WA Grower March 09

$19.00 + GST P.P 602669/00248

Potato Growers Association Inc.

Agricultural Produce Commission

APC-VPC APC-PPC

SINCE 1948 Vol. 42 No 1. MARCH 2009

Minister Burke meets with local growers A New Era at Horticulture House Buy West Eat Best Takes Off RIRDC Winner Potatoes in Schools

vegelink

FEATURES 4 6

2009 signals a new era at Horticulture House Minister Burke meets Growers in Myalup

18 3Phase counters climbing costs

20 From the President’s Keyboard

21 Vegelink 27 Potatoes in schools 28 Penrhos students benefit from ties with Western Potatoes

7

Demonstrating Good Practice

9

vegetablesWA meet Environment Minister

10 Buy West Eat Best takes off

29 Ten minutes with Tom Kyme

12 WA Seed Potato Evaluation

30 Vegetable Industry

Committee

13 The Supa Store

Development Program

31 RIRDC Winner 32 Process Vegetable Product group trip to Tasmania

35 Potato Wart eyed as risk to potato production

36 The Soil Page 15 Pest & Disease chapter makes a complete guide

16 Western Potatoes completes restructuring for the future

17 Horticulture Industry Award 2010

38 Tomato Growers poll 40 Editorial 41 Seeds of Doubt 42 Classifieds

Management Committees Vegetable Growers Association President Maureen Dobra t: 9575 2086 m: 0417 174 110

Gingin East

Vice President Andrew Bogdanich t: 9575 7741 m: 0419 248 422

Metro North

Treasurer Jason Neave m: 0418 927 410

Metro North

Committee H. Shapland t: 9845 1064 K. Sue m: 0417 986 467 R. Shain m: 0429 988 809 I. Gaylard m: 0409 292 367 R. Kuzmicich m: 0400 542 812 L. Canzirri m: 0438 004 015 B. Metcalfe m: 0488 948 736 K. Edwards m: 0427 724 243 D. Anderson m: 0418 195 759 (Immediate Past President) D. Le m: 0417 962 427 P. Bogdanich m: 0421 575 124 L. Canzirri m: 0438 004 015 M. Nanovich m: 0407 401 664 F. Natoli m: 0438 628 517 S. Calameri m: 0418 957 236 D. Ellement m: 0417 975 158 P. Humble m: 0419 917 302 A. Marinovich m: 0419 801 824

Albany Busselton Carnarvon Carnarvon Carnarvon Carabooda Geraldton Manjimup Metro Metro Metro North Metro North Metro North Metro South Metro South Metro South Myalup/Bunbury

Vice President Simon Moltoni m: 0427 761 693

Pemberton

Treasurer Pennie Patane m: 0407 993 580

Myalup

Albany Donnybrook Manjimup Metro South Pemberton

Western Potatoes Pty Ltd Chairman Ross Taylor

• Clause Pacific • DrumMuster/Agsafe • Fairbanks Seeds • Global Omega Grow • Landmark • South Pacific Seeds • WA Crates • APC-VPC • Good Practice Project • Potato Growers Association • Premier’s Water Foundation Project • WA Industry Development Officer

Busselton

0427 423 684 0429 318 216 0417 097 729 0418 957 236 0427 569 903

• Bejo Seeds

• Dupont

President Darryl Smith m: 0428 933 154

m: m: m: m: m:

• Agspread • ChemCert

Potato Growers Association

Committee T. Ackley B. Russell A. Tempra S. Calameri G. Bendotti

This issue of the WA Grower is brought to you by:

m: 0412 446 512

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

• Western Potatoes

Produced by vegetablesWA Cover photo of Federal Minister Mr Tony Burke, Darryl Smith, Pennie Patane & Maureen Dobra 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 Executive Officer Jim Turley m: 0410 697 842 e: pga-vga@vegetableswa.com.au Program Manager Georgia Thomas m: 0431 444 918 e: programmgr@vegetableswa.com.au Caring for Our Country Project Manager Gavin Foord t: 0435 018 189 e: foord@vegetableswa.com.au Finance / Administrator / Magazine Advertising Valeria Kozak t: 9481 0834 e: finance@vegetableswa.com.au PA/Communications Officer Elizabeth Daly t: 9481 0834 e: pacommunication@vegetableswa.com.au Field Extension Officer Timothy Aldridge t: 0466 414 794 e: fieldofficer@vegetableswa.com.au Western Potatoes Pty Ltd D. Niciejewski m: 0400 996 180 J. Wearne m: 0400 996 153 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

18

3Phase counters climbing costs

2009 Signals a new era at Horticulture House

by Georgia Thomas

A new year and a new-look organisation is emerging at Horticulture House in West Perth

E

very year there are more challenges and opportunities facing the vegetable and potato growers of Western Australia, and in order to match the dynamic nature of business, an innovative team has been recruited to provide the best possible services and information to industry.

Some of the key changes are listed below: •

•

Western Potatoes Pty Ltd (WPPL) has been merged into the organisation; New staff roles have developed in line with industry needs: o

Executive Officer

o

Program Manager

o

Field/Extension Officer, VWA;

o

Project Manager, Caring For Our Country (CFOC);

o

Financial/Administration Officer

o

PA/Communications Officer

o

Retail Officers

Executive Officer Jim Turley has been involved with vegetable industries in Western Australia for over 10 years, plus 35 years in agriculture, and is an invaluable reference point in the office.

Jim continues to manage the PGAVGA business, Jim is a highly skilled advocate representing the growers and industry. He always encourages industry development and works

4

WA Grower March 2009

tirelessly to ensure communication with growers is maintained.

The new Program Manager, Georgia Thomas has worked for 6 years with the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, before moving to London for 3.5 years to work with the WA Government’s European Office, and most recently the London Biotechnology Network. The new role at Horticulture House will involve overseeing marketing and promotion of potatoes, retail and consumer staff activities, and continue the vegetable industry development with support from Gavin Foord as Project Manager CFOC, and Tim Aldridge, our new Field Officer. A broad range of skills is the key to meet the challenges of this new role, as well as a great deal of enthusiasm, of which Georgia has aplenty.

A familiar figure around the office is Gavin Foord, who has been recruited for the specific role of managing the Caring For Our Country project: Good Practice and Better Environmental Outcomes for Vegetable Production. Gavin takes great pleasure in working with growers and researchers to implement Good Practice at demonstration sites as well as coordinating open days and promoting Good Practice through the vegetablesWA communication network. Gavin also provides valuable support to vegetablesWA management and staff in regard to sustainable production issues. Another key role is liaising with growers and researchers to develop up-to-date Good Practice information.

Our new Field/Extension Officer, Tim Aldridge would also be familiar to many growers in the State. Prior to his appointment, Tim has been involved with the Vegetable Seed Industry for 8 years, particularly working with WA growers to introduce new varieties. Tim has travelled throughout Australia’s vegetable growing districts and will be a huge boost to the office’s capacity to link directly with growers and ensure communication flows up and down the line.

Valeria Kozak remains as the Financial & Administration Officer using her skills in MYOB to manage the office accounts, along with the office administration and the WA Grower Magazine advertising. Valeria has been with the organisation for nearly a year and brings over 13 years financial and administration experience to her work. Outside of the office, Valeria enjoys going off the beaten track with her husband in exciting off-road races.

The newest addition to the team and our professional front line is Elizabeth Daly, PA/Communications Officer. Elizabeth has developed a range of skills in her career including communications and journalism which will come in very handy for much of the core work at Horticulture House.

Key activities include: coordinating the WA Grower magazine, writing articles, assist with updating and maintaining the database, and being personable and informative when dealing with stakeholders and contacts.

Western Potatoes Since 2004 Western Potatoes has provided various services including marketing and promotion, value adding, and until recently, export marketing to the potato industry. As a brand, Western Potatoes has built a solid profile in the State, and has also been recognised by the Chamber of Fruit and Vegetables & Market City “Best Retail Support Program by a Commodity Group” award.

We are very pleased to have WPPL team members Justin Wearne and Daniel Niciejewski at Horticulture House with us. They bring a wealth of experience to the team, and will provide continued support to the industry. In the coming months, the

team at Horticulture House will work together to ensure this great work is continued and new ideas are canvassed to improve results for the industry.

As Retail Development and Support Manager of Western Potatoes, Justin Wearne’s role is varied as a field officer, educator and ‘go to’ man for retailers and consumers of the industry. His extensive experience in fresh produce retailing and exceptional knowledge of the product are a valuable resource for retailers and stakeholders alike.

Daniel Niciejewski is a Retail Development and Support Officer for Western Potatoes. His role takes him around to retailers to promote selling

and marketing potatoes. He is not shy to change persona to ‘Bud the Spud’ when required either!

Finally…

We are all here to enhance industry development for vegetable and potato growers - and we believe that the new team will deliver just that. We will continue representing and working for the growers with sustainable production information, effective marketing services, innovative solutions to challenges and vision for the future. Please feel free to contact us at Horticulture House to speak to your staff and engage in our vision: To develop of a profitable, sustainable, viable vegetable industry.

S outh P acific S eedS LILY NR

ROCKETMAN

FALCON

BRIDGE

Large to medium frame iceberg lettuce.

Fast growing serrated shaped rocket type!

Sure head formation for the autumn and spring harvest season.

Good winter vigour.

A dark green celery especially suitable for harvest at cool times of the year.

Bridge broccoli is an excellent Babylon replacement!

Replaces Sky Rocket.

Downy Mildew resistance is strongly resistant, 1-26 and Nr(0).

Su

o

a tio

n”

“ Y ou

r

Taller than Hornet.

s is o ur M cce s

ti v

Slightly larger than Kong Nr.

A very uniform tall variety and heavy.

Suited to the shoulder season and winter climate.

It is also suited to the difficult spring change over season.

Features a finer bead & less susceptibility to White Blister.

w w w. s p s s a l e s . c o m . a u PERTH OFFICE (08) 9331 6356

WA Grower March 2009 5 CONTACT EMMA SMITH (0427 947 919) or DUNCAN LAMONT (0419 934 767) FOR MORE INFORMATION

Minister Burke meets Growers in Myalup

by Jim Turley

Industry issues and concerns discussed with The Hon Tony Burke MP

O

n the 7th of January 2009 both of our Presidents, Maureen Dobra VWA and Darryl Smith PGA, along with the Executive Officer, Project Manager and Pennie Patane met The Hon Tony Burke MP, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and his advisors on Pennie and Michael Patane’s property in Myalup.

Without doubt the success of the visit was due to the Minister’s interest in what was happening in our vegetable and potato Industries in Western Australia and his willingness to listen.

The interaction between the Minister and Pennie Patane was certainly appreciated by everybody there.

Some of the main issues raised by our President’s included grower’s viability in the next 5 to 10 years, the Horticulture Code of Conduct, the availability of water, Bio SecurityBorders, Managed Investment Schemes, AQIS inspections,

6

WA Grower March 2009

availability of labour, farm gate prices and export opportunities.

The Minister was presented with the vegetablesWA Good Practice Guide, which outlines sustainable practices for vegetable and potatoes production. We then raised the issue of demonstration sites along the coastal plain (see opposite page) and the Minister agreed the sites should be placed in all the regional areas that are producing vegetables and potatoes. This is the main part of our next application to the Federal Government’s Caring For Our Country grants.

Both Presidents and Pennie thanked the Minister and his advisors for making their time available to visit and discuss industry issues and concerns.

For more information on the Minister’s visit please view the podcast at http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=biBc9AaWrBI.

Demonstrating Good Practice

by Gavin Foord

Continual Improvement

L

ate last year vegetablesWA and the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) were successful in applying for an Australian Government Caring For Our Country open grant to demonstrate and communicate sustainable farm practices as outlined in the Good Practice Guide. The project, titled Good Practice and Better Environmental Outcomes for Vegetable Production will apply a suite of Good Practices at grower properties north and south of Perth and measure performance in terms of productivity and environmental impact. These sites will be made available for viewing by local growers as part of an ongoing strategy to promote Good Practice.

3. Increasing soil organic carbon to improve soil performance

The anticipated outcomes of the project in the long term are:

4. An integrated approach to pest and disease management

• Wider adoption of sustainable

While the participating growers will be the key to the success of this project, we will also draw heavily on the assistance and expert advice of specialists from DAFWA. For example:

farm practices outlined in the vegetablesWA Good Practice Guide

• • • • •

Increased soil carbon More efficient fertiliser use Improved soil water holding capacity More efficient water use Reduced reliance on pesticides

We will adopt a systems approach to management, paying particular attention to key sustainable practices in the areas of nutrient management, water management, soil management, pest and disease management. Good Practices in these areas that will be considered with each grower on a site by site basis include: 1. Scheduling irrigation using the locally developed web based Vegetable Irrigation Scheduling System (VISS) and SMS service 2. Precise and timely placement of

fertilisers using the 3Phase method outlined in this issue

Good Practice and Better Environmental Outcomes for Vegetable Production is funded by investment from the Australian Government through Caring For Our Country.

The Good Practice Guide produced by vegetablesWA forms part of a project funded by investment from the Australian Government through Caring for Our Country and administered by Perth Region NRM.

• Water Management: Irrigation specialists will evaluate irrigation systems at the demonstration site and provide expert advice to improve system performance to meet Good Practice standards • Nutrient Management: Research agronomists will help develop site and crop specific nutritional programs • Soil Management: Soil research staff will help develop site specific strategies to increase soil carbon and improve soil performance • Pest and disease Management: Entomologists and pathologists will help determine the best mix of chemical biological and cultural practices.

WA Grower March 2009

7

WA crates The professional packaging service for WA’s ďŹ nest fresh fruit and vegetables

Phone: (08) 9456 4092 - Fax: (08) 9256 1730 email: service@wacrates.com.au 8

WA Grower March 2009

vegetablesWA meet Environment Minister

by Jim Turley

The Honourable Donna Faragher JP MC C Minister for Environment; Youth

B

oth vegetablesWA and the Potato Growers Association of WA had the pleasure of meeting with the Minister to discuss several issues relating to the potato and vegetable industry.

The importance of the environment to the livelihood of our growers was certainly understood by the Minister, the Department of Environment and her staff. To that end, vegetablesWA has been working very closely with the Department on developing an exemption for vegetable growers that are applying the industry’s Good Practice Guide when delivering highly soluble phosphorus fertilizers to their crops.

Gavin Foord Project Manager vegetablesWA presented the Minister with a completed Good Practice Guide.

Darryl Smith advised the Minister how the regulated potato industry had eliminated over-supply thereby preventing over use of water and fertilizers. The vegetable industry

Recipe

Donna Faragher & Gavin Foord: The Minister’s smile certainly ignited the positive relationship between our Industry leaders while Gavin presented the Minister with the first completed Good Practice Guide.

had also taken steps to prevent over supply.

Each member of our delegation thanked the Minister who had clearly indicated her support for the vegetable

and potato industry providing good practices are applied. In addition, the Minister encouraged both the industry and the Department of Environment to keep working together for the benefit of all.

Potato stuffed with Broccoli & Melted cheese

Servings: 4 - approximately 400 Calories Each Author Notes: For baked potato lovers, this meal is a real treat.

Potato Stuffed with Broccoli and Melted Cheddar Stuffed with steamed broccoli and creamy cheddar cheese, these potatoes taste as good as they look.

Ingredients: 4 small potatoes 1 cup broccoli florets 1 cup shredded low fat cheddar cheese 3/4 cup low fat sour cream 2 tablespoons chopped chives

Instructions: 1. Pierce the potatoes and microwave on high until tender, about 6 to 8 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, place the broccoli in large saucepan with 3 tablespoons water over medium heat. Cover and cook for 6 to 7 minutes or until tender. Drain and return the broccoli to the pan.

3. Add the cheddar cheese to the broccoli and stir over low heat until the cheese is melted.

4. Slice the potatoes lengthwise and divide the cheese-broccoli sauce evenly over each potato. Top each potato with 3 tablespoons sour cream.

5. Serve each person two potato halves garnished with chives.

WA Grower March 2009

Servings:

4

9

Buy West Eat Best Takes Off Industry Endorses Buy West Eat Best following news of a memorandum of understanding between the Government and ACCC

A

partnership has been formed between the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to promote the Buy West, Eat Best food labelling program. This development has been supported by industry as a positive move for Western Australian grown and processed foods.

The Buy West, Eat Best program allows consumers to easily identify fresh food such as fruit and vegetables, meat, seafood, honey and eggs that have been grown, farmed or fished in Western Australia.

It also applies to processed foods – for example, yoghurts, cheeses, icecreams, wheat based breads, olive oils, sausages and the fruit in jams or chutneys - where the main ingredient is from Western Australia.

The Department of Agriculture and the ACCC have devised a labelling and strict monitoring process to protect the credibility of the initiative, identifiable by a unique green logo on food packaging.

“To use the logo, businesses must register and meet strict criteria,” said

Department of Agriculture and Food Director General Ian Longson.

“Fresh foods and the main ingredients in processed foods must have been ‘grown, farmed or fished’ in Western Australia. They must also be processed in our State.”

“The memorandum of understanding assures the registered businesses of the integrity of the monitoring and compliance aspects of Buy West, Eat Best,” said Mr Longson.

Business Participation is High To date, 64 individual businesses, 190 independent grocery retailers and the two major grocery chains have thrown their support behind the Buy West, Eat Best campaign. By displaying the logo, these businesses must meet certain approved food safety requirements and the registration criteria.

Jenny Mercer from Mercer Mooney is a big fan of the scheme, saying that it highlights what Western Australian consumers prefer, essentially local produce.

“It makes all of the difference when the major retailers get behind a program like this, as it shows consumers that they have confidence in our product,” Ms Mercer said.

Monitoring and Enforcement A major component of the scheme is monitoring and enforcement. The Department of Agriculture has set up a free 1800 telephone number and a specific email address to take consumer and industry enquiries.

It has also committed resources to employ an officer with responsibility for monitoring and compliance of the program.

“The main focus of this person’s role will be to contact businesses about compliance and generally monitor their progress,” Mr Longson said.

“If a business continues to contravene compliance requirements, the matter can then be referred to the ACCC for appropriate action.”

Major supporters of the Buy West, Eat Best program include Better Sprouts, Bogdanich Farms, Greenfields Foods, Beta Spuds, Trandos Farms, Highvale Orchard, Mercer Mooney, and Western Potatoes Ltd. As Jenny Mercer points out, all that is needed now is a scheme like this for loose vegetables…

For more information or a complete listing of registered businesses and products, call the Buy West, Eat Best hotline on 1800 132 422, email feedback@buywesteatbest.wa.gov. au or visit www.buywesteatbest. wa.gov.au

10

WA Grower March 2009

Q. Yield/Quality/on Time?

A. The proven solution is CLEAR Macro & Micronutrient Plant Specialists

STARTER NPK FORMULATIONS

Spraygro Liquid Fertilizers leading the way in true CLEAR solutions

FIRMRITE TM CALCIUM’S TM

SMARTRACE

Chelated Trace Elements

GRIPPERTM edta Chelated Trace Elements TM

SMART RELEASE NITROGEN SPRAYPHOS

TM

NPK’S

400, 620

CUSTOM BULK FORMULATIONS

www.spraygro.com.au Phone: 08 8447 7266

For technical advice in Western Australia Rory Tomlinson MSc Phone 0447 031 028

Available at your local Landmark outlet landmark.com.au

AW0285VEGB

Landmark, specialists in horticulture.

You can look to the team at Landmark for unrivalled expertise. We partner with you by supplying specialised advice which is localised to your particular region. And because Landmark only stocks reputable products, you can feel assured that they will enhance your productivity and yields. That’s why more Australian farmers look to us.

landmark.com.au

AW0285VEGC

GROWTH PROMOTANT/BIOSTIMULANTS

WA Seed Potato Evaluation Committee (WASPEC)

by Jim Turley

Seed Potato Mini Tubers planted out at Manjimup

E

manating out of the APC – Potato Producers Committee (APC-PPC) the WASPEC Committee has taken control of Seed Potato Mini Tubers ordered from the National Potato Breeding Program at Toolangi, Victoria. These tubers have been planted out at Allan Parker’s property in Manjimup under

12

WA Grower March 2009

the direction and careful eye of Bob Pessotto.

Darryl Smith has planted the Seed Potato stock from the Department of Agriculture Development Program that originated from the National Breeding Program at Toolangi.

The committee is responsible for the evaluation and commercialisation of the potato varieties that have been previously selected. The committee is totally independent therefore it can take on any worthwhile varieties that would improve the quality of potatoes from an industry perspective.

The Supa Store

by Justin Wearne

Top local independent retailer shows that innovative approach to retailing has helped their bottom line

F

rom the minute you enter Wembley Supa IGA, you know that they’ve got it right. In addition to being one of the busiest service-based supermarkets in Western Australia, it is maximising profits by offering a much-sought after online shopping and delivery service. But it doesn’t end there. A well thought out promotional offering including their own community support card has earned them ‘Dewsons Store of the Year’ for 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

At store level they have thought of everything. An organic fruit and vegetable section has been approved by the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA). This has earned them the title of 100 per cent ‘organic certified retailer,’ which means they must adhere to strict food handling and storage rules at all times. The organic range is extensive and popular, and includes fresh Western Australian produce.

According to Wembley Supa IGA Fresh Produce Manager Tim Jagot, the decision to go organic required a solid commitment to secure its

dedicated market. It taught them an unexpected lesson - to take a more tactical approach for the entire fresh produce section.

“Similarly we always try to support Western Australian grown produce, as experience has shown that is what our customers want,” said Mr Jagot.

“We began to understand that all our products had different types of buyers associated with them, so we decided to better understand what each of them would want,” he said.

He explained that their potato section has seen a transformation from the days of one variety kept loosely in a pile.

“Our research showed that some people would come from miles away for our organic produce, whereas many of our local customers favoured pre-packed convenience.”

“As a result of some consultation with Western Potatoes, we picked up on the need to promote gourmet potatoes as they have become all the rage in recent years for their ease of preparation.”

“Consequently we now offer many different varieties of gourmet potatoes including coloured skin varieties Royal Blues and Ruby Lous, which have become increasingly popular due to their flavour,” he said.

“We have created a new market for this product with our one kilogram bags, having gone from selling zero to 90 kilograms of each variety in twelve months.

“Likewise there is, and always has been, a solid market for varieties such as Kipflers as they are widely known WA Grower March 2009

13

by food devotees for their quality. We also sell them by the bag to prolong freshness.”

Mr Jagot acknowledged that while there still is a market for traditional potato sizes and varieties such as Nadine, they have become more experimental with varieties as their customers grow in confidence.

“I’m always surprised by how much our customers know about fresh produce from what they pick up in the media and other outside influences,” he said.

“It is proof that we can never be complacent in this business, even when it comes to the humble spud.”

“Just last week we received some Delawares, which initially - as they don’t have the same level of awareness - our customers weren’t interested in buying. But after some encouragement, they came back wanting more claiming they were delicious,” he said.

The business heavily supports Western Potatoes’ initiatives such as Feel Good Food Magazine, The Potato Diet Book and potato dressings. They also understand the power of point of sale materials to educate customers.

Capsicum Tomatoes HERCULES F1

SUNSHINE F1

• Hercules is a blocky capsicum.

• It produces fruit that are approximately 11 x 10cm and weigh 300-350gm.

• The bush on Hercules is short and strong for excellent sunburn protection and is best field grown

• Sunshine is a large, blocky green turning yellow capsicum.

• Strong, productive plant with good foliage cover.

• Fast turning bright yellow fruit which remain firm at maturity

SPF 30+

Resistances: HR: TMV / PMMoV:1-2 / PVY:0,1,1-2 / PepMoV / PepYMV IR: CMV / Pc

DEO F1

SIZE + TSWV

• Deo is large, elongated blocky green turning yellow capsicum.

• Compared to Sunshine, Deo is larger in size but not as quick to change colour as Sunshine.

Resistances: Intermediate Resistance to TSWV

HR: High/standard resistance.

IR: Moderate/intermediate resistance.

For key to diseases, please refer to our website: www.clausetezier.com The descriptions, recommendations and suggestions are offered in goodfaith, for informational purposes only and can therefore in no way act as a guarantee of production.

14

WA Grower March 2009

NEW

Resistances: HR: TMV / PMMoV:1-2 IR: TSWV

MERCURY F1

YIELD!!!

• Indeterminate Gourmet tomato.

• Large (200g+), glossy firm red fruit.

• Proven performer in all regions in W.A. Essential TSWV and Nematode resistance for Western Australia.

Resistances: HR: ToMV / V / Fol:1,2 / M IR: TSWV

RED JEWEL F1 RICH COLOUR + QUALITY

• Red Jewel is an elongated green turning dark red blocky type.

• It produces fruit that are approximately 12 x 10cm and weigh 300-350gm.

• The bush is vigorous and strong and is better grown with support.

TITAN F1

QUALITY FRUIT! • Titan (Roma) is a 130-140gm indeterminate roma tomato.

• Titan has high yield and very good quality fruit.

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

Resistances: HR: TMV / PVY:0,1,1-2 / PepMoV / PepYMV / Xv:1,2,3 IR: TSWV

WA Sales and Development Manager: Graham Adams Mobile: 0400 622 314 -e-mail: GAdams@clauseaustralia.com

Pest and Disease chapter makes a complete guide The final chapter

T

By Gavin Foord

PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

best mix of chemical and biological vegetablesWA acknowledges the controls, and cultural practices, to Department of Agriculture and Food, manage pests and diseases. They Western Australia (DAFWA), for their don’t discard traditional chemical support of this project. In particular treatments Page and local knowledge but we recognise assistance from Sonya Broughton, Vivien Vanstone, Brenda .integrate . . . . . . them . . . 1into a sustainable system.

Coutts, Allan Mckay, Helen Ramsey ge pests and . . .are . . .central . . . . .to. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Yielddiseases and quality and Georgina Wilson (DAFWA) sustainable vegetable production. pests on the Swan Coastal Plain . . . . . . . If. . . . .In. .this . . chapter . . . . . 5we: for working with us to prepare this . . . . . . .not . . .properly . . . . . .managed, . . . . . . . pests . . . . and . .PestandDisease4.qxp . . . . . . .• . .23/2/09 . . . . . .

5 2:06 PM. Page 3 PestandDisease4.qxp 23/2/09 2:07 PM Page 28 chapter.

Provide direction to specific diseases can dramatically reduce es . . . . . .crop . . . yield, . . . . .quality . . . . .and . . .subsequent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pest . . . and . . . .disease 7 management PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT This Good Practice Guide, produced . . . . . . .returns. . . . . . . We . . .invest . . . . .a .lot . .of. .time, . . . . . . . . . . . .resources . . . . . . 11 by vegetablesWA forms part of a . . . . . . .money . . . . . and . . . natural . . . . . resources . . . . . . . .into . . . . . . . .• . .Identify . . . . . .some 13 of the key vegetable project funded by investment from growing vegetables. Good pest and 5.4 the Nematodes pests and diseases on the Swan Australian Government through . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 disease management can protect this Nematodes or eel worms are small, non-segmented worms. They ar Coastal Plain Caring for Our Country, the project is microns (0.05 mm) in diameter and about 1 mm long or less. Most . . . . . . .investment . . . . . . . .from . . . .avoidable . . . . . . .losses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 administered Region beneficial role in theby soil,Perth but we tend to knowNRM. more about the pest range of integrated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .• . .Outline .....a . 17 because of their impact on vegetable production (Jenkins, 2005).

Traditionally, pests and diseases were management strategies. . . . . . . .managed . . . . . . .using . . . . a. .calendar-based . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 There are three functional groups of nematodes: he Pest and Disease Management chapter of the Good Practice Guide is now available. This is the final chapter in the set and a major achievement to all . . . . . . .contributors. ............................

Saprophytic nematodes break down organic matter in the soil, release n chemical spray program. on the Swan Coastal Plain . . . . . . These . . . . . . . . . . .The . . . chapter . . . . . 22 and appendices have plant use and can improve soil structure, water-holding capacity and dr were often crop and locality specific, Predaceous nematodes feed on soil microbes including other nematode to those who already . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .been . . . .posted . . . . 22 Parasitic nematodes are important to vegetable growers because they f developed through experience gained of the Good Practice . . . . . . .over ...a . .number . . . . . .of. seasons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .have . . . .a. copy . . . 25 and reduce productivity.

Guide. However, if you have a copy Root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .of. .the . . Guide . . . . 27 and have not received Today, pests and disease are most damaging on the Swan Coastal Plain. T Acknowledgments vegetablesWA acknowledges the Department of Agriculture and Food, . . . . . . .managed . . . . . . .using . . . . a. .more . . . .integrated . . . . . . . . . Western . . .these . . . . updates, . . . . 28 or if you want a copy nematodes have a very wide host range, affe Australia (DAFWA), for their support of this project. In particular we recognise assistance from Sonya Broughton, Vivien Vanstone, Brenda Coutts,the Allan Mckay, Helen Ramsey and Georgina 2,000 plant species worldwide. Root knot ne of the Guide (including Pest approach. stic Service . . . . . . .You . . .may . . . be . . .familiar . . . . . . . . . Wilson . . .(DAFWA) . . . for. working . . . with . 30 Gavin Foord (vegetablesWA) to prepare this chapter. the roots as larvae, causing the plant roots t and Disease Management chapter with terms .such knots. These galls or knots block the transpo ance management. . . . as . . .integrated . . . . . . .pest . . . . . . . .and . . .appendices) . . . . . 31 please contact nutrients through the plant. Underground org management (IPM), and integrated The Pest and disease management chapter of the vegetablesWA Good Practice Guide is part of a . . . . . . .disease . . . . . .management . . . . . . . . . (IDM). . . . . . .These . . . . . project . . .Horticulture . . . . . . . .

33 potato tubers and carrot taproots may also be damaged and become unm House on 9481 0834. funded by the Australian Government through Caring for Our Country and administered in the Swan Region by Perth Region NRM. Nematode larvae mature in the roots where they mate. Female adults rem approaches bring together the and lay eggs into an egg sac that exudes into the soil. The eggs hatch an

larvae go on to infect more roots (Knoxfield, 2003; Hoffmann and Vanston

..............................................

PAGE 28 – Good Practice Guide vegetablesWA

WA Grower March 2009

vegetablesWA – Go

15

Western Potatoes completes restructuring for the future A major transformation taking place

W

estern Potatoes (WPPL) has undergone a major transformation over the past six months that has seen the company change from a public (Limited) company to a private (Pty Ltd) organization, with the Potato Growers Association (PGA) as its major shareholder.

Under the restructuring, Ms Georgia Thomas will assume responsibility for all the WPPL retail liaison, marketing and promotion, plus maintaining ongoing responsibility for added value products.

The chairman of Western Potatoes, Mr. Ross Taylor, said this week that it was vital for WPPL to be profitable but also with a clear focus on developing the domestic market.

“During the next year we want to improve the quality of our products and to introduce several new varieties,” said Mr. Taylor. “And we will ‘ramp-up’ our value-adding program with the “Royal Blue Mash” products finding their way into most stores.”

“The ready-to-eat mash not only tastes good”, said Mr. Taylor, “but it also is a healthy and nutritious addition to the evening meal market”.

Despite the potato now being acknowledged by leading nutritional scientists world-wide as a wonderfully nutritional food that ‘fills you up’, has low GI and very little fat whilst being packed with vitamins and minerals, there still remains a perception

16

WA Grower March 2009

amongst some consumers that ‘potatoes make you fat’.

“This is a ‘hang-over’ from the Dr Atkins days when everyone was told to avoid ‘carbs”, said Mr. Taylor.

“That view has now been thoroughly discredited and people are realizing that the ‘mighty spud’ should be included in everyone’s daily diet”.

WPPL’s Feel Good Food magazine (pictured), located in the fresh fruit and vegetables section at all good supermarkets, showcases various delicious recipes using

potatoes and inspires consumers to try different varieties. The magazine also highlights the nutritional benefits of potatoes and promotes WPPL products, such as potato dressings and the Potato Diet Book.

Western Potatoes has been relocated to Horticulture House in West Perth from its previous ‘home’ in Claremont.

Horticulture Industry Award 2010

by Jim Turley

Horticulturalists opposed to increases

R

ight around the country, horticulturalists are opposing the increases foreshadowed in the Exposure Draft – January 2009 of the Horticulture Award 2010, published by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. My understanding is that sole traders or partnerships are covered in this state by the State Industrial Relations and not the Federal system. Most of our growers in this case are using the Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 therefore there will be no changes.

However, PTY LTD companies, trusts etc are covered by the Federal system and will most likely be affected by the changes. The idea behind the award modernisation is to make awards industry specific, rather than job specific.

The increases foreshadowed in the Exposure Draft include:

Recipe

!

•

A 2% increase to the casual loading from 23% to 25%,

•

The introduction of weekend penalty rates (which don’t currently exist),

•

The introduction of the five-level classification structure and higher pay rates,

•

The introduction of a four-tiered Leading Hand/Supervisors loading replacing the existing weekly loading,

•

Other smaller increases.

Financial modeling in the Eastern States is showing that the new draft award in its proposed form would have costs impacts on grower employers ranging from 15% for smaller enterprises to 40% for larger ones in the form of penalty rates and loading for afternoon and weekend work.

. " !

“Pay careful attention to previously long-standing arrangements and to the award modernisation request that the making of a modern award should not increase costs for employers when determining the final shape of ordinary hours for each sector.�

I have discussed this issue with the CEO of the Horticulture Australia Council (HAC) who is representing the Horticulture Industry as we know it.

Their submission certainly covers our concerns and can be obtained from Horticulture House. We will closely monitor the proceeding and keep everybody informed.

The Federal Government’s submission to the Australian Industrial Relations

Vegetable Torta with Fresh Basil

Servings: 8. Best made to 2 days ahead, if refrigerated.

Ingredients: 1/4 cup olive oil 1 large yellow onion 8 fresh mushrooms, cleaned and sliced 3 zucchini, sliced 1/4 inch thick 3 yellow summer squash, sliced 1/4 inch thick 1 red bell pepper sliced into 1/4 inch thick strips 1 yellow bell pepper sliced into 1/4 inch thick strips 6 large eggs

1/4 % 3 cup low fat milk 3 tablespoons chopped basil

% / "

$ & Salt and freshly ground black pepper 3 cups day-old bread in 1/2 inch cubes

1 package (225g) cream cheese, cut into cubes 2 cups shredded Jarlsberg cheese % .'1

Commission recognized the fruit and vegetable growing industries and urged the commission to

Instructions: Makes One 10 Inch Torta Preheat oven to 180°C, if baking immediately. Brush the bottom and sides of a 10-inch springform pan with oil. To prevent leaking, wrap the outside of the pan with a sheet of aluminum foil.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash and peppers, and sautĂŠ until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.

While the vegetables are cooking, whisk together the eggs and half and half, and basil in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the bread cubes and cheeses.

Add the sautĂŠed vegetables to the bread mixture and stir with a large rubber spatula to combine. Transfer to the prepared pan and pack the mixture tightly. Place the pan on a baking sheet.

Bake for about hour, until firm to the touch, puffed, and golden brown. Serve warm or cool to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate.

WA Grower March 2009

17

3Phase counters climbing costs

By Aileen Reid and Dennis Phillips DAFWA

3Phase approach to fertilising

T

he price of fertilisers commonly used for vegetable production is continuing to climb rapidly. A team of researchers at the Department of Agriculture and Food has been working with the 3Phase approach to fertilising brassica, lettuce and celery crops now for about 8 years with the aims of reducing fertiliser leaching into groundwater and reducing production costs. Big rises in fertiliser prices during 2008 however, prompted us to review the work and increase emphasis on reducing fertiliser costs.

A crop of iceberg lettuce and one of broccoli concluded our work for 2008.

The latest trials both consisted of 12 treatments, the only major difference between the treatments for lettuce and broccoli being the application of fertiliser after row closure for broccoli.

The trial site has been in continuous cropping now for two years and soil testing has shown that phosphorus and potassium levels remain at good levels so no preplant applications of P or K are required at the moment.

Several treatments used a preplant broadcast application of granular NPK fertiliser on the day of planting, found to be beneficial in previous trials. This was followed by either: •

•

Superimposed over these were: •

two treatments which tested lower rates of banding (300 or 400 kg/ ha instead of 500 kg/ha)

•

two treatments which utilised lower cost options of granular NPK fertiliser (Turf Special® and Hort Special®)

•

weekly or twice weekly spray applications of potassium nitrate and urea

Results – lettuce The crop grew well with few major differences between treatments. It harvested in 52 days from planting in mid September.

•

All treatments produced a commercially acceptable yield (5268 t/ha) with the best treatments all in excess of 60 t/ha.

•

All treatments that performed best had Nitrophoska Blue Special® broadcast at planting time. Yield increased by about 8 t/ha for a cost of about $270 dollars.

WA Grower March 2009

•

•

Growers visiting Medina trial sites in July/August 2008

one treatment which tested the application of fresh phosphorus just prior to planting.

For the broccoli only, there were also two treatments which shifted the timing of potassium applications so either more was applied in the first three weeks or in the last four weeks.

weekly or twice weekly applications of granular NPK fertiliser or

for the first three weeks. This was followed by banding with granular NPK fertiliser until row closure. Only the broccoli crop then received further fertiliser in the form of a

18

simulated fertigation of urea and potassium nitrate.

We found we were able to reduce the rate of banding to 400 kg/ha without yield reduction thus saving about $410/ha.

The application of fresh phosphorus up front did not prove beneficial and was substantially inferior to those treatments which

had Nitrophoska® broadcast at planting.

•

Both Hort Special® and Turf Special® produced 4-6 t/ ha less than the comparable Nitrophoska® treatment. More testing is needed to determine whether these yield reductions are real - in which case the treatments are not cost effective, or simply due to experimental variation.

Results - broccoli All treatments grew well but some treatments matured quicker than others. In the last two weeks of the trial some signs of nutrient deficiency (probably nitrogen) were becoming apparent in the older leaves of some treatments.

The crop was harvested over two days, 63 and 69 days after transplanting. Close to half the crop was picked on each date.

We decided that analysis of the first harvest was most important since the better treatments would be those that yielded best, earliest. At that time, there were substantial differences between treatments. The four best

Broccoli Ð September 2008 Broccoli Ð September 2008Broccoli BroccoliÐ Ð September September2008 2008 Broccoli Ð September 2008 Broccoli Ð September 2008

treatments all had over half the crop picked on that first day whilst the remaining treatments were all well under half. The four best treatments all had granular NPK fertiliser broadcast prior to planting and then for the first 21 days, had either: •

twice weekly sprays of urea and potassium nitrate (20g/L of each at 1000 L/ha)

•

twice weekly broadcasting of Nitrophoska® (200 kg/ha)

•

twice weekly broadcasting of Turf Special® (200 kg/ha) (this treatment was preceded with Turf Special broadcast at planting), or

•

weekly banding of Nitrophoska® (200 kg/ha)

The use of fresh phosphorus up front was not beneficial.

There was no effect of any of the fertiliser treatments on incidence of disease or faults such as purpling or irregularly shaped heads.

The results with Turf Special are particularly interesting for broccoli Figure 1a-d.

Comparison of growth in selected fertiliser treatments in acrop 19 d since the actual plot weight harvested Figure 1a-d.

Comparison ofoffertiliser growth intreatments treatments in19 spring lettuce Figure 1a-d.

Comparison of growth in selected inspring a spring lettuce 19 days after Figure 1a-d.

Comparison of growth in selected fertiliser treatments infertiliser afertiliser lettuce cropcrop after Figure 1a-d.

Comparison growth inselected selected treatments ina adays spring lettuce crop 19 spring lettuce crop 19 days after transplanting. was not thetransplanting. lowest of the four (second transplanting. transplanting. transplanting.

Figure 1a-d. Comparison Figureof1a-d. growth Comparison in selectedoffertiliser growth in treatments selected fertiliser in a spring treatments lettuce crop in a19 spring days lettuce after crop 19 da lowest) and this treatment represents a cost savingtransplanting. of about $1000/ha transplanting. ($2939 versus ~$3969).

The main findings from this trial are: •

there is a big impact from the use of a granular NPK fertiliser broadcast at planting at 200 kg/ha

•

the timing of potassium applications for broccoli is not important.

•

banding rates need to be 500 kg/ha for either Turf Special or Nitrophoska

Figures 2a,b The range of crop growth in this trial was less than for previous crops. (left) seemed less advanced than T8 (right).

2a,b The range ofthis crop growth in trial was less than for previous crops.

Figures 2a,b The range of crop growth inT2 trial was than for previous crops.

T2 (left) seemed Figures The range of crop growth in this trial was lessless than for previous crops.

T2 (left) seemed The team have now 2a,b moved on to Figures Figures 2a,b The range of crop growth inthis this trial was less than for previous crops.T2 T less advanced than T8 (right). advanced than T8 (right). lessless advanced than T8 (right). fine-tuning previous work on celery less advanced than T8 (right).

2a,bwere Theplanted range Figures of2a,b crop The growth range in this of crop trialgrowth was less inthan this trial for previous was less crops. than forT2previous (left) seemed crops. T2 and cabbage.Figures Two trials lessGrowers advanced thanless T8 advanced (right). than T8 (right). in mid January. wishing to view these trials should contact either Dennis Phillips on (08) 9368 3319 or Aileen Reid on (08) 9368 3393.

WA Grower March 2009

19

From the President’s Keyboard

S

ince the last issue of the WA Grower Magazine, many changes have occurred in Horticulture House. During November, David Ellement decided to accept a position as CEO of the Wine Industry Association of WA. Whilst we were sorry to see David leave - we appreciated all his efforts and where vegetablesWA has been strategically placed. We wish him well in his new position.

We also saw Gavin Foord resign from his position and take up the CEO of the WA No- Tillage Farmers Association. However, Gavin has since recommenced at vegetablesWA and is the Project Manager in charge of Caring For Our Country project.

During January, we held interviews for the Industry Development Officer, the APC VPC Field Officer and also a PA/Communications Officer.

There was a panel comprising of the potato president, Darryl Smith, the chairperson of Western Potatoes – Ross Taylor, myself and also Jim spent all day interviewing applicants for the positions. Georgia Thomas is the new IDO Officer. Tim Aldridge is the new Field/Extension Officer and Liz Daly the PA/Communications Officer. All have commenced work during February. Don’t forget to check them out on the vegetablesWA website. www.vegetableswa.com.au

20

WA Grower March 2009

The fires of Victoria and the floods of Queensland sadden all our hearts and the rest of Australians too. I would hope that it gives us- as growers the opportunity to take stock of our encompassing environment and put in procedures so that we would never have to endure fires as ferocious as these.

Health is often more evident during the summer season and what better way to be healthy and combat obesity than eating the clean and green vegetables that we produce. Health also comes along in the way we grow, our soils, our water and environment – something which vegetablesWA is promoting. vegetablesWA is also promoting your healthy industry to government stakeholders such as Tony Burke – the federal minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Terry Redman – our state minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Donna Faragher – our state minister for the Environment and Dr. Graham Jacobs – our state minister for Water All have received your Good Practice Guide. Are you reading yours?

Finally, I would like to say a big thank you to Jim and the staff at Horticulture House for holding the “fort”. December, January and mid

February saw many issues on hold – especially whilst waiting for new staff members to commence employment.

I know I am excited about the new team – as are the new team excited about being and representing vegetablesWA. Don’t forget – if you have any issues – good or bad – call or email them! The network is there for one and all to use.

Maureen Dobra President, vegetablesWA

western australia

ISSUE 37 | March 2009

Allow me to introduce myself...

My name is Georgia Thomas and I am a Perth girl who loves food and everything to do with it. After finishing my degree in Natural Resource Management at UWA and working for 6 years at the Department of Agriculture and Food I decided to move on from WA and have spent the last three and a half years living and working in London while travelling extensively through Europe. It’s a great pleasure to be back in Perth and its sunshine and warmth and I am thrilled to be working with the Western Australian vegetable industry to face the challenges that await.

There is now less than 6 months left of Horticulture Australia’s Industry Development Officer project, and in a short time a new format will be upon us. As I begin to orientate myself in the new role of Program Manager, I will be looking for the best ways to continue to provide support and information to all our growers throughout Western Australia.

In maintaining the high standards of this organisation we are aware that communication is the key. My team will be continuously investigating the best ways to communicate relevant information to growers and at the same time encouraging you to communicate with us. Our new Field Officer Tim Aldridge is committed to giving you his time and bringing your ideas, thoughts and issues back to the office so we can do our best to meet your needs. We will also be assessing new technologies and methods to keep the communication flow moving and keep you involved.

Marketing and promotion is as important as ever in these difficult economic times. We need to keep positive messages about the benefits of vegetables high in consumers’ minds as they purchase their weekly groceries with ever-tighter funds. I will be working with various partners to put together strategic marketing plans for both Western Potatoes Pty Ltd and vegetablesWA, with emphasis on collaboration and efficiency.

Finally, please feel free to get in touch with comments, suggestions and questions. Over the next few months I will be working hard to secure funds and develop strategic plans of action.

Additionally I will be aiming to speak to as many key contacts and industry stakeholders as possible. As such, I look forward to meeting you all in the near future and learning about you and your business.

WOMEN IN HORTICULTURE Call for expressions of interest The role of women in horticulture is many and varied, as well as being much more hands-on than often given credit for. With record numbers of girls enrolling in agricultural studies (ref: Countryman, Feb 12th, page 3), a fabulous new winner of the Rural Woman of the Year in Western Australia and a brilliant female president of VegetablesWA, the time has come to support and nurture the role of women in horticulture.

If you are interested in linking with other women from your community and further afield to learn from each other, give support and make useful business contacts please write me an email with your name, business details, contact information and any ideas you may have for useful activities at programmgr@vegetableswa.com. au. In the coming months I will investigate the level of interest and work towards a program of relevant activities for later in the year.

CONTENTS Maximise your margins ............... . 2

Georgia Thomas Vegetable

R&D Your national vegetable levy at work

Upcoming Events .........................

3

R&D Topics 2010/11.....................

3

Minor Use Permits Update ...........

4

western australia

ISSUE 21 | DECEMBER 2005

MAXIMISE YOUR MARGINS Working productively with minimum wasted effort or expense On the 6th of March the Manjimup Horticultural Research Institute held a field day to promote efficient fertiliser usage. Around 60 growers attended the event that was opened by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry Hon. Terry Redman MLA, to hear the afternoon’s speakers discuss the following topics: 1. What will future fertiliser prices do? Peter McEwan CEO, Summit Fertiliser.

2. Improving vegetable fertiliser efficiency. Dennis Phillips, Research Officer, DAFWA. 3. When is it profitable to fertilise pastures? Mike Bolland, Research Officer, DAFWA.

02 2

4. Case studies of profitable fertiliser use. Paul Omodei, Consultant, agVivo.

The excellent presentations were followed by a very interesting tour of the institutes’ field trials and research facilities as well as a great machinery display.

Of particular interest to vegetable growers was Dennis Phillips (DAFWA) presentation on improving fertiliser efficiency for lettuce. Dennis commented that “phosphorous is the primary limiting fertiliser factor for lettuce grown on soils in the Lower South West, and growers have the ability to sensibly reduce costs without compromising yield”. In order to

achieve this, Dennis recommended that growers consider: •

Cheaper products

•

Placement and timing of application

•

Optimum rates

•

Soil testing and adjustment

Dennis also discussed DAFWA research where various methods of fertiliser placement were tested. The results showed that strip application of phosphorus followed immediately by incorporation remains the most effective method of applying phosphorus fertiliser for high P fixing soils in the Lower South West.

For more information please go to www. agric.wa.gov.au.

UPCOMING EVENTS Carnarvon Horticultural Field Day May 7, 2009 Carnarvon WA E: ivor.cga@westnet.com.au

2009 Australian Vegetable Industry Conference/ National Vegetable Expo May 4-6/7-8, 2009 Melbourne Convention Centre/ Werribee, Victoria www.vegieconf.com.au

2009 Australian Vegetable Industry Awards The 2009 Awards Presentation will be held on Wednesday 6 May 2009 at the Crown Palladium, Melbourne, at the gala dinner of the 2009 Australian Vegetable Industry Conference.

National Vegetable Expo Werribee - 07/05/2009 The National Vegetable Expo Organizing Committee extend a warm invitation all Vegetable Growers, Nursery Operators and Horticultural Industry Suppliers, to gather for this years event.

Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Fresh Connections Conference May 24-26, 2009 Hilton Sydney www.pma.com

National Australian Hydroponics & Greenhouse Industry Conference Sydney July 19-22 2009 www.ahga.org.au

Organic expo 2009 July 24-26, 2009 Royal Exhibition Building Carlton, Melbourne, Australia E: exhibitors@organicsexpo. com.au

Give your view on R&D Project Topics 2010/11 Priority determination for R&D projects commencing next year (from June 2010) is now underway. Growers, supply chain participants and allied service providers are encouraged to identify topics of interest.

Each year, Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) invites applications for research and development (R&D) projects relating to a range of Australian vegetable industry activities. R&D is funded by the National Vegetable Levy, matched dollar-for-dollar by the Australian Government.

From now until 31 July 2009, National Vegetable Levy payers and other vegetable industry stakeholders are invited to identify priority areas for R&D projects scheduled to commence mid-2010. All suggestions for R&D will be reviewed by the Vegetable IAC and its advisory groups prior to the final recommendations being forwarded to HAL. If you would like to contribute your views to this process, please email programmgr@vegetableswa.com.au or call 9481 0834 and a form will be sent to you.

03 3

western australia

CURRENT MINOR USE PERMITS Permit ID Type

Description

Status

Date Issued Expiry Date

PER10095

AG

Metalaxyl-M / Lettuce / Damping off

CURRENT

22-Jun-07

30-Jun-09

PER10152

AG

Agri-Fos 600 / Brassicas / Downy Mildew

CURRENT

13-Feb-08

30-Jun-10

AG

Products containing potassium salts of fatty acids @ 285 g/L /Glasshouse and hydroponically grown capsicums, lettuce and cucumbers / Glasshouse whitefly and Silverleaf whitefly CURRENT

20-Feb-08

28-Feb-13

PER10184

AG

Products containing potassium salts of fatty acids @ 285 g/L /Glasshouse and hydroponically grown capsicums, lettuce and cucumbers / Glasshouse whitefly and Silverleaf whitefly CURRENT

20-Feb-08

28-Feb-13

PER10218

AG

Acramite Miticide / Cucumbers, Capsicums and Tomatoes / Various Mites

CURRENT

3-Jun-08

30-Jun-10

PER10240

AG

DuPont Vydate L Insecticide / Capsicums & tomatoes / Root Knot Nematode

CURRENT

17-Feb-08

30-Sep-09

PER10261

AG

Azoxystrobin / Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Beans, Lettuce and Cauliflower / White Blister and Sclerotinia rot

CURRENT

3-Jan-08

1-Jan-10

PER10265

AG

Methidathion / Peppers, ornamentals, eggplant & tomatoes / Western flower thrips

CURRENT

18-Mar-08

30-Sep-12

PER10273

AG

Bifenthrin / Sweet potato / Sweet potato weevil & Bean spider mite

CURRENT

22-Feb-08

30-Sep-13

PER10275

AG

Fusilade Forte 128EC (fluazifop) / Sweet Potato, Leeks & Garlic / Grass Weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-08

31-Mar-09

PER10311

AG

Eco-Oil (Botanical Oil) / Greenhouse & hydroponic capsicum, cucumber & lettuce / Greenhouse whitefly & Silverleaf whitefly CURRENT

7-Feb-08

30-Sep-13

PER10334

AG

Methomyl / Specified Fruiting vegetables, Legume vegetables and sweet potato / Heliothis, cucumber moth and cluster caterpillar

CURRENT

9-Oct-08

30-Sep-10

PER10335

AG

Petroleum oil / Lettuce (greenhouse & hydroponic) / Various Insects

CURRENT

18-Mar-08

31-Mar-11

PER10402

AG

Clethodim / Carrots & Parsnips / Grass weed control

CURRENT

16-Jan-09

31-May-11

PER10416

AG

Methamidophos / Head Lettuce / Western Flower Thrips

CURRENT

25-Mar-08

31-Mar-13

PER10460

AG

Phorate (Thimet 100G) / Sweet Potatoes / Aphids, Thrips, Jassids and Organophosphate Susceptible Two Spotted Mite and Wireworm.

CURRENT

2-Jan-08

1-Jan-13

PER10617

AG

Talstar 250 EC Insecticide/Miticide & other registered 250g/L formulations of Bifenthrin / eggplant & capsicum / Two spotted Mite

CURRENT

11-Jun-08

30-Jun-09

PER10670

AG

Abamectin / Tomatoes, cucumber, eggplant, ornamentals, strawberries & Cape Gooseberries / Two spotted mite & Western flower thrips

CURRENT

1-Apr-08

30-Apr-11

PER10674

AG

Mancozeb + Metalaxyl-M / Brassica vegetables, Brassica leafy vegetables & Rocket / Downy Mildew & White blister

CURRENT

14-Apr-08

31-Mar-13

PER10678

AG

Chess Insecticide (pymetrozine) / Various vegetables & Pistachio / Silverleaf whitefly, Lettuce aphid & Green peach aphid CURRENT

3-Feb-09

30-Apr-10

PER10764

AG

Pyriproxyfen / Cucurbits, eggplant & tomato / Silverleaf whitefly

CURRENT

1-Jul-08

30-Sep-12

PER10822

AG

Sodium hypochlorite / Potatoes, Various seeds & Soil / Various insect and fungal pests

CURRENT

30-Jan-09

1-Feb-14

PER10900

AG

Endosulfan / Cucumber, eggplant, peppers, & ornamentals / Western flower thrips

CURRENT

8-Oct-08

31-Oct-09

PER10948

AG

Abamectin / Eggplant / Two Spotted Mite

CURRENT

17-Oct-08

30-Oct-13

PER10971

AG

Tecto Flowable SC or Storite / Sweet Potato / Field Rots of Seed Roots caused by scurf (Monilochaetes infuscans) and root rot (Fusarium spp)

CURRENT

1-Nov-08

30-Sep-10

PER5776

AG

Propachlor / Lettuce / Grass and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

10-Nov-05

3-Nov-10

PER5815

AG

Spinosad / Eggplant / Melon Thrips

CURRENT

11-Aug-08

31-Jul-13

PER6552

AG

Chlorpyrifos / Pumpkin / African Black Beetle

CURRENT

18-May-05

30-Sep-09

PER10184

4

Permit ID Type

Description

Status

Date Issued Expiry Date

PER6920

AG

Dacthal (chlorthal-dimethyl) / Lettuce / Stinging nettle.

CURRENT

24-Aug-05

24-Aug-10

PER7416

AG

Confidor 200SC (imidacloprid) / Lettuce, chicory, endive & radicchio / Lettuce aphid CURRENT

24-Mar-04

31-Dec-09

PER7560

AG

Fluazifop-p as Butyl / Eggplant or Aubergine / Various grass weeds

CURRENT

24-Oct-05

20-Oct-10

PER7561

AG

Select Herbicide / Eggplant or Aubergine / Various Grass Weeds

CURRENT

25-Oct-05

25-Oct-10

PER7905

AG

Phosphorous / Lettuce (leaf and hydroponic), Fennel and Bulb (Alium)Vegetables/ Downy Mildew

CURRENT

4-Apr-06

30-Sep-12

PER7935

AG

Dimethomorph / Lettuce / Downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Jan-09

30-Sep-11

PER8231

AG

Filan Fungicide / Alliums (other than onions) and Carrots / Sclerotinia Rot

CURRENT

31-Jul-06

30-Jun-09

PER8249

AG

Petroleum oil / Capsicum, Eggplant, Tomato, Okra & Cucurbits / Whitefly (Bemisre tabaci)

CURRENT

4-Aug-05

31-Mar-10

PER8537

AG

Helicoverpa Zea or Armigera / Eggplant, Snow Peas & Sugar Snap Peas / Helicoverpa spp.

CURRENT

7-Sep-05

7-Sep-10

PER8538

AG

Products containing Copper / Various Vegetable Crops / Various Diseases

CURRENT

4-Nov-05

31-Oct-10

PER8743

AG

Chlorothalonil/Eggplant and Radish/Alternaria/Downy Mildew and Grey leaf spot.

CURRENT

24-Apr-06

30-Apr-09

PER8765

AG

Permethrin/ Cucurbits: Rockmelons, Watermelons, Pumpkin & Cucumbers/ Cucumber Moth Larvae (Phakelura Indica).

CURRENT

5-Jan-06

31-Dec-10

PER8768

AG

Zineb / Eggplant, Spinach & Silverbeet/ Anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.)

CURRENT

10-May-06

10-May-11

PER8773

AG

VectoBac WG Biological Larvicide / Greenhouse and/or hydroponic crops, mushrooms / Fungus gnats and Sciarids

CURRENT

24-Mar-06

31-Mar-09

PER8819

AG

Filan Fungicide (boscalid) / Brassicas & Brassica leafy vegetables, Lettuce & Beans / Sclerotinia rot

CURRENT

10-Oct-05

31-Oct-09

PER8929

AG

Trifluralin/ Chillies, Paprika and Eggplant/ Various Broad Leaf and Grass Weeds.

CURRENT

30-Mar-06

30-Mar-11

PER8971

AG

Chemagro dalapon/ carrot crops (for seed) / promotion of bolting and grass weed control

CURRENT

14-Mar-06

30-Nov-09

PER9063

AG

Regent 200 SC / Sweet Potato / White Fringed Weevil & Wireworm

CURRENT

21-Mar-06

1-Dec-11

PER9064

AG

Methomyl / Eggplant / Heliothis species

CURRENT

19-Apr-06

12-Dec-10

PER9127

AG

Folicur 430 SC Fungicide / Lettuce / Sclerotinia rot

CURRENT

30-Aug-07

30-Aug-09

PER9134

AG

Alpha-cypermethrin / Potatoes / Garden weevil

CURRENT

31-May-06

31-Jan-11

PER9160

AG

Imidacloprid / Various situations / Various pests (consolidated use patterns)

CURRENT

29-Nov-07

31-Dec-10

PER9241

AG

Pirimicarb / Various situations / Aphids (consolidated application)

CURRENT

23-Feb-07

31-Mar-10

PER9318

AG

VERTIMEC Miticide/Insecticide / Hydroponically grown lettuce/ Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

4-Jan-07

4-Jan-10

PER9778

AG

Ecocarb Fungicide / Various Greenhouse-grown Vegetables / Powdery Mildew

CURRENT

6-Sep-07

5-Sep-12

PER9840

AG

Chlorpyrifos 500g/L / Capsicum / Cluster Caterpiller

CURRENT

5-Mar-07

1-Feb-10

PER9859

AG

BALAN (benfluralin) / lettuce / grass and broadleaf weed control

CURRENT

1-Apr-07

31-Mar-12

PER9893

AG

Methidathion / Peppers and eggplant / Rutherglen Bug

CURRENT

8-May-08

31-May-13

PER9917

AG

Pyrimethanil / Glasshouse Capsicums, Lettuce & Tomatoes / Botrytis Rots

CURRENT

12-Sep-07

30-Mar-09

PER9918

AG

Switch Fungicide /Protected and Field Grown Cucumbers, Capsicums, Lettuce (head varieties only) / Botrytis

CURRENT

4-Feb-08

30-Jun-10

PER9920

AG

Flint 500 WG Fungicide / Capsicums / Powdery Mildew

CURRENT

4-Sep-07

31-Dec-09

5

$PSBHFO If caterpillars dream, welcome to their nightmare.

JOTFDUJDJEF

DuPont™ Coragen® has a totally new mode of action that will terrify caterpillar pests like Diamondback moth, Heliothis and Cabbage white butterfly. It quickly stops them feeding but is friendly to bees and other beneficial insects making Coragen® highly compatible with IPM practices. Coragen® has no crop re-entry period and, with its low toxicity to most non-target organisms, the environment has nothing to fear either. If you’re after better looking vegetables, it’s time to scare the socks off your caterpillar pests with Coragen®.

Coragen®. Advanced thinking, superb results.

®

$PSBHFO JOTFDUJDJEF

ALWAYS REFER TO THE PRODUCT LABEL BEFORE USE. © 2008 E I du Pont de Nemours and Company (“DuPont”). All rights reserved. Du Pont (Australia) Ltd. 7 Eden Park Drive, Macquarie Park NSW 2113. ACN 000 716 469.

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science®, Coragen® and Rynaxypyr™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates. H&T DP1278/WAG

Potatoes in schools

by Justin Wearne

2008 provides perfect Educational Opportunity for Western Potatoes

A

s the United Nations International Year of the Potato, 2008 provided the perfect opportunity for Western Potatoes to visit schools and educate younger consumers. In particular, home economics classes were interested to hear why potatoes were such a vital crop.

simultaneously promoting the health and nutrition benefits,” he said.

Justin Wearne, Retail and Development Manager of Western Potatoes explained that schools were interested to know that food shortages, a lack of water and lack of available land made the potato a super power in third world countries.

This time, the girls were interested to learn that Western Australian spuds are dug year round, thus ensuring the freshest local potatoes are continually on offer for local consumption.

Varieties such as the Royal Blue – Justin’s personal favourite – provided versatile options for cooking year round.

“Not only can more potatoes be grown per hectare than the equivalent amounts of rice or grain, but they can be grown almost anywhere.”

“2008 really threw the spotlight on the importance of the potato, giving us the opportunity to speak not only about potatoes in our world under pressure, but also other aspects of the product.”

“It fits nicely with our role in the industry of educating younger audiences on the how and why of selecting, storing, preparing and cooking potatoes, while

One of the schools to benefit from a Western Potatoes visit in 2008 was Penhros College. Food production students were so impressed they requested a follow up visit in February this year.

Justin also provided valuable tips such as storing potatoes in a paper bag and not exposing them to light, looking for firm potatoes that were not yet soft or sprouting and, where possible, purchasing spuds that still had dirt on them.

Food Preparation teacher Margaret Jones said that the students learnt a great deal about the misconceptions of the potato, confirming the importance of Western Potatoes visits to dispel the myths.

School Education Pack In response to a sharp increase in demand for school visits, an education pack has been produced through a co-operative effort between Western Potatoes and Kondinin Group. It is a classroom resource using Western Australia’s potato industry as the central theme in a range of lessons and activities across the different learning areas. It is based on the popular Workboot Series’ The Story of Potatoes book, which details the journey of potatoes from paddock to plate.

The education pack is suitable for middle and upper primary, as well as lower secondary school classes.

It is a tool to develop an integrated learning theme, teaching children valuable lessons about the origins of potatoes and recognising the importance of agriculture in our daily lives.

For more information on the schools education pack please contact Western Potatoes on 9284 6266.

WA Grower March 2009

27

Penrhos students benefit from ties with Western Potatoes

by Justin Wearne

Students shown how to select, store, prepare and cook potatoes

F

ood Production students at Penrhos College were once again treated to the company of Western Potatoes’ Mr Justin Wearne on Thursday, 12 February 2009. In teaching students about the importance of food production and preparation, Penrhos College teacher Mrs Margaret Jones invited Justin to present to students on how to select, store, prepare and cook potatoes.

In 2008 Justin shared a wealth of knowledge with Penrhos students including why the United Nations had pronounced last year the “International Year of the Potato”. Citing food shortages, a lack of water and lack of available land, Justin suggested that not only could more potatoes be grown per hectare than the equivalent amounts of rice or grain, but that they could be grown almost anywhere.

The girls were interested to learn that Western Australian spuds are dug year round, thus ensuring the freshest

28

WA Grower March 2009

local potatoes are continually on offer for local consumption.

“The Royal Blue is my personal favorite,” said Justin. “When storing your potatoes, place them in a paper bag like you would your mushrooms.

You don’t want to leave them sitting out exposed to light – they’ll turn

green and make you sick.” Justin’s other tips included looking for firm potatoes that were not yet soft or sprouting and, where possible, still had dirt on them.

For more information on the schools education pack please contact Western Potatoes on 9284 6266.

Ten minutes with Tom Kyme

by Gavin Foord

“We don’t just have to do the right things, we need to be able to prove we are doing the right things.”

T

om Kyme is the front man for P Kyme and Co Pty Ltd, Bernard Road, Carabooda, in conjunction with their commercial chicken farm they grow tomatoes and pumpkins in the summer and leafy lines in the winter.

The Kyme family has been in business at Carabooda for almost half a century; Tom is passionate about growing vegetables and is a regular at field days and seminars. “Growing is my life and while I know we don’t have everything operating at 100%, we are always trying to improve” said Tom “Growing costs are increasing and if we don’t keep improving, we will go out of business. Times are changing and if we want to stay in the industry, we don’t just have to do the right things, we need to be able to prove we are doing the right things.”

Part of that proof is in monitoring and record keeping. “Our bores are

metered now. We have soil probes monitoring our water use and soil nutrients and nearly four years of records compiled by our consultant.

This is part of the proof we need to stay in the industry” Tom says “But it’s not just about fertiliser and water.

We have been using chicken manure to replace fertilisers and improve the soil for years and now we are told we need to phase it out by 2011. I don’t know what we are going to do with the chicken manure when we can’t use it on the farm and we can’t make changes overnight.”

with vegetablesWA’s sustainable production strategies outlined in the Good Practice Guide. If we approach change as a process of continual improvement, we can have our best shot at a sustainable future.

This is why Tom has taken such a keen interest in new information “We have been growing vegetables here for a long time” he said “If we change to a mix that includes new things, we need to learn how to do it right and we need to be able to see the benefits.”

It is refreshing that Tom’s attitude to change is so positive and aligns

WA Grower March 2009

29

Vegetable Industry Development Program As a result of the Vegetable Industry Development Office’s program being replaced on the 30th of June 2009 with a National Vegetable Development Program. VegetablesWA will be tendering with other states for one or more of the components in this program.

Tenders are invited for delivery of the vegetable industry development program Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) is seeking proposals from organisations and/or individuals to deliver the vegetable industry development program from July 2009 June 2012. The program will:

● Turn R&D results into practical knowledge

● Target all relevant stakeholders through their preferred networks, and

● Develop relationships enabling two way flows of information.

The vegetable industry development program consists of six integrated components: Program Coordination; Knowledge Management; People Development; Consumers and Markets; Local Information and Farm Productivity; Economics. All components, except Economics, are being tendered.

HAL encourages:

● Combined proposals from more than one organisation and/or individuals

● Integrated proposals for all or any combination of the program components being tendered.

Proposals for individual program components and/or from single organisations and/or individuals will also be considered. HAL reserves the right to negotiate with tenderers to secure the best possible combination of service providers.

HOW TO APPLY A copy of the Tender Brief and the Vegetable Industry Development Program Operating Plan 2009-2012 is available from HAL upon request by contacting Karen Symes at karen.symes@horticulture.com.au or phoning 02 8295 2339. An optional briefing session be held at HAL’s Sydney office on Wednesday 8 April, 10 am to 12 noon.

Proposals must be lodged by 5pm Monday 27 April 2009 Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) is responsible for the coordination and management of industry and publicly-funded R&D and marketing for Australia’s horticulture industries. These include fruit, vegetables, nuts, nursery, turf, cut flowers and extractive crops.

For more information go to www.horticulture.com.au

SPREADING CONTRACTORS For All Your Spreading Needs FERTILISERS • ORGANIC • INORGANIC • LIME • GYPSUM SAND • TOPSOIL • COMPOST • ALL MANURES • MULCH Ken Sue

Specialising in Service to

VEGETABLE GROWERS & THE HORTICUTULTRAL INDUSTRY FOR AN OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE CONTACT JOHN BRANCHI

AGSPREAD

30

10 Leeward Road, Australind W.A. 6233 TELEPHONE: (08) 9797 2439 MOBILE: 0417 903 617

WA Grower March 2009

RIRDC Winner 2009 WA Rural Woman of the Year Announced

L

ocal Boyup Brook woman, Kirsten Skraha, has taken out the 2009 WA RIRDC Rural Women’s Award at a recent ceremony held in Perth.

The RIRDC Rural Women’s Award celebrates rural women and their contribution to primary industries.

It gives rural women the chance to discover their strengths and build their capacity to contribute to primary industries and rural Australia.

As well as being involved in her husband’s family mixed enterprise farm, Kirsten coordinates a national, award winning environmental management systems program at the Blackwood Basin Group. The project helps farmers identify, prioritise and manage environmental issues on their properties and provides recognition for environmental stewardship, which Kirsten sees as vital to the social, economic and environmental health of our rural communities.

Despite growing up in Perth, Kirsten has spent the last 5 years in Boyup Brook and has developed a strong passion for rural communities.

“Moving to the south west and being part of such a tight-knit community filled with amazing people has been inspirational to say the very least,” noted Ms Skraha.

“I am extremely honoured to have received this award and to be representing rural women of WA. I am looking forward to meeting many more rural women as part of the award, and encouraging them to gain recognition for the valuable contributions they make to our communities.”

“In the long term, I have a vision for sustainable environmental management and sustainable communities.” she concluded.

Kirsten is also actively involved in the region’s viticulture industry, and was secretary for the Blackwood Valley Wine Industry Association for three years. ” We have a boutique wine label, Wild Orchid Wines, and grow 17.5 hectares of wine grapes, so I am interested in helping to establish further adoption of environmental practices and management within the viticulture industry that will lead to better production efficiencies and quality produce.” she said.

Kirsten will be heading to Canberra in late March for the national selection of RIRDC Rural Women’s Award Winner. The Award is sponsored by the Australian Women’s Weekly, ABC Radio and Rural Press Ltd. Winner of the RIRDC 2009 WA Rural Women’s Award, Kirsten Skraha with Minister for Child Protection; Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering; Women’s Interests, Hon Robyn McSweeney, MLC.

WA Grower March 2009

31

Process Vegetable Product Group Trip to Tasmania December 2008 Grower Magazine February 2009 Volume 64 No. 1 Chris Ward

Comparison of growing and marketing vegetables in Tasmania & NZ Objectives of the trip and participants In 1997 a small delegation of growers visited Northern Tasmania to compare and contrast all aspects of growing and marketing vegetables.

Latest Tasmanian Growing Areas Hects Yields/ Hect tonnes Potatoes

48

10.850

Peas

4,769

5.5

8,477

7.2

Beans

1,809

Onions

1,289 936

Specifically the objectives were:

Carrots

753

• To find out about any particular crop husbandry techniques which could help growers in New Zealand.

Growers on the trip: Alan Newton David Hadfield Ron Prebble Andy Lysaght Andrew Jones Jim Sim Leo Gaffaney Business Manager: Chris Ward Vegetable Growing in Tasmania Total vegetable production accounts for 21 percent of Tasmania’s rural agricultural production. Agriculture represents 16% of GDP in Tasmania.

Most vegetables are grown in the North West area of Tasmania and are supplied mostly to Simplot and

32

WA Grower March 2009

Yields/ Hects

6,717

Broccoli

• To examine the role of grower organisations in negotiations with Processing Companies;

Hects

46

The objectives of this 2008 trip were similar and we also wanted to investigate the functioning of grower organisations.

• To examine the underlying competItIve advantages and disadvantages of growing vegetables in Tasmania;

New Zealand Growing Areas

McCains. Total farm gate value is put at approximately $200 million.

Processed value is put at double that. There are about 500 vegetable growers in Tasmania. About 95% of production is consumed within Australia. Potato growing is in decline (but still dominates) and is being replaced by expanding areas in pyrethrum and poppies. Carrots grow very well there, with yields exceeding 100 tonnes per hectare being common, some 20-30 % ahead of our yields.

Major findings: The growing environment The climate and soils of Northern Tasmania are seen as well suited to vegetable production. Whilst irrigation is essential, irrigation is supplemented by a 120 cm average annual rainfall and the terrain lends itself well to storage of water in on farm dams.

However, like mainland Australia, drought in recent years had tested water reserves and lead to some lower crop yields.

746 56

4.931

42

1.717 70

1,450

45

Water storage and, in some cases, management of water resources seemed better and more advanced than in New Zealand. Groundwater in Tasmania is limited and most water used in the growing season is stored from winter flows diverted into farm dams. Most properties had several dams. Some are just used for storage; others were collection dams.

Land owners on a joint scheme typically pay up to $1000 per megalitre in year one (to be on the scheme) and then an “admin” annual cost of $60 to $100 per megalitre for the right to use the water. (One megalitre equals 10 cm over one hectare). Even though they were catching water on their own farm land, that did not confer ownership of the water and consents were needed for building dams, just as here in New Zealand.

Thanks to generous depreciation taxation, treatment irrigation equipment capital value could be written off in three years.

Land values were much lower than New Zealand. Typically, land values were $25,000 per hectare for good vegetable growing soils. In New Zealand, comparable values would be $40,000 to $60,000 per hectare.

Tasmania has and considers mainland Australia as its main “export market”.

A transport equalisation scheme operates to ensure that Tasmanian “exporters” to other Australian states are not disadvantaged. Combined with very high quality roads, this meant transport costs were low.

Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) is the umbrella organisation looking after the interests of all Tasmanian farmers including vegetable growers. They have about an 80% voluntary membership with a fee of 53 cents per $100 of farm sales The emphasis was now more as a lobbying for farmer interests group rather than on providing a range of services to farmers. They do employ a membership officer.

Tasmania has formed a Tasmanian Agricultural Production Group (TAPG) which includes representation from all sectors and parts of the sector. e.g. transport operators, processors etc.

It meets regularly to consider matters relevant to production issues and was formed by David Sterling of Simplot.

Land used for growing vegetable crops was surprisingly steep in places.

But both machinery and irrigation equipment had been especially designed or modified to cope with steeper terrain.

Both fresh and process growers in Tasmania operate with a multitude of QA systems and were envious of our NZ GAP quality assurance scheme for fresh vegetables in New Zealand.

They had more retailer owned programmes to adhere to.

Growers commented on the recent rifts within the hierarchy of AusVeg. However, they were hopeful that a revitalised, more cohesive grouping would evolve.

Crop production Tasmanian farmers had two crop options we don’t have. Namely the growing of poppies for methadone and other derivatives, and the growing of pyrethrum for insecticides. Both of these sectors were strong at the time of our visit.

Each crop had a negotiating committee, usually just three people who negotiated price with the processing factories well before the season. These committees could be used in other grower–processor dialogues.

Unlike New Zealand, all areas in Tasmania had different processors competing for processing product.

Labour costs for seasonal assistance were a minimum of $17 AU an hour.

And for experienced operators, $25 an hour was more common.

Our minimum is $12 NZ an hour Understandably, growers were more optimistic about the future of mechanised crops.

The research facility at Forthside had recently been taken over by the university and the emphasis is very much now on sustainability. Private researchers can lease land and management of the research from Forthside. Farmers were concerned about the loss of simple fertiliser and fungicide type trial work. Tasmanian farmers seem to make more use of private agronomist professionals, who typically visit the farm weekly during the season and provide crop husbandry advice. This is in addition to the processor field officer, and the spray and fertiliser company representatives. The independentagronomist was often used as a “third umpire”.

The R and D levy growers pay is matched by government. It is set at 0.5% at first point of sale. Last year in total, this was $14 million.

Australian Grown was pushed hard as a promotion tool Many farmers were still using fertiliser on pea crops, but mostly phosphate only. continued...

WA Grower March 2009

33

Pea yields were high (7-8 tonnes per hectare) but like New Zealand, peas were not very profitable. They fitted in a crop rotation.

On newer pea growing areas, inoculum is used at sowing to improve yields.

Forthside were trialling silicon sprays to provide crop protection.

Gross returns for many crops obviously varied but were around $3,000 a hectare for peas. New Zealand pea crops are comparable but New Zealand farmers arguably have other options such as seed production which can, if all goes well, gross a lot more.

One pass operations prior to potato planting seemed to be working well and farmers commented on the better water holding capacity in soils with plant residue resulting from one working only.

positive development by growers in Tasmania.

Mention was made of using calculators to manage nitrogen inputs.

Companies did work together on small crop harvesting and to avoid bypass.

Some Tasmanian growers were experimenting with controlled traffic systems to prevent compaction on growing areas. Currently not all farm machinery and trucks fitted this well but where we saw it used with onions, yields were higher. In uncompacted areas, ground working for the next crop was always a lot easier.

Peas were transported quite a long way from southern Tasmania but not before they were cooled using water before the 3-4 hour journey.

Simplot graded out small peas rather than having separate contracts for growing of baby peas.

Companies seemed to accept grower price negotiating committees as entities that they would annually negotiate prices, and other growerprocessor business with.

Processors

Carrot yields were especially high with 120 tonnes per hectare quoted as possible.

Whilst Simplot and McCains dominate, Logan Farms (sourcing from Talleys NZ) are supplying Aldi type supermarkets and were gaining a foothold. This was not seen as a

Russet potatoes were increasingly hard to get rid of after harvest.

Recent price increases for peas matched our increase over the last year and were in the order of 32 to 40%.

Fairbanks Seeds ‐ We’ve got the West covered.

Brittany – 12/13 week cauliflower, well covered curd, with excellent adaptability. Dual purpose, cuts well late autumn and again mid spring

Miyako – Green stem Pak Choi

which has

dominated the market, especially

where Club Root

is a problem. IR to Club Root.

Disclaimer:

Prophet – Uniform broccoli with thick stems, medium beads and heavy head weight.

Cuts well from late autumn through winter into spring.

Not recommended for cutting later in spring, as it performs best under cooler conditions.

Origin – New release, a top performer in trials. Relatively slow bolting with IR to some Club Root strains.

Celtic ‐ A revelation in the baby leaf market.

Mid green oakleaf with very upright habit. Excellent tolerance to mildew pressure.

All cultural and descriptive information is given as a general guide only. Substantial variations may occur due to many environmental factors, including climate, soil type, location, management and cultural practices. No liability will be accepted by Fairbank’s Selected Seed Co. Pty. Ltd. (ABN 86 007 138 276), or its representatives as to the accuracy of the information. All information is given in good faith .

Fairbanks Seeds Ph 03 9689 4500 Fax 03 9689 8106

West Australian Agent: Mr. Don Arbuckle ‐ Mobile: 0411 437 299

34

WA Grower March 2009

Potato Wart eyed as risk to potato production The potato wart has the potential to be devastating to economies that depend on potato production Science News http://www.sciencedaily.com releases/2007/06/070618102406.htm

S

cienceDaily (June 19, 2007) — While many may be familiar with potato late blight, the plant disease responsible for widespread potato shortages, the lesser known potato wart has the potential to be as devastating to economies that depend on potato production, say plant pathologists with The American Phytopathological Society (APS).

According to Gary Franc, plant pathologist with the College of Agriculture, Plant Sciences Department at the University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, potato wart is a serious disease of cultivated potato that has been detected worldwide. Potato wart is caused by the fungus Synchytrium endobioticum, which is considered to be the most important worldwide quarantine plant pathogen of potato.

While not harmful to humans, the disease causes unsightly growths that initially appear white, and then turn brown or black as they decay, rendering the potato tuber unrecognizable and inedible.

There is a zero tolerance for the fungus that causes potato wart. As a result, this disease has been placed on the USDA’s “Select Agent List” of plant pathogens deemed to pose a severe threat to plant health or to plant products.

Although direct losses from potato wart may be insignificant when first detected, indirect economic losses resulting from zero-tolerance

A cross-section of a potato wart gall on a tuber reveals that galls result from an overgrowth of tuber tissue. The potato wart pathogen reproduces within gall tissue. (Credit: M.C. Hampson from the APS digital image collection CD Diseases of Root and Tuber Crops 2002) regulations for potato wart can be devastating to growers. Indirect economic losses become especially evident in potato production areas that are subject to quarantine measures, as well as when the movement of commercial potatoes is restricted.

Spores released from infected plants can make soil unsuitable for potato production for decades. The longterm survival of fungal spores and the lack of suitable chemical controls for potato wart suppression make this disease especially problematic for any type of cultivated potato production, including small garden plots and subsistence farming to extensive land areas economically dependent on commercial production

of potatoes for consumption or for potato seed production.

“Potato wart is much easier to prevent than it is to control,” Franc said. “It is highly critical that we prevent the introduction of the potato wart pathogen to production areas, and, where it is already introduced, to limit its spread,” he said.

“While regulatory action is important in potato wart management, it is essential that research efforts continue with the goal of developing and improving reliable and integrated disease suppression methods to directly deal with this disease,” said Franc.

WA Grower March 2009

35

Unfortunately rotary cultivation is the greatest destroyer of soil organic carbon because its action has maximum physical effect, destroying soil structure and oxygenating the soil, maximising the rate of soil organic carbon degradation.

We should carefully consider current cultivation practices and develop a suite of practices that minimise the number of cultivations. This may include the use of herbicides, cover

The Soil Page

crops or organic and inorganic mulches for weed control.

no.8

The next step is to consider whether less aggressive forms of cultivation such as the use of tyne implements and permanent beds (Rogers, 2001), can be incorporated into the

cropping process.

Progressing Good Practice vegetable production

Bob Paulin, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

T

Soil Soil page page #8#8

he next stage of developing

From work in California, we also know

Progressing Progressing Good Good Practice Practice vegetable vegetable production production ‘Good practice vegetable that combining the use of compost ByBy Bob Bob Paulin Paulin DAFWA DAFWA production’ is about integrating

will produce better crops and returns.

See Demonstrating Good Pactice article page 5.

with cover crops can give similar available information on increasing results with lower compost rates. The soil carbon levels and improving net result of vegetable increasing soil carbon The The next next stage stage of of developing developing ‘Good ‘Good practice practice vegetable production’ production’ is is about about integrating integrating available available soil health with the application of are improvements in soil health that information information onon increasing increasing soil soil carbon carbon levels levels and and improving improving soil soil health health with with the the application application of of current current current good practice management of irrigation, includefertilisers good good practice practice management management of of irrigation, fertilisers and and pesticides. pesticides. irrigation, fertilisers and pesticides.

• reduced compaction We We know know that that we we can can significantly significantly increase increase soil soil carbon carbon when when wewe use use good good quality quality compost compost and and that that We know that we can significantly • better drainage and soil aeration around around 18% 18% of of that that carbon carbon and and 80% 80% of of the the nitrogen nitrogen will will bebe retained retained after after seven seven consecutive consecutive increase soil carbon when we use increased nutrient retention applications applications to to typical typical sandy soils soils of• of the the Swan Swan coastal coastal plain. plain.

This This retention retention appears appears to to bebe good quality compost andsandy that around 18% of that carbon and 80% of the independent independent of of compost compost rate rate (Figure (Figure 1).

These These increases increases are are significantly significantly greater greater than than can can bebe • 1). maintenance of neutral soil pH nitrogen will be retained after seven achieved achieved with with unun composted composted organic organic materials materials such such asas manures manures and and cover cover crops. crops.

The The advantage advantage is is • improved water holding capacity consecutive applications to typical that that not not only only can can wewe reduce reduce fertiliser fertiliser rates rates (savings (savings can can largely largely cover cover the the cost cost of of compost), compost), but but there there soils of the Swan coastal These factors, together with increased issandy is better better buffering buffering against against adverse adverse events events and and leaching leaching losses losses are are also also reduced. reduced. plain. This retention appears to be biological activity and diversity will, independent of compost rate (Figure over that time, reduce the need for From From work work in in California, California, wewe also also know know that combining combining the the use use of of compost compost with with cover cover crops crops can can give give 1). These increases are significantly pesticides. similar similar results results with with lower lower compost compost rates. rates.

The The net net result result of of increasing increasing soil soil carbon carbon are are improvements improvements in in greater than can be achieved with un soil soil health health that that include include With the completion of the soil composted organic materials such • • reduced reduced compaction compaction management chapter of the as manures and cover crops. The • • better better drainage drainage and and soil soil aeration aeration vegetablesWA Good Practice Guide, advantage is that not only can we • • increased increased nutrient nutrient retention retention our next step is to work at a number reduce fertiliser rates (savings can Next edition of sites to demonstrate that • • maintenance maintenance of neutral neutral soil soil pHgrower pH largely cover the cost of of compost), implementing good practice in soil • • improved improved water water holding holding capacity capacity but there is better buffering against » Putting it into management as well as irrigation, These These factors, factors, together together with increased increased biological biological activity activity and and diversity diversity will, will, over over time, time, reduce reduce the the adverse events and leachingwith losses Practice fertiliser and pesticide management are also reduced. need need forfor pesticides. pesticides.

PAGE 14

Figure 1B. Soil nitrogen to 45cm depth after 7

vegetablesWA – Good Practice Guide

Figure 1A. Soil carbon to 45cm depth after 7 compost

applications Figure Figure 1A. 1A. Soil Soil carbon carbon to to 45cm 45cm depth depth after after 77 Figure Figure 1B. 1B. Soil Soil nitrogen nitrogen to to 45cm 45cm depth depth after after 77 compost applications compost compost applications applications compost compost applications applications 36 WA Grower March 2009 With With the the completion completion of of the the soil soil management management chapter chapter of of the the vegetablesWA vegetablesWA Good Good Practice Practice Guide, Guide, our our

STANDARDS FOR WASTE DISPOSAL..

COUNCIL

SITE/ COLLECTION INFO

COUNCIL

SITE

FOR BOOKINGS

Rockingham

Miller Rd Landfill One day in March & September

Murray (Pinjarra)

Corio Rd Waste Transfer Station

9531 7777

Waroona

Buller Rd Refuse Site

9733 7800

Gingin

Frogmore Shire Depot First Wednesday each month by appointment ph: 9571 2211

Carnarvon Eastern Metropolitan

Wyndham - East Kimberly

Browns Range Landfill Site Monday to Friday 8.00am to 5.00pm Red Hill Waste Disposal Site Second Wednesday each month between 8.00am to 12 noon Kununurra Contact the council

Augusta - Margaret River

Davis Rd Waste Transfer Facility

For Info 9757 6077

Boyup Brook

Boyup Brook Recycling Centre

9765 1200

Bridgetown - Greenbushes

Bridgetown Waste Facility

9761 1555

Busselton

Dunsborough Waste Facility

0417 179 596

Donnybrook- Balingup

Donnybrook Landfill Site Balingup Landfill Site

9780 4200 9780 4200

Harvey

Harvey Landfill

0428 950 120

Manjimup

Manjimup Refuse Site Pemberton Waste Transfer Station

9777 2332 0427 767 010

Armadale City

Armadale Landfill & Recycling Facility

9399 0127

Mindarie

Tamala Park

9305 5246

Broome

Broome Waste Management Facility

9193 8018

Tomato Growers Poll

F

ollowing an approach from several tomato growers in Western Australia, vegetablesWA has commenced exploring the possibility of having a fee for service for tomato growers (the same as vegetables growers are currently paying). This fee will fund research, representation and a host of other services that would assist and enhance the growers of tomatoes who are currently not receiving the benefits of these services.

If successful, the fee for services funding would be managed by the Agriculture Produce Commission – Vegetable Producers Committee (APC-VPC) where tomato growers would be represented.

VegetablesWA are currently (12th March 09) compiling a list of tomato

38

WA Grower March 2009

by Jim Turley

growers for the poll and arranging a series of meetings in the regions and metro areas to carefully explain the benefits of the funding services to the growers.

If any growers are concerned about their names not appearing on the list or any other aspect of the funding poll, please contact Jim Turley APC-VPC Secretary on (08) 9481 0834.

The poll papers will be posted out around the 14th of April 2009 and close on the 30th April 2009.

Inspecting the young tomato crops in Geraldton.

From the left: Huynh Van Nhut, Larry Cripps Horticulture Manager Great Northern Rural Services and Brett Metcalfe Committee of Management Member for vegetablesWA.

THE POTATO DIET

Aim for the moon. Ev en if yo

Good carbs don’t make you fat

The feel good food diet for tasty healthy living

u mis s it y ou w ill la n

da

mo ng t

he

sta

rs

By Nutrition ist Jo Beer

[ 27 ]

Good carbs can help you lose weight.

In fully this illustrated fully illustrated nutritionist Beer outlines a and healthy and scientifically soundtomethod to re-energise and In this book, book, nutritionist Jo BeerJooutlines a healthy scientifically sound method re-energise and lose weight.

Featuring over 50 Featuring easy to cook, nutritional facts and healthy living strategies, Potatoliving Diet’strategies, includes lose weight. overtasty 50 recipes, easy toextensive cook, tasty recipes, extensive nutritional facts and‘The healthy daily‘The mealPotato plans Diet’ for both the ‘Five Potato Diet’ ‘28Potato Day Potato includes dailyDay meal plans Taster for both the and ‘Fivethe Day Taster Diet’.

Diet’ and the ‘28 Day Potato Diet.’

At only $14.95 $5 postage & handling), there’s never a more delicious to change habits, eat healthily andweight. lose At only $14.95 (+$5(+postage and handling), there’s never beenbeen a more delicious way way to change habits, eat healthy and lose weight.

Ordertoday your by copy today,asend a cheque to: Potato Diet Book, PO Box 586, Order your copy posting cheque to: Potato Diet Book, Western Potatoes Proprietary Limited, 103 Outram Street, Westor Perth, Claremont 6910, or via website www.potatodietbook.com.au call 9284 6266.

WA 6005, or call (08) 9284 6266.

WA Grower March 2009

39

Editorial I am in my thirty third year as a part of the WAVGA

A

s I write this, my final editorial for the WA Grower, I am in my 33rd year as a part of the Western Australian Vegetable Growers Association, now known as VegetablesWA. As part of the WAVGA one had the opportunity to go progress through the ranks and learn about the Vegetable Industry. It enabled growers to educate themselves and view life from many different perspectives.

I am eternally grateful to the WAVGA for what it has taught me, the wonderful people I have met and the life-long friendships I have made through helping fellow Vegetable Farmers.

As a member of the association I have traveled Australia and the world gaining access to production plants, farms, seed breeding facilities, terminal markets, distribution centres and supermarket outlets.

This has all contributed to and informed my decisions as editor of the WA Grower. In learning about the industry within which I work I have endeavoured to share experiences, knowledge while hopefully informing people of the latest developments in the vegetable growing industry.

The problems that confront Vegetable Farmers in this State are those which face Growers every where on the planet: water, the availability of suitable land, escalating costs of production and competition from other products.

Although these are big problems, many can be resolved while others are constant causes for concern.

They are also issues the WA Grower has attempted and will continue to tackle into the future.

grip on society, vegetables will come to forefront as being a major tool (along with exercise) in helping people maintain a healthy lifestyle.

We need to ensure that vegetablesWA remains the grower-representative body, where growers resolve their own issues.

I wish to thank all who have supported me in my time as editor and I hope to see you in the future, wherever it may take us.

Speaking of the future, it is bright and opportunities are abundant. As the obesity epidemic takes a firmer

vegetablesWA Subscription Tel: (08) 9481 0834 Fax: (08) 9481 0024

Annual Subscription $75.00 (inc. gst)

To the Secretary vegetablesWA 103 Outram Street West Perth WA 6005 Name .................................................................................................................................................

Company: ..........................................................................................................................................

Address: ............................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................... Postcode: ...............................................

Telephone: ..........................................................................................................................................

What is your role in horticulture? ..............................................Date of application:.............................

Signed: ...............................................................................................................................................

40

WA Grower March 2009

Seeds of doubt

Breakthrough Magazine. Issue 1, 2009 Griffith Hack

The exception to infringement of Plant Breeder’s Rights (PBR) was incorporated into the Plant Breeder’s Riqhts Act 1994 (Cth), but the operation of the exception is ambiguous.

T

he ‘farm saved seed’ exception (the exception) to infringement of PBR only excludes the acts of conditioning for reproduction and reproduction of harvested propagating material (farm saved seed) from PBR infringement.

The exception Farmers have long engaged in the conventional farming practice of saving seed (propagating material) harvested from crops grown by the farmer for the purpose of planting further crops in subsequent cropping seasons. It was for this very reason that the exception to infringement of PBR was incorporated into Australian PBR legislation, most recently the Plant Breeder’s Rights Act 1994 (Cth) (the Act).

The effect of the exception is to exclude infringement of PBR in circumstances where a farmer conditions for reproduction or reproduces further propagating material for their own use from material harvested from legitimately obtained propagating material.

The exception was intended to be compatible with the objectives of Australian PBR legislation, namely to encourage breeding of new plant varieties for both domestic use and export.

In reality, the exception has created a state of confusion and ambiguity throughout the agricultural and horticultural industries with respect to the true nature of the exception and the rights of the farmers to continue with their time-honoured practice.

Ambiguity Although the exception is not intended to permit a farmer to do any

act in respect of farm saved seed other than condition for reproduction or reproduce propagating material for the farmer’s own use, the drafting of the relevant section(s) does not make this fact clear. As a result, a farmer might mistakenly engage in acts involving the trade or bartering of farm saved seed, that is ‘over the fence’ dealing - acts that do not fall within the scope of the exception.

Further, a farmer might justifiably be misguided as to the nature of the material to which the exception applies. For example, does the exception apply to seed only as suggested by the heading to the relevant section, or does it apply to all forms of propagating material harvested from crops grown from legitimately obtained propagating material, such as cuttings? This uncertainty detracts from the benefits that are otherwise intended from the operation of the exception.

Effect of the exception Many undesirable consequences flow from the confusion surrounding the operation of the exception. For instance, the inability of PBR owners to regulate the acts of farmers in respect of farm saved seed often results in the PBR owner being deprived of potential financial returns.

It is these financial returns that encourage the investment in, and commercial exploitation of, new plant varieties. As a result, potential plant breeders and third-party financiers may be deterred from investing in plant breeding in Australia, to the detriment of the Australian agricultural and horticultural industries.

Is there a way out?

Under the Act, it is possible to make an application for a declaration that a particular taxon be exempted from the farm saved seed exception Currently there are no taxons declared exempt from the farm saved seed exception. It may be that no taxons have been declared exempt because of a general lack of knowledge of this possible course of action. PBR owners should, however, keep this in mind.

Conclusion The inclusion of the exception in Australian PBR legislation has generated considerable confusion and ambiguity, much to the detriment of plant breeders, the agricultural and horticultural industries, and the Australian public in general. In order to ensure progress and innovation within these industries, the efficacy of the exception should be seriously assessed in the near future.

For further information, contact: Benny Browne, Principal, benny.browne®griffithhack.com. auBelinda Muir, Lawyer, belinda.muir®griffithhack.com.au

What you need to know • The exception is inherently confusing and ambiguous.

• The exception does not allow farmers to engage in ‘over the fence’ dealings, but is strictly confined to the conditioning for reproduction and reproduction of harvested propagation of harvested propagating material for the farmer’s own use.

WA Grower March 2009

41

Classifieds WA Grower Advertising Do you have something you want to sell?

Or a special event you wish to let our members know about? Or even a job vacancy!

We will be accepting lineage advertising for future magazine editions. Some of the lineage advertising that we will be accepting is as follows: We can accept special events e.g. a wedding, birthday, milestone etc We can also accept items for sale that may be of interest to our growers.

Please contact Valeria at finance@vegetableswa.com.au with your advertisement or special event notice.

POA.

42

(PSOR\PHQW 2SSRUWXQLWLHV

352'8&7 '(9(/230(17 6$/(6 7KH &RPSDQ\ %HMR 6HHGV LV D ZKROO\ RZQHG VXEVLGLDU\ RI %HMR =DGHQ %9 +ROODQG ZKR EUHHG SURGXFH DQG VXSSO\ YHJHWDEOH VHHGV 6SHFLDOLVLQJ LQ RXWGRRU K\EULG YDULHWLHV %HMR =DGHQ LV DQ ,QWHUQDWLRQDO FRPSDQ\ UHFRJQLVHG IRU LWV LQQRYDWLYH EUHHGLQJ UHOLDEOH YDULHWLHV DQG TXDOLW\ VHHG ZLWK WKH FXVWRPHU DV WKH SLYRWDO IRFXV ,Q $XVWUDOLD %HMR 6HHGV SURGXFH VHHG IRU H[SRUW WR +ROODQG FRQGXFW WULDOV DQG SURPRWH DQG VHOO %HMR YDULHWLHV RQ D QDWLRQDO EDVLV

7KH 3RVLWLRQV

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

7KH 5HZDUGV 7KHVH SHUPDQHQW SRVLWLRQV RIIHU YDULHW\ MRE VDWLVIDFWLRQ DQG H[FHOOHQW SURVSHFWV 7KH VDODU\ LV QHJRWLDEOH DQG LQFOXGHV D YHKLFOH VXSHUDQQXDWLRQ DQG ZRUN FRYHU

$SSO\ LQ ZULWLQJ SOHDVH LQFOXGLQJ &9 WR 7RQ\ +XEEDUG %HMR 6HHGV 3 / 32 %R[ &UDQERXUQH 9LF

For Sale

Birthday

Births

For Lease

Anniversary

Engagement

Wanted

Milestone

Wedding

WA Grower March 2009

Advertisement

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONDUCT A POLL OF WA TOMATO GROWERS In accordance with provisions of the Agricultural Produce Commission Act 1988, the Agricultural Produce Commission intends to poll Westem Australian tomato producers on tomatoes being included as an APC Vegetable Producers’ Committee Fee for Service paying product.

The objective of poll is to further the interests of the WA tomato industry by the provision of service functions listed (a) to (m) in Section 12.1 of the APC Act. The poll will be a postal poll with a closing poll date of 30 April 2009.

The poll question asked will be: “Do you support the inclusion of tomatoes, grown in Western Australia, as a fee for service paying product within the Agricultural Produce Commission’s Vegetable Producer’ Committee, and covering all service functions listed (a) to (m) under Section 12.1 of the APC Act 1988” SUBMISSIONS ARE INVITED The Agricultural Produce Commission invites written submissions from tomato producers who may be affected by the proposal.

Submissions must be received by the Commission no later than Monday 20 April 2009.

Ingrid Smith, Returning Officer, Agricultural Produce Commission, Sort Bin 24 3 Baron Hay Court Kensington WA 6151 Email ph 9368 3127, fx 9368 2186

For publication in the Public Notices section of the: “The West Australian” Sat 4th April “Farm Weekly” Thurs 2 April “Countryman” Thurs 2 April WAGrower (Industry newsletter) end March

WA Grower March 2009

43

Vegetable seeds for professionals

Your Partner for Added Value Come and visit us at: Our trials Open Days in Victoria Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th April 2009

The 2009 Vegetable Industry Conference Monday 4th - Wednesday 6th May , Melbourne

Werribee Expo Thursday 7th and Friday 8th May 2009 For further information please contact us, or visit our website Bejo, a name that stands for quality Bejo Seeds Pty Ltd • 460 Hall Road, Skye, Vic. 3977 • Tel.: (03) 9782 2811 • Fax: (03) 9782 2445 • E-Mail: info@bejo.com.au • Website: www.bejo.com.au