Cyclone Debbie – Emergency response and assistance

In the wake of Cyclone Debbie and associated flooding, assistance is being provided to affected residents through the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA), which is funded jointly through state and federal governments. This assistance and support currently includes freight subsidies and concessional loans to primary producers.

For information on the support measures currently available, please see the Queensland Farmers Federation’s (QFF) page on Cyclone Debbie support. For information on specific support available in your area and industry, please use the postcode search option on the QFF’s main Farmer Disaster Support page.

As regional communities and industries assess the damage caused by Cyclone Debbie and associated flooding, increased support measures may become available through joint commitments under the NDRRA. AUSVEG is campaigning for those affected to receive the maximum available assistance, and is working with state industry organisations to support vegetable and potato growers who have been affected by this catastrophic weather event.

Queensland growers affected by Cyclone Debbie can contact Growcom on 07 3620 3844 or at admin@growcom.com.au to discuss support options or to provide damage assessments to help with advocacy for disaster relief. New South Wales growers can contact Local Land Services on 1300 795 299. A copy of the natural disaster damage estimate form is also available from the Growcom website.

 

Tomato-potato psyllid update – emergency permits issued

The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) is leading an emergency biosecurity response to combat tomato-potato psyllid (TPP), which has been found in Western Australia.

To date, TPP has been detected on over 60 properties in Western Australia. The majority of detections are in the Perth metropolitan area, and there are a small number of detections in the regional areas of Gingin, Busselton, Yarloop, Margaret River, Manjimup and Balingup.

Minor use permits

Minor use permits have been issued in a bid to combat the spread of tomato-potato psyllid. The permits are as follows:

Permit ID Description Date Issued Expiry Date Permit Holder States
PER84229 Actives: Abamectin, bifenthrin, methomyl
Crop: Various crops
Pest: Tomato-potato psyllid		 7-Apr-2017 28-Feb-2020 NSW Department of Primary Industries All states
PER84245 Actives: Spirotetramat
Crop: Potato, sweetpotato, tomato, capsicum, chilli pepper, eggplant (field and protected cropping systems)
Pest: Tomato-potato psyllid		 7-Apr-2017 28-Feb-2020 NSW Department of Primary Industries All states

For more information on the TPP incursion, please see DAFWA’s website.

 

Steritech renews Strategic Partnership with AUSVEG

AUSVEG is proud to announce the continuation of its Strategic Partnership with Steritech, with this long-term partnership continuing to deliver valuable benefits for the Australian vegetable and potato industries.

Steritech is a leader in sterilisation and decontamination services. The Australian owned and operated company works to ensure produce meets biosecurity and phytosanitary requirements for domestic and export markets, and has recently announced a new facility at the Melbourne Markets in Epping.

AUSVEG is very excited to collaborate with Steritech over the next year on a range of industry issues.

For more information on Steritech, please click here to visit their website.

 

AgNova renews Strategic Partnership with AUSVEG

AUSVEG is pleased to announce that AgNova Technologies will continue to be closely aligned with the Australian vegetable and potato industries following the renewal of its Strategic Partnership.

AgNova works closely with producers to identify market opportunities and develop products to satisfy their requirements. AgNova currently supplies a wide range of specialist herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and non-chemical products within Australia.

AUSVEG looks forward to the continuation of this vital partnership and is eager to continue to work with AgNova over the coming year.

For more information on AgNova, please click here to visit its website.

 

New energy usage edition of InfoVeg Radio podcast released

A new edition of InfoVeg Radio, the R&D podcast for the vegetable industry, has been released. This edition focuses on levy-funded research projects that looked at how growers can make the most of their on-farm energy usage. The episode features two interviewees:

  • John Cumming, from Infotech Research, who undertook audits of energy usage on vegetable farms in an attempt to improve overall efficiency; and
  • Dr Gordon Rogers, from Applied Horticultural Research, who undertook research that investigated the viability of on-farm power generation for vegetable growers.

Previous editions of the podcast have covered ways to increase consumption of vegetables, soil health projects and innovation in the horticulture industry. To listen to the latest edition of the podcast, or any previous edition, please click here.

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

Potato Extension Project forum

Growers and stakeholders from the Australian potato industry are invited to participate in the first potato industry forum for the Australian Potato Industry Extension Project.

The forum will be held from 2:30pm – 5:00pm on Monday 15 May 2017 at the Adelaide Convention Centre, on the first day of Hort Connections 2017.

The forum is free of change. For more information, or to register, please click here.

This project is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the research and development National Fresh and Processing Potato Levies and funds from the Australian Government.

 

Using compost in commercial vegetable production (webinar recording)

Compost is a mixture of recycled organic materials that have been processed by natural organisms, breaking down the original materials into a usable form. Compost has many benefits for soil: it can feed plants, stimulate beneficial microbes, improve soil structure and help the soil retain nutrients, water and warmth.

However, compost is also a potential source of microbial, chemical and physical contamination. Human pathogens in manure, heavy metals in sewage sludge and plastics left in green waste bins all have the potential to contaminate growing sites and fresh produce.

Watch this webinar recording from 21 March 2017 to find out more about the good, the bad and the ugly of compost use in vegetable production with Dr Doris Blaesing from RMCG. You can access the video and other useful resources here.

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 Limited using the research and development National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

AUSVEG office closure – Easter weekend

The AUSVEG office in Melbourne will be closed on Good Friday (Friday 14 April) and Easter Monday (Monday 17 April). The office will re-open on Tuesday 18 April.

 

Hort Connections 2017 – Australiana Theme Night

On Tuesday 16 May, Hort Connections 2017 will host the DuPont Theme Night, where delegates can relax, dress-up and gather for an entertaining dinner and drinks extravaganza.

Following the theme ‘Australiana’, the evening is sure to be a great event, and a fantastic chance to meet and network with other industry members!

For more information on the theme night, or any other part of the Hort Connections 2017 program, please see the Hort Connections website.

 

Postharvest management of vegetables: Australian supply chain handbook and website

A new handbook outlining the best and most cost-effective ways for handling vegetables in the post-harvest period is available now.

The handbook provides useful information for all sectors of the supply chain, and includes best-practice guides for 23 key vegetable crops, quick reference tables for storage and transport as well as general post-harvest principles.

For more information on the handbook, please click here. To download a PDF version of the handbook, please click here.

VG13083 was funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the research and development National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

Hort Connections 2017 – NextGen Young Grower event

The annual NextGen Young Grower event will take place at Hort Connections 2017. The event, sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, will offer participants a once-in-a-lifetime experience of climbing the newly constructed Adelaide Oval Roof, with food and refreshments provided afterwards. This event is free and available only to those who have registered for Hort Connections 2017.

Date: Wednesday 17 May
Time: 2:00pm – 5:30pm
Location: Adelaide Oval
Cost: Free for those attending Hort Connections 2017.

Please express your interest by emailing info@hortconnections.com.au, as numbers must be secured for the event.

 

2017 Reverse Trade Mission Produce Display event – Applications closing this Friday!

All export-ready vegetable growers are invited to register with AUSVEG to display their produce to international fresh produce buyers at Hort Connections in Adelaide as part of the 2017 Reverse Trade Mission.

AUSVEG will be bringing delegates from Asia and the Middle East to Australia to participate in a range of farm visits in Western Australia. These delegates will then attend Hort Connections 2017 in Adelaide, culminating in the Produce Display event which will showcase the Australian vegetable industry.

The event will be held on Tuesday 16 May from 9:00am – 1:00pm, giving growers from across the country the opportunity to display their produce to these leading international buyers.

Register now to participate in this exciting event by returning the registration form by Friday 14 April to export@ausveg.com.au or call 03 9882 0277 for further information.

The 2017 Reverse Trade Mission is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the research and development National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

Celebrate women in horticulture at Hort Connections 2017!

The ever-popular Women in Horticulture networking event will once again return to Hort Connections 2017. The event is open to all delegates at Hort Connections, providing a chance to acknowledge and celebrate the integral role that women play in the industry.

The event will be held on Wednesday 17 May from 2:00pm to 4:30pm. This year’s theme will focus on getting involved and adding value to your business.

Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Senator the Hon. Anne Ruston will be headlining the guest speakers, while ABC presenter Tonya Roberts will emcee the event. The Eat.Drink.Innovate Pty Ltd founder Susie White will speak on new product and packaging innovations, while celebrity chef Geoff Jansz will perform a cooking demonstration with local produce. Horticulture Innovation Australia Relationship Manager Christian Patterson will also discuss levy-funded projects.

The event will conclude with the announcement of the 2017 Women in Horticulture award winner.

For more information or to RSVP, please visit hortconnections.com.au or call AUSVEG on 03 9882 0277.

Expressions of interest for attendance at the 2017 Horticulture Field Day

Hort Connections 2017 will be preceded by the annual Horticulture Field Day. This year, the field day will focus on pest and disease detection and management. The event is free and available only to those who have registered for Hort Connections 2017.

Date: Monday 15 May
Time: 8:15am – 5:30pm
Location: Adelaide and surrounds

An agenda for the day will be publicised in mid-April. Spaces are strictly limited so be sure to register your interest with AUSVEG promptly. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for attendees.

To express your interest in attending this field day, please email info@ausveg.com.au.

 

EnviroVeg Technical Panel – Applications open

Who should apply: Researchers and industry experts who can guide the development of EnviroVeg program resources with connections to R&D.

EnviroVeg is the environmental assurance program for Australian vegetable growers. This levy-funded R&D project is seeking applications for a technical panel of experts and researchers to provide comment on the update of program resources through chaired teleconferences and face-to-face workshops.

A new project has recently been launched and is updating a number of program resources, including grower assessments and an on-farm manual, to ensure that they are underpinned by robust research and development.

Resources will link to the environmental certification requirements of the Freshcare Environmental program and capture data on changes made by Australian vegetable growers to their environmental best management practices. The Technical Panel will ensure that reports to growers, generated from assessments, are informative and useful for grower participants.

There are four positions available for the panel. Successful applicants will be required to attend a one day workshop, one day of manual review preceding the workshop, two teleconferences in the first year of the project (2017) and one manual and assessment review in the third year of the project. Disbursement and coverage of expenses will be made for panel members.

For further information and criteria for technical panel applicants, see the application form. Completed application forms can be returned to andrew.shaw@ausveg.com.au.

This project has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the research and development National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

2017 Global Innovations in Horticulture Seminar: Registrations for funded positions now open!

Following the success of the 2016 Global Innovations in Horticulture Seminar, Australian levy-paying vegetable growers will once again have the chance to listen to presentations from the world’s leading innovation experts at the 2017 Global Innovations in Horticulture Seminar.

The Seminar will take place during Hort Connections 2017, and will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Tuesday 16 May.

The seminar will feature nine expert speakers from around the world on topics ranging from precision agriculture to processing machinery. Previous seminars have been very well received by growers, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of the leading thinkers in global horticulture.

Funded positions are available for levy-paying growers to attend this event. Growers interested in attending or looking for further details can contact AUSVEG on 03 9882 0277, by fax at 03 9882 6722 or via the contact form here.

The 2017 Global Innovations in Horticulture Seminar is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the research and development National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

Vegetable & Potato Biosecurity Implementation Committees – Call for interested participants

AUSVEG is excited to announce the inaugural meetings of the Vegetable and Potato Biosecurity Implementation Committees, which are to be held directly after Hort Connections.

Date: 18 May 2017
Vegetable BIC: 9.00am – 12.30pm
Potato BIC: 1.00pm – 4.30pm
Venue: Adelaide Convention Centre

These committees will provide important input in guiding biosecurity activities for industry and government over the next five years and will meet at one workshop per year for the duration of the Plant Health Australia run projects VG15065: Review of the National Biosecurity Plan for the Vegetable Industry and PT16004: Review of the National Biosecurity Plan for the Potato Industry and development of a biosecurity manual for potato producers.

The make-up of both committees are yet to be determined; however, places are limited. AUSVEG is calling for expressions of interest from growers who are interested in joining either the potato or vegetable committees.

For further information, or to express your interest, please contact Dr Jessica Lye on 03 9882 0277 or jessica.lye@ausveg.com.au.

The Vegetable and Potato Biosecurity Program is funded by the Plant Health Levy. This communication has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the research and development National Vegetable Levy, National Potato Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

SQFI launches Edition 8 of SQF Code

Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) has released Edition 8 of the Safe Quality Food Code.

The new edition will provide customised requirements for key industry sectors in separate, stand-alone codes, with the new Code replacing Edition 7.

To download Edition 8 of the Code, please click here

 

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 related 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 Tomato potato psyllid (TPP) National Program Coordinator 5pm (Sydney time)
Friday 21 April 2017

 

Communication of levy-funded R&D is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the research and development National Vegetable Levy, National Fresh Potato Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

 

New Minor Use permits

Permit ID Description Date Issued Expiry Date Permit Holder States
PER13444 V2 Actives: Propiconazole
Crop: Radishes
Pest: Cercospora Leaf spot (Cercospora spp.)		 1-Apr-2012 31-May-2022 Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited All states except VIC
PER11935 V3 Actives: Triadimenol
Crop: Parsnips, radish, swede and turnip
Pest: Powdery mildew		 5-Feb-2010 30-Jun-2022 Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited All states (Victoria is not included in this permit)

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 maximum residue limit (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 a 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 MRLs 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.

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

 

AUSVEG in the media

AUSVEG CEO James Whiteside and AUSVEG National Manager – Public Affairs Jordan Brooke-Barnett appeared on radio this week calling on Australians to support local growers in the wake of Cyclone Debbie. They also discussed assistance measures funded through the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, and reiterated that further support must be provided for growers and communities affected by the cyclone.

AUSVEG National Manager – Communications Shaun Lindhe and AUSVEG spokesperson Jarrod Strauch appeared in print and on radio this week discussing the CSIRO report showing that Australians aren’t eating enough fruit and vegetables, noting that increasing consumers’ familiarity with a range of vegetables may be a good way of indirectly increasing overall consumption.

Mr Lindhe also appeared in print media commenting on price impacts that may result from supply gaps caused by Cyclone Debbie.

Communication of levy funded R&D activities is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the research and development National Vegetable Levy and National Potato Levy and funds from the Australian Government.