The Passion Vine Winter 2024

Driving Greater Awareness and Demand for Tropical Fruit in Australia

We are a grower-focused and consumer-driven fresh produce marketing group that connects consumers with growers and growers with markets across Australia. We offer a whole of group solution and specialise in national & independent retail sales, traditional wholesale markets and food service. Our unique and integrated service model provides a whole of crop model backed by associated logistics, ripening and pre-packing services. Our business footprint offers a choice of market access in all states.

Committed to growing fresh produce categories through innovative marketing solutions. Transparent and competitive on all costs associated with marketing our grower's produce. Investment in farms and farmers through new variety development and other support services.

Development of new products to increase market penetration and grower returns Our model offers lower operating costs, delivering better returns to our growers. A true whole-of-crop sales solution

Proven results in grower sales and value.

Offer a choice of market access in all states, with extensive distribution in retail, wholesale and food service sectors.

Administration & Membership Enquiries

email admin@passionfruitaustralia.org.au | web www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au

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, the Editor or Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (Hort Innovation). 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, the Editor or Hort Innovation. Hort Innovation and Passionfruit Australia make 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 or Passionfruit Australia is entirely at your own risk.

Hort Innovation and Passionfruit Australia are 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 any Hort Innovation, Passionfruit Australia 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 or Passionfruit Australia provides to you by any other means.

Copyright © Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited 2024. 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: Level 7, 141 Walker Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia E: communications@horticulture.com.au P: 02 8295 2300

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.

President's Report

Dennis Chant, New South Wales

Passionfruit Australia Inc (PAI) is pleased to publish the second annual edition of your industry magazine, The Passion Vine. The publication is a strategic levy investment, under the project ‘Passionfruit industry communications program (PF22001)’ part of the Hort Innovation Passionfruit Fund.

PAI is a grower representative body and seeks to understand the key factors underpinning the sustainability of our industry and to influence program delivery to equip our stakeholders with the tools to respond to the constantly changing economic, political and natural environments.

As with our colleagues and the other horticultural industries, and agriculture more generally, passionfruit growers are experiencing what could be described as a perfect storm of factors influencing the sustainability of our businesses. Conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe are complicating our input supply chains with significant increases in the costs of fuel and essentials such as fertilisers and other farm chemicals. These factors are compounded by home-grown inflationary factors related to higher employment, transport and energy costs.

Some of these costs are more transparent than others. An example of unexplained cost increases is the experience of our own business with increased insurance premiums. Whilst we did not increase the replacement value of the plant and fixed assets, the overall premium increased by 11.6%. This necessitated closer examination and whilst it was found that the base premium increased by 7.7%, the NSW Emergency Services Levy (on which GST is added) and the NSW Stamp Duty increased by 27.3% and 68.7% respectively. Many readers would have experienced similar increases in charges levied by all levels of government.

Unfortunately, our consumers are becoming increasingly cautious on how they spend their money. One result is that the price received for our product does not compensate for the earlier mentioned cost increases. PAI is conscious of how little influence we, as producers, have on these macro-environmental factors.

To this end, we have been working on fostering programs that enable growers to improve practices that they can control, fundamentally to do more with less.

Under the Resilient Passionfruit Program presented by PAI with the assistance of Queensland Government funding, two workshops were held last year in Bundaberg and Sunshine Coast. The overall objective of the workshops was to help growers initiate farming practices that improve the quality of water run-off from farms entering Great Barrier Reef waters whilst focusing on soil health to increase farm productivity.

At more recent field days, presenters highlighted the benefits of introducing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices whilst again optimising the use of expensive chemical controls. This theme will be continued in future workshops and under a new Queensland Government funded program, Passionfruit Farmers Working Together to Improve Water Quality with more details to be found on PAGE 30.

As highlighted in the last edition of The Passion Vine, biosecurity is also becoming a major consideration in the sustainable operation of our farming enterprises. In the last two years, PAI has been actively engaged with other horticultural industries in response to the Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) incursion. As then foreshadowed, consultation is required with industry to seek agreement on implementing a levy program to cover costs incurred in fulfilling its responsibilities under various biosecurity agreements. PAI will engage extensively with industry as a precursor to the introduction of any biosecurity levy.

In closing I would like to express PAI’s appreciation to all who have contributed to programs and communications that are focussed on enhancing the sustainability of the Passionfruit industry.

Please enjoy reading this edition of your journal and, as always, we welcome your feedback on how we can make our communications program relevant to your needs.

Update: Passionfruit from Vietnam

Heidi Nash

As most of you are aware Passionfruit Australia Inc. was involved with the consultation period of the ‘Passionfruit from Vietnam’ Risk Analysis.

This included inviting the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to speak with growers at three of our events. As well as attending several meetings with DAFF during the process, we have also been in constant communication with our members, through emails and via Passiflora News, our e-newsletter. It was great to see our members provide advice and considerations to the biosecurity team. PAI also put in a submission to DAFF on behalf of members.

The ‘Passionfruit from Vietnam: biosecurity import requirements’ final report was released in March this year and recommends that the importation of commercially produced passionfruit to Australia from all commercial production areas of Vietnam can be permitted, subject to a range of biosecurity requirements.

The final report identifies 12 pests associated with passionfruit from Vietnam that require risk management measures to reduce the biosecurity risk to an acceptable level.

These pests are:

• false spider mites: Brevipalpus phoenicis species complex

• fruit flies: Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis), melon fly (Zeugodacus cucurbitae) and pumpkin fruit fly (Zeugodacus tau)

• mealybug: Pacific mealybug (Planococcus minor)

• scale insects: dictyospermum scale (Chrysomphalus dictyospermi), mulberry scale (Pseudaulacaspis pentagona) and West Indian red scale (Selenaspidus articulatus)

• spider mite: Tetranychus piercei

• thrips: melon thrips (Thrips palmi), cotton thrips (Frankliniella schultzei species complex) and chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis)

Of these 12 pests:

• eleven are quarantine pests, of which 3 are also regulated articles, including:

◦ melon thrips and cotton thrips, which were also identified as regulated articles as they are capable of harbouring and spreading emerging orthotospoviruses that are quarantine pests for Australia

◦ false spider mites, which were also identified as regulated articles as they are capable of vectoring viruses that are quarantine pests for Australia. However, there are no reports of the quarantine viruses vectored by false spider mites being present in Vietnam. Therefore, the regulated article aspect of false spider mites is not applicable to the passionfruit from Vietnam pathway.

• one is a non-quarantine pest (chilli thrips) but is identified as a regulated article as it is capable of harbouring and spreading quarantine orthotospoviruses

The final report recommends risk management measures, combined with an operational system, to ensure biosecurity standards are met.

The recommended risk management measures, together with the operational system, will reduce the risks posed by the 12 identified pests to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia.

These measures are:

• for fruit flies:

◦ pest free areas, pest free places of production or pest free production sites; or

◦ fruit treatment considered to be effective against fruit flies, such as irradiation

• for false spider mites, mealybug, scale insects, spider mite and thrips:

◦ pre-export visual inspection, and if found, remedial action.

The final report and more information about this risk analysis are available on the DAF website: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/ policy/risk-analysis/plant/passionfruit-from-vietnam

To speak to DAFF about the report, contact the Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division. Telephone: 1800 900 090 (when prompted select option 1 then option 1) or via Email: imports@aff.gov.au

Regional Reports

Far North Queensland:

Cynthia and Dale Barbagallo, Packed with Passion, Mareeba

Hello again from Far North Queensland!

FAR

NORTH

QLD

MAREEBA, DAINTREE, COOKTOWN

As I am sure most of you are aware, this last wet season has been record-breaking, with some areas in North Queensland receiving metres of rain in just days. The extraordinary flooding event caused by Cyclone Jasper in December inundated homes and businesses, and significantly impacted agriculture in the region. It was catastrophic for many people, some losing their homes and belongings and isolating whole communities. Some unfortunate families are still without homes and possessions, and repairs to roads and infrastructure is still ongoing, and I regret to say will be ongoing for many more months to come.

This unexpected and disastrous event adversely affected growing conditions and resulted in flower and fruit loss, topped off by limited supply routes to our major selling outlets. Growers had to work around soils inundated with the unprecedented rainfall and some areas were unable to dry out for months. With limited or no access into orchards, coupled with the wet and humid conditions, most growers were unable to apply preventative applications and resulting fungal attacks took hold of orchards. The aftermath of the saturated soils has played to the rise in soil borne diseases in passionfruit, avocado and citrus orchards across the region, which does not come as a big surprise, despite the dismay.

Now that the cooler and drier months have set in, we hope that growers can recover, and vines will start producing well for the upcoming peak season.

On our farm we are seeing below average growth, flowering, and fruit set for vines of this age. And I have no doubt that the soils will take time to recuperate from the ridiculous volume of rain we received in the last 6 months. We will however persevere. Until next time, good luck for the new season and happy growing!

Wide Bay:

Sarah & Jason Meiers, Meiers Tropical Plantation

Hi all!

Here in the Bundaberg area, we’ve had two weather extremes; for the seven months before the end of November we couldn’t buy a shower and then from the start of December, we had a huge amount of wet days with also a lot of cloud cover. We always say if you can’t get sun in Bundaberg, we feel sorry for the rest of you!

Warm nights continued later than normal in autumn, but when it changed it did so very quickly resulting in very slow growth in the hothouse.

Our newer varieties of vines are looking good with a lot of growth and a lot of setting happening now, (late June), and this should only increase as they shed their load in the coming weeks.

Progress to rebuild Paradise Dam has been very slow, although we are not expecting it to be finished within the next few years, we are at least hoping maybe it will be finished by the time the grandkids are farmers! With the massive expansion of Macadamia nut production in our region, there will be big pressure on our water resources going forward. In the meantime, we welcome any rain that heads our way! Best of luck for the coming season to all growers. From the Meiers family

SUNSHINE COAST

GYMPIE TO GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS

Sunshine Coast: Brad & Hanna Millard, Beenham Valley Passions

Mother Nature continues to challenge us with unpredictable weather patterns this year. The start of May saw the fruit start to produce well after a long run of hot, humid weather over the summer period. This was then followed by rainy and cloudy days for most of the Autumn months. Fruit quality has gradually picked up and some of the newer varieties are displaying promising volumes and taste, even over the challenging winter months. Keeping disease out of the newer varieties has been somewhat difficult with regular testing and spraying needed. We even had a few weeks of fruit sucking moth losing roughly one third of our pick each day to damaged fruit.

The second and third year vines have taken the brunt of the disease this year also. Our sweetheart vines struggled through the earlier part of the year, producing large quantities of smaller fruit which is not ideal. On a more positive note, the various trails and varieties on our farm have managed to crop at different times, allowing for an even spread of production and a steady flow of fruit for the market. Currently our Flamencos and Swancos are enjoying the weather with the fruit quality and production high and taste fabulous. We hope the weather is kind and wish all the growers good luck in the coming months.

Northern NSW: Dennis Chant, AD & JL Chant

NORTHERN NSW

TWEED VALLEY

Passionfruit production in the Northern New South Wales region over the last 12-24 months has been challenging as a result of extremely variable weather conditions and the lack of a viable variety to the previously regional stalwart ‘Sweetheart’. Weather patterns over the last few years have produced record rainfall in 2022. Then 2023 was the driest year we have recorded in our 20 years in this location while there have been rain events on 56% of days in 2024 so far. The drier year in 2023 did give growers some respite from the disease pressures built up during the record wet of 2022. New vines were showing the benefits of this change until a return to persistent rain periods this year.

Speaking to a number of local growers however, they do report production improvements this year over the preceding two years. There were widespread reports in the Tweed region of persistent flower drops over summer. It was generally agreed that the most likely cause of this was the unusually high overnight temperatures experienced during the season. The advent of cooler weather resulted in significantly improved fruit set. Many growers have moved away from the ‘Sweetheart’ variety and have trialled a number of new ones developed privately in the absence of viable alternatives arising from the industry’s investment in the long running breeding project. Feedback from growers indicates that they have had mixed success with the new varieties, but some are showing more promise than others under local conditions. While production appears to be improving, NNSW growers share the uncertain economic circumstances that currently challenge the whole industry and agriculture more generally. As always, we look forward to improved outcomes and wish all growers the best of luck for the coming season.

Western Australia: Thea Walker, Seven Days Farm

Hello from Western Australia! Once again it has been another successful year over here in the west, however, similar to the rest of Australia, we have not been without our challenges. The summer of 2024 was an unusually dry summer for the southwest region, with limited rainfall since October. These drought-like conditions resulted in numerous days over 40°C, with the warmer weather extending right throughout our autumn season and causing the bulk of the crop to ripen during April. Despite this, the West Australian market held up fairly well and size, yields and prices still met expectations for growers.

The warmer weather also led to a reduction of fungal issues over the summer period which can often be a challenge in our climate, and enabled young spring plantings to thrive, with these now well on their way to producing their first crop later in the year. After a late break to the season in the beginning of June, the rain has finally begun to refill dams and relieve some stress in horticultural producers across the southwest. Now that winter has well and truly set in, we are seeing our autumn crop come to its close as it becomes too cold for the fruit to continue ripening. Growers are looking forward to beginning pruning, planting and preparing for the spring crop as soon as this cold spell is over, however, until then, while us West Aussies take a well-earned break, we wish the rest of the country the best for their winter season!

New varieties deliver a burst of juice, pulp and sensational taste New varieties burst into the market

Article provided by Jetbest Group

Jetbest Group in partnership with Oz Pash are proud to launch the next generation of passionfruit, Passion Burst™. Bursting with juice, flavour and a sensational taste profile, Passion Burst™ is fast becoming a consumer favourite.

The new variety is the carefully nurtured result of years of investment and hard work in creating a breeding program focussed on refining agronomic characteristics and crop performance. This leadingedge innovation is producing significant volumes of the improved passionfruit variety to maximise the opportunity to reinvigorate the market and excite consumers with a delicious new offer.

The new varieties named Passion Burst™ are characterised by heavy fruit with sensational flavour, juice, pulp and a delicious eating experience. Since being introduced to the central produce markets in Sydney and Brisbane, the variety has quickly gained market share and further supported the partnerships’ vision to bring increased volumes to market.

The Jetbest Oz Pash partnership now includes 22 commercial growers based between Northern New South Wales and Far North Queensland. For growers, Passion Burst™ provides the Australian passionfruit industry with a long term, sustainable whole of crop product suitable for retailers, central markets, food service and processing customers.

Connecting growers to consumers delivers better outcomes for all, and while Australian consumption of passionfruit remains steady with only 14% of households purchasing on average 3.5 times per year* Passionfruit Burst™ is expected to drive additional consumption by delighting consumers, who once they try them, will love them!

On the way to profitable varieties for the Australian Industry: PF22000 National Passionfruit Breeding & Evaluation Program Update

Dr Mobashwer Alam (m.alam@uq.edu.au), Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland Australia (UQ)

The National Passionfruit Breeding and Evaluation Program (PF22000) - funded by Hort Innovation, using the Passionfruit research and development levies and contributions from the Australian Government and led by Dr Mobashwer with a research team of Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation staff at UQ - has just passed the one-year mark. With the aim of developing high performing and profitable - purple and Panama varieties for Australian passionfruit growers, over the last year, the project team conducted several research activities.

Germplasm collection and expansion and arboretum establishment

Since the commencement of PF22000, the project team has been working with Hort Innovation to transfer existing germplasm and data from the previous program (PF19000) at Southern Cross University to the current program at the University of Queensland. Material transfer took longer than expected. In December 2023 and January 2024, we got access to the germplasm site at Alstonville, but most of the accessions were dead (Figure 1a). Shoot tips from 10 accessions were collected and propagated. We received a seed gene bank of around 500 accessions, including selfed/open pollinated seeds from germplasm and hand crossed bi-parental families. Germplasm seeds are being germinated in a controlled environment at Nambour. If any accession doesn’t germinate, we will use an alternative method of germination to save the germplasm.

To enrich our genetic resources, we initiated collection of accessions from local growers, wild populations, national and international sources. We have collected plants/seeds of 47 accessions from a USA seed bank, 51 from an European seed bank, 10 from Australian online sources, 30 (varieties and feral) from Passionfruit growers (Jim Gordon, Keith Paxton, Shelley Gage, Jim Woods, and DT) and feral sources (Sharon Jones). We had a discussion with South African Passionfruit breeder, Mr Johan Husselman, (Figure 1c) with a possibility of exchanging germplasm.

On 17 May 2024, we met Professors and researchers from the Federal University of Vicosa, Brazil and discussed a potential opportunity of germplasm transfer in Australia. This year, we are going to organise a collaboration meeting with Chinese scientists aiming to broaden our germplasm collection. Over the next two years, through a PhD program at Murdoch University, we aim to DNA sequence all the accessions in Australian germplasm. This will help us in establishing an efficient breeding program in Australia.

To maintain the germplasm for future use, we established two arboreta; one at the Nambour Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) facility and another one at Keith Paxton’s orchard in Woombye (Figure 1b). Forty-eight clonally propagated germplasm were planted at the QDAF site and 19 at Woombye.

Progeny generation and field trials

Last year, we conducted five parental hand crossings. In total, we generated around 800 new progeny from nine families, planted 200 of these at trial sites in Yandina and Nambour. We continued generating new progeny. Around 600 progeny will be planted in October 2024 at the Nambour and Woombye trial sites.

A replicate clonal trial was established at Keith Paxton’s trial orchard at Woombye. Three elite selections from the previous breeding program (collected from Jim Gordon) along with three industry standards were planted in November 2023.

We have been generating data from this trial through a PhD program funded by The University of Queensland (Figure 2b). A field day was arranged at this trial and growers provided their opinion of each accession (Figure 2a). We will collect data for another year and analyse data in 2025 aiming to have a discussion meeting on variety release in 2026.

Staff and student recruitment

For smooth running of this project, a part time postdoctoral fellow (Dr Patrick Mason) was recruited in June 2024. The fellow will be assisting in conducting crossing, propagating materials, planting trials and collecting data from the trials (Figure 3). A UQ funded PhD student has commenced her study on 1 July 2024. The student is working on developing an efficient breeding strategy for passionfruit variety selection. The student will also offer support to solve some key industry problems, such as reduction of fruit size and plant vigour, susceptibility to diseases, blind tipping etc.

Other activities carried out in the past year

• Organised project reference group meeting

• Presented at two industry workshops

• Presented at one international conference

c)

Figure 1. a) Passionfruit germplasm trial at Alstonville (PF19000); b) Establishment of germplasm site; c) meeting with South African passionfruit breeder, Mr Johan Husselman (Second from the left). Photo credits: Dr Mo, UQ

Figure 2. a) Field visit of a progeny trial by scientist from the university of Queensland, Murdoch University and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries; b) UQ PhD student Ms Xinhang Sun harvesting fruits from one of the promising accessions. c) Passionfruit field day at Woombye. Photo credits: Dr Mo, UQ

3. a) Passionfruit seedling progeny and germplasm in the glass house at Nambour; b) Dr Patrick Mason (Post-doctoral Research Fellow) and Ms Xinhang Sun (PhD student) are managing plants in the nursery.

credits: Dr Mo, UQ

a)

b)

Figure

Photo

a)

c)

b)

Arbour Grove has lots to offer all growing regions

Megan Crowhurst, Arbour Grove Nursery

Based in Woombye on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Arbour Grove Nursery is a proud product of many years of growing and breeding passionfruit. Owned and operated by Dave and Megan Crowhurst, the nursery specialises in tropical, sub-tropical, and rare fruit trees and vines that will thrive in their next destination.

These are the varieties of passionfruit that are currently on offer:

PREFERRED CLIMATE

Sub-tropical and tropical

Sub-tropical or warm temperate

Sub-tropical or warm temperate

Tropical, Sub-tropical or warm temperate

Tropical, Sub-tropical or warm temperate

Sub-tropical or warm temperate

Sub-tropical or Tropical

PLANT PROPAGATION Grafted Grafted Grafted Grafted Grafted Grafted Seed

Misty Gem Sweet heart ED19 Flamenco Nova Sensation Panama Pandora

MISTY GEM

Known to be one of the tastiest of all passionfruit varieties, the pulp varies in colour from bright yellow to pumpkin orange and has many small, hard black seeds. The outer skin is true purple. The flavour is refreshing. Strong grafted variety grown in northern Queensland down to Bundaberg.

SWEETHEART

A very sweet fruit. A vibrant yellow pulp and deep purple skin, fruits are highly sought after due to the productivity of vines and are one of the highest yielding purple passionfruit selections. A commercial selection that has been in the industry for over two decades.

ED19

ED19 is a beautiful, sweet fruit with a dark purple shell. This sweetheart selection is a vigorous vine and a great producer in southeast Queensland and Northern NSW.

FLAMENCO

A medium fruit grown in all regions. A variety that can be ground harvested and vine picked at times. Heavy cropping fruit with beautiful purple shell and sweet taste. A grafted variety that has been grown now in the industry for over 10 years.

NOVA

This new selection has a sweet and tropical flavour. A grafted and vigorous growing vine that produces large and heavy pulp-filled sweet fruit. Growing for three years in southeast Queensland with great success.

SENSATION

This hybrid variety has good production with an exceptional winter crop. Produces huge levels of nice sized fruit. Light green coloured foliage with good vigour. Extremely sweet flavoured all year round, its paler colour identifies this outstanding passionfruit that people can’t stop eating. Grown in southeast Queensland and New South Wales.

PANAMA PANDORA

An excellent selection that is vigorous. Fruit is purple/red skinned, large and sweet with a superb flavour. This is the leading variety grown in northern Queensland to southeast Queensland. Heavy cropping and self-pollinating.

To discuss which variety would suit your growing conditions or to find out more about the ordering process, please contact Megan Crowhurst : mobile 0417 622 908 / web arbourgrovenursery.com.au

PASSIONFRUIT ABOUT Passionate

As soon as you visit the nursery, you can’t help but be impressed by Megan and Dave’s enthusiasm and professionalism.

Having been involved in all aspects of the passionf ruit industry for many years, Megan knows what is needed and expected by growers.

Arbour Grove nursery takes great pride in supplying quality plants.

Member Profile: Growing Cool Climate Passionfruit in Western Australia

Thea Walker

My name is Thea Walker and together with my family, we run a mixed horticultural and livestock farm in the Southern Forests region of Western Australia, approximately 300 km south of Perth.

Traditionally a tobacco, apple and vegetable farm, we have diversified over the past 15 years and are currently producing three very different crops – avocados, passionfruit and truffles.

Whilst the southwest of WA may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of growing tropical fruit such as avocados and passionfruit, our very unique climate allows these crops to thrive alongside cold and frost loving crops such as truffles.

Our journey to passionfruit began seven years ago when we were looking for a profitable and fast-growing crop to replace apples and figs under hail netting. After seeing other farmers in the region successfully growing the ‘Sunshine Special’ variety, we planted our first 200 vines on the original apple trellis and have had several more plantings since. Whilst growing under netting does have its own set of challenges such as fungal problems due to the increased humidity, it has been successful in helping reduce frost and sunburn risk, and thus improving our fruit quality and the plant’s ability to thrive in a cooler climate.

The Western Australian passionfruit industry produces two crops per year, with the main crop occurring in autumn and a smaller but often high value crop in spring, allowing us to supply fruit to the market often outside the rest of the country. Whilst the colder climate can often mean it takes an extra year for our vines to reach maximum production in comparison to those grown in more tropical regions, our region is unique in that our vines remain productive and only need replacing every six to seven years.

Currently, the Sunshine Special variety is the most common cold tolerant variety commercially grown in the southwest of WA and is harvested off the ground rather than picked off the vine. This exposes the fruit to skin blemishes when falling as well as becoming a laborious task to pick up. Fortunately, our farm has been supplying seconds passionfruit to Mitchell and Jen from Willarra Gold in Manjimup, over the past few years, who have found innovative ways to value add these “imperfect” fruit to ensure there is minimal waste in the industry.

As passionfruit is still a relatively new industry in Western Australia, it is a focus of ours at Seven Days Farm, as well as of other growers in the region, to work towards creating a sustainable industry going forwards. Over the next few years, we are working to generate multiple variety and rootstock trials with the aim to find or develop suitable cold tolerant genetics for our climate that will help to increase our yields, extend our growing season, ripen on the vine, reduce genetic risk and help to grow the West Australian passionfruit industry overall.

Even though there are limited growers in Western Australia, it is the collaboration and the sharing of knowledge which has allowed our industry to thrive so far.

Whilst I have not been a part of the industry for as long as many of you, I look forward to getting to know you all, expanding my knowledge and building relationships with like-minded growers.

The passionfruit industry in Australia is a very exciting one, with huge potential and I feel fortunate to be a part of its future.

Thea and father Jim Walker are growing the “Sunshine Special’ variety on their mixed horticulture farm at Manjimup south of Perth in Western Australia. Photo credit: Craig Kinder Photography

Passionfruit Field Days Visiting the Fields this Year!

Heidi Nash

What a great year for field days! We have had a blast wandering through the farms and enjoying a yarn together.

The Northern Rivers NSW event was held on 20 October, 2023, with a field walk, workshop, and the Passionfruit Australia Inc Annual General Meeting. This day, held just outside of Murwillumbah, offered a unique opportunity for growers and industry stakeholders to connect and explore the latest developments in passionfruit farming.

The day commenced with Association members and Industry associates gathering at Ian & David Constable's farm in Dulguigan, NSW. We heard from Matthew Moyle (Nufarm) as he spoke about Intervene®, a new fungicide being trialled for use on passionfruit. Guests enjoyed some morning tea and then set off on a guided field walk around the Constables' farm, a highlight of which was the viewing of some new passionfruit varieties currently being trialled.

Following the field walk, we made our way to Tumbulgum Hall, where a refreshing lunch awaited. The afternoon session featured presentations from two speakers. Dr. Mobashwer Alam from the levyfunded UQ Passionfruit National Breeding Program (PF22000) shared insights into the current breeding program and advancements shaping the future of passionfruit farming. Steve Fuller from Bee Services Australia spoke on alternate crop pollination, a topic of growing importance in the industry.

The event culminated with the Annual General Meeting, where the Passionfruit Australia Inc. committee was announced. The committee's composition reflects a diverse and dedicated group of individuals committed to advancing the passionfruit industry in Australia.

We then met at the Tumbulgum Tavern, where Lindsay Rural and Shoobridge Transport put on refreshments to round out the day. Thank you for your generous sponsorship.

The Sunshine Coast field day was held on 19 April at the Agostinelli’s farm in Beerburrum. We had a great turnout with just under 30 attendees! Jarod and Naomi were wonderful hosts, escorting guests on a field walk to see the different varieties they have on the farm. They gave growers an idea of how much passionfruit was being produced as well as talking about how they had dealt with concerning environmental factors.

Growers came from far and wide, the Sunny Coast, Gympie, NSW, even as far as Western Australia! After the farm walk and some handmade scones with jam, we set off to the workshop part of the day, in Beerwah. Reannan from Nufarm presented on a new fungicide, Intervene®. Intervene® has been showing promising results in trials on a few of our grower’s farms but is not yet formally approved for use in Passionfruit. Dan Papacek from Bugs for Bugs talked to us about beneficial bugs and integrated pest management. Dr Anne Sawyer presented on her research using RNA interference in plants to protect them from fungal viruses.

Megan and Dave Crowhurst from Arbour Grove shared some information on their varieties and passed around some of their delicious passionfruit for all to try!

Once we were all filled up with Subway sandwiches and passionfruit, we moved on to our last destination, Keith and Judy Paxton’s farm in Woombye. At the Paxton’s farm we met Dr Mobashwer Alam, who took us around to see the vines he has been working on through the National Passionfruit Breeding program. Dr Mo set guests to work with clipboards and pencils to give their experienced opinions on the vines so far.

The field days were an absolute blast, with many laughs had along the way! We look forward to yet another year of adventures amongst the passionfruit vines!

Northern Rivers NSW | Field Day, Workshop & AGM

Matthew Moyle from Nufarm talks to attendees about a new fungicide being trialled in passionfruit called Intervene.

Photo credit: Sacha Harty

Ian Constable gave a guided tour of the farm just outside Murwillumbah in NNSW. Photo credit: Sacha Harty

Sunshine Coast QLD | Field Day

At the Tumbulgum Hall, Dr Mo from UQ gave an update on the breeding program and then the Passionfruit Australia Inc AGM was held. Photo credit: Sacha Harty

Left: ISM Heidi Nash chats with attendees at the Beerburrum field day. Right: The Beerburrum field day was generously hosted by Jarod and Naomi Agostinelli. Photo credit: Passionfruit Australia

Growers and industry stakeholders

come together for a group photo in the field. Photo credit: Passionfruit Australia

PAI President Dennis Chant welcomes attendees to the day. Photo credit: Passionfruit Australia

Earliest Harvest Da te(EHD) Withholding Period (WHP)

MINOR USE PERMITS

PER87164 Version 3 30 Sep 2028

PER12781 Version 4 30 Apr 2028 Dimethoate

Max Use 3 x Season E HD 1 Day

Anthracnose & Septoria Spot 40 mL per 100 L water or 50 g per 100 L water

Permit & Expiry Date Cabrio® (Pyraclostrobin)

N/A

Postharvest Use Only

Follow instructions on the permit

Post-harvest dip or flood spray Various Fruit Fly species

Follow instructions on the permit N/A Non-Harvest Use Only

Orchard cleanup Fruit Fly host crops following harvest Fruit Fly

PER89870 Version 2 31 Jul 2025

PER88379 Version 2 31 Dec 2028

PER90591 Version 2 31 Jul 2027

Max Use 4 x Season No W HP*

Max Use 1 x Season EHD 3 Days

mL per 100 L water

PER13859 Version 3 30 Jun 2025 Entrust® Fall Armyworm

Max Use 2 x Season EHD 1 Day

mL per 100 L water

Passionvine Mite & Two-spotted Mite

Etoxazole is not effective as an adulticide treatment, and where large numbers of adults are present, it is recommended that a miticide from a different mode of action (MoA) group be used to control adults immediately. Fenbutatin Oxide (Miticide) Passionvine Mite & Two-spotted Mite 40 mL per 100 L water Where biological control of Two-spotted Mite is being practiced –20 mL per 100 L water

Version

* when used as directed 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 at the APVMA website port al: portal.apvma.gov.au/permits or at www.infopest.com.au . If you believe you have had a non-performance or an adverse experience following use under a Minor Use Permit, please report it using the online portal found at https://portal.apvma.gov.au/aerpexternal/welcome.htm . A ‘non-performance’ is an unintended or unexpected effect on plants, plant products, animals, human beings or the environment, including injury, sensitivity reactions or lack of efficacy associated with the use of an agricultural chemical product(s) when used according to label (or permit) directions.

Meet Chris Boston: Growing Passionfruit in Carnarvon, Western Australia

Jane Richter

In April this year, I had the privilege to visit PAI members Chris and son Markham Boston at their farm in Carnarvon, WA. Chris was originally born in Greenwich, UK in 1935 and came to Australia back in 1985. He is a very well-travelled man having spent 20 years in New Guinea, amongst other places. Chris is married with three adult children; Sasha, Markham and Saxon.

Markham is a successful artist with several mural commissions around the Carnarvon area to his name as well as being a highly experienced hot air balloon pilot. Daughter Sasha is an Occupational Therapist based in Perth and son Saxon is a local businessman. Chris has been in the Carnarvon district for 40 years. His first farm was growing bananas when Chris purchased it, but as he was doing all the work himself he quickly switched to a less labour intensive crop and starting growing Jojoba after researching it in the USA (California). At one point, Chris was producing 95% of Australia’s jojoba oil with a cold press on site processing the oil from the seeds. Jojoba oil and wax are produced from the seeds and used for medicine and in cosmetics and skincare products.

“I’d had 20 years in New Guinea of being the boss telling other people to do the work and suddenly I had to do it all myself,” explains Chris.

He then also started a chook-farm at the site with 10,000 chickens at its peak producing fresh eggs. Chris also bought a second farm in Carnavon which was being run by his eldest son Saxon growing asparagus, for sale into the wholesale markets as well as direct to a number of high-quality restaurants through a former-farmer friend based in Perth.

Back in the mid 2000’s, his wife decided it was time for him to slow down and retire having just turned 70 and so he sold the chook farm site and moved into town for a slower pace of life.

Eighteen months in to ‘retirement’ he was thoroughly bored and son Saxon had ambitious plans for an earthmoving business, so the pair swapped with Chris coming back onto the farm.

At around the same time, his younger son Markham joined his father at the farm in Carnarvon. Up until COVID struck Markham had been an international hot air balloon pilot having flown in Africa, UK, NZ and Australia.

The current farm site is 25 acres and was all asparagus but it’s a crop which requires a lot of water and is very labour intensive being all picked, sorted and packed by hand.

Chris highlights what a challenge it is to employ workers these days with successive governments having placed such a burden on farmers. As one of Chris’s friends likes to say, its like the politicians have their heads in the clouds and their hands in your pockets. Many growers will relate to that sentiment, I’m sure.

Chris wanted something to do once he had moved back out to the farm and as he had always kept chickens before, he set up a chicken enclosure to produce eggs and decided to try his hand at growing some passionfruit.

Chris has now been growing passionfruit for about 2 ½ years with his plants coming from Bunnings as the only available source of material in his part of the country. He has planted ‘Panama Red’ currently although some of the plants don’t seem to be producing fruit that matches the label! He originally had some Nelly Kelly plants too, but they didn’t suit the climate and went feral rather than being productive!

Only about 20% of the fruit produced actually gets to market as he grades very hard to remove blemished or damaged fruit. Once collected the whole fruit is cooled before being packed and sent to the Perth markets alongside the farms’ asparagus crop. The reject fruit are pulped with the resulting fruit product being supplied to the restaurants serviced by the direct asparagus sales channel. The transit time from Carnarvon to Perth is only 1 day and the farm sits directly across the road from a chilled transport company.

Chris Boston’s passionfruit is one in a very long line of interesting projects that he has been involved in over the years. His engineering expertise is perfectly exemplified by the laundry management system transporting clothes from the house upstairs to the laundry downstairs! Photo credit: Jane Richter

Chris and I had a good discussion about growing techniques, disease identification and plant nutrition as he was unaware about some of the peculiarities of passionfruit and its insatiable appetite for potassium to generate good flowering and fruit set. I was also able to share copies of the industry grading guides which also help with basic pest and disease identification.

Harking back to some of his time spent in the highlands of New Guinea where he grew Arabica coffee, the idea of growing Robusta coffee has got Chris very excited and that will likely be his next project as long as he can secure the seed he needs.

This is a man that clearly cannot sit still for a moment, much to his wife’s chagrin I suspect! Evidence of his ingenuity and engineering prowess are everywhere with a shining example being the laundry management system using a giant pulley wheel to transport dirty clothes down to the laundry below the house and clean clothes back up.

I could have stayed for hours listening to Chris’s life story and I certainly left with the feeling that he has many more exciting projects in him yet.

Thank you Chris & Markham for welcoming us onto your farm.

About Carnarvon

In Carnarvon, the summers are short, hot, muggy, extremely windy, and mostly clear; the winters are comfortable, windy, and clear; and it is dry year-round. Carnarvon sits at the mouth of the Gascoyne River which is the longest river in Australia. It is said to be an "upside-down river", because it flows normally for about 120 days of the year and below the dry riverbed for the remainder of the year. It is, in effect, a huge water storage system with the river aquifer lying below the desert sands.

The Carnarvon Horticulture District is one of the most productive in Western Australia for horticulture, producing a wide variety of fruit and vegetable crops including but not limited to bananas, table grapes, mangoes, melons, tomatoes, capsicums and green beans.

Passionfruit on Gardening Australia!

Heidi Nash

It was a big day for passionfruit on Friday 5 July! Passionfruit Australia was on display at the Queensland Garden Expo held in Nambour from 4-7 July. Our wonderful committee member Megan and husband Dave Crowhurst met with Costa Georgiadis from Gardening Australia!

Costa recorded a piece to be aired on the show and over 1200 samples were handed out to expo guests to taste the passionfruit on display. Thank you, Megan and Dave, for getting out there and promoting this fantastic fruit!

Can’t wait to see passionfruit on Gardening Australia!

Megan & Dave Crowhurst from Arbour Grove Nursery won ‘Best Greenstock Display’ at the Queensland Garden Expo held in Nambour from 4–7 July. Photo credit: Megan Crowhurst

The Gardening Australia team filmed a segment showing off the delicious fruit on offer from trees and vines sold by Arbour Grove Nursery. Photo credit: Megan Crowhurst

Costa Georgiadis from ABC’s Gardening Australia loved the fresh passionfruit on display.

Photo credit: Megan Crowhurst

Australian passionfruit growers doing their bit for Reef water quality

Queensland

Fruit & Vegetable Growers

Australia produces around 5,000 tonnes of passionfruit annually from major growing regions in the Tweed Valley in northern New South Wales, and along the Queensland coast including the Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay, Daintree, Cooktown and Mareeba, and new regions in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

With many of these east coast regions in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchment, the passionfruit industry has an important stewardship role to play in contributing to Reef water quality improvements.

For the past decade, the Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG), through our project delivery arm Growcom, has been supporting growers within the GBR catchment to benchmark nutrient, pesticide, irrigation, and sediment management practices to identify risks to Reef water quality, and support growers in making improvements to reduce those risks and improve their business productivity.

The horticulture industry has been very active -collectively more than 41,000 hectares has been benchmarked using Hort360, the best management practice (BMP) platform developed specifically for commercial horticulture growers.

Hort360 is a free resource for all horticulture growers and a useful tool to gain insight on changes needed on-farm to prevent losses of fertiliser, pesticide, run-off, and nutrients.

Practices that contribute to Reef water quality improvement and are considered as industry standard for passionfruit orchard management include:

• Grass cover under trellis and minimisation of bare earth

• Use of mulch and compost to increase soil organic carbon and overall soil moisture holding capacity

• Vegetated gullies or drains between blocks to slow and capture any run-off before reaching waterways

• Soil moisture monitoring devices which measure moisture for irrigation scheduling, conserving water and nutrients in the soil

Incremental changes to adopt these practices makes a significant contribution to improving Reef water quality and demonstrates industry stewardship in GBR catchments.

George Costa from Tolga, benchmarked in 2023 in the GBR, Barron Catchment, wonderful example of ground cover and minimal bare earth.

Photo credit: Paula Ibell, Growcom

The graph demonstrates the average results for irrigation, nutrition, pesticide, and sediment modules for passionfruit growers in each region. The hatched red line is the ‘minimum standard’ or ‘benchmark’ since the program commenced in 2018. It represents the results of practices benchmarked by passionfruit growers between 2018 and 2023.

Average benchmarking results across the GBR reporting regions - June 2024. There is no data for the Central QLD region.

Growcom has three dedicated Facilitators in the GBR catchment that can assist growers to benchmark practices, make necessary improvements and organise an independent audit. Growcom is tailoring extension delivery to include as many growers as possible.

Our approach includes:

• Coordinating group activities –field days, workshops, paddock walks

• Facilitating peer to peer study groups

• One-on-one farm visits

• Connecting growers with expertise

• Assisting growers to use Hort360 to benchmark practices

Passionfruit growers interested in coming on board are encouraged to contact their closest Facilitator:

Michelle Haase

Southern GBR (Burnett / Fitzroy) email mhaase@qfvg.com.au

phone 0428 586 890

Paula Ibell

Northern GBR (Far North Qld) email pibell@qfvg.com.au

phone 0498 119 633

Andrew Conway

Central GBR (Bowen Burdekin)

email aconway@qfvg.com.au

phone 0408 104 967

The Hort360 Great Barrier Reef project is funded through the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program. For more information, including case studies and factsheets, visit: www.growcom.com.au/hort360-gbr

Passionfruit farmers working together to improve water quality

Heidi Nash

A new project entitled ‘Passionfruit Farmers Working Together to Improve Water Quality’ is being planned by the PAI team. The project will focus on sustainable farming practices and improved water quality In the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchment.

It will achieve this by seeking to improve farmer capacity, skills and knowledge and contribute to the adoption of sustainable farming for improved water quality outcomes. The project also has a focus on connecting local farmers with each other to share stories of their farms, concerns and ideas.

This project will bring together passionfruit farmers from the GBR catchment to share skills and knowledge about sustainable farming. PAI has a high number of members in Mareeba and Innisfail. We also have members in Atherton, Tolga, Lakeland, Cooktown, Tully, Mossman, Bowen, Mission Beach, Ayr and Mackay which are all areas that fall in the GBR catchment.

There is a huge potential to reach growers in these regions. To reach the widest grower population, the project will implement a workshop and field day in the GBR catchment area later this year. After the workshop/ field day we will run two events, most likely in Mareeba and Innisfail. These events will be held at a local tavern and will be a casual get together for farmers in the area, to have a chat about their farms and connect.

Well respected speaker, Graeme Sait will be at the workshop and field day, discussing sustainable and regenerative farming techniques. Workshop learnings will also feature ways to build soil health and resiliency and reduce the amount of chemicals in farm run-off leading into waterways in the GBR catchment.

We hope that passionfruit farmers will increase their knowledge through the workshops, while having time to network and share information with each other about their own farms. It is this peer-to-peer learning and connection building that can have enhanced benefits for growers, industry and the GBR catchment in the longer term.

Please make sure that you are subscribed to receive our e-newsletter Passiflora at bit.ly/PAI-Passiflora and follow us on Facebook @passionfruitausinc to keep up with all the news from the PAI team

Fresh approach aims for $500 m in additional horticulture R&D

Brett Fifield, Hort Innovation Chief Executive Officer

We’re halfway through 2024 and Hort Innovation has been hard at work delivering impactful investments for passionfruit growers. One of the key priorities in Hort Innovation’s Strategy 20242026 is to lead world-class innovation to ensure Australian horticulture is globally competitive.

Here are just two new initiatives underway to support Australian passionfruit growers with the very best innovation:

Embarking on a refreshed non-levy investment approach

Unveiled in June, Hort Innovation’s Frontiers will team up with local and global innovators, to invest in seizing big opportunities and developing solutions to horticulture’s major challenges.

Over the next 10 years we’re aiming to inject $500 million in research and development (R&D) to drive transformation in Australian horticulture.

Frontiers will now consist of four investment pathways:

• Australian-grown Innovation: Nurtures grassroots ingenuity, empowering growers to take their ideas from concept to reality through a competitive Expression of Interest process.

• Innovation Partnerships: Delivered through our existing procurement approaches, this stream beckons strategic collaborations, inviting stakeholders from all corners of the sector to join forces in advancing industry innovation.

• Hort Innovation Venture Fund: Channels resources into high-growth early-stage startups, propelling innovative products and services from inception to market readiness.

How to get involved

• Incubate and Accelerate: Serves as a launchpad for startup enterprises seeking to scale within the horticulture domain. Through rigorous selection and support mechanisms, budding entrepreneurs, researchers, and students will be equipped to thrive in the competitive landscape.

This refreshed approach enables Hort Innovation’s Frontiers to address industry critical needs, do business more flexibly, support ideas that sprout in the paddock come to fruition, and deliver outcomes for growers without the need for levy-investment.

To find out more, talk with Hort Innovations’ Head of Investment, Growth & Commercial, Jesse Reader on 0413 777 501 or visit the Hort Innovation website at www.horticulture.com.au.

Horticulture’s consumer data revolution unveiled Hort Innovation has launched a new platform, Hort IQ, to provide access to the latest, most comprehensive Australian fruit, vegetable and nut consumer data available.

Through Hort IQ, growers will be able to gain a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics, purchasing trends, and consumer perceptions for their commodities.

Understanding how consumers act, think and feel about horticultural produce is an essential step in accelerating local and global demand for Australian horticultural produce.

The launch of this easy-to-use, self-serve platform provides Australian growers with an unprecedented ability to observe consumer trends, equipping them with the insights needed to help grow their businesses.

Register for Hort IQ at www.hortiq.com.au

As always, I encourage you to get involved with Hort Innovation as your rural research and development corporation dedicated to delivering you value. A great first point of call is our Industry Service & Delivery Manager for passionfruit, Gemma Burger, who is always willing to have a chat. You can get in touch with her on 0458 650 876 or gemma.burger@horticulture.com.au

Workforce Update: A summary of important changes in 2024-25

Jane Richter

• The Australian Government passed new workplace laws as part of its ‘Closing Loopholes’ legislation

• Employers, employees and others should stay across these changes as they may impact their workplace

• The changes take effect at different times between December 2023 and August 2025

• There have also been increases in the Superannuation Guarantee and the Minimum Wage

Key changes include:

Right to disconnect

Eligible employees will have the right to refuse employer or third-party contact outside of working hours

This change starts on:

26 August 2024 for non-small business employers

26 August 2025 for small business employers

Labour hire changes

Labour hire employees can now apply to receive a protected rate of pay no less than what they would receive if they worked directly for a host employer

Changes are already in effect

Independent contractor changes

There have been changes to definitions & protections for independent contractors

These changes start on 26 August 2024, or an earlier date set by the Australian Government

Criminalising wage underpayments & other issues

Intentional underpayment of wages by employers can be a criminal offence

These changes won't start before 1 January 2025

Casual employment changes

New rules for casual employees, including an updated definition of ‘casual employee’

These changes start on 26 August 2024

Enterprise bargaining and enterprise agreement changes

The new laws change some enterprise bargaining processes

Enterprise Bargaining: These changes started on 27 February 2024

Enterprise agreement model terms: This change starts by proclamation or no later than 26 February 2025

What

is a ‘small business employer’?

It is defined as an employer with fewer than 15 employees at a particular time. If an employer has 15 or more employees at a particular time, they are no longer a small business employer.

When counting the number of employees, employees of associated entities of the employer are included.

Casual employees are not included unless engaged on a regular and systematic basis.

Superannuation Guarantee changes to 11.5% from 1 July 2024

From 1 July 2024, the rate of superannuation guarantee is increasing from 11% to 11.5%. The increase in July is part of a longer-term uplift in the super guarantee rate which is on track to rise to 12% in 2025.

Visit www.ato.gov.au/Rates/Key-superannuation-ratesand-thresholds to find out more.

Fair Work announces changes to Minimum Wage from 1 July 2024

From 1 July 2024:

• the National Minimum Wage increases to $915.90 per week or $24.10 per hour

• award minimum wages increase by 3.75%.

Other award wages, including junior, apprentice and supported wages that are based on adult minimum wages, will get a proportionate increase.

The increase applies from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2024.

Growers are encouraged to register for ‘My account’ at the Fair Work Ombudsman website www.fairwork.gov.au

Why register for My account?

My account is the online portal that helps you get the workplace information and advice you need. With My account, you can:

• submit an enquiry about a workplace problem

• bookmark your favourite pages, awards and Pay Calculator results

• explore personalised resources such as online training, templates and more

• get important updates and tailored workplace information

You can also subscribe to receive email updates at https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/contact-us subscribe-to-email-updates

For other useful resources that are specific to Horticulture, visit the Horticulture Showcase online at: web horticulture.fairwork.gov.au

Varroa destructor –transition to management: What happens now?

This article was written by Angela Atkinson, Berry Industry Development Officer and

is reproduced here with kind permission from Berries

Australia

• Varroa mite (Varroa destructor), the most serious pest of European honey bees, was detected for the first time in Australia at the Port of Newcastle (NSW) in June 2022

• An emergency response was initiated according to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) supported by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, and agricultural industries potentially affected by this pest

• The passionfruit industry was involved in this response, as a signatory to the EPPRD

• The Response was led by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, and was the largest agricultural biosecurity response in Australia to date

• In September 2023 the National Management Group (NMG) agreed it was no longer feasible to eradicate Varroa mite and a plan to assist industry and the community to transition to management (T2M) was developed

• The T2M plan was approved in February 2024

Close-up of a Varroa mite and an adult female Varroa mite feeding on a developing bee.

Photo credit: Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org

The aim of the T2M plan is to provide an orderly transition from the response program which focused on eradication, to management of the pest while minimising the ongoing effects of Varroa mite naturalisation on the European honey bee industry and pollination-reliant industries. The plan focuses on maintaining business continuity for the honey bee industry and the horticulture industries that rely on honey bee pollination. It aims to slow the spread of Varroa mite to allow beekeepers, pollinationdependent industries and the community sufficient time to prepare for the inevitable spread of Varroa mite.

The T2M plan will be delivered over 24 months to allow for recruitment of personnel, with the majority of activities delivered during the first 12 months. There are four objectives within the plan:

• Completion of activities under the response plan

• Building industry resilience

• Slowing the spread of Varroa mite

• Future-ready industries

Completion of the activities planned under Response Plan Version 3

All activities associated with eradication were completed by March 2024, including tracing and surveillance for infested premises, opt-in hive euthanasia for beekeepers who were in previous eradication zones, and wild European honey bee surveillance and baiting.

The NSW DPI compliance team are continuing to investigate complaints and progress prosecutions relating to offences under the Eradication phase of the response.

Building industry resilience

It was agreed by all industries involved that the most effective way to prepare for the impact of Varroa mites is to train beekeepers and provide them with the skills they need to manage Varroa mite and maintain healthy hives. Over 70% of the budget is allocated to delivery of training and extension services to achieve this. Under the T2M plan, tailored resources are being developed to provide accessible, current and consistent information and training programs for best practice beekeeping in the Australian context.

Training will include nationally delivered online and face-to-face training for beekeepers, by state-based trainers who have completed a ‘Train the Trainer’ program delivered by Tocal College, NSW DPI technical specialists and Bee Biosecurity Officers.

The Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice and the Bee Biosecurity Manual will also be updated as part of the T2M plan. The Code of Practice

provides a framework for beekeepers to use best practice biosecurity measures to achieve pest and disease prevention and control.

Varroa Development Officers (VDOs) will be engaged in each state to work with commercial and recreational beekeepers to promote best management practice guidelines and resolve problems. The VDOs will also establish, coordinate and maintain a voluntary Varroa mite monitoring program, in collaboration with volunteer beekeepers and beekeeping clubs.

For pollination-dependent industries, a National Pollination Industry Coordinator (PIC) will work with industries to identify their concerns, knowledge gaps and future needs related to managing pollination. The PIC will coordinate the development of resources specific to the needs of pollination-dependent industries and will work with existing Industry Development Officer (IDO) networks to support delivery of resources to growers. The PIC will act as a key point of contact for IDOs to clarify information or raise concerns about industry needs. The VDOs may also work with plant industries, where a beekeeping perspective is required for engagement with growers.

While diagnostic capability and capacity within NSW have been well established through the emergency response, more work is required to bolster this on a national scale to support ongoing surveillance and management needs. The T2M plan will share knowledge and expertise to enable interstate diagnostic laboratories to detect Varroa mite and associated exotic viruses quickly.

Slowing the spread of Varroa mite

After the decision that Varroa mite was no longer technically feasible to eradicate, NSW introduced biosecurity zones aimed at preventing the movement of heavily infested colonies throughout NSW. These zones will be kept in place for no longer than 12 months. Varroa mite will remain a notifiable pest in NSW.

Other states are considering options for consistent movement conditions for bees, queens, hives and other associated material across borders, that are practical, least restrictive to trade, technically justified and address the risks to support business continuity and pollination security.

Beekeepers in NSW will be audited to ensure they comply with monitoring and reporting requirements, and conditions of beekeeper registration. Compliance activities in Vic, SA and Qld will focus on interstate movement of risk material to ensure compliance with permitted movement. Activities may change if Varroa is detected in other states.

Honeybeesareasourceofpollinationforpassionfruitgrowers.Photocredit:JaneRichter

The VDOs will engage with beekeepers on a voluntary basis to help them undertake surveillance activities in their apiaries, to facilitate the collection of surveillance data from managed commercial and recreational hives. This data will support decisions around intra- and interstate regulation aimed at slowing the spread, and help to measure the success of the T2M program.

Future-ready industries

As part of the T2M plan, a survey similar to COLOSS will be initiated, to help understand the effects of Varroa mite and how it is being managed. COLOSS is a global initiative which conducts standardised colony loss surveys in 30 countries to better understand the risk factors of colony loss. This would be initiated for Australia as part of the T2M plan, with support beyond the plan being provided through alternative funding mechanisms.

A system will also be introduced to collate and analyse monitoring and surveillance data nationwide, in order to map the spread of Varroa mite over the next 3 to 5 years. Consistent data reporting is important, as the beekeeping industry is mobile, with hives moving

More Information:

across state borders to provide pollination services.

Upskilling of queen bee breeders will also help to future-proof the industry, to enable breeders to use advanced techniques for the selection of Varroa miteresistant queens and improve breeding for Varroa mite tolerance.

Finally, the T2M plan will include a review of current research supporting greater pollination efficiency in a post-Varroa mite Australia, and provide recommendations for further work to support future ready industries.

The establishment of Varroa mite in Australia will radically change the way European honey bees are managed, and potentially the access to pollination for industries that rely on honey bees. The activities in the T2M plan have been developed to provide the knowledge and tools needed to minimise the impact of this pest to beekeepers, pollinationdependent industries and the community, and enable management of Varroa mite in the long term.

The Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC), in collaboration with AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination program, is hosting a series of podcasts and interviews on Varroa mite which can be accessed at https://honeybee.org.au/varroa/podcasts-webinars

For more information about the transition to management go to: bit.ly/VM-NSW or honeybee.org.au

Passionfruit Levy Fund Update

Jane Richter

The passionfruit levy was first introduced 1 May 1999. Passionfruit that are produced in Australia and sold by a producer or that are exported will attract a levy. The Passionfruit Levy is currently set as:

When you receive a Grower Return from your market agent or Processor, you will see the Levy component has been deducted. The Levies are collected from the agents by a section of the Federal Government and the monies are handed over to Hort Innovation to manage and invest on behalf of the industry.

If you make any sales direct to consumers, you are required to deduct and remit the levies direct to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry via the Levies Online portal. Before you can lodge your first return you must register with the department to receive your unique five-digit LRS number. This is a one-off process and is free of charge.

Find out more: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/levies/lodging-returnspaying levies/leviesonline

Hort Innovation developed a passionfruit Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) for 2022-2026 to reflect current priorities for the passionfruit industry, involving extensive consultation with passionfruit growers and industry stakeholders, including Passionfruit Australia. The SIP is the roadmap that helps guide Hort Innovation’s oversight and management of individual levy industry investment programs. The passionfruit SIP lays the foundation for decision-making in levy investments and represents the balanced interests of the passionfruit industry. The most important function of the SIP is to make sure that levy investment decisions align with industry priorities. The passionfruit SIP identifies four outcome areas that will contribute to the productivity and profitability of the sector. They are:

• Industry supply, productivity and sustainability

• Demand creation

• Extension and capability

• Business insights

You can download a full copy of the 2022-2026 SIP from the Hort Innovation website at: www.horticulture.com.au/growers/passionfruit-fund

Current projects funded through the passionfruit R&D levy are:

Project Name

Biosecurity plan for the lychee, papaya and passionfruit industries

Passionfruit industry minor use program

Regulatory support and response coordination (pesticides)

Consumer behavioural data program

Horticulture Impact Assessment Program 2020/21 to 2022/23

Consumer usage and attitude tracking 2022/23

Passionfruit industry communications program

Generation of data for pesticide permit applications in horticulture 2022

National passionfruit breeding and evaluation program 2022-2027

Consumer usage and attitude tracking 2023/24

At Hort innovation there is an Industry Service and Delivery Manager responsible for the management of the Passionfruit fund activities and would welcome your call to discuss any questions you have about levy investments.

The Passionfruit Fund Annual Report details how Hort Innovation has spent levy funds over a 12 month period. Hort Innovation publishes a report each year and you can access the latest Annual Report from the Hort Innovation website at: www.horticulture.com.au/ growers/passionfruit-fund

Hort Innovation will continue to report on fund performance regularly, focusing on outcomes and the impact of investments.

Project Code Delivery Partner

MT18006 Plant Health Australia

PF16000 Hort Innovation

MT20007 AKC Consulting

MT21004 Nielsen

MT21015 Ag Econ

MT21202 Fifty-Five Five

PF22001 Passionfruit Australia

ST22001 ST22003 ST22004 Agreco, Eurofins Agroscience Services and Kalyx

PF22000 The University of Queensland

MT23201 Fifty-Five Five

IS&D Manager Gemma Burger: email gemma.burger@horticulture.com.au phone 0458 650 876

Bee Connected App relaunched to assist Australian farmers and beekeepers

The next-generation upgrade of the worldleading BeeConnected App was launched earlier this year by Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, the Hon. Kristy McBain at Parliament House. The two-way communication platform, developed by CropLife Australia in partnership with the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council, enables farmers, beekeepers and spray contractors to work together to protect managed honey bee hives.

“Australia is fortunate to have excellent farming practices, a professional agricultural sector alongside a strong honeybee industry,” said Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia the national peak industry organisation for the plant science sector.

The next-generation BeeConnected App has been re-designed and built in Australia following extensive feedback and contributions from farmers and apiarists from around the country. The BeeConnected App was originally developed in Australia, for Australia and is now also an international award-winning innovation that has been adopted for use all over the world including Canada, South America, and India.

“A thriving healthy honeybee population is crucial for many farming sectors, especially in horticulture, which is why the entire farming sector needs to ensure that everything is done to protect pollinators. That is why CropLife and our members have heavily invested in this important tool to enable cooperation and coordination between farmers and apiarists in protecting honey bees. This is even more important than ever with Varroa mite having hit Australia. This has made it a tough time for beekeepers and the growers of crops relying on honeybees for pollination. BeeConnected is a practical way for Australian farmers to support the honeybee industry by not only avoiding unintentional harm but optimising pollination activities,” said Mr Cossey.

“Using precise GPS capabilities, BeeConnected allows farmers to map the circumference of their properties and log their spray activities. It also allows beekeepers to securely register the location of their beehives now and in the future. When a beehive is detected near farming activities, both are sent an instant confidential notification allowing them to communicate and coordinate for optimal pollination without compromising or identifying specific locations. This collaboration empowers both farmers and beekeepers to protect these important pollinators,” said Mr Cossey.

Over the past nine years, the original BeeConnected App has had widespread uptake with all of Australia’s state farmer organisations supporting its use as an important decisionmaking tool in day-to-day operations and spray activities.

“It’s exciting to see commodities like the almond industry also get behind this tool by incorporating it as a best practice recommendation in their codes of practice and extension resources. With these substantial upgrades BeeConnected will be even more effective and useful and remain fit for purpose into the future,” said Mr Cossey.

“The Australian Honey Bee Industry Council is proud to be part of this world-leading initiative,” said Danny Le Feuvre, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council.

“Improving communication between users of crop protection products and beekeepers can further reduce the risk of accidental exposure of bees to any products which may have the potential to negatively impact on bee health."

“We know that Australian farmers are proactive when it comes to the adoption of new tools and next-generation technologies to help them farm more productively and sustainably. Just like weather, temperature and timeliness of information play an important role in informed decision-making for best-practice product application, spray applicators are urged to make use of this reliable tool to protect Australia’s managed beehive colonies with spraying this season,” said Mr Cossey.

BeeConnected is part of CropLife’s Stewardship First Pollinator Protection Initiative which supports the safe and responsible use of pesticides for the benefits of pollinators, Australian farming and the environment.

1. Download the App

Scan the QR codes here to download the BeeConnected App for iPhone or Android or access the tool on a desktop computer via a web browser at

2. Log your location

Log your farm property and/or beehive locations using smart GPS technology and broadcast to others in the area.

3. Register your activities

Easily log beekeeping or crop protection activities and if they happen in the same vicinity, you will be alerted through the App.

4. Communicate, collaborate and coordinate

Through the App you can communicate securely to coordinate spray activities and hive placements for optimal pollination success.

For more information visit: www.beeconnected.org.au

Reporting Chemical ‘Non-Performances’ or ‘Adverse Experiences’

Jane Richter

The Adverse Experience Reporting Program (AERP) is a post-registration program that assesses reports of adverse experiences associated with the use of a registered chemical product (or those on minor use permit). Reports of adverse experiences are closely monitored by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and it is vital to record, assess and classify adverse experiences to detect uncommon events not evident during the initial registration process of a product.

Problems reported with chemical products may result in further regulatory action in accordance with the legislation, for instance, through compliance action or chemical review. If the issue reported is related to control of use, or is otherwise outside the jurisdiction of the APVMA, the information may be referred to the appropriate authority.

What is a ‘non-performance’?

A 'non-performance' or adverse experience is an unintended or unexpected effect on plants, plant products, animals, human beings or the environment, including injury, sensitivity reactions or lack of efficacy associated with the use of an agricultural chemical product(s) when used according to label (or permit) directions.

Why is it important to report non-performances or adverse experiences with registered chemicals?

Before any agricultural chemical product can be legally supplied, sold, or used in Australia it must be registered by the APVMA. The process to register a chemical for use in Australia is a comprehensive one, with the application being supported by information that allows the APVMA to determine whether they are satisfied that the product meets the applicable ‘statutory criteria’; namely, safety, trade, efficacy and labelling criteria.

For a new agricultural or veterinary (agvet) chemical product that contains a new active constituent, the APVMA must approve the active constituent before it will register the product. Once approved, the active constituent may then be used in new agvet chemical products that are presented for registration.

The process to test the efficacy and safety of a new active constituent – particularly where that active ingredient will be applied to food crops – is a significant one and requires the applicant to provide scientific data

to support the application. Despite this rigour, it is impossible for every chemical to be tested fully on every crop in every growing region and so from timeto-time adverse experiences will occur.

As an authorised and trained user of agvet chemicals, it is your responsibility to notice, record and report anything unexpected when using a registered chemical as directed on the label or minor use permit.

How do I report a non-performance or adverse experience?

If you believe you have had a non-performance or an adverse experience following use of a registered chemical or under a minor use permit, please submit a report via the new online reporting process at bit.ly/APVMA-AE. This replaces the paper document that previously would have been completed and returned via email.

Once you open the portal, you can submit a report by selecting the 'Start a report' option.

Complete all the required fields (*) and provide as much detail as possible (including details of agronomists reports, test reports etc., where appropriate).

Please note that the information you supply should be accurate and correct.

Partially completed reports can also be saved and resumed at a later time by selecting the 'Resume report' button.

Once you have completed the form, the APVMA will provide a reference number for you to record and quote in any further correspondence about your report.

Further details about the APVMA’s Adverse Experience Reporting Program for Agricultural Chemicals may be found at: http://apvma.gov.au/node/311 or https://portal.apvma.gov.au

Chemical Update

Freshcare: Chemical User Training - Units of Competency Update

For all Freshcare participants undertaking training or updating their Chemical User Training, AHCCHM306 will no longer be recognised.

If you previously had training under the AHCCHM306 Unit, it is still acceptable for your Freshcare certification, but will be phased out.

The recognised Units of Competency for Freshcare participants, trainers and auditors in chemical use include:

• AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases; and

• AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals.

Please check with your State of Territory’s specific Chemical Training Requirements, as these may require additional learning or training. A useful resource which lists the requirements can be found at www.chemcert.com.au/resources/state-legislation

Another useful link, which confirms the superseded units of competency is https://training.gov.au

Obtaining chemicals - Factsheet F4 Chemicals

As a reminder, when obtaining agricultural chemicals, these must be purchased from approved suppliers to demonstrate that the suppliers are meeting the minimum requirements for supply, as outlined in the Freshcare FSQ Standard.

Approved suppliers for chemical purchases can be demonstrated by meeting the requirements as outlined in Factsheet F4:

• Access AgSafe for accreditation information at https://www.agsafe.org.au

• Establishing a supplier agreement that ensures:

◦ all chemicals provided are adequately labelled and in acceptable condition

◦ all chemicals provided are within Use By dates.

Visit Freshcare Online at https://online.freshcare.com.au to access the F4 Factsheet and other Freshcare resources.

Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)Chemical Review

It is anticipated that the final regulatory decisions for chlorpyrifos will be made public at the end of August following consideration of industry responses by the APVMA.

At present the forecast date for the bipyridyl herbicides diquat and paraquat is 30 July, 2024. These will be followed by the proposed regulatory decisions (PRD) for the insecticide fipronil (forecast October 2024), and the neonicotinoid insecticides beginning in late 2024 and continuing through to mid to late 2025.

Industries should note that following the completion of these reviews it is expected that the APVMA will embark on a review of the dithiocarbamate fungicides, i.e., mancozeb, metiram, propineb, thiram and ziram

Given the types of regulatory actions that have occurred internationally significant changes to approvals and use patterns should be anticipated.

MT20007: Regulatory Support & Response Co-ordination

This multi-industry project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using industry research and development levies and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.

Delicious custard apple ice cream topped with passionfruit syrup and lychee jelly, served in a passionfruit shell

Custard Apple Ice Cream with Passionfruit Syrup & Lychee Jelly

With thanks to Cindy Hogan, Custard Apples Australia Inc

A classic dessert takes on a tropical twist when passionfruit, custard apple and lychees get together. Bringing their own distinctive flavours and textures, this combination creates a deliciously layered taste experience.

INGREDIENTS FOR ICE CREAM

350g Milk

40g Cream 40g

50g Glucose powder

150g Caster sugar

250g Custard apple pulp pureed with 15g of lemon juice

INGREDIENTS FOR PASSIONFRUIT SYRUP

1 cup Passionfruit pulp

1 cup Caster sugar

INGREDIENTS FOR LYCHEE JELLY

Lychee juice

Agar powder or gelatine

METHOD

1. Heat milk and cream together to 40°C

2. Add glucose powder and stir well heating to just below boiling point

3. Add caster sugar into the hot liquid and stir well

4. Cool the temperature down until the mixture reaches 40°C

5. Add custard apple puree and mix thoroughly

6. Refrigerate overnight to cool fully and allow the flavour to develop

7. Churn the ice cream

METHOD

1. Combine the passionfruit pulp with the sugar in a small pan and stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved

2. Chill in the fridge, giving the syrup a stir before drizzling on ice-cream

METHOD

1. Pour lychee juice into a small saucepan

2. Sprinkle agar powder or gelatine over the liquid and stir until well mixed

3. Bring the liquid up to the boil over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes

4. Turn off the heat and pour the mixture into a small glass container

5. Cool the mixture and place into the fridge to set

6. Once set, use a sharp knife to cut the lychee jelly into small cubes

Serve the ice cream and jelly in the shells of the passionfruit and drizzle the passionfruit syrup on top. Enjoy your fresh tropical desert!

Get Involved

Join Passionfruit Australia

Passionfruit Australia Inc. (PAI) is the peak industry body representing passionfruit growers in Australia

Becoming a Passionfruit Australia 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

• Membership runs from July 1 to June 30 each year, rates are pro-rated

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

• Associate Members receive special discounted rates to advertise in The Passion Vine Membership rates 2024/25

• Free access to Hort Innovation Final Reports

• A monthly e-newsletter, Growing Innovation

• Direct invitations to participate in industry events, as well as Hort Innovation forums and consultations

• 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.

Have you considered trying the website?

No, what is that?

It is a free, confidential website you can access from your phone, tablet or computer.

It was developed with Australian farmers, for Australian farmers.

Why would I need to look at that?

It might:

• put you in a good position to make decisions

• help you get a different perspective on the way you are thinking and feeling

• reduce your levels of stress

Lots of farmers are finding it useful.

But I don’t have a mental health problem!

It has been designed to help all farmers get more out of life and manage things beyond their control like the weather.

It is not just for people with mental health issues.

Can I show you where to find the website? Do you want me to send you the link?

Here is a flyer / mouse pad / pen to help you remember to come back and look at it later.

If you’d like me to help keep you on track with add me as a mate or mentor once you’ve logged on.

Let’s talk about it again next time we catch up. What have you got to lose?