Cyclone Debbie – Category C funding available

Queensland primary producers affected by Cyclone Debbie are now able to apply for grants of up to $25,000 to assist them in recovery under newly announced funding by the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.

Category C funding has been activated for the below areas in Central Queensland:

  • Whitsunday Regional Council
  • Mackay Regional Council
  • Part of Isaac Regional Council
  • Part of Livingstone Regional Council
  • Part of Central Highlands Regional Council
  • Part of Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council

Category C funding has also been activated for the following areas in South East Queensland:

  • Logan City Council
  • Scenic Rim Regional Council
  • Part of Gold Coast City Council
  • Part Lockyer Valley Regional Council

The recovery grants are available through the QRAA. For more information, please contact QRAA on 1800 623 946 or view its website.

 

TPP update – Changed Victorian import restrictions as of 6 April 2017

Victorian restrictions on the importation of tomato-potato psyllid (TPP) and Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum host material have been amended to include conditional non-host plant material.

These amended conditions now exempt the following plant products from treatment and certification for entering into Victoria:

  • dried plant products
  • seed
  • mulch
  • timber
  • chaff and hay.

Please note that seed potato tubers and sweetpotatoes remain prohibited from entering Victoria.

For more information on the changes, please see Agriculture Victoria’s website.

 

KMH Environmental renews as Strategic Partner

AUSVEG is proud to announce the continuation of its Strategic Partnership with KMH Environmental.

KMH Environmental has become a leading environmental manager, advisor and provider of turnkey engineering solutions since it was established in 1998 and now has a significant presence in the Australian horticulture landscape.

KMH Environmental has previously shown its support for the industry by participating as a sponsor for the 2015 and 2016 National Horticulture Conventions. AUSVEG looks forward to continuing to work with KMH Environmental over the coming year.

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

 

Kalfresh renews as Strategic Partner

AUSVEG is proud to announce the continuation of its Strategic Partnership with Kalfresh.

Since starting as a small growing operation, Kalfresh has grown into a large produce business that grows, packs and markets vegetables for customers in Australia and overseas.

AUSVEG looks forward to continuing to work with Kalfresh over the coming year.

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

 

AUSVEG office closure – Tuesday 25 April 2017

The AUSVEG office will be closed Tuesday 25 April due to the ANZAC Day public holiday.

The next Weekly Update will be published on Wednesday 26 April.

 

2018 Nuffield Scholarships – Applications now open!

Applications for the 2018 Nuffield Scholarships for Australian Primary Producers are now open.

Aiming to develop current, emerging and future leaders within Australian industries, each scholarship offers a $30,000 bursary to enable the successful applicants to study cutting-edge global agriculture.

A range of scholarships are available across multiple industries, including a vegetable grower scholarship supported by Horticulture Innovation Australia.

For more information on these scholarships and information on how to apply, please click here.

The 2018 Nuffield Scholarship for the vegetable industry is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the research and development National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Gaining an understanding of Verticillium wilt

Verticillium wilt is a damaging soil borne disease of potatoes, where the pathogen infects, colonises and causes wilting in plants. It is likely to be present in all Australian potato fields, with the potential to cause crop losses ranging from one to 20 per cent.

Previous research shows that it is linked to Potato Early Dying syndrome, which can be caused by an interaction between different species of the soil borne fungal pathogen Verticillium (Verticillium dahliae and the less common Verticillium alboatrum) and the root lesion nematode (Pratylenchus crenatus).

Potato growers are advised to determine the level of inoculum in their soil by obtaining a proper diagnosis of Verticillium using the DNA-based soil testing service, PreDicta Pt, developed by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI). If the results confirm the Verticillium pathogen, growers are recommended to remove potato plants and tubers from the field at harvest.

For a more detailed look into Verticillium wilt and the research currently being undertaken on the disease, please see page 23 of the latest Potatoes Australia, which can be read online here.

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

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 2017
Time: 8:15am – 5:30pm
Location: Adelaide and surrounds

Spaces are strictly limited so be sure to register your interest with AUSVEG promptly. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for attendees.

The agenda for the day is as follows:

  • 8:15am
    Attendees arrive on North Terrace, outside of the Adelaide Convention Centre
  • 8:30am
    Bus departs Adelaide Convention Centre
  • 9:00am
    Supply Chain Section: TORO Australia is a leading supplier of irrigation products to the landscape, agricultural, turf care and domestic garden markets. After a light breakfast we will learn about the supplier, be guided on a factory tour and learn about the products produced at the facility.
  • 11:15am
    Research & Innovation Section: The South Australian Research and Development Institute and Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre are carrying out cutting edge research into pest detection systems. Guided by PB CRC researchers, we will visit a SARDI field site to learn about next generation pest trapping, be guided on a tour of the SARDI laboratories, and hear about innovations in the grape industry in detecting pests through DNA surveillance before finishing with a group lunch.
  • 2:25pm
    On-farm Development Section: Brussels Sprout grower Eastbrooke Farms is currently hosting a Soil Wealth & Integrated Crop Protection Field Trial site. We will hear from Dr Doris Blaesing about the cover crop trials being undertaken at the farm and learn about the results of the trial from agronomist, Nigel Dolenac, before taking a close look at the site.
  • 5:30pm
    Bus arrives at Adelaide Convention Centre

To register, please email info@ausveg.com.au.

For further enquiries, please contact Callum Fletcher on 03 9882 0277 or at callum.fletcher@ausveg.com.au.

 

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.

 

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 2017
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.

 

Young Food Innovators program

Applications are now open for the Young Food Innovators program, a 12-month intensive, accelerated development program for young people working in the red meat, horticulture, seafood and dairy primary producer sectors.

The program is designed for producers or supporting professionals looking to develop new high value opportunities in domestic or export markets, implement innovative new business models or accelerate the adoption of new disruptive technologies within their production business.

Applications are open to anyone currently working within the production sector (or a business closely related to the production sector) with a minimum of five years’ experience, as well as hold a university degree or relevant qualification.

Partial scholarships may be available from the relevant Rural Research and Development Corporation (RDC) to cover a portion of travel and accommodation costs.

Applications for the program close COB Friday 28 April 2017. For more information, please click here.

 

Water for Profit event – Thursday 18 May

The Tasmanian Government’s Water for Profit program will deliver a statewide event on Thursday 18 May.

The event has plenty of variety to suit everyone, covering topics such as precision irrigation, autonomous systems and drones, as well as a trade show and practical sessions.

Date: Thursday 18 May 2017
Time: 8:30am – 2:00pm
Location: Riverlands Centre, 159 Wellington Street, Longford TAS

To register online, please click here.

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.

 

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.

 

Bringing ideas to life workshop

Monash University and the Food Innovation Centre will run a workshop on ‘bringing ideas to life’ using best practice innovation.

Participants will be given the opportunity to learn best practice in how to identify, craft and test ideas that will have the best chance of succeeding in their business and the market place as a whole.

Date: 3 May 2017
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Location: Monash University Clayton Campus – New Horizons Building
Cost: $350 plus GST

For more information and to register, 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
PER14184 V2 Actives: Potassium phosphonate
Crop: Beetroot, carrots, parsnips and brassica leafy vegetables
Pest: Damping off and Downy mildew (Brassica leafy vegetables only)		 1-Jul-2013 30-Jun-2022 Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited All states except VIC

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 appeared in print media this week reiterating the need to support Australian growers in the wake of Cyclone Debbie. Mr Whiteside noted that making a conscious effort to buy Australian grown fruit and vegetables can make a large difference to those affected.

AUSVEG SA State Manager Jordan Brooke-Barnett appeared in print media this week discussing the Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme. Mr Brooke-Barnett noted that the scheme was an important investment for the state and would allow South Australia to firmly cement its place in Australia’s national horticulture industry.