ALTHOUGH WINTER MAKES US FELL LIKE STAYING INSIDE LOOK HOW GORGEOUS IT IS IF YOU VENTURE OUT!

Pictured above is ‘Railton Frost’, courtesy of Tourism Tasmania and Kelly Slater. Isn’t it just stunning.

This edition we’ve got some great stories that won’t make you feel guilty, taking some time out to read. Curl up in front of the fire and enjoy Kevin Langmaid’s insight into Free Trade Agreements and read and participate in our discussion about a change in certification of seed.

We’ll also introduce you to Sharon Upston from our cutting team.
For these stories and more please read on. The team at Cherry Hill Coolstores


IN THIS ISSUE

Season Report
A Slice of Life at CHC
Free Trade Agreements
open Discussion

Read on for these great articles and much more…


SEASON REPORT

Well, hasn’t Mother Nature been keeping us busy!

Seed growers were affected by heavy rains earlier this year, in January. Recent weather in June saw flooding through the Mersey Valley – we certainly feel the pain of dairy and beef farmers, with huge losses of both infrastructure and livestock. Our hearts go out to all those affected.

If there are any flood-related issues that you believe we could assist with, we would gladly offer help to anyone in need of our expertise.

At the coolstore, our cutting is already underway to ease the foreseen cutting pressures of springtime, and early observations are looking good.

Due to the high level of rain and recent flooding, there’s been a reduction in seed quality and some seed rejected for soft rot and nematode, which was to be expected.

Seed allocations are in progress, and you can talk to the coolstore team about the scheduling of your cutting.

Best wishes, Brenden, Andrew, Pam, and the team at Cherry Hill Coolstores.


CHERRY HILL COOLSTORES SEED GUARANTEE

Our Seed Management Services. Cherry Hill Coolstores will guarantee our services on Seed Growers seed. If you buy someone else’s certified seed, which is presented to Cherry Hill in good condition, and it breaks down, we will replace our cutting and services at no charge.

This guarantee specifically refers to seed piece breakdown (i.e. rot), and refers to seed which is delivered directly to Cherry Hill Coolstores from the seed paddock for chemical application, coolstoring and cutting. In order for this guarantee to be valid, the Buyer must make claims within 24-hours of the seed leaving Cherry Hill Coolstores and before planting.

In order for this guarantee to be valid, the buyer must make claims with 24 hours of the seed leaving Cherry Hill and before planting.

View more about our guarantee here.


A SLICE OF LIFE AT CHERRY HILL

This edition, we chat to another member of our cutting team, the lovely Sharon Upston:

It’s been nine or 10 seasons now since we’ve had the pleasure of Sharon walking through our doors. She started way back when we still had morning and afternoon shifts. Sharon recalls when we use to have two lots of different shifts and roles. Now the girls are across every part of the cutting process and simply rotate between different work stations.

Sharon is one of the team on the cutting shed who performs all the major tasks on the trimming line: first stage grading and cutting, the second stage check and ‘last look’ – the final size check. A typical day includes all these three stations followed by clean up at the end of the day.

Outside of our cutting season, Sharon works down the road! Now into her eighth season with Sun Pharma Poppies (previously GlaxoSmithKline).
Born and bred in Railton, Sharon now lives close by in Latrobe. Her interests include gardening and keeping in touch with her beloved family who now live in Sydney and Brisbane. Sharon has two children and three grandchildren who are extremely important to her.

Read more about our staff here …


TESTIMONIAL … “UP THERE WITH THE BEST”

“I’ve been growing potatoes for 45 years and have known Andrew and Pam for 25-30 of these. For the past two years Cherry Hill have been responsible for storing our seed potatoes for McCains, and I’ve got to say they’re right up there with the best in the industry.

The quality control and follow up services are excellent and they always answer any queries we have.

At the start of our relationship I was shown around the coolstores to see how my seed would be managed and this was brilliant. Brenden is great to deal with and very co-operative. If we ever need out of hours service (which we have done) he has always accommodated us, which is really helpful.

Cherry Hill have also shown great support by always attending and participating in our Simplot Seed Field Days, which we appreciate and value.”

Graham Lette – Wingaroo Property, Waterhouse (in conjunction with Noel and Yvonne Gerke)

View more of our testimonials here.


THE HIGHS AND LOWSFREE TRADE AGREEMENTS

Kevin Langmaid discusses the opportunities and difficulties, that face our industry regarding Free Trade Agreements.

Australia has four free trade agreements in place – with China, Japan, Korea and Trans-Pacific.

Our Government says that this could open up future opportunities for our local agricultural industry, for all types of farming. l have no doubt this is correct, however we will need some passionate, hard working food producers, to do the basic research necessary, in order to export their product to other countries – of course, this will take a large amount of time and investment. Firstly, you’ll need to be able to communicate and understand with certainty, what part of the market you need to be targeting your product to. Secondly, understand how that market would like your product packaged, and if you can find suitable transport, etc.

This initial research may take 1-2 years before the first consignments – with time and investment being very important and, not to mention (most critical), your front contact person. Like any business, this role becomes doubly important when exporting to a foreign country.

Will this opportunity help the potato industry?

Well yes, either indirectly or even better directly, regardless of whether the potatoes are processed and packaged here first or delivered fresh.

So who is going to travel overseas and find out which markets would be interested in our potato products, and how we would present our spuds to them? Maybe we can learn something from the carrot or onion industries, where there’s already a precedence.

l believe it was Tasmanian companies who founded these export markets for wider Australia, plus much experience in our fruit export industry which has had great success.

So … who is going to lead the potato charge?

We need to research the possible markets and find a niche for potato products. Trade start-ups are full of pitfalls and traps, unless all possibilities are planned for – and we don’t need any nasty surprises or export setbacks.

It is most likely that we will need to develop new potato products, as it will be hard to compete with Asia’s staple diet of rice, but we can aim to supplement it – particularly in trendy restaurants and take-away stores.

This venture is so attractive to us, because we only need a small percentage of any international market, to substantially grow and benefit our local industry.

For more information Australia’s Free Trade Agreements visit their website here

Kevin is now retired, however can regularly be found out at the Cherry Hill Coolstores. He lives in East Devonport and would describe himself as very happily retired with still a key interest in Cherry Hill. Andrew regularly refers to Kevin for his advice and opinions.


AN OPEN DISCUSSION

We’d like to open a discussion to the wider potato community, about an industry move for the certification of seed to be determined from its ‘weight in grams’, to a ‘millimetre diameter measurement’ system instead.

Currently, the Australia-wide certification is based on a specific millimetre measurement – and Tasmania currently is an exception to this certification process, for our ‘weight in grams’ certification. Early discussions have begun with growers, to discuss if an alignment to mainland Australia is viable, and also how to address the differing needs for growers of all seed varieties.

The latest technology and equipment that is readily available, is designed for the ‘millimetre measurement’ certification practices.

At Cherry Hill, we’re in the process of ordering a new piece of equipment. It’s the latest technology in seed intake machinery, and it will be in place for your 2017 harvest. It has the ability to size seed during the intake process. There will be more information on this amazing new piece of machinery in our next issue.

But for now, we’d love to hear your opinion on a move from the certification of seed – from weight in grams to a millimetre/diameter measurement instead. Let’s all talk about the parameters and what everyone believes would be the most acceptable system for the future.

Call us on (03) 6426 1590 or email your thoughts through to admin@cherryhillcoolstore.net.au.

Pictured left:

Main – diagram of the new equipment which enables us to grade and size your seed at the same time.

Inset left: our new 160o tipping machine.

Inset right: one of three new conveyors.

 


IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please note that some months ago we changed banks to the ANZ (a few customers have still been using our old details so please update your records as we now have new banking details).

Please note these are now:
BSB 017 536 Account no. 3972 26402


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THIS EDITION’S APPEALING POTATOES


WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

P: (03) 6426 1590
F: (03) 6426 2464
E: admin@cherryhill.net.au
Visit our website www.cherryhillcoolstores.net.au