ICP fact sheet: Brassica whitefly control in vegetables

 

Brassica whitefly (Aleyrodes proletella) is a pest of crops in the brassica family. This insect is not restricted to brassicas, although it prefers them. Its host range includes cabbages, cauliflowers, broccoli, kale and Asian vegetables, especially wombok (Chinese cabbage).
In New South Wales, the brassica whitefly has only become a pest of significance in the last 2-3 seasons, but sightings of the insect were first reported in South Australia in 1997.
This fact sheet provides important information on damage, ecology, and management options including monitoring, cultural practices, biological control and chemical control. Click here to download.
To find out more about the Integrated Crop Protection project or protecting crops visit the website, or join the Community of Practice online. You can also follow the project on Twitter @ProtectingCrops.

The Integrated Crop Protection project is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

2016 Biennial Potato Industry Conference

The 2016 Potato Industry Conference will be held at the Ulumbarra Theatre in Bendigo, Victoria, from 7-9 August.

Presentations at the Conference will target key production and industry issues to help grow the industry and ensure that Australian potato growers have access to the latest information to grow their business. To view a copy of the program, please click here.

To register for the Conference, please click here. To keep up with the latest news about the Conference, please click here.

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

 

Help shape the future of EnviroVeg

 
With consumers becoming increasingly concerned about the environmental credentials of their food, showcasing a commitment to environmental best practice growing techniques has never been more important.
EnviroVeg, the vegetable industry’s own environmental program developed specifically for vegetable growers, provides growers with guidelines and information on how to manage their business in an environmentally responsible manner.
As EnviroVeg enters a crucial period, feedback received from growers and industry will be invaluable in refining its direction and overall effectiveness. AUSVEG has developed a short, five-minute survey about the EnviroVeg program for growers and industry members who would like to contribute to the future of the program.
All responses to the survey will be treated as confidential. The survey can be accessed online here, or can be received and completed in hard copy by contacting the AUSVEG Environment Coordinator on (03) 9882 0277 or at info@ausveg.com.au.

The EnviroVeg program is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

AUSVEG office closure – Wednesday 10 August

The AUSVEG office in Melbourne will be closed on Wednesday 10 August for building maintenance. It will reopen for business on Thursday 11 August.

 

Lockyer Valley Growers – Horticultural and Innovation Expo

Lockyer Valley Growers hosted the 2016 National Horticultural and Innovation Expo on 27-28 July in Gatton, bringing together over 1,000 growers, industry representatives and members of the public throughout the two-day event.
A highlight of the Expo was the seed display constructed for the event, which allowed growers to converse directly with seed companies and see new varieties and technologies available to their growing operations.
The seed display at the 2016 National Horticultural and Innovation Expo.
The Expo also featured national and local businesses from Gatton and surrounding towns displaying their businesses and what they could offer to growers, while speaker sessions were held to educate growers and the public about the innovations that are being undertaken around the Australian horticulture industry.
On Wednesday 27 July Lockyer Valley Growers also held their annual industry dinner, sponsored by Agricultural Requirements and Case IH, giving growers an opportunity to get together and unwind.
AUSVEG congratulates Lockyer Valley Growers on their successful event.

 

Farm Co-Operatives and Collaboration Pilot Program

The Farm Co-Operatives and Collaboration Pilot Program is a Commonwealth Government investment of $14.9 million to provide farmers with knowledge and materials on co-operatives, collective bargaining and other forms of collaboration in the agriculture sector.
Grant funding for delivery of the Program has been provided to Southern Cross University, which will be hosting the launch of the Program at Mantra on Salt Beach in Kingscliff, New South Wales, from 29-30 August.
For more information on the Program launch, please click here.

 

National farmer survey on agricultural extension

As part of the Australian Government’s Rural R&D for Profit programme, a national survey of farmers about the topic of agricultural extension is being conducted.
As a participating Research and Development Corporation in the project, Horticulture Innovation Australia is encouraging growers to participate in this survey to ensure the diverse views of horticulture levy-payers on this important topic are represented. Ensuring that farmers have the information, advice and support they need to be productive, profitable, sustainable and connected to the latest research is a topic of national significance identified in the Australian competitiveness white paper, and the results of this survey will be used to shape future agricultural extension services.
For more information on the short 15-minute survey, and to participate in the survey, please click here.
The survey forms part of research into agricultural extension being conducted as part of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Rural R&D for Profit programme and is supported by RIRDC (Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation), Dairy Australia, Meat and Livestock Australia, Cotton Research and Development Corporation, Australian Pork Limited, Sugar Research Australia, Horticulture Innovation Australia, NSW Department of Industry, Agriculture Victoria and the University of Melbourne. The survey is administered by Quantum Market Research.

 

Grants and interest-free loans from Coles Nurture Fund

The Coles Nurture Fund (CNF) has been established to help small Australian producers, farmers and manufacturers innovate and grow their businesses.
Over five years, the CNF will allocate $50 million in grants and interest-free loans to fund the development of new products, technologies, systems and processes. The third round of the CNF is now open, and will close at 5pm Monday 29 August 2016.
The maximum single grant of funds or a loan under the CNF is $500,000. To be eligible for funding, applicants must:

  • Have a turnover that is less than $25,000,000 per annum;
  • Employ no more than 50 full-time employees (excluding casual seasonal labour);
  • Have a registered Australian Business Number;
  • Be an incorporated Australian entity registered for GST;
  • Have been trading for a minimum of two years;
  • Provide financial statements for a minimum of the previous two financial years; and
  • Provide a funding declaration from an external accountant on the accountant’s company letterhead confirming ability to fund applicant’s share of project costs and solvency.

For more information, click here to visit the CNF website.

 

Notice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

The ACCC has notified AUSVEG that two proposed transactions relevant to vegetable growers are being reviewed. They are:

  • the proposed acquisition of Syngenta by ChemChina (Adama); and
  • the proposed merger of Dow and DuPont.

Submissions from interested parties close at 5pm on Friday 5 August. More information on the reviews can be found here.
 

Adama Young Agronomist of the Year Award

In line with its commitment to Australian agriculture, Adama is once again looking to identify Australia’s best young agronomist through the Adama Young Agronomist of the Year Award.
Adama’s General Manager for Marketing Mr Adam Phelan announced that Adama’s investment in the next generation of agronomists is more important than the company’s R&D investments.
“At Adama we take great pride in the investment we are making to bring new innovations and technologies to the Australian market, but without a strong distribution and agronomy network to deliver these innovations to Australian growers, the potential gains of these may never be realised,” Mr Phelan said.
“We want to formally recognise the significant contribution agronomists make to the success of Australian farming. In particular we want to support young agronomists so they continue to grow and take pride in the difference they make as they further their agronomy careers.”
Nominations close on 31 August, after which Adama will announce 10 finalists. A panel comprising farmers, industry leaders, Adama and Agricultural Appointments will choose three winners through an interview and reference check process, who will be rewarded with an overseas study tour to review international farming practices and agronomic techniques. One of these three agronomists will be named as the Adama Young Agronomist of the Year.
The competition is open to any agronomist under the age of 30 as of 14 February 2016. To nominate an agronomist for this award, please click here.

 

AUSVEG in the media

With an industrial dispute between Polar Fresh warehouses and its workers leading to union blockades of warehouses used by Coles supermarkets, AUSVEG National Manager – Communications Shaun Lindhe featured in print media this week expressing AUSVEG’s concerns that growers could suffer collateral financial damage from the dispute.
Mr Lindhe also continued to feature in print and on radio this week discussing the latest report from the Project Harvest consumer study commissioned by Horticulture Innovation Australia. Mr Lindhe said that the report, which highlighted new healthy eating guidelines being implemented overseas, should prompt a rethink of what constitutes a healthy diet in Australia.
AUSVEG National Manager – Scientific Affairs Dr Jessica Lye again featured in print media this week commenting on the discovery of varroa mite in Townsville Port. Dr Lye noted that Australia has well-established arrangements in place for responding to exotic pests like varroa mite.
AUSVEG National Manager – Public Affairs Jordan Brooke-Barnett appeared on radio commenting on the commencement of reforms to Australia’s country of origin labelling scheme, saying that the changes to the system will benefit consumers and Australian farmers.

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.