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Time is flying already! It’s hard to believe that we are already through the initial month of 2022.
In continuing on from last year’s mass staff shortages, it looks as though the postponement of the Western Australia hard border opening is going to continue to be felt for farmers across the region. For many of you, this means seasonal recruitment is starting early. Gavin and I have spoken to many of you about developing your Business Game Plan Strategy, and different options to consider in terms of your Business Operations Plan. Feel free to contact me if you’d like to discuss this with us further.
Over the past couple of months, concerns regarding the high costs of inputs this financial year, particularly fertiliser, has been a large concern. Whilst the contracted supply of fertiliser is predicted to be fulfilled by CBH, (good news for many of us), prices are certainly putting a dent in the 2021 harvest proceeds. On the upside, inputs such as fertiliser costs form a vital part of your 2022 tax planning. However, it’s certainly a shame that the hard work and effort involved in the recent harvest can’t be used to reduce debt and further invest in infrastructure, rather than going on inputs.
Is your farm off the grid? Or are you considering it? Priscilla Davies of Horizon Power recently presented at the Esperance Organised Primary Producers Annual General Meeting regarding this topic, as more farms go off the grid in and around Esperance. Whilst there were some teething problems, they seem to be improving the systems exponentially with the help of McGowan Government’s Recovery Plan.
Take care,
2nd February 2022
It was the announcement no one could escape and one that is having a major impact, for people living in WA and those wanting to travel here for various reasons.
Despite promising for months that WA would open to the rest of the country, and indeed the world, on Saturday, February 5, Premier Mark McGowan went back on his word and last week said it wouldn't be happening and gave no hint of when it might.
For some who were concerned about the number of cases of Omicron on the east coast, it provided a sense of relief, but for others it caused nothing but frustration as plans to see family and friends were once again thrown into disarray.
After entering the fertiliser game in 2015, CBH Group has taken its biggest step so far after officially breaking ground on its own storage facility, next to the Kwinana Grain Terminal, last week.
The 70,000 square metre development, which is being completed by Kerman Contracting and estimated to cost $55 million, is set to include the construction of about 55,000 tonnes of granular fertiliser storage in a new warehouse and 32,000t of liquid fertiliser or Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN) storage in two 16,000t tanks.
...Unsurprisingly, it has been a challenging three of four months for the CBH fertiliser business, and the fertiliser industry as a whole, with skyrocketing prices and availability of supply both wreaking havoc on the market.
Nineteen standalone power system (SPS) units have been completed in the Esperance region, resulting in several commercial farms going off grid in Beaumont and Mount Ney.
They are the first of 45 SPS units to be installed in the area, with the other 26 to be operational by March 2022.
Horizon Power and its joint venture partner Boundary Power will deliver the $10 million SPS rollout, funded by the McGowan Government's WA Recovery Plan.
The units are powered by solar panels and battery storage, and include back-up diesel generation, which deliver safer, cleaner, and more reliable power.
Each one can be remotely monitored and controlled, with maintenance conducted by local crews.
If you have any questions for me, or would like me to address a topic specifically, please email me directly at melissa@smithshearer.com.au. Alternatively, complete the form below and I'll be in contact.
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