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NT Farmers The Voice of

Northern Agribusiness

2016/17 Annual Report

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Table of Contents

CEO Report 3

President Report 5

NT Farmers Board Members 7-10

NT Farmers Staff 11-12

IPM Demonstration Plot 13-14

Seasonal Worker Program Pilot Project 15

Statistics 16-19

Financials 20-23

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Presidents Report - Simon Smith

It is my pleasure to present to members and friends the 2016/17 NT Farmers Annual Report. This has been a game changing year for our organisation. Minister Vowles’ announcement in early July of funding for three new industry development officers to be based at NT Farmers was a great fillip for the Board and Staff and has huge implications for our ability to deliver for our members.

Hort Innovation extending our Vegetable Capacity Building project by three years was further indication that past performance has given government and the peak horticultural funding body confidence that we can deliver.

Our Food Futures conference won a major national award and coupled with the roadshows it continues to raise our profile nationally and regionally while challenging farmers and key decision makers to come up with innovative solutions and appropriate policy settings to expand farming in the north.

We service and represent the needs of the most diverse membership base of any farming group in Australia and possibly the world. From fruit, vegetable and fodder producers in the tropical north to table grape and melon growers in the arid south, cropping systems from centre pivots to hydroponics and markets from Rapid Creek to California.

Throw in being on the biosecurity frontline, challenges around water licensing and allocation plans and chronic labour issues and you have a typical week for new CEO, Greg Owens and the staff!

Our small team barely has time to deliver the needs of growers, let alone the wants, so the more than doubling of our staff is a truly significant milestone.

Greg’s CEO report and the statistical snapshot following are an excellent summary of this year’s achievements however I briefly want to also highlight three key areas the board has had particular focus on

LABOUR:

• Employment of Aisla Connolly as Workforce Planning Coordinator

• Labour Sub Committee established including leading growers and industry stakeholders

• Direct lobbying of Ministers Dutton and Scullion around Visa changes

• Support for bipartisan lobbying by Minister Vowles and opposition Leader Higgins in Canberra re Visas

• Partnering with Growcom to deliver Fair Farms workshops to better educate and inform growers on their legal responsibilities.

ADVOCACY AND COLLABORATION:

• Regular meetings with Minister Vowles, DPIR CEO Alister Trier and head of Plant Industries Phil Hausler. Our focus is better targeted on RD&E spending, an increased awareness of impacts to farmers of biosecurity responses and how these can be reduced

• Meetings with senior DENR staff around water planning, licensing and trading

• Participation in Oolloo and Howard East aquifers water allocation plans, significant input into draft water allocation plan for Western Davenport

• Planning for 3rd Food Futures conference July 2018 (7 Federal and state ministers confirmed as attendees)

• Completion of Policy and Position papers

• Economic Profile data compiled annually. First ever accurate snapshot of the industry and an invaluable lobbying tool

• Greater engagement and collaboration with NTCA and other key stakeholders including Indigenous land management organisations

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CAPACITY and MEMBER SERVICES:

• Formation of Central Australian Growers Group

• 102% increase in administrative support hours

• In house Freshcare Training

• IPM trial site extension enabling continued education of vegetable growers on sustainable crop management

I am genuinely excited by what NT Farmers can achieve in the next few years. We have a strong and diverse Board and a dedicated workforce lead by an experienced and passionate CEO. We are better connected to growers than ever before via our ENews, newsletters and social media and our ‘face to face’ capacity is radically enhanced with the additional staff.

Lastly, I want to thank former president and outgoing board member Tom Harris, who’s drive and dedication has shaped the NT Farmers Association of today.

Simon Smith President

Board Meetings held

NAME/DATE 26th Jul

2016

27th Sep

2016

12th Dec

2016

19th Jan

2017

22 Feb

2017

21st Mar

2017

30th May

2017

Simon Smith

Paul McLaughlin

Kate Peake

Tom Harris

Han Siah

Martina Matzner

Vin Lange

Shenal Basnayake

Greg Owens

Ruth Cormack (2017 Board)

2016 Board Period

Wayne Quach (2017 Board)

Leo Skliros (2017 Board)

David Boehme (2016 Board)

2017 Board Period Vuong Nguyen (2016 Board)

Ross Maxwell (2016 Board)

Thank you to our volunteer Board

for their hard work, time and effort.

Attendance

Apology

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CEO Report - Greg Owens July 2016-June 2017

It has been a year of change at NT Farmers. In April, our CEO, Shenal

Basnayake, left to take up a senior position with the NSW Government Local

Land Services. Later in 2017 Samantha Tocknell, NTFA VegNet Officer, also

took up a government position this time with the NT Environmental

Protection Agency (NTEPA). NT Farmers would like to thank both for their

valuable contributions to the association and the NT Horticultural Industry.

The 2nd Northern Australian Food Futures Conference held at Darwin

Convention Centre in July 2016 was voted the Best Government or Association conference at the National

conventions awards in 2017. The event was a huge success with very positive feedback from presenters and

participants. This was followed with Food Futures roadshows. The Alice Springs roadshows in March

resulted in the formation of the Centralian Growers Group. The roadshow in Katherine in July 2017 acted

as a prelude to the NTG Big Rivers Agribusiness Strategy by allowing the farmers and community leaders

to share their views on how Agribusiness should play a pivotal role in the economic development of the

region.

The Association was very active in providing advice on policy to the NT and Federal Governments. The 1-

year Seasonal Worker Pilot project at NT Farmers identified many bureaucratic issues with the program

and while it provided seasonal labour at varying satisfaction levels to farmers across the NT, it is still only

part of the answer. NTFA had subsequent meetings with migration and employment officials and

politicians to lobby for improvements in these labour supply programs. Progress in this area is very slow

and NTFA has joined a consortium of National Agriculture and Horticulture Peak bodies to lobby for

improvements in the Seasonal Worker Program and to advocate for a separate Ag Visa to improve the

access to labour when it is needed by the farmers.

The new Gunner government has developed the NT Economic Framework. The 10 year infrastructure plan

includes some good outcomes for the production regions of the NT such as raising the height of the

Arnhem Highway across the Adelaide flood plain which will assist Marrakai growers during flood season.

The NTFA board has identified the need for a comprehensive Plant Industry Strategic development plan to

drive the expansion of the industry into new areas and cropping systems and provide the R, D & E and

infrastructure investment the industry will need over this period.

NTFA assisted many growers after the removal of the 15L/s exemption for bores in the Greater Darwin

Area and the moratorium on new bore development in the Berry Springs and other small aquifers around

Darwin. The association ran workshops for the different grower groups and provided assistance in

completing extraction license applications for current production water use. It is good to see these licenses

starting to be awarded but there will be a need for training on meeting the regulations required.

The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) demonstration plot at Coastal Plains research station was a key activity of the NT VegNet project. This was part of a wider improved pest management strategy for our vegetable growers. See the report in this publication. The association worked closely with the entomology team at DPIR and the LandCare coordinator at Territory NRM to help vegetable growers implement pest control strategies that are targeted at more sustainable production practices. This focus will continue to identify a range of IPM strategies that will improve harvestable yield and reduce chemical use.

NTFA was involved in the roll out of the Near Infra-red (NIR) technology to assess mango maturity in the field.

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This levy funded 8-month project for the 2016 season demonstrated the use of this technology to support

the when to harvest decision to ensure minimum % dry matter levels in mangoes. The magpie geese project

has generated a better understanding of the habits of these native birds in damaging mango crops.

Mitigation of the damage by the birds in the orchards remains the priority with a number of management

strategies trialled in the field with varying degrees of success and repeatability.

Biosecurity remains a huge concern for all our agricultural industries. NT Farmers has worked with

NTDPIR biosecurity, North Australian Quarantine Survey (NAQS) teams, DENR to achieve the mapping of

horticultural crops with the ACLUMP project and the CGMMV R&D project at NTDPIR. As the NT

emerges from the CGMMV, Banana Freckle and Myrtle Rust incursions it is a good time to remind farmers

that the need to be vigilant with their own on-farm biosecurity is now, before the next pest or disease is

here. This becomes more important as the industry is considering new precincts, crops and cropping

systems for the future development of NT Plant Industries.

The Association continues to deliver services to our members through our electronic and printed

communications and social media and to facilitate training programs like Farm Chemical Safety, FreshCare

and Fair Work training. NTFA coordinates the DrumMUSTER program in the NT and will be expanding

the focus to start collecting more chemical drums from farms for recycling this year. NT Farmers coordinate

and supports the preseason meetings and other critical information sessions, such as biosecurity incursion

responses. NT Farmers provides specific crop development services through Hort Innovation projects, like

the VegNet IPM program to the wider levy-paying grower community, when we are successful in winning

the tender for these projects.

The future is exciting at NT Farmers with the investment by the NT Government in 3 new Industry

Development positions at NTFA for 2017-2020. The positions include a Workforce Planning Co-ordinator in

Darwin, a Plant Industry Development Officer in Katherine and a Mango Business Industry Development

officer in Darwin. All these positions will run for 3 years and are a major investment in NTFA and the NT

Plant industries by the NT Government. These staff will be getting on farm as much as possible and need

your input to deliver the outcomes the growers and the industry need. Please contact NTFA office to

become involved in these projects.

NTFA would like to thank our Government and Industry Partners that have helped us through the year;

NTDPIR, NTDENR, HIA, the NT Vietnamese Horticulture Association, TNRM, AUSVEG, AMIA, AMA,

DAFWA, EE Muirs, Vanderfields, Landmark, CSIRO, BOM, NAB and any others I have missed. The

Territory is a small place but by working together to achieve outcomes for growers the NT Plant Industries

community can achieve a lot of great outcomes for the growers.

I would like to thank the NTFA board and the board sub-committees for their tireless work and unselfish

commitment to the time needed to oversee the running of the association. I would like to especially thank

the President, Simon Smith, who always has time to respond to multiple requests that come his way, for his

support and guidance. Lastly, none of this would have been possible without the amazing dedication and

commitment of the staff at NT Farmers. It is my pleasure to work with them and we all look forward

providing our members with the services you want in 2017-18.

Greg Owens

CEO

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Simon Smith—President

Owner/Manager, Girraween Nursery

Simon Smith is the owner/manager of The Plantsmith, a production nursery

based in Howard Springs, Northern Territory. He has 30 years experience in

plant based industries in the NT.

Simon grew up in country Victoria before graduating from Melbourne

University with a Bachelor of Science (Ecology) in 1981. A fascination with the

integration of natural and built environments led him to pursue a career in

landscaping and he completed a Landscape Technology course at Burnley

Horticultural College in 1984. Simon moved his landscaping business to Alice Springs in 1985 and opened a

retail garden centre, Inland Nursery in 1989. He also became a strong advocate for the use and preservation

of native plants serving five years on the Arid Lands Environment Centre Management Committee and nine

years on the Board of Trustees of the Olive Pink Botanic Garden, six as Chair. Simon relocated to Darwin in

late 1997 with his young family and purchased Girraween Nursery in Howard Springs. Following an

approach from Bunnings and after landscaping through a number of ‘build-ups’ and wet seasons, Simon

made the relatively easy decision to become a plant wholesaler.

In 2006 The Plantsmith was opened at a new, purpose built site to supply herbs, potted colour and

landscaping plants to the retail sector. The operation is highly automated and plants are grown free from

pesticides, fungicides and growth regulants (except organically certified). Simon has spent sixteen years as

an executive of the Nursery and Garden Industry NT (five as President). He is on the board of the Nursery

and Garden Industry of Australia and was also on the board of the Northern Territory Horticultural

Association for five years.

Simon is a strong advocate for small business, particularly within primary production and remains

passionate about the need for adopting sustainable farming practices and protecting natural ecosystems.

Your NT Farmers Board Members

Paul McLaughlin—Vice President Manager, Desert Farms

Paul McLaughlin is the owner of PMG Agriculture with his wife Rachel.

Over the last 3 years, PMG Agriculture has developed 400 hectares of land to start Australia’s largest pomegranate orchard with over 144,000 pomegranate trees planted and more to come.

Paul also manages “Desert Springs”, a 1,000 hectare property that has been developed to grow seedless watermelons. It is situated 14km off the Stuart Highway and 150km south of Tennant Creek NT.

PMG Agriculture decided to invest in the arid climate as it was thought to be perfect because it is free of fungal and bacterial diseases. In this project PMG Agriculture has developed a strong bond with the Ali Curung community and indigenous horticulture developer - Centrefarm.

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Kate Peake - Treasurer CEO, Regional Development Australia NT

Kate is a passionate advocate for the Northern Territory.

In her role as CEO of Regional Development Australia Northern Territory (RDA NT) she works with a broad range of organisations to support the sustainable development of the region. In particular she is an advocate for better water management and has been involved in multiple water allocation planning processes.

Kate is the NT recipient of the 2017 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. She was previously the Executive Officer of the Northern Territory Horticultural Association.

As a born and bred Territorian with experience across government and non-government roles Kate has a keen interest in collaborative strategies to secure a prosperous future for the region.

Han Siah — Director Owner/Manager, Tropical Primary Product Han is a local grower from Lambells Lagoon, 60km South East of Darwin. He has specialised in growing tropical fruits since 1987. His main crops are Mangoes, Durian, Jackfruit, Pomelo, Water Apple and Champadak. Han is a Nuffield Scholar researching non-lethal and cost-effective methods to control flying vermin. Han hopes to share his findings with the industry once he has concluded his research. Han is also a director on the board of the Northern Territory Mango Industry Association (NTMIA), and Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA). As a director for these groups Han is more than happy to speak to growers and bring up any concerns to these boards on your behalf.

Martina Matzner - Director

General Manager, Acacia Hills Farm

Martina Matzner is the General Manager of Acacia Hills Mango Farm.

Martina is an active member of her community and is involved in the

‘NT Sentenced to a Job’ program aiding low security prisoners to return

to society.

Martina has been working with mangoes for over 20 years. In 2016,

Martina was the NT recipient for the RIRDC Rural Women’s Award.

Martina used the award money to encourage students to consider a career

in food production.

Martina has facilitated student visits to the Acacia Hills Mango Farm and continues to work with Charles

Darwin University on Efficient Management of Water Resources on farm.

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Vin Lange - Director CEO, Centrefarm Aboriginal Horticulture Ltd

Originally from South Australia, Vin has been involved in agribusiness for thirty years working in agricultural supplies and technology transfer to broad-acre agriculture, horticulture and pastoralism, along with operational management in broad-acre agriculture and horticulture, viticulture and wine-making. Vin comes from a strong agribusiness and business development background. He has successfully created and run small, medium and large businesses in Australia and Europe.

Vin’s enduring support for and experience with traditional remote Aboriginal people gives him an understanding and skills that are utilised daily at Centrefarm Aboriginal Horticulture Ltd. He was a Centrefarm Director prior to entering the management team and his subsequent appointment as CEO. He has been instrumental in developing Centrefarm to the organisation it is today. Centrefarm is an Aboriginal-owned commercial economic development entity and the peak body for the development of viable economies on Aboriginal land in the NT. Centrefarm works across a wide range of industries whilst retaining a significant focus on primary industry.

Ruth Cormac—Director

Owner/Manager DJ & RJ Cormac Melons

After working and travelling around the world, Ruth arrived in Australia

from Canada in 1979. Together with her husband Dave, she began farming

in the Top End in 1981. They grew bananas until 1999 and Mangoes from

1983 until 2012. Since 2000 they have been growing watermelons,

pumpkins and other vegies. Ruth is an innovative farmer, who has risen

to the challenge of adapting to ongoing changing conditions, demands and

situations in the industry.

And if farming didn’t keep her busy enough, Ruth also ran a real estate business from 1981 to 2001!

Leo Skliros—Director

Owner/Manager Skliros Produce

Darwin born and bred, Leo has been growing mangoes in the family

business, for almost 30 years.

He is president of the NT Mango Industry Association and spends

considerable time promoting and developing the industry.

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Tom Harris—Director

Owner/Manager, Tomaris Tropical Fruits

Tom operates a small lime farm in the Humpty Doo region.

He is a Director of a family business that has commercial

property interests in the Darwin CBD and is currently the

Chief Executive Officer for the Extractive Industry

Association of the NT (EIA). The EIA represents the interests

of sand, gravel and quarry operators throughout the

Territory.

Prior to his current role with the EIA, Tom spent over a decade as General Manager of a Territory

based water and mineral drilling company.

Tom is the immediate past President of the NT Farmers Association and was a long-term President

of the NT Horticulture Association.

Tom is a current member of the NT Catchments Advisory Committee that provides advice to the

Minister or the Chief Executive of the Department of Land Resource Management on key water and

catchment issues in the Northern Territory.

Wayne Quach—Director

Director—Pine Creek Mango Plantation

Wayne was a refugee from the Vietnam War. He migrated to

the United States and lived in Arizona for 30 years where he ran

an IT company.

Wayne arrived in Australia in 1999 and began farming in 2003.

He has a significant presence in the mango industry, farming

25000 Kensington Pride and R2E2 trees.

Wayne has also developed a new software application program

for farm management and food supply traceability technology.

Greg Owens Chief Executive Officer

Greg started work as a teacher in Qld at a large school in Ipswich, he moved west as the Mathematics and Science teacher at Julia Creek Area School, then came to Darwin to teach Chemistry at Darwin High school in 1984. In 1987, he was the Science Faculty Senior at Taminmin High School, where he stayed for 9 years. Greg left teaching to work as a Horticulture Extension Officer in the NT Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries for 10 years.

Since then Greg has been back to science teaching several times as Science Faculty Senior and acting Assistant Principal at Taminmin College. He has completed a number of industry research and development projects and joined NT Farmers Association in 2012 as the Industry Development Manager, before being appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2017.

Greg has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Post Graduate qualifications in Teaching, Horticulture and Agricultural Extension.

Greg is passionate about horticultural agriculture and supporting the farmers who make it happen.

Aisla Connolly Workforce Planning Coordinator

Aisla joined NT Farmers in August 2016 to implement the Seasonal Worker Program Pilot Project. She is qualified in Human Resources Management and Community Engagement, Aisla’s dedication and commitment to her job and the members is evident in everything she does. Aisla comes to us from the Litchfield Council where she worked for over five years in several different roles. The Council has given her a solid background and understanding of government processes. Aisla is also a small business owner which means she understands the wide ranging tasks required of our members and compliance with the various legislation affecting NT businesses. The pilot scheme was funded until 30th June 2017. We were pleased to re-employ Aisla in November 2017 in the capacity of Workforce Planning Coordinator to develop the industry as an Employer of Choice. Aisla will be surveying growers to gain valuable data that will contribute to a Workforce Development Plan for the industry.

Your NT Farmers Association Staff

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Trish McInnes Financial Services Officer

Trish has been overseeing the finances of the NT Farmers Association since it was formed in 2012.

Prior to that she worked for the NT Horticultural Association, which amalgamated with the NT Agricultural Association to form NT Farmers.

Trish provides NT Farmers with the full suite of bookkeeping related services, as well as overseeing the financial management and reporting related to NT Farmers’ many externally funded projects. Her experience extends beyond pure bookkeeping to many other administrative duties, particularly due to her broad industry relationships and her knowledge of the organisations past.

Trish has been a resident of Darwin’s rural area for over 20 years. She has a strong commitment to the region, especially to the producers.

Robyn Purtill Administration Manager

Robyn grew up on a mixed farming property in South Australia.

She came to the Northern Territory in 1986 where she worked on a remote cattle station before moving into Alice Springs. She relocated to the Darwin area in 1990 and has lived in the rural area for over 20 years.

Robyn is very involved with the NT equestrian community and spends most of her spare time competing or training her horses.

Robyn comes from a strong administration background and has worked in the real estate, finance, insurance and education sectors.

Laura Cunningham Industry Development Officer

Laura grew up involved with the family cattle property on the Mornington Peninsula. She furthered her agricultural and horticultural knowledge by working in the livestock industry where she gained valuable experience in general farm work, pastures and pasture renovation, animal husbandry, cattle selection and sales.

She has been in the Northern Territory for the last six years and has worked in merchandise and rural operations management.

Laura is passionate about all facets of the agricultural industry and is keen to apply her knowledge and experience to the IDO role.

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Coastal Plains VegNet 15044 IPM Demo Block 2017

The first year of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) demonstration block at Coastal Plains Research Farm with the

cycle getting ready to start again. A wet season green manure crop of forage sorghum will be planted, where the vege-

table crops were, as soon as weather permits. The harvest data collected indicated that there was a slight advantage in

yield for the IPM Okra up until the end of the first set of production. Both the IPM and conventional block struggled

with powdery mildew which reduced yield on both okra plantings. Each row was sampled weekly by entomologists

from NT DPIR for a full range of pest and beneficial insects, spiders and mites.

The 22% increase in yield was mainly due to the more rapid early growth of the IPM okra rows which may have been

an irrigation or fertigation effect. Next season the treatments will swap sides to check this. What was important was

that there was no loss of production using IPM techniques.

The aphid population was the most notable difference between the IPM and conventional okra crops. The population

of aphids in the IPM crop was always very low and so was the damage to the leaves. There was a range of aphid and

general beneficial insect present on every plant for the entire harvest.

In the conventional block, the plants were sprayed weekly with registered insecticides for caterpillars and other pests.

This resulted in a high aphid population and low numbers of beneficial insects and spiders.

Okra (kg) IPM Conventional Difference % Diff

Total 101 83 18 22%

Your Levy money

working for you...

Continued...

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Coastal Plains VegNet IPM Demo Block 2017 page 2

In snake beans it was the 2-spotted mite that caused the greatest damage to the crop. These mites destroy the underside

of the leaf when feeding. When in large numbers the leaves are severely damaged. These photos were taken one week

before the end of the 2017 harvest. Note the conventional block of beans were almost completely leafless and had

stopped producing. The IPM beans were still producing substantial crop and could have been harvested for another

month as the predator mites and other beneficials kept the problem mite population in check.

Figure 1 IPM snake beans 18 September 2017 Figure 2 Conventional snake beans 18 September 2017

This is seen in the harvest data below. The decline in production from the time the mite numbers exploded week 6 in

the conventional block. The yields there decreased until week 13 when these rows could produce no more beans. Con-

ventional miticides, like Arcamite, were applied but only slowed the eventual destruction of the conventional beans.

This almost 60% increase, or extra 72 kgs, in bean yield for the IPM treatment all came after the mites flushed on the

conventional beans.

There are many more components to the IPM strategies that need to be addressed in 2018. The system needs to better

control:- bean fly, green vegetable bug, mealy bug, nematodes and powdery mildew.

Thanks to our partners at NTDPIR Entomology and Coastal Plains Research farm and Territory NRM.

Check the VegNet calendar and NT Farmers e-news for next seasons field days and workshops. For more information

contact your VegNet officer Laura Cunningham at NT Farmers on 08 8983 3233.

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Workforce Planning Coordinator (WPC) Annual Report Seasonal Worker Program Pilot Project 2016/2017

The NT Government, Department of Trade, Business and Innovation funded the project to increase the uptake of the Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) within the NT, with a key focus on developing the access to labour from Timor Leste. Aisla Connolly, Workforce Planning Coordinator commenced in August 2016, engaging with both NT Farmers Association (NTFA) members and the Australian Hotels Association of the NT (AHANT) members, using various means of communication. Five hospitality employers and ten horticulture businesses from across the NT were case managed; informed, consulted and supported throughout the Pilot Project. A Farmers Forum held in Katherine on 22 February regarding the Seasonal Worker Program Pilot Project was well attended and produced many recommendations for improvements. The Workforce Planning Coordinator has gathered feedback from Employers and advocated for change to the Government, including using the media to get the message from the Northern Territory to Canberra. A roadshow of Information Sessions was held from Alice Springs on 27 March to Darwin on 31 March, including Katherine and Batchelor. The final Information Session in Coolalinga on 31 March was well attended, with 40 Farmers who were interested to learn of the various Business Assistance Programs available to them, the various visa options to sponsor foreign workers and the Seasonal Worker Program. The Timor Leste Assistant Labour Attaché presented information on the Timorese seasonal workers. Since that event seven Farmers contacted the Workforce Planning Coordinator asking if they could apply to be an approved employer of the program. Unfortunately, three of those were sole traders which are not eligible. The Workforce Planning Coordinator attended the Labour Mobility Assistance Program, Reference Group Meeting in Melbourne from 26 to 28 May. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Labour Sending Countries and various stakeholders were present. Feedback on the SWP from NT Employers was provided to the Government Department. Two NT businesses applied to become a Seasonal Worker Program Approved Employer prior to the project commencement. Their experience after almost two years is that the application process has been delayed with unnecessary to and froing with documents, photos and questioning. The process could have been timelier if the Department of Employment provided all the questions in one step rather than several. Without funding, the Workforce Planning Coordinator position will not be available to members, therefore members will not receive assistance with on-arrival briefings, case management during employment and pre-departure briefings. The hospitality industry did not utilise the Seasonal Worker Program, instead accessed a visa option which (currently) has less requirements. An increase in seasonal workers of 33% was recorded in the Northern Territory horticulture industry over the pilot project period (twelve months). This included a 58% increase in Timor Leste seasonal workers. F urther increases are expected during the 2017/2018 year. Other Labour Issues The Workforce Planning Coordinator role has also assisted our members with various workplace relations, human resource, payroll and industrial relations queries. The following legislation change which affects our members as Employers within the horticulture industry is being closely monitored to provide accurate and timely information. The 18 April announcement from the Federal Government to abolish and replace the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457 visa) with a completely new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, implementation of these reforms will begin immediately and end in March 2018. Some of the changes indicate the Governments position on the following

• Labour market testing (mandatory)

• English language requirements (tightened)

These items are noted as they are also Seasonal Worker Program requirements, which our members have requested be removed or relaxed. Therefore, the NTFA must consider the Governments position when liaising between members.

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NT Farmers July 2016—June 2017

We have travelled

over 179 hours on

planes

We have travelled

over 93,000 km by

road in the NT

We have produced

6 bi-monthly news-

letters and 38

ENews publica-

184 Farm Visits

479 Events held or

attended by the NT

Farmers Team

8 Training courses

were held for over

100 people

We have increased

Facebook likes by

309 to 886 followers

We have travelled

to 34 different

regions to service

our growers needs

We have increased

our Twitter follow-

ers by 441 to 1091

3 projects were

completed at a

value of

$1,306,558

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NT Farming Production 2016/17

NT Agricultural production statistics GVP $million

$0 $5m $10m $15m $20m $30m $40m $50m $60m $70m $80m $90m

Mango

Value $88.3 million

Tonnes 29,700

Area 6250ha

Asian Vegetables

Value $38.4 million

Tonnes 9400

Area 1000ha

Melon

Value $50.3 million

Tonnes 56,400

Area 1300ha

Grapes

Value $8 million

Tonnes 1800

Area 150 ha

Other Crops

Value $17.7 million

Tonnes 4500

Area 220 ha

NT Markets

Value 7.8 million

Tonnes 2000

Area 200ha

Other Vegetables

Value $5.5 million

Tonnes 3700

Area 110ha

Nursery & Turf

Value 17.7 million

A total of $253 million

of produce was grown

in the NT in 2016

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25% Darwin

67%

Katherine

7%

Central Australia

Estimated 46,900 tonnes

Estimated 124,200 tonnes

Estimated 13,400 tonnes

Total value of produce grown in the NT:

2016 - $253 million

2015 - $244 million

1980 - $ zero!

Total tonnage produced:

184,000 tonnes

104,500 from horticulture

80,000 from grain crops and hay production

Total estimated farming area:

9250 ha irrigated horticulture and 20,000 ha of grain and rain fed hay

Almost all the 104,500 tonnes of horticulture is sold interstate

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During 2016/17, Farmers in the NT injected approximately

$188 million in to local goods and services

Farmers grow more than your food!

4300 people

employed

5000 transport vans/year sent

interstate

Up to 245 vans per

week transport

produce

2 Mangoes per person

in Australia were eaten (approximately)

1 watermelon for every person in Australia was sold (approximately)

$90.5 million

Spent in wages

51,000 tonnes of

watermelons

grown

3.7 million NT made

mango trays used

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Disclaimer This Annual Report and Accounts contains general information about Northern Territory Farmers Association Incorpo-rated and is intended for informational purposes only. Any reliance placed on this Annual Report and Accounts is done entirely at the risk of the person placing such reliance. The content of this Annual Report & Accounts is a summary only. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and regulation, Northern Territory Farmers Association In-corporated disclaims all representations, warranties, conditions and guarantees, whether express, implied, statutory or of other kind, nor does it accept any duty to any person, in connection with this Annual Report & Accounts. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, Northern Territory Farmers Association Incorporated does not warrant or represent that the information or opinions contained in this Annual Report & Accounts is accurate or complete. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and regulation, Northern Territory Farmers Association Incorporated shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, howsoever arising, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise, for direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, puni-tive or special damages arising out of or in connection with this Annual Report & Accounts, including (without limita-tion) any course of action taken on the basis of the same. The non-financial statistical information in this Annual Re-port & Accounts are based upon past and/or current data and information obtained by Northern Territory Farmers As-sociation Incorporated through the services of a third party consultant and are subject to change without notice.

CONTACT US

General Enquiries

T: (08) 89833233

E: info@ntfarmers.org.au

Main Office

Northern Territory Farmers Association Inc (NT Farmers)

Shop 15A Coolalinga Shopping Centre

460 Stuart Hwy, Coolalinga 0839

City Office

The Northern Australia Development Office

Ground Floor, Development House

76 The Esplanade, Darwin 0800

Postal Address

PO Box 748

Coolalinga 0839

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