Yes, the VFF has welcomed the initiative.

Which is understandable, as it surely has become exasperated by the lack of engagement by Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes on the coronavirus issue.

The government is to be applauded for identifying the anticipated skilled rural workforce shortfall.

How the funds will be utilised is yet to be fleshed out, however any attempt to attract urban workers to the bush to be upskilled is sure to fail.

That is unless the financial incentive can top the $750 a week that can be picked up doing diddly squat.

Firstly, it will be pretty damn important that anyone heading bush is not carrying the virus, so a blood should be mandatory. What fun rain, scorching sun, dust and flies along with social isolation - very appealing.

Dark, freezing cold winter mornings milking cows where the vapour from your breathe is your only friend is indeed challenging.

It is hard enough to attract urban rural workers onto farms and, apart from fruit and vegetable harvesting, a level of skill is required.

Complex modern machinery is just too valuable to be in unskilled hands and handling livestock - particularly cattle is not for everyone.

That does not mean the scheme should not be given a go, and we all live in hope.

Dairy and calf sales at a Gippsland saleyards have been cancelled due to coronavirus fears.

Oh, then the negativity. A local agent bemoaning the fact said the price of bobby calves would crash if they were forced onto scales for sale.

He is reported to have said that beef calves usually made up to $280 and friesian heifer calves made $500. On the scales, this would drop to $40 to $50.

Obviously, this agent has not heard that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

He's not a stock agent's bootlace if he cannot place his client's bobby calves with eager buyers, and at $500 for heifer calves they seem very, very eager.

Maybe the writer of the story should have pointed it out to him.

Sensationalism does not sell papers - it fails to inform.