participants were encouraged to
utilise different thinking methods rather than thinking in one particular
way. This method can be applied to meetings, writing of documents and in
personal relationships. An activity on calendering was also conducted which
enabled the women to develop a time budget.
Jennifer McMillan
RMB 4670
Denison 3858
Ph/fax +61 3 51 486 365
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