AUSVEG welcomes John Deere as a Strategic Partner for another year

John Deere, one of the iconic global leaders in agricultural machinery, has renewed its Strategic Partnership with AUSVEG to continue its strong bond with the vegetable and potato industries.
While John Deere is one of the best-known tractor manufacturers in the world, it also offers a number of other products and services, including advanced irrigation systems.
The company’s machinery displays were among the most popular exhibits at last year’s National Horticulture Convention, and AUSVEG is excited that John Deere will continue to be part of this great event in 2016.

Please click here for more information.

 

Get in quick – booths are running out!

There is only a select number of booths remaining for the Trade Show at this year’s National Horticulture Convention.
The 2016 Convention will be hosted by AUSVEG, Apple and Pear Australia Limited, the Central Markets Association of Australia in partnership with Fresh Markets Australia, Growcom and Persimmons Australia Incorporated, and is the premier event in Australian agriculture.
Incorporating growers across a wide range of horticultural commodities and supply chain representatives, the 2016 Trade Show is a great opportunity to meet with potential customers and engage with growers and stakeholders from every corner of Australian horticulture.
To place your business at the forefront of the industry and ensure that your target audience has the ability to view your products in person, contact AUSVEG on (03) 9882 0277, email convention@ausveg.com.au or visit the National Horticulture Convention website for more information.

 

 

Early bird rates still available for the National Horticulture Convention now!

Industry members who have not yet registered for the 2016 National Horticulture Convention, are encouraged to do so quickly to ensure they secure the early bird rate before it closes on 25 April.
As well as catering for vegetable, potato, apple and pear growers, this year’s event has expanded to include persimmons growers, Queensland’s horticulture industry and a range of market and supply chain members, paving the way for the 2016 National Horticulture Convention to be the biggest horticulture event in the Southern Hemisphere.
To find out more, view the delegate registration brochure, or sign up online at registration.hortconv.com.au.

 

 

EnviroVeg to host a vegetable industry R&D session

Where: Section 88, Gawler Road, Virginia, South Australia
When: Wednesday 30 March 2016, 1pm-4pm

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from leading researchers on topics that include innovative approaches to farm management and the latest updates on the EnviroVeg program.
Speakers will include:

  • Mr Noel Johnston, Trainer and Assessor from Irrigation Management Training.
  • Mr Paul Hart from Solargain, speaking on best practice energy management systems for growers.
  • Mr Geoff Raven from Biosecurity SA, presenting information on the development of pest free growing areas.
  • AUSVEG Environment Coordinator Mr Andrew Shaw, providing an update on the EnviroVeg program and demonstrating environmental awareness in your community.

To register, email your details to info@ausveg.com.au or contact AUSVEG on (03) 9882 0277. To view the flyer, please click here.
Please RSVP by Thursday 23 March.

Levy financial statements available for potato growers

HIA has made available current and past levy financial statements, as well as R&D levy fund project summaries, for the potato industry.
Growers are encouraged to click on the links below to see how their levies are invested, as well as view the Strategic Investment Plans.

HIA Levy resources for Fresh Potato Levy.
HIA Levy resources for Processing Potato Levy.

 

 

New ICP fact sheet: Cucumber

 

The Integrated Crop Protection (ICP) project has put together easy to read fact sheets on control options (both chemical and non-chemical) for high priority pests in seven different vegetable crops. These fact sheets will provide details on the currently registered and permitted pesticides for key diseases, insects and weeds in each vegetable crop.
This week, the ICP fact sheet focuses on controlling high priority pests in cucumbers. Click here to view the fact sheet.
Stay tuned for further releases over the coming weeks covering pests in lettuce and peppers. Previous fact sheets on carrots, brassica leafy vegetables, celery and brassica vegetables can be found here.
To find out more about the ICP project or protecting crops visit the website, or join the Community of Practice online at ICP’s Facebook page. You can also follow the project on Twitter @ProtectingCrops.
The Integrated Crop Protection project has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

2016 AUSVEG VIC Awards for Excellence

For further information on this event, to purchase tickets, or to nominate a deserving member of the Victorian vegetable and potato industries, please visit the AUSVEG VIC events website.

Register now for the Minor Use Prioritisation Workshop and Education Symposium

The Minor Use Prioritisation Workshop will discuss current minor use permits, collect feedback on proposed minor use permits and permits up for renewal and will gather information directly from growers on high priority pests to represent the Australian vegetable industry going forward.
The Workshop will take place on 28 April at the Arkaba Hotel in Adelaide from 11am-4pm. This is a very important event for growers to be involved in as it will have lasting impact on the vegetable industry.
A limited number of fully funded positions are available. To see if you’re eligible or to register your interest for this event, please email AUSVEG at info@ausveg.com.au or call (03) 9882 0277.
The Minor Use Education Symposium will be taking place at RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast on Saturday 25 June from 1-5pm. The event will feature presentations from a range of experts in the field of agricultural chemicals to provide attendees with a greater understanding of the minor use field. Click here to view the flyer and register your interest.
These events have been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

SURVEY: Have your say on the EnviroVeg program

The EnviroVeg program is giving growers, members and industry stakeholders a chance to have their say on the future of the program.
EnviroVeg is the Australian vegetable industry’s dedicated environmental program, promoting sustainable growers and best practice techniques.
To complete the survey online simply click here, or download the survey and submit it to AUSVEG via info@ausveg.com.au.
To find out more, please contact AUSVEG Environment Coordinator Andrew Shaw on (08) 8221 5220.

 

 

 

Applications to attend Food and Hotel Asia closing soon!

 

Levy-paying vegetable growers who are currently exporting, or are interested in beginning to export, are invited to apply to attend and exhibit at Food and Hotel Asia (FHA) in Singapore.
This exciting event will give growers the chance to gain an overview of the local market and establish new business contacts in Singapore and surrounding countries. The FHA trade show will run from 12-15 April, with anticipated travel dates for participants being 10-16 April 2016.
To register your interest, please download an application form and return to AUSVEG ASAP via export@ausveg.com.au or via fax on (03) 9882 6722.

 

Expressions of interest: NZ grower study tour

Vegetable levy payers who are practicing or interested in precision agriculture are encouraged to express their interest to attend a study tour of New Zealand.
From 22-31 May 2016, a delegation of growers will be traveling to New Zealand to attend the 2016 LandWISE conference, leading vegetable growing operations such as Vida Farms, A.S Wilcox & Sons, Drumpeel Farms and a range of research sites on the North Island.
For further details or to register your interest, contact Ian Layden, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland at ian.layden@daf.qld.gov.au or 0409 495 737.
This tour has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy with co-investment from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland and funds from the Australian Government. Please note, there are limited places available and expressions of interest close on 10 March 2016.

 

 

Expression of interest – Agrifood Business Matching Event with Australian and Chinese Businesses

 

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), in conjunction with The Bank of China, are requesting expressions of interest for a business matching event to be held in Sydney in mid-2016.
The purpose of this event is to assist small-to-­medium Australian enterprises to connect with Chinese organisations for trade or investment opportunities.
The Bank of China is bringing 100 of its pre-vetted Chinese business customers to Sydney. These organisations are all interested in creating trade relationships or investing in Australian agricultural and horticultural companies.
Interested growers can complete the expression of interest form and return it to the ACCI via sharryn.waite@acci.asn.au ASAP.
After the ACCI receives expressions of interest, the Bank of China will identify appropriate businesses to bring to Australia to ensure the maximum chance of delivering successful business outcomes for all participating Chinese and Australian businesses.
For further information please contact AUSVEG National Manager – Export Development Michael Coote on (03) 9882 0277 or michael.coote@ausveg.com.au.

 

 

AUSVEG in the media

AUSVEG’s national science team featured across broadcast and print media this week, discussing biosecurity and quarantine control, as well as new technology that may help growers increase on-farm efficiency.
AUSVEG National Manager – Scientific Affairs Dr Jessica Lye appeared on broadcast media, welcoming the Northern Territory Government’s decision to lift quarantine controls for the Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV). Dr Lye said the arrangement follows the successful progression of the CGMMV Management Plan and noted that growers need to maintain farm biosecurity plans and monitor crops for symptoms of CGMMV on an ongoing basis.
AUSVEG Minor Use and Agronomy Coordinator Scott Kwasny appeared in print media discussing new spray technology that has been developed overseas, claiming it could reduce chemical use if the technology could deliver on what it promised. Mr Kwasny said it could help growers increase on-farm efficiency, but reinforced the importance of testing the product’s performance in Australian conditions.