Everything is processing well across all sites in the lead up to harvest.
Pest and nutritional programs, general housekeeping, and final preparations in the picking sheds are on track. The maturation from burr to cones is a welcome sight, and rapidly progressing.
The wet, late Spring that was forecast did not eventuate. Victoria is currently experiencing prolonged heatwave conditions. Although Tasmania experienced a wet start to the season, the weather has returned to a near normal pattern.
As expected, growing degree days are tracking above average due to the current heatwave conditions. This trend, along with pressure on water sources, might lead us into a slightly earlier harvest date.
Soil remediation on areas identified for crop rotation and replanting has been completed, and both hops and cover crops are looking healthy. We have applied cover crop extraction and removal trials for the first time this Summer to draw down some of the elements from our root zones in problematic areas.
We have completed the reviews of our harvest-related procedures, and have received great feedback on farm staff resourcing. The processing, screening and confirmation of casual harvest employees is well underway.
The commissioning of Hop Central is now in the final stages. Infrastructure around the complex is finishing with laying asphalt in the carpark and on the access roads. The Victorian-based farm admin team have now relocated to Hop Central, and the finishing touches of brand graphics in the entry space are looking fantastic and ready to welcome our brewing customers for harvest tours.
