6-7 / 36
Geoff Moar
Chairman
AUSVEG
James Whiteside
CEO
AUSVEG
The Australian potato industry has been on high alert since
receiving news of the detection of tomato-potato psyllid
(
Bactericera cockerelli
) in Western Australia. Given its potential
to cause significant damage to potato and vegetable crops, it is
imperative that growers are aware of the potential implications
of the detection on their businesses.
In this edition,
Potatoes Australia
has produced several pages
of information relating to tomato-potato psyllid. These articles
provide a background of the pest and response phase, as well
as the economic impact of the psyllid in countries where it is
present. Researchers in New Zealand share their experience
of dealing with the pest and we also explore potential
management options.
The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia
(DAFWA) is continuing surveillance in commercial crops and
backyard gardens in the Perth area. AUSVEG Biosecurity
Coordinator Callum Fletcher travelled to Western Australia
for one month where he shared his expertise with the team
on the ground.
As the psyllid is capable of carrying the bacterium that
causes zebra chip in potatoes, testing is underway to
determine whether the bacterium is present in the psyllids
found in Western Australia. At the time of writing, the bacterium
had not been found.
AUSVEG will continue to work with industry and government
stakeholders to ensure effective management of this pest. In
the meantime, domestic trade restrictions are also in place, so
I urge all growers to contact their state department of primary
industries for more information.
In other news, it is heartening to see the next generation of
young scientists paving their way into the horticulture industry
– particularly those with a focus on potato research.
Under the watchful eye of researchers from Agriculture
Victoria, ViCSPA and the University of Melbourne, the four
students featured in this magazine are all trailblazers for
the next generation of scientists in the potato industry. It is
important that universities, along with the wider industry,
continue to work with these young scientists to develop further
insights into pests and diseases of potato and vegetable crops.
In exciting news, there is less than one month to go until
Hort Connections 2017, a joint event hosted by AUSVEG and
the Produce Marketing Association Australia-New Zealand
(PMA A-NZ) with support from Fresh Markets Australia, the
Central Markets Association of Australia, Potatoes South
Australia, Growcom, Irrigation Australia, Australian Organic,
Onions Australia and Nursery and Garden Industry Australia.
Hort Connections will be held at the Adelaide Convention
Centre from 15-17 May. AUSVEG has been working tirelessly
with PMA A-NZ to ensure that this event caters for all facets of
the Australian horticulture industry, with thought-provoking
speaker sessions, an expansive Trade Show and a vast array of
networking opportunities, culminating in the annual Awards for
Excellence Gala Dinner. I look forward to seeing you all there.
As families and friends gather to spend some valuable time
together over the Easter break, it’s appropriate to reflect
on those in the Australian horticulture industry who, at the
moment, are doing it particularly tough.
It was with great sadness that we all read and watched the
footage of Cyclone Debbie and her devastating impact on
the North Queensland region in late March.
Bowen was among Queensland’s worst hit areas, and is
a region renowned for its winter vegetable crops including
capsicum, chilli, beans, corn and pumpkin.
The potato and vegetable industry is naturally a supply and
demand driven industry and unexpected weather events do
occur from time to time, which may impact supply. These
weather events unfortunately are a reality for the farming
industry and tropical cyclones are also a reality for growers
in Northern Australia.
AUSVEG would like to pass on its best wishes to growers
affected by Cyclone Debbie and reassure them that they
are not alone during this difficult time. With our Queensland
state member, Growcom, AUSVEG has been working to
ensure affected growers understand, and have access to, the
mechanisms that are in place to provide support, and to ensure
that there is adequate support from industry bodies, State and
Federal Governments, consumers and retailers.
Australia’s potato and vegetable growers are vulnerable
to many conditions, not just those inflicted by Mother
Nature. This includes the risk of unfair trading conditions with
wholesalers, although AUSVEG is hopeful this will be rectified
with reforms to the Horticulture Code of Conduct.
The government response proposes a range of reforms that
are intended to increase the transparency and accountability
of transactions between growers and wholesalers, including
amendments that would require traders to generate and keep
records on their transactions, along with records of all growers
and buyers with whom they deal.
This code of conduct has been in need of reform for many
years to make it more relevant to growers, and it’s pleasing to
see the government’s commitment to increasing transparency
and accountability under the code.
On a lighter note, AUSVEG is counting down to Hort
Connections 2017, which is set to be the biggest event on
the Australian horticultural calendar.
To kick off this event, Potatoes South Australia will join
other potato industry partners to support Arris Pty Ltd in the
launch of the Potato Industry Extension Forum and Industry
Luncheon. This unique networking event is an opportunity for
potato growers to share their ideas and discuss the key issues
affecting their industry. I urge all members of the Australian
potato industry to come along, have their say and show their
support for the Potato Industry Extension Program as it begins
its next phase. The conference will also include a workshop to
discuss how the industry responds to and manages the recent
incursion of tomato-potato psyllid.
| MESSAGES FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND CEO |
CARES FOR WHAT MATTERS MOST
YaraMila
For People Who
Want More
Yara
Mila
YaraMila fertilisers are true NPK compounds that will help growers
to get more out of their crop – both yield and quality. Every YaraMila
product contains the stated level of nutrients and offers even
distribution of nutrients on the field. There is no risk of nutrient
segregation during shipping, handling or spreading. YaraMila fertilisers
contain a balance of the most essential nutrients to support faster
growth, higher yields and quality in potatoes.
TM