Tag: Coronavirus

COULD regional Victorian meat processors that have avoided COVID-19 outbreaks this year be offered a different deal to the state-wide workforce cuts being applied over the next six weeks? Deakin University epidemiology chair Professor Catherine Bennett thinks so…. Source: Sheep Central Pre-shift COVID-19 testing could maximise regional meat worker jobs

A pork producer says interest in on-farm meat processing has increased since the coronavirus pandemic. Source: ABC Livestock Coronavirus concerns prompt interest in on-farm meat processing

While many agribusinesses held off making key staff appointments during the early stages of COVID-19 over the April-May period due to uncertainty, there is now renewed interest in moving forward, Agricultural Appointments’ Dr Ray Johnson suggests Source: Beef Central Recruitment: Ag appointments slow during early COVID stage, but now in recovery

VICTORIAN Premier Daniel Andrews today indicated the State Government was working on tailoring its required workforce cuts to different meat processing sectors under new Stage Four COVID-19 restrictions. Source: Sheep Central Victorian meat processor workforce COVID-19 cuts to vary

VICTORIAN meat processors were today reorganising to meet and clarify new Stage Four COVID-19 lockdown restrictions that will mean cuts to their workforces by a third of daily peak production capacity levels. Source: Sheep Central Victorian abattoirs move to clarify new COVID-19 workforce rule

VICTORIAN meat processors were today reorganising to meet and clarify new Stage Four COVID-19 lockdown restrictions that will mean cuts to their workforces by a third of daily peak production capacity levels. Source: Beef Central What do Victoria’s new COVID regulations mean for meat processing?

Agricultural food production and the farm machinery sector will continue to operate relatively normally under the strict, new COVID-19 restrictions imposed on Melbourne and regional Victoria this week. Source: Grain Central ‘Essential’ farm machinery, ag production carry on under Victorian COVID lockdown

MEAT & Livestock Australia has announced its annual Red Meat event will not take place this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. Source: Sheep Central MLA cancels Red Meat 2020 event due to COVID-19

WEST Melbourne sheep, goat and calf processor Cedar Meats has been forced to close for second time to this year due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Source: Sheep Central COVID-19 case forces second closure of Cedar Meats abattoir

Major food supply chain partners Coles and JBS Australia gave some insights into the problems and solutions found in red meat supply onto the domestic market during recent COVID-19 challenges during a webinar hosted by the Food Agility CRC this week.  Source: Beef Central COVID lessons helping make food supply chains more resilient

Victoria’s largest meat processing facility – JBS Australia’s Brooklyn abattoir – is gradually returning to full production after suffering a COVID-19 outbreak about three weeks ago. Source: Beef Central JBS Brooklyn returns to work

You used to be able to smell Melbourne’s meatworks before you could see them. Now, linked to almost 300 coronavirus cases, the abattoirs are on the nose once again. Source: ABC Livestock The ‘domino effect’ in Victoria’s meat industry pushing COVID case numbers higher

Victorian meat processor Midfield appears to have avoided any spread of COVID-19 to its Warrnambool abattoir after resuming operations yesterday. Source: Beef Central Victoria’s Midfield plant back at work after precautionary COVID closure

AUSTRALIA’S peak doctor body has called for a national approach to face mask use in the community, including for meat processors, as the second wave of COVID-19 infections continue to rise nationally. Source: Sheep Central Australian Medical Association seeks national face mask approach

WARRNAMBOOL meat processor Midfield has opted to stay closed to protect its community, despite 300 of about 900 workers returning negative COVID-19 test results today. Source: Sheep Central Midfield plant stays closed as 300 workers are cleared for COVID-19

Victorian sheepmeat processor, the Australian Lamb Company, has been forced to close for at least two weeks as  testing confirms eight COVID-19 positive cases among employees. And Warrnambool-based beef and sheeepmeat processor Midfield Meat International has also closed as a precaution, despite having recorded no positive COVID-19 cases. Source: Beef Central Two more Victorian… Read more »

COVID-19 cases in two Melbourne meat processing plants increased again this week, with Victoria reporting its highest daily increase in coronavirus cases. Source: Sheep Central New Victorian meat plant COVID-19 cases add to daily peak

AUSTRALIAN farmers are taking full advantage of low global fertiliser prices, but Rabobank has warned that COVID-19 had amplified the risk of isolated shortages and resulting price increases. Source: Sheep Central Fertiliser prices staying low, but COVID-19 supply warning

RAIN, a good growing season since March, and the ability to adapt quickly are all major factors which have helped the Australian agribusiness sector remain resilient through the first four months of COVID-19, recruitment and HR consultant Rimfire Resources says. Source: Sheep Central Recruitment: Tracking COVID’s impact on Australian ag employment

Rain, a good growing season since March, and the ability to adapt quickly are all major factors which have helped the Australian agribusiness sector remain resilient through the first four months of COVID-19, recruitment and HR consultant Rimfire Resources says. Source: Beef Central Recruitment: Tracking COVID’s impact on Australian agribusiness employment

Australian agribusiness is faring well in the COVID-19 crisis with only 5pc of agribusinesses making redundancies since March, compared with 24pc of businesses across all industries. Source: Grain Central Recruitment: Tracking COVID’s impact on Australian agribusiness employment

VICTORIA’S Department of Health and Human Service has reported no further COVID-19 infections at the two Melbourne meat plants impacted by confirmed cases this week. The DHHS reported on Monday… Source: Sheep Central No further COVID-19 cases at Melbourne meat plants

Victorian farmers, tradies and students living near the eastern-most border of Melbourne’s lockdown say they are stuck in limbo, not knowing whether they can make deliveries or collect essential supplies from the affected area. Source: ABC Livestock Melbourne lockdown catches tradies, farmers and students living on the city fringe

Two Victorian meat processing facilities have had a staffmember test positive for coronavirus on the weekend, the Victorian Government health department has advised. Pacific Meat, a multi-species boning room at Thomastown, and JBS Australia’s large Brooklyn processing facility have each recorded a single case of COVID-19 among staff. Source: Beef Central Two Victorian meat… Read more »

Encouraging statistics are emerging suggesting the food service sector (hotels, restaurants, cafés and catering) is getting back on its feet after COVID-19 closures. Source: Beef Central Food service ‘slowly stirring’ after three month COVID slumber

One of Australia’s largest agricultural exhibitions is called off amid uncertainty over how the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions will pan out. Source: ABC Livestock Henty field days cancelled for first time since 1970s

COVID-19 outbreaks on cruise ships earlier this year have left the Australian public quite understandably concerned about ocean going vessels as one of the most serious threats for future infections. But, as Ross Ainsworth writes from on board the Ocean Shearer this week, in the case of cargo vessels including livestock carriers, the reverse is… Read more »

Uncertainty about the impacts of COVID-19 has taken the gloss off farmer confidence, but positive seasonal conditions and solid commodity prices in most sectors are keeping farmers’ spirits up. Source: Grain Central Confidence dips, but farmers stay positive in face of COVID uncertainty: Rabobank

Australia’s food service sector is showing the first green shoots of recovery after being pole-axed by restaurant, hotel, café, conference and resort closures over the COVID-19 closure period. Source: Beef Central Food service sector starts on long, slow road to recovery

The big change in the workplace post-COVID-19 will come from how we communicate. This is the heart of success or failure. This means overcoming one of the great barriers: a lack of trust. Source: Grain Central Recruitment: Effectively managing remote staff during COVID-19

Scientists warn that far-reaching changes to the environment are leading to new diseases like COVID-19 emerging faster than ever before. And they say something needs to change if we want to prevent the next pandemic. Source: ABC Livestock ‘A question of when, not if’: Another pandemic is coming – and sooner than we think

Managing remote teams, such as during the COVID-19 era, requires a different mindset by leaders, says The Right Mind’s David Hanlon. “When done effectively, it is very rewarding for both leaders and team members. As we enter the world of increased remoteness, organisations who adapt to the new leadership style and have the discipline to… Read more »

Managing remote teams, such as during the COVID-19 era, requires a different mindset by leaders, says The Right Mind’s David Hanlon. “When done effectively, it is very rewarding for both leaders and team members. As we enter the world of increased remoteness, organisations who adapt to the new leadership style and have the discipline to… Read more »

Many sectors of agriculture have operated for several decades under a market where demand for a wide range of skills has exceeded supply. But what implications can we expect due to the rise in national unemployment attributed to coronavirus? Source: Sheep Central Recruitment: Beyond COVID-19 – Will there continue to be a shortfall of… Read more »