Chief Executive Officer’s Report

Along with this, WA has strong biosecurity protocols in place. WA Seed Potato Producers (WASPP) Chair Colin Ayres and PGA chief executive officer Simon Moltoni have been in discussions with DPIRD to highlight our concerns and look at ways to rectify problems. From our side of the fence there are certainly things we can put in place to improve streamlining. One factor that will be immediately significant is early notification on seed crops to be planted. If DPIRD has early indications of hectares, hopefully the correct workforce can be assigned to cover the areas needed for inspection. Just a small thing but fairly vital for proper management. In other developments, Morena and Georgia are continuing to fine tune the Smart Spud. Both have completed training and have put it to the test at Beta Spud.

Thanks to Matt and his involvement to trial the Smart Spud through his establishment. Continued work will be looking into the ability to collate data for future referencing. In due course hopefully it will be available to growers to fine tune harvesting equipment, to eliminate damage and provide better bottom-line income.

Busselton and Margaret River districts have all but completed harvest and Manjimup and Pemberton have begun deliveries. Aldwich Holdings commented that quality is fairly good and varieties readily available. Thank you to our dedicated front-line team at Horticulture House for their continued dedication to the potato producers of WA.

MORE INFORMATION Contact Vaughan on 0417 092 505.

WA Potatoes Chief Executive Officer’s Report

SIMON MOLTONI CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, POTATO GROWERS ASSOCIATION

Good news. 2020 is over! We all experienced a one in a hundred-year pandemic and while there is still a way to go, there is definitely a more optimistic outlook for 2021. The recent hotel quarantine outbreak, and subsequent lockdown, reminds us that things are still volatile and overseas travel is still severely impacted.

AUSVEG are hopeful that Hort Connections (cancelled in 2020) will go ahead this year in Brisbane. Alternatives to attending in person are being considered if border closures and/or isolation periods are in place at the time. Growers will be informed as this progresses. The start to the year has seen fires in the north and heavy rain in all growing regions. Thankfully, there have been no reports from members of any damage to property due to the fires. The rainfall, following on from a wet spring, has ensured irrigators have water security for summer production. The supply shortage that occurred during the winter/spring period has evened out as summer production comes into full swing. Unfortunately, this has led to a softening in price. Generally, yields and quality are reported to be ‘good’ with crops moving from the paddocks. Some exceptions to this have occurred, particularly with coloured varieties. Ground storage is not ideal, and this can at times be seen on the shelf and in the pantry, with poor skin finish and early sprouting. This is a significant issue for industry during summer as there is less margin for error due to the hot conditions. The Certified Seed Scheme underpins the profitability of all industry sectors. DPIRD have administered the scheme at a high level for many decades since its introduction. In recent years, this capacity has been stretched due to retirements and other internal changes at DPIRD. This has led to concerns from industry that the ability to maintain the integrity of the scheme could be under threat. To address these concerns, the PGA and WASPP have met with DPIRD to find solutions.

DPIRD have responded positively by immediately increasing staffing levels in both field and admin to ensure the delivery of the service at the highest possible standard.

Further to this, a task group of DPIRD and Industry reps has been formed to address medium- and long-term issues to maintain the integrity of the scheme into the future. Horticulture House is getting a (long overdue) facelift. The CoM have approved an upgrade to the kitchen facilities and a paint job inside and out. Funds to achieve this have been preserved from COVID-19 relief subsidies. A small positive outcome from a bad situation.

Thank you to Morena and Georgia for their ongoing efforts and to our COM for their continued commitment to our Industry.

MORE INFORMATION Contact Simon Moltoni on 0447 141 752 or email simon@wapotatoes.com.au