2016 National Horticulture Convention begins next week!

There’s only one week to go until the 2016 National Horticulture Convention kicks off on Thursday 23 June at RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast!
This year’s Convention promises to be the biggest and best yet, with the highest ever number of industry bodies involved, a sold-out Trade Show and a huge number of delegates coming to the Gold Coast from Australia and overseas.
The Convention includes an array of speaker sessions featuring presentations by domestic and international experts, as well as an exciting social calendar, including the DuPont Masquerade Theme Night, the Steritech Women in Horticulture High Tea and the Dow AgroSciences NextGen Free Fall event.
The Convention also features a three-day Trade Show with over 70 exhibitors from the horticulture industry, and will finish with the National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, celebrating the work of our great industry and recognising its best and brightest.
For more information on the premier event in Australian horticulture, please click here to visit the Convention website or click here to view the Delegate brochure. To register to attend the Convention, please click here.

 

Meet the AUSVEG team

Following the retirement of Richard Mulcahy, AUSVEG is being led by AUSVEG Director and Interim CEO Simon Bolles, who was appointed to the AUSVEG Board as a Skills-Based Director in 2014.
Mr Bolles’ 30-year career in investment banking and stockbroking spanned equities research, equity capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, relationship management/business development, corporate broking/access, investor relations and communications. He is an expert in the financial services sector and has direct, research and advisory experience of numerous other industries, including agribusiness, superannuation/investments and infrastructure. He has recently consulted to a start-up and with career consultants Audrey Page and Associates.
Mr Bolles has ten years’ experience on boards and sub-committees. Currently, he is a prequalified independent member for audit and risk committees of the NSW Government; a Registered Director of the Tasmanian Government Department of Treasury and Finance; an Independent Member of the Australian Dairy Farmers Audit, Risk and Compliance Board Committee; a board member of Road Trauma Support Services Victoria; the Deputy Chair of the University of Melbourne Faculty of Business and Economics’ Alumni Council; a member of the Advisory Board of the Victorian Command Salvation Army; and member of other sub-committees.

Mr Bolles is supported by an experienced managerial team, who oversee the delivery of effective representation and high-quality services for the industry:

  • Michael Coote, National Manager – Export Development
  • Shaun Lindhe, National Manager – Communications
  • Dr Jessica Lye, National Manager – Scientific Affairs
  • Nathan McIntyre, National Marketing Manager
  • Jordan Brooke-Barnett, National Manager – Public Affairs and SA State Manager
  • Kurt Hermann, AUSVEG VIC State Manager
  • Nev Crljenkovic, Chief Financial Officer

For more information on AUSVEG staff, please click here.

 

New biosecurity legislation commences 16 June 2016

The Federal Biosecurity Act 2015 comes into effect on 16 June 2016. There are new requirements that will affect how the biosecurity risks of goods, people and conveyances entering Australia are managed.
For more information, please click here.

 

AUSVEG office closure

The AUSVEG office in Melbourne will be closed from Tuesday 21 June to Monday 27 June, with all AUSVEG staff attending the National Horticulture Convention. As a result, there will be no Weekly Update on Tuesday 21 June.
The office will be open in a limited capacity on Tuesday 28 June and Wednesday 29 June, and will re-open for full operations from Thursday 30 June.

 

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.

 

Call for Board position applications: Horticulture Innovation Australia

In the lead-up to its second Annual General Meeting (AGM) in November, Horticulture Innovation Australia (Hort Innovation) has five Director roles available on its Board. Applications are now open for growers and others with an interest in driving the future of Australia’s horticulture industry.
Following the conclusion of the advertisement and search processes, the Director Nomination Committee will meet in late July to agree on a shortlist of candidates for interviews, which will be held in August.
For the full advertisement and application pack, go to the Hort Innovation website and submit all applications to Rimfire Resources by close of business, Monday 27 June 2016. For more information, contact Mick Hay or Sharon Moloney at Rimfire Resources on (07) 3878 3411.
Grower members of Hort Innovation are encouraged to vote for Directors at the AGM in November. More details on this process, including the need to verify levies paid, will be available via member email and on the Hort Innovation website in the coming months.
To become a member of Hort Innovation and be eligible to vote at the AGM, please download the form available on the AUSVEG website by clicking here, and return it to info@ausveg.com.au.

 

New Nielsen consumer research available

New reports from Nielsen consumer research into the fresh vegetable market are now available on InfoVeg. The results of research covering the year to April 2016 are now available, including regular analyses, reports, and deep dives.
Nielsen’s Homescan service records the vegetable purchases of 10,000 Australian households, with the data on these purchases then collated into monthly reports which can help the vegetable industry deliver products that best meet consumers’ needs.
A wide range of vegetable commodities are covered by these reports, including Asian vegetable varieties, beans, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, fresh salad, lettuce, pumpkin, sweetpotato and zucchini.
The reports are available for registered users of the InfoVeg database. Please click here to read the latest reports, or click here to read all Nielsen reports.

Nielsen consumer research is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Improving potato yield and production efficiency with spatial variability

Researchers from the University of Sydney, Simplot Australia and Terrapix have recently completed a project trialling precision agriculture tools to better understand within-field spatial variations in Tasmanian potato yield.
By monitoring plant growth at five separate periods over a growing season, the researchers observed important interactions between a number of factors and crop yield.
In general, changes in elevation and the related soil physical changes work to influence crop growth. During the first two-thirds of the observed growing season, the areas of higher elevation showed higher yields, potentially indicating that elevation/soil interaction are combining with rainfall and irrigation quantities to create a production restriction at lower elevations.
More information on the project’s findings, and project’s grower guidelines for spatial management of inputs, can be found in the upcoming July/August edition of Potatoes Australia. To read previous editions of Potatoes Australia, please click here.

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

 

10 essential questions to help you find the best solar power products for your needs

Solar power is a difficult product to purchase, since most of us are buying it for the first time. This means we’re usually unaware of the pros and cons of brands and retailers on the market. To assist in your solar power research, Solargain has put together 10 essential questions you should ask to find an exceptional company with high-quality products – to find out what they are, click here. You can also obtain more information by visiting Solargain at Booth 3 at the 2016 National Horticulture Convention.

 

Pip Courtney and Dr Sharman Stone to join Women in Horticulture High Tea

AUSVEG is pleased to announce the 2016 Women in Horticulture High Tea, proudly sponsored by Steritech, will be joined by Landline host Pip Courtney and Dr the Hon Sharman Stone MP, Federal member for Murray prior to the 2016 election.
Ms Courtney and Dr Stone will lead a discussion on the unlimited potential of women in horticulture, while a panel of speakers comprising growers from the vegetable and apple industries will also discuss the different skills and expertise that women can bring to a farming operation during this important networking event.
The High Tea will be held at the luxurious Palazzo Versace and will bring together women in horticulture to celebrate their invaluable contributions to our great industry.

Saturday 25 June
2.30pm to 4.30pm
Palazzo Versace
(Buses will depart from RACV Royal Pines at 2.00pm)

In addition, Convention delegates can also attend the business session Step out to step up: upskilling and inspiring professionals working in horticulture production. This session is targeted to people working in HR, finance, marketing, research and more, and will identify development opportunities to help individuals and their businesses flourish.

Friday 24 June
2.00pm to 4.00pm
RACV Royal Pines

These events are free to all full delegates at the National Horticulture Convention. Individual tickets can also be purchased.
Please click here to register by 17 June. For more information, please email info@ausveg.com.au or call AUSVEG on (03) 9882 0277.

 

2016 Horticulture Field Day: Celebrating grower innovation

 
The 2016 National Horticulture Convention will conclude with the Horticulture Field Day on Sunday 26 June. This year, the field day is a celebration of innovation and adaptation in horticulture.
Delegates will be able to view leading farms in the Kalbar region and hear from representatives of each farm and other members of the industry.
The event is free and available only to those who have registered for the National Horticulture Convention.
Spaces are strictly limited so be sure to register your interest with AUSVEG promptly. For those who wish to leave the farm tour early, a mini bus will be available to take attendees back to RACV Royal Pines after lunch. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

When: Sunday 26 June, 8:15am-3:30pm
Where: Bus will depart from RACV Royal Pines at 8:30am sharp. Farm visits will take place in the Kalbar region

To register, please contact info@ausveg.com.au. For more information, call AUSVEG on (03) 9882 0277.

 

Tee up for the Inaugural Convention Golf Day

 
The Inaugural Convention Golf Day will be held at RACV Royal Pines Golf Club on Sunday 26 June.
This event will be the perfect way to unwind after the 2016 National Horticulture Convention on the picturesque Royal Pines course. With club hire available from the clubhouse, it promises to be a great day of relaxation and socialising with fellow delegates.
For more information on the Golf Day, please click here to read the flyer, or contact AUSVEG at info@ausveg.com.au or on (03) 9882 0277. For more information on the National Horticulture Convention, please visit the Convention website.

 

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.

 

AUSVEG in the media

AUSVEG Director Belinda Adams appeared in online news coverage this week discussing the upcoming Women in Horticulture networking event, to be held on Saturday 25 June during the 2016 National Horticulture Convention. Mrs Adams said that the Women in Horticulture event celebrates the integral role that women play in all aspects of Australian horticulture, and noted that eight of horticulture’s most dynamic women will be speaking at the event and sharing their stories.
AUSVEG National Manager – Public Affairs Jordan Brooke-Barnett continued to appear across print and broadcast media this week commenting on the news that Oakville Produce has entered into voluntary administration. Following reports that growers have been left out of pocket, Mr Brooke-Barnett called on the ACCC and ASIC to ensure that growers are fully compensated and to ensure that potential buyers of Oakville have a long-term plan for the success of the company.
AUSVEG National Manager – Communications Shaun Lindhe appeared on radio discussing the latest consumer research from the levy-funded Project Harvest study. With the latest report showing that consumers are turning to traditional winter vegetables for warm meals as Australia heads into the colder months, Mr Lindhe discussed the health and nutrition benefits of using vegetables as winter comfort food.

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.