Butch,
I do not think we will come anywhere near the food production required, let alone the additional problems you correctly identify.

No doubt countries such as Aus will donate much to those in need, however there will still be waste of perishable food that cannot be delivered. Where is the government to get the money to pay farmers for the surplus that is now wasted.

I have friends in Sydney who's kids raised Guineia Pigs and they went and collected the discards from their greengrocer each afternoon. the ammount thrown out is unbelieveable. Small blemishes on a few meant the whole box was thrown as unsaleable.

You are right the food waste here is incredible, but how to get that to those in need. The amount of bread thrown daily is astounding.

Our economy is such that this food cannot be utilized. more the pity.

When I was young the local pig farmers used to collect the slops from cafes, etc. but no more. Health reasons were used to stop that.

Our waste is getting a huge problem. I hate wasting food or other material that can be utilized.

rehctub,
Said "I have said for years that if governmets provided a guarantee to farmers, whereby they guarantee to get their costs back, where the sell price is less than production, a common problem, then, this food, most of which is left to rot in the paddock, could be sent to the needy, as part of our foriegn aid."

Governments once had quota system to ensure supply on some foods with quaranteed prices but they removed the system to open markets and lower prices which closed most quota farms.

Banyo, the costs associated with the food for aid has to come from the foreign aid budget.

After all, a shipment of perishables are far less attractive to the dictators who are often the main beneficiaries of some of our foreign aid, when we send money.

But, the reality remains, how are we going to be able to afford to grow the food?

Furthermore, we may not have the skilled farmers in the future, given the average age is 57.

The thread suffers as this country does from the negativity that has covered much as a result of hung Parliaments and failed politicians.
Changing government, the coming rejection of the ALP will not change that.
But time will.
Both sides,and the world pursues wealth creation.
With the basic belief wealth creates jobs hence it is good.
We will continue,as we always have, post stump jump plow and new wheat variety's, be a world player in food.
yabby surely you above all know,in my life time we have seen changes on the land so big it is stunning.
If I was 20,I would go and live my dream, on the land.
Start with sheep, but be able to follow my thoughts on what was the best investment.
we are a player, we can look for things in the way but not ignore our ability to change and innovate.
Yabby you will tell me how sheep are difficult.
If you could offer a whole boxed frozen carcase at a price in east coast distribution centers I could sell twice what you could get your hands on to mums and dads directly.

Belly old mate, this is not about you flogging some carcasses to
your friends, this is about the big picture. Fact is that no matter
how many lambs or mutton that Australia eats, a large % of them still
need to be exported. Right now some meatworks here are working
three days a week, because they simply can't sell any more on
international markets, at a price that does not lose them money.

So it is our cost structure that is the problem, if buyers cannot
buy the meat that we produce. What do our politicians do? They
keep knocking more nails into the production coffin, one by one,
here, there and everywhere. AQIS charges up 40%. Electricity up
due to the carbon tax, its used in everything, locals pass it on.
Big trucks to pay another 200 million a year in charges. Again,
every export product wears it. 12% super, more charges going up.
The list goes on and on.

The amusing thing about this is that sheep numbers are at an all time
low in Australia and the bureaucrats have been yelling out that
we need to increase numbers urgently! Yet right now they can't even
sell the meat that we produce, the freezers are chock a block.

You are not the first bloke to think that he can somehow make a go
of it and would become a farmer if he could. That optimism is in
fact what keeps farming going, or most would have given up long ago,
not just all those forced out. But the numbers are clear. Farming
is a great lifestyle, but its a mugs game financially, so inceasing
investment whilst losing more money, is all about emotion dominating
any financial reason.

Sheep numbers do need increasing badly. $ 150 each live, no wonder you cant sell a chop.
You can't change the wage structure, so come up with other means, don't just say it's doomsday.