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June/July
- 2017
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| YOUNG GROWER PROFILE |
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU FACE
WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY, AND HOW DO YOU
OVERCOME THEM?
Biosecurity is the industry’s biggest threat. Pest and disease
incursions can devastate production systems and have massive
ramifications on the industry.
Disease threats such as metalaxyl-resistant late blight are also
a massive concern.
Reporting anything unusual or symptomatic is essential
to maintaining a healthy potato industry. Having clear and
transparent communication is always important when handling
suspicious plants. In doing so, we work closely with relevant state
departments and laboratories.
Internally, we keep informed on issues and have awareness of
disease and pest symptoms in the field. Biosecurity is something
I take very seriously as a crop inspector.
WHERE DO YOU RECEIVE YOUR PRACTICAL ADVICE
AND INFORMATION FROM?
I receive a lot of my information from my colleagues both here
and abroad. ViCSPA has strong international connections, vast
and varied, with our General Manager Dr Nigel Crump attending
regular UNECE meetings. This is where countries from all over
the world attend to discuss all things seed potato related.
I attend and arrange workshops and presentations throughout
the year. The ViCSPA biannual potato industry conference
also provides a wealth of information with presenters from
across the globe.
Most recently, we’ve spent time with Willem Schrage, the
PCN, black leg and other diseases. It also protects trade,
both interstate and export.
WHAT NEW DEVELOPMENTS, INNOVATIONS OR
RESEARCH HAS VICSPA IMPLEMENTED RECENTLY?
I have recently returned from Canada with A&L Laboratories in
London, Ontario and learnt about the emerging use of unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs) and NDVI technology for crop scouting and
disease detection in potatoes.
Internally, ViCSPA has achieved compliance with ISO9001:2015
Quality management systems – Requirements
, which demonstrates
the organisation’s commitment to quality assurance and compliance.
ViCSPA records are all centralised on our Certmaster database which
has been built by ViCSPA and continues to streamline all our data and
record management including the issue of certification labels.
WHERE DO YOU SEE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH
IN THE AUSTRALIAN POTATO INDUSTRY?
Opportunities are increasing with expanding export market
access potentially opening for the certified seed potato industry.
Commercial potato growers in all areas of fresh, processing
or crisping need to embrace the benefits of using certified
seed potatoes in their production systems, and the improved
yields, quality, storage and saleable product. I see this as a
massive opportunity.
Domestically, the health benefits of potatoes need to be
featured more heavily – like everything else, they become
trendy again and an increase in consumption is a win-win
forthe consumer and the farmer.
director of the Potato Program for the North Dakota State
Seed Department, and Dr Steven Johnson, a crops specialist
with the University of Maine when he visited late last year.
WHAT AREAS OF RESEARCH ARE IMPORTANT TO THE
POTATO INDUSTRY AND SEED CERTIFICATION?
Disease management and diagnostics are essential areas of
research for seed potato certification. This includes diseases such
as powdery scab, late blight, pink rot and potato virus Y. The list
could be endless, but the main point is to have the researchers
there for problems that could arise in the future rather than the
current trend of a declining number of researchers not having
funding and industry losing that technical skill set that is critical for
our industry. This to me is a massive issue on the horizon and a
challenge that must be addressed.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF SEED
CERTIFICATION IN THE POTATO INDUSTRY?
Seed certification is as important as water, fertiliser or sunshine and
is essential to growing a crop. Seed potato certification provides
reliable high health planting material for increased yields and
product quality for production of commercial crops in the fresh
and processing industries.
Ultimately, seed certification is an extremely successful practice
for the management of diseases that limits yield and quality as
well as reducing the reliance on the use of pesticides to manage
pest problems.
Importantly, seed certification restricts the spread and
introduction of potato pests and diseases including pests such as
Potatoes are full of vitamins and are very low in fat, low in
calories, rich in minerals and contain complex carbohydrates
and high grade iron. They are, in my opinion, a true super food
that taste great.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS?
Five years is a very long time in the potato industry. I am still
enjoying the challenges of the industry and I continue to be
given amazing opportunities to learn and travel as part of my
role. I also enjoy sharing my knowledge with others. Just
between you and I, I have the best job in the world.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION OF THE AUSTRALIAN POTATO
INDUSTRY IN THE FUTURE?
I hope that the potato industry remains profitable into the future
and there are more opportunities for using Australian certified
seed in both domestic and international markets. I get to work
with highly professional potato growers and if their business is
doing well then the entire industry benefits.
HOW DO YOU THINK MORE YOUNG PEOPLE COULD BE
ENCOURAGED TO STUDY AND TAKE UP JOBS IN THE
POTATO INDUSTRY?
The industry needs to stop talking itself down, and start selling its
positive aspects. It is a great industry that we work in and certified
seed potatoes are a critical part of the food production chain.
Personally I enjoy telling my mates at the footy that I played a
part in producing their hot chips.
Photography by Luka Kauzlaric.