Driven by market challenges, our production schedule and operational plan was revised. Their implementation is progressing well, with 63% of the production area now strung, and 32% of first round bine control completed. Whilst challenging, these changes also provide us with the opportunity to continue with our soil health management program of soil remediation, cover cropping and crop rotation/plant renewal.
Plant growth is looking healthy and even slightly advanced in some areas compared to this stage in crop year 2024. In Victoria, the accumulated growing degree days are tracking somewhat above the 3-year average, with Tasmania tracking very close to the 3-year average.
Seasonal rainfall is tracking below the 3-year average in Victoria, but is still slightly up from this stage in crop year 2024. A wetter than average summer is currently forecast. In Tasmania, our gardens are tracking well above the 3-year average after incurring some flood damage in recent months. A significant amount of recovery work has been completed since late August/early September.
Operational staff are excitedly preparing for the various commissioning phases of Hop Central, our new pelleting, packaging and storage facility in Myrtleford. Once the final installation of equipment is complete, we will be hosting and receiving training from our equipment suppliers through to the end of January in order to be ready to process crop 2025.