Consultation for Vegetable Strategic Investment Plan

As part of the process for producing a new Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) for the vegetable industry, Hort Innovation has engaged specialist consulting firm Consulting & Implementation Services (CIS). As part of this process they will meet with growers and industry to ensure the SIP accurately reflects how to best spend the R&D levy to maximise the industry’s funding priorities for the next five years.
CIS will be hosting grower workshops in over 30 locations around the country to provide growers with an opportunity to share their views on what they believe are the most important areas for R&D investment.
Workshops will be held in these areas in the coming weeks:

Victoria:
Cranbourne – 17 October (Amstel Golf Course – following Nielsen data presentation workshop)
Swan Hill – 18 October (Location TBC)
Gippsland – 19 October (Location TBC)

South Australia:
Northern Adelaide (Virginia) – 24 October (Location TBC)

Tasmania:
Ulverstone/Forth – 27 October (Location TBC)
Hobart/Cambridge – 28 October (Location TBC)

New South Wales:
Bathurst – 2 November (Location TBC)
Cowra – 4 November (Location TBC)

Locations and times for Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland will be published in the coming weeks.

Growers are encouraged to attend their local workshop so that they can have their say on where the levy funding should be spent. These workshops will also provide a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues and hear about developments in the vegetable industry.

A survey will also be released soon for growers who are unable to attend these workshops. Please keep an eye out on future editions of the Weekly Update for more information about the workshops and the survey.

This consultation is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

Recovery efforts under way for growers in northern Adelaide plains

Severe flooding hit the northern Adelaide plains last week, affecting more than 1,000 growers whose operations are situated on the northern outskirts of Adelaide.
With the region accounting for about one third of South Australian horticultural production, the losses caused by the flood have exceeded $50 million and are expected to increase further as the full impact of the event is assessed.
The region’s horticulture industry bodies, as well as other industry organisations and stakeholders, have come together to help growers and the industry recover and recuperate. These groups include the central markets and chambers of South Australia, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane; VISY; AUSVEG SA; SA Mushrooms; Syngenta; William Buck; CRT Virgina; Peats Soil; E.E. Muir & Sons; Teranova seeds; and Foodbank South Australia. The SA Growers Flood Appeal has raised $50,000 so far.
South Australian vegetable and potato growers affected by the floods, or any organisation or individual looking to help in recovery efforts following the flooding, can contact AUSVEG SA State Manager Jordan Brooke-Barnett on 0404 772 308 or at jordan.brooke-barnett@ausveg.com.au.

 

 

Onions Australia comes on as co-host for Hort Connections

 

 
Onions Australia, the peak industry body representing the Australian onion industry, has joined AUSVEG, PMA Australia-New Zealand (PMA-ANZ) and Australian Organic to co-host Hort Connections, which will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre from 15-17 May 2017.
Onions Australia was a co-host for the 2016 National Horticulture Convention at RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast, and the addition of Australian onion growers and onion industry stakeholders to Hort Connections further expands the cross-sector credentials of this industry-wide event.
Hort Connections is set to become the most significant event in the horticulture calendar for 2017, continuing the positive legacy from both the National Horticulture Convention and PMA Fresh Connections. Further details about the event will be released as it takes shape.
 

Dow AgroSciences renews Strategic Partnership with AUSVEG

 
AUSVEG is pleased to announce that Dow AgroSciences has renewed its support for the Australian vegetable and potato industries by continuing its Strategic Partnership with AUSVEG for another year.
Dow AgroSciences is one of the leading producers of solutions for weed, insect and fungal diseases in crops and pastures, including those in the vegetable industry, and operates three research stations across Australia and New Zealand that are critical parts of Dow’s global network of product development locations.
AUSVEG is looking forward to continuing to work closely with Dow for the benefit of the Australian vegetable and potato industries. For more information about Dow AgroSciences, please click here.

 

 

World of Perishables Dubai: Last chance to apply!

Levy-paying growers who are currently exporting are invited to attend and exhibit at the World of Perishables trade show in Dubai. Funded attendance will give growers the chance to participate in the key fresh produce trade show in the Middle East, gain an understanding of the Dubai market and establish new business contacts in the Middle East.
The World of Perishables trade show will be held from 13-15 November 2016, with anticipated travel dates for participants being 11-16 November 2016. This week is the last chance for interested growers to apply! To download the application form, please click here. This form can be returned to AUSVEG at export@ausveg.com.au or via fax on 03 9882 6722.

Export and market development activities for the vegetable industry are funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

Soil and plant health benefits from using compost: A long-term case study on Baldivis Farms

 
This case study provides a unique long-term grower perspective on using compost on a commercial vegetable farm.
Have you ever wondered what the potential benefits to soil and plant health are from using compost? Thinking about using compost? Need to know the questions to ask a supplier of compost?
Learn more from Sam Calameri of Baldivis Farms in Western Australia who started trialling compost on-farm more than 10 years ago. Click here to read the case study.
To find out more about the Soil Wealth and ICP projects visit the website, or join the Community of Practice online. You can also follow the projects on Twitter @SoilWealth and @ProtectingCrops.

This project is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

Visit to AgriBio postponed

AUSVEG advises that the planned visit to the AgriBio research facility at La Trobe University in Bundoora on 14 October has been postponed.
Further information on future visits will be provided as they are organised.
For more information, please email AUSVEG at info@ausveg.com.au.

 

 

Webinar: Managing pesticide resistance in vegetable crops with Dr Paul Horne

Pesticide resistance is an ongoing concern for the vegetable industry. Join Dr Paul Horne to find out more about how resistance arises, developing a resistance management strategy, and understanding all the control options available – biological, cultural and chemical.

Date: 20 October 2016
Time: 12:30pm – 1:30pm (AEDT)

Participants will receive one month free access to the Integrated Pest Management advice hotline! Details will be distributed at the conclusion of the webinar. Click here to register for the webinar.

To find out more about the Integrated Crop Protection project or protecting crops visit the website, or join the Community of Practice online. You can also follow the project on Twitter @ProtectingCrops.

This project is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

AUSVEG Economic Confidence Survey – September Quarter 2016

AUSVEG conducts a quarterly economic confidence survey to understand and then communicate the impacts of various economic factors on the business operations of vegetable growers. The survey covering the quarter ending 30 September 2016 is now being conducted, and will close Friday 21 October.
This survey helps AUSVEG to identify the current business conditions that vegetable growers face and tracks grower sentiment regarding relevant economic factors over time. All responses are anonymous. The survey can be accessed online here.

Economic activities in the vegetable industry for the vegetable industry are funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

Horticulture Innovation Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems opens in Sydney

Australia’s first horticultural robotics learning and development hub was launched last week, signifying the industry’s determination to adopt on-farm technologies, ramp up export capacity and develop future leaders in non-traditional areas of horticulture.
(L-R) Professor Salah Sukkarieh, Senator the Hon. Anne Ruston, Dr Michael Spence and John Lloyd.
Located at the University of Sydney, the Horticulture Innovation Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems will initially host a $10 million commitment to projects in robotics and autonomous technology that aim to increase farm efficiencies.
The centre was officially opened by Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Senator the Hon. Anne Ruston at an event held at the University of Sydney’s Australian Centre for Field Robotics. Horticulture Innovation Australia Chief Executive Officer John Lloyd and University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor Dr Michael Spence also addressed the crowd of researchers, industry representatives and vegetable growers from around the country.
AUSVEG congratulates Horticulture Innovation Australia and the University of Sydney on a hugely successful opening and looks forward to the breadth of innovative technologies that are sure to be produced at the centre.

 

Potato Strategic Investment Plan Roadshow to begin in mid-October

As part of the process for producing a new Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) for the potato industry, Hort Innovation has engaged specialist strategic planning consultancy McKINNA et al to meet with growers and industry to accurately reflect the industry’s funding priorities for R&D in the next five years.
McKINNA et al will be hosting grower roadshows in each Australian state in mid-to-late October to allow growers to share what they believe are the important areas for R&D investment. These roadshows are a great opportunity for growers to have their say on the priorities for levy investment in the potato industry. There has already been much discussion around industry profitability, business skill development and exporting, as well as the traditional R&D and extension areas.
Further details on these workshops will be released soon.

If growers are unable to make it to a roadshow, McKINNA et al will be interested to hear your views on priority areas for levy investment in the potato industry. Interested growers and industry members can email strategicinsights@mckinna.com.au to have their voices heard.

This consultation is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Potato Levies and funds from the Australian Government.

 

Nielsen data presentations roadshow

 

As part of Hort Innovation’s research project VG15019 Baseline Demographic Research for the Vegetable Industry, also known as Nielsen Homescan data, a series of presentations has been organised with the assistance of the National Vegetable Extension Network.
These presentations will briefly explain the project, its data and the resulting analysis to those unfamiliar with the data, with case studies of how the analysis could be applied to a growing operation, focusing on the commodities grown in the regions in which the presentations are being held. There will also be a brief opportunity for any interested growers to speak with the Nielsen data team one-on-one.

Please see below for details of the presentations:

Location Date/time RSVP contact More information
Amstel Golf Club, 1000 Cranbourne-Frankston Rd, Cranbourne VIC 3977 3:00pm – 4.00pm
Monday 17 October		 Email – click here Precedes SIP consultation meeting (4.00pm – 6.00pm)
Wyndham Cache, 243 K Road, Werribee South VIC 3030 3:00pm – 4.30pm
Tuesday 18 October		 Email – click here Gain the business edge workshop
Focus commodities: brassica (broccoli) and lettuce.
The Top Paddock, Maffra Community Sports Club (Upstairs), 122/126 Johnson Street, Maffra 3860
East Gippsland		 2:00pm – 2.45pm
Wednesday 19 October		 Email – click here The Produce Forum

Focus commodities: leafy veg, brassicas, snow peas.

Interested growers can RSVP to the listed contact for each presentation.

All Nielsen Homescan data provided for the Australian vegetable industry is available on the levy-funded InfoVeg database. To view all Nielsen reports from 2016, including the latest reports using data from August 2016, please click here.

Nielsen Homescan data for the vegetable industry and the National Vegetable Extension Network are funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

Save the date: AgFutures – Innovation and Investment Conference

The AgFutures – Innovation and Investment Conference will be held at the Brisbane Convention Centre across 22-23 November 2016.
The event offers an exciting line-up of national and international speakers over the two-day conference, showcasing two critically important areas driving industry development and expansion: agri-tech opportunities and global investment within the sector.
For more information on the conference, or to book tickets, please click here.

 

Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers hold Biennial Gala Dinner

The Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers Cooperative (BFVG) has once again held a glamorous and memorable Biennial Gala Dinner, with this year’s event taking place at the Grand Arena in Bundaberg’s Recreational precinct.
This year’s Gala Dinner celebrated the entire Australian horticulture industry, with attendees from around the country, including AUSVEG Chairman Geoff Moar, AUSVEG Interim CEO Simon Bolles and other AUSVEG representatives.
AUSVEG congratulates BFVG on their successful event and looks forward to future events celebrating our great industry.

 

New Minor Use permits

 

Permit ID Description Date Issued Expiry Date Permit Holder States
PER14892 V3 Actives: Pymetrozine
Crop: Snow and sugar snap peas
Pest: Cowpea aphid, pea aphid, and potato aphid		 06-Jan-2015 31-May-2022 Growcom All states except VIC
PER13121 V2 Actives: Metalaxyl-M
Crop: Parsley
Pest: Pythium root rot and phytophtora root rot		 16-Nov-2011 31-Nov-2021 Growcom QLD, NSW, SA, TAS, WA & NT only

All efforts have been made to provide the most current, complete and accurate information on permits. However, AUSVEG recommends that you confirm the details of any permits at the APVMA website.

Users are advised that while the pesticide can be applied legally under the APVMA minor use permit, there can be a significant delay until the maximum residue limit (MRL) gazetted by the APVMA is adopted in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

Until this occurs the MRL may not be recognised and a zero tolerance may be imposed for residues of the pesticide resulting from its use according to the APVMA permit.

Please be aware that in the absence of a MRL in the Food Standards Code, the use of the pesticide according to the permit may result in the suspension of the produce in the marketplace. Please check the FSANZ website or the Australian Government ComLaw website to confirm if there are MRL established by the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

Please consult APVMA documentation before applying any product to your crop. For more information contact the APVMA on (02) 6210 4701 or Growcom on (07) 3620 3880.

If an adverse experience occurs as a result of using the permit, please fill out a Non-Performance Reporting Form for Horticultural Pesticides and return to jodie.pedrana@horticulture.com.au. To download a Non-Performance Reporting Form for Horticultural Pesticides, please click here.

Minor use plays an integral role in the Australian vegetable industry. Please register your details on the Minor Use Database.

 

This communication has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

AUSVEG in the media

Following the severe floods which hit the northern Adelaide plains last week, industry recovery and recuperation efforts have been covered extensively across print, radio and television this week, including representations for the vegetable industry made by AUSVEG SA State Manager Jordan Brooke-Barnett. Mr Brooke-Barnett spoke about the SA Growers Flood Appeal, established by AUSVEG SA and the SA Produce Market, which has so far raised $50,000.

Mr Brooke-Barnett also appeared on radio this week discussing the asset sale of Oakville Produce, in which the Mitolo Group took control of all South Australian farms owned by Oakville, as well as packaging businesses in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Mr Brooke-Barnett noted that there were positive signs from the sale, including the potential for resolution of existing supply issues.

AUSVEG Interim CEO Simon Bolles appeared in print media this week commenting on the Australian Government’s reduction of the proposed tax rate for backpackers down to 19 per cent, welcoming the Government’s decision to abandon the previously planned tax rate of 32.5 per cent.

Communication of levy funded R&D activities is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy, National Potato Levy and funds from the Australian Government.