The latest edition of the levy-funded magazine for the Australian potato industry, Potatoes Australia, is just about to reach mailboxes.

Keep an eye out for the latest publication, which features the latest in research and development and a recap of recent potato industry activities, including the 2019 Potato Industry Pest and Disease R&D Forum and the European Potato Conference Study Tour.

In February 2016, AUSVEG began a three-year project to communicate the outcomes of industry-funded research to levy-paying growers and the wider industry. Project Lead Shaun Lindhe provides an overview of the project, which included the publication of Potatoes Australia, and how communicating research outcomes is essential to increasing adoption and awareness among grower levy payers.

Meanwhile, AUSVEG National TPP Coordinator Alan Nankivell reports on the 2018-19 results from the second year of national surveillance for tomato-potato psyllid as well as the completed testing for the bacterium TPP can vector, Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum.

Alan also facilitated a meeting between Agriculture Victoria staff members and representatives from McCain Foods Australia, who discussed a wide range of topics including TPP management and dealing with waste.

In this edition, readers are introduced to the Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection project. After a successful first phase that had a wide reach within the vegetable industry, this current phase of the SWICP project has recently extended the program to the potato industry.

Potatoes Australia features two grower profiles. We caught up with Mia Rose from Myalup in Western Australia, who speaks about the challenges she and her family have faced, the importance of getting involved in potato industry discussions, and her love for the farm.

Young potato grower Matt Cunzolo also introduced himself to the publication, discussing his growing operation which is based in Tolga in far-north Queensland.

This is only a taste of what is in this edition, so if you’re not already receiving Potatoes Australia, you can subscribe to receive future editions of the magazine for free by emailing communications@ausveg.com.au.