WA Grower Spring 2013

$25.00 (inc GST)

WA Grower Potato Growers Association Inc.

Agricultural Produce Commission

APC-VPC APC-PPC

SINCE 1948 Vol. 48 No 3. Spring 2013

Tool time

Minister launches fresh potatoes campaign

Produced by

vegetablesWA

Management Committees

Cover photo: Phillip Marshall

Vegetable Growers Association

Contact details for Horticulture House vegetablesWA, Potato Growers Association, Western Potatoes Horticulture House 103 Outram Street West Perth 6005 t: (08) 9481 0834 f: (08) 9481 0024 e: office@vegetableswa.com.au

President

Executive Officer John Shannon m: 0488 111 526 e: john.shannon@vegetableswa.com.au Finance/Administrator/Magazine Advertising Rebecca Blackman t: (08) 9481 0834 e: finance@vegetableswa.com.au Communications Officer Hayley Wilson t: (08) 9481 0834 e: hayley.wilson@vegetableswa.com.au

Maureen Dobra t: (08) 9575 2086 m: 0417 174 110

Vice President Ken Sue m: 0417 986 467

Busselton

Treasurer Anthony Marinovich m: 0417 907 910

Myalup/Bunbury

Committee H. Shapland K. Edwards M. Le T. Le D. Rigali M. Grubisa S. Calameri P. Wauchope P. Shain D. Kuzmicich

t: m: m: m: m: m: m: m: m: m:

(08) 9845 1064 0427 724 243 0417 962 427 0408 910 761 0407 447 524 0413 050 182 0418 957 236 0400 717 600 0419 041 045 0431 474 922

Export Development Manager Gavin Foord m: 0435 018 189 e: gavin.foord@vegetableswa.com.au

Potato Growers Association

Field Extentsion Officer Sarah Houston m: 0427 373 037 e: sarah.houston@vegetableswa.com.au

President

Vietnamese Field Extension Officer Truyen Vo m: 0457 457 559 e: truyen.vo@vegetableswa.com.au

Andrew Tempra m: 0417 097 729

Life Members A.J. Anderson*, D.J. Arbuckle, J. Arbuckle Snr*, J.H. Arbuckle* (M.B.E.J.P), S. Calameri, G. Kiriros*, R.G.Leach*, F. Natoli, S. Sawle*, R.M. Schultz, C.P. Stevens, W.R. Stevens* (M.B.E.J.P), HR. Ashby*, Amy Harris*, A. Ingrilli. * deceased

Gingin

Albany Manjimup Metro Metro Metro Metro North Metro South Gingin Carnarvon Carnarvon

Executive Officer Jim Turley m: 0410 697 842

Metro

Dean Ryan m: 0427 731 066

Pemberton

Vice President Manjimup

Treasurer Mia Rose m: 0409 112 245

Myalup

Committee C. Ayres S. Calameri V. Carter G. Bendotti B. Russell D. Ryan

m: m: m: m: m: m:

0428 451 014 0418 957 236 0417 092 505 0427 569 903 0429 318 216 0427 731 066

Albany Metro Busselton Pemberton Donnybrook Pemberton

This issue of the WA Grower is brought to you by: • APC- Vegetable Producers Committee • Potato Growers Association • vegetablesWA

Articles reflect the opinions of the authors and are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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WA Grower 8 Your Industry Associations

Vol. 48 No 3. Spring 2013

75

32 3

Connecting the dots for export success

56

New Executive Officer at vegetablesWA

4

Exporting from Australia now easier than ever

58

vegetablesWA President’s Report

5

Appointment Industry Sustainability Coordinator

59

Fresh Potatoes update

6

Gac — a potential new Asian vegetable

60

Capacity boost for horticulture exports

8

A Vietnamese volunteer serves her community

61

10

56 million reasons people need fruit and veg

62

11

Buy West Eat Best

64

Potato cyst nematode update

12

Lowering stable fly numbers

66

Beware the silent pests nematodes on the rise

13

Agronomist profile — Steve Poole

68

Postharvest pathology of melons

14

Independent Great Greengrocers join forces

70

Fact sheet vegetable wastes

16

Carrot exports reach new peak

72

Fertiliser considerations for plant and soil health

18

Potato leafroll virus: concern for potato industry

20

$aving money on pumping costs Metering and groundwater conservation

Potato Growers Association President’s Report Your Production

Your Business

73

Understand the ‘why’ of your business

74

22

Employing legal workers

75

24

Why train or study?

76

TOOL TIME

25

Workers with a disability

78

Your industry

33

Your Market

79

Fresh Potatoes launches campaign at the Royal Show

34

Applecross Primary School dig seed for school spuds

80

Grower profile — Phillip and Sheelagh Marshall

37

How could we improve pumpkins and broccoli

82

Dow AgroSciences Young Grower of the Year

38

Breaking the national mould

40

Main Roads WA ‘Chain of Responsibility’

41

Proposed reform of State’s water management

42

Ord River plan to support future development

43

Onions Australia celebrate success!

44

Gascoyne Food Festival 2013

46

New stable fly regulations now in force

48

Supermarkets are running the show

49

Grower profile — Phung Tran Do and Tuyet Chau Huynh 50 Industry projects support good practice and efficiency

52

Your Environment

87

Grower’s non-chemical practice on nutgrass control

88

Our bees are someone else’s business

90

Your self

91

2014 Rural Women’s Award

92

Leading Ladies

93

Thermomix

94

Movember

96

Vietnamese translations Permits

98 104

WA Grower Spring 2013

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New Executive Officer at vegetablesWA John Shannon

I would also like to reflect here briefly on what I think may be in store for our industry. There is no doubt that we face an increasingly competitive world both in terms of substitute products and imports from overseas and interstate, as well as spiralling input costs.

It is a great privilege that the vegetablesWA Committee of Management recently appointed me as your new Executive Officer following the retirement of Jim Turley after his 10 years in the role.

Having commenced with vegetablesWA four years ago, working both in the field and predominantly as the Policy and Program Manager, I understand this position comes with great responsibility and I certainly commit to serving our West Australian vegetable industry as best I can, recognising that often things may not be easy or tranquil. But then again, nothing worthwhile usually is.

I would like to recognise the remarkable achievements of my predecessor, Jim. With support of growers, his leadership has seen great development of vegetablesWA which now delivers so much value to our industry.

His are large shoes to fill and I am pleased

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that Jim will still be available to provide advice and corporate knowledge from the position he retains as Executive Officer of the Potato Growers Association.

For myself and your Committee of Management, we have a number of very important issues to address as soon as possible. The development of a new Strategic Plan is of paramount importance, a review and improvement of our corporate services, continued communications with our Members, and catalysing new industry opportunities; these are just a few of the tasks which need to be addressed. Whilst we have so many strengths as an organisation already, I am pleased at the new ideas which are already being developed to further benefit West Australian vegetable growers.

On a day-to-day basis, the dedicated and committed staff at vegetablesWA are no less busy serving the Membership and we are lucky to have people of their calibre working hard to improve our industry. We will continue to work on enhancing our communication with all of our Membership.

But the dangers of staying the same are greater than the dangers of changing. We cannot focus only on the difficulties we face but must also search out opportunities where they exist to ensure our success.

There are a range of technical innovations coming out both through private channels and the national R&D system which will improve the efficiency of production and grower’s bottom lines. There are also emerging market opportunities both in improving the alignment between the produce we grow and the needs of our domestic consumers; as well as the millions of middle class consumers rising to our near north who will be willing and able to pay for premium, safe West Australian produce. vegetablesWA will continue undertaking its role in assisting growers with these challenges and opportunities both through programs and strong advocacy to government. I look forward to continuing the great relationships I have developed with the truly wonderful people I have come to know in the West Australian vegetable industry.

More information If you want to discuss anything, please give me a call on (08) 9481 0834 or drop me an email john.shannon@vegetableswa.com.au

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vegetablesWA President’s Report

BY Maureen Dobra President, VegetablesWa

In our younger years, we learn the RRR’s — reading, writing and arithmetic. In our later life, those RRR’s become — relax, rest, and retirement. vegetablesWA is soon saying goodbye it’s CEO — Jim Turley. Jim will be retiring on the 1st October but he will be continuing with the potato industry, on a part-time basis. Jim has been very passionate about the vegetable industry and over the past ten years has lead vegetablesWA into new and incredible directions since he became CEO.

Since I joined the management committee, I certainly have appreciated his friendship and his leadership of the vegetable industry.

Jim’s expressions and laughter will be missed, but his knowledge and insight will continue to support the new CEO — John Shannon.

Both the Committee and I welcome John as CEO. John has come to understand the growers of Western Australia and also the national industry, since being with vegetablesWA. We look forward to exciting times!

Winter is a great time to take advantage of very little irrigating and short days. It enables us to catch up on that maintenance missed out and perhaps even time for families and holidays and time for our own personal maintenance — our health!

The rain has been fantastic! We have had 125mL more than last year and are looking forward to further rain. However, we still need to be diligent about using our water. Unfortunately, when there is so much rain, other issues arise — such as fertiliser being washed away quickly. Your Good Practice Guide, which is available on the vegetablesWA website, will have some answers to guide you, and if you need further information just phone Sarah or Truyen, our field extension officers.

By the time you read this your new committee will have been elected. I would like to thank the outgoing committee for all their help and advice and direction over the past year. I look forward to a wonderful year.

Digital strategy hits the mark vegetablesWA are very proud to announce that its social media strategy has won an award at the Australian Web Awards, being judged as the State Winner in the category of Social Media.

The prestigious award was bestowed by the Australian Web Industry Association and is highly valued among digital marketing agencies nationwide.

The vegetablesWA team engaged BAM Creative to deliver this campaign on behalf of the industry. In little under nine months they have taken facebook membership from 100 people to over 5,000.

Not only this, but the engagement level (those actively interested in the posted content) has been well above acknowledged industry standards (have you liked WA vegies on facebook?)

The benefit of an active online community is an ability to communicate directly with consumers for a very effective cost. The team will continue to build this community and it gives vegetablesWA a real foundation for future digital marketing activities.

To complement this digital strategy, vegetablesWA is pleased to announce the publishing of a new website (vegetableswa.com.au).

This site contains information on the industry size, local produce, health benefits of vegetables and the importance of buying local.

Growers used to accessing the existing corporate website can do so through the Grower Portal button at the bottom right.

WA Grower Spring 2013

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Fresh Potatoes update

By Paul Graham Marketing manager

The major focus of the consumption campaign is due to start on October 1st with an official launch by the Hon Ken Baston, Minister for Agriculture and Food. This is milestone day for the industry and will see the implementation of a marketing plan that has been 12 months in creation and development.

Consumer research in October 2012 showed that potato consumption was falling and that younger consumers were eating far less potatoes than older consumers. This research has been endorsed by a consumer tracking study conducted in August 2013 with the results showing a further slight decline.

The major reasons for potato consumption decline were identified as health concerns and perceived convenience concerns.

The marketing campaign is designed to do two things. Firstly, to inspire consumption of potatoes. This is an emotional lever and designed to create a real desire for the product. Secondly, to remove the barriers that currently inhibit purchase (namely perceived unhealthiness and inconvenience).

So what’s happening?

The fastest and most cost effective way to raise awareness is television advertising.

This forms the main platform for the communication message. 3 x 30 second, 3 x 15 second and 1 x 10 sec digital billboard adverts have been developed. They show the preparation of the consumer’s favourite potato recipes — chips, roast and mash.

They feature an ordinary housewife using simple recipes to create extremely tasty dishes — with a nod to the health benefits of the potato.

A media plan has been negotiated directly with the networks to ensure the best cost and

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best placement of advertising. The campaign is expected to be seen, on average, by 85% of the target market 15 times or more during the first two months of the campaign.

Advertising effectiveness is a function of reach (number target market seeing your advert) and frequency (number of times).

Our plan ensure the most cost effective delivery of the campaign.

The media plan stretches for 52 weeks, with TV, digital TV, cinema, press and digital advertising at different points. Highlights of the plan include: • A heavyweight plan with Channel 7.

• Featured Today Tonight Stories.

• Exposure during My Kitchen Rules.

• Sponsorship of Jamie’s 15 Minute Meals.

• Potato Week feature in The West Australian.

• Tuesday night sponsorship on Channel 11.

To complement the advertising activity, the campaign will have a strong digital presence.

The current website is being renovated to fit with the new brand and new strategy. It will prioritise easy to use recipes, selection advice, newsletter subscription and promotion of health benefits.

The new website will be backed up by a social media campaign. A Facebook presence will be built, to give us a community with which we can constantly interact.

This will be complemented by Pinterest and Instagram activity, designed to enhance or reach and currency of online content. The importance of a strong social media presence cannot be underestimated. In the longer term it will provide the opportunity to speak directly to a critical mass of consumers.

Delicious recipe ideas.

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Follow FreshPotatoesAU on

www.freshpotatoes.com.au

Colour classification chart.

At the time of writing we are speaking directly to all major retailers to get point-of-sale into stores. This will extend the presence of the campaign into the retailers shelf and convert consumers to purchase.

The campaign itself is being launched at the Royal Show. Fresh Potatoes has a large stand at the show and a range of consumer activation strategies are designed to engage kids and parents in the journey of the potato from farm to plate. The objectives of our participation in the show are threefold: educate children about where potatoes come from; provide parents with easy to cook recipe solutions; and educate parents about the health benefits of potatoes.

The foodservice project is also completing some scientific analysis of various varieties (new and existing). The purpose of this is to provide insight to chefs on the eating qualities of new potato varieties and shape future industry development.

ABOVE: The new Fresh Potatoes website.

The marketing program is being reviewed on a quarterly basis. The reviews will assess the effectiveness of strategy and activities implemented. The campaign will then be changed or tweaked as required.

More InforMAtIon For more details on the program please contact paul graham paul@freshpotatoes.com.au

The Foodservice Project will ramp up activity in October with the appointment of new Potatodors. We don’t lose our existing Potatodors however — once a Potatador, locked in for life! Major events in this space include: a dinner to educate Potatodors on the industry; a farm tour to Busselton (November 10–11th); and a chefs sundowner (February 10th). Please mark the latter dates in your diary.

WA Grower Spring 2013

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Capacity boost

for horticulture exports In August, agreement was reached between the Department of Agriculture and Food and vegetablesWA to boost capacity in developing export markets for Western Australian horticultural crops through the appointment of dedicated Export Development Manager.

The department’s Executive Director of Irrigated Agriculture and Diversification Terry Hill said the initiative would help ensure that the Western Australian industry became more export-ready and aware of existing and future export opportunities.

“Over the years, segments of the vegetable industry have been very successful in exporting to our neighbours in South East Asia, the Middle East and other places,” Mr Hill said.

“Currently carrots are the stand-out export performer where we provide more than 90 per cent of Australian exports by value.

Seed potatoes also have significant potential where our top quality produce is helping overseas industries to become more selfsufficient.”

However, profitability can alter rapidly due to currency changes in the Australian dollar, new players entering established markets, biosecurity issues and other factors, Mr Hill added.

“Assisting individual growers and companies to face such challenges and develop longterm relationships could reap significant dividends for the whole industry,” he said.

Horticulture WA Executive Officer Jim Turley said he was delighted that the State Government was putting more financial

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support into the horticulture industries over the next three years.

“Not all growers are interested in exporting, but any expansion of the total market has flow-on effects and benefits for the whole industry,” he said.

The new position will be based at the vegetablesWA offices in West Perth, but will work across all members of Horticulture WA, which includes fruit, wine, bees, strawberries and table grapes. The officer will also work closely with the department’s trade specialists and analysts.

Strategic direction will be provided by a steering committee comprising representatives of Horticulture WA and the Department of Agriculture and Food.

Position filled vegetablesWA is very pleased to announce that, after an extensive recruitment process, Gavin Foord has been appointed to the position responsible for the delivery of this important joint project. Gavin is well known to horticulture industries through-out Western Australia and is very enthusiastic about maximising the benefits that export opportunities can provide.

“This is a very important and exciting time for export market development,” Mr Foord said. “While in some segments export volumes have been steadily increasing, others have been under pressure with an unfavourable exchange rate. A lot has changed recently, the dollar has gone down against most currencies and our reputation for providing produce that features consistency, quality, safety and sustainability, is increasing our value proposition in existing and emerging markets.

There is a lot of good information and support available. I guess in a nutshell, my role is to gather that together and connect the dots so that we can make good decisions and better progress on the international stage.”

the broader scope of the project is to consider the following identified priority areas: Define and understand overseas markets Understand and develop information about markets that offer profitable export opportunities. This includes the collecting of data related to overseas markets, analysis and interpretation to turn data into intelligence, dissemination to industry and promotion of the opportunities.

Work with: existing Australian exporters and supply chains, DAFWA trade officials; AUSTRADE; Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; products and providers under the national levy administered by Horticulture Australia Ltd; and undertake primary research.

Develop collaborative approaches to enter and expand selected export markets Work with current and potential exporters and supply chains to collaboratively mount export initiatives. Investigate the potential for new supply chain mechanisms.

Work with DAFWA and AUSTRADE to investigate potential for state or national branding. address technical market access matters Define technical and commercial market access issues in the markets identified as attractive to Australia.

Address these matters through liaison with state and Commonwealth agencies. Inform packers and exporters of the key commercial aspects of the markets researched.

Monitoring export market competitor activities Capture in-market information from various sources to understand what Western Australia’s competition is doing in the markets to which Western Australia is exporting or wishing to export. It also requires analysis of the information, the development of strategies to counter such competitor activities and engaging with exporters and supply chains to execute such strategies.

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Gavin foord Gavin Foord has over thirty years’ experience in the agriculture sector. His working life began on the family farm at Mukinbudin in the late seventies. Gavin began his career in irrigated agriculture research and development at the DAFWA research station in Kununurra in the late eighties. This continued at Carnarvon and the Northern Territory, before moving to Perth after the Katherine Floods in 1998.

Since then, Gavin has held a range of positions with government and industries.

He is probably best known for his roles with DAFWA as the WA Citrus Industry Development Officer, at vegetablesWA compiling the Good Practice Guide and as Executive Manager at Fruit West.

Most recently Gavin has worked with his wife Lisa in their family business, remotely managing 14 hectares of citrus orchard in South Australia while operating a consultancy in Perth, offering a range of planning, production and supply chain solutions to primary industry. He has maintained strong ties with industry groups and is a current member of the Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL) Citrus Industry Advisory Committee.

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Potato Growers Association President’s Report

By Sam Calameri President, Potato Growers Association

This is my final report as the President of the Potato Growers Association as I am retiring from the position as of September.

Working together with the Potato Marketing Corporation (PMC) has certainly been one of the highlights for the PGA during the past financial year.

Both Peter Evans CEO, PMC and Tim Cusack, Chief Operating Officer that were appointment during the year have already made a positive contribution that will be beneficial to our potato growers in Western Australia.

Working with the PGA the PMC ‘Fresh Potato Consumption Campaign’ where sales are forecasted to increase by 2,500 tonnes in WA in this financial year. Growers have been allocated extra licences to fill this growth in consumption.

Potato Growers Association Inc.

A new PMC agent has been appointed and the PGA are encouraging the PMC to appoint another agent in the Manjimup/ Pemberton area so our growers can harvest earlier grade and packed cool potatoes down before transport.

Still on marketing and promotion, the PMC have also taken over the Food Service Campaign for this financial year.

This has been a very successful project in that it’s designed to inform leading food communicators and food service professionals (chefs) about fresh WA potatoes, improving awareness of health and taste benefits to the chefs, increase the use of WA grown potatoes in the food service sector and create awareness and value of the regulated marketing system.

The appointment of the Potatodors ‘chefs’ promoting the eating of extra potatoes has been successful.

The PGA and APC-PPC are working together to improve the quality of WA grown potatoes in all the different regional areas of the state by using professional agronomists to assist our grower in best practice.

Working with the WA Seed Producers Committee (WASPP) has also been beneficial with their committee making changes in the seed scheme and planting earlier for some growers. Changes have also been made to further improve the quality of seed potatoes produced in WA.

Congratulations and welcome to the newly appointed PMC Board member, Mr Ron Edwards. Ron will bring a fresh approach and I am sure the industry will benefit from Ron’s many talents.

Finally, I offer a sincere thank you to all the members of the PGA Committee of Management. Their collective ability to work together for the benefit of our potato growers and the potato industry as a whole has been outstanding. To our hard working, Executive Officer, I thank him for his contribution and devotion to our growers, industry and to the support to myself as PGA president. Also thank you to Hayley for all the work she has done and to Rebecca for her work with the accounts and administration.

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Your Production

Potato cyst nematode update

BY SARAH COLLINS NEMATOLOGIST, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD

In 2010 Western Australia obtained area freedom from potato cyst nematode (PCN) after its initial discovery in the mid1980s. This followed 25 years of sustained effort to ensure PCN containment to 15 hectares in the Munster area, now part of suburban Perth.

Department of Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA), WAQIS and WA growers worked together to achieve area freedom. This was achieved through containment of PCN via strict quarantine practices, an eradication program for infested properties, statewide surveillance for over 25 years and finally an extensive HAL-funded program of intensive survey and research to prove eradication.

Once introduced, PCN is extremely difficult to eradicate from a potato growing area.

WA was the first jurisdiction in the world to achieve this feat.

PCN is present in a small number of growing areas in Victoria and affects movement of potatoes interstate.

WA’s position has not changed, although reports about a national management plan may be leading to confusion.

In June AUSVEG representatives met with the national Plant Health Committee and presented a national plan for managing PCN. AUSVEG confirmed that they held consultations in every state/territory. The plan recommends: • removal of the 20km exclusion zone around known PCN infestations • soil testing for PCN of paddocks used to grow certified seed • testing infested and linked land • developing an industry code of practice.

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Once introduced, PCN is extremely difficult to eradicate from a potato growing area.

AUSVEG reported that it felt that everyone who wanted to participate in the process had the opportunity to do so. However, AUSVEG needs to respond to both concerns raised by growers at these meetings and also to comments submitted by industry groups nationally.

Overall, the Plant Health Committee supported the plan, but some concerns were raised: • WA cannot accept the plan in its current form and is concerned with the sampling requirements. These are based on EU protocols where PCN is widespread, so focus on management of the pest rather than any area freedom aspirations. WA prefers the US/Canadian protocol which focuses on containment/ eradication as they too are in the position of having few localised infestations and aim for eradication and re-establishment of PCN area freedom. The need for sampling and the regime to be followed need to be discussed with industry.

• The regulatory aspects of the plan can be progressed in SA, but not remaining sections until the SA industry is comfortable with them.

• An investment and implementation plan is lacking. All parties need to share responsibility for the plan.

• It is not clear who will be responsible for testing to demonstrate area freedom.

• AUSVEG needs to work through the issues with all dissenting industry representatives.

In conclusion, the committee: • noted that governments need to be assured that all issues raised in consultation were addressed by AUSVEG prior to discussing implementation • supported that governments and industry should get together to discuss implementation of the plan including roles, responsibilities and investment • agreed that Victoria, SA, Tasmania, NSW and WA be involved in discussions on implementation.

At this stage, no further discussions have been held involving WA. Vigilance is essential to protect our hard-won area freedom, particularly in sourcing seed from interstate.

Your Production

Beware the silent pests nematodes on the rise

BY CARLA WILKINSON AND SARAH COLLINS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD

Recent research is showing an alarming build-up of nematodes in many potato and carrot crops that is depressing returns to growers.

Decreasing availability of chemicals and their rising costs make management challenging, but adding more nematoderesistant crops into the rotations may be part of the answer.

Research completed recently was part of a national project investigating the nematode threat and funded by Horticulture Australia Limited. Our first step was a survey in 2011 for the presence of three significant nematodes types — root knot nematode (RKN, members of the Meloidogyne genus), root lesion nematode (RLN, Pratylenchus species) and burrowing nematode — in potato and carrot crops before and after planting.

Burrowing nematode was not expected and was not found, but included because it had become a market access issue for export carrots.

sent to research partners, South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI). Detection of DNA in soil was much more sensitive than manual methods. This may be because RKN is sedentary inside roots for most of its lifecycle. Manual methods depend on wormiform nematodes swimming out of roots and soil during extraction so would only effective for short periods in the nematodes lifecycle. Molecular methods rely simply on finding RKN DNA so are not affected by stages in the nematode’s lifecycle.

During the field survey we identified the most common break crops used by growers in their rotations as ryegrass, clover, oats, field peas, mustard, mixed pasture and barley.

Subsequent pot trials on a range of about 23 plant varieties including grasses, clovers and vegetables showed some were highly resistant to nematodes but others including Trikkala subclover, were highly susceptible to some nematode species.

Variation was also found between individual varieties. Nutrifeed millet, for example, was highly resistant to one species of RKN while Japanese millet was highly susceptible.

Across the range tested against multiple species of root knot nematodes, Superdan II

and Jumbo sorghum, Swan and Saia oats, and Nemkat Rhodes grass were the most resistant. These and others were then trialled in the field at both Medina and Manjimup.

Potential winter cover crops to limit build-up of RKN in vegetable crops were found to be Crusader and Concord ryegrass, Swan and Saia oats and Oasis yellow mustard. Saia oats and the ryegrasses may also be relatively resistant to RLN. Jumbo sorghum was the most successful summer cover crop tested in both glasshouse and field trials. However, sorghum may not be a practical alternative due to the large amount of organic matter produced and time needed for their extensive root systems to decompose before planting the next vegetable crop.

Katambora Rhodes grass was consistently ‘slightly susceptible’, so while it cannot be expected to decrease nematode populations, it may not increase them either.

This is a first step in finding alternatives to chemicals. More research is necessary to establish more viable crop and variety choices for the range of both RKN and RLN species found across WA horticultural growing areas.

However, both root knot nematode and root lesion nematode were detected in more than two-thirds of the vegetable production paddocks surveyed. Of particular concern was that all sites surveyed in the Busselton and Manjimup/Pemberton areas were infested with both types!

Soils around Myalup, Gingin and Perth metro, where rotations tend to be shorter, had lower incidence of nematodes. Many growers here rely on nematicides such as Nemacur or soil fumigation before planting and this may have masked the nematode presence.

Nematode presence in the soil was detected

by DAFWA using manual methods and also via molecular methods for samples

The most common break crops used by growers in their rotations are ryegrass, clover, oats, field peas, mustard, mixed pasture and barley.

WA Grower Spring 2013

13

Your Production

Postharvest

pathology of melons

By Nadav Nitzan, Ivo Tunchel and Mark Gimenez StePac

Figure 2 Gray Mold decay on stem-cut (a) and fruit surface (b) caused by Botrytis cinerea.

The dense gray substance is made of masses of fungal spores

Figure 3 A clean stem cut during harvest

Melons are subjected to a wide variety of diseases caused by soil-, seed- or air-borne pathogens that include fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes.

These may cause disease that impact yield characteristics and/or weaken the plant, subsequentially pre-exposing the fruit to decay on during storage. Major pathogens that are of concern in storage are the fungal molds Alternaria spp. (Figure 1), Cladosporium spp. (Figure 1), Penicillium spp., Rhizopus spp., Botrytis cinerea (Figure 2) and Fusarium spp. and the bacterial pathogens Erwinia spp.

Stem-cut wounds at the peduncle created during harvest, or surface bruises due to postharvest mishandling are the primary inoculum entry points for these pathogens.

Surface pitting and sunken areas incited by chilling injury provide additional entry points for pathogens and increased decay.

To limit decay development during storage and shipment: • Melons should be removed from the plant using sharp knives, creating a clean cut at the stem-end (Figures 3). The knives should be disinfected in an approved sanitizing solution from time to time Figure 1 A black decay lesion characteristic of Alternaria and Cladosporium rots

Figure 4 Treating stem-cuts with fungicides in combination with Xtend MA/MH packaging prevents decay development during long shipments

during harvest to prevent pathogens' transmission.

• During transport to the packinghouse it is advisable to place the melons on a padded surface in order to limit bruising and cracking.

• Transportation from field to packinghouse should be done in appropriate trucks to avoid bruising and they should be covered with a net to protect against the sun.

• Upon arrival at the packinghouse, melons should be cleaned, sorted into boxes and pre-cooled by forced-air cooling with 90–95% relative humidity to prevent melons for dehydration. Following pre-cooling, pulp temperatures should be 3–5°C, 7°C, 7–10°C and 7–10°C for Cantaloupe, Galia, Charentais and Honeydew melons, respectively.

• It is advisable to treat the stem-cut and peduncle with fungicides (Figure 4) to prevent decay causing pathogens colonization as this area is extremely susceptible to decay. Fungicides used for

14

this purpose must be approved by local and export markets’ regulations.

• When packaging melons for export, the fruit should be free of soil and other visible foreign matter, well-shaped, firm and uniform in appearance. It should have a smooth stem end, lacking adhering peduncle. It should be absent of scars, sunburn, bruises or surface defects that may aid in decay development. To prevent chilling injury, storage temperature should not be lower than 5°C for Galia and Charentais, 9°C for Honeydew and 3°C for Cantaloupe.

StePac offers customised Xtend bulk packaging for 5–18kg of Cantaloupes melons, 5 and 10kg of Galia melons, 5–18kg of Charentais melons and 10–18kg of Honeydews. StePac advises using the Xtend MA/MH technology for exporting melons, which retards ripening, preserves firmness, alleviate chilling injury associate disorders, inhibits decay development, preserves taste and aroma and extend melons freshness and shelf life.

WA Grower Spring 2013

Veg

Vegetable_WA_FULLPAGE_outlines.indd 1

8/23/2013 4:11:40 PM

your ProductIon

Fact sheet

vegetable wastes vegetable waste – a global issue

recoverable vs non-recoverable waste

Food waste has been studied in many countries of the world.

The figures are startling, with up to a third of all food produced thrown away before it is eaten.

As product moves through the supply chain, consolidating and using waste becomes more difficult. Only materials produced near the grower/packer are likely to be recoverable.

Total loss of vegetables (%)

Disturbingly for the vegetable industry, almost 50% of what is thrown away is fruit and vegetables, even though this category represents closer to 20% of food purchased. According to the USDA, this figure is continuing to increase:

FARM

54 52

not harvested

{

Died Pest / disease non-edible part Abandoned

Culled during packing

{

Pest / disease / damaged Quality grade

{ { {

Pest / disease / damaged Processing – trimming Senescent oversupply Quality grade Senescent

{

Uneaten Senescent / rotten

50 48 46 44 42

postharvest loss

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Losses in developing countries are commonly due to pests, diseases and transport inefficiencies. In contrast, waste in the developed world is often caused by oversupply and high market standards which lead to product being either graded out or abandoned before harvest.

rejected during distribution

retail waste

vegetable waste in Australia According to the Australia Institute, Australians threw away $5.3 billion worth of food in 2004, more than half of which was fresh fruit and vegetables.

Despite this, of the >1,000 reports on Australian food waste, almost all have focused on waste by consumers, with less than 2% of studies including pre-farm gate or farm gate losses.

Consumer waste

Oversupply Senescent

FORK

What is considered waste also depends on your point of view.

For many farmers, waste is abandoned or discarded product.

It may include product sold, although at a reduced price.

In the case of biofuel production, unharvested plant materials are just as valuable as what comes out of the packing shed.

Although rarely counted as waste, biomass left in the field may be a significant resource: non saleable part of the plant (%)

Biomass left in the field (est. kt/yr)

70*

114

Capsicum

56

153

Cauliflower

65

139

Sweet corn

40

67

Broccoli

* New varieties may be more efficient

16

WA Grower Spring 2013

Wastes that are likely to be economically viable to recover and use are in bold

Estimating vegetable wastes Waste of key vegetable lines was estimated using a combination of interviews with growers, packers and processors, published research, Ausveg records and ABS data.

Results are estimates only, but do provide a guide as to potential sources of raw material for re-use.

your ProductIon

Waste of specific vegetable crops

Waste from cauliflower

For each of the key vegetable crops, percentages of waste were estimated for each step of the supply chain, including volumes sent for processing. For example, in the case of cauliflower, approximately 71% of the crop may be marketed as premium, the rest being wasted.

Rejected at packing Rejected at harvest

Not harvested Waste from baby leaf Field deaths

WIntEr

suMMEr Premium cut 2nd cut

Single cut

Waste (17%)

Waste (50%)

crop

Waste estimates for the crops studied are summarised at right.

Carrots produce the most waste, mainly due to strict product specifications.

Overall, 25% of vegetable production was estimated to go to waste. Finding new, profitable uses for this waste would greatly benefit the Australian vegetable industry

Area planted (ha)

For some crops, waste varies between summer and winter.

Reduced colour development during winter means that only the tips of fancy lettuce can be used, with 50% of the leaf mass wasted. However, 2/3 of production is during summer, when two cuts can be taken from each leaf, reducing waste to 17%.

Average yield (t/ha)

total production (kt/year)

total waste (kt)

total waste (%)

value of waste ($ million)

Carrots

4,600

65

300

93

31

24.0

Capsicums

2,300

52

120

31

26

13.8

Cauliflower

2,500

30

75

28

37

19.6

Sweet corn

6,700

15

100

27

27

14.3

Cabbage

2,000

27 (64 proc)

73

20

27

9.7

Baby leaf TP

4,500

35

158

19

12

38.8

Lettuce

4,500

27 (38 proc)

124

17

14

7.4

Broccoli

7,000

7

49

15

31

16.7

Beans

6,000

8.5

51

13

25

2.2

900

40

36

10

28

1.2

3,500

8.5

Beetroot Baby leaf DS total

44,500

Processing

30

3.5

12

6.9

1,116

276.5

25

154.7

average waste from processing beetroot

While processing offers an alternative market to fresh market for some vegetables, in most cases crops are grown specifically for this purpose. Examples include lettuces and cabbage, which are grown to a larger size when destined for processing.

Soil Undersize Zoning Other Canker Misshapen Split Tops/tails Good

Processing results in a higher level of direct waste than fresh sales. Up to 43% of canning beetroot is wasted (as shown at right), compared to 15-20% waste for fresh market product.

For sweet corn, waste increases dramatically with the level of processing: whole (5%); trimmed (20%); processed cobs (38%); and processed kernels (52%).

Source: Simplot

This project (VG12046) has been funded by HAL using levy funds from the Australian vegetable industry and matched funds from the Australian Government.

WA Grower Spring 2013

17

Your Production

Fertiliser considerations for plant and soil health

BY Sarah Houston Field Extension Officer, VegetablesWa

Growing large, healthy root systems ensures the plants can absorb adequate nutrients from the soil.

Fertilisers are sources of plant nutrients that we add to the soil to supplement its natural fertility. All soils will vary in their level of natural fertility due to their different cation exchange capacity, pH, organic matter content, stored mineral elements and balance of nutrients.

In ideal conditions, a fertile soil should be able to supply all the nutrients a growing plant needs. However such conditions rarely exist, especially in intensive cropping situations where crop nutrient demands greatly outweigh availability. Most soils used for cropping will also have some sort of nutrient imbalance or deficiency, while extreme or harsh weather conditions will affect nutrient release and availability.

Therefore, soils usually need supplementary fertiliser to sustain crop growth, especially if high yields are expected.

When crops are harvested, nutrients taken up by the plan from the soil are removed.

18

WA Grower Spring 2013

Unless the crop residues or some other form of organic matter is incorporated back into the soil, the nutrient supply in the soil will be depleted.

Soil nutrients are vital for normal crop growth, health and quality, and they are required in the proper amounts, in the right balance and at the right times.

So, when applying fertiliser, the grower needs to choose the best application method to apply the correct amount of nutrients at the right time, in the right place and at the right depth in the soil for the crop, to ensure that all the nutrients are used and as little as possible is wasted. How the fertiliser is applied will depend on factors such as soil type, type and stage of the crop, irrigation system used, and the type and amount of fertiliser used. Growers should understand the components of the fertiliser being used and find out the best application methods. Soil and plant nutrient tests will help to understand crop requirements at different stages of growth and whether there are any notable deficiencies that need to be attended to.

Your Production

Fertilising a crop is not just about adding a fixed amount of fertiliser to the soil. The key to making a fertiliser program work is the balance of nutrients, getting the nutrients to the root zone, and growing large root systems to absorb the nutrients. A good fertiliser should be moderately soluble so that they don’t leach through the soil before the plants get to use them.

construct the soil pH as determined by soil tests. It is just as important to manage calcium and magnesium levels as it is to manage amounts of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. The proper balance of calcium and magnesium will help to maintain the correct soil environment to support the decay of organic matter and conversion and availability of the other mineral elements.

When deciding on a fertiliser to use on a crop, growers need to be aware of the total composition, not just the nutrient elements they want. It is also important to research the fertilisers’ properties and its long term effects on plants, soil and soil life to make the right choice for a crop. Keep in mind that different fertilisers vary in nutrient availability (how easily the plant can absorb or use the nutrients applied), so it is not just about the number on the bag. Sometimes the cheapest source of nutrient is not the most efficient and may result in a lower quality crop, more weeds or poor soil structure etc.

There are a number of ways to apply fertilisers to the soil depending on the production system and the crops requirements for nutrients.

Another important reason to consider the composition of nutrients in a fertiliser is to ensure an optimal pH is maintained.

The pH of soil is affected and influenced by four elements — calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. How much of each is present in a soil will determine the pH level of the soil, and hence it is important to know the amounts of these nutrients before an appropriate fertiliser program can be designed.

Rather than managing soil pH alone, it is essential to manage the factors that

Broadcasting is applying fertiliser uniformly over the field, and would be a suitable method for a soil corrective program, but expensive for a specific crop program. Other more economical and common methods used in vegetable production include: • In-row — fertiliser is placed in the furrow during planting usually below or on the side of the seed • Banded — fertiliser is applied in a band to one or both sides of seed or plants • Top-dressed or side-dressed — fertiliser is applied to the crop after emergence. Top dressing refers to broadcasting on broad acre crops, while side dressing refers to banding on row crops • Foliar — a liquid fertiliser is sprayed on growing plants with the nutrients entering through the plants leaves and stems

each crop and for different soil types and areas. This can be done by conducting strip trials on your property in order to “fine-tune” a fertiliser program.

Keep records of fertiliser application to enable you to refer back to what was done previously, and be able to relate any observations to what may have been done in the past. It is also a good idea to repeat fertiliser trials regularly to keep up to date with any changes that might be happening in the soil or environment and for different vegetable varieties.

The vegetablesWA Good Practice Guide is a useful guide to best management practice in vegetable production to help our growers achieve high yields of good quality produce with minimum impact on the environment.

You can download a copy of the guide from our website at www.vegetableswa.com.au.

More information For more information, contact vegetablesWA Field Extension Officers Sarah Houston at sarah.houston@vegetableswa.com.au or phone 0427 373 037) or contact Truyen Vo at truyen.vo@vegetableswa.com.au or phone 0457 457 559).

Other useful soil health resources: • Hands on Agronomy (1999) By Neil Kinsey and Charles Walters (Published by Acres USA) • The Biological Farmer (2000) By Gary F. Zimmer (Published by Acres USA)

It is important to trail your fertiliser application methods, rates and timing on

Efficient fertiliser application involves applying the right amount of nutrients, at the right time, in the right place and at the right depth in the soil for your crop.

WA Grower Spring 2013

19

~

your ProductIon

Potato leafroll virus:

concern for potato industry

BY BrenDa CouttS 1 anD roger JoneS 2 1 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) causes a common disease of potatoes worldwide and is endemic in Western Australia.

High levels of PLRV infection within a crop reduce returns as the virus greatly reduces tuber yield, size and marketability.

lower leaves, while young leaves are often upright and pale. Lower leaves are stiff and crunchy when touched and often have purpled or reddened undersides. Infected plants are usually stunted.

In Western Australia, PLRV and four other viruses are tested for as part of the seed potato certification scheme. Over the last decade (2001–2011), the level of PLRV detected in the Generation 2 seed potato crops ranged from 0 to 0.6% of total potato plants tested. However, in some instances crops have had more than 10% PLVR, a concern for both seed and ware potato industries.

However, there have been recent instances in some varieties where visual foliage symptoms are subtle or not expressed in infected plants.

This is a serious issue as it can lead to virus infection being missed in visual inspections of seed potato or ware crops. This can then lead to crops having unacceptably high levels of PLRV.

Initial infection of potato crops by PLRV occurs when plants become infected by virus-carrying aphids during the growing season (primary infection). However, infection is also introduced when seed stocks containing infected tubers are planted and infected potato plants grow from them (secondary infection). Aphids then spread the infection further.

Symptoms of primary infection are visible in young leaves with upward rolling of the leaf margins. This occurs mainly in the portion of the leaf near the base. The affected leaves are slightly pale and may show purpling or reddening. The leaves are often crunchy when touched.

Symptoms of secondary infection are visible on all leaves, with upward leafrolling of

20

WA Grower Spring 2013

Visible symptoms vary with the age at which the plant becomes infected, the variety, environmental conditions, and crop vigour.

Although such symptoms may be subtle or invisible, these apparently healthy plants can act as sources of the virus for spread by aphids to nearby plants. And the seed tubers they produce will carry the virus providing infection sources for subsequent crops. The cause of the poor symptom expression is not known.

All tubers produced from an infected plant carry the virus, so when they sprout the plant is already infected and can act as a virus source to neighbouring plants.

Depending on the variety, PLRV-infected plants produce few and smaller tubers, and ‘Russet’ varieties sometimes show internal browning that affects marketable yield.

Infected ware and processing crops and selfsown potato plants often act as a source of infection for young potato crops. In 2012 self-sown potatoes were collected from four

PLRV-infected potato plant, showing upward rolling and reddening of leaves.

sites and PLRV was detected at three of them at levels of 2–19%.

Other plant hosts of PLRV include tomato, capsicum, solanaceous weeds such as nightshade, wild gooseberry and thornapple.

Only a few aphid species transmit PLRV. Among these, the green peach aphid is highly efficient in spreading PLRV and occurs commonly in potato growing areas.

PLRV is persistently transmitted by aphids.

This means that an aphid needs to feed on an infected plant for several hours to acquire the virus which then spreads through its body and lodges in the salivary glands. The viruscarrying aphid then flies off and when it lands and feeds on another plant it transmits the virus to the new plant. The aphid can then transmit PLRV for the rest of its life and spread the virus over long distances.

C

Management strategies for PLrv • Plant only certified or virus-tested tubers.

• Remove all self-sown potatoes and solanaceous weeds.

• Avoid planting new and seed potato crops near old, ware or processing crops.

• Remove infected plants showing virus symptoms from seed potato crops.

• Apply neonicotinyl insecticides early in the life of the crop to control early aphid arrivals, use as directed on label. Do not wait until aphids are visible as this will be too late.

O

More InforMAtIon Correct diagnosis is essential for effect disease control. a commercial diagnostics service is available through agWest plant laboratories at DaFWa.

G

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Your Production

$aving money on pumping costs

James Dee and Rohan Prince Department of Agriculture and Food

Power or fuel needed for pumping water is a considerable cost for growers who rely on irrigation. The increasing cost of these inputs is making efficient irrigation essential for all farm businesses to help keep production costs down and maintain profitability.

The More Dollars per Drop project has now completed over 70 on-farm irrigation system assessments from Carnarvon to Manjimup to see if improvements can be made to existing systems and their operation.

In many cases, we have found that growers could reduce running costs and save money by ensuring their pumps are delivering what they should be.

Pump efficiency Pump efficiency is a term used to describe the amount of water moved for each unit of energy supplied. It varies with pump type, pressure and flow rate. Performance and efficiency curves supplied by the pump manufacturer show how effectively the pump uses the power supplied to deliver water (as a function of flow and pressure).

The amount of flow and pressure required for an irrigation shift is called the ‘pump duty’ and is a term in the irrigation industry that may commonly be referred to when talking about pumps.

Performance and efficiency curves should be used to select the right pump for the duty required or to assess whether an existing pump is being used at its optimum efficiency.

Many assessments have shown pumps are not operating as efficiently as they could.

22

WA Grower Spring 2013

Your Production

Calculating energy saving Growers may be able to save money by either lowering pressure losses in the system which will result in increased flow rates, or in the case of variable speed pumps, increasing pump speed to irrigate larger areas which will decrease total operation time.

To calculate the energy saving, the energy used to deliver a set volume of water, is compared:

Pump performance example

Therefore the energy used to shift 320m³ is calculated as: Energy used = (320 ÷ 160) x 45 = 90kWh

Energy used = (target volume ÷ flow rate) x power consumption

At point A, the pump delivers 160m³/hr at 750kPa which requires 45kW per hour of operation.

Pump performance shown in Figure 1 is typical for a diesel motor, variable speed pump combination, seen on many farms throughout the South West.

At point B, the pump delivers 320m³/hr at 750kPa and requires 82kW per hour of operation.

• Operating at a pressure of 750kPa (75m head), the flow was measured as 160 cubic metres of water per hour (m³/hr).

Therefore the energy used to shift 320m³ is calculated as: Energy used = (320 ÷ 320) x 82 = 82kWh

• The speed of the pump was estimated at about 1500 revolutions per minute (rpm).

By allowing the pump to operate in its most efficient zone, 10 per cent less energy would be used to move the same volume of water.

• When plotted on the chart, the intersection of pressure and flow shows the conversion efficiency at point A.

Results of assessments to date Our assessments so far show there are two main reasons for pumps operating below peak efficiency:

• In this scenario, the pump operates at 70% efficiency, which is below the 80% maximum efficiency shown on the chart.

1. The mainline is undersized and water moving through at high speed results in friction loss and excess pressure required.

• If the speed of the motor driving the pump is increased to 1600rpm, the flow increases to 320m3/hr, provided there is no increase in pressure. This could be achieved by running more emitters (if the system’s hydraulic design allows) and would result in 80% efficiency (point B).

2. A pump has been purchased or replaced that will “be sure to do the job”. Often this way of selecting a pump results in a larger, higher volume pump that actually delivers less water than intended, resulting in operation below peak efficiency.

Figure 1 Figure 1 Variable speed pump performance curve (150 x 125 – 400)

Irrigation system capacity, often the size of the mainline, will be the limiting factor in pump selection when replacing a pump.

Consider carefully the impact on the whole irrigation system and make changes that optimise pump performance and save on energy costs.

Pump selection When selecting a pump for a new system or a replacement pump, use a qualified designer who will ask the right questions to ensure the system will deliver what your farm needs including: • the area you wish to irrigate • the number of shifts

140

• the peak daily water requirement 120

Pressure — head (m)

100

1800

80

1600

60

1400

40

50 60

70

75 78

79 80

A

45 1.5

20

80 79 78

B

1200 1000

• the capacity of the soil to absorb and hold the applied water

2 3 4 22 5

• the elevation changes (topography) over your block.

75

This will determine the system requirements so an appropriate pump can then be selected.

110 6 55

75

90

30 Pump efficiency (%) Speed (rpm) Pump energy consumption(kW)

0

L/s 0 m3/h 0

15

30 75

45 150

60 225

75

80 300

105 375

120 135 150 450 525

165 600

Flow rate

WA Grower Spring 2013

23

Your Production

Metering

and groundwater conservation

By Charlotte Dudley Department of Water

It’s often said if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it, and the use of water meters is a clear example of the relevance of such thinking.

In recent years, the installation of water meters on bores in Western Australia has been rising, especially in high use areas such as Perth’s Gnangara Mound.

Meters assist irrigators and water managers with business planning, guide management practices and act as an important tool for achieving water efficiency objectives.

And with the drying climate trend in Perth and the state’s south-west, meters are playing a greater role in promoting groundwater conservation and ensuring the long term sustainability of our state’s shared water resources.

In recent years the combined effect of declining rainfall, reduced recharge and increased water demand have placed significant pressure on groundwater levels in many parts of the state. Water meters are critical tools for assisting irrigators to address these challenges and stay within their allocation limits.

“In combination with data loggers, meters provide an accurate picture of how water is being used and what impact any water management actions are having,” Department of Water Recycling and Efficiency Project Coordinator Aaron Compton said.

“They provide accurate data about how water allocations are used over the irrigation season and help licensees to compare their actual water use against their water budgets.”

24

WA Grower Spring 2013

Metering can help with identifying water wastage by alerting users to leaks, damage to pipes or excessive irrigation.

Mr Compton said water managers with meters are better placed to plan and implement water efficiency actions because they can monitor water use accurately and fine tune their irrigation practices to be within licensed entitlements.

“The information that can be gleaned from meters can be tracked and assessed, season to season, crop to crop to assist water managers in understanding and achieving the optimum use of their water allocations.”

He said metering is also a valuable assessment tool.

“With monitoring and measurement, water managers are taking a science based approach to water and fertiliser application.

“Accurate water meters give the irrigation manager the tools to measure and track how water is being used and use that data to make informed business planning decisions that will maximise their licensed allocations.

Even in cases where a water licence is not required, water managers can benefit from having a meter installed.

“The Department of Water requires meters be installed for high volume (greater than 500,000kL per annum) and high risk water

licences. Low volume and low risk licences are not required to install meters, but can do for the obvious efficiency and management reasons,” Mr Compton said.

“Metering can also help with identifying water wastage by alerting users to leaks, damage to pipes or excessive irrigation.

“Having the information at your fingertips also reduces the time taken to identify problems.

“And on a broader level, the installation of a water meter demonstrates a water manager’s commitment to water conservation and the need to further protect our precious water resources.”

The Department of Water’s Guidelines for water metering installation sets the standard for technical requirements, accuracy limits, testing, reporting and security seal aspects of water meters.

There’s no preferred type, make or model of water meter, however, meters installed under condition of licence must meet the Department of Water’s requirements under the Rights in Water and Irrigation (Approved Meters) Order of 2009.

More information The guidelines can be found on the Department of Water website: www.water.wa.gov.au.

tool tIMe

TOOL

tIMe

WA Grower Spring 2013

25

Tool TIme

CSIRO weed mat The matting is made using high pressure water jets that link the fibres together to form a compact fabric. Researchers believe it could also be made using other agricultural waste materials, such as hemp or banana fibre.

uses which could potentially benefit other industries. For example, we feel this fabric could be used to create the eco shopping bags of the future, minimising the use of synthetics which reusable shopping bags are currently made from," he said.

Preliminary testing by CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering in Geelong showed that the weed mat degraded over a few months, allowing the mat to be absorbed into the soil.

The weed mat was one of more than 50 research projects funded under the National Weeds and Productivity Research Program.

"Other benefits of the weed mat were that it effectively retains moisture, allows rainfall to soak into the soil, reduces evaporation, and boosts beneficial worm activity," Research Program Leader Dr Stuart Lucas said.

CSIRO Researcher Dr Malcolm Miao with the new weed biodegradable mat.

CSIRO has developed a new biodegradable weed mat which could put a stop to nasty weeds and transform the future of Australia’s agriculture and farming industries.

Made from linseed straw, the CSIRO mat is 100% organic, and unlike conventional black plastic matting, completely biodegrades.

The mat has been developed as part of the Australian Government’s National Weeds and Productivity Research Program, managed by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC).

"We believe the CSIRO mat will encourage much healthier soil. Unlike other black polyethylene weed mats, which can remain underground for years, the CSIRO mat is made from plant material and will disintegrate and compost into the soil at the end of its life," he added.

CSIRO Researcher Dr Malcolm Miao said that the technology could be a major benefit to growers involved with organic and biodynamic production across the horticultural sector as well as manufacturers and suppliers of agricultural and garden products.

The RIRDC Weeds Program invested A$12.4 million in research aimed at improving the knowledge and understanding of weeds, as well as providing land managers with new tools to control weeds and reduce their impact on agriculture and biodiversity.

"Other benefits of the weed mat were that it effectively retains moisture, allows rainfall to soak into the soil, reduces evaporation, and boosts beneficial worm activity," Dr Stuart Lucas, CSIRO Research Program Leader said.

The biodegradable weed mat development requires further trialling to establish broad acre applications for a range of crops. It is not commercially available at this time.

More information Contact Angela Beggs, Group Communication Advisor, Materials Science and Engineering on (03) 9545 2977 or email angela.beggs@csiro.au.

"In addition to weed mats, this type of fabric may have a number of other end

Sixty million square metres of plastic weed mats are used in horticulture, gardens and parks, and homes across Australia each year but most will never completely decompose, according to environmental consulting group AgEconPlus, a partner in the research program.

Recent trials of the CSIRO weed mat showed that it safely biodegrades. Tests also show that because the linseed material retains moisture, the soil under the mat stays healthy and encourages worm activity.

"Other benefits of the weed mat were that it effectively retains moisture, allows rainfall to soak into the soil, reduces evaporation, and boosts beneficial worm activity."

26

WA Grower Spring 2013

Preliminary testing showed that the weed mat degraded over a few months, allowing the mat to be absorbed into the soil.

Tool TIme

Phase Change Products Pty Ltd

THERMAL STORAGE USE OFF PEAK POWER • Reduce energy costs • Retrofit to existing chillers • Increase cooling capacity • Increase productivity

BY Sarah Houston Field Extension Officer, VegetablesWa

Selective broccoli harvesting ‘robot’ Automation and mechanisation continues to increase the efficiency and cost effectiveness of harvesting vegetable crops. With increases in production costs rarely keeping pace with a better return on the crop, efficiency in field production is essential.

Wageningen UR, an innovative scientific company focusing on food production, the environment, health and lifestyle, is developing a broccoli harvesting “robot” that uses intelligent computer vision system to register and select only the broccoli of a pre-determined exact size for harvest, and leaves the remainder until the next harvesting moment.

As a broccoli crop does not grow uniformly throughout, each broccoli in the field can differ in size significantly.

However, the demand from the market is a uniform product. Currently, only manual harvesting (hand-picking) can select specific size, and this is very labour intensive as well as dependent on subjective measurement by the pickers which is not always consistent.

Mechanical broccoli harvesters are already on the market, however these

machines cannot differentiate between big and small broccoli heads, so the whole crop must be harvested in one pass.

The new harvester being developed can combine the two harvesting methods optimally while also improving them. The harvest is automated, but will also run in multiple passes so that only broccoli of the desired size are harvested.

The technology presents opportunities for other tasks such as visual quality inspection before harvest and collecting field information such as productivity and quality distributions.

The module that responsible for the Computer Vision and added intelligence to the harvesting robot, is created by Wageningen Horticulture. Researcher Ruud Barth has been awarded with the 2013 Young Professional Award by the European Machine Vision Association (EMVA) for his contribution to the project.

More information For further information about this technology, go to the Wageningen UR website at: www.wageningenur.nl

Thermal storage installed with phase change material is the answer.

Phase Change Products Pty Ltd has a proven track record, over 17 years experience and a leader in the field of thermal storage with phase change material.

To read about the savings achieved in a recent project refer to the feature article “Energy carrot”, which appeared in the August 2012 issue of Ecolibrium.

Call us now on

08 9324 8520 0433 032 718 Phase Change Products Pty Ltd www.pcpaustralia.com.au

WA Grower Spring 2013

27

Tool TIme

Organic energy Quick facts If you add up the food Australia wastes each year, it's enough to fill 450,000 garbage trucks! Placed end to end, the convoy would bridge the gap between Australia and New Zealand over three times.

An estimated 20–40% of fruit and vegetables are rejected before they even reach the shops.

Electricity prices have risen by 70% in recent years with WA vegetable growers paying about $200MWh on average for their power.

• Digests at around 37° • There is a solid, liquid and gaseous output.

Inputs

Anaerobic digestion (AD) AD is the process in which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. Wasted food crops can be fed into an anaerobic digestion system, recovering biogas to generate on-site heat and electricity.

The fundamentals If you put your hand on your stomach you are essentially touching your own little AD plant.

• An in-feed of organic material (food) • It is macerated (chewed) • Sent through to your stomach (your throat) • Goes into your digester (your stomach)

Biogas plant.

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WA Grower Spring 2013

All organic matter decomposes therefore theoretically any organic matter can be used as a feedstock for an anaerobic digester. Some of the better biogas yielding waste types include: • Watermelon • Corn • Fruit juice • Green beans • Potatoes • Bananas.

Outcomes for food growers Each project will be unique to the requirements of the client. Just to give you an example however, a prefeasibility study for a corn and broccoli farm with an output

of 40 tonnes of crop waste/day indicated savings of more than half a million dollars per year.

Farmers can also use their residuals which can potentially reduce the impact of soil diseases and pests such as the ‘stable fly’ which breed the organic matter left in the paddock after harvesting.

Common outcomes from biogas projects include: • Electricity for on-site use • Fuel replacement • Organic fertiliser for use or sale • Renewable energy incentives • Carbon incentives • Avoided waste disposal or treatment costs • Gate/treatment fees from other waste originators.

Tool TIme

Case study Utilitas Pty Ltd recently presented in Fruit and Vegetable Waste Innovation Clinic in Toowoomba with a case study for treating 40t of vegetable waste per day to generate about 4055 MWh of electricity with generation of 4055 LGC (Large generation certificates) and 29,735t of digestate per year.

This vegetable grower will also be able to have avoided GHG emissions of about 13,400tCO2e/year. The estimated revenue was about $828,000 per year which will give a pay back of about four years to the grower.

Indicative project economics Total project cost

$3,310,000

Vegetable waste treated

15,148t/pa

Commodities produced Biogas produced

34,572GJs pa

Electricity generated from biogas

4,055MWh pa

Large generation certificates (LGC)

4,055LGC pa

Digestate (organic fertiliser)

Fruit and vegetable waste.

29,735t/pa

Revenues/avoided costs and plant operating costs EST annual income/avoided costs

$828,000 pa

Annual costs (includes 60,000hrs engine overhaul)

$98,000 pa

IRR 20%

IRR (no value on digestate) IRR (value on digestate) Avoided greenhouse gases

31% 13,400 t/CO2e pa

Utilitas Pty Ltd Utilitas is a Brisbane based company working in waste to energy field with emphasis on reducing overall energy cost for the treatment systems.

More information For more information please visit their website at www.utilitas.com.au

They are demonstrating that it is now viable in Australia to use technology based on the naturally occurring anaerobic digestion process to recycle energy and other valuable products from organic waste.

Utilitas assist customers to optimise the energy resources from waste streams by conducting the feasibility studies, analysing solid waste and its biomethane potential testing, and further finalising the units in Anaerobic Digester (AD) System with possible capital and operational cost.

What Utilitas has done differently: • Connection to developed AD market in Europe We have taken advantage of our strong connections with the developed European AD market to de-risk our projects through utilising our access to experienced suppliers of equipment and mature, tested project designs.

• End-to-end solutions We have reduced costs through securing a highly experienced team that enables us to offer a complete endto-end solution for the establishment of AD plants.

• Modular approach We have taken a modular approach in that we can scale our projects easily and build cost-effectively even in remote and difficult locations.

WA Grower Spring 2013

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Tool TIme

Biogas production from vegetable wastes What is the product?

Anaerobic digestion of wastes is a process similar to that which occurs in the human gut. Organic materials are broken down, resulting in the production of solid wastes, liquid wastes, and gas. In this case the solid and liquid wastes are useful fertilisers, while the gas can be used in energy generation.

To generate biogas, organic materials are macerated so that pieces are <5mm size, seeded with specific bacteria and warmed under anaerobic conditions in a large digester. Anaerobic bacteria do not need oxygen to survive, they source their energy from the organic materials. Suitable materials include carbohydrates, oils, sugars and natural fibre. This is referred to as the ‘volatile solid’ (VS) component of the feedstock.

Digestion produces a range of breakdown products, including alcohols, organic acids and carbon dioxide. Specialized methanogen bacteria then break down these compounds further, producing methane gas. Biogas generally contains around 50–70% methane, most of the remainder being CO2. The biogas can be readily turned into electrical power using a generator. Heat produced by combusting biogas in a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) generator can be used to continue heating the digester.

Biogas production technology originally grew from the need to dispose of municipal wastes, manure and sewage, so much of the published literature relates to these sources of organic material.

However, as the technique not only stops

Digestate based organic fertiliser.

30

WA Grower Spring 2013

organic wastes entering landfill but also generates electricity, it is increasingly used in agriculture. For example, there are already over 6,500 biogas plants in Germany alone, the majority of which are medium sized, farm based systems which average 300kW of installed electrical generation capacity. One reason for this is the high gas production possible when a range of different organic materials are added to the digester, including high nitrogen sources, preventing the mix becoming too acid

Potential benefits of biogas to vegetable growers Vegetable wastes are particularly suitable for anaerobic digestion as they have a high moisture contents (75–90%), and are extremely biodegradable. Production of biogas is high (Table 1), being up to 7x more than produced by pig or cow manure alone. Many studies have demonstrated that the technology is feasible. For example, a study of fruit and vegetable wastes from the Mexico City Central Market showed that 0.42m3 biogas could be produced for each kg volatile solids (VS) (8–18% total weight) of vegetable waste supplemented with buffering salts and nitrogen. Another study reported 0.58m3 biogas production per kg VS from a mixture of carrots, beans and eggplant.

As well as gas, the process generates a mixture of solid and liquid waste referred to as digestate. This can be diluted, supplemented with phosphorus, iron and other balancing nutrients, and used as part of a hydroponic solution. It can also be used as a mulch, soil conditioner or

Table 1 Biogas potential of different crops Crop

Biogas (m3/kgVS)

Methane content

0.75

53

Fodder beet

0.78

53

Corn

0.61

52

Corn cobs and husks

0.67

53

Wheat

0.68

54

Grass

0.56

54

Sugar beet

applied through fertigation. For example, application of digestate with humic acid increased productivity of capsicums, tomatoes and cucumbers by 12%, 47% and 20% respectively. As nutrients such as N, P and K are preserved during anaerobic digestion, the composition of solid and liquid outputs from the system will strongly reflect the feedstock materials.

Biogas generation was not previously considered viable in Australia due to the high price of the equipment required and the low cost of power. However, as electricity costs have risen so the price of anaerobic digestion equipment has decreased, now being around one fifth of the cost of some years previously.

Materials and equipment required Anaerobic digestion systems vary in complexity; there are both single and multiple stage digesters and static and continuous processing system. They can also vary widely in scale; simple anaerobic digesters are widely promoted for use in the third world to provide light and heat for cooking, while others are multimillion dollar systems designed to process huge volumes of Municipal waste. The main part of an anaerobic digestion system is basically a tank and pipes, with the more complex part involving how the gas is used.

The system also requires continual inputs of organic materials to function well. It is likely that the minimum size system would require at least 10t/day of raw materials, although it could be more if materials have a low VS content (lettuce, for example). Intake can also vary so as to increase during peak periods. While it is possible to shut down the system entirely (over winter, for example) it would then take some weeks lead time to restore operation (Dr J. Keskar, pers. com.).

Tool TIme

The LCOE for Biogas is generally $80–$160/MWh, with farm wastes at the lower end due to their suitability for this process. The actual cost depends on a range of factors, but for vegetable waste is usually at the lower end of this range.

This compares favourably with the average retail cost of electricity ($230/MWh) and slightly more than natural gas generation ($61–$87/MWh).

Blue Tongue Brewery Biogas Plant.

Any aerobic digestion system needs to be designed to deal effectively with the quantity and type of feedstock that will be used. It should also be matched with the farms’ energy demands. One useful characteristic of biogas is that it can be accumulated in storage and used when needed. For example, if electricity use is highest during the day due to packhouse/ refrigeration requirements, then gas can be accumulated overnight and used to generate electricity to meet that demand.

Moreover, it is possible to link the biogas generator with the refrigerant system used for coolstores so as to directly heat refrigerant materials and power compressors. Alternatively, biogas could be accumulated during the day and used to heat greenhouses overnight.

Economic viability Electricity costs are generally presented as the “levelised cost of energy” (LCOE).

The LCOE takes into account includes the initial capital required as well as the costs of continuous operation, fuel, and maintenance over the lifetime of the equipment.

The current average retail electricity prices at the farm gate are typically in the range $200–300/MWhr, with off-peak and peak rates usually around $150–350/MWhr.

A reasonable average retail price for electricity is about $230/MWh and can be compared directly with LCOE values.

Table 2 Indicative economics for a continuous anaerobic digestion system suitable for a vegetable grower/processor Indicative economics for 500kWe anaerobic digestion system Total project cost

$3,173,618

Vegetable waste treated

15,148 t/pa

Commodities produced annually Biogas

34,572 GJs

Electricity generated by biogas

4,055 MWh

Large generation certificates

4,055

Digestate (fertiliser or soil conditioner)

29,735 t

Costs and Revenues Annual operating cost (incl. 60,000 h engine overhaul)

$97,829

Annual savings on electricity costs (est. average cost of 21c/kWh)

$829,282

Potential value of digestate

$376,693

Despite the apparent competitiveness of biogas energy compared to conventional coal fired power stations, electricity returned to the grid only earns $50–$70/MWh, below the cost of production. For this reason biogas is only likely to be economically viable if all or most of the energy produced is used on-site, rather than returned to the main grid at this stage.

The company Utilitas Pty Ltd, which designs, builds owns and operates anaerobic digesters suitable for the vegetable industry, estimates that a reactor which could process around 40t vegetable waste per day would cost approximately $3.2 million to plan, design and construct. However, this investment would be recovered in approximately four years, or even less if the digestate produced has economic value (Table 2).

This is consistent with results reported by Cascone et al., who also suggested that the costs of establishing an anaerobic digester would be returned within four years. In that study, wastes from a 20ha cherry tomato operation were used to generate 1,480MWh per year, including both electrical and thermal energy.

It is estimated that a large vegetable farm would produce 30t / day waste during peak season, reducing to closer to 10t / day during winter. In addition, it may be possible for farms to link with other operations so as to add manures, abattoir wastes or other organic materials into the feedstock. Such additions have the potential to further improve the efficiency of the process and increase biogas production. This suggests that an anaerobic digestion facility could be a viable option for many farms.

Internal rate of return No value on digestate

26%

Value on digestate

38%

Greenhouse gas emissions avoided

14,243 t

Source: Utilitas

WA Grower Spring 2013

31

tool tIMe

floating covers to protect baby-leaf crops

BY Sarah houSton FIELD ExTENSION OFFICER, VEGETABLESWa

a recent hal report (vg09188) has analysed the costs and benefits associated with using floating crop covers to physically protect leafy salad crops from environmental pressures that can cause stress, damage and insect infestation.

The study, lead by Rob Munton of Britton Produce in Queensland, was designed to address the issue of unacceptable levels of foreign body customer complaints the industry experiences on a seasonal basis.

The majority of these complaints are categorised as insect contamination. The modern consumer demands safe leafy salads that are free from contamination

The floating crop covers provide many benefits including the reduction of insect infestation.

and blemish. It was therefore suggested that the physically protective environment provided by enclosing the crop in a fine weave lightweight crop cover may reduce some of the pressures experienced by the plants in a cost effective way.

The objective of the project was therefore to gather data around the benefits and limitations of using floating crop covers to determine whether they were an effective means of reducing insect populations in the final product of field grown crops. In addition, the project also looked at any other potential crop production benefits the covers may present.

A wide range of commercially available crop covers were sourced locally and internationally to use in small scale comparative trials the south Queensland Granite Belt region. The performance of different covers where initially compared and measured against unprotected controls over a 12 month season on criteria including leaf rub, bruising, number of insects present, physical damage, insect damage and harvest yield.

32

WA Grower Spring 2013

The two best performing crop covers were then selected for testing in larger scale commercial plantings.

The research trials found that the floating crop covers are highly effective at reducing insect infestation and insect damage in field grown baby-leaf salad crops and insect population reductions of 89% have been demonstrated. The floating crop covers also provided further benefits such as: excluding most wind borne foreign body contamination; reducing ground moisture loss; providing a level of protection from weather induced damage; and reducing the length of growth cycles during the cooler winter and shoulder seasons.

More InforMAtIon For further information or to read the full hal report (vg09188), please contact vegetablesWa Field extension officer Sarah houston on 0427 373 037 or email: sarah.houston@vegetableswa.com.au.

your Industry

YOUR

Industry

WA Grower Spring 2013

33

Your Industry

Fresh Potatoes

launches campaign at the Royal Show The Fresh Potatoes campaign launch went off like fireworks on Tuesday 1st October at the Perth Royal Show.

60 invited guests including West Australian potato growers, washpackers, vegetablesWA, Buy West Eat Best and media joined The Potato Marketing Corporation, Don Hancey as MC and The Minister of Agriculture and Food, Honorable Ken Baston to officially launched the campaign.

“It is now my pleasure to launch the Potato Marketing Corporation’s 2013 Fresh Potatoes Consumption Campaign,” said Minister Baston.

Peter Evans, CEO of the Potato Marketing Corporation said, “The Potato Marketing

Corporation is proud to execute the campaign, and three years from now is confident that we will look back at this time, as a pivotal moment in the industry's history.”

“The campaign is fully funded by potato growers and they are to be commended for their vision and confidence in supporting this strategy.”

Don Hancey MC and lead Potatodor also announced six new Potatodors as part of the Food Service Program. “A Potatodor is an ambassador for the WA Fresh Potato Industry.

It’s a club. Once you are in,” he said as he crowned each with a Fresh Potatoes apron.

The Potatodors include:

• Sophie Budd, Taste Budds Cooking Studio • Chris Malone, Frasers Restaurant • Mark Sainsbury, Hyatt • Peter Manifis, Incontro • Richard Taylor, Perth Convention Centre • Ryan Larsen, The Classroom • Stephen Clarke, Clarke’s of North Beach • Dan Sharp, Sharp Infusion • Dan Masters, Rockpool • Don Hancey, Panorama Catering.

More information If you would like more information on the launch event, please contact the Marketing Team Paul Graham, Laura Clarke or Rebecca Blackman.

• Ian Leaning, Fig Jam Catering • Ramon Van de Griendt, Mustard Catering

(Left to right): Ramon Van de Griendt, Peter Manifis, Don Hancey, Ian Leaning, Dan Sharp and Sophie Budd with their Fresh Potatoes aprons.

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WA Grower Spring 2013

your Industry

1

2

3

4

5 1 WA Food Ambassador Don Hancey, The Hon. Minister Ken Baston, and Potato Marketing Corporation Board Member, Ron Edwards.

2 Potatodor, Dan Sharp.

3 Potato Growers Mia Rose, the Potato Growers Association Executive Officer Jim Turley and Potato Grower Sam Calameri.

4 The Hon. Minister Ken Baston.

5 The Hon. Minister Ken Baston and Potato Marketing CEO, Peter Evans.

6 The Fresh Potatoes Marketing Team â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Rebecca Blackman, Paul Graham, Peter Evans and Laura Clarke.

7 Wester Potatoes Chairman, Ross Taylor, The Hon. Minister Ken Baston and Food Industry Development Director Stuart Clarke.

7 6

WA Grower Spring 2013

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your Industry

Grower profile name phillip and Sheelagh Marshall location albany perth

property size 615ha enterprises asparagus, sweetcorn, berries, melons, sugar snap peas, Jerusalem artichokes and horseradish

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WA Grower Spring 2013

Your Industry

Grower profile

By Hayley Wilson Communications officer, VegetablesWa

Phillip and Sheelagh Marshall, Albany Founding members of the Albany Farmer’s Market, Phillip and Sheelagh Marshall are dedicated Asparagus growers from the Torbay region, near Albany.

The Marshalls were originally dairy farmers in the UK before coming to Australia in 1970 where they began farming beef cattle in Torbay in early 1971.

“We started growing asparagus in 1974, as cattle prices were so low. My brother and I were the first commercial growers of asparagus,” says Phillip of the start of their asparagus business. Today they are situated on a 615 hectares property where they work together with their son Bruce and daughterin-law Fiona.

The Marshalls still farm cattle on the property, but also grow the asparagus and various other vegetables for Perth's wholesale market as well as the Albany Farmers’ Market, local stores and restaurants, and some door sales.

The Marshalls have added crops to their mix over the years as the need arose, and now produce those products that fit in with their labour and their other farming enterprise. Over the years they have grown a huge number of different vegetables and fruits, while always keeping the beef herd. Currently the Marshall’s are growing sweetcorn (which they began in 1978), as well as berries, melons, sugar snap peas, Jerusalem artichokes and horseradish.

Since starting out in the 70s, Phillip says they now use better varieties and have improved many of their practices such as fertiliser application which has in turn improved the overall quality of the produce.

“The advantages of living in Albany are that we can grow most crops, with good growing conditions in this area. However it is usually a bit too wet in the spring, and can have

problems with phytophtra and Stemphylium when the asparagus spears are growing in cool and wet conditions.”

The peak season for asparagus in Albany is from September until December, while most of their other crops are grown from December until March.

“Since we started in the industry there is a lot more public awareness of buying local, fresh and in season produce, as well as understanding the health properties of asparagus which is great.”

There are several other local asparagus growers in the Albany area and together with the other fruit and vegetable growers have formed the successful Albany Commercial Horticulture group.

Being the founding members of the Albany Farmers Markets, they remain dedicated stall holders, taking produce to the markets every single week during the growing seasons.

Some specialty vegetable varieties, such as their five types of melons, are grown only to be sold only at the market.

Phillip and Sheelagh also helped to establish the WA Asparagus Growers’ Association in 1986, to assist other growers in the region.

“Back then we had to do a lot of promotion on fresh asparagus, as people were only used to eating it out of tins. Now days, after much work and promotion including Farmers’ Market and use by top Chefs, asparagus consumption has increased significantly.”

The peak season for asparagus in Albany is from September until December.

WA Grower Spring 2013

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Your Industry

Danny Trandos

Dow AgroSciences Young Grower of the Year Danny Trandos, General Manager of Trandos Hydroponic Growers, was the winner of the Dow AgroSciences Young Grower of the Year award at the 2013 AUSVEG National Awards for Excellence.

Speaking to Danny about the award, he says “Firstly I was quite surprised I was nominated, I still don’t know who nominated me but I would like to thank them for their belief in me. I was very surprised and humbled when the letter arrived on my desk from AUSVEG. I couldn’t make it to the award night but I had a few excited colleagues from the protected cropping industry call and give me the good news.”

Trandos Hydroponic Growers (THG) is a family owned and operated company that Danny has been involved with since leaving school and believes he will always be a part of.

“My father and mother Harry and Milly are the Directors, my brother Jamie is Head Grower of the plant propagation side of the business, my brother Steve is Logistics Manager and I am General Manger. We are also blessed to have a great team working with us, including crucial members Pietro (Propagation Technical Manager) Elisa (Laboratory Technician), Colm (Maintenance Manager), Jacko (Tomato Production Manager), Angelique and Carmel (Administration) and Sam (Chairman/Advisor).”

“We pride ourselves on having the scientific knowledge and techniques to produce plants with the best possible potential yields.

The number one priority for us is plant health, so we have built an onsite laboratory for testing plant pathogens and other research purposes.”

When the Trandos family started out in hydroponics, they began by producing Lebanese cucumbers. This progressed onto Continental cucumbers in order to supply for Woolworths, up to a stage when Danny recalls that they were supplying up to 11 tonne of cucumbers per week.

Eventually the business changed their crops to tomatoes due the increased market demand.

“Tomatoes are very versatile — there are always new varieties in the pipeline, new packaging ideas and new customer demands.

At the same time, customers are focusing on taste which is great.”

customers especially when they receive their products, whether it be a Woolworths customer buying a single THG tomato, or another grower who has had a successful season growing THG produced plants.

“Fortunately I like travelling and in this industry you need to travel for research and networking opportunities. This is very important for the continued development of THG in order to stay ahead of our competitors.

To be honest, I love every minute.”

When Danny is not working at THG he enjoys his family time. “I like to spend time with my wife Tash and baby boy George. I also enjoy a game of football (soccer) and I love listening to music. I can stay up for hours streaming and downloading the latest tunes from around the world — I love it.”

Danny said his plans for the future are to keep focused and to always enjoy what he does.

“If we expand then that’s great, but it’s not the driving force.”

Danny indicated that what he likes most about being in the industry is seeing happy

The glasshouse and tomato production facilities are on roughly two hectares. Here they grow tomatoes for Woolworths.

“We have a great relationship with the team at Woolworths and have been supplying them with our hydroponic produce for over 17 years.”

They also supply young plants to growers all over Australia including many top growers from as far away as Tasmania.

38

Trandos Hydroponic Growers have built an onsite laboratory for testing plant pathogens.

WA Grower Spring 2013

LM3

Increased returns in tomatoes, capsicums and watermelons with Awaken & NutriSync D The products at a glance A return on investment (ROI) ratio of 2:1 is a sound investment; spending one dollar to make two is clearly a profitable exercise. What then about a 185:1 ROI ratio? You’d have to be mad to not invest that dollar surely?

Independent trial work conducted by Peracto in 2012 in Bowen Qld showed that one application of Awaken through the drip tape and two foliar applications of NutriSync D applied to their tomato crop returned the grower an extra $22,588/ha yet those applications only cost $122/ha. This equates to a return on investment of 185:1!

This was not achieved by replacing all or part of the grower’s normal nutritional program, but was driven by the introduction of new yieldincreasing and quality-improving products.

What’s more, these exciting new products from US-based Loveland Agri Products have produced similar beneficial results in a range of high-value horticultural crops such as potatoes, capsicums, watermelon and sweet corn. See the results table for more information.

Awaken is a 20-0-2 nutritional product containing ACA technology (zinc ammonium acetate).

Products containing ACA technology such as Awaken have been shown to have PGR (plant growth regulator) properties and crops treated with it will often exhibit better photosynthetic efficiency as a result of it increasing chlorophyll and carotenoid density within the leaf tissue. They will generally benefit from increased metabolism due to greater synthetic auxin production (auxin regulates growth). It also has been shown to improve cell elongation which can assist with root growth and development resulting in increased nutrient uptake.

Tomatoes - marketable fruit

LM3760 Peracto Bowen AW v2.indd 1

NutriSync D is a foliar product that drives nutrient mobility within the plant ensuring that is continually available where it is needed. This is achieved via its key component Inositol which is a proven nutrient uptake and transport synergist.

Inositol is an optically inactive alcohol that is a component of the Vitamin B complex. Inositol is widely used in pharmaceutical products for its ability to improve the mobility and utility of the respective products active ingredient.

What customers say?

When Loveland products Awaken and NutriSync D were introduced into the horticultural market of the Gumlu/Burdekin region in Queensland in early 2012, Raymond and Andrew Totorica (Totorica Bros) put their hands up to trial these products on their capsicum farm. The decision was made to trial 6 bays out of a 12 bay planting.

After transplant Awaken was applied at 4.7L/ ha through the drip tape at first watering.

The response was evident after 5 days as the bays, which had the Awaken applied, had very minimal plant loss due to plant-back shock; presumably because the Awaken treated plants had become more resilient to stress through improved nutrient assimilation in the period prior to transplant. The untreated bays had a far more severe plant-back response.

Over the next 4-5 weeks the crop establishment in the Awaken treated bays was superior and improved budding was evident. This is when NutriSync D was applied at 730mL/ha as a foliar application only on the Awaken treated plants.

This was followed up by another NutriSync D application 4 weeks later.

Peracto capsicum trial in Bowen Qld 2012 When it came to the fruiting stage, the fruit count was near double that of the untreated plants. The fruit retention was also greater which showed that the plant was healthy enough to carry more fruit.

These Loveland Products have mixing compatibility with most insecticides and fungicides, which makes it very simple to incorporate them into spray programs. Totorica Brothers grow approx 40 – 50 hectares of capsicums and now use the Loveland Products on the entire farm.

The range of Loveland Agri Products is available exclusively through Landmark.

For more information on the range of products and to view trial results go to loveland.landmark.com.au

Capsicums - marketable fruit

Watermelons - marketable fruit

3/06/13 3:59 PM

your Industry

Breaking the national mould NATIONAL AND STATE 57 UNIVERSITY DEGREE

%

Percentage of the working age population with a university degree

AVERAGES DON’T TELL THE WHOLE STORY

0.4% TECHNICAL OR DIPLOMA QUALIFICATION Percentage of the working age population with a technical or diploma qualification

47.5

%

4.9

%

BY Su MCCluSKeY CHIEF ExECUTIVE OFFICER, REGIONAL AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE

This is the message of the ‘Action Plan for a Stronger Economy’, launched recently by the Business Council of Australia.

It’s pleasing to note then, that one of the BCA’s nine key policy focuses outlined in the ambitious plan is creating the right environments to foster and drive innovation; the very element needed to transform the way we think about our economy.

If we want to diversify our markets and play to our strengths, then innovative thinking is critical. This — along with strong human capital, a robust private sector, and how well we are adopting and transforming with new technologies — is essential to the nation’s long-term growth.

More than this, innovation is about finding new pathways to reach a goal. From a policy perspective, this means moving away from the high-level, blanket approaches to productivity that have been adopted in the past, toward those that understand and reflect regional variation.

Our regions are not all the same, nor are the pathways we should take to unleash their potential.

40

WA Grower Spring 2013

KEY HIGHEST RANKING LGA

LOWEST RANKING LGA

LIFELONG LEARNING Working age population in education and training

19.6% Productivity and competitiveness need to be a long-term agenda, not a political one.

The levels of innovation, technological readiness and human capital are the three keys areas that drive sustainable growth in Australia’s regions, regardless of their size, location or natural advantages. It’s also within these areas that the biggest disparities can be found.

56.9%

76.5%

70.9

%

PRIMARY SCHOOL PERFORMANCE Children in the top two bands for reading, writing, spelling, grammar, punctuation and numeracy

HEALTH Adults with one of the four risk factors of smoking, harmful use of alcohol, physical activity and obesity

23.5%

0%

It’s time we recognize that the presence of industry, the strengths of natural resources, the availability of infrastructure, essential services and new technologies — these all play a part in what success looks like and how it can be achieved within each region.

There is no one-size fits all approach to economic development.

Thankfully, we’re already one step ahead in the journey toward unlocking this complex landscape.

Last month, the Regional Australia Institute launched [In]Sight, the nation’s first online index and interactive map of regional competitiveness.

More than just mapping the drivers of productivity and competitiveness in each of Australia’s 560 Local Government Areas, [In]Sight is challenging the way we think

Source: Regional Australia Institute

about regional development, breaking the mould of policies driven by national and State averages.

It points to clear strengths in markets, the need for investment in research and development, the levels of local government support, the connectivity of businesses — all of which differ from region to region.

It’s this kind of thinking that should set the pace for changing the way our nation approaches the future, based on a level of clarity never before available.

If we work together, businesses and communities across regional, rural and remote Australia can capitalise on this information and unleash the enormous potential of the nation’s diverse landscape.

But only if we’re willing to think outside the national mould first.

B T

P w e te b

0

B C

P a b

E LL

ness that ons, ural the

your Industry

Main Roads WA BUSINESSES TECHNOLOGY

Chain of Responsibility

26.4%

The new ‘Chain of Responsibility’ legislation is being implemented in Western Australia in March 2014. The Chain of Responsibility is an Australia wide requirement and the WA legislation has been the result of significant input from all sectors of industry.

Percentage of the workforce employed by technology related businesses

0% BROADBAND CONNECTION Percentage of households and businesses with a broadband connection

85.4% 7.3%

l use

INTERNET CONNECTION Percentage of households connected to the Internet

%

83.3%

12.12%

More InforMAtIon the regional australia institute [in]Sight mapping results can be found at: insight.regionalaustralia.org.au

It means that anyone who plays a part in the transport chain — from packers, loaders, drivers, operators, right through to those receiving the goods — has a responsibility by law to ensure that any action, inaction or demand, does not contribute to road safety breaches.

The consequences of road safety breaches can be far-reaching, with penalties including prosecution and personal fines.

The legislation aims to make our workplaces and the road network safer for all.

How do you protect yourself? Again, put simply, you need to satisfy yourself that you can demonstrate the systems you have in place for managing risk are robust enough to meet your obligations under the new law, in the context of your industry.

• Have I satisfied myself that my contractors’ claims — that they are legally able to transport the loads they say they can — are truthful?

Main Roads WA will be hosting free, twohour briefing sessions throughout WA in October 2013 to explain the specific provisions in the legislation and how they may affect your business.

More InforMAtIon For information on the implementation of Chain of responsibility legislation, including details of dates and venues of the information sessions, please contact the heavy vehicle operations helpdesk on 138 hvo (138 486) or check the Main roads Wa website at: www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/usingroads/ Heavyvehicles

Questions you need to ask include: • Have I taken reasonable steps to comply with Chain of Responsibility legislation?

• Are my vehicles being loaded correctly?

WA Grower Spring 2013

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Your Industry

Proposed reform

of State’s water management State Government takes action to modernise water resources management Proposed reforms will bring greater certainty and transparency for community

The State Government has released plans to modernise century-old water management regulations to address future demand and climate challenges.

Water Minister Terry Redman said the proposed reforms would benefit the State’s water users and provide a framework for the management of the valuable resource.

Hon Terry Redman MLA, Minister for Water.

Fact file • More than 80% of the State’s available water supports agriculture, horticulture, mining, industry and local government • Domestic users account for less than 20% of water use • The full position paper and instructions on how to provide comment can be found at: www.water.wa.gov.au

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WA Grower Spring 2013

Securing Western Australia’s water future — a position paper, released in September, outlines how changes in water resource management would boost industry confidence regarding future investments.

“The reforms will provide the State Government and water users with more options for managing water and reflect greater transparency and clarity of regulations,” Mr Redman said.

“Proposed changes include more secure entitlements for license holders and a simplified processes for licence applications.

“The State Government remains committed to its election promise not to introduce water license fees and will also maintain the existing water license arrangements for farm dams.”

The paper has been developed in consultation with key water users in horticulture, agriculture, mining, urban development and local government.

A reference group comprised of representatives from peak stakeholder groups will work with the Department of Water to finalise the policy and proposed legislation.

The proposed reform will be reflected in new legislation which will replace several existing Acts including the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914.

The public consultation period ends on December 31, 2013 and will include metropolitan and regional workshops with licensees and interested stakeholders.

The State Government will maintain the existing water license arrangements for farm dams.

Your Industry

Ord River plan to support future development Water Minister Terry Redman recently released a water management plan to help cater for the needs of the Ord expansion project in the Goomig and Knox plains areas.

Mr Redman said the Ord surface water allocation plan would cater for the water requirements of the recently announced Kimberley Agricultural Investment’s 13,400ha Ord Stage 2 irrigation expansion project.

Under the plan, up to 865GL of water can be allocated annually from the Ord River downstream of the Ord River Dam, providing a reliable water supply to satisfy future irrigation demand,” Mr Redman said.

The Minister said the plan outlined how surface water would be allocated and licensed to meet the current needs of agriculture and industry while ensuring water flows of the lower Ord were maintained.

“The Ord River is one of Australia’s most significant waterways and the area is under increasing demand from irrigated agriculture and hydropower. The new plan strikes the right balance between the needs of all stakeholders,” he said.

It also sets out how releases from the Ord River Dam power station will be managed and adjusted over time as additional irrigation areas are established when inflows are lower during drier times.

AusChem Training WA

If you use chemicals, this is the course you need!

This management strategy will ensure there are secure and reliable water supplies for an expanding irrigation industry as well as a healthy lower Ord environment.”

ALBANY* • Reaccreditation Course November 26th • Risk Management in Pesticide November 13–14th

Clearer management guidelines regarding traditional indigenous access to the waterway, water-based tourism and recreational opportunities are also included in the plan.

DIANELLA* • Reaccreditation Course November 18th • Risk Management in Pesticide Use November 19th–20th

• The allocation limit of 865GL/year includes 750GL for diversion at Lake Kununurra and 115GL for diversion at Carlton Plain and Mantinea.

MANJIMUP^ • Reaccreditation Course November 11th • Risk Management in Pesticide Use November 4–5th

• The Ord surface water allocation plan will be evaluated annually to ensure ongoing security and reliability of water supply.

More information The allocation plan can be accessed at www.water.wa.gov.au.

MARGARET RIVER^ • Reaccreditation Course October 25th • Risk Management in Pesticide Use October 23rd–24th

Water allocations (licences) for sale The water allocations below can be transferred to properties within the nominated sub-zones. a) The Karakin Lakes subzone of the Gingin Groundwater Area — portions of up to 600ML available

* ^

Contact Jess on (08) 9892 7504 Contact Leone on (08) 9780 7262

b) The Nambeelup subzone of the Murray Groundwater area — portions up to 500ML available Go to www.waterallocation.com.au or phone 041 994 5713 for more details.

These water allocations are for sale and can be transferred to a property you may have or wish to purchase in the nominated sub-zones.

WA is drying out. Water is an investment in security and ‘the new oil’. Once these allocations are released onto a tightly held market they are as good as gone.

More courses are available, visit:

www.auschemwa.com.au WA Grower Spring 2013

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your Industry

Onions Australia celebrate success!

Onions Australia is celebrating after hosting an enormously successful annual conference in South Australia.

Growers and industry representative from across Australia converged on Mannum for the annual event.

The two day event opened with a social function, followed by a field trip and series of meetings offering comprehensive information on everything from innovation, on farm safety, new legislation, chemical and machinery advances, and numerous research project updates.

The field trip included a tour of onion growing operations in the area, followed by a visit to the Rivapak complex, and concluding with a visit to the Mannum Dock Museum and lunch on the PS Marion.

From there about 60 representatives attended the Onions Australia Annual General Meeting, followed by the OA Annual Levy Payers Meeting.

The day ended with a well-attended dinner at the Pretoria Hotel where international guest and keynote speaker, Dr Bill Dean from Riverpoint Farms in the US, delivered an insightful presentation.

Onions Australia chairman Andrew Moon said, despite the onion industry experiencing a tough couple of years, he was thrilled by the excellent attendance and good support.

“We had growers from every state as well as good industry representation and outstanding support from sponsors,” he said.

“Not only that, we welcomed four new members onto our Onions Australia Executive Committee, with Tasmanian Richard Birtill, Michael Williams from NSW, South Australian Greg Bragg and Victorian Peter Shadbolt all set to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.

“Dr Bill Dean also addressed our levy payers and highlighted his success in the US onion industry, delivering many insights into our international industry.”

The conference also farewelled Onion Industry Advisory Chair Dr Ken Jackson, who left the position after five years, and his replacement was announced as Dr Richard Jones.

Mr Moon was reappointed as OA Chair for another year, while South Australian Steve Rathjen succeeded Tasmanian Dr Dean Metcalf as OA vice-chair. Tasmanian representatives Brian Bonde and Andrew Doran were farewelled from the OA Executive Committee.

Dr Bill Dean addressed levy payers.

Onions Australia had exceptional support from sponsors at the event, including Fox Tucker Lawyers, Dobmac Machinery, Pope Packaging, Micron Group, J-tech Systems, Bejo Seeds and Monsanto.

Onions Australia will host its next series of meetings in Devonport, Tasmania on April 30 and May 1, to coincide with Agfest Field Days (May 1–3), and will hold its 2014 AGM in Brisbane, Queensland, on October 15–16.

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More InforMAtIon For further information or interviews, please contact: onions australia (08) 8725 8862 or acting Ceo lechelle earl 0458 11 11 26.

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WA Grower Spring 2013

Im m fo fi c su re sp

WA Grower 2013 for print.pdf 1 8/29/2013 8:19:24 PM

Littoral F1 • Very uniform, early maturing new warm/hot season variety • Strong against summer curd hairyness • High quality white, smooth, firm and heavy curds • Strong erect plant with good curd cover • 75-80 days relative maturity from transplant

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Bullseye F1 Duncan F1 • • • • • •

Robust, vigorous plant with short internodes Consistent fruit set of 5-6 per truss 180-200g fruit size with firmness High skin quality providing high pack-outs Flat round in shape required for markets Combination of F3 and TSWV

Resistances HR: ToMV / V / Fol:1,2,3 / For IR: Ss / TSWV

• Strong vigorous plant • Brix 11-12 with excellent traditional sugar baby flavour • Very firm dark red, crisp flesh with exceptional cracking tolerance • Well adapted to grafting on TZ148, shorter internodes than current standards • Round fruit shape, very dark green with occassional faint stripes • High yielding fruit numbers with exceptionally uniform fruit size Resistances HR: Co; 1 Anthracnose

Clause Pacific

165 Templestowe Road, Lower Templestowe, VIC 3107 Phone: 61 3 8850 5400 | Fax: 61 3 8850 5444 Important The descriptions, illustrations, photographs, advice, suggestions and vegetation cycles that may be presented herein are aimed at experienced professionals and are derived from observations made in defined conditions on various trials. They are offered in all good faith, for purely informational purposes, and shall not therefore, under any circumstances, be held to be exhaustive, be taken as any form of guarantee of harvest or performance, prejudge specific factors or circumstances (either current or future), and more generally, form any kind of contractual undertaking whatsoever. The user must first and foremost ensure that his exploitation conditions, local geographical conditions, his planned growing period, his soil, the means at his disposal (such as technical knowledge and experience and cultural techniques and operations), his resources (such as tests and control methods) and his equipment, and more generally his agronomical, climatic, sanitary, environmental and economic context are suitable for the crops, techniques and varieties that are presented herein. All the varieties illustrated in this publication were photographed in favourable conditions and no guarantee can be provided that results will be identical under different conditions. All reproductions, whether in part or in whole, of this publication (of the medium and/or the contents), in any form whatsoever, are strictly forbidden, unless specific prior permission is granted. Non contractual photographs - All rights reserved - © 2013 HM.CLAUSE

your Industry

Gascoyne Food Festival 2013 showcasing regional produce and connecting industry

BY Sarah houSton FIELD ExTENSION OFFICER, VEGETABLESWa

Don Hancey â&#x20AC;&#x201D; WA Food Ambassador.

46

WA Grower Spring 2013

The annual celebration of fresh, local produce from the Gascoyne region of WA was once again held in Carnarvon during August at the 2013 Gascoyne Food Festival.

your Industry

The region is well known for its abundance of tropical fruits, delicious seafood and a wide variety of temperate climate fruit and vegetables, and each year the Festival is held to showcase the diversity and quality of fresh produce grown in the area. The event gives chefs, consumers and others in the supply chain a chance to experience the quality and flavour of fresh food produced in the Gascoyne right there at the source.

The Festival ran over three days and included cooking demonstrations, growers markets, networking opportunities for industry, plantation visits and the main event, the Long Table Lunch.

A huge success once again in 2013, the Long Table Lunch attracted over 150 people from around WA and across the country. Held at Bentwaters Plantation on the banks of the Gascoyne River, celebrity chefs cooked up an extraordinary feast of tapas style delights.

Among the chefs preparing the sumptuous 11 course lunch were Don Hancey (Panorama Catering), Sophie Budd (Taste Buds Cooking Studio), Peter Manifis (Incontro Restaurant), Brad Burton (Subiaco Hotel), Greg Farnan from (The Old Brewery) and Gavin Chater (Rockpool). Also in attendance were notable guests the Hon Ken Baston, Minister for Agriculture and Food, Senator Alan Eggleston and the Hon Mark Lewis.

An industry dinner was held by the Loveapple Group on the Thursday night and was chance for local producers and industry representatives to network. A group of chefs spoke to attendees about how

much they value the freshness of Gascoyne produce and how they are excited to be purchasing it direct from Carnarvon growers who send it straight to their restaurants.

Communication between growers and chefs/restaurants is becoming increasingly important and chefs around the country are becoming more and more interested in this direct purchase of fresh product straight from the farm.

Wrapping up the festival for 2013 were the Growers markets held in Carnarvon township on the Saturday morning. The busy market allowed visitors and locals to purchase regionally produced fresh fruit and vegetables, great coffee and local crafts.

Guest chefs were also present, cooking up delicious samples of local food for shoppers to taste.

(Left to right): Phil Frzop, Plantation; the Honorable Ken Baston, Minister for Agriculture and Food; Peter Cooke, Food Council; Greg Farnan, Old Brewery; Don Hancey, WA Food Ambassador; and Peter Manifis, Incontro/Beluga.

WA Grower Spring 2013

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Your Industry

New stable fly regulations now in force

BY IAN MCPHARLIN Senior development officer, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD, WA

Management of stable fly was transferred from the Health (Poultry Manure) Regulations 2001 to DAFWA under the Biosecurity and Agricultural Management (BAM) Act on 2 September 2013.

The Health (Fly Eradication) Regulations 1911 which have been used to manage stable fly breeding in crop wastes and other nonpoultry manure sources will remain in force to control other fly problems.

However for vegetable growers, the important change in stable fly management is that the new BAM Act will prescribe control over a wider range of breeding sites with significantly enhanced penalties.

The same 13 local government areas listed in the Poultry Manure Regulations apply to the BAM regulations, that is, the cities of Armadale, Cockburn, Joondalup, Kwinana, Rockingham, Swan and Wanneroo and the shires of Chittering, Gingin, Harvey, Kalamunda, Peel (coastal plain portion only) and Serpentine-Jarrahdale.

Stable fly is found in other areas of the state, but is a greater problem in these listed shires because of the presence of both irrigated agriculture and livestock.

While the Poultry Manure Regulations only cover use of raw poultry manure, the BAM management plan deals with management of intensive livestock operations and horticultural crop waste.

As a grower, the stable fly management plan will affect you if you produce many of the vegetables available on the supermarket

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WA Grower Spring 2013

shelf. Stable fly is declared as a category 3 pest under the BAM Act which means it is necessary to control its breeding in rotting plant matter. The management plan requires growers to minimise fly breeding to reduce animal welfare issues on commercial and domestic animals, as well as impacts on humans.

You can view the Management Plan which explains the practices and obligations on the vegetablesWA and DAFWA websites.

The required practices involve the continued prohibition on supplying, storing or using untreated poultry manure or litter, plus additional practices to manage vegetable crop wastes, feeding horticultural refuse to livestock, feedlots and other areas of intensive animal management.

Under the Health regulations, rangers or environmental health officers (EHOs) from your local government office were the first point of contact. This remains the same under the stable fly management plan. You will still receive visits from these staff and they will be able to provide education and communication about requirements, issue warnings and monitor general compliance with the plan.

DAFWA will also provide inspectors to attend properties if further compliance action is needed, including fines.

The stable fly management plan is intended to bring all the affected parties together to manage the problem as a community. This approach was discussed at a meeting of DAFWA, relevant LGAs and vegetablesWA at Gingin on 17 July 2013 and forms the basis of the new approach to stable fly control in affected shires.

Management plan Prescribed control measures for stable fly will need to be taken by the owner or person in control of a property in the declared areas, or a person conducting an activity on the land.

All vegetable crops are covered by the plan except beans, capsicums (except paprikas), cucumbers, parsley, potatoes, tomatoes and spinach.

Best practice handling of crop residues left after harvest 1. Minimise the harvest period from first to last pick to as short as possible for the crop.

2. All remaining vegetable residues must be broken down into small pieces with a high-speed mulcher, flail mower, slasher or similar equipment within three days of harvesting being complete.

This allows the residues to dry and inhibits the fly laying eggs in the residue.

3. Mulched residue must then be sprayed with a pesticide registered against fly maggots. There are limited options for chemical control of stable fly and only insecticides containing the active ingredient trichlorfon are registered for its control. (Check that use of these products is still allowed.) Other treatments, chemical or non-chemical, may be approved from time to time.

Use large spray volumes of at least 1400â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1600L/ha to ensure adequate penetration into the soil and the crop residues.

4. Turn off water to the area treated with pesticide for the next seven days and leave it undisturbed. Only irrigate enough to prevent wind erosion if this is an issue. This is so that any eggs and/ or larvae are killed when moving about in the residue, as well as preventing any adult stable flies from laying eggs on this material. Adult stable flies that do manage to survive are killed as they contact the pesticide residue barrier when they dig their way out of the soil.

5. Incorporate the sprayed crop residue into the soil to at least 30cm and cover well.

Your Industry

Supermarkets

are running the show

Reject produce left in the field For crops that are harvested over several weeks or months (for example, paprika, eggplant, zucchini) any produce rejected due to damage or disease and left on the ground needs to be either: • removed weekly from the field and placed in a deep pit, sprayed with an approved insecticide and covered with 30cm of soil OR • sprayed weekly with an approved insecticide if the rejects are left in the field prior to completion of harvest.

Reject produce from postharvest operations Any reject produce or processing scraps (for example, leaves, stalks, damaged heads) that are generated from postharvest sorting and processing should be buried weekly and covered with at least 30cm of soil. Reject vegetables or fruit fed to livestock should be spread on the ground in thin lines to maximise the amount eaten by the animals.

Reject produce that is spread back on the field from which it was harvested should be treated as for the normal harvested crop (steps 2 to 5).

Abandoned crops Whole crops of vegetables that are abandoned due to market forces, financial hardship, disease, irrigation failure or other reasons represent a high risk of stable fly development in the rotting produce. Crops must be treated as steps 2 to 5, to prevent flies breeding in the material.

There has been a seismic shift in Australian and global food markets with supermarkets becoming increasingly dominant, and farmers and governments are struggling to find an appropriate response to ensure markets remain fair.

This is the take out message from the Australian Farm Institute’s quarterly Farm Policy Journal, entitled ‘Will supermarkets save or enslave agriculture?’

The Journal includes a range of papers written by Australian and international authors, all examining the changing role of supermarkets in food markets, and considering some of the long-term implications.

In many respects Australia is at the forefront of these issues globally, having the most concentrated food market of any nation on earth.

“Australia has the most concentrated retail food market in the world. Despite a population of just 23 million, the two major supermarket chains in Australia are amongst the biggest twenty supermarket chains in the world, and on a per capita or per dollar of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) basis, are much bigger than businesses like WalMart or Tesco,” said Mick Keogh, Executive Director of the Australian Farm Institute.

“While large supermarket chains undoubtedly bring supply chain efficiencies and benefits to consumers through lower prices, there are some real questions emerging about the sustainability of other participants in the supply chain, including food processors and farmers.

“The closing down of major Australian food processors over recent years, and the reduction in processor and farmer profits while supermarket profits have grown, is resulting in major structural changes that have flow-on impacts to regional communities and the entire economy,” Mr Keogh said.

The papers included in the Farm Policy Journal highlight the complexity of the issues that are emerging, and the difficulty governments are having in formulating appropriate responses that keep markets fair and transparent, but still deliver benefits to consumers.

“One of the most important issues appears to be the need to create greater market transparency so all supply chain participants can gain a clear understanding of market developments and respond accordingly.

Recent events in Australia such as the ‘milk wars’ have highlighted that the lack of market transparency is a major impediment to ensuring that markets remain fair,” says Mr Keogh.

WA Grower Spring 2013

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your Industry

Grower profile

Phung Tran Do and Tuyet Chau Huynh

BY vo the truYen FIELD ExTENSION OFFICER, VEGETABLESWa

Grower profile name t&C Do & Son: phung tran Do and tuyet Chau huynh location Woodridge perth

property size 242ha enterprises Broccoli, cabbage, celery, spring onion, silver beet, english spinach, lettuces

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WA Grower Spring 2013

Your Industry

T&C Do & Son is a family owned and operated business based in Woodridge, Western Australia. The company was founded by Phung Tran Do and Tuyet Chau Huynh (Linda), who have grown vegetables commercially since 1985.

The company holds over 600 acres of land, with up to 250 acres under irrigation at any given time.

Tran and Chau put quality and safety first Tran and Chautake great care in the production, handling and transportation of their produce. They have adopted guidelines for the assessment of new land, soil testing and water quality, and all of their staff follow stringent quality-control procedures to ensure that the vegetables are of the highest quality.

They are committed to maintaining high standards in all aspects of production, handling, packaging and transportation. “We have strict quality-control procedures in place to make sure that all vegetables are of the highest quality and are in perfect condition.”

The company’s quality assurance programme is constantly changing and developing in line with consumer needs and expectations. T&C Do & Son complies with HACCP — an internationally accepted method and also Australia Food Safety Accreditation provides a recognised endorsement of food safety excellence.

Furthermore, T&C Do & Son is certified to standard SQF 2000 to meet Coles supermarkets standards requirement and the Woolworths Quality Assurance (WQA) Standard which has developed a rigorous quality assurance certification to standardise with global food safety standards and international retail best practice.

(cattle and horses) and humans since the late 1980s and has increased the severity and extent of its outbreaks around metropolitan regions of Perth in recent years, especially where both irrigated agriculture and livestock are present.

Tran and Chau were among the pioneer grower volunteers to cooperate with Dr David Cook, an entomologist of University of Western Australia, to run an investigation on stable fly breeding incidents on vegetable farms around metropolitan regions of Perth in early 2012. This investigation contributes the insights and makes people aware of the high incidence of stable fly breeding in vegetable residues.

Since October 2012 eight local governments are combining with the Department of Agriculture and Food, vegetablesWA and Horticulture Australia Limited to research and develop new ways to look at a new approach to stable fly control. Cooperating attempts have been implemented by different parties over the past year to collaboratively control the problem.

The main focus was to develop new ways to minimise stable fly breeding in vegetable crop residues, and to increase breakdown of crop residues with less reliance on insecticides.

Tran and Chau were the first grower volunteers as researchers’ partners and committed to go along to the end of this project. Their contributions to the

project have included resources such as land, labour, some materials for research experiments and being training site for purposes within the project.

“Being involved in research projects is a way to quick learning. I believe this has made us among the earliest beneficiaries who can approach new research findings to apply to our business,” said Chau.

Tran and Chau cooperative spirit and resource contribution are well appreciated by their research partners.

Complying with new policies and regulations The findings and scientific recommendations of the stable fly control project have contributed toward the development and implementation of the Biosecurity and Agricultural Management (BAM) Act on 2 September 2013.

Being involved in the stable fly control project since the beginning, Tran and Chau can easily implement the research results and have been able to train their staff over the course of the research project. They are very committed to comply with the new BAM act and already prepared to do so. New equipment such as the high speed mulching and digging machine enables them to “incorporate the sprayed crop residue into the soil to at least 30cm and cover well” as recommended.

Cooperate with the vegetables industry bodies to control stable bitting fly The stable fly (Stomoxyscalcitrans) (Diptera: Muscidae) has been present in Western Australia since the early 1900s. It has emerged as a significant problem to livestock

Dr David Cooke discussing the stable fly problem with growers.

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Your Industry

Industry projects

support good practice and efficiency in WA vegetable production

BY Sarah Houston Field Extension Officer, VegetablesWa

Field days, workshops and information sessions for vegetable growers around WA have long been an essential form of communication and extension within the vegetable industry.

A number of exciting projects and initiatives have been running over the past few years to bring regular workshops to growers on essential topics such as pests and diseases, chemical use, soil health, water issues, irrigation, technology and more. 2013 has been busy with a number of workshops being run across the vegetable growing regions of WA.

Caring for our Country Project, Manjimup The Manjimup IPM workshop was run through the Caring for our Country project and held at the DAFWA Research station. The CfoC project continues to focus on sustainable vegetable production practices such as precision irrigation, irrigation efficiency, IPM practices and nutrient management.

If growers have any questions or would like further information about this workshop or any of the ongoing trials under the CfoC project, please contact Alison on alison.mathews@agric.wa.gov.au or phone 0427 388 567, or Sarah Houston: sarah.houston@vegetableswa.com.au or 0427 373 037.

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The workshops held in Wanneroo caught growers attention on a number of topics including IPM, chemical application and best irrigation practice.

Good Practice Project, Swan Coastal Plains The Perth IPM workshop was also run in May through the Good Practice Demonstration project. This project has been bringing workshops and field days to growers in the Swan Coastal Plains region over the past three years.

These have included workshops on soil health, irrigation, plant diseases, carbon and sustainability, IPM and safe chemical practice.

The final workshop/grower meeting as part of the Good Practice project was then held in August 2013 at the Wanneroo Villa where a number of growers gave an overview of the improvements and changes they have made during the project. George Kyme from WesGrowers spoke about the use of soil moisture monitoring equipment to keep irrigation and nutrients within the root zone of his tomato crop.

Damien Rigali of Gourmet Fresh Farms presented on the increase in water use efficiency he gained by increasing the uniformity of his irrigation system and scheduling for evaporation and crop factors.

Sam Calameri and the team at Baldivis Market Gardens featured in a video presentation produced by DAFWA and vegetablesWA focusing on the correct application of Metham Sodium as a soil fumigant. The team have designed and developed a piece of equipment which quickly and effectively applies the chemical under the soil, then rolls the surface to seal it underneath.

The guys explained the thought process and challenges involved in the development of the equipment, as well as the importance of making sure you use chemicals in the correct way and according to the label.

The wrap up meeting for the Good Practice project was also an opportunity for growers to give feedback on the past few years work, and to have input into ideas for future projects.

For further information about the Good Practice project or any of the field days held over the past few years, please contact Rohan Prince on rohan.prince@agric.wa.gov.au or 0429 680 069, or Sarah Houston on sarah.houston@vegetableswa.com.au or 0427 373 037.

Your Industry

IPM workshops Dr Paul Horne of IPM Technologies in Victoria travelled to WA in early May to discuss IPM with vegetable growers at workshops in Manjimup and in Perth. Paul had previously made a trip to WA in August 2012 and generated some interest in his work, especially with control of Diamond Back Moth (DBM). Two growers in Manjimup then trialled the IPM strategy in their brassica crops over the summer with pleasing results using the release of diadegma wasps and strategic use of soft” chemicals.

The workshops in May enabled Dr Horne to discuss the results of the local trials with growers in Manjimup, as well as answer any questions or issues growers had about IPM in general.

At the Manjimup workshop, most growers were interested in IPM in brassicas and lettuce. They discussed the different chemicals to use to most effectively control different insect pests, and how these chemicals can be strategically used to support natural predators of the pests. The Manjimup growers also expressed interest in doing further local trials with the release of the diadegma wasp to control DBM in the coming season.

With the support of IPM Technologies in Victoria, Bayer CropScience in WA and Biological Services in SA, we hope to see a number of growers using the parasitic wasps in conjunction with strategic spraying schedules to greatly reduce the amount of spraying needed to control DBM. In Perth, the workshop was more general due to the audience being a mix of growers of many different crops.

Dr Horne spoke with these growers about how IPM can be used in any crop situation, as it is a “tool-kit” from which the grower can use whichever of the tools are most effective for them at the time. This opened up a discussion about what tools growers had available to them, including chemical, biological and cultural control measures, and how they can all interact to produce the best result. At the end of the workshop, Dr Horne worked with the group of growers to develop an IPM strategy for a tomato crop.

Growers at the Manjimup IPM workshop take a closer look at the tiny diadegma wasps.

Developing an IPM strategy for any crop IPM strategies involve a combination of management practices including a thorough understanding of pestbeneficial interactions, use of biological and narrow spectrum insecticides, spray decisions based on scouting information and pesticide application using improved equipment and techniques.

One of the activities conducted during the meeting was Paul Horne showing growers how to develop an IPM strategy for any crop of interest.

He explained that it is important to remember that an IPM strategy is for a crop, not a pest. During this workshop, the growers present nominated to look at a strategy for a tomato crop.

Firstly, the growers had to nominate all the pests that they thought were important in a tomato crop. They then worked as a group to fill in a table with columns headed ‘Beneficials’, ‘Cultural controls’ and ‘Chemical/sprays’ (see Table 1). The aim was to identify the best control methods for each pest.

Additionally, it was important to find a compatible set of options where the control method for one pest did not interfere with control of other pests.

Table 1 is a condensed version to show the sort of approach that was described and developed during the workshop.

Table 1 A possible IPM strategy for tomatoes Pest

Beneficials

Cultural controls

Chemical/spray

Two-spotted mite

• Persimilis

• Hygiene

• Acramite

• Control solanaceous weeds

• Belt

• Damsel Bugs • Trichogramma

• -

• Vivus

• Cultivars

nil

• Weed control

• Movento

• Other predatory mites • Stethorus ladybirds Leaf-miner Heliothis

• 3 species wasps

• Predatory bugs Western Flower Thrips

• Orius • Hypoaspis mites • Cucumeris • Predatory thrips

Aphids

• Ladybirds • Lacewings

• Chess

• Wasps • Hoverflies Note: Ensure you check registration of chemicals, as this is an ideal scenario

WA Grower Spring 2013

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your Industry

Greenhouse energy efficiency workshop, Baldivis as part of hal project vg09124, greenhouse horticulture extension officer Jeremy Badgery-parker from primary principles in Sa ran a three hour workshop in Baldivis for greenhouse producers interested in learning more about greenhouse energy efficiency.

The project Increasing energy efficiency and assessing an alternate energy option for Australian protected cropping was led by NSW DPI in collaboration with DAFF and industry support through HAL/AUSVEG. It was developed to assist greenhouse growers to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs and estimate carbon emissions by using a questionnaire process. Identifying areas of high energy use and evaluating the option helps growers to make better energy investment decisions.

The workshop looked at topics such as greenhouse design, screening and lighting, water and irrigation systems, climate control systems and alternative energy sources. Throughout each of these topics, the focus was on having an efficient operating system, reducing waste, and providing optimal growing conditions.

All growers attending the workshop were provided with a greenhouse energy

Gingin/Beermullah land and water for lease • • • • 54

250,000 kilolitre water licence Top quality soil and top quality water 2 x 6 inch commercial boars with submersibles House and shed available

WA Grower Spring 2013

use and assessment handbook outlining design and management principles for improved efficiency, as well as an energy use questionnaire designed to help growers assess the energy efficiency of their own production system and how to best manage to make the enterprise more energy efficient. Both resources are used together to help understand and improve the energy efficiency of a greenhouse, as well as help the growers to understand the concepts behind how the system works.

The group also discussed alternative energy sources and shared experiences with different products and ideas. It was a fantastic opportunity for greenhouse producers to network, with growers coming from all around Perth and as far north as Geraldton to attend. Thank you to Baldivis Market Gardens for hosting the event, and to Jeremy BadgeryParker for travelling to WA to present to the growers.

More InforMAtIon For further information or to obtain a copy of the greenhouse energy use and assessment manual and questionnaire, please contact Sarah houston: sarah.houston@vegetableswa.com.au or 0427 373 037.

30-50

acres

Price to be negotiated greg Boskov 0419 276 270 gregt_7@hotmail.com

Xtend® - Fresh Produce Packaging Extended Melon Shelf Life with Xtend® Modified Atmosphere and Modified Humidity Packaging (MA / MH) Preserves quality and freshness for longer providing: Extended storage at the end of the season Market expansion Alternative means of transportation (sea and land freight as opposed to air freight)  Harvesting of higher Brix  Brand enhancement   

StePac I info@stepac.com I www.stepac.com

Your Industry

Connecting the dots for export success Four days into my new role and we have a WA Grower magazine deadline. A progress report at this time is not really appropriate, but no word now would mean no word for another quarter.

VG12042 Domestic and Export Market Access and Trade Viability Issues — Strategy to address undifferentiated commodity lines.

Australia’s successful carrot export sector has demonstrated how a sector can differentiate itself on the basis of food safety, quality and reliability.

Additional sales in both domestic and export markets will require a 'package' that includes product development; targeting market segments; building relationships; promotion and long term commitment.

First impressions are often important and when I first looked at this opportunity I kept finding more and more good information about fresh produce exports. It struck me that my challenge is to ‘connect the dots’ to turn good information into export success.

Some of the early steps: • Look at what is going well and how we can build on that • Look at what has not gone so well and learn from that • Look at what has changed and respond to that • Understand the emerging opportunities • Establish our point of difference.

In moving forward, one of the most important things will be to embrace the good information around and avoid duplication.

So some of the next steps will be: • Engaging with stakeholders and getting the right people involved • Set some SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time bound) goals • Understand market access and logistical challenges • Investigate branding and niche opportunities • Keep focussed and commit to the process.

In keeping with this theme I’d like to draw your attention to one of the existing documents that identifies issues and strategies specific to vegetable exports. The Horticulture Australia Limited report; VG12042 — Domestic and Export Market Access and Trade Viability Issues – Strategy to address is recommended reading for anyone contemplating their future in an export environment. The following is a summary from that report by Michael Clarke (AgEconPlus), Mike Titley (MHT Consulting) and John Baker (Produce Marketing Australia).

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BY Gavin Foord Export Development Manager, Horticulture WA

Michael Clarke (AgEconPlus).

This document details a strategy to assist the Australian vegetable industry to open new domestic and export markets and make existing markets more viable. To deliver the strategy it was necessary to focus on three key issues: domestic and export impediments; relevant leviable products; and existing and potential markets.

Despite a long and somewhat obvious set of impediments, Australia retains a foundation in vegetable exporting that can be used to deliver additional export success. Comparative advantages include commercial and personal relationships in Asia; world class food safety systems; mechanisation of production in some crops; relative proximity to Asia and the Middle East; technological developments that improve fresh vegetable shelf life; and innovations in domestic market valueadding and category management that have potential in overseas markets.

The research has shown that a subset of levied Australian vegetables has potential for additional sales in export markets. Products with additional export potential include beans; broccoli; capsicum; carrots; celery; leeks; lettuce (baby leaf salad and head) and sweet corn.

Australia is not competitive on price in export markets selling traditional

Markets with additional sales potential were selected following application of appropriate criteria including current and future market access; trade relationships with Australia; demographics and capacity to pay; vegetable consumption and production; relative size of market segments; supply windows; freight and logistics. Preferred destinations and specific market segments were selected in East Asia, the Middle East and New Zealand. China may not be as prospective for sales of fresh Australian vegetables as believed by some industry stakeholders.

Recommendations to assist the Australian vegetable industry to open new markets and make existing markets more viable include domestic and export market access, as well as specific actions for priority levied crops, industry development, market development, marketing and a program of policy initiatives.

Twenty seven actions are identified, prioritised and presented in a format that facilitates their funding under the Vegetable Industry's Strategic Investment Plan.

Specific actions within the trade improvement plan target improved domestic market access. The most important action is research to support improved interstate access for Queensland vegetables through continued investment in fruit fly research — additional data sets, appropriate lures and a trial of the domestic protocol for fruit fly irradiation.

Your Industry

To facilitate export development the potential of an export/import agent accreditation program was explored.

The goal of such a program would be to provide additional assurance of payment to vegetable growers contemplating export for the first time. The program would also be applicable to established vegetable exporters interested in expanding their business. Despite a number of prima facie benefits associated with a legislation backed accreditation scheme, it is unlikely that government, and many established businesses in the vegetable export industry, would be convinced of its overall merit. The preferred approach for vegetable growers concerned about credit risk is a combination of Credit Risk Assessment Training and the keeping of a simple information register by AUSVEG or a similar body.

Market research is recommended to assess the potential for sales of value added Australian sweet corn in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and the Middle East.

Finally, an export viability checklist is provided for growers contemplating expansion of their business into export markets.

This project has been funded by HAL using the vegetable industry levy and matched funds from the Australian Government.

Value added bean sales of A$1 million are achievable to South East Asia and the Middle East valued at $1 million within three years.

MARVEL BROCCOLI

COMMERCIAL SEED AVAILABLE NOW New warm weather harvest variety

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www.fairbanks.com.au WA Grower Spring 2013

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Your Industry

Exporting from Australia now easier than ever Over the last few years, the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has been working to help make the process of exporting plants and plant products from Australia simpler.

Exporters’ guide To help provide a better understanding of export requirements, DAFF has produced the handy guide Exporting plants and plant products: A step-by-step guide for Australian exporters. The guide provides step-by-step instructions for exporters so that they are able to meet export requirements for their plants and plant products. It also offers advice on how to reduce the costs of exporting.

Plant Export Operations Branch manager Kylie Calhoun said the step-by-step guide clearly set out the roles and responsibilities of the exporter and DAFF. “There are six steps to getting vegetables to their overseas market,” Ms Calhoun said.

“Meeting importing country requirements is one of the most important steps, and is the responsibility of the exporter.

“If your exports don’t meet the importing country’s requirements, they will not be issued with the phytosanitary certificate, which is required before they leave Australia.”

“We don’t want your vegetables to be refused entry; and then destroyed or sent back to Australia at your expense. Breaches of this kind can also damage Australia's future export opportunities.

Exporters should search for their plants or plant products on the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICOR) Plants database, and use this as a guide to importing country requirements.

“We hope exporters find the guide useful in ensuring that their products arrive at their overseas market without any hitches or additional costs.”

Exporting plants and plant products: A step-bystep guide for Australian exporters is available at daff.gov.au/biosecurity/export/plantsplant-products/exportersguide.

A new inspection model Hundreds of new Authorised Officers (AOs) from industry and are leading the way in making Australia’s plant export process more efficient.

Australia’s plant export legislation enforces a three-stage system to prevent pests, contaminations and disease in plant products.

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Assessments and inspections are conducted along the export pathway before any export certification is issued. Registered establishments, transport units and products are inspected and assessed. AOs can inspect fresh fruit and vegetables to ensure the goods are free from pests, diseases and are export compliant. Once the export requirements are met, DAFF can issue an export permit or other required certification.

This process helps to maintain Australia’s positive relationships with importing countries.

The AO model is just one way DAFF meets this three tick process and provides a high standard of export inspection and certification services.

The model involves training and assessment that applies nationwide to all AOs regardless of their employment status.

AOs can inspect all vegetables, ensuring that the products meet Australia’s and our overseas trading partner’s requirements. An AO can be industry employed, DAFF employed or self employed. AOs can be engaged by industry to conduct inspections in export registered establishments, ensuring that every consignment that leaves Australia is export compliant and meets domestic legislative and importing country requirements.

Training is comprehensive and includes eLearning modules, on-the-job training, their own learning and a competency based assessment. The candidates are provided with the Plant Export Operations Manual, Work Instructions and Candidate Advices as tools for their journey as an AO. The wide variety of tools allows candidates to learn at their own pace and supports their different learning styles.

Industry has greater flexibility in getting their plants and plant products inspected and compliant for export because AOs can inspect products for export outside the traditional end-point location and at times outside standard business hours.

To help industry get their staff accredited as Authorised Officers, DAFF continues to fund and coordinate regular face to face training and assessment programs across Australia.

Your Industry

The training attracts people from around the country and adds practical knowledge to the key principles learnt through eLearning. The eLearning and training sessions provide the building blocks for candidates to drive their own learning in preparation for assessment and appointment as an Authorised Officer. The assessment programs involve independent assessments for each candidate where they are required to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to conduct plant export inspections. When undertaking inspection duties, AOs are regarded as Australian Government officials.

To become an AO, a candidate’s attitude must comply with the Australian Public Service Values and Code of Conduct.

Once a candidate has been assessed as competent, they will be deeded and appointed to conduct plant export inspections. An AO can only inspect products they have been appointed to inspect. When undertaking inspection duties, AOs are regarded as Australian Government officials. All AOs’ work is subject to rigorous verification and audit to maintain the integrity and reputation of our export industry.

For more information on how to become an Authorised Officer, or to access instructional material, please visit the ‘plants and plant products’ section of the DAFF website: daff.gov.au/biosecurity/ export/plants-plant-products/ao.

Register with DAFF to receive updates If you are interested in receiving updates from DAFF Plant Exports, sign up as an online stakeholder at daff.gov.au/biosecurity/ export/plants-plant-products/ian/stakeholderregistration-form. By subscribing you will be

kept informed on issues relating to specific commodities and receive important updates from plant exports. You can unsubscribe at any time.

More information For more information, visit the exporters’ guide at daff.gov.au/biosecurity/export/ plants-plant-products/exportersguide.

Appointment

Industry Sustainability Coordinator Perth Region NRM and project partner Horticulture WA are pleased to announce that they have appointed Nigel Todd to the role of Sustainability Coordinator, based at Perth Region NRM, for the benefit of WA horticulture industries.

Perth Region NRM receives funding from the Australian Federal Government to deliver its natural resource management program, and Nigel’s appointment to this position is a key component of the Region’s sustainable agriculture project — which is facilitated through the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). The Perth Region NRM sustainable agriculture program is managed by Keith Pekin, who will work closely with Nigel’s role.

A key aspect of Nigel’s role is working in partnership with Horticulture WA and the peak industry associations that are represented by Horticulture WA and their respective industry development offices.

This will enable the project to achieve agreed outcomes established between Horticulture WA, Perth Region NRM and DAFF. Project activities will include: • Developing and facilitating workshops, field days and forums that focus on providing producers with greater understanding of soil health, soil health indicators and linking analysis data with nutrient programs.

• Capacity building activities that improve collaboration and program delivery efficiencies. This will include developing a network and forum (physical and virtual) for information extension providers to meet

and develop professionally while enabling improved collaboration between industries.

• Promoting and extending information on innovation and innovative practices that can improve business viability and sustainability.

• Develop waste management and water recycling opportunities.

Nigel comes to the organisation with a wealth of experience in the horticulture industry including research and development, supply chain management, procurement, production, planning, logistics, sales, quality assurance and continuous improvement.

Prior to his appointment with Perth Region NRM, Nigel has held a wide range of roles including National Planning Manager at One Harvest Pty Ltd, Procurement Manager at Tropico Fruits Pty Ltd, Supply Schedule Coordinator and Principal Researcher at Golden Circle Ltd. When asked what was his most rewarding career experience (so far) Nigel passionately expresses “working closely with Golden Circle’s Beetroot growers to coordinate the planning, planting, monitoring and harvesting of their beetroot blocks. Working so closely with growers gave me a real feeling of how tough it is to be on the land and being lucky enough to contribute to their success through teamwork was one of the most fulfilling experiences”. Nigel looks forward to bringing this experience and passion to his new role in the coming months.

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Gac

a potential new Asian vegetable for the Australian market fruit sale price of $8 per kg. This estimate of production cost is higher than those reported for other vine crops and it is not competitive with overseas prices for the frozen aril market.

However, it is expected that improvements in yield are likely through research that focuses on factors that determine fruit number and weight, and aril development. It is hoped that a system for pollination can also be developed to reduce the time it takes to handpollinate flowers. These developments would reduce costs and increase profitability of the production system.

The potential gac industry in Australia could be based on both fresh and processed gac products.

The development of an industry for fresh gac could capitalise on the current demand for Asian vegetables and demand for highly nutritious fruits or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;super fruitsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

By Vo The Truyen Field extension officer, VegetablesWa

Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng.) is a type of fruit endemic to parts of south-east Asia, China, India and even north eastern Australia.

The fruit is traditionally used in a sticky rice dish from Vietnam called xoi gac, but the fruit can also be eaten fresh. Gac fruit is extremely rich in carotenoids (antioxidants), namely lycopene (at five times the concentration of that found in tomatoes), beta-carotene (at eight times the concentration of that found in carrots) and lutein.

In Australia, gac could be grown and marketed as rich source of carotenoids and

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other vitamins and antioxidants. Australian research has already indicated that the aril of this fruit can be processed by freeze-drying it into a high quality powder that retains its colour and nutritional qualities for over a year. The mild taste of gac also allows it to be widely incorporated into processed products.

A recent project conducted by the NSW DPI has analysed the feasibility of gac production in Australia as a greenhouse and field crop.

During the project, the researchers were able to successfully propagate gac plants from cuttings, showing that nursery production has the potential to supply the industry with both male and female plants. Further research into the genetics of gac will also be helpful in developing new varieties with desirable agronomic characteristics for the Australian environment.

Financial analysis of gac production suggests that it could be profitable in field and greenhouse systems in Australia based on costs of about $5-6 per kg and a fresh

There are many opportunities for supplying high quality products made from gac including freeze-dried powders, in particular to meet the high demand for carotenoids and other antioxidants. Most parts of the gac fruit can be made into powders, while the oil can also be extracted from the aril and from the seeds. Better utilisation of the fruit (skin, pulp and seeds) would increase profitability of a gac production operation.

More information For further information or to obtain a copy of the report, please contact vegetablesWA Field Extension officers Truyen Vo: truyen.vo@vegeableswa.com.au or 0457 457 559 or Sarah Houston sarah.houston@vegetableswa.com.au or 0427 373 037

Your Industry

A Vietnamese volunteer

serves her community in Carnarvon

By Vo The Truyen Field extension officer, VegetablesWa

Mrs Kim Nguyen is one of four members of a Vietnamese family owned farming business growing mainly chilies in Carnarvon, Western Australia. Besides running a successful family business, Kim is an active and enthusiast voluntary community service contributor.

Kim is the vice president of the Vietnamese community in Carnarvon. She is well recognised for her significant contribution to link the Vietnamese community in Carnarvon to the government as well as to assist community development in different aspects.

Recognising the disadvantages of minority Vietnamese growers Kim and her family are among the first Vietnamese refugees to arrive in Australia in the 1980s when she was a young child. Kim is now fluent in both English and Vietnamese due to her Australian education and while being brought up by culturally well preserved parents. S he recognises that her bilingual skills have been a key advantage over the years, making her life and business much easier. She can easily approach different channels and services, both public and private, to assess essential knowledge and information that are beneficial to her business operation and community.

She acknowledges that the poor English skills of many of the Vietnamese growers prevents them from accessing a number of services as well as making it more difficult to deal with daily farming business issues such as market agents or learning new techniques.

“A lot of Vietnamese farmers don't speak English very well. One of the biggest things is the lack of understanding of written English on documents such as chemical labels and training materials as well as poor spoken English to negotiate better prices and to source labour,” she said.

Since 2002, Kim has devoted much of her time help the Vietnamese community in Carnarvon. Her contribution is very varied, dealing with many issues within the Vietnamese and farming communities.

Kim has stood several times as a voluntary interpreter to help Vietnamese growers in court cases and several other situations that have involved English speaking agents and the Vietnamese. Organisationally, she collaborates with either private sector or government agents to implement community services such as to assisting the government emergency services help the Gascoyne flood victims in 2011.

Kim works closely with the local shire, especially with Mrs Minh, a Vietnamese official, to seasonally organise Vietnamese traditional events.

“It is essential to maintain our traditional celebrations and preserve our traditional spirit to maintain the linkages among our community members. If any Vietnamese growers have a problem, if they are sick, or there is a funeral for example, then we all can help, because it's very important for our culture,” said Kim.

Communication between the government and the local Vietnamese community Vietnamese growers, including those in Carnarvon, are recognised for their important contribution to the labour force and to the agricultural economy in WA. However, sometimes they are believed to lag behind other growers in terms of farming practices and operating efficiency due to the language barrier and cultural differences. Several government projects and programs have been developing to assist the Vietnamese growers improve in these areas over the years. Having a good contact person who is able to communicate with the industry and who also understands the community is essential for ongoing success.

Over the past ten years, Kim has been well known for her community service and has been the contact for many government and nongovernment agents who implement

Community contributor, Kim Nguyen.

projects or programs for the Vietnamese community in Carnarvon. It would be hard to count how many times Kim has played such a role, but over the past year there have been various examples including: the Drought Pilot Project with a number of trainings courses, the mission of Immigration officials, the Water Use Efficiency project, the Announcement for emergency water availability of the water supply just to name a few.

Kim hopes to continue to help Vietnamese growers with their needs, whether it is sharing technical experience, increasing access to markets or supporting farmers during difficult times.

“Vietnamese growers have significantly increased Carnarvon’s production of tomatoes and Asian vegetables over the years. Vietnamese farmers have spent a lot of time and hard work transforming their lives and farms around Carnarvon toward prosperity. I am just happy to be a small part of that process.”

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56 million reasons

people need fruit and veg It wasn’t that long ago that sugar-laden drinks were shared amongst families as a special treat; however it seems consuming these drinks has become such a normal part of our diets that we have to wonder if we have lost the taste for water.

Two-thirds of West Australian adults are now an unhealthy weight and with recent figures suggesting that WA has the highest proportion of overweight and obese people of all the States and Territories, it is no doubt that higher sales of fast food and sugary drinks are boosting overweight and obesity in our community.

Marketing has promoted junk food and drinks to the point of convincing us that this is a legitimate food group and not an ‘added extra’. Somehow along the way we have either forgotten, or we are being too quick to dismiss the fact, that we do not need junk food or sugary drinks to survive.

Pesto baked mushrooms with roast tomatoes. LiveLighter© State of Western Australia 2013.

If you think this doesn’t apply to you in your healthy embodiment, think again. $56 million is spent on obesity-related health conditions each year and more than 85 per cent of all diabetes cases are type-2 and costs an estimated $14.6 billion each year.

It is well established that obesity is a leading risk factor for type-2 diabetes, heart disease and several cancers and maintaining a healthy weight, through a healthy diet and regular exercise reduces these risks.

And while overweight and obesity are complex metabolic conditions with a number of potential causes and many argue that sugary drinks should not be the blame, it should be noted that while it is unlikely that a single food or food group is solely responsible, Australia now ranks among the top 10 countries in the world per capita for consumption of soft drinks.

Sugary drinks include all nonalcoholic water-based beverages/ drinks with sugar added to them as well as energy drinks, fruit drinks, vegetable drinks, sports drinks, iced teas, vitamin waters and flavoured milks.

Unlike water or eating fruit, sugary drinks offer no nutritional value and are associated with increased energy which, if not burnt off, can result in weight gain, obesity and chronic diseases. This is because the extra energy in sugary drinks is sugar your body doesn’t need so it gets turned into fat, including ‘toxic’ (visceral) fat which is known to release dangerous levels of chemicals (including hormones) into the body.

So what can we do to address this growing issue?

There is no doubt, prevention is the most realistic, efficient and cost-effective approach for dealing with the adult obesity epidemic.

Most people know what they need to do to lead a healthier lifestyle — but they aren’t doing it. Being overweight or obese and having a ‘bigger body’ is becoming a common sight on our streets, leading many people to be unclear about what a healthy weight actually is.

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Your Industry

We need a raft of measures including education, awareness and support from the government and industry to ensure fresh, healthy food is the easy choice.

Public health education campaigns, like LiveLighter have been encouraging Western Australian adults to lead healthier lifestyles by making a few simple changes to their eating, drinking and physical activity habits.

You may be familiar with the ‘toxic’ fat advertisements taking West Australians on a journey inside their bodies to show the damaging effects of being overweight or obese.

The ads encourage people to take an honest look at themselves and asks: “Do you have a ‘grabbable gut’? If so, you could be carrying too much “toxic fat” around your organs.”

It’s this ‘toxic’ fat which has been linked to an increased risk of disease.

People tend to be more concerned about the fat they can see without thinking about the hidden fat that is the biggest danger to their health. This is where the Campaign stands apart from other healthy weight campaigns; it shows viewers what this toxic fat looks like.

It’s certainly not pretty, but it’s honest and it grabs their attention.

But public health education campaigns cannot deliver sustained changes on their own, we also need to change our policies — about junk food advertising to children, promotion of junk food through sport sponsorship, food labelling that is easily understood and reformulating our foods to make them a lot less sugary, salty and fatty.

LiveLighter supports the investigation of tax options to increase the price of sugary drinks as well as putting restrictions on advertising. Limiting consumption of junk food and sugary drinks are an important part of a healthy lifestyle, as well as consuming plenty of fruit and vegetables and being active everyday.

As part of LiveLighter’s quest to encourage people to live healthier lifestyles, there will be a strong focus on promoting fruit and vegetables. Over the next 12 months LiveLighter will be working with retailers, health professionals and other organisations to add some flair to marketing fruit and vegetables as part of everyone’s ‘normal’ daily diet.

We need to prompt people to eat their two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables each day and use natural herbs and spices to add flavour to foods instead of adding salt or sugar.

It is important that we all work together to market fresh Western Australian produce and educate consumers about the associated benefits of living a healthy lifestyle.

A $3 (375mL) sugary drink everyday will add up to $1,095 over a year; imagine all the fruit and vegetables one could buy for that amount.

More information LiveLighter has a range of resources such as the A to Z of Fruit Vegetables guide, various healthy recipe books and seasonality posters you can order for free to help spread the message. You can view and order them here: www.livelighter.com.au/partners/resources. aspx or send our friendly team an email at: livelighter@heartfoundation.org.au

SUGAR YOUR BODY

GETS TURNED

DOESN’T NEED

INTO FAT

Toxic fat around vital organs of moderately overweight Australian

Some of it becomes a grabbable gut around your waist and some of it becomes toxic fat around your vital organs, which can lead to cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Think about that next time you are at the drinks fridge. Find out the truth about sugary drinks at livelighter.com.au 6XSSRUWHG E\

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Buy West Eat Best

new manager and consumer research DAFWA’s successful Buy West Eat Best local food labelling program is set to achieve new heights with the appointment of a new Business Development Manager.

Ms Melissa Italiano joined the team in July and brings a wealth of branding and marketing experience from WA and international wine and food businesses.

Earlier research conducted after cinema advertising of a Buy West Eat Best advertisement indicated a similar level of awareness — 85.5% consumer awareness of the brand, with 30% advising that they would be more likely to buy more local product as a result of the brand and its application.

Consumers are willing to pay more for local product Additional research from UWA graduate and winner of WA Young Professionals in Agriculture Award, Emma Downsborough, validated that WA consumers have a strong preference for a local food label. Emma found that consumers were also willing to pay a premium price for local product.

I’m sure members will reap the benefits of Melissa’s commercial acumen and experience. This high calibre, dedicated leadership of the program has been a long time coming, so I look forward to members now driving the Buy West Eat Best program to greater heights in partnership with Melissa and the Buy West Eat Best team.

Industry support for Buy West Eat Best is vital for its success, and support from the vegetable industry is much appreciated.

One of Melissa’s first actions was to check consumer interest in the program through Perth’s 2013 Good Food & Wine Show where food lovers were a-plenty. Of 723 people surveyed, 84% had seen and recognised the Buy West Eat Best logo and more than half advised that they actively look for it when shopping.

“vegetablesWA is a keen member of Buy West Eat Best and encourages individual business membership,” Policy & Program Manager John Shannon said. “With the increased labelling of fruit and vegetables and in-store identification of ‘locally grown’ produce, there has never been a better time to support DAFWA’s program and its marketing.”

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BY STUART CLARKE DIRECTOR OF FOOD AND AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD

More than 30 members of the fruit and vegetable industries are current members of BWEB. These are mainly growers, about four market agents and one retail store.

The greatest advantage of membership is access to the bright green logo in advertising and promotion, and participation in major events such as the Royal Show and the Good Food & Wine Show. Numerous regional events have also been supported in recent years.

Your feedback wanted The Buy West Eat Best team is currently seeking member and industry feedback.

Please contact Melissa Italiano, Buy West Eat Best’s Business Development Manager at (08) 9368 3042 or email: melissa.italiano@agric.wa.gov.au if you have any comments.

More information The current annual cost of a Buy West Eat Best membership is only $257.27 + GST. For more information about membership applications, please contact Amelia De Groot on (08) 9368 3977 or email: amelia.degroot@agric.wa.gov.au.

United Crate Co operative Ltd An Industry Leader Since 1963 Servicing The Fresh Produce Industry For Over 50 Years Short term hire crates and bins Long term hire bins Sale of new & second hand crates & bins Contact our friendly team United Crate Co operative Ltd 1 Zanni Street Canning Vale WA 6155

Email: info@unitedcrate.com.au Web: www.unicrate.com.au PH: (08) 9455 1540 Fax: (08) 9455 2376

Your Industry

Research shows promise in lowering stable fly numbers

By David Cook 1 and Ian McPharlin 2 The University of Western Australia,

1

2

Department of Agriculture and Food

matter and modify the micro-organisms breaking down the crop residues to encourage the spread of entomopathogenic fungi that are lethal to insects.

These fungi are a comparatively new discovery but seem to be present in WA soils.

Stable fly maggots emerging within vegetable crop residue.

Research on managing stable fly in vegetable crop residues is showing encouraging signs that fly breeding in rotting residues can be reduced by non-chemical means.

Breaking up the residue by high speed mulching and turning the water off after harvest had the biggest impacts in reducing stable fly numbers.

Funding for the research has been provided by vegetable growers through the Agricultural Produce Commission, eight local government authorities, DAFWA and Horticulture Australia Limited. Its objective is to accelerate decomposition of organic

Our work has shown different fungi in rotting crop residues where stable fly breed compared with residues where the flies are absent.

It is possible these soil fungi are lethal to insects and may have an important role in inhibiting stable fly breeding and can be used in its control.

For this reason, we tested two bio-accelerators in accelerating organic matter breakdown as well as altering the microbial populations.

Initial results were encouraging but more work is needed to fully evaluate them.

Figure 1 Impact of bio-accelerants, Bioprime (BP), Digester (Dig), lime, pesticides and diatomaceous earth (DE) on stable fly development in large scale

Field trials (left) and tote box trials (right) in 2012/13. Red arrow = reduced stable fly numbers; blue arrow = more stable flies; green arrow = no difference from untreated.

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Your Industry

Field trial checking on stable fly emergence after vegetable crops.

Current best management practice of vegetable crop residues is: • High speed mulching of residues within three days of harvest completion • Application of a pesticide to prevent fly breeding • Drying of the residue for seven days (with no overhead reticulation) • Incorporation into the soil after seven days of drying.

Using a pesticide on crop residues is not sustainable as it costs the grower, the environment and the consumer with no agronomic benefit.

Enhanced biodegradation of crop residues (i.e. leaves, stalks, roots and fruit) was tested using the two bio-accelerants on celery, lettuce, cabbage and broccoli on commercial properties in Gingin Shire over the past summer and autumn.

The trials involved testing over a large area immediately after harvest. Crop residues were broken down using a high speed mulcher and then either left untreated or treated with each bio-accelerant.

The bio-accelerants were assessed on their ability to decompose crop waste and reduce stable fly development. Purpose-built traps were placed over each plot to catch the emerging adult flies three to four weeks after harvest was complete.

In addition to the field trials, crop residues were exposed to various treatments using

60L black tote boxes. Freshly mulched residues were exposed to flies in the field for two weeks, then the remaining crop residues and 5cm of soil were transferred to smaller boxes where adult flies emerged over the next 2–4 weeks and were counted.

Celery crop residues left in the field after harvest present an ideal breeding environment for stable flies.

The field trials highlighted the significant effect of both high speed mulching and the absence of overhead irrigation on reducing stable fly development.

Residues that were simply rotary-hoed into the soil and continued to be watered, produced more than 100 stable flies per square metre, whereas high speed mulching without further overhead irrigation produced only 5–25 flies.

Applying lime as calcium hydroxide at 2.5t/ha also resulted in 50% fewer stable flies. This result was confirmed in the box trials. Diatomaceous earth, another candidate, had little effect.

Bio-accelerators Neither of the bio-accelerators, Bioprime® nor Digester®, consistently reduced stable fly numbers when combined with high speed mulching after harvest. Digester® did reduce numbers in the field box experiments by about 50% but had no significant impact on the breakdown of organic matter. In contrast, Bioprime® was very effective at accelerating organic matter breakdown, but had no deleterious impact on fly

Broccoli crop after mulching. INSET: Broccoli residue after harvest.

development. In most cases it encouraged or enhanced their development.

Future research will examine longer term application of both bio-accelerants through the vegetable crop’s full cycle to allow for suppression of dominant, simple bacteria in the soil and more time for growth of the entomopathogenic fungi to impact on stable fly larvae.

In addition, we will investigate commercial dessicants with fertiliser value (i.e. calcium chloride sold as Drierite, sodium metasilicate, lime sands and magnesium sulphate) which may further reduce moisture in the soil and crop residue, and have a significant impact on stable fly development.

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Your Industry

Agronomist profile Steve Poole, Albany

Steve Poole is the local Landmark Agronomist in Albany WA working mainly with horticultural crops. Steve’s family moved to Albany back in 1912 from England when his grandfather, an engineer, needed a change of climate for health reasons.

They purchased a farm where they began growing potatoes and the family have been involved in farming ever since. Both Steve’s grandfather and father have run the business over the years, growing potatoes and pumpkins and running dairy cows on the banks of the Kalgan River.

As well as working as an agronomist, Steve now helps to run the family farm where they graze sheep and cattle and have planted part of the property to horticultural crops of which the main one is avocados.

Growing up in Albany, Steve moved to Perth to study a bachelor of Agricultural Science

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at the University of Western Australia (UWA) where he focused on plant and soil science. After finishing university in 1999 he moved to Carnarvon in 2000 where he worked for the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) for six months before joining the Carnarvon Growers Association (CGA) as an agronomist/technical sales role.

“Really, a degree in Ag Science taught me the basics, but then you get out into the field and that’s when you really learn!” says Steve of his experience getting into the industry.

After four years in Carnarvon, Steve had the opportunity to move back to Albany as an agronomist at Landmark where he has now been for nearly nine years.

“The vegetable industry in Albany has had its challenges, particularly being 400km away from WA’s main population centre. However, to see local growers adjust to these challenges and thrive is very rewarding,” Steve reflects.

He has also enjoyed playing a part in helping the growers become more productive, more efficient and ultimately more profitable.

BY Sarah Houston Field Extension Officer, VegetablesWa

“It does feel like you are helping to make a difference.”

During his time in the industry, Steve has observed many changes, especially the decreasing reliance on the Perth Markets and the increasing power of the major supermarket chains. He has noticed that this has also meant a shift for local vegetable producers to focus on the local market and selling direct to the consumer. The growth of the Albany Farmers Market is a good example of this.

“Quality assurance is also becoming a lot more important, and I think this has led to a safer, healthier product being available to the consumer.”

Another big change has been an increased focus on sustainability. Steve has seen a shift towards using softer chemicals and integrated pest management (IPM) practices for pest control options, as well as a better understanding of soils and soil health, not just the fertilisers required to grow crops in the short term.

When asked about the future of the vegetable industry in Albany, Steve says “I

Your Industry

think the industry has lots of potential to grow. We have lot of good land with a big range of soil types and situations for both summer and winter crops, and generally we have a fair bit of water.”

“Albany is home. It is a beautiful place with an amazing environment, stunning coastline and some of the most picturesque scenery in WA. We have good reliable rainfall, a moderate climate without the extremes of hot and cold!”

Albany presents a great opportunity for Steve and his young family to live in the ‘country’ without the hustle and bustle of city life, but still have everything they need close by. Steve hopes to remain in Albany for some time and continue his agronomy work as well as getting more involved in the farm and expanding their avocado production operation.

After more 13 years in the industry, Steve’s greatest advice to growers is to think about the soil and root system and remember that it is very complex but critical to any type of agricultural production.

“Healthy soil equals healthy roots. Soil health includes soil structure, biology and chemistry and they all need to be carefully considered for optimal production.”

“Don’t forget the basics — if you take it out, you have to put it back in!”

Healthy soil equals healthy roots. Soil health includes soil structure, biology and chemistry.

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your Industry

Government of Western Australia Perth Market Authority

Independent Great Greengrocers

join forces for the fight for flavour

(Left to right): Gilbert Corriea, Gilbert’s Fresh Market; Basil Gotsis, Fresh Provisions; Lyn and Kim Cucel, Mr Fresh Carine; Attilio Pasqualotto; Rob Di Tullio, Peaches Fresh Food; Shawn Offer, Fresh Provisions; Domenic Scutti, Scutti — A Taste of Europe; Minister Ken Baston; Greg Brindle, Limes Fresh Farmer’s Market; Tony Ale, Tony Ale & CO Fresh Food Market; Tim Jagot, Supa IGA Wembley; Sam Pizzata, The Fruit Basket.

A battalion of independent Western Australian greengrocers today celebrated the importance freshness and flavour plays in influencing the choice of in-season fruit and vegetables.

Agriculture and Food Minister Ken Baston today launched the Great Greengrocer campaign which has grown from a concept developed jointly by the Perth Market Authority and the Chamber of Fruit and Vegetables Industries WA. Perth Market Authority chief executive officer Stephen Ward said feedback from independent greengrocers who are daily customers of the Authority’s wholesale markets at Canning Vale pointed towards just how much customers appreciated being able to buy the best quality in-season products and get great advice on innovative ways to prepare them.

“The comprehensive campaign aims to encourage customers to support local independent greengrocers and provide them with a united platform to inform consumers about the full benefits of buying fresh

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(Left to right): Tim Jagot, Supa IGA Wembley; Basil Gotsis, Fresh Provisions; Greg Brindle, Limes Fresh Farmer’s Market.

Your Industry

produce and what is seasonally available to them at their local specialist independent fruit and vegetable retailer,” Mr Ward said.

“Local independent greengrocers maintain expert knowledge about handling, storing, preparing and cooking fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables and can offer customers a range of ideas and suggestions about serving fresh produce in interesting and delicious ways.

“The campaign aims to increase consumer awareness of the importance of choice, flavour and the excellent knowledge-base customers can tap into.”

Long-standing independent greengrocer Vasili (Basil) Gotsis of Fresh Provisions Mt Lawley and Bicton is a second generation greengrocer and said he found customers these days were always on the lookout for the freshest produce available that provided best flavour quality and plate appeal.

“My family and business partners have been involved in building the trust of our

customers for more than 30 years and this campaign is really important as it will let even more people know just how important it is to join the fight for freshness,” Mr Gotsis said.

retailers stretching from Bunbury to Wanneroo and hoped to support as many of the 400 independent retailers throughout that State as possible.

“There is a new wave of consumers who are constantly looking to source the best, freshest fruit and vegetables ingredients, not just for that special dinner but for their everyday meals.

“Customers need to know they are able to buy produce that simply oozes quality and freshness and adds up to good nutrition and value for money,” he said.

“And they are always seeking advice and tips from our staff on how to prepare the more unusual varieties on the market today.”

“We are encouraging Western Australians to join the fight for flavour and shop at their local Great Greengrocer,” Stephen said.

Domenic Scutti who operates Scutti — A Taste of Europe in South Perth said he was up each day well before Perth workers’ alarm clocks ring, seeking out the best produce and freshest varieties in the markets.

“We make it our business to look at, touch, and smell what we are sourcing for our stores so our customers can shop with confidence knowing they are buying the best available in any season,” Domenic said.

Stephen Ward said the Great Greengrocer campaign currently features 15 independent

GREEN HORNET

• New green coral for direct sown baby-leaf • Fine frilly leaf shape and narrow stem with a pleasant sweet avour • Strong leaf to handle the rigours of processing without compromising shelf lilife • Thick leaf adds extra yield in the paddock

SCORCHER

• Exciting red cos lettuce introduction for baby-leaf • Brilliant deep red colour with a very glossy appearance • Uniform leaf size with a light frill on the edge of the leaf • Very ne stem minimises the cut surface

RED HORNET

info@fairbanks.com.au

• New red coral for direct sown baby-leaf use • Attractive red colour changing to green at the base • Very ne frilly leaf shape with na narrow stem • Durable leaf to withstand the washing process

Phone: 03 8401 3346 Fax: 03 8401 3347

www.fairbanks.com.au WA Grower Spring 2013

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Your Industry

Carrot exports reach new peak

BY ALLAN MCKAY Senior Research Officer, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD

The main markets for WA carrot exports were the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain (Table 1).

Carrot exports from Western Australia reached a record high value of $48.05 million FOB in 2012–13 — up slightly on the past three years and 42% higher than 2007–08.

Since 2007–08 there has been strong growth in exports to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain.

Carrots are easily the top vegetable export crop from WA and WA is the dominant producing state, accounting for 94% of Australian exports by value. Queensland ($1.24 million FOB), Tasmania ($0.76m) and Victoria ($0.63m) accounted for most of the rest.

Australia exported 67,412 tonnes of carrots worth $51.18 million in 2012–13.

Table 1 Main markets for Western Australian export carrots in 2012–13 and growth since 2007–08 (ABS) Destination

Value ($m FOB) 2012–13

Growth since 2007–08 (%)

United Arab Emirates

14.31

+79

Singapore

8.55

+25

Malaysia

5.94

+21

Saudi Arabia

5.48

+59

Qatar

3.81

+162

Bahrain

2.95

+54

Kuwait

1.69

+33

Hong Kong

1.13

+80

Japan

1.08

+75

Thailand

0.98

+75

Oman

0.90

+16

BruneiDarussalam

0.36

-14

Reunion

0.35

-75

Maldives

0.31

-8

Indonesia

0.11

-75

Total

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48.05

Exports to Singapore (up 25%) and Malaysia (up 21%) also increased. Over that same time, sales to the lesser markets of Brunei, Reunion and Indonesia contracted.

China is now the world’s leading carrot exporter. Chinese exports in calendar year 2012 reached 595,025 tonnes valued at $264.7 million FOB, according to the Global Trade Atlas. Their main markets were South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Russia, UAE, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Chinese carrots dominate many of the markets that are also important to Western Australian producers.

WA exporters do not compete on price, given China’s lower costs of production, but trade successfully on quality, food safety and reliability.

China is now the world’s leading carrot exporter.

your BusIness

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Your Business

Why it’s important

By Benita Bensch Sunburnt Country Consulting

to understand the ‘why’ of your business Being in business is a bit like riding a rollercoaster. All at once it can be exhilarating yet terrifying, rewarding yet unforgiving. One thing is for sure — in business you will experience the highs and lows of a rollercoaster; sometimes to the extreme.

As business owners, sometimes we get so wrapped up in riding the rollercoaster dayin and day-out that we forget we actually have a choice about whether to get on, and when to get off. Despite how you may feel and the situation you’re in, there are always choices. I repeat — there are always choices.

Sometimes you just need to look harder or find someone to help you recognise them.

If you choose to stay in business and keep riding the rollercoaster then I have an important question for you: Why are you in business?

I’m sure that you know BUT have you ever thought hard about it past the immediate surface response and then verbalised or documented that knowing?

Exploring your own answers to this question and then recording ‘Why we do what we do’ is a powerful exercise.

Make a list of the reasons why you do what you do. Add the list to your business plan, or if you don’t have a plan, make this the beginning of one. Done? Now, read over your list and then go deeper. Add more detail and emotion. Why? Because when you refer back to it on a day when the rollercoaster has plummeted to rock bottom, you’ll need to be reminded of the real reasons behind the reasons.

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For example: Why we do what we do To make money

Expanded >

To provide for our family so that they are cared for and so we will have a comfortable retirement

It’s what our family has always done

Expanded >

Because we have a connection to our land and community and we get great satisfaction from farming

For the lifestyle

Expanded >

So we can control how and when we work while enjoying the open spaces and clean air that rural living offers

On a good day, a dark day, or when you feel like you’re losing your way, your list will bring you back to the core of your business and keep you true to purpose.

It’s a reminder of what you were thinking when you made the choice to ride the rollercoaster and it will help to see you through tough times.

You need crystal clarity around the ‘why’ of your business in order to ensure your decisions and actions are effective and strategic. This also applies to the smaller, day-to-day ‘whys’ that you should be asking to keep yourself in check too, like: • Why am I doing this? (is it in line with our goals and budget?)

• Why am I going to this meeting? (what’s the purpose of this meeting and is it the best use of my time?)

• Why does this decision feel not quite right? (does it fit with our vision and core values?)

Also, telling people why you do what you do rather than what you do is a great way of telling a better brand story about your business. When you’re clear about your purpose and people connect with that story, it’s more likely they will care about you and your business.

So when you wake up in the morning and strap yourself in for another day on the rollercoaster be sure to refer back to your ‘why’. It will cheer you on through another day.

More information Benita Bensch likes to ride on rollercoasters (not literally) with other micro and small business owners in rural Australia, developing and supporting them as they pursue their goals. She is a micro business owner, strategic thinker, communicator, business coach, brand consultant, facilitator, primary producer and proud rural Aussie.

The Sunburnt Country slogan ‘building better business in the bush’ embodies what Benita stands for.

Visit www.sunburntconsulting.com.au to find out more about Sunburnt Country Consulting and subscribe to Benita’s weekly ‘Building better business’ blog.

To contact Benita phone (07) 4671 1220 or email benita@sunburntconsulting.com.au To connect with Benita: Follow @SunburntConsult on Twitter Like Sunburnt Country Consulting on Facebook Find Benita Bensch on LinkedIn

Your Business

Employing legal workers

It is the responsibility of all businesses to employ only legal workers. On 1 June 2013, new laws introduced civil penalties and infringement notices for businesses that allow illegal work.

Businesses will be held responsible for engaging illegal workers, whether they knew they were allowed to work or not. This is unless they can provide evidence they took reasonable steps to prevent that occurring.

Businesses may take a risk-based approach to deciding whether to check and how to check. This might vary from business to business and will depend on the nature of the business, industry and related risks.

Example: • If a business operates in an industry where illegal workers are often detected; such as agriculture, it may be prudent to check all of their non-citizen employees through VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/vevo.htm.

• Where a business has a workforce which comprises seasonal labour and has a high and frequent turnover of workers, a practical approach may be to have a formal contractual arrangement with a labour supplier, such as an employment agency, obligating them to undertake checks and to only supply workers who are allowed to work in Australia on behalf of the business.

Using a contractor or labour hire company Businesses are still responsible for hiring legal workers even if they use a contractor or labour hire company. Businesses can contract out this obligation so that contractors and labour hire companies are responsible for checking that people are allowed to work. They can do this by adding a clause to their contract or by specifying in writing that the supply of labour includes only non-citizens with the required permission to work. Contract clause suggestions are found on the Department of Immigration website; www.immi.gov.au.

Summary of the new sanctions Details of the new penalties which can be imposed by the Department of Immigration are detailed below: Penalty

Maximum sanction

Illegal Worker Warning Notice

Administrative warning

Infringement

• Individuals — $3,060 • Body corporates — $15,300

Civil penalty

• Individuals — $15,300 • Body corporates — $76,500

Criminal offence

Two years imprisonment and/or fine: • Individual — $20,400 • Body corporates — $102,000

Aggravated criminal offence

Five years imprisonment and/or fine: • Individuals — $51,000 • Body corporates — $255,000

Note: All fine amounts are per illegal worker. An example of an individual would be a sole trader; a body corporate would be a company.

Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) VEVO is the secure and free web-based service to check whether a worker is registered to work within Australia.

The access enables you to check visa entitlements and status information 24 hours a day.

The current registration time for VEVO is approximately five days. Any information obtained through VEVO should be put on the employees file for future reference.

More information Further details, including steps to comply can be found at the Department of Immigration website: www.immi.gov.au/managingaustralias-borders/compliance/legalworkers/ stepstocomply.htm

It is the responsibility of all businesses to employ only legal workers.

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Your Business

Why train or study?

Significant returns can be derived when training is well-designed, expertly delivered, when the transfer and acquisition of skills and knowledge is facilitated, and when organisations employ the new skills and knowledge productively.

Direct costs • Production and supply of training and learning materials

Since recruiting, separation and replacement processes are costly, organisations intend to strive to minimise staff turnover.

• Facilitation time

Benefits of training

• Travel costs

Companies that have a healthy training culture report the following benefits:

• Accommodation costs • Costs of training equipment: simulators, personal computers

• Improved quality

• Computer software • Training delivery costs

• Greater flexibility and responsiveness to change

• Trainee wages and salaries.

• Reduced insurance premiums

Indirect costs • Opportunity costs of time • Foregone output.

Benefits arising from training Organisations finance training because they expect benefits to flow from it. Some of these benefits may be difficult to quantify, while others will be relatively easy. The following is a list of the benefits for which data had been collected in the process of evaluating the case study organisations. All of these were expressed as dollar values:

• Increased productivity

• Less wastage • Reduced maintenance and repair costs • Greater commitment from staff • Higher staff retention rate • Improved morale.

Perhaps the most important benefit of a healthy training culture is that the skills of your staff are formally recognised and that your employees then feel their contribution to the company is valued.

Benefits of investing in staff training

• Additional sales revenue

• Enhancement of staff motivation and productivity

• Improved productivity

• Increase in the skills within your business

• Reduced costs

• Developing existing employees costs less than recruiting new staff

• Reduction in training expenditures • Improved safety record.

• Staff are more likely to remain loyal to a business that nurtures them

Enterprise return on a training investment

• Rather than rewarding staff with a pay rise, training puts money back into your business.

• Reduced staff turnover

• Reduced WorkCover premiums • Reduced equipment downtime and reduced maintenance costs • Reduced fuel usage • Reduced rolling stock damage • Reduced stock shrinkage.

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Developing a training culture An organisational training culture starts with the owner or manager. A management team that is knowledgeable about training issues will send the message that your company cares about the professional

development of staff, and that training is part of ‘the way we do things around here’.

Having a ‘training champion’ in senior management is paramount to successful implementation of your training initiatives.

To champion the development of a training culture, you must first know a little about the benefits of training, and how you can access the training system.

This knowledge will enable you to make informed decisions, and will provide support to those members of staff who will be charged with implementing the system.

A training culture is not something that develops overnight, it needs to be fostered and encouraged.

Although building a training culture can be hard work, companies that have successfully developed a culture of training are perceived as quality organisations. Close collaboration and open communication between management and staff on training issues results in improved working relationships, and in most cases, greater productivity.

Acknowledgement and promotion of the training achievements of trainers and participants, both inhouse and to clients and suppliers, will also assist in making training a valued component of your company’s operations.

Assess your training needs To implement the right training for your business, you need to identify your business and employee needs.

Your Business

Step 5: Publicise the training and development plan Publicise the training and development plan to all staff, preferably providing individuals with personalised notice. This ensures that all employees are advised of the available learning opportunities and provides equal access to training.

Training costs If your company does not currently have a training budget, developing one will assist you in deciding whether proposed training plans can be supported. It is important to include all training costs, direct and indirect, in a training budget. The direct costs of training may include: Although building a training culture can be hard work, companies that have successfully developed a culture of training are perceived as quality organisations.

• The training provider’s fee • The cost of training materials, if they are not included in the course fee

Step 1: Look at your business

Step 2: Look at your staff

• Travel and accommodation costs for participants, if necessary, and

Ask yourself: “How well are we doing?”

You should consult with all staff on an annual basis to determine their training and development needs.

• Development of training materials, if appropriate.

• Are we doing well compared with our competitors?

You can do this using:

• How is our bottom line? Could it be better?

• One-on-one meetings.

• Participants’ wages, including all on-costs, such as tax, superannuation and workers’ compensation

• Are we on track to achieve our long-term business goals?

• Are our clients happy with our service?

• Are our staff happy in their jobs?

• What business areas could benefit from training?

Am I completely satisfied with: • The quality of my products or services?

• The efficiency of my business systems?

What standards do I want my business to achieve? Look at the: • Target production rate • Budgeted operating costs • Maximum acceptable time lost through injury • Maximum acceptable level of customer complaints or dissatisfaction • Maximum acceptable shrinkage or wastage

• A focus group

After consulting with your employees, analyse the results of the questionnaires, undertake focus group or one-on-one meetings to determine where skill gaps lie, then compare skills already obtained with the skills required to do the current job, and those skills required for future development.

Step 3: Create a training profile Create a training profile by recording your analysis in an easily retrievable format, such as a table.

Identify the types of courses or on-the-job experiences requested, the number and levels of people requiring training (for example, shop floor, managers) and, if applicable, the number of in-house training sessions needed.

• Targeted increase in market share.

Step 4: Draw up a training and development plan

Ask key staff or managers in your business what they want to accomplish and how training could help them achieve their goals.

For example, if you need to reduce production costs, targeted training can improve your production processes by decreasing re-work or rejection of defective products.

Once all requirements have been worked out, draw up a training and development plan to show your commitment to the training process. The plan should list all of the courses scheduled, the employees identified as participants, the dates, venues and session times.

The indirect costs of training may include:

• The cost of temporarily replacing staff, or the cost of productivity loss while they are being trained • The cost of management time spent setting up the required training, and • Any administrative costs and utilities related to the training activity.

The size of your training budget and the proportion of direct and indirect costs will depend on the training option you choose. As with any other business expenditure, there are fixed costs and variable costs associated with training. Having a training plan and budget that dovetail with your business plan and overall budget will ensure that your training activities are consistent with your business goals and objectives. Training will then become both an investment and a tool that can assist in getting the best performance possible from your staff, at the same time increasing their job satisfaction.

More information This information has been taken from the Production Horticulture Training Toolbox which can be found at: www.bfvg.com.au/themes/ default/basemedia/content/user-files/ Production%20Horticulture%20Training%20 Toolbox.pdf

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Your Business

Workers

with a disability Asian vegetable grower, Blake Nicolle, long ago realised the abilities of those some have labelled ‘disabled’. He hires 12 people, including Chrisse Dixon and Cheree Cone, each an eager worker, but with a diagnosed mental condition.

They help him grow between 10,000 and 12,000 heads of lettuce and Asian vegetables on 6.5ha for his company Salad Brothers. He supplies numerous IGAs across the Sunshine Coast, as well as local restaurants and big supermarket stores like Coles, Woolworths and Aldi.

By employing people through an organisation such as Steps in Maroochydore, Mr Nicolle doesn’t just get an eager workforce; he accesses a federal government subsidy to help pay the wages.

Chrissie Dixon had been without work for more than two and a half years. For her, having a job that involves work outdoors

has given her a new purpose in life — good medicine that money can’t buy.

“It’s hard work, but it’s not stressful,” she said. “Stress is my biggest trigger.” Cheree Cone gets up at 3am to be at work by 4.30am and couldn’t be happier. “I used to get up at 3am and start worrying about things, like how I was going to pay my bills,” she said. “Now I get up to go to work.”

Mr Nicolle hopes to employ more people with a disability and encourages others to do the same.

There are fact sheets on the benefits of hiring people with a disability, and a range of Australian Government incentives available to assist businesses to create a more diverse workforce.

JobAccess is a free information and advice service about the employment of people with disability. JobAccess helps people with disability, employers, service providers and the community to access information about services, financial assistance and workplace solutions. You can find useful information

about reasonable adjustments, disclosure of disability, disability employment case studies, tools and checklists.

Disability Employment Services (DES) Wage Subsidy Program The DES Wage Subsidy Scheme offers financial assistance of up to $1,500 to employers who employ eligible people with disability from the Disability Employment Services program. The subsidy requires employers to employ the person for a minimum of eight hours a week for 13 weeks, with the intent of achieving sustainable employment.

This program can be accessed through Disability Employment Services.

More information Please visit the jobsearch.gov.au website on this link to search for Disability Employment Service Providers in your area: http://jobsearch.gov.au/provider/ ProviderSearchResults.aspx?ProviderType=DE S&LocationCode=4CWM,4DAL,4EAM,4NOM& FurtherChange details canProducts be found at: Pty Ltd Phase

www.jobaccess.gov.au or by ringing their freecall number on 1800 464 800.

THERMAL STORAGE

RETROFITTING PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL — SAVING ENERGY COSTS Phase Change Products Pty Ltd most recent project retrofitted a thermal storage tank containing Phase Change Product to an existing chiller system at the Center West Exports production facility. The results of the project speak for themselves: • more efficient chiller operation; • l ower overall electricity cost due to use of off peak power; • increased heat loading capacity; • d esktop or wireless system control allowing instant reaction to any situation; • significant increase in productivity; • r esulting in significant improvements in operating costs.

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The Phase Change Product upgrade to the Center West Export facility has an energy savings of about $80,000 per year and significantly increased carrot production during the hot summer months.

The payback period calculated solely on energy savings is expected to be no more than 4 years. New projects may be eligible for government grants such as the Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program, significantly reducing the payback period by up to 50%.

USE OFF PEAK POWER • Reduce energy costs • Retrofit to existing chillers • Increase cooling capacity • Increase productivity

Phase Change Product technology is Phase Change Products Pty Ltd not new, it is a safe non-toxic solid/liquid material used by companies worldwide.

Business’ in Australia are now starting to see the positive benefits this innovative and simple product can have on their For more information please email bottom line and on the environment keith.coakley@pcpaustralia.com.au through reduced electricity use. www.pcpaustralia.com.au

THERMAL STORAGE

Thermal installed with USE OFFstorage PEAK POWER phase change material is the

your MArket

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MArket

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your MArket

Applecross Primary School l o o h c s r o f d dig see spuds

By lAurA clArke BrAnd MAnAGEr, frEsH PotAtoEs

Since planting, the School has extended the Seed for Schools Program into many subjects such as History, Cooking and Art.

Students across Western Australia are growing their own potatoes thanks to Fresh Potatoes Seed for Schools.

Now in its second year and 300 schools participating, an estimated 3,000 students across WA are busy planting, nurturing and learning about potatoes.

Grower funded, the Program provides schools with seed potatoes, educational resources for teachers to use in classrooms, and a monthly e-newsletter with gardening tips and stories of progress from participating schools.

Vanessa Mann, Year One Teacher at Applecross Primary School and coordinator of the Seed for Schools program invited The Honorable Ken Baston, Minister for Agriculture and Food, and Peter Evans, CEO of the Potato Marketing Corporation to help harvest the schools first potato crop.

“There are 460 students at the school aging from Kindergarten to Year Seven and all classes were invited to participate in the Program,” Vanessa Mann said.

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Applecross Primary School dedicated an afternoon where students from Year One to Year Seven were invited to plant the seed potatoes along with the School’s Gardener.

“We also planted chives as a teacher advised they make a good companion plant,” said Vanessa.

“Three Kindergarten Pre-Primary classes have their own allocated seed potatoes, two Year One and Year Three classes participate in other fun potato activities,” said Vanessa.

When asked exactly how many students Vanessa said, “In total about 200 students all at different levels of engagement but it will be like the story of the Little Read Hen, when it comes to eating they will all be involved!”

Vanessa implemented a range of additional tools for students and teachers such as lesson ideas, fun potatoes facts, how to turn a potato in electrical energy and even a link to an online video of ‘The Wiggles, Hot Potato’.

Since planting the School has extended the Program into many subjects such as History, Cooking and Art. “For my Year One class, I baked Nadine, Ruby Lou and Royal Blue potatoes and asked students to describe what the potatoes taste like. In Art, students painted large potatoes and made body parts to bring the potatoes to life,” said Vanessa.

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The Minister said he was very impressed with the way the school had approached the program, and that the students would now have a greater understanding of where their food comes from.

“It’s fantastic to see a real agricultural product in a city school where students can make the link between what’s in the ground and what’s on the table.” Said Minster Baston.

The Honorable Ken Baston, Minister for Agriculture and Food, help Applecross students harvest potatoes.

More InforMAtIon registration for Seed for Schools 2014 opens november, so encourage your local schools to participate. For more information contact rebecca@freshpotatoes.com.au or visit www.freshpotatoes.com.au

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How could we improve pumpkins and broccoli

to make consumers purchase more?

Pumpkin

vegetablesWA recently undertook consumer research through Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL) to understand what it is about pumpkins and broccoli which prevents consumer from purchasing more of them.

With this information we hope that by responding to these inhibitors growers and other supply chain members can enhance sales and volume in the Australian market.

An initial review of all available literature found that there are some industry-based hypotheses available, but these needs updating and expansion, particularly via the voice of the modern day Australian Consumer. Consumer research was then conducted to explore and further define the motivations and consequences of the key inhibitors for each vegetable.

We found that 27% of Australian shoppers don’t buy pumpkin regularly. What stops people from buying more?

Inhibitor 1 I don’t like the taste (42%)

Motivation: Consumers want to eat healthily, but they don’t want to compromise on taste.

There are many other vegetables that taste good and can be easily substituted.

Specific issue: Ideally, pumpkin is full flavoured with a subtle sweetness and a robustness of texture. However, pumpkin can often taste bland or watery.

Overcome by: Pumpkin should be supplied and sold at its peak in terms of flavour.

Unique flavour qualities of different varieties should be described at the point of sale to consumers who may not be aware of their unique characteristics. New varieties that offer new or different tastes should also be made available by growers, as should education around various methods of preparation at point of sale or as part of an industry initiative.

Inhibitor 2 Too inconvenient to peel/prepare (33%) “I only purchase butternut because it’s too difficult to cut into a Kent or a Jarrahdale.”

Motivation: A busy lifestyle for some means no time for meal preparation. Others have little interest, little knowledge or little ability in the preparation and cooking process and would prefer to bypass it altogether!

Specific issue: Pumpkin typically requires a lot of preparation in terms of peeling, cutting, portioning and cooking. This can be too much for those who lead busy lifestyles, who do not enjoy the process or who struggle cutting through a vegetable of such size and robustness. Although some consumers may not be able to, or want to, prepare pumpkin they would still like to consume something healthy if they can.

Overcome by: Convenient alternatives are required for the proportion of the population who need assistance with the preparation of their food. Although the need may be niche, it is still important. For pumpkin, this may be pre cut skin on or skin off portions in easy to use packaging, or presence in broader vegetable mixes (for example, roast packs) at point of sale.

Other packaged goods (such as pumpkin seed snacks, pumpkin dips, pumpkin chips or pumpkin pie) are appealing for this segment of the market for both in and out of home.

Inhibitor 3 Too inconvenient to cook (28%) “Cooking pumpkin takes time. I usually have it in my Sunday roast”.

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Motivation: A busy lifestyle for some means no time for cooking at home. Others have little interest, little knowledge or little ability in the cooking process and would prefer to bypass it altogether!

Specific issue: Although pumpkin can be cooked in so many ways, many consumers

Your market

are unaware of this. For many, only knowing to roast pumpkin means that they associate time with its preparation.

Overcome by: Communicating cooking alternatives such as steaming, mashing, baking and recipe ideas such as those that include seeds, skin and oil. This is most effectively done by recipe ideas at point of sale, via facebook pages and websites or presence in popular TV programs, magazines or industry events.

Inhibitor 4

Inhibitor 6 The kids don’t like it (19%) “After a hectic day, the last thing you want at dinner is to deal with a tantrum!”

Motivation: Life is easier if the kids like what’s on their plate and parents want to provide their kids with good nutrition at the same time.

Specific issue: Children have developing palates and are naturally drawn to sweet flavours and plainer textures (our adverse reaction to strong, bitter or acidic flavours is

an evolutionary reaction). Bitter or earthy flavours, strong aromas and/or stringy or grainy textures are not typically enjoyed; however if food can be made fun or special vegetables can be made more palatable prior to tastes maturing.

Overcome by: Kids love it when food is fun.

Parents should be encouraged to dial up the colour combinations of their children’s meals. Complimentary sweet sauces when steamed or recipes (such as mixed veggie mash) where pumpkin is ‘hidden’ are ways

I want better quality (27%) “My store only ever has one or two types and only a few available. By the time I get to the shop after work I seem to be left with the worst quality — the ones with the largest seed to flesh ratio or the ones that look a bit slimy”.

Motivation: Quality is determined by perceived freshness and “fresh” means just picked, most tasty, packed with nutrients and best for my family’s heath.

Specific issue: A lack of quality is seen in marked, cracked or bruised skin; or slimy, moist, soft or mouldy flesh. The colour of the vegetable needs to be intense, it should feel heavy and solid in the hand.

Consumers know that an uncut pumpkin will last longer but like to see the flesh prior to purchase.

Overcome by: Ensuring that product is supplied and sold in peak condition, that colour is consistent and intense, and that portions are cut as close to the point of sale as possible.

Inhibitor 5 Too difficult to store (23%) “I would like to buy a whole pumpkin because they seem better value for money but I just don’t have the room to store it!”

Motivation: Many consumers don’t have the space to store large grocery items at home.

Specific issue: Pumpkin lasts well and consumers would prefer to buy whole as it tends to last longer; however, the size of the vegetable (outside Golden Nuggets and Butternut) is limiting when you’re short on space.

Overcome by: Harvesting of smaller sized varieties, finding a way to keep pumpkin portions fresher longer, educating consumers as to ideal storage environments for pre-cut portions.

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to successfully introduce pumpkin into a child’s diet. Emphasise these ideas as well as the health benefits at point of sale so parents persist!

Inhibitor 7 I don’t like the texture (16%) “I don’t like mushy or stringy textures.”

Motivation: Consumers want to enjoy their food. After taste, texture is the biggest driver of overall liking and product acceptability.

Specific issue: To some, the texture of pumpkin can be stringy or mushy.

Overcome by: Pumpkin should be supplied and sold at its peak and guidance should be given with regard to length and method of storing at point of purchase. Recipe ideas, also shared at the point of sale can suggest ways of preparation that provides for different textures, describing the resultant texture in detail. New varieties that offer different textures should be made available and their sensory attributes should be described.

Inhibitor 8 I grow my own (16%) “Growing your own means I don’t have to buy as much. If I don’t grow my own I like to source it as locally as possible.”

Motivation: Growing your own vegetables is satisfying and the produce is often perceived to be of superior quality in taste and nutrition.

Specific issue: Growing your own produce means that you don’t tend to purchase as much from growers.

Overcome by: Harvesting and selling new and different varieties that wouldn’t typically be grown by consumers at home. Selling product during seasons that wouldn’t usually yield home grown produce. Selling produce that conveys provenance and the personal stories and connections of those who grew it.

Inhibitor 9 It’s too expensive (15%)

Motivation: Groceries are becoming increasingly expensive and consumers are seeking good value with each cent they spend. Good nutrition is a priority but switching amongst vegetable types is commonplace, so if pumpkin is too expensive, shoppers will give it a miss.

Specific issue: Price is perceived as too high when not in peak season or when retailers wish to move alternative stock.

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Overcome by: Building a perception of value in all parts of the vegetable including the skin and seeds via communicating nutritional value, recipe and preparation ideas at point of purchase or as part of an industry initiative. Aim for consistency in pricing at retail where possible and communicate reasons for change in price where unavoidable.

Inhibitor 10 My partner doesn’t like it (14%) “I want to prepare a meal that my husband likes. A bonus if it is healthy... but if they don’t like it, you can’t make them eat it!”

bro

Motivation: Life is more enjoyable if someone’s partner likes what’s on their plate.

It’s less about nutrition as it is with children, it’s more about pleasing an equal other.

Specific issue: Adults have developed food preferences and these rarely change past the age of 18–20 years. Some may genuinely dislike the flavour of pumpkin regardless of preparation style, some have been scarred by their mother’s over-cooking of pumpkin in their childhood and cannot bring themselves to revisit consuming it again.

Overcome by: Growers harvesting new varieties that offer a different taste or texture. Ideas around different methods of preparation that change the flavour or texture at point of sale or as part of an industry initiative.

Conclusion We found that 27% of Australian shoppers don’t buy pumpkin regularly.

Review of the top inhibitors suggests that the key opportunities are: • Selling at peak condition/freshness • N ew varieties offering different sizes, tastes, textures and appearance • P re-packaged options and Ready to Eat packaged solutions • E ducation on preparation techniques and recipes • E ducation around utilisation of whole vegetable including seeds, skin and oil • E ducation around ideal storage environments • E ducation around unique health benefits • Provenance • Consistent pricing.

Broccoli We found that 22% of Australian shoppers don’t buy broccoli regularly.

What stops people from buying more?

Inhibitor 1 I don’t like the taste (49%)

Motivation: Consumers want to eat healthily, but they don’t want to compromise on taste.

There are many other vegetables that taste good and can be easily substituted.

Specific issue: To some, the flavour of broccoli can often be quite earthy, off or bitter.

Overcome by: Broccoli should be supplied and sold at its peak in terms of texture and flavour. Unique flavour qualities of different varieties should be described at the point of sale to consumers who may not be aware of their unique characteristics. New varieties that offer new or different tastes should also be made available by growers. Many issues around flavour can be linked to the vegetable being overcooked so promotion of briefer preparation techniques and raw consumption at point of sale or as part of an industry initiative can help to overcome this issue.

Inhibitor 2 It’s too expensive (37%) “I would buy more if it was cheaper. If the price is too high I buy less.”

Motivation: Groceries are becoming increasingly expensive and consumers

Your market

the presence of insects or in mould on the surface of the vegetable. Poor quality can also be perceived by dried, discoloured or split stalk bases. The colour of the vegetable needs to be intense, its texture should be “squeaky” and firm.

roccoli are seeking good value with each cent they spend. Good nutrition is a priority but switching amongst greens and other Brassica vegetables is commonplace, so if broccoli is too expensive, shoppers will give it a miss.

Specific issue: Price is perceived as too high when not in peak season, when supply is limited due to natural disasters, when retailers wish to move alternative stock, when stems or stalks are seen as simply adding weight or in relation to Broccolini.

Overcome by: Building a perception of value in all parts of the vegetable including stalks and stems via communicating nutrition value, recipe and preparation ideas at point of purchase or as part of an industry initiative. Aim for consistency in pricing at retail where possible and communicate reasons for change in price where unavoidable.

Inhibitor 3 I want better quality (32%) “We eat what’s in front of us. It’s up to the supermarkets as to the quality of what we eat.”

Overcome by: Ensuring that product is intact, that colour is consistent and intense, that florets are tight, and that the stem and leaves are cut back as close to the point of sale as possible. Avoid covering or wrapping at the point of sale and consider stocking on ice but only if it is maintained and refreshed regularly.

Inhibitor 4 The kids don’t like it (20%) “After a hectic day, the last thing you want at dinner is to deal with a tantrum!”

Motivation: Life is easier if the kids like what’s on their plate and parents want to provide their kids with good nutrition at the same time.

Specific issue: Children have developing palates and are naturally drawn to sweet flavours and plainer textures (our adverse reaction to strong, bitter or acidic flavours is an evolutionary reaction). Bitter or earthy flavours, strong aromas and/or stringy or grainy textures are not typically enjoyed; however if food can be made fun or special vegetables can be made more palatable prior to tastes maturing.

Specific issue: Broccoli can become limp, discoloured and cracked just 3–5 days after purchase even if stored in the crisper.

Overcome by: Reduction of time between harvesting and point of sale, monitoring demand patterns to limit over supply at any one place or time, use of techniques to retain freshness in product at point of sale, growing new varieties that have a different taste or a longer shelf-life and communicating those characteristics to consumers.

Inhibitor 6 My partner doesn’t like it (19%) “I want to prepare a meal that my husband likes. A bonus if it is healthy... but if they don’t like it, you can’t make them eat it!”

Motivation: Life is more enjoyable if someone’s partner likes what’s on their plate.

It’s less about nutrition as it is with children, it’s more about pleasing an equal other.

Specific issue: Adults have developed food preferences and these rarely change past the age of 18–20 years. Some may genuinely dislike the flavour of broccoli regardless of preparation style, some have been scarred by their mother’s over-cooking of broccoli in their childhood and cannot bring themselves to revisit consuming it again.

Overcome by: Growers harvesting new varieties that offer a different taste or texture. Ideas around different methods of preparation that change the flavour or texture at point of sale or as part of an industry initiative.

Overcome by: Kids love it when broccoli is playfully referred to as ‘trees’ and love snacking on it raw, as the flavour is milder and the texture is crunchy. Complimentary sweet sauces when steamed or recipes (such as bolognaise) where broccoli is ‘hidden’ are ways to successfully introduce broccoli into a child’s diet. Emphasise these ideas as well as the health benefits at point of sale so parents persist!

Inhibitor 5

Motivation: Quality is determined by perceived freshness and “fresh” means just picked, most tasty, packed with nutrients and best for my family’s heath.

Difficult to keep over a long period of time (19%) “After a few days, the stalk can go soft and the top starts to look funny. I really hate having to throw food away.”

Specific issue: A lack of quality is seen in soft stems and stalks, in florets that have flowered or gone to seed, in loose or discoloured florets, in dark or damp spots, in

Motivation: Consumers do not want to waste food, money, nutrition content or growers’ efforts by throwing out broccoli that is no longer fresh.

Kids love it when broccoli is playfully referred to as ‘trees’.

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Inhibitor 10 Too inconvenient to prepare (6%) “My mother is 86 and she loves preparing her own meals but she has arthritis and finds it difficult to cut things.”

Motivation: A busy lifestyle for some means no time for meal preparation. Others have little interest, little knowledge or little ability in the preparation and cooking process and would prefer to bypass it altogether!

New varieties of broccoli that offer different textures should be made available.

Inhibitor 7 I don’t like the texture (14%) “I don’t like mushy or stringy textures.”

Motivation: Consumers want to enjoy their food. After taste, texture is the biggest driver of overall liking and product acceptability.

Specific issue: To some, the texture of broccoli can be stringy or mushy.

Overcome by: Broccoli should be supplied and sold at its peak and guidance should be given with regard to length and method of storing at point of purchase. Recipe ideas, also shared at the point of sale can suggest ways of preparation that provides for different textures, describing the resultant texture in detail. New varieties that offer different textures should be made available and their sensory attributes should be described.

Specific issue: Some consumers only know a single use for broccoli. The most common method of preparation is steaming, the most common cuisine is Traditional Australian.

Overcome by: Broccoli needs to be heralded as the versatile vegetable that it really is!

Recipe ideas and preparation ideas that show different preparation techniques and cuisines that can apply is essential. Additional varieties that lend themselves to additional uses can also help perceptions of versatility.

Inhibitor 9 Too inconvenient to cook (7%) “Steaming broccoli takes time.”

Motivation: A busy lifestyle for some means no time for cooking at home. Others have little interest, little knowledge or little ability in the cooking process and would prefer to bypass it altogether!

It isn’t versatile (8%) “I only serve broccoli when I make meat and three veg.”

Specific issue: Although broccoli can be prepared in so many ways, many consumers are unaware of this. For many, only knowing to boil or steam broccoli means that they associate time with its preparation.

Motivation: Busy lifestyles mean that every meal can’t always be planned. This means that staples gathered during a regular shop, including broccoli, don’t always begin with a decided purpose. During the week, one may make a roast, a pasta dish, a stir fry and a salad, drawing from the weekly staples where possible.

Overcome by: Communicating cooking alternatives such as stir frying and recipe ideas such as those that include florets raw.

This is most effectively done by recipe ideas at point of sale, via facebook pages such as the Broccolini one currently online or presence in popular TV programs, magazines or industry events.

Inhibitor 8

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Specific issue: Broccoli generally requires some level of preparation in terms of rinsing, trimming, portioning and heating. This can be too much for those who lead busy lifestyles, who do not enjoy the process or who do not have the full use of their hands, for example, the elderly. Although they may not be able to, or want to, prepare their food people would still like to consume something healthy if they can.

Overcome by: Convenient alternatives are required for the proportion of the population who need assistance with the preparation of their food. Although the need may be niche, it is still important. For broccoli, this may be pre cut fresh florets and stalks in easy to use packaging, frozen varieties in steam bags, or presence in broader vegetable mixes at point of sale.

Other packaged goods (such as broccoli based soups) are appealing for this segment of the market for both in and out of home.

Conclusion We found that 22% of Australian shoppers don’t buy broccoli regularly.

Review of the top inhibitors suggests that the key opportunities are: • Selling at peak condition/freshness • C are in merchandising and preserving peak freshness • N ew varieties offering different tastes, textures and appearance • E ducation on preparation techniques and recipes • E ducation around utilisation of whole vegetable • Education around storage techniques • E ducation around unique health benefits • S ome pre-packaged options and ready-to-eat packaged solutions • Provenance • Consistent pricing.

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Grower’s non-chemical practice on nutgrass control

By Vo The Truyen Field extension officer, VegetablesWa

Nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus L.) is a common weed also known as coco-grass or purple nut sedge, and has been reported in all states of Australia.

This weed has been considered world-wide as one of the worst and most difficult to control weeds in horticulture/agriculture. In WA it occurs in several local government areas such as Ashburton, Broome, Carnarvon, Chittering, Derby-West Kimberley, Gingin, Greater Geraldton, Roebourne, Stirling, Wanneroo, Wiluna, Wyndham-East Kimberley.

Mr. Huynh Thanh Phong, a Vietnamese tomato grower in Carabooda, has been struggling with a nutgrass problem for years and has tried several different control measures. Phong’s long-term observation on nutgrass growing patterns and his efforts in trying different nutgrass control methods has resulted in an extensive knowledge on nutgrass biology. This experience has helped him to develop effective ways to manage the problem. Currently, he follows a number of nutgrass control measures integrating different cultural practices without application of herbicides to effectively manage the weed.

These non-chemical nutgrass control practices include shading nutgrass with early tomato planting, banded fertiliser application and timely disking at the post-harvest stage.

“My strategy of nutgrass control does not eradicate the weed entirely, but rather depresses its growth to an acceptable level that allows the tomato crop to develop, normally,” said Phong.

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Vietnamese tomato grower Huynh Thanh Phong.

Shading nutgrass with an early tomato crop Phong’s tomato cropping period starts every year in late September with three plantings each covering a third of his 16 ha farm.

The season is all finished by May/June the year after.

Long-term observation of nutgrass growth and development has shown Phong that under Perth conditions the weed tubers shoot in spring (late November to early December) and during this time its vegetative growth and tuber production can be reduced by shading. Over the first two months of growth from September to late November, the tomato plants develop a good amount of shade before the nutgrass has a chance to shoot.

“The nutgrass shoots that do grow under the shading of the tomato rows are usually thin and weak with pale coloured leaves.

This reduces their ability to compete for resources with the tomato plants and also results in a reduction of tuber production,” says Phong.

Phong’s observations and practices are consistent with many scientific studies and agronomic recommendations on nutgrass control.

Banded fertiliser application Phong applies drip fertigation using T-tape for his tomato production. He carefully calibrates the schedule and timing of irrigation/fertigation in such a way that water (carrying the fertilisers) is only applied within the tomato rows and avoids run off between the rows.

This ensures the fertiliser is placed where the tomato crop can use it and keeps it away from the weeds growing between rows.

Banding of fertiliser has also been widely recommended scientific literature on weed control as it inhibits nutgrass development resulting in less production of shoots and tubers.

Timely discing at post-harvest stage Over the years, Phong has notice that nutgrass will survive over long periods in the soil. The main parts of its growth cycle include the tubers shooting around November to December, strong growth and tuber formation during summer, with mature flowers developing later in the year.

Phong’s strategy therefore aims to minimise nutgrass growth and formation of tubers by

Your Environment

shading and depriving it of nutrients (using the methods described previously) as well as killing off mature shoots, flowers and tubers as much as possible by timely discing between crops.

When the tomato season is completed by late-May/early-June, Phong discs the entire farm once each month until late September, and then once a week on the targeted block where he plans to put down the first planting.

According to Phong, this practice aims to eradicate nutgrass shoots on the soil surface as well as stimulating the shooting of any tubers deeper in the soil which can be destroyed during the next discing round.

This depletes the nutgrass tubers while the land is vacant.

Research has showed similar results to those observed by Phong. The literature says that infested fields ploughed or disced at three-

week intervals for the entire growing season reduces tuber number by 80%. Furthermore, it was suggested that growth of one tuber inhibits the sprouting of adjacent tubers attached by the rhizome. Disturbance that breaks the connecting rhizomes like cultivation results in large tuber sprouting.

This confirms the effectiveness of Phongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s discing practice to deplete the nutgrass tubers by continually stimulate tuber shooting and then destroying them before they form new

tubers. Even so, if discing does not kill off all the tubers, it will deplete tuber energy to form further tubes.

In conclusion, Phongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s non-chemical nutgrass control practices including shading with early tomato plantings, banded fertiliser application and timely discing between crops does not totally eradicate the weed, but it effectively depress weed growth to an acceptable level that allows the tomato crop to develop economically.

CINDERELLA CINDERELLA is a large framed iceberg lettuce with a low internal core, good size and very uniform. DMR 1-31. Suitable in the Raider timeslot for warm to hot season harvest. A new variety with full mildew resistance.

SANDPIPER NR SANDPIPER Nr is a large dark green iceberg lettuce with good size and uniformity. Recommended for late summer to early autumn harvest. SANDPIPER Nr is early to fill and has low internal tipburn.

BI:1-31 and Nr (0).

SARINA An indeterminate grape tomato with medium to large size.

SARINA produces firm glossy jointed fruit with good uniformity, quality and colour. Offering excellent flavour, shelf life and a high yield potential, SARINA is a proven variety for speciality grape growers. Ideal for regions and timeslots when a larger fruit size is required.

PERTH OFFICE: 08 9331 6356 EMMA SMITH: 0427 947 919 DUNCAN LAMONT: 0419 934 767 The information provided is based on an average of data and observations collected from our trials. Significant variations may occur in the performance due to a range of conditions including cultural/ management practices, climate, soil type and geographic location. As a consequence South Pacific Seeds cannot accept any liability as to the accuracy of this information. AUGUST 2013 ACN: 002 887 256

DANIKA DANIKA is a classy indeterminate type in the 170-180gms range with a strong vigorous bush and high yield potential. DANIKA has globe to deep oblate shaped fruit with a very tidy calyx scar, no green shoulder and very firm when red. DANIKA has long shelf life qualities and with its striking presentation in the box has been widely received in the market place. Intermediate resistance to Fusarium Race 3 and ToMV.

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Our bees

are someone else’s business During winter, the bees need to keep the hive temperature up — at least in its core to 35ºC — fueled by eating carbohydrate (honey) which is stored in the hive.

The populous hives chew up more stored honey, so the beehives need to be placed on wintering grounds where plants are still flowering. This is normally along the coastal strip from Yanchep to Kalbarri; but more specifically in two large beekeeper reserves near Eneabba which were fortunately kept from being turned into farmland by fortuitous people and beekeepers who realised the value of the area to their industry.

Many WA horticulturists may be unaware that WA beekeepers export their bees overseas. This profits beekeepers and in turn, enables them to keep bees for both honey extraction and the provision of pollination services.

The organisation and cost to supply the overseas beekeepers is considerable.

Since the revival of the WA package bee business (the export of bees as known by the bee industry) the weight of bees exported has topped 30 tonnes. Considering a single honey bee weighs 0.108 grams equates to 278 million WA home-grown, well-fed on the best Redgum (Marri) pollen and diseasefree bees exported since 2009.

To minimise stored honey loss, the package bee process removes bees from each hive in a process called ‘shaking’ where the bees are smoked up into an empty super (beekeeper term for box) on top of the brood box (where the queen bee lays her eggs). This super with its wax frames are then shaken over a collection box, and then used to fill a canister with bees on a weighing machine that is tipped into a special wire framed box (called a package which holds 1.8 kilograms of bees).

Each package is supplied with a bottle of sugar syrup so the bees have access to food, and usually a queen bee in a small cage is also hung inside the package. Pheromone strips are also used these days when queen supply is low or has been contracted to another State (i.e. the queen bees are sent separately). The package is one of 400 stapled together on an airline pallet and then this whole netted group is exported in the hold of a plane. The bees are normally

chilled in a freezer unit prior to export as bees generate significant heat.

Most bee exports have travelled via Hong Kong to Vancouver and sometimes onto Quebec. It is a risky business — things can go wrong and a few packages can be lost. Occasionally a whole pallet of bees (400 packages) is killed en-route due to misunderstanding by ground staff at airports (usually due to high air temperature).

Canadian beekeepers pay between $140–180 per package. Based on export figures since 2009, this equates to a significant amount of money North Americans are spending on Australian bees to support their own food supply.

When you think of the amount of effort going into the export process, for which the horticulturalists in Canada are also paying, you can see the distinction.

The contrast with most horticulturalists in Western Australia — the beekeepers here are not being fully utilised. Through the package bee enterprise, WA beekeepers are actually supplying a horticulturalist in North America!

Or you could say that via the Canadians, the WA industry is being kept somewhat more viable than it otherwise would, which in turn has a direct influence on the many honey bee-pollinator-dependant horticulturalist businesses here in WA. To ensure the supply of honey bees for your future pollination requirements contact your local beekeeper today.

Each year when the Redgum honey flow has nearly finished, the queen bees in WA beehives have bred very well, resulting in a large surplus of bees.

Bees are often seen hanging off the front of beehives to give the bees inside the hive room to move and cool the hive.

Under the hive lid there is also a heavy mat of young bees and normally the beehives would be placed onto wintering grounds after the Redgum flow.

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For exporters to efficiently harvest bees from hives, the bee populations must be high, which in turn comes back to the beekeeper to manage their hives well in providing the bees with good apiary sites (for their food) and to breed good quality bees the Canadians can work with (i.e not to let beehives become feral).

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2014 Rural Women’s Award now taking applications Nominations for the 2014 Rural Women's Award opened on the 1st of August 2013 and close on 31st of October 2013

It’s an Award that has changed the lives of dozens of Australia’s rural women over a period of 13 years and it is now accepting applications for 2014.

RIRDC Managing Director, Craig Burns said the Award has a proud history and has helped develop the leadership skills of scores of rural women.

Australia’s pre-eminent Award for rural women, the Rural Industries R&D Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Award identifies and rewards women’s contribution to primary industries and rural communities by providing financial assistance, mentoring, resources and support via its nation-wide network of business and community leaders for selected state winners.

“The Award has opened many doors for so many women and most of our past winners and runners up have used the Award experience to not only further improve their leadership skills but also bring about change within their industry or community,” Mr Burns said.

Rural women are encouraged to enter themselves or to nominate someone with a commitment and desire to making a real difference to their industry and community.

The Award is open to all women involved in primary industries.

State and Territory winners receive a $10,000 financial bursary to implement their Award vision. Each State and Territory winner will also have the opportunity to participate in the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Course and will be supported to develop an individual integrated leadership plan.

A national winner and runner-up will be selected from the state winners with a further $10,000 bursary awarded to support their professional development and contribution to primary industries.

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“The Award creates opportunities for women and provides them access to a huge network of Award Alumni and industry and government representatives, allowing them to connect, collaborate and to influence and effect change in their industries and communities.

“It is an Award open to everyone. You need not look any further than our 2013 Award finalists to see the great breadth of industries, communities and backgrounds the women are from.”

The 2005 Award Winner Maureen Dobra said, “RIRDC is a great opportunity for woman as it increases their confidence, leadership and the respect they have in their and surrounding industries.”

“RIDIC gives you introductions to all different industries that you may have not gone into before. Without RIDIC I may have not got to where I am today as quickly as I did.”

The Award is an initiative of the Rural Industries R&D Corporation in partnership with the state and territory

agencies responsible for agriculture, primary industries and resources. The RIRDC Rural Women’s Award is proudly supported by the Award’s Platinum Sponsor, Westpac Agribusiness, the Award’s National Partner, the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the Award’s media partners — RM Williams OUTBACK Magazine, ABC Radio and Fairfax Agricultural Media.

Nominations for the 2014 Rural Women's Award opened on the 1st of August 2013 and close on 31st of October 2013.

Applicants will then be short-listed and interviewed in each state and territory. The successful applicants will be announced at formal state presentation events.

All state Award winners and runnersup will then be invited to attend the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course in Canberra.

All state and territory winners will be interviewed by a national selection panel for the title of the Australian RIRDC Rural Women’s Award 2014 winner and runnerup. The national Award winner and runner up will be announced at the Award’s national celebratory dinner in Canberra during the week of the Company Directors Course.

More information Applications close on 31 October 2013. An electronic application form can be downloaded from the RIRDC website: www.rirdc.gov.au/ rural-women’s-award

Your self

Close to 100 people from a range of backgrounds attended Crown Casino in Perth on Thursday September 5 for the Leading Ladies Cocktail Dinner and Panel Discussion.

Leading Ladies is an action group dedicated to teaching young generations about the origins of their food, as well as uniting women from around Western Australian.

The function, facilitated by Jane Marwick, featured four guest speakers who gave a unique insight into food education from their professional perspective.

The first speaker was South West dairy farmer Stephanie Tarlinton, followed by Education Department State Planning and Delivery Assistant Executive Director Pam Moss, Meat and Livestock Australia Nutrition Manager Veronique Droulez and Bannister Downs Dairy Managing Director Sue Daubney.

Following the presentations, Ms Marwick facilitated a panel discussion with questions from the audience. This section of the evening featured some fantastic interaction from the floor, and it was truly encouraging to see how much enthusiasm there was from people in the room towards educating people on food.

Speakers:

Veronique Droulez

Stephanie Tarlinton

Sue Daubney

Pam Moss

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Thermomix

By Rebecca Blackman Financial & Administration Manager, VegetablesWa

Earlier this year I purchased a Thermomix and since then havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stopped raving about it. It is now one of the only appliances in my kitchen and it is a such a time saver for a busy working Mum. I also know that for anyone with allergies or intolerances it can make life so much easier reducing cooking time from minutes to seconds.

The Thermomix is the most advanced kitchen appliance on the market today. The product of more than 40 years of German design and innovation, Thermomix unites the functions of over 10 appliances in one compact unit.

With today's fast paced lifestyle, we cook far less than we used to.

Homemade breads, jams, juices, sauces, dips, cakes and biscuits have become a thing of the past.

The Thermomix allows you to create recipes you may never have attempted before: basics like tomato sauce, mayonnaise and butter without the chemicals found in commercially produced brands, and complete meals that push the boundaries of what was once possible with one set of hands and a limited amount of time.

Preparation time is cut from minutes to seconds and cooking is gentle, ensuring the flavours, vitamins and minerals are locked into each mouthful. With a Thermomix in the kitchen, you can see and taste the difference in the foods you prepare.

I use my Thermomix for almost everything from my morning smoothie to boiling or poaching eggs. The thermomix can steam vegetables and meat whilst cooking rice or quiona and a sauce â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all in the one appliance at the same time.

Recipes

Quinoa chicken an pumpkin salad One of my favourites!

Ingredients 350g quinoa, weighed when dry 800g water 4 eggs 3 chicken thighs, cubed 250g pumpkin, sliced thinly (about 5mm) Salad Bag of mixed salad greens or baby spinach Sun-dried tomato strips Kalamata olives Thinly sliced shallots or red onion Boiled eggs, quartered Cubed sheep or goat milk feta (optional)

Quirky Cooking is one of my favourite food blogs (quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au) and has provided me with many ideas and helpful tips.

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your self

Cinnamon scrolls Another favourite for my family is scrolls, they are a great quick lunch or dessert. The below recipe I adapted to be gluten free to suit my family by switching the flour and it has to be the easiest recipe to follow. I’ve also changed the filling to be pizza scrolls, cheese and Vegemite or the original cinnamon scrolls and they are delicious and don’t last long in our house!

Ingredients Dough

Dough

90g butter

1. Combine flour and butter — 5 seconds, speed 5.

150g milk

2. add milk. Knead dough 1 minute, 'interval' speed.

Filling

3. roll dough on a floured surface so it measures approx 20 x 40cm.

40g brown sugar

1. Weigh water into thermomix bowl, place quinoa in steamer basket and insert in bowl. place eggs on top of quinoa in steamer basket.

preheat oven to 200ºC

300g self raising flour

60g butter

en and d

Method

1 tsp cinnamon icing 150g white sugar 1½ tbs boiling water

Filling 1. Mix all filling ingredients — 15 seconds, speed 4.

2. Spread evenly over dough (i used a knife dipped in boiling water to make this easier).

3. roll up the dough from the long side. Cut into 3cm pieces.

4. place scrolls, with cut side up, on baking tray.

Bake for approx. 15 minutes. icing 1. grind sugar — 25 seconds, speed 8.

2. add boiling water and mix for a couple seconds.

3. Drizzle icing over cooked scrolls.

2. place the lid on the bowl, with varoma on top, and chicken and pumpkin in varoma dish. Make sure the chicken is spread apart enough that steam can get through. Cook for 20 minutes, varoma temperature, speed 4. (Check chicken and pumpkin in last five minutes of cooking time and break apart with the spatula so it cooks through evenly.)

3. When the quinoa, chicken and pumpkin are cooked, remove eggs from quinoa (scraping off quinoa from shells) and peel and quarter eggs.

4. prepare salad ingredients in a very large salad bowl.

5. add quinoa, chicken and pumpkin to salad ingredients. You can wait until they're cool if you like, or use straight away for a warm salad.

6. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and a good quality cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, or whatever dressing you prefer.

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Movember

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of millions of moustaches around the world.

With their “Mo’s” men raise vital funds and awareness for prostate and testicular cancer and mental health. As an independent global charity, Movember’s vision is to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.

How it works Movember challenges men to grow a moustache for the 30-days of November, thereby changing their appearance and the face of men’s health.

In October Mo Bros sign up at Movember.com, and on the 1st of Movember with a cleanshaven face start their Mo growing journey.

Then for the entire month, these selfless and generous men known as Mo Bros, effectively become walking, talking billboards for 30 days. Through their growing efforts they raise awareness for the often ignored issues of men’s health, by prompting conversations wherever they go.

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Another crucial part of being a Mo Bro is to raise funds for men’s health. Men donate their face, and much like taking part in a run or a walk for charity, ask their family and friends to sponsor their efforts.

Movember’s not just for men.

The women of Movember are known as Mo Sistas. They play a vital role in the success of Movember by supporting and encouraging the men in their life to get involved.

Mo Sistas also get involved by signing up at Movember.com, and participate by raising funds and awareness themselves. Essentially, Mo Sistas do everything that Mo Bros do, without a Mo. Of the funds raised in Australia in 2012, 93.5% has been committed to programs supporting prostate cancer and male mental health initiatives. A number of fundraising and administrative tasks are necessary to run an organisation and campaign the size of Movember, however this has only required 6.5% of the funds raised. We’re very proud of the high percentage of funds committed to programs, which is well above international best practice of 80% of funds raised invested in programs.

Movember's vision is to have an everlasting impact on the face of men's health. Globally, we are committed to supporting three of the biggest health issues facing men:

• Prostate cancer • Testicular cancer • Mental health Funds raised by the Movember community in Australia and around the world are invested in programs that directly support these causes in four key program areas including: • Awareness and education • Living with and beyond cancer • Staying mentally healthy, living with and beyond mental illness • Research Inspired by a few passionate Mo Bros and Mo Sistas, the moustache has the power to spread with unstoppable force. Movember is a fantastic way to unite a workplace and have a bit of fun while raising funds and awareness for men’s health. It’s easy to start a Mo movement in your workplace, just follow these simple steps to get started: Register: Sign up, start a team and begin the charge in your workplace.

Recruit: Create a team of Mo allies within your workplace and encourage other Mo Bros and Mo Sistas to sign up to your company team.

Rally the troops: Take on other teams or departments within your workplace by creating a Company Network, then challenge them for office bragging rights.

Rebel: Change doesn’t happen quietly — make your team heard.

your self

key statistics Men’s health — why is Movember important?

• The average life expectancy for Australian men is nearly five years less than women (79.5 years compared to 84) • Every hour, more than four men die from potentially preventable conditions in Australia • One in eight men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime • Around nine men die from prostate cancer in Australia every day • Testicular cancer is the second most common cancer in young men aged 18–39 years • One in eight Australian men experience depression at any given time • One in five Australian men will experience an anxiety disorder during their life • On average, six deaths per day in Australia are attributed to suicide — five of these are men.

impact on awareness — is Movember changing the attitudes and actions of participants?

• 9 in 10 participants spent time thinking about improving their general health during Movember • 8 in 10 participants visited a doctor in the 12 months following Movember • 7 in 10 participants discussed men’s health with their family, friends or colleagues during Movember • 6 in 10 participants cited prostate cancer as the first issue that comes to mind when thinking of men’s health • 1 in 2 participants carried our personal research on men’s health issues during Movember • 1 in 2 participants understand that their health depends on how well they take care of themselves.

More InforMAtIon For more information about Movember or to sign you or your workplace up, please visit the website http://au.movember.com/?home

WA Grower December 2009 WA Grower Spring 2013

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Your industry

New stable fly regulations now in force — Vietnamese translation

Qui định mới về phòng trừ ruồi trâu bắt đầu có hiệu lực

BY IAN MCPHARLIN Bộ Nông Nghiệp và Lương Thực Tây Úc Công tác phòng trừ loài ruồi trâu đả được chuyển giao từ Qui định Sức khỏe (Health (Poultry Manure) Regulations 2001 — có liên quan đến vấn đề sử dụng phân gia cầm) sang cho Bộ Nông Nghiệp và Lương Thực (DAFWA) dưới hình thức Đạo luật Quản lý dịch hại sinh học trong nông nghiệp (Biosecurity and Agricultural Management (BAM) Act) từ ngày 02/9/2013. Quí vị có thể xem thêm thông tin về đạo luật mới này trên trang thông tin internet của Hiệp hội rau Tây Úc và Bộ Nông Nghiệp và Lương Thực. Đối với nông dân trồng rau, đặc biệt là những người cung cấp cho các siêu thị lớn nhiều loại sản phẩm khác nhau, thì sự thay đổi quan trọng trong đạo luật mới là những qui định chi tiết trên phạm vi bao quát các môi trường sinh sản khác nhau của ruồi với các mức phạt gia tăng đáng kể. Trong đạo luật mới ruồi trâu bị công bố là sinh vật có hại cấp độ 3 cần phải khống chế sinh sản trong rác thải rau hư thối. Điều này bắt buộc người trồng rau hạn chế tối đa sự sinh sản của ruồi để giảm thiểu tác hại của chúng lên vật nuôi, cả trong phạm vi chăn nuôi thương mại và chăn nuôi giai trí, và cả trên người.

Cũng nên biết rằng Những qui định sức khỏe (nhằm mục đích tận diệt loài ruồi), (Health (Fly Eradication) Regulations 1911), được áp dụng để phòng trừ loại ruồi trâu sinh sản trong chất thải nông nghiệp và các nguồn rác thải khác ngoài phân gia cầm, vẫn duy trì hiệu lực để khống chế các vấn đề khác liên quan đến ruồi.

Danh sách 13 địa phương nằm trong Qui định Sức khỏe (Health (Poultry Manure) Regulations 2001 được duy trì trong điều luật mới này. Các nơi đó bao gồm Armadale, Cockburn, Joondalup, Kwinana, Rockingham, Swan and Wanneroo and the shires of Chittering, Gingin, Harvey, Kalamunda, Peel (phần đồng bằng ven biển) và Serpentine-Jarrahdale. Mặc dù ruồi trâu xuất hiện ở nhiều nơi trong tiểu bang nhưng chúng gây tác hại nghiêm trọng tại các địa phương này do sự hiện diện đồng thời của ngành chăn nuôi và trồng trọt thâm canh có hệ thống tưới.

Qui định về phân gia cầm (Poultry Manure Regulations) chỉ liên quan đến việc sữ

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dụng loại phân bón này nhưng điều luật mới BAM Act bao hàm cả việc quản lý các trang trại chăn nuôi thâm canh và chất thải trong ngành trồng rau. Đạo luật mới bao gồm việc cấm buôn bán, dự trử và sử dụng phân gia cầm chưa qua xử lý cùng với các qui định về quản lý chất thải trong trồng trọt, thức ăn thừa của gia súc, bãi chăn thả gia súc thâm canh.

Trước đây cảnh sát và cán bộ y tế địa phương phụ trách theo dõi vấn đề này, đạo luật mới vẵn duy trì không thay đổi.

Những người này sẽ tiếp tục thăm viếng, kiểm tra các trang trại đồng thời trao đổi thông tin và cảnh báo đến quí vị những yêu cầu cần phải thực hiện trong đạo luật.

Bộ Nông nghiệp và Lương thực cũng sẽ tham gia phối hợp trong những trường hợp cần thiết, bao gồm cả việc xử phạt.

Qui định phòng trừ ruồi nhằm mục đích tập hợp tất cả các phành phần bị ảnh hưởng để cùng giải quyết dịch hại trên phương diện cộng đồng. Qui định này đã được bàn bạc thống nhất trong cuộc họp có mặt Bộ Nông Nghiệp, các cơ quan chính quyền địa phương và đại diện Hiệp hội rau Tây Úc tại Gingin ngày 17/7/2013 để đề ra các biện pháp mới nhằm khống chế ruồi trong các vùng bị ảnh hưởng.

Qui trình phòng trừ Qui trình phòng trừ ruồi trâu cần phải được thực hiện bởi người chủ, người quản lý trang trại (hoặc người quản lý từng khu vực/lô trong trang trại), và công nhân thao tác trực tiếp ngoài đồng.

Qui trình này bao gồm cho tất cả các loại rau màu, ngoại trừ các loại đậu, capsicums (ngoại trừ các loại ớt gia vị - Paprikas), dưa leo, cà chua, cần tàu (parsley), và cải rổ (Spinach).

Biện pháp tốt nhất xử lý gốc rau sau thu hoạch 1. Rút ngắn tối đa thời gian từ khi bắt đầu thu hoạch cho đến khi kết húc thu hoạch trên một lô trồng.

2. Tất cả rau còn lại trên một lô sau khi thu hoạch phải được băm nhỏ bằng máy băm tốc độ cao (mulcher, flai mower, slasher) trong vòng 3 ngày kể từ khi kết thúc thu hoạch. Biện pháp này làm cho phần rau loại thải bị khô nhanh để tránh ruồi đẻ trứng.

3. Rau thải sau khi băm phải phun các loại thuốc cho phép sử dụng để trừ ruồi và vòi. Hiện chỉ có loại thuốc chứa

chất trichlorfon được đăng ký lưu hành (Cũng nên thường xuyên kiểm tra khả năng lưu hành của loại thuốc này).

Phun với lượng thuốc sau khi pha từ 1400l-1600l/ha để bảo đảm thuốc bao phủ hoàn toàn và thấm sâu vào đất.

4. Ngưng tưới hoàn toàn và không thao tác trên lô đã xử lý thuốc liên tục 7 ngày để thuốc giết chết trứng và vòi, ngăn cản ruồi mẹ đến đẻ trứng và giết chết ruồi mới nở dưới đất chui lên.

Nếu có hiện tượng lốc cát thì có thể tưới nhẹ.

5. Sau 7 ngày thì cày vùi lớp xác bả thực vật sâu 30cm trong đất và lắp lại.

Xử lý rau loại thải trên đồng sau khi thu hoạch. Đối với các loại rau màu có thời gian thu hoạch kéo dài như cà tím, các loại ớt gia vị (Paprika), Zucchini thì sản phẩm không đạt chất lượng còn bỏ lại ngoài đồng phải được xử lý như sau: • Thu gom hàng tuần đổ xuống hố sâu tối thiểu 30cm, phun thuốc (Loại thuốc được phép lưu hành), lắp đất lại.

• Nếu không tiến hành thu gom thì hàng tuần phải phun thuốc (Loại thuốc được phép lưu hành) cho đến khi kết thúc thu hoạch.

Xử lý rau quả loại thải trong quá trình làm sạch, đóng thùng.

Toàn bộ rau thải loại sau quá trình làm sạch phải được thu gom ít nhất mổi tuần một lần và đào hố chôn sâu tối thiểu 30cm. Rau loại thải được tận dụng làm thức ăn gia súc phải được trãi thành lớp mỏng và cung cấp vừa đủ cho khả năng gia súc tiêu thụ hằng ngày.

Nếu đổ rau loại thải trở lại ngoài đồng thì phải xử lý như các bước 2-5 ở phần trên.

Xử lý hoa màu không thu hoạch Hoa màu không được thu hoạch do yếu tố thị trường hay do chất lượng không đạt yêu cầu cũng có nguy cơ tạo điều kiện cho ruồi sinh sản khi bị hư thối ngoài đồng.

Trường hợp này cũng phải được xử lý như các bước 2-5 ở phần trên để hạn chế ruồi sinh sản.

Your Industry

Research shows promise in lowering stable fly numbers — Vietnamese translation

Nghiên cứu cho thấy triển vọng hạ thấp mật số ruồi trâu

BY David Cook Đại học Western Australia và Ian McPharlin, Bộ Nông Nghiệp và Lương Thực

Hình 1 Anhhưởngcủasảnphẩm sinh họcthúcđẩytiếntìnhphânhủyxácbảthựcvậtBioprime (BP), Digester (Dig), vôi, thuốcsâuvàdiatomaceous earth (DE) trênsựpháttriểncủaruồutrâutrênđồng

Nghiên cứu về phòng trừ ruồi trâu trên xác bả rau màu đang có nhiều tín hiệu khả quan làm hạn chế mật số loài này mà không cần sử dụng thuốc hóa học.

Biện pháp có tác dụng tốt nhất hiên nay là dùng máy băm nhỏ rau màu loại thải trên đồng và ngưng tưới hoàn toàn.

Nghiên cứu này được nhiều nơi tài trợ bao gồm chính quyền của 8 địa phương, Bộ Nông Nghiệp Tây Úc (DAFWA), Tổ chức quản lý quĩ nghiên cứu rau màu (HAL), và nông dân trồng rau thông qua Ủy hội nông nghiệp (APC). Mục đích nghiên cứu nhằm tìm ra phương pháp thúc đẩy quá trình phân hủy của xác bả thực vật dư thừa trên đồng và cải tạo thành phần các loại vi sinh vật trong đất để tăng cường sự phát triển và phát tán của các loại vi nấm có lợi (các loại này có khả năng gây bệnh và tiêu diệt côn trùng gây hại).

Vi nấm có lợi là phát hiện tương đối mới và có nhiều khả năng chúng có hiện diện trong đất ở tiểu bang Tây Úc. Nghiên cứu của chúng tôi đã tìm ra nhiều chủng loại vi nấm trong xác bả rau màu hư thối có ruồi sinh sản khác với loại có trong xác bả thực vật không có ruồi. Có nhiều khả năng là các chủng loại vi nấm này là khắc tinh của ruồi, chúng đóng vai trò quan trọng trong việc ức chế ruồi sinh sản và có thể được ứng dụng trong các biện pháp phòng trừ ruồi.

Trong vụ mùa năm nay, chúng tôi đã thử nghiệm 2 hợp chất thúc đẩy tiến tình phân hủy sinh học và cải tạo thành phân vi sinh vật trong đất. Kết quả bước đầu rất có triển vọng mặc dù còn nhiều vấn đề cần được tiếp tục đánh giá và tìm hiểu.

Các biện pháp tốt nhất hiện nay được khuyến cáo thực hiện để xử lý xác bả rau màu bao gồm: • Dùng máy băm nhuyển phần rau màu thải loại trên đồng trong vòng 3 ngày sau khi thu hoạch xong một lô.

• Phun thuốc đề phòng ruồi đẻ trứng.

• Phơi khô xác bả rau màu trong 7 ngày trong điều kiện ngưng tưới phun hoàn toàn.

• Cày vùi xác bả rau màu sau khi đã phơi khô.

Phun thuốc lên xác bả rau màu là biện pháp bất đắc dĩ vì vừa tốn kém thêm chi phí cho thứ bỏ đi vừa có tác hại đến môi trường và con người. Vì vậy chúng tôi

Thínghiệmngoàiđồng (ảnhtrái) vàthínghiệmtrongthùng (ảnhphải) năm 2012/2013.Mủitrênmàuđỏ= giảmsốlượngruồi; màuxanhdương = tăngsốlượngruồi; màuxanhlácây = tươngđươngvớikhôngxửlý.

cũng đã thử nghiệm các chất thúc đẩy tiến tình phân hủy sinh học trên nhiều chủng loại rau như cần tây, cải vún, bắp cải, bông cải xanh của nông dân ở quận Gingin trong 2 vụ vào mua hè và mùa thu.

Thứ nghiệm được tiến hành trên ruộng ngay sau khi thu hoạch để khảo sát hiệu lực của chất thúc đẩy tiến tình phân hủy xác bả rau và khả năng hạn chế ruồi. Số lượng ruồi sinh sôi trên các nghiệm thức thí nghiệm khác nhau được thu thập bằng loại bẩy ruồi chuyên dụng. Ngoài thí nghiệm thực tế trên đồng ruộng, chúng tôi cũng kiểm chứng kết quả bằng cách thu thập xác bả thực vật cho vào thùng chứa và xử lý bằng nhiều biện pháp khác nhau. Sau 2-4tuần thu mẩu về phòng thí nghiệm để điếm số lượng ruồi.

Các thí nghiệm thực tế cho thấy tầm quan trọng của cả 2 biện pháp băm nhuyển phơi xác bả thực vật và ngưng hoàn toàn tưới phun sau thu hoạch trong việc hạn chế ruồi sinh sản. Nếu chỉ vùi rau màu dư thừa vào đất bằng dàn máy “rotary hoe” và tiếp tục tưới nước thì mỗi mét vuông đất có thể sinh ra hàng trăm con ruồi.Trong khi đó mỗi mét vuông đất nơi xác bả thực vật được băm nhuyển phơi và ngưng hoàn toàn tưới phun sau thu hoạch chỉ phát hiện 5-25 con.

bả thực sau thu hoạch. Digester® mặc dù có hạn chế 50% số lựợng ruồi trong thùng chứa thí nghiệm nhưng không có tác dụng thúc đẩy nhanh quá trình phân hủy xác bả thực vật. Ngược lại, Bioprime® thúc đẩy nhanh quá trình phân hủy xác bả thực vật thì lại không có tác dụng hạn chế ruồi mà còn tạo điều kiện cho chúng phát triển.

Các thí nghiệm tiếp theo sẽ kiểm tra tác dụng của 2 sản phẩm này trong mùa vụ dài hơn để có đủ thời gian cho vi sinh vật trong sản phẩm sinh sôi và ức chế các đối tượng đối kháng (chủ yếu là vi khuẩn trong đất) cũng như tác động lên ấu trùng ruồi.

Ngoài ra, chúng tôi cũng sẽ khảo sát tác dụng của các chất hút ẩm ( chẳng hạn như calcium chloride (Drierite), sodium metasilicate, lime sands và magnesium sulphate) về giá trị phân bón để xem chúng có thể vừa được sử dụng như phân bón vừa có tác dụng giảm ẩm độ trong đất và trong xác bả thực vật để hạn chế ruồi phát triển.

Bón vôi với liều lượng 2.5 tấn/ha cũng làm giảm 50% ruồi sinh sản trong khi chất Diatomaceous earth thì lại ít hiệu quả.

Hiệu quả của các chất thúc đẩy tiến tình phân hủy xác bả thực vật Cả 2 chất Bioprime® nor Digester® đếu không có tác dụng hạn chế ruồi khi kết hợp với biện pháp băm nhuyển phơi xác

WA Grower Spring 2013

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your Industry

GroWEr ProfILE PHunG trAn do And tuYEt cHAu HuYnH — VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

Phùng Đổ Trấn va Huỳnh Tuyết Châu BY vo the truYen FIELD ExTENSION OFFICER, VEGETABLESWa

Grower profile name Nông dân hợp tác phòng trừ ruồi trâu location Woodridge perth

property size 600 acres enterprises Trồng bắp cải, bông cải, hành, cần tây, cải rổ

T&C Do & Son là một doanh nghiệp gia đình nằm trên địa bàn Woodbridge, Tay Úc. Doanh nghiệp được anh Trấn và chị Châu thành lập. Anh Trấn và chị Châu bắt đầu trồng rau từ năm 1985. Hiện doanh nghiệp có tranh trại 600 acres (250ha) trong đó khoảng 250 acres có hệ thống tưới hoàn chỉnh.

Doanh nghiệp đặt chất lượng và an toàn lên hàng đầu Anh Trấn và chị Châu luôn hết sức kỹ lưỡng trong các vấn đề có lien quan đến sản xuất, xử lý sau thu hoạch và vận chuyển đối với tất cả các loại sản phẩm. Anh chị ứng dụng và thực hành các hướng dẫn về khảo sát đất mới, lấy mẩu đất và nước để giám định chất lượng trong khi toàn bộ nhân công triệt để thực hành các qui trình kiểm soát chất lượng để đảm bảo đưa ra thị trường các loại rau có phẩm chất cao nhất.

“Chúng tôi luôn nhất quán với với phương châm đảo bảo tuân thủ tất cả các khâu trong sản xuất, xử lý và vận chuyển để làm ra sản phẩm chất lượng cao trong môi trường hoàn hảo.”

Chương trình đảm bảo chất lượng của doanh nghiệp luôn được cập nhật để đáp ứng nhu cầu và kỳ vọng của người tiêu dùng. Doanh nghiệp TC Do &Son được chứng nhận nhiều tiêu chuần an toàn và vệ sinh thực phẩm cho thị trường Úc và quốc tế như HACCP, Coles supermarkets standards requirement SQF 2000, và Woolworths Quality Assurance (WQA) Standard.

Hợp tác với các ban ngành để phònh trừ ruồi trâu Ruồi trâu (Stomoxys calcitrans) (Diptera: Muscidae) đã hiện diện ở Tây Úc từ những năm 1990. Loài này trở thành vấn đề gây hại cho người và gia súc từ những năm

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1980 và mức độ gây hại ngày càng trầm trọng trong những năm gần đây, đặc biệt là tại những vùng phụ cận của perth, nơi có sự hiện hiện song song của cả ngành chăn nuôi và trồng trọt thâm canh có tưới thường xuyên.

Anh Trấn và chị Châu là một trong những người dầu tiên tình nguyện phối hợp với tiến sỹ David Cook, nhà côn trùng học của trường đại học Tây Úc, khi ông tiến hành các đợt khảo sát về nguy cơ sinh sản của ruồi trâu trên các trang trại trồng rau chung quanh khu vục vào đầu năm 2012. Chính những đợt khảo sát này đã cang cấp sự hiểu biết cũng như cảnh báo đến người dân nguy cơ sinh sản của ruồi trên xác bả rau cải (bên cạnh nguy cơ ruồi trên phân gà đã được xác định trước đây).

Từ tháng 10 năm 2012 tám chính quyền địa phương đã cùng phối hợp với bộ Nông nghiệp và lương thực, Hiệp hội Rau và Cơ quan quản lý rau quả tiến hành chương trình nghiên cứu theo hướng mới để phát triển các biện pháp phòng trừ ruồu trâu.

Chương trình này tập hợp nhiều thành phần để cùng thực hiện nhằm đạt hiệu quả cao. Trọng tâm của chương trình là phát triển các phương cách mới giảm thiểu ruồi sinh sản trên xác bả rau cải cũng như tìm cách đẩy nhanh tiến trình phân hủy của xác bả rau cải ngoài đồng.

Anh Trấn và chị Châu tiếp tục là dầu mối hợp tác với chương trình đồng thời cam kết hợp tác đến khi chương trình nghiên cứu kết thúc. Anh chị đóng góp tài nguyên vật lực bao gồm nhân công, phương tiện, một số vật liệu cho quá trình nghiên cứu.

Trang trại của anh chị còn được sữ dụng

để đón tiếp các đợt tập huấn về khảo sát và phòng trừ ruồi trâu trong chương trình.

Chị Châu nói rằng: “Tham gia vào các chương trình nghiên cứu là cách tiếp cận kiến thức nhanh nhất. Tôi cho rằng chính điều này giúp cho chúng tôi trở thành những người đầu tiên sớm tiếp cận học hỏi từ kết quả nghiên cứu để áp dụng vào trang trại của mình.”

Tinh thần cộng tác và sự đóng góp của chị Châu và anh trấn được chương trình ghi nhận và rất cảm kích.

Luôn sonh hành cùng chính sách và qui định mới Chính những kiến thức và kết quả nghiên cứu của chương trình nghiên cứu phòng trừ ruồi đã góp phần xây dựng và đưa vào áp dụng đạo luật mới – Đạo luật phòng trừ sinh học và quản lý dịch hại nông nghiệp (BAM Act) – vào ngày 02/9/2013.

Chính nhờ tham gia trong chương trình ngay từ buổi đầu nên anh Trấn và chị Châu hưởng lợi trong việc sớm tiếp cận với kiến thức và kết quả nghiên cứu.

Ngoài ra đội ngũ nhân công của doanh nghiệp cũng được thực hành các biện pháp mới trong suốt quá trình thực hiện chương trình. Anh chi và nhân công của doanh nghiệp cam kết thực hiện nghiêm túc các điều luật mới ban hành và đã có sự chuẩn bị để làm điều này. Cùng với các tranh thiết bị sẳn có anh chị đã đầu tư mua sắm thêm các thiết bị cần thiết như máy đào đất để chôn lấp xác bả rau và máy băm nhuyển rau cải loại thải ngoài đồng để thực hiện đúng các qui trình xử lý theo khuyến cáo.

Your environment

Grower’s non-chemical practice on nutgrass control — Vietnamese translation

Kinh nghiệm nông dân hạn chế tác hại của cỏ cú

By Vo The Truyen Field extension officer, VegetablesWa Cỏ cú có tên khoa hoc dùng trong các tài liệu là Cyperus rotundus L., trong tiếng việt còn gọi là củ gấu, còn trong các tài liệu kỹ thuật tiếng Anh gọi phổ biến là nutgrass, purple nut sedge, coco-grass.

Cỏ cú được liệt vào loại đáng ngại và khó trị nhất trong nông nghiệp, đặc biệt là trong lảnh vực trồng các loại rau, hoa, quả. Cỏ cú mọc trên tất cả các bang của Úc, riêng ở Tây Úc thì loại cỏ nầy được ghi nhận gây hại trong nông nghiệp tại nhiều địa phương như Ashburton, Broome, Carnarvon, Chittering, DerbyWest Kimberley, Gingin, Greater Geraldton, Roebourne, Stirling, Wanneroo, Wiluna, Wyndham-East Kimberley.

Anh Huỳnh Thanh Phong trồng 16ha cà chua ở Carabooda, WA. Anh phải tốn công sức rất nhiều để đối phó với vấn đề cỏ cú trên vườn trong nhều năm. Qua tích lủy kinh nghiệm từ quan sát và từ kết quả của nhiều lần thử nghiệm anh hiểu rất cặn kẻ qui luật sinh trưởng và phát triển của loại cỏ này cũng như tìm cách khống chế chúng phà không cần phải sử dụng thuốc cỏ.

Biện pháp hạn chế cỏ cú mà không sử dụng thuốc cỏ của anh phong kết hợp nhiều công đoạn bao gồm: xuống giống sớm để cây trồng lướt cỏ trong đầu vụ, kiểm soát phân nước trong phạm vi hàng cà và cày đảo đất nhiều lần sau khi kết thúc mùa vụ. Anh Phong cho biết rằng “Các biện pháp kết hợp này không tận diệt được cỏ cú hoàn toàn nhưng cũng giúp hạn chế cỏ tối đa để chúng không cạnh tranh với cây trồng”.

Khi áp dụng biện pháp này anh quan sát thấy “cỏ thường lên yếu và thưa, màu nhạt, ít cạnh tranh nổi với cây cà đã lớn sẳn và ít sinh thêm củ”. Cách quan sát và cách làm này của anh Phong phù hợp với khuyến cáo trong nhiều tài liệu nghiên cứu trước đây.

Khống chế nước và phân trong phạm vi hàng cà Vườn cà anh phong được bố trí hệ thống tưới nhỏ giọt bằng T-tape (Phân cùng được cung cấp cùng với nước tưới). Ngoài trừ trời mưa, anh Phong luôn kiểm soát chề độ tưới sao cho đất chỉ ướt trong hàng cà. Biện pháp này hạn chế tối thiểu lượng nước (và phân bón trong nước) thấm ra đến cỏ dại mọc trên khoàng trống giửa hai hàng nên hạn chế đưôc chúng phát triển. Biện phát này củng được nhiều tài liệu khuyến cáo.

Cày đảo đất nhều lần sau khi hết mùa vụ Có cú là loại có đa niên. Tuy nhiên quan sát cho thấy các giai đoân phát triển của chúng cũng có tính chu kỳ rỏ rệt. Trong tự nhiên, củ có củ mọc thành cây vào mùa xuân khoảng cuốt tháng 11 - phát triển mạnh trong mùa hè (khi đất có ẩm độ tốt) – ra hoa vào khoảng gần cuối năm. Vì thế biện pháp xuống giống sớm của anh phong cùng với việc khống chế nước tưới vừa đủ cho cây trồng đã giúp hạn chế cỏ sinh trưởng và ít phát triển củ trong mùa

hè khi cây trồng che phủ khắp vườn. Sau khi dọn vườn thi cày đảo nhiều lần để vừa diệt số cỏ đã phát sinh trong mùa vụ.

Thông thường kể từ tháng 6 trở đi thì anh phong cày đảo đất mỗi tháng một lần. Đôi khi anh cũng cày khi thấy cõa cỏ xuất hiện. Anh giải thích rằng cày như vậy vừa diệt số cỏ đã phát sinh trong mùa vụ đồng thời kích thích cho củ cỏ còn trong đất nẩy mầm để lần cày tới diệt tiếp trước khi chúng sinh củ.

Các nghiên cứu vể cỏ cú ở perth cũng đã trình bày chu kỳ sinh trưởng của cỏ cú tương tự như anh phong quan sát và nhận xét. Nếu cày liên tiếp 3 tuan/lần thì có thể diệt đến 80% số củ trong đất. Trong thiên nhiên củ cỏ có đặc tính úc chế lẩn nhau, nếu môt củ nảy mầm thí nó ức chế sự nảy mầm của các củ khác có sợi rể nối liền với nó. Vì vậy việc cày lặp di lặp lại sẻ cắt đứt sợi rể tách rời các củ ra và làm cho chúng nảy mầm đồng loạt dể tiêu diệt và giảm thiểm mật độ củ trong đất.

Tóm lại: Biện phát hạn chế của anh Huỳnh Thanh Phong bao gồm việc xuống giống sớm để cây trồng lướt cỏ trong đầu vụ, kiểm soát phân nước trong phạm vi hàng cà và cày đảo đất nhiều lần sau khi kết thúc mùa vụ cho hiệu quả tốt. Mặc dù biện pháp này không tiêu diệt cỏ cú hoàn toàn nhưng cũng giảm thiểu mật độ và tác hại của chúng trong phạm vi chấp nhận để cho vườn cà phát triển.

Xuống giống sớm để cây trồng lướt cỏ trong đầu vụ Mỗi năm anh Phong trồng 3 đợt cà, mỗi đợt 1/3 diện tích đất. Anh bắt đầu từ tháng 9 và kết thúc vào khoàng tháng 6 năm sau. Anh để ý thấy rằng trong điều kiện thời tiết ở Perth củ cỏ cú thường mọc cây vào mùa xuân (khoảng cuối tháng 11) và cỏ mới mọc sẽ phát triển yếu nếu bị cây che phủ. Chính vì vậy anh thường tranh thủ xuống giống cà sớm (thường là trong vòng tháng 9) để cà có thời gian phát triển thân lá và cho phủ đất trước khi cỏ cú xuất hiện.

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Your industry

A Vietnamese volunteer to serve her community in Carnarvon — Vietnamese translation

Người tình nguyện làm việc cộng đồng tại Carnarvon

By Vo The Truyen Field extension officer, VegetablesWa Kim là một trong bốn thành viên của một doanh nghiệp gia đình khá thành công chuyên trồng capsicum và một số loại Á châu tại Carnarvon, Tây Úc. Bên cạnh công việc của gia đình Kim còn là một người tích cực hoạt động cộng đồng và hiện là phó chủ tịch cộng đồng Việt Nam Carnarvon.

Hoạt động cộng đồng của Kim trong suốt hơn mười năm qua được ghi nhận là những đóng góp có ý nghĩa để kết nối cộng đồng người Việt tại Carnarvon với các tổ chức chính phủ cũng như cho sự phát triển của cộng đồng trong một số lảnh vực.

Cảm thông với sự thiệt thòi của bà con nông dân người Việt Gia đình Kim nằm trong số những người Việt Nam sớm dịnh cư tại Úc trong thập niên 1980. Kim đến nước Úc từ nhỏ và có điều kiện tiếp thu nền giáo dục cũng như ngôn ngữ tiếng Anh tại Úc. Hơn nữa, gia đình Kim chú trọng giữ gìn tập quán nên nhờ đó mà Kim có thể giao tiếp thành thạo cả tiếng Anh và tiếng mẹ đẻ. Kim cảm nhận rằng chính lợc thề song ngữ giúp cho cô thuận lợi hơn trong cuộc sống cũng như trong công việc. Kim có thể dể dàng tiếp cận nhiều loại dịch vụ của tư nhân cũng như cũa chính phủ để tìm hiểu thông tin và kiến thức cần thiết phục vụ cho cuộc sống của mình và cho doanh nghiệp của gia đình.

Tuy nhiên, Kim cũng thấy rằng khả năng Anh ngữ hạn chế của rất nhiều bà con nông dân Việt Nam ở địa phương đã cản trở họ tiếp cận những dịch vụ hổ trợ cũng như khó khăn trong công việc làm ăn như trao dồi kỹ thậut và mở rộng thị trường.

Kim trao đổi rằng: “nhiều bà con ở đây không giỏi tiếng Anh…họ gặp trở ngại trong rất nhiều vấn đề đòi hỏi phải giao tiếp và thông hiểu chẳng hạn như dọc nhản thuốc, dọc tài liệu tập huấn hay là tìm kiếm nhân công, thị trường…”

Kim tham gia hoạt động cộng đồng từ năm 2002. Hoạt động của kim rất đa dạng liên quan đến nhiều vấn đề khác nhau

102

WA Grower Spring 2013

xày ra bên trong cộng đồng và giửa cộng đồng người Việt với xả hội chung quanh.

Trên bình diện cá nhân, Kim nhiều lần tham gia trợ giúp ngôn ngữ trong phiên dịch hay trong giấy tờ cho các cá nhân người Việt gặp vấn đề liên quan đến chính quyền hay với các đối tượng chỉ sữ dụng tiếng Anh. Ngoài ra Kim còn hổ trợ cho các hoạt động có tính tổ chức như các dự án của các tổ chức chính phủ và các tổ chức phi chính phủ. Kim cũng có sự liên hệ tốt với chính quyền địa phương, đặc biệt là nhân viên người Việt trong chính quyền, để cùng tổ chức các sự kiện văn hóa cho cộng đồng.

Kim nói: “tổ chức các sự kiện văn hóa truyền thống trong cộng đồng là hoạt động thiết yếu giúp lưu giữ bản sắn văn hóa và sự kết nối trong cộng đồng…mọi người đều chung tay với nhau khi có gia đinh có đám tiệc hay gặp hữu sự như đau yếu, ma chay bởi vì tập quán này rất quan trọng đối với người Việt”

Kết nối cộng đồng người Việt với các tổ chức chính phủ Nông dân người Việt tại tây Úc, bao gồm cả những người tại Carnarvon, được ghi nhận đóng góp một phần đáng kể vào lực lượng lao động cũng như vào kinh tế nông nghiệp của tiểu bang Tây Úc. Tuy nhiên họ cũng tụt hậu so với nông dân nói tiếng Anh về kỹ thuật và hiệu quả sản xuất do hạn chế ngôn ngữ để giao tiếp và phần nào do khác biệt về văn hóa. Chính vì vậy mà có nhiều chương trình của chính phủ và của các tổ chứng phi chính phủ hướng vào hổ trợ cộng đồng này. Tìm được người cộng tác trong cộng đồng, để thúc đẩy việc thông tin, liên lạc với các thành

viên trong cộng đồng, là một trong những yếu tố quan trọng đảm bảo sự thành công cho các chương trình.

Quá trinh hoạt động công đồng hơn mười năm qua làm cho Kim tự nhiên “bị” các nơi đương nhiên xem như là người tiếp xúc để thông báo, liên lạc với các thành viên khác khi họ muốn xây dựng dự án hay thực hiện các dự án có liên quan đến người Việt. Khó mà liệt kê ra đã bao nhiêu lần Kim tham gia vào các hoạt động như thế. Chỉ trong thời gian khoảng một năm vừa qua Kim đã giúp cho các cuộc tập huấn trong dự án thí diểm phó phó với thiên tai hạn hán, hổ trợ tổ chức hội thảo với nhân viện của cơ quan di trú, các chuyến làm việc của các ban ngành liên quan đến vấn đề nước tưới…

Kim sẳn lòng tham gia các hoạt động cộng đồng cho dù công việc liên quan đến việc chia sẽ kinh nghiện canh tác hay liên quan đến chính sách, thị trường miển là ít nhiều giúp được cộng đồng. Kim chưa bao giờ gểai thích được lý do vì sao Kim tiếp tục làm như thế.

“Nông dân Việt Nam đã đóng góp đáng kể để gia tăng sản lượng cà và các loại sản phẩm rau Á châu tại carnarvon…Người Việt nam ở đây đầu tư biết bao mồ hôi công sức để chuyển hóa chính cuộc sống của mình và của Carnarvon ngày càng tốt hơn…Kim chi muốn mình là một phần nhỏ trong tiến trình thay đổi đó.”

Your industry

Gac a potential new Asian Vegetable for the Australian market — Vietnamese translation

Tóm tắt kết quả nghiên cứu triển vọng trồng cây gấc ở Úc

By Vo The Truyen Field extension officer, VegetablesWa Cây gấc có tên khoa học là Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng. có triển vọng trở thành cây rau màu trên nước Úc. Quả gấc chứa hàm lượng các chất carotenoids (chất chống ô-xy hoá) cao hơn rất nhiều so với các loại rau quả hiện đang trồng và có thể được sữ dụng dưới dạng tươi hoặc chế biến thành các dạng thực phẩm dinh dưỡng và phẩm màu thực phẩm có nguồn gốc thiên nhiên.

Hương vị nhạt của gấc cũng là yếu tố thuận lợi để kết hợp sản phẩm của quả này vào nhiều loại thực phẩm chế biến.

Kết quả bườc đầu các nghiên cứu về canh tác cây gấc có thể được tham khảo như là tài liệu hướng dẫn cho những nông dân muốn thử nghiệm loại cây này khi nguồn giống có đại trà. Hiện trạng thị trường sản phẩm tươi và sản phẩm chế biến cho thấy triển vọng thạun lợi của ngành trồng gấc ở Úc cho mục đích bán trái và sản phẩm bột gấc chế biến dưới hình thức đông khô.

Hiện nay gấc được trồng ở đâu?

Hiện chưa có nơi nào trên nước Úc trồng gấc trên qui mô thương mại. Nơi phù hợp cho lọai cây này có thể là nhưng nơi trồng được cây khổ qua trong điều kiện cận nhiệt đới và xem gấc là loại rau màu trồng trong vụ đông (Northern Territory, Northern Western Australia, Northern NSW and Queensland) hoặc là cây trồng trong mùa hè hay trồng trong nhà bầu trên vùng có khí khậu á nhiệt đới. Dự án thử nghiệm đã trồng gấc thành công trên qui mô nhỏ ở Darwin và trong 2 nhà bầu ở Gosford, vùng duyên hải trung tâm NSW.

Thông tin

Cây gấc có nguồn gốc tại khu vực Đông Nam Á, Ấn độ xuống tới mủi Cape York ở phía bắc Úc. Trái gấc được dùng trong sản phẩm xôi gấc truyền thống của Việt Nam. So với nhiều loại rau màu khác thì trái gấc có hàm lượng dinh dưỡng rất cao, đặc biệt là các chất carotenoids như lycopene (cao gấp 5 lần cà chua), betacarotene (cao gấp 8 lần cà rốt) và lutein.

Các chất này được sử dụng rộng rải trên thế giới trong lảnh vực công nghiệp thực phẩm và sức khoẻ mà hiện nay chủ yếu được trích xuất từ cà chua và hoa của các

loài cây trong nhóm vạn thọ. Gấc có thể được trồng ở Úc như một loại rau châu Á và là nguồn cung cấp carotenoids thay thế cho các sản phẩn hiện đang lưu hành. Các thử nghiệm ở Úc đã chứng minh được khả năng sản xuất các sản phẩm bột gấc đông khô chất lượng cao có màu sắc tự nhiên và có thể bảo quản hơn một năm. Sản phẩm này có thể tạo màu và kết hợp với nhiều loại sản phẩm chế biến.

Gấc là loại cây đơn tính biệt chu – tức là gấc có cây đực và cây cái riêng biệt – vì vậy phải trồng cả câyđực và cây cái. Chỉ khi nào cây ra hoa mới phân biệt được giới tính và cây đòi hỏi thụ phấn bằng tay thì trái mới to và có chất lượng cao. Mặc dù gấc được trồng lâu đời ở Việt Nam và Thái lan nhưng trên qui mô nhỏ và hiện nay không có nhiều thông tin nghiên cứu về năng suất cũng như các yếu tố ảnh hưởng năng suất và chất lượng trái.

Phương pháp nghiên cứu

trái và độ dày thịt trái. Chúng tôi cũng hy vọng tìm ra phương pháp thụ phấn hiệu quả để giảm công và chi phí thụ phấn nhân tạo. Những thành tựu này sẽ giúp hạ giá thành sản xuất và gia tăng lợi nhuận.

Ngành trồng gấc ở Úc có thể phát triển dựa trên mục tiêu sản xuất trái tươi và các sản phẩm chế biến. Sản phẩm trái tươi nên đươc tập trung chú ý để đáp ứng nhu cầu về rau quả Á châu và nhu cầu về loại rau quả giàu dinh dưỡng. Hơn nữa, có nhiều cơ hội thương mại các loại sản phẩm cao cấp sản xuất từ trái gấc như bột gấc đông khô, đậc biệt là để đáp ứng nhu cầu rất cao về carotenoids – chất chống ô-xy hoá. Hầu hết các thành phần của trái gất đều có thể chế biến thành dạng bột. Hạt và thịt gất cũng được dùng để sản xuất tinh dầu. Hiện nay chúng ta vẫn chưa khám phá hết công dụng và khả năng chế biến khác nhau của trái gấc. Nếu tận dụng tối đa các bộ phận vỏ, thịt, hạt của trái gấc thì có thể gia tăng thêm khả năng lợi nhuận.

Nghiên cứu đánh giá triển vọng trồng gấc trên nước Úc trên cớ sở các thí nghiệm trong nhà bầu. Nông dân ở nhiều địa phương cũng nhận hạt và cây giống để thử nghiệm ngoài đồng. Tiềm năng thị trường được mô tả nhờ vào thông tin thu thập trên nhiều quốc gia và dựa vào kết quả phỏng vấn nông dân trồng gấc và người tiêu thụ ở Việt Nam bao gồm các nhà tư vấn sức khỏe, nhà hàng, cơ sở chế biến và ngành côn nghiệp mỹ phẩm.

Số liệu nghiên cứu về gấc trên nước Úc cũng được thu thập để cung cấp chỉ dẫn về tiềm năng phát triển của cây gấc và các loại sản phẩm gấc.

Ý nghĩa thông tin cho những người quan tâm

Tóm tắt kết quả nghiên cứu

Các nghiên cứu sâu hơn về lảnh vực này sẽ thúc đẩy sự hình thành các vùng sản xuất có qui mô thương mại và công nghiệp chế biến hiện đại. Các nghiên cứu về gấc trong tương lai nêu lưu ý các vấn đề sau:

Nghiên cứu này khẳng định tính khả thi của việc trồng gấc trong nhà bầu và ngoài đồng tại nước Úc. Nghiên cứu về kỹ thuật nhân giống bằng cách giâm cành cũng cho thấy tiềm năng cung cấp giống rộng rãi và phân biệt được cây đực, cái. Những nghiên cứu lai tạo giống sẽ giúp phát triển nhiều giống có đặc tính nông học tốt. Ước tính lợc nhuận cho thấy trồng gấc trong nhà bầu hay ngoài đồng tại Úc đều có khả năng sinh lợi với giá thành khoảng 5-6 đô/kg và giá bán khoảng 8 đô/kg. giá thành ước tính này cao hơn giá của nhiều loâi cây trồng dạng dây leo khác và không cạnh tranh với giá ở các nước khác cho sản phẩm gấc đông khô. Mặc dù vậy Chúng tôi cũng kỳ vọng có thể gia tăng năng suất thông qua việc nghiên cứu các yếu tố làm tăng số lượng và kích thuớc

Gấc là một loại cây trồng mới tiềm năng trong ngành sản xuất trái tươi và chế biến. Nông dân có thể bán trái tươi cho thị trường của người Á châu dùng để nấu nướng hay ăn tươi cải thiện dinh dưỡng hoặc cung cấp cho cơng nghiệp chế biến để đáp ứng yêu cầu đang gia tăng về carotenoids trên thế giới. Công nghiệp chế biến gấc ở nước Úc có thể dựa vào sản phẩm đông khô cung cấp cho thị trường các loại sản phẩm chất lượng cao.

Khuyến cáo

1. Hình thành diển đàn để tạo kết nối và trao đổi thông tin giửa các thành phần có liên quan trong tương lai.

2. Xây dựng hệ thống thông tin các kết quả nghiên cứu về sản xuất và chế biến gấc 3. Thiết lập các mô hình sản xuất thử nnghiệm kết hợp với nông dân 4. Thiết lập các mô hình chế biến thử nghiệm

5. Kích thích sự quan tâm của người tiêu dùng để gia tăng nhu cầu tiêu thụ.

WA Grower Spring 2013

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Your Production

Permits Permit ID

Minor Use Permits can also be searched by specific crop or pest types at www.apvma.gov.au/permits/search.php

Pesticide

Target

Expiry date

PER13293

Abamectin

Two-spotted mites and onion thrips

30-Apr-15

PER11405

Haloxyfop

Grass weeds

30-May-14

PER13223

Imazamox

Control of grass and broadleaf weeds

31-Dec-13

PER13384

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite and brown almond mite

30-Jun-18

PER14310

Apollo SC Miticide (clofentezine)

Two-spotted mite and brown almond mite

30-Sep-18

PER13553

Methoxyfenozide (Prodigy Insecticide)

Carob moth

30-Sep-15

PER13199

Phos acid

Phytopthora

31-Mar-15

PER13387

Pirimicarb

Aphids

31-Mar-17

PER12989

Propiconazole

Blossom blight, anthracnose

31-Aug-16

PER13383

Pymetrozine (Chess)

Green peach aphid

31-Mar-17

PER11121

Simazine

Broadleaf weeds and grasses

31-Dec-14

PER12753

Naturalure Fruit Fly Bait Concentrate

Mediterranean fruit fly and Queensland fruit fly

31-Mar-14

PER6791

Termidor (fipronil)

Giant termite

30-Nov-13

PER13907

Triadimenol, Azoxystrobin, Propiconazole, Potassium bicarbonate and Phos acid

Myrtle rust

31-Aug-16

PER12777

Avatar (indoxacarb)

Garden weevil

30-Sep-16

PER10927

Lambda-cyhalothrin, gamma-cyhalothrin, alpha-cypermethrin and betacyfluthrin

Adzuki bean

Almonds

Amenity trees

Asparagus 30-Jun-15

Avocados PER13624

Phosphorous acid

Phytophthora root rot

31-Aug-14

PER14235

Rattoff Zinc Phosphine Bait Sachet

Roof or black rat and mice

30-Jun-23

PER14240

Chlorpyrifos

Sugarcane bud moth, banana scab moth, banana rust thrips, caterpillars, mealy bugs

30-Sep-15

PER11733

Glyphosate

Destruction of banana plants

30-Sep-14

PER12947

Talstar 100 EC Insecticide/Miticide

Specified whitefly and mite species

30-Apr-15

PER13123

Amistar 250SC Fungicide

Specified fungal diseases

30-Sep-13

PER13897

Filan Fungicide (boscalid)

Sclertonia rot

30-Jun-14

PER13123

Amistar 250SC Fungicide

Specified fungal diseases

30-Sep-13

PER13090

Alpha-cypermethrin

Various insect pests

31-May-15

PER11450

Ethofumesate (Tramat)

Grass weeds

30-Jun-15

PER14223

Flint 500 WG Fungicide (trifloxystrobin)

Alternaria leaf spot and cercospora leaf spot

31-Dec-14

PER11919

Flint 500 WG Fungicide (trifloxystrobin)

Alternaria leaf spot and cercospora leaf spot

30-Sep-13

PER11853

Imidacloprid

Aphids and thrips

30-Sep-15

PER11949

Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Various insects

31-Mar-15

PER14184

Phosphorous (phosphonic) acid

Damping off and downy mildew

30-Jun-17

PER10908

Tebuconazole

Sclerotonia rot

31-Mar-14

PER13009

Propiconazole

Cercospora, leaf spot, blossom blight and anthracnose

31-Oct-13

Abamectin

Two-spotted mites

31-May-18

Abamectin

Two-spotted mites

31-May-18

Banana

Beans

Beetroot

Blackberry PER13956 Blackcurrent PER13956

104

WA Grower Spring 2013

Your Production

Permit ID

Pesticide

Target

Expiry date

PER12219

Casoron G Herbicide (dichlobenil)

Specified weeds

31-Mar-16

PER14309

Chlorothalonil

Various fungal diseases

30-Sep-16

PER12534

Confidor Guard (imidacloprid)

Scarab beetle larvae

31-Oct-15

PER13290

Dimethoate

Queensland fruit fly and Mediterranean fruit fly

5-Oct-13

PER13955

Infruta Sulphur Dioxide Pads

Botrytis cinerea

31-Mar-23

PER12940

Maldison

Fruit fly

31-May-14

PER12816

Tebufenozide (Mimic)

Light brown apple moth

30-Jun-15

PER10894

Tilt 250 EC (propiconazole)

Rust (Pucciniastrum vaccinii)

30-Jun-14

PER12927

Dow AgroSciences Success Neo (spinetoram)

Fruit fly (Suppression only)

31-May-14

PER13677

Hy Mal Insecticide

Fruit fly bait spray

30-Jun-16

PER13958

Various products

Various fungal blights

31-Mar-18

Methomyl

Bean pod borer and budworm

31-Oct-16

Blueberries

Borlotti beans PER9509

Brassica leafy vegetables PER13291

Acrobat Fungicide

White blister

30-Sep-13

PER13090

Alpha-cypermethrin

Various insect pests

31-May-15

PER13123

Amistar 250SC Fungicide

Specified fungal diseases

30-Sep-13

PER10845

Barmac Zineb Fungicide

Cercospora leaf spot anddowny mildew

31-Mar-15

PER11848

Clethodim

Grass weeds

30-Sep-15

PER13154

Dual Gold Herbicide

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

31-Mar-17

PER13897

Filan Fungicide (boscalid)

Sclertonia rot

30-Jun-14

PER10497

Imidacloprid

Aphids, whitefly and thrips

31-Mar-14

PER13032

Pirimicarb

Aphids

30-Sep-13

PER11994

Proclaim Insecticide

Diamondback moth, heliothis and vegetable looper

31-May-14

PER12054

Propiconazole

Cercospora leaf spot, rust, septoria leaf spot

31-Aug-14

PER12008

Ramrod Herbicide (propachlor)

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

PER14184

Phosphorous (phosphonic) acid

Damping off and downy mildew

30-Jun-17

PER12016

Mancozeb

Anthracnose and septoria

31-Mar-15

PER12947

Talstar 100 EC Insecticide/Miticide

Specified whitefly and mite species

30-Apr-15

PER13672

Chlorpyrifos

Vegetable beetle adults

30-Sep-14

PER13897

Filan Fungicide (boscalid)

Sclertonia rot

30-Jun-14

Tebuconazole

Cercospora leaf spot and rust

30-Jun-16

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

31-Mar-15

PER13123

Amistar 250SC Fungicide

Specified fungal diseases

30-Sep-13

Iprodione

Rhizoctinia

31-Mar-18

PER10090

Iprodione

Grey mould

1-Aug-15

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

31-Mar-15

PER13123

Amistar 250SC Fungicide

Specified fungal diseases

30-Sep-13

PER13698

Phosphorous

Downy mildew

30-Sep-17

PER12050

Boscalid

Sclerotinia rot

30-Jun-15

PER11564

Switch Fungicide

Botrytis and sclerotinia

30-Nov-14

PER11778

Agri-fos 600 Systemic Fungicide (phosphorous acid)

Phytophthora soil fungus

30-Nov-15

Broad beans PER13752 Broccoli

Broccoli seed treatment PER14051 Brussel sprouts

Bulb vegetables

Capsicum

WA Grower Spring 2013

105

Your Production

Permits (cont.)

Permit ID

Pesticide

Target

Expiry date

PER13031

Maldison

Fruit fly

31-May-14

PER12565

Scala Fungicide

Botrytis rots

30-Sep-17

PER13047

Acramite Miticide

Two-spotted mite

30-Sep-13

PER14050

Flint 500 WG Fungicide

Powdery mildew

30-Jun-23

PER14184

Phosphorous (phosphonic) acid

Damping off and downy mildew

30-Jun-17

PER10914

Azoxystrobin

Powdery mildew, downy mildew and white blister rust

31-May-14

PER12050

Boscalid

Sclerotinia rot

30-Jun-15

PER13013

Clethodim

Grass weed control

31-Mar-14

PER13305

Glyphosate (shielded sprayer)

Certain broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-15

PER13656

Rovral Aquaflo Fungicide

Various diseases

30-Sep-14

PER11747

2,2-Dichloropropionic Acid

Promotion of bolting and grass weed control

30-Nov-14

PER12050

Boscalid

Sclerotinia rot

30-Jun-15

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

31-Mar-15

PER13123

Amistar 250SC Fungicide

Specified fungal diseases

30-Sep-13

PER10272

Diazinon

Onion fly and onion seedling maggot

30-Sep-16

PER13147

Lontrel

Capeweed and clover

30-Sep-16

PER14037

Alpha-Cypermethrin

Staphylinid beetle

31-Mar-23

PER13367

Linuron

Grass and broadleaf weeds

30-Apr-16

PER10875

Pirimor WG Aphicide (pirimicarb)

Aphids

30-Sep-15

PER13114

Prometryn

Grass weeds listed on label

31-Mar-17

PER13573

Rovral Aquaflo Fungicide (Iprodione)

Sclerotinia rot

30-Jun-14

PER13323

Score Foliar Fungicide (difenoconazole)

Cercospora leaf spot and septoria leaf blight

31-Mar-15

PER13088

Success Neo Insecticide (spinetoram)

Various insect pests

31-Mar-17

PER13090

Alpha-cypermethrin

Various insect pests

31-May-15

PER13936

Applaud Insecticide (buprofezin)

Greenhouse whitefly

30-Jun-14

PER13654

Avatar Insecticide (indoxacarb)

eliothis, lightbrown apple moth, lucerne leaf roller and H vegetable weevil

30-Sep-14

PER13658

Flint 500 WG (trifloxystrobin)

Various diseases

30-Sep-14

PER12179

Hotshot

Three-horned bedstraw

30-Nov-15

PER13496

Linuron

Range of weeds

30-Apr-17

PER14049

Permethrin (Ambush )

Helicoverpa and looper

31-Mar-23

PER13009

Propiconazole

Cercospora, leaf spot, blossom blight and anthracnose

31-Oct-13

PER13673

Ridomil Gold MZ WG

Late blight, septoria leaf blight and downy mildew

30-Sep-16

PER13627

Score Foliar Fungicide (difenoconazole)

Cercospora leaf spot and septoria spots

31-Dec-15

Nufarm Pristine Fungicide

Brown rot and botrytis

30-Jun-15

PER11979

Foli-R-Fos (phosphorous acid)

Phomopsis nut rot

30-Jun-15

PER11731

Paraquat and diquat (SpraySeed)

Annual grass and broadleaf weeds

31-Mar-15

PER13375

Scholar Fungicide (fludioxonil)

Suppression of surface moulds

31-Oct-17

PER13640

Sodium Hypochlorite

Surface moulds

31-Oct-17

PER12507

Tsunami or Adoxysan

Surface moulds

30-Jun-16

PER13391

Betacyfluthrin

Heliothis

30-Jun-18

PER13393

Fusilade Forte (fluazifop)

Various grasses

30-Jun-16

PER11332

Gemstar

Heliothis

30-Jun-14

PER13892

Larvin (thiodicarb)

Heliothis

31-Jan-15

Carrot

Cauliflower

Celeriac

Celery

Cherries PER12709 Chestnut

Chia

106

WA Grower Spring 2013

Your Production

Permit ID

Pesticide

Target

Expiry date

PER13392

Methomyl

Heliothis

30-Jun-18

PER11215

Powermax (glyphosate)

Various weeds

30-Jun-14

PER11245

Trifluralin

Specified broadleaf weeds

30-Jun-14

PER12397

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

30-Nov-14

PER11855

Betanal (phenmedipham)

Broadleaf weeds

30-Jun-14

PER11848

Clethodim

Grass weeds

30-Sep-15

PER12016

Mancozeb

Anthracnose and septoria

31-Mar-15

PER13032

Pirimicarb

Aphids

30-Sep-13

PER12054

Propiconazole

Cercospora leaf spot, rust, septoria leaf spot

31-Aug-14

PER10677

Propyzamide

Grass and broadleef weeds

30-Apr-18

PER10908

Tebuconazole

Sclerotonia rot

31-Mar-14

PER11352

Walabi Fungicide

Botrytis and alternaria

30-Sep-14

PER13658

Flint 500 WG (trifloxystrobin)

Various diseases

30-Sep-14

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

31-Mar-15

PER13254

Dimethoate

Queensland and Mediterranean fruit fly

5-Oct-13

PER13860

Lebaycid (fenthion)

Fruit fly

30-Oct-13

PER13656

Rovral Aquaflo Fungicide

Various diseases

30-Sep-14

PER12823

Trifluralin

Various broad leaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-21

PER13657

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

31-Mar-14

PER13303

Coragen Insecticide

Heliothis, cluster caterpillar

31-Mar-15

PER13499

Diazinon

Onion maggot

31-Mar-17

PER11850

Lambda-cyhalothrin

ed-legged earth mite (RLEM), Rutherglen bug (RGB), grey R cluster bug (GCB), looper, plague thrips

31-Aug-15

PER13396

Methomyl

Thrips and western flower thrips

30-Jun-15

PER13032

Pirimicarb

Aphids

30-Sep-13

PER10279

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

30-Sep-13

PER12998

Amistar Fungicide

Alternaria leaf spot (Alternaria cucumerina)

30-Sep-14

PER10818

Bravo Weather Stik Fungicide (chlorothalonil)

Botrytis rot

30-Sep-13

PER10311

Eco-Oil (Botanical Oil)

Greenhouse whitefly and silverleaf whitefly

30-Sep-13

PER14050

Flint 500 WG Fungicide

Powdery mildew

30-Jun-23

PER14046

Mancozeb

Grey mould

31-Mar-18

PER12391

Prodigy Insecticide

Lepidopteran pests

30-Sep-17

PER13349

Pyranica

Two-spotted mite

31-Mar-15

PER7909

Scala 400 SC Fungicide

Botrytis rot

30-Sep-17

PER12947

Talstar 100 EC Insecticide/Miticide

Specified whitefly and mite species

30-Apr-15

PER13090

Alpha-cypermethrin

Various insect pests

31-May-15

PER14077

Eco-Oil (Botanical Oil)

Silverleaf whitefly

30-Sep-23

PER12504

Permethrin

Cucumber moth larvae (Phakelura indica)

31-Dec-13

PER13047

Acramite Miticide

Two-spotted mite

30-Sep-13

PER13031

Maldison

Fruit fly

31-May-14

Bupirimate

Powdery mildew

30-Sep-14

PER13704

Azoxystrobin

Specified diseases

30-Jun-17

PER13794

Imidacloprid

Various insect pests

31-Mar-17

PER13791

Mono-di potassium phosphite or Pottassium phosphonate

Specified fungal diseases

30-Jun-16

Chicory

Chilli peppers

Coriander

Cucumber

Cucurbits PER10979 Culinary herbs

WA Grower Spring 2013

107

Your Production

Permits (cont.)

Permit ID

Pesticide

Target

Expiry date

PER13790

Mancozeb

Specific fungal diseases

30-Jun-18

PER13702

Copper

Specified fungal diseases

30-Jun-15

PER14158

Metolachlor

Weeds

30-Jun-23

PER13793

Potassium Bicarbonate

Specified fungal diseases

31-Mar-18

PER13027

Bulldock 25EC

Various insect pests

30-Sep-15

PER11943

Copper

Anthracnose

30-Jun-22

PER11970

Imidacloprid

Citrus mealybug

30-Jun-15

PER11944

Octave WP Fungicide (prochloraz)

Anthracnose

31-Aug-16

PER13807

Phosphorous acid

Phytophthora

30-Sep-17

PER13951

Sunny Plant Growth Regulator (uniconazole-P)

Plant growth regulation

30-Jun-18

PER13029

Trichlorfon

Various insect pests

31-May-14

PER12785

Deltamethrin and Iprodione

Quarantine pests and diseases

30-Jun-16

PER11771

Pirimor, Prodigy, Insegar, Chess, Avatar, Applaud

Various insect pests

30-Sep-17

PER12156

Triadimenol, Triforine, Mancozeb, Azoxystrobin, Copper oxychloride, oxycarboxin and propiconazole

Myrtle rust (Uredo rangelii)

30-Aug-18

PER12024

Various Fungicides

Various fungal diseases

31-Oct-15

PER13831

Acetamiprid

Mealy bug, fungus gnat larvae and tea tree psyllid

30-Jun-17

PER13702

Copper

Specified fungal diseases

30-Jun-15

PER13313

Fluazifop-P

Various grass weeds

30-Sep-14

PER13311

Glufosinate-ammonium

Various weeds

30-Sep-14

PER13310

Glyphosate

Various weeds

30-Sep-14

PER13315

Pendimethalin

Various weeds

30-Sep-14

PER13793

Potassium Bicarbonate

Specified fungal diseases

31-Mar-18

PER13316

Various herbicides

Various weeds

30-Sep-17

PER13790

Mancozeb

Specific fungal diseases

30-Jun-18

PER13794

Imidacloprid

Various insect pests

31-Mar-17

PER10948

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

30-Oct-13

PER14036

Bupirimate

Powdery mildew

31-Mar-18

PER11451

Chlorothalonil

Various fungal diseases

30-Jun-18

PER12506

Dimethoate

Queensland fruit fly and Mediterranean fruit fly

5-Oct-13

PER13394

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

30-Sep-15

PER8930

Phorate

Aphids, jassids, mites, thrips and onion maggot

31-Jul-16

PER13351

Pirimicarb

Aphids

31-Mar-16

PER12391

Prodigy Insecticide

Lepidopteran pests

30-Sep-17

PER13517

Rovral (iprodione)

Grey mould

30-Sep-15

PER12947

Talstar 100 EC Insecticide/Miticide

Specified whitefly and mite species

30-Apr-15

PER12442

Trichlorfon

Fruit fly

31-May-14

PER12823

Trifluralin

Various broad leaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-21

PER12862

Zineb

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.)

31-Jul-14

PER11778

Agri-fos 600 Systemic Fungicide (phosphorous acid)

Phytophthora soil fungus

30-Nov-15

PER14047

Methidathion

Rutherglen bug

30-Jun-18

PER11855

Betanal (phenmedipham)

Broadleaf weeds

30-Jun-14

PER11848

Clethodim

Grass weeds

30-Sep-15

Custard apple

Cut flowers

Date palm

Eggplant

Endive

108

WA Grower Spring 2013

Your Production

Permit ID

Pesticide

Target

Expiry date

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

31-Mar-15

PER12054

Propiconazole

Cercospora leaf spot, rust, septoria leaf spot

31-Aug-14

PER10908

Tebuconazole

Sclerotonia rot

31-Mar-14

PER11352

Walabi Fungicide

Botrytis and alternaria

30-Sep-14

PER13658

Flint 500 WG (trifloxystrobin)

Various diseases

30-Sep-14

PER13658

Flint 500 WG (trifloxystrobin)

Various diseases

30-Sep-14

PER10677

Propyzamide

Grass and broadleef weeds

30-Apr-18

PER12111

Alpha-cypermethrin and maldison

Various pests

31-Mar-15

PER12704

Flumetsulam

Broadleaved weeds

31-Mar-15

PER13334

Dimethoate

Rutherglen bug and wingless grasshoppers

5-Oct-13

PER12046

Metosulam, pendimethlain, sulfometuron, gibberellic acid, 6-benzyladenine and paclobutrazol

PER10632

Paclobutrazol (CULTAR)

Promote flowering

31-May-18

PER11723

Chlorpyrifos

African black beetle

31-Oct-14

Eucalpyt

30-Jun-15

Export PER12585

Ally 77 WP

31-Dec-13

PER12860

Almix 20WP, Londax 10WP, Weinong Londax 30WP, Sindax 10WP

31-Dec-13

PER12976

AUSOIL 23 EC

30-Aug-15

PER12138

Bushmans Export Water Resistant Insect Repellent (30% DEET)

31-Dec-13

PER12630

Deodorant Spray for Dogs and Cats

31-Jan-15

PER14253

Interclene 175

30-Sep-18

PER13165

Klerat Rat and Mouse Killer Wax Blocks and pellets, Klerat rat and mouse killer pellets, Klerat pellets

31-Dec-13

PER12529

MeiMei Botanical Children Insect Repellent

30-Sep-13

PER12775

Mortein Automatic Indoor Insect Control System

30-Aug-15

PER13757

Mortein Barrier Outdoor Surface Spray

31-Dec-14

PER14261

Mortein Citronella Auto Protect Indoor

30-Sep-18

PER11115

Mortein Cockroach Bait

31-Dec-13

PER12578

Perfect Potion Products Pty Ltd

31-Dec-13

PER13823

Pif Paf Powergard Barrier Outdoor Surface Spray

31-Mar-15

PER13589

QuickPhos Fumigant Insecticide

30-Jun-17

PER11665

Target Mortein Naturgard Control System

31-Dec-13

PER13650

Various

30-Jun-16

PER13346

Various Active Constituents

31-Mar-17

PER11103

Various Mortein Products

31-Dec-13

PER13109

Various Products

30-Sep-16

Faba beans PER13223

Imazamox

Control of grass and broadleaf weeds

31-Dec-13

PER13752

Tebuconazole

Cercospora leaf spot and rust

30-Jun-16

PER13036

Bravo 720 SC

Downy mildew, purple blotch

31-Jul-16

PER13698

Phosphorous

Downy mildew

30-Sep-17

PER12753

Naturalure Fruit Fly Bait Concentrate

Mediterranean fruit fly and Queensland fruit fly

31-Mar-14

PER11451

Chlorothalonil

Various fungal diseases

30-Jun-18

Fennel

Fruit trees

WA Grower Spring 2013

109

Your Production

Permits (cont.)

Permit ID

Pesticide

Target

Expiry date

PER13394

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

30-Sep-15

PER11170

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

30-Sep-14

PER13792

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) kurstaki

Various insect pests

31-Mar-18

PER13794

Imidacloprid

Various insect pests

31-Mar-17

PER14379

Monstar SC Fungicide (Flutolanil)

Fairy ring

30-Sep-15

PER12842

Monstar SC Fungicide (Flutolanil)

Fairy ring

30-Sep-13

PER13944

Ammonium Nitrate and Calcium Nitrate

Chemical cordon bunch removal

31-Mar-18

PER12563

Alpha cypermethrin (Dominex and Fastac)

Black vine and garden weevil

31-May-14

PER13380

Chlorpyrifos

African black beetle

31-Mar-14

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-17

PER13313

Fluazifop-P

Various grass weeds

30-Sep-14

PER13311

Glufosinate-ammonium

Various weeds

30-Sep-14

PER13310

Glyphosate

Various weeds

30-Sep-14

PER13312

Paraquat + Diquat

Various weeds

30-Sep-14

Garlic

Ginger

Grapevines

Green beans PER13626 Green tea

Greenhouse and hydroponic capsicum PER14077

Eco-Oil (Botanical Oil)

Silverleaf whitefly

30-Sep-23

PER10311

Eco-Oil (Botanical Oil)

Greenhouse whitefly and silverleaf whitefly

30-Sep-13

PER11120

Natrasoap and Neemtech

Greenhouse whitefly

30-Sep-13

PER13792

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) kurstaki

Various insect pests

31-Mar-18

PER13794

Imidacloprid

Various insect pests

31-Mar-17

PER13793

Potassium Bicarbonate

Specified fungal diseases

31-Mar-18

PER13162

Cupric hydroxide

Hazelnut blight

31-Mar-17

PER13619

D-C-Tron Plus

Plum scale

31-Oct-17

PER13791

Mono-di potassium phosphite or Pottassium phosphonate

Specified fungal diseases

30-Jun-16

PER13830

Pirimicarb

Hazelnut Aphid

31-May-16

PER10807

Vertimec (abamectin)

Two-spotted mite

31-Mar-14

PER13038

Phosphorous acid

Phytophthora

31-Oct-14

PER8628

Pendimethalin

Grass and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-14

PER11815

Petroleum oil

Insect pests

31-Dec-14

PER13319

Trifluralin

Various weeds

30-Sep-14

Hazelnuts

Herbs

Hot chilli peppers (post-harvest) PER13158

Dimethoate

Various fruit fly species

5-Oct-13

PER11940

Various fungicides

Downy mildew

30-Sep-15

PER13316

Various herbicides

Various weeds

30-Sep-17

PER10196

2,4-D

Winter broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-13

PER10192

Glufosinate ammonium

Herbage

30-Sep-13

PER10454

MCPA

Winter broadleaf weeds

31-Dec-13

PER10193

Oxyfluorfen and Oryazalin

Pre-plant

30-Sep-13

PER10194

Sethoxydim

Grass weeds

30-Sep-13

PER10914

Azoxystrobin

Powdery mildew, downy mildew and white blister rust

31-May-14

PER12397

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

30-Nov-14

Jojoba

Leek

110

WA Grower Spring 2013

Your Production

Permit ID

Pesticide

Target

Expiry date

PER10272

Diazinon

Onion fly and onion seedling maggot

30-Sep-16

PER10902

Dimethomorph

Downy mildew

30-Sep-13

PER13203

Dimethomorph and Mancozeb

Downy mildew, purple blotch and botrytis rots

31-Mar-17

PER13394

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

30-Sep-15

PER13367

Linuron

Grass and broadleaf weeds

30-Apr-16

PER13653

Maldison

Onion thrips

30-Sep-14

PER13257

Select Herbicide (clethodim)

Grass weeds as per label including winter grass (Poa annua)

31-Mar-17

PER13584

Tribunil Herbicide

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-14

PER13466

Various Actives

Specified grass and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

Lettuce PER13301

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite and vegetable weevil

31-May-15

PER11855

Betanal (phenmedipham)

Broadleaf weeds

30-Jun-14

PER12386

Dacthal (chlorthal-dimethyl)

Stinging nettle

31-Aug-16

PER13002

Metalaxyl-M

Damping off

30-Sep-13

PER12008

Ramrod Herbicide (propachlor)

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

PER12947

Talstar 100 EC Insecticide/Miticide

Specified whitefly and mite species

30-Apr-15

PER14077

Eco-Oil (Botanical Oil)

Silverleaf whitefly

30-Sep-23

PER10311

Eco-Oil (Botanical Oil)

Greenhouse whitefly and silverleaf whitefly

30-Sep-13

PER13897

Filan Fungicide (boscalid)

Sclertonia rot

30-Jun-14

PER11564

Switch Fungicide

Botrytis and sclerotinia

30-Nov-14

PER12846

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

30-Sep-17

PER13698

Phosphorous

Downy mildew

30-Sep-17

PER12565

Scala Fungicide

Botrytis rots

30-Sep-17

PER13332

BALAN (benfluralin)

Grass and broadleaf weed control

31-Mar-22

PER13027

Bulldock 25EC

Various insect pests

30-Sep-15

PER13029

Trichlorfon

Various insect pests

31-May-14

PER13030

Cabrio and Cabrio 200 WG

Anthracnose or pepper spot

30-Nov-14

PER13660

Copper hydroxide and cuprous oxide

Lychee pepper spot

30-Sep-17

PER13028

Octave WP Fungicide

Anthracnose or pepper spot

30-Nov-14

PER11462

Ethephon

Promote nutfall

30-Jun-15

PER14276

Diazinon

Macadamia lace bug

30-Nov-15

PER13639

Diazinon

Macadamia lace bug

30-Nov-13

PER13689

Trichlorfon

Fruit-spotting bug bananna bug, green vegetable bug

30-Sep-16

PER13879

Phosphorus acid

Phytophthora trunk canker

30-Sep-17

Lychee

Macadamia

Maize PER12282

Belt 480 SC Insecticide (flubendiamide)

Heliothis

31-Aug-15

PER12904

Farmoz Wizard Insecticide

Two-spotted mite

31-Mar-14

PER13027

Bulldock 25EC

Various insect pests

30-Sep-15

PER13029

Trichlorfon

Various insect pests

31-May-14

PER14286

Actara Insecticide (thiamethoxam)

Mango seed weevil

30-Sep-15

PER12637

Actara Insecticide (thiamethoxam)

Mango seed weevil

30-Sep-13

PER14147

Scholar (fludioxonil)

Anthracnose, stem end rot and dendritic spot

30-Jun-15

PER13702

Copper

Specified fungal diseases

30-Jun-15

Dimethoate

Various fruit fly species

5-Oct-13

Abamectin

Two-spotted mites and onion thrips

30-Apr-15

Mango

Melons PER13170 Mung Bean PER13293

WA Grower Spring 2013

111

Your Production

Permits (cont.)

Permit ID

Pesticide

Target

Expiry date

PER13604

Cabrio Fungicide (pyraclostrobin)

Powdery mildew

30-Jun-15

PER12848

Carbendazim

Dry bubble, wet bubble and green mould

30-Sep-14

PER12965

Imazalil

Green mould

31-Jul-17

PER12172

Pestigas

Mushroom flies

30-Jun-15

PER12645

Prochloraz

Cobweb disease

31-Mar-17

PER14350

VectoBac WG Biological Larvicide

Fungus gnats and sciarids

31-May-19

PER11472

VectoBac WG Biological Larvicide

Fungus gnats and sciarids

31-May-14

PER13311

Glufosinate-ammonium

Various weeds

30-Sep-14

PER13310

Glyphosate

Various weeds

30-Sep-14

PER10475

Glyphosate

Unwanted tree species

31-Mar-14

Mushrooms

Native foods

Native grass seed crops PER13316

Various herbicides

Various weeds

30-Sep-17

PER13318

Simazine, Pendimethalin

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

31-Mar-15

PER13319

Trifluralin

Various weeds

30-Sep-14

PER13312

Paraquat + Diquat

Various weeds

30-Sep-14

PER13534

Phosphorous acid

Phytophthora

31-Oct-15

PER13293

Abamectin

Two-spotted mites and onion thrips

30-Apr-15

PER13626

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-17

PER10281

Acetamiprid

General suppression of quarantine pests

31-Mar-17

PER11972

Acramite Miticide (Bifenazate)

Mites

31-May-15

PER12659

Admiral Insect Growth Regulator Insecticide (pyriproxyfen)

Whiteflies and fungus gnats

31-May-15

PER13459

Aero Fungicide

Various

31-May-15

PER9796

Bifenthrin

Quarantine usage

31-Mar-17

PER10043

Bifenthrin

Quarantine usage

31-Mar-17

PER12662

Nimrod Fungicide

Powdery mildew

31-Jul-16

PER11971

Pegasus insecticide

Aphids, mites and whitefly

31-May-15

PER12661

Pristine Fungicide

Powdery mildew, grey mould, athracnose, leaf spot and blotch

31-May-15

PER13942

Suscon Maxi Insecticide

Various insects

31-May-15

PER12660

Switch Fungicide

Grey mould, anthrancnose, sclerotinia rot and rhizoctonia rots

31-May-15

PER11546

Acrobat + Mancozeb

Downy mildew, alternaria, anthracnose and phytophthora

31-Oct-14

PER11517

Amistar (azoxystrobin)

owny mildew, powdery mildew, grey mould, rusts and leaf D spots

30-Nov-14

PER11553

Applaud Insecticide (buprofezin)

Mealybug, leafhoppers, scale and whitefly

30-Nov-14

PER11973

Chess Insecticide and Fulfill Insecticide (pymetrozine)

Aphids and whitefly

30-Jun-15

PER13328

Copper Hydroxide

Specified diseases

31-May-15

PER12029

Dupont Avatar Insecticide (indoxacarb)

European earwig, heliothis, lightbrown apple moth and weevils

31-May-15

PER12027

Dupont Coragen Insecticide (chlorantraniliprole)

eliothis, lightbrown apple moth, apple looper and soybean H looper

31-May-15

PER13382

Durivo Insecticide

iamond black moth, cabbage white butterfly, heliothis, D loopers, leafhoppers and aphids

31-May-15

Navy bean

Nursery stock

112

PER13330

Ecocarb Fungicide

Powdery mildew

31-May-15

PER12028

Mancozeb + Metalaxyl

Alternaria, anthracnose, septoria leaf spot and phytophthora

31-May-15

PER12543

Movento Insecticide

Aphids, scale insects and whitefly

31-May-15

PER12156

Triadimenol, Triforine, Mancozeb, Azoxystrobin, Copper oxychloride, oxycarboxin and propiconazole

Myrtle rust (Uredo rangelii)

30-Aug-18

WA Grower Spring 2013

Your Production

Permit ID

Pesticide

Target

Expiry date

Naturalure Fruit Fly Bait Concentrate

Mediterranean fruit fly and Queensland fruit fly

31-Mar-14

Fenthion

Olive lace bug

30-Sep-13

PER13316

Various herbicides

Various weeds

30-Sep-17

PER12853

Avatar (indoxacarb)

Apple weevil

31-Mar-14

PER11360

Copper

Fungal leaf spot and fruit rot

31-Mar-17

PER13999

Dimethoate

Various insect pests

5-Oct-13

PER12228

Ethephon

Fruit loosening

30-Nov-13

PER13868

Fenthion

Olive lace bug and Rutherglen bug

30-Oct-13

PER13267

Insegar 250 W Insect Growth Regulator (fenoxycarb)

Black olive scale

31-Mar-14

PER11152

Natrasoap insecticidal soap spray

Lace bug

30-Sep-13

PER12397

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

30-Nov-14

PER12397

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

30-Nov-14

PER11851

Basagran (bentazone-sodium)

Broadleaf weeds

31-Mar-14

PER11450

Ethofumesate (Tramat)

Grass weeds

30-Jun-15

PER6791

Termidor (fipronil)

Giant termite

30-Nov-13

PER10897

Imidacloprid

Sap sucking insects and leaf eating beetles

31-Jan-15

PER12378

Acephate

Western flower thrips

31-Oct-15

PER14225

Copper oxychloride, Mancozeb and Triforine

Myrtle rust

30-Sep-18

PER9424

Methiocarb

Green snail

30-Jun-16

PER12753

Naturalure Fruit Fly Bait Concentrate

Mediterranean fruit fly and Queensland fruit fly

31-Mar-14

PER12156

Triadimenol, Triforine, Mancozeb, Azoxystrobin, Copper oxychloride, oxycarboxin and propiconazole

Myrtle rust (Uredo rangelii)

30-Aug-18

Propamocarb

Damping off

31-Mar-17

PER13671

Bulldock 25 EC

Fruit-spotting bug and the banana-spotting bug

31-Oct-17

PER12592

Chlorothalonil and Difenoconazole

Black spot and brown spot

30-Jun-20

PER13076

Propamocarb

Damping off

31-Mar-17

PER13657

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

31-Mar-14

PER13656

Rovral Aquaflo Fungicide

Various diseases

30-Sep-14

PER12823

Trifluralin

Various broad leaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-21

PER10089

Chlorpyrifos

Vegetable weevil and black beetle

30-Sep-13

PER14032

Chlorthal-dimethyl

Various broadleaf weeds and grasses

31-Mar-23

PER13303

Coragen Insecticide

Heliothis, cluster caterpillar

31-Mar-15

PER13499

Diazinon

Onion maggot

31-Mar-17

PER11850

Lambda-cyhalothrin

ed-legged earth mite, Rutherglen bug, grey cluster bug R (GCB), looper, plague thrips

31-Aug-15

PER12016

Mancozeb

Anthracnose and septoria

31-Mar-15

PER13396

Methomyl

Thrips and western flower thrips

30-Jun-15

PER13121

Ridomil Gold 25G (metalaxyl-M)

Pythium and phytophthora

30-Nov-16

Nut trees PER12753

Olive nursery stock PER10455 Olives

Onions

Ornamental trees

Ornamentals

Pawpaw PER13076 Papaya

Paprika

Parsely

WA Grower Spring 2013

113

Your Production

Permits (cont.)

Permit ID

Pesticide

Target

Expiry date

PER14184

Phosphorous (phosphonic) acid

Damping off and downy mildew

30-Jun-17

PER11348

Clethodim

Grass weeds

31-Mar-22

PER12357

Linuron

Grass and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

PER10758

Pendimethalin

Grasses and broadleaf weeds

31-Jan-14

PER12048

Prometryn

Weeds

30-Sep-15

Parsnip

PER12354

Ridomil Gold 25G (metalaxyl-M)

Pythium spp. and Phytophthora spp.

30-Apr-14

PER11935

Triadimenol

Powdery mildew

30-Jun-17

PER13696

Trifluralin

Wintergrass

31-Mar-18

PER13394

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

30-Sep-15

PER12781

Cabrio and Cabrio 200WG (pyraclostrobin)

Anthracnose and septoria spot

30-Jun-18

PER10954

Glyphosate

Grass and broadleaf weeds

30-Oct-13

PER13038

Phosphorous acid

Phytophthora

31-Oct-14

PER13641

Sacoa Biopest (paraffinic oil)

Red scale, hemispherical scale and passionvine mealybug

30-Sep-14

Passionfruit

Peas PER14035

Diflufenican

Broadleaf weeds

31-Mar-23

PER12947

Talstar 100 EC Insecticide/Miticide

Specified whitefly and mite species

30-Apr-15

Peppers PER14047

Methidathion

Rutherglen bug

30-Jun-18

PER8930

Phorate

Aphids, jassids, mites, thrips and onion maggot

31-Jul-16

PER12391

Prodigy Insecticide

Lepidopteran pests

30-Sep-17

PER12947

Talstar 100 EC Insecticide/Miticide

Specified whitefly and mite species

30-Apr-15

PER12378

Acephate

Western flower thrips

31-Oct-15

PER10979

Bupirimate

Powdery mildew

30-Sep-14

PER11440

Sumiclex 500 (procymidone)

Sclerotinia rot

31-Jan-15

PER10878

Trifluralin

Broadleaf and annual grass weeds

30-Sep-13

Permit to export PER9366

B'Sure Repellant

5-Sep-16

Persimmon PER13027

Bulldock 25EC

Various insect pests

30-Sep-15

PER13445

Chlorothalonil

Cercospora leaf spot

30-Sep-15

PER13932

Chlorpyrifos

Cluster grub

31-Mar-18

PER13815

Maldison

Queensland and Mediterranean fruit fly

31-May-16

PER12488

Mancozeb

Cercospora leaf spot

31-Mar-15

PER13694

Methidathion

Various insect pests

30-Sep-17

PER13933

Petroleum oil

Scale insects

30-Nov-17

PER12591

Prodigy Insecticide (methoxyfenozide)

Leaf roller, yellow peach moth, lightbrown apple moth and orange fruitborer

30-Sep-16

PER14252

Samurai Systemic Insecticide (clothianidin)

Fruit flies

30-Jun-15

PER13176

Shin Etsu MD Carmenta Pheromone

Clearwing persimmon borer

30-Sep-15

PER13029

Trichlorfon

Various insect pests

31-May-14

Pine PER12111

Alpha-cypermethrin and maldison

Various pests

31-Mar-15

PER13334

Dimethoate

Rutherglen bug and wingless grasshoppers

5-Oct-13

PER12704

Flumetsulam

Broadleaved weeds

31-Mar-15

PER12046

Metosulam, pendimethlain, sulfometuron, gibberellic acid, 6-benzyladenine and paclobutrazol

30-Jun-15

Pineapple PER10457

114

Dimethoate

WA Grower Spring 2013

Red mite and flat mite

30-Sep-13

Your Production

Permit ID

Pesticide

Target

Expiry date

PER13243

Iprodione

Botrytis rot and alternaria leaf spot

30-Jun-15

PER14219

Mancozeb

Antracnose and panicle and shoot blight

31-Dec-14

PER11731

Paraquat and diquat (SpraySeed)

Annual grass and broadleaf weeds

31-Mar-15

PER14217

Pristine Fungicide

Anthracnose, panicle and shoot blight

31-Dec-14

PER14308

Success Neo or Delegate

Carob moth

30-Jun-15

PER14218

Switch Fungicide

Anthracnose and panicle and shoot blight

31-Dec-14

PER13954

Copper salts

uppression of botryosphaeria, alternaria alternata and S bacterial dieback

31-Mar-22

PER12612

Alpha-cypermethrin

Garden weevil

30-Apr-16

PER10283

Chlorpyrifos

Black beetle, wingless grasshopper, red-legged earth mite

30-Sep-14

PER10089

Chlorpyrifos

Vegetable weevil and black beetle

30-Sep-13

PER12504

Permethrin

Cucumber moth larvae (Phakelura indica)

31-Dec-13

PER11768

Chlorpyrifos

African black beetle

31-Mar-15

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

31-Mar-15

PER11352

Walabi Fungicide

Botrytis and alternaria

30-Sep-14

PER11855

Betanal (phenmedipham)

Broadleaf weeds

30-Jun-14

PER11848

Clethodim

Grass weeds

30-Sep-15

PER12054

Propiconazole

Cercospora leaf spot, rust, septoria leaf spot

31-Aug-14

PER10914

Azoxystrobin

Powdery mildew, downy mildew and white blister rust

31-May-14

PER13035

Clethodim

Control of grasses

30-Sep-16

PER13303

Coragen Insecticide

Heliothis, cluster caterpillar

31-Mar-15

PER11350

Mancozeb

Alternaria, cercospora leaf spot, white blister

31-Mar-15

PER11441

Propachlor

Grass and broadleaf weeds

31-Dec-19

PER13444

Propiconazole

Cercospora

31-Mar-17

PER10908

Tebuconazole

Sclerotonia rot

31-Mar-14

PER11935

Triadimenol

Powdery mildew

30-Jun-17

PER13090

Alpha-cypermethrin

Various insect pests

31-May-15

PER11451

Chlorothalonil

Various fungal diseases

30-Jun-18

PER11949

Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Various insects

31-Mar-15

PER14048

Pendimethalin

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

31-Mar-23

PER13441

Ambush Emulsifiable Concentrate Insecticide

Green peach aphid, green looper, light brown apple moth and budworms

31-Mar-17

PER11358

Clethodim

Grass weeds listed on label

30-Jun-14

PER12384

Dual Gold Herbicide (S-metolachlor)

Various weeds

31-Aug-15

PER13152

MCPA 250 Selective Herbicide

Broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-16

PER13586

Phos acid

Downy mildew

30-Jun-14

PER13090

Alpha-cypermethrin

Various insect pests

31-May-15

PER12008

Ramrod Herbicide (propachlor)

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

Permethrin

Cucumber moth larvae (Phakelura indica)

31-Dec-13

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

30-Sep-14

Acramite Miticide (bifenazate)

Two-spotted mite and European red spider mite

31-Mar-15

Pistachio

Potato

Pumpkin

Radicchio

Radish

Rhubarb

Rocket

Rockmelons PER12504 Rosemary PER11170 Rubus PER13005

WA Grower Spring 2013

115

Your Production

Permits (cont.)

Permit ID

Pesticide

Target

Expiry date

PER14233

Carfentrazone

Sucker control

31-Mar-16

PER14138

Chlorothalonil

Various fungal diseases

30-Sep-14

PER12927

Dow AgroSciences Success Neo (spinetoram)

Fruit fly (suppression only)

31-May-14

PER13677

Hy Mal Insecticide

Fruit fly bait spray

30-Jun-16

PER13006

Switch Fungicide (cyprodinil + fludioxonil)

Grey mould

31-Mar-15

PER13004

Teldor 500SC Fungicide (fenhexamid)

Grey mould

31-Mar-15

PER13958

Various products

Various fungal blights

31-Mar-18

PER12927

Dow AgroSciences Success Neo (spinetoram)

Fruit fly (Suppression only)

31-May-14

PER13005

Acramite Miticide (bifenazate)

Two-spotted mite and European red spider mite

31-Mar-15

PER13006

Switch Fungicide (cyprodinil + fludioxonil)

Grey mould

31-Mar-15

PER13004

Teldor 500SC Fungicide (fenhexamid)

Grey mould

31-Mar-15

PER13334

Dimethoate

Rutherglen bug and wingless grasshoppers

5-Oct-13

PER12046

Metosulam, pendimethlain, sulfometuron, gibberellic acid, 6-benzyladenine and paclobutrazol

PER12109

Bifenthrin

Red-legged earth mite and bryobia mite

31-Mar-15

PER12301

Shield Systemic Insecticide (clothianidin)

Various insects

30-Jun-16

PER12111

Alpha-cypermethrin and maldison

Various pests

31-Mar-15

PER11041

Atrazine

Broadleaf and annual grass weeds

30-Sep-14

PER12418

Basta

Weeds

31-Dec-15

PER12704

Flumetsulam

Broadleaved weeds

31-Mar-15

PER10280

Various active constituents

Various weeds

30-Sep-13

PER11723

Chlorpyrifos

African black beetle

31-Oct-14

PER13394

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

30-Sep-15

PER13626

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-17

PER10824

Copper Oxychloride, Cuprous Oxide or Cupric Hydroxide

Downy mildew

30-Sep-14

PER14073

Diazinon

Thrips (excluding WFT) and onion seedling maggot

30-Jun-18

PER13203

Dimethomorph and Mancozeb

Downy mildew, purple blotch and botrytis rots

31-Mar-17

PER14080

Lannate L (methomyl)

Western flower thrips

30-Sep-14

PER13653

Maldison

Onion thrips

30-Sep-14

PER14048

Pendimethalin

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

31-Mar-23

PER8930

Phorate

Aphids, jassids, mites, thrips and onion maggot

31-Jul-16

PER12008

Ramrod Herbicide (propachlor)

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

PER13205

Secure 360 SC (chlorfenapyr)

Western flower thrips

30-Jun-17

PER13257

Select Herbicide (clethodim)

Grass weeds as per label including winter grass (Poa annua)

31-Mar-17

PER13584

Tribunil Herbicide

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-14

PER13090

Alpha-cypermethrin

Various insect pests

31-May-15

PER13626

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-17

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

31-Mar-15

PER11352

Walabi Fungicide

Botrytis and alternaria

30-Sep-14

PER12862

Zineb

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.)

31-Jul-14

PER11991

Legend Fungicide (quinoxyfen)

Powdery mildew

31-Mar-16

PER13655

Propiconazole

Various fungi

30-Jun-14

PER12008

Ramrod Herbicide (propachlor)

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

PER13673

Ridomil Gold MZ WG

Late blight, septoria leaf blight and downy mildew

30-Sep-16

PER14081

Tramat 500 SC Selective Herbicide (ethofumesate)

Various weeds

31-Jul-14

PER10908

Tebuconazole

Sclerotonia rot

31-Mar-14

Sandalwood 30-Jun-15

Shallots

Silverbeet

116

WA Grower Spring 2013

Your Production

Permit ID

Pesticide

Target

Expiry date

PER13658

Flint 500 WG (trifloxystrobin)

Various diseases

30-Sep-14

PER12846

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

30-Sep-17

PER13497

Acrobat

Downy mildew

30-Apr-14

PER10976

Bentazone

Broadleaf weeds

31-Mar-15

PER10988

Bladex 900 WG (cyanazine)

Broadleaf weeds

31-Mar-15

PER14185

Chess Insecticide

Aphids

30-Jun-15

PER11964

Chlorothalonil (Bravo)

Downy mildew and chocolate spot

31-Mar-18

PER13899

Etoxazole

Two-spotted mite

31-Mar-15

PER14033

Lambda-cyhalothrin

Pasture webworm, cutworm, Rutherglen bug and thrips

31-May-18

PER13633

Pyrimethanil

Botrytis

30-Jun-14

PER13090

Alpha-cypermethrin

Various insect pests

31-May-15

PER13658

Flint 500 WG (trifloxystrobin)

Various diseases

30-Sep-14

PER13626

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-17

PER13009

Propiconazole

Cercospora, leaf spot, blossom blight and anthracnose

31-Oct-13

PER12008

Ramrod Herbicide (propachlor)

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

PER12862

Zineb

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.)

31-Jul-14

PER11855

Betanal (phenmedipham)

Broadleaf weeds

30-Jun-14

PER13673

Ridomil Gold MZ WG

Late Blight, septoria leaf blight and downy mildew

30-Sep-16

PER10908

Tebuconazole

Sclerotonia rot

31-Mar-14

PER11352

Walabi Fungicide

Botrytis and alternaria

30-Sep-14

PER14081

Tramat 500 SC Selective Herbicide (ethofumesate)

Various weeds

31-Jul-14

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

31-Mar-15

PER10824

Copper Oxychloride, Cuprous Oxide or Cupric Hydroxide

Downy mildew

30-Sep-14

PER14073

Diazinon

Thrips (excluding WFT) and onion seedling maggot

30-Jun-18

PER13203

Dimethomorph and Mancozeb

Downy mildew, purple blotch and botrytis rots

31-Mar-17

PER14080

Lannate L (methomyl)

Western flower thrips

30-Sep-14

PER13653

Maldison

Onion thrips

30-Sep-14

PER13626

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-17

PER14048

Pendimethalin

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

31-Mar-23

PER13900

Pirimicarb

Aphids

31-Mar-14

PER12008

Ramrod Herbicide (propachlor)

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

PER13205

Secure 360 SC (chlorfenapyr)

Western flower thrips

30-Jun-17

PER13257

Select Herbicide (clethodim)

Grass weeds as per label including winter grass (Poa annua)

31-Mar-17

PER13584

Tribunil Herbicide

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-14

PER13394

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

30-Sep-15

PER8930

Phorate

Aphids, jassids, mites, thrips and onion maggot

31-Jul-16

PER12504

Permethrin

Cucumber moth larvae (Phakelura indica)

31-Dec-13

PER10279

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

30-Sep-13

PER12907

Maldison

Fruit fly

31-May-14

PER12690

Trichlorfon

Mediterranean fruit fly

31-May-14

PER14252

Samurai Systemic Insecticide (clothianidin)

Fruit flies

30-Jun-15

PER13331

Admiral Insect Growth Regulator (pyriproxyfen)

Greenhouse and silverleaf whitefly

31-Oct-15

PER13941

Bifenazate

Two-spotted mite

30-Jun-14

Snow peas

Spinach

Spring onions

Squash

Stone fruit

Strawberries

WA Grower Spring 2013

117

Your Production

Permits (cont.)

Permit ID

Pesticide

Target

Expiry date

PER12927 PER12940

Dow AgroSciences Success Neo (spinetoram)

Fruit fly (Suppression only)

31-May-14

Maldison

Fruit fly

31-May-14

PER13542

Maldison

Rutherglen bug

30-Jun-17

PER13038

Phosphorous acid

Phytophthora

31-Oct-14

PER13377

Proclaim Insecticide (emamectin)

Cluster caterpillar, heliothis, lightbrown apple moth and looper

30-Sep-15

PER13539

Switch Fungicide

Various diseases

30-Sep-13

PER13749

Maldison

Fruit fly

31-May-14

PER12846

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

30-Sep-17

PER10976

Bentazone

Broadleaf weeds

31-Mar-15

PER10988

Bladex 900 WG (cyanazine)

Broadleaf weeds

31-Mar-15

PER14185

Chess Insecticide

Aphids

30-Jun-15

PER11964

Chlorothalonil (Bravo)

Downy mildew and chocolate spot

31-Mar-18

PER13899

Etoxazole

Two-spotted mite

31-Mar-15

PER14033

Lambda-cyhalothrin

Pasture webworm, cutworm, Rutherglen bug and thrips

31-May-18

PER13633

Pyrimethanil

Botrytis

30-Jun-14

PER13336

Tyrant Fungicide, Nufarm Throttle Fungicide

Sugarcane smut

31-Mar-14

Sugar snap peas

Supply for export PER13587

Engage Ant Bait, Campaign Ant Bait, Campaign Protein Bait

30-Sep-14

PER12092

Mortein Cockroach Bait

31-Dec-13

PER13927

Mortein Fast Knockdown Multi Purpose Insect Killer

31-Mar-18

PER14250

Shieldtox Barrier Outdoor Aerosol

30-Aug-15

PER12174

Unregistered herbicides

31-Dec-13

Swede PER11350

Mancozeb

Alternaria, cercospora leaf spot, white blister

31-Mar-15

PER11441

Propachlor

Grass and broadleaf weeds

31-Dec-19

PER13303

Coragen Insecticide

Heliothis, cluster caterpillar

31-Mar-15

PER11935

Triadimenol

Powdery mildew

30-Jun-17

PER13657

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

31-Mar-14

PER13498

Pirmicarb

Aphids

30-Sep-13

PER13116

Propiconazole

Northern corn leaf blight

31-Mar-16

PER13395

Methomyl

Heliothis, cucumber moth and cluster caterpillar

30-Sep-17

PER10273

Bifenthrin

Sweet potato weevil and bean spider mite

30-Sep-13

PER13352

Chlorpyrifos

Sweet potato weevil and wireworm

31-Mar-14

PER13394

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

30-Sep-15

PER13395

Methomyl

Heliothis, cucumber moth and cluster caterpillar

30-Sep-17

PER13151

Mouseoff and Rattoff Zinc Phosphide Baits

House mouse and introduced rats

31-Dec-16

PER13902

Phorate

Aphids, thrips, jassids and organophosphate susceptible twospotted mite and wireworm

31-Mar-18

PER13032

Pirimicarb

Aphids

30-Sep-13

PER13153

Regent 200 SC

White fringed weevil and wireworm

31-Dec-16

PER14078

Talstar (bifenthrin)

Various pests

30-Sep-18

PER9722

Talstar (bifenthrin)

Wireworm

30-Sep-13

PER12047

Tecto Flowable SC Fungicide (thiabendazole)

Field rots caused by scurf and root rot

30-Sep-16

Sweet corn

Sweet potato

118

WA Grower Spring 2013

Your Production

Permit ID

Pesticide

Target

Expiry date

PER13968

Buprofezin

Greenhouse whitefly

30-Jun-16

PER13765

Fenthion

Mediterranean fruit fly (post harvest)

1-Nov-14

PER13967

Imidacloprid

Greenhouse whitefly

30-Jun-16

PER13348

Methomyl

Green peach aphid

30-Jun-15

PER13969

Paraffinic oil

Greenhouse whitefly

30-Jun-16

Trichlorfon

Fruit fly

31-May-14

PER12378

Acephate

Western flower thrips

31-Oct-15

PER13047

Acramite Miticide

Two-spotted mite

30-Sep-13

PER13675

Maldison

Queensland, Mediterranean and lesser Queensland fruit fly and cucumber fly

31-May-18

PER12514

Sencor 480 SC (metribuzin)

Weed control

31-Dec-15

PER13716

Abrade Abrasive Barrier Insecticide

Various insect pests

31-Jan-16

PER13723

Avatar

eliothis (corn earworm), looper, cluster caterpillar, H leafhoppers, green mirid

31-May-16

PER14100

Buprofezin

Greenhouse whitefly

30-Sep-14

PER10934

Buprofezin

Greenhouse whitefly

30-Sep-13

PER13725

Chess

Greenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly, green peach aphid

31-May-16

PER13724

Previcur

Root rot

31-May-16

PER13720

Pristine

Powdery mildew

31-May-16

PER13721

Switch

Grey mould (botrytis)

31-May-16

PER13726

Trifloxystrobin

Powdery mildew

31-May-16

PER13303

Coragen Insecticide

Heliothis, cluster caterpillar

31-Mar-15

PER11350

Mancozeb

Alternaria, cercospora leaf spot, white blister

31-Mar-15

PER11441

Propachlor

Grass and broadleaf weeds

31-Dec-19

PER11935

Triadimenol

Powdery mildew

30-Jun-17

PER13939

Diquat, Paraquat and Simazine

Weed control

31-Mar-22

PER13214

Mancozeb and Copper

Bacterial blight

31-Mar-22

PER13937

Phosphonic acid

Phytopthora root rot

30-Sep-17

PER12504

Permethrin

Cucumber moth larvae (Phakelura indica)

31-Dec-13

PER13011

Rotenone

Exotic or pest fish

30-Oct-20

PER12504

Permethrin

Cucumber moth larvae (Phakelura indica)

31-Dec-13

PER10279

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

30-Sep-13

Tamarillo

Thai eggplant PER12442 Tomatoes

Turnip

Walnuts

Watermelons

Zucchini

WA Grower Spring 2013

119

WA Grower AdvErtIsInG sPEcIfIcAtIons

preferred format: press ready pDF

fuLL PAGE Full page with bleed 210mm wide x 297mm high plus 5mm bleed — 220mm wide x 307mm high

Must be saved as: • 300dpi • CMYK • Fonts embedded

HALf PAGE vegetablesWa

half page without bleed 190mm wide x 130mm high

horticultural house 103 outram Street, West perth 6005

t: (08) 9481 0834 f: (08) 9481 0024 e: finance@vegetableswa.com.au

onE tHIrd PAGE one third page without bleed 60mm wide x 254mm high

WA Grower advertiser contacts name

120

Website/Email

Address

contact name

contact number

Colquhouns Fremantle Bag Company

www.colquhouns.com.au

Unit 1 2-4 Purdy Pl, Canning Vale WA 6155

Matt Hosking

(08) 9456 0566

C-Wise

www.cwise.com.au

Nambeelup Rd, Nambeelup WA 6207

David Sharp

(08) 9581 9582

Dobmac ag Machinery

www.dobmac.com.au

36-38 Industrial Dve, Ulverstone, TAS 7315

Mark Dobson

(03) 6425 5533

Fairbank Seeds

www.fairbanks.com.au/

13/53 Gateway Blvd, Epping, VIC 3076

g & S Seedling nursery

www.gsseedlings.com.au

1 Dunstan Rd, Nowergup WA

Glenn McKay

(08) 9407 5400

global omega-gro

www.omegagro.com

2 Alerton Wy, Booragoon WA 6154

Len Palladino

(08) 9315 1844

landmark

www.landmark.com.au

32 Farrall Rd, Midvale, WA 6056

Aaron Chapman

(08) 9274 6800

love grove turf

www.lovegroveturf.com/

41 Brentwood Rd (North), Wattle Grove WA 6107

Dick Lovegrove

1800 8873626

perth energy

www.perthenergy.com.au

Level 4, 165 Adelaide Tce, East Perth WA 6004

phase Change products pty ltd

www.pcpaustralia.com.au

Ground Floor, 57 Havelock St, West Perth WA 6005

Keith Coakley

(08) 9324 8520

Solar gain

www.solargain.com.au

10 Milly Ct, Malaga WA 6090

Keith Lynch

South pacific Seeds

www.southpacificseeds.com.au 1/4 Industry Blvd, Carrum Downs, VIC 3201

Stepac

www.stepac.com

Tefen Industrial Park, Bldg. 12, Tefen, Western Galilee Israel 24959

united Crate

www.unicrate.com.au

1 Zanni St, Canning Vale WA 6155

(08) 9455 1540

Wa Crates

service@wacrates.com.au

Crate Yard, Market City, 280 Bannister Rd, Canning Vale WA 6155

(08) 9456 4092

gingin property for lease

gregt_7@hotmail.com

WA Grower Spring 2013

(03) 8401 3346

(08) 9420 0300 0458 600 566 (03) 9770 8441 Andy Swersky

Greg Boskov

0419 276 270