Syngenta renews as Leading Strategic Partner

Syngenta, one of the world’s leading agricultural companies, has renewed its strategic partnership with AUSVEG and will have a strong presence at the forthcoming National Horticulture Convention.
AUSVEG CEO, Richard Mulcahy, said the relationship with Syngenta has now existed for many years and the support provided by Syngenta is appreciated by Australia’s vegetable and potato growers.
“Not only does Syngenta have a very visible presence at this major national event, taking place at RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast from 23-25 June, but throughout the year we work closely with the company to assist growers in learning about new crop protection technologies,” Mr Mulcahy said.
“Last year we were delighted that a delegation of 10 participants in the levy-funded Women’s Industry Leadership and Development Mission visited the headquarters of Syngenta in Switzerland and gained a valuable insight into the company’s substantial investment in R&D.
“Earlier this year also, growers attending Fruit Logistica in Berlin were hosted at meetings and events by Syngenta representatives in Europe and for that we are most grateful.
“An upcoming Young Growers mission to South America is also being planned with guidance and assistance from Syngenta.
“AUSVEG welcomes Syngenta’s ongoing involvement in the industry and we look forward to working closely with their team in the years ahead.”

Calling all young growers to the NextGen Free Fall event

This year’s NextGen Free Fall indoor skydiving event is sure to make you pay attention to your next airline safety briefing.
Dow AgroSciences is proud to sponsor this year’s event, which is free for growers aged 35 years or younger who have registered as a full delegate for the 2016 National Horticulture Convention. Spaces are strictly limited and only growers who are registered directly with AUSVEG may attend.

When: Saturday 25 June from 2pm to 5pm
Where: iFLY Gold Coast

Transport will be provided to and from RACV Royal Pines and drinks will also be provided at the nearest pub to reclaim your wits after the event.
For more information or to register, please contact Mr Nicholas Schmidt at (03) 9882 0277 or nicholas.schmidt@ausveg.com.au.
If you have not yet registered to attend the 2016 National Horticulture Convention, AUSVEG encourages you to get in before the early bird rate closes on 25 April. To find out more, view the delegate registration brochure or sign up online at registration.hortconv.com.au.

Submit your nomination for the National Awards for Excellence

The 2016 National Awards for Excellence will be held on Saturday 25 June at RACV Royal Pines and will once again be the highlight of the National Horticulture Convention. The Awards for Excellence provide a fantastic opportunity to recognise the outstanding contributors in our industry.

Nominations are being sought in the following categories:
• Grower of the Year – proudly sponsored by Syngenta
• Young Grower of the Year – proudly sponsored by Dow AgroSciences
• Rising Star of the Year – proudly sponsored by Coles
• Industry Impact Award
• Environmental Award – proudly sponsored by Netafim
• Community Stewardship Award – proudly sponsored by DuPont
• Innovation Partner Award – proudly sponsored by Boomaroo
• Innovative Marketing Award – proudly sponsored by CMAA-FMA
• Women in Horticulture Award
• Researcher of the Year Award – proudly sponsored by Bayer
Nominations for the 2016 National Horticulture Awards close on 2 May 2016, so make sure your colleagues are recognised for their hard work and dedication to the industry by nominating them today. To view the selection criteria and to nominate, please click here to download the Nomination Brochure.

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 along with presentations from 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.

Blankets for vegetables: Using frost cloth to protect plants from weather

Cold winter temperatures are a problem for many vegetable growers. At the least, they reduce growth and yield and extend the time to harvest. However, if temperatures fall below zero the consequences can be devastating. While some crops can recover, for others even a brief period at -1°C or lower can result in total crop loss.
This new fact sheet explains how floating row covers can be used to protect crops from frost and other weather extremes, while at the same time protecting crops from insect pests.

Click here to view the fact sheet.

To find out more about the ICP project or protecting crops visit the website, or join the Community of Practice online. You can also follow the project on Twitter @ProtectingCrops.

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

Practicalities for Exporting Vegetables Symposium

On Sunday 26 June 2016 AUSVEG will host a symposium to discuss the practicalities for exporting fresh vegetables for Australian vegetable growers. This event will run immediately after the 2016 National Horticulture Convention.
The purpose of this event is to provide a practical overview of the export process, while also providing insights into the demand for Australian vegetables in export markets. This practical forum will follow on from two successful forums in 2015: the Malaysia and United Arab Emirates Symposium and the South East Asia Symposium.
The speaker program will include presentations from across the export supply chain, representatives from Austrade and the Australian Government, as well as vegetable growers sharing their experiences of the export process. This Symposium will enable growers to develop practical skills to assist with exporting fresh produce.
Vegetable levy paying growers can apply to have associated travel and accommodation costs covered. Expressions of interest are now open.
Please click here to download the flyer. To express your interest, contact AUSVEG on (03) 9882 0277 or email info@ausveg.com.au.

The Practicalities for Exporting Vegetables Symposium is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Sign-up now for the Global Innovations in Horticulture seminar

Following on from the successful 2015 Seminar, Australian levy-paying vegetable growers will have the chance to listen to presentations from the world’s leading innovation experts at the 2016 Global Innovations in Horticulture Seminar on Thursday 23 June at RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast.
The Seminar will take place prior to the 2016 National Horticulture Convention at RACV Royal Pines from 23-25 June.
The Seminar will feature nine expert speakers from around the world on topics including precision agriculture, processing machinery, robotic technology, genetic modification, agriculture innovation research and plant breeding. Previous seminars have been very well received by growers, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of these leading thinkers in global horticulture.
Funded positions are available for attendance at this Seminar for levy-paying growers. For further details, please click here to download the event flyer or contact AUSVEG Global Innovations Coordinator Dylan Komishon on (03) 9882 0277, fax on (03) 9882 6722 or email info@ausveg.com.au.

The Global Innovations in Horticulture Seminar is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Nominate for the 2016 AUSVEG VIC Awards for Excellence

AUSVEG VIC is now seeking nominations for the 2016 Awards for Excellence. The Awards for Excellence provide a fantastic opportunity to recognise the outstanding contributions of Victorian growers, researchers and industry members across a number of categories.
Join us to celebrate the Victorian vegetable and potato industries with dinner, drinks and entertainment provided. The event will be attended by leading supply chain representatives and growers from across the state and will see a number of leading growers recognised for their contribution to the industry.
Click here to download an award nomination form with a full list of award categories, including the Victorian Grower of the Year, proudly sponsored by E.E Muir & Sons and the Women in Horticulture Award, proudly sponsored by Boomaroo Nurseries.
For further information on this event, please visit the AUSVEG VIC events website.

An update on Potato leafroll virus

Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) affects potato plants across the country, causing issues with yield and quality of crops. This is a huge problem for potato growers and as such, it is important that growers are able to recognise the signs of this destructive virus and know how to manage it.
According to Brenda Coutts, a Research Officer at the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA), potato growers should be constantly monitoring their crops for signs of the virus.
“Symptoms of PLRV infection are visible in the young leaves with upward rolling of the leaf margins, which commonly occurs in the basal portion of the leaf,” Ms Coutts said.
There are several management strategies that growers should be aware of. The first of these is to plant only certified or virus-tested tubers. Correct diagnosis is essential, so growers should ensure they use a reputable service.
Growers should also remove all self-sown potatoes and solanaceous weeds and avoid planting new and seed potato crops near old crops, as these might be infected. It is advised to monitor crops regularly and remove infected plants showing virus symptoms from seed potato crops.
A more detailed report on PLRV symptoms, virus transmission and management will feature in the upcoming edition of Potatoes Australia magazine, which is currently being finalised. To subscribe, please email your name and mailing address to info@ausveg.com.au.

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

Soil health farm walk in Queensland tomorrow

Witness the benefits of using compost and cover crops at a Soil Wealth demonstration site, which will be held tomorrow in Bowen, Queensland.

Date: Wednesday 30 March
Time: 10:00am to 12:00 noon
Location: Vee Jays Tomatoes, East Euri Creek Road, Bowen QLD

To find out more about the Soil Wealth project or protecting crops visit the website, or the demonstration site’s Facebook page. You can also follow the project on Twitter @Soil Wealth.
The Soil Wealth project has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Coming up soon: Northern Australia Food Futures Conference 2016

The Northern Australia Food Futures Conference 2016 will bring together a wide array of political minds and industry stakeholders to maximise agricultural development in Northern Australia from 11-13 April at the Darwin Convention Centre.
Leading politicians in agriculture from Australia’s three northern states, as well as key federal politicians, will feature in the speaker-line up, making for dynamic and robust panel conversations with farmers, government agencies and industry stakeholders.
Registrations are closing soon, so don’t miss out on a seat at this important conference. For more information or to register, please click here.

Free workshop: Solar pumping and energy storage

Learn about solar water pumping technologies and techniques, as well as methods for energy storage and energy saving, at the upcoming Solar Pumping and Energy Storage Workshop.

When: Tuesday 26 April 2016
Time: 9am to 2pm (registration from 8.30am)
Where: Pokolbin Community Hall, 128 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin NSW

To register for this event, please click here. For more information, please click here to read the flyer or contact Gordon Fraser at gordon.fraser@environment.nsw.gov.au or (02) 4927 3145.

Don’t miss out on the Minor Use Education Symposium

The Minor Use Education Symposium will be taking place at RACV Royal Pines, Gold Coast on Saturday 25 June from 1-5pm.
The Symposium, hosted by AUSVEG, will feature presentations by experts in the field of agricultural chemicals from across the industry to provide growers and stakeholders with a greater understanding of the minor use field.
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 is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Register now for the 2016 AUSVEG SA and William Buck Vegetable Industry Dinner and Awards for Excellence

AUSVEG SA will host the 2016 AUSVEG SA and William Buck Vegetable Industry Dinner and Awards for Excellence on Thursday 28 April from 6pm at the Arkaba Hotel, Adelaide, South Australia.
Leading supply chain and grower participants from throughout the state will come together to celebrate the South Australian industry and recognise leading growers for their contributions.
RSVPs can be sent to AUSVEG SA State Manager Jordan Brooke-Barnett at ausvegsa@ausveg.com.au or 0404 772 308.
To view the flyer for the event, please click here, or to fill out a nomination form, please click here.

Minor Use Permits

Please note that the above permit does not come into force until the date stipulated above and there may be current permits active.

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.

AUSVEG in the media

AUSVEG CEO Richard Mulcahy appeared extensively in national broadcast media over the weekend, welcoming the decision by Potatoes New Zealand to withdraw its application seeking market access for fresh potatoes for processing into Australia. Mr Mulcahy said the decision comes as a great relief to growers as it will help protect the domestic potato industry from Zebra chip disease, which has severely damaged the New Zealand potato industry.
AUSVEG Economist Andrew Kruup sounded the alarm in multiple print and broadcast media outlets over the impact of foreign vegetable imports on Australia’s vegetable industry. Mr Kruup said the gross value of the vegetable industry in Australia declined by five per cent in 2014-15, while vegetable imports to Australia rose by seven per cent across the same period, prompting concerns that local growers are suffering from a competitive disadvantage against cheaper imported produce.
AUSVEG spokesperson Dimi Kyriakou also appeared in broadcast media to discuss the results from the latest Project Harvest consumer research study, which indicates that healthy eating as well as social and environmental responsibility are driving Australian food consumption. Ms Kyriakou said the research forecast a continued interest in food knowledge, with consumers likely to include raw foods and fresh vegetables on their plates in 2016.

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.