The need for good biosecurity practices on farm has been painfully underlined recently, with the incursion of the tomato brown rugose fruit virus in South Australia costing growers millions.

But the benefits of good on-farm biosecurity go a lot further than just this kind of rare but high-impact exotic incursion. Good biosecurity can also address the standard pest and disease pressures growers face every day. It can translate to a higher marketable yield, lower labour requirements, or lower input costs.

We had a chat with Rick Butler of Butler Market Gardens, a grower of spring onions, herbs and Asian vegetables in Melbourne’s southern suburbs, about how he’s addressed their biosecurity risks with some new technology.