Vegetable Feature Article

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!

Email: info@ausveg.com.au
Phone: 03 9882 0277
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.

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!

Email: info@ausveg.com.au
Phone: 03 9882 0277
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.

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.

Potato Feature Article

InfoVeg TV – First episode now live!

AUSVEG is excited to announce that the first episode of our YouTube series InfoVeg TV is now live!

This episode focuses on PreDicta Pt, the soil DNA testing service for potato growers, and features Michael Rettke from the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and Greg Murdoch from Horticulture Innovation Australia. To view the episode, please click here.

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

Sponsored: New Boomaroo site to focus on innovation for growers

Boomaroo Nurseries has purchased a new site in Queensland’s Toowoomba region, which will enable it to reach a greater number of growers and provide it with the latest innovations and technologies when it comes to seedling growth.

With Boomaroo’s Lara facility in Victoria operating for the past 30 years, co-owner and managing director Eric Jacometti stated that expansion into Queensland was a logical step for the business to take, with many of their customers now owning growing operations in both Victoria and Queensland.

“Demands from growers are demands we have to meet to be sustainable into the future,” Mr Jacometti said.

“Making sure that we’re partnering with and meeting our customers’ needs is absolutely critical. More innovation, higher demands for quality, reliability and a high level of service – our business needs to track well with those requirements, and to be able to provide that we have to be the best that we can possibly be.”

Innovation will be an integral part of the new site, with Mr Jacometti noting that refinements in technologies are critical to the success of the company going forward.

“We need to make sure that we’re innovative in the way that we approach business into the future. We are still benefiting from decisions that we made 20 years ago, and decisions that we’re making now we hope to benefit the company and our customers for the next 20 years.”

An article on Boomaroo Nurseries can be found in the upcoming July/August edition of Vegetables Australia magazine.

Upcoming VegNET events

Tomato-potato psyllid information session – Clyde, VIC
VegNET will run a tomato-potato psyllid (TPP) information session in Clyde to provide growers with the latest available information on the psyllid incursion in Australia.

The information session will feature topics including TPP identification and monitoring, TPP surveillance and TPP biosecurity measures and management, with speakers including Angelica Cameron (IPM Technologies), Dr Sze Flett (Agriculture Victoria) and Dr Jessica Lye (AUSVEG).

Date/time: 13 June 2017, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Location: E.E Muir & Sons – 1985 South Gippsland Highway, Clyde VIC

To RSVP, please contact Clinton Muller on 0498 192 596 or clintonm@rmcg.com.au.

Soil borne disease workshops – NSW
VegNET will run two soil borne disease events in Bathurst and Richmond NSW, focusing on management and control options and growing your business through VegNET.

Taking place on 22 and 23 June, the events will consist of a farm walk (Bathurst) and a workshop (Richmond).

Bathurst farm walk
Date/time 22 June 2017, 1:30 – 3:30pm
Location: 182 White Rock Road, Kelso (via Bathurst), NSW

Richmond workshop
Date/time: 23 June 2017, 12 – 3:30pm (lunch 12-12:30pm)
Location: Sydney Demonstration Farm, Gate 6 Southee Rd, Richmond, NSW

Speakers include Dr Len Tesoriero (NSW DPI) and Callum Fletcher (AUSVEG).

For more information on the Bathurst farm walk, please click here. For more information on the Richmond workshop, please click here.

Protected cropping pest and disease workshops – NSW

VegNET is running workshops in protected cropping for cucumber and blueberry growers in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales on 28 and 29 June.

These workshops, to be held in Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour, will focus on identifying and controlling mites in greenhouse cucumbers, cucumber green mottle mosaic virus and farm biosecurity planning, how to grow your business through VegNET, industry updates and integrated pest management for hydroponic berry production.

Woolgoolga
Date/time: 5:30pm – 8:00pm, Wednesday 28 June 2017 (light supper provided)
Location: CEX Woolgoolga Bowling Club, 18 Boundary Street, Woolgoolga NSW

Coffs Harbour
Date/time: 11:00am – 1:00pm, Thursday 29 June 2017 (lunch provided)
Location: Park Beach Bowls Club, 60 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour NSW

The workshops will feature presentations by Andy Ryland (Integrated Pest Management Consulting), Wade Mann (Roses 2 Go), Dr Jessica Lye (AUSVEG), Melinda Simpson (NSW DPI) and Matthew Plunkett (Greater Sydney Local Land Services).

For further information, please contact Matthew Plunkett on 0428 978 390 or email veg.network@lls.nsw.gov.au. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Renee Pearson by Monday 26 June on (02) 4724 2121, or to Melinda Simpson on (02) 6626 1350 or at melinda.simpson@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

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

Pythium in carrots: Cavity spot and forking in carrots

Two Pythium species are mostly responsible for forking and cavity spot of carrots in Australia. In most cases, P. sulcatum causes the symptoms.

While some general rules apply, especially the need for managing soil moisture, pH, soil calcium and crop maturity, carrot producers should find their own optimum combination of additional management strategies that fit their production systems and growing conditions.

Read this useful fact sheet to find out more about what causes cavity spot and forking in carrots, as well factors affecting cavity spot development and management approaches.

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.

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.

AUSVEG Economic Confidence Survey – March quarter 2017

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. This survey helps AUSVEG identify the current business conditions that vegetable growers face and track grower sentiment of these economic factors over time.

Information from the survey will be collated in aggregate form and used to advocate strongly on behalf of the industry in various forums, including the media, and in regular articles providing commentary on such matters.

This quarter’s survey closes on Friday 9 June 2017. To add your voice before the survey closes, please click here. This short survey will take approximately three minutes to complete.

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

Tomato-potato psyllid identification and surveillance training session – TAS

The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture will run an identification and surveillance training session for tomato-potato psyllid (TPP) in Forth, Tasmania.

The session will provide attendees with information on how to identify the psyllid at all life stages, and how to recognise plant disease symptoms associated with bacterium transmitted by TPP.

Date/time: 27 June 2017, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Forthside Research Farm, 125 Forthside Road, Forth, Tasmania

For more information on the training session, please click here.

Managing cover crop residues in vegetable production

Cover crops are great tools for soil management. Their benefits can include improving soil structure and health, reducing erosion and weeds, adding nitrogen and contributing to weed and disease control.

Managing the transition from cover crop to cash crop is a key factor in determining the successful integration of cover crops into your farm. With cover crops able to produce more than 100 tonnes of fresh plant material per hectare, the transition needs to be well managed to prevent problems in the following cash crop.

The aim of this fact sheet is to outline key factors and the management options for the successful transition from cover to cash crop.

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.

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 Tools and interventions for increasing children’s vegetable consumption 5pm (Sydney time)
Friday 9 June 2017
Request for proposal Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection – Phase 2 4pm (Sydney time)
Friday 16 June 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 national vegetable and potato research and development levies and funds from the Australian Government.

AUSVEG in the media

AUSVEG CEO James Whiteside appeared on radio this week discussing the imminent arrival in Australia of AmazonFresh, Amazon’s grocery service, and Aldi’s increased emphasis on fresh produce. Mr Whiteside noted that while it is unclear if this will drive up Australian produce prices, he believes having another significant buyer will give growers more choice.

AUSVEG National Manager – Communications Shaun Lindhe appeared in print media this week discussing the impact that consuming vegetables can have on skin health. Mr Lindhe noted that the carotenoids in vegetables such as carrots and sweetpotatoes not only act as antioxidants, but also assist in the maintenance of healthy skin.

AUSVEG SA State Manager Jordan Brooke-Barnett appeared in print media this week discussing the proposed changes to the City of Playford’s rates for primary producers. Mr Brooke-Barnett noted that the proposed changes could have huge financial implications for investment and jobs in the horticulture industry.