Statement regarding the retirement of AUSVEG CEO

The CEO of AUSVEG Mr Richard Mulcahy yesterday informed the Board of his retirement, effective immediately.
The Board has accepted this decision and wishes Mr Mulcahy well in his retirement.
AUSVEG Skills-based Director Mr Simon Bolles has been appointed interim CEO while the vegetable Peak Industry Body conducts a thorough search for Mr Mulcahy’s replacement.
AUSVEG’s number one priority has always been providing effective representation for Australia’s hard-working vegetable and potato growers.
The Board has every confidence that AUSVEG will continue to provide exceptional representation and high quality service provision to the Australian vegetable industry under the guidance of Mr Bolles and key senior staff.
In particular the 2016 National Horticulture Convention, which has the highest ever number of industry bodies involved, a sold-out Trade Show and event registrations approximately 15 per cent higher than at the same time last year, is set to become the most successful event in the history of Australian horticulture.
AUSVEG has a long and proven history of advocating for growers and representing their interests on important industry issues since its inception, most notably the successful campaign that resulted in the recent advancements to Australia’s country of origin labelling laws.
Australian vegetable and potato growers can rest assured that it is business as usual and that AUSVEG can continue to best represent the interests of the Australian vegetable industry.

 

KMH Environmental steps up its support for vegetable industry

 
AUSVEG is proud to announce that KMH Environmental will continue to support the Australian vegetable industry into the future after becoming a Strategic Partner of AUSVEG.
KMH Environmental has become a leading environmental manager, advisor and provider of turnkey engineering solutions since it was established in 1998 and now has a significant presence in the Australian horticulture landscape.
KMH Environmental has previously shown its support for the industry by participating as a sponsor for the 2015 National Horticulture Convention. AUSVEG is extremely pleased to announce KMH Environmental’s new level of commitment to the Australian vegetable industry, and looks forward to continuing this relationship into the future.
For more information on KMH Environmental, please click here to visit its website.

 

Win a trip to Hamilton Island at the 2016 National Horticulture Convention!

AUSVEG is pleased to announce that all growers attending the National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner are eligible to win a fantastic prize from AUSVEG Strategic Partner Adama.
Simply book your seat at the Gala Dinner, then visit the Adama stand at the Trade Show and register for your chance to win a seven-night holiday at the stunning Hamilton Island! If you have already registered to attend the Gala Dinner, simply visit the Adama stand at the Trade Show and register for your chance to win.
For more information, click here to read the full competition flyer. To register for the 2016 National Horticulture Convention, please click here.

 

Fresh produce food safety requirements to be streamlined

Major grocery retailers and the horticulture industry have agreed to streamline fresh produce safety requirements, lowering the cost of doing business and improving food safety across the fresh produce supply chain.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture Senator Anne Ruston has announced that produce safety audit requirements will be harmonised across key supermarket retailers, including ALDI, Coles, Costco, Metcash (IGA) and Woolworths, in a model being collaboratively driven by the horticulture sector using cross-industry levy funds.
The number of audit elements required to supply major retailers will be reduced from the current number of over 200 combined elements, down to around 60.
A pilot launch of the new program will take place in the coming months, with the full standardised food safety initiative expected to begin by the end of the year.
For more information on the streamlined food safety audit initiative, please click here to visit the Hort Innovation website.

 

Nufarm – Digger label extension

Nufarm has recently extended the label of Digger, a fungicide with the approved active of Difenoconazole.
This label extension covers the uses that were previously allowed in PER14245 and PER14812 to control leaf spot in beetroot and Cercospora leaf spot and Septoria spots in celery.
As a result, minor use permits PER14245 and PER14812 will be surrendered once industry has had sufficient time to utilise existing stocks of other 250g/L and 400g/L Difenoconazole products.

 

Time is running out to register for the 2016 Reverse Trade Mission Produce Display!

All export-ready vegetable growers are strongly encouraged to register for the Reverse Trade Mission Produce Display and capitalise on this invaluable opportunity to display their produce to 40 leading international fresh produce buyers at the National Horticulture Convention.
The Produce Display at the 2015 National Horticulture Convention.
AUSVEG will be bringing leading buyers from across Asia and the Middle East to Australia in a Reverse Trade Mission to attend the National Horticulture Convention and to participate in a range of farm visits that will showcase the Australian vegetable industry.
Growers from across the country will have the valuable opportunity to meet these delegates and showcase their produce at the Produce Display, to be held on Friday 24 June from 10am to 1pm.
Registration for the Display is closing soon, and AUSVEG strongly encourages interested growers to sign up now to avoid missing out on this fantastic chance to establish profitable relationships with the region’s leading buyers.
To download the registration form for this event, please click here (file will download in Word document format). Register to participate in this exciting event by returning the registration form to export@ausveg.com.au, or call (03) 9882 0277 for further information.

Vegetable export market development activities are funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

New consumer research highlights key facts about Millennials’ veg consumption

New consumer research carried out as part of the broader Project Harvest study, commissioned by Horticulture Innovation Australia, has investigated the vegetable consumption habits of Australian Millennials (defined in the study as those between 18 and 35 years old).

The research was conducted through an online community, with Colmar Brunton researchers engaging with Millennial consumers over the course of six weeks to identify their attitudes and behaviours regarding fresh vegetable purchases. The research covered a range of topics, including:

  • Favourite vegetables
  • Desires for health and storage information
  • Attitudes towards pre-packed and frozen vegetables
  • Feelings about wastage
  • Perceptions of sustainability

The findings from the research have now been released. Please click here to read the full report.

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

 

Seed potato certification

Hort Innovation has commissioned two projects on potato seed certification. These two projects are complementary; they are designed to build on the strengths of current arrangements and benefit all with a stake in the industry from minituber production to trade.
Project PT15005 is looking at governance arrangements and PT15004 is conducting a technical review and update of the current National Standard for Certification of Australian Seed Potatoes (2007).
Both project teams have been consulting with industry and key stakeholders over the past two months. Interested parties should make submissions or provide feedback by 21 May 2016 – see contact details below.
An earlier review (PT13010) and subsequent meeting of stakeholders in Melbourne in September 2015 has provided the starting point for these two projects. Further information on the background can be found here (see page 16).
At the completion of the two current projects it is anticipated that Australia will be able to further enhance its seed potato certification system.
Project PT15005 is looking at governance arrangements across the existing certification system to ensure they continue to meet the needs of regulatory authorities and all industry participants into the future. This project led by RMCG welcomes input from interested stakeholders.
Interested parties can contact Donna Lucas at donnal@rmcg.com.au.
Project PT15004 which is operating in parallel to PT15005 is looking at the technical criteria of the current standard and a website has been created for people to make submissions. To access this website, please click here. Interested parties can contact Russell Pattinson at miracledog@bigpond.com.

Hort Innovation will host a workshop on 2 June 2016 to further consultation on these two investments. If you are interested in this workshop, contact Anthony Kachenko, the Hort Innovation Project Manager at Anthony.Kachenko@horticulture.com.au.

Seed potato certification projects are funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Potato Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

How the National Potato Levy is invested

The National Potato Levy is paid by growers who produce and sell either fresh or processing potatoes in Australia. The levy is set at 50 cents per tonne for fresh and processing potatoes, and must be paid by the producer of fresh potatoes or the owner of processing potatoes.
The Federal Government also provides funding in addition to grower levy payments. Once paid, these funds are managed by Hort Innovation to invest in projects for the benefit of Australian growers.
For more information on how the levy is invested, please click the image below.
Every edition of Potatoes Australia magazine includes information on how the National Potato Levy is collected and invested. To read the latest edition, please click here.

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

 

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.

 

Practicalities for Exporting Vegetables Symposium – Speaker list now available!

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 and enable growers to develop practical skills to assist with exporting fresh produce.
The speaker list for this Symposium is now available. The list of presenters includes experts 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.
Vegetable levy-paying growers can apply to have associated travel and accommodation costs covered.
Please click here to download the flyer for this event. To express your interest in attending, 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.

 

Tee up for the Inaugural Convention Golf Day

 
AUSVEG is excited to announce that 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.

 

World Union of Wholesale Markets Congress coming to Melbourne

Melbourne is set to host the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) Congress in September 2017, with the Melbourne Market Authority (MMA) and the Queen Victoria Market’s winning bid to host the World Congress officially announced at the WUWM Conference held in Poland on 20 May 2016.
The Congress is held every two years and is open to both members and non-members of the WUWM. Relevant to all sectors of the fresh produce community, the Congress is set to attract around 300 overseas and local delegates and covers key issues including the changing retail landscape, the impact of new technologies, the digital revolution and strategies for the future. The 2017 Congress will include technical visits of the Melbourne Market (wholesale) and the Queen Victoria Market (retail).
For more information, please click here.

 

2016 Young Grower Leadership & Development Mission – South America

Young vegetable levy payers are encouraged to apply for the upcoming 2016 Young Grower Industry Leadership & Development Mission to South America! Please click the image below to view the full flyer for this mission.

If you’re a vegetable levy payer, under the age of 35 and would like to visit some of South America’s leading growing operations in Chile, Argentina and Brazil, express your interest by emailing AUSVEG via info@ausveg.com.au or call (03) 9882 0277.

The 2016 Young Grower Leadership & Development Mission is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

2016 Irrigation Australia International Conference and Exhibition

As a member of AUSVEG, you are invited to the 2016 Irrigation Australia International Conference and Exhibition, 24 – 26 May at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
This free to attend exhibition caters to end-users such as farmers, irrigators and suppliers who are looking for solutions and technologies to improve their productivity and irrigation needs.
AgriTech, a newly launched event, will be collocated alongside the 2016 Irrigation Australia International Conference and Exhibition, providing an answer to a strong demand for new and innovative technologies to increase yield and drive productivity in the farming sector.
Equipment including Robotics, Automation, Autonomous Vehicles and Farm Management Software will be on display alongside Irrigation solutions from over 140 exhibitors and 450 brands.
Register for the free Exhibition here. You can also purchase tickets to the Conference and the Study Tour. Workshops, a free Agritech networking breakfast and free happy hour drinks are also available to visitors.

 

AgriVictoria – State of Opportunity Summit

The 2016 AgriVictoria – State of Opportunity Summit, to be held on Thursday 9 June in Melbourne, will bring together industry experts, farmers and agribusiness leaders to discuss the latest opportunities in investment, technology and innovation in agriculture.
The Summit will include four sessions:

  • Smarter Farming: Investing in Your Future
  • Agricultural Investment – Myth or Opportunity
  • Industry Challenges and Opportunities in Bioscience for Australian Agriculture
  • Funding Technology and Innovation in Agriculture

For more information on the Summit, and to purchase tickets for the event, please click here.

 

Minor Use permits

 

Permit ID Description Date Issued Expiry Date Permit Holder States
PER13367 V2 Active: Linuron
Crop: Leeks and celeriac
Pest: Grass and broadleaf weeds		 31-May-2013 30-Apr-2021 Growcom QLD, NSW, SA, WA & TAS
PER12447 V2 Active: Fenhexamid
Crop: Capsicum, chilli, cucumber and lettuce (field and protected)
Pest: Grey mould or Botrytis rot		 30-Sep-2013 31-May-2021 Growcom All states except VIC
PER13036 V2 Active: Chlorothalonil
Crop: Fennel
Pest: Downy mildew and Purple blotch		 21-Sep-2011 31-Jul-2021 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 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 an maximum residue limit (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 Deputy CEO Andrew White appeared in print media this week commenting on the Federal Government’s decision to delay the introduction of the backpacker tax by six months pending the outcome of a second review of the tax measure. Mr White stated that the tax will be damaging to Australian growers regardless of when it is introduced, and called on the Government to find a more reasonable solution to the issue.
AUSVEG Manager – Communications Shaun Lindhe appeared on broadcast media this week commenting on new research that has revealed that up to 96 per cent of adults and 99 per cent of children are not eating their daily recommended serves of vegetables. Mr Lindhe noted that other research has found that tying vegetable consumption to short-term gains for consumers could be an effective way of increasing consumption.
Mr Lindhe also appeared on broadcast media highlighting ongoing export development in the Australian vegetable industry and Australia’s international reputation for high quality fresh produce.

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.