Fast Five: All the hottest news in ag

Agricultural industries crying out for workers may have finally been given a solution with the federal government announcing the "biggest structural change to our agricultural workforce in our nation's history".

Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud says the new Ag Visa system, which will bring in overseas workers and encourage migration to regional areas, will provide a steady stream of workers.

The federal Labor government has dubbed the move too little, too late, saying it could suppress wage growth.

However industry groups say this will aid food security and solve the issues of food rotting on the ground or tree because of not enough workers.

Premier Dan Andrews says the plan remains a "fantasy" unless more provisions are given to providing enough quarantine facilities to make it happen.

"If you (the federal government) know of some unlimited quarantine facility somewhere, please let me know about it and we will be sure to use it," he said.

"This sort of grandstanding achieves nothing, nothing at all - it's just words."

The processing industry has warned against the possible impacts of a forced reduction in capacity at facilities across the state in the wake of lockdowns.

Australian Meat Industry Council chief executive Patrick Hutchinson has slammed the decision, saying it was made without any input from industry or understanding of how the sector works.

"The best health advice doesn't take any consideration, at all, of industry advice," he said.

Facilities have been forced to reduce their staffing numbers by as much as 20 per cent to fit in with the new guidelines.

The industry was already hit hard last by COVID, with workers among those early in line for vaccinations.

Shearing sheds are another area that could potentially be facing difficulties in moving about during lockdown, with the Australian Workers' Union saying shearers were being put at risk by a lack of COVID-safe measures.

But industry insiders say there have been plenty of steps put in place to protect staff, including QR codes at the shed door.

Wool producers say it's vital staff are kept healthy due to concerns of more shearer shortages again this year.

North of the border, one shearing team was supported with a team from the Royal Flying Doctor Service providing on-site vaccinations within the shed.

A new report on the governance of wool body Australian Wool Innovation has said while there has been improvement, there was still more to go, to meet woolgrower expectations.

Among the things considered were board culture, which the report says had experienced significant improvements since 2019, but "external perception lags behind the improvements".

This report comes just weeks before the WoolPoll vote to determine the levy for AWI going forward.

Industry group WoolProducers has released its recommendation to voters, pushing for a 1.5 per cent levy.

WoolProducers' Ed Storey says AWI information shows that should be sufficient for the company to continue its operations.

A survey of woolgrowers has showed there are a range of opinions from industry members about what the right path might be.

This 1.5pc could also be boosted along by a predicted increase in wool production in the coming year.

Within Victoria, production is forecast to grow by 6pc, year-on-year, for the 2021-22 season on the back of better weather conditions in key areas.

It's been a wild ride in the property market of late, with a number of district records set, astounding those about.

But what's driving this lift and will it continue?

Veteran real estate agent Jim Barham of Elders Stawell said while a combination of low interest rates, good seasons and a bright outlook for agriculture was the driver, there was another factor.

"People are starting to realise they are not making new land anymore," he said.

It's not just farmland experiencing the boost, with regional property rates also jumping - as much as 60pc in some cases.

But while Australian prices are continuing their stratospheric climb, by international standards, local land is still pretty cheap.

That fact may not be too reassuring to those trying to get a foothold on the market, however there are other options available with one bank saying a substantial percentage of their clients have made use of lease land to build their operations.

Sometimes, taking on an unusual approach is the best way to get where you want to go, as this family found.

But if you do have some spare change, a new property has hit the market for the first time if 70 years. The north-west Victorian aggregation is expected to reach $7.5 million to $8m.