The Passion Vine Autumn 2019

AUTUMN 2019

QUALITY MATTERS Not all water is the same PAGE 8

NEW GROWER FORUM Exclusively for Members PAGE 11

2019 REGIONAL FIELD DAY PROGRAMME PAGE 12

Grower Profile:

DENNIS & JAN CHANT PAGE 18

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SPECIALISING IN

Passionfruit, Pawpaw, Bananas & Limes P PROFESSIONALISM P MARKETING P COMMUNICATION P LOGISTICS

P TRADE TERMS P QUALITY PRODUCT P FOOD SAFETY P PERSONAL CONTACT

CONTACT

BRISBANE

SYDNEY

P: 07 3379 1041

P: 07 9763 1323

Railing No. 5 Block C Brisbane Markets

Stand 189/190 B Shed Sydney Markets

Sean Russell Aidan Hutton 0418 158 331 0419 700 278 sean@jetipper.com.au aidan@jetipper.com.au

EXCELLENCE IN QUALITY FRESH FOODS & SERVICE | WWW.JETIPPER.COM.AU

MEET THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE PRESIDENT Tina McPherson 15 Zinks Road, Bundaberg QLD 4670 07 4159 3001 | 0428 415 930 tina@tinaberries.com.au

VICE-PRESIDENT Jane Richter 160 Judds Road, Glass House Mountains QLD 4518 07 5438 7662 | 0431 700 258 jane@chorizotrading.com

TREASURER Aidan Hutton Sydney Markets, Shed B Stand 189/190 Homebush West NSW 2129 0419 700 278 aidan@jetipper.com.au

SECRETARY

CONTENTS 02 PRESIDENT'S REPORT 04 REGIONAL ROUND-UP 07 TWO MORE SCHOLARS THANK YOU SAMSONS 08 QUALITY MATTERS WATER 11 GROWER FORUM MEMBER EXCLUSIVE 13 TACKLE RED SCALE SOFTLY 14 AUTUMN & WINTER TIPS 16 MARKETING NEWS

Jim Gordon P.O. Box 119, Yandina QLD 4561 07 5446 7536 | 0403 185 961 jill_88@msn.com

MEMBER Anton Stretch 70 Alfs Pinch Road, Beerwah QLD 4519 0433 632 251 stretcho000@hotmail.com

MEMBER Ian Constable 266 Boyds Lane, Dulguigan NSW 2484 02 6672 6826 | 0428 181 246 ianconstable11@bigpond.com

MEMBER Cynthia Barbagallo P.O. Box 2176, Mareeba QLD 4880 0429 926 704 cynthiabarbagallo@bigpond.com

MEMBER Dennis Chant 1264 Urliup Road, Murwillumbah NSW 2484 0412 616 747 adennischant@gmail.com

GROWER PROFILE: DENNIS & JAN CHANT

18

Wherever you see this logo, the initiative is part of the Hort Innovation Passionfruit Fund. Like this publication itself, it has been funded by Hort Innovation using the passionfruit levy and, in the case of R&D, with contributions from the Australian Government. Some projects also involve funding from additional sources.

ADMINISTRATION & MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES Amanda Roy

DISCLAIMER The advice and opinions in the articles published in The Passion Vine are essentially those of contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Passionfruit Australian Incorporated or the Editor. The advice is at the reader’s own risk, and no responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of the material presented. Inclusion of an advertisement in this publication does not necessarily imply endorsement of the product, company or service by Passionfruit Australia Incorporated or the Editor.

Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (Hort Innovation) makes no representations and expressly disclaims all warranties (to the extent permitted by law) about the accuracy, completeness, or currency of information in The Passion Vine.

Reliance on any information provided by Hort Innovation is entirely at your own risk.

Hort Innovation is not responsible for, and will not be liable for, any loss, damage, claim, expense, cost (including legal costs) or other liability arising in any way, including from

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any Hort Innovation or other person’s negligence or otherwise from your use or non-use of The Passion Vine or from reliance on information contained in the material or that Hort Innovation provides to you by any other means.

Copyright © Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited 2019 Copyright subsists in The Passion Vine. Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (Hort Innovation) owns the copyright, other than as permitted under the Copyright ACT 1968 (Cth). The Passion Vine (in part or as a whole) cannot be reproduced, published, communicated or adapted without the prior written consent of Hort Innovation.

Any request or enquiry to use The Passion Vine should be addressed to: Communications Manager, Hort Innovation Level 8, 1 Chifley Square, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia E: communications@horticulture.com.au | P: 02 8295 2300

THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2019

1

PRESIDENT'S REPORT TINA MCPHERSON, BUNDABERG

Dear Readers,

I asked Bruce for a run-down of our summer season for this report as mine will always be a little tinted with rose coloured glasses… a blessing to be the optimist in this relationship but not always the realist! According to Bruce the summer of 2018/2019 was the highlight of the passionfruit year… the rest of last year being described as abysmal! We were fortunate to have heavy production pre-Christmas, albeit with fruit size being an ongoing issue. Bundaberg, in fact, essentially had the market pretty much to themselves at a period of high demand and we went into Christmas with a smile on our faces.

Fast-forward to today and the weather conditions are once again dry, the young plants are really sitting still with slowed growth and very little flower set. By the time you read this you will all know the outcome of the cyclone I am currently watching track towards the coast!

Over the summer whilst the plants sat still for some, the association and industry didn’t, and this issue of The Passion Vine should keep you up to date with all that has occurred. For members, there is a new tool in the Farm Biosecurity Planner to help you work out what changes you need to make at your farm to ensure your own biosecurity. There is also the new online Grower Forum which will provide members with an easy way to share ideas, seek diagnosis advice or similar have a good debate on a topic of interest. Membership is just $198 per year and with the other special offers that we have been offering, like free crop testing, it really is excellent value.

The Passionfruit SIAP has read and discussed the Technical Review of the National Breeding Programme. The review was a thorough assessment of the programme, which acknowledged where the breeding programme had made considerable strides and areas for improvement. We thank Kate Light for her excellent review and the growers and industry associates who contributed. Kate was able to discuss the breeding programme with 27 growers which was an excellent result in an industry where grower engagement can often be time consuming and problematic. Thanks so much to everyone who contributed, both in person and over the phone.

The industry only stands to move forward when all our views are taken into consideration.

In addition, a Passionfruit postharvest best practice review will be contracted in the very near future using levy funds and we thank industry and SIAP members for their contribution to this process. It is important that while we deal with the big issues at hand (breeding for example) we don’t lose sight of the other factors that affect our production and profitability.

We are extremely grateful to have the wholesale agent Samsons step forward to sponsor not one but two of Passionfruit Australia’s Noel Day scholarship opportunities. In the first instance, Samsons will be sponsoring Bruce McPherson to attend the week long Certificate in Nutrition Farming in March this year. Following the course Bruce will be writing an article that may encourage others to take up one of PAI’s scholarship opportunities later in the year. The second beneficiary is Angela Olsen who will be undertaking an ACS Distance Education course in a relevant Horticulture speciality. Angela and Brad Olsen are new growers to the industry and this learning opportunity will give her some really great skills to help get them started on the right track.

PAI continue to pursue other funding activities for research and development and details will always be found in articles within The Passion Vine.

And finally today, on what I consider to be a very serious and important note, please take the time to look after yourselves and your families; believe in what you are doing and hold your heads high, despite the trying times, the weather and the markets, and all that seems to conspire against us in turn.

Currently rural producers are getting a hard time from the noisy masses, the politicians and mother nature, in particular our cattle grazing counterparts! As part of rural and regional Australia it is vital that we stand together and stay strong.

To those who work in acres not hours we thank you.

May you all have a wonderful Autumn.

Tina

CURRENT PAI MEMBERS ONLY

Enter the FREE draw to win a 1L of Transform® WG for your farm!

Visit www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au/WIN to enter | Draw closes 30th April 2019 at 11.59pm AEST • A systemic insecticide with a novel mode of action for controlling sap-feeding (sucking) insects • A n excellent fit in IPM programs because it has minimal impact on beneficial insects and predatory mites and does not flare secondary pests • Effective against insects which are resistant to other insecticides.

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WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW TO SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF OUR INDUSTRY? Australian Passionfruit

— Potential im pact of this plan is $ Based on a n est total invest imated ment of $ from 2017 to 2021 —

9.7m

1.84m

STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PLAN 2017–2021

The SIP has been developed in consultation with the passionfruit industry using funds from the Hort Innovation Passionfruit Fund. This plan represents the roadmap for the future development of the industry. This plan drives investment decision-making by Hort Innovation who invest levy funds on behalf of the industry.

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

GROW SALES DEMAND

GROW FRUIT QUALITY

BE IN THE KNOW

GROW SALES RETURNS

FARM YOUR BEST

Increase domestic demand and export opportunities that maintain price stability

Improve retail quality of passionfruit to match consumer expectations

Provide access to relevant and timely data that improves industry wide decision-making

Improve pest and disease management and the development of new varieties that increase grower productivity and profitability

Improve farm and industry sustainability from identifying and adopting best practices

__________________________________________________

_______________________

MARKETING CAMPAIGN New plans PAGE 16-17

PF16003: PASSIONFRUIT COMMUNICATION PROGRAM Regional Field Days for 2019 PAGE 12

NATIONAL PASSIONFRUIT BREEDING PROGRAM (PF15000) An independent technical review of the passionfruit breeding program was recently undertaken through the investment Technical review: national passionfruit breeding program (PF18000). The review was commissioned by Hort Innovation on the advice of the passionfruit industry's Strategic Investment Advisory Panel (SIAP).

The aim of the review was to provide recommendations to Hort Innovation and industry regarding the program's ongoing capacity, technical capability and implemented breeding strategy for the delivery of outcomes identified in the Passionfruit Strategic Investment Plan (SIP).

=

__________________________________________________ PF15000: NATIONAL BREEDING PROJECT SEE BELOW

WHAT HAPPENED? The review process commenced in December 2018 and concluded in February 2019. The review was conducted by an independent reviewer. During the review process, more than 30 stakeholders were engaged through opentable forums and one-on-one interviews. This included 27 growers and industry members across northern New South Wales, South East Queensland, and North Queensland. The reviewer has since presented findings and recommendations to Hort Innovation and members of the passionfruit SIAP. These have been considered holistically in view of grower expectations and the delivery of outcomes identified by the SIP.

WHAT'S NEXT? Hort Innovation has commenced discussions with the breeding program's research team at Southern Cross University to implement the recommendations suggested by the independent review to deliver outcomes to growers.

THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2019

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REGIONAL ROUND UP DARWIN FAR NORTH QLD

(Mareeba, Daintree, Cooktown)

WIDE BAY (Bundaberg)

SOUTH EAST QLD

(Gympie to Glass House Mtns)

NORTHERN NSW

PERTH

(Tweed Valley)

WEATHER WATCH NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

JANUARY

—— Drier than average for northern and eastern Qld, and northeastern NSW

—— Exceptionally wet in FNQ with Mareeba recording nearly 3 x normal mean rainfall for the month

—— Bone dry in all southern growing areas and the FNQ regions drowned in far too much rain

—— There were a number of extreme weather events including a heatwave in tropical Qld, fires in the Qld Central Coast and Capricornia districts and heavy rainfall across the central coast of NSW —— Eastern Australia saw daytime temperatures reaching into the high 30s and low 40s in southern Qld, southern and eastern NSW and northern Vic early in the month

—— Bundaberg only received half its usual December rainfall —— Based on the rainfall monitoring locations, both NNSW and the Sunshine Coast were OK for rain but this does not actually reveal the patchiness of the rain. Beerburrum has received less than a quarter of its usual rainfall across Nov-Jan

—— The excessive dry in both Sunshine Coast and NNSW areas meant just one day recorded any rainfall and that was a mere sprinkle —— This month has also been hotter than usual in all regions except FNQ, exacerbating the impact of the dry weather

RAINFALL OUTLOOK MAR–MAY 2019 CHANCE OF EXCEEDING THE MEDIAN RAINFALL

CLIMATE OUTLOOK OVERVIEW (Issued 14 Feb 2019)

Chance of exceeding the median rainfall (%)

—— Indicates a drier than average season is likely for large parts of northern Australia

www.bom.gov.au/climate © Commonwealth of Australia 2019, Australian Bureau of Meteorology

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—— Warmer than average days and nights are likely for almost all of Australia for autumn. For daytime temperatures, the chances of being warmer than median are very high, greater than 80% for most of the mainland

LONG TERM AVERAGE RAINFALL (mm) WEATHER STATIONS

MAR

APR

MAY

Mareeba

167.1

40.2

11.4

Bundaberg

113.4

55.9

67.5

Sunshine Coast Airport

167.7

152.1

155.2

Murwillumbah

217.3

153.8

130.1

GROWER REPORTS FAR NORTH QLD The hot days and cold nights during the 2018 season slowed crop maturity. The final fruit set came too late to meet the Christmas demand, panama prices post-Christmas did not meet production costs. The 2019 season began with hot dry weather followed by torrential rain that lasted for 17 days. Weather conditions proved rife for fungal diseases that will not be controlled before paddocks dry out. Looking forward, Tinaroo Dam is now overflowing, and growers will have 100% allocation for the following season. I purposely did not contact our most Northern growers as I was unsure of their circumstances from this rain event. As I write this report, my mind is only a moment away from the tragedy that the graziers in North West Queensland are going through. My best thoughts go to our fellow counter parts and others affected by the floods.

FAR NORTH QLD

(Mareeba, Daintree, Cooktown)

NOV DEC

Mareeba (station 031210)

JAN

13.0 260.6 247.4 [44.9] [96.0] [210.8]

MEAN (mm) MEAN DAYS >1mm

3 [4.1]

16 [7.7]

13 [11.9]

MEAN (MAX ºC)

33.4 31.5 [31.6] [32.1]

29.9 [31.2]

MEAN (MIN ºC)

19.8 21.8 20.9 [19.3] [20.8] [21.4]

Brian Westwood, Mareeba BUNDABERG Hello everyone. After about 100mm of rain in late November & December, Bundaberg has received no rain in January and about 15mm to mid-February. We need rain, but not in the quantities that FNQ have just endured. The newly planted vines are performing well with no deaths from wet feet. The Misty Gem picked well and maintained good quality with good prices extending to New Year. The Pandora started picking in January and are about finished now. The extended hot, dry weather is delaying the flower set on both Misty and Pandora. Looking forward to autumn, cooler weather & a little bit of rain. Until next time. Thanks, Peter

Peter Griffiths, Bundaberg SUNSHINE COAST We have just seen one of the driest summers on record here on the Sunshine Coast. The pump has been running nearly every day and we just received our power bill to confirm that. At least we don't have to pay for the water. The positive is that there is a good fruit set and so far, the crop is disease free. Mite and scale are taking a toll though in the older vines.

The summer crop was a little slow to start but we had a couple of intense periods just prior to Christmas and then the first half of January. Our quantities were down, but I know of others who had near record consignments, thus the low prices.

Normally we have a few weeks in February where we can have a break or at least catch up on some neglected jobs. This year we only slowed down for a fortnight, but still had fruit right through. Valentine’s day has seen a sudden increase in passionfruit here on the coast. Good sized, clean fruit is a pleasant change. The colour is a bit ordinary but can only be expected after the heat we have just had. Hopefully the price will hold for a little longer.

February has given us a little rain, but once again is patchy. Some of us had a week of good showers with falls of up to 100mm over four or five days, while others have had next to nothing.

I would like to let our Northern growers know that we were thinking of you during the recent torrential rains, and I hope you are well on your way towards recovery. Good luck.

WIDE BAY

(Bundaberg)

Bundaberg (station 039128)

NOV DEC JAN

MEAN (mm)

32.0 68.4 6.8 [84.8] [126.6] [171.4]

MEAN DAYS >1mm

3 [5.6]

9 [6.2]

3 [7.7]

MEAN (MAX ºC)

30.3 30.2 32.0 [28.5] [29.6] [30.4]

MEAN (MIN ºC)

18.6 21.0 21.2 [18.8] [20.5] [21.5]

SOUTH EAST QLD

(Gympie to Glass House Mtns) Sunshine Coast Airport (station 040861)

NOV DEC JAN

MEAN (mm)

35.8 136.0 0.4 [83.8] [147.1] [139.7]

MEAN DAYS >1mm

3 [6.9]

MEAN (MAX ºC)

29.0 28.4 29.9 [27.2] [28.3] [29.1]

MEAN (MIN ºC)

17.7 21.1 21.9 [17.9] [19.8] [21.3]

11 [10.0]

0 [9.8]

Jim Gordon, Yandina NORTHERN NSW

TWEED AREA

(Tweed Valley)

Hello to everyone. It’s nice to be sitting inside on a rainy day writing my report after a hot dry summer. It’s mid-February and we have finally received a little rain. The vines felt the pinch with no rain from mid-December through to the start of February. Luckily, we had a fair bit of water in the dam and were able to irrigate.

Our fruit started out a week before Christmas, and really came on throughout January. This was generally the case for the rest of the Tweed growers. The summer crop that came through was big in quantity and overall fairly good quality. Not a lot of spot on the fruit due to the dry. The main issues were green fruit dropping on hot days, and the dreaded calyx! Every day I was filling a wheelbarrow with the sweepings of calyx and leaf from around the grader!

Murwillumbah (station 058158)

NOV DEC

MEAN (mm)

37.8 140.8 2.4 [123.1] [167.9] [204.1]

JAN

MEAN DAYS >1mm

5 [9.7]

10 [10.9]

1 [11.9]

MEAN (MAX ºC)

29.0 [27.7]

29.0 [29.1]

31.3 [29.6]

MEAN (MIN ºC)

16.1 [16.7]

18.6 [18.5]

19.5 [19.8]

Our new vines slowed down a bit in the second half of January and were a bit slow to set a crop.

The rest of our vines will set a crop in the coming weeks, which should give us a bit of a break through March and into April. All the best,

Nick & Nerida Hornery, Newrybar THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN TO BRIAN, PETER, JIM & NICK FOR THEIR REPORTS

Figures in [ ] are long term historical averages.

All weather data from www.bom.gov.au

THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2019

5

Widebay Passionvine ursery N Misty Gem I Grafted Varieties I Panama Servicing all areas – ­Delivery available Order by 1st March for Spring delivery FindSamsons_Passionfruit_LS_210x148mm.pdf us here: 408 Dahls Road, Calavos Qld 4670 1 22.5.2018. 07:08:28

6

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t 07 4159 7394

m 0429 656 922

e peteandsally4@bigpond.com

www.widebaypassionvinenursery.com.au

Exclusive Members Only Benefits

NOEL DAY PASSIONFRUIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME BOOSTED BY SUPPORT FROM SAMSON’S Thanks to the incredible support from the team at Samsons, Passionfruit Australia is pleased to announce that two further Scholarships have been awarded for this membership year under the Noel Day Programme.

Back in September 2018, when the programme was launched, there were more applicants than we had funding to accommodate, so it is great to be able to confirm that Bruce McPherson from Tinaberries in Bundaberg and Angela Olsen from El Arish are also going to be building their horticultural skills through the Scholarship Programme.

Samson’s was founded by the Gulifa brothers in 1982 in honour of their father Sam, hence the name Samson’s. Over the years, Samson’s has grown from strength to strength to become one of the largest wholesalers of fresh quality fruit and vegetables in the Sydney Markets, with the current management team taking over in 2006.

SAMSON’S SERVICE PRIMARILY INDEPENDENT RETAILERS, PROVIDORES AND FOODSERVICE BUSINESSES IN BOTH SYDNEY AND NOW BRISBANE FOLLOWING THE RECENT PURCHASE OF ROSS & CO IN THE BRISBANE MARKETS. There were significant synergies at Ross & Co with the Samsons’ business and the purchase has allowed Samson’s to offer an increased customer base to their growers, with the option to supply their fresh fruit and vegetable products to more customers in two states.

Samson’s would like to increase their passionfruit supply as they have continued unmet demand from their independent customers in both the Sydney and Brisbane markets.

If you’d like to discuss your fruit and negotiate an agreement to supply, please contact: Mark Bromley M: 0414 184 515 E: mark@samsonsfruit.com.au

CHECKPOINT USEFUL DIARY DATE REMINDERS FOR THE NEXT QUARTER FULL MOON 21 March, 19 April, 19 May 2019

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS Monday 4th March 2019 Labour Day WA Monday 11th March 2019 Labour Day Victoria Friday 19th April 2019 Good Friday NATIONAL Saturday 20th April 2019 Day following Good Friday NATIONAL except TAS & WA Sunday 21st April 2019 Easter Sunday ACT, NSW, QLD & VIC Monday 22nd April 2019 Easter Monday NATIONAL Thursday 25th April 2019 Anzac Day NATIONAL Monday 6th May 2019 May Day NT & Labour Day QLD Monday 3rd June 2019 Western Australia Day WA

IMPORTANT DEADLINES 28th April 2019 Quarter 3 BAS direct lodgement deadline 28th April 2019 Quarterly payment due date for Superannuation Funds

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 13-29 April 2019 NSW State Schools Holidays 6-22 April 2019 QLD State Schools Holidays

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR GENEROUS SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORTERS

13-28 April 2019 WA State Schools Holidays 13-22 April 2019 NT State Schools Holidays

THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2019

7

QUALITY MATTERS

NOT ALL WATER IS THE SAME The information for this article has been sourced from the NSW Department of Primary Industries Factsheet ‘Water quality for chemical spraying’ by Sandra McDougall and the Grains Research and Development Corporation ‘Spray water quality fact sheet’.

These are just a small number of the large library of resources that are available to all passionfruit growers – nationwide – through the Hort360 program managed by Growcom. Come along to one of the IPM Regional Field Days (SEE PAGE 12) this year to find out more about how the Hort360 programme can benefit you and your farm or visit www.hort360.com.au and browse the RESOURCES section.

Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels

WATER QUALITY IS IMPORTANT The quality of water used to mix with agricultural chemicals can reduce the effectiveness of the chemical applications.

Poor quality water can: —— Reduce activity of agricultural chemicals —— Block spray lines or nozzles, reducing chemical application uniformity —— Increase wear of nozzles also causing reduced chemical application uniformity —— Increase wear on spray rigs Water quality is highly variable and is dependent on the source of the water (e.g. rainwater, farm dams, river, bore, town reservoir). Water quality can also vary throughout the year and after periods of high rainfall or drought.

It is vital to use the cleanest water possible when preparing agricultural chemicals for application. Where clean rain water is not available, you should use the following guidelines to minimise spray failure due to poor quality water.

Note that some agricultural chemicals are more sensitive than others to poor water quality; check the specific instructions on each label for more information.

Water quality can vary from season to season and needs to be monitored regularly. By ordinary observation, you may be able to see changes in some aspects of water quality including colour, odour, iron staining, turbidity and presence of algae at problem levels. Reduced flows through irrigation equipment may indicate clogging or a build-up of scale. However most of the chemical changes to water quality cannot be detected by eye or smell. Some can be tested using portable instruments, but others need laboratory analysis.

8

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Regular monitoring allows you to take action before too much damage or loss of production occurs. The frequency of water testing required depends on the intended use of the water and the source of the water.

TEST WATER REGULARLY If using bore water or water sourced from the ground, obtain a full laboratory test annually and not more than two years apart.

If extending the interval between tests to two years, use test strips to check water quality in between. If a significant change in pH or hardness is noticed on the test strips get the water retested by a laboratory.

To be useful, a water testing regime needs to identify these facts about your water: —— pH; —— total hardness; —— turbidity; and

Description of water

Hardness expressed as mg/L of CaCO3

Soft

less than 50

Moderately soft

50–75

Slightly hard

75–150

Hard

150–300

Very hard

greater than 300

SALINITY Salinity is the concentration of all soluble salts in water. The amount of mineral salts dissolved in water is measured by its electrical conductivity (EC). The type of local rock and soil can influence the saltiness of water, but high EC is usually caused by runoff containing fertiliser salts getting into the water source.

Chloride classification of irrigation water

—— either total dissolved salts (TDS) or salinity (EC or electrical conductivity)

Chloride (ppm)

Effect on Crops

See Table 1 on PAGE 9.

Below 70

Generally safe for all plants

HARDNESS

70-140

Sensitive plants show injury

Water hardness is caused by high levels of calcium and/or magnesium and is common for bore water. Water hardness is defined in terms of calcium carbonate (CaCO3, 'lime') and is expressed as the total amount of CaCO3 in milligrams per litre of water.

141-350

Moderately tolerant plants show injury

Above 350

Can cause severe problems

Water with 200 mg/L CaCO3 can cause problems for chemical spray water; the suggested upper limit of hardness for water used for chemical sprays is 300 mg/L.

Table 1

pH The pH of water is a measure of hydrogen ion concentration (H+) and indicates its acidity or alkalinity measured on a scale of 1 to 14. A neutral pH is 7. Most water has a pH between 6.5 and 8. Water above 8 is alkaline and water below 6.5 is acidic.

Total hardness

Test Method

Suppliers

Implications

Treatment

Test strips in field (calibrate test strips against lab test on first use)

Testkits.com.au

Alkaline water (>pH 8) can break down some chemicals through a process called alkali hydrolysis.

In the case of some herbicides this actually improves efficacy, but it is likely to reduce the efficacy of many other agricultural chemicals.

The longer a mixed chemical is left in the tank prior to spraying, the greater the breakdown; it is not recommended to leave spray mixes overnight.

Acidic water can affect the stability and physical properties of some chemical formulations.

Water pH can be changed by adding an acid or alkaline to the water tank.

Using an acid such as sulphuric or phosphoric acid will lower pH while addition of an alkaline such as potassium hydroxide will increase pH. This has to be done precisely using calculated amounts depending on the pH change required. Do not guess.

Critical pH levels at which chemical efficacy is compromised should be included on pesticide labels.

Chemicals with amine formulations, which include the herbicide glyphosate, are adversely affected by hard water.

The solubility of the herbicide is reduced which leads to it being less absorbed by the weeds.

Hard water can cause some chemicals to precipitate and can affect the properties of surfactants, emulsifiers and wetting agents as well as block nozzles and pre-filters.

To “soften” hard water use softening agents, adjust pH and use water that is neither very hot nor very cold temperatures.

Add Ammonium sulphate to hard water in spray tank before adding amine formulation herbicides. This will improve efficacy.

alloratestkits.com.au teststripsonline.com.au selectscientific.com.au Your agricultural supplier

Test strips in field (calibrate test strips against lab test on first use)

Testkits.com.au alloratestkits.com.au teststripsonline.com.au selectscientific.com.au Your agricultural supplier

Turbidity or dirty water

Field test in a jar or bucket

As a general rule, if a 10 cent coin cannot be seen in the bottom of a bucket of water it is too dirty for use with products affected by dirty water

Diquat, Paraquat and Glyphosate are all seriously impacted by dirty water due to the clay colloids suspended in the water.

Muddy water which is not sufficiently filtered can also cause problems by blocking nozzles and pre-filters, as well as causing additional wear of spray rigs.

Filtering water and settling it in a holding tank prior to use can help to reduce turbidity.

Use a “flocculent” such as Alum (aluminium sulphate) to settle out the very light particles.

DO NOT use water treated with Alum to spray amine formulation chemicals e.g. Herbicides.

Filter the water before filling the spray tank.

Alum is most effective at pH 6.8 - 7.5 and should not be used if water pH is less than 5.5.

Use a calibrated EC meter or use a professional Laboratory testing service

QLD phosynanalytical.com.au symbiolabs.com.au

Salty water can cause blockages and corrode the metal parts of spray rigs.

High salt levels, particularly chloride, can lead to burning of crop foliage.

High levels of salinity (above 1000ppm sodium chloride or ECs above 500-1000 mS/cm) can result in some chemicals precipitating out of the solution and others being inactivated.

It can also make it difficult to adjust pH using buffers.

Salty water can be mixed with fresh water to reduce EC levels to more suitable levels for spraying.

Often the only solution with highly saline water is not to use it for spraying and use clean rain water instead.

Dam or river water often contains suspended particles of clay, silt and fine organic matter, giving the water a “muddy” appearance.

Salinity EC

N.B. Remember that temperature of the sample may play a key part in the testing regime so you may want to invest in your own on-farm test equipment if you do not have ready access to a laboratory. All laboratories accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) are listed on their website nata.com.au

NSW tweed.nsw.gov.au/ TweedLab dpi.nsw.gov.au

COLLECTING WATER SAMPLES FOR TESTING —— Use a clean container of at least 500mL size —— Rinse the bottle a minimum of four times with the sample water (emptying it away from the sample site) —— Collect the water as follows: • A new bore or well — Sample after pumping for several hours

• A n operating bore — Sample after running the pump for 30 minutes, collect as close as possible to the head of the bore.

• A stream — Sample main stream flow • A dam or lake — Sample away from the edge and near the suction inlet to the pump. Ensure water is well mixed and filtered, or sample various depths

—— Fill the bottle to the top, leaving little or no air space, and seal tightly —— Label the bottle accurately with where the sample was taken, the date and intended use —— Wrap the sample in aluminium foil to prevent UV light from degrading the sample

THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2019

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Members Exclusive

GROWER FORUM NOW LIVE The new online forum is now live and some growers are already making use of the facility. It can be accessed via your smartphone, tablet or PC and is simple to use.

If you are a PAI member, you should have already received instructions for how to access the Grower Forum, but if you need any help at all, please call Jane or Amanda and we can talk you through the set-up process.

There will also be a session at each of the Regional Field Days that assists you with the set-up and use of the forum.

More details will follow direct to Members about these great new benefits.

DIMETHOATE PERMIT RENEWED UNTIL 2024 Permit ID Description

Date Issued

Expiry Date

Permit holder

PER87164 Dimethoate /

1-Mar-19

31-Mar-24

Hort Innovation

Specified Citrus and Tropical & Sub-Tropical Inedible Peel Fruit commodities post - harvest dip or flood spray / Various Fruit Fly species

All efforts have been made to provide the most current, complete and accurate information on these permits, however we recommend that you confirm the details of these permits at the following APVMA website: https://portal.apvma.gov.au/permits 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 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 Note: PER87164 will replace PER13158 V9 that expires 6-Mar-19

Please be aware that in the absence of an 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: www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2014C01358/Download to confirm if there are MRL established by the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

'ONYA TYSON! WINNER OF 5L TSUNAMI Daryl & Sally Boardman have been growing passionfruit at Sunnyspot, Ravensbourne, QLD for 15 years. Whilst predominately avocado growers, they have always had an interest in both passionfruit and kiwi fruit. They grow Misty Gem and have just planted a new 2Ha block in early November 2018.

Tyson Cross joined the Sunnyspot team in January 2018 as Farm Manager. “I’m passionate about farming and eager to gain extensive knowledge on all aspects of passionfruit production,” says Tyson.

Catch up with Tyson at one of our Regional Field Days on IPM this year.

THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2019

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EVENT

NEWS

2019 REGIONAL FIELD DAY PROGRAMME

Having a sound Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan for your farm that minimises the impact of pests and diseases on your crop, at the same time as preventing unnecessary damage to your environment is a core skill area for any grower. Based on feedback gathered from last years’ programme of Regional Field Days, we have chosen to focus on this area for the whole of the 2019 programme.

We are pleased to confirm that we are going to operate four field days this year despite only having funding for two from our project funding. We will be seeking support from our industry Associate Members and suppliers to enable these days to take place by asking you to purchase a ticket to attend at $150 per person + GST. What we need you to do in return is to register and attend the field day in your chosen area (or all of them if you like!). All industry Associate Members and suppliers who purchase a ticket to attend will have a 10-minute presentation slot available if you’d like to address the whole group. Alternatively, a product donation for the end of day raffle is always welcome!

The first day will be held in Glass House Mountains on Wednesday 20th March and the day will be a full programme packed with useful talks from industry experts and even some practical exercises to help you build a better IPM plan for your farm.

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—— Registration opens from 8.30am Morning session starts at 8.45am —— Morning, afternoon tea & lunch are provided —— The day includes practical demonstrations at a local farm —— Programme closes at 5.00pm Venue: Glass House Mountains Community Hall Inc. 8 Coonowrin Road Glass House Mountains QLD 4518 For each field day, please use the REGISTER NOW button on the EVENTS section of our website. This keeps all of the RSVP notices in one place and allows Amanda to easily communicate with all attendees in the lead up to the event. www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au/news/events If you have any questions about the programme, please contact Amanda on 0427 833 281 or email admin@passionfruitaustralia.org.au.

MANAGING RED SCALE IN PASSIONFRUIT VINES

BY DAN PAPACEK, BUGS FOR BUGS

Red scale is a serious pest of many crops especially citrus and passionfruit vines. This pest belongs to a group of sucking insects that include mealybugs, aphids, whiteflies and psyllids.

The scale insects feed by inserting their mouthparts directly into the plant feeding on the sap. Red scale also injects a toxin that can eventually debilitate and even kill the plant.

Many pesticides have been used for red scale control with varying success. It is however extremely difficult to achieve effective long-term control because scale insects have a waxy protective covering and are immobile. Any applied chemical may not reach the pest even with the most rigorous of application techniques. If the chemical does reach its target, red scale has shown a capacity for developing resistance rendering these products useless within a few years or less.

There are several biological control agents that can help keep red scale at manageable levels.

These include the tiny wasp parasite Aphytis lingnanensis and a very prominent and highly visible ladybird beetle Chilocorus circumdatus. These are both available commercially and can be released strategically to work in tandem with other naturally occurring beneficial species including the wasps Encarsia and Comperiella as well as another native ladybird species Rhyzobius lophanthae.

You don’t need to remember all of these names, but it is good to understand that these natural enemies are ready to work for you if you give them the opportunity.

What can you do to maximise the biological control of red scale in your passionfruit orchard? Some suggestions include: Make 4-5 releases of Aphytis wasps at 25,000 per hectare commencing soon after winter.

Releases should be made at intervals of around 3 weeks. The number and frequency of releases may vary depending on the severity and history of red scale in any particular block. Following these initial releases an assessment of parasitism can help determine the efficacy of the release program. Additional releases may be necessary if red scale persists.

© Dan Papacek, Bugs for Bugs

Chilocorus ladybird beetles can be released strategically into ‘hot spot’ areas. These predators will assist Aphytis wasps in their role to reduce red scale to acceptable levels.

Manage your fruit fly using our proven systems approach which includes monitoring, placement of MAT cups and protein baiting. At all costs you should avoid the temptation to apply cover sprays for fruit fly as these products universally cause harm to beneficial species and inevitably the result is a sharp increase in red scale activity.

Again, to reduce the adverse impact of toxic pesticides, manage other pest problems such as flat mite (false spider mite) and mealybugs with biological control options, including Lacewing (Mallada signata) for the flat mite and Californicus (Neoseiulus californicus) for the mealybug.

Remember that every time you apply a pesticide you may cause harm to valuable biological control agents that are ready to work for you if you give them the chance.

As much as possible ensure you provide a favourable environment for beneficial species to survive and thrive. This includes minimising dust and doing your best to encourage biodiversity within your orchard. A vigorous grass sod between the rows and suitable flowering plants can offer nectar and pollen as food sources for beneficial insects and mites to your long-term advantage. An idea for suitable plants would be Alyssum and Sweet Basil planted in a cluster of 3-4 at the end of each row.

If chemical sprays are required, do your best to keep their use to a minimum and select materials that are least likely to harm your beneficial insect populations. Be aware that it is not just the insecticides and miticides that can harm our beneficials, but also certain fungicides can be disruptive, including products containing mancozeb.

Finally, after you have applied all the above principles, if you still feel that your red scale control is inadequate then you may need to seek assistance from pesticides. This should only be after you have explored all other options. If this is the case, give us a call and we will do our best to make suggestions on how you might manage to do this in the most sustainable way.

CONTACT: 07 4646 2628 THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2019

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AUTUMN & WINTER

TIPS

BY EDDY DUNN

At the time of writing (mid-February) the Summer flush is coming to an end and we are now starting to set up for the Winter flush.

Some of the Panama types are variable, but most are just starting to flower again, with peak flowering to happen in early April in the Panamas and Misty Gem. Sweetheart also usually have a similar timing.

The dry Summer has been affecting vine growth this season, and similar to last season the heat has been reducing fruit set in the Misty’s. Panama’s seemed to be unaffected by the heat and continue to set fruit, although a shower of rain really improves the growth of the crop. If fruit set in Misty’s needs to be improved during the Summer period, overhead sprinklers used for cooling purposes on hot days should improve the set. These sprinklers can also be used for frost mitigation in Winter.

It is important to maintain vine health and push their nutrition as the vines load up with fruit in May. The longer vines maintain growth into the cooler months, the longer they continue to set and the better they handle the various physiological changes which occur with cooler than optimal temperatures. Especially as the soil temperature cools, vine growth slows, transpiration slows and if the vines are holding a crop then flowering will cease.

Another reason to push vines coming into Winter is that virus levels build up as vine growth slows.

Some nutrients are taken up by mass flow and are therefore taken up less as transpiration slows. It is therefore beneficial to have higher levels of nutrient in the root zone during the cooler months.

Other nutrients are actively taken up by the plant roots, which is also affected by transpiration rates. It has also been found that soil microbial activity is very important in the uptake of phosphorous, nitrogen and perhaps all nutrients. Total Grower Services has recently set up a micro-biological laboratory to look into these interactions.

We have had some good results with the Petrik range of microbial products in passionfruit. Soil health has a big impact on the way vines grow. Pay attention to herbicide use also. It is recommended that glyphosate is not used on passionfruit in sandy soils.

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Foliar applications are a means of supplementing crop nutrition and are a particularly useful tool in the cooler months as root uptake is slowed. It must be remembered that foliar sprays are only a supplement in passionfruit and the bulk of the nutrition comes through the roots.

Passionfruit are hungry feeders and high levels of inputs through fertigation and side dressing are recommended to get the biggest crop. It is important that nutrient application is balanced, as too much nitrogen in the warmer months can result in excess vegetative growth and reduced flowering. Some elements which tie up very rapidly in the soil are best applied through foliar sprays.

The current dry Summer has meant that irrigated crops are a magnet for pests. Most pest life cycles increase with temperature, so it is good to visually check pest levels at least fortnightly from September to April and monthly in the Winter months. Pests to watch out for coming into the cooler months are green vegetable bug, mealybug, red scale, citrus rindborer and hemispherical scale. Spotting bug and passionvine mite are issues right now as these pests prefer an even temperature between Summer and Winter. Spotting bug is often controlled with Lepidex. There is now a permit to use Transform, which although expensive is soft on beneficials and also controls red scale.

Passionvine mite prefers dry conditions and has been an increasing problem over the last 5 years. There are currently permits for Abamectin, Torque, Omite and a permit soon to come for Paramite (check apvma.gov.au for chemical registrations).

Abamectin has been performing the best of these but be sure to apply with oil. Biopest oil @ 500mL/100L has been often used.

Green vegetable bug is often a problem after nearby soybeans or similar crops are harvested. Unfortunately, there are currently no soft options for the control of vegetable bug. Lepidex is often used for this pest.

One adult mealybug produces many eggs and therefore the mealybug population can increase very rapidly causing honeydew and deformed growth. Mealybug are difficult to control with chemicals, so it is better to reduce the application of disruptive sprays such as Lepidex and rely on parasites and predators to keep the mealybug population in check. Leptomastix and anagirus are common parasites of mealybug and Cryptolaemus is an effective predator of mealybug and scales.

Red scale secretes a toxin into the vine which can overcome vines as growth slows coming into Winter. As with mealybug it is best to reduce sprays as much as possible to let the parasites and predators manage the scale.

Aphytis are an effective parasite of red scale and it is recommended to do an augmentative release every month. This is particularly important if a heat wave kills the adult aphytis as sometimes happens.

Aphytis are available from Bugs for Bugs.

Movento and Transform are chemicals helpful for the management of red scale.

Hemispherical scale are usually only a problem if something happens to the parasite population. Oil sprays can be used to control scale crawlers with minimal impact on beneficials. Queensland fruit fly activity slows and is usually not an issue after the start of May but can cause considerable damage when the skins of the newly set fruit are still soft. A baiting program with yeast autolysate and a killing agent is recommended until at least the start of May depending upon pest pressure.

Diseases levels have generally been good due to the dry conditions. Apply mancozeb or copper every 2-4 weeks depending upon weather and Amistar, Rovral or Cabrio after wet weather and at peak flowering. As nights start to cool, the dew point occurs earlier in the night and vines stay wetter for longer. Be aware of how long the vines are staying wet in the mornings as this also affects disease levels.

In conclusion, the best way to hold a good crop coming into the cooler months is to push balanced nutrition and look after soil health. Hopefully vines will set early and continue to set so that we have panamas picking to October!

Photo ©Eddy Dunn — Passionvine Bug

Total Grower Services is an agronomy business that specialises in integrated crop management and operates across QLD, NSW and Victoria

1800 229 994

Member Only Benefits FREE TOTAL CROP TEST

Phosyn Analytical is based at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast and was established in 2001 to provide nutritional analysis of soil, plant tissue (including fruit, vegetables and grains) and water samples across the agricultural, horticultural, amenity and environmental sectors.

The team at Phosyn Analytical are offering every member of Passionfruit Australia one FREE P3 Total Crop Test.

All current members have received their unique offer code by email.

Make sure you quote the code when you order your test kit by calling Phosyn Analytical on 07 5568 8700 or via email phosynanalytical@phosyn.com.au.

Terms & Conditions: 1. Free test offer is only available to current financial members of PAI 2. One free test per membership only.

3. Free test offer is only valid for FREE P3 Total Crop test from Phosyn Analytical using young, mature leaves.

4. Free test offer is open for all requests received from 1st January 2019 until 12.00 noon AEST 31st March 2019.

Don’t Miss Out — Offer Closes 31/3/2019 BIOSECURITY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY All current Passionfruit Australia members have been sent a digital copy of the new Farm Biosecurity Action Planner developed by PAI in conjunction with Plant Health Australia. You can download another copy at any time from the Useful Tools part of the MEMBER HUB on our website: www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au In Queensland, Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility under the Biosecurity Act 2014. Under the Act, individuals and organisations whose activities pose a biosecurity risk have greater legal responsibility for managing them. This general biosecurity obligation means they must take all reasonable steps to ensure they do not spread a pest, disease or contaminant.

In NSW, the Biosecurity Act 2015 lays down the obligations for primary producers, specifically, the Biosecurity Act: —— embeds the principle that biosecurity is a shared responsibility —— provides modern, flexible tools and powers that allow effective management of pests and diseases, weeds and contaminants across the landscape regardless of whether it is private or public land The Biosecurity Farm Action Planner is a practical workbook style tool, that is designed to guide your thinking about biosecurity risks specifically related to your farm. The guide is split into easy-to-follow sections like Farm inputs, Farm outputs, People, Equipment and Production Practices and includes practical suggestions for actions that you can take to reduce risk on your farm.

If you are a current member and you haven’t received your Planner, please contact Amanda for another copy or help to access the online copy on the MEMBER HUB admin@passionfruitaustralia.org.au 0427 833 281

THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2019

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HORT INNOVATION MARKETING UPDATE

BY MARIANNEL AZARCON

Hort Innovation is responsible for investing the passionfruit marketing levy into a range of activities to grow awareness and consumption of the fruits, under the Hort Innovation Passionfruit Fund. Here’s a look at some of the highlights since the last edition of The Passion Vine.

Summer flush To support the later than normal summer flush of passionfruit this season, PR activity and social activities were tailored to ensure we generated timely consumer awareness and demand. This involved: —— Following up with media outlets from previous summer outreach —— Engaging with key influencers and encouraging them to use their platforms to communicate the high supply of passionfruit to their communities —— Leveraging the Aussie Passionfruit social media platforms to encourage advocates to purchase more passionfruit during this time as well as posting grower content for greater support. These posts were also boosted by adding some advertising dollars to maximise reach

The activities generated encouraging results, with reach opportunities achieved over a two-week period of:

797,790 VIA TRADITIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE 425,209 VIA SOCIAL & INFLUENCER ACTIVITY AUSSIE PASSIONFRUIT SOCIAL PAGES ENGAGEMENT >5% REACH: refers to the total number of different people exposed, at least once, to a message during a given time period

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SUMMER MEDIA ACTIVITIES As part of overall summer media outreach activities, 3 new passionfruit-inspired recipes were created to be distributed to media outlets and used on our own social media channels for media coverage during the summer flush. In addition to this, passionfruit hampers were distributed at the end of December to food media outlets to create conversations about Aussie passionfruit during peak season, particularly leading up to Christmas.

To date, Aussie Passionfruit PR activities have delivered 5.8m reach opportunities, heading to the 10m target by the end of the campaign.

SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT Aussie Passionfruit social media activity continues to attract and engage consumers. Below are the results to date by the end of 2018: PLATFORM

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

MEASUREMENT

KPI TO JUNE 2019

ACHIEVED TO DEC 2018

Total Impressions

1.8 million

710,160

Engagement rate

5%

6%

Page size

Maintain

215 new followers (48,000 followers)

Total Impressions

120,000

167,744

Engagement rate

10%

7%

25% growth on 2018

498 new followers (2,000 followers)

Page size 35% growth

MEET MARIANNEL Mariannel Azarcon has been appointed as the new Hort Innovation Marketing Manager for the Tropical Cluster which is made up of the following industries: Passionfruit, Custard Apple, Lychee, Papaya, Persimmon and Pineapple. This is to ensure that the marketing programs for each industry remain effective and impactful while working towards securing efficiencies in marketing operations and investments through alignment and merging of opportunities and activities where possible.

Mariannel joined Hort Innovation in August 2018 managing the domestic marketing programs for Sweet Potatoes, Papaya and Pineapple. Previously to Hort Innovation, Mariannel was at Dyson Appliances and Qantas Airways where she held roles in Brand Management, Strategy and Analytics.

Upcoming Activities Two key activations are in the planning stages to support Aussie Passionfruit in 2018/19: —— 2019 Sydney Royal Easter Show – Aussie Passionfruit will be at the Tropical Exhibit this year.

With over 900,000 attendees each year, the Sydney Royal Easter show offers an opportunity to reach a large amount of people with Aussie Passionfruit messaging. With an agriculture background, the show is a great environment to showcase a horticultural product. assionfruit had a presence at the show with a similar activation in 2017, with great P results. 21,400 samples and 40,000 recipe brochures were handed out to consumers over the 2 weeks.

—— Passionfruit farm famil – this involves taking media & influencers to visit a farm which has been tentatively scheduled for May in the lead up to the winter flush.

FAMIL: short for familiarisation - is a tactic that public relations practitioners may use to educate media and influencers and encourage them to write about a product. The famil will specifically look to convey a set of pre-determined key messages that are delivered through the experience. In fresh produce, this often involves taking the media to a farm to demonstrate how the produce is grown, picked and packed before being transported to retail outlets. It is an opportunity for the media to get direct access to the growers and hear the stories first-hand.

For any questions regarding the marketing activities relating to the industries that fall within the Tropical Cluster, contact Hort Innovation Marketing Manager, Mariannel Azarcon mariannel.azarcon@horticulture.com.au THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2019

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GROWER PROFILE:

MEET JAN & DENNIS CHANT Dennis and his wife Jan currently operate a mixed farm called Warrina Park (a unique combination of 2600 Sweetheart passionfruit vines, Belted Galloway cattle and alpacas) close to Murwillumbah in northern New South Wales.

When you first meet Dennis Chant you would never imagine the interesting life that he has already had, and the incredible achievements he has under his belt. Dennis and his wife Jan currently operate a mixed farm called Warrina Park close to Murwillumbah in northern New South Wales. They originally purchased the passionfruit farm in 2004 and this was leased out to a share farmer for 10 years.

They then made the permanent move to farming themselves four years ago.

Along with 2600 Sweetheart passionfruit vines there are Belted Galloway cattle and alpacas - a very unique combination!

Dennis' professional career has included time spent in the aviation, maritime and tourism industries, both in Australia and internationally. Until his recent 'retirement' to full-time farmer, Dennis was a senior executive with the company that owns and operates multiple Queensland airports including Gold Coast, Longreach and Townsville. He has only recently given up his position on the World Governing Board of Airports Council International and as President of its Asia Pacific Region. He was also Chairman of Gold Coast Tourism and involved with both the successful bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the organising committee for the games themselves.

So, I suppose the real question is why become a passionfruit farmer and how is that 'retiring'?

To confirm that passionfruit farming

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was the best choice of crop, Dennis and Jan engaged a local consultant to do a review of what options were viable.

Sugarcane and bananas were considered, but passionfruit came up as the best option. The property already had trellising infrastructure in place, so they carried on the passionfruit business at the farm and ran it adjacent to their other loves of specialist cattle and alpacas in the free paddocks. With Dennis's staged entry into retirement, the location also made sense because of the easy transport access from Murwillumbah to Sydney and Brisbane. It's a superb region for growing high quality purple passionfruit and the local passionfruit community have been very generous with both education and information for the couple. Dennis has also received a lot of information from the association and the guides that are available have been really invaluable.

When asked what he dislikes about passionfruit farming, Dennis openly states that there's nothing to dislike - it keeps you physically fit and your mind active - particularly with all the challenges of learning a new crop.

“

It can be far more profitable to focus on ways to improve your productivity and keep your farm size manageable rather than increasing your farm size.

One really interesting insight that Dennis shared in his interview with Amanda is a lesson worth sharing.

He and Jan purchased more land and planned to increase the size of their passionfruit plantings however they quickly worked out that bigger isn't always better.

In fact, it can be far more profitable to focus on ways to improve your productivity and keep your farm size manageable.

Did Dennis have any farming heritage before he came onto the land?

Dennis is originally from Western Queensland and his grandparents had table grapes, plus he worked on a good old-fashioned sheep and wool farm in his school holidays. The lease opportunity that came along fifteen years ago gave them the entry point they needed into the perfect next chapter of their lives.

For Dennis, tractor work is absolute therapy after a lifetime spent working in offices and sitting in meetings, in fact, for the last 3-4 years farming has been his major hobby.

And although they bought a motorhome with the intention of becoming grey nomads and seeing Australia, that doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon. The couple have overseas travel plans taking precedence this year; Cyprus and Hong Kong for aviation and airport conferences and a big trip to the UK to see their son who currently lives in London. That's my kind of retirement!

Grab a cuppa, put your feet up & enjoy!

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

There are

10 differences between these two pictures!

WORD SEARCH MICROORGANISM BIOCHEMICALS ENVIRONMENT APPLICATOR ECOSYSTEM HERBICIDE NOCTURNAL MITICIDES Word

SPORTING TRIVIA-TIME

CUT OUT AND KEEP ME

*** ALL ANSWERS OVERLEAF ***

1.

With 15,921 runs, which international cricketer holds the record for the most Test runs?

2. Which nation won Gold in women’s hockey at the 2012 London Olympics?

Allergen

5. Which famous Australian distance runner lit the Olympic flame at the 1956 Olympics?

ALLERGEN SPECIALIST RESIDUE FUNGUS NEMATODE PATHOGEN PREDATOR

Search

MH E R B I C I WH V Y WM I T WY P Z S UOH GNQH Z T J P X YWA NO C T H B I O C H E M M I C R OO R G A V Z U N P A T J J V K A P P L O L D J Q P E U E N V I R ONM R E S I DU E B SM J D A L L E E Y L N S P E C A G X K N E MA

3. Retired Australian thoroughbred racehorse, Black Caviar, was undefeated in how Microorganism Ecosystem many races?

4. Who was Australia's "Golden Girl of Athletics" nematode during the 1950s?

mecolourin!

D I A R U I A H I X E A R I T

E V X AWZ C I D E S L TWN Z P D E D A T O R R N A L Y E C A L S K C N I SMC O OG E N N S C A T O R Y F U NGU S N T Q K N T G Y MC J E G E NQ Y M A L I S T P OD E Q I V

Riddle Time Biochemicals

Environment

Applicato

Herbicide

Nocturnal

Miticides

Specialist Two Fathers and Two Residue Sons Riddle

Fungus

Pathogen Predator Two fathers and two sons sat down to eat eggs for breakfast. They ate exactly three eggs; each person had an egg. The riddle is for you to explain how.

THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2019

®

19

CUT OUT AND KEEP ME

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE There are

10 differences between these two pictures

www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au

Word Search

WORD SEARCH

Specialist

Allergen

Herbicide

Ecosystem

Biochemicals

Microorganism

D I A R U I A H I X E A R I T

E V X AWZ C I D E S L TWN Z P D E D A T O R R N A L Y E C A L S K C N I SMC O OG E N N S C A T O R Y F U NGU S N T Q K N T G Y MC J E G E NQ Y M A L I S T P OD E Q I V

Environment Nocturnal Residue

SPORTING TRIVIA-TIME 1. Sachin Tendulkar 2. Netherlands 3. 25 4. Betty Cuthbert 5. Ron Clarke

Riddle Time

One of the 'fathers' is also a grandfather. Therefore, the other father is both a son and a father to the grandson.

In other words, the one father is both a son and a father.

ANSWERS

MH E R B I C I WH V Y WM I T WY P Z S UOH GNQH Z T J P X YWA NO C T H B I O C H E M M I C R OO R G A V Z U N P A T J J V K A P P L O L D J Q P E U E N V I R ONM R E S I DU E B SM J D A L L E E Y L N S P E C A G X K N E MA

Pathogen

nematode

20

Applicator Miticides Fungus

Predator

3. Serve dressing spooned over a fresh green salad, steamed veggies, barbequed prawns, or blackened salmon.

Can also be used as a marinade for chicken.

2. Taste dressing, adjust seasoning and add additional wasabi if desired. Stir through sesame seeds.

1. Place passionfruit pulp, lime juice, oil, honey, 1 teaspoon wasabi paste, and a pinch of salt in a jar.

Cover and shake well.



®

Build your own custom worksheet at education.com/worksheet-generator © 2007 - 2019 Education.com

METHOD • 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds • spinch sea salt • 1 – 2 tsp wasabi paste • 1 tsp honey • 1/4 cup virgin olive oil • 2 tbsp lime juice • 1/4 cup passionfruit pulp (3 - 4 fresh passionfruit)

INGREDIENTS MAKES 3/4 CUP PREP TIME: 5 MINS

WASABI & SESAME DRESSING

Passionfruit,

UPCOMING EVENTS 2019

GET INVOLVED Passionfruit Australia Inc. (PAI) is the peak industry body representing passionfruit growers in Australia HOW TO JOIN PASSIONFRUIT AUSTRALIA

MARCH Regional Field Day Sunshine Coast

20

Mentally Healthy Workplaces Workshop Brisbane 20, 26

BECOMING A MEMBER GIVES YOU:

— Access to projects funded by PAI or through competitive grants which provide funds outside of the existing levy system — Grower alerts about immediate threats to your business from weather or pest events provided by our Management Committee

— Representation by an industry body who has your interests as its only priority — Access to useful tools and special deals developed exclusively for members

Mentally Healthy Workplaces Workshop Bundaberg 20 (Visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au)

APRIL Workplace Essentials Workshop Beerwah

2

($30 - Register at growcom.com.au)

MEMBERSHIP RATES | 2018/19 New Grower Member: Renewal Grower Member: New Associate Member: Renewal Associate Member:

$253 $198 $297 $242

JOIN NOW ONLINE AT www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au

HARPS Workshop (incl. HACCP refresher training) 385 Sherwood Rd, Rocklea, Brisbane

4

(Find details at harpsonline.com.au/har

MAY Norco Primex Field Days Casino, NSW

16-18

Workplace Essentials Workshop Bundaberg 10

JUNE Membership runs from July 1st to June 30th each year, rates are pro-rated.

Membership lapses if renewal not paid within three months of the start of the fiscal year.

Mentally Healthy Workplaces Workshop Sunshine Coast 4, 5 (Visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au)

Associate Members receive a 20% discount on advertising packages which include more than one advertising insertion.

Australian Biosecurity Symposium Gold Coast 12-13

HOW TO JOIN HORT INNOVATION

Regional Field Day FNQ 19

IT IS FREE TO JOIN AND BECOMING A MEMBER GIVES YOU:

— Free access to Hort Innovation Final Reports — A monthly e-newsletter, Growing Innovation — Hort link and grower intel alerts — Direct invitations to participate in industry events, as well as Hort Innovation consultations and forums

— The opportunity to exercise voting rights at Hort Innovation’s Annual General Meeting Please remember paying a levy does not automatically make you a member of Hort Innovation. If you haven’t become a member, then now is your opportunity.

To join, visit www.horticulture.com.au/membership-application-form

Hort Connections 2019 Melbourne, VIC

24-26

JULY Regional Field Day NSW 24

AUGUST Regional Field Day Wide Bay/Bundaberg

21

OCTOBER Passionfruit Industry Dinner & Passionfruit Australia Inc AGM Sunshine Coast

18-19

NOVEMBER Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

CONFUCIUS

TropAg 2019: International Tropical Agricultural Conference Brisbane Australasian Plant Pathology Society Conference Melbourne, VIC

11-13

25-28

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

FUNDED BY:

www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au