Netafim renews Strategic Partnership with AUSVEG

 

 
AUSVEG is proud to announce the continuation of its Strategic Partnership with Netafim.
Netafim is a global leader in smart drip and micro-irrigation solutions, looking to meet modern irrigation challenges and maximise production efficiency. A major advocate for sustainable farming practices, Netafim is a proud supporter of the annual Environmental Award as part of the renowned National Awards for Excellence.
AUSVEG looks forward to continuing its productive partnership with Netafim by working together to build a better future for the Australian vegetable and potato industries.
To learn more about Netafim, please click here to visit its website.

 

 

Asia Fruit Logistica 2016 – Last chance to apply!

Levy-paying vegetable growers who are currently exporting or interested in beginning to export are invited to apply to attend and exhibit at the upcoming Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong. Funded attendance will give growers the chance to participate in Asia’s leading tradeshow for the international fresh fruit and vegetable business, gain an understanding of the Hong Kong market and establish new business contacts in Asian markets. This is the last chance to apply, so interested growers are encouraged to get in fast!
The Asia Fruit Logistica tradeshow will be held from 7 – 9 September 2016, with anticipated travel dates for participants being 5 – 10 September 2016. To download an application form, please click here. This form can be returned to AUSVEG at export@ausveg.com.au or via fax on (03) 9882 6722.

Participation in Asia Fruit Logistica is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

New resistance management strategy for Green peach aphid

The Green peach aphid (GPA) is a serious crop damage threat to vegetable growers in Australia, primarily attacking cucurbit, solenacea and brassica crops. GPA feeds by sucking sap from leaves and flower buds, which can limit the growth of young plants; on top of this, the aphids can transmit more than 100 plant viruses, including Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus and Papaya ring spot virus.
There is a continuing increase in the use of chemicals to control GPA in both Australian horticulture and Australian broadcare cropping, leading to an increase in populations of chemical-resistant strains. As part of a vegetable levy funded project (VG12109) commissioned by Horticulture Innovation Australia, cesar has led the development of a resistance management strategy for GPA, specifically tailored for the vegetable growing region of Bundaberg in Queensland.
To access this resistance management strategy, please click here. cesar has also published in-depth information on the scientific background to the resistance management strategy, which can be found here.

For further information on this strategy, please contact Dr Siobhan de Little (cesar) at sdelittle@cesaraustralia.com.

Project VG12109 Management of insecticide resistance in the green peach aphid was funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable 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 Economic Confidence Survey

AUSVEG conducts a quarterly economic confidence survey to understand and then communicate the impacts of various economic factors on the business operations of vegetable growers. The survey covering the quarter ending June 30 2016 is now being conducted.
This survey helps AUSVEG to identify the current business conditions that vegetable growers face and tracks grower sentiment regarding relevant economic factors over time. All responses are anonymous. The survey can be accessed online here.

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

 

 

National Vegetable Extension Network – Victorian event

 
The first National Vegetable Extension Network event in Victoria will be held on Wednesday 27 July 2016. The National Vegetable Extension Network has been commissioned by Horticulture Innovation Australia using levy funds to help grow Australian vegetable businesses, and this event will provide information and updates to Victorian vegetable growers in the Northern, Western and South-Eastern regions.
Industry leaders presenting at the event include:

  • Adam Schreurs, Schreurs & Sons: Benefits and lessons from Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection projects
  • Anne-Maree Boland, RMCG: The future of research to practice
  • Ken Orr, Soils and Solusions: Project overview – how your region will be serviced
  • Matthew Elliott, Melbourne Market Authority: Reviewing the first six months of Epping Market
  • Andrew Nolan, Digital Falcon: Drones in vegetable farming

Attendees will also be able to connect with colleagues over light refreshments following the presentations.

Date: Wednesday 27 July 2016
Time: 3.30pm – 5.00pm
Location: Schreurs & Sons, 30 Twyford Road, Clyde VIC 3978 (parking available in front of packing shed)
RSVP: Heather Buck, (03) 9882 2670 or heatherb@rmcg.com.au

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

 

 

Soilborne Disease Master Class

 

Registrations are open for a Soilborne Disease Master Class to be held 16 – 17 August 2016 in Ipswich, Queensland as part of the Soil Wealth project commissioned by Horticulture Innovation Australia.
A team of industry experts will explore the latest biological, cultural and chemical options for managing soilborne disease in vegetable crops and, most importantly, provide tools for implementing these options within a risk-based approach on-farm.
The Master Class will be an intimate setting for discussion of specific issues. This a rare opportunity for growers or other industry members affected by soilborne disease. The program will cover:

  • Biology and life-cycles of key soilborne diseases and how knowledge of these can be used to tailor management approaches.
  • Non-chemical control strategies including biofumigant crops, organic amendments and farm management (such as tillage, crop rotation, irrigation, nutrition and hygiene).
  • Information on new products with potential as ICP tools, including novel biologicals, biopesticides, endophytes, seed dressing and inducers of systemic acquired resistance.
  • Developments in soil disease diagnostics and related monitoring: what’s currently available, how to interpret the results and what’s on the horizon.
  • Disease suppressing soils – what’s known about them and how to foster disease suppression in intensive vegetable production systems.
  • How to combine all the above elements to implement a risk-based approach to managing soilborne disease on farms.

Last year’s event was a full house, and with only 30 spaces available for participants in this year’s Master Class, interested parties are encouraged to register early! Attendance is free for growers who pay the National Vegetable Levy, and industry advisors and stakeholders are also welcome.

Please click here for more details, or to register, contact Heather on 03 9882 2670 or heatherb@rmcg.com.au.

The Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection projects are funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

Analysing the impact of international trade on the Australian potato industry

Recently published figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that the value of the Australian potato industry has fallen by $72 million since 2012-13 – a drop of 10.47 per cent. This industry contraction is due to a 9.3 per cent fall in the production of both fresh and processing potatoes over the same time period.
A possible explanation for this drop in production tonnage, and therefore the value of production of the industry, may be an influx of potato produce imports – particularly the significant increases in imports of frozen prepared potatoes, which have risen by 36 per cent since 2012-13. Meanwhile, all exports of Australian potato products have decreased since 2012-13.
The latest edition of Potatoes Australia magazine contains an in-depth analysis of the impact of international trade on the Australian potato industry, including detailed breakdowns of Australian potato imports and exports, and a discussion of the impact of fluctuations in the value of the Australian dollar. To read this edition, please click here.

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

 

New research into marketing vegetables in elementary school cafeterias

A new report has concluded that the same marketing techniques used to convince children to eat junk food are highly effective in promoting fruits and vegetables, following a six-week study tracking the behaviour of students at 10 elementary schools.
Researchers from Cornell University assigned the schools into one of four groups. For the first group, they posted vinyl banners around the salad bar at the school cafeteria depicting cartoon vegetable characters with super powers; for the second, they showed television cartoons of the characters; the third group received both cartoons and banners; and the fourth group acted as control.
Compared to the control, at schools decorated with the banners alone, 90.5 per cent more students took vegetables. Where both the banners and the televised advertisements were used, the number of students taking vegetables increased by 239 per cent.
To read the final report from the study in the peer-reviewed medical journal Pediatrics, please click here.

 

Update on the SITplus partnership

The SITplus partnership, a five-year research and development cross-industry partnership that aims to deliver an integrated management solution to the major horticultural pest Queensland fruit fly (Qfly), has recently released an update on its progress.
This update summarises the partnership’s progress on the social component of its area-wide management and sterile insect technology (SIT) project identifying barriers and faciltators to area-wide management and uptake of SIT, as well as developing recommendations for future uptake as a means of long-term control and eradication of Qfly.
To read the partnership’s full update on this project, including the results from preliminary interviews about Qfly, SIT and area-wide management, please click here.

This project is supported by Horticulture Innovation Australia and CSIRO through funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources as part of its Rural R&D for Profit Programme.

 

Productivity Commission draft report – Regulation of agriculture

The Productivity Commission has released its draft report into the regulation of Australian agriculture, including recommendations for industry.
Written submissions responding to the draft report can be made before Thursday 18 August 2016. To read an overview of the draft report, or read the full draft report, please click 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.

 

54th Australian Export Awards – Applications now open

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 your chance to:

  • Boost your profile and reputation among local and international customers.
  • Distinguish yourself from your competitors as an AEA winner/finalist.
  • Increase your profile with the Australian Government and your 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.
  • Network with other exporters.

Enter the AEA through your state or territory’s export awards program. There are 12 national award categories, entry is free and the application process is straightforward. The application processes for each state and territory close on:

  • Victoria – 31 July 2016
  • Queensland – 1 August 2016
  • South Australia – 1 August 2016
  • Western Australia – 1 August 2016
  • Northern Territory – 12 August 2016
  • Australian Capital Territory – 12 August 2016
  • New South Wales – 15 August 2016
  • Tasmania – 25 August 2016

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

 

AUSVEG in the media

AUSVEG National Manager – Communications Shaun Lindhe appeared 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 SA State Manager Jordan Brooke-Barnett featured on radio this week discussing the need for increased irrigation infrastructure to support the South Australian horticulture industry. Mr Brooke-Barnett warned that South Australia’s horticulture sector is at risk of becoming uncompetitive due to a lack of infrastructure.

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.