The Passion Vine March 2015

The Passion Vine

The Passion Vine – March 2015

Post Office Box 321 Pomona QLD 4568

Executive Report

By Jann Bonsall The Festive season seems like an eternity ago! March is here, autumn has commenced although the weather doesn’t seem to have taken that into account. All we can hope for is that the predicted cyclones (past by the time we go to press) don’t cause havoc and that the water lands in the all the right places!

One of the most important notices in this edition is the PAI General Meeting being held at Kellys Beach Resort, Bargara (Bundaberg) Wednesday 15th April. There is a diverse range of speakers covering important issues so it would be great to see everyone come and meet the new Executive and talk about their issues. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Stacey Watson from AustSafe and Lore Saupp-Saunders from Bayer Crop Science for sponsoring the event.

Information on page 9.

PAI and Southern Cross University have signed off on the project for the development of the Passionfruit DNA Fingerprint Platform. Peter Bundock from SCU has provided us with an update on page 8.

Aussie Passionfruit facebook is kicking major goals and achieving outcomes far above most

Australian brand facebook pages.

A full rundown on the marketing program is on page 14.We have also inserted a recipe, tips and tricks flyer for your information.

This has been, and will continue to be, distributed to retail outlets along with promotional posters and backroom information posters.

Rural Directions Pty Ltd, in partnership with Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited, has provided PAI with an outline of the Passionfruit Grower Leadership Program and Application Form which need to be returned to Rural Directions by 7th April. This is a project that is being funded by passionfruit levies and is an excellent opportunity for growers and stakeholders alike. There are limited places so don’t delay… read the information and fill in your application, all of which have been inserted in this edition of Passion Vine! Any questions call Natasha Morley from Rural Directions on 08 8841 4500.

There are many horticulture industry issues covered in this edition. Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (HIA Ltd previously HAL) have provided

Newsletter of Passionfruit Australia Incorporated

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March 2015 an update on the progress of the changes that are taking place since the inception of HIA Ltd at the end of last year on pages 6-7. This includes information about becoming a grower member.

The Modern Horticulture Award rated a mention in December’s Passion Vine. This edition provides a “warts and all” look at the fight that has been, and continues, on behalf of the horticulture industry on page 10.

PAI have pledged their support and I believe that once you read the outline provided by Greg Seymour from Australian Mushrooms, you will understand why. As Greg points out, labour is a major cost to the majority of horticulture businesses so it is imperative that we maintain the fight.

The most important actions that need your immediate attention: 1.The PAI General Meeting at Kellys Beach Resort – mark it in your diary and make sure you let us know you are attending!

2.Take the opportunity to consider participating in the Leadership Workshop and fill in the application NOW not tomorrow!

Look forward to seeing you at Bargara and if there is any specific issue you would like to have discussed at this meeting, please don’t hesitate to contact any of the Executive or myself on 07 5485 4402 or admin@passionfruitaustralia.org.au

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Passionfruit Australia Incorporated Executive Committee President

Vice President

Ian Constable "Nunderry" 260 Boyds Lane Dulguigan via Murwillumbah NSW 2484 P: 02 6672 6826 M: 0428 181 246 F: 02 6672 6826 E: ianconstable11@bigpond.com

Tina McPherson 15 Zinks Road Bundaberg QLD 4670 P: 07 4159 3001 M: 0428 415 930 F: 07 4155 6744 E: tina@tinaberries.com.au

President Vine Committee

Member

Jim Gordon PO Box 119 Yandina QLD 4561 P: 07 5446 7536 M: 0403 185 961 F: 07 5446 7524 E: jill_88@msn.com

Peter Griffiths 408 Dahl's Road Calavos QLD 4670 T/F: 07 4159 7394 M: 0429 656 922 E: peteandsally4@bigpond.com

Member

Member

William Wise 131 Cranneys Rd North Tumbulgum NSW 2490 P: 02 6676 6099 M: 0435 177 461 E: libmcq@hotmail.com

Sean Russell (JE Tippers) PO Box 27, Brisbane Markets QLD 4006 P: 07 3379 1041 M: 0418 158 331 F: 07 3379 4817 E: sean@jetipper.com.au

Member

Member

Tom Carey “Wilgra” Terania Creek Road The Channon NSW 2484 P: 02 6688 6510 M: 0407 710 009 E: kylie.mac2@bigpond.com

Nick Hornery N & N Hornery 73 Watsons Lane Newrybar NSW 2479 P: 02 6687 1405 F: 02 6687 1830 M: 0432 183 085 E: nickhornery@gmail.com

Member

Executive Officer (Secretary / Treasurer )

Tim Johnson 720 Clothiers Creek Rd Murwillumbah NSW 2484 P: 02 6677 7192 M: 0402 128 516 E: bnjohnson@qldnet.com.au

Jann Bonsall PO Box 321 Pomona QLD 4568 P: 07 5485 4402 E: admin@passionfruitaustralia.org.au

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PAI Licensed Nurseries Birdwood Nursery 71 Blackall Range Road Nambour QLD 4560 P: 07 5442 1611 J & V McLeod Campbell’s Road Dungay NSW 2484 P: 02 6672 3503 Widebay Passionvine Nursery 408 Dahls Road Calavos via Bundaberg Q 4670 P: 07 4159 7394

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PAI FEES New Grower or Processor Membership fee : $187 incl GST, joining fee and lobby fees Grower or Processor Membership renewal : $143 incl GST and lobby fees.

Other classes (Nurseryman, seller, agent or associate) : $187 incl GST and lobby fees.

Memberships run with the Fiscal year from July 1st to June 30th each year irrespective of date joined.

Membership lapses if not renewed within three months of end of the fiscal year.

Plant Royalties are due on propagation or purchase of all PAI varieties Fees are payable to PAI executive officer : $0.35 per plant for PAI members, otherwise $0.70 for all non-members.

Bank account details Passionfruit Australia Incorporated BSB: 124-101 Acc No.: 21655088

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Regional Roundup From the growers...

Wide Bay

By Peter Griffiths Hello everyone. In the Bundaberg region we again have been entertained by weather events. On 16th February residents of Bundaberg were woken in the early hours by an earthquake, magnitude 5.2 centred at Eidsvold.

Windows rattled but no damage was reported.

At the end of the same week we dodged a bullet when Marcia passed us by, Category 1, with strong winds for about an hour and approximately 100mm of rain.

Again no major damage was reported with just a few trees down and power outages.

Over December and January the area experienced one of its best crops in years, both panama and Mistys. Now in early March the panama flush is slowing down.

The vines have experienced a good flower set due to fine weather and minimal rain during February and we are preparing ourselves for another busy period.

That’s all until next time. Thanks.

NNSW Area

By Ian Constable Hello everyone, I thought in this Passion Vine I would talk about the recent conversations with agents I have had and also talk about our own experiences sending boxes of fruit to Sydney and Brisbane markets.

We had a complaint about our sizing and looked into it in our packing shed. Our count was out

by a fair way. 160 pieces of fruit in our 140 box. We adjusted our machine and while we did get a few more boxes of smaller fruit our average price increased, due, we were told, to better appearance. Buyers don’t like fruit of different sizes in the same box. Now I’m not going to tell growers how to pack their fruit but I will share the main issues the agents bought up.

1. Fruit sizing: not just a bad count but different sizes in the same box. Fruit should all be the same size in each box.

2. Fruit grading: check the packing chart and talk to your agent. Just a few sub-standard fruit in a box can lower returns.

3.2nd grade: there is nothing wrong with sending 2nd grade as long as the market wants them and the boxes are marked appropriately.

4.Final inspection: growers should look at their fruit as the lid goes on and think, ‘Would I pay top price for this box in the market?’

No one can grow perfect fruit all year long. The weather and any number of issues spring up to make growing fruit hard. I hope everyone has a look at their packing and maybe you can make some improvements as we have.

Bye for now.

SE Queensland

By Jim Gordon Well, the dam is full at last. I was only thinking a few weeks ago that we need a good bit of rain to wet things down properly

and next thing we have nearly 400mm of rain. Be careful what you wish for. We were lucky here on the Sunshine Coast that we had very little wind, so Marcia seems to have done more good than harm.

Since the rain the vines have taken off and are now setting a heap of flowers.

The end of February and the first week of March saw a big flush of fruit but it seems to be settling down now. After good prices for most of February we’ve dropped $30 plus, but considering the volume of fruit it is only to be expected.

Hopefully we can catch up with the spraying and mowing after a couple of hectic weeks where we only had time to pick and pack.

Shouldn’t complain though since that’s where the money is.

We are looking forward to a bit of stable weather in the autumn – not too much rain and no 38 degree days like we’ve just experienced.

We hope everyone is having a good season and we’ll see you in Bundaberg in April.

Regards Jim

Remember : email your ads to the secretary

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

For information regarding administration issues for Passionfruit Australia Incorporated please contact: Jann Bonsall, PO Box 321 Pomona QLD 4568

Ph: 07 5485 4402 Email: admin@ passionfruitaustralia.org.au For variety and plantings issues please contact your local Executive Member as listed on page 2.

Other enquiries can be made through Queensland DAFF on their call centre number 132523 All contributions concerning the industry are most welcome.

The Passion Vine is edited by Jann Bonsall and Jenny Drew 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 Australia Incorporated or the Editor. The advice given is at the readers 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.

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HAL Ltd Update

By John Lloyd, CEO

The process of implementing Horticulture Innovation Australia (HIA) is well and truly underway and remains on schedule to be completed by the end of December 2015.

The transition from Horticulture Australia (HAL) to the growerowned HIA, which is governed by a substantially different statutory funding agreement (to that of HAL) is complex and involves developing and implementing a substantial number of new systems and processes.

We will keep our stakeholders updated on this transition process as it progresses and particularly as new policies and processes are implemented, when consultation papers or other documents are released for comments and as any investment or other opportunities arise.

Consultation Paper on Strategic Investment Priorities As you may know, HIA released its consultation paper seeking input on the strategic investment priorities for its strategic investment program on 27 February.

I would like to thank all those who have provided comment so far and all those PIBs who have passed the consultation paper onto their grower members. The wider the paper is distributed and the more comments we get, the better the process will work.

Just to recap, the consultation paper is seeking wide stakeholder

input to determine the priorities for the HIA strategic investment fund. It details information on:

the new SFA (under HIA). Those policies can be found on the HIA website.

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To briefly recap, they include that:

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the strategic co-investment funds and how they will operate the broad challenges that will impact the horticulture sector over the next five to 20 years potential criteria as a basis to screen research programs and encourage innovative approaches a road map to develop the strategic co-investment funds and process to prioritise funds.

In addition to discussing the strategic investment fund, the consultation paper also provides a good overview of the overall investment structure being implemented by HIA and how it will work.

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The consultation paper is available online www.horticulture.com.au and comments close at the end of March, 2015.

HIA Transition Investment Arrangements HIA has now implemented a series of interim investment arrangements that will apply during the transition phase pending the full implementation of the HIA model. These policies are designed to transition the current investment portfolio from the previous SFA (under HAL) to ensure they are compliant with

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as a general principle, currently contracted projects will be reviewed for their compliance to the SFA with variations or re-contracting of these projects to achieve this compliance, where needed, to be done by 31 December 2015 new levy based investments will be contracted provided they are consistent with the current industry strategic investment plans and are embedded in the 2014/15 industry annual investment plans and generally align with the SFA VC Projects – subject to compliance with the SFA, all current VCs will run for the life of the project.

Variations or re-contracting of these projects to achieve compliance with the SFA, where required, must be undertaken and completed prior to 31 December 2015 matching levies above the industry GVP Cap – subject to compliance with the SFA, industry levies that have been and continue to be collected and remitted above the relevant industry GVP cap to fund existing projects will continue to be matched up to 30 June 2017.

Again, I would like to emphasise

The Passion Vine – March 2015 that levy investments raised from grower levies from a particular industry along with the government co-contribution for those levies, will fundamentally stay inside that industry for the benefit of that industry.

Interim Advisory Arrangements for Levy Investments HIA has had a number of enquiries on how it will be seeking advice on individual industry levy investment programs under its new model. In recognition of the significant level of industry consultation that went into preparing industry strategic and annual investment plans, the current versions of these have been adopted by HIA and will remain in operation during the transition process (until 31 December 2015).

In addition to adopting industry strategic and annual investment plans, HIA has implemented a series of interim advisory arrangements that will operate during the transition period. The inclusion of growers and relevant IRBs are fundamental to these interim arrangements as is the flexibility to tailor them to any particular industry as and when they are needed.

In broad terms, these interim arrangements are: 1.

2.

minimum of three persons of which one will be a PIB representative and the other two will be growers appointed by HIA in the event that a larger group is required, the size of the group and its composition will be determined by HIA in consultation with industry and should be commensurate with the type

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and length of time that the advice is required notwithstanding this, the maximum full representation on any advisory group by an IRB will be two people. It should be noted that IRB members are not considered ex-officio but are full members of the advisory group for which they have been appointed HIA will make all appointments including the chairs of all advisory groups secretarial services will always be undertaken by HIA all participants in providing advice under this mechanism will be remunerated for the provision of their advice.

interim approach as well as feedback from growers as part of the planned regional meetings that will occur over the next 12 months.

The development of longer term advisory mechanisms will take into account any lessons learned from implementing the above

If you would like further information on the HIA regional grower meetings, please contact Len Joynson on 02 8295 2319.

3.

4.

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Regional Grower Meetings Engaging with growers is a high priority for HIA and a key element of its engagement program will be a program of ongoing regional grower meetings, the first of which is scheduled to start at the end of March 2015 in Tasmania.

Meetings are scheduled for Huon Valley and La Trobe on 24 and 25 March respectively. Meetings in Queensland are being organised (Mareeba, Bundaberg and Lockyer Valley) for April with other states and territories to follow thereafter.

A full schedule of meetings will be published on the HIA website once finalised.

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Southern Cross University and PAI develop Passionfruit DNA fingerprint platform A project jointly funded by PAI and Southern Cross University to establish a DNA fingerprinting platform has recently commenced (see December 2014 edition of The Passion Vine).

Southern Cross Plant Science staff have initiated work that will use advanced DNA marker and sequence technologies to develop a DNA fingerprinting platform which will, amongst

other things, enable varietal testing of passionfruit.

In January Professor Graham King and Dr Peter Bundock visited the trial block at Duranbah NSW, managed for many years by David Peasley, to familiarise themselves with the different varieties of passionfruit growing there, collect some passionfruit leaf material for a DNA library, and

Photo : Peter Bundock (left) and David Peasley in January at the trial site run by David at Duranbah

get the low down on passionfruit breeding and selection from David.

Peter Bundock is currently accumulating information to establish a database of key Australian passionfruit cultivars and their breeding pedigrees, and carrying out extensive background reading to guide the DNA marker work. The project is expected to last six months with one of the outcomes being to integrate cultivar pedigree/ provenance data with a database of DNA marker profiles for twenty existing varieties.

The DNA markers will be available as a resource to inform future crossing, for varietal identification (for example checking scions as well as fruit in the marketplace) and eventually to support and protect any Plant Breeder’s Rights (PBR) obtained for PAI passionfruit varieties. In order to develop a comprehensive marker set, DNA sequence information will be obtained from one or more selected passionfruit varieties. The DNA sequence information will also underpin ongoing research into passionfruit.

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The Passion Vine – March 2015

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Modern Horticulture Award Update

By Greg Seymour AMGA

The four yearly review of the Modern Horticulture Award is now entering a crucial stage – in terms of the process and in terms of funding horticulture’s ongoing participation in the Review. The Award is currently up for review and will need professionally crafted, data rich submissions to give us the best chance of retaining the hard fought conditions that hort employers currently enjoy in the Award.

The engagement of appropriately skilled people to collect, analyse, and communicate the necessary data to develop our case, and continue to engage our legal team, will require funding from Voice of Horticulture (previously Horticulture TaskForce) members and other horticulture PIBs. The campaign to date has been funded by NGIA (Nursery) and AMGA (Mushrooms). Over $125,000 has been paid in legal costs by these two organizations since December 2013 for the benefit of all horticultural employers in Australia. The input of committee members has also been considerable throughout the review period.

NGIA has recently advised that it will cease to provide funding for the Award Review (but will continue as part of the Committee and the Review). The AMGA Board is concerned that it is bearing all the costs and is seeking financial support from

the rest of horticulture to complete the Review process.

Tass Angelopoulos, our legal support for the review, estimates it will require at least $80,000 -$100,000 (possibly more) to complete the job from here. NFF have also sought our support to share the costs of Senior Counsel if we need to go hard to defend the current casual arrangements. At $10K a day we could be looking at a total of $150,000 by the time we are done and dusted.

I had previously requested that members seek an allocation from their Boards for approximately the same fee they are paying for VoH membership. We believed at that time we would need about that much to cover the costs of the Award Review.

In addition to the money, we also need members help in sourcing accurate data and potential witnesses for our case.

This is a critical matter. The cost of labour and its management impacts on the vast majority of horticulture businesses. For most it is the major contributor to enterprise costs. It is essential we look after the financial interests of our members by funding professional representation to put our case to the Fair Work Commission. We need to

defend the position we have.

Just so you have a feel for what we are fighting to avoid, the ACTU and the AWU are pursuing claims in the Horticulture industry as follows:  4 hour minimum engagement of casuals.  Conversion of casual to full time employees after 6 or 12 months employment  4 hour minimum engagement of part time employees  Overtime rates for casual employees in the same way full time employees receive overtime and weekend penalties  Notice requirements of casuals when employing them including likely hours  Restrictions on further casual and part time employment to require additional hours to existing casuals and part time employees The overtime for casual employees is only sought with respect to the Horticulture Award by the AWU. The other claims are ACTU claims but have a more direct impact on the Horticulture Award because the Horticulture Award does not have minimum periods of engagement and will have a more direct impact on the horticulture industry if it succeeds in whole or in part.

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Innovative Fresh Quality monitor for passionfruit available From Fresh Plaza, 3 February 2015 Innovative Fresh provides objective quality monitoring of fruit and vegetables on shop shelves. "We do this as commissioned by retailers, producers and fruit and vegetable

trader. Around ten times per year we publish a public month monitor and a weekly oversight of offers in European supermarkets," says Maud Jentjens.

Objective quality information "We judge both the quality aspects during the moment of shopping, and the product quality in our laboratory every week. This double assessment supplies directly applicable and objective, reliable facts. With this our commissioners can better control the product quality and obtain commercial advantages. Our collective goal is for consumers to be so satisfied that they continue to buy tasty and healthy fruit and vegetables," continues Maud.

Presentation at Fruit Logistica Berlin Innovative Fresh carries out taste and quality research and store evaluations in multiple European countries. Due to the weekly monitoring the deviations come forward immediately. This is how companies benchmark origin, season, varieties and suppliers.

Benchmark results on our new website: passionfruit In the most recent monthly monitor in which passionfruit was assessed, and average higher sugar content was found in passionfruit from Zimbabwe. The score on the appearance of the fruit varied week to week. It also showed that in particular weeks there was a

noticeable difference in the acidity of fruits from different countries.

For more detailed results and research into other fruit and vegetable products, you can sign up to our new site www.innovativefresh.com

Are you interested in a personal presentation at the Fruit Logisitca, 4-6 February in Berlin?

Maud Jentjens +31 6 23972207 or Karin Gorree +31 6 39013444, or mail info@innovativefresh.com

Letters to the Editor Don’t forget to send your letters to the Editor to admin@passionfruitaustralia.org.au or post to PO Box 321, Pomona, Qld 4568

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News Bites Horticulture unites under one voice Growers across 21 horticultural industries have united under the Voice of Horticulture to represent and build support and understanding of Australia’s $50 billion horticulture industry.

Voice of Horticulture is a memberbased organisation that represents horticultural growers and businesses across fruits, nuts, turf, nursery plants and cut flowers.

Horticulture is the biggest employer of all the agricultural industries in Australia, employing a third of all agricultural workers, and is the third biggest by value, $10 billion at the farm gate and over $50 billion at retail. In 2013/14 the value of horticulture exports achieved a record high of $1.5 billion.

“There is a huge potential to increase horticultural exports, our growers just need support to realise this potential,” Voice of Horticulture Director, John Dollisson said.

“Voice of Horticulture will work with government to improve domestic production and export market access for horticultural products, ensure Free Trade

Agreements benefit growers and work on issues that unite us like labelling, biosecurity and chemical use.”

One of the driving forces to establish Voice of Horticulture was the formation of the new research and development corporation for horticulture – Horticulture Innovation Australia Ltd (HIAL).

Voice of Horticulture Chair, Tania Chapman said while growers will be invited to become members of HIAL, HIAL does not have an advocacy role, and will not represent the political interests of Australia’s 30 000 horticultural producers, this will be the role of the Voice of Horticulture.

“Coming together under the Voice of Horticulture allows growers to more readily be heard and represented to help government and policy makers better understand our issues and interest to guide their decisions,” Ms Chapman said.

“One point of contact will build much stronger relationships.”

Category B assistance activated

Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) Category B assistance has been activated for primary producers in the following shires: Banana Shire Council Livingstone Shire Council North Burnett Regional Council Rockhampton Regional Council.

Category B assistance provides freight subsidies of up to $5000 per property for the movement of materials to assist in recovery such as emergency fodder, building materials, fuel and water. These freight subsidies are available through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF).

Eligible primary producers can also access concessional loans from the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority (QRAA) of up to $250 000 at an interest rate of 1.92 per cent to cover costs such as:  repairing or replacing damaged plant and equipment  repairing or replacing buildings  purchasing livestock to replace those lost in the disaster event  meeting carry-on requirements (e.g. replanting, restoring or reestablishing areas and paying rent or rates.)

By Growcom News

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