Veggie Stats – financial snapshots of key vegetable commodities

AUSVEG produces the Veggie Stats series – bi-monthly snapshots of the financial performance of key vegetable commodities, including value of production, area sown, yield, and number of producers. Veggie Stats profiles also include data on recent export history and key export markets.

You can access all editions of Veggie Stats on the AUSVEG website, going back to the very first edition in July 2014.

There’s a new edition of Veggie Stats released in every edition industry magazine Vegetables Australia, produced by AUSVEG as part of levy-funded vegetable industry communications programme. Veggie Stats in the upcoming July/August edition of Vegetables Australia will focus on pumpkins.

To subscribe to Vegetables Australia, or Potatoes Australia (the industry magazine for the Australian potato industry), e-mail communications@ausveg.com.au with your postal address and a note letting us know which magazine/s you’d like to receive.

Economic activities in the vegetable industry are funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the national vegetable research and development levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Preparing your business for the new Horticulture Code of Conduct

On 1 April 2017, the new Horticulture Code of Conduct came into effect. The Code replaces the old mandatory Horticulture Code established by the Trade Practices (Horticulture Code of Conduct) Regulations 2006 and is regulated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

If you trade in horticulture produce, you must comply with the terms of the new Code. AUSVEG strongly urges Australian growers and packers to familiarise themselves with requirements under the new Code.

The main change to the Code is that growers and traders must have in place a signed Horticulture Produce Agreement (HPA) which is compliant with the Code. AUSVEG has been advised that the majority of wholesalers operating from the central markets will be sending through HPAs to their supplying growers in the next few weeks for signing.

Australian growers are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with their rights and responsibilities under the new code. The ACCC has prepared sample HPAs for growers and packhouses to use online.

AUSVEG has also been advised by the ACCC that growers buying produce from other growers on an irregular basis to fill wholesaler and supermarket orders will need to comply with trader requirements under the Code if they are determined to be acting as an Agent or Merchant. Growers running packhouses consolidating for other growers are advised to contact the ACCC for advice specific to their business.

You can find more information about the new Code on the ACCC’s website, or by contacting the ACCC using the details below to discuss any further questions you have about the Code and how it applies to your specific business.

ACCC Infocentre: 1300 302 502
Small business help line: 1300 302 021

New techniques catch potato pests on the hop on Kangaroo Island

Seed potato growers on Kangaroo Island are adopting a new strategy to manage the aphids and thrips pestering their crops, taking on expert advice from agronomists and entomologists to adopt integrated pest management for these insect pests.

Integrated pest management, or IPM, is a broad-based approach that brings together biological, cultural and chemical controls to manage plant pests in a sustainable manner that minimises the unnecessary use of chemical interventions on crops.

In January 2015, Kangaroo Island seed potato growers and agronomists invited Dr Paul Horne and Angelica Cameron from IPM Technologies to help them improve their pest management and control the aphids and thrips that vector potato leafroll virus and tomato spotted wilt virus.

Following a successful trial by several growers that achieved control of insect pests with only minimal use of soft selective insecticides, and no application of broad-spectrum products during the life of the crops, the technique spread in popularity among the island’s industry. In the 2016-17 season, the majority of the island’s seed potato growers implemented some form of IPM across their farms to some extent.

The extension model used on Kangaroo Island is now going to be promoted in major potato and onion production regions around Australia, including field training and one-on-one support, as part of a Hort Innovation industry levy and Federal Government funded project.

A full case study of Kangaroo Island growers’ use of IPM is available on page 20 of the latest edition of Potatoes Australia magazine. To read this edition, please click here.

Potatoes Australia is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the national fresh potato research and development levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Tomato-potato psyllid: new resources available

Agriculture Victoria has released a number of new resources to provide Victorian growers with the latest information on tomato-potato psyllid (TPP).

These resources include a TPP fact sheet, a document of frequently asked questions, as well as two trade restriction updates, a changed restrictions update, and a strawberry trade restrictions update.

Agriculture Victoria has also provided contact details for Lavinia Zirnsak, State-wide Specialist – Exotic Plant Pest Diseases at Agriculture Victoria. Enquiries about TPP and Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum can be directed straight to Lavinia, ensuring growers have direct access to an industry member to provide them with up-to-date information and answers to questions.

Lavinia Zirnsak: State-wide Specialist – Exotic Plant Pest Diseases
Address: 475 Mickleham Road, Attwood, Victoria 3049
Phone: 03 9217 4490
Mobile: 0427 824 076
Email: lavinia.zirnsak@ecodev.vic.gov.au.

Tomato-potato psyllid trapping guide – Vietnamese edition

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Western Australia (DAFWA) has released a Vietnamese edition of their tomato-potato psyllid (TPP) trapping guide.

The information sheet gives growers instruction on how to effectively trap TPP and how to return the traps to DAFWA for identification once they contain insects.

The Vietnamese edition of the guide can be downloaded here. The English edition of the guide can be downloaded here. For more information on TPP, please see the DAFWA website.

Expressions of interest open for vegetable industry leadership and development missions

Two new Industry Leadership and Development Missions for the vegetable industry have been announced and are now open for expressions of interest!

2017 Women’s Industry Leadership and Development Mission
4 – 18 September 2017
Travelling to Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea, visit some of the world’s most innovative vegetable growing regions in Asia, as well as Asia Fruit Logistica, the region’s leading trade show for the fresh produce industry!

Only $2,500 for growers (incl GST). Cost includes air and land travel, single room accommodation and most meals.
Itinerary and dates subject to change. Participation on this mission is only open to vegetable levy-paying growers.

To view the flyer for this tour, please click here.

Please contact AUSVEG for an expression of interest or to request a copy of the itinerary:
Email: info@ausveg.com.au
Phone: 03 9882 0277

2017 Young Grower Industry Leadership and Development Mission
1 – 13 October 2017
Visit some of the leading vegetable growing operations and agribusinesses in Europe, including in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium!

Only $2,500 for growers (incl GST). Cost includes air and land travel, single room accommodation and most meals.
Itinerary and dates subject to change. Participation on this mission is only open to vegetable levy-paying growers under the age of 35.

To view the flyer for this tour, please click here.

Please contact AUSVEG for an expression of interest or to request a copy of the itinerary:
Email: info@ausveg.com.au
Phone: 03 9882 0277

The 2017 Young Grower and 2017 Women’s Industry Leadership and Development Missions are funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the vegetable research and development levy, voluntary contributions from Australian vegetable growing businesses and funds from the Australian Government.

InfoVeg TV – Episode two now live!

The second episode of our YouTube series InfoVeg TV is now live!

This episode focuses on VegNET, the vegetable industry’s extension program communicating research delivered by Hort Innovation using grower levies and funds from the Australian Government, and features interviews with Applied Horticultural Research’s Gordon Rogers, AUSVEG SA’s Hannah McArdle and Hort Innovation’s Tim Archibald.

To view the episode, please click here.

InfoVeg TV is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the vegetable research and development levy and funds from the Australian Government.

What is compost worth? Using compost in Australian vegetable systems

Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection (ICP) have released this practical case study outlining the economic considerations when using compost in vegetable production systems. The information within the case study is based on lessons learnt from several Soil Wealth and ICP demonstration sites during the period 2014-2016.

The costs of compost on vegetable farms are largely driven by:

  • The type and quality of the compost;
  • Freight costs based on distance; and
  • Spreading/incorporation costs depending on application rates, type of compost, machinery required, travelling time and the scale of the work.

Benefits from compost will depend on the individual farm as well as the objectives for using compost. The main benefits include increased organic matter, adding nutrients to the soil, increased water holding capacity of the soil, and disease suppression.

To find out more about the Soil Wealth and ICP projects visit the website, or join the Community of Practice online. You can also follow the projects on Twitter @SoilWealth and @ProtectingCrops.

Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection are funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the national vegetable research and development levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Collaborative Marketing – A Growing Leaders project

The Growing Leaders program of 2017 engages 18 developing leaders from throughout different components of the Australian vegetable industry. As part of the program, the group is working on a series of projects they believe in, based on a broader vision and mission for the industry.

The Collaborative Marketing project:
One project is entitled Collaborative Marketing – a proof of concept and is investigating the support for and methods by which the industry may benefit from a collaborative marketing effort. This investigation is based on anecdotal information that the industry would support and benefit from an allocation of funding to promote the industry, and that industry collaboration is very much the norm for marketing and engagement.

The project has developed a survey for vegetable growers, in order to capture a snapshot of information that can be used to inform the industry as to how to proceed. Click here to take the survey and help this investigation.

The project will result in a report for the vegetable industry’s research and development corporation Hort Innovation and peak industry body AUSVEG. For more information on the project, please contact the participants working on this project:
Alex Russell, Chris Friars, Katie Tierny and Andy Shaw.

Growing Leaders for the vegetable industry is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the national vegetable research and development levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Asia Fruit Logistica – applications now open!

Exporting vegetable growers are invited to apply to attend the premier fresh produce tradeshow in Asia. Asia Fruit Logistica will be held from 6 – 8 September 2017 at the Asia-World Expo convention facility in Hong Kong, with anticipated travel dates for participants being 3 – 9 September.

AUSVEG has a limited number of funded positions available for levy-paying vegetable growers to exhibit at the 2017 Asia Fruit Logistica – if you are interested in exhibiting and being part of the AUSVEG delegation for this world class trade event, please contact AUSVEG on 03 9882 0277 to discuss the options available.

To download the application form, please click here. Applications must be submitted to AUSVEG by 5:00pm on Friday 7 July 2017 via email to export@ausveg.com.au.

VG16061 is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the national vegetable research and development levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Energy and Water Efficiency Field day for flowers, horticulture & nursery

The Flower Association, Lockyer Valley Growers and the Nursery and Garden Industry Queensland, Growcom and the Energy Savers Program will run an Energy and Water Efficiency Field Day in Grantham, Queensland on Wednesday 28 June.

The free field day will provide a comprehensive insight to growers about ways in which they can monitor and improve their water and energy efficiency, with presentations from a range of speakers and a farm tour.

Date/time: Wednesday 28 June, 12 noon – 4:00pm
Location: Tamor Roses, 1414 Gatton Helidon Road, Grantham, Queensland

For more information, please click here. To register for the event, please click here.

Invitation to participate in the recent ecological change in Australia project

The CSIRO and the Department of the Environment and Energy are conducting a national online survey.

The survey will help to understand how Australia’s bushland and biodiversity has been changing in recent years, and whether the 1°C increase in surface temperature experienced over the past century may have contributed to these changes.

If you have a strong, long-term relationship with the land and are passionate about the future of Australia’s special plants and animals then the CSIRO would like to hear from you. The survey will collect firsthand observations, insights and stories about places that are changing and places that aren’t changing. For example, you may have observed new species appearing, plants flowering at unusual times, or trees dying in your area. This will provide a unique and important historical record for Australia.

To participate, you would need to be able to select a natural area (e.g. your local region or farm, a Nature Reserve, urban bushland) that you have been familiar with for at least the last 10 years. CSIRO are interested in both areas where change has been observed and areas where change has not been observed.

The survey would take about 30 minutes. To complete the survey, please click here. For more information on the project, please click here.

55th Australian Export Awards – Applications now open

Is it time your business is recognised for its export success?
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 a chance to:

  • Boost your profile and reputation among local and international customers.
  • Distinguish yourself from your competitors as a state or national winner.
  • Improve staff morale with public recognition of their contributions to the business’s success.
  • Network with other exporters and learn from companies that are more advanced in their export journey.
  • Increase your profile with the Australian Government and the relevant 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.

Co-presented by Austrade and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the AEA honours the hard work, commitment and innovation of Australian businesses that deliver world-class business capabilities, products and services.

Enter the AEA through your state or territory’s export awards program. Entry is free and the application process is straightforward.

You can apply in 12 national award categories. State and territory winners will automatically progress as national finalists in their category. The Australian Exporter of the Year will be selected from the national category winners.

Visit exportawards.gov.au for more information and to apply.

Current project opportunities with Hort Innovation

Hort Innovation advertises opportunities to become a delivery partner on research, development and marketing projects for Australian horticulture on its website and on tenders.net.

Join Hort Innovation’s delivery partner mailing list to receive email notifications of new opportunities by registering through its delivery partner registration form.

The relevant documentation for each opportunity is available on tenders.net. To access this information, you will need to become a member by registering on the tenders.net registration page.

Please find below a table of current project opportunities directly relevant to the Australian vegetable and potato industries. For more details on any of the projects, or for information on other project opportunities across horticulture, please visit tenders.net.

Type Title Closing date
Request for proposal New and innovative ways to boost vegetable awareness in schools 5pm (Sydney time)
Friday 30 June 2017
Request for proposal Consumer data roadshow – part 4: consumer insights program 5pm (Sydney time)
Friday 30 June 2017
Request for proposal Export facilitators 5pm (Sydney time)
Tuesday 11 July 2017
Request for proposal Asian market intelligence & data insights 5pm (Sydney time)
Tuesday 30 July 2019

 

Communication of levy-funded R&D is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the vegetable and potato research and development levies and funds from the Australian Government.

New Minor Use permits

Permit ID Description Date Issued Expiry Date Permit Holder States
PER84249 Actives: Abamectin, Bifenthrin, Lambda-Cyhalothrin and Methomyl
Crop: Potato and sweetpotato
Pest: Tomato-potato psyllid
16-Jun-2017 31-Jul-2020 Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited All states except VIC (Note: Victoria is not included in this permit as their Control-of-Use legislation means a permit is not required to legalise this off-label use in that State)

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 MRLs 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.

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.

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

AUSVEG in the media

AUSVEG National Manager – Science and Extension Dr Jessica Lye appeared on radio and in print this week discussing the importance of growers developing a thorough on-farm biosecurity plan. Dr Lye noted that a number of biosecurity workshops are being held around the country, working to ensure growers are aware of current biosecurity risks, and assisting them in developing plans for their properties. Dr Lye also noted that growers can contact AUSVEG for assistance in developing a biosecurity plan.

Communication of levy-funded activities is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the research and development National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.