Update from the Wide Bay-Burnett region

24 November 2021

Project Code

VG21000

Year Published

2021

The VegNET – Wide Bay-Burnett project is delivered by Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers (BFVG) to keep vegetable growers informed about current R&D activities, results and resources. BFVG Managing Director Bree Grima provides an update on issues affecting the Wide-Bay Burnett region and project activities, which include working towards the next phase of the VegNET investment.

The Wide Bay-Burnett remains drought declared, which presents ongoing challenges for all horticultural producers.

Traditionally, the region has enjoyed good water security but groundwater irrigators are now receiving between 25 and 85 per cent allocation. Additionally, ongoing issues with one of our main dams has resulted in low water allocations of 22 per cent for medium priority customers in the Burnett sub-scheme.

On the other side of town, there are more sustainable water allocations of 98 per cent for medium priority customers on the Kolan River Sub-scheme, so there is a large difference of water availability for producers in the region. As a result, the temporary transfer market for water is very strong.

Coupled with continued labour supply pressures, there is a degree of uncertainty for some producers in the region – particularly those that require forward planning to order seedlings and stock.

Resilience and innovation factors

Despite the challenges, producers in the region remain positive and resilient and the volume of produce leaving the region destined for both domestic and international markets is encouraging. There are more producers looking to do things differently within their business, and agricultural technologies are playing a part in helping them reach greater efficiencies.

Whether it’s through accessing farm management software or utilising drone technology, producers are open to trying new technologies and are assisting tech companies modify their products to suit specific horticultural growing operations.

CQUniversity – through the Hinkler AgTech Initiative – continues to deliver a wide range of ag-tech on farms and have several trials in place within the region.

Tom Redfern from Eden Farms is one such producer who is open to trying new technology and has had his fair share of labour challenges.

A recent trial he has undertaken includes technology to investigate yield monitoring forecasting in protected cucumber production. Simple methods for yield forecasting have been utilised by producers for a very long time and support producers in managing delivery estimates, planning their labour requirements, harvest, and cash-flow budgeting.

Utilising technology to deliver on this is generally more accurate and timely. The device being trialled in the region captures imagery through cameras and plots this on a map to create a virtual field allowing the producer to make crop/row comparisons, and assist with future decision making regarding irrigation, pesticide applications and crop harvest.

Karli Groves (CQUniversity), Dr Fiona Kerslake (Bitwise Agronomy) Aran Elkington (Bitwise Agronomy), cucumber producer Tom Redfern and Peter Hockings from Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers.

Project update

The VegNET project assists as a conduit of information and connects producers with on-farm R&D to work towards more productive, profitable and sustainable operations.

Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers (BFVG) is pleased to continue to deliver the VegNET – Wide Bay Burnett project and host the Regional Development Officer position.

BFVG has been involved with the VegNET project since its inception in 2016, and looks forward to delivering the five-year strategic plan developed during phase two of the program.

Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers Managing Director Bree Grima pictured in a field of chilli plants.

Now in its third phase, we will deliver on that program with five focus areas: biosecurity, organic waste management, inorganic waste management, ag-tech and input efficiencies.

The BFVG Cooperative recently celebrated its 73rd birthday, and we’d like to thank the thousands of farming families that have supported and contributed to the Cooperative since its inception.

We also thank the committees that help the Cooperative deliver on their programs and ensure programs are reflective of grower needs. The Regional Extension Advisory Committee was developed to support the VegNET program, and we thank them for their contribution to delivery of the program.

The mix of grower and researcher input has ensured the five-year extension plan will target topics of relevance and commercial applicability to regional producers in the Wide Bay-Burnett.

Finally, we would like to thank AUSVEG for its support in its role as national coordinator and Hort Innovation for project funding, and for sharing our vision and belief in the importance of regionally delivered extension programs.