The Passion Vine
The Passion Vine – September 2012
Post Office Box 321 Pomona QLD 4568
Executive Report
It’s been a very busy quarter since the last Passion Vine. The Annual Industry Report has been released for the Passionfruit industry and for those of you who weren’t able to make it to the AGM/ALPM in Murwillumbah you will have found a copy with this edition of Passion Vine. If for some reason you haven’t received one, please don’t hesitate to call and I will post one immediately. We have received orders for 17,685 Misty Gem and Sweetheart plants but I’m sure there are plenty more orders sitting on your desks buried under all the other paperwork that seems to multiply before our very eyes! The same goes for
September 2012 Newsletter of Passionfruit Australia Incorporated
By Jann Bonsall
Spring has arrived with a vengeance in SEQ! After the past two spring/summer seasons I thought I’d never hear anyone say “I wish it would rain” for the rest of my living days, but that’s exactly how it is. No real rain for nearly ten weeks makes it a bit tough out there in the horticulture sector. No doubt there is rain coming, it’s just a matter of when.
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membership renewals. As of today (23rd September) I have received 54 renewals which is 8 less than last year at exactly the same date and 20 fewer than the total from 2011-12. I’ve been looking back over the past few years and last year’s membership was 19 fewer than 2010-11. If I go back to 200708 there were 118 members, which means the Executive and I have to get out there and talk to the growers and bring them on board! I don’t want to repeat the President’s words too much, but I would like to personally thank Scott Maltby, Ross Brindley and Bruce McPherson for their time on PAI and for the support they have given me, along with the rest of the Executives, over the past 12 months. I’d also like to welcome our new Executives, Jim Gordon and Tina McPherson. All the new contact details appear in the following pages for your information. The Executive met very briefly after the AGM to elect their President and Vice President.
Keith Paxton was unanimously voted for as President, as was Ian Constable as Vice President. Steve Gray has accepted the role as Chair of the Vine Committee, a role he had already been fulfilling for the past few months. It was pointed out at the Annual Levy Payers’ Meeting that you, the growers, are being represented by the Executive members on the Industry Advisory Committee and therefore, if you have anything you believe you can contribute please don’t hesitate to contact any of the Executives or members of the IAC. The outcomes of the Marketing Campaign for 2011-12 have been very positive as you will see from the report later in Passion Vine (ALPM report). We will keep you up to date with the 2012-13 campaign as it is finalised. May the rain come to your farms and may the passionfruit be bountiful for the consumer AND you, the grower!
The Passion Vine – September 2012
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Association Address PO Box 321 Pomona QLD 4568. Mobile 0418 883 753 Email admin@passionfruitaustralia.org.au
Executive Committee President Keith Paxton 38 Atkinsons Road, Woombye, QLD 4559 Phone (07) 5445 9387 Fax (07) 5445 9323 Email kipaxton@bigpond.com
Executive Officer (Secretary/Treasurer) Jann Bonsall PO Box 321 Pomona QLD 4568 Phone 07 5485 4402 Email admin@passionfruitaustralia.org.au
Vice President Ian Constable “Nunderry” 260 Boyds Lane Dulguigan via Murwillumbah NSW 2484 Phone / Fax (02) 6672 6826 Mobile 0428 181 246 Email ianconstable11@bigpond.com
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) : $231 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.
Committee Members President Vine Committee Steve Gray Vixies Road, Wonga Beach, QLD 4873 Phone / Fax (07) 4098 7202 Email steve_trish2@bigpond.com.au
Member Peter Griffiths 408 Dahl’s Road, Calavos, QLD 4670 Phone/Fax (07) 4159 7394 Mobile 0429 656 922 Email peteandsally4@bigpond.com Member Sean Russell (JE Tippers) PO Box 27, Brisbane Markets, QLD 4006 Phone (07) 3379 1041 Fax (07) 3379 4817 Mobile 0418 158 331 Email sean@jetipper.com.au Member William Wise 131 Cranneys Road, North Tumbulgum, NSW 2490 Phone (02) 6676 6099 Email libmcq@hotmail.com Member Tina McPherson 15 Zinks Road, Bundaberg, QLD 4670 Phone (07) 4159 3001 Fax (07) 4155 6744 Mobile 0428 415 930 Email tina@tinaberries.com.au
Member Jim Gordon PO Box 119, Yandina, QLD 4561 Phone (07) 5446 7536 Fax (07) 5446 7524 Mobile 0403 185 961 Email jill_88@msn.com
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Passionfruit Australia Incorporated Industry Advisory Committee PH: 07 3374 0453 Mob: 0413 101 646 Email: diannefullelove@optusnet.com.au
Dianne Fullelove
Chairperson PO Box 913, Kenmore, QLD 4069
Jane Wightman
HAL Suite 2, Level 5, 87 Wickham Terrace Spring Hill, QLD 4000
Peter Rigden
QLD Government DAFF, Maroochy Research Station, PO Box 5083, SCMC, QLD 4560
PH: 07 5453 5927 FAX: 07 5493 5901 Email: peter.rigden@deedi.qld.gov.au
Cherie Gambley
QLD Government DAFF, Redlands Research Station, PO Box 327, Cleveland, QLD 4163
PH: 07 3824 9543 FAX: 07 3286 3094 Mob: 0429 872 410 Email: Cherie.gambley@deedi.qld.gov.au
Ian Constable
PAI Executive “Nunderry” Dulguigan 260 Boyds Lane, via Murwillumbah, NSW 2484
PH/FAX: (02) 6672 6826 MOBILE: 0428 181 246 Email: ianconstable11@bigpond.com
Steve Gray
PAI Executive Vixies Road, Wonga Beach, QLD 4873
PH: (07) 4098 7202 Fax: (07) 4098 7202 Email: steve_trish2@bigpond.com.au
Keith Paxton
PAI Executive 38 Atkinsons Road, Woombye, QLD 4559
PH: (07) 5445 9387 FAX: (07) 5445 9323 MOB: 0427 625 946 Email: kipaxton@bigpond.com
Tina McPherson
PAI Executive 15 Zinks Road, Bundaberg, QLD 4670
PH: (07) 4159 3001 FAX: (07) 4155 6744 MOBILE : 0428 415 930 Email: tina@tinaberries.com.au
Sean Russell
Marketing PO Box 27, Brisbane Markets, QLD 4106
Mob: 0404 309 877 Email: jane.wightman@horticulture.com.au
PH: (07) 3379 1041 FAX: (07) 3379 4817 Mob : 0418 158 331 Email: sean@jetipper.com.au
Bank account details Passionfruit Australia Incorporated BSB: 124-187 Acc No.: 21655088 If direct debiting please ensure to quote your name or membership number
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President’s Report By Keith Paxton Passionfruit Australia’s Annual General Meeting PAI held their AGM and ALPM at Murray’s Place (formerly the Murwillumbah Hotel) in Murwillumbah on Saturday 8th September. After formalities were completed, Keith Paxton, President of PAI, delivered the President’s Report. Administration Meetings held and attended this year: PAI executive held three teleconference meetings and three face to face meetings. Teleconferences were conducted in order to reduce Committee members time away from their businesses and also to reduce the costs to PAI. In the teleconference of 15th September 2011 the Committee agreed to endorse the establishment of a Marketing Sub Committee. Bruce McPherson was chosen as Chair with members Melissa Smith, Joe Costa and Sean Russell making up the 4 members of the Committee. Also at that meeting it was agreed to allocate $10k annually to the Fruit Spotting Bug project. Ian Groves from the Lychee Association and myself represent small industries on the project. A Strategic Planning workshop was conducted in Brisbane on 20th October 2011 and Jenny Margetts was the service provider for the new Strategic Plan which is our investment plan for the next 5 years. I attended the HAL Forum and
AGM in Sydney on 23rd and 24th November 2011. At the teleconference on 28th November William Wise was accepted on the Executive and the Marketing Strategic Plan was approved. The next Executive meeting was held at Rocklea on 1st February 2012. The Marketing Program was finalised. A new logo was endorsed by the Marketing Sub Committee and a new poster was approved. Information on the Marketing and Promotion Plan will be presented at the ALPM. The passionfruit industry Biosecurity Plan was approved. The Biosecurity Plan has been worked on for several years. Jann has made a point of getting it finalised. As yet the passionfruit industry has not taken up the option of signing the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) as it ties the industry into a cost recovery program. Jann has hard copies of the Biosecurity Plan if anyone wishes to view it. On 2nd May 2012 a Strategic Agrochemical Review Process (SARP) workshop was run by Peter Dal Santo under a HAL program for chemicals at the Eco Science Building, Boggo Road. The objective of this project is to look at existing chemical usage and access to new chemistry. The report is yet to be finalised. Jann, our Executive Officer has attended additional
meetings and teleconferences. They include Tropical Fruits meetings on 5th October 2011 and 20th March 2012. The DAFF RDC Roundtable meeting on 17th November and a teleconference on 12th December. There was a Plant Health Australia meeting in Brisbane on 29th March, HAL stakeholder meeting on 26th April and she also attended the HAL Forum and Members’ Forum on 23rd May in Sydney. Export At the meeting on 2nd May, John Nardi Business Manager, Tropical Fruits for FAVCO attended the PAI Executive meeting and expressed interest in exporting passionfruit to New Zealand. John sourced information on costs to export fruit to NZ and also retail prices. Bill Hatton, Horticulture Business Development from Steritch Pty Ltd sent us information regarding post harvest deinfestation treatment for passionfruit with a particular view to market access in NZ using irradiation. Bill has prepared a quote for conducting the trial to establish ICA 55 which is an interstate protocol. This protocol would also apply to export fruit to NZ (IPSM No. 18). Bill suggested we take some fruit to the Steritech plant at Narangbar for an observation trial. Sean and I took Panama and purples to the plant and the fruit was subjected to different levels of irradiation. I bought the fruit home and kept it in the cold room to observe the treated fruit and a control. It appeared there was no difference
The Passion Vine – September 2012 between treated and non treated fruit for the 4 week period. Processing Unfortunately our processor was unable to take fruit during the summer crop which left growers with nowhere to send their processing fruit. Reports from agents indicated some of this poor quality fruit ended up in the markets resulting in pressure on prices for good fruit. On 11th April 2012, Tropico recommenced processing and they have not given any indication as to when processing will cease again. Projects and Chemicals As a contributor to the FSB project, PAI will have access to information on biological controls and any new chemical applications which may become available through this project. Robert Vitelli from Bayer will be giving a presentation after the ALPM on this project. The biological control side of FSB involves the release of a natural parasite of spotting bug eggs. Richard Llewellyn of BioResources Pty Ltd imports silkworm eggs on cards from China, puts them in with anastatus insects where they are parasitised and then posts the cards to grower trialists from NNSW to NQ who then place the cards in their orchards. I am one of the trialists and to date we have had 4 releases. This year we will monitor spotting bug activity. Also Harry Fay from DAFF Q in NQ has been working on a pheromone for spotting bugs and results so far are promising. Updates on other chemicals include Movento trials which have been completed and Bayer is now progressing to registration. Robert
Vitelli will give an update. A permit has been taken out for lepidex or triclorifon which unfortunately has a WHP of 7 days but it is my understanding that the registration and WHP of 1 day still applies if being used for the registered target insect. The APVMA have requested the passionfruit industry establish an MRL for the use of phos acid within the lifetime of the current permit. Quotes have been sought from 2 service providers to conduct the trial to establish an MRL.WHP of 21 days. We have since established a trial to reduce the MRL to 1 day. Hortis were selected to conduct the trial and fortunately for the industry, BASF, the company that produces Cabrio, have agreed to help finance and extend the trial to include registration. Caltex have applied on industry’s behalf to put Bio Clear on the label. The application at APVMA has been in for almost 2 years. David Johnson from Caltex hopes it may progress to registration in about 3 months time. Jann has purchased Infopest from Growcom so if growers wish to access information on chemical permits and registrations, contact Jann. Research Jay Anderson has resigned from DAFFQ and taken up a new position with the banana industry. We wish her well in her new position. Cherie Gambley will be taking over Jay’s role with the passionfruit industry and our projects will continue. Cherie has
Page 5 excellent qualifications, a Bachelor of Science and a Doctorate of Philosophy. Cherie began work at DEEDI (now DAFFQ) as a professional officer in plant pathology. Unfortunately some sad news during the year with the passing of Kendle Wilkinson. Executive This year we have had three Executive members retiring; Scott Maltby, Bruce McPherson and Ross Brindley. Ross and Scott have been on the Executive for quite a few years and contributed time and effort to our industry. Bruce, although only on the Executive for 2 years, has overseen the development of our Marketing Plan and its implementation. Thanks to these retiring members. I would just like to thank Jann. She has put in a lot of time and effort in the running of our affairs this year and has achieved some good results for our industry, in particular the release of our Biosecurity Plan. Also my wife Judy for her assistance in typing my emails and putting up with me being forever on the phone.
Letters to the Editor Don’t forget to send your letters to the Editor to admin@passionfruit australia.org.au or post to PO Box 321, Pomona, Qld 4568
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Regional Roundup From the growers...
The Sunshine Coast By Keith and Judy Paxton
Since our last farm report it has stopped raining and now does not know how to start again. It is over 2 months since our last shower. We have just started to plant and now that the nights are warmer we may get some growth in our vines. Our ratoon vines are the worst looking we have ever had them. We visited Ian and David Constable's farm prior to the AGM and I was surprised at how well their vines had come through the winter. They were nice and green with plenty of fresh shoots and strong growth. Ian told the group that they have been using IPM and had reduced their reliance on insecticide. Ian said that now they are growing Sweethearts instead of Misty Gems their production has increased. We caught up with old friends and enjoyed the meetings at Murwillumbah. We are hoping for some rain to get our old vines growing again and establish the new ones. At last the pipeline people have left us alone and now we may have some peace on the farm again. Cheers, Keith & Judy.
Far North Queensland By Steve Gray
Wet and cool
Vines are growing well but there had not been much flowering. Coming on now. It’s been a different year.
Bundaberg Area By Peter Griffiths
Hello everyone. In the Bundaberg region we have enjoyed almost six months of very little rain. This has aided the drying out process of many acres of good farmland. This farmland was saturated 18 months ago in our big wet/flood, leaving the underground water table the highest it has been since the 1970’s. This year many of the local farmers are still hesitant to replant in these wet areas but time will improve things. The Bundaberg region is busily replanting tens of thousands of vines in the belief drier times are ahead. The current dry conditions have assisted in a large flower set which should result in a bumper summer crop. I would like to thank Ian and David Constable for their gracious acceptance to hold the AGM field walk at their farm. It is very interesting to see how other regions produce their fruit, etc. I would also like to thank the people who made the effort to attend and organize the AGM and field walk. Even though the attendance numbers were disappointing, it is good to be part of a group of committee members who VOLUNTEER their time and efforts for the
betterment of the WHOLE passionfruit industry, remembering we are levy and royalty payers also! And may I suggest if you have an issue about anything, you should attend a meeting and vent your concerns in the appropriate manner That’s all until next time. Thanks
NSW Area By Ian Constable
Trial block has a mix of varieties, some of which are looking very promising. The block is being looked after by David Peasley and Bill Mumford. NSW Grower Group being managed by Clare Allard who I wish to thank for her time and effort. John and Vicki McLeod are working with the NSW group to graft vines which will be available only to members who have paid to be involved in the trials.
Marketing By Sean Russell
Lots of work had been done to bring the marketing plan into operation. Demand is low but the markets have been better due to the promotional activity at retail level More information was presented at the ALPM which appears later in Passion Vine.
The Passion Vine – September 2012
Vine Trial Report By Steve Gray As Keith Paxton pointed out at the AGM, Ross has done a lot for the industry over the years and Keith took the opportunity to thank the Brindley family for their input, venue and hospitality over the years. There are trial vines in South East Queensland, Bundaberg, Bowen and North Queensland with more vines delivered the weekend of the AGM for Northern NSW. There will be more vines available later in the year around November and there are 8 trialists participating in the vine trials.
There were another 250 vines grafted at the beginning of September for SEQ and NNSW trialists with the balance of the seed to go north later in the year. These vines are wholly owned by PAI so will be part of the Royalty Scheme. I’d like to thank Keith and Peter Griffiths (Widebay Passionvine Nursery) for their advice and input to give these vine trials the best chance of positive outcomes for the industry as a whole.
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The Passion Vine – September 2012
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Annual Levy Payer’s Meeting The ALPM was conducted after a fabulous lunch generously sponsored by Top Class Fruit from Sydney Markets. Dianne Fullelove, the IAC independent Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and after all the formalities were completed, asked the Passionfruit Industry Services Manager, Jane Wightman to present the Annual Report. Jane started by pointing out the importance of growers talking to their IAC members to provide an indication of issues in their particular region. The IAC is responsible for: Ensuring the industry has a current Strategic Investment Plan and projects are in line with its objectives and strategies. An Annual Investment Plan – the 2013/14 plan will be endorsed by the IAC in February 2013 Ensuring the industry advertise and conduct an Annual levy Payers’ Meeting Making recommendations to Horticulture Australia for expenditure of levy funds. The Strategic Plan 2012-17 was completed in early 2012 after consultation with the IAC and growers over a period of three months. The vision, or strategic intent of the Plan is for the Passionfruit industry be a growing, profitable and united industry that is able to create and capitalise on marketing opportunities and manage risks appropriately. Based on that intent the key aspirations underpinning it are:
Improve the profitability of passionfruit production businesses by maintaining R&D and support services and improving on-farm productivity. Increase demand for Australian passionfruit (and Australian passionfruit products) by: 1.Delivering a product that meets customers’ requirements and expectations; 2. Balancing supply and demand; and 3. Positioning and promoting the product effectively. To achieve those key aspirations there are three basic objectives. Following are those objectives and the projects/programs that have been undertaken to achieve the desired outcomes. Objective One: ensure profitable and consistent availability of Australian passionfruit to meet consumer demand.
PF07001 Disease management and breeding of passionfruit for improved quality and productivity (commenced 10/07 – completed 4/11; Life of Project cost $298,879; 201112 $59,776 PF11004 Overcoming passionfruit viruses (9/115/14; LOP $176,265; 2011-12 $39,536) PF 10004 Movento label addition (red scale) (9/115/12; LOP $28,000; 2011-12 $28,000)
PF10008 Cabrio trial – control of anthracnose and septoria – on-going work to reduce WHP (8/11-9/11; LOP $2750; 201112 $2750)
Objective Two: facilitate a sustainable and profitable production sector by increasing demand for Australian passionfruit in line with increasing supply.
PF11500 Annual Marketing Campaign (2011-12; LOP $55,961; 2011-12 $29,961) PF10504 Passionfruit Consumer Research Program (4/11-7/11; LOP $29,000; 2011 -12 $9,000) Strategic Marketing Plan – (paid from Corporate Cost Recovery) Objective Three: effective industry organisation providing a better environment for individual businesses.
PF11910 Consultation Funding Agreement (7/11-6/12 $26,410)
PF11006 Communications Project (11/11-5/14; LOP $30,135; 2011-12 $9,579) PF11003 Strategic Investment
The Passion Vine – September 2012 Food security Health and well-being in
Plan (10/11-3/12 $5,775) PF11800 Industry Annual Report (7/11-6/12; $1210) The Passionfruit industry is also involved in Across Industry Programs which include projects such as:
horticulture Climate change Jane explained HAL will begin investing in biotechnology and robotics in 2012/13.
The budget for 2011/12 was as follows. R&D
Marketing
Opening Balance
82,422
39,629
Income
173,864
80,597
Expenditure
188,032
63,537
Project Expenditure
162,883
39,961
Closing Balance
68,254
56,689
There were no questions so Jane thanked all the attendees and went on to present the Marketing report for 2011-12. Jane explained the key objectives of the Marketing program were:
To increase overall passionfruit consumption by increasing frequency of passionfruit purchase and increasing volume of passionfruit Maintain sustainable returns to growers through peak seasons of supply Build consumer and trade awareness of the passionfruit brand and new logo. The primary target market was households from 35 and under with no children who were currently under-consuming relative to other consumer segments. The secondary target market was
couples aged between 35 -59 who were empty nesters (households with no children). Passionfruit lacked salience (relevance), was not top of mind when shopping and consumers and media lacked understanding around varieties and availability. The program for 2011-12 concentrated on the launch of “Passionfruit” creative and brand positioning, promotion of passionfruit as a summer, fun enjoyable fruit and promote the versatility and create new usage ideas. Public Relations key objectives were to revitalise passionfruit and put it back on the shopping list by encouraging consumers to feel passionate and enjoy it. To achieve that, media were provided newsworthy stories around passionfruit. There was also an online survey to better understand Australian eating habits. The results of that survey
Page 9 provided insight to “Every kitchen needs some Passion” message. Online blogger activity resulted in 9 posts created during peak season with blogger activity reaching more than 100,000 views. Key messages this season related to seasonality and usage with recipes moving away from traditional “sweet pavlova” with the most popular recipe being chicken salad.
The majority of media coverage was in national publications and websites contributing to high circulation: National NSW QLD VIC
13,899,300 594,463 392,915 1,279,475
Retail Promotions key objectives were active selling to consumers in store and negotiating and placing POS material. These were
The Passion Vine – September 2012 achieved by focussing on targeting consumers where the majority purchase decisions were made, increasing the visibility and consumer awareness of passionfruit in-store and target high consumer traffic stores in metro areas. There was activity across 100 retail green grocers and independent retailers in NSW (39), QLD (28) and VIC (33). The outcomes were that on average, 29 shoppers that were engaged during
the session went on to make a purchase, and 62% of those purchased 6+ passionfruit. Recommendations for 2013 Public relations Engage food personality to be the “face” of passionfruit 2013 Develop new sweet and savoury recipes that will appeal to consumers during the cooler and warmer months
Page 10 Retain the styling and colour themes to build consistency Retail Activity Addition of sampling at the request of store manager and where stock permits Recipe leaflets and new recipe serving suggestions. Retailer education flyer on handling and storage.
Virus Elimination – Putting New Life Back into Old Cultivars By Kathy Parmenter (DAFF) and John Thomas (University of Queensland) Viruses can have a debilitating effect on passionfruit, especially in cooler conditions, and can also render the plants more susceptible to other diseases. Virus infection is likely to be the major cause of “running out” of cultivars. These viruses, especially Passionfruit woodiness virus, Passiflora virus Y and Clover yellow vein virus, are readily transmitted by grafting, and all material of the older graftpropagated cultivars such as Misty Gem and Sweetheart, is chronically virus-infected. Although these viruses are not seed transmitted in passionfruit, seedling production is not an option for these grafted propagated cultivars, due to lack of uniformity of the seedling progeny. How can this problem be addressed? For many other vegetatively propagated crops, such as grapes, citrus, garlic, apples, potato and strawberry, tissue culture, using meristem tip
culture, sometimes with heat therapy, has been used to eliminate viruses from infected cultivars. The yield benefits from virus elimination can be significant. For example, virusfree garlic has doubled garlic yield. Even when these virus-free plants were planted in conditions where re-infection rapidly occurred, the yield benefits were still observed for at least five crop generations. Unfortunately, passionfruit has proven to be a difficult subject for this procedure. Tissue culture has successfully been applied to seedling material, but until very recently, mature material (such as the older cultivars Sweetheart and Misty Gem) has proven to be recalcitrant. However, methods have recently been published by workers in Thailand, where five year old vines infected with a close relative of Passionfruit woodiness virus, have been successfully tissue cultured and the virus eliminated. This work
gives great hope for the application of these methods to Australian passionfruit. An alternative procedure, which avoids tissue culture, is micrografting. This technique involves taking very small meristematic shoot tips (0.2 mm – 0.5 mm) and grafting them onto virus-free seedlings. Micrografting has been used to successfully eliminate viruses from many different crop species, including citrus, grapes, apple, cactus, and also recently from passionfruit in Brazil. The passionfruit work has shown establishment rates of 3050%, depending on the cultivar and virus elimination rates of 90% in successful grafts. Micrografting was tried unsuccessfully in the previous HAL project PF07001, but work has recommenced in the current HAL-funded project PF11004 using much smaller meristem tips, consistent with the Brazialian work. Initial attempts look promising with some grafts still alive eight weeks after
The Passion Vine – September 2012 grafting (see figure 1). The production of these virus-free plants is only the first step in reintroducing these cultivars to industry. Any virus-free plants will be retained in secure glasshouse conditions, away from other passionfruit. Cuttings would need to be grown in isolation in field multiplication blocks and the resulting plants used for tip
1. "DPI" seedlings for rootstocks dissecting
4. rootstock trimmed and prepared for receiving scion
production to supply nurseries. Although this would be a new strategy for the passionfruit industry, it has been routinely practised around the world for many other crops, such as potato, citrus and grapes. Careful replanting strategies would limit rates of re-infection in the field. In crops such as strawberries, the continual “flushing� of the production system with clean
2. Kathy Parmenter doing micrografting under the microscope
5. meristem tip ready for grafting
Page 11 planting material has virtually eliminated viruses as a threat to the industry. Virus elimination holds the promise of reinvigorating the older passionfruit cultivars, and complementing the longer term strategy of breeding for virus resistance, also part of the current passionfruit research project.
3. Trimming a shoot tip down to the meristem using needles
6. meristem 7 weeks after grafting
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Field Walk Ian and David Constable kindly opened their property 10 minutes outside Murwillumbah for a Field Walk early on Saturday morning prior to the AGM and ALPM. It was a beautiful clear sunny day which provided a perfect backdrop for this widespread and well
tendered farm. Ian in his inimitable way explained how the farm was managed and some of the hiccups and successes they had suffered and enjoyed along the way.
PAI would like to thank Ian and David for their generous hospitality and willingness to share their property with fellow growers and researchers.
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Remember to email your ads to the Secretary * PASSIONFRUIT GROWERS AND SUPPLIERS OF
FOR SALE ASP Passionfruit Grader As new condition Grading to 4 sizes $2,600 gst inclusive ono Sunshine Coast Ph : Kev 0419 760 686
* GRAFTED PASSIONFRUIT Misty Gems DPI - Approved rootstocks * SEEDLINGS Pandora Red Panama
Hand pollinated Pandora rootstock available.
FOR ORDERS / ENQUIRIES Please ph/fax 07 4159 7394 Peter Griffiths 0429 656 922 Sally Griffiths 0401 656 922
408 Dahls Rd, Calavos, Bundaberg Q 4670 Email – peteandsally4@bigpond.com
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Moraitis Group Pty Ltd
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 DPIF 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.
Leaders in fresh produce Moraitis core products include : * Passionfruit * Melons * Pumpkin * Cherries * Onions * Strawberries
* Potatoes *Tomatoes * Bananas * Citrus * Garlic * Avocadoes
Moraitis is a national company in the leading position as a fully integrated supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables in Australia. Moraitis have a dedicated team focused on satisfying Grower and Customer needs, who are devoted to providing flawless 24/7 supply and service solutions,to the retail supermarket chains and independent fruit markets all around Australia. The Moraitis base is unique because of the wide range of customers’ serviced, and our ability to supply consistent quality and service 12 months of the year. Australia’s leaders in the fresh produce industry – Moraitis has National distribution capabilities and is located Australia wide.
For passionfruit enquiries please contact Debra Scarfe : Exotic Fruit Category Mobile: 0416088615 Email: dscarfe@moraitis.com.au
PAI Licensed Nurseries Birdwood Nursery
71 Blackall Range Road, 07 5442 Nambour 4560 1611
J&V McLeod
Campbell’s Road, Dungay 2484
02 6672 3503
Widebay Passionvine Nursery
408 Dahls Road, Calavos, Bundaberg 4670
07 4159 7394
Peter Kallinis : Category Manager Mobile: 0412 141 536 Email: pkallinis@moraitis.com.au Matthew McInerney: National Sales Manager Mobile: 0417 468 828 Email: mmcinerney@moraitis.com.au Moraitis Wholesale NSW Stand 52, A Shed Sydney Markets NSW 2129 P.O. Box 75 Sydney Markets NSW 2129 T: +61 2 9764 2370 F: +61 2 9764 2218
Contact Moraitis for more information on our website www.moraitis.com.au For general enquiries regarding our business or products please send an email to info@moraitis.com.au or call our customer service number 1 800 657 010
The Passion Vine – September 2012
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Market Access to New Zealand Passionfruit Australia has been asked to consider the option of exporting passionfruit to New Zealand. To make this possible, PAI have made an application through the Office of Horticulture Market Access to start the process of gaining access into that market. It is an involved and lengthy process but the Executive believe it is in the best interests of the passionfruit industry moving forward into what they believe is a positive and profitable future. As part of the OHMA application PAI have stated their intention to fund a project titled Assessment of nutritional profile and fruit quality of irradiated passionfruit. This project will provide the
passionfruit industry with a number of levels of information: 1. The trials will evaluate the radio-tolerance of passionfruit to irradiation doses; 2. Based on positive tolerance levels, irradiation has the potential as a phytosanitary treatment for fruit fly and other arthropod pests. New Zealand has temporarily suspended access to a range of fruit and vegetables treated with dimethoate or fenthion until alternative treatments have been investigated. APVMA have also withdrawn dimethoate from the market for a number of commodities and although passionfruit is still able to use it as a post harvest treatment, this
will not be available in the long term for use in the Australian market. 3. The outcome of these assessments will provide industry with comprehensive nutritional information that will be a major advantage for on-going marketing programs. The Passionfruit Executive is meeting on the 24th October and will make a recommendation to the IAC for their consideration regarding this project. You are all part of the Passionfruit industry that the Executive represent so if you have any views about this issue, you have the option to contact your local Executive or any other Executive (see page 2)
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Horticulture Award 2010 Transitional Provisions To apply from first full pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2012- 30 June 2013 All QLD private sector horticulture employers with no workplace agreement *The information Growcom has provided in the tables below is based on advice provided by Fair Work Australia and the Fair Work Ombudsman as at June 2012 Horticulture Award 2010 Clause No.
From 1 July 2012 – 30 June 2013 Horticulture Award 2010 [provisions to be phased in/out at 20% p/a]
14. Minimum Wage Minimum rates payable: Level 1 $15.96 per hour Level 2 $ 16.24 per hour ‘standard rate’ Level 3 $ 16.54 per hour Level 4 $ 16.94 per hour Level 5 $ 17.59 per hour 10.4(b) Casual Loading
Casual loading 24.2% (add to minimum rates Levels 1-5 outlined above) Level 1 casual hourly rate $19.82
15. Pieceworkers
Piece rate ‘loading’ of 15% is not transitional and applies in-full (Clause 15.2) Written agreement between parties (Clause 15.7) Classification levels apply for purpose of calculating piece rate Clause 22 - Hours of Work & rostering, 24 – Overtime, & 24.5 – Meal Allowance do not apply to employees undertaking piecework.
Clause 15.9 dealing with minimum rate of pay for pieceworkers is a transitional matter. The guaranteed minimum piecework rate under pre-modern awards will be phased down to ‘zero’ by 1 July 2014, at a rate of 20% decrease p/a. From 1 July the new guarantee will be 40% of the old guarantee payable under pre-modern awards. For companies and other corporate entities : A casual employee is guaranteed to be paid not less than $7.04 per hour. A permanent employee is guaranteed to be paid not less than $5.72 per hour. For family partnerships, sole traders and other non-corporate entities Casual AND permanent employees are guaranteed to be paid not less than $6.00 per hour. To establish whether a pieceworker’s earnings meet the relevant safety net amount prescribed above, a record of the hours worked by the pieceworker must be kept. This is part of record-keeping requirement under the Fair Work Act & Regulations 2009. 16. Juniors Age % of Adult Rate 50% (Percentage of adult Under 16 years 16 years of age 60% rate of pay) 17 years of age 70% *18 years of age (was 75%) increase to 78% *19 years of age (was 100%) can reduce to 96% 20 and over 100% Transition as follows: Percentage payable for employees aged 18 to 19 will increase to 78% The percentage of adult rate for employees 19 years of age and under 20 may decrease to 96% but Growcom recommends maintaining the 100% level of pay for 19+ year olds as per old award.
The Passion Vine – September 2012 22.1 Ordinary hours of work and rostering This clause only applies to full-time and part-time employees. It does not apply to casual employees
22.2 Shift workers: ordinary hours of work This clause only applies to full-time and part-time employees. It does not apply to casual employees
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152 hours over 4 week period for full-time & part-time employees Ordinary hours to be worked Monday to Friday between 6am and 6pm and will not exceed 8 hours per day. However, a majority of full-time and part-time employees in the work area concerned may agree to include Saturday as ordinary hours and to work outside the 6am-6pm span of hours. If no agreement, all ordinary hours on Saturday [and outside the Mon-Fri span of hours*] will be payable at 150% (excl Sunday) A majority of full-time and part-time employees in the work area concerned may agree to work up to 12 hours a day before overtime rates commence All Hours worked by full-time and part-time employees on a Sunday (including ordinary hours) will be paid for at the rate of 200%
The following applies to full-time or part-time employees undertaking shift work in accordance with clause 22.2 15% full shift loading. Phase in at 9% from 1 July, paid in addition to ordinary hourly wage (Clause 22.2(d) 152 hours over 4 week period to be worked between Monday and Friday only (no ability to include Saturday/Sunday as ordinary hours) All shift work performed beyond 8 hours on any day, excluding Sunday, will be paid for at the rate of 150% All hours of work performed by a shift worker on a Sunday (including ordinary hours) are to be paid at the rate of 200% No capacity for shiftworkers to work outside max 8 hours per day or outside Monday to Friday, without payment of penalties.
24 Overtime New overtime rates (increases or decreases) apply from 1 January 2010 and will not be phased in
All overtime except overtime worked on a Sunday will be paid for at the rate of 150% The rate of pay for overtime worked on a Sunday will be 200% except during harvest period as defined below During the harvest period the first 8 hours of overtime in a week may include 5 hours work on a Sunday at the rate of 150% All other overtime worked on a Sunday is paid for at the rate of 200% Overtime taken as paid time off (on an hour-for-hour basis) unless employee elects to be paid for overtime at the time the overtime is offered to the employee (Clause 24.1)
*NOTE: Clauses of the Modern Award that reference Packing House Employees have been removed. Please ensure you have the most up-to-date version of the Award from the FWA website. 23 Breaks
28.3 Public Holiday rate of pay
200% Meal penalty payable if employee directed to work on recognised meal break (Clause 23.1(b)) Penalty payable where employee has less than 10 hour break between shifts will be 130% of ordinary hourly wage for each hour (clause 23.3 (b)). “Meal Allowance” of $10.98 for each meal missed. [Pre-reform award contained no meal allowance, so can be phased in at rate of $6.59 (60% of full rate) from 1 July 2012 where clause 24.3 applies].
Public Holiday Rate: 220% (public holiday loading decreases from 250% to 200% over 5 years in 20% increments from 1 July 2010 to 1 July 2014)
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Horticulture Award Pay Rates Summary Sheet: 1 July 2012 Applies to all QLD private sector employers without a workplace agreement Effective from the first full pay period commencing on or after 1st July 2012 All rates reflect the wage rates contained in the Horticulture Award 2010 The casual rate includes a loading of 24.2% in lieu of annual leave, personal/carer’s leave, notice of termination, redundancy benefits and the other entitlements of full-time or part-time employment provided for in the Award.
WAGE RATES (Level 1) Level 1 Weekly Level 1 Hourly Level 1 Casual 38 hrs Permanent rate Hourly Includes 24.2% loading from 1 July 2012
Adult Employees (20 yrs & over)
$606.40
$15.96
$19.82
Under 16 yrs = 50% of Adult rate
$303.20
$7.98
$9.91
16 yrs & under 17 yrs = 60% of Adult rate
$363.80
$9.58
$11.90
17 yrs & under 18 yrs = 70% of Adult rate
$424.50
$11.17
$13.87
18 yrs & under 19 yrs = 78% of Adult rate
$473.00
$12.45
$15.46
19 yrs & under 20 yrs = 96% of Adult rate
$582.10
$15.32
$19.03
NB The percentages indicated in bold italics above are transitional amounts which are calculated in accordance with Schedule A - Transitional Provisions of the Horticulture Award 2010. The transitional amounts contained in this document apply from 1 July 2012 until 30 June 2013, when the next phased-in amounts will apply. Annual updates to this summary will be provided to members. Job Classification and Wage Rates (See Cls 14.1(a) and Schedule B Classification Structure and Definitions) *the rates contained below are transitional and apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013. Level
$ Weekly $ Hourly
Level 1
606.40
15.96
Level 2
617.30
16.24
Level 3
628.40
16.54
Level 4
643.70
16.94
Level 5
668.60
17.59
CASUAL – (Cls 10.4) Ordinary hours of work are the lesser of an average of 38 hours per week or the hours required to be worked by the employer. A loading of 24.2% is payable on each hour (increasing each year to 25% by 1 July 2014) PART-TIME – (Cls 10.3(a)) Employed to work fewer than 38 hours per week and receives pro-rata, equivalent pay and conditions as permanent employees. FULL TIME – (Cls 10.2) Engaged to work an average of 38 ordinary hours per week averaged at 152 hours over 4 weeks.
Leading Hand Allowance (Cls 17.1a) Employee in charge of:
$ Per Week
2-6 Employees
18.68
7-10 Employees
21.76
11.20 Employees
31.02
20 + Employees
38.98
The Passion Vine – September 2012
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The Passion Vine – September 2012
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