Onions Australia joins as co-host of the 2016 National Horticulture Convention

On behalf of all co-hosts of the 2016 National Horticulture Convention, AUSVEG is excited to announce that industry representative body Onions Australia will be joining the team to co-host this year’s event.
The Convention will be jam-packed with events, inspiring speakers and a large trade show targeted at organic and conventional vegetable, potato, apple, pear, persimmon and onion growers along with wholesalers and market traders.
Whether you’ve attended the Convention previously or if you’re looking to attend for the first time this year, the 2016 Convention will have something for everyone. With less than a month to go until this great event, all industry members are encouraged to get involved.
To download the Delegate Registration Brochure and find out all the exciting details of this year’s Convention, please click here.
To register online, please click here and follow the prompts.

 

Call for Board position applications: Horticulture Innovation Australia

In the lead-up to its second Annual General Meeting (AGM) in November, Horticulture Innovation Australia (Hort Innovation) has five Director roles available on its Board. Applications are now open for growers and others with an interest in driving the future of Australia’s horticulture industry.
Following the conclusion of the advertisement and search processes, the Director Nomination Committee will meet in late July to agree on a shortlist of candidates for interviews, which will be held in August.
For the full advertisement and application pack, go to the Hort Innovation website and submit all applications to Rimfire Resources by close of business, Monday 27 June 2016. For more information, contact Mick Hay or Sharon Moloney at Rimfire Resources on (07) 3878 3411.
Grower members of Hort Innovation are encouraged to vote for Directors at the AGM in November. More details on this process, including the need to verify levies paid, will be available via member email and on the Hort Innovation website in the coming months.
To become a member of Hort Innovation and be eligible to vote at the AGM, please download the form available on the AUSVEG website by clicking here, and return it to info@ausveg.com.au.

 

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.
 

Carrot clarinetist Linsey Pollak to serenade Convention-goers

You’ve heard of a Jazz apple – but have you ever heard a jazz carrot?
Attendees at the 2016 National Horticulture Convention are set to be serenaded by musician, composer, musical director and instrument maker Linsey Pollak, who will be providing light entertainment at the Syngenta Convention Breakfast on Friday 24 June.
Mr Pollak will be performing the double act of playing clarinet while showcasing the great fresh produce for which Australian growers are known around the world.
To whet your appetite with a brief preview of Mr Pollak’s unique brand of entertainment, please click the video below.

 

Last chance to sign up for the 2016 Reverse Trade Mission Produce Display!

Registrations for the Reverse Trade Mission Produce Display are closing soon. AUSVEG strongly encourages all export-ready growers to apply for this priceless 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 fresh produce buyers from across Asia and the Middle East to Australia in a Reverse Trade Mission that will allow delegates to attend the National Horticulture Convention and to participate in a range of farm visits that will showcase the Australian vegetable industry.
Growers will have the valuable chance to meet the Reverse Trade Mission delegates and showcase their produce at the Produce Display, to be held on Friday 24 June from 10am to 1pm.
Interested growers should sign up now to avoid missing out on this fantastic chance to establish lasting, lucrative relationships with leading international 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 edition of InfoVeg Radio podcast released

A special soil health edition of the InfoVeg Radio R&D podcast has just been released!
In this edition of the InfoVeg Radio podcast, we look at the benefits of soil health and the Soil Wealth project, including interviews with:

  • Dr Gordon Rogers, Principal at Applied Horticultural Research, on the Soil Wealth project and the benefits that soil health practices can deliver to growers;
  • Mr Rob Hinrichsen, Director at Kalfresh, on the impact that implementing controlled traffic farming has made on his growing operation and its soil health; and
  • Mr Andrew Shaw, Environment Coordinator at AUSVEG, on the EnviroVeg program and the ways in which it can help growers to self-assess their soil health and identify new practices which could help to improve it.

To listen to this edition of the podcast, please click here.

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

Using parasitic wasps to attack aphids in potato crops

Aphids can be a major pest in potato crops, inflicting feeding damage on plants and spreading a number of potato viruses, including Potato leafroll virus, Potato virus Y and Tomato spotted wilt virus, all of which can cause damage leading to crop loss.
One of the options available to growers who have aphid problems can be found in nature, free of charge: parasitic wasps which target the three most common species of aphid found in potatoes, along with others found in and around potato crops.
Three species of parasitic wasp target aphids: Aphidius colemani, Aphidius ervi and Aphelinus abdominalis. These wasps can be a powerful method of controlling an aphid threat if allowed to establish a sufficient presence in a crop.
As most insecticides used to control aphids will also kill these wasps, certain ‘soft’ chemicals can be used as an insecticide, to help build wasp numbers in a potato crop. If a spray regime is able to rotate multiple approved actives that do not harm these beneficial wasps, then this not only fights insecticide resistance in aphid populations, but also allows for wasps to help in aphid control.
More information on the use of parasitic wasps to control aphids can be found in the Front Line biosecurity update in the next edition of Potatoes Australia, to be released in mid-June. To read the April/May 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.

 

Reducing transplant shock in lettuce

 
Transplant shock is a check in growth that can occur when lettuce seedlings are transplanted from the seedling tray into the field. Stresses due to root damage, changed environment or water stress can all contribute to transplant shock. Significant transplant shock can result in poor plant stands and a lower percentage cut of good quality lettuce.
This fact sheet provides guidance on the ideal age of transplants and tips for avoiding transplant shock. Click here to view the fact sheet.
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.

 

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 info@ausveg.com.au.
To find out more, view the delegate registration brochure or sign up online at registration.hortconv.com.au.

 

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.

 

Minor Use permits

 

Permit ID Description Date Issued Expiry Date Permit Holder States
PER8930 V2 Active: Phorate
Crop: Eggplant, peppers (including chillies, capsicums & paprika), shallots & spring onions
Pest: Mites, thrips & Onion maggot		 14-Aug-2011 31-Jul-2019 Growcom All states except VIC
PER82551 Active: Diazinon
Crop: Spring onions, shallots, cauliflower, leeks, coriander & parsley
Pest: Onion maggot, thrisp (excluding Western Flower thrips) & Onion fly		 20-May-2016 31-Mar-2021 Growcom All states except VIC

Please note that PER82551 is a consolidation of PER13499, PER14073 and PER10272. The permits will now be surrendered and replaced by PER82551.
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

The news of former AUSVEG CEO Richard Mulcahy’s retirement featured in print and on radio media outlets this week.
The industry’s recognition of the work of AUSVEG National Manager – Scientific Affairs Dr Jessica Lye also appeared in the media this week. Dr Lye recently received the RIRDC Rural Woman of the Year Award in Victoria for her efforts in engaging growers with biosecurity practices, and will compete for the national award later this year.
AUSVEG Manager – Communications Shaun Lindhe appeared on radio and in print this week discussing the findings from an ad hoc Project Harvest study into the vegetable-buying habits of Millennial Australians. Mr Lindhe noted that only half of shoppers aged 18-35 years old buy frozen vegetables, with young consumers saying that they feel like they compromise on quality if they don’t buy fresh vegetables.

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.