WA Grower Spring 12

$25.00 (inc GST)

WA Grower Potato Growers Association Inc.

Agricultural Produce Commission

APC-VPC APC-PPC

SINCE 1948 Vol. 47 No 3. Spring 2012

Carnarvon highlights Keeping within our water limits this summer

Produced by

vegetablesWA

Management Committees

Cover photo: Duc Nguyen

Vegetable Growers Association

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

President

Executive Officer Jim Turley m: 0410 697 842 e: pga-vga@vegetableswa.com.au Policy and Program Manager John Shannon t: 0488 111 526 e: john.shannon@vegetableswa.com.au Finance/Administrator/Magazine Advertising Rebecca Blackman t: (08) 9481 0834 e: finance@vegetableswa.com.au

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

Vice President Ken Sue m: 0417 986 467

Busselton

Treasurer Anthony Marinovich m: 0417 907 910

Myalup/Bunbury

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

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

(08) 9845 1064 0427 724 243 0417 962 427 0407 447 524 0413 050 182 0418 957 236 0400 717 600 0419 041 045 0419 907 832 0400 542 812

Communications Officer Hayley Wilson t: (08) 9481 0834 e: hayley.wilson@vegetableswa.com.au

Potato Growers Association

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

Vice President

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

Andrew Tempra m: 0417 097 729

Life Members A.J. Anderson*, D.J. Arbuckle, J. Arbuckle Snr*, J.H. Arbuckle* (M.B.E.J.P), S. Calameri, G. Kiriros*, R.G.Leach*, F. Natoli, S. Sawle*, R.M. Schultz, C.P. Stevens, W.R. Stevens* (M.B.E.J.P), HR. Ashby*, Amy Harris*, A. Ingrilli. * deceased vegetablesWA and The Potato Growers Association would like to express their sadness over the passing of Dane Marinovich who was a well know vegetable and potato grower in WA. His personal contribution to the industry will always be admired and remembered.

Gingin

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

President Sam Calameri m: 0418 957 236

Metro

Dean Ryan m: 0427 731 066

Pemberton

Treasurer Manjimup

Committee C. Ayres B. Russell S. Calameri G. Bendotti D. Ryan M. Rose

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

0428 451 014 0429 318 216 0418 957 236 0427 569 903 0427 731 066 0409 112 245

Albany Donnybrook Metro South Pemberton Pemberton Myalup

Western Potatoes Pty Ltd Chairman Ross Taylor

m: 0412 446 512

Executive Officer Georgia Thomas m: 0431 444 918

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

Non-Executive Director Simon Moltoni

m: 0427 761 693

Retail and Consumer Manager Anne Kirou

m: 0400 996 153

• APC- Vegetable Producers Committee • Potato Growers Association • Western Potatoes • vegetablesWA

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

WA Grower 20

Vol. 47 No 3. Spring 2012

47

36

Welcome to the latest edition of the WA Grower vegetablesWA is very pleased to announce the commencement of Mr Võ Thế Truyền as our new Vietnamese Field Extension Officer. Approximately one third of Western Australian vegetable growers are Vietnamese and so Truyền has already made a significant impact in assisting these vegetable growing businesses where their English skills are not strong.

The Good Practice project at Carnarvon is continuing to score some big wins. The project hosted a recent visit from Dr Neal Kinsey from the US, a renowned figure in the field of agronomy. More than 60 growers attended a number of field days where Dr Kinsey delivered detailed analysis of soil fertility after reviewing individual farm soil tests. Growers actively participated and took the opportunity to ask questions, share

experiences and plan the next step to improve their yields and nutrient use efficiency.

The results of the vegetablesWA “Fresh from WA Farms” campaign has proven it as an outstanding success in improving consumer attitudes to the key areas that we know make them purchase more WA grown vegetables. The evaluation included a baseline consumer survey before the campaign and a follow-up survey afterwards. vegetablesWA is also putting together its policy document for the coming state election scheduled for March 2013. Any growers wanting to contribute ideas should contact me on 0488 111 526 or at john.shannon@vegetableswa.com.au.

John Shannon, Policy and Program Manager

Your Industry Associations

3

Vegies down in Carnarvon in 2011

43

Fresh from WA farms campaign

4

Grower profile — Ivan Ivankovic

44

vegetablesWA President’s Report

8

Gac a potential new Australian industry?

47

Potato Growers Association President’s Report

10

South West Foodbowl celebrates

48

Every Woman Expo 2012

11

Carnarvon flaunts fine fresh produce

50

School talks

12

Infopest

52

Carnarvon CFOC project

14

Farmhouse Direct

53

18

Export opportunities in Indonesia

56

New tomato project to protect market access

57

Grower profile — Duc Nguyen

58

Department of Water Seasonal Response 2012–13

60

Grower profile — West Hill Farms

62

DAFWA’s FREE farm planning workshops

66

Vegetable Producers’ Committee Your Production

19

Irrigating vegetables

20

Research on Potato Virus Y

21

Oats and sorghum putting brakes on root knot nematode 22 Industry participation required for research on fusarium wilt of watermelon

25

Your Business

67

Traps revealed by soil and plant testing survey

26

Advice from ATO

68

Careless chemical use could trigger serious penalties

32

Urban encroachment

70

Drip irrigation looking good on caulis

34

Threat of tomato potato psyllid and associated diseases 36 New project aims for “More Dollars per Drop” for growers

38

Permits

95

Your industry

39

Keeping within our limits this summer

40

Biting back against stable fly

42

Your Market

71

Vegetable market insights

72

Vegetable market trends

80

Category in profile

82

Your self

89

Recipes

90

Vietnamese translations

92 WA Grower Spring 2012

1

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Your industrY associations

YOUR

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WA Grower Spring 2012

3

Your industrY associations

campaign

BY JOHn SHAnnOn VEGETABlESWA

For six months leading up to June 2012, vegetablesWA ran the “Fresh From WA Farms” campaign in the Fresh Section of The West Australian newspaper every Thursday.

The campaign has been proven as an outstanding success in improving consumer attitudes to the key things that we know make them purchase more WA grown vegetables. The evaluation included a baseline consumer survey before the campaign and a follow-up survey afterwards.

The evaluation found that two out-of-three The West on Thursday respondents noticed the vegetablesWA campaign.

The advertisements clearly contributed to a significantly better ‘knowledge about’ and ‘an improved attitude towards’ local WA farmers. 40% of the respondents who were aware of the campaign indicated that because of the it they now use more produce from WA farmers compared to before the campaign; the campaign also seems to have contributed to an increased use / buying frequency of fresh vegetables from WA. Furthermore, the campaign has resulted in a significantly improved understanding of

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WA Grower Spring 2012

‘versatility’, ‘health benefits’ and ‘seasonal availability’ of fresh WA vegetables among the respondents and probably among the general Perth community. In spoken responses, many mention that they really appreciated the campaign and its cause to support the local WA farmers.

results in detail • Two out-of-three The West on Thursday respondents (64%) are aware of the vegetablesWA campaign in the Fresh Section of The West Australian newspaper on Thursdays.

• 31% of the ‘campaign aware’ respondents consider the campaign ‘very interesting’ and 33% consider the campaign ‘somewhat interesting’.

• The educational aspects of the campaign were strong. Three out of four (74%) respondents who reported to be aware of the vegetablesWA campaign, indicated that because of the campaign they now know more about growers in WA and their produce compared to before they saw the campaign; 23% indicate that they ‘know a lot more’ about growers in WA and their produce.

• The promotional (public relations) aspects of the campaign were quite strong. Two out of three (65%) respondents who reported to be aware of the vegetablesWA campaign, indicated that because of the campaign they now have a more positive attitude about growers in WA and their produce compared to before they saw the campaign; 27% indicate that they have

‘a clearly more’ positive attitude about growers in WA and their produce.

• There seems to be a rather strong positive impact of the campaign on the public’s use of produce from WA growers. Two out of five (40%) respondents who are aware of the campaign, indicated that because of the campaign they now use more produce from WA growers compared to before the campaign; 21% of the respondents report using ‘clearly more’ produce from WA growers after seeing the campaign. 37% respondents who reported to be aware of the vegetablesWA campaign, indicated that the campaign had no impact on their use, because they already mostly/always use produce from WA growers.

• The agreements scores following the campaign were significantly higher for the following statements: — Fresh vegetables from WA are a better quality than fresh vegetables from elsewhere (64% vs. 73% agreement); — I have a better understanding of how versatile vegetables are and what vegetable is best to use when cooking different recipes than I did 1 year ago (42% vs. 63% agreement); — I have a better understanding of the specific health benefits of certain vegetables than I did 1 year ago (49% vs. 57% agreement); — I have a better understanding of the seasonal availability of fresh vegetables in WA than I did 1 year ago (46% vs. 57% agreement).

Your industrY associations

Here are some typical comments that consumers also gave us about the campaign: “These are so informative (So THAT'S how you prepare rhubarb!!!) it's only due to little time to read, do i only get through some of this. i believe these articles are instilling good practices into housekeepers.”

“The tips are very helpful.” “i feel the advert should have taken up a whole page.” “i really like this type of advertising/ editorial as you are informed as well as shown a better way of looking at food.”

“We must support our local growers wherever we can. Once upon a time we were fully supporting now we have outside competition which may be cheaper but does not compare to freshness and TASTE. We know our own lands but not where so much of the produce comes from today.”

“Fresh is best so how much fresher can it be if it is from your local farmer.”

“Support our local farmers and use and buy only local product.” “i have become more focused on the origins of all produce when shopping at my local fruit and veggie market.”

“As i previously have been a farmer and i know what it is like to be given a chance to supply produce to local people and not give them the opportunity to purchase local produce which is extremely important to the farmers and consumers of our country. We must support our farmers and not overseas producers!!!!!” “it is nice to see that local produce is being promoted.” “i like to know what WA farmers are producing, so this section is an important part of the West in my opinion.” “liked the information about the produce (seasons, benefits, tips).”

“These methods of advertising have educated myself and my wife to believe that major chain companies like Coles and Woolworths aren't paying these farmers enough for their produce while the smaller companies like igA have to suffer with the competition of higher prices due to the fact that Coles and Woolworths purchase such large quantities. i feel like these ads should portrait a message, along with the efforts of farmers to join and support smaller companies like igA and farmer jacks before big multinational companies start running the show.”

“Our family is very 'nutrition aware' and we grow a few vegies and herbs at home.

This campaign interested me because: a) we generally hear that supermarkets buy from anywhere and stockpile — so called 'fresh' fruit and veg can be months old if coated with sprays and waxes, then refrigerated. b) it is reassuring to know that we still have local farmers whose produce is available when it is actually fresh. i was annoyed to discover recently that the garlic i had bought next to a WA poster was actually from China and that asparagus that also said 'grown in WA' had tiny stickers on it indicating it had been grown in peru. As far as the specific ad campaign goes, i think anything that reminds people to eat more fruit and veg is important. Constant promotion is relevant and imperative. imagine how healthy Australians (and therefore farmers' wallets) would be if the same amount was spent on advertising that Macdonald’s spend!”

“A very effective campaign but i buy veges from Woolworths so not sure if buying WA or not. Would certainly buy WA if advertised more in supermarkets.”

“There is a definite need to support local producers in Western Australia.”

“Would like items more clearly listed in the supermarkets and greengrocers.”

“Keep up the good work! i will only by local fruit, not imported items ever, our local school supports local purchases, 'farmer's markets and only local farmer’s works in Ocean reef.” “i think it is always good to advertise our own local growers, their produce & inform buyers on the best ways to use their produce. Well done!!” “now that this campaign has been brought to the forefront of my attention, i will be very interested to read more about WA farmers and their produce. i think it's a great idea to inform consumers in this manner and it creates more of a link between consumers and producers. i love the bright colours in the bio's. A great initiative to promote buying local produce.

Top effort!”

Excellent idea. i always buy local produce and am sure it would be better if more people did the same.” “i think this is a brilliant campaign as it illustrates to the locals what exactly they are buying, where it is being produced and also by whom. i noticed the healthy for you section and really though highly of this. Brief descriptions of the product and what it contains (enzymes, chemicals, certain properties etc) is a great way to educate the consumer and public in general about how these products provide nutrition and what they are actually putting in their bodies. On this note, it is mandatory that fast food restaurants display nutritional charts of the foods and products they sell and what they contain. Why not mimic this and implement a campaign whereby all fruit and vegetables retailers and wholesalers display the nutritional information of their product and what the benefits are.

Additionally they could also provide a range of healthy and tasty recipes that contain this product to create further interest in their products.”

WA Grower Spring 2012

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Your industrY associations

6

About the campaign

evaluation method

The campaign format was a fullcolour bottom third section of the page. The ad was updated every week and emphasised on different local WA growers and their produce; it provided interesting background information about the grower, their produce and also contained grower’s tips, health information and recipes. The intention of the ads was to educate the public in WA about vegetables that are grown in WA. The objective was to provide interesting information about seasonality, health benefits and versatility and also to provide insider insights from the growers in WA; and by doing so to further promote buying fresh vegetables from Western Australia in Western Australia. The campaign started on Thursday the 10th of november 2011.

Following, a pre-campaign telephone survey which was conducted in november 2011 (pre-measurement), in July 2012, patterson research group was asked by vegetablesWA to conduct a follow-up post campaign online survey among specifically ‘the Thursday readers of The West Australian newspaper’ to measure actual campaign awareness and to measure the effects of the campaign on knowledge, attitude and behaviour of those readers who reported being aware of the campaign.

As the Flashpoll target group (november 2011) was a good representative sample of the perth population and the survey was conducted by telephone and the target group for the online survey (July 2012) consisted of ‘Thursday readers of The West Australian newspaper’.

WA Grower Spring 2012

This article discusses the results of the second and final wave of the vegetablesWA Campaign Tracking Study. The first wave was a zero-measurement (pre-campaign measurement) which was meant to define the benchmarks for the interpretation of tracker results in the second wave (this report).

Each survey covered 300 perth metropolitan respondents aged 18 years and over. The most recent survey was conducted from Friday the 29th of June (the day after the final ad was publicised in The West Australian) to July 4th 2012.

This survey program produces a survey error of +/- 5.7% at the 95% level of confidence.

Your industrY associations

WA Grower Spring 2012

7

Your Industry Associations

vegetablesWA President’s Report

BY Maureen Dobra VegetablesWa

Our winter months have gone and still some of us have not had enough rain. It is very concerning and I am sure that we will see meetings with the Department of Water (DoW) soon. Certainly there has started communications and fliers from the Department to the consumers regarding the usage of water — even in the winter months.

At the Fresh Produce Form recently held at the Fresh Ideas Centre and organised by the Department of Agriculture and Food, WA (DAFWA). There were representatives from other industries and of course DAFWA and one from the market agents. The meeting was well attended and lots of view bandied but the Department wanted to hear from the GROWERS! I will have to put my hand up that I was not going to go but at the last moment decided to attend and found it very interesting. Minutes were taken and will be distributed at a later date. These can then be sent out to the growers.

Commitments to meetings, field days and other events are often very hard to arrange and happen. But without them — progress doesn’t happen. I am very fortunate that I have staff to step in for me but I know when I was just a small family business this could not happen. However, small regional meetings, over a cuppa or a barbeque and a beer can happen a lot easier. I passed this advice on to the relevant people and hopefully they will take that into consideration the next time a meeting is held.

Sarah, our Field Extension Officer and Rohan Prince from DAFWA held a successful meeting at the Wanneroo Tavern with other specialists on soil and insects. To finalise

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WA Grower Spring 2012

the night, it was asked what the growers would like to be done by both organisations.

Sometimes this is a little difficult but some good ideas came through.

One of the issues mentioned was regarding energy. I know I have covered this in a previous issue but some growers would like to read about it again.

In relation to your electricity account there are a number of other electricity providers — besides Synergy. They will look at your account and your usage and determine whether you would be eligible for a better pricing system. Then the other part of this is that there is a company called Enernoc.

They have an Energy Demand Response program whereby the grower is required

to reduce his power for 4–6 hours in one a day and perhaps for 4–6 times over the summer months. Smart meters are needed to be installed and the electricity usage can be easily monitored over the internet.

In reducing the power for a short period, growers are compensated for their time.

Albeit those growers in Australia — do not receive subsidies, this is one way of receiving extra monies and understanding our energies.

By the time this magazine is printed, vegetablesWA will have a new Committee of Management. I would like to thank the outgoing committee for all their efforts and input for the organisation. It is truly appreciated. And for those returning and the new members, we look forward to an exciting year ahead.

A Vietnamese growers' friend at vegetablesWA We are very pleased to introduce you, especially Vietnamese growers, to Mr. Võ Thế Truyền, our new Field Extension Officer at vegetablesWA. Truyền has the major task of engaging with the Vietnamese community of vegetable growers.

Truyền has an excellent horticultural background having over 10 years experience managing and working at the Southern Horticultural Research Institute in Vietnam. At this time he also headed up the Institute’s extension team. He obtained a Bachelor of Science (horticulture) degree in 1987 and subsequently obtained a Master degree (horticulture) in India in 1998. We also appreciate Truyền’s expertise in extension and community development after six years of study in this discipline at Massey University, New Zealand.

Truyền is keen to make a difference by making better relationships between growers and different assistance such as DAFWA, industry professionals, the Stable Fly Action Group and vegetablesWA. This position is primarily funded by state government Royalties for Regions money with additional contributions from the APC-VPC and HAL. Growers are encouraged to contact Truyền via the details below: Võ Thế Truyền

Vietnamese Extension Officer, vegetablesWA, 103 Outram street West Perth, WA 6005 Phone (08) 9481 0834, 0457 457 559 or email truyen.vo@vegetableswa.com.au

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Your Industry Associations

Potato Growers Association President’s Report

By Sam Calameri President, Potato Growers Association

Early indications this season are looking good with yields, prices and quality up compared to the same time last year.

Exciting moves are happening with the Potato Marketing Corporation, Western Potatoes, APC Potato Producers Committee and the Potato Growers Association all working together on marketing and promotions of our fresh potatoes. A top marketing man, Paul Graham, is directing the team by introducing innovative strategies that will produce positive results.

Western Potatoes have now completed their move down to the Potato Marketing Corporation office in Hamilton Hill. This will improve the communication between the

organisations. Already we are witnessing our four organisations working together which will produce some great outcomes for our growers and consumers.

Don Hancey, one of Perth’s leading chefs and media personalities has been appointed to coordinate and drive the ‘Food service Campaign’.

The objective of this campaign is to “educate the food service sector (chefs) about fresh potato production in WA and promoting the regulated marketing systems as the cornerstone of the fresh potato industry in WA.” Also I am excited about the new fresh potato varieties coming onto the market.

The consumers are eager to try these new varieties particularly the yellow flesh.

Our growers are continually trialling new varieties to give even more choice to our consumers.

New Member for Myalup on the PGA Committee of Management Mia Rose was elected unopposed to the position at the 14th September 2012 meeting.

Mia’s husband Graham is the son of Gerald Rose and alone with his brother Peter, was one of the pioneers that introduced vegetable growing to the Myalup district.

A passionate and dedicated potato and vegetable grower, Mia will certainly make a valuable contribution to our industry. Mia has already arranged a zone meeting for our growers in Myalup in October. She is looking forward to representing growers of Myalup on regional and industry issues. Both the Potato Growers Association and vegetablesWA wish Mia ever success in her endeavours.

Pennie Patane retires Pennie Patane representing the Potato growers of Myalup on the PGA Committee of Management retires. Her contribution over five years was certainly appreciated by the potato industry Committee members.

Committee members thank Pennie and wish her all the very best for the future.

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WA Grower Spring 2012

Potato Growers Association Inc.

Most retailers have limited space for these new varieties. Therefore, consumers are shopping around to purchase their choice of the new varieties. There are approximately 25 varieties during the year that are available to our consumers.

Finally and on a very sad note, our growers extend their deepest sympathy to the Marinovich family for the loss of Dane, a fellow potato grower that loved his potato industry. Dane was well respected by his peers in the vegetable and potato industry.

He will be in the grower’s minds when they gather to discuss their industry.

Your industrY associations

Every Woman Expo 2012

BY AnnE KirOU RETAIl & CONSUMER MANAGER, WESTERN POTATOES

Western Potatoes attended the 2012 Every Woman Expo. The Expo ran from Friday 29th June to Sunday 1st July inclusive. During the weekend we promoted the coloured Gourmet potatoes.

West Coast Supplies supplied two Airfry Easicook (Convection) machines for the event.

They also supplied the demonstrators to cook the potatoes throughout the event. WPPL was also donated an Airfry Easicook machine to use at other events in the future. The Easicook was used to roast the gourmet potatoes.

We had a terrific response to our roasted potatoes. There was a lot of interest in the Gourmet potatoes and also the machine — where it could be purchased.

Our sales this year exceeded expectations by easily bypassing last year’s sales figures. We sold our dressings, microwavers, cookbooks, pantry bags, scrub brushes, lunch boxes, and pencil cases.

WPPL also had a selection of three showbags — the Family Showbag which retailed for $10 and two Cooler Packs, one retailing for $20 and the other $30. These showbags consisted of an assortment of products. The showbags were very popular as the show-goers could see that they were receiving excellent value for money. We also handed out our free showbags which consisted of recipe magazines and potato information.

The expo appeared to have started off slowly but it definitely picked up on the last day. The expo proved to be a big hit and a lot of fun. WPPL were given a terrific response yet again.

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WA Grower Spring 2012

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Your industrY associations

School talks

BY AnnE KirOU RETAIl & CONSUMER MANAGER, WESTERN POTATOES

Warnbro community High school WPPL were invited to do four talks at Warnbro Community High School earlier this year.

There were eight classes of Year 8 students in total. The classes were put into four groups consisting of two classes in each group — approximately 40 students per group.

WPPL had a fantastic response from all four groups. The students were attentive and full of questions. The students were informed about the different varieties, health benefits and versatility of the potato. The students were given the opportunity to taste ‘Healthy Chips’ using the Tefal Actifry.

WPPl had a fantastic response from both classes. The students were attentive and full of questions. The students were informed about the different varieties, health benefits and versatility of the potato.

Each student left the class with two separate varieties of potatoes (from the HAL field trials) to take home to try and give feedback on. The students felt honoured to be a part of our consumer trials — being able to taste and respond to the new variety of potatoes.

All of the students and teachers received a WPPL showbag which consisted of past editions of the FGF magazine, variety information chart and recipe cards. They were also given a couple of seed potatoes and information on how to grow them. The students seemed very keen on the idea of growing their own potatoes.

The teacher will contact me when she has received all of the forms from the students.

It will be interesting to see how they respond to the different varieties.

WPPL also donated three bags of Royal Blue potatoes to Warnbro Community College for their Stuffed Spud cooking classes.

st stephens Primary school

rossmoyne senior High school WPPL were invited to do a talk to two separate Year 11 Food Science and Technology classes at Rossmoyne Senior High School.

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WA Grower Spring 2012

Everyone also received a WPPL showbag which consisted of past editions of the FGF magazine, variety information chart and recipe cards.

Western Potatoes are continuously invited to attend schools in the metro area. This year WPPL have attended schools such as Rossmoyne Senior High (Western Potatoes have been invited back for another talk next month), Warnbro (eight classes) and St Stephens Primary.

After several cancellations due to the weather, Western Potatoes were finally able to attend St Stephens Primary School in Duncraig. The weather was absolutely fantastic for an outdoor talk to the entire school of approximately 320 students.

WPPL had an assortment of potatoes that the students could view — ranging from Royal Blue, Ruby Lou, Nadine, Brushed Delaware, Lady Kristl and Krestel potatoes.

Many were quite interested in finding out about the different varieties and their preferred use. There was particular interest in the Kestrel and Brushed Delaware.

With the help of a handful of teachers which included the Principal, we barbequed gourmet Ruby Lou potatoes. The students enjoyed the potatoes so much they kept coming back for seconds and thirds.

At the end of the talk, the students received our free showbags which consisted of past FGF magazines, recipe cards, variety chart, potato information and also our Bud toy. The talk was well received and the students were very well behaved.

The Principal and teachers were so impressed that we have been asked if we would be happy to return later during this year to speak to the High School students.

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Your Industry Associations

Carnarvon CFOC project:

A step ahead searching to achieve good standards for business sustainability in their farms

By Carlos Ramirez Carnarvon Growers Association

The Carnarvon Growers Association (CGA) and the Department of Agriculture and Food, WA (DAFWA), are working hard on a vegetablesWA project that aims to improve the management practices for vegetable production in Carnarvon.

The project is federally funded through the Caring for our Country program and a number of demonstration and trial activities have been identified and are being delivered over the next two years.

As part of this project, a visit from Dr. Neal Kinsey to Carnarvon was arranged in July.

Dr. Kinsey, from the US is a renowned figure in the field of agronomy with a wealth of experience in more than 65 countries around the world. He has performed exceptional work improving soil fertility and subsequently the quality and productivity of crops. His experience includes work in alfalfa, clover, corn, wine and table grapes, bananas, avocados, melons and many other vegetables.

More than 60 growers were attended a number of field days where Dr. Kinsey delivered detailed analysis of soil fertility after reviewing individual farm soil tests.

Table grape growers, Vietnamese tomato growers, zucchini, capsicum, stone fruit, mango, and banana growers actively participated in the field days taking the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and plan the next step to improve their yields and nutrient use efficiency.

Thanks to an intensive program of soil samples and tissue testing that growers have been implementing with the leadership of CGA Agronomist Adam Kirk, the nutrition program of many farms were carefully analysed and discussed. So far, around 30 properties have had comprehensive soil and leaf tissue analyses. After Dr. Kinsey’s visit to Carnarvon, the project goal is to have at 40 more properties involved in soil testing including some demonstration sites.

Dr Kinsey speaking to growers in Canarvon.

14

WA Grower Spring 2012

As a result, in order to start adapting nutritional technologies for sustainable vegetables production in Carnarvon, a set of trials have been implemented at the

Your Industry Associations

DAFF’s Gascoyne Research Station, where three different source of Calcium in three different dosages are being tested against a control treatment in which no Calcium was applied. Our Main target with this trial is to provide growers the best option for efficiently use of Calcium as a way to establish a good nutritive balance in the soil.

Seedless watermelons will be planted and its agronomic development as well as fruit quality, fruit size, weight and its productivity will be compared between the treatments.

In addition to the above, a valuation of 14 different species of cover crops is also in development with the purpose of finding which crop/s is more capable of significantly improving the physical and biological conditions of Carnarvon’s soils. Fourteen different species of clover, brassicas, beans, vetch, sorghum and ray grasses, were planted and irrigated and a detailed agronomic evaluation is taking place.

Reductions in bulk density and increases in soil carbon content will be the main variables to evaluate at the end, including the valuation of three different ways to incorporate their biomass in the soil.

Trials design at Gascoyne Research Station — DAFWA.

As well as these trials are being developed in the DAFWA’s Gascoyne Research Station, some other essays related with the same topics will be implemented in different farms with an active participation of growers.

Some areas of bananas and tomatoes will be planted after the fumigator Sorghum has been incorporated into the soil. These areas will be evaluated to assess this cover crops impact on nematodes population, bulk density, soil carbon content, crop development and final yield. In the same way, other two different areas will be also planted with bananas using two different dosages of calcium and all its development from planting to harvest will be assessed.

Cover crops.

WA Grower Spring 2012

15

Your industrY associations

Strategic targets in Caring for Our Country National Program like soil protection against erosion, preservation of soil fertility and efficient use of water are the most important topics growers have been talking about, letting us see a great commitment with business sustainability as well as a big pressure due to the lack of water in some properties within this region.

To conclude, it is extremely important to recognise the willingness of growers in Carnarvon to participate in the development of the CFOC project in this region with an open mind to listen and provide ideas to achieve good standards of business sustainability in their own farms.

What’s next in the next months the project would be going forward to develop some trials that will give us a better understanding about the movement of the water in Carnarvon soils. This will be the house light to a guide strategy entitled good Agricultural practices in irrigation to advance in the search of high standards of efficient use of water.

16

WA Grower Spring 2012

40 30 20

33.3

0.0

0

44.4

10 22.2

This analysis will be the a guide to give us an orientation about grower’s expectations regarding the project, what are the main strengths and weaknesses in GAP implementation in their farms and what growers would like learn more about among others.

50

0.0

We have been working to build a base line as a key factor to understand how much knowledge our growers have about Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) (see Figure 1) and whether or not this knowledge is being applied in their own farms.

Figure 1 good Agricultural practices knowledge rating

Percentage (%)

A survey about good agricultural practices

1 Non existing

2 Poor

3 Good

4 Very good

5 Excellent

Rating

WA crates

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

0 email: service@wacrates.com.au

Your Industry Associations

Vegetable Producers’ Committee

By Jim Turley Executive officer, APC–VPC

This year the APC-VPC members took into consideration the very tough year for our growers.

Excessive heat, an oversupply of some vegetable varieties and a weaker export market all contributed to a decline in grower’s incomes.

The Committee tried very hard to bring the fee for service charge as even as possible.

That is where growers are paying the same per kilogram irrespective of the container size. Next year 2013–2014 the Committee have advised the APC Commission that they may change the collection of the fee for service from a weight of a container including bins, trailers and trucks to a percentage of value. This will be a similar system to the national levy.

More information If you have any inquires relating to the functions (activities) of your APC Vegetable Producers Committee, please do not hesitate to contact me at Horticulture House Office on (08) 9481 0834.

18

WA Grower Spring 2012

The following projects were approved:

2012–2013

1. Disinfestation of tomatoes.

Mediterranean fruit fly for interstate market access

2013–2014

$50,000

$50,000

$10,000

$10,000

$7,500

7,500

This project is also funded by Horticulture Australia Ltd and the Department of Agriculture and Food.

2. Control of aphid-borne cucurbit viruses 3. Part funding, managing stable fly in vegetable crop residues

This project is also funded by Horticulture Australia Ltd and the Department of Agriculture and Food along with several of their councils.

4. Part funding — vegetablesWA

This project is also funded by other project managing fees.

5. Part funding a Vietnamese Field Extension Officer

$37,000

$38,000

his project is also funded by Royalties for Regions money T and Horticulture Australia Ltd.

6. WA vegetable marketing and promotion 7. Continuing of farm improvements through good practice demonstrations 8. Part funding vegetablesWA Field Extension Officer

$320,000

$25,000 $5,800 $80,000

This project is also funded by Horticulture Australia Ltd.

The fee for service charge for the 2012–2013 financial year has been set at: 1. 4 cents per container of vegetable produce weighing up to 100kg.

2. 40 cents per bin of vegetable produce weighing from 101kg to 1,000kg.

3. 50 cents per tonne of vegetable produce contained within a trailer or truck.

$10,000

Your Production

YOUR

Production

WA Grower Spring 2012

19

Your Production

Irrigating vegetables

have you got enough water for your planned cropping program?

BY RACHEL LANCASTER VEGETABLE RESEARCH OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD, WA

Rainfall during the 2012 winter has been well below average and some vegetable growers in the Perth and South West regions may not have sufficient water to see them through the irrigation season.

Growers need to assess now how much water they think they will have until the end of the irrigation season and plan their cropping programs before water supplies become critical.

In determining supplies, the quality of the water should also be considered.

Water quality is likely to decline as dam/ groundwater levels fall and concentration of salts increase. This will reduce irrigation capacity as the warmer months progress and more water must be applied to remove accumulated salts from the root zone.

Things to consider include: • What area of crop is currently planned until June 2013 and beyond? Consider there may be no significant rainfall events in the near future. Determine the maximum area of crop that can be planted based on your estimated water availability for the irrigation season.

• Do I think I have sufficient water to irrigate the planned crop area, with water of an adequate quality for the crop? Vegetable growers should consider how much water and its likely quality when determining

Pumps, pipes and sprinklers should be checked regularly and leaking components repaired.

20

WA Grower Spring 2012

the number of crops that can be grown with the available supply. As water quality declines, more water may be required to produce a crop. Consider the risks of not being able to finish a crop adequately if planting late in the irrigation season.

• Am I applying water in the most efficient manner? Pumps, pipes and sprinklers should be checked regularly and leaking components repaired. The uniformity of water supply to crops needs to be as even as possible. Irrigation uniformity is affected by sprinkler type and supply pressure, nozzle size, sprinkler and lateral spacing, and wind strength and direction. Check your system regularly for output uniformity. DAFWA is running a Royalties for Regions project that assesses irrigation efficiency on-farm.

Contact James Dee for further information at james.dee@agric.wa.gov.au • Use commercially available soil moisture monitoring devices appropriate for your

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soil type and crops. These can be useful for determining when a crop needs irrigation and to prevent over-watering.

Soil moisture (%) and/or tension (kPa) ‘trigger’ points for irrigation management are available for some vegetable crops in the South West.

• Can I access water of an adequate quality from another source (e.g. a neighbouring property)? This could include moving the water to your property if infrastructure is available and agreements can be made, or leasing land in other areas where water is available. If considering leasing more land, additional issues related to infrastructure, machinery and transport availability should be considered.

• If water quality is reduced, what impact will this have on my crop? Both the amount of crop that can be grown and the quality sent to market may be lower, causing a reduction in income.

• What impact will a reduced crop area/reduced pack-outs have on supply agreements? Talk to your agents/marketers/brokers when you have worked out if your crop supply will be affected. Contacting them early will allow considered business decisions and prevent last minute, hasty decisions.

• What impact will a reduction in income have on my cash flow? Do I need to talk to my credit providers, financial professionals and other people who may be affected? Working out your potential cropping program early will allow time for budgeting and financial decisions to be made without the added pressure of critically reduced cash flow.

More information

Research on Potato Virus Y

BY BRENDA COUTTS PLANT VIROLOGIST, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD, WA

The APC-Potato Producers Committee recently agreed to fund a research project by the Department of Agriculture and Food on developing integrated management strategies for Potato virus Y (PVY) in potatoes.

PVY is an aphid-borne virus that threatens potato production worldwide.

Previously, Western Australia was considered to be free of PVY. However, routine virus testing as part of the WA potato certification scheme has found an increasing number of PVY detections in seed crops since 2009.

PVY infection causes concern for seed and ware crops alike. It results in downgrading of seed potatoes, inhibits seed exports and causes severe tuber yield and quality losses in ware crops.

This project aims to minimise PVY infection in WA seed crops. It will focus on gaining a better understanding of the factors that lead to increases in PVY levels in seed potato crops.

• Identifying weeds that may carry PVY

• Vegetable Irrigation Scheduling System (VISS), www.vegetableswa.com.au

• Testing potato cultivars for susceptibility or resistance to PVY infection

• Good Practice Guide, available from vegetablesWA, vegetableswa.com.au • D epartment of Agriculture and Food website, www.agric.wa.gov.au • S cheduling irrigation of potatoes using tensiometers on light/medium to heavy soils, DAFWA Farmnote 107/2000, www.agric.wa.gov.au

PVY-infected King Edward potato plant with leaf mottle.

Some factors that will be examined include:

Further information relating to water use and irrigation management in vegetable crops is available from:

• Irrigation Calculator which allows you to calculate how much water your crop is likely to need, www.irrigationcalculator.com.au

The DAFWA team on this project includes Brenda Coutts and Roger Jones (plant virologists) and Dale Spencer, David Tooke and Frank O’Donnell (potato inspectors).

• Determining the distribution of PVY in ware and processing potato crops

• Determining if PVY is spread by contact.

From this research, recommendations on management strategies for PVY will be made to the WA seed potato industry so that market access can be maintained.

This research is being done in consultation with seed potato producers to ensure the work is relevant and practical.

PVY-infected potato plant with stem streaking and leaf drop.

WA Grower Spring 2012

21

Your Production

Break crop plots at Manjimup with Swan oats in the foreground (August 2012).

22

WA Grower Spring 2012

Your Production

Oats and sorghum

putting brakes on root knot nematode

BY SARAH COLLINS AND CARLA WILKINSON RESEARCH OFFICERS, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD, WA

Oats and sorghum have shown promise to help break the root knot nematode cycle in a recent research trial.

The two cereals are among break crops being tested at Medina and Manjimup, as part of a national project.

Plant-parasitic nematodes cause significant farm gate losses to the vegetable and potato industries in Australia. The most destructive of these is root knot nematode (RKN, Meloidogyne spp.). This nematode is common in vegetable growing regions, causing yield reduction and galling in a wide range of crops including potatoes, beetroot, lettuce and carrots.

In a 2011 survey of vegetable growing areas in the South West (Gingin, Lancelin, Myalup, Perth metropolitan, Busselton, Manjimup and Pemberton) root knot nematode was found in 70 per cent of paddocks sampled.

Crops and even plant varieties vary in their susceptibility to the nematode and it is thought that crop rotations may decrease numbers in the soil before planting a susceptible vegetable crop.

Most WA growers rely on soil fumigants for control but these are expensive, non-specific, short-lasting and subject to biodegradation in high use areas. Their long-term future use is also in doubt as some commonly used products are being withdrawn from

The DAFWA Manjimup team of Carla Wilkinson, Sarah Collins, technical officer Tyler Loud and Manjimup Senior High School work experience student Jesse Jackson, when planting the trial.

the market. To investigate alternatives to chemical control, we planted a variety of break crops to assess their potential to reduce nematode numbers and tuber damage on a subsequent Ruby Lou potato crop.

Eight break crops were planted in inoculated and non-inoculated plots and three replications. Inoculated plots received a mixed population of Meloidogyne hapla, M. incognita and M. javanica a day before planting.

Trials were planted at Manjimup and Medina to use soils common to WA vegetable growing (clay loam and sand). Break crops were planted in November and May to coincide with planting of the subsequent potato crop and commercial grower practices for these areas.

Fifteen weeks after sowing (February 2012) plots were assessed for nematode multiplication. All crops were then slashed and removed and the remainder was ploughed in. In March 2012 a Ruby Lou potato crop was planted using common fertiliser and disease control practices.

The first trial at Medina Research Station in November 2011 is now nearing completion.

The RKN counts for the Medina trial are shown in Table 1. Root knot nematode WA Grower Spring 2012

23

Your Production

Oats and sorghum have shown promise to help break the root knot nematode cycle.

DNA was detected in only one of the three oat plots and none of the sorghum plots.

Low RKN egg numbers were found in the Rhodes grass, millet and mustard but relatively large numbers in the subclover and field pea plots.

Table 1 Crops assessed for resistance to mixed species of root knot nematode (M. hapla, M. incognita and M. javanica) in Medina field trial Crop

Variety

Oats

Swan

120

0

Jumbo

10

0

Katambora

75

8

Shirorie

10

53

Sorghum Rhodes grass Millet Mustard

24

Seed rate (kg/ha)

RKN (eggs/g roots)

Yellow

5

242

Millet

Nutrifeed

10

525

Subclover

Trikkala

25

1,904

Field pea

Dunwa

100

2,476

WA Grower Spring 2012

Many WA vegetable growers use field peas, oats, subclover and millet as break crops, but these results indicate that subclover and peas might actually favour root knot nematode.

Results from the potato crop planted into the soil in March are still to be analysed.

A similar trial is underway in Manjimup, planted in May and we will report those results in the December issue.

WA Grower December 2009

11

Your Production

Industry participation required for research on fusarium wilt of watermelon Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxsporum f. sp. niveum or FON) affects watermelon plants by infecting the roots and progressing through the vascular system, disrupting water and nutrient intake and eventually resulting in wilt symptoms.

The disease is predominantly caused by a soil borne fungus and is spread via contaminated soil and plant material. It produces resistant spores for long term survival and may remain present in the soil for years.

In Australia there have been reports of FON in watermelon in the major growing regions of New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and very recently an outbreak in the Northern Territory.

The disease significantly impacts the production of watermelon in Australia through loss of yield and limiting the availability of land.

Unfortunately, most of the current in-depth research on the disease is being conducted internationally. It is not known how many strains of FON are present in Australia, nor of its distribution and prevalence around the country’s watermelon production regions.

Such information is vital for the development of effective disease management strategies.

A collaborative research project has been initiated between the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, the University of Sydney, NSW Department of Primary Industries, and the NT Department of Resources, Plant Industries Group, jointly funded by HAL and the respective agencies, to work closely with the watermelon industry in gathering crucial information to better understand the pathogen in Australia.

An integral part of the project is conducting a national survey of the major watermelon production regions. The survey aims to determine the presence and distribution of FON in watermelons across Australia. It is essential that a large enough portion of each region is sampled for the survey to ensure accurate analysis of results.

The survey will involve collecting soil samples and plant material which display symptoms of wilt. In certain cases, healthy plants may also be sampled, as it is not known if FON is able to survive within symptomless plants.

It is essential to the project that producers are made aware that such a study is being conducted, and participation is required for this project to be realised.

Larger numbers of producers involved in the survey will lead to results that are more comprehensive and accurate for the benefit of watermelon industry.

More information If you are a watermelon producer and would like to be involved in the survey, or if you are interested in finding out more information on the project, please contact: • V ictor Puno, MPhil Candidate (The University of Sydney), phone 0408 013 909 or email victor.puno@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au • S arah Houston, vegetablesWA Field Extension Office, phone 0427 373 037 or email sarah.houston@vegetableswa.com.au

A national survey of the major watermelon production regions will involve collecting soil samples and plant material which display symptoms of Fusarium wilt.

WA Grower Spring 2012

25

Your Production

Traps revealed

by soil and plant testing survey

BY AilEEn rEiD HORTICUlTURE DEVElOPMENT OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICUlTURE AND FOOD, WA

Earlier this year I decided to compare analyses from identical samples of soil, plant tissue and sap across a number of Australian laboratories.

like all tests, sap analysis is a snapshot in time, but additional factors affect the result, meaning the snapshot can vary far more than other methods.

This one-off exercise used only one plant species – baby leaf spinach. However, it highlighted some of the issues growers face when sending samples to laboratories, ranging from how the sample is taken, packaging, transit time, analysis methodology, for what, and then the interpretation of results.

The time of day, the water status of the plant at the time of sampling, i.e. whether it is stressed or wilted and the transit time from field to laboratory are some of those factors. When plant tissue is dried those factors do not form part of the variability, so although tissue analysis is also a snapshot, it is subject to less variation than sap analysis.

The reason for undertaking this exercise was partly due to numbers of growers having tests done and: • Not getting relevant interpretation of the results • Concerns about the accuracy of the tests e.g. sap analysis.

Many agronomists use sap analysis because it is quick and easy and most laboratories offer a full spectrum of macro- and micro-elements results with interpretation. In my experience, for field growers, sap analysis is most often only useful for nitrogen, sometimes useful for potassium, and not often useful for phosphorus and other elements.

26

WA Grower Spring 2012

Some observers maintain sap analysis is useful in some situations (particularly greenhouse and hydroponics) and individual laboratories will say that they have a bank of information which makes their interpretations meaningful, but this information is not readily accessible.

How this exercise was carried out and the range of results is explained below. I have included a reasonable level of detail to highlight the care and attention needed when sampling and transporting samples to ensure the best results. Laboratory results show wide variation in both methods and analysis.

Care and attention are needed when sampling and transporting soil and plant samples to ensure the best results.

Method Two beds of spinach (of the same age) were selected at a grower’s property.

Samples of soil and plant tissue were taken mid-morning, according to laboratory instructions and immediately placed in an esky with icepacks for transport back to DAFWA where they were placed in a coolroom at 4ºC. Testing laboratories were selected from the list on the Australasian Soil and Plant Analysis Council Inc. (ASPAC) website. Only two had National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation (the WA ChemCentre and one other).

Sample preparation The soil samples were amalgamated and mixed thoroughly, then resampled to give seven separate samples of approximately 500g each.

Samples for tissue analysis were left as was.

Samples for sap analysis were prepared according to laboratory directions. One laboratory did not specify ‘petioles only’ on the website so whole leaves were sent. The other laboratories all specified petioles so these were carefully excised from each leaf and 150 sent to each laboratory that did sap analysis. All samples were refrigerated prior to posting.

Your Production

A number of overnight express post bags were purchased for interstate samples.

Samples for local laboratories were delivered the same afternoon in an esky filled with icepacks.

interpretation and comment anyway but one charged us for interpretation ($150) though we had specified results only. That same lab also performed sap analysis on one sample where we had requested tissue analysis.

The nitrate results for all laboratories indicated low nitrogen status. In fact, the result from one laboratory was so low I rang and checked directly with them as I thought it was a typographical error!

We were unable to complete preparation of all the samples the same day so two samples for sap analysis were retained overnight and completed the next day, posting shortly prior to the 6pm cut-off time to minimise heating in transit. Those samples were also packed with ice.

Sap testing results

When these results are compared with the dry tissue results there is a huge discrepancy.

All the tissue test results indicated satisfactory nitrogen status (Table 3). At the time we were also monitoring this grower’s crop closely for nitrogen status and our soil tests and crop growth supported the view that nitrogen supply was adequate. Given that nitrogen is the one element for which sap analysis is generally accepted as being useful, this raises serious concerns about its value as a test.

Seven laboratories were compared.

Table 1 details which analyses were requested from each.

It was extremely difficult to ascertain details of many laboratories’ certification/ accreditation. I used the ASPAC website to find which laboratories were certified for which tests, but that information was not on most websites. Most growers would not know how to check that information.

Where a lab provided all three tests we kept the sample for sap testing separate and posted it under another name.

Results The results trickled in over more than four weeks from posting in February. The first test results came back in one week. Two laboratories had to be rung to enquire where the results were and both arrived a day or two later on 5 March. The results from one had written on the top of the report “Printed on 20 February!”

One laboratory lost our contact details for one batch of samples so we would not have received the results had we not rung them.

Those results finally arrived on 14 March, four weeks after sampling. They were sap test results so the snapshot in time had long passed for them to be of any value at all!

We specified ‘results only’ from all laboratories. Some laboratories provided Table 1 ASPAC accreditation details for the laboratories used in the project

Results of the sap tests are set out in Table 2 and shows wide variation between laboratories.

Apart from the known issues of sap analysis, measuring ammonium and nitrate is problematic because conversion of ammonium to nitrate continues after sampling. These samples all took more than overnight to reach their destination except for the ChemCentre, and that is likely to have affected the results.

Another problem with sap analysis is that the result varies according to the hydration of the plant, and even though they were identical when they left us, the difference in transit time (and no doubt different temperatures in transit) is also likely to have affected the results. In addition, the variation in plant part used for analysis would give different results.

Lab number

1

3

Transit time (est. hours)

12

48

48

48

48

Petiole only

Petiole only

Petiole only

Whole leaf

Whole leaf

Plant part used Nitrate

91.0

354.0

16.9

485.0

853.0

Potassium

4,440.0

7,108.0

7,784.0

6,729.0

7,930.0

Calcium

200.0

129.0

16.0

20.0

92.0

Magnesium

500.0

274.0

282.0

835.0

280.0

Chloride Sodium Zinc Sulphate

297.0

11.0

10.2

839.0

1120.0

12.3

245.0

277.0

244.0

4.1

133.0

224.0

1.6

Manganese

3.4

2.2

200.0

319.0

3.8

25.0

12.7

503.0

874.0

22.7

3.0

4.2

0.6

3.0

1.3

0.1

0.0

11.1

17.8

3 ASPAC

3 ASPAC

Cobalt Silicon

3

2,055.0

530.0

308.0

2

3 ASPAC

1,973.0

314.0

1.5

Boron

5

1,654.0

312.0

200.0

Tissue

3

2,320.0 500.0

Copper

3 ASPAC

3 ASPAC

149.0

745.0

3

3

645.0

352.0

Sap

3

500.0

5

300.0

Soil

3 ASPAC

379.0

Ammonium

3 ASPAC

3 ASPAC

4 (first sample) 4 (second sample)

Phosphate

1 3

At the very least, in the light of these sap results, this grower would have been told to

Table 2 Sap testing results (all elements in parts per million)

Lab. number

4

Table 2 shows enormous variation in results between laboratories, especially the micronutrients such as zinc and copper.

The grower had been getting consistent comments back from sap analysis that his EC levels were too high. But we know from the soil test results and our own monitoring that his EC was not a problem.

Iron

Molybdenum

18.0 <0.1

pH

5.9 5.2

6

3 ASPAC

3 ASPAC

Brix %

7

3 ASPAC

3 ASPAC

EC

0.128

19.5

WA Grower Spring 2012

27

Your Production

Table 3 Plant tissue test results Element

Units

Lab 1

Nitrogen (%)

%

4.11

Nitrate (ppm)

mg/kg

Phosphate (%)

%

0.73

0.60

Potassium

%

6.81

6.31

Sulphate

%

0.41

Calcium

%

Magnesium

%

Sodium

%

Chloride

Lab 2

Lab 3

Lab 6

Lab 7

Desirable

Actual

2.0–4.0

4.70

4.50

1.00

<50

0.3–0.7

0.46

2.0–4.0

7.34

0.34

0.3–0.9

0.38

0.42

1.13

0.87

1.5–3.0

0.64

1.10

0.6–1.2

1.23

0.92

0.64

0.4–0.8

0.61

0.84

1.6–1.8

0.64

0.77

0.56

0.2–0.5

0.52

0.73

84.26

%

Desirable

Actual

4.2–5.2

4.26

0.52

0.48–0.58

0.68

7.80

3.8–5.3

7.13 0.48

0.66

1.34

0.2–1.0

2.25

1.30

Manganese

mg/kg

74.00

36.07

40.0–100.0

50.00

41.00

50.0–85.0

31.20

1.48

Iron

mg/kg

510.00

235.44

50.0–150.0

176.00

230.00

220–245

212.00

Copper

mg/kg

25.00

33.12

4.0–10.0

5.00

19.00

7.0–15.0

37.20

Zinc

mg/kg

250.00

98.92

20.0–60.0

173.00

130.00

50.0–7.0

86.50

Boron

mg/kg

56.00

41.14

25.0–60.0

47.00

54.00

42–63

43.20

Molybdenum

mg/kg

3.10

0.5–1.0

1.17

3.70

1.61

1.74

Arsenic

µg/kg

300.0

176.0

Cadmium

µg/kg

990.0

224.0

Chromium

µg/kg

1000.0

484.0

Lead

µg/kg

1100.0

608.0

Nickel

µg/kg

800.0

512.0

Mercury

µg/kg

<20

Cobalt

µg/kg

0.0

Silver

µg/kg

<2000

Selenium

mg/kg

0.0

Antimony

µg/kg

30.0

Vanadium

µg/kg

4900.0

Silica

mg/kg

values are presented on a dry weight basis whereas food safety programs quote on a wet weight basis.

Soil analysis 70

0.2–0.67

53.6 1.23

312

Notes: — denotes excessive levels as cited by the laboratory, — denotes normal levels as cited by the laboratory, — denotes low levels as cited by the laboratory.

apply much more nitrogen and to leach to get his EC levels down. Neither of these is true or necessary.

Tissue analysis Spinach plant tissue was sent to five laboratories. We did not ask for recommendations but two reports commented on desirable levels and where our results sat. Large differences were quoted between desirable levels of nutrients — for example, nitrogen for Labs 3 and 7 (2.0–4.0 versus 4.2–5.2). Consequently, nutrients indicated as low by one lab are normal by the other.

There were also large differences in nutrient levels, as much as 100%, between laboratories (see Table 3). Most of the high levels come from Lab 1, our reference laboratory. When queried on the possible

28

WA Grower Spring 2012

Every soil is different and so interpretation of results needs to be done in the context of the particular soil.

reasons it was explained that most labs only dry plant tissue to 70ºC — for good reason as higher temperatures will distort compounds and so give misleading results.

But at 70ºC the plant sample is not actually dry so Lab 1 will take a separate sample of plant tissue and dry it completely at a higher temperature and then adjust the nutrient analysis results accordingly.

Growers need to be aware that some laboratories measure total nitrogen as a standard test while others do nitrate, and some do not have chloride or sodium as part of their standard test. We asked for heavy metals from those laboratories that offered the service. No problems were found. The values appear high because they are generally quoted in µg/kg. They may also seem high when compared with food safety programs but in tissue analysis the

Table 4 shows the soil test results for pH, EC and a range of nutrients from each laboratory. I have not included some results — all the exchangeable cations/CEC results and heavy metals (the latter were all within normal limits), to keep the table manageable.

Although I asked for a similar soil test from all laboratories, a wide range of results was received.

Up to three different methods were used for one analysis, making it hard for a grower to do anything but ask for interpretation with the result and creating major issues for anyone switching laboratories over time.

Phosphorus had the biggest issue, with M3, Colwell and Olsen all used. Then we have PRI, PSI, PBI and BSES being used to give various interpretations of phosphorus saturation or buffering.

Calcium and magnesium are only given in terms of exchangeable cations by some labs, while others give total calcium as part of the normal analysis but exchangeable cations, which include calcium, has to be requested separately. Sodium and chloride are not a

Your Production

Table 4 Results from one bulked soil sample split into seven sub-samples and sent to seven laboratories around Australia Lab number

1

2

3

Method Result Method Result pH (H2O)

Method

4

5

Result Method Result Method Result Method Result Method Result 8

8.18

8.1

7.7

7.47

7.4

7.2

0.08

0.07

0.113

0.38

0.4

7.2

7.1

7.3

EC (dS/m)

0.08

0.084

0.06

Total C (%)

W&B

Organic matter?

1.74 2.68

W&B

0.62

W&B

0.34

Probably W&B

0.44

C/N ratio

10.23

Total N (%)

0.17

NH4 N

2 M3

>500

P (mg/kg)

Colwell

PRI (mL/kg)

113

0.11

3.8

<1

Nitrate N P (mg/kg)

7

7.9

pH (CaCl2)

Organic carbon

6

KCl

19

<0.6

1.4 M3

2.5

Olsen

90

652.2

M3

394.2

Colwell

144

140

33

25

Olsen

68

-0.7

PBI (L/kg) PSI

1.18

M3-PSR

1.3

BSES P index (mg/kg) K (mg/kg)

M3

47

Colwell

Ca (mg/kg)

M3

1600

M3

59

50-200

604

Exch.

120

M3

Exch.

777

M3

93.4

M3

50.3

M3

1226.9

Colwell

39

66.3 736

Mg (mg/kg)

M3

85

M3

Exch.

58

M3

133

M3

72.3

Zn (mg/kg)

M3

22

M3

4.82

DTPA

4.7

M3

30

M3

15.27

DTPA

4.5

B (mg/kg)

M3

0.2

M3

0.56

0.3–0.5

0.27

M3

1

M3

0.96

Hot CaCl2

0.53

0.4

S (mg/kg)

M3

23

M3

3.8

20–50

14

M3

25

M3

10.6

KCl

1.6

1.2

Cu (mg/kg)

M3

15

M3

8.7

DTPA

6.9

M3

30

M3

16.37

DTPA

7.9

EDTA

30.2

Fe (mg/kg)

M3

230

M3

16.5

DTPA

20.8

M3

444

M3

223.39

DTPA

24

Mikhail

43

Mn (mg/kg)

M3

18

M3

1.7

DTPA

6.5

M3

39

M3

21.35

DTPA

1.4

Mikhail

17

Mo (mg/kg)

M3

<0.01

M3

0.264

Na (mg/kg)

M3

32

M3

Exch.

34

M3

64.4

M3

51.4

M3

25.2

Cl (mg/kg)

M3

86.4 EDTA

23.5

0.6

18.4

30

43.7 21

Notes: Labs 1, 4 and 5 all use the M3 methods for all analysis. Lab 2 uses M3 except for potassium analysis. Others used a mixture of tests. n — denotes excessive levels as cited by the laboratory, n — denotes normal levels as cited by the laboratory, n — denotes low levels as cited by the laboratory.

PRI — Phosphorus retention index, PBI — Phosphorus buffering index, PSI — Phosphorus saturation index.

M3 — Mehlich 3, BSES — Bureau of Sugar Experimental Station, DTPA — diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid, W&B — Walkley and Black.

standard analysis for some laboratories.

Sodium is often given only as part of the exchangeable cations.

Every soil is different and so interpretation of results needs to be done in the context of the particular soil. Most soils on the Swan Coastal Plain are essentially sands with very few nutrients. Any soil test is likely to come back with a raft of ‘problems’ that need fixing. In most cases we need operate under the assumption that we are lacking everything, i.e. hydroponic in nature and therefore need to fertilise accordingly. Any interpretation of results based on local

Table 5 Testing costs (all exclusive of GST) Lab

Sap

Tissue

Soil

1

$250

$228

$383

Included full suite of heavy metals. Sap a one-off.

$49

$51

$32 for basic

$88

$160

2 3

$90

4

$90/$70

$285

5

$75

$94

6

$92.50

$104

7

$175

$100

Batch fee

$30

Interpretation Comments

$75 soil only

Two different charges for same test. Only lab with a batch fee.

Interpretation given though not requested.

WA Grower Spring 2012

29

Your Production

standards (where the testing lab is interstate) is likely to be erroneous.

AsPAc certification compared to nAtA accreditation

Second, deficiencies in plants can occur without a deficiency of that element in the soil. For example, calcium can be affected by water stress or other factors that limit water movement (transpiration) in the plant.

NATA is the highest level of quality control.

NATA accreditation formally recognises the competence of facilities to perform specific types of testing, inspection, calibration, and other related activities.

To quote from The Soil Guide — Bulletin 4343 (downloadable from www.agric.wa.gov. au/pC_92334.html): ‘Soil testing for the macro-nutrients is only reliable for phosphorus and potassium. The values need to be calibrated with plant yield, and are used to provide an estimate of the phosphorus or potassium present. However, soil testing is not precise and can only provide a rough guide (Gartrell and Bolland 1987; Bolland et al. 1989). Soil tests for micronutrients have been developed to a limited extent in WA.’

The criteria for determining competence are based on relevant international standards (e.g.

ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 15189, ISO/IEC 17020) and include: the qualifications, training and experience of staff; correct equipment that is properly calibrated and maintained; adequate quality assurance procedures and appropriate sampling practices.

cost comparisons Table 5 details the charges incurred from each laboratory for their services.

ASPAC certification focuses on compliance with a standardised set of methods and products. It assumes labs are all doing tests the same way. ASPAC operates a soil and plant tissue Inter-Laboratory Proficiency Programme (ILPP). Both consist of three rounds with four soil samples in each round. Participation in ASPAC is recommended by NATA.

The IlPP is designed to compare results from laboratories. Results are circulated so individual laboratories can see how they have performed relative to others and whether any corrective action is necessary.

Laboratories doing the ILPP do not have their QA/QC system monitored or peer reviewed regularly by an expert. Soil and plant testing and its interpretation challenges even the ‘experts’ at times. It is seldom the complete answer to solving a problem. Often a close look at the history of the crop including weather, fertilisers and irrigation will yield as much, if not more, insight than testing.

Some basic monitoring of the soil for at least pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and phosphorus is always advisable. Tissue analysis can be useful, especially when used in conjunction with soil analysis but neither is the complete answer or the only answer.

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farming more sustainable and restoring the natural environment.

Mr Gulliver said “We initially started our business making premium composts and mulch, but over time have adopted a holistic approach helping the farming community recycle carbon back to restore soil productive capacity and resilience’’.

To reflect the diversity of the companies’ activities, Custom Composts name has changed to C-Wise as of August 24, 2012, bonus points if you have already figured out the ‘C’ stands for carbon!

Under the C-Wise banner are three new brands that can help you recycle and build soil carbon naturally: • C-renewal is the waste management arm that enables you to recycle organic waste naturally.

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You can find out more by visiting the new C-Wise website at www.cwise.com.au and while you are there, register to be kept informed about upcoming seminars and new product developments.

Custom Composts founders Andy Gulliver and Dave Cullen.

30

WA Grower Spring 2012

more information For more information, email info@cwise.com.au or contact C-Wise direct on (08) 9581 9582.

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Your Production

Careless chemical use could trigger serious penalties Several recent incidents have raised concerns that farmers are putting themselves at risk of fines under environmental and safety laws.

Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) Manager of Environmental Hazards Ken Raine said that his officers had been called out to a number of incidents involving chemicals and fires at vegetable farms this year.

Reports received from members of the public, WA Police and the Fire and Emergency Service (FESA) allege serious impacts from

chemical odours, black smoke emissions and improper application and disposal of pesticides, Mr Raine said.

“While the vast majority of operators are very diligent in their operations, it just takes a bit of carelessness to focus community concerns on the whole industry,” he suggested.

DEC is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 that prohibits the burning of materials such as plastics, rubber and chemicals, illegal dumping of chemical containers, and causing health/ environmental harm from the application of chemicals.

“We have officers on emergency roster 24/7 and can respond quickly when notified,” he said. “Our officers are trained to respond to hazardous material incidents, collect evidence and take enforcement action when required. They have powers to enter properties and investigate where there is a risk to the environment and public health.”

When not used correctly chemicals are hazardous and can cause serious impacts to nearby residents’ health and the environment around vegetable farms, including native trees and waterways. Often the problem is made worse due to a lack of separation and adequate buffer zones between farms and residential properties.

Operators should ensure that they comply with the directions on the label for all chemicals and make certain that there will not be off-site impacts to public health or the environment, he advised.

A DEC Officer collecting a sample from a spray unit on a vegetable farm.

32

WA Grower Spring 2012

Where spills, leaks or off-site impacts are causing health issues, a number of agencies may become involved, including the Department of Health, Fire Services,

Your Production

Police, WorkSafe and local government environmental health officers, so avoiding such incidents is really important.

Burning of prohibited waste (tyres, chemical containers, plastics) on a vegetable farm.

Penalties range from $250 on-the-spot fines, to $1 million and five years jail for serious offences. DEC has an Enforcement and Prosecutions Policy that is available at www.dec.wa.gov.au.

• Burying chemicals, their containers, hazardous waste, asbestos, etc. on-site

• Burning materials producing dark smoke emissions for more than four minutes.

Some practices that could result in environmental offences are:

• Dumping or disposing of waste in bushland or public lands

• Causing health or environmental impacts off-site, including incorrect application of chemicals such as pesticides

• Burning plastic material (e.g. crates, reticulation pipes), tyres, carpets, car parts, waste oils, etc.

Mr Raine said that he hoped that this information would help the industry avoid problems with environment, safety and health authorities.

WA Grower Spring 2012

33

Your Production

Drip irrigation

looking good on caulis

BY ALISON BEATTIE Development officer Irrigated Agriculture and Diversification, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD, WA — MANJIMUP

to withstand hot days without the cooling effect of the overhead irrigation. Weather in the first week after transplanting was mild and none of the treatments showed signs of stress, however on the first hot day about a week later, all plants in the drip plots wilted severely. All plants recovered well and did not show any further signs of heat or water stress for the remainder of the crop life, even on subsequent hot days and heat waves (such as around Australia Day).

At harvest, curd weight, quality and date were recorded for each treatment. Average marketable curd weights were: • overhead irrigation • one drip line per bed • two drip lines per bed

Manjimup Horticultural Research Institute manager Ian Guthridge at harvest in March.

Drip irrigation looks able to save at least 25 per cent of water compared with overhead irrigation, according to a recent demonstration on cauliflowers at the Manjimup Horticultural Research Institute (MHRI).

The demo was part of the Good Practice project run by DAFWA with vegetablesWA to test the concept of using drip irrigation for brassica crops in the Manjimup district over summer.

were two overhead irrigated plots and four plots each of the two drip line set-ups. Half of the drip line plots also had overhead irrigation set up to be used in the case of severe water or heat stress to prevent permanent damage or death of the crop.

Overhead irrigation was used on all plots for site preparation, including weed control, as well as irrigating on the day of transplanting to reduce stress and settle the soil. Irrigation rates for all treatments were based on daily evaporation.

• two lines of 1.75L/hr drip running down the two planting rows in each bed.

The demo was planted on 4 January 2012 with Boris cauliflowers. All treatments were planted in 1.7m wide beds with two rows per bed and 35cm within-row spacing.

All received the standard MHRI brassica fertiliser program. Post-plant fertiliser for the overhead irrigation treatments was applied through a boom spray while drip line plots received fertiliser through the drip line.

Both drip lines were pressure compensated and had a dripper spacing of 30cm. There

A major concern before planting was that the drip-irrigated plots would not be able

Two drip line set-ups were compared to standard overhead irrigation: • a single line of 3.75L/hr drip running down the centre of each bed

34

WA Grower Spring 2012

1,052g 994g 1,038g

No statistical analysis has been done, as this was not a fully replicated trial. Only small differences were found in the average curd weights between the treatments.

Between three and five harvests were required for all plots, the average being four for overhead and 4.5 for the two drip set-ups.

The overhead irrigation plots matured earlier with peak harvest three to four days earlier than drip-irrigated plots.

The drip-irrigated plants tended to be greener, lusher and had more vegetative growth than the overhead-irrigated plants.

This could be due to luxury amounts of water and nutrient available, contributing to the later harvest. Larger plants did not lead to larger curds in the drip-irrigated plots and indicates that savings could be made in water and/or nutrient application without reducing yield.

Roots of mature plants showed that the cauliflowers were very good at chasing water, and the root systems had different patterns of growth depending on the irrigation used.

It is not known if all varieties react in the same way.

Your Production

Soil moisture sensors were placed under the three treatments at 0–15, 15–30 and 30–60cm deep and all data logged. Soil temperature (0–10cm) and rainfall were also recorded.

Data from sensors showed that under the drip systems soil moisture in the root zone was more consistent. With overhead irrigation soil moisture would peak with an irrigation event, then fall quickly as water drained away. The peaks and troughs were much smaller under the two-line drip treatments and smaller again under the one-line treatment. More consistent soil moisture may lead to more consistent and even growth.

All treatments received evaporation replacement irrigation rates over the life of the crop. This alone led to a 25 per cent saving in water use from the overhead irrigation system simply by watering only the areas needed. This saving could be increased even more by cutting back irrigation rates to below evaporation replacement. The drip

systems also required less time to apply the same amount of water, leading to reduced pumping costs. Potentially there may also be savings in weed and disease control due to the more targeted application of water leading to less weed growth and reduction in free water on the leaves reducing risk of disease. Minimal disease occurred in any of the plots so no comparison could be made between treatments.

A field walk was held on 8 March and growers and industry reps were also invited to view the crop at harvest in late March.

Further trials are planned for the coming summer. These will focus on determining optimum irrigation and fertiliser rates and the potential to reduce these in drip irrigated systems compared with overhead irrigated systems.

At harvest, curd weight, quality and date were recorded for each treatment.

More information Further information, contact me at alison.beattie@agric.wa.gov.au.

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35

Threat of tomato potato psyllid and associated disease in Australia

Photos: S.I. Rondon, Oregon State University, USA

Your Production

Zebra chip symptom in a cooked potato.

BY STEWART LEARMONTH Senior Research Officer Irrigated Agriculture and Diversification, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD, WA

Tomato potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) is the vector for the bacterial disease Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (Lso) that affects solanaceous crops, especially potatoes, tomatoes, capsicums and tamarillos.

The vector and disease combination has caused severe damage in New Zealand in the last few years, and in July Potatoes New Zealand hosted a two-day conference to discuss its management. Neither the vector nor the disease has been recorded in Australia yet, but could cause similar issues here.

to the increasing international trade in fresh horticultural produce. The NZ potato industry suffered a loss of $120 million in 2011, the value of tomatoes and capsicums was reduced by about $5 million, and the number of tamarillo growers fell from 120 to 40 from 2007 to 2011.

The vector and disease were first recorded as a problem in US potatoes in 1999, but Lso was not identified as the causal agent until 2008 (Liefting et al. 2009). An accidental incursion took it to NZ in 2006 and by 2009 it had spread across the country.

Potatoes New Zealand Inc. organised and hosted a two-day conference in late

Thanks to funding from the Agricultural Produce Commission Vegetable Producersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Committee, I was able to attend the NZ conference and believe Australia needs to be prepared for its possible arrival.

TPP, as it is known, is a sucking insect that reduces yield. This can occur both directly through reduced plant vigour and resultant yield loss through insect feeding, and indirectly by transmitting Lso which results in discoloured fruit, plant death and poor tuber quality through brown flesh, especially in cooked processing potatoes resulting in the disorder zebra chip.

The disease survives only within its insect and plant hosts. To protect potato crops, US growers have paid up to $870/ha for preventative insecticide spray programs.

TPP and the associated bacterial disease Lso were first recorded in NZ in 2006 in and around Auckland. How it reached NZ is not known but is probably related

36

WA Grower Spring 2012

Life cycle stages of the tomato potato psyllid.

July 2012 as a means of disseminating information and reviewing progress on managing the vector and disease. The conference included presentations from a cross-section of NZ industry, researchers and chemical companies. Two scientists and a potato farmer from US and one Australian researcher who is involved with TPP research in NZ also attended. Potatoes New Zealand plans to post videos of all presentations on its website.

A request is before the Australian Government to allow entry of NZ processing potatoes. While these are unlikely to carry the insect, they may be infected with the disease. A survey is underway in Australia to see if psyllids are present that could possibly act as vectors for the bacterial disease.

Information from US and NZ on mobility

Your Production

Sequence of infection of Lso in a potato crop.

of TPP indicates the insect is unlikely to travel on wind streams to Australia. The most likely introduction of the psyllid is through a breach of quarantine with fresh plant produce either by an individual or commercial consignment.

Given the severity of damage by TPP and Lso experienced in North America and NZ, eradication should be considered if they are found in Australia.

The early detection and management of a pest of its severity is critical to protecting these tomato and potato industries. The expertise in analysing plant material for Lso is available within Australia (Constable 2012).

Should the pest and/or disease arrive in WA, it would be expected to spread rapidly on both cultivated and weed hosts within the metropolitan area and to the South West.

Information to allow Australian growers to readily identify tomato potato psyllid and symptoms of Lso in crops is already available through a factsheet by AUSVEG and Horticulture Australia Limited in 2010. Repeated reminders to the farming community should be undertaken so that should an incursion occur, it can be detected early.

Details of any eradication program would need to be based on current information at the time and experts from NZ, US and Australia should be included in any such campaign. Work in the South Island of NZ

at least has demonstrated that an Integrated Pest Management approach to managing TPP is possible. Whether this can be modified to be implemented for the warmer North Island and hence relevant to the warmer parts of Australia will become clearer as further research is undertaken.

More information Further information and references.

AUSVEG and HAL (2010). The tomato potato psyllid. Factsheet.

Liefting LW, Sutherland PW, Ward IL, Paice KL, Weir BS, Clover GRG (2009) A new â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Candidatus Liberibacterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; species associated with diseases of Solanaceous crops. Plant Disease 93 (3): 208 214.

Constable F (2012) Protocols to protect Australian potatoes from zebra chip. Potatoes Australia June/July 2012: 24 25.

Potatoes New Zealand: www.potatoesnz.co.nz.

Link to DAFF Biosecurity Draft report for the review of import conditions for fresh potatoes for processing from New Zealand.

3 July 2012. 21 pages: www.daff.gov.au/ba/ reviews/current-plant/potatoes_from_nz/ draft_report-nz_potatoes.

Typical pattern of necrosis in a fresh potato tuber infected with Lso.

WA Grower Spring 2012

37

Your Production

New project aims for

“More Dollars per Drop” for growers for the whole of industry and an opportunity for growers to benchmark themselves against other businesses.

2. Web-based water use efficiency decision support tools User-friendly decision support tools will be developed in partnership with vegetablesWA to assist growers with:

Department of Agriculture and Food WA employees in training to carry out assessments of irrigation systems on farms.

• Irrigation scheduling

• Crop management

• Recommendations

• Record keeping

• Water use efficiency measures

• Other farm management tools

Training in the use of these applications will be offered by local natural resource management groups.

3. Targeted demonstration sites

Improving water use efficiency in WA’s vegetable, fruit, viticulture and dairy industries is the focus of a new Royalties for Regions project led by DAFWA. The $3.8 million project aims to help growers achieve ‘more dollars per drop’ through efficient water use and storage on-farm. vegetables WA is a partner in the project, with Field Extension Officer Sarah Houston and the new Vietnamese Extension Officer spending some of their time with growers working on this initiative.

Executive Officer of vegetables WA, Jim Turley, welcomed the project which will help growers to better meet demand for fresh and safe food.

“Using water wisely on-farm can mean the difference between profit and loss,” said Mr Turley. “More efficient water use will help us operate sustainable businesses in the face of increased climate variability and diminishing

38

WA Grower Spring 2012

water resources. It is important we continually improve our capacity as growers to capture opportunities and enhance our management skills and practices for the tougher seasons.”

The project will run for three years and consists of three key elements: 1. Individual on-farm assessments A minimum of 50 vegetable growers across WA (with the capacity to do more depending on response) will take part in a free comprehensive on-farm assessment of their irrigation systems and production capacity.

Eight demonstration sites across the vegetable, fruit, viticulture and dairy industries will be developed so growers can see practical applications of technology and management practices that may lead to better water use efficiency on-farm.

The locations and design of demonstration sites will be developed and decided in collaboration with industry, and input from growers will be taken on board.

The project builds on previous successful collaborations including the “Waterwise on the Farm” and “Vegetable Irrigation Scheduling Systems” projects.

The assessment will be carried out b DAFWA specialists and vegetablesWA Field Extension Officers. Growers will be able to evaluate their current water use efficiency and potential for improvement against industry ranges and averages.

“More Dollars per Drop” complements the department’s Future Horticulture program which seeks to identify resources and technologies to expand and improve irrigated agriculture and food production in Western Australia.

DAFWA will provide a final summary of water use efficiency to the vegetable industry without identifying individual businesses, and circulate it to all growers through vegetablesWA. This will provide a useful baseline of water use efficiency

More information For more information about the water efficiency project and to check your property is within the project scope if you would like to be involved, contact vegetablesWA Field Extension Officer Sarah Houston on 0427 373 037 or sarah.houston@vegetableswa.com.au

Your industrY

YOUR

industrY

WA Grower Spring 2012

39

Your industrY

Keeping within our limits this summer

The 2012 winter is tracking to end up with another year of lower than average rainfall, and consequently, lower inflows to dams and less groundwater aquifer recharge.

The Department of Water is already implementing a dry seasons strategy similar to that used in 2010 in response to the south west’s driest winter on record.

“The Department is preparing information to be sent out to all major stakeholders and industry groups to reinforce the need for efficient water use over the dry summer period,” Department of Water Executive Director Regional Delivery and Regulation Paul Brown said.

Paul has urged irrigators to focus on working within their entitlements as part of their business planning in the coming months.

“If you do your planning and you believe that you are going to be short of water, you need to look at how your business will manage that through efficiencies and trades,” Paul said.

“The water register on the department’s website identifies other licensees who may want to trade water and thus will help water users if they want to increase their water entitlement.

“You can log on and find if there is water available in your area, and if there is, you can contact the Department and apply for an increase in your entitlement.

“If water isn’t available there’s sufficient information on other users within your areas for you to approach another licensee and see if they are willing to trade some of their entitlement.

“Licensees should also endeavour to incorporate efficiencies into their systems where possible.”

Paul said the department’s officers are happy to provide advice to licensees who are unsure of how to conduct a temporary or a permanent water trade.

“In 2010-11 a number of businesses in the areas affected by the dry season used this method as a way to meet their business’ water demands.

40

WA Grower Spring 2012

Your Industry

South West Western Australia Streamflow Deciles — August 2012.

“In that year the volume of water temporarily traded increased significantly across the state.”

To trade all or part of the water entitlement of a licence to a different person on a different property, you will need to complete a Form 4T Application for Transfer of Water Entitlement or Transfer of Water Licence.

To enter into an agreement to lease part of another licensee's water entitlement (temporary trade) for a temporary period of time not exceeding the expiry date of the original licence, you will need to complete a Form 4A – Application to enter into an agreement to take water under an existing licence for a limited time.

Paul said that while trades are one way of continuing operations during dry periods, water may not always be available.

“This is where we have found that the temptation exists to breach the entitlements,” Paul said.

“Taking more water than allowed can impact on other water users, put the sustainability of the water resource at risk from over-abstraction and risk damage to local environments that are already under stress from the lack of rain.”

As water resources are becoming fully allocated, the department has focused its compliance and enforcement activities into high risk areas.

“Compliance activities make sure people don’t overdraw,” Paul said.

The department is continuing the approach of educating licensees, particularly in areas

Perth-Leederville Aquifer.

of high usage and high risk, of the need to comply with license conditions.

“If licensees deliberately or repeatedly breach license conditions and use more water than they are entitled to, the department will take action,” Paul said.

Western Australia’s efforts to protect its water sources from illegal use have been bolstered by the Commonwealth Governments approval of its compliance and enforcement plan this year.

Water Minister Bill Marmion said the integration of the state’s compliance and enforcement plan with a national framework would provide the state with extra resources to assist its increased efforts in this important area of operations.

WA’s implementation plan for the National Framework for Compliance and Enforcement Systems for Water Resource Management was approved by the Federal Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities the Hon Tony Burke.

“The plan’s approval not only gives third party validation to our directions in this area of water resource management, it also gives the state extra resources at a much needed time for water resource management in WA,” Mr Marmion said The National Framework for Compliance and Enforcement Systems for Water Resource Management is a collaborative reform program agreed by the Council Of Australian Governments and funded by the Australian Government.

“The Department of Water licenses over 2700 GL of the state’s water to service providers, industry, business and community organisations for a range of purposes including drinking water, growing food, manufacturing of goods and maintaining parks and sports grounds.

“It uses world class water science to ensure that water supplies are not over-exploited and allocation of water for the entire community remains equitable and viable.

“To ensure these management decisions are followed on the ground, the state has recognised the need to increase its ability to identify and penalise water users who want to go outside the state’s water laws.”

The national framework is a Commonwealth Government initiative to combat unlawful activities that threaten the sustainability of Australia’s water resources.

Mr Marmion said WA was a unique jurisdiction that did not necessarily share the same water resource management issues as other states.

“While we do not share some of the issues with other states, we all share in common a need to ensure valuable water resources are kept sustainable,” he said.

“Implementation of the National Framework will ensure that Western Australia is in partnership with the Commonwealth Government to create the most effective compliance and enforcement systems for water resource management.”

More information For more information on the contents or resources mentioned in this article, contact wrl@water.wa.gov.au

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Your Industry

Biting back

against stable fly Stable fly is an international pest of Afro-tropical origins was first reported in Western Australia exactly 100 years ago. It is now well established and is a major irritant to livestock and humans each summer as the adult fly sucks blood to complete its lifecycle.

BY IAN MCPHARLIN Senior Development officer Irrigated Agriculture and Diversification, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD, WA

For this reason eight local governments are combining with vegetablesWA, the Department of Agriculture and Food, WA (DAFWA), University of Western Australia (UWA) and Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) to research and develop new ways to counter the pest.

One of the main breeding sites for stable fly and other nuisance flies in WA was raw poultry manure when used as fertiliser and soil amendment. The use of raw poultry manure is now banned in 12 local government areas on the Swan Coastal Plain, most of which are involved in the new research project.

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

UWA entomologist David Cook has already been working with the Gingin Shire, one of the largest contributors, and will have a major role.

The Swan Coastal Plain is most affected by the fly, which breeds readily in vegetable crop waste left after harvest that rots quickly on our hot, sandy soils. Work will begin in October as the fly becomes more active during warmer weather.

The cities of Swan and Wanneroo plus the shires of Capel, Chittering, Dandaragan, Gingin, Harvey and the town of Kwinana have committed to fund the project over the next three years, with the vegetable industry providing funds from its fee for service through the Agricultural Produce Commission. Involvement from the vegetable industry through vegetablesWA President Maureen Dobra and staff has been greatly appreciated with them closely involved in planning discussions.

New products that are reported to enhance the breakdown of crop residues so there is less time for stable fly to breed, will be tested in vegetable crops in the field. These organic matter accelerators also alter the microbial population within the decomposing vegetable matter on the soil which may render the vegetable matter less attractive to stable fly in the first instance and less supportive of its larval development.

Managing the fly is a worldwide problem and the warm conditions combined with our sandy porous soils appear to be particularly favourable for breeding by world standards so world class practices and novel approaches to manage this pest fly will be required.

Control of stable fly is being transferred from the Health Act to the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act (known as the BAM Act), which is administered by DAFWA. Stable fly is a declared pest at Level 3, where Level 1 is statewide exclusion, Level 2 is statewide management, and Level 3 is management in specific areas.

A regulatory reference group should be established by the end of the year to assist in these processes, which will include training of local government staff in best management practices for controlling stable fly.

vegetablesWA President Maureen Dobra discusses the stable fly problem with City of Wanneroo Coordinator of Health Services, Wayne Harris and City of Swan Environmental Health Officer Neil Harries.

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More information Further information from Ian McPharlin on (08) 9368 3671 or 0427 984 870, or email ian.mcpharlin@agric.wa.gov.au.

Your Industry

Vegies down in Carnarvon in 2011

Total value of vegetables grown in the Carnarvon plantation area, including melons, slumped by 16 per cent in the 2011 calendar year, according to new statistics.

Production and value statistics have been assembled for the Department of Agriculture and Food based on transport company manifests and monthly weighted average sales from the Perth Market Authority. They do not include local sales, private sales and movements north of Carnarvon.

Among vegetable crops, tomatoes played a significant role worth more than $19 million compared with others combining for $16 million (see Table 1).

Table 1 Crop volume and value Produce

2009 Tonnes

Bananas

5,383

2010

Gross value ($)

Tonnes

11,849,421

Gross value ($)

4,946

Tonnes

7,186,720

Gross value ($)

4,789

22,142,863

% of total

11%

16%

11%

10%

11%

31%

Vegetables

22,547

24,828,343

22,595

22,686,599

22,595

16,484,977

47%

33%

52%

31%

52%

23%

1,975

6,078,645

1,101

3,746,450

1,671

3,542,563

4%

8%

3%

5%

4%

5%

1,649

11,092,504

1,428

14,136,477

755

5,760,088

% of total Tree fruits

% of total Grapes

% of total

3%

15%

3%

19%

2%

8%

Rockmelon, Honeydew & Watermelon

8,303

7,627,612

5,934

5,424,112

6,478

4,996,612

% of total

17%

10%

14%

7%

15%

7%

7,752

14,330,092

7,830

20,526,127

7,363

19,129,246

16%

19%

18%

28%

17%

27%

47,609

75,806,617

43,833

73,706,485

43,650

72,056,349

Tomatoes

% of total TOTALS

Floods in late 2010 and early 2011 delayed some plantings, but overall production changed little. Beans, butternut pumpkins, capsicums, cucumbers and zucchini fell substantially in value, some of these affected also by disease.

Table 2 Crop volume, crop value and percentage change

In contrast, Carnarvonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s iconic banana industry achieved healthy profits in 2011, despite slightly lower production than the previous year. This was due to very high prices in June and July resulting from a national banana shortage caused by Cyclone Yasi in Queensland.

Capsicum

Banana production was very similar to 2010 at just less than 5,000 tonnes but gross value tripled to more than $22 million.

2011

Crop

2010 Tonnes

Basil Beans

2011

Value ($)

119

174,997

Tonnes

% change

Value ($)

Tonnes

Value

144

198,656

20.7

13.5

391

2,496,427

348

1,274,750

-11.0

-48.9

2,755

9,834,993

2,650

6,294,341

-3.8

-36.0

Chilli

223

1,234,735

373

1,162,424

66.9

-5.9

Cucumber

594

1,556,599

408

1,317,964

-31.3

-15.3

Eggplant

623

1,929,701

628

1,547,833

0.8

-19.8

All melons

5,934

5,424,112

6,478

4,996,612

9.2

-7.9

Pumpkins

1,699

869,938

2,294

1,598,563

35.0

83.8

620

475,738

429

246,889

-30.8

-48.1

Butternuts Sweet corn Tomatoes Cherry tomatoes Zucchini Other vegetables Total vegetables

216

451,692

413

710,627

91.3

57.3

6,643

14,055,137

5,955

12,210,534

-10.4

-13.1

1,186

6,470,990

1,407

6,918,712

18.6

6.9

1,137

3,151,155

888

1,345,576

-21.9

-57.3

180

510,622

180

787,355

0.0

54.2

22,320

48,636,838

22,595

40,610,835

1.2

-16.5

Banana production in 2011 was very similar to 2010 at just less than 5,000 tonnes but gross value tripled to more than $22 million.

WA Grower Spring 2012

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WA Grower Spring 2012

Your Industry

Grower profile Insights with Ivan Ivankovic Sarah Houston Field Extension Officer VegetablesWa

Ivan Ivankovic has worked in Horticulture all his life; from studying at the University of Zagreb in Croatia, to managing horticultural industries in his home village, working as a research officer at the WA department of Agriculture and Food, and as a very successful strawberry and vegetable grower. Ivan has done it all.

Today Ivan is still a partner in a vegetable production business growing tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage in Carabooda. He lives on the farm, and so is active in monitoring the crops and advising on management practices such as irrigation and nutrition. The business successfully produces excellent quality, high yield crops which Ivan puts down to understanding the plants requirements for nutrition and water, as well as knowledge of soil properties and of course hard work.

“The most important thing for growers to get right is the correct balance of nutrients in the soil. Not just N, P & K, but minor nutrients as well. Too much of one element can mean others are not available to the plant, no-matter how much fertiliser you put on the crop”.

Ivan grew up on the coast of Croatia (then Yugoslavia) and after school went to study horticulture at one of Europe’s top agricultural universities in Zagreb. The degree not only involved science subjects such as chemistry and plant physiology, but also accounting, politics and business management. After completing his studies and a year in the army, Ivan went back to his home village where he was employed to manage the local industries and utilise all resources available including tourism, wine, olive oil, figs, lavender, carob nuts, bay leaves and fishing. The land they farmed was rocky and difficult to prepare, but the

town did very well from these industries under Ivan’s leadership.

On a hot day in February 1967, Ivan arrived in Western Australia to work with his cousin on a farm. The plan to purchase and work a large scale farm to support their families did not quite work out, and so Ivan worked in a biscuit factory to earn a living before applying for a role at the Department of Agriculture. Here Ivan worked in research and industry for 13½ years. Much of his work in these years was based around irrigation, nutrition management and growth regulators in all types of soils and in all regions from Carnarvon to Albany.

During this time, Ivan and his wife purchased a farm in the Wanneroo area and began growing strawberries. Starting out with 5000 strawberry plants, the business grew exponentially over the next few years until in 1982 they were planting 100,000 plants and needed to move to the current property in Carabooda. By 1993, 2.7 million strawberry plants were planted and Ivan continued this large scale of production until 2001. The business was gradually scaled back between 2001 and 2006, and today the strawberries are grown on a much smaller scale in rotation with the other vegetables.

“In all the time we have grown on our property, we have never gone over our water allocation, even when we were watering 2.7 million strawberry plants.

Understanding irrigation management, irrigation design and hydraulics is important for growers to know how much WA Grower Spring 2012

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Your Industry

water they are putting on their crops, and using it as efficiently as possible.

Understanding how water moves through the soil is also essential for growers to know how much water the plants are taking up.â&#x20AC;?

Today Ivan is still involved in vegetable production, mainly by advising on the crops grown on his property, but also through advising and helping other growers in his area with their production practices.

Over the years, including his time in Croatia, the Department of Agriculture and Food, WA and as a strawberry grower, Ivan has accumulated extensive knowledge and experience around nutritional management of plants and maximising water use efficiency in commercial horticultural production.

With his high level of education, extensive experience and passion for production, Ivan is a valuable resource for the vegetable industry and is now committing more of his time to helping others achieve results through understanding good irrigation and nutritional management.

He has been involved in numerous research studies on topics such as the impact of organic matter in soils, nutrient exchange in soils and crop requirements for nutrients.

He has a wealth of knowledge that has contributed to improvements in many horticultural practices.

More information More information on Ivanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s research and experience will be published in this section of future WA Grower editions. If you would like to know more about any of the topics mentioned above, or you would like to speak to Ivan about nutritional or irrigation management on your farm, please contact vegetablesWA Field Extension Officer Sarah Houston on 0427 373 037 or sarah.houston@vegetableswa.com.au.

Ivanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vegetable Production Tips Crop rotations Use rotation so that you grow shallow, medium and deep rooted crops throughout the year on your soil.

Organic matter Incorporate organic matter into your soil. Grow cover crops to reduce soil erosion (from wind etc), to rest the land, and to be able to incorporate before the next crop.

Cultivation Use minimal and careful cultivation in sandy soil. Use discs rather than rotary hoe to incorporate vegetable waste/cover crops.

Nitrogen management High N levels at later stages in the crop can suppress other important nutrients such as calcium, resulting in poor quality end product. Calcium is important for cell structure and hence essential for good quality vegetables with good shelf-life.

Nutritional Balance Understand plant requirements for nutrients and fertilise accordingly as the plants need. Nutrients in the soil must be in a form that is available to the plants for them to take up these nutrients. Ensuring you have the right balance of nutrients will reduce the risk of one element cancelling out another.

Pest and disease management Time your planting of crops during seasons when pests and diseases are low for each particular line.

If the crops receive the correct nutrients from your fertiliser program, they will be stronger against pests and diseases.

Irrigation Understand how your irrigation is set up and how it delivers the water to your plants. Irrigation design should ensure that water delivery to the whole system is uniform and efficient.

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WA Grower Spring 2012

Your Industry

Gac

Rural Industries RDC’s Asian and World Foods Newsletter

Photos: Ron Aggs, DPI, NSW

a potential new Australian industry?

A NSW DPI study funded by the Rural Industry and Development Corporation (RIRDC) is examining the production of ‘Gac’, as a potential new cucurbit crop for the Australian vegetable industry.

Dr Sophie Parks with a Gac.

Gac or cochinchin gourd (Momordica chochinensis Spreng) is a tropical perennial vine endemic to Vietnam, areas of South East Asia and the tip of the Cape York Peninsula in Australia.

The ripened flesh around the Gac seeds (aril) are traditionally used in Vietnamese cuisine in the sticky rice dish ‘Xoi Gac’. It colours the rice a bright orange and is made especially for weddings and New Year celebrations. The aril is a rich source of carotenoids, having a high concentration of both lycopene (at least five times that of tomato) and beta carotene (at least eight times that of carrot) which are natural antioxidants medically proven to chemically protect cells and fight vitamin A deficiency. This fruit also contains a high concentration of vitamin E, protecting the natural polyunsaturated oils in the fruit from becoming oxidised.

In addition to the fresh market, one potential market for this fruit is as a processed product for the carotenoids market, a world market that is worth over US$766 million.

Greenhouse production trials are being conducted at Gosford on the NSW Central Coast. The species has male and female plants so vegetative propagation is necessary to increase the number of female plants, the ones that produce fruit. A preliminary propagation trial using cuttings has been successful and new plants have been grown on, to produce fruits. As it is a tropical fruit, greenhouse production is required in temperate areas of Australia but it can be grown as a field crop in tropical regions.

Information from the trials will be used to conduct a cost benefit analysis for fruit production and processing.

Project collaborator, Associate Professor Minh Nguyen of East West Research has shown previously that the dried and powdered Gac product can retain its colour and qualities in storage. There is good potential for its use in the food industry as a colourant and nutritious supplement.

More information Contact Dr Sophie Parks (in the picture), sophie.parks@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

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South West Foodbowl celebrates

By Joanna Wren South West FoodBowl Festival Committee

As the celebrations around the country continue this year for the Australian Year of the Farmer, the South West region in WA will be hosting their own Year of the Farmer event, the inaugural ‘South West FoodBowl Festival’, a regional celebration of South West produce and producers held over two days (October 26th and 27th).

The Festival will be a wonderful avenue to show the wider community what a productive, world-class vegetable industry we have down in the South West and the great opportunities that exist for young people to get involved in the industry. Young South West vegetable grower and AgriFood Skills Australia Ambassador, Joanna Wren, is on the event committee and says that when “I heard about an event being organised in my area to promote 2012 being the Australian Year of the Farmer, I jumped at the chance to be involved.

As a young grower, I feel proud to be able to demonstrate to the wider community the work and care that I put into providing quality, fresh, sustainable food.”

It is so important all Australians know the finest fabrics, fibres and foods are grown in their own backyard. This can continue, if young Australians are given the knowledge and opportunity to meet the challenge.

The ‘South West FoodBowl Festival’ aims to help young people in the South West understand the journey a product takes from being grown on a farm to being enjoyed or consumed and highlight the varied and numerous careers and training options available within the AgriFood Industry. On Friday the 26th the Educational Agriculture Expo is open to South West schools with Joanna Wren and her AgriFood Skills Australia Ambassador colleagues, as well as

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other young South West farming champions leading school groups around the exhibition, reconnecting them to their agriculture industry, interacting with farmers and having a load of fun.

We hear a lot about the disconnect between consumers and the origins of their food and so the Exhibition will also be open to the public on Friday and Saturday to demonstrate to people from all walks of life the important and significant role that agriculture plays in our communities. There

Your Industry

will also be ‘Meet the Farmer’ tours where groups will be lead on special ‘behind the scenes’ tours of local South West farms so that they can experience and understand the journey that their food makes from paddock to plate.

Saturday morning kicks off with the ‘Farmers’ Big Breakfast’ panel session.

Gathered together is Rob Gillam (President of the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of WA), Dale Park (President of the WA Farmers Federation), Senator Chris Back (Liberal Senator for Western Australia) and South West grower Mark Scott. What a fantastic bunch of Agriculture industry specialists, and a great chance to talk about the future direction of Agriculture in the South West.

There will also be an exciting showcase of the wonderful fresh produce grown and produced in the South West with the ‘FoodBowl Farmers’ Market’.

The Market will bring together stall holders from all over the various South West Farmers’ Markets, showing the variety and great quality of the produce coming out of the South West Food Bowl.

The 'South West FoodBowl Festival’ is a great opportunity to demonstrate to the wider community the dedication the farming community has to producing fantastic, quality produce.

The Festival culminates on the Saturday night with the ‘Taste of the South West’ Black Tie Gala Dinner. With MC James O’Loghlin (ABC’s New Inventors) helping along the celebrations, as well as an address by the Minister for Agriculture, Terry Redman and a menu created entirely from produce from our South West Farmers’ what a wonderful way for our farmers and the wider community to come together and celebrate the contribution and importance of agriculture in the South West. Tickets to

the ‘Taste of the South West’ Gala dinner are $150 each and are available from www.trybooking.com/BVBH

The ‘South West FoodBowl Festival’ is proudly sponsored and supported by a range of agricultural, industry, training and government agencies and is such a great opportunity to demonstrate to the wider community the dedication the farming community here has to producing fantastic, quality produce. So come on down to the South West and celebrate with our Farmers!

More information For more information about the South West FoodBowl Festival and to find out how you can be involved, either as a sponsor, exhibitor, market stall holder or volunteer please contact: Joanna Wren on phone 0432 531 524 or email joanna_d_wren@yahoo.com.au Visit our website: www.swfoodbowlfestival.com and like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/ SouthWestFoodBowlFestival

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Your Industry

Carnarvon flaunts fine fresh produce

At the 2012 Gascoyne Food Festival

Sarah Houston Field Extension Officer VegetablesWa

The growers and residents of Carnarvon have been working hard for some years to create a regional brand and reputation that presents the excellent quality of local, fresh produce grown in the Gascoyne region. Recently, the Gascoyne Food Plan has been a big part of achieving this goal.

The Gascoyne Food Plan is an initiative of the Carnarvon Growers Association, with funding provided by Royalties for Regions.

It focuses on bringing together primary industry groups in the region and the Gascoyne community to achieve recognition of its products and receive premium prices through strategic marketing and development plans.

The initiative now involves representatives from the horticulture, fishing and pastoral industries in and around Carnarvon, and together they have formed the Gascoyne Food Council.

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WA Grower Spring 2012

In August 2012, the Gascoyne Food Council held its second ‘Gascoyne Food Festival’ to showcase its regional produce and included events not only for local producers and community members, but also for Western Australian, interstate and international visitors. These visitors included high profile chefs, journalists from food magazines and rural media, growers and buyers from other regions and tourists enjoying the area.

The Food Festival begun with a chef ’s tour on the Thursday, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience fresh fruit and vegetables at the farms and plantations where they are grown and talk with the growers themselves. Many were blown away by the sweetness and freshness of the produce they were able to taste right there in the field, as well as by the variety and availability of all the different types of fruits and vegetables grown in the region.

A Pizza night was held for growers on the Thursday night at the Old Post Office Cafe, giving growers and industry a chance to mix and discuss the future and development of fresh produce in the region. Jim Turley, Executive Officer of vegetablesWA, spoke to growers about the issues facing the vegetable industry and how the state body is working to help the industry remain viable. Growers also heard from Martin Clarke from the Chamber

of Fruit and Vegetables speaking about the current market situation including recent developments and changes to their systems.

The final event on the Gascoyne Food Festival calendar was the Long Table Lunch on the Friday. This took place at the nearby ‘Brickhouse’ Station and was a huge success with an attendance of 130 people. The lunch consisted of 11 tapas style dishes, with all produce for the meals sourced locally and prepared by the guest chefs on the day. Each chef spoke of their delight and excitement in being able to cook with the intense flavours present from such great quality, fresh produce.

The events of the festival were a great showcase of the Gascoyne region and its producers, as well as for the WA horticulture in general. Those attending expressed their intentions to go back to Perth or other major cities and spread the word about the freshness and flavours of the products they had sampled, as well as educate their communities about the region and the issues involved in producing food.

“How can we get product fresh from Carnarvon to our restaurants and share this freshness and flavour with our customers?” was a common question being asked by chef ’s on the day, as they acknowledged the quality of produce in the region, and expressed an eagerness to share this with the

Your Industry

wider public and promote the image of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Visitors to Carnarvon for the festival were also invited to attend the weekly Gascoyne Growers Market on the Saturday morning, a successful ‘plastic bag free’ farmers market run by the growers themselves held each Saturday from May through to October.

The markets offer a diverse range of local vegetables, tropical fruits and eggs, as well as coffee, breakfast, entertainment and an arts and craft market.

Alex Harper from the Gascoyne Food Council described the 2012 Gascoyne Food Festival as a fantastic event and thanked all who helped make the day a great success.

“The growers who provided beautiful produce and lent a hand during the days leading up deserve a special mention — Joanne Symonds, Paul Shain, Rob Kuzmicich and Steve and Rosanda Yelash.”

More information To find out more about how the Gascoyne Food Council is working to promote their regional produce, or to enquire about future events, please visit the website at www.gascoynefood.com.au, or contact vegetablesWA for further information.

WA Grower Spring 2012

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Your industrY

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WA Grower Spring 2012

Your Industry

Farmhouse Direct Taking vegies from weekend markets to the online marketplace When Northern NSW organic growers Terry Bates and Dawn Thornton finish harvesting their award winning pecans and macadamias for the year, garlic is the duo’s key focus.

“This year it is Moldovan Purple,” says Terry from Bellbowra Certified Organic — threetime winners of the best Australian-grown pecans at the Australian Pecan Growers Association convention.

It’s been ten years since Terry harvested his first garlic crop, but his knowledge draws upon centuries of agricultural investigation and experimentation.

According to Terry, when it comes to cooking with garlic, Australians are generally missing out.

“One of the best varieties of garlic available is the Russian, but you rarely see it in Australian kitchens.

“It’s sometimes referred to as elephant garlic due to its large size and there are so many ways to cook with it — my favourite is on flat bread.

“All you need to do is roast the garlic, like you would with a vegetable, then squeeze it out and add a little olive oil, so that it makes a paste.

“The next step is to spread it out on flat bread, place it under the grill for a few minutes, and then add a touch of salt. It’s so simple and it tastes beautiful.”

Bellbowra are also experimenting with new ways to widen their distribution network.

Surprisingly, it was at the local post office at Nambucca Heads where Terry and Dawn came across the ultimate solution to help them to sell online.

Farmhouse Direct is an online marketplace for producers to sell their locally grown produce.

Farmhouse Direct, an initiative started

by Australia Post in April, is an online marketplace for producers to sell their locally WA Grower Spring 2012

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Your Industry

grown produce and handmade goods to customers all across Australia.

“We know how popular regional and rural weekend markets are and we wanted to find a way that market holders could reach more customers, not just those who lived locally,” says Australia Post spokesperson Mel Ward.

“On the same note, most people who visit the markets on the weekend would love to be able to buy the same fresh food and gourmet products any time of the week rather than wait until the markets are next in town.

“Farmhouse Direct cuts out the middle man and gives producers their own online shopfront to sell their products to customers all over Australia, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

Farmhouse Direct already has more than 100 producers online, offering over 1,000 different products including olive oil, cheese, beetroot, rhubarb, pumpkins, Jerusalem artichokes, soap, wine, jam, cereal and nuts.

“Selling online was always an option, but most small-fresh food producers know very little about online retailing and don’t have the time to learn about setting up websites or processing orders and payment securely,” says Terry.

Once producers register for the program at www.farmhousedirect.com.au, their information is verified and they are sent instructions for setting up their online market stall on Farmhouse Direct.

“We closely monitor the producers, providing support when needed and even better we teach them the skills how best to use the website to market their business online, so they can upload all of their information including prices and photos,” Mel says.

“Australia Post also provides packaging and shipping advice as well as discounted rates, and also tips on how to market products such as combining a range of items to make an attractive and cost-effective bundle for online shoppers.

“For a lot of our producers it’s the first time they’ve set foot online so we’re trying to make it as easy as possible by providing the digital platform including security and payment options like PayPal, so they can just concentrate on growing and making their products.”

Australia Post provides the delivery network to transport the goods to the

customer, recommending that perishable items (such as cheese and butter) are sent Express Post and packed securely with ice to keep them chilled.

Even though it’s still early days, Farmhouse Direct continues to grow and reach more customers and producers across Australia.

“Our local producers are the real champions — they’re the ones growing and making these wonderful products and selling them online,” says Mel. As for Terry and Dawn, their focus remains on spending time in the field with their garlic, and ensuring the finest produce to keep up with customer demand — which has grown since launching their business online through Farmhouse Direct.

“Since being on Farmhouse Direct, we’ve had customers contact us from all across Australia to purchase our garlic, which has been great for business. We thought going online was going to be time consuming and expensive but the experience has been surprisingly easy and actually enjoyable,” says Terry.

Harvesting certified organic garlic takes a great deal of time, because unlike conventional garlic, a machine harvester can’t be used because the seed garlic is covered with mulch hay for weed control, so must be carefully hand-picked.

It’s this focus on quality, rather than quantity, that defines Bellbowra Certified Organic and the pair attribute their success to sheer patience and persistence.

“Dawn and I moved in 2001 to the Nambucca Valley to try our hand at organic farming, after managing our own environmental consulting business in Sydney,” says Terry.

“I think it’s because of the time we spend on the field with our crops. It creates a fantastic attention to detail, which you don’t get to see all the time,” says Terry.

Producers don’t need to spend a cent to get online at Farmhouse Direct, but do need to grow their own produce or hand make products with ingredients sourced locally from Australian producers.

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WA Grower Spring 2012

A focus on quality, rather than quantity, defines Bellbowra Certified Organic.

Want to shop at farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; markets 24/7?

Visit farmhousedirect.com.au for local quality produce, delivered direct from the producer to your door.

farmhousedirect.com.au

Your Industry

Export opportunities in Indonesia

BY KELLIE-JANE PRITCHARD Manager Region Operations and Development, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD, WA — JAKARTA

Indonesia is an exciting market opportunity on Western Australia's doorstep with top supermarkets to rival our high-end fresh markets and has an expanding middle class and expatriate consumer base that likes Australian fruit and vegetables.

The top 10 imports from Australia include citrus, carrots, celery, salad leaves, stone fruit, avocados, cauliflowers, grapes, swedes and broccoli. There are opportunities to increase the amount of WA produce in these supermarkets.

in the regulatory environment that are challenging for importers and exporters alike.

However, Australia, US and Canada are currently allowed entry through Tanjung Priok, the main port north of Jakarta, and other ‘closed’ ports due to a ‘prior recognition’ quarantine status.

A new regulation dealing with the restriction of fruit and vegetables and processed foods containing fruits and vegetables has been deferred until 28 September 2012 with a rumoured further extension (importers are gearing up to meet this regulation).

Former chief economist with Austrade, Tim Harcourt, recently described Indonesia as “the new rock star of export destinations”.

To comply, importers will need to obtain permits and will be required to show they have approved cold storage facilities, labelling, packaging etc. The Indonesian Government will not issue import permits during the local seasonal harvest.

The Indonesian Government is keen to increase national food security by increasing local production and to become less reliant on imported food. This is creating changes

DAFWA’s Trade Development group is assisting and facilitating the WA horticultural industry in developing the Indonesian market and has placed me

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WA Grower Spring 2012

in Jakarta to work closely with the WA Trade Office, the Australian Government and Indonesian importers to build the WA profile, to look for export opportunities, build linkages and relationships and generally assist WA businesses do business.

Austrade Indonesia is supporting Food and Hotel Indonesia on 10–13 April 2013 at JIExpo, Kemayoran, Jakarta (see www.pamerindo.com/events/3). It is also supporting Fine Food Australia in Melbourne and may bring a buyer group to attend this.

DAFWA is working closely with Austrade Indonesia in facilitating these events.

More information For more information on opportunities, market intelligence, regulations and how they affect you, introductions to bona fide importers, or visit programs, please contact: • K ellie-Jane Pritchard — kellie-jane.pritchard@agric.wa.gov.au • M artin Newbery — martin.newbery@dsd.wa.gov.au • Y unita Andys — yunita.andys@dsd.wa.gov.au

Your Industry

New tomato project to protect market access

BY ROHAN PRINCE Development Officer GEORGINA WILSON Communications Coordinator Irrigated Agriculture and Diversification Department of Agriculture and Food, WA

A new Department of Agriculture and Food research project is getting underway to help maintain interstate market access for tomatoes following the expected loss of fenthion, used as a post-harvest treatment through interstate certification assurance protocol, ICA-02, against Mediterranean fruit fly.

The project, led by principal research scientist Dr Francis de Lima, is supported by industry funding and Horticulture Australia Limited over the next four years and follows a smaller project also funded by the Vegetable Producers’ Committee of the Agricultural Produce Commission in 2011.

The 2011 research showed that fumigation of tomatoes using methyl bromide did not damage the fruit when done correctly under the right conditions and is a viable alternative to fenthion until new long-term protocols are developed.

Three new gases will be tested — ethyl formate, propylene oxide and ethane-di-nitrile.

This is because of the expectation that methyl bromide will eventually be banned because of its ozone depleting properties. Methyl bromide is odourless and colourless, which makes it a potentially dangerous gas for users.

Interstate sales of WA tomatoes worth about $30 million a year are threatened if long-term alternatives cannot be found and verified.

Previous research has established that several gases including ethyl formate successfully kill Medfly larvae, but trials on tomatoes infested with Medfly at their most difficult stage to kill are required to satisfy other States that this is an acceptable disinfestation method, suitable for quarantine purposes.

Rohan Prince demonstrates success of the 2011 methyl bromide trial at Canning Vale.

¼ ripe fumigated

½ ripe fumigated

¾ ripe fumigated

Full ripe fumigated

¼ ripe control

½ ripe control

¾ ripe control

Full ripe control

Fruit will be tested at quarter, half and three-quarters ripeness at all four immature stages of the Medfly life cycle, in a series of small and large-scale tests. Initial testing will focus on ensuring the concentration of gas required to fumigate the fruit does not affect shelf-life or result in chemical residues.

Industry will be consulted on what temperature and duration for fumigation will best fit into the supply chain. Generally,

Treated tomatoes and control fruit three days after fumigation.

the higher the temperature the less fumigant is required but less fumigant gas requires longer duration.

More information Any queries on the technical details should be emailed to Shirani Poogoda at DAFWA on shirani.poogoda@agric.wa.gov.au.

WA Grower Spring 2012

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Your Industry

Grower profile Duc Nguyen

By Hayley Wilson Communications officer VegetablesWa

to because I didn’t properly understand the plants requirements. Now I can definitely see the changes — the plants always have the nutrients they need to produce good quality tomatoes.”

The results have proved very successful and Duc can see that the work has benefited his tomatoes quite substantially, reflected in a fantastic crop this year.

“I can now see what nutrients a plant is lacking, which I didn’t know in previous years.”

Duc performs soil tests twice during the crops life, and monitors it continually to see how well the plants are going and what is needed at different stages of the crops life, from transplanting to fruit set and at harvest.

Duc performs soil tests twice during the crops life, and monitors it continually.

Located on McGlade Road in Carnarvon, Duc Nguyen is an enthusiastic grower always keen to continue learning to improve his growing techniques and produce top quality tomatoes.

Duc Nguyen left Vietnam with his father in 1989, at a time when many Vietnamese migrated to Australia after the war. Duc and his father lived in Perth for two years before making the move to Carnarvon after hearing of opportunities from friends already in the growing industry in the area. His Father began growing tomatoes in 1991, and in this time Duc was by his side learning about growing along the way.

After a number of years, Duc moved back to Perth where he married his wife and stayed in the city for six years. However, the country lifestyle was calling him back, and

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soon he made the move back north to the familiar territory of Carnarvon.

Originally after the move, Duc began share farming, then in 2005 he went out on his own and started growing tomatoes for himself. The decision to stick with tomatoes made sense to him, as that was what he had been bought up growing and it was what he knew well. Today, Duc still grows tomatoes, starting his growing season in mid February and generally finishes just before Christmas time.

Over the past couple of years, Duc has been working closely with Adam Kirk of Carnarvon Growers Association to monitor his tomato crops and target fertilisers and trace mineral applications in order to match the demands of the plants. This has resulted in an overall improvement to the health and yield of his tomatoes.

“With the help of Adam, I have learnt how to use fertiliser much more efficiently. I used to use nutrients where I didn’t need

“It has helped me get the yields that I have been chasing and overall has really improved the health of my tomatoes”.

In Duc’s opinion, maintaining a healthy crop through water efficiency and disease management are the most important areas for improvement in Carnarvon.

“Nobody knows everything, so it is important to always be learning and always improving.

Growers understand that the markets demand good quality produce, so we need to also understand how to maintain a healthy crop and produce the quality they require.”

At the end of this year Duc is planning to put in a more advanced irrigation system which will use water on his property even more efficiently. Duc’s aim is always to try to reduce water, and he will continue working with Adam Kirk to achieve the most efficient system he can.

Although he has been growing tomatoes most of his life, Duc admits he still does not know everything there is to know about growing, and so he will continue to learn and improve as he grows them into the future.

“Growing tomatoes has been my life, so it would be hard to change. I enjoy growing

Your industrY

tomatoes and the more I understand it the more I enjoy it.”

There are around 50 growers in the Carnarvon area, and Duc agrees that there is a strong community spirit amongst them.

“We are all open about our growing practices, we all know each other and we help each other out if we need to. If a grower asks me what I think, I am happy to share my ideas although it is then up to the grower what they do with that information.”

Duc acknowledges that vegetable growers do not always embrace change, but says that it has been good to see more and more growers adopting new technology and more efficient techniques “It is great to see the benefits that growers are starting to see from adopting new methods. During my time growing tomatoes in Carnarvon, growers have improved their techniques and as a consequence have been able to increase the amount they produce and the overall quality of the products.”

Walking out every day and seeing a healthy crop growing out in the field is the most rewarding and enjoyable aspect for Duc about being in the industry.

“A good crop makes you feel good. It makes you want to keep on working because you can see all the effort that you put in growing!”

Although it is hard work that not everyone is willing to do, Duc thinks the benefits of seeing all that work right in front of you makes it all worthwhile. He also enjoys the lifestyle of being a grower as it allows him to pursue his other hobbies. Duc loves fishing and going out bush and so all in all, Carnarvon has everything that he needs.

Grower profile name Duc nguyen location Carnarvon Enterprises Tomatoes pErTH

Duc and his family look forward to continuing the business into the future and learning new lessons every day.

“There are great opportunities for growers in the future as Australia’s population continues to increase and there are more mouths to feed.”

Duc has been working closely with Adam Kirk of Carnarvon Growers Association.

WA Grower Spring 2012

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Your Industry

Department of Water

Seasonal Response 2012–13

By JOHN CONNOLLY Director Regulation

The south west of the State from Northhampton through to Albany is yet again experiencing an extremely dry winter similar to that experienced in 2010. This has once again resulted in low inflows into south west dams and reduced infiltration to replenish the groundwater aquifers.

These extreme conditions far exceed predictions made under climatic models used for future water planning and as a result cannot be addressed by our existing management actions.

The Department of Water (DoW) will be implementing its Seasonal Response Plan, which was developed following the extreme conditions in 2010, to ensure that the effects of this season are minimised for licensees and the environment.

The Department and the water service providers in the affected area will be increasing communication messages to the

community in general about the need to reduce water use and to increase water use efficiency where possible. The requirement to be mindful of water use and change behaviours to maximise water efficiency where possible also apply to water users licensed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act (1914).

In addition to the increased communications, the Department will be increasing its compliance and enforcement activities on licensed users to ensure they are compliant with the terms and conditions of their licences. This will include: • Communicating with licensees to ensure they are aware of their obligations under their water licence; • Increased number of compliance and enforcement surveys being undertaken; • Taking appropriate enforcement actions should breaches in licence conditions be found.

Licensees must manage their water use within their current entitlements. If they feel they will exceed their entitlements they must notify their regional office immediately.

The Department will work together with licensees to encourage and assist compliance for those willing to comply and implement water efficiency and conservation measures.

Licensees may be able to obtain short term water trades with other licensed users for their water entitlements. Information on the policy and requirements for trading, and access to the Water Register that has licensee and resource information within your area can be found on our website www.water.wa.gov.au

Dry winter conditions has once again resulted in low inflows into south west dams and reduced infiltration to replenish the groundwater aquifers.

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WA Grower Spring 2012

The Department will also encourages users explore the use of alternative water sources (ie recycled water or stormwater) where possible and suggest that licensees take actions where possible to drought proof their activities should similar conditions be experienced next winter.



Hire of crates and bins are available at a competitive low hire charge.



Short term and long term hire available.



Hire of picking crates and bins for the olive, wine and seafood industry.



Sale crates and bins both new and second hand.

5 depots to service the regional areas.

Carnarvon Growers Assoc. (08) 9941 8384 Sands Depot Manjimup (08) 9777 1777 Sands Depot Geraldton (08) 9921 5494 G J Freight Donnybrook (08) 9731 1358 Ron Mercer Transport (Golden Mile) Donnybrook (08) 9731 1715

Head Office United Crate Co operative Ltd. Perth Office: 1 Zanni Street Canning Vale WA 6155 Phone: (08) 9455 1540 Fax: (08) 9455 2376 Email: info@unitedcrates.com.au

Your industrY

Grower profile West Hill Farms

BY HAYlEY WilSOn COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER VEGETABlESWA

located 17km north of lancelin, West Hill Farms have been in operation since 2001. The Tana family purchased the property, developed it from scratch and started commercial production of carrots.

Grower proďŹ le name West Hill Farms location 17km north if lancelin pErTH

property size 3,500ha Enterprises Carrots

West Hills Farms' Operations Manager Brock Shields.

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WA Grower Spring 2012

Your Industry

After many years of hard work and tough business decisions, Company General Manager Vince Tana says the business has really started to take shape over the past six years.

The property was the first in the area to be developed for intensive horticultural purposes, and Vince believes that it is the perfect location to grow carrots.

They are able to produce 12 months of the year under all weather conditions. One of the most unique conditions on the property is the strong winds produced from the sea breeze that comes over the hill from the coast in the afternoon, and can reach up to 30 knots at the farm.

Due to the ever present winds and growing power costs over the years, the Tana’s and West Hill Farms have invested in placing wind turbines on the property to harness this resource and convert wind energy to electricity. The turbines are composed of three blades attached to a tall tower to reach the stronger winders higher from the ground.

The wind makes the rotor spin and as it does,

movement of the blades spinning gives power to a generator which then makes the energy.

This energy is feed into a grid and converted into electricity.

West Hill Farms currently have five wind turbines on the property and have 10 more on an adjoining property. They will be constructing five more of these turbines on the farm before Christmas 2012, and require a team from Queensland to install and program the equipment. The turbines themselves are imported from Italy and are capable of producing up to 500 kilowatts each.

The decision to install the wind farm was made about two years ago when the price of power started to increase significantly. Today, 80% of all power needs for West Hill Farms come from the turbines, cutting electricity costs considerably for the business.

Since entering the industry, Vince has seen the demand for carrots increase, however the price they get for the carrots has remained about the same. Consequently, West Hill Farms have had to continue to find ways to become more efficient as input costs continue to rise while prices do not.

To date they have made improvements

such as going from a one row harvesters to four row harvesters, seeding in beds of three rather than single beds, and have made changes to the graders in the packing sheds. All these improvements increase the mechanisation of the business and help make it more efficient.

“At one stage we were producing 18 different brands, but we have now cut back to four which increases the efficiency of the packing system remarkably,” said Vince. “In the beginning all carrots were packed by hand but it is now all done by machines.”

They have three ‘robots’ in the packing sheds which they installed five years ago to help automate the production line. This has greatly increased the efficiency with one robot being equivalent to three or more people. Newer irrigation systems have also made the production side more efficient and easier to manage. This includes matching up each pivot irrigator to a bore.

“The simple system of having one bore to each pivot makes it easy to plan ahead and manage the water we are using,” said Brock Shields.

WA Grower Spring 2012

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Your industrY

West Hill Farms sell their carrots to all states in Australia and export about half of their produce.

Their location is an advantage for the export part of the business as the property is only two hours to the port in Fremantle.

Apart from increasing production and packing efficiency as much as possible, Vince believes that the most important part of the business to get right is to have good key staff members. At West Hills Farms they have three key staff members who help manage the day to day operations.

Luca Biocich is the Overall Farm Manager, working closely with Brett Yewers, the Production Manager, and Brock Shields, the Operations Manager.

With everything ticking along very nicely West Hill Farms intend to continue to produce top quality carrots well into the future.

Advertorial ParaMite to the rescue for WA vegetable growers paraMiteÂŽ Selective Miticide from Sumitomo Chemical is well known to grape, pome and stone fruit growers, where its use continues to grow as producers become familiar with its novel mode of action.

In addition, ParaMite is now also registered for use in tomatoes and capsicums for control of two-spotted mites.

As a miticide, ParaMite is perhaps a little unconventional. It is an insect growth regular, which means that it controls mites by disrupting the life cycle rather than outright kill, as most contact miticides do. Its active ingredient is effective against all stages in the life cycle; it sterilises females so that no viable eggs are laid, it is ovicidal, and it interferes with the moulting process in juveniles so that they never reach maturity.

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WA Grower Spring 2012

Therefore, when ParaMite is applied to a population of mites that consists mostly of eggs and immature stages, none of them will reach maturity and no damage to the crop will occur. This is the best and preferred way to use ParaMite â&#x20AC;&#x201D; at the first sign of mites or during the very early stages of population development. To achieve the full benefit of its long residual efficacy, apply ParaMite as the first mite spray of the season.

However, that may not always be possible. Mites are small and hard to detect, and more than often growers are confronted with mite populations which are predominantly adult. In this instance, it is advisable to mix ParaMite with a contact miticide to control adult females to prevent further damage. Once the adults are removed, ParaMite will prevent the remaining life stages from reaching

maturity, and in doing so give lasting control of mites.

By virtue of its mode of action, ParaMite is very selective and has practically no effect against beneficial insects and pollinators.

In terms of resistance management, ParaMite has a unique mode of action â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with no documented cases of resistance or cross resistance in Australia. To preserve this attribute, growers are advised not to apply more than one spray of ParaMite per growing season. If re-treatment is required, use a miticide form a different chemical group. more information paraMite is available from all leading agrochemical resellers. given its long residual action and compared to other early season miticides that may require frequent applications, paraMite is very cost-effective.

Visit www.sumitomo-chem.com.au

Make sure these mite eggs never grow up

For long-lasting control oF mites www.sumitomo-chem.com.au ParaMite速 is a registered trademark of Sumitomo Chemical Co. Limited Japan.

Your Industry

DAFWA’s FREE

farm planning workshops

Farmers are encouraged to plan for the future and build business capacity and profitability through a suite of workshops available to more than 200 businesses in the next 12 months.

The Department of Agriculture and Food WA will again be running its popular ‘Plan, Prepare and Proposer’ workshops designed to enable farm businesses in irrigated agriculture enterprises to focus on key areas such as seasonal variability, work-life balance, financial and succession planning and risk management.

The suite includes workshop options for farmers to help build their planning skills and provide them with confidence in their business and in their future.

The workshops aim to assist all members of the farm business to develop or update a strategic plan for their farm business.

The course options available include the fiveday ‘Plan, Prepare and Prosper’ workshop series, and due to farmer demand, a one-day refresher course is now available for those

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who have previously completed the PPP course in 2010–2012.

During the five-day workshop series, participants will learn how to prepare their farm businesses to better manage challenges, and develop a better understanding in areas such as strategic business planning, financial management and identification and management of risks in their business.

The one-day refresher workshop allows previous participants to reinforce previous learning and update their strategic plan developed as part of the five-day course.

The refresher also introduces some new components to help farmers improve their negotiation skills and make informed capital investments decisions.

All members of a farm business are encouraged to attend. To register your interest, go to www.workshops.agric.wa.gov.au.

Places are limited.

More information For more information or if you have any questions about the program contact DAFWA on Freecall 1800 198 231 or email workshops@agric.wa.gov.au or contact vegetablesWA Field Extension Officer Sarah Houston on 0427 373 037 or email sarah.houston@vegetableswa.com.au

Department of Agriculture and Food

Workshops • Professionally facilitated workshops with expertise from the Department of Agriculture and Food and the private sector • Aimed at giving farm businesses the opportunity to maximise their profits no matter what the economic climate • Generating more profit through small changes to farming practices is an effective way for growers to improve the viability of their farm business • Plan, Prepare and Prosper workshops and refresher workshops will be held from Spring 2012 • For dates and locations visit www.workshops.agric.wa.gov.au

Your Business

YOUR

Business

WA Grower Spring 2012

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Your Business

Advice from ATO

Fuel tax credit rates have changed from July 2012

While many fuel tax credit rates changed from 1 July 2012, rates for specified activities in agriculture, fishing or forestry are exempt from the carbon charge.

The rate for liquid fuels, such as petrol and diesel, used in specified activities in agriculture, fishing or forestry continues to be 38.143 cents per litre.

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WA Grower Spring 2012

In addition, rates have increased for diesel and petrol used in certain off-road activities (including construction or manufacturing), although in most circumstances you need to deduct the carbon charge.

After deducting the carbon charge, rates for these activities are now 31.933c/L for diesel and 32.623c/L for petrol, increasing from 19.0715c/L.

These rates will decrease annually until 30 June 2015 due to increases in the carbon price. From 1 July 2015, the rates will be reviewed every six months.

To help work out your entitlement use the online eligibility tool and calculator available at www.ato.gov.au/fuelschemes.

More information For more information, see Fuel tax credits â&#x20AC;&#x201D; changes from 1 July 2012.

Your Production

WA Grower magazine subscription

The WA Grower magazine is a quarterly publication produced by vegetablesWA since 1948. It provides the most relevant and timely information for the vegetable and potato industry including current industry news, latest research findings, biosecurity updates, marketing information and reports on significant events, meetings and conferences. For further information on the WA Grower magazine please contact Hayley Wilson, Communications Officer on (08) 9481 0843.

Annual subscription is $100.00 (incl GST) Please fill in the form below and: Post:

vegetablesWA 103 Outram Street West Perth WA 6005

Fax:

(08) 9481 0024

Email:

office@vegetableswa.com.au

First name

Please make cheques payable to: WA VEGETABLES GROWERS ASSOC INC Alternatively you can pay by EFT: Account name: WA VEGETABLES GROWERS ASSOC INC BSB: 306-051 Acc No: 0375369 Email payment notification and your contact details to: office@vegetableswa.com.au

Surname

Company Address Suburb Telephone

State

Postcode

Mobile

Email What is your role in horticulture?

Signed

Date of application

WA Grower Spring 2012 WA Grower June 2011

69 1

Your Business

Urban

encroachment

By Nic Warren City of Wanneroo

As the population of Western Australia increases, urban encroachment on growers is becoming more of an issue.

Whilst as existing growers you have the right to continue to operate your businesses, you should be aware that you still have a legal responsibility to ensure the amenity of your new neighbours is not unduly affected by nuisances caused by your operations.

There are a few pieces of legislation that growers should be aware of as they relate directly to your everyday activities and failure to comply with these requirements can in some cases lead to legal action being taken by the local authority.

• Pesticides must be used in accordance with the Health (Pesticides) Regulations 2011.

Of particular importance is Regulation 87 whereby it states “A person must not use a registered pesticide other than in accordance with the requirements set out on the approved label.”

Before using any pesticide you should make sure you are familiar with the directions for use on the label. In general pesticides should not be applied in high winds or in situations where the pesticide is likely to affect neighbouring properties. The dosage rate should also not be exceeded.

One of the highest complaint related pesticides is Metham Sodium. The permitted application process generally

includes soil injection, rotary tiller or trickle irrigation system. It should not be applied via overhead sprinkler systems or via boom spray.

It is important that growers are familiar with their responsibilities under the above legislation. Due to urban encroachment, it is now more important then ever for growers to operate in accordance with the legal requirements.

If you would like to look through the legislation, it can be found at www.slp.wa.gov.au More information Contact Health Services, City of Wanneroo on (08) 9405 5000 or health@wanneroo.wa.gov.au

• The Health Act 1911 covers nuisances such as odours, however it also contains a defence that if an operator is undertaking activities that are expected to occur on a rural property and they are taking all practicable measures to ensure any nuisances are minimised then an offence is not deemed to have occurred.

This means that appropriate measures still need to be taken to ensure any nuisance is minimised. Measures include ensuring that any manure is completely covered after being delivered to the property and rotary hoeing into the ground as soon after delivery as possible.

• The Heath (Poultry Manure) Regulations 2001 have recently been amended to ban the use of untreated poultry manure on a permanent basis from the 1 September 2011. Treated chicken manure is able to be used but must be sourced from an approved supplier who holds a Department of Health Approval.

It is the growers’ responsibility to ensure any manure used on their property is approved and from an approved supplier and as indicated above, does not create a nuisance.

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Urban encroachment on growers is becoming more of an issue.

Your market

YOUR

market

WA Grower Spring 2012

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Your market

Vegetable Industry Development Program

Veginsights

Vegetable market insights Vegetable market Wholesale vegetable prices

• R etailers to roll out varying store formats • V irtual gardening: grow vegetables the new way • B arely a fifth of Britons eat 5-A-DAY • S hadow-activated 3D QR codes boost sales • C auliflower profile with a retail value of $101m.

The total retail sales of fresh and processed vegetables in May 2012 are estimated at $591.6m, as profiled in Figure 2. These sales are lower 2.0% lower than in May 2011.

The weighted national wholesale price for all vegetables was 4.4% lower when compared to May 2011. The impacts across the products varied, with seasonings still well below last years while hard cooked vegetables values firmed. Salad components also increased and soft cooked vegetables showed a small decline compared to May 2011.

At the product level, the most significant changes from last month were reflected in improving prices for tomatoes and potatoes, while the major seasoning lines of garlic ginger and onions remained in full supply at lower prices than last year. Lettuce and

The Australian food market Coles enlarges smaller stores Coles has outlined plans to increase the size of its supermarkets, as it continues its battle with Woolworths. It aims to increase its floor space by 2% each year, providing more room for groceries and fresh food, as well as new categories such as its clothing brand Mix, which it launched in October last year.

Figure 2 Total vegetable retail sales by month

Change for month commencing May 1 2012 versus 2011

Fresh and processed in $000's — last two quarters

WA Grower Spring 2012

700,000

700,000

600,000

600,000

500,000

0 40

50

200,000

Dec

$540,949

100,000

300,000

100,000

Jan

0

$591,663 $540,949

300,000

400,000

$534,115 $611,473

400,000

200,000

30

$000’s

500,000

$611,473

Spinach Cucumbers Chillies Sweet corn Tomatoes Beans Lettuce Broccoli

Ginger Garlic Onions Cabbages Zucchinis Peas Capsicums Pumpkin Carrots Mushrooms Radish Salad Cauliflowers Potatoes

$000’s

Ginger Garlic Onions Cabbages Zucchinis Peas Capsicums Pumpkin Carrots Mushrooms Radish Salad Cauliflowers Potatoes

-60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 -30 -20 -10 0 Year-on-year 10 20 % 30change 40 50 Year-on-year % change

72

The improving wholesale prices eased the downward pressure on sales values that has been apparent since the start of 2012.

Figure 1 State weighted national wholesale price per kg

Spinach Cucumbers Chillies Sweet corn Tomatoes Beans Lettuce Broccoli

-40

Supply stabilised for more of the high volume vegetable products and this flowed onto a positive impact on wholesale price levels.

Dec Jan Feb Mar Month

Feb Mar Apr May Month

$545,390

• W holesale values firm for more high volume vegetables

The weighted total vegetable wholesale price for the week commencing 22 May 2012 was $2.75 per kg.

$591,623 $591,663

Highlights

The wholesale price difference between May 2012 and May 2011 for the major vegetables is profiled in Figure 1.

$545,390 $534,115

May 2012

broccoli remained strong and bean prices increased over the same month last year.

Apr

Your market

Figure 3 Advertised vegetables — total adverts per week

Figure 4 Advertised fresh vegetables — total adverts per week

December 2011 – May 2012

December 2011 – May 2012 Canned

350

Frozen

300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Dec

200

Fresh

Total adverts per week

Total adverts per week

400

Jan

Feb

Mar Month

The company has been replacing stores with an average size of 1,700sqm with 2,700sqm stores, which is about 40% larger than the ones being closed.

Coles expects to open 19 new bigger stores, close 11 stores, and extend another 10 stores in 2012. Up to 400 stores are also set to be refurbished.

While Walmart eyes smaller stores Walmart, best known for its large supercentres, is set to roll out more ‘convenience’ format — ‘Walmart Express’ — stores throughout the US, in a bid to solve shoppers’ convenience gap and fight off competition from rapidly expanding dollar-store chains. The strategic expansion is based on the success of its trial 10 Walmart Express stores, launched last year, which served as testers in markets such as Chicago and rural spots in North Carolina.

Walmart Express stores range from 1,100 to 1,400sqm, significantly smaller than the 624 Walmart Discount stores (which average 10,000sqm) and are designed as a hybrid between food, pharmacy, and convenience. Walmart also plans to open 80 more 3,700sqm, midsized-format Neighbourhood Markets in 2013. The company said that smaller stores offer customers flexibility, particularly to those who live in areas that lack larger stores.

What it means? As the larger retailers look to tailor their store networks to attract customers and maximise performance, it is apparent that one solution does not apply in all situations.

Apr

May

160

Hard cooked vegetables Soft cooked vegetables

Salad components Seasonings

120 80 40 0 Dec

Jan

Retailer activity Promotional activity in the month of May The retail promotional activity reflects a pattern of increasing exposure for vegetables, marked by a sharp increase in the third week of the month.

Over the month, the exposure of the total vegetable products increased to an average of 236 products per week, up from 190 products in April 2012. The increase has been driven by more exposure for frozen and fresh vegetable products this month (see Figure 3).

Within the fresh vegetables, there was a decrease across all fresh vegetable categories — salad components, hard cooked vegetables, soft cooked vegetables and seasonings — advertised in May 2012 (see Figure 4).

The promotional activity among the majority of the top retailers in May 2012 reflects an increasing trend in Fruit and Vegetables (F&V) exposure compared to April 2012. This is attributed to higher levels of competitive intensity and the value spotlight being focused on F&V.

The consumer

Feb

Mar Month

Apr

May

live nearby the farm can also collect their own produce during the harvest season. The scheme is aimed at ‘city-based gardeners’ who do not have enough time or land to grow their own food. For more information, click http://abbeyparks.co.uk/allotments/ What it means? An innovative scheme that caters for the lift in demand for home-grown food by helping urban dwellers to grow their own fresh produce with the click of a mouse.

Farm to School program tops $1m in sales For the first time in its 15-year history, the North Carolina Department Farm to School Program posted more than $1.2 million in sales of fresh fruits and vegetables during the 2011–12 school year. Under the program, schools across the state can order North Carolina produce, which is coordinated and transported to schools by the NCDA&CS Food Distribution and Marketing divisions.

Farm-fresh produce offered in schools includes apples, blueberries, broccoli crowns, cabbage, melons, cucumbers, peaches, lettuce, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, watermelons, and zucchini.

A new scheme ‘i-Grow’ — which has been developed by UK Abbey Parks Farm — offers people the opportunity to rent a patch of land on the farm and grow their own produce through a website.

During the 2011–12 school year, approximately 1,600 schools participated in the Farm to School Program, ordering more than 1.5 million pounds of fresh produce.

The program helped feed more than 1 million students this year, up substantially from 100,000 during the 2010–11 school year.

The virtual gardeners can choose the vegetables and herbs they want grown on it, as well as receive updates and photos on their patch’s progress as farm workers tend the growing plants. The produce, once ready, is delivered to their door. Those who

What it means? A successful collaborative effort to get fresh produce to children by making fruit and vegetables part of school meals. This can only provide a positive influence on the future diet of these young consumers.

A new way to grow vegetables and herbs

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Your market

intolerances, or those suspecting they may have an intolerance, track symptoms and food intake. It helps users to identify patterns in symptoms that they experience after eating foods, which in turn, helps identify which foods trigger the symptoms.

Food intolerances may trigger headaches, bloating, rashes, and behavioural symptoms in susceptible individuals. Using this app, users can: US research has indicated there is a high demand for locally grown fresh produce.

US poll finds support for ‘local’ despite higher cost New market research commissioned by the US WK Kellogg Foundation and conducted on 800 adults using mobile or landline phones from 18–22 April 2012 found that: • More than 80% of respondents strongly or partly agreed that Washington DC should shift its support toward smaller, local fruit and vegetable farmers and away from large businesses.

• About 90% strongly or partly agreed that they would pay more for produce if that money stayed in the community.

• 88% of respondents stated that they are willing to pay $1.50 more for produce each month to ensure fair wages are paid to those picking fruits and vegetables.

What it means? These findings provide another indication of the demand support locally grown fresh produce.

Barely a fifth of Britons eat 5-A-DAY Latest research by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) shows that only 22% of 2,000 adults surveyed in the UK are eating the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables. Those living in the north struggled more with 18% meeting the quota of five portions compared to 26% in southern England.

Income also had a large impact with 17% of people in low-earning households eating five-a-day, compared to 27% of high-earners. The Department of Health first encouraged people to hit the healthy eating target in 2003. This year, the WCRF is encouraging people to eat ‘just one more’ portion of fruit or vegetables in a bid to boost consumption levels.

What it means? Despite the widespread consumer awareness about the significance

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WA Grower Spring 2012

of eating 5-A-DAY, clearly there still exist barriers to incorporating fresh produce into daily diets. Perhaps smaller stepping stones are required.

• Record everything they eat and drink and rate their symptoms from scrollable lists using a five-point scale.

• Take photos of food and symptoms.

• Add own foods, medications, and symptoms to the lists.

Innovation from the world

• View food and symptoms over a day at a time, or history of symptoms over a month.

Shadow-activated QR codes boost sales

• Record details for more than one person.

A new shadow-activated, three-dimensional QR code is the latest creative promotional tool to combat the periodic lulls in business and step-up consumer activism.

• Email report to their dietician as spreadsheet or PDF.

Recently, retailer EMart strategically placed 3D QR code sculptures — as part of its new ‘Sunny Sale’ promotional campaign — throughout Seoul, Korea. These codes depend upon the right combination of shadow and sunlight to be complete and are scannable only for an hour — between noon and 1pm each day — to offer shopper discounts during lunchtime, the slowest business hours for the retailer.

Successfully scanning a code takes consumers to a dedicated home page with special offers including a US$12 coupon.

Purchases can then be made via smartphone for delivery direct to the consumer’s door.

As a result of its creative promotion, EMart reportedly enjoyed membership increases, together with an increase in sales during lunch hours.

What it means? A creative take on mobile commerce to align with the increasing number of consumers who use this medium.

Innovative iphone app wins dieticians’ award An innovative iphone app has helped two Sydney-based dieticians win the Dieticians Association of Australia President’s Award for Innovation.

After several years of research and planning, the ‘Food?Sick’ app was launched in August 2011 to help people with food

Food?Sick is available at the App store for $2.99.

What it means? A novel use of the interactivity and flexible nature of the digital media as a food diary to help people with food intolerances.

Food labelling invention tracks ‘use within’ dates on food products A new ‘smart food label’ — ‘UWI Label’ — developed by European scientists could have far-reaching applications in the foodservice industry with its ability to reduce waste, aid food safety and also save money for consumers.

The label is a flexible smart label with an embedded chemical-based time indicator strip which reacts as soon as a food jar or packaging is opened and then displays the elapsed time, as well as a visual warning when the product is no longer safe to consume. For example, the indicator panels on the label progressively turn green to show the elapsed time from the opening of a product and a red panel alerts consumers when the ‘use within’ period has expired.

Time ranges on the UWI label can be set as hours, days, weeks, months up to a sixmonth total and this desired time period is pre-set at the point of production or manufacture. The label is scheduled to go into mass production before the end of 2012.

Your market

What it means? A unique food labelling invention that might prove to be a game changer by taking the guesswork out of useby labels, and in turn, significantly reduce food wastage levels at home.

New filter is good for cabbages

New baseball lettuce packaging unveiled

The Fresh Pod EC 3+ unit works with existing air circulation systems to remove the ethylene gas from the air, a compound naturally given off by cabbages which accelerates the ripening process. The filtration system also claims to eradicate invisible airborne spores and moulds that contribute to increased wastage.

A new promotional Baseball Iceberg Lettuce packaging has been launched

by US Tanimura & Antle in the US, in a bid to effectively differentiate the popular iceberg lettuce on the shelf in the upcoming baseball, as well as salad season.

The new packaging includes the traditional red baseball stitching and a baseball cardstyle recipe for an easy-prep wedge salad.

The package also co-promotes the company’s Artisan Sweet Italian Red Onions, featuring the recipe ingredients on the package.

The idea was drawn from the company’s experience in 2007, when similar packaging boosted sales for two weeks leading up to Father’s Day. This seasonal packaging will be available to retailers through October this year.

What it means? A clever packaging innovation that bundles together distinct design and co-promotion tactics to generate sales momentum during the key summer salad season..

New watermelons earn their stripes New watermelons — Bengala F1, Style F1, and Ivona F1 — were recently unveiled by Spanish seed breeder Nunhems.

Bengala F1 is an early, white seedless watermelon with good Brix levels that is ready for harvest a week earlier than other varieties, theoretically more profitable melon for growers. The majority of the sizes are 4s and 5s, which is expected to help in cut handling and packing time. The stripes on its thin skin are very well defined and stand out against their background, while its flesh is an intense red and has a crunchy texture.

Style F1 and Ivona F1 are dark seedless varieties similar to Bengala in terms of their flesh colour and homogeneity of their sizing. However, while Style F1 has the same sizing as Bengala F1, Ivona packs out in 2s and 3s. Both have consistent post-harvest performance.

What it means? Unique varieties that seek to benefit both producers and consumers with their early season availability and consistent yield.

An innovative filtration machine, Fresh Pod EC 3+, has been launched which claims to extend the British cabbage season by up to eight weeks.

What it means? This innovation extends the supply window for locally grown cabbages and provides greater control over the supply chain.

New artichoke varieties in the US Three new red artichoke varieties — Sangria, Fiore Viola, and Fiesole — developed by the US Baroda Farms in collaboration with French and Italian breeders were rolled out at Ralph’s Grocery Co. (a Kroger subsidiary) and Maria’s Italian Kitchen restaurants (25 April-6 May) by specialty producer Frieda’s Inc in the US.

• Purple carrots owe their colour to the high anthocyanin content, which stimulates immune defence, preventing cancer and cardiovascular diseases. They have uniform roots, mild flavour, and intense purple interior.

• Yellow carrots contain high levels of lutein, which protects eye retina against effects of white light. It also prevents the development of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Usually have a sweet flavour and ideal for specialty market. Yellow carrots preserve their colour when cooked.

• White carrots are good for digestion. They are very sweet and crisp, and considered ideal for the specialty market.

What it means? Promotion of the colourful assortment of carrots correlated with their health benefits — at their core — seek to increase consumption of this highly popular fresh product.

The Sangria artichoke has a deep burgundy colour, pointed shape, and thick leaves with an earthy flavour. The Fiore Viola artichoke has a deep purple colour, round shape and very thick leaves with a sweeter flavour. The Fiesole is a baby artichoke that does not have an inner choke and is almost completely edible.

During the two-week retail and foodservice promotion in Southern California, in which the varieties were promoted with ‘locally grown’ signage, the two larger varieties — Sangria and Fiore Viola — were retailed for two at $5, while one-pound of Fiesole was priced at $3.99 at Ralph’s Grocery. The three varieties are projected to be available in August 2012.

What it means? That a specialty product with local links is now being produced and expects to win appeal on its attributes of unique taste, higher yield, versatility and colour.

New colours and uses for carrots A colourful assortment of carrots have been developed by Italian Bejo, one of the leading companies in breeding, production, processing, and distribution of vegetable seeds. The new varieties include purple, yellow, and white carrots, with a plurality of uses.

Colourful carrots have numerous health benefits.

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Your market

In contrast, soft cooked vegetables reported an increase compared to June 2011.

• W holesale values decline to impact sales values

The weighted total vegetable wholesale price for the week commencing 25 June 2012 was $2.69 per kg.

• A ustralians using more technology for shopping

The total retail sales of fresh and processed vegetables in June 2012 are estimated at $579.3m, as profiled in Figure 6. These sales are lower 6.0% than in June 2011.

• T he farm door gets closer with Farmhouse Direct • V egetables grown inside new pizza store

The Australian food market

• M ore initiatives to attract children to fresh vegetables • C arrot profile with a retail value of $206M

Vegetable market Wholesale vegetable prices The wholesale price difference between June 2012 and June 2011 for the major vegetables is profiled in Figure 5.

The majority of products are in good supply and wholesale price levels remain low. The impact of winter weather has shortened supply of some brassicas, pumpkin and lettuce, but most high volume products remain at lower prices than last year.

Wholesale prices for all vegetable categories were 20% lower compared to June 2011.

The impacts across the products varied, with seasonings and salad components decreasing notably compared to hard cooked vegetables.

Woolworths seek to boost fresh food sales Woolworths has disclosed plans to boost its market share of fresh food to 36% from the current 28%. As part of this strategy, Woolworths will refurbish 170 stores across the nation in 2013, including in-store bakeries, sushi counters, cutting stations for fruit and vegetables, and meat counters.

What it means? That Australians — as value-conscious and techsavvy consumers — are embracing these technology aids to guide where they shop.

Retailer activity

In addition, the supermarket will also launch a TV advertisement that shows the journey of fresh food from the farmers through to the supermarket’s staff. The ad will feature varied suppliers and staff such as a potato farmers, fruit picker, trucker, butcher, fishmonger, and store manager. Woolworths also recently updated its advertising slogan to ‘Australia’s fresh food people’ to remind consumers the source of its fresh food items on the shelves.

Promotional activity in the month of June The retail promotional activity reflects decreasing exposure for vegetables, reversing the increase enjoyed in May 2012 (see Figure 7).

Over the month, the exposure of the total vegetable products decreased to an average of 190 products per week, down from 210 products in May 2012. The decrease has been driven by a decline in exposure for frozen and fresh vegetable products this month. This was partly offset by small increase in exposure for canned vegetables advertised this month.

What it means? That the food retail channel in Australia is set to remain competitive as the largest retailer sets out to assert their substantial influence.

Figure 5 State weighted national wholesale price per kg

Figure 6 Total vegetable retail sales by month

Change for month commencing June 1 2012 versus 2011

Fresh and processed in $000's — last two quarters

-60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 -30 -20 -10 0 Year-on-year 10 20 % 30change 40 50 Year-on-year % change

WA Grower Spring 2012

700,000

700,000

600,000

600,000

500,000

100,000 0 40

50

300,000 200,000

Jan

100,000

Feb

0

$545,390 $534,115

300,000

400,000

$591,663 $540,949

400,000

200,000

30

$000’s

500,000

$534,115

Chillies Broccoli Pumpkin Cauliflowers Peas Lettuce

Garlic Ginger Tomatoes Cucumbers Onions Capsicums Beans Zucchinis Potatoes Sweet corn Mushrooms Cabbages Salad Radish Spinach Carrots

$000’s

Garlic Ginger Tomatoes Cucumbers Onions Capsicums Beans Zucchinis Potatoes Sweet corn Mushrooms Cabbages Salad Radish Spinach Carrots

$540,949

Chillies Broccoli Pumpkin Cauliflowers Peas Lettuce

76

A survey conducted by the Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) on 1,000 people from across the country showed that 38% of Australians used a phone or iPad to compare prices in the last six months, up from 27% last year.

Men (44%) were also more likely to use technology to compare prices than women (38%). Nearly 21.6% of Australians had also used a phone app as a shopping aid and the number increased to 41% for those aged 18–24. The survey also found that 80% of those who comparison shopped on a smart phone or iPad while in-store chose to buy from another retailer.

Jan Feb Mar Apr Month

Mar Apr May Jun Month

$591,623

• N ew food packaging that is flavoured and edible

$579,280 $545,390

Highlights

-40

A new survey has revealed a shift in the shopping habits of Australians, causing retailers to consider their business strategies.

At the product level, the most significant changes were with garlic, ginger, tomatoes, cucumbers and onions which decreased over the same month last year. In contrast lettuce, peas, cauliflowers and pumpkin increased over the same month last year.

$591,623 $591,663

June 2012

Australians turn to technology to shop

May

Your market

Figure 7 Advertised vegetables — total adverts per week

Figure 8 Advertised fresh vegetables — total adverts per week

January 2012 – June 2012

January 2012 – June 2012 Canned

350

Frozen

200

Fresh

Total adverts per week

Total adverts per week

400 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

160

Hard cooked vegetables Soft cooked vegetables

120 80 40 0 Jan

Jun

Feb

Month

Within the fresh vegetables, there was a decrease across all fresh vegetable categories — salad components, hard cooked vegetables, soft cooked vegetables, and seasonings — advertised in June 2012 (see Figure 8).

The promotional activity among the majority of the top retailers in June 2012 reflects a less Fruit and Vegetables (F&V) exposure compared to May 2012, reversing the peak of the previous month (see Table 1). When compared to the same month last year, there was also less vegetable promotional activity, notably at Woolworths (-39%) and Coles (-25%) (see Figure 9).

The consumer The Dimmi Australian Dining Index drawn from 300,000 diners and 2,000 restaurants reveals a clear shift in the Australian dining scene, with service and value for money playing a key role in dining out.

Results show a drop in dining out at the high end over the past year. Only 16% of diners now spend more than $90 per head,

Table 1 Fruit and vegetable exposure Vegetables

June 2012

Change prior month

Coles

268

q

Woolworths

203

q

IGA

153

q

Supa IGA

186

q

June 2012

Change on month prior

Fruit

compared with 20% a year ago. Across the states, most diners spend an average of $60 per person, with ACT ($83) at the top of the scale and Queensland at the other end at $56 per person. Diners in Victoria spend an average of $59 per person.

Analysis also shows that more people head online before eating out, with a 67% annual increase in online restaurant reservations.

What it means? Top tier restaurants have a challenge in front of them to lure valueconscious consumers in these market conditions.

New salad campaign targets school children

Aussies dining habits revealed

Coles

220

q

Woolworths

202

q

IGA

98

p

Supa IGA

105

q

Figure 9 Retailer fruit and vegetable activity June 2012 versus May 2012

Woolworths

-25% -4% -39% -20% -8%

IGA

10% -13%

Supa IGA

-10%

Vegetables Fruit

Mar

Apr Month

May

Jun

Sian Porter and includes the launch of a website www.makemoreofsalad.com and an education initiative.

The education scheme will target primary school children aged 7–11, offering schools nationwide with kits designed in conjunction with the British Nutrition Foundation to help pupils grow their own salad leaves.

BLSA plans to get 6,000 children growing leafy salads in the new school term starting September 2012.

The move follows BLSA research which claims that leafy salads only represent 5% of UK’s total fresh vegetable intake.

Boost for US school salad scheme

A new three-year campaign — The Salad Days: Make More of Salad Campaign — has been launched by the British Leafy Salads Association (BLSA) — co-funded with about €140,000 from the EU — to promote the health benefits of leafy salads.

The campaign will combine recipes and flavour guides with tips from dietician

Coles

Salad components Seasonings

More than 15 salad bars will be built in schools in the Washington DC area, after $43,000 was donated to the GrowerShipper Association of Central California and United Fresh’s Salad for school campaigns.

The United Fresh’s ‘Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools’ campaign — developed to raise the visibility of salad bars as an effective strategy for increasing children’s fresh produce consumption at school — has already set up 1,600 salad bars in schools throughout the US. The Grower-Shipper Association Foundation’s ‘More Produce in Schools’ program is a new initiative focused on finding solutions to the national obesity issue by bringing more produce into schools in targeted areas.

What it means? Successful integrated efforts to get fresh produce to children by reinforcing positive messages. The common themes in these initiatives are making fruit and vegetables part of school meals and encouraging kids to do a little bit of gardening themselves.

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Your market

Innovation from the world Australia Post to offer fresh food deliveries Australia Post will be competing with other online grocery shopping and delivery services through Farmhouse Direct to be launched in late 2012.

Farmhouse Direct, an initiative developed

by Australia Post and supported by Victoria Farmers’ Market Association (VFMA), is an online farmer’s market, set up specifically to give farmers and producers another direct channel to market. This new service intends to let consumers purchase products at any time and have them delivered to their home. The Farmhouse Direct website will list the products of participating sellers, enabling consumers buy directly from producers. Australia Post believes that this service will benefit producers as well, by shortening their supply chain and reaching a wider market.

The focus of Farmhouse Direct will be on ‘hard-to-find specialty products’ and will create opportunities to contact producers directly — an important point of difference between this new service. For more information, see www.farmhousedirect.com.au.

Online distribution networks opens for convenience stores An Australian delivery service — ParcelPoint — has established a way for online consumers to receive their parcels at the local convenience store, instead of collecting them from an Australian Post outlet. Under this service, consumers are notified by sms when their parcels are delivered to a local convenience store or grocery and are able to collect it when convenient.

The stores involved are selected for their accessibility, with many open seven days and after-hours. The delivered product is not necessarily connected with the stores’ own products. Retailers involved in ParcelPoint receive direct commission on every parcel handled, increased foot-traffic, and access to new local customers. ParcelPoint is actively developing partnerships with online retailers and parcel carriers as both groups can benefit significantly from promoting a convenient, more efficient delivery option.

What it means? More initiatives to service the online shopper indicates the growth potential that some see in this channel.

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WA Grower Spring 2012

Vegetables to grow in newly designed pizza store A hut-like mobile greenhouse has been developed by Architect office Bloot in Netherlands, in which pizzas can be made. The construction is being used as a greenhouse in its original state. When the greenhouse is lifted up, a new space is created — a wooden pizza bar appears, with an ‘ingredient garden’ joined to it. Visitors can take ingredients for their pizza from these vegetables, including herbs, courgette plants, and tomato plants.

The greenhouse is made up of transparent corrugated sheets. The ingredient garden and the bar are built from reclaimed wood and the pizza oven is made of old bricks, chicken wire, and clay. Rainwater is caught to water the plants. The temporary building will be realised in Hoofddorp in Netherlands.

What it means? Another take on urban farming by bringing garden freshness into the foodservice delivery.

Edible food packaging unveiled An innovative edible packaging — WikiCells — has been developed in an effort to reduce plastic and paper waste. Produced

by French-based researchers, the Wikicells edible food packaging takes its cue from the natural packaging that encases oranges, apples, potatoes, and other types of fruits and vegetables — a model of how nature wraps foods.

The packaging is made using a mixture of algae and calcium that is then flavoured to either mimic or complement the flavour of the food and drink contained inside. Thus, the edible packaging can be made up of small particles of chocolate, dried fruit, nuts, and seeds which are used to create a nutritious gelatinous skin that protects food products such as yoghurt, ice cream, juice, or pudding.

In case the consumer does not want to eat the packaging, Wikicell can be thrown away like an orange peel, as it is biodegradable.

To date, the scientist, together with his collaborators, have experimented with a gazpacho-stuffed tomato membrane, a winefilled grape like shell, and an orange-laden orb that tastes like an orange. The packaging that houses liquid can be used with a straw — just like a conventional juice carton.

Wikicells Designs, the company developing and commercialising the packaging, plans to market Wiki ice-cream packaged in edible shells this year in Paris.

What it means? A unique packaging innovation that provides convenience, nutrition, taste, and reduces waste is almost too good to be true.

Unique website for kids on fresh fruit and vegetables A new website — www.kidsenjoyfresh.com — has been launched by Freshfel Europe to highlight the benefits and enjoyment of fresh produce consumption to children, parents, and teachers.

The website provides a wide range of entertaining and educational games and activities for children, trying to stir up their curiosity to explore fresh fruits and vegetables. The website offers parents firsthand suggestions on how to encourage fruits and vegetables in a child’s diet, as well as how to ‘Enjoy Fresh’ tips for storage and handling and an exhaustive recipe list. Freshfrel plans that all sections of the website would be regularly reviewed with new content and features over time.

What it means? A unique online platform that engages directly with the youngest consumers to help them get in touch with fresh produce in an accessible format and make fresh produce consumption a fun activity.

Cool Cuts targets school children A new line of innovative Disney-themed Mini-Meal and Salads specifically for kids aged 6–12 has been developed by US Ready Pac Foods in conjunction with Disney Consumer Products.

In addition, a Disney character — Pixar’s Cars, Disney Princess, Mickey Mouse and friends, and Phineas and Ferb — has been matched to each item based on the character’s personality and includes a ‘fun factor’ that matches the Disney character on the label such as a sticker or temporary tattoo inside.

Compared with other similarly targeted kids’ products in the market, the line claims to have up to four times fewer calories and 12 times fat less fat per serving. The mini-meals will be available in four flavours suited to the younger palette and preferences in a portion-controlled format. The packaging is suitable for lunchboxes and backpacks, offering durability and portability. Disneythemed Cool Cuts line is marketed under the popular Ready Pac Cool Cuts brand and is expected to hit stores where fresh produce is sold in August 2012.

Your market

What it means? A clever innovative line that hopes to win appeal among children.

It is also a strong signal that the marketing stakeholders of the Disney brand have determined that there are advantages in aligning with the positive attributes of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Thai basil makes retailer debut Fresh-cut Thai basil leaves hit Waitrose’s shelves this month, in response to growing customer demand for the herb. Thai basil will be grown locally by Surrey grower and supplier R&G Fresh Herbs, which claims to be the first in the UK to have commercial quantities available and Waitrose to be the first supermarket to offer the herb nationwide.

Cut from mature plants, Thai basil is smaller and more pungent than regular basil and has a spicy flavour — a mainstay of Thai and other South-East Asian cuisine. It is also a significant part of UK’s retail and foodservice offering.

What it means? That a specialty product with local links is now being offered by this retailer in a move to cater for the ethnic diversity in store catchments.

Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods US Northwest Produce Family company will launch Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods, a fresh food processing service, in mid-July this year.

The 45,000-square-foot facility will operate a 2,000sqm fruit and vegetable processing room, together with hot and cold kitchens.

The combined product line will offer approximately 1,350 separate SKUs. Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods will offer a wide range of meals, from grab and go, soups, home

meal replacement, protein salads, party trays to any variation of cut and processed fruit and vegetables. The company states that there is a demand within its current retail and foodservice customer base that Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods will serve effectively.

What it means? That this fresh produce company has identified and expanded to cater for demand it sees in within the local foodservice sector. Indicating that even in tight time there is demand for products that save time. new sweetpotato fries in the market A new range of premium sweetpotato fries have been launched by potato producer Aviko in the UK to help foodservice industry cater to the growing demand for sweetpotato fries. Sweetpotatoes contain twice as much as fibre as regular potatoes and are also high in potassium, which plays an important role in lowering blood pressure.

The launch follows the company’s survey that showed 74% of respondents would order sweetpotato fries if they were on a menu, with a further 76% claiming they would be perfect for kids’ menus. Health was also a key factor, with 68% of respondents preferring sweetpotato fries as they could see them as a healthier option to regular fries.

Aviko’s sweetpotato fries are supplied frozen and are available to all foodservice outlets.

What it means? Sound market research can be used to identify consumers’ needs and justify new products.

Walla Walla sweet onions to hit US stores Walla Walla certified sweet onions will be soon launched at local grocery stores in the US. The popularity of these Walla Walla Certified Sweet Onions has increased significantly in recent years because of their versatility and unique flavour.

Walla Walla sweet onions are mild — without the tears and heat associated with hybrid onions — and crisp and enhance a range of dishes including salsa, salads, and sandwiches. They can also be grilled or sautéed and used as appetisers or toppings. In addition, they are fat free, cholesterol free, low in sodium, and a good source of dietary fibre.

Prior to their launch, Walla Walla Certified Sweet Onions are being marketed by US Keystone Fruit Marketing Company as part of the ‘Make Taste Interesting’ campaign, which will highlight favourite summertime foods.

What it means? A new product that has combined the three attributes of taste, versatility, and health to win consumers’ appeal. more information The report has been produced by Freshlogic as part of the national Vegetable levy and matched funds from the Australian government. it forms a part of the ViDp and aims to inform vegetable producers and supply chain stakeholders on market influences and developments in the past week. We recommend that those seeking to act on the basis of this information first obtain independent professional advice.

www.kidsenjoyfresh.com provides a wide range of entertaining and educational games for kids about fresh fruits and vegetables.

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Your market

Vegetable market trends A profile of the three-month period ending March 31 2012 — key findings and implications Table 1 Analysis of average purchasing quantity Findings

Implications for vegetable producers and marketers

Average purchase quantity — ranking The average purchase quantity varies greatly across different vegetables and appears to be influenced by product density, shelf life, unit size and most likely the diversity of uses.

• Understanding the average purchase quantity chosen by shoppers for a particular vegetable, as well as the quantity chosen for complementary and competing products, can provide valuable insights into shopper preferences and opportunities to increase sales returns.

Average purchase quantity vs. household penetration levels The relationship between average purchase quantity and average household penetration varies across vegetables and can indicate opportunities for increasing sales, through increased household penetration, increased purchase quantities and/or increased frequency of purchase.

• In particular there may be an opportunity where household penetration is low, but the average purchase quantity is quite high. Here, there may be opportunities to increase household penetration with smaller portions to encourage more frequent purchases.

Average purchase quantity vs. retail price In general, there is an inverse relationship between the average purchase quantity and average retail price. It is often easier to gain a higher retail price on products that have a lower average purchase quantity for a variety of reasons.

• Shoppers are often prepared to pay a higher price per kg for smaller purchase quantities — suggesting there may be opportunities to diversify the current product range further, to meet demands for smaller portion sizes.

Case study: Pre-pack quantity vs. loose quantity selected Understanding the differences between purchase quantities for loose products can help determine a suitable size for a pre-pack offer.

• Suppliers and marketers should assess any significant gaps in the pre-pack offer, and look for opportunities to add greater value by offering shoppers quantities that meet their preferred size.

• For vegetables where large quantities are typically purchased, it is advantageous to have an offer that also provides smaller quantities, so as to not limit sales to full shops, which account for only one third of all shopping trips made.

• Further, products that provide a known price, as is the case when sold in prepack or by the ‘each’, can support easier decision making for shoppers and may allow for a higher per kg price to be generated.

Table 2 Australian market tracking indicators Findings

Implications for vegetable producers and marketers

1. Household spend on fruit and vegetables lifted over the quarter, supported by stronger demand for fresh fruit. Spend on take home food remains consistent with the previous quarter, after coming off a peak in Q2 2011.

• The tight retail competition together with the seasonal decline in home entertainment can make the March quarter a challenging time in terms of achieving sales targets. Further, vegetable consumption can also be impacted by high fruit consumption at this time, when many seasonal fruits come into peak supply.

2. In Q1 12 retail sales of all vegetables were lower than the previous quarter and 7.3% down on the same first quarter in 2011.

3. The ABS total annual food inflation was -2.5% in Q1 12, and was largely influenced by falling fruit and vegetable prices.

4. Overall, wholesale prices increased moderately over the quarter, but eased considerably compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

5. The number of vegetables products advertised increased by 14% over the quarter, reflecting the competitive intensity within the retail channel and seasonal influences.

• The retail channel remains very competitive and fresh produce remains a key focus. This is reflected in the level of promotional activity over the quarter.

Promotions were mixed and reflected the changing weather, with increases recorded for all vegetable categories.

6. In Q1 2012 fresh vegetable advertising reflected an initial focus on salad components, followed by a stronger focus on hard cooked vegetables reflecting a seasonal shift as the weather cooled.

• Promotions reflected demand at this time, which moved from salad components toward hard cooked vegetables over the later part of the quarter, in line with seasonal patterns.

7. Over the quarter, the use of cooking preparation increased, while the use in salads eased, in line with seasonal patterns as cooler weather approaches.

• In line with seasonal patterns, use of cooking increased as salads decreased.

8. Over the quarter, 86% of households reported purchasing fresh vegetables on a weekly basis.

• While household penetration for vegetables remained strong over the quarter, there was an increase in household penetration in fruit, which can create a level of substitution between fruit and vegetables.

9. Carrots were the most popular vegetable purchased weekly by households in Q1 12. Over the quarter, a slightly smaller proportion of households are undertaking more than 6 food buying trips per week.

• The popularity of carrots reflects their seasonal demand, supported by promotions.

10. Appearance, seasonality and promotions were the main reasons households purchased ‘more’ vegetables over the quarter.

Purchase patterns show that 19% of consumers have been influenced to buy less and 11% to buy more vegetables.

• If the reasons why 19% of households buy less vegetables can be understood and their negative impact reduced, this action could increase vegetable sales.

Source: Freshlogic

80

• While wholesale vegetable prices increased moderately over the quarter they were quite a lot lower than at the same time last year, as supply volumes were rebuilt, and this was reflected in ABS inflation figures.

WA Grower Spring 2012

• Despite a very small decrease this quarter, top up shops are becoming increasingly common over time. Vegetable products need to suit being purchased on frequent and smaller shopping trips.

• Similarly, with appearance and seasonality having a strong influence on the 11% of households who purchased more vegetables, this highlights the importance of these factors in increasing consumption and sales.

Your market

The current retail market sells 40,276 tonnes of fresh cauliflower's, worth a total value of $101 million.

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WA Grower Spring 2012

Your market

Vegetable Industry Development Program

Veginsights

Category in profile Highlights • C auliflower was the 13th most frequently purchased vegetable by households (weekly) in the December quarter 2011 • O ver the last four quarters (Mar – Dec 11) cauliflower had an average weekly penetration of 25% across all households • C auliflower is a low value product that is purchased by consumers for an average of $2.51 per kg, which is lower than the average retail price of $3.50 per kg for all vegetables.

Cauliflower Figure 1 Annual tonnes by state

Cauliflowers are sold in whole and half forms, with both selling on ‘per each’ basis.

WA 4,874 8%

Consumer penetration

Tas 5,483 9%

Vic 17,667 29%

Based on the analysis of retail Docket data for the year ending December 2011, provided as part of the Mealpulse™ panel, the average quantity of cauliflower Australian consumers selected was 1.005 grams (see Table 1).

SA 6,092 10% 60,920 tonnes NSW 9,747 16%

In the December quarter 2011, cauliflowers were the 11th most frequently purchased fresh vegetable based on weekly purchase patterns (see Figure 5) and regularly feature in the top 13 vegetable products.

Qld 17,058 28%

Source: Freshlogic

Cauliflower production was 60,920t in 2011. The retail channel buys 51,386t while the foodservice channel buys 9,360t. The current domestic retail market value of fresh cauliflower purchased by consumers is $101 million.

State production

The current retail market sells 40,276 tonnes of fresh cauliflower's, worth a total value of $101 million. The average retail price paid for cauliflower was $2.51 per kg.

Wholesale price

1.60

2010 2011

1.80 1.40

$/kg

See Figure 2.

Imports of fresh cauliflower are negligible.

The use of cauliflowers in stir fries and curries has helped maintain consumption during the warmer months of the year.

Figure 2 Average cauliflower wholesale price 2.00

The fresh domestic market is supplied with 56,407 tonnes of cauliflower. The processed market is supplied with 4,513 tonnes of locally produced product (see Figure 3).

Cauliflower is largely consumed as a side dish, with the most common preparation methods including boiling, steaming, or baking (see Table 2).

Figures presented in Figure 4 are for the year ending December 2011.

See Figure 1.

Volumes and shares through the chain

Consumption profile

Fresh retail sales

1.20 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00

Jan

Source: Freshlogic

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Month

WA Grower Spring 2012

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Your market

Figure 3 Cauliflower volumes and shares

Figure 5 Weekly purchase frequency Broccoli

Australian grown

Fresh

0%

92%

37%

Oct–Dec 11

22%

Export

Fresh 0%

85%

8%

15%

0%

173

47,776

Share of fresh sales Supermarkets

73%

Speacialist

27%

3,610

8,458

47%

Jul–Sep 11

32% 41%

Apr–Jun 11

Foodservice

20%

0%

– Retail

80%

Processed Imported

Processed

30% 37%

Jan–Mar 11

903

–

16% 0

Source: Freshlogic

* Volume in tonnes

Figure 4 Cauliflower retail sales contribution Value

Volume

66%

Whole head

75% 20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Adverts

25%

10

30

40

50

2.50

20

2.00

15

1.50

10

1.00

5

0.50

Singles and couples with lower income

0.88

24%

Singles and couples with higher income

1.006

24%

Budgeting families

1.103

23%

Established families

0.841

24%

Empty nesters

1.174

30%

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Month

0.00

Source: Adwatch™

Figure 7 UK/US/Aust retail fresh cauliflower range profile Aust

14.00

UK

US

12.00

Price ($/kg)

Purchase weekly

Avg. $/kg

25

0

Average purchased quantity (kg)

Other

3.00

Percentage

Table 1 Purchase of cauliflower by different household segments

Woolworths

30

Source: Freshlogic

Household segments

20

Percentage

Figure 6 Cauliflower promotional activity 2011

34%

0

10

Source: Mealpulse™

Coles

Cut (half)

Cauliflower

Price ($/kg)

60,920

10.00 Fresh cut florets

8.00 6.00 4.00

Whole product

Cut (half) product

2.00

Source: Mealpulse

™

0.00 0.0

Table 2 Cauliflower consumption profile

4

Baked/grilled

4

Salad

4

Soup/sauce

4

4

Raw Juiced Salad Sandwich/burger/wrap Snack

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0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

Source: Freshlogic

Roasted

Stirfry

0.6

4

Deep fried Mashed

0.4

Product selling weight (kg)

Cooked Boiled, microwaved, steamed

0.2

4

Promotional activity — 2011

UK-US-AUST retail range profile

Figure 6 details the number of promotional adverts by retailer for each month.

Figure 7 has drawn on data gathered from Australia retail and UK and US online sites.

It is considered representative of the current retail ranges in each market.

For the year ending December 2011, there were a total of 126 adverts and some level of retail promotion activity in 38 of the 52 weeks. This generates an average of 10.5 promotional adverts per month.

For the year ending December 2010, there were a total of 146 adverts and some level of retail promotion activity in 37 of the 52 weeks. This generates an average of 12.2 promotional adverts per month.

All products across the three markets were sold by the each. Cut product generated a slight premium in all three markets.

Baby product was available in the Australian and UK markets, while pre-packed crowns were offered in the US market.

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We look forward to growing our relationship with other WA Businesses

your power to choose Give us a call on 9420 0300 to find out more or visit www.perthenergy.com.au.

Your market

Vegetable Industry Development Program

Veginsights

Category in profile Highlights • C arrot was the most frequently purchased vegetable by households (weekly) in the June quarter 2012 • O ver the last four quarters (Sep 11 – Jun 12) carrot had an average weekly penetration of 64% across all households • C arrot is a low value product that is purchased by consumers for an average of $1.64 per kg, which is significantly lower than the average retail price of $3.50 per kg for all vegetables.

Carrot production was 236,668t in 2011–12. The retail channel buys 139,965t while the foodservice channel buys 41,533t. The current domestic retail market value of fresh carrot purchased by consumers is $206 million.

State production See Figure 1.

Carrots Figure 1 Annual tonnes by state

NSW 19,090 8%

The processed domestic market is supplied with 13,707 tonnes of locally produced carrots.

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WA Grower Spring 2012

WA 69,622 31%

Consumer penetration In the June quarter 2012, carrots were the most frequently purchased fresh vegetable based on weekly purchase patterns (see Table 1) and regularly feature in the top two vegetable products (see Figure 5). Carrots have generated an average weekly penetration of 64% over the last four quarters, in comparison to potatoes which generated 57%.

224,587 tonnes SA 35,934 16% Tas 62,884 28%

Source: Freshlogic

Consumption profile

Exports play a substantial role in the fresh market, with 20% of the fresh volume flowing through this channel.

Carrots offer one of the most versatile ranges of uses among all of the vegetable categories.

They are involved in most if not all cooked and raw consumption occasions (see Table 2).

This has been a strong driving force behind the categories ability to consistently generate 60%+ weekly household penetration across all seasons.

Fresh retail sales All figures presented in Figure 4 are for the year ending June 2012. The current retail market sells 125,668 tonnes of fresh carrot, worth a total value of $206 million.

Figure 2 Average carrot wholesale price 1.00 0.90

See Figure 2.

0.80 0.70

$/kg

The fresh carrot market is supplied with 210,918 tonnes of locally produced product, of which 43,127 tonnes were exported (see Figure 3).

Qld 14,598 7%

Vic 22,459 10%

Wholesale price Volumes and shares through the chain

The overall average price paid for carrots was $1.64 per kg. Overall loose sold product generates an average premium of 26% over pre-packed product. Pre-packs under 500 grams includes products such as baby and Chantenay varieties.

0.60 0.50 0.40 0.30

2010 2011 2012

0.20 0.10 0.00

Jan

Source: Freshlogic

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Month

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Your market

Figure 3 Carrot volumes and shares 224,587 Australian grown

Figure 5 Top 10 vegetables Fresh

20%

94%

0%

63%

100%

Processed

Share of fresh sales Supermarkets

6,168

Speacialist

73% 27%

Foodservice

55%

0%

–

Retail 133,797

33,994

58%

Potato

43,127

45%

16%

6%

64%

Tomato

Export

Fresh

Imported

Carrots

Processed

57%

Onions

51%

Lettuce

45%

Broccoli

41%

Mushroom

41%

Capsicum

39%

Pumpkin

7,539

39%

Cucumbers

38

35% 0

Source: Freshlogic

* Volume in tonnes

Source: Mealpulse™

10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Percentage

Figure 4 Carrot retail sales contribution — by variety and pack type Dutch bunch

3% 1%

Juicing

1% 2%

Pre-packs <500g

Value

10%

Volume

16% 20% 17%

Standard loose

60%

Standard pre-packs 0

10

20

Source: Freshlogic

30

40

50

60

70% 70

Percentage

Table 1 Purchase of carrots by different household segments Household segments

Average purchased quantity (kg)

Purchase weekly

Singles and couples with lower income

0.783

63%

Singles and couples with higher income

0.819

62%

Budgeting families

0.942

65%

Established families

0.935

67%

Empty nesters

0.915

63%

All households

0.894

64%

Source: Mealpulse™

Table 2 Carrot consumption profile Cooked Boiled, microwaved, steamed

4

Deep fried Mashed

4

Roasted

4 4

Baked/grilled Salad

4

Soup/sauce

4

Stirfry

4

Raw Juiced

4

Salad

4

Sandwich/burger/wrap

4

Snack

In the June quarter 2012, carrots were the most frequently purchased fresh vegetable based on weekly purchase patterns.

4 WA Grower Spring 2012

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Your market

Figure 6 Carrot promotional activity 2011–12 Other

Avg. $/kg

70 60 Adverts

50 40 30 20 10 0

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Month

Source: Adwatch™

2.00 1.80 1.60 1.40 1.20 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00

Price ($/kg)

Woolworths

Price ($/kg)

Coles

Figure 7 UK/US/Aust retail fresh carrot range profile 11.00 10.00 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.00

Aust

UK

US

Gap in the Australian market

0.0

0.1

0.2

Source: Freshlogic

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

Product selling weight (kg)

Promotional activity — 2011

uk-us-Aust retail range profile

Figure 6 details the number of promotional adverts by retailer for each month.

Figure 7 has drawn on data gathered from Australian, UK and US retail and online offers.

For the year ending June 2012, there were a total of 507 adverts for carrot and some level of retail promotion activity in all of the 52 weeks. This generates an average of 42.25 promotional adverts per month.

While the Australian market has some smaller pack sizes, there is fewer retail products aimed at servicing snacking occasions. These products include carrot sticks and batons.

The large majority of retail promotional activity is generated by the 1kg pre-packs.

Considering the lack of smaller pack sizes in the Australian market, it appears that there are some opportunities available to capture additional value per kg. .

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WA Grower Spring 2012

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Your self

YOUR

self

WA Grower Spring 2012

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Your self

Recipes West Australian Marron with broccolini cheese sauce A twist on the classic lobster mornay using sweet WA marron rather than salt-water crayfish. The Broccolini lends colour and complementary crunch to the creamy mornay and the salad is a visual treat.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Method

cooking time: 30 minutes

1. Bring milk and cream to the boil.

Serves 4

2. in another saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and add flour. Cook, stirring, until golden. Slowly add hot milk and cream, whisking regularly, until thick.

Ingredients 2 bunches Broccolini, blanched, stems finely sliced ½ cup baby endive 8 cherry tomatoes 2 live WA marron (about 250g each) 90g parmesan, grated 30g gruyere cheese, grated 100g firm goat's curd, diced 250ml pure cream 100ml milk ½ cup croutons 30g plain flour 30g butter Olive oil for drizzling

3. Add 60g parmesan, gruyere and Broccolini® heads and stems. Stand to cool.

4. place marron in iced water for 20 minutes to put to sleep. Meanwhile bring 2 litres salted water to the boil.

Add marron, bring back to the boil and simmer for 6 minutes. Drain. Cool slightly then cut in half lengthways.

5. For salad, combine goat's curd, tomatoes, croutons, endive, and 6 stems of Broccolini®. Drizzle with olive oil.

6. place marron in a baking dish and spoon over Broccolini® and cheese sauce mix.

Sprinkle with remaining parmesan. Bake at 200°C for 10 minutes until golden.

7. Serve with salad.

Dutch carrots baked cheese honey roasted Prep time: 20 minutes cooking time: 45 minutes

Serves 4

The colours and flavours of Dutch carrots star in this vegetarian dish.

Ingredients 8 purple Dutch carrots, peeled 12 orange Dutch carrots, peeled 350ml full cream millk 60g butter 60g plain flour pinch white pepper 60g parmesan, grated 60g aged cheddar 5 egg yokes 4 egg whites ½ tsp salt 150ml pure cream ¼ cup honey ¼ cup orange juice 1 tsp caraway seeds 4 tsp parmesan, grated (extra)

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WA Grower Spring 2012

Your self

Indulgent breakfast BLT with truss tomatoes Start the day with this hearty take on a cafe favourite.

Prep time: 10 minutes cooking time: 15 minutes

Serves 4

twice soufflé with carrots Method 1. Top and tail 4 of the orange carrots and slice into thin rounds. Cook in boiling salted water for 2 minutes. Drain and refresh.

2. in a saucepan, heat milk till warm, not boiling.

Method 1. grill bacon and tomato on char-grill for 2 minutes on each side. Set aside and keep warm as necessary.

2. Toast ciabatta and keep warm.

Ingredients 4 d'Vineripe truss tomatoes, sliced into 12 thick slices ®

2 Sweet gems™ baby cos hearts, each cut in half 8 rashers bacon 4 slices ciabatta bread Butter for spreading 4 slices Swiss cheese

3. Bring a saucepan of water to the boil and reduce to simmer. Stir water to create a whirlpool and poach eggs one at a time, approximately 3 minutes each.

4. Spread bread with butter and top with 2 slices tomato, bacon, cheese and half cos lettuce. Drizzle cos with Caesar dressing.

5. Add remaining slice of tomato and poached egg.

Caesar salad dressing to taste 4 free range eggs

3. in another saucepan, melt butter, add flour and cook 2-3 minutes until light golden. gradually add milk to cooked flour, stirring well. Cook for 5-6 minutes until thick.

4. Add pepper and stir in cheese. Stand to cool for 5 minutes, then fold in egg yolks.

5. Whip egg whites with salt to form soft peaks. Fold into milk and cheese mixture.

6. Divide cooked carrot rounds between 4 x 200ml greased ramekins then gently spoon in soufflé mixture.

7. Bake soufflés at 180°C for 20 minutes until golden and set. Stand to cool for 10 minutes, turn out and transfer to a baking dish.

8. Meanwhile blanch remaining carrots in salted water for 2 minutes. Drain, cool and place into another baking dish. Combine orange juice and honey. Drizzle over carrots and sprinkle with caraway seeds.

9. place carrots in a 200°C oven for 10 minutes.

10. Sprinkle soufflés with parmesan and bake at 200°C for 10 minutes. Serve soufflés with roasted carrots.

© recipes kindly provided by perfection Fresh Australia pty ltd — www.perfection.com.au

WA Grower Spring 2012

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Your industry

Biting back against stable fly — Vietnamese translation

CUỘC PHẢN CÔNG CHỐNG LOÀI RUỒI TRÂU NGƯỜI BẠN CỦA NÔNG DÂN VIỆT NAM TẠI HIỆP HỘI TRỒNG RAU TÂY ÚC Ngài chủ tịch Hiệp hội rau Tây Úc Maureen Dobra thảo luận với giám đốc sở y tế đô thị Wanneroo Wayne Harris và giám đốc sở y tế đô thị Swan Neil Harries về vấn đề ruồi trâu.

Tác gả: IAN MCPHARLIN BỘ NÔNG NGHIỆP VÀ LƯƠNG THỰC TIỂU BANG Ruồi trâu là loài côn trùng gây hại quốc tế có nguồn gốc từ khu vực xích đạo Á-Phi và được ghi nhận xuất hiện ở Tây Úc 100 năm trước. Chúng là loại chích hút chủ yếu trên người và gia súc khi những con trưởng thành cần phải hút máu để hoàn thành chu kỳ sinh sản của chúng. Khu vực đồng bằng dọc sông Swan là nơi bị ảnh hưởng ruồi nặng nề nhất, đây là nơi ruồi dể dàng sinh sản trên xác bã rau cải thối rửa trong điều kiện nóng và đất cát xốp.

Vì sự tác hại của ruồi trâu mà chính quyền của tám địa phương đã phối hợp với Hiệp hội trồng rau bang Tây Úc (VegetablesWA), Bộ nông nghiệp và lương thực tiểu bang (DAF), Đại học Tây Úc (UWA) và Cơ quan phụ trách nghành rau hoa quả liên bang (Horticulture Australia limited - HAL) cùng nghiên cứu phát triển các biện phòng trừ. Trọng tâm của chương trình phối hợp là phát triển các phương thức nhằm giảm thiểu sự sinh sản của ruồi trâu trên xác bả thực vật sau vụ thu họach và thúc đẩy quá trình phân hoá của xác bả thực vật mà không lạm dụng thuốc hóa học. Nhà côn trùng học David Cook ở đại học Tây Úc đang cộng tác với quân Gingin (một trong những nơi đóng góp nhiều nhất cho chưong trình) sẽ đảm nhận vai trò chính. Chương trình sẽ bắt đầu vào tháng mười khi ruồi sinh sôi nẩy nở mạnh mẻ trong thời tiết nóng ở khu vực dồng bằng dọc sông Swan.

Các thành phố khu vực Swan và Wanneroo cùng với các quận Capel, Chittering, Dandaragan, Gingin, Harvey và thị trấn Kwinana đã cam kết trài trợ chương trình trong ba năm tới song song với ngân quỹ được trích ra từ tiền thu phí dịch vụ của ngành trồng rau thông qua Quỹ ban nông nghiệp. Chương trình cũng nhân được sự tham gia chặt chẽ của ngài chủ tịch Hiệp hội rau Tây Úc – Maureen Dobra – và các công sự ngay từ giai đoan hoạch định kế hoạch ban đầu.

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WA Grower spring 2012

Một trong những nơi sinh sản chính của ruồi trâu và các loài ruồi khác là phân chuồng tuơi. Lọai phân bón này hiện đã bị chính quyền của mười hai địa phương khu vực sông Swan cấm sử dụng và hầu hết các địa phương này cũng tham gia vào chương trình. Các sản phẩm được cho là có tác dụng thúc đẩy nhanh sự phân hủy xác bả thực vật nhằm hạn chế ruồi trâu đẻ trứng sẽ được thử nghiệm trên các ruộng rau. Các loại hóa chất hữu cơ này vừa giúp đẩy nhanh quá trình phân hủy vừa cải tạo thành phần vi sinh trong xác bả thục vật làm cho chúng không còn phù hợp cho ruồi đẻ trứng cũng như hạn chế vòi phát triển.

Phòng trừ ruồi là vấn đề mang tính toàn cầu, đặc biệt là trong điều kiện ấm áp và đát cát xốp lý tưởng cho ruồi sinh sản thì việc ứng dụng các phương pháp tiên tiến trong việc khống chế ruồi là nhu cầu bức thiết. Công tác khống chế ruồi trâu đang dược chuyển từ nghị định về sức khỏe sang nghị định về phòng trừ sinh học và quản lý nông nghịêp (còn gọi là Nghị định BAM) do Bộ nông ngiệp và lương thực tiểu bang Tây Úc điều phối thực hiện. Ruồi trâu hiện đang bị xếp vào loại tác nhân gây hại mức độ 3 - quản lý khống chế cấp khu vực địa phươngtrong khi mức đô 1 là quản lý khống chế cấp quốc gia và mức độ 2 là quản lý khống chế cấp tiểu bang.

Một nhóm công tác sẽ được thành lập cuối năm nay để hổ trợ các hoạt động của chương trình bao gồm việc huấn luyện nhân viên các địa phương những phương pháp phòng trừ ruồi trâu hiệu quả nhất.

More information

Muốn biết thêm chi tiết xin liên hệ: I an McPharlin theo số 9368 3671 hoặc 0427 984 870, hoặc email: ian.mcpharlin@agric.wa.gov.au

Kính chào quí đồng hương Việt Nam bang Tây Úc. Tôi xin được tự giới thiệu tên tôi là Võ Thế Truyền, vừa đảm nhiệm công việc khuyến nông cho bà con nông dân người Việt mình tại Hiệp hội trồng rau Tây Úc.

Qua tìm hiểu tôi ghi nhận được rằng bà con nông dân Việt Nam mình tại bang Tây úc rất đông và đã xây dựng được sự thành công cũng như sự tôn trọng nhất định trong lảnh vực nông nghiệp. Tuy nhiên, tôi cũng cảm nhận vể một khoảng cách trong giao tiếp, tương tác giữa nông dân Việt Nam với các ban ngành chuyên môn và các cơ quan chính phủ tại đây và chính sự ngăn cách ày làm cho bà con mình ít nhiều thiệt thòi về cơ hội tiếp cận các dịch vụ tư vấn kỹ thuật và các dự án phát triển. Ngoài ra tôi cũng ghi nhận sự cô lập của số đông bà con tiểu nông trong cộng đồng nông dân người Việt do bận rộn công việc đồng áng, trách nhiệm gia đình và chính sự cô lập này làm cho họ bị yếu thế trong hoạch định qui mô, phương án sản xuất cũng như bị chèn ép trong lảnh vực mua bán, tiếp thị sản phẩm trồng trọt của mình.

Tôi thực sự muốn có một sự thay đổi tình hình và đang làm hết khả năng chức trách để góp phần tạo ra sự thay đổi đó. Hiện tôi đang cố thiết lập các mối quan hệ bền vững với tất cả bà con nông dân cũng như với các ban ngành kỹ thuật và cơ quan chính phủ và đóng giai trò trung gian cho sự giao tiếp hiệu quả giửa bà con và các thành phần này.

Rất mong nhận được ý kiến phản hồi cũng như địa chỉ và số điện thọai của bà con để tôi có dịp liên lạc tiếp xúc.

Võ Thế Truyền Nhân viên khuyến nông Việt Nam VegetablesWA, 103 Outram street West Perth, WA 6005.

T: (08) 9481 0834 F: (08) 9481 0024 M: 0457 457 559

Your Industry Associations

Vegetable Producers’ Committee — Vietnamese translation

TIỂU BAN RAU Tác giả: Jim Turley Giám đốc, APC-VPC Thành viên của Hội đồng nông nghiệp cũng như của Tiểu ban rau (APC-VPC) quan ngại rằng năm nay sẽ là năm khó khăn đối với nông dân.

Nhiều yếu tố bất lợi như thời tiết quá nóng, sản lượng dư thừa mốt số loại rau và sự suy giảm thị trường xuất khẩu có thể làm sụt giảm lợi nhuận của người trồng.

Tiểu ban đã cố gắng tối đa để hài hòa mức thu phí dịch vụ trong tương lai.

Nông dân sẽ chỉ phải trả phí dịch vụ theo kí lô bất chấp kích cỡ của công-tennơ. Niên vụ 2013/2014 tới Tiểu ban sẻ khuyến nghị Hội đồng thay đổi cách thức thu phí dịch vụ theo phần trăm giá trị sản phẩm thay vì theo khối lượng của côngten-nơ bao gồm cả thùng, xe tải, xe kéo như niện nay. Điều này cũng giống như hệ thống thu lệ phí của liên bang.

More information

Nếu quí vị có ý kiến đóng góp về chức năng, hoạt động của Hội đồng nông nghiệp và Tiểu ban rau (APCVPC) xin vui lòng lien hệ với tôi tại Văn phòng Hội làm vườn theo số điện thoại (08) 9481 0834.

Những dự án đã được duyệt

2012–2013

2013–2014

1/ Xử lý ruồi đục quả cho cà chua trên thị trường liên tiểu bang.

$50,000

$50,000

2/ Phòng trừ các bệnh vi-rút do rầy mềm lây truyền trên bầu bí dưa

$10,000

$10,000

$7,500

$7,500

Dự án này cũng được Bộ nông nghiệp và lương thực tiểu bang (DAFWA), và Cơ quan phụ trách nghành rau hoa quả liên bang (Horticulture Australia limited - HAL) cùng tài trợ

3/ Phòng trừ ruồi trâu sinh sản trên xác bả rau cải (tài trợ một phần)

Dự án này cũng được Cơ quan phụ trách nghành rau hoa quả liên bang (Horticulture Australia limited HAL) và nhiều tổ chức cùng tài trợ 4/ Hiệp hội rau Tây Úc (Tài trợ một phần)

Dự án này cũng được tài trợ từ các nguồn phí quản lý của các dự án khác.

$320,000

5/ Cán bộ khuyến nông Việt Nam

$37,000

6/ Quảng bá thị trường cho rau của tiểu bang Tay Úc

$25,000

8/ Cán bộ khuyến nông cho Hiệp hội rau

$80,000

Dự án này cũng được tài trợ bởi Sở tài chính, Bộ nông nghiệp và lương thực tiểu bang (DAFWA), và Cơ quan phụ trách nghành rau hoa quả liên bang (Horticulture Australia limited - HAL).

7/ Tiếp tục cải thiện canh tác thông qua các mô hình trình diễn phương pháp thực hành nông nghiệp tốt Dự án này cũng được Cơ quan phụ trách nghành rau hoa quả liên bang (Horticulture Australia limited HAL) cùng tài trợ

$5,800

38,000

$10,000

Phí dịch vụ cho niên hạn 2012/2013 đã được thông qua: 1. 4 xu một công-ten-nơ rau nặng dưới 100 kg

2. 40 xu một ông-ten-nơ nặng từ 101kg – 1000kg 3. 50 xu mỗi tấn rau chở trên xe tải hay xe kéo.

WA Grower spring 2012

93

Your industry

New tomato project to protect market access — Vietnamese translation

DỰ ÁN CÀ CHUA MỚI NHẰM BẢO VỆ THỊ TRƯỜNG LIÊN TIỂU BANG Tác giả: ROHAN PRINCE và GEORGINA WILSON BỘ NÔNG NGHIỆP VÀ LƯƠNG THỰC TIỂU BANG Sau tiên lượng về tổn thất khi fenthion bị cấm sữ dụng (loại hóa chất xử lý ruồi đục quả trên cà chua sau thu hoạch) thông qua tiêu chuẩn chứng nhận liên tiểu bang (còn đựoc gọi là ICA – 02), một dự án mới của bộ Nông nghiệp và lương thực Tây Úc đang được hình thành để đảm bảo cà chua Tâu Úc được tiếp tục xuất bán ra thị trường liên tiểu bang. Dự án, do tiến sỹ Francis De Lima điều hành, sẽ đuợc Cơ quan phụ trách nghành rau hoa quả liên bang (Horticulture Australia limited - HAL) tài trợ trong bốn năm tới. Được biết dự án này cũng tiếp nối một chương trình nhỏ hơn trước đó do Tiểu ban rau của Ủy hội sản xuất nông nghiệp 2011 tài trợ.

Nghiên cứu năm 2011 cho thấy rằng xử lý cà chua bằng chất Methylbromide không gây hư hỏng quả khi thực hiện đúng cách, trong điều kiện thích hợp và biện pháp này có thể thay thế cho Fenthion cho đến khi những biện pháp lâu bền hơn được sáng chế. Tuy nhiên, dự án cũng sẻ tiến hành thử nghiệm 3 chất xông hơi: ethyl formate, propylene oxide và ethane-di-nitrile với dự tính là chính chất Methylbromide rồi cũng sẻ bị cấm do nó gây tổn hại cho tầng ô-zôn.

Ngoài ra Methylbromide là loại hóa chất không mùi, không màu nên e rằng nếu nó còn bám trên quả cà trong siêu thị thì người tiêu dung cũng không thể nhận biết.

Những nghiên cứu trước đây đã khẳng định có nhiều loại hóa chất xông hơi, kể cả Methylbromide, có thể giết được ruồi đục quả. Nhưng thử nghiệm tiêu diệt vòi của ruồi bên trong quả cà chua ở các giai đoạn ấu trùng khác nhau còn bắt buộc phải thỏa yêu cầu của các tiểu bang về biện pháp vệ sinh phòng dịch an toàn và phù hợp.

Thị trường liên tiểu bang cho cà chua của Tây Úc với giá trị hàng năm vào khoảng ba mươi triệu đô la đang có nguy cơ đóng cửa nếu chúng ta không tìm ra được biện pháp hữu hiệu lâu dài để đối phó với qui định về xử lý sau thu hoạch và kiểm dịch mới.

Trong dự án này quả cà chua sẻ được thử nghiệm trừ vòi của ruồi ở các giai đoạn quả chín khác nhau như chin ¼ quả, ½ quả, ¾ quả và ở bốn giai đoạn phát triển

94

WA Grower spring 2012

Rohan Prince trình diển xử lý ruồi đục quả thành công năm 2011 bằng methyl bromide ở Canning Vale.

¼ ripe fumigated

½ ripe fumigated

¾ ripe fumigated

Full ripe fumigated

¼ ripe control

½ ripe control

¾ ripe control

Full ripe control

khác nhau của vòi trên qui mô nhỏ và qui mô lớn. Những thử nghiệm ban đầu sẻ tập trung xem xét nồng độ xông hơi phù hợp mà không ảnh hưởng đến thời gian tồn trử quả sau khi xử lý cho đến khi bán ở siêu thị cũng như tồn dư cũa hóa chất trên quả sau khi xử lý.

Ngành trồng cà chua sẽ được tư vấn kỹ thuật xử lý phù hợp nhất về nhiệt độ, thời gian qua suốt các kêng thị trường.

Về tổng quát có thể hình dung rằng ở

Quả cà chua được xử lý so với qủa không xữ lý 3 ngày sau khi xông hơi. nhiệt độ cao thì nồng độ xông hơi thấp, nhưng nồng độ thấp thì yêu cầu thời gian xông hơi dài hơn.

More information

Muốn biết thêm thông tin xin liên hệ: Shirani Poogoda, Bộ nông nghiệp và lương thưc tiểu bang Tây Úc, shirani. poogoda@agric.wa.gov.au.

Your Production

Permits Permit ID

Minor Use Permits can also be searched by specific crop or pest types at www.apvma.gov.au/permits/search.php

Description

Target

PER13223

Imazamox

Control of grass and broadleaf weeds

PER13293

Abamectin

Two-spotted mites and onion thrips

30-Apr-15

PER11405

Haloxyfop

Grass weeds

30-May-14

Avatar (indoxacarb)

Garden weevil

30-Sep-16

PER10276

Filan Fungicide (boscalid)

Sclertonia rot

31-Jan-13

PER13626

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-17

PER13123

Amistar 250SC Fungicide

Specified fungal diseases

31-Mar-13

Score Foliar Fungicide

Leaf spot

31-Aug-13

Expiry Date

Adzuki bean 31-Dec-13

Asparagus PER12777 Beans

Beetroot PER13034 PER11949

Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Various insects

31-Mar-15

PER12052

Phosphorous (phosphonic) acid

Damping off and downy mildew

30-Jun-13

PER13090

Alpha-cypermethrin

Various insect pests

31-May-15

PER11853

Imidacloprid

Aphids & thrips

30-Sep-15

Methomyl

Bean pod borer and budworm

31-Oct-16

Borlotti beans PER9509

Brassica leafy vegetables PER10497

Imidacloprid

Aphids, whitefly and thrips

31-Mar-14

PER10845

Barmac Zineb Fungicide

Cercospora leaf spot & downy mildew

31-Mar-15

PER11994

Proclaim Insecticide

Diamond-back moth, heliothis and vegetable looper

31-May-14

PER11848

Clethodim

Grass weeds

30-Sep-15

PER12008

Ramrod Herbicide (propachlor)

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

PER13123

Amistar 250SC Fungicide

Specified fungal diseases

31-Mar-13

PER10674

Mancozeb + Metalaxyl-M

Downy mildew & white blister

31-Mar-13

PER12052

Phosphorous (phosphonic) acid

Damping off and downy mildew

30-Jun-13

PER13154

Dual Gold Herbicide

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

31-Mar-17

PER13291

Acrobat Fungicide

White blister

30-Sep-13

PER12016

Mancozeb

Anthracnose and septoria

31-Mar-15

PER12054

Propiconazole

Cercospora leaf spot, rust, septoria leaf spot

31-Aug-14

PER13090

Alpha-cypermethrin

Various insect pests

31-May-15

PER13585

Iprodione

Sclerotinia, grey mould, alternaria leaf spot

30-Jun-13

PER13672

Chlorpyrifos

Brassicas

30-Sep-14

PER10276

Filan Fungicide (boscalid)

Brassicas & brassica leafy vegetables, lettuce & beans

31-Jan-13

PER10588

Iprodione

Rhizoctonia

30-Apr-13

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

31-Mar-15

PER13123

Amistar 250SC Fungicide

Specified fungal diseases

31-Mar-13

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

31-Mar-15

Broccoli

Brussel sprouts PER11951

WA Grower Spring 2012

95

Your Production

Permits (cont.)

Permit ID

Description

Target

PER10090

Iprodione

Grey mould

1-Aug-15

PER13123

Amistar 250SC Fungicide

Specified fungal diseases

31-Mar-13

Boscalid

Sclerotinia rot

30-Jun-15

PER12565

Scala Fungicide

Botrytis rots

30-Sep-17

PER11564

Switch Fungicide

Botrytis & sclerotinia

30-Nov-14

PER13047

Acramite Miticide

Two-spotted mite

30-Sep-13

PER11778

Agri-fos 600 Systemic Fungicide (phosphorous acid)

Phytophthora soil fungus

30-Nov-15

PER10903

Flint 500 WG Fungicide

Powdery mildew

31-May-13

PER13031

Maldison

Fruit fly

31-May-14

PER12052

Phosphorous (phosphonic) acid

Damping off and downy mildew

30-Jun-13

PER11747

2,2-Dichloropropionic Acid

Promotion of bolting and grass weed control

30-Nov-14

Expiry Date

Bulb vegetables PER12050 Capsicum

Carrots

PER13013

Clethodim

Grass weed control

31-Mar-14

PER13305

Glyphosate (shielded sprayer)

Certain broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-15

PER10914

Azoxystrobin

Powdery mildew, downy mildew and white blister rust

31-May-14

PER12050

Boscalid

Sclerotinia rot

30-Jun-15

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

31-Mar-15

PER13123

Amistar 250SC Fungicide

Specified fungal diseases

31-Mar-13

PER13147

Lontrel

Capeweed and clover

30-Sep-16

PER10688

Alpha-Cypermethrin

Staphylinid beetle

30-Apr-13

PER13573

Rovral Aquaflo Fungicide (Iprodione)

Sclerotinia rot

30-Jun-14

PER10875

Pirimor WG Aphicide (pirimicarb)

Aphids

30-Sep-15

PER13114

Prometryn

Grass weeds listed on label

31-Mar-17

PER13323

Score Foliar Fungicide (difenoconazole)

Cercospora leaf spot & septoria leaf blight

31-Mar-15

PER13496

Linuron

Range of weeds

30-Apr-17

PER9839

Permethrin (Ambush )

Heliothis and looper

31-Mar-13

PER10729

Applaud Insecticide (buprofezin)

Greenhouse whitefly

31-Jan-13

PER13090

Alpha-cypermethrin

Various insect pests

31-May-15

PER13658

Flint 500 WG (trifloxystrobin)

Various diseases

30-Sep-14

PER11641

Flint 500 WG (trifloxystrobin)

Cercospora leaf spot and septoria spot

31-Oct-12

PER12405

Score Foliar Fungicide (difenoconazole)

Cercospora leaf spot & septoria Spots

31-Oct-12

PER13654

Avatar Insecticide (indoxacarb)

Heliothis, lightbrown apple moth, lucerne leaf roller and vegetable weevil

30-Sep-14

PER11352

Walabi Fungicide

Botrytis and alternaria

30-Sep-14

PER11848

Clethodim

Grass weeds

30-Sep-15

PER11849

Ridomil Gold MZ (mancozeb + metalaxyl-M)

Anthracnose, downy mildew & septoria

31-Mar-13

Cauliflower

Celeriac

Celery

Chicory

96

WA Grower Spring 2012

Your Production

Permit ID

Description

Target

PER11855

Betanal Herbicide Spray (phenmedipham)

Broadleaf weeds

30-Jun-14

PER12054

Propiconazole

Cercospora leaf spot, rust, septoria leaf spot

31-Aug-14

PER12397

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

30-Nov-14

PER13658

Flint 500 WG (trifloxystrobin)

Various diseases

30-Sep-14

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

31-Mar-15

PER12016

Mancozeb

Anthracnose and septoria

31-Mar-15

PER13254

Dimethoate

Queensland and Mediterranean fruit fly

PER10800

Bayfidan 250 EC Fungicide

Powdery mildew

PER12823

Trifluralin

Various broad leaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-21

PER13657

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

31-Mar-14

PER7909

Scala 400 SC Fungicide

Botrytis rot

30-Sep-17

PER10184

Products containing potassium salts of fatty acids @ 285 g/L

Glasshouse whitefly and silverleaf whitefly

28-Feb-13

PER10311

Eco-Oil (Botanical Oil)

Greenhouse whitefly & silverleaf whitefly

30-Sep-13

PER13090

Alpha-cypermethrin

Various insect pests

31-May-15

PER10818

Head Lettuce (field)

Botrytis rot

30-Sep-13

PER11564

Switch Fungicide

Botrytis & sclerotinia

30-Nov-14

PER12504

Permethrin

Cucumber moth larvae (Phakelura indica)

31-Dec-13

PER10903

Flint 500 WG Fungicide

Powdery mildew

31-May-13

PER13047

Acramite Miticide

Two-spotted mite

30-Sep-13

PER13349

Pyranica

Two-spotted mite

31-Mar-15

PER12504

Permethrin

Cucumber moth larvae (Phakelura indica)

31-Dec-13

PER10979

Bupirimate

Powdery mildew

30-Sep-14

PER5815

Spinosad

Melon thrips

11-Aug-08

PER13043

Bupirimate

Powdery mildew

31-Mar-13

PER12442

Trichlorfon

Fruit fly

31-May-14

PER12823

Trifluralin

Various broad leaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-21

PER8930

Phorate

Aphids, jassids, mites, thrips and onion maggot

31-Jul-16

PER9893

Methidathion

Rutherglen bug

31-May-13

PER10948

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

30-Oct-13

PER11778

Agri-fos 600 Systemic Fungicide (phosphorous acid)

Phytophthora soil fungus

30-Nov-15

PER12862

Zineb

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.)

31-Jul-14

PER11352

Walabi Fungicide

Botrytis and alternaria

30-Sep-14

PER11855

Betanal Herbicide Spray (phenmedipham)

Broadleaf weeds

30-Jun-14

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

31-Mar-15

PER12054

Propiconazole

Cercospora leaf spot, rust, septoria leaf spot

31-Aug-14

PER11848

Clethodim

Grass weeds

30-Sep-15

Expiry Date

Chillies 5-Oct-13 30-Jun-13

Cucumber

Cucurbits

Eggplants

Endive

WA Grower Spring 2012

97

Your Production

Permits (cont.)

Permit ID

Description

Target

PER11849

Ridomil Gold MZ (mancozeb + metalaxyl-M)

Anthracnose, downy mildew & septoria

31-Mar-13

PER13658

Flint 500 WG (trifloxystrobin)

Various diseases

30-Sep-14

PER12976

AUSOIL 23 EC

Expiry Date

30-Aug-15

Garlic PER10511

Surflan 500 Flowable Herbicide (Oryzalin)

Broadleaf & grass weeds

31-Mar-13

PER11453

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

31-Oct-12

Greenhouse whitefly & silverleaf whitefly

30-Sep-13

Natrasoap and Neemtech

Greenhouse whitefly

30-Sep-13

Vertimec (abamectin)

Two-spotted mite

31-Mar-14

PER13203

Dimethomorph & Mancozeb

Downy mildew, purple blotch & botrytis rots

31-Mar-17

PER13466

Various Actives

Specified grass and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

PER10902

Dimethomorph

Downy mildew

30-Sep-13

PER10914

Azoxystrobin

Powdery mildew, downy mildew and white blister rust

31-May-14

PER11453

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

31-Oct-12

PER12397

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

30-Nov-14

PER13584

Tribunil Herbicide

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-14

PER13653

Maldison

Onion thrips

30-Sep-14

PER12386

Dacthal (chlorthal-dimethyl)

Stinging nettle

31-Aug-16

PER13002

Metalaxyl-M

Damping off

30-Sep-13

PER10184

Products containing potassium salts of fatty acids @ 285 g/L

Glasshouse whitefly and silverleaf whitefly

28-Feb-13

PER10276

Filan Fungicide (boscalid)

Sclertonia rot

31-Jan-13

PER10416

Methamidophos

Western flower thrips

31-Mar-13

PER11855

Betanal Herbicide Spray (phenmedipham)

Broadleaf weeds

30-Jun-14

PER12008

Ramrod Herbicide (propachlor)

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

PER10311

Eco-Oil (Botanical Oil)

Greenhouse whitefly & silverleaf whitefly

30-Sep-13

PER11651

Acramite Miticide

Two-spotted (red spider) mite

31-Dec-12

PER13301

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite & vegetable weevil

31-May-15

PER11564

Switch Fungicide

Botrytis & sclerotinia

30-Nov-14

PER12565

Scala Fungicide

Botrytis rots

30-Sep-17

PER13698

Phosphorous

Lettuce (leaf and hydroponic), fennel and bulb (allium) vegetables

30-Sep-17

PER12860

Almix 20WP, Londax 10WP, Weinong

Export

31-Dec-13

Dimethoate

Various fruit fly species

Abamectin

Two-spotted mites and onion thrips

Greenhouse and hydroponic capsicum PER10311

Eco-Oil (Botanical Oil)

Greenhouse tomatoes PER11120 Head lettuce PER10807 Leeks

Lettuce

Melons PER13170

5-Oct-13

Mungb beans PER13293

98

WA Grower Spring 2012

30-Apr-15

Your Production

Permit ID

Description

Target

PER12172

Pestigas

Mushroom flies

30-Jun-15

PER12965

Imazalil

Green mould

31-Jul-17

PER12645

Prochloraz

Cobweb disease

31-Mar-17

PER12848

Carbendazim

Dry bubble, wet bubble & green mould

30-Sep-14

PER13293

Abamectin

Two-spotted mites and onion thrips

30-Apr-15

PER13626

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-17

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

30-Nov-14

Expiry Date

Mushrooms

Navy beans

Onions PER12397 PER11851

Basagran (bentazone-sodium)

Broadleaf weeds

31-Mar-14

PER11854

Switch Fungicide

White rot, black mould, botrytis

30-Jun-13

PER13579

Tramat 500 SC Selective Herbicide (ethofumesate)

Various weeds

31-Jul-13

PER10800

Bayfidan 250 EC Fungicide

Powdery mildew

30-Jun-13

PER12823

Trifluralin

Various broad leaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-21

PER13657

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

31-Mar-14

PER13303

Coragen Insecticide

Heliothis, cluster caterpillar

31-Mar-15

PER11850

Lambda-cyhalothrin

Red-legged earth mite (RLEM), Rutherglen bug (RGB), grey cluster bug (GCB), looper, plague thrips

31-Aug-15

PER12016

Mancozeb

Anthracnose and septoria

31-Mar-15

PER13121

Ridomil Gold 25G (metalaxyl-M)

Pythium & phytophthora

30-Nov-16

PER13396

Methomyl

Thrips and Western flower thrips

30-Jun-15

PER13499

Diazinon

Onion maggot

31-Mar-17

PER10758

Pendimethalin

Grasses and broadleaf weeds

31-Jan-14

PER11348

Clethodim

Grass weeds

31-Mar-22

PER12052

Phosphorous (phosphonic) acid

Damping off and downy mildew

30-Jun-13

PER12048

Prometryn

Weeds

30-Sep-15

PER12354

Ridomil Gold 25G (metalaxyl-M)

Pythium spp. and Phytophthora spp.

30-Apr-14

PER12357

Linuron

Grass and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

PER13696

Trifluralin

Parsnips

31-Mar-14

PER11453

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

31-Oct-12

PER11935

Triadimenol

Powdery mildew

30-Jun-17

Diflufenican

Broadleaf weeds

30-Apr-13

Paprika

Parsely

Parsnip

Peas PER10691 Peppers PER8930

Phorate

Aphids, jassids, mites, thrips and onion maggot

31-Jul-16

PER9893

Methidathion

Rutherglen bug

31-May-13

PER10979

Bupirimate

Powdery mildew

30-Sep-14

WA Grower Spring 2012

99

Your Production

Permits (cont.)

Permit ID

Description

Target

PER11440

Sumiclex 500 (procymidone)

Sclerotinia rot

31-Jan-15

PER12378

Acephate

Western flower thrips

31-Oct-15

PER10878

Trifluralin

Broadleaf and annual grass weeds

30-Sep-13

PER10089

Chlorpyrifos

Vegetable weevil & black beetle

30-Sep-13

PER10283

Chlorpyrifos

Black beetle, wingless grasshopper, red-legged earth mite

30-Sep-14

PER10822

Sodium hypochlorite

Various insect and fungal pests

1-Feb-14

PER12612

Alpha-cypermethrin

Garden weevil

30-Apr-16

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

31-Mar-15

Permethrin

Cucumber Moth Larvae (Phakelura indica)

31-Dec-13

PER11352

Walabi Fungicide

Botrytis and alternaria

30-Sep-14

PER11855

Betanal Herbicide Spray (phenmedipham)

Broadleaf weeds

30-Jun-14

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

31-Mar-15

PER11848

Clethodim

Grass weeds

30-Sep-15

PER11849

Ridomil Gold MZ (mancozeb + metalaxyl-M)

Anthracnose, downy mildew & septoria

31-Mar-13

PER12054

Propiconazole

Cercospora leaf spot, rust, septoria leaf spot

31-Aug-14

PER10676

Pendimethalin

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Apr-13

PER13035

Clethodim

Control of grasses

30-Sep-16

PER10914

Azoxystrobin

Powdery mildew, downy mildew and white blister rust

31-May-14

Expiry Date

Potatoes

Processing peas PER11951 Pumpkin PER12504 Radicchio

Radich

PER11350

Mancozeb

Alternaria, cercospora leaf spot, white blister

31-Mar-15

PER11441

Propachlor

Grass and broadleaf weeds

31-Dec-19

PER11935

Triadimenol

Powdery mildew

30-Jun-17

PER12863

Chlorothalonil

White blister (Candida albugo)

30-Jun-16

PER13303

Coragen Insecticide

Heliothis, cluster caterpillar

31-Mar-15

PER11949

Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Various insects

31-Mar-15

PER13090

Alpha-cypermethrin

Various insect pests

31-May-15

PER13444

Propiconazole

Cercospora

31-Mar-17

PER13441

Ambush Emulsifiable Concentrate Insecticide

Green peach aphid, green looper, light brown apple moth and budworms

31-Mar-17

PER13152

MCPA 250 Selective Herbicide

Broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-16

PER13586

Phos acid

Downy mildew

30-Jun-14

PER12008

Ramrod Herbicide (propachlor)

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

PER13090

Alpha-cypermethrin

Various insect pests

31-May-15

Permethrin

Cucumber moth larvae (Phakelura indica)

31-Dec-13

Rhubarb

Rocket

Rockmelons PER12504

100

WA Grower Spring 2012

Your Production

Permit ID

Description

Target

PER8930

Phorate

Aphids, jassids, mites, thrips and onion maggot

31-Jul-16

PER10676

Pendimethalin

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Apr-13

PER11453

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

31-Oct-12

PER13626

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-17

PER12008

Ramrod Herbicide (propachlor)

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

PER13203

Dimethomorph & Mancozeb

Downy mildew, purple blotch & botrytis rots

31-Mar-17

PER13584

Tribunil Herbicide

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-14

PER13653

Maldison

Onion thrips

30-Sep-14

PER11352

Walabi Fungicide

Botrytis and alternaria

30-Sep-14

PER11855

Betanal Herbicide Spray (phenmedipham)

Broadleaf weeds

30-Jun-14

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

31-Mar-15

PER12008

Ramrod Herbicide (propachlor)

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

PER13090

Alpha-cypermethrin

Various insect pests

31-May-15

PER13579

Tramat 500 SC Selective Herbicide (ethofumesate)

Various weeds

31-Jul-13

PER13626

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-17

PER13658

Flint 500 WG (trifloxystrobin)

Various diseases

30-Sep-14

PER11572

Chlorothalonil

Downy mildew, alternaria leaf blight & grey mould

31-Mar-13

PER12862

Zineb

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.)

31-Jul-14

PER11991

Legend Fungicide (quinoxyfen)

Powdery mildew

31-Mar-16

PER13655

Propiconazole

Various fungi

30-Jun-14

Expiry Date

Shallots

Silverbeet

Snow and sugar snap peas PER11765

Etoxazole

Two-spotted mite

31-Dec-12

PER10988

Bladex 900 WG (cyanazine)

Broadleaf weeds

31-Mar-15

PER7419

Lambda-cyhalothrin

Pasture webworm, cutworm, Rutherglen bug and thrips

31-May-13

PER10976

Bentazone

Broadleaf weeds

31-Mar-15

PER13633

Pyrimethanil

Botrytis

30-Jun-14

PER13497

Acrobat

Downy mildew

30-Apr-14

PER12571

Acramite 480 SC

Mites

31-Jan-13

Specified leafy vegetables PER11438

Glyphosate (shielded sprayer)

Grass and broadleaf weeds

30-Jun-19

PER13322

Success Neo (spinetoram)

Potato moth

31-May-17

PER12017

Fluazifop-p-butyl

Annual grass weeds

30-Jun-16

PER11855

Betanal Herbicide Spray (phenmedipham)

Broadleaf weeds

30-Jun-14

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

31-Mar-15

PER12008

Ramrod Herbicide (propachlor)

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

PER12862

Zineb

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.)

31-Jul-14

PER13090

Alpha-cypermethrin

Various insect pests

31-May-15

PER13626

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-17

PER13658

Flint 500 WG (trifloxystrobin)

Various diseases

30-Sep-14

Spinach

WA Grower Spring 2012

101

Your Production

Permits (cont.)

Permit ID

Description

Target

PER11352

Walabi Fungicide

Botrytis and alternaria

30-Sep-14

PER11572

Chlorothalonil

Downy mildew, alternaria leaf blight & grey mould

31-Mar-13

PER13579

Tramat 500 SC Selective Herbicide (ethofumesate)

Various weeds

31-Jul-13

PER10676

Pendimethalin

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Apr-13

PER11453

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

31-Oct-12

PER13203

Dimethomorph & Mancozeb

Downy mildew, purple blotch & botrytis rots

31-Mar-17

PER13584

Tribunil Herbicide

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-14

PER13626

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Jun-17

PER8930

Phorate

Aphids, jassids, mites, thrips and onion maggot

31-Jul-16

PER11763

Pirimicarb

Aphids

31-Dec-12

PER12008

Ramrod Herbicide (propachlor)

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-15

PER12397

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

30-Nov-14

PER13653

Maldison

Onion thrips

30-Sep-14

PER6914

Lannate L (methomyl)

Western flower thrips

31-Mar-13

PER10824

Copper Oxychloride, Cuprous Oxide or Cupric Hydroxide

Downy mildew

30-Sep-14

PER10882

Diazinon

Thrips (excluding WFT) and onion seedling maggot

30-Jun-13

PER13205

Secure 360 SC (chlorfenapyr)

Western flower thrips

30-Jun-17

PER13257

Select Herbicide (clethodim)

Grass weeds as per label including winter grass (Poa annua)

31-Mar-17

PER10868

Ioxynil

Broad leaf and grass weeds

31-Mar-13

Permethrin

Cucumber moth larvae (Phakelura indica)

31-Dec-13

PER11350

Mancozeb

Alternaria, cercospora leaf spot, white blister

31-Mar-15

PER11441

Propachlor

Grass and broadleaf weeds

31-Dec-19

PER11935

Triadimenol

Powdery mildew

30-Jun-17

PER13303

Coragen Insecticide

Heliothis, cluster caterpillar

31-Mar-15

PER13657

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

31-Mar-14

PER13116

Propiconazole

Northern corn leaf blight

31-Mar-16

PER13498

Pirmicarb

Aphids

30-Sep-13

PER9722

Talstar (bifenthrin)

Wireworm

30-Sep-13

PER10273

Bifenthrin

Sweet potato weevil & bean spider mite

30-Sep-13

PER10460

Phorate (Thimet 100G)

Aphids, thrips, jassids and organophosphate susceptible two-spotted mite and wireworm

1-Jan-13

PER11453

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

31-Oct-12

PER12047

Tecto Flowable SC Fungicide (thiabendazole)

Field rots caused by scurf & root rot

30-Sep-16

PER13153

Regent 200 SC

White fringed weevil & wireworm

31-Dec-16

PER13352

Chlorpyrifos

Sweet potato weevil and wireworm

31-Mar-14

PER13395

Methomyl

Heliothis, cucumber moth and cluster caterpillar

30-Sep-17

Expiry Date

Spring onions

Squash PER12504 Swede

Sweet corn

Sweet potato

102

WA Grower Spring 2012

Your Production

Permit ID

Description

Target

Expiry Date

PER13151

Mouseoff and Rattoff Zinc Phosphide Baits

House mouse and introduced rats

31-Dec-16

PER13032

Pirimicarb

Aphids

30-Sep-13

PER13047

Acramite Miticide

Two-spotted mite

30-Sep-13

PER12514

Sencor 480 SC (metribuzin)

Weed control

31-Dec-15

PER12378

Acephate

Western flower thrips

31-Oct-15

PER10934

Buprofezin

Greenhouse whitefly

30-Sep-13

Mancozeb

Alternaria, cercospora leaf spot, white blister

31-Mar-15

Tomatoes

Turnips PER11350 PER13303

Coragen Insecticide

Heliothis, cluster caterpillar

31-Mar-15

PER11441

Propachlor

Grass and broadleaf weeds

31-Dec-19

PER11935

Triadimenol

Powdery mildew

30-Jun-17

VectoBac WG Biological Larvicide

Fungus gnats and sciarids

31-May-14

PER13111

Chess Insecticide (pymetrozine)

Silverleaf whitefly, lettuce aphid

31-May-14

PER13089

Acrobat Fungicide

Downy mildew

30-Sep-13

PER12385

Products containing Copper

Various diseases

31-Mar-13

PER13625

Chlorpyrifos

African black beetle and wireworms

30-Jun-13

Permethrin

Cucumber moth larvae (Phakelura indica)

31-Dec-13

PER12504

Permethrin

Cucumber moth larvae (Phakelura indica)

31-Dec-13

PER10219

Mancozeb

Grey mould

30-Apr-13

Various protected crops PER11472 Various vegetables

Watermelons PER12504 Zucchini

WA Grower Spring 2012

103

WA Grower AdVertIsInG sPecIfIcAtIons

preferred format: press ready pDF

full PAGe Full page with bleed 210mm wide x 297mm high plus 5mm bleed — 220mm wide x 307mm high

Must be saved as: • 300dpi • CMYK • Fonts embedded

Please note that the WA Grower banner will run across the top of all full page adverts.

HAlf PAGe vegetablesWA

Half page without bleed 190mm wide x 130mm high

Horticultural House 103 Outram Street, West perth 6005

t: (08) 9481 0834 f: (08) 9481 0024 e: finance@vegetableswa.com.au

one tHIrd PAGe One third page without bleed 60mm wide x 254mm high

WA Grower advertiser contacts

104

name

Website/email

Address

contact name

contact number

Box Tec pty ltd

www.boxtec.com.au

14 Mallaig Wy, Canning Vale, WA 6155

John Morrison

0403 557 016

C-Wise

www.cwise.com.au

139 nambeelup rd, nambeelup, WA 6207

David Sharp

(08) 9581 9582

Clause pacific

www.hmclause.com

pO Box 475, Bulleen, ViC 3105

Kevin Swan

0400 622 314

Crown Mushrooms

www.crownmushrooms.com.au/

163 Belgrade rd, Wanneroo, WA 6065

Trish Ayres

(08) 9405 1636

Dobmac Ag Machinery

www.dobmac.com.au

36-38 industrial Dr, Ulverstone, TAS 7315

Mark Dobson

(03) 6425 5533

Fabfert

www.spartel.com.au

level 1/342 Scarborough Beach rd, Osborne park, WA 6017

Fairbank Seeds

www.fairbanks.com.au

13/53 gateway Blvd, Epping, ViC 3076

Bruno Tigani

(03) 8401 3346

Farmhouse Direct

www.farmhousedirect.com.au

111 Bourke St, Melbourne, ViC 3000

Monique Burke

(03) 9107 0651

global Omega-gro

www.omegagro.com

2 Alerton Wy, Booragoon, WA 6154

len palladino

(08) 9315 1844

landmark

www.landmark.com.au

32 Farrall rd, Midvale, WA 6056

Aaron Chapman

(08) 9274 6800

Michael Vu Contractors

www.michaelcontractor.com

Michael Vu

0488 708 652

Stephen Addenbrooke

0429 105 381

(08) 9200 6295

paraMite

www.sumitomo-chem.com.au/content/paramite

perth Energy

www.perthenergy.com.au

level 4, 165 Adelaide Tce, East perth, WA 6004

(08) 9420 0300

Sumitomo Chemicals

www.sumitomo-chem.com.au

Suite 402, Building B, 242 Beecroft rd, Epping, nSW 2121

(02) 8752 9000

Terranova Seeds

www.tnseeds.com.au

13/19 Chifley St, Smithfield, nSW 2164

Danie Oosthuizen

0417 930 233

Think Water Bunbury

www.thinkwater.com.au

23 Denning rd, Bunbury WA

Mark Sanders

(08) 9791 6333

United Crate

www.unicrate.com.au

1 zanni St, Canning Vale WA 6155

(08) 9455 1540

WA Crates

service@wacrates.com.au

Crate Yard, Market City, 280 Bannister rd, Canning Vale, WA 6155

(08) 9456 4092

WA Grower Spring 2012

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Hybrid Broccoli

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SPECIFICATIONS: New warm weather harvest variety Heavy domed heads, medium bead size Compact plant, mid head set position Trials promising against White Blister to date

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SOWING JAN

FEB

GUIDE: MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

For further information contact Fairbanks Seeds: Phone: 03 8401 3346 Fax: 03 8401 3347

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Fairbanks Selected Seed Co Pty Ltd (ABN 86 007 138 276) 13/53 Gateway Blvd, Epping Vic 3076, Australia email: info@fairbanks.com.au web: www.fairbanks.com.au DISCLAIMER: 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 Fairbankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Selected Seed Co. Pty. Ltd. (ABN 86 007 138 276), or its representatives as to the accuracy of this information. Details on this publication are valid for 6 months.