Varroa mites found in Townsville port

Biosecurity Queensland is implementing a quarantine and surveillance program within a 10km radius of the Townsville port after confirming detection of varroa mites (Varroa jacobsoni) in an Asian honey bee (Apis cerana) hive at the port.
The hive has now been destroyed. A check of the surrounding area has found no further Asian honey bees or their hives and traps, and sentinel hives that are already in place around the port as part of the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program have not collected any exotic bees or mite pests over the past two years.
Restrictions have been imposed on the movement of bees, bee hives, bee products (excluding honey), and used bee keeping equipment from the Townsville area to prevent any possible spread of the mite.
Varroa mites are a serious pest and a threat to the local honey bee industry. Certain species and strains can infest European honey bees, killing off hives and severely affecting honey production and pollination services. Asian honey bees are the natural host of this species of varroa mite.
If you know of feral bee hives in the Townsville area, or see Asian honey bees or suspect your bees have been affected, call Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.

 

Soilborne Disease Master Class

 

Registrations are open for a Soilborne Disease Master Class to be held 16 – 17 August 2016 in Ipswich, Queensland as part of the Soil Wealth project commissioned by Horticulture Innovation Australia.
A team of industry experts will explore the latest biological, cultural and chemical options for managing soilborne disease in vegetable crops and, most importantly, provide tools for implementing these options within a risk-based approach on-farm.
The Master Class will be an intimate setting for discussion of specific issues. This a rare opportunity for growers or other industry members affected by soilborne disease. The program will cover:

  • Biology and life-cycles of key soilborne diseases and how knowledge of these can be used to tailor management approaches.
  • Non-chemical control strategies including biofumigant crops, organic amendments and farm management (such as tillage, crop rotation, irrigation, nutrition, hygiene).
  • Information on new products with potential as ICP tools, including novel biologicals, biopesticides, endophytes, seed dressing and inducers of systemic acquired resistance.
  • Developments in soil disease diagnostics and related monitoring: what’s currently available, how to interpret the results and what’s on the horizon.
  • Disease suppressing soils – what’s known about them and how to foster disease suppression in intensive vegetable production systems.
  • How to combine all the above elements to implement a risk-based approach to managing soilborne disease on farms.

Last year’s event was a full house, and with only 30 spaces available for participants in this year’s Master Class, interested parties are encouraged to register early! Attendance is free for growers who pay the National Vegetable Levy, and industry advisors and stakeholders are also welcome.
Please click here for more details, or to register, contact Heather on 03 9882 2670 or heatherb@rmcg.com.au.

The Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection projects are funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

 

2016 National Horticulture Convention Feedback Survey

AUSVEG invites all attendees of the 2016 National Horticulture Convention to give their feedback through our online survey. To take the survey, please click here.

 

 

Breeding a new generation of potatoes at Cornell University

 

The development of new potato varieties plays an important role in strengthening the health and growth of the global potato industry, with numerous breeding programs throughout the world aiming to improve the yield, quality and pest resistance of potato crops.
In New York, Cornell University has been running a potato breeding program for over fifty years, with Associate Professor Walter De Jong saying that they release a new variety every two to three years.
The university devotes about 70 per cent of its efforts to developing new chipping varieties, such as Lamoka, which was released in 2011 and is currently the fourth most popular chipping variety in the United States.
In addition to developing new chipping varieties, the breeding program also focuses on incorporating resistance to potato pests and diseases, including Common scab and Potato virus Y.
The latest edition of Potatoes Australia magazine contains an interview with Mr De Jong and a full profile on Cornell University’s potato breeding program. To read all editions of Potatoes Australia on the AUSVEG website, please click here.

This communication was funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Potato Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

New R&D reports available on InfoVeg

InfoVeg is a comprehensive database that has been designed to bridge the gap between researchers and growers. It acts as a resource for growers to easily access technical information and research funded by the National Vegetable and Potato Levies.
The following reports were published recently on the InfoVeg database:

  • National Vegetable Industry Communication Strategy (VICS): management and implementation (VG12014)
  • Growing Leaders 2013 – 2015 inclusive (VG12053)
  • Graduate Alumni Industry Network (GAIN) (VG13036)
  • Women’s Grower Study Tour 2014-2016 (VG13706)
  • Market research around the opportunity to create more vegetable snacking options to quantify market size (VG14024)
  • Pre-harvest practices that will increase the shelf-life and freshness of vegetables (VG14025)
  • Generation of residue data for pesticide minor-use permit applications in vegetable crops 2014 (VG14038)

Click here to sign up or log in to your InfoVeg account to access the reports.

InfoVeg is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy, National Potato Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

54th Australian Export Awards – Applications now open

The Australian Export Awards (AEA) is a national program that honours Australian businesses for their export achievements and contribution to Australia’s economic prosperity.

Enter for your chance to:

  • Boost your profile and reputation among local and international customers.
  • Distinguish yourself from your competitors as an AEA winner/finalist.
  • Increase your profile with the Australian Government and your state/territory government.
  • Attend a masterclass hosted by business experts and top exporters.
  • Critically review your business during the application process and uncover ways to improve export strategies and operations.
  • Gain media exposure for your achievements.
  • Network with other exporters.

Enter the AEA through your state or territory’s export awards program. There are 12 national award categories, entry is free and the application process is straightforward. Visit www.exportawards.gov.au for more information and to apply.

 

ACCC launches collective bargaining guide

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched a new guide for small businesses and farmers on the potential benefits of collective bargaining.
A collective bargaining arrangement allows two or more competing businesses to jointly negotiate with a supplier or a customer over terms, conditions, and prices. Where the ACCC is satisfied that the arrangement provides an overall public benefit, it can allow conduct which may otherwise be prohibited by the Competition and Consumer Act.
Collective bargaining is particularly suited where members of the group have common objectives and requirements. A group of businesses may sometimes appoint a representative, such as an industry association, to act on its behalf in the negotiations.
To access the guide, please click here.

 

Get ready for Asia’s leading trade show – Asia Fruit Logistica

Levy-paying vegetable growers who are currently exporting or interested in beginning to export are invited to apply to attend and exhibit at the upcoming Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong. Funded attendance will give growers the chance to participate in Asia’s leading tradeshow for the international fresh fruit and vegetable business, gain an understanding of the Hong Kong market and establish new business contacts in Asian markets.
The Asia Fruit Logistica tradeshow will be held from 7 – 9 September 2016, with anticipated travel dates for participants being 5 – 10 September 2016. To download an application form, please click here. This form can be returned to AUSVEG at export@ausveg.com.au or via fax on (03) 9882 6722.

Participation in Asia Fruit Logistica is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

Applications now open for GrowAg Summit

The GrowAg Summit, presented by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and Australia’s Rural Research and Development Corporations, will bring together Australia’s sharpest and most innovative leaders in agriculture.
To be held over 21 – 23 September 2016 in Albury, New South Wales, the Summit is free for participants and will be a meeting place for the new generation of decision makers in agriculture to discuss new technologies, ideas, smart business, leadership and innovation.
Applications are currently open, and close 20 July 2016. Please click here to access the website and application form for the Summit. If you require more information about GrowAg or the application process, please contact Jennifer Medway on (02) 6271 4132 or at jennifer.medway@rirdc.gov.au.

 

Growcom launch Hort360 Innovation Coach

Queensland horticulture representative body Growcom has launched a new service designed to help fruit, vegetable and nut growers work through the process of integrating new technology into their businesses.
Please click above to view a video introducing the Hort360 Innovation Coach.
The Hort360 Innovation Coach will enable growers to maximise their access to grants and support mechanisms to realise their plans to implement innovation on their farms.
This fee-for-service program will provide growers with a paddock-to-plate process map, a growth plan, and a skills audit to help them identify where and how to refine their processes or implement innovative practices on-farm.
For more information on the Hort360 Innovation Coach, please click here to read Growcom’s media release launching the service.

 

 

Healthy Food Partnership

AUSVEG has participated in a meeting and roundtable discussion with the Executive Committee of the Healthy Food Partnership and Professor Graham MacGregor of the Wolfson Institute.
The Healthy Food Partnership is a cooperative effort by the Australian Government, food industry bodies and public health groups to tackle obesity, encourage healthy eating and empower food manufacturers to make positive changes to their product portfolios.
AUSVEG will continue to work as part of the Partnership to build upon the many actions of governments, food industry bodies and public health groups alike to achieve increased health knowledge, healthier choices and better health outcomes through food policy for the Australian population.

 

 

New biosecurity laws for Queensland

The Queensland Biosecurity Act came into effect on 1 July 2016. There are new requirements changing how government, industry and the community deal with biosecurity, to better protect the environment and the community from animal and plant pests, diseases and contaminants.
For more information, please click here.

 

Syngenta – CHESS label extension

Please be advised that Syngenta has recently extended the label of CHESS. CHESS is an insecticide with the approved active Pymetrozine.
There were two permits for use of CHESS that have had several uses extended to label. The label extension covers use on celery to control aphids from PER14341 and all uses except for the use on snow and sugar snap peas to control cowpea aphid, pea aphid and potato aphid from PER14892.
As a result of this label extension, PER14341 will be withdrawn and PER14892 will be retained only for the use on snow and sugar snap peas to control cowpea aphid, pea aphid and potato aphid.
Please update your records with the new label accordingly.

 

Vegetable leafminer control minor use

Vegetable leafminer (Linomyza sativae) has been found in Cape York. It is likely to move over time, and vegetable growers in Queensland should be aware.
Vegetable leafminer is different to ordinary beanfly and soybean stem fly, though the differences may need an entomologist or agronomist to identify correctly. Vegetable leafminer has a vast range of hosts and is a prescribed and notifiable pest.
PER81876 has recently been granted by the APVMA to control vegetable leafminer, using abamectin products for suppression of the pest. If you are in Queensland and suspect vegetable leafminer is present in your crop, please report it to 13 25 23.

Permit ID Description Date Issued Expiry Date Permit Holder States
PER81876 Actives: Abamectin
Crop: Fruit vegetables – cucurbits, fruiting vegetables – other than cucurbits (except sweet corn and mushrooms), leafy vegetables (except lettuce), legume vegetables, root and tuber vegetables, bulb vegetables, cabbage, celery and rhubarb
Pest: Vegetable leafminer		 24-Jun-2016 30-Apr-2019 Growcom QLD

Please refer to the minor use section below this article for details on how information on minor use permits are communicated to users.

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

 

New Minor Use permits

 

Permit ID Description Date Issued Expiry Date Permit Holder States
PER13152 (V2) Actives: MCPA
Crop: Rhubarb
Pest: Broadleaf weeds		 04-Dec-2013 30-Sep-2021 Growcom All states
PER14211 Actives: Fenhexamid
Crop: Snow peas & sugar snap peas
Pest: Grey mould & Chocolate spot		 27-Nov-2013 31-Mar-2017 Growcom All states

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.

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.

Minor use plays an integral role in the Australian vegetable industry. Please register your details on the Minor Use Database. For more information, please contact the AUSVEG Minor Use and Agronomy Coordinator Scott Kwasny on (03) 9882 0277 or email minoruse@ausveg.com.au.

 

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

 

AUSVEG in the media

AUSVEG featured widely across print media this week welcoming the commencement of Australia’s new Country of Origin Labelling laws, with AUSVEG National Manager – Public Affairs Jordan Brooke-Barnett saying that the reformed system is a win for Australian consumers and a definitive affirmation of the right of shoppers to make informed decisions about the food they buy.
AUSVEG National Manager – Scientific Affairs Dr Jessica Lye appeared across print and broadcast media this week following the discovery of Varroa jacobsoni mites at the port of Townsville. Dr Lye urged professional and amateur beekeepers to inspect their hives for the mites, which are a parasite of Asian honey bees.
AUSVEG National Manager – Communications Shaun Lindhe featured in print media this week commenting on research being conducted on the role of parasitic wasps in controlling destructive aphids which target potatoes. Mr Lindhe noted that this method of controlling aphid populations can deliver valuable benefits to potato growers by offering an option that doesn’t run the risk of increasing chemical resistance among aphid populations.
Mr Lindhe also appeared on broadcast media discussing the latest Project Harvest data that indicated Australian consumers overestimate the amount of imported fresh vegetables on supermarket shelves.

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.