AUSVEG welcomes Haifa as a Strategic Partner for another year

 

Haifa, one of the largest suppliers of water soluble fertilisers in Australia, has renewed its Strategic Partnership with AUSVEG to continue its strong support of the vegetable and potato industries.
The Israeli manufacturer is a world pioneer in using potassium nitrate for agriculture and is known for its specialty fertiliser solutions. Haifa’s product range is backed by strong agronomic support, field trials and highly valued feedback from growers at regular meetings and industry events.
AUSVEG looks forward to working with Haifa again in the coming year.
Please click here for more information.

 

AUSVEG attends food labelling press conference in Canberra

Last week, the Australian Government announced that the states and territories have agreed to sweeping reforms to country of origin food labelling, which will give Australian consumers clearer and more meaningful information about the products they buy.
AUSVEG CEO Richard Mulcahy was invited to attend a press conference held by Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, the Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP, Minister for Small Business and Assistant Treasurer, the Hon. Kelly O’Dwyer MP and Minister for Regional Development, Regional Communications and Rural Health, Senator the Hon. Fiona Nash.
Following the announcement, a joint press conference was held with AUSVEG CEO Richard Mulcahy and National Farmers’ Federation CEO Tony Mahar, who spoke in support of the forthcoming food labelling reforms.

 

Three weeks left for National Horticulture Convention early bird rates

Industry members who have not yet registered for the 2016 National Horticulture Convention are encouraged to do so quickly to ensure they secure the early bird rate before it closes on Monday 25 April.
As well as catering for vegetable, potato, apple and pear growers, this year’s event has expanded to include persimmon growers, Queensland’s horticulture industry and a range of market and supply chain members, paving the way for the 2016 National Horticulture Convention to be the biggest horticulture event in the Southern Hemisphere.

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

 

Growers: Donate your excess produce to a worthy cause

AUSVEG is encouraging Australia’s vegetable growers to donate excess produce to hunger relief organisation Foodbank Australia, in a bid to help families in need and avoid wastage.
Foodbank is Australia’s largest hunger relief organisation. Through collaboration with the Australian food and grocery industry, which provides surplus and donated product, Foodbank is able to deliver 166,000 meals per day to 2,400 charities and 1,200 schools for distribution to people in need of food relief.
As a registered charity, Foodbank is also able to provide a tax donation receipt to any grower who donates produce, making contributions tax deductible.
Representatives from Foodbank are able to pick up produce directly from farms and markets, making it easier for growers around the country to get involved in the partnership.
To contact Foodbank Australia, call (02) 9887 4144 or visit the website.

 

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.

 

 

Applications for 2017 Nuffield Australia Farming Scholarships now open

Nuffield Australia has announced that applications are officially open for the 2017 round of farming scholarships.
Approximately 30 scholarships are on offer to primary producers and managers, which includes attendance at the 2017 Contemporary Scholars Conference in Brazil, a choice to attend one of six Global Focus Programs, travelling with other scholars over a six-week period and an eight-week individual study program.
A $30,000 bursary is available for successful applicants to study a topic relevant to their business and industry. The tenure is 16 weeks over two years, with flexibility provided.
A scholarship is on offer for a levy-paying vegetable grower anywhere in Australia, funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.
To access the scholarship application brochure, please click here. More information is also available in the “How to Apply” section of the website.

 

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

 

 

Erosion fact sheet: how to protect your soil

A healthy topsoil is a great asset to have, as this layer of soil contains the highest concentration of organic matter, micro-organisms, nutrients and biological activity. As lost topsoil can’t be replaced in a human’s lifespan, erosion – probably the biggest culprit in the loss of topsoil – should be effectively managed.

This fact sheet provides essential information on managing soil erosion, including reducing the impact of wind and water. The easy-to-read publication also guides decision-making on managing your irrigation system, controlling run-off water, covering exposed soil areas, improving soil structure and increasing cohesion between soil particles. Click here to view the fact sheet.

To find out more about the Soil Wealth project or managing your soil, visit the website, or follow one of the demonstration sites in your region online. You can also follow the project on Twitter @SoilWealth.

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

 

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 including 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.

 

Have your say on new seed potato standards

Hort Innovation has commissioned a project to review and update the National Standard for Certification of Australian Seed Potatoes, which was last updated in 2007.
The project team wants to find out how the industry is impacted by the current standard, what its current strengths and weaknesses are, and how any weaknesses could be overcome.

To include your input into this review of the National Standard, please visit the Seed Potato Review website where you will find a copy of the national standard and directions for making a submission. Entries close on 13 May 2016.

For more information, contact the review team at submissions@seedpotatoreview.org.

This communication was funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Potato 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.

 

 

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.

 

New R&D reports available on InfoVeg

InfoVeg is a comprehensive database that has been designed to bridge the gap between researchers and growers. It acts as a comprehensive resource for growers to easily access technical information and research funded by the National Vegetable Levy and National Potato Levies.

The following reports were published recently on the InfoVeg database.

  • Women’s Grower Study Tour 2014-16 (VG13706)
  • Understanding spatial variability in potato cropping to improve yield and production efficiency (PT13000)

Click here to sign up or log in to your InfoVeg account to access the reports.

InfoVeg 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
PER82341 Active: Bifenazate
Crop: Cucumber, peppers, zucchini, eggplant, bitter melon, sin qua, tomatoes (field and protected) and snake beans (field only)
Pest: Red tomato spider mite and two spotted mite (snake beans only)		 29-Mar-2016 31-Mar-2021 Growcom All states (except VIC)
PER81702 Active: Alpha-Cypermethrin
Crop: Cucumber, Rucola (rocket), silverbeet, spinach, brassica leafy vegetables and radish
Pest: Various insect pests		 24-Mar-2016 31-Mar-2021 Growcom All states (except VIC)

Please note that the above permits do 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.

 

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 CEO Richard Mulcahy appeared extensively in print and broadcast media welcoming the announcement that state and territory ministers have supported the Federal Government’s proposed changes to Country of Origin Labelling laws. Mr Mulcahy said the long-awaited decision means Australian consumers will have a better idea of where the food they are eating comes from, and added that the announcement represented an important win for clearer food labelling systems in Australia.

The decision by Potatoes New Zealand to withdraw its application seeking market access for fresh potatoes for processing into Australia continued to be discussed in print and broadcast media this week. Mr Mulcahy as well as AUSVEG spokesperson and Tasmanian grower Mike Badcock said the decision comes as a great relief to the Australian potato industry as it will help to protect the industry from the devastating Zebra chip disease, which is present in New Zealand.

The impact of vegetable imports on Australia’s vegetable industry continued to be a hot topic of discussion in the media this week, with AUSVEG Economist Andrew Kruup continuing to appear extensively across print and broadcast media outlets. Mr Kruup also featured in a television report that was broadcast on National Nine News in Melbourne, which discussed a new Monash University study that has found that the cost of fruit and vegetables is becoming more expensive in rural and regional areas.

AUSVEG National Manager – Export Development Michael Coote appeared in print media welcoming the news that horticulture is set to become the next big export commodity boom, while 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.

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.