Expressions of Interest: vegetable industry Strategic Investment Advisory Panels

Hort Innovation is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from suitably qualified growers and other supply chain stakeholders for the vegetable industry Strategic Investment Advisory Panels (SIAPs) – Farm Productivity, Market Development and Consumer Alignment.
The SIAPs provide strategic investment advice to Hort Innovation in relation to industry research and development programs funded by industry levies and matching dollars from the Australian Government. They are guided by the strategic priorities set out in the industry Strategic Investment Plan.
If you would like to help shape the future of the Australian vegetable industry, apply by using the Expressions of Interest form on Hort Innovation’s website. Details on the EOI process and closing dates can also be found here.
Applications will be assessed and shortlisted by an independent recruitment firm. A selection panel may then interview shortlisted candidates. The selection panel will recommend the final panel composition to the Hort Innovation Board.
For more information or to have a form sent to you, please contact Rimfire Resources:

Brisbane: 07 3878 3411
Melbourne: 03 9645 5200
Email: horticulture@rimfireresources.com.au
Nutrient element functions in vegetable crops

Plant nutrients are commonly split into two categories:

  • Major elements (macronutrients) that are required in relatively large quantities by plants; and
  • Trace elements (micronutrients) that are essential for plant growth, but are only required in small amounts.

All elements must be available in a form that is useable by the plant, and in balanced concentrations that allow optimum plant growth.
Click here for a summary of what the plant nutrients do, and how they need to be applied for the plant to make best use of a grower’s investment in fertilisers.
To find out more about the Soil Wealth project or managing your soil visit the website, or follow one of the demonstration sites in your region online. You can also follow the project on Twitter @SoilWealth.

The Soil Wealth project is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

Range of TPP host plants sparks further research

Knowledge about the exact host plant range of Tomato potato psyllid (TPP; Bactericera cockerelli) is critical to improving targeted pest and disease management strategies and surveillance techniques for biosecurity agencies, as well as industry and growers.
Research aiming to uncover the range of plants that could play host to this pest is being conducted in partnership between the Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre, Plant and Food Research New Zealand, and the Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources.
The project has been conducting a literature review and host plant field surveys to identify the breadth of plant species on which TPP can complete at least one generation.
A full profile on this project is available in the latest edition of Potatoes Australia magazine. To access all 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.

 

Farm Biosecurity 2016 – workshop and lecture series

Farm Biosecurity 2016, a practical and informative series of workshops and lectures hosted by Box Hill Institute at its Lilydale campus, has been designed for primary producers and organisations with a biosecurity responsibility.
The line-up of expert speakers will ensure that attendees are aware of emerging threats and what they can do to minimise the likelihood of an outbreak. The day’s program includes:
Workshops

  • Implementing a farm bisoecurity plan – Dr Jessica Lye, AUSVEG
  • Phylloxera under the microscope – Dr Kevin Powell, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR)
  • Apiary inspection – Jessica Hartland, DEDJTR

Keynote speakers

  • Dr Simone Warner – Research Director Microbial Sciences, Pests & Diseases, Biosciences Research Division
  • Dr Andrea Magiafoglou – 360AgSolutions on behalf of Cherry Growers Australia
  • Dr Cathy Robinson – Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO
  • Dr Brendan Rodoni – Principal Research Scientist, Microbiology, Biosciences Research Division

Farm Biosecurity 2016 will be held on Tuesday 8 November 2016 from 9:00am – 4:30pm at the Box Hill Institute’s Lilydale Campus (1 Jarlo Drive, Lilydale VIC 3140). For more information on the event, please click here.

 

2016 Nuffield Australia National Conference

The Nuffield Australia National Conference, held annually, brings together over 300 primary producers from a wide cross section of industries and regions from Australia and overseas.
The 2016 Conference will be held in Adelaide, South Australia, from Wednesday 14 September to Friday 16 September, and will include presentations from more than 25 Nuffield Scholars presenting the findings of their research projects. Themes from these scholars include:

  • How farmers can manage urban encroachment, unfavourable public perception and legislative change – Bernadette Mortensen, NSW
  • Sustainable high yields from continuous double cropping with centre pivot irrigation — turning water into cashflow – Adam McVeigh, QLD
  • Communication technology solutions for farm enterprises (to provide high-speed internet and better communications to users) – Jock Graham, NSW
  • Variety selection and soil amendments during conversion from conventional to certified organic farming – Nathan Free, VIC
  • Brand of origin: The benefits and challenges of provenance marketing for producers – Abby McKibben, TAS

The Conference will also feature a range of expert keynote speakers from major agricultural researchers and service providers, including CSIRO, Rabobank, Deere & CO and Bayer CropScience Australia & New Zealand.
For more information and to register for the 2016 Nuffield Australia National Conference, please click here.

Hort Innovation provides funding for Nuffield Scholarships with industry levies and matched funds from the Australian Government.

 

Leadership opportunities for horticulture businesses

Horticulture Innovation Australia (Hort Innovation) is calling for businesses in all levels of the production and supply chain to participate in a new program that aims to strengthen the industry by attracting the next generation of employees.
Under the program, businesses will be linked with the nation’s leading final-year university students from a range of disciplines ranging from engineering to commerce, marketing and agriculture.
Selected students will undertake an internship with the host business, working on a horticulture-focussed project that meets the needs of the host business and the student’s degree requirements. After the completion of the project, and the student’s associated degree, host businesses will get the opportunity to employ the graduate with funding support from Hort Innovation for the first year.
Managed by Rimfire Resources, the student recruitment process will be made easy through a dedicated online resource which will allow interested businesses to view all applications – including online video presentations – via a user-friendly portal.
For more details, please click here, or phone Mick Hay on 0418 804 600 or Nigel Crawley on 0419 320 474.

This program is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using levy funds and funds from the Australian Government.

 

Could worms work for you?

A new three-year project commissioned by Horticulture Innovation Australia, Optimising the benefits of vermiculture in commercial-scale vegetable growing, will identify practical and cost-effective ways vegetable growers can use earthworms and vermiculture products in their growing systems.
The project is seeking vegetable growers interested in using earthworms and worm (vermiculture) products to boost soil health and productivity. Vegetable growers at sites across Australia will be involved in field research over the next three years, and the project managers would like to hear from interested growers.
The project will work to identify the most cost-efficient practices and provide guides on how to boost productivity using vermiculture. In addition to being an indicator of healthy soil, earthworms can also contribute to soil fertility, structure, porosity, soil carbon, drainage and active soil biology. Vermiculture products such as vermi-casts and liquid additives can also boost productivity and soil health.
If you are interested in, or are already using, earthworms or vermiculture products, or would like more information about the project, please contact the project manager Bill Grant on 0407 88 2070 or bill.grant@blueenvironment.com.au.

This project is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

AUSVEG VIC memberships due for renewal

AUSVEG VIC would like to remind Victorian vegetable and potato growers that AUSVEG VIC memberships are due for renewal.
Membership fees are due by 31 August 2016, and will help to fund AUSVEG VIC’s work in advocating for Victorian vegetable and potato growers, including representing their needs and concerns to all levels of government.
AUSVEG VIC is run by growers for growers, and is guided by its Executive Committee, which currently includes 12 dedicated growers who represent a broad cross-section of experience and expertise.
For more information on renewing membership or about AUSVEG VIC in general, please contact AUSVEG VIC State Manager Kurt Hermann at info@ausvegvic.com.au. Please click here to download a 2016/17 AUSVEG VIC membership form.

 

AUSVEG Economic Confidence Survey – June quarter results

All responses to the latest AUSVEG Economic Confidence Survey have now been compiled, with the results showing that vegetable growers are feeling more confident about their industry.
The survey found that confidence increased by over 30 per cent during the June 2016 quarter, largely driven by increased confidence in domestic and export markets, alongside increases in confidence in macroeconomic factors, the benefits of investing and government policy.
AUSVEG conducts the quarterly Economic Confidence Survey to gauge attitudes in the vegetable industry regarding a range of economic factors, and the next survey will be conducted in September 2016. AUSVEG encourages all vegetable growers to keep an eye out for the survey – more contributions mean more accurate results, which will help AUSVEG to represent the industry and ensure that economics activities focus on the areas of most importance to growers.

Economics activities for the vegetable industry are funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

KMH Environmental and pitt&sherry merge

pitt&sherry, the multi-specialist infrastructure consultancy, and KMH Environmental consultancy are merging operations.
This merger will strengthen the group’s capability to deliver projects in New South Wales, as well as providing an expanded service offering to clients throughout Australia. The deal brings together specialist engineering and environmental services, and will deliver greater consistency, reliability and certainty in outcomes for clients.
For more information on these organisations, please visit their websites: KMH Environmental and pitt&sherry.

 

NSW Fruit & Veg Month

 

Fruit & Veg Month is a health promotion program for New South Wales primary schools, supported by NSW Health, that puts a positive focus on fruit and vegetables. The theme for this year’s program is “Vegetables are Funky!”, with fun classroom and whole-of-school activities that promote kids eating more vegetables.

Evaluation has shown that involvement in Fruit & Veg Month may increase students’ knowledge about the benefits of eating fruit and vegetables, encourage conversations about healthy lifestyles, and increase the amount of fruit and vegetables that students eat – as well as the variety they eat and their willingness to try new varieties.

Fruit & Veg Month 2016 runs from 29 August to 23 September. To find out more about the program and how schools can register for the program, please click here. Please note that while interstate schools are not eligible to register, they can still use the resources available through the Fruit & Veg Month website.

 

Change to minor use permit

 

Lettuce was added to the following permit some time ago. Unfortunately growers of lettuce should note that there have been some phytotoxicity issues reported from use of Propachlor products in lettuce.
Due to these crop safety concerns, lettuce has been withdrawn from the permit, and the new permit listed below has been released.
Lettuce growers should take note that the new version of the permit takes priority, and that use on lettuce is no longer supported.

Permit ID Description Date Issued Expiry Date Permit Holder States
PER12008 v5 Actives: Propachlor
Crop: Silverbeet, spinach, rocket, Brassica leafy veg, shallots, spring onions
Pest: Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds		 18-Jun-2012 30-Nov-2025 Growcom All states except VIC

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.

Users are advised that while the pesticide can be applied legally under the APVMA minor use permit, there can be a significant delay until the maximum residue limit (MRL) gazetted by the APVMA is adopted in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

Until this occurs the MRL may not be recognised and a zero tolerance may be imposed for residues of the pesticide resulting from its use according to the APVMA permit.

Please be aware that in the absence of a MRL in the Food Standards Code, the use of the pesticide according to the permit may result in the suspension of the produce in the marketplace. Please check the FSANZ website or the Australian Government ComLaw website to confirm if there are MRL established by the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

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.

If an adverse experience occurs as a result of using the permit, please fill out a Non-Performance Reporting Form for Horticultural Pesticides and return to jodie.pedrana@horticulture.com.au. To download a Non-Performance Reporting Form for Horticultural Pesticides, please click here.

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 National Manager – Communications Shaun Lindhe appeared on radio this week discussing a report from the Project Harvest study commissioned by Hort Innovation. Mr Lindhe noted that the report laid out a blueprint for growth for the vegetable industry, including outlining key areas of opportunity to Australian consumption of fresh vegetables.
Mr Lindhe also appeared in print media discussing the report’s suggestion that members of the Australian vegetable industry should look into making produce available through dinner kits and other online shopping channels to meet consumers’ increasing desire for convenience. Mr Lindhe noted that major social and technological factors are driving changes to the shopping behaviour of modern consumers.
AUSVEG also made public comment in the media this week on the results of the latest AUSVEG Economic Confidence Survey, which found that confidence in the industry’s economic outlook increased over the June quarter.

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.