WA Grower Magazine Spring 2021

VOL. 56 NO 3. SPRING 2021 $25.00 (inc GST)

wa

grower WORKING FOR WA GROWERS SINCE 1948

Observing the results from the quick virus test kit

American serpentine leaf miner updates

This issue of the WA Grower is brought to you by vegetablesWA together with: • APC — Vegetable Producers Committee • Potato Growers Association • Pomewest • WA Citrus • Stonefruit WA

Clarifying employer rights around vaccinations

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Growers affected by floods

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STONEFRUIT WA

77

4

Visa to secure labour for farmers

42

Industry update

79

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Monitoring soil moisture

44

2020–21 season overview

80

7

New water agreement

46

9

WA POTATOES

YOUR BUSINESS

83

47

Why get involved?

84

10

Chief Executive Officer’s report

48

Resilience and preparedness

88

13

APC-Potato Producers Committee

49

Investment and raising capital

90

16

Storing and ageing seed potatoes

50

Natural Capital Accounting in WA

92

18

SmartSpud™ trials continue

55

Vaccinations 95

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Tuber inspections for seed potatoes 56

Reducing pesticide susceptibility

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Invasive ants

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YOUR HEALTH

97

What is loss and grief?

98

Executive Manager Report

60

The importance of friends

100

A tribute to Ben Darbyshire

62

Family business decision making

102

29

Pome pests

66

The #6B’s

104

Export Management Software

30

Core strengths of WA apples

70

Tools to monitor pests

32

Permits 115

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105

73

Food safety culture

106

From the industry

74

Vegetable export strategy

109

DPIRD Carnarvon Research Facility 36

Research update

75

IFAM 110

Retaining your seasonal staff

In the markets

76

YOUR INDUSTRY

35 38

WA CITRUS

YOUR MARKET

VIETNAMESE TRANSLATIONS

112

WA Grower SPRING 2021 a better way to grow a better way to growa better way to grow

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VOL. 56 NO 3. SPRING 2021

WORKING FOR WA GROWERS SINCE 1948

YOUR CONTACTS

contacts vegetablesWA

Management Committee

702–704 Murray Street, West Perth WA 6005 t: (08) 9486 7515 e: office@vegetableswa.com.au

President Dan Kuzmicich m: 0408 910 761

Acting Chief Executive Officer Manus Stockdale m: 0448 897 652 e: manus.stockdale@vegetableswa.com.au Operations Manager Karen Raybould t: (08) 9486 7515 e: karen.raybould@vegetableswa.com.au COVER IMAGE: Craig Webster (Laboratory Scientist, DPIRD) with Mr Thang (Carnarvon tomato and cucurbits grower) observing the results from the quick virus test kit.

Photo © Truyen Vo, RDO vegetablesWA

Published by vegetablesWA This issue of the WA Grower is brought to you by: • vegetablesWA • APC — Vegetable Producers Committee • Potato Growers Association • Pomewest • WA Citrus • Stonefruit WA

Admin, Marketing & Sales Benjamin Hamilton t: (08) 9486 7515 e. ben.hamilton@vegetableswa.com.au Regional Development Officer Truyen Vo m: 0457 457 559 e: truyen.vo@vegetableswa.com.au Benchmark Lead Bryn Edwards m: 0417 409 821 e: bryn.edwards@vegetableswa.com.au Quality Assurance Coordinator Joel Dinsdale m: 0417 857 675 e: joel.dinsdale@vegetableswa.com.au

Life Members

A.J. Anderson*, D.J. Arbuckle, J. Arbuckle Snr*, J.H. Arbuckle* (M.B.E.J.P), H.R. Ashby*, S. Calameri, M. Dobra, A. Harris*, A. Ingrilli, G. Kiriros*, R.G. Leach*, F. Natoli, S. Sawle*, R.M. Schultz, C.P. Stevens, W.R. Stevens* (M.B.E.J.P) and J. Turley. * Deceased

Carnarvon

Vice President Maurice Grubiša m: 0413 050 182 Metro North Committee Lauren East

m: 0419 047 371

Paul Glavocich

m: 0413 922 287 Metro South

Peter Ivankovich m: 0428 919 211

Manjimup Myalup

Michael Le

m: 0417 962 427 Metro North

Anthony Lieu

m: 0401 558 886 Metro North

Paul Shain

m: 0419 041 045

Carnarvon

APC VPC Committee Chair Peter Ivankovich Vice Chair Lisa Tana Members Joyce Babun Dan Kuzmicich Bevan Eatts Calogero (Charlie) Blogna Michael Le APC Manager Ingrid Behr t: (08) 9368 3127 e: APCManager@dpird.wa.gov.au

Advertising For information on WA Grower advertising rates and sizing, please email: comms@vegetableswa.com.au

© 2021 All articles and other material published in this magazine is vegetablesWA copyright (unless otherwise stated) and may not be reproduced in part or full without the written permission of the authors and publisher.

DISCLAIMER: vegetablesWA make no representations and expressly disclaims all warranties (to the extent permitted by law) about the accuracy, completeness, or currency of information in WA Grower. Reliance on any information provided by vegetablesWA is entirely at your own risk. vegetablesWA is not responsible for, and will not be liable for, any loss, damage, claim, expense, cost (including legal costs) or other liability arising in any way, including from any vegetablesWA or other person’s negligence or otherwise from your use or non-use of WA Grower, or from reliance on information contained in the material or that vegetablesWA provide to you by any other means.

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YOUR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

your

industry association

Your industry association

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vegetablesWA

We believe technology will revolutionise agriculture for the better.

CEO’s Report

A

BY MANUS STOCKDALE ACTING CEO, VEGETABLESWA

lthough I’m sure many of you know me from my work with vegetablesWA, I should introduce myself in my new role as the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of vegetablesWA, in this exciting time for agriculture in Western Australia.

Firstly, I’d would like to thank our former CEO, John Shannon, who has left to pursue new opportunities.

John has had a long history with vegetablesWA from when he joined in 2009 and served as CEO for the last six years. John has been a strong advocate for the needs and interests of Western Australian vegetable growers for over a decade, and his presence will be missed.

We wish John all the best and thank him for his contribution to the industry so far.

Over the past three and a half years working at vegetablesWA I’ve had some thoughts about the opportunities available to the WA vegetable industry and what the association could do

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to assist growers. I believe my work on the Export Facilitator Project and other projects has given me a good understanding of how the industry operates, an appreciation for the people working in it and the very real challenges they face every day.

Over the last few months, the team have been talking to a number of growers as a result of projects like the Building Hort Business Capacity Program, for instance.

From those conversations we know that business is difficult, and not just because of a global pandemic. Growers talk about the ever-increasing costs over the last thirty years, and yet the prices stay flat. Some farms are finding new markets, while others are outpriced from domestic markets by new suppliers.

With these and many other challenges, it’s difficult to know where to start, but we do believe there are things we can do to help.

Our data and experience means we firmly believe that growing vegetables could and should be a profitable business.

You’ll never be billionaires, but it should certainly provide a high standard of living for your family and future generations.

We see profitable business models in some farms already, and we believe that’s within reach for everyone.

We believe technology will revolutionise agriculture for the better.

Whether that’s artificial intelligence that can predict prices or biotech increasing yields, the ‘agtech’ sector is growing in Australia and is a priority for the Commonwealth. However, such is the speed of change and the introduction of new technologies, a grower can’t be expected to keep up, never mind implement everything.

We believe in the value of collaboration and the strength of our network. Clearly you operate in a highly competitive market. It’s tempting to see the market as a battle ground where if someone wins someone else necessarily has to lose — but the fact is there are areas of business where there are clear benefits to collaboration. Whether its buying clubs for common supplies, coming together to provide a year-round supply for a large importer or sharing pricing and volume data, there will always be areas where there is greater benefit from working together than working separately. We need to work together to expand the overall market pie so everybody wins.

All of this is easy to say. The real value is in the action that comes from these words. That means we’re going to spend the next few months defining what success looks like and developing projects and activities that we believe will build towards this success.

YOUR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

These activities and projects include: • Increased engagement from the CEO and the vegetablesWA team with grower members and stakeholders, not only as part of updating our strategic plan but also to better understand the needs and priorities of industry and to look for opportunities for collaboration.

• Representing you interests in our discussions with government and regulators. For instance, we are keen to hear your views on the challenges around labour and water and the proposed changes to regulations around single use plastic packaging.

• The new ‘Building Horticultural Business Capacity Program’ connecting business owners to farm management experts to assess how your business performs today and the key areas of focus to improve profitability and resilience.

• Introduce emerging technologies to help growers seek out new export growth opportunities.

We’ve partnered with Maven Marketplaces (a Sydney-based technology company) to develop an app, vegetablesDirect, which seeks to make it easier for growers and international buyers to find each other and make export as easy as a domestic transaction.

These are just a few examples of the kind of initiatives and projects we have in mind to help grow your business efficiently and effectively, so you’re spending more time on the farming and less on everything else.

I’m looking forward to meeting as many of you as I can over the coming months, and hearing your thoughts on these initiatives and any other ideas as to how we can support you and your business.

MORE INFORMATION Manus Stockdale, phone 0448 897 652 or manus.stockdale@vegetableswa.com.au

vegetablesWA

President’s Report

A

BY DAN KUZMICICH PRESIDENT, VEGETABLESWA

big hello to all my fellow industry members and growers.

It’s still quite cool, wandering about my property in Carnarvon today, with no sign of typical spring temperatures as yet. I hear it has been a wild and fierce winter in the south — with a lot of rain and cool conditions.

James Wringe is a good mate and fellow tomato grower in Kirup; as such we speak on a regular basis. He has been keeping me up-to-date about the cold snap with rain and hail in the area over the past few months. Of course, our discussions always go back to labour, and the lack thereof as the main talking point in our discussions. Unfortunately, James has decided to stop growing for the moment, as last season he struggled to get his crop harvested — much of which was left on the vine to rot. James has decided it’s not viable for him to keep going under the current labour conditions.

Whilst travelling through Carnarvon the other week, I also caught up with Jim Trandos from Trandos Farms for dinner on his way to visit his property in Broome. He also commented that it is coming to crunch time to source workers for this up-coming harvest, highlighting the need to work together to get us all through in this current climate.

Spearwood grower Paul Glavocich has also informed me about the impact of the weather. The cold has caused a slow

growing environment for his produce and he is finding it difficult to fill orders.

Whilst we can’t change the weather, growers have been finding a way to manage through the current shortage of labour.

With the effects of the pandemic still raging across the world, it is anticipated that the long-term situation will not be over any time soon. If you are still facing problems with this issue, please contact our office at vegetablesWA on (08) 9486 7515 or call me personally on 0408 910 761 and we will do our best to assist you.

Up here, the harvest season is kicking into full gear in the Gascoyne district and prices seem to be fair and sound across the board. The rain we have had in the first half of the year is always welcomed, but with it weed control has become an issue and an increase in the prevalence of insect pests. Aphids have caused some major damage to capsicum plants by transmitting the Cucumber Mosaic virus which, if not managed well, can be devastating and wipe you out for the season. Growers also reported they have been hit with Black Spot on their tomato plants due to the wet weather, and some have been caught out — not being able to spray on time.

The Long Table Dinner was held in Carnarvon on the 6th of August and as usual there was a big turnout. The weather made sure it was a pleasant night. Agriculture Minister Hon Alannah McTiernan MLC was invited as the special guest. As such, I had the opportunity to speak to her one-onone about the industry in general and various matters that challenged the region. Water was particularly high on the agenda.

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PHOTOS © TRISTAN MCKENZIE

Showcasing our region’s beautiful produce, including local seafood, beef, fruit and vegetables.

The chefs did a great job of preparing and cooking our region’s beautiful produce, including local seafood, beef, fruit, but I have to say my favourite on the menu was the goat dish, with vegetables of course! Various people spoke on the night, and Paul Kelly, Chair of the Gascoyne Food Council, must be commended for again hosting and organising this popular event. This year, I was invited to speak to the dining audience, and I felt it was well overdue for me to shift to focus back to the local primary producers. I thanked and acknowledged them as the true heroes of the evening. I hope that I represented the growers well, as without their efforts these events just can’t happen.

All in all, it was a great night and a great celebration of the Gascoyne and its produce.

In the same vein of celebrating WA grown food and wine, the great news is that Donnybrook Food and Wine Festival is having their second Long Table Lunch on the 25th of September, and I am happy to say that vegetablesWA is one

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of the major sponsors this year. I am attending to represent our Committee, and I am looking forward to meeting and talking to growers from around this region. So, if you are attending this event please come up and say hi, I would love to have a chat and hear how your peak vegetable body can assist you as a member.

In closing, I would now like to take the opportunity to acknowledge our outgoing CEO, John Shannon. John served vegetablesWA well for over a period of 12 years. John was a valuable asset to our industry over the years and it is with regret that we say goodbye. I have been very fortunate as President to have John as our CEO, reporting to me and the Committee of Management about the daily running of the organisation over the last six years. John has had his finger on the pulse of all our major concerns during the period, including several biosecurity incidents, water issues, COVID-19 and, of course, the labour shortages. On behalf of the organisation, I wish him well in his future pursuits.

With this news, our own Manus Stockdale takes over the position of Acting CEO for at least the next six months.

In this period, the Committee of Management will be actively seeking to appoint a permanent replacement CEO. Manus has demonstrated good judgement and has clear understanding of what is expected in this position in the short-term; I thank him for stepping up to the plate.

I remind you to please contact the office at vegetablesWA if there is any way we can assist you or help with any issues that is adversely affecting you and the way you do business. I would like to wish all our industries the very best for a continued profitable season and stay safe.

MORE INFORMATION Contact Dan Kuzmicich on 0408 910 761 or damir.kuzmicich@bigpond.com

YOUR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Getting to know

vegetablesWA

D

BY K AREN RAYBOULD OPERATIONS MANAGER, VEGETABLESWA

id you know that vegetablesWA has been representing growers for over 70 years?

As the peak body for the vegetable industry across the state, our team work regionally across WA to provide growers with access to Research and Development, education, training, workshops and support, aimed at increased profitability and business sustainability across the industry.

The West Australian Vegetable Growers Association, known to all in the industry as vegetablesWA, has been successfully representing vegetable growers in WA since 1952 as a peak body for the industry.

Have vegetablesWA been around long?

This archive of recorded minutes of past Annual General Meetings and Committee Meetings over the last 73 years shines a light into our industry that has seen so many changes over the years — and yet some things still are the same — as this entry from the minutes of 6 June 1952 meeting demonstrates:

“Discussions for the front page of the WA Grower requiring further negotiations”. We still have the very same discussion every edition.

In short, vegetablesWA has been working on behalf of its members for over 73 years. Depending on which side of 73 you sit, I will leave it to you to decide if that is a long time!

f WE found this photo held in our records dated 1952, showing WAVGA members and friends attending a sendoff for a Mr Jack Harris, who left for England on 8 May 1952.

How does vegetablesWA operate?

The commitment of growers to support the association over the years has been consistent with a number of you, both past and present volunteering to serve as members on the Committee of Management (CoM). Members are representative of the regions in WA who, through quarterly meetings or directly with the CEO or project leads, raise regional issues that enable us to advocate, promote, provide training to or educational services for our members.

Representing vegetable growers in WA for 73 years.

In 1948 the Vegetable Growers Association (VGA) was formed with J Packer serving as the first recorded president (1949–50).

The earliest recorded minutes we have on file are for the WA Vegetable Growers Association (WAVGA) committee meeting dating 6 June 1952 for a meeting held on 4 April 1952.

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What does vegetablesWA represent today?

Minister for Agriculture and Food

As per the vegetablesWA constitution, the organisations primary objectives are to: • provide an organisation, property and facilities through which members may associate

Commission 4 Commissioners Manager

Producers’ Committees 11 Active Committees

2 x Finance Officers

Fee for Service Producers

• provide representations through relevant organisation for vegetable growers • develop and promote innovate ideas that will benefit vegetable growers • assist in the development of a profitable, sustainable, viable vegetable industry • encourage growers to adopt Best Environmental Management Practices for sustainable vegetable production • actively promote the development of existing markets, and new markets both within Australia and overseas for vegetable products • encourage growers to produce high quality vegetable products • encourage growers to adopt Food Safety Management Systems • provide or facilitate representation on such Boards, Committees or Authorities in relation to vegetable production or marketing as may be established by local, state or Federal Governments or horticultural industries • liaise with Government agencies for the benefit of the Vegetable Industries • facilitate the smooth transition of product into overseas markets by involvement in the inspection and approval process • assist growers in the biosecurity and quarantine process • purchase, take for lease hire or likewise acquire for the purpose of the Association any Real Estate, personal property and any rights or privileges in connection therewith • sell, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of the Association’s property or any part thereof.

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Chief Finance Officer

FIGURE 1. APC VCP ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE.

The APC VPC The Agricultural Produce Commission (APCWA.org.au) on 18 March 2005 established the APC Vegetable Producers’ Committee (APC VPC). The Committee consists of up to seven grower members, representing WA vegetable growing areas, excluding Kununurra as Kununurra was not included in the committee establishment.

Under the Agricultural Produce Commission Act 1988, growers and producers are provided with the legal framework to collect funds (Fee For Service, FFS) to provide for the development and security of our growers and producers.

promoting industry as part of the sustainability initiative 2. Quality Assurance — Providing training, support and guidance to growers in Freshcare and HARPs 3. Business Extension Human Resources and Industrial Relations — providing growers with access to templates, information and advice from a HRIR consultant 4. Regional Development Officer — Providing Extension outcomes to growers through workshops, faceto-face meetings, webinars, articles staff engage directly with growers on site to assist and support members. This project works alongside the separately funded Hort Innovation Australia vegNET program.

vegetablesWA was formed by growers for growers.

vegetablesWA, as the peak industry body, applies annually for funding from the APC VPC to provide services to WA vegetable growers. These services are provided by vegetablesWA to growers as agreed in the annual grant funding contract. The APC VPC considers projects each year during their budgeting round in April — this includes projects submitted by any grower or organisation, the projects don’t have to come through vegetablesWA, although as the peak WA vegetable body a significant number of projects are funded through vegetablesWA. The APC VPC is currently funding four FFS projects through vegetablesWA: 1. vegWA main Grant — Industry Representation, Grower Engagement, WA Grower Magazine, industry innovations and initiatives,

vegetablesWA was formed by growers for growers; over the years the work the association has done has made a difference not only to the individual grower but for all growers in WA, we are excited to continue that work into the next 73 years, passing the baton onto our future generations.

MORE INFORMATION We welcome growers contacting us to share your views, ideas and suggestions as to what is needed to support you in your regions. Please contact Acting Chief Executive Officer Manus Stockdale on 0448 897 652.

YOUR PRODUCTION

your

production Your production WA Grower SPRING 2021

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YOUR PRODUCTION

Feed your soils to feed the world:

Supporting soil health in vegetable production

T

BY DIMI KYRIAKOU AND CARL LARSEN RMCG

he Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection (ICP) project works with growers nationally to put soil management and plant health research into practice.

In this column, the team spoke to South Australian industry stalwart Peter Wadewitz about the importance of healthy soils, building organic matter and strengthening soil structure to produce a better crop. Soil Wealth ICP Phase 2 (VG16078) is a strategic levy investment under the Hort Innovation Vegetable Fund.

It’s rare to come across someone who is as passionate about soil health as Peter Wadewitz.

The founder and Managing Director of Peats Soil & Garden Supplies has dedicated the last 45 years to supplying compost, mulches and recycled organic resources to the horticulture, landscape and garden supplies industries in South Australia and interstate.

The business operates on four sites across South Australia and recently expanded its presence to Darwin, South Africa and Qatar.

organic matter and strengthening soil structure to produce a better crop.

“I think we’ve overused fertilisers and chemicals for so long and let the quality of the soil run down, which is probably why we don’t get as many good results due to poor and unhealthy growing practices,” he explains.

Building organic matter and strengthening soil structure to produce a better crop.

For Peter, it all starts with talking to growers about healthy soils, building

“If nature can’t break down a product, we should be questioning whether we use that product in the first place.”

While many growers are becoming increasingly aware of the role that soil health plays in a productive and sustainable vegetable growing operation, Peter says it is a topic that must be continually discussed and supported by the wider industry.

“I’ve spoken to growers who have no idea about organic matter or cation exchange capacity and what it does to the soil. A lot of the issues that growers are dealing with could potentially be overcome with a good healthy soil that produces a stronger, healthier plant.

“Some of the results we are getting are just unbelievable. We did a trial in Virginia with Soil Wealth ICP team member Doris Blaesing and the differences we saw in the colour of the broccoli was incredible, just from being grown in good healthy soils.” f PEATS Soil & Garden Supplies founder and Managing Director Peter Wadewitz.

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YOUR PRODUCTION

f PEATS Soil & Garden Supplies Brinkley Site — Organics Resource Recovery.

f A trial was established at Harvest Farms in Richmond, Tasmania to examine the costs and benefits of quality compost as an organic soil amendment on baby leaf spinach crop yield and quality.

You need to feed your soil — don’t ever stop doing it because it’s a living thing!

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Continual improvement Peats is conducting a range of trials to improve product performance and the impact on vegetable and potato production. This includes investigating the effect of adding biochar, as well as granulating and pelletising products and blending them with organically certified resources, which could potentially help growers achieve carbon credits.

“The bottom line of these trials is to grow a healthier plant with a bigger root system, that builds more carbon in the soil, that grows a bigger top, that sucks more carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and stores more carbon in the soil. That’s your circular economy, but we have a long way to go to get that right,” Peter says.

“Our products aim to prime the soil to start the circular economy and get a healthy soil moving. It’s what nature has been doing for millions of years.

“We should also be mindful that we push products that come in the gate up the value chain. If we redirect organic waste from landfill to agriculture, take 50% less inputs through the farm gate and have a better quality product, we’d be far better off.”

For growers, Peter has one simple piece of advice when it comes to boosting soil health.

“Whether it’s compost, mulch, biochar, green cropping — adding one tonne is better than nothing, and consistently adding it is the key.

“You need to feed your soil — don’t ever stop doing it because it’s a living thing.

If you keep taking from it and don’t put anything back, you’ll have a very poor, unhealthy soil and product.”

Further support and reading • Organic soil amendments global scan and review: www.soilwealth.com.au/ resources/global-scan-and-reviews/ organic-soil-amendments • The ‘breakdown’ on composts fact sheet: www.soilwealth.com.au/ resources/fact-sheets/soil-nutritionand-compost/the-breakdown-oncomposts

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Check out the latest resources from the Soil Wealth ICP project

New resources to help growers improve their management of soils and plant health.

The Soil Wealth ICP team recently released some useful resources to help vegetable and potato growers improve their management of soils and plant health. Take a look below or explore the full range of resources at soilwealth.com.au Case study: Boosting mycorrhizal fungi in vegetable crops

Global scan and review: A guide to preventing leaf and stem diseases

The vegetable industry has a growing interest in soil health and beneficial soil microbes, including mycorrhizal fungi.

This case study examines why and how growers can boost mycorrhizal fungi in their crops, and shares the results from a trial which looked at the potential of cover crops to increase the beneficial fungi in vegetable crops.

Plant diseases are caused by living organisms feeding on plants and damaging them in the process.

Knowing the optimum conditions for infection and disease spread is the first step in disease prevention and control. This guide gives an overview of plant diseases, general methods of transmission and the conditions that foster key diseases of aboveground vegetable plant parts.

Access the case study: www.soilwealth.com.au/resources/ case-studies/boosting-mycorrhizalfungi-in-vegetable-crops Demonstration site update: Richmond, Tasmania The Soil Wealth ICP demonstration site in Richmond, southern Tasmania was hosted by Harvest Farms.

In 2018, a trial was established to examine the costs and benefits of quality compost as an organic soil amendment on babyleaf spinach crop yield and quality. The key findings and conclusions from the three-year trial are now available: www.soilwealth.com.au/resources/ case-studies/demonstration-site-trialfull-report-richmond-tasmania

Peats Soil & Garden Supplies is a member of the Soil Wealth ICP Partnership Network, which aims to actively build industry capacity and grower understanding of current and future innovations in products, technologies and services. To find out more or join the network, visit www.soilwealth.com.au/about-us/jointhe-partnership-network MORE INFORMATION For more information, please contact project leaders Dr Gordon Rogers on (02) 8627 1040 or gordon@ahr.com.au and Dr Anne-Maree Boland on (03) 9882 2670 or email anne-mareeb@rmcg.com.au.

Access the guide: www.soilwealth.com.au/resources/ global-scan-and-reviews/a-guide-topreventing-leaf-and-stem-diseases Webinar recording: Using drones to generate farm insights Do you use a drone on your farm?

Watch this webinar to find out more about the legal requirements for drone operators and how they can help growers manage daily challenges on-farm, including weed control.

Access the recording here: www.soilwealth.com.au/ resources/webinar-recordings/ using-drones-to-generate-farminsights-drone-basics-and-operationsincluding-weed-mapping

This project has been funded by Hort Innovation using the vegetable research and development levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Project Number: VG16078 For more information on the fund and strategic levy investment visit horticulture.com.au

YOUR PRODUCTION

American serpentine leafminer detected in Kununurra.

Exotic pest detected

American serpentine leafminer

T

he Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has been responding to the detection of American serpentine leafminer in Kununurra since July 2021.

f AMERICAN serpentine leafminer larvae damage can be identified by twisting white patterns on the leaf surface, caused by the tunnelling or 'mining' activity.

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This is the first time American serpentine leafminer has been detected in Australia.

Severe infestations may result in premature leaf drop, poor growth, and reduced crop yields,” Dr Broughton said.

Following the detection, DPIRD conducted surveillance in Kununurra, Broome, Carnarvon, and Geraldton to determine the distribution of the pest.

Surveillance confirmed the presence of the pest in Broome.

“This pest has a wide host range of more than 400 species of plants which includes beans, celery, chrysanthemum, cucumber, gerbera, gypsophila, lettuce, onion, potato, tomato, peanuts, soybeans, lentils, faba beans and chickpeas.

There have also been detections in the Katherine region of the Northern Territory and in Queensland — on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait and in the Northern Peninsula Area of Cape York Peninsula.

DPIRD Chief Plant Biosecurity Officer Sonya Broughton said this pest was considered a national priority plant pest as it posed a serious threat to Australia’s horticulture, nursery production, and agricultural plant industries.

She said DPIRD was preparing awareness and information material to assist industry manage the pest where established. “American serpentine leafminer are small flies whose larvae feed internally on the leaves of plants.

“There are a number of native leafminer species present in Australia, but most are very host specific and do not impact horticultural production.”

The Kununurra and Queensland detections were made during routine plant health surveys by North Australian Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) officers. f AS the mines age, the leaf surface becomes necrotic (brown).

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Dr Broughton said the entry pathway of this exotic pest into Australia was unknown. It may have arrived in Kununurra on plant material, but wind dispersal from seasonal monsoon winds in northern Australia was also a possibility.

“No properties are likely to be quarantined as part of DPIRD’s response. At this point, our priority is to carry out surveillance to determine the presence and spread of the pest, and to provide management options to minimise any impact,” she said.

American serpentine leafminer has a wide host range of more than 400 species of plants.

The Kununurra detection was initially made in a cotton crop, and on coatbuttons and wild gooseberry weeds.

On Thursday Island it was detected in Cinderella weed.

f AMERICAN serpentine leafminer damage on a sunflower plant in Kununurra.

Feasibility of eradication

A final decision on the feasibility of eradicating American serpentine leafminer is yet to be made.

The national technical committee, the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests, met to discuss the detections and agreed that further information was needed before making any final recommendations.

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“Due to the pest’s biology, current distribution and wide host range, it is unlikely that eradication would be technically feasible. Although there may be measures that can be taken to delay its spread,” Dr Broughton said.

“The committee has agreed that more surveillance and diagnostic data is required before making a final decision.”

Surveillance is still being conducted to determine the distribution of this pest.

Dr Broughton said DPIRD will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to minimise the impact of this pest on WA growers, including growers in the Ord River area, Broome, Carnarvon and Geraldton, industry stakeholders, the Commonwealth Government, and other States and Territories.

Treatment and management options

More about American serpentine leafminer Damage • Damage is caused primarily by larvae feeding under the surface of leaves, and tunnelling (mining) within the leaf tissue.

• Leaf damage also occurs through puncture wounds from the adult feeding and depositing eggs.

• As the mines age, the leaf surface becomes necrotic (brown).

• Tunnelling can affect the plant’s ability to photosynthesise, reducing plant growth and crop yields.

• This pest is particularly a problem in protected cropping systems.

• Plants can be affected during all growth stages.

Identification

Dr Broughton said DPIRD was working closely with other states including Queensland and New South Wales, to look at management options based on research into other species of leafminer detected in Australia.

• American serpentine leafminer can be confused with other Australian native and introduced Liriomyza species.

American serpentine leafminer is known to develop chemical resistance.

“American serpentine leafminer is known to develop chemical resistance. We will be sending specimens to New South Wales to assess their insecticidal resistance, to inform any chemical control recommendations,” she said.

• Definitive identification of adult flies requires male specimens, whereas immature stages must be analysed by molecular methods to confirm species.

• Adult flies are small, yellow and black.

• The larval stages are not usually seen as they remain inside the leaf tissue.

“In the meantime, growers should refer to the existing permits for treating exotic leafminer species, including American serpentine leafminer.”

• An infestation would most likely be detected through the presence of the mines on leaf surfaces, which are evidence of larvae presence.

Information on suitable insecticides is available from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website (portal.apvma.gov.au/permits).

What to look for

Dr Broughton said insecticide treatments will need to incorporate resistance management strategies to be effective.

"Additionally, consider the use of pesticides that favour beneficial insects.

Overseas, management of leafminers includes the use of natural enemies, such as parasitoids that attack larvae.”

Spread The American serpentine leafminer is widespread overseas, including North and South America, Asia, Africa, Europe and some Pacific islands.

The pest can be spread through the movement of plant material, soil, clothing and equipment. The adult can also spread short distances either unaided or assisted by the wind.

What you can do • Production nurseries, growers and backyard gardeners should check crops regularly for signs of pests and diseases.

• Report any leafminer damage or suspect flies to DPIRD, particularly if on more than one type of crop/plant.

• DPIRD is asking for reports of both presence and absence of damage/flies.

• Always ‘Arrive clean, leave clean’ by implementing on-farm biosecurity practices to prevent pest and disease incursions.

• The farmbiosecurity.com.au website has helpful information that can be tailored to your property.

MORE INFORMATION Refer to the DPIRD website agric.wa.gov.au/ american-serpentine-leafminer for up-todate information, including any domestic trade related updates.

Although the pest impacts a significant range of host plants and species, it is present across large areas of Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. This suggests international trade issues are likely to be limited. Australian exporters will be notified by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment should importing countries change their requirements.

• Trails (mines) on leaf surfaces, which look like light green-white squiggles. Trails get wider as the larvae grow.

• Fungal and bacterial infection, which may occur as the feeding damage increases susceptibility to secondary infections.

• Brown and dead leaf tissue, as leaf surfaces become necrotic when the mines age.

• Trails may be indistinguishable from the damage of other leafminers — so report any damage, even if unsure.

Report your observations!

MyPestGuide™ Reporter

via online or app mypestguide.agric.wa.gov.au

Pest and Disease Information Service

(08) 9368 3080

padis@dpird.wa.gov.au

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f BY outsourcing his coolroom maintenance services, he can get a ‘before and after maintenance report’ and reduce the risk of a major breakdown.

Exploring opportunities to achieve positive practical outcomes.

Food safety elements in practice delivering outcomes for growers

I

BY JOEL DINSDALE QUALITY ASSURANCE COORDINATOR, VEGETABLESWA

recently spoke with vegetablesWA committee member Paul Glavocich about how Freshcare delivers extras for his business, Glavocich Produce. Exploring opportunities for how he can achieve positive practical outcomes while also ticking off the food safety and regulatory requirements demanded by markets and customers at the same time.

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This is a somewhat hidden component of Freshcare that further adds value to the scheme for growers like Paul (beyond the food safety elements). It’s another great reason to adopt a thirdparty certification program into your horticulture business — not just for food safety alone.

Business partners Paul and Crystal recently invested in a coolroom to give them storage and delivery flexibility as the addition allows for best practice storage for his vegetable lines.

The setup initially required a capital investment, and it also requires ongoing maintenance and cleaning resources to ensure that it is running efficiently.

Paul and Crystal wanted to maximise their return on investment, so they have looked to their certification program (QA system) to assist in the delivery of positive outcomes.

They know they must do the following to maintain their Freshcare certification: • Document the coolroom into their F8 Preventative maintenance plan (which requires them to maintain it as documented); • Document the coolroom into their F8 Cleaning plan (which requires ongoing cleaning as per the plan); • Calibration as documented in the F8 Measuring/Monitoring Register and Calibration Records; They want to streamline this process to remain efficient so, Paul wanted a method to determine if the coolroom is functioning as programmed. To achieve this, he has installed a datalogger that captures the inside temperature at intervals of time. This allows him to quickly access temperature versus time details. If the temperature is too high or too low at a time when it has been closed for a prolonged period, then he knows he needs to get onsite to verify the numbers and potentially make changes/repairs.

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The data captured is then documented evidence that the cool room is functioning and maintained when it comes to demonstrating this at his audit.

Being a vegetable grower, Paul is handy on the tools, but by no means a ‘fridgie by trade’, so he has outsourced the documented maintenance and scheduled annual checks and services to be completed by an expert (one of his documented F11 Approved suppliers). By outsourcing, he can get a ‘before and after maintenance report’. The way Paul sees it — “it might cost me to get the expert out…but that somewhat lowers the risk of a major breakdown” (something he is managing as part of his F14 Incident management plan), “potentially reducing my costs overall as big breakdowns tend to cost me more to repair”.

Paul has also moved to outsourcing the deep cleaning of his coolroom.

Paul understands the importance of quality, effective cleaning. It is critical that the coolroom remains clean to minimise the risk of contamination while it is in storage, so Paul has called in the experts to get the job done (also documented in his F11 Approved Suppliers list).

“The way I see it, I can do the job myself, erode a load of my time and still not complete the job properly, so I’ve decided to get the experts to do the job for me.

All I need to do is retain the invoice and I’ve got documented evidence of cleaning activities for my Freshcare as per the F8 cleaning plan.”

It is critical that the coolroom remains clean to minimise the risk of contamination.

f PAUL has also moved to outsourcing the deep cleaning of his coolroom. Paul understands the importance of quality, effective cleaning.

By conducting regular cleaning events, he is reducing the pathogen load while also removing dust, dirt etc. from the fans, walls, doors, seals and other working parts.

This returns a dividend in that the parts function better for longer and there is anecdotal evidence that suggests some savings via reduced runtime as well as less wear and tear.

This doesn’t mean that we should all rush out, get geared up and start outsourcing everything in relation to our coolroms, but there are some take home messages: 1 What gets measured, gets managed (a cornerstone principle of food safety culture).

2 Preventative maintenance programs can lead to overall savings and machinery longevity.

3 Regular cleaning can lead to reduced maintenance, operational savings while at the same time delivering better food safety outcomes.

Paul’s story only addresses one part of one of the five management elements and fourteen food safety elements covered in the Freshcare FSQ4.2 On-farm Standard. There’s so much more to be unlocked if you think critically about the compliance criteria and find practical ways to deliver positive outcomes while maintaining food safety compliance.

MORE INFORMATION Do you want to unlock your QA system’s potential further? Contact Joel Dinsdale (joel.dinsdale@vegetableswa.com.au or 0417 857 675) for support and Freshcare training.

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Tomato bacterial disease control needs more than just chemical sprays

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Prevention is the key for management of tomato bacterial diseases.

BY VO THE TRUYEN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA

hree bacterial diseases are common in WA tomato fields: bacterial spot, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv.; bacterial speck, caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv.; and bacterial canker, caused by Clavibacter michiganensis.

f HEAVY crop loss due to tomato bacteria diseases in Carnarvon.

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Bacterial disease is present at some level every season in the two main tomato production areas in WA — North of Perth and Carnarvon.

Severe damage from these diseases may cause almost complete defoliation of the plant, low fruit set and fruit lesion disfiguration, which impact production potential and product marketability.

When conditions are optimal for bacterial disease, like they were this year with rains, fog, dew and high humidity giving the bacteria a suitable environment for growth, losses in marketable yield are estimated up to 80 per cent in some fields.

Several workshops on the management of tomato bacterial diseases have been organised in Wanneroo and Carnarvon by extension specialist from vegetablesWA in association with the DPIRD Areawide Management Project team.

The workshops stressed the key principle that management of tomato bacterial diseases must focus on prevention and start well before transplanting.

Unfortunately, investigation carried out by vegetablesWA extension specialists this year reveals that most WA tomato growers control bacterial diseases only by chemical spray when diseases symptoms show up. There is not enough attention paid to prevention and so far, results are not great.

The pathogens

Inoculum

Each pathogen has a particular temperature range, in which it is at its peak rate of growth and infection (see Table 1). The pathogens multiply much more slowly outside this optimum range.

The four major sources of infection for these bacteria are from seeds, infected crop debris, volunteer tomato plants and contaminated equipment surfaces (i.e. farm machinery, sticks and tools).

Bacterial pathogens need moisture to multiply. Wet conditions in the plant canopy due to rain, fog, dew, high humidity give the bacteria a suitable environment for growth.

Whilst tomato growers source seeds and seedlings from registered seeds suppliers and from biosecurity accredited nurseries, the later three sources of infection have been observed existing in most of tomato farms due to growers’ poor production practices.

Bacterial pathogens need moisture to multiply.

It is worth noting that the average high of monthly temperature in Carnarvon range between 22–32ºC, which is like that of in Perth during tomato growing season (September to June). This means that the temperature of these tomato growing areas is optimal for the diseases to thrive as soon as the pathogens are present, and the plant canopy is wet.

1 Infected crop debris: Most tomato growers incorporate plant debris including rejected fruits into soil at the end of the season, even when they are all aware that the crop was badly infected.

TABLE 1. OPTIMUM GROWTH TEMPERATURE RANGES FOR BACTERIAL PATHOGENS OF TOMATOa. Optimum temperature (°C)

Disease

Causal organism

Bacterial spot

Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria

24–30

Bacterial speck

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato

18–24

Bacterial canker

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis

24–32

a Bacterial Diseases Of Tomato: Bacterial Spot, Bacterial Speck, Bacterial Canker. www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/05-069.htm

This article aims to bring tomato growers’ attention to the integrated diseases management approach, which once again stress the key principle: management of tomato bacterial diseases must focus on prevention and must start well before transplanting.

Management of tomato bacterial disease Understanding the root cause All tomato growers I have visited in Wanneroo and in Carnarvon blame the wet weather as the cause of tomato bacterial diseases. That is not correct.

Wet weather (rains, fog, dew, high humidity) makes growing environment optimal for growth of bacteria but the bacteria must be present in the first place for the disease to occur. f PLANT debris of previous tomato crop remain on the next crop field in Carabooda.

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f DISINFECTING the sticks with 0.5% chlorine solution by a tomato grower in Wanneroo.

f AVOID operations such as clipping, pruning, and picking when the plant canopy is wet is critical to avoid bacterial disease outbreaks.

2 Volunteer tomato plants: Since rejected fruits are left on the field, volunteer tomato plants are present in every tomato field and the chance having them growing from infected seeds of previous crop is quite high.

These volunteer tomato plants are not killed by herbicide spray as selective herbicides are used to protect cultivated tomato plants.

3 Contaminated equipment: all tomato growers use several thousand sticks to support tomato plants. There is fewer than a handful number of growers practice disinfecting the sticks. Other equipment such as clipper guns, pruning shears and wire are also rarely disinfected.

f THE guttation fluid of infected plant leaf.

Keynote: Removing these three major sources of infection is vitally important in management of tomato bacterial diseases.

Equipment may be disinfected using 1.0% chlorine solution for a minimum of 15 minutes.

Rejected fruits should be collected and buried, whilst plant debris should also be removed from the field or crop rotation and tillage undertaken before planting to reduce the risk of infection from this source.

1 https://bsppjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1365-3059.2012.02673.x

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Spread Bacteria are spread primarily by splashing water and wind-driven rain or mists produced during storms. Spread may also occur by equipment or workers in pruning operation or when plants are injured by a cultivator.

Research has showed that bacteria Clavibacter michiganensis (that causes Bacterial canker), can be exuded in large numbers in the guttation fluid of infected plants1.

The fluid is spread in commercial tomato farm by workers doing clipping, pruning, and picking when the plant canopy is wet causing epidemics.

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Keynote: Since splashing water and wind-driven rain or mists produced during storms are difficult to control, avoid operations such as clipping, pruning, and picking when the plant canopy is wet is critical to avoid bacterial disease outbreaks.

Chemicals Fixed copper bactericides are currently the effective registered control products for bacterial disease on tomatoes2. The activity of fixed copper on the bacteria is due to free copper ions in the spray solution3.

to fail. It has been a common practice to begin an intensive copper spray program once lesions are present. Most tomato growers have experienced that starting a control program after symptoms have appeared is ineffective.

Depending on the severity, spray intervals of seven days or less may be required. Good spray coverage and the use of recommended rates are also very important.

Bacteria is spread primarily by splashing water and wind-driven rain.

It takes an incredibly high density of bacterial cells on the plant before symptoms are visible, and efforts to eradicate bacteria when they are at such high population levels are destined

Many research trials across North America have shown that tank-mixing mancozeb with copper enhances bacterial disease control.

on the foliage (due to incomplete spray coverage) can build up population levels that can cause an outbreak. Thus, Fixed copper bactericides suspend rather than control the diseases.

Keynote: The recommendations in this article outline a preventative program and must be followed closely to be effective. If preventative copper applications are used at transplant, relatively few sprays are required.

MORE INFORMATION Truyen Vo, Regional Development Officer, phone (08) 9486 7515, 0457 457 559 or email truyen.vo@vegetableswa.com.au

Bacteria reproduce very quickly.

Although foliar sprays may clean the surface bacteria from a leaf, within a short period of time the bacteria inside the leaf and those not controlled

2 https://portal.apvma.gov.au/pubcris?p_auth=5mxYGxMG&p_p_id=pubcrisportlet_WAR_ pubcrisportlet&p_p_lifecycle=1&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_ pos=2&p_p_col_count=4&_pubcrisportlet_WAR_pubcrisportlet_javax.portlet.action=search 3 www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/05-069.htm

What:

2021 Western Australian Horticulture Update (WAHU2021)

Theme: Sustainable and resilient: the future of WA horticulture When: Thursday, 4 November 2021 – Conference and sundowner Friday, 5 November 2021 – Farm tour and site visit Where: Perth, WA

956/21

Save the date

Photo supplied by WA Potatoes.

Photographer – Anton Blume

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

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Farm biosecurity practices and tomato bacteria disease management Biosecurity — prevent or minimise the spread of pathogens on the farm.

f THE guttation fluid of infected plant leaf.

F

BY TRUYEN VO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA

arm biosecurity is a set of management practices used to minimise the introduction and prevent the spread of pathogens on the farm.

Pathogens are organisms or agents such as but not limit to bacteria and viruses that cause plant disease.

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On the other hand, management of tomato bacteria diseases, such as bacterial spot, caused by Xanthomonas campestris; bacterial speck, caused

by Pseudomonas syringae; and bacterial canker, caused by Clavibacter michiganensis, also strongly focus on preventing the introduction and spread out of bacteria within and between the growing areas on a farm property.

Although these on-farm measures of farm biosecurity practices play a pivotal role in maintaining Australia’s reputation of producing high quality products, farm biosecurity is often perceived as too complex to implement or unnecessary by industry. That may be because the introduction of farm biosecurity systems is often associated with high priority exotic pests, but it’s complimentary actions to reduce risks from both high priority exotic pests and a particular plant pest/disease that immediately concern growers has not been well translated.

This article will highlight transmission pathways that are defined for farm biosecurity practices, potential risks for infection and spread out of tomato bacterial diseases and suggested actions to reduce risks.

Complimentary actions to reduce risks There are six main transmission pathways through which harmful plant pests, diseases, and weeds enter farms.

By increasing the awareness of these pathways to industry, growers can then identify the risks that are specific to their growing operations and prioritise actions for reducing the relevant risks.

The six main transmission pathways are: 1 Planting materials 2 Waste and weeds 3 Staff and farm visitors

4 Vehicles and equipment 5 Packaging, bins and pallets; and 6 Wind.

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In contrast, the four major sources of infection for these bacteria that are defined in literature include: seeds, infected crop debris, volunteer tomato plants, and on contaminated surfaces of equipment (farm machinery, sticks and tools). Other important factors spreading the bacteria are splashing water and wind-driven rain or mists produced during storms, and workers that spread the guttation fluid of infected plants1 whilst doing clipping, pruning or picking when the plant canopy is wet2.

and wind-driven rain or mists produced during storms.

Therefore, planning and implementing farm biosecurity properly is absolutely consistent with efforts to manage tomato bacteria diseases indeed.

Identify the risks specific to your growing operations.

Thus, the common risks identified in both strategies are perfectly matched: (i) Seeds/planting material; (ii) Waste/ infected crop debris; (iii) Weeds/ volunteer tomato plants; and (iv) Vehicle and equipment/farm machinery and equipment; (v) Staff and farm visitors/ workers; and (vi) Wind/ splashing water

Resources

A great source of information to help growers plan and implement efficient farm biosecurity is available at www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/industry/ vegetables. The available resource manuals for the vegetable industry and other documents such as the farm biosecurity planner and checklist outline the recommendations on farm biosecurity practices that aim to reduce the risk of pests and diseases.

Information specific to the management of tomato bacterial diseases is provided in the previous article starting on page 18. The article will help growers to build understanding of this problem, the key characteristics of the pathogens’ biology; inoculation and spread; and recommendations on chemicals spray.

VegNET RDO at vegetablesWA, Truyen Vo, is happy to visit growers’ farms to implement farm biosecurity. Truyen has 75 high-quality farm biosecurity signs to giveaway to growers who arrange for him to visit on a ‘first come — first served’ basis.

MORE INFORMATION Truyen Vo, Regional Development Officer, phone (08) 9486 7515, 0457 457 559 or email truyen.vo@vegetableswa.com.au

1 https://bsppjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1365-3059.2012.02673.x 2 Please see the article “Tomato Bacterial diseases control need more than just chemicals spray” on page 18

0437 203 024 cropnets@bigpond.com

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Reducing pesticide susceptibility

with IPM

P

esticides are the backbone of crop protection systems.

However, as this backbone becomes weakened by chemical resistance, product withdrawals and residue limits, some growers are combining chemicals with biological and cultural options in an integrated system where compatibility is the key.

Chemical resistance is a widespread issue that has inhibited control of major pests such as Diamondback moth (DBM), one of the most destructive insect pests of brassicas in the world.

Some brassica crops in the eastern states are now being sprayed with four different chemicals each week. Western Australia is less affected but not immune to DBM resistance.

Resistance can also be an issue for orchardists. For example, some species of mites that consistently damage deciduous fruit trees have developed resistance to different miticides, while Western Flower Thrips is resistant to almost all chemicals in Victoria.

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f SOME brassica crops in the eastern states are now being sprayed with four different chemicals each week due to chemical resistance.

However, chemicals are not the only tool to control pests. There are also biological and cultural options, which when combined in a compatible manner with chemical options result in Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

According to IPM specialist Jessica Page from IPM Technologies, the advantage of using IPM is better pest control with less chemicals, improved market access and delayed development of insect resistance.

Jessica and fellow Principal at IPM Technologies Dr Paul Horne, recently held a workshop with South West growers, explaining how they can integrate chemical, cultural and biological options to manage pests.

One of the most common biological controls for DBM is Diadegma semiclausum (Diadegma), a parasitic wasp that lays eggs into the developing larvae of the DBM. “Diadegma is probably the most important parasitoid for DBM. It is difficult to see the level of parasitism they cause because they are hidden inside their host. However, if you pull the caterpillar apart you might find wasp maggots inside.”

The last stage of an IPM plan is to consider chemical options.

“To optimise management, you need to consider what beneficial insects will eat the pest, how they can be encouraged, what cultural controls might help, and what chemicals are effective without impacting beneficials,” Jessica said.

“If you use chemicals alone you are only using a third of the tools on offer.”

Most beneficial insects occur naturally and are quite common, provided there is habitat, a food source, and they haven’t been disrupted by pesticides.

“You can pretty much guarantee Diadegma will be present if their host is there, as long as they aren’t being killed or disrupted by pesticides.

“Other beneficials also have an effect like ladybirds and predatory bugs, particularly damsel bugs, which eat small caterpillars such as DBM.” For mite control in orchards, the small black ladybird Stethorus does a fantastic job of cleaning up large populations found in orchards towards the end of the season while the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Persimilis) is important for keeping populations of pest mites in check.

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Diadegma is probably the most important parasitoid for DBM.

We need to know what’s safe and what’s not safe.

“If possible, select the least disruptive product that does the job and protects the beneficials most important to your crop.”

In the case of DBM, spinetoram is a common chemical but this kills Diadegma, whereas chlorantraniliprole (Coragen) and flubendiamide (Belt) have less impact.

f DIADEGMA is a parasitic wasp that helps to control Diamondback moth populations.

For two-spotted mite, Acramite has little impact on beneficials.

However, others like Omite and Paramite can be detrimental, although impacts are worst if used repeatedly.

“It’s not to say you can never use these more detrimental pesticides, but the more you avoid them, the less disruption there will be. Knowing the effect on beneficials helps us make better pesticide choices, rather than if we only look at efficacy of pest control.”

f LEFT: The predatory mite Persimilis is important for keeping populations of pest mites in check. RIGHT: The small black ladybird Stethorus is the size of a pinhead and feeds on mites.

The second consideration for an IPM strategy is cultural controls. Sometimes more important than pesticides or biological controls and often enough on their own, cultural controls like crop rotation, hygiene, canopy management and variety selection are often specific to farm, situation and pest.

In terms of cultural controls for DBM, sequential planting can be really useful particularly for Diadegma.

“Because there is a lag between when the pests arrive and when the beneficials arrive, the first planting is likely to get the most damaged. Sequential planting means that beneficials are already present and will move with the pests into the next planting. Similarly, a thin strip of sacrificial plants established

before the crop is planted can help build beneficials.”

It is also worth noting that DBM will preferentially target unhealthy plants.

Cultural controls of the two-spotted mite in orchards include reducing dust, increasing humidity and increasing habitat and nectar sources with flowering plants.

The last stage of an IPM plan is to consider chemical options.

“Pesticides are still used in IPM and are an important tool. The difference is how we use them and how we select them.

Jessica finished by urging growers to monitor for beneficials, not just pests, become familiar with juvenile stages of beetles that look different to adult forms, and give more consideration to encouraging and preserving beneficials, cultural management and the impacts of pesticides in their pest management strategies.

MORE INFORMATION Crop specific guides to relevant pesticides and beneficials are available through the Biological Research Company www.biologicalresearchcompany.com.au for an annual subscription of $79. Some guides are available for free through AUSVEG, while IPM information for apples and pears is available through the extensionAUS website. Other information is also available from the Australian Biological Control Association Inc and Cesar Australia.

The workshop was supported by the South West Catchments Council, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. All photos courtesy of IPM Technologies.

“So, we don’t just select pesticides based on their efficacy. We also consider how they will impact beneficial species.

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Invasive ants

have wheels, will travel!

The African black sugar ant was detected by the DPIRD in Maddington.

PHOTO © DR WYNAND UYS

f AFRICAN black sugar ant with pupae.

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f AFRICAN black sugar ant are voracious eaters, with an appetite not only for insects and small vertebrates, but also plastic.

A

nother invasive ant incursion in Perth has highlighted the risk of pests entering and travelling through Western Australia along the imported freight and cargo transport pathway.

The African black sugar ant (Lepisiota incisa) was detected by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in the suburb of Maddington, during national eradication program surveillance for browsing ant (BA) and red imported fire ant (RIFA).

This was the first time the African black sugar ant had been detected in Australia.

It has since been detected at another six locations in the Perth suburbs of Welshpool, North Fremantle, Wattleup and Forrestfield. Almost all locations are commercial premises associated with the transport or storage of freight containers, imported goods, and materials in which ants can be easily moved, such as green waste.

DPIRD technical manager John van Schagen said a nationally funded eradication program was underway.

This has involved treatment of the infested sites and on-going posttreatment surveillance to monitor the effectiveness.

PHOTO © DPIRD

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“The African black sugar ant is a nationally significant pest, due to its potential impacts on the environment, economy, and social wellbeing,” Mr van Schagen said.

“It is not harmful to people or pets, but poses a threat to native species because they are known to nest in undisturbed bushland and are aggressive towards other ants, and have a voracious appetite for insects and small animals.

“They can also nest happily on commercial premises, and can build super colonies with the potential to stretch for hundreds of kilometres.”

Targeting the freight pathway Mr van Schagen said movement of imported freight and cargo was considered to be a common pathway for invasive ants.

“Pests such as ants can spread when an infested freight container or cargo is moved from entry points such as ports to other locations, and when ‘carriers’ stored at the same location become infested and are then moved on.

“Ant carriers could be other containers, vehicles and equipment, or materials that allow for easy transport, such as refuse, soil, green waste and building materials.”

The likelihood of eradicating the African black sugar ant is good.

With DPIRD now running three national invasive ant eradication programs, all with possible entry pathways involving imported freight, surveillance is targeting the transportation network. This includes sea and air ports, and transport hubs for freight containers and cargo.

Mr van Schagen said DPIRD had a proven good track record for invasive ant eradications.

“In this instance, the likelihood of eradicating the African black sugar ant is good, as it is closely related to the browsing ant, which has been successfully eradicated from several locations in the past.”

Mr van Schagen said the commercial activities being carried out on the properties where African black sugar ant was detected supported the assumption of a freight transport pathway.

“It is for this reason that surveillance is being carried out at locations where freight is likely to stop during its journey to the end user.

“This includes freight yards, transport depots and warehouses, and freight end points such as industrial areas, mining sites and businesses in regular receipt of imported goods.

“We are also visiting locations where carrier materials might be stored, such as waste recycling centers, earthmoving equipment hire companies, and nurseries.”

WA Grower SPRING 2021

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YOUR PRODUCTION

f INVASIVE ant detections at ports and container storage locations highlight the need for greater pest awareness and surveillance along the freight transport pathway (pictured here is the site of WA’s red imported fire ant detection in 2019).

Other invasive ants posing a threat to WA include red imported fire ant, browsing ant, yellow crazy ant, electric ant and tropical fire ant.

PHOTO © DPIRD

“While native ants play an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, exotic ants can have a devastating impact on these ecosystems,” he said.

These locations are also being surveyed for evidence of BA and RIFA, and African black sugar ant is being looked for at surveillance areas specific to the BA and RIFA eradication programs.

With the warmer weather approaching, DPIRD is urging everyone to start paying attention to ant activity, and to make reports to the department, even if unsure.

“In fact, the concurrent eradication programs are working in each other’s favour,” Mr van Schagen said.

“In Perth, we are seeking the assistance of industry and the public close to premises where invasive ants have been found, including Forrestfield, Welshpool, North Fremantle, Wattleup and Maddington.”

“By looking for all three ant species on properties being targeted by all three programs, we have been able to increase the intended surveillance areas for each species.

“This increases the probability of detection, and therefore the likelihood of preventing spread and achieving eradication.”

The role of industry Mr van Schagen said WA’s invasive ant eradication programs included the need to increase public and industry awareness, and the reporting of suspect ants.

In particular, growers should be aware of the need to be looking for pests not just in their crops, but also in items on which pests can hitchhike.

“While some invasive ants do not have a huge impact on primary industry production, we still need growers to be aware of their potential environmental, economic and social impacts, and the need to report suspicious ants.

“The farm is a common end point for freight containers, imported vehicles and equipment, and imported goods, and so it would not be unusual for invasive ants to be present.”

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About African black sugar ant • Shiny dark brown.

• 2–3mm in length.

• Thick blackish bristles.

“Similar to the African black sugar ant, they can build huge super colonies, are aggressive, feed voraciously and can damage electrical infrastructure such as irrigation and electrical wiring.

Communities can also affected by invasive ants by making outdoor areas un-usable.”

Mr van Schagen said some invasive ants could also impact agriculture.

“More than 50 agricultural and horticultural crops, as well as turf and nursery species, can be affected by invasive ants.

“They can damage and kill plants by tunnelling through roots and stems, and some ants will protect plant pests such as scale insects and aphids, in order to feed on the 'honeydew' that results from plant damage.”

Exotic ants can have a devastating impact on ecosystems.

• U pper surface of the lower midsection has a deep notch on both ends.

• P ronounced spine between the thorax and abdomen.

• Hairless legs that are mostly yellow.

• F eatures visible under a hand lens or microscope.

• E stablish interconnected nests with collaborative egg-laying queens.

• Can potentially outcompete and displace important native ants.

Ants such as RIFA are also a threat to human and animal health, due to their ‘fiery’ sting.

They have been known to attack young animals, stinging around the eyes, mouth and nose, and preventing animals from reaching food or water without being seriously stung.

MORE INFORMATION More information is available from agric.wa.gov.au/African-black-sugar-ant and agric.wa.gov.au/ants

• Can disrupt whole ecosystems • K nown to harvest plastic and infest electrical boxes and components, causing damage to infrastructure.

What are so bad about invasive ants?

Mr van Schagen said invasive ants were amongst the most serious global invasive pests, and were Australia’s seventh most important National Priority Plant Pest.

Report your observations!

MyPestGuide™ Reporter

via online or app mypestguide.agric.wa.gov.au

Pest and Disease Information Service

(08) 9368 3080

padis@dpird.wa.gov.au

TOOL TIME

TOOL

TIME

your

production WA Grower SPRING 2021

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TOOL TIME

f AGRICULTURE exporters are looking to make their shipment execution faster and cheaper.

Improving agility and export execution efficiency in the uncertain global trade environment by using an Export Management Software TOOL

IMPEXDOCS GLOBAL TRADE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

WHAT DOES IT DO

IMPROVES EXPORTS EFFICIENCY, MINIMISES RISK OF NON-COMPLIANCE, HELPS MANAGE UNCERTAINTY BETTER

WHO WOULD USE IT

EXPORTERS

THE COST

CONTACT IMPEXDOCS

MORE INFORMATION

IMPEXDOCS.COM.AU

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WA Grower SPRING 2021

UNCERTAIN GLOBAL TRADE conditions, ever-changing vessel schedules, container roll-overs, pressure on margins, increasing horticulture production, and complex export compliance requirements are affecting exports of the food and agriculture industry.

Today, Australia’s 135,000 farmers produce enough food to feed over 80 million people. And according to previous data from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), farmers provide 93 per cent of the domestic food supply. Over 70 per cent of the agricultural produce is exported worth $49B and that makes about 19 per cent of total export revenue from Australia.

and to ensure that they have complete visibility and control over the shipment execution process.

ImpexDocs has solved these problems by developing a software platform that enables exporters to make datadriven decisions faster by providing information quickly, reduce the cumbersome compliance and export documentation time and improve productivity to help exporters of all sizes to become agile even in the current uncertain global conditions.

Australia’s 135,000 farmers produce enough food to feed over 80 million people.

Agriculture exporters are looking to make their shipment execution faster and cheaper. They want to know as soon as there is a change in the vessel schedule or roll-overs and all available vessel options quickly at their fingertips.

Exporters want to spend less time working through compliance hassles

ImpexDocs Software is one single unified platform to manage the entire export process right from sales, purchases, shipment bookings to export documentation, export compliance, monitor changes in vessel schedules with Australian ports, and even after a shipment is on the water, tracking it all the way to the destination.

Dealing with uncertainties There is an extensive tool-set to deal with uncertain conditions and risks.

Exporters are alerted as soon as the vessel schedule is changed at ports.

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duplications and minimising risk of erroneous data whist ramping up productivity and compliance.

All documents can be prepared and accessed over the internet. There is no software to install, and the software works on all popular internet browsers.

Overall, the platform offers a high potential of reducing labour time and obtain significant cost savings.

Improved efficiency whilst enabling remote work

Exporters can view global vessel schedules 24x7, find available options and electronically book vessels with shipping companies directly without depending on forwarders or without having to jump from one shipping line portal to another to understand options.

Once the vessel has departed, the software provides shipment tracking till it reaches the destination port as well as provides the predicted estimated arrival time.

There are control dashboards that help quickly monitoring the health of the export management process and intervene when required to ensure that the shipment goes on time and remains compliant.

Reduced labour time and costs Export execution involves 70 per cent of the same data being entered and processed in multiple documents, portals, and systems. It is a timeconsuming and labour-oriented process.

ImpexDocs solution encompasses digitisation of the end-to-end export process including sales, purchases, deal-sheets, making shipment bookings directly with global shipping companies, Health/ Phytosanitary Certificates from the Department of Agriculture, Foreign Exchange, Certificates of Origin from all the Australian Chambers of Commerce, exports declaration numbers from Australian customs, commercial export documents and pre-receival Advice.

The software suite allows easy integration with existing software systems to ensure that one piece of information is only entered once across the supply chain, eliminating

When exporters use manual and disconnected systems, there is limited visibility on the status of the end-toend shipment and exports process.

The current COVID-19 pandemic is causing further difficulties for the management of the export execution process. With a cloud-based system, a user can log on anywhere — even from home and process shipments, supervisors and managers can see the exact status of the process at any point in time. This simplifies the process and can potentially deliver time and cost efficiencies and provide organisations better control whilst supporting remote work.

ImpexDocs is utilised by over 700 Australian organisations of all sizes including GrainCorp, AgraCom, Kilcoy Global Foods, Blackmores, Endeavour Meats, Patane Produce, Sunbeam, Walnuts Australia, and Greenham.

MORE INFORMATION Website: www.impexdocs.com.au Contact: Tejas Oza Email: tejas@impexdocs.com.au Phone: 1300 848 338

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Tools assisting growers to monitor pests TOOL

WHAT DOES IT DO

MYPESTGUIDE REPORTER APP FOR SMART PHONE

REPORT PESTS TO EXPERTS TO GET HELP AND ADVICE

YELLOW STICKY TRAPS

SURVEILLANCE OF PESTS

WHO WOULD USE IT

HORTICULTURE GROWERS AND GARDENERS

THE COST

MORE INFORMATION

FREE

www.agric.wa.gov.au/apps/ mypestguide-reporter

LESS THAN $1/PIECE

www.agric.wa.gov.au/news/ media-releases/adopt-trapsupport-surveillance-effortsagainst-insect-pest

BY TRUYEN VO | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA

MANAGEMENT OF PESTS and diseases on a vegetable farm requires regular inspections to determine signs of infection or pest population levels to improve management decisions.

Monitoring and surveillance across a farm involves looking for and recording the presence, absence and population levels of pests. Conducting regular monitoring is a fundamental part of farm management practice and gives the best chance of spotting a new pest soon after it arrives.

Surveillance at the farm level contributes essential information to regional biosecurity efforts and ultimately to the national status (presence/absence) of a pest.

There are two useful tools that effectively help growers monitoring and surveillance across a farm which are also either free or not expensive and easy to apply. These tools complement each other in helping growers monitoring and surveillance of both flying insects and diseases.

MyPestGuide Reporter MyPestGuide Reporter is a tool for everyone to report pests1.

The MyPestGuide family of free support tools includes a dedicated Reporter App plus three (3) pest identification field guides (iOS Apple and Android), which operate alongside the community website. MyPestGuide helps bring people together who have similar pest problems in their local area creating a collaborative network.

1 www.agric.wa.gov.au/apps/mypestguide-reporter

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MyPestGuide Reporter lets you quickly report your observations to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

By using the MyPestGuide suite of apps you will be supporting your local community and helping to defend Western Australia’s primary industries and environment.

This is an important step in managing invasive species, stopping disease outbreaks, supporting our quality food producers and accessing trade markets.

Helping to defend Western Australia’s primary industries and environment.

Everyone can help map pests by using their phone to make reports with up to four photos from their camera or gallery including gps coordinates with accuracy. Experts at DPIRD will attempt to identify your pest and reply back to your device. The report may be return to you within hours. You can then share report to social media. You can also create reports online using the MyPestGuide website.

This app available at https:// apps.apple.com/au/app/mypestguidereporter/id1032560930

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Yellow sticky traps Yellow sticky traps are pieces of yellow coloured plastic or cardboard, coated with a thin layer of glue. Once you peel back a protective layer to expose the sticky surface you can then place them vertically in a paddock, veggie patch or on fruit trees with a twist tie or attached to a stake or fence post.

Yellow sticky traps are a commonly used method for population monitoring of many pests.

As they are non-selective, a range of insects such as aphids, trips, fruit fly, leaf miners, and whitefly are caught.

In Australia, sticky traps may only be sold or used if they are not capable of trapping an animal (birds, micro bats, rodents etc). All sticky traps sold must have a cage, barrier, cover or other design features which will prevent an animal from coming into contact with the adhesive surface.

The fact is that insect pests are usually seasonal, and coloured sticky traps can help you to assess when flying insect pest numbers are increasing or decreasing. By monitoring your sticky traps and improving your knowledge when to expect seasonal visitors you can decide on what management tactics to use before pest feeding damage becomes too high.

The main purpose of these traps is to monitor flying adult insects.

In recent decades, studies of these traps mainly focused on how to use them to monitor populations of pest species such as tomato potato psyllids, whiteflies, leaf miners, and aphids.

In recent years, yellow sticky traps have also been used as a method for the control of some pests, especially for the control of whitefly.

The main purpose of these traps, which you can find at most plant nurseries, is to monitor for flying adult insects.

Yellow sticky traps are sold at agricultural supplier shops or even in general hardware stores such as Bunnings.

MORE INFORMATION Truyen Vo, Regional Development Officer, phone (08) 9486 7515, 0457 457 559 or email truyen.vo@vegetableswa.com.au

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DPIRD Carnarvon Research Facility

field day

T

he latest developments in fruit and vegetable research was showcased at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) Carnarvon Research Facility field day in July.

The research facility, which has been significantly refurbished in the past year and boosted by several new scientific recruits, shared the learnings from a range of projects with local producers and industry stakeholders.  THE DPIRD horticulture team of Amy Miner, Annie van Blommestein, Jacky Price, Dr Valeria Lima, Dr Dario Stephanelli, Rohan Prince, James Barr and Giao Nguyen showcased the department’s field trials and more at its recent Carnarvon Research Facility field day.

The research will provide an insight into pest and disease pressures on crops.

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DPIRD Carnarvon development officer Annie van Blommestein said growers were able to see first-hand the vegetable trials in the Cravo retractable roof greenhouse, which is aiding a range of research priorities.

“The researchers are examining how the Cravo greenhouse can be used to optimise production of tomatoes, capsicums and zucchinis, which are the main vegetable crops grown in the district,” Ms van Blommestein said.

“The roof of the structure can be left open to take full advantage of the sun and shut when there is heat stress, rainfall, high pest pressures and low temperatures to protect the plants.

“The research will provide an insight into the potential yields and quality, as well as pest and disease pressures on the crops.

“It will also be interesting to determine if insect pollinators enter the structure and effectively fertilise crops that require crosspollination.”

An eggplant trial that is evaluating three different shade levels under a net house was also profiled at the field day.

Ms van Blommestein said eggplants were grown widely in Carnarvon and the results from the trial could be transferred to a large proportion of other crops grown in the area.

“The research is assessing the impact of 10, 20 and 30 per cent shade, with one replicate outside for control,” she said.

“This research will provide a better understanding of the physiological responses of different varieties growing under different conditions and how shading affects growth, water use efficiency, yield and quality.”

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classes at the station in association with the Department of Training and Workforce Development and the Department of Education.

“This is a terrific program, which has provided the participating TAFE and Plant Production Systems students with hands-on experience, while learning about crop agronomy, marketing and business systems, with support from DPIRD’s PRIMED education initiative,” Ms van Blommestein said.  DPIRD research scientist Dr Giao Nguyen spoke to a gathering of 60 about the department’s protective cropping eggplant trials its recent Carnarvon Research Facility Field Day.

The field day also showcased a collaborative variety trial demonstration between DPIRD and eight seed companies, which allowed growers to view new and emerging genetic material suitable for the Carnarvon environment.

The field demonstration includes 121 tomato varieties, 78 capsicum varieties and 22 zucchini varieties.

A high-density mango trial, which has been trained to encourage growth for trellis systems, was also included on the field day program.

“Three mango varieties are being examined, which have been planted at a spacing of three metres between trees and five or six metres between rows, with one trial inside the net house under 10 per cent shade and the other outside,” Ms van Blommestein said.

“It was great to have the group there at the field day and learn from our researchers, as well as get an insight into growers’ feedback and observations about the trials.”

The research is assessing the impact of 10, 20 and 30 per cent shade.

“The researchers are examining the suitability of high density plantings to the Carnarvon environment to determine the benefits and opportunities associated with this potentially highly productive cultivation system.”

The field day also welcomed students from Carnarvon Community College, which has been running practical

Other research toured at the field day included trials of citrus, grains, forestry products and a sterile Leucaena trial.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about DPIRD’s Carnarvon Research Facility, go to www.agric.wa.gov.au/watermanagement/carnarvon-research-facility.

Note: This article was written from a Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development media release.

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Applicants are not required to pay the visa application charge for COVID-19 pandemic visa.

Retaining your seasonal staff

I

BY KIT SAINSBURY LABOUR SCHEME FACILITATOR, DPIRD

t is extremely important to review your workforce options while labour continues to be an ongoing challenge for businesses within the agricultural sector.

Seasonal workers under either the Seasonal Worker Programme or Pacific Labour scheme can come into Australia on the 403 International Relations Visa.

However, most pertinently under the former scheme, these workers need to return to their country of origin at the end of their contracted time in country — as a maximum after nine months.

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This presents some fundamental issues for those industries, which can benefit from these workers staying on farm for longer due to the ongoing work requirements of the business.

In these instances, it is possible to apply for the Australian Government endorsed (COVID-19 Pandemic Event) subclass 408 visa.

Implemented since the beginning of 2021, additional measures were announced to support the agricultural sector. Core aspects include:

• Relax the 40 hours per fortnight work limitation for student visa holders who undertake work in the agricultural sector.

Applicants are not required to pay the visa application charge for COVID-19 pandemic visa.

Other associated costs may include costs for health checks, police certificates Seasonal workers can come into Australia and biometrics.

on the 403 International Relations Visa.

• Extension of the timeframe to apply for the 408 visa, from 28 days to 90 days, before an existing temporary visa expires;

The visa is for a maximum extension of 12 months and the worker can clearly demonstrate that he/she is unable to depart Australia before the expiry of the visa due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

• Removing the COVID-19 pandemic event visa requirement, that visa applicants must demonstrate their attempts to depart Australia where they intend to undertake agricultural work;

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/ getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporaryactivity-408/australian-governmentendorsed-events-covid-19

MORE INFORMATION

YOUR INDUSTRY

Labour scheme facilitator role moves to DPIRD

F

rom August 2, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) commenced management of the Labour Scheme Facilitator role, which currently sits within vegetablesWA.

The role of the labour scheme facilitator has grown significantly during the past 12 months, largely due to the impact of COVID-19, and is being utilised heavily by other industry sectors experiencing labour shortages, such as tourism and hospitality.

The decision to move this role from vegetablesWA into DPIRD came about after both parties reviewed the current structure of the project and saw an opportunity for a new approach, within DPIRD, which would provide a better

The role of the labour scheme facilitator has grown significantly during the past 12 months solution for all industries, including horticulture and our grower members.

Effective Monday, August 2, the project will now be incorporated into the wider WA Government DPIRD structure. The current Labour Scheme Facilitator, Kit Sainsbury, will be transferring across to continue working in this capacity.

MORE INFORMATION For any labour requirements contact Kit Sainsbury on 0477 477 044 or email kit.sainsbury@dpird.wa.gov.au

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Carnarvon growers affected by flooding to receive replacement soil

The soil replacement program will help growers affected by the February floods get back on their feet.

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YOUR INDUSTRY

C

BENJAMIN HAMILTON ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING & SALES, VEGETABLESWA

arnarvon growers affected by the February flooding will receive replacement soil to assist recovery from erosion that occurred on production paddocks in the Irrigation Area.

In early February, Carnarvon received more rainfall in 24 hours than it did in 2020, which led to the Gascoyne River overflowing and impacted about 40 per cent of the growing district.

"This soil replacement program — unique to Carnarvon — will help growers affected by the February floods get back on their feet and reposition their businesses on a sound footing for future production,” she said.

“This replacement soil will assist affected growers who followed the guidelines developed after the previous major floods to get paddocks back into their production system.”

While damage to paddocks was not as widespread as in previous floods, more than 30 growers reported erosion.

During February, Carnarvon received more rainfall in 24 hours than it did in 2020.

Since this time, considerable work has been undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to secure suitable soil and manage environmental, heritage and native title issues.

WA Minister of Agriculture Hon Alannah MacTiernan MLC said eligible growers were contacted in July to arrange replacement of suitable soil to assist recovery from inundation that occurred on production paddocks in the Carnarvon Irrigation Area.

Ms MacTiernan said soil was made available to growers from the end of July following a site selection process and will be provided to growers to re-level their paddocks with fertile soil.

“We see many growers have already levelled farm tracks and paddocks so annual crop planting can continue, and others who have undertaken remedial action and adopted farm practices to protect their crops from water erosion”, she said.

Site selection took into account adherence to the guidelines issued following the last major flood event in Carnarvon.

flood plain management and the catchment plan to mitigate the impact of future flooding events.

Ms MacTiernan said the flood plain review will have a strong focus on soil management, with the expectation that growers will implement sustainable conservation practices to reduce the risk of erosion and the need for soil replacement.

“It is important for industry to gather the lessons learned from this flood event and invest in strategies that prevent this threat to production and builds long term business resilience,” she said.

The Carnarvon irrigation area plays an important role in providing quality fresh produce to the domestic market, including tomatoes, capsicums, sweet corn, mangoes, asparagus, melons, bananas, herbs and chillies, worth up to $100 million per annum.

MORE INFORMATION This article was produced from a WA State Government media statement.

Visit the State Government’s website www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/ McGowan/2021/08/New-water-agreementto-support-growth-of-Gascoyne-food-bowl. aspx

DPIRD is coordinating the State Governments replacement soil program, which will include a review of Carnarvon WA Grower SPRING 2021

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Agriculture visa to secure labour force for farmers

T

he Australian Government announced the establishment of an Australian Agriculture visa to build on the highly successful existing Pacific schemes.

This visa responds to workforce shortages in the agriculture and primary industry sectors, and recent changes to the Working Holiday Maker program developed as part of the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

The Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud, said the new visa — to be in place before the end of this year — would enable workers from the 10 ASEAN nations to work in Australia for up to nine months, three years in a row.

“The agriculture visa delivers what so many primary producers are crying out for,” Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said.

“The agriculture visa will be in place no later than 30 September this year, with the full implementation of this demanddriven visa complete within 3 years.”

The Australian Agriculture visa will be available to workers across the agriculture (including meat processing), The new visa would enable fisheries and forestry workers from the 10 ASEAN sectors and provide a basis nations to work in Australia for the ongoing growth of for up to 9 months.

Australia’s primary industries as they strive to reach $100 billion in value by 2030.

He adds “it will give regional Australia the workers they need to get produce to plate in Australia, as well as our export markets.

The program will be operated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, building on the strong outcomes from Pacific labour mobility programs.

f THE Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud, said the new visa will be in place before the end of this year.

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YOUR INDUSTRY

The Government will immediately commence industry consultations to understand needs across the agricultural sector. The departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Home Affairs and Agriculture, Water and the Environment will design the visa to ensure a high degree of integrity and safeguards for workers.

The Government will work closely with partner governments also, including our Pacific family, to ensure their interests are protected.

Regulations to enable the creation of the Australian Agriculture visa will be in place by the end of September 2021.

Operation of the visa will depend on negotiations with partner countries.

The Government’s primary and growing method for meeting agricultural workforce shortages are the existing Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) and Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS), and the new visa program will build on these. Between now and March 2022, the number of Pacific and Timorese workers in Australia will double to over 24,000. These workers are highly valued

Australia’s primary industries — striving to reach $100 billion in value by 2030.

by Australian industry and are critical to Australia’s horticultural and meat processing sectors, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Australian Agriculture visa will be open to applicants from a range of countries negotiated through bilateral agreements. Full conditions will be developed and implemented over the next 3 years as the visa is operationalised. During this implementation period we will work to achieve a demand driven approach and consider permanent residency pathways and regional settlement.

Quarantine places remain the biggest constraint to bringing in overseas workers where there are no Australians to fill workforce shortages. The Government is working closely with States and Territories to ensure we can meet future workforce needs across all sectors.

MORE INFORMATION https://minister.awe.gov.au/littleproud/ media-releases/seasonal-agricultureworker-visa

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Assisting growers with digital monitoring of soil moisture

I

BY TRUYEN VO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA

t was mentioned in an article in the summer 2020 edition of WA Grower (Water and fertiliser use efficiency improvement — an extension service update) the VegNET WA Regional Development Officers (RDOs) has worked closely with growers and related stakeholders to create value by setting up a field demonstration of digital soil moisture monitoring on tomato and chilies fields in April 2021.

Technically, the digital soil moisture monitoring requires a few practices that most growers haven’t used before.

These included: • Soil moisture monitoring probes installed at various depths to monitor the soil moisture profile over time • Digging to expose the root zone to acquire knowledge on the root zone concept and soil characteristics

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Assisting growers with digitally monitoring of soil moisture

• Downloading an app to their smartphones to read the soil moisture monitoring results • Accessing and understanding the data outputs presented in graph form on digital devices such as smart phone or computer • Including the soil moisture monitoring results in the decision making of irrigation program.

There was some concern from the growers involved that the technical skills required to set up the system and to gain confidence to adopt this innovation may be too difficult.

Growers experienced better crop performance and reduced water and fertiliser loss.

As a result of these demonstrations, involved growers experienced benefits of better crop performance and reduced water and fertiliser loss.

To manage these concerns and barriers, the project was carefully designed to provide grower participants with ‘one-on-one assistance’ needed to bring them up to the competency level required to operate the system themselves.

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Dig to expose the root zone to understand the root zone depth and soil characteristics.

Developing a strong task force The careful implementation of the stakeholder engagement plan has brought in expert collaborators who committed to contributing resources and knowledge to create value by translating the innovation into easily adopted field practices for growers.

This task force includes experts and scientists of Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development (DPIRD), Perth Natural Resources Management (Perth NRM), Irrigation Australia, Wildeye Soil Moisture Monitoring and, VegNET WA Regional Development Officers (RDOs).

Since January 2021, the task force has been working together to design field trials and demonstrations and setting them up on two growers’ properties in Wanneroo, WA.

f THE root zone within 30cm depth.

Effective grower learning design The project team have foreseen that some growers may have difficulty setting up an account on a smartphone to download an app. They may also find it difficult to access and understand the data outputs presented in graph form on digital devices such as smartphone or computer.

It is also complicated for growers to include the soil moisture monitoring results into decision making for their irrigation program.

These difficulties can be even more significant with Vietnamese Australian growers because of the added language barrier.

FIGURE 1. SOIL MOISTURE MONITORING RESULT AT THE GROWER DEMONSTRATION SITE

Therefore, the 5 stages extension process has been carefully employed in the project. This will enhance growers’ journey toward decision-making and innovation adoption.

This extension process includes: 1. Knowledge: Introduce the innovation to growers and help them understand the benefits.

2. Persuasion: Development of Growers’ favourable attitude to the introduced innovation.

3. Decision: Growers’ commitment to adopt the innovation.

4. Implementation: Growers putting innovation into use via trial-and-error process.

5. Confirmation: Reinforcement the adoption decision based on positive outcomes from it.

MORE INFORMATION Truyen Vo, Regional Development Officer, phone (08) 9486 7515 or 0457 457 559 or email truyen.vo@vegetableswa.com.au

WA Grower SPRING 2021

45

YOUR INDUSTRY

New water agreement

to support the growth of Gascoyne food bowl

T

BENJAMIN HAMILTON ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING & SALES, VEGETABLESWA

he State Government has reaffirmed its support of food producers in Carnarvon after striking a new water supply agreement to help horticultural expansion along the Gascoyne River.

WA Minister of Agriculture Hon Alannah MacTiernan MLC said the Water Corporation and the Gascoyne Water Cooperative (GWC) established an agreement to implement a phased return to more cost-reflective pricing.

The agreement will encourage new enterprises across 300 hectares of prime horticultural land, released in January 2021.

“This is a rare land release that will boost horticulture production from the Gascoyne and sow the seeds to maximise the potential of emerging domestic and export market opportunities,” she said.

WA Minister of Finance Ben Wyatt said the land was made available under the WA Government’s Gascoyne Food Bowl Initiative. The land will increase food production, improve sustainable water supplies for irrigated agriculture, and facilitate new supply chain opportunities for local produce.

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WA Grower SPRING 2021

 SUPPORT for a new water supply agreement to help horticultural expansion along the Gascoyne River.

“This development will attract an expansion of the industry and build the scale necessary to underpin a strong future for Carnarvon horticulture,” he said.

“This land release is the result of years of extensive collaboration by industry, community, traditional owners and government, and particularly the Gascoyne Water Co-operative, which has played a crucial role in working to improve water reliability for all growers in the precinct.”

25-kilometre pipeline and a reliable electric-power supply under a new agreement between GWC and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Gascoyne growers will be guaranteed a high-quality water supply via a new 25km pipeline.

The new water supply agreement, which replaces the previous agreement that expired in 2013, will see the State Government continue its support for Gascoyne growers through subsidies on water charges of around $10.5 million over the agreement period.

Gascoyne growers will be guaranteed high-quality water supply via a new

It will also see a gradual transition towards more cost-reflective water pricing and enable GWC time to generate new income streams and reduce reliance on government subsidies.

MORE INFORMATION This article was produced from a WA State Government media statement.

For more information visit the State Government’s website, www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/ McGowan/2021/08/New-water-agreementto-support-growth-of-Gascoyne-food-bowl. aspx

WA POTATOES

potato

update WA Potatoes

WA Grower SPRING 2021

47

WA POTATOES

contacts Horticulture House 103 Outram Street, WEST PERTH WA 6005 p: (08) 9481 0834 e: admin@wapotatoes.com.au w: todatoes.com.au

WA Potatoes

Chief Executive Officer’s report

Simon Moltoni, Chief Executive Officer m: 0447 141 752 e: simon@wapotatoes.com.au Morena Perdec, Finance & Admin Manager e: morena@wapotatoes.com.au Georgia Thomas, Project Manager e: georgia@wapotatoes.com.au

Committee 2019–2021 Vaughan Carter Chairperson

Busselton

m: 0417 092 505

Albany Colin Ayres Deputy Chairperson

m: 0428 451 014

Glen Ryan Secretary

Pemberton

m: 0428 827 126

Gary Bendotti Treasurer

Pemberton

m: 0427 569 903

Patrick Fox

Scott River

m: 0499 887 202

Bronwyn Fox

Dandaragan

m: 0427 447 412

Christian deHaan

Manjimup

m: 0429 436 361

Elected Members Representing the Ware Fresh sector: Vaughan Carter, Christian de Haan, Glen Ryan and Bronwyn Fox Representing the Seed sector: Colin Aryes Representing the Export sector: Patrick Fox Representing the Processing sector: Gary Bendotti

It is pleasing to hear some growers are testing seed for virus in order to identify potential risk.

T

SIMON MOLTONI CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, POTATO GROWERS ASSOCIATION

he renovation of Horticulture House continues. As we dig deeper under her skin, we find the secrets that have been hiding waiting to hinder our progress.

Whether it be I.T, electrical, structural, or materials, we have had to make adjustments to ensure we meet our goals of honouring our history and being fitted out for the present and into the future. All challenges are being addressed and the progress, while behind schedule, is looking fantastic. I look forward to the completion of the project and perhaps a celebration of some sort to mark the occasion.

With the federal election on the horizon, planning has begun for gaining the best possible outcomes for horticulture.

The PGA continues to work with other state members and AUSVEG staff to ensure we have a voice in the national debate on our important issues.

Labour availability continues to be the major concern.

With the recent UK/AUS free trade agreement there will be less demand for UK backpackers to spend time working in the regions. Some of this future shortfall will be addressed by the new working visa proposal for ASEAN countries.

The recent announcement by Minister Littleproud is very positive but it will take some planning and resources to

48

WA Grower SPRING 2021

develop this new opportunity into a reliable ongoing labour source.

In the May issue I made comment on the wet start to the season. This has continued with one of the wettest July rainfall totals on record.

Challenges for both planting and harvesting have been significant with growers making every break in the weather count in order to meet supply.

Despite the wet winter there has not been widespread wind, hail or frost damage. We hope this continues to be the case until spring arrives.

Due to the Albany floods and subsequent seed losses, some growers have been forced to shore up their seed supplies from non-seed scheme sources. It is pleasing to hear that a number of growers are testing this seed for virus in order to identify potential risk. I would encourage all growers who find themselves in this situation to gather as much knowledge as possible on the seed stock, including testing. It is a small investment for the potential returns. Some virus incursions can have a negative impact well beyond the initial crop/field/property.

COVID-19 appears to be looming even larger on the horizon as we observe the situation on the east coast. It would be prudent to consider impacts to your business that potential lockdowns and restrictions could bring. We should not be complacent with our fortunate situation but rather use the time to prepare for more difficult trading circumstances.

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

WA POTATOES

APC-Potato Producers

Committee Update Committee members

F

BY MORENA PERDEC APC-PPC SECRETARY

ee for service for ware, export and processing has remained as is for 2021–22 with a review in these areas for 2022–23.

Over the past few years there has been much discussion around increasing the fee for service for seed. This year the committee has agreed that it would be appropriate to increase the fee for service as of this financial year. Industry consultation is underway and is on the agenda for the next WASPP meeting.

Marketing fee for service for the 12 month period (October to October) will be reviewed next month.

Term of appointment

Name Glen Ryan — Chairperson

1 June 2019 to 31 May 2022

Dominic Della Vedova

1 June 2019 to 31 May 2022

Mathew Cocciolone

1 June 2020 to 31 May 2023

Mia Rose

1 June 2020 to 31 May 2023

Terry Ackley

1 June 2021 to 31 May 2024

Fee for Service charge 2021–22 Potato type Processing — local & export Seed — local & export

$/t 6.00 TBC^

The quality of project applications received this year were of excellent standard and unfortunately some good ones missed out.

Projects approved for 2021–22 · PGA: Association $330,000 · PGA: Biosecurity Plan $6,050 · DPIRD: Seed Certification Scheme & Virus Testing $46,000 · DPIRD: Database improvements and digital solutions support delivery of seed scheme $10,000 · DPIRD: Investigation of molecular testing for potato viruses (2 year project) $40,000 ($20,000 each year) · Murdoch University: Field survey of predators of TPP in WA (2 year project) $15,000 ($7,500 each year — subject to APC-VPC approval.

Ware (fresh) — local

8.00

Ware (fresh) — export

6.00

MORE INFORMATION

2.50

Please contact Glen Ryan 0428 827 126 Chair APC-PPC for further information.

Ware (fresh) — marketing ^ after grower consultation

Freshness Controlled……

Equipment designed specifically for the storage and handling of potatoes, carrots and onions Improving your agribusiness the intelligent way

Alex Holding – 0492462060

https://coldahold.com.au/

alex@coldahold.com.au

WA Grower SPRING 2021

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WA POTATOES

Storing and ageing

seed potatoes Seed that has experienced stressful conditions, is likely to be prematurely aged.

f PHYSIOLOGICAL age reflects what is going on inside the tuber, so is central to optimising crop management.

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WA Grower SPRING 2021

WA POTATOES

BY DR JENNY EKMAN RESEARCH SCIENTIST, APPLIED HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH

M

any potato growers would already be aware of the critical importance of seed age in terms of planting density, timing of emergence and size and yield of the end crop. However, physiological age is a combination of time (chronological age) and environment (primarily temperature). Managing the storage environment to optimise seed performance at planting is a complex process that requires thought and planning.

How old am I? Physiological age is difficult to calculate.

Approximate physiological age may be expressed as P-age or ‘day-degrees’. This is calculated by multiplying temperature (minus baseline 4ºC) by time from haulm kill or harvest. However, this does not take into account conditions during growth, varietal differences and other factors that influence ageing.

There have been many attempts to test actual changes inside the tuber. These include analysis of 2-methyl-1-butanol (a biochemical that accumulates during

Physiological age

Appearance

Characteristics

Dormant

• No sprouts • Dormancy varies by cultivar • Growing conditions, storage environment and chemical treatments can be manipulated to extend or reduce dormancy

Young

• Strong apical dominance (i.e. one or only a few sprouts from the eyes on the bud end of the tuber) • Minimal sprouts • Few stems (1–2) per plant • Thick foliage • Extended maturation time — suited to sites with long available growing periods • Longer period of tuber initiation, growth and bulking • Fewer tubers but large in size • High potential yield

Middle aged

• Apical dominance lost • Multiple sprouts, potentially from all of the eyes on the tuber • Multiple stems (3–6) per plant • Less foliage cover • Shorter maturation time — suited to sites where growth may be limited by frost, disease incidence, market requirements etc.

• Uniform tuber set • High number of tubers but smaller size

The chronological age of a potato tuber starts from when it is initiated on the parental stem. This is clearly difficult to measure, so age is more commonly expressed as time from harvest.

Seed that has experienced stressful conditions, such as high temperatures in the soil or after harvest (>22ºC), insufficient irrigation, poor nutrition or extreme pest pressure is likely to be prematurely aged. Conversely, seed produced under optimal conditions will be physiologically younger. For example, a previous project found that seed grown under well-nourished conditions in clay soil aged more slowly than that grown under more stressful conditions in sandy soil (Brown, 2006).

The simplest way to estimate physiological age is to take a sample of tubers, place them in the dark at room temperature, and allow them to sprout.

The sprouts can then be compared with the development stages shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1. CHARACTERISTICS OF CROPS GROWN USING TUBERS OF DIFFERENT AGES.

Seed age matters

While chronological age can affect seed performance, physiological age is more important. Physiological age reflects what is going on inside the tuber, so is central to optimising crop management.

ageing), measurement of total sugars (sucrose, glucose and fructose), the time taken for 80% of tubers to produce 3mm sprouts and total weight of sprouts produced after 4 weeks at 15ºC. However, none of these have proven to be reliable indicators of physiological age.

Middle aged seed that has been de-sprouted should be considered ‘old’ Old

• Highly branched sprouts with ‘hairy’ appearance • Sprouts are weak • Plants lack vigour • Large numbers of small tubers that fail to bulk up • Very old seed may give rise to “little tuber disorder” where small tubers form on sprouts — these should not be used

Source: Adapted from Johnson, 2021 and Crump, 2018

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WA POTATOES

As physiological age affects how seed should be managed, open and honest communication between seed producers and their customers is essential to maximise yield. For example, seed that has been exposed to high temperatures should be cooled as soon as possible to minimise further ageing, as well as potentially planted earlier than seed produced in cool conditions.

20 Cooling, 0.5 to 2ºC/day

While high stem counts have been associated with increased numbers of tubers, in this study tubers per plant was similar across all treatments (Mediouni et al., 2020). This was possibly because all plants were spaced the same; older seed needs to be planted further apart to allow space for the additional stems.

The rates shown in Table 2 all result in a similar number of total stems/ha.

Understanding physiological age can therefore help growers set plant spacing to maximise returns.

Cooling down Temperature is the most important factor affecting physiological ageing of seed potatoes. However, before seed potatoes can be cold stored it is essential that they are ‘cured’, allowing suberisation (healing) of wounds caused during

12 8

Storage at 4ºC + 85–95% RH

4 0 0

20

40

60

80

harvest. This greatly reduces the risk of rots during storage. While suberisation occurs more quickly in physiologically young crops, it mainly relies on temperature (Table 3).

Once cured, it is typically recommended that seed potatoes are cooled gradually.

However, unless a forced air (positive pressure ventilation) system is used, dropping the temperature directly to 4ºC will result in condensation and may ‘shock’ the tubers.

The seed potato best practice guide (Blaesing, 2004) recommends dropping the delivery air temperature by approximately 2ºC/week until the room and seed both reach 4ºC. This reduces the likelihood of condensation forming, especially if air circulation is poor.

Tonne/ha

Young

Middle

Young

Middle

Small

50-60

23

30

3.0

2.3

Medium

80-90

30

38

3.4

2.8

100-120

30

45

4.5

3.0

Large Source: Bohl et al., 1995.

TABLE 3. WOUND HEALING IN RELATION TO TEMPERATURE. Tuber temperature (ºC)

52

Initial suberisation (days)

Wound healing complete (days)

<5

7–14

21–42

10

4

7–14

20

1–2

3–6

Source: Cunnington and Pringle, 2012

WA Grower SPRING 2021

120

140

160

FIGURE 1. IDEAL POTATO SEED STORAGE TEMPERATURES.

Spacing (cm) Weight (g)

100

WEEKS

TABLE 2. PLANTING RATES FOR DIFFERENT SIZES AND AGES OF SEED.

Size

Warming before planting

A recent study of the effect of seed age on plant vigour demonstrated the significant increase in stem number that can occur as storage time increases. One month after planting, seed stored at 4ºC for 30, 70 or 100 days averaged 4, 6 or 8 stems per plant respectively.

Curing at 15ºC + 95% RH

TUBER TEMPERATURE (ºC)

16

Unfortunately, such slow cooling rates increase physiological age and can potentially allow rots and dehydration to occur. A moderately fast cooling rate, where the temperature is dropped by up to 2ºC daily, may provide a compromise, so long as there is good air circulation between the bins.

As both avoiding condensation and reducing ageing are important, the cooling rate used will depend on the setup and capacity of the room; if bins are placed tightly together, or seed is stored in bulk bags, cooling rates will need to be slower than if bins are spaced with gaps that allow good air circulation (see Figure 1).

Steady in storage Maintaining uniform temperatures and high (85% to 95%) relative humidity (RH) during storage is critical to seed quality (see Figure 2). Low RH allows dehydration and shrinkage. However, at high levels of RH, it is essential to minimise fluctuations in temperature to avoid condensation forming on the tubers; the fungi and bacteria that cause breakdown in storage flourish under wet conditions.

Temperature fluctuations inevitably occur as the room cycles between its maximum (when the system turns on) and minimum (when the system turns off) temperature setpoints. Setting these maximum and minimum points close together avoids the fluctuations that reduce average RH in the room and/or cause condensation.

WA POTATOES

Evaporation, dehydration

Moisture equilibrium

Moisture absorbed

conde nsa tion

90%

95–98%

Temperature management is most important as the tubers reach the end of their natural dormancy.

100%

Relative humidity FIGURE 2. MOISTURE EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE TUBER SKIN AND SURROUNDING AIR. Source: Cunnington and Pringle, 2012.

For example, if the room is at 4.5ºC with 90% RH, but air temperature falls to 3ºC when the cooling system turns on, then moisture will condense out of the air onto the stored potatoes. Conversely, if the room air is then allowed to warm up to 5.5ºC, then humidity will drop to 81%.

Adjusting the setpoints to, for example, 3.5ºC (minimum) to 4.5ºC (maximum) minimises this effect.

Humidity will also be higher and temperature more uniform if spatial variation is minimised; leaky insulation, frequent door opening and high ventilation rates all increase temperature variability within the room.

Humidity can be increased by plumbing in an automatic humidifier, but it is important to ensure it creates an extremely fine droplet size and is properly serviced and calibrated, to prevent condensation.

Take the heat away

Leaving gaps between pallets and around the walls, considering how the air will flow from front to rear and keeping a path clear for the return air will all help get the best out of the cold room.

For example, trials in the Netherlands found that seed initially stored at 4ºC but warmed to 16ºC for several weeks before planting had lower yield than seed that had the same period of warm temperatures before cold storage.

The best results were achieved when tubers were kept continually at 4ºC throughout the storage period. It was noted, however, that the effects of storage temperature varied considerably between varieties; ‘Desiree’ was relatively insensitive to ageing, whereas ‘Astarte’ and to a lesser extent ‘Jaer’ aged rapidly (Struik et al., 2006) (see Figure 4).

The best results were achieved when tubers were kept continually at 4ºC throughout the storage period.

Even at 4ºC, seed potatoes are still respiring and producing heat. This heat needs to be removed by the cold room air; if the air can’t penetrate the bins, hot spots can develop. For this reason, it is essential to consider how air will circulate around the room and between the bins (see Figure 3).

FIGURE 3. COLD STORAGE ROOMS SHOULD BE SET UP TO ALLOW THE COLD AIR TO CIRCULATE AROUND THE BINS; LEAVE GAPS BETWEEN PALLET STACKS AND THE WALLS, ALIGN PALLET SKIDS TO AIRFLOW; LEAVE CLEAR SPACE FOR THE RETURN AIR INTAKE. TEMPERATURE SHOULD BE MONITORED AND CONDENSATION CHECKED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE ROOM AS WELL AS IN THE STORED SEED. WA Grower SPRING 2021

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WA POTATOES

But seed needs to breathe …

Physiological age reflects the biochemical changes taking place within the tuber. These are fuelled by respiration; just as we do, potatoes stay alive by burning their energy reserves, a process that consumes oxygen (O2) and produces carbon dioxide (CO2).

Respiration is therefore a good indicator of the rate at which changes are occurring. Factors that increase respiration, such as bruising, disease, cutting seed, exposure to ethylene and high temperatures, all increase ageing during storage and handling.

While open vents and doors are clearly undesirable from the point of view of temperature management, it is important that seed potatoes can breathe. If O2 falls too low, or CO2 rises to high levels, then potatoes are unable to respire normally.

This initially causes stress, and in severe cases leads to the condition black heart (see Figure 5).

It has been reported that as little as 4,000ppm CO2 (0.4%) can reduce seed vigour after planting. Moreover, levels of 2,000 ppm CO2 can affect human health, with 5,000 ppm the workplace limit.

Rooms need to be ventilated to maintain O2 and CO2 close to ambient levels, especially before entering.

Simply opening the door to vent is risky for human health and bad for temperature management.

One option is to install an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). These use exhaust air from inside the room to pre-cool fresh air coming from the outside. Monitoring gas concentrations inside the room, using an ERV and ventilating at night when air is cool can reduce energy use while improving the room environment.

So, how much of a problem is seed age?

The project PT0212 ‘Optimising production and storage conditions for seed potato physiological quality’ aimed to identify how all industry sectors could maximise seed productivity. The research

7

In this study, markers of physiological age were poor predictors of stem number and yield. It was concluded that factors other than physiological age of seed at planting can have major impacts on crop performance. Seed crop planting date, days to haulm kill, harvest timing and environmental conditions at planting all had major effects on quality and yield of the resulting crop.

The author concludes that “the interaction between seed physiological state and planting environment appears to have an overriding effect on plant growth”.

In other words, there are no easy answers! However, physiological age is clearly important. Growers purchasing seed therefore need to consider the conditions under which the seed was produced, as well as how the seed is stored on farm, to optimise crop performance.

Take home messages

6

TOTAL YIELD (KG/M2)

initially tested ways of measuring seed physiological age and linking this to yield and quality.

5 4

· Stress during seed production, poor storage conditions and extended storage times increase physiological age

3 2 1 0

4ºC JAER

DESIREE

16ºC BINTJE

4ºC then 16ºC

16ºC then 4ºC

ASTARTE

FIGURE 4. THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE REGIME DURING 32 WEEKS STORAGE OF SEED ON TOTAL YIELD OF THREE POTATO VARIETIES. SEED WERE STORED AT 4ºC, 16ºC, 16 WEEKS AT 4ºC THEN 16ºC OR 16 WEEKS AT 16ºC THEN 4ºC. Source: Struik et al., 2006.

· P-age and sprout type can be used to estimate physiological age of potato seed · Physiological age of seed affects potato crop success · Understanding physiological age can maximise crop potential · Investing in modern cool room technology — with optimised management of temperature, humidity, CO2 levels and ventilation — will ensure growers get the best out of their seed potatoes.

MORE INFORMATION © Potato Link magazine https://potatolink.com.au/potatolinkmagazine

FIGURE 5. THE DISORDER BLACK HEART IS CAUSED BY LACK OF VENTILATION DURING STORAGE Source: Cunnington and Pringle, 2012

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WA Grower SPRING 2021

WA POTATOES

SmartSpud

™

trials continue

F

ollowing a successful application for funding to the APC PPC in 2020, the Potato Growers Association purchased a SmartSpud™ device for industry use.

A SmartSpud™ is an electronic potato shaped device, which is used to gauge points along the harvest/supply chain system where potatoes are potentially being damaged, in order to improve processes and increase potato quality and pack out.

Following initial testing and training by Georgia and Morena in 2020, a User Agreement has been developed for

potato industry members to access the device. The agreement requiring members to undertake practice under supervision before the device can be borrowed.

The device has already been used to investigate impact points in a wash packer process, and in August this year commenced on-farm testing of the harvest process. f A SmartSpud™ is an electronic potato shaped device, which is used to gauge points along the harvest/supply chain system where potatoes are potentially being damaged.

According to Aaggrrii, the SmartSpud™ can reduce crop damage by up to 50 per cent on the first use. Other benefits include:

SmartSpud™ can reduce crop damage by up to 50 per cent on the first use.

· Reduce bruising and damage by as much as 50 per cent. · Improve line efficiencies, targeting downtime and maintenance. · Test new equipment in quick time. · Measure levels of damage through all stages of processing. · Make data-driven decisions.

Feedback from activities have been communicated to the manufacturer to enable improvements to be made to the device and considered for any future updates.

MORE INFORMATION For any questions or to book the device please email Morena at morena@ wapotatoes.com.au.

WA Grower SPRING 2021

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WA POTATOES

Tuber inspections for seed potatoes

f A passed tuber inspection is peace of mind for yourself and the consignee to know the particular line meets the specifications set out by the certified seed scheme.

Seed that has experienced stressful conditions, is likely to be prematurely aged.

I

BY JULIAN ACKLEY POTATO SEED GROWER

n the autumn 2021 edition of WA Grower, we delved into what was involved in starting to grow seed potatoes. Now that the crop has grown and we have passed our field inspections, the next step is getting the tubers themselves to pass certification. For this edition, we look at tuber inspections, what they are and what you will need to do to pass one.

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WA Grower SPRING 2021

What is a tuber inspection?

Before the tuber inspection

Tuber inspections are part of the certified seed scheme where an Authorised Tuber Inspector will assess a seed line to ensure it is compliant with the requirements set out within the certified seed scheme rules. A passed tuber inspection is peace of mind for yourself and the consignee to know the particular line meets the specifications set out by the certified seed scheme, it may also be useful when the consignee disputes the quality of your seed line.

If you are going to require a tuber inspection, you should be in contact with your inspector well in advance of requiring the inspection to ensure your consignment is not held up waiting for tuber inspection.

When do I require a tuber inspection?

A tuber inspection is required for any seed line that is being exported outside of Western Australia. If a seed line has a black label and is leaving your property, this can also trigger the requirement for a tuber inspection, additionally a consignee may request a tuber inspection.

Before requesting a tuber inspection, the Form 404 seed works summary must have been submitted, and you have received your labels.

Secondly, a 402 TADS Form must be prefilled and provided with your application for inspection. Before the inspector arrives, the consignment should be graded and packed ready for delivery, you will need to provide access to the consignment due to be inspected. If the consignment has been treated with fungicide or pesticide, advise the inspector in advance of the inspection commencing.

WA POTATOES

Can I do my own inspection?

For export, only a DPIRD Certification Officer can currently conduct the tuber inspection. For domestic an Authorised Tuber Inspector (ATI) can inspect their own seed for domestic sale, but an ATI cannot inspect a third party’s seed line. ATI Training is available through DPIRD, and courses are run annually. If you have not completed an ATI course or the consignee requests an independent inspection, then you will require a DPIRD Certification Officer to perform the inspection.

0.25 per cent soft rot, then combined they would be 2.25 per cent for this type of defect, causing the line to fail the inspection.

Minor defects

A combined total of 2 per cent minor defects is allowed, these include simple things like mechanical damage, foreign varieties, excessive soil adhesion, insect damage and black scurf (see Table 2). Additionally, this includes undersize or oversize where the consignee has specified the size range. The inspector will also cut open several tubers in this part of the inspection looking for defects like hollow heart and stem end browning.

ATI Training is available through DPIRD, and courses are run annually.

How is the inspection done?

The inspector will dig into each container and remove a random sample. A single sample for inspection is 100 tubers, the minimum quantity of tubers an inspector may take for any inspection is 300 tubers, unless the total consignment is less than 300 tubers, in which case the entire consignment would be inspected.

For larger consignments, the quantity of samples is 100 tubers per 5 tonnes of consignment with a minimum of 300 tubers, and up to 1200 tubers maximum for consignments 60 tonnes or more.

Once the inspector has collected the samples, the inspector will then assess each tuber systematically looking for defects.

Total allowable defects

The total allowable defects for major and minor defects combined is 4 per cent; this number may seem unreasonably low to any potato grower; however, it is comparable to most other certified seed schemes around the world.

Grading is critically important It is unlikely that you could continuously achieve below 4 per cent defects without having first graded each seed line. Good staff training and supervision can go a long way to getting the line ready on the first pass, however if you have a line with significant defect load, it may be necessary to grade your seed more than once.

TABLE 1. MAJOR DEFECTS. Max tolerance (%)

Defect 1. Soft rot (Erwinia carotovora)

0.25

2. Dry rot (Fusarium sp., Phoma sp.)

2

3. Pink rot (Phytophthora erythroseptica)

0.25

4. Eelworm (Meloidogyne spp.)

2

5. Powdery scab (Spongospora subterranean), Common scab (Streptomyces scabies) together @ < 1% of tubers > 5 lesions per tuber

2

Total of faults 1–5

2

TABLE 2. MINOR DEFECTS. Max tolerance (%)

Defect 6. Insect, bird and rodent damage

2

Defects

7. Potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella)

1.5

Major defects

8. Malformed, growth cracks, root constriction

2

A combined total of 2 per cent major defects is allowed, this includes defects such as soft rots, eel worm and scab (see Table 1). In the case of scab, any amount of powdery scab on a tuber is counted as a defect, however common scab is not considered a defect unless the tuber has at least 5 lesions or more than 5 per cent of the tuber surface covered. Some soft rots have 0.25 per cent allowable where scab and eelworm have higher allowable defects at 2 per cent, however, the total combined allowable defect within this group is only 2 per cent. This means if you had 2 per cent powdery scab, and

9. Mechanical damage — shatter, splitting, cuts, cracks, bruise (damage > 3mm deep)

2

10. Foreign cultivars

0

11. Oversize

1

12. Undersize

2

13. Miscellaneous (e.g. sunburn, sprouting, shrivelling)

2

14. Soil adhesion 15. Stem end browning (cut 5% of inspected tubers for internal defects)

2

16. Hollow heart

5

17. Black heart

0

18. Black scurf (Rhizoctonia solani)

2

Total of faults 6–18

2

WA Grower SPRING 2021

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WA POTATOES

What to do if you failed the inspection Should you fail your first inspection, you can get the seed inspected a second time, however this will incur another set of inspection fees. In this case you will need to regrade the consignment to bring it up to standard and/or contact the consignee and discuss the fault causing the line to fail the inspection.

Achieving the impossible

f GOOD grading practices are critical to passing a tuber inspection.

In a line where it is impossible to reduce a specific defect below the allowable standard, then this should be communicated with the consignee and a written agreement from the consignee may allow the seed to pass inspection as red label or be accepted with a failed inspection.

What if I am growing as a 3rd party?

Being prepared for tuber inspections in advance is the key.

The grower will still need to obtain the labels for the seed and pass all relevant certified seed protocols in their own name. If the seed is only sold domestically a tuber inspection is not required.

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In the situation where a grower is sending the seed to a third party to be graded and packed for export, an on farm post-harvest tuber inspection is still required, despite that it will likely be failed. A tuber inspection is still done to determine the likely pack out of the consignment. This is necessary to ensure supply chain integrity and tracking.

The certification body requires a clear understanding of how much seed is leaving the property for packing, and what percentage of that is likely to qualify for export. An additional tuber inspection may still need to be done by the exporter after it is graded and packed.

Passing a tuber inspection is a daunting consideration, even for an experienced seed grower. Being prepared for the inspection in advance is key. Contact your local inspector and talk about your consignee’s requirements and obtain any required forms you don’t have. Before grading, check the line to see what defects are most common and instruct your grading staff accordingly. Ensure you understand each type of defect and check your own consignments before an inspection is due to take place. Finally, the window of time for tuber inspections is often very small, keeping in contact with your inspection officer well ahead of time is the most important factor for having your consignment ready before it is due to be collected.

MORE INFORMATION For more information on the West Australian Seed Scheme please refer to the certified scheme rules found online at www.agric.wa.gov.au/plant-biosecurity/ potato-seed-certification

PHOTOS: VICTORIA BAKER PHOTOGRAPHER

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pome

update Pomewest

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From the Pomewest

contacts Committee and Officers

Mark Scott, Chair e: markpscott@bigpond.com Mario Casotti e: mario@casottigroup.com Wayne Ghilarducci e: strathspey@modnet.com.au Jason Jarvis e: twinpack@bigpond.com Harvey Giblett e: newtonbros@wn.com.au Sam Licciardello e: sam@orchard1sixty.com.au Susie Murphy White, Project Manager e: susan.murphy-white@dpird.wa.gov.au Nardia Stacy, Executive Manager e: nardia@pomewest.net.au

Budgeted income 2021–22 Project General Account Budget (including FFS, interest Project Grant Funding APAL, Hort Innovation and DPIRD) Biosecurity Account Budget (FFS and interest)

$ 482,780 61,245

Budgeted expenditure general account for 2021–22

Project $ Project Manager including operating expenses — 96,000 Susie Murphy White Quality Testing Project — Maturity and Retail 36,000 Building Horticulture Business Capacity Program 20,000 Medfly Surveillance Trapping Network Kim James 12,500 Systems Approach Low Pest prevalence for 40,000 Market Access Promotion & Publicity Local Project — Fresh Finesse 37,500 including events with Buy West Eat Best Annual Meetings and Communication including 15,000 publications Industry Sponsorships and Association Memberships 6,000 Study Tour COVID-19 permitting 20,000 Producing Sustainable Crop Load Project — DPIRD 30,000 Platform Project 40,000 Administration including salary and office costs 192,000 APC charge @10% of FFS income 42,000 Total 587,000

Budgeted expenditure biosecurity account 2021–22 Project Codling Moth (DPIRD) APC charge @10% of FFS income Total

$ 35,500 6,000 41,500

APC fee-for-service charge

POME FRUIT EFFECTIVE FROM 1 JANUARY 2015 Type of fruit Fresh fruit — apples, pears, Nashi, other Processing fruit Biosecurity FFS for fresh fruit Biosecurity FFS for processing fruit

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$/kg 0.015 0.005 0.002 0.001

Executive Manager

e t a d p u n o s a e S

BY NARDIA STACY EXECUTIVE MANAGER, POMEWEST

“

comely sight A indeed it is to see, a world of blossoms on an apple tree.

John Bunyan

S

pring adds new life and new beauty to all that is.

Celebrating the first bud burst this year, the significant rainfall and chill hours recorded so far means we should have a solid start in the development of new season’s fruit.

In looking over my report the same time last year, it is concerning that COVID-19 is still dominating world news. The Delta variant is currently wreaking havoc with outbreaks, and persisting snap lockdowns across the country. In turn, the ongoing labour implications with closed international borders continue. In the meantime, we all manage the best we can under the circumstances, but you have to wonder, will I be writing about the same scenario again in a years’ time? — let’s hope not.

In mid-July we sent out, via grower newsletter, the 2021-22 budget projects for income and expenditure for our general and biosecurity accounts.

These will also be published to the left of this article in each edition of the 21–22 year. This demonstrates transparency in our communications directly with growers and announces the priority projects and activities for the new financial year.

Congratulations to Susie! This year we are proud to announce that our Project Manager Susie Murphy White is now 50 per cent externally funded for projects including PIPS 3 Soil Health trial site, APAL Tree Census and APAL Future Orchards. She continues to demonstrate that the quality of her work and in-turn the successful results, are being widely recognised by the industry’s national funding stakeholders.

It is our intention to continue to build leveraging external funding for industry benefit from your grower FFS contributions.

Labour Securing workers for our spring preparation and summer harvest is still on the agenda. Across the board WA generally is living with serious labour crisis as the pandemic continues. Department of Primary

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WA Horticulture Update event — November 2021

f BRYN Edwards (vegetablesWA) is the project leader of the Building Horticulture Business Capacity program and will be working with the expertise of Planfarm consultants such as Paul Omodei.

Building Horticulture Business Capacity program is underway The BHBC program is a collaborative project, with the Agricultural Produce Commission, vegetablesWA, Planfarm, DPIRD, and Hort Innovation — designed to improve business capacity for horticulture in WA. Pomewest have committed $60,000 of FFS funds within our budget over the next three years so that our growers can take part. Our seed funding will be significantly leveraged by the funding partners.

Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) are assisting the Hort industry by funding Kit Sainsbury as a Labour Scheme Facilitator to assist growers to access seasonal workers. As such, Kit has now moved under the management of DPIRD to continue this role. This is fast becoming the only real solution to the labour shortage, as the backpacker numbers nationally continue to decrease. Flight and quarantine programs are in place and I encourage growers who need to secure workers for the upcoming season should get involved either as an approved employer or access via labour hire companies.

Netting update We are all aware that netting is a high priority for the WA pome industry.

Pomewest have been working with DPIRD to access funds allocated in the National Netting Scheme. Of the allocation it is believed that only half of the funding has been accessed so far.

In Mid-August Growers were invited to an on-line workshop section to flesh out the details and criteria for application.

Additional funding to the scheme was also announced.

We invite and encourage our FFS paying growers to be part of this new project which is designed to you gain a clearer understanding of the profit levers inside the cost structure of your businesses.

Pomewest is currently involved in organising a whole of Horticulture WA Hort Update (WAHU) to celebrate the International Year of Fruit and Vegetables. We will actively be promoting the event over the next few months, so our growers can be involved in this great opportunity to celebrate our value to the community, share valuable insights and information, and have the opportunity to network with growers collectively across the horticultural sector.

Farewell and thanks to Paul Good — WA APAL Director This November, Paul Good finishes his tenure after six years as WA Director of APAL. We thank Paul for his service on behalf of the WA apple and pear growers over the years, and look forward to announcing his replacement after the selection process for a new appointee has been completed. We wish Paul all the best in his future enterprises.

This edition We celebrate Ben Darbyshire in his retirement as Chairman of the Fruit West Co-operative and in so doing acknowledge his service to industry over many years. Chris Hall from Total Quality Assurance Systems gives us an insight on the outcomes of the last three year’s quality testing in wholesale and retail markets, and Susie contributes an article from the Biosecurity Horticulture Liaison Officer project depicting information on Endemic Pests (established pome pests in Australia but not present in WA).

We celebrate Ben Darbyshire in his retirement as Chairman of the Fruit West Co-operative.

In addition, provide our industry with measurable benchmarking data to prioritise areas for future funding support. If you see the value and would like to be involved, we can absolutely guarantee your business confidentiality, make sure the information collection process is as uncomplicated as possible and the process of the program is managed carefully.

The team has already met with several growers in the South West who have already expressed keen interest in being involved. Many have embraced the opportunity for a 'fresh eyes' approach to assist them to find innovative ways to improve efficiencies and potentially lift returns. We intend to meet with pome growers in the Hills region soon. It is hoped that in the near future other WA horticultural sectors will join in to build the program.

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to invite any of our growers to contact both Susie and myself if you need any assistance with any matters.

Our committee, in turn, are also available to discuss issues and are willing to bring any formal matters for consideration at our quarterly Committee meetings the last meeting for the year will be held in mid — late November.

MORE INFORMATION Contact Nardia Stacy, Executive Manager, 0411 138 103 or nardia@pomewest.net.au

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A tribute to Ben Darbyshire on his retirement f BEN Darbyshire and Marcel Veens at the Manjimup Horticulture Research Institute 2018.

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Ben has played a critical role in the apple industry for more than 20 years.

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I

BY NARDIA STACY EXECUTIVE MANAGER, POMEWEST

n this spring edition, I have the honour of writing a tribute to Ben Darbyshire following his recent retirement as Chairman of the Board of Fruit West Co-operative Limited.

Ben has played a critical role in the apple industry for more than 20 years, including 9 years at the helm of Fruit West. I would like to acknowledge and thank him for his service and guidance by reminiscing and mentioning some of his achievements over the years.

In doing so, I hope to encourage him to remain connected as a valued member of the fruit growing family. His experience and wealth of knowledge is unsurpassed, as he remains a treasured and well-respected asset of the sector.

That tenure began with the position of Chair of the Apple and Pear Council of the former WA Fruit Growers’ Association (WAFGA). In his own words “farming presents so many challenges in production, marketing and social issues, which are enormous to navigate”. The industry was fortunate that Ben cared enough to stand up as a leader and direct the fruit industry to grow and prosper despite those challenges.

In 2009, WAFGA was dissolved. The Pome, Citrus and Stonefruit Committee of the Agricultural Produce Commission was established in its place and operated under the banner “Fruitwest”.

The ANABP 01A story Ben was part of a select group who first discovered the ANABP 01A variety at an industry evaluation of new cultivars in 2010 at the breeding program facility at DAFWA’s Manjimup Horticultural Research Institute.

In the process of reviewing the selections, they all noticed the ANABP 01A variety as a standout. First, it was the unique colour that first captured their attention, but it was the bonus of an all-round taste profile and ‘wow’ factor that further excited this band of growers. Many dared to think “we could be in the presence of another ‘strike of gold’ for the industry” mirroring the Pink Lady® model set years before.

Orcharding was always in his blood, with Ben spending the first 10 years of his life on a Balingup orchard established by his father.

A fascination with apples motivated him to pursue tertiary education at The University of WA (UWA) and later at the University of Tasmania, where he studied the physiological and pathological aspects of apple trees and was awarded a PhD in perennial plant physiology from the Agriculture Faculty.

From there he worked in NSW with the CSIRO as a Principal Research Scientist in the Division of Irrigation Research for plants. He then returned to UWA with his wife Geraldine to care for students and teach science and its communication.

As well as being Warden of St George’s College at UWA for 26 years, Ben also took on other roles, including Director and Consultative Director of the Perth Convention Bureau for 10 years.

In 1990 Ben and Geraldine established their Newlands property to fulfil their passion for the science of orcharding.

They planted a 10-hectare orchard. It was then that Ben started his tenure with the WA Pome Industry.

Ben was appointed as the Inaugural Chair of Fruitwest and served until it was decommissioned in 2014. It was then that the committee was split into the various commodity subcommittees we now know — Pomewest, WA Citrus and WA Stonefruit.

Ben was the Inaugural Chairman of Fruit West Co-operative Ltd (Fruit West) when it was registered as a growers’ co-operative in 2012. He retired from that role on 30 July. As Chairman, Ben was responsible for the mammoth task of commercialising the new Western Australian apple variety ANABP 01A and introducing it to the world.

f IN July 2014 announcement of the Commercialisation with the then DAFWA Director General Rob Delane, Ben Darbyshire and the then Minister of Agriculture The Hon Ken Baston MLC.

In 2012 to capture this opportunity, under Ben’s guidance, the industry decided to support the establishment of Fruit West as a vehicle to manage the commercialisation of the ANABP 01A variety for the benefit of WA fruit growers.

The WA Apple and Pear industry invested a significant amount of seed capital to fund the formation of the entity. Fruit West was appointed by the WA Agriculture Authority in 2014 as the exclusive licensee in Australia for the commercialisation of the ANABP 01A variety.

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Thank you Ben!

The Bravo™ success story.

Ben, you are a true gentleman and legend of the fruit growing fraternity. Personally, I thank you for your mentoring, giving me much advice and support in my various roles in the fruit industry. I value our friendship, and mutual love of all things apples. I hope you can enjoy some welldeserved time with Geraldine and have some peace away from the constant and sometime loud voice of industry.

Nardia Stacy | Executive Manager, Pomewest

From its inception, Fruit West has grown significantly and now has 92 registered growers across mainland Australia, seven licensed nurseries, 15 licensed pack-houses and a licensed marketer. Each one plays a vital role in delivering premium quality Bravo™ apples to the Australian and overseas markets. It’s a great success story, with plenty of scope and room left in the tank to become even more influential as production increases and future opportunities present themselves.

There’s been a few ups and downs along the way, as there are with all great stories, but essentially the prophecy of the founding grower group has been realised.

This is thanks to Ben, the Fruit West Board of Directors and many others involved on the journey. It must be said that it was because of Ben’s personal commitment to realise the vision of the original group every step of the way, that it has ultimately come to fruition.

On hearing of his retirement, many individuals have expressed their gratitude and have acknowledged the contribution Ben has made to the industry as a whole, and to the ANABP 01A variety in particular. This may be well over due for many of us but important to say!

Dr Ben Darbyshire’s leadership and contribution to the Australian Pome fruit industry has been extensive and significant, and always with the goals of achieving sustainable profitability for growers and a reliable eating experience for consumers.

Ben’s vision, determination and many hours of hard work resulted in WA growers forming the Fruit West Co-operative, which now manages the commercialisation of the new apple variety ANABP 01A in Australia.

Managing and marketing a variety primarily for the benefit of growers is a first in the Australian Pome industry.

Ben has shared his knowledge and experience so generously. The Australian Pome industry is in his debt. Ben, the Board and members of Fruit West wish you and Geraldine a very well-earned rest, and good health and happiness in your retirement.

Ann Lyster | Interim Chairman Fruit West Ben has been loyal, diligent & tenacious in serving the WA fruit industry for many years. His selflessness & ability to have foresight for many issues has been a real asset to all WA growers. The enormous work behind the scenes is not missed by me so it’s with some sadness that he is retiring but also happiness that Ben & Geraldine can enjoy whatever they pursue.

I personally thank and wish Ben all the best for the future.

Terry Martella | B Martella & Sons I first met Ben as he marched commandingly into our office searching for a solution to what became the first of many solutions that were subsequently required and consistently found. Many ups, many downs but each time the issue was met head-on and addressed. I learnt this to be Ben’s essence — identify, resolve and manage — always with the grower uppermost in mind. The WA industry has undoubtedly been lucky to have Ben on its side — the debt is un-repayable.

Ingrid Behr | CEO, APC

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Thank you Ben!

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I was very fortunate to spend time with Ben while I was a committee member of Fruitwest representing Citrus. At the time the fruit industry was confronted with some quite challenging issues. Having Ben as Chair provided the industry with an experienced and steady hand at the wheel. The committee gained greatly from Ben’s experience with board governance and procedure and was much appreciated.

Ben has dedicated a huge amount of time to the Pome and fruit industry, always worked for the good of the growers and never shied away from tough decisions in its pursuit. The industry has been very privileged. Wishing you all the best Ben and Geraldine in all things you may choose to do.

Shane Kay | Northern Valley Packers, Bindoon

I would like to thank Ben for his tireless contribution to the WA Pome industry and for being the driving force behind the establishment of the ANABP 01A variety into the Australian Apple Industry.

The initial success of ANABP 01A and Bravo™ apples is a result of Ben’s vision, leadership and passion for our industry.

Ben and I have shared a common obsession for ensuring the ANABP 01A variety reach it’s deserved potential and I am appreciative for all the knowledge I have gained from working closely with Ben for many years. I also thank Geraldine for all your background support and involvement. I know by supporting Ben’s dedication, your contribution to industry has also been invaluable to everything Ben has achieved. Thank you Ben and Geraldine.

Steele Jacob | DPIRD

Ben is an absolute stalwart of the WA pome industry. On behalf of myself and everyone at Newtons I’d like to thank Ben for his huge contribution to the pome fruit industry — particularly his work with the APC and tireless ongoing efforts to establish Bravo over many years. Ben has shown an immense level of perseverance, diplomacy and dedicated altruism to keep working on behalf of the greater good that you don’t see very often in any industry.

We wish him and Geraldine all the very best for the next chapter.

Harvey Giblett | Newton Orchards Manjimup

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1 2

3

1 & 2. Establishment of the Fruit West Co-operative in 2012.

3. Team Bravo — grower visits South Australia, Jenny Mercer, Ben Darbyshire, Colin Griffen, Steele Jacob and Nardia Stacy, 2017.

4. Assessing the ANABP trees at MHRI 2015.

5. First fruit packed for market as the Bravo™ brand in 2016 — growers celebrate the milestone.

6. Growers at MHRI ANABP 01 Workshop 2015.

4

6

5

There are now 92 registered Bravo™ apple growers across mainland Australia.

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PHOTOS © DPIRD

Pome pests we don’t have in WA, but are established in other Australian States

T

BY SUSIE MURPHY WHITE PROJECT MANAGER, POMEWEST

here are a number plant pests and disease of quarantine concern for the West Australian pome fruit industry that are present in other Australian states and are absent in WA at present (see Table 1). They are listed as prohibited organisms for Western Australia under section 12 of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act, 2007. It is extremely important to keep our West Australian industry free of these pests and diseases to protect our industry.

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By using early detection and reporting systems we can protect our pome industry.

WA Grower SPRING 2021

Specific surveys for early detection have been occurring for codling moth and Queensland fruit fly over many decades. While other pests are part of the day-to-day surveillance activities of industry, government and the community.

DPIRD’s MyPestGuide app facilitates industry and community into reporting unusual pests that are identified and mapped.

f QUEENSLAND fruit fly.

The pests and diseases listed have the potential to cause serious crop losses to the pome industry in WA. By using early detection and reporting systems we can protect our pome industry. If you see something unusual report it immeditaely to the Pest and Disease Information Service either by phone or through the MyPestGuide Reporter app on your phone.

TABLE 1. KEY POME PESTS AND DISEASES ESTABLISHED IN AUSTRALIA BUT NOT PRESENT IN WA. Common name

Scientific name

Black vine beetle

Coleopteria: Curculionidqe

Citrophilus mealybug

Pseudococcus calceolarie

Codling moth

Cydia pomonella

Oriental fruit moth

Grapholita (Aspila) molesta

Oystershell scale

Diaspidiotus ostreaeformis

Pear leaf blister mite

Epitrimerus pyri

Painted apple moth

Orgyia anartoides

Queensland fruit fly

Bactocera tryoni

White peach scale

Pseudaulacaspis pentagona

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f CODLING moth larvae

f CODLING moth adult

Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (fly) Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) is endemic to the Northern Territory, Queensland, parts of NSW and north east Victoria. Female fruit flies follow the scent of ripening fruit and lay their eggs. Female fruit flies can lay 500–800 eggs during their 6-month life. When the ovipositor is inserted in the fruit it results in a distinctive sting on the fruit surface. In warm weather eggs hatch in 2–4 days. Maggots take 6–8 days to develop. Infested fruit often drop to the

ground. Mature maggots chew their way out of the fruit and burrow into the soil.

The larva becomes inactive in the soil and develops into an oval brown pupa from which the adult fly develops.

The larvae of codling month damage fruit by tunnelling into the fruit.

Codling moth Cydia pomonella (moth)

Codling moth (Cydia pomonella) is a serious pest of apples and other pome fruit and has the potential to cause severe crop losses. This is the most significant pest of apples in the Eastern States of Australia. The damage is caused by the larvae which tunnel

f CODLING moth infested Granny Smith apples.

into fruit. During winter, mature larvae enter diapause in rough silken cocoons in sheltered sites near where they emerged from the fruit.

Pupation and adult emergence occurs in spring. After mating, female moths lay eggs singly on leaves near developing fruit. The eggs take three to 15 days to hatch. The newly-emerged larvae move to the fruit and tunnel into the apple.

The larva feeds on the flesh and seeds.

Development takes 15–30 days inside the fruit.

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Pest and Disease Information Service (08) 9368 3080

f CITROPHILUS mealybug.

f PEAR leaf blister mite or Eriophyes pyri on pear leaf.

f INJURY caused by the larval stage of the black vine beetle feeding on the roots, is highly destructive to plants.

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Painted apple moth Teia anaretoides (moth) Painted Apple Moth is native to southeastern Australia (from southern Queensland to Victoria), S-E South Australia and Tasmania where it is a common pest on urban garden plants.

It is generally relatively rare. PAM has a wide range of hosts in Australia but especially wattle (Acacia) species. Other common hosts are in the Myrtaceae, Fabaceae, Santalaceae and Solanaceae.

Numerous introduced and cultivated plants are also attacked, such as pome fruit and a number of ornamental plants.

Citrophilus mealybug Pseudococcus calceolaria (insect)

varieties seem more tolerant of rust mite damage.

Black vine beetle

The pear rust mite also feeds on young leaves which, if heavily attacked, turn bronze in colour. Heavy feeding can cause defoliation and reduced shoot growth. Although pear rust mite may persist on both fruit and foliage throughout the season, it causes the most severe damage in the early spring.

The black vine beetle is a serious pest in nurseries and established landscape plantings. A native of Europe, this species was first reported in the US in 1910. This key pest is the most destructive and widely distributed species of root weevils in the genus Otiorhynchus. Injury caused by the larval stage feeding on the roots is highly destructive to plants.

Oriental fruit moth Cydia molesta Busck (moth) The oriental fruit moth has been a serious pest in canning peach orchards of the Goulburn Valley in Victoria since the early 1930s, and now also infests Nashi and some other pome fruit.

Citrophilus mealybug is an exotic pest to Western Australia. It is a serious pest of many horticultural industries that can downgrade fruit quality and affect fruit production.

Citrophilus mealybug extract plant sap, reducing tree vigour and production, and secrete large amounts of honeydew — an exudate high in sugar that encourages development of sooty mould. Mealybugs are soft, oval, flat, distinctly segmented, and covered with a white, mealy wax that extends into spines (filaments) along the body margin and the posterior end.

The larva or caterpillar of the moth bores into the tip growth of quinces, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, and, occasionally, into some other fruits such as apples and pears. Later generations bore into the fruit as well.

Pear leaf blister mite

White peach scale

These pests and diseases have the potential to cause serious crop losses to the pome industry in WA.

Epitrimerus pyri (mite) Pear rust mite was probably brought to the United States from Europe in the 19th century with trees or scion cuttings.

It is a common pest throughout the Pacific Northwest and can cause serious fruit damage if untreated. While several predators feed on the pear rust mite, none controls it well enough to prevent commercial damage. As pear rust mite starts feeding within the developing fruit clusters, it can damage fruit very early in the season. The feeding causes light russeting that can cover the entire surface of the fruit. Often, however, only the calyx end of the fruit is russeted. The russet is most obvious on clear-skinned pears such as Bartlett, Anjou and Comice. Naturally russeted cultivars, such as Bosc, and red-skinned

Four to six generations of oriental fruit moth occur each year in the Goulburn Valley, with varying proportions of the last three generations entering the overwintering state to give rise to the emergence of adults in the following spring.

Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (scale) White peach scale is believed to have originated in Japan or China, although one report places the point of origin in Italy where it was first described in 1886

by Targioni. This insect is an important economic pest of peach trees as well as woody ornamentals in the south-eastern United States. White peach scale is found not only in the United States, but is known throughout the world.

The white peach scale inhabits up to 121 host plants in Florida and can cause major economic damage.

Thousands of dollars are spent each year on the control of this pest as infestation can become significant. The white peach scale will infest the bark, fruit and leaves of plants, thus making it a ‘triple threat’ to growers.

Otiorhynchus sulcatus (weevil)

Oystershell scale Lepidosaphes ulmi (insect) The oystershell scale, Lepidosaphes ulmi, is the most damaging scale insect present in Colorado. It develops on the bark of trunks and limbs of a wide range of commonly grown deciduous trees and shrubs. Developing oystershell scales feed by sucking the fluids of cells underlying the bark, often killing the cells at the feeding site. In high populations, oystershell scales may cause limb dieback and, during heavy outbreaks, plant death can occur from outbreaks of oystershell scale.

FOUND A PEST OR DISEASE? If you find any suspicious pests or diseases, or something you are unsure about, report it immediately to the Pest and Disease Information Service either by phone or through the MyPestGuide Reporter app on your phone. This is a free service and you will receive a timely response with identification information and management options.

Pest and Disease Information Service (08) 9368 3080 padis@dpird.wa.gov.au Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Report your observations!

MyPestGuide™ Reporter

via online or app mypestguide.agric.wa.gov.au

Pest and Disease Information Service

(08) 9368 3080

padis@dpird.wa.gov.au

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Core strengths of WA apples

Pomewest Quality Project update

f GENERALLY, overall compliance to the specifications has been very good this season Year to Date.

I

BY CHRIS HALL TOTAL QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEMS PTY LTD

n 2019, Pomewest re-commenced funding their program of seasonal apple maturity testing for selected varieties of apples, being Gala, Granny Smith and Pink Lady®.

This program is leading the charge to identify core strengths for improving the eating experience and consumer satisfaction when purchasing WA grown apples. These services were again provided by Total Quality Assurance Systems Pty Ltd with regular reporting of results to Pomewest, which are passed onto the apple industry.

Wholesale fruit samples are collected from agents at Market City, Canning Vale and other intermediaries. Retail samples are purchased at various retail outlets under a selective mystery shopper program.

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This retail sampling includes all of the major supermarket chains operating in WA as well as independent outlets.

This provides a good cross section of the fruit available for purchase by the public.

Opportunity was also provided to orchardists for pre-harvest testing of apple samples.

So how is the industry stacking up to the standards set by Pomewest?

Generally, overall compliance to the specifications has been very good this season Year to Date (to 30 June 2021) (see Table 2) with a noticeably increased number of tested fruit this season, which meets these three specifications when compared to prior seasons, in particular the Gala varieties.

This retail sampling includes all of the major supermarket chains.

It is important to understand that in order to achieve an overall pass, all three components — sugar (Brix), pressure (Kgf) and starch (6-point scale) must meet the Pomewest specifications for each variety (as shown in Table 1).

So far in 2021, retail sampling numbers have been higher than in previous years due, in part, to last year’s COVID-19 restrictions at retail and also as a result of changed program sampling intensity directions with more emphasis on testing of apples at the point of sale to consumers.

TABLE 1. MINIMUM MATURITY STANDARDS. Standard Firmness (Kg-f) Starch index score (6 point scale) Total soluble solids (°Brix)

Gala

Granny Smith

Pink Lady®

6.5

6.5

6.5

3

3

3

11.8

11

13

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TABLE 2. SAMPLES MEETING ALL THREE POMEWEST STANDARDS. Performance Category

Season 2019

Season 2020

Season 2021

Samples

Pass

%

Samples

Pass

%

Samples

Pass

%

Gala varieties

151

116

76.8

160

125

78.1

97

84

86.5

Granny Smith

77

64

83.1

138

128

92.7

69

64

92.7

Pink Lady varieties

93

89

95.6

156

154

98.7

83

82

98.7

321

269

83.8

454

407

89.6

249

230

92.3

®

Total

Brix (TSS) testing: (measures immaturity) Brix

Season 2019

Category

Season 2020

Season 2021

Samples

Pass

%

Samples

Pass

%

Samples

Pass

%

Gala varieties

151

146

94.8

160

125

78.1

97

94

96.9

Granny Smith

77

76

98.7

138

137

99.2

69

64

92.7

Pink Lady varieties ®

Total

93

92

98.9

156

156

100

83

83

100

321

31

97.8

454

418

92

249

241

96.8

During the 2019 and 2020 seasons, low Brix results were encountered in Gala variety samples. These were mostly identified in samples which were being sold early in the season. Fewer low Brix results have been sighted so far in the 2021 season.

Starch testing: (measures immaturity — early season) Starch

Season 2019

Category

Season 2020

Season 2021

Samples

Pass

%

Samples

Pass

%

Samples

Pass

%

Gala varieties

91

82

90.1

91

88

96.7

91

82

90.1

Granny Smith

65

56

86.1

76

71

93.4

59

56

94.9

Pink Lady® varieties

51

49

96.1

81

81

100

64

63

93.9

207

187

90.3

248

240

96.8

214

201

93.9

Total

Apples are tested for starch content in the early weeks of each season to identify immature fruit being offered for sale.

Samples of Gala and Granny Smith varieties with high starch values have been found at the start of each season.

Pressure testing (measures over maturity/softness) Pressure

Season 2019

Category

Season 2020

Season 2021

Samples

Pass

%

Samples

Pass

%

Samples

Pass

%

Gala varieties

151

127

84.1

160

114

71.2

97

94

96.9

Granny Smith

77

73

94.8

138

136

98.5

69

68

98.5

Pink Lady varieties ®

Total

93

92

98.9

156

155

99.3

83

83

100

321

292

90.9

454

405

89.2

249

245

98.4

Softness became a noticeable problem in Gala varieties in 2019 and 2020 with low pressures being evident in many samples early in the season and continuing to be found throughout the year. This problem has not been so prevalent in samples tested so far in 2021 but may again become evident in stored fruit being offered for sale later in the year.

Retail vs wholesale testing: (samples meeting all three Pomewest standards by industry sector) Point of sale Category

Season 2019 Samples

Season 2020

Season 2021

Pass

%

Samples

Pass

%

Samples

Pass

%

Wholesale

123

99

80.5

185

168

90.8

122

106

86.9

Retail

198

170

85.8

269

242

89.9

127

124

97.6

Total

321

269

90.9

454

407

89.2

249

230

92.4

WA Grower SPRING 2021

71

POMEWEST

f STARCH testing for immature fruit. If the pre-harvest samples have not met the minimum maturity standards repeat the test again in a few days until the tests show the optimum maturity.

Measuring flesh firmness with a digital penetrometer.

Fruit maturity Fruit maturity is the single biggest challenge for the WA Apple industry in providing the best consumer purchasing and eating experience throughout the entire season.

Factors including — suitability for harvest; post-harvest treatments; and storage patterns can dramatically impact upon the internal quality of apples being sold in shops.

These effects can be identified in the types of testing which is being performed.

Conclusions Overall, there has not been a large difference in the totals when comparing retail and wholesale testing. The program has identified that the majority of non-compliant fruit found is due to immature Gala varieties at the beginning of each season. Soft (low pressure) fruit tend to be more prevalent in the second half of the year at both retail and wholesale. Pink Lady® (and variants) tend to be the most consistently compliant of the three varieties in the program throughout the year.

72

WA Grower SPRING 2021

Core activities

MORE INFORMATION

The Pomewest Maturity Testing program for apples enables measuring the improvements which are being implemented in the WA Apple industry.

Advances in orchard management, harvesting, post-harvest handling and treatment methods are bringing about improvements to the condition and eating qualities of apples being sold to consumers.

The Pomewest Maturity Testing program for apples is funded from industry funds collected under the Agricultural Produce Commission working in partnership with industry stakeholders.

Meeting the required maturity standards is essential for maximising consumer satisfaction with buying apples in stores.

Attention to cool chain management, storage duration and volumes are also critical to maintaining the best possible outturns for consumers.

Pre-harvest testing which is fully subsidised

by Pomewest is available to orchardists who wish to determine the acceptability of their fruit prior to picking. Pomewest will continue the Apple Maturity Testing Program to secure valuable feedback about the performance of apples, which are being offered for sale in WA. Contact Nardia Stacy, Executive Manager, 0411 138 103 or nardia@pomewest.net.au

WA CITRUS

citrus

update WA Citrus

WA Grower SPRING 2021

73

WA CITRUS

contacts

From the

industry

WA Citrus Committee

Producer Committee Members Joseph Ling, Chair m: 0417 828 238 e: chair@wacitrus.com.au Richard Eckersley Shane Kay Mary Ann O’Connor Andrew Pergoliti Cliff Winfield Daniel Ying

WA Citrus Office Building 16, 3 Baron-Hay Court, SOUTH PERTH WA 6151 Bronwyn Walsh, Industry Development Manager m: 0400 873 875 e: industrymanager@wacitrus.com.au Kate Cox, Administrative Services m: 0439 899 600 e: admin@wacitrus.com.au Helen Newman, Biosecurity Representative e: biosecurity@wacitrus.com.au

about

WA Citrus is the industry body representing citrus growers and industry in Western Australia.

WA Citrus aims to: • Assist in the development of a profitable and sustainable citrus industry in WA • Provide services, facilities and support to assist WA citrus growers supply premium citrus in the local, national and export markets • Assist with growing the consumption of WA citrus fruit

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WA Grower SPRING 2021

I

BY JOSEPH LING CHAIR, WA CITRUS

t’s spring, and the chance to look forward into next year.

I don’t think there is anyone that won’t be happy to put this season behind them!

Always a busy time, spring is the time to set up for a good crop next year.

Some activities for the checklist: • Check-in on your wellbeing status • Review business position and risk management plan • Plan for labour needs and related orchard management • Pruning program after harvest — removing broken limbs from storms, managing off/on years, ensuring canopy penetration for light and sprays • Check irrigation is in good condition for the summer, and • Design monitoring and spray program for pest and nutrition management.

At the industry level, the Minister has signed off on the recommendation from WA Citrus that the General feefor-service rate on fresh citrus fruit be reduced for this financial year, 2021–22.

This will come into effect from 1st September 2021.

Spring is the time to set up for a good crop next year!

A case was put forward for this recommendation based on an analysis of the risks in reducing the FFS and the services needed.

The new rates per kilogram of fruit are: Citrus FFS

per kilo

General — fresh fruit, except export

$0.005

General — processing fruit, except export

$0.01

Biosecurity — fresh, processing and export fruit

$0.0009

Export — fresh or processing

$0.0027

Since the last edition of WA Grower, new staff member, Elbe Coetsee has had a baptism of fire with regular harvesting of research trials, accompanied by regulars Kevin and Rachelle from DPIRD. An update on research is in the next section.

MORE INFORMATION Contact Joseph Ling on 0417 828 238.

WA CITRUS

f LEFT: Harvest assessment of salt tolerant rootstock trial.

ABOVE: New staff member Elbe Coetsee harvesting navels from remote imaging trial. Yield from 18 individual trees is measured and compared to estimate from satellite image.

Research update

BY BRONWYN WALSH 1 AND ELBE COETSEE 2 1 I NDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER 2 INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

T

he WA Citrus RD&E team have been very busy assessing and harvesting trials since June.

In all at a recent catchup the team covered off on eight separate citrus research activities going on in the State.

New this year we are investigating whether using frost fans could cause additional damage to fruit and also excitingly, an Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) project has been contracted. This will provide the resources to look in more detail at pests and their management in WA citrus orchards.

One of the first activities we are planning is a farm walk in autumn 2022. We’d like the farm walk to be as useful and as relevant as possible, we know this is a hot topic for many growers, experienced and new.

• Last harvest of the salt tolerant and Chinese rootstock establishment project.

• Last harvest of the variety evaluation project.

• F irst harvest of the potential of protected cropping for citrus crops using net and

Growers are asked to please send in photos of • S econd harvest of pests and damage investigating products One of the first you’re seeing in your for albedo breakdown activities we are planning management with navels. orchard and your is a farm walk before the questions about pest MORE INFORMATION management issues. end of the year.

Please send your photos and questions to Rachelle at Rachelle.johnstone@dpird.wa.gov.au so they can be included in the planning for the field walk in autumn.

Other research activities: • The last harvests for the satellite imaging trial, investigating the use of satellite images for yield predictions.

These research activities are funded either through national Hort Innovation projects, with funding from national levy funds and federal government and research agencies or state government funds and WA Citrus fee-for-service.

Contact Bronwyn on 0400 873 875 or email industrymanager@wacitrus.com.au.

• First harvest of canopy management of Afourer mandarins to smooth out yield from season to season.

WA Grower SPRING 2021

75

WA CITRUS

In the markets f GOOD internal quality reports have come through from wholesale and retail markets.

G

BY BRONWYN WALSH INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (IDM)

ood internal quality reports have come through from samples in wholesale and retail markets this year. There were a few instances where samples passed the pre-harvest test, but fruit sampled from markets failed.

This is potentially the result of the sample size or time of sampling. We encourage growers to start picking once the majority of fruit passes or have samples representative of the whole harvest. This will prevent a negative consumer experience which causes their delayed return to purchase of WA mandarins.

76

WA Grower SPRING 2021

Keeping track of the phenology of the trees across an orchard block may also help identify areas that may be maturing at a different rate, or differences between seasons. Tag trees and record the date the trees reach the different phenological stages, for example, bud burst, flowering etc.

Premium fruit has moved well in the domestic market this year and all grades in export markets have been steady, similar to last year.

East coast fruit has improved its quality this season.

Nationally export markets, in spite of the range of disruptions, are reported to have a similar volume of fruit delivered at the same time last year after a slow start, with good size and quality.

The increased level of external damage to fruit this season from wet conditions, and its presence in the market, put downward pressure on prices. East coast fruit had improved quality this season.

f WET conditions in WA have impacted on timing of harvest and external fruit quality.

MORE INFORMATION Contact Bronwyn on 0400 873 875 or email industrymanager@wacitrus.com.au.

STONEFRUIT

stonefruit

update Stonefruit WA

WA Grower SPRING 2021

77

STONEFRUIT

contacts Stonefruit Sub-Committee Danny Di Marco, Chair e: dimarconson@gmail.com Anthony Fullam

e: afullam@wn.com.au

Bruno Delsimone

e: bdelsimone@mercermooney.com.au

Anthony Caccetta

e: antc83@hotmail.com

Mark Scott

e: markpscott@bigpond.com

Sebastian Fiolo

e: karragullen@bigpond.com

Mick Padula

e: mickpadula@yahoo.com.au

Robert Giumelli

e: juroorchard@live.com.au

Scarlet Roxby, Value Chain Facilitator

e: scarlet.roxby@perthnrm.com e: (08) 9374 3306

APC fee for service charge Stone fruit effective from 1 November 2009 Type of fruit

$/kg

All fresh stone fruit (apricots, cherries, loquats, nectarines, peaches and plums)

0.015

Processing fruit

0.006

News

We endeavour to reach all our growers via email communications. Please check your junk box if you aren’t receiving emails from StonefruitWA, or contact Scarlet to check or resubscribe to the notices.

what’s on...

2021

WA Stonefruit Season Launch WHEN December WHERE TBA

WA Plan for Plastics information session online WHEN 18th August 2021 Contact Scarlet for more information.

Western Australian Horticulture Update (WAHU) 2021

WHEN Early November Date and location TBA. Keep an eye on industry news for more details.

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WA Grower SPRING 2021

Growers need to think about their labour needs for the upcoming season.

STONEFRUIT

e t a d p u y r t Indus

f WESTERN Australian Horticulture Update —October 2021.

BY SCARLET ROXBY VALUE CHAIN FACILITATOR, STONEFRUIT

T

he past quarter has been a productive one for the industry, even though stonefruit is currently in the off season.

requirements while the approval process takes place.

Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) and Seasonal Worker Program (SWP)

More information has been sent through the StonefruitWA newsletter via email.

Please check your junk box if you haven’t received these emails, or contact me to subscribe to further communications.

We had a great webinar hosted by Ellen Smith from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Primary Industries Workforce and Business Capacity, which gave attendees an opportunity to learn and ask questions regarding the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) and Seasonal Worker Program (SWP).

I urge anyone wanting to move forward with labour hire through the PLS or SWP to reach out to either Ellen Smith (ellen.smith@dpird.wa.gov.au) or Kit Sainsbury(kit.sainsbury@dpird.wa.gov.au).

South Australia tour postponed With the recent advances in the COVID outbreak in NSW, QLD and now SA, the committee has made the decision to postpone the Biosecurity Tour to Renmark, SA. With biosecurity such an important issue, we will endeavour to bring another format of biosecurity industry development this year. Planning will continue for the tour to take place next year if circumstances allow.

The WA government has released its Plan for Plastic action plan.

This was well-timed with growers needing to think about their labour needs for the upcoming season, and what pathway works best for their business.

The take-home message for our small growers is to investigate the range of labour hire companies registered as approved PLS or SWP employers.

For larger business that haven’t begun the process to become an approved employer, labour hire companies can also help supplement labour

WA Government single-use plastic ban The West Australian government has released its Plan for Plastic action plan, to be delivered over the short (end of 2021) and medium-term (end of 2022). The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) has programmed twelve information and feedback sessions, where stakeholders can understand the plan’s actions,

timeframes and proposed bans, along with providing industry specific feedback to DWER. These are public events, and include two online sessions.

I will be attending the last of the sessions of August 28th, 2021, at WA Museum Boola Bardip from 6–8pm.

Prior to this, I hope to gain a reasonably extensive understanding of the plastic use within the stonefruit industry in WA, thus would appreciate any information that would like to be shared in preparation for this event.

Western Australia Horticulture Update 2021 In celebration of the United Nation’s declaring 2021 the International Year of the Fruits and Vegetables, the WA horticultural body will be organising the next Western Australian Horticulture Update on the 4th and 5th of November.

With preparation still underway, please keep an eye out for further information via the StonefruitWA newsletter. ● MORE INFORMATION Please check you junk emails for StonefruitWA newsletters, or contact Scarlet (scarlet.roxby@perthnrm.com) to subscribe to the StonefruitWA grower communications.

FOLLOW WA STONEFRUIT @wastonefruit @WeLoveWAStonefruit

WA Grower SPRING 2021

79

STONEFRUIT

2020–21

WA growers providing consistent quality and better taste.

season overview

F

BY SCARLET ROXBY VALUE CHAIN FACILITATOR, STONEFRUIT

ollowing the season launch on December 1st, a total of 80 shops were visited, with an additional 67 shops price gauged via external sources (in-store demonstrations or online price-matching).

The spread of stores can be seen in Figure 1. Of the 80 stores, 44 had fresh-produce managers available to chat. As a result of COVID, there was more hesitancy to talk to visitors for extended periods. It was more difficult to get an in-depth conversation out of the managers than the previous season.

Despite this, positive feedback has been reported.

The higher overall price of stonefruit was a consistent comment this season, as seen in the comparison of peach prices from 2019–20 to the 2020–21 season (Figure 2).

Due to a broad push for reduced single-use plastic, customers seem more inclined to buy loose fruit, despite COVID precautions. Small cardboard boxes were introduced at IGAs to hold smaller fruit or lower grade lines, replacing plastic packaging.

The QFly outbreak in the latter half of the season saw an increase in the use of plastic liners as a protective protocol within the quarantine area. This meant all fruit moving through Market City had to be secure from Qfly.

With the exception of two weeks, the cost of peaches this season was more expensive on average than last season.

11.00 10.00 9.00 8.00

$ 7.00 6.00

2020–21

FIGURE 1 STORE VISIT BREAKDOWN

80

WA Grower SPRING 2021

2019–20

FIGURE 2 2019–20 AND 2020–21 SEASONS PEACH PRICE COMPARISON

01/03/21

22/02/21

15/02/21

08/02/21

01/02/21

25/01/21

18/01/21

11/01/21

04/01/21

28/12/20

21/12/20

14/12/20

4.00

07/12/20

5.00 30/11/20

IGA 42 WOOLWORTHS 26 COLES 24 INDEPENDENT 20 FRUIT MARKETS 13 FARMER JACKS 12 SPUD SHED 4 ALDI 4

STONEFRUIT

12.00 10.00 8.00 6.00 4.00

18/01/21

25/01/21

01/02/21

08/02/21

15/02/21

22/02/21

01/03/21

25/01/21

01/02/21

08/02/21

15/02/21

22/02/21

01/03/21

11/01/21

04/01/21

28/12/20

21/12/20

NECTARINES

18/01/21

PEACHES

14/12/20

0

07/12/20

2.00

PLUMS

FIGURE 3 PEACH/NECTARINE/PLUM PRICE COMPARISON

25.00 20.00 15.00 10.00

APRICOTS

CHERRIES

11/01/21

04/01/21

0

28/12/20

5.00

21/12/20

Major chain stores actively promote the sourcing of Australian produce, but this has yet to be localised. A push for major chains to source local produce could provide greater demand for growers and allow major chains to promote their value to the communities in which they operate.

16.00 14.00

14/12/20

From the experience with fresh produce managers over the past two years, independents and IGAs seem the most loyal and motivated to purchase West Australian stonefruit. The managers at these stores are often more educated about the ethics of the fruit they source, i.e., supporting local (WA) farmers and the return of cost to growers. Chain stores tend to be more price motivated, and do not prioritise purchasing WA stonefruit.

Consumers should feel confident that buying WA stonefruit will be hassle-free.

07/12/20

The quality of stonefruit (taste, consistency, ripeness) is the most significant factor in whether a customer will return to buy more. Any WA fruit they are purchasing must be of the best possible quality at the point of sale.

Consumers should feel confident that buying WA stonefruit will be hassle-free.

Yellow peaches began at a higher price than white flesh before equalising on the week of January 21st. After this, the price shift from more or less expensive alternated from white to yellow then back to white by February. The end of the season saw a gradual price increase again (no white peaches were price gauged, but they were available); we can assume this increase is for both white and yellow flesh and due to reduced supply (see Figure 5).

The following depict the price changes of the six major stonefruit lines; peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, cherries and flat peaches.

Following this, peaches and nectarines are split into white and yellow flesh varieties.

30/11/20

The reduction in use of these liners will prevent food waste from rotting, with benefits to both growers and retailers, improving the quality of fruit that consumers purchase.

Along with creating and maintaining relationships with managers at the store level, visiting many stores each week allowed extensive price gauging. Weekly maturity testing allowed the weight of the sample fruit to be analysed, giving another less extensive but interesting level of analysis. The price gauging was undertaken from December 1st to March 1st.

30/11/20

Now that the outbreak has been eliminated, the stonefruit industry can be re-focus on its single-use plastic strategy. The single-use liners have been found to increase the humidity of fruit in the bag and cause the fruit to rot quickly.

This is exacerbated when fruit isn’t kept in a cold chain and instead warms to room temperature, then back to cold store temp repeatedly.

Peaches started high (averaging approx. $9.00/kg) before dropping after Christmas week to $7.00/kg. Following this, a spike in price to $8.88/kg before falling to the season’s lowest average price in the first week of February at $4.84/kg (see Figure 3).

Price gauging

$

A majority of store visits occurred in the early weeks of the outbreak, before routine had settled with growers and the markets. Managers expressed their displeasure with the increase in plastic liners, however after explaining the situation, there was an understanding of the situation that the whole supply chain was faced with and the that the growers, packers, and market workers had put in to combat the Qfly outbreak.

Peaches

Managers who spoke to us said their loyalty to WA growers was supported by consistent quality and better taste.

$

While this was an added stress and expense, in the last weeks of the outbreak, it was evident that the initial hassle paid off once the routine and the necessary equipment was in place.

FLAT PEACH

FIGURE 4 APRICOT/CHERRY/FLAT PEACH PRICE COMPARISON WA Grower SPRING 2021

81

FIGURE 5 YELLOW/WHITE PEACH PRICE COMPARISON

Plums Plums landed on shelves a week after the beginning of store visits, on December 7th. Between then and the beginning of February, plums steadily declined in average price, with a few slightly lower weeks before reaching the minimum price of $4.84/kg at the beginning of February. By the end of January, the extensive selection of plums had hit stores (see Figure 3).

Apricots Apricots maintained an average price of $13.70/kg, only slightly declining before a steadier decline from mid-late January to an average of $5.57/kg. At the start of February, the price began to climb again, reaching $10.00/kg. The quality and supply of apricots were better than last season, with more WA produce on the shelves (see Figure 4).

82

WA Grower SPRING 2021

01/03/21

22/02/21

15/02/21

08/02/21

01/02/21

25/01/21

250.0 200.0 150.0 100.0

24/02/21

17/02/21

10/02/21

03/02/21

27/01/21

20/01/21

13/01/21

06/01/21

30/12/20

23/12/20

0.0

09/12/20

50.0

02/12/20

WEIGHT PER PIECE (GRAMS)

Unlike peaches, white nectarines were more expensive than yellow flesh until the week of December 28th, and then yellow flesh surpassed white flesh.

After this, marginal changes occurred until January 25th, when yellow flesh nectarines spiked, with a $2.63/kg difference, before equalling out at between $3.50 and $5.00/kg throughout February (see Figure 6).

WHITE NECTARINE

FIGURE 6 YELLOW/WHITE NECTARINE PRICE COMPARISON

Nectarines Nectarines steadily declined over the season, after an increase to $9.23/kg after the first week of December. With only another small increase to $7.97/kg on the week of January 11th, nectarines maintained their downward price trend to $3.57/kg on the first week of February (see Figure 3).

18/01/21

01/03/21

22/02/21

15/02/21

08/02/21

25/01/21

18/01/21

01/02/21

YELLOW NECTARINE

WHITE PEACH

16/12/20

YELLOW PEACH

11/01/21

0

04/01/21

0

28/12/20

2.00 21/12/20

2.00 14/12/20

4.00

07/12/20

4.00

11/01/21

6.00

04/01/21

6.00

28/12/20

8.00

21/12/20

8.00

14/12/20

10.00

07/12/20

10.00

30/11/20

12.00

$

12.00

30/11/20

$

STONEFRUIT

WEEK COLES

WOOLWORTHS

IGA

INDEPENDENT

AVERAGE

FIGURE 7 YELLOW FLESH PEACH WEIGHT PER PIECE

Cherries Although there are minimal WA cherries sold in stores around Perth, it is still a price point gauged this season. Cherry prices did not fluctuate further than a max of $20.45/kg in the first week of December and a low of $16.92/kg in the week following Christmas (see Figure 4).

Flat peaches Flat peaches were only available in stores for six weeks of the season, starting high at $22.28/kg, declining to a minimum of $9.90/kg following Christmas, before increasing again to $19.97/kg in early January (see Figure 4).

Weight analysis This season the weight of yellow flesh peaches collected during the 12-week Maturity Testing project was analysed for significant differences. The analysis was undertaken as the ‘weight per piece’, calculated by averaging the ten pieces of yellow peach collected at each store. Four stores were sampled

each week: Coles, Woolworths, IGA and varied independents. The overall average weight of yellow flesh peaches was 148g per piece (standard deviation = 38g).

The weight changes over the 12-week period were not statistically significant, however, significance was found between certain stores, as seen in Figure 7. There was statistically significant difference in weight per piece between independent stores (avg 180.2g) and Woolworths (avg 120.0g). The lightest sample was 93.2g per piece, found at Woolworths Carousel, at 93.0g, and the heaviest sample of 235.9g per piece was found at The Herdsman. ● MORE INFORMATION Extract from report from StonefruitWA, contact Scarlet for full report.

FOLLOW WA STONEFRUIT @wastonefruit @WeLoveWAStonefruit

YOUR BUSINESS

your

business Your business WA Grower SPRING 2021

83

YOUR BUSINESS

Why get involved in the

Building Horticulture Business Capacity Program?

A resilient business will have the adaptability to capitalise when conditions are favourable. f ASSESSING risk and reward — trailing new research and development can be the difference between making big gains or losing out.

84

WA Grower SPRING 2021

YOUR BUSINESS

BY BRYN EDWARDS BENCHMARK LEAD, VEGETABLESWA

W

e are pleased to announce the launch of the Building Horticulture Business Capacity Program. The fouryear program will provide vegetable business owners in WA with access to an expert farm consultant, to take “an honest and thorough look” at their business and where they can make improvements.

The consultant will work with them on business analysis, data collection and examining farm management practices.

But when we talk about farm management practices, that can be a very far-ranging concept.

Business issues the program addresses So, what are some of the issues, in terms of running a vegetable producing business, that the program addresses and some of the benefits from participating in it?

Resilience of your business

True cost of production This includes not just variable costs but taking into account all fixed business costs related to running your business, which often get overlooked and erode the profit you think is coming your way.

By understanding this more accurately, it places you in a more informed position when negotiating with marketeers and what your produce is truly worth from the perspective of your efforts not someone external.

Appropriate business structure and level of debt

Infrastructure to support better decisions Most growers have financial software and a good relationship with their accountant, but have you configured this set up for tax purposes or to provide you with the information you need to chart progress and profitability and make the best decisions for you? The two are different.

Metrics that drive profitability and asset growth Following on from the previous point, what are the key measures of success that will support you both as a vegetable grower, business operator and capital investor?

The four-year program will provide vegetable business owners in WA with access to an expert farm consultant.

Between responding to market pressures, investment in machinery, business evolution over time and the need for succession planning, having the right level of business structure and level of debt is key to achieving your future goals and avoiding longer-term systemic issues that can derail your business.

Access to finance Since the Royal Commission, financial institutions have become more demanding in the level of detail they require for you to access finance.

Participants from the previous benchmarking project found that providing a business plan back by an independent business analysis greatly facilitated the process and opened up more preferable rates.

Closing an information gap for growers

We have seen and felt suppliers, supermarket chains, market agents and financial institutions all advancing their business management practices, adopting technologies and accessing an increasing level of detailed information and data that often leaves many individual business owners at a significant disadvantage. This program seeks to close the gap for growers to make more decisions on their own terms and with their future as the firm focus.

A resilient business will make some profit even in a poor season and have the adaptability to capitalise when conditions are favourable; this can only be achieved by understanding and assessing your base business cost structure.

Rigorous ‘health check’ assessment of your business Accessing an expert third party independent view of your business cuts through any assumptions that need updating and shines light in areas that maybe overlooked. Not always easy to experience first time around, but participants in the previously found quick wins that removed between $40,000 to $80,000 from their annual operating costs with little effort.

WA Grower SPRING 2021

85

YOUR BUSINESS

Assessing risk and reward Trialing new research and development, purchasing new machinery, changes to soil health and pest management; being clearer about the risk/reward assessment of any change can be the difference between making big gains or losing out.

‘What does good look like?’

Interact with business processes from across wider agriculture that have made significant differences in terms of efficiency and profitability.

Take a longer-term view for your business The program is a four-year journey where you will work closely with experts to chart the impact and success of changes you decide to make within your business.

Actively reduce anxiety in your life These are challenging and changeable times to be a business owner. Regain some control, which reduces anxiety, by taking stock of what you can directly influence and what is out of your

influence so you can ‘double-down’ on your sphere of control and not get drawn and impacted by what you can’t.

Collective industry data and knowledge A more detailed understanding of the dynamics of the wider vegetable producing sector in WA will provide growers with greater context to make decisions as well as direct future representation and inform future investment into the industry.

makes good logical business sense to actively engage in a process that can highlight improvements that contribute to improving profitability in the context your business and longer-term asset growth — otherwise why are you actually doing it?

I hope that this has provided some more ideas, insight and context to the program. If you want to talk to me further, then please get in touch and we’ll explore this some more.

The program is funded by state-based Fee for Service payments.

Get something back from your levy payments

MORE INFORMATION

The program is funded by state-based Fee for Service payments through the Agricultural Produce Commission and from National based levies through the Hort Innovation investment — both of which you have contributed to so why not make good use of this?

Being proactive and sensible Finally, when you peel back any initial concerns about getting involved (whether it be time, effort, etc.), it

Please note that the program is funded by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Hort Innovation and the Agricultural Produce Commission and delivered by Planfarm, Pomewest and vegetablesWA. Contact Bryn Edwards, Building Horticulture Business Capacity Program Manager, on (08) 9486 7515, or email bryn.edwards@ vegetableswa.com.au or visit: www.buildingwahorticulture.com.au

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National Agriculture Day

Choose Your #AgVenture Friday 19 November 2021 This #AgDayAU Australian Farmers is celebrating the fabulous and fulfilling career opportunities on offer in agriculture. From mustering cattle in the Top End to developing the next breakthrough wheat variety, there’s a career pathway whatever your passion.

Head to www.agday.org.au to see how you can be part of National Agriculture Day.

Image: Georgia Glasson

YOUR BUSINESS

Resilience and preparedness

trending terms nationally

I

BY CHRIS WHEATCROFT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, RURAL WEST

n 2021 Rural West's thoughts on ‘Resilience, Preparedness and Shared Responsibilities in Drought Support’ have been sought several times as these become a popular topic on the national agenda. f COMING to terms with your situation enables your natural strengths and resilience to be accessed in a strategically effective way.

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We acknowledge this is never completely simple and suggest encouragement of those factors that consciously support the industry with growers and key stakeholders having a conscious positive intention to deal with adversity (drought, flood, fire, markets, etc). This can be achieved using best practice principles that are readily available to them and used by many enterprises.

There are key management strategies of relevance.

Encouragement of the culture of responsibility is important and avoids those responses and programs that encourage dependency.

Pursuing profitability alongside sustainability.

In saying this, we reflect on what we have observed as key aspects by good operators. WA does appear to be somewhat ahead of the game.

We think growers largely hold and/or access the expertise required on a continual basis.

Access to programs that record operations and expenditures allow growers to measure what they manage.

YOUR BUSINESS

Encouragement of an industry culture that handles turbulence as a normal aspect of farming. This is a challenge that the industry should have the capacity to respond to without welfare.

It is a source of pride of most WA growers who have a culture of self-responsibility, believing all the required information and techniques needed to deal with a turbulent environment are available.

When working with enterprises in difficulty, the single most effective factor is enabling the people involved to come to terms with their situation — they then make the changes required. They do not need a lot of education or plans; they simply need to “get their heads around the situation” in a way that enables their natural strengths and resilience to be accessed in a strategically effective way.

They will then source what is needed.

Good records greatly assist the ‘reality’ testing of approaches as ideas are turned into strategies forward.

At times, this requires additional knowledge and expertise, but once the people have their heads around the issues, they will source the necessary knowledge (whether through consultants/study/web-based resources and info/or a combination, etc.). The culture is what allows the positive focus for their energy.

There is a danger of building a whole ‘welfare’ system of ‘helping growers’ that will be detrimental to the managers of enterprises that take responsibility to ensure they can survive unexpected market and seasonal variations.

In these interviews, we continually emphasize that primary enterprises exist in a competitive environment and deserve our respect as they pursue profitability alongside sustainability.

MORE INFORMATION If you are experiencing financial difficulty and need a hand, contact Rural West on 1800 612 004 or via email — enquiries@ruralwest.com.au.

Developing a way forward that fits your values, goals and finances.

Difficulties can come to primary enterprises in many forms and are sometimes unseen initially. Rural West works with any enterprise in difficulty using Harvard University concepts to allow the families involved to develop a way forward that fits their values, goals and finances. This will enable them to continue to be independent and forward-looking.

Supported by the State and Federal governments, Rural West works with a wide range of primary producers and regional small business owners to improve their position and profitability.

Call 1800 612 004 or visit ruralwest.com.au for more information.

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Government of Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Small Business Development Corporation Business Local

Attracting investment and raising capital

BY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION/DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

A

ttracting investment and raising capital is critical to enabling small to medium businesses grow their potential and reach new markets, particularly lucrative international markets.

The Investor Readiness Program is a Western Australian Government initiative of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). The program aims to help Western Australian agriculture, food and beverage businesses become more internationally competitive by providing a range of tools, incentives and resources to become investor ready, attract capital and build capacity.

As part of a program partnership with the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC), the agency will deliver a series of investor ready skill development workshops.

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The workshops are delivered in metro and regional areas.

f THE Investor Readiness Program is a Western Australian Government initiative of DPIRD.

YOUR BUSINESS

The workshops delivered in metro and regional areas are designed to help business owners develop skills such as investment planning strategies, attracting diverse markets, understanding impacts for raising capital and building the skills needed to effectively pitch to investors or expand operations.

Investment Services General Manager for the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Susan Hall, said the program builds on a successful series of webinar masterclasses for small and medium businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups delivered in partnership with BDO Australia in 2020.

Future of Food Conference

Mandurah, 24 September 2021

“Building financial and business skills for food and agricultural businesses to help them grow, attract investment and thrive in competitive markets is not only good for the business and its local area, it’s great for the WA economy,” said Ms Hall.

“More than 50 local businesses registered for the Investor Readiness Masterclass series held virtually in August and December last year. The masterclasses included real life practical examples, workbooks and case studies to educate business owners on strategy, business planning, valuation, finance, HR and improving business processes.”

“Feedback from the program was overwhelmingly positive with half the participants rating themselves as investor savvy or expert after attending.”

Growers and producers from around the state, working in sectors including hemp, honey, processed grains and agroforestry, wine, kombucha, premium lamb and dairy, participated in the workshops.

David Eaton, WA Small Business Commissioner and CEO of the SBDC, emphasises that financial skills are one of the most important areas of skill development needed by small to medium businesses.

“It’s essential that businesses owners understand their finances and business model — it is critical to their future if they want a sustainable business,” said Mr Eaton.

f MORE than 50 local businesses registered for the Investor Readiness Masterclass series held virtually in August and December last year.

“If the forecast identifies a growth opportunity, then access to capital should be available. Many small businesses don’t know where to start when it comes to raising funds for their business.”

Mr Eaton noted that the SBDC has been delivering business skills development workshops to WA small businesses in every sector for more than three decades, and offers a range of lowcost workshops on business topics available to book from their website at www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au.

“We are very pleased to partner with DPIRD to deliver financial and business skills workshops at business events and conferences around WA. This partnership will allow WA’s small business in the agricultural, food and beverage sector gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to attract investment and develop their operations.”

Access investor ready workshops, funding and resources A suite of investor readiness business workshops and resources is available to small business owners at leading business events, conferences and training workshops, including at the Future of Food Conference in Mandurah on 24 September 2021.

Visit https://futureoffood.com.au/ conference/day2/workshops/ Find out more and start to dig into topics that support your: • business growth planning and strategy • cash flow management and sourcing of funds • legal and business structures, and • investor readiness.

MORE INFORMATION For more information about attending or delivering investor ready workshops at your next event, phone (08) 9368 3590 or email investorreadiness@dpird.wa.gov.au, or visit http://bit.ly/investor-readiness.

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Farm-scale

Natural Capital Accounting in WA PHOTO © PERTH NRM

f ON farm in Kulin carrying out an ecological assessment, here Brendan and Alison are looking at how tillage radish and clover are establishing.

Perth NRM will work with 30 farmers across the state to develop a natural capital accounting framework.

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YOUR BUSINESS

A

BY ALISON WALSH PROJECT OFFICER, PERTH NRM

new project is seeking to put your greatest asset — your land — back on the balance sheet. In line with the United Nations sustainable development goals with Natural Capital Accounting (NCA), NCA has potential applications for attracting future investment and sustainable market opportunities.

Farm management practices influence the quality of a farm’s natural capital.

Without a framework that values and supports natural capital, there is little financial incentive to manage environmental factors. As a result, land can become degraded impacting its productive capacity.

In essence, natural capital refers to natural resources such as soil, water and biodiversity. In a farming/ agricultural context, these are the resources that are used (‘drawn down’ on) in order to create the saleable products (food) (see Figure 1).

What is the Perth NRM Natural Capital Accounting project about?

The NCA project aims to use a farmers production and environmental data to determine a link between the farms management practices and their production and environmental performance.

Perth NRM is working with 30 farmers across the state to develop a framework for Natural Capital Accounting on WA farms. This involves collecting the data

TRAMPLING, EXCREMENT

LITTER, SHELTER, ROOTS

DECOMPOSITION PURCHASED INPUTS

The project team is undertaking wide-ranging analyses of farm biodiversity, soils, plants and produce, combined with historical production data analysis, to provide insight into the sustainability of current practices, equipping growers with the knowledge to improve farm management for both production and environmental outcomes.

Farm management practices influence the quality of a farm’s natural capital.

SHELTER, LITTER FREE INPUTS: SUNLIGHT, RAIN, DUST, ETC

and developing the metrics to build an account of participant’s on-farm natural capital.

TREES AND SHRUBS PRODUCTION HEARD GRASSLAND SOIL SURFACE SOIL AND SOIL BIOLOGY

The Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) project, managed by Perth NRM, was initiated with seed funding from Dutch investment and social enterprise firm Commonland, before attracting further investment from State NRM.

NUTRIENTS TRADING: PROGENY, FIBRE NUTRIENTS SILAGE, HAY NUTRIENTS CROPS NUTRIENTS

$ $ $

LEACHING, EROSION

FIGURE 1. UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS SUCH AS SOIL AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO A FARM’S PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY, WATER EFFICIENCY AND EMISSIONS INTENSITY, ALLOWS FARMERS TO MAKE INFORMED MANAGEMENT DECISIONS TOWARD THEIR LONG-TERM PRODUCTION GOALS. Source: Sue Ogilvy (Integrated Futures)

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The benefits of Natural Capital Accounting A pumpkin farmer in Gingin has started using cover crops to improve the quality, specifically the microbiology, of their soil. The impacts of this practice change will be captured in the natural capital soil and production assessments, allowing this farmer to assess the effectiveness of these practices.

Over time, natural capital accounts will allow the farmer to understand the impact of these practices on their financial, production and environmental performance.

A citrus grower in Moora has established perennial grasses in their inter-rows, increasing soil carbon, water infiltration rates, the soil nutrients cycle rate, as well as preventing soil erosion. Natural capital accounting assessments will measure these benefits through ongoing soil sampling and production data analysis, including capturing any savings in repairing erosion damage.

Overall, the contributions the perennial grasses make to the value of the farm’s natural assets can be captured within the natural capital accounts.

How is measuring natural capital beneficial to your farm?

The Natural Capital Accounting project aims to identify and refine how farmers can measure natural capital. This information can then be used for long-term decision making for the farming enterprise.

It also aims to provide robust measurements and a verification framework for determining the change in the condition of natural capital and the economic contribution of these natural assets to farming systems.

There is increasing consumer awareness and interest in, where their food comes from, how it is produced and how sustainable are the applied farming practices. NCA offers an opportunity to communicate the sustainability of a farm and how the sustainability of a farm changes over time.

On a national level, the development of a user-friendly digital platform for generating farm-scale natural capital accounts aims to assist farm businesses to generate and interpret their own farm-scale accounts which will further facilitate directed investment.

Identifying and refining how farmers can measure natural capital.

Through NCA, farmers will attain verifiable information on the value of the natural assets on their farm which will allow for directed investment towards the adoption of farming practices that build natural capital.

NCA also provides the information and comparability that is needed to access the ‘ethical consumer’ market, which rewards producers that are improving their ecosystems.

MORE INFORMATION Interested in participating? Want to sign up?

As farmers and key industry stakeholders, we would really appreciate your input into this work. If you are interested in participating in the NCA project or would like more information, please contact Mez Clunies-Ross at email: maryanne@perthnrm.com or mobile: 0413 857 048.

This project is supported by funding from the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program, Perth NRM and Commonland.

f FARMERS will attain verifiable information on the value of natural assets on their farm.

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YOUR BUSINESS

Vaccinations Urgent need to clarify employer rights and responsibilities

BY MICHAEL STUTLEY PARTNER, KINGSTON REID

O

One might be left with the impression that this was a new or novel piece of advice to receive about seven months after the start of the vaccine rollout. Far from it. Many of us who specialise in workplace law have been left scratching our heads for many months about the hesitancy and, quite frankly, in many cases incorrect opinions, which have been voiced and published about the right of employers to insist on vaccination as a requirement of entry to workplaces.

n 6 August, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the law allowed employers to give COVID-19 is a “reasonable foreseeable safety risk and directions” to staff vaccination is a reasonable to get vaccinated and exceptionally effective against COVID-19 control.

Let’s go back to first following advice principles. Employers have a right to give employees lawful he had just received and reasonable directions. Employees from the Solicitor General have an obligation to follow such directions. So, the crux of the issue is about situations where whether the direction to be vaccinated is such directions may be firstly lawful. considered lawful.

The lawfulness of the direction requires an employer to consider whether vaccination is a reasonably practicable measure to manage the health and

safety of workers from the risk of COVID-19 at work. This requires an analysis of the level of risk. Obfuscation here is not helpful for employers. Yes, it’s fact dependant but there are some clear and straightforward factors that would make vaccination a reasonable safety measure.

No brainers include aged care, health care, disability support, retail, hospitality, manufacturing, call centres, logistics and distribution.

There will be more, of course, but the basic factors will include close contact with each other and the public, contact with vulnerable people, and high degrees of movement and interaction.

Having established that the spread of COVID-19 is a foreseeable safety risk and that vaccination is a reasonable and exceptionally effective control measure the direction will be lawful.

The remaining consideration is whether is it is reasonable.

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There may be some circumstances where this is not so, but these will be rare. Unreasonableness will more likely arise with the conditions attached to the direction such as the timeframe for compliance considering the current supply and access issues.

A perplexing red herring that keeps getting mentioned in the press is the idea that such a mandate would run into issues with anti-discrimination law. Discrimination is only unlawful if it is related to a protected attribute. Vaccine hesitancy or resistance is not a protected attribute.

prohibit vaccination. Again, this would be managed in the same way. Both scenarios would be very rare and should not be assuming any significance in the public debate.

Of course, just because an employer can mandate vaccines, it doesn’t mean they should mandate vaccines. But they deserve to know the options before determining the best path forward.

Discrimination is only unlawful if it is related to a protected attribute.

Yes, it is theoretically possible that an employee cannot get vaccinated because of a medical condition and it would be unlawful for an employer to discriminate against that person by imposing a condition which that person could not comply with because of that medical condition.

Managing medical restrictions within a workplace is not an uncommon scenario. The employer would need to examine how to accommodate that person. This might involve other control measures (masks, distancing etc) or alternate duties. It could also be possible that a person’s religious beliefs

f AN employer may decide to try other measures to encourage vaccination but fall back to making it mandatory if such measures fail.

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Deciding whether a business should impose a mandate will involve various considerations such as operational factors, workforce composition, whether it can achieve the same result without compulsion and commercial pressures. These factors have been and will continue to be the subject of attention across all industries.

An employer may decide to try other measures to encourage vaccination but fall back to making it mandatory if such measures fail. The business community would be much better served by having clear and positive advice on what’s possible, something that has been

lacking in the commentary to date or the publicly available guidance material.

Instead of equivocation, let’s be clear in our messages. Governments at all levels should be repeating the following line: “Employers may be able to require employees to be vaccinated depending on the nature of the business and the relevant workplace.

Employers should seek advice on their particular circumstances before imposing any mandatory policy”.

This type of communication helps employees, employers and the media get it right. Ultimately, that will be in everyone’s interest.

MORE INFORMATION For further information, please contact: • Alice DeBoos Managing Partner alice.deboos@kingstonreid.com • Michael Stutley Partner michael.stutley@kingstonreid.com • Liam Fraser Partner liam.fraser@kingstonreid.com

YOUR HEALTH

your

health WA Grower SPRING 2021

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What is loss and grief?

G rief is a universal, instinctual and an adaptive reaction to loss, particularly the grief from the loss of a loved one.

Feelings of loss are very personal and only we know what is significant. Less obvious losses can also cause strong feelings of grief such as loss of possessions, job, relationship, health or physical ability.

Loss is an inevitable part of life and grief is a natural part of the healing process that varies for different people.

The grieving process allows those left behind, after a death, to accept the person is no longer around.

f THERE will be triggers of grief that will arise and a wave will come crashing down but in between there is life.

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When experiencing and reacting to grief, it is common to: • feel sad or depressed, anxious, nervous or fearful;

• be irritable or angry (at the deceased, ourself, others); • feel frustrated or misunderstood; • feel like we want to escape; • experience guilt or remorse; • be ambivalent, lack energy and motivation.

Each one of us has an individual style of coping with painful experiences (there is no right or wrong way).

Some people don’t show their grief in public but only express it in private.

We don’t always know how people are coping simply by what we see.

We don’t always know how people are coping simply by what we see.

YOUR HEALTH

The following tips may help generate ideas about how to manage feelings of grief: • talk to family, friends or a mate; • engage in social activities; • exercise and eat healthy foods; • take time to relax, listen to music; • seek counselling or join a support group; • be patient and let ourselves feel grief.

The length of the grief process is different for everyone. It takes time to heal and this may not be just days it can be weeks, months and even years.

f TO help manage feelings of grief engage in social activities and try to exercise and eat healthy foods.

Grief comes in waves. When the ship is first wrecked, we’re drowning, surrounded by wreckage reminding us of the ship that was and is no more, and all we can do is float. As we float we hang onto a piece of wreckage for a while in the form of a physical thing (a memory or photograph), it may even be another person floating with us, and for a while all we can do is float. In the beginning we have 10 metre waves crashing over us 10 seconds apart barely allowing us to breath. After a while (maybe weeks or months) the 10 metre waves

still come crashing over us, but they are now further apart allowing us to breath and function without as much difficulty.

There will be triggers of grief that will arise (a song, a place, a photo) and a wave will come crashing down but in between there is life.

Somewhere down the line (it is different for everybody) we find the waves are only 8 or 5 metres, they still come but are further apart.

We will be able to see them coming (special anniversary days) but now we can prepare ourselves for the waves, knowing we will come out the other side, soaking wet, spluttering and still hanging onto a piece of wreckage but we will come out.

Each one of us has an individual style of coping with painful experiences.

Intermittent waves never stop coming and we don’t really want them to, but we will survive them.

If we feel we are not coping, we need to seek professional help from our GP or a counsellor.

MORE INFORMATION Owen and the Team The Regional Men’s Health Initiative delivered by Wheatbelt Men’s Health (Inc.) Phone: (08) 9690 2277 Email: menshealth@4blokes.com.au www.regionalmenshealth.com.au

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The importance of friends and staying connected

It’s important for us to be comfortable in our own skin.

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YOUR HEALTH

BY OWEN CATTO SENIOR COMMUNITY EDUCATOR, EXECUTIVE OFFICE

I

’m sure we’ve all experienced it — as we get older our social circle seems to become smaller.

Blokes often feel this a bit more than women, who tend to form lifelong relationships and attend more social events than us fellas.

But it’s important to know that as we get older, it’s normal for the people in our lives to fly the coop. Research suggests this pattern of ‘social ageing’ could be hardwired in men, as chimps tend to do the same thing — and I’m sure the ladies in our lives have had similar thoughts.

Blokes often get put into a box that we don’t want to talk to other blokes about stuff, but recent research says otherwise. Relationships WA found in 2018 that many blokes, whether they’re in a relationship or not, wanted to spend more time with their friends.

The majority of blokes also reported that they did have someone to confide in and 75 per cent of the time it’s a woman, mostly their partner. Regrettably though, for us blokes identifying just two true mates, outside of our relationship, can be problematic — we say that they primarily come from the categories of our peers and mentors.

It’s normal for us to want to spend more time with friends and the difficulty of meeting new friends once we finish school or study can be ramped up.

There could be a number of reasons for this, including: • Blokes prioritising work and family over social events.

• The warrior attitude of blokes not wanting to appear vulnerable and opening up to others.

• Feeling anxious in social situations or self-confidence issues.

• Subconscious thoughts of ‘not measuring up’ to other blokes.

• Wanting to ‘keep to ourselves’ — cave time and withdrawing.

• Introverted and extroverted personality types.

It’s important to recognise the sort of barriers we may be facing when it comes to making new friends, and depending on our circumstances, there are some things we can proactively do:

f RELATIONSHIPS WA found in 2018 that many blokes, whether they’re in a relationship or not, wanted to spend more time with their friends.

In summary, it’s normal for us blokes to want to increase our social circle as human beings are fundamentally social in nature. There are some biological reasons for our social circles shrinking as we age and it’s important to recognise the social and cultural reasons for us finding it difficult to meet and connect with new people.

MensLine Australia is a free 24/7 info, support and counselling service.

• Attend a local community group, i.e. a men’s shed, bowling club, the footy club, or church to name a few.

• Try new things — meeting people through a shared interest or hobby is a good way to engage with people.

Principal Skinner from The Simpsons was on the right track when he said, ‘isn’t it nice that we both hate the same things?’

• If our issue is related to social anxiety or self-esteem, realising that we’re often our own worst critic is important. It’s important for us to be comfortable in our own skin.

• Realise that most of the butterflies we may be feeling around meeting other people is because we think the stakes are higher than they really are. Research points to the fact that most blokes are eager to meet others.

If we feel isolated from others, don’t be afraid to seek help — whether that be from a mate, family member, a GP, a counsellor, a pastor, or anyone else you feel comfortable talking to.

MensLine Australia is a free 24/7 info, support and counselling service for men and can be contacted from anywhere in Australia on 1300 78 99 78.

MORE INFORMATION The Regional Men’s Health Initiative delivered by Wheatbelt Men’s Health (Inc.): Phone: (08) 9690 2277 Email: menshealth@4blokes.com.au www.regionalmenshealth.com.au

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f PERSONALITY differences contribute a lot to business, but they can also lead to misunderstandings during discussions.

Are dictatorships best?

Family business decision making

BY RURAL WEST

W

e would never suggest that we knew all the answers to this question, however, we have observed some of the pitfalls of this method.

These include: • Grumpy people • Time spent complaining rather than working

• Delays to progress as suppliers are given conflicting messages • Only one family member being happy.

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Amazingly, we find 50-year-old clients that have never found a way to challenge, or interrupt, being directed despite their gaining skills, knowledge, and ideas worth contributing.

Allow time and space for everyone to comment.

• Missing of great ideas

The list goes on…

The key is often that people have become used to a particular style of decision making. Sometimes these are developed when children join the business at a young age and need directive guidance, which does not change over time.

Everyone will approach this in their own way but the idea of resolving this is likely important to gain the input of all parties to maximise the benefit to the business.

There are numerous resources, but our encouragement is always for families to find a way that suits them. This can be done in a useful, constructive, and effective way, maintaining good family relationships.

Across all the ideas there are some common themes.

• Personality differences contribute a lot to business, but they can also lead to misunderstandings during discussions. It is worth remembering that to get the best out of people they need to contribute in a way that fits their personality.

Some people like to think things through thoroughly, others are good at generating many ideas.

• Awareness of the personalities around you can lead to development of great ideas and outcomes.

• Allowing time and space for everyone to comment and requesting comment from them.

• Being able to clarify what has been said before moving on to ensure understanding. Often, we have found people’s words and intentions are perceived differently to how they are intended. It is surprising that some of our work is simply allowing this

YOUR HEALTH

Pressure causes tensions where people may start to behave slightly differently and are less able to hear the ideas of others. What adds to resilience of businesses at these times is having ways to work together and acknowledge when the pressure is affecting both the business and the family unit.

Working with a family recently, it became quite important to separate time for business discussions from family time.

While one member was able to talk at any time, the others found it too difficult and needed a time to think through business matters separate to personal discussions.

Acknowledge when pressure is affecting both the business and the family unit.

clarification to occur. It seems that while all parties had heard each other, they had not understood what was meant. Many times, this new understanding has people sorting difficulties for themselves.

• Having a team being together and being committed to the business usually leads to the formation of a great family business. Motivational theory says that alongside money, what motivates people is their sense they are doing something worthwhile, being acknowledged for their contribution and that what they are contributing to fits with their values.

Family businesses can be really good at this. Our experience is that the recognition and development of these areas is always seen by all members to be extremely beneficial.

Some of the work done in this area has come up with ideas for family meetings. While not suggesting these fit all business situations, there may be aspects that are relevant (see Family meeting tips).

Setting up a meeting may appear simple but can be difficult to carry out and can lead to the breakdown of the meeting process.

There are times when resolving personality-based differences or longstanding ways of decision making that are losing effectiveness, can be very difficult for the family(s) involved. In our experience, often the smoothest and easiest way is to bring in external professional expertise, which can provide clarity and allow the family to decide a way forward that works for them.

USEFUL RESOURCES • A Guide to Communication for Farm Families — GRDC • Farming the Business Manual — GRDC MORE INFORMATION Rural West is supported by the State and Federal governments. Rural West works with a wide range of primary producers and regional small business owners experiencing financial difficulty to improve their position and profitability.

Call 1800 612 004, email enquiries@ruralwest.com.au or visit ruralwest.com.au for more information.

Family meeting tips Effective family business meetings can: ✔ Add structure and discipline and encourage positive habits ✔ Build the team dynamics and strengths ✔ Develop trust and shared understanding ✔ Increase efficiency, productivity, and creativity ✔ Build on the ability to effectively plan improving outcomes.

Effective meetings are possible by taking some simple steps: ✔ Develop a clear set of meeting guidelines — one speaker at a time, give everyone the right to speak or to pass ✔ Develop a meeting agreement together ✔ Ensure all stakeholders are involved

✔ Set a regular day and time that fits with everyone ✔ Develop a meeting agenda ✔ Identify the meeting type — operational (deals with operational issues) or strategic (deals with strategic issues) ✔ Alternate and share the meeting chair and secretary role between individuals to develop skills and share experience ✔ Allow for last-minute agenda items at the start of a meeting ✔ Keep meeting minutes ✔ Have a clear process for decisionmaking ✔ Bring in experts if support, information, and ideas are needed ✔ Importantly, stick with the process for at least six months to develop and see the benefit ✔ End meetings on a positive note.

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The #6B’s

helping to improve men’s health in the bush

I

It is not a formal organisation, and there is no set place or date.

BENJAMIN HAMILTON ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING & SALES, VEGETABLESWA

n 2017, Bradley Millstead, a sheep and wheat producer from Watheroo, came up with an idea on the back of an email sent to him from the Movember foundation.

Bradley Millstead said the idea was to get a group of guys together with the notion for men to discuss their mental health, and so the #6B’s (Blokes, Barbeque, Bonfire, Beers, Bonding and Bullshit) were born.

“I said to a couple of mates, ‘what do you reckon about a barbecue and bonfire?” he said.

“It’s just a great neutral venue and sometimes a lot of barriers can come down, so blokes can talk more about what's actually going on.”

Beginning as a text message about a barbeque to a group of close friends, it has since developed into a concept to include general health and well-being and mental health.

“As we age, our bodies change, [we discuss when] something doesn’t work like it used to work, or there’s a lump or a bump or something somewhere,” he said.

“Getting a group of guys together and hearing somebody else talk about something that they’ve experienced — these conversations might spark further engagement and encourage someone to go and get themselves checked out.”

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f BRAD Millstead at a #6B’s event.

The #6B’s is a notion. It is not a formal organisation, and there is no set place or date. It is about blokes encouraging others to connect and discuss issues with one another. If you would like to hold a #6B’s event please get in touch with Brad through the #6B’s website and he will happily help. www.6bs.com.au/ index.php 1 Blokes are often forgotten. We need to promote that it is excellent being a bloke, and we need to embrace and cherish it to put more effort into ourselves.

2 BBQ is a great cooking apparatus enjoyed by all. It is also a place where blokes also like to hang out and relax.

3 Bonfire is the key component for a #6B’s. Not all blokes enjoy sport or a pub, but I am yet to find a bloke who doesn’t enjoy being around a bonfire, making it a perfect venue.

4 Beers can be an excellent lubricant to start some conversations between blokes to share their stories.

However, we are not condoning or encouraging alcohol; it is fair to say that beers are a part of most blokes’ diet.

5 Bonding is something that many men, as we age, can easily fall out of practice. As our lives get busier and pressures amount, we forget to bond and converse with other blokes.

6 Bullshit is a pretty natural outcome to an evening combining the 5 B’s above! All part of life is a good bullshit session to keep everyone laughing at themselves and each other.

MORE INFORMATION For more information, visit: www.6bs.com.au/index.php If you are feeling lonely or experiencing mental health issues, contact: • Regional Men's Health Initiative on (08) 9690 2277 or https://regionalmenshealth.com.au • Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or www.beyondblue.org.au • MensLine on 1300 78 99 78 or https://mensline.org.au/ • Virtual Psychologist on https://virtualpsychologist.com.au/ contact/

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your

market Your market WA Grower SPRING 2021

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Foodborne illness outbreaks from fresh produce are increasing.

Food safety culture: what is it and why does it matter?

f FOOD safety culture is that part of organisational culture that relates to food safety beliefs, attitudes, perceptions, and behaviours.

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F

BY ELIZABETH FRANKISH CONSULTANT MICROBIOLOGIST

oodborne illness outbreaks from fresh produce are increasing, despite widespread use of food safety management systems.

In Australia over a 10-year period, more than 93 produce-associated outbreaks were recorded causing over 300 hospitalisations and at least eight deaths. Economic losses to the industry from dumped product, lost sales, reputational damage, and compensation, therefore, are significant.

The causes identified, including poor hygiene and sanitation by food handlers, and contaminated equipment are factors influenced directly or indirectly by food handler behaviour.

Evidence is building that improving food safety culture contributes to better food safety outcomes and reduces the cost of food safety control.

What is a food safety culture?

Food safety culture is that part of organisational culture that relates to food safety beliefs, attitudes, perceptions, and behaviours. However, food safety culture is a complex combination of technological, managerial, and organisational conditions, human factors, and the FSMS (Food Safety Management System).

Food safety culture defined:

“Shared values, beliefs and norms that affect mindset and behaviour toward food safety in, across and throughout an organization.”

GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative)

“Food safety culture in a business is how everyone (owners, managers, employees) thinks and acts in their daily job to make sure that the food they make or serve is safe. It’s about having pride in producing safe food every time, recognising that a good quality product must be safe to eat. Food safety is your top priority.”

FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand)

How does food safety culture relate to food safety management?

part of management commitment and review, and improvements must be demonstrated.

Requirements will continue to evolve as the links between attitudes, perceptions, and practices of food safety risk control, and food safety management outcomes, are better understood.

Measuring food safety culture Like performance evaluation of food safety management systems through validation, verification and monitoring, performance measurement of food safety culture defines its effectiveness and provides a baseline from which to drive culture improvement.

Food safety culture is an embedded requirement of Codex HACCP.

Preventative control measures and hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) plans are effective process operations control systems, but they ignore the human input factor to food safety management.

Measurement: • raises risk awareness • supports risk assessment

• promotes commitment to food safety and program ownership • provides accountability from clear goals and expectations

To effectively manage food safety risk, integrate:

• provides focus on resource needs for improvement

Food science:

• supports internal audit processes

• the hazards and how to mitigate the risk and

• identifies weaknesses

Behavioural science:

• helps avoid foodborne illness incidents and food recalls.

• the will to mitigate the risk The effectiveness of food safety management systems is dependent on how food handlers apply company policies and implement procedures in practice. As such, a positive food safety culture is a necessary requirement for the successful operation of a food safety management system, just like Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) or Good Hygienic Practices (GHP).

Compliance is required Food safety culture is an embedded requirement of Codex HACCP, and all GFSI-benchmarked quality assurance standards, including Freshcare, as

• informs decision-making and

The method chosen to measure food safety culture should systematically assess the people-based dimensions of leadership, commitment, communication, knowledge, risk awareness and perception, and beliefs, and the technical and organisational dimensions of the work environment, the management system, styles, and process.

Measurement options include toolkits, maturity models and mixedmethod models. The basis of their measurement, their advantages and limitations are shown in Table 1 (overleaf).

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TABLE 1. FOOD SAFETY CULTURE MEASUREMENT APPROACHES, THEIR ADVANTAGES, AND LIMITATIONS FOR HORTICULTURE. Food safety culture measurement approaches

Basis of measurement

Advantages

Limitations

Toolkits e.g., FSANZ, 2019a

• Questionnaires • Matrices assigning risk-based culture category

• Benchmarking • Ideas for improvement • Good starting point

• Snapshot in time • Insufficient elements provided for mature FSMS* • No integration with individual company FSMS

Maturity models e.g., Jespersen et al, 2016b

• Questionnaires • Matrices assigning a scale of food safety culture maturity

• Benchmarking • Identify areas for improvement • Provide a concept of the end goal

• Snapshot in time • Participant perceptions influence results • Subjective • Appropriate action plan for improvement not easily resolved

Mixed methods models e.g., Nyarugwe et al, 2018c

• • • • • •

• Assessment over time • Triangulation of data provides a more comprehensive interpretation of results • Ability to target specific areas for improvement • Objective assessment included

• Time-consuming • Needs to be led by an experienced quality assurance person or consultant • Higher cost

Questionnaires Interviews Observations Document analysis Microbial analysis Focus groups

* Food safety management system a. www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodsafety/culture/Pages/food-safety-culture-in-action.aspx b. Jespersen et al. (2016). Measurement of food safety culture using survey and maturity profiling tools. Food Control, 66, 174-182. c Nyarugwe et al. (2018). Food safety culture assessment using a comprehensive mixed-methods approach: A comparative study in dairy processing organisations in an emerging economy. Food Control, 18, 186-196.

Plant the culture in horticulture food safety management The seed of food safety culture is sown from the top. Leadership and team building should clearly outline food safety performance expectations. Food handlers should be educated during training to understand why specific controls are in place. This builds trust that the expectations placed on them will lead to improved food safety. The likelihood of compliance with policies and procedures will then increase.

f GOOD food safety practice in action

There are challenges …

Managing an effective food safety system while nurturing food safety culture is complex, time-consuming, and resource intensive but, ultimately, is cost-effective.

…and many opportunities Focusing on food safety culture and its measurement will improve: • understanding of the prevailing culture • actual food safety and hygiene behaviour • how the management system supports food safety

• guidance on appropriate interventions to improve performance • transparency in supply chains • business agility • business sustainability • social responsibility • risk mitigation for all stakeholders, the supply chain, investors, and insurers.

Create ownership of the food safety system and think quality and safety = profit

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MORE INFORMATION The research for this article was supported

by Apple and Pear Australia Ltd (APAL), Centre for Food Safety and Innovation, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, (University of Tasmania), ARC Centre for Food Safety in Fresh Produce (University of Sydney), and Fresh Produce Safety Centre Australia and New Zealand.

Fresh Produce Safety Centre Factsheet: Food Safety Culture https://fpsc-anz. com/publications-resources/ or contact Elizabeth Frankish 0407 446 937 elizabeth.frankish@gmail.com

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Vegetable export strategy

T

BY SAM TURNER INTERNATIONAL TRADE MANAGER, AUSVEG

he Australian Vegetable Industry Export Strategy for 2021–25 has been released to guide industry exports for the next 4 years. The strategy was developed with feedback from the Australian vegetables exporters and AUSVEG. Feedback from participating exporting growers has identified the importance of retaining and improving the vegetables industry development program.

The previous vegetable industry export strategy was deemed as highly successful program by its industry members and was on track to achieve the target of $315 million of export value by 2020. However, due to the impact of COVID-19, unfortunately, the export value fell short.

The new strategy includes a focus on value adding.

In response to the feedback received, the Australian Vegetables Industry Export Strategy 2021–25 has been structured around five strategic pillars.

1. Consolidate Core Markets — Rebuild market share in the core markets and channels for Australian vegetables 2. Tell Our Story — Understand and articulate the value proposition for Australian vegetables 3. Target the Value — Support exporters to pursue more targeted market and channel growth opportunities 4. Deliver the Promise — Assist industry to leverage new cold chain management, technologies, and practices to underpin quality 5. Grow Emerging Markets — Undertake the groundwork to better understand emerging and frontier markets

Because of Australia’s high cost of vegetable production, the focus of the 2025 export strategy will be on driving growth in value. This will be achieved through a combination of targeting high value customers and markets, product differentiation through strategic marketing and an increased focus on value adding.

The targets that have been set in this strategy include recovering trade to $300 million by 2023, and $400 million by 2025, reflecting the challenges and opportunities arising from the COVID-19 pandemic which are likely to linger for several years.

MORE INFORMATION Visit https://ausveg.com.au/ export/#Strategy

export fReight

WWW.GO2TIGERS.COM CONTACT JASON RADFORD 0412 107 405 | JASON.RADFORD@GO2TIGERS.COM PERTH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Tigers are the largest perishable freight forwarder in Western Australia with the ability to handle export by air and sea. With a full range of facilities close to Perth Airport Tigers can handle all of your perishable freight requirements including air freight security screening, phytosanitary inspections and certification, fumigation services cold storage facilities.

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IFAM keeping Australia connected to global markets and trade flowing

S

ince taking flight in April 2020, the Australian Government’s International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) has successfully reconnected nine Australian ports to 58 international destinations.

IFAM was established as a temporary and emergency support measure to keep global air links open after COVID-19 restrictions saw commercial passenger flights drop by more than 90 per cent almost overnight.

The program was set up to reconnect time-sensitive and highly perishable Australian products reliant on airfreight — such as fruit, vegetables and seafood — to existing overseas markets.

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On the return leg, the program was also set up to ensure flights bring back goods of national importance and other equipment critical to supporting Australia’s ongoing health response to the pandemic.

IFAM flights out of Perth have ensured Western Australia remained connected to customers in key destinations including Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Xiamen, Taipei, and Tokyo.

Outbound flights out of WA have carried chilled lamb, beef, rockmelons, strawberries, avocados, live lobsters, crabs and flowers.

currently working together to finalise details of this extension.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Dan Tehan, said IFAM flights had been critical to saving regional jobs and getting local produce out the door during tough times.

“Keeping our Australian growers connected with their established international customers will ensure continuity of operations and mean local businesses are wellplaced to take advantage of Australia's continued economic recovery,” Mr Tehan said.

IFAM flights have been critical to saving regional jobs and getting local produce out the door.

IFAM currently has a funding commitment to the end of September 2021. However, in his National Cabinet announcement on 2 July, Prime Minister Scott Morrison indicated an extension of additional support through IFAM to continue maintaining essential freight supply lines. Government agencies are

“Our support for exporters through IFAM flows through to their suppliers, supporting local jobs and the local communities in which they operate.

“We’re backing our farmers by making sure they can continue to get more of their high-quality product into overseas markets.”

YOUR MARKET

had forecast more than 50 per cent of avocado shipments coming out of Western Australia this year would be from first-time exporters.

The sea freighting trials are a huge boost for the Australian avocado industry.

Looking to the future

“The sea freighting trials are a huge boost for the Australian avocado industry,” she said.

With IFAM being implemented as a temporary emergency measure in response to the pandemic, many Western Australian fruit and vegetable growers have already shifted their focus to life after the program.

It is the first time the wider industry has experimented with transporting avocados via sea freight, with exporters using controlled atmosphere technology to ensure the fruit quality arrives in pristine condition after the 20-to-30-day transit period.

WA avocado producers have begun trialling exporting via sea freight for the first time, shipping produce to markets in South East Asia and Japan this season.

With the national production of avocados predicted to be up by 60 per cent this season, more exporters are pushing to get their product out internationally to avoid flooding the domestic market.

Avocados Australia Export Development Manager Flora Zhang said the industry

UNTREATED

“Traditionally, more than 95 per cent of the avocados grown in Australia are consumed in Australia, but export is an important and developing sector for the industry.

“New orchards being established means production will continue to rise over the next five years, further increasing the pressure on the domestic market, so exporting is essential.”

MORE INFORMATION The IFAM team regularly conducts free Western Australian specific, Industry Freight briefings to update exporters, producers, importers and other stakeholders interested in learning more about the program.

To register for the next session email freightbriefing@austrade.gov.au.

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TOMATO BACTERIAL DISEASES CONTROL NEED MORE THAN JUST CHEMICALS SPRAY — VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

Quản lý bệnh do vi khuẩn trên cà chua cần nhiều biện pháp hơn là chỉ phun thuốc Bệnh do vi khuẩn trên cà chua tại Tây úc trong nhũng năm gần đây

TRUYỀN VÕ CHUYÊN VIÊN KHUYẾN NÔNG VIỆT NAM, HIỆP HỘI RAU CẢI TÂY ÚC

năng suất tại một số vườn ước tính lên đến 80%.

Có 3 loại bệnh do vi khuẩn phổ biến tại Tây úc : bacterial spot, do vi khuẩn Xanthomonas campestris pv.; bacterial speck, do Pseudomonas syringae pv.; và bệnh bacteria canker, do Clavibacter michiganensis.

Hàng loạt cuộc hội thảo và tiếp xúc nông dân liên quan đến các bệnh này đã được tổ chức tại Perth và Carnarvon.

Các hội thảo này do chuyên viên khuyến nông của Hiệp hội Rau cải cùng phối hợp với nhóm chuyên gia bệnh cây của Bộ Nông nghiệp đang phụ trách dự án quản lý cấp độ vùng các loại bệnh hại co vi khuẩn và siêu vi khuẩn trên rau màu tổ chức.

Các bệnh này xuất hiện hàng năm ở các mức độ nặng nhẹ khác nhau trên cả 2 vùng trồng cà chính là phía bắc Perth và Carnarvon. Bệnh này có thể gây thiệt hại nghiêm trọng như gây cháy toàn bộ lá, kém đậu trái, gây giảm năng suất và và trái mất giá trị thương phẩm.

Nguyên tắc cốt lỏi được truyền đạt rong hội thảo là: Quản lý bệnh hại do vi khuẩn trên rau cải nói chung, và trên cà chua nói riêng, phải được chú trọng vào công tác phòng bệnh và phải được nghiêm túc thực hiện trước khi xuống giống.

Khi điều kiện môi trường tối hảo cho vi khuẩn sinh sôi như năm nay (mưa nhiều, mù sương, ẩm độ cao…) thì thiệt hại

Nhưng rất tiếc là các cuộc điều tra do chuyên viên khuyến nông của Hiệp hội rau cải tiến hành năm nay cho thấy đa số nông dân trồng cà đối phó với

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bệnh này bằng cách: (i) chỉ phun thuốc khi triệu chứng bệnh đã xuất hiện trên đồng; (ii) Các biện pháp khòng bệnh không được quan tâm; và hiệu quả trừ bệnh không như ý.

Mục đích của bài này là hướng sự quan tâm của nông dân trồng cà đến biện pháp phòng trừ bệnh do vi khuẩn trên cà chua bằng các biện pháp tổng hợp, chủ yếu là nhấn mạnh nguyên tắc “Phải chú trọng vào công tác phòng bệnh và phải nghiêm túc thực hiện trước khi xuống giống”

Phòng trừ bệnh do vi khuẩn trên cà chua Am hiểu tác nhân gây bệnh Tất cả nông gia trồng cà tôi tiếp xúc ở Perth và Carnarvon đều cho rằng thời tiết là nguyên nhân gây bệnh. Điều này không chính xác.

YOUR PRODUCTION

Thời tiết ẩm ướt (mưa nhiều, mù sương, ẩm độ cao…) tạo điều kiện tối hảo cho vi khuẩn phát triển, nhưng chính vi khuẩn mới là tác nhân gây bệnh.

Các loại vi khuẩn Mỗi loại vi khuẩn gây bệnh trên cà chua cần có ngưỡng nhiệt độ thích hợp để bùng phát và gây bệnh cho cà (xem bảng 1). Ngài ngưỡng nhiệt độ tối hảo này vi khuẩn sinh sôi chậm hơn rất nhiều.

Các tác nhân vi khuẩn gây bệnh cần môi trường ẩm độ để sinh sôi. Thời tiết ẩm ướt do mưa, sương mù, ẩm độ cao …tạo điều kiện thích hợp cho chúng phát triển. Điều đáng lưu ý là ngưỡng nhiệt độ cao trung bình các tháng trong năm ở Carnarvon là 22-32 0 C, tương tự như nhiệt độ trung bình của mùa trồng cà ở Perth (tháng 9 đến tháng 6). Điều này có nghĩa là ngưỡng nhiệt độ của 2 vùng trồng này là tối hảo cho vi khuẩn gây bệnh bùng phát một khi có vi khuẩn hiện diện trên đồng cộng với thời tiết ẩm ướt.

Chú tâm đến công tác phòng bệnh và phải bắt đầu sớm trước khi xuống giống.

Nguồn chứa mầm bệnh Có 4 nguồn chứa mầm bệnh chủ yếu: hạt giống/cây giống; Xác bả cây cà bị nhiểm bệnh của mùa trước; cây cà rài mọc trong vườn từ các hạt cà bị nhiểm bệnh mùa trước; và bề mặt của các máy móc, dụng cụ ( máy cày, treo-lờ, kéo cắt chèo, xì-tích, dây chì…) bị nhiểm mầm bệnh.

Trong khi nông dân mua hạt giống/ cây giống từ các nguồn uy tín có chứng nhân an ninh sinh học thì 3 nguồn mang mầm bệnh còn lại hầu như luôn có trên đồng do thói quen canh tác không phù hợp của nông dân: 1. Xác bả cây cà bị nhiểm bệnh của mùa trước: Tất cả nông dân cày trộn xác cây cà mùa trước cùng với trái cà bệnh bị bỏ lại vào trong đất cho dù họ đều biết rằng cây cà mùa trước bị nhiểm bệnh nghiêm trọng (hình 2).

2. Cây cà rài trong vườn: Do trái cà bệnh bị bỏ lại trong vườn nên nhiều cây cà rài mộc lên trong mùa kế. Khả năng các cây cà rài mọc lên từ hạt của trái cà bị nhiểm bệnh mùa trước là rất cao. Đây là nguồn mầm bệnh lan truyền từ mùa này đến mùa khác. Các cây cà rài không bị thuốc cỏ diệt vì nông dân dùng loại thuốc cỏ chọn lọc không có hại cho cây cà trồng.

3. Dụng cụ bị nhiểm: Mỗi hộ trồng cà sử dụng hàng chục ngàn cây xì-tích,

nhưng chỉ có một vài người là có phương tiện dùng để nhúng thuốc tiệt trùng cho xì-tích hàng năm. Quan sát cũng cho thấy các loại dụng cụ phục vụ trồng cà như súng bấm cà, kéo, treo-lờ, dây chì…ít khi được tẩy trùng đúng cách.

Ghi nhớ: Loại bỏ hết 3 nguồn chứa mầm bệnh này là vô cùng quan trọng trong việc phòng trừ bệnh do vi khuẩn trên cà chua.

Có thể nhúng cây xì-tích và tẩy rửa các dụng cụ bằng dung dịch chlorine 1% trong 15 phút (hình 3). Trái cà bỏ phải được thu gom đi chôn lấp, xác cây cà vụ trước nếu không thu dọn ra khỏi vườn thì cũng phải được chôn lấp đúng phương pháp và luân canh loại cây trồng khác trên khu đất đó trong mùa sau để giảm thiểu mầm bệnh.

Sự lây lan của mầm bệnh Vi khuẩn gây bệnh lây lan chủ yếu qua giọt mưa mang vi khuẩn văng từ lá này qua lá khác; bụi nước mưa mang vi khuẩn do gió mạnh mang đi từ nơi này qua nơi khác; công nhân dùng dụng cụ bị nghiểm khuẩn chuyền từ cây này qua cây khác, đám này qua đám khác, hộ này qua hộ khác…

Nghiên cứu cũng cho thấy rằng một lượng rất lớn vi khuẩn Clavibacter

michiganensis gây ra bệnh canker có thể nằm trong các giọt dịch do cây ứa ra trên bìa lá của cây bị bệnh khi ban đêm có nhiều sương mù (hình 4). Khi công nhân tiến hành hái trái, cắt tỉa trước khi lá khô ráo thì chính những người nhân công này lan truyền các giọt dịch chứa vi khuẩn đi khắp nơi. Mầm bệnh cũng lan truyền khi các giọt dịch chứa vi khuẩn này nhểu từ lá trên xuống hoa, lá phía dưới.

Ghi nhớ: Giọt mưa, bụi mưa thì không thể kiểm soát được, nhưng tránh làm việc trong đám cà khi lá còn ướt là hết sức quan trọng để hạn chế mầm bệnh lây lan.

Biện pháp thun thuốc Các loại thuốc hổn hợp có chứa gốc đồng (copper) là loại sản phẩm tương đối hiệu quả được đăng ký lưu hành để phòng trừ các loại bệnh do tác nhân vi khuẩn trên cà1. Tác động diệt khuẩn của các loại dung dịch gốc đồng là do các 1 https://portal.apvma.gov.au/ pubcris?p_auth=5mxYGxMG&p_p_ id=pubcrisportlet_WAR_pubcrisportlet&p_p_ lifecycle=1&p_p_state=normal&p_p_ mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_ pos=2&p_p_col_count=4&_pubcrisportlet_WAR_ pubcrisportlet_javax.portlet.action=search

BẢNG 1. Ngưỡng nhiệt độ tối hảo cho vi khuẩn gây bệnh cà chua sinh sôi Loại bệnh

Tên tác nhân gây bệnh

Nhiệt độ tối hảo để sinh sôi

Bacterial spot

Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria

24–30°C

Bacterial speck

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato

18–24°C

Bacterial canker

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis

24–32°C

 XÁC cây mùa trước và trái bỏ lại trên vườn tới mùa sau tại Carabooda.

WA Grower SPRING 2021

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YOUR PRODUCTION

 MỘT nông dân Việt Nam nhúng cây xì-tích bằng dung dịch 1.0% chlorine ở Wanneroo.

 GIỌT dịch trong cây ứa ra mép lá có thể chứa nhiều vi khuẩn.

hạt đồng tự do mang điện tích có trong dunh dịch2.

Tùy theo mức độ bệnh nặng nhẹ, cần phải phun thuốc mỗi tuần hoặc đôi khi thường hơn. Phun phủ khắp cây và pha Nên biết rằng phải có một mật số tế đúng liều lượng khuyến cáo là rất quan bào vi khuẩn rất lớn trên cây trước trọng. Nhiều nghiên cứu ở Bắc Mỹ khi xuất hiện triệu chứng bệnh khuyến cáo pha các loại thuốc thấy được. Các biện pháp cố gốc đồng với mancozeb gia gắng tiệt trừ số lượng cực tăng hiệu quả khống chế lớn tế bào vi khuẩn như vậy bệnh.

Bacteria is spread thường là thất bại. primarily by splashing water Cũng nên nhớ rằng vi Biện pháp hiệu quả phổ khuẩn sinh sôi rất nhanh. and wind-driven rain. biến hiện nay là bắt đầu Cho chù phun thuốc có thể một phát đồ phun thuốc diệt lượng vi khuẩn trên mặt mạnh mẻ ngay khi phát hiện lá thì vi khuẩn sống bên trong một vài vết bệnh nhỏ đầu tiên. cây và số không bị thuốc lan tới có Hầu hết nông dân đều đã có kinh thể tái lập mật số trong thời gian ngắn nghiệm là phun thuốc khi triệu chứng và bùng phát bệnh trở lại. Chính vì vậy bệnh đã phát đều trên vườn là quá mà các loài thuốc hiện có được cho rằng trể và thường không mang lại kết quả chỉ có tác dụng ức chế vi khuẩn hơn là đáng kể. tiêu diệt hoàn toàn.

2 www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/05-069.htm

114

WA Grower SPRING 2021

Ghi nhớ: Các khuyến cáo trong bài này tóm tắt một chương trình phòng bệnh và phải được tuân thủ chắt chẻ để đạt được hiệu quả. Áp dụng biện pháp phun thuốc gốc đồng (copper) sớm sau khi trồng thì sẽ giảm được số lần phun.

THÊM THÔNG TIN Võ Thế Truyền, Chuyên viên phát triển vùng, (08) 9486 7515, Di động 0457 457 559, truyen.vo@vegetableswa. com.au

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permits

Current Minor Use Permits can also be searched by specific crop or pest types at https://portal.apvma.gov.au/permits Permit no.

Product

Crop

Reason for use

Expiry date

PER14726

Raptor Wg Herbicide

Adzuki & faba beans

Grass & broadleaf weed control

30-Sep-24

PER14936

Haloxyfop

Adzuki bean

Grass weeds

30-Jun-24

PER12237

Pendimethalin

Adzuki bean

Broad leaf weeds

30-Nov-25

PER12716

Confidor 200 Sc Insecticide

Asian root vegetables

Greenhouse whitefly & green peach aphid

31-Jul-25

PER84890

Pyriproxfen

Beans

Silverleaf whitefly

31-Jul-24

PER90595

Uniform Fungicide

Beetroot

Pythium & rhizoctonia

30-Jun-24

PER81260

Imidacloprid

Beetroot

Aphids & thrips

31-Jul-25

PER14891

Trifloxystrobin

Beetroot

Alternaria leaf spot

30-Sep-29

PER87630

Serenade Opti Biofungicide

Brassica leafy vegetables

Bacterial spot

30-Jun-22

PER14584

Imidacloprid

Brassica leafy vegetables

Aphids, whitefly & thrips

31-Jan-24

PER87670

Xentari Wg Bta Biological Insecticide

Brassica leafy vegetables

Diamond back moth, cabbage white butterfly, helicoverpa & vegetable looper

31-Jul-24

PER14907

Emamectin

Brassica leafy vegetables

Various pests

30-Nov-24

PER10845

Barmac Zineb Fungicide

Brassica leafy vegetables

Cercospora leaf spot & downy mildew

31-May-25

PER87563

Warlock Insecticide

Brassica vegetables

Liriomyza leaf miners

30-Jun-24

PER87773

Devrinol-C 500wg Herbicide

Brassica vegetables

Broadleaf & grass control

31-Aug-22

PER14596

Chlorpyrifos

Brassica vegetables

Vegetable beetle adults

30-Sep-29

PER81876

Abamectin

Brassica vegetables, bulb vegetables, fruiting vegetables

Leaf miner

30-Apr-24

PER81867

Diptex 150 Wp

Brassica vegetables, fruiting vegetables

Leaf miner

30-Nov-23

PER89280

Durivo Insecticide

Brassicas, leafy vegetables

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-23

PER14352

Metalaxyl-M (Apron Xl 350) & Fludioxonil (Maxim 100)

Broccoli (seed treatment)

Damping-off & rhizoctonia

31-Jan-24

PER84261

Admiral Insect Growth Regulator (Pyriproxyfen)

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage Silverleaf whitefly & cauliflower

31-Aug-25

PER14432

Pendimethalin

Brussels sprouts

Grasses & broadleaf weeds

30-Jun-24

PER80910

Iprodione

Brussels sprouts & eggplant

Grey mould

31-Jul-25

PER11951

Phosphorous Acid

Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, silverbeet, endive, radicchio, chicory & processing peas

Downy mildew

31-Mar-25

PER87200

Starane Advanced Herbicide

Bulb onion

Weeds

31-Aug-24

PER89185

Mainman 500 Wg Insecticide

Bulb vegetable

Thrips

31-Aug-23

PER81408

Phosphorous Acid

Capsicum

Phytophthora soil fungus

31-Jul-25

PER12565

Scala Fungicide

Capsicum & lettuce (protected crops only)

Botrytis rots

30-Jun-25

PER13901

Glyphosate (Shielded Sprayer)

Capsicums, snow peas, sugar snap peas

Annual & perennial grass & broadleaf weeds

30-Jun-24

PER90346

Flonicamid

Capsicums & eggplants

Green peach aphid

31-May-24

WA Grower SPRING 2021

115

YOUR PRODUCTION

permits (cont.)

116

Permit no.

Product

Crop

Reason for use

Expiry date

PER87852

Versys Insecticide

Capsicums, cucumber, eggplant

Aphids

31-May-23

PER11747

2,2-Dichloropropionic Acid

Carrot crops (for seed)

Promotion of bolting & grass weed control

2-Dec-22

PER89181

Sumagic Uniconazole

Carrot seed crops

Plant height reduction

31-Oct-23

PER88504

Propazine Products

Carrot seed crops

Various weeds including nightshade, fat hen, wireweed

30-Apr-26

PER88430

Versys Insecticide

Carrots

Aphids including green peach aphid & carrot aphid

31-Jul-23

PER13305

Glyphosate (Shielded Sprayer)

Carrots

Certain broadleaf & grass weeds

30-Jun-22

PER86665

Fipronil

Carrots

White fringed weevil & symphylids

31-Jul-24

PER13147

Lontrel

Cauliflower

Capeweed & clover

30-Sep-24

PER90927

Cyantraniliprole

Celery

Leaf miners

31-Dec-23

PER14843

Indoxacarb (Avatar Insecticide)

Celery

Heliothis, lightbrown apple moth, lucerne leaf roller & vegetable weevil

30-Sep-24

PER82358

Esfenvalerate

Celery

Helicoverpa armigera

31-Jan-26

PER88066

Emamectin

Celery

Helicoverpa, lightbrown apple moth & cluster caterpillar

31-Aug-24

PER12489

Imidacloprid

Celery, cucumber, peppers & Cape gooseberry

Aphids, whitefly, thrips

31-May-25

PER13673

Metalaxyl-M + Mancozeb

Celery, silverbeet & spinach

Various diseases

31-Jul-26

PER83157

Brodifacoum

Cereal Baits

Black rat

31-Dec-23

PER14457

Alpha-Cypermethrin

Chicory, leeks, spring onions, shallots

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

30-Jun-24

PER88558

Imidacloprid

Chilli peppers

Silverleaf whitefly

30-Sep-23

PER14722

Abamectin

Cucumber, zucchini, squash

Tomato red spider mite

31-Jul-25

PER80138

Alpha-Cypermethrin

Cucurbits

Cucumber fruit fly

31-Mar-25

PER88032

Serenade Opti Biofungicide

Eggplant

Early blight, botrytis grey mould, powdery mildew, bacterial spot

31-Oct-22

PER14186

Success Neo (Spinetoram)

Eggplant

Melon thrips

30-Sep-24

PER8930

Phorate

Eggplant, peppers, shallots & spring onions

Aphids, jassids, mites, thrips & onion maggot

30-Nov-24

PER14839

Zineb

Eggplant, spinach & silverbeet

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.)

30-Sep-24

PER80717

Trichlorfon

Eggplant, Thai eggplant, pepino & Cape gooseberry

Fruit fly

31-Aug-25

PER86849

Imazamox, Imazapyr

Faba beans

Annual broadleaf & grass weeds

30-Apr-22

PER82378

Dimethoate

Faba beans

Mirid bugs

31-Mar-26

PER85363

Fulfill Insecticide

Faba beans

Green peach aphid & faba bean aphid

31-Aug-26

PER90232

Clopyralid, Fluroxypyr & Oxyfluorfen Fennel, lavender, mint & parsley

Various broadleaf weeds (per product labels)

31-Mar-24

PER82456

Ridomil Gold Mz Wg Systemic & Protective Fungicide

Field grown capsicum, chillies, Paprika

Downy mildew

31-Jul-25

PER87754

Folicur

Garlic

Orange rust

31-Jul-22

WA Grower SPRING 2021

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permit no.

Product

Crop

Reason for use

Expiry date

PER88363

Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Garlic

Various pests

30-Jun-23

PER86750

Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Garlic

Insects

30-Sep-23

PER88362

Various Products

Garlic

Fungi & mildew

30-Jun-25

PER86723

Various Herbicides

Garlic

Broadleaf & grass weeds

30-Sep-21

PER87376

Switch

Garlic

Black mould

30-Nov-21

PER87114

Axiom Plus

Garlic

Downy mildew, purple blotch

30-Jun-22

PER87113

Chateau

Garlic

Various weeds

31-Oct-22

PER86800

Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Garlic

Insects

30-Sep-23

PER86799

Tebuconazole, Mancozeb, Metalaxyl, Garlic Metalaxyl-M

Fungal diseases

30-Sep-23

PER86751

Various Fungicide

Garlic

Various disease

30-Sep-23

PER82015

Clethodim

Garlic

Winter grass

31-Dec-23

PER87014

Various Products

Garlic

Annual grasses & broadleaf weeds

28-Feb-24

PER87013

Various Products

Garlic

Various diseases

28-Feb-24

PER87552

Various Herbicides

Garlic

Various weeds

30-Apr-24

PER87015

Lambda- Cyhalothrin

Garlic

Various pests

31-Aug-24

PER87005

Abamectin

Garlic

Bulb mite

30-Sep-24

PER14886

Pendimethalin

Garlic

Grass & broadleaf weeds

31-Jan-25

PER89516

Various Copper Fungicides

Garlic

Downy mildew

30-Sep-25

PER14604

Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Garlic

Selected insect pests

30-Sep-25

PER87012

Ioxynil

Garlic (Allium sativum) (fresh market & seed)

Broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-21

PER91292

Luna Sensation Fungicide

Green beans

Powdery mildew

31-Jul-22

PER85103

Nufarm Nuprid

Green beans

Silver leaf whitefly

30-Sep-22

PER14896

Bentazone (Basagran)

Green peas (processing)

Broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-24

PER87553

Dupont Fontelis

Hydroponic cucumbers

Gummy stem blight

30-Nov-22

PER14326

Captan

Leafy lettuce, cucumber, capsicum & chilli

Grey mould

30-Jun-24

PER12351

Imidacloprid

Leafy lettuce, okra, green beans

Silverleaf whitefly

30-Apr-25

PER14906

Triadimenol

Leek, chives, shallot, spring & Chinese onions

White rot (Sclerotium)

31-Oct-24

PER13367

Linuron

Leeks & celeriac

Grass & broadleaf weeds

30-Apr-25

PER81271

Various Actives

Leeks & garlic

Grass & broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-25

PER14742

Methabenzthiazuron (Tribunil Herbicide)

Leeks, spring onions & shallots

Various broadleaf & grass weeds

30-Apr-24

PER87417

Nufarm Intercept Herbicide

Lentil

Anual broadleaf & grass weeds

31-Jul-24

PER87042

Imazethapyr

Lentils

Weeds

28-Feb-24

PER82273

Chlorothalonil

Lentils

Potential exotic pests & diseases

31-Mar-25

PER14210

Acramite Miticide

Lettuce

Two-spotted mite

30-Apr-22

PER13301

Alpha-Cypermethrin

Lettuce

Red-legged earth mite & vegetable weevil

31-May-25

PER14964

Chlorothalonil

Lettuce seedlings

Antracnose (shot hole)

31-Jul-26

PER81241

Phenmedipham (Betanal)

Lettuce, chicory, endive, radicchio & spinach

Broadleaf weeds

31-May-25

WA Grower SPRING 2021

117

YOUR PRODUCTION

permits (cont.)

118

Permit no.

Product

Crop

Reason for use

Expiry date

PER87065

Dimethoate

Melons including watermelons (post-harvest)

Various fruit fly species

28-Feb-24

PER89331

Success Neo Insecticide

Onion

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-23

PER13119

Diazinon

Onions

Onion thrips

31-May-23

PER89991

Dimethenamid-P

Onions

Annual ryegrass

28-Feb-24

PER84734

Verdict (Haloxyfop)

Onions

Storksbill

31-Dec-24

PER80282

Alpha-Cypermethrin

Onions

Onion thrips

30-Nov-25

PER14858

Pendimethalin

Parsnip

Grasses & broadleaf weeds

31-Mar-25

PER12048

Prometryn

Parsnip & carrot

Weeds

31-Jul-25

PER14695

Ridomil Gold 25g (Metalaxyl-M)

Parsnips

Pythium spp. & Phytophthora spp.

30-Jun-24

PER12357

Linuron

Parsnips

Weeds

31-Jul-25

PER84245

Movento 240 Sc

Potato, sweet potato, tomato, capsicum, chilli, peppers, eggplant

Tomato potato psyllid

30-Apr-25

PER11768

Chlorpyrifos

Pumpkin

African black beetle

28-Feb-23

PER11949

Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Radish & beetroot

Various insects

31-Mar-25

PER11441

Propachlor

Radish, swede, turnip

Grass & broadleaf weeds

31-Oct-24

PER86805

Phosphorous Acid

Rhubarb

Downy mildew

31-Jan-24

PER13152

Mcpa 250 Selective Herbicide

Rhubarb

Broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-26

PER10988

Cyanazine

Snow peas & sugar snap peas

Weeds as per label

31-Mar-25

PER11764

Spiroxamine

Snow peas & sugar snap peas

Powdery mildew

31-Dec-21

PER80954

Methoxyfenozide

Snow peas & sugar snap peas

Native budworm, tomato grub & cluster caterpillar

31-Jul-25

PER14505

Pyrimethanil

Snow peas & sugar snap peas

Grey mould (botrytis)

30-Jun-24

PER10938

Imidacloprid

Snow peas & sugar snap peas

Greenhouse whitefly & green peach aphid

31-Jan-25

PER10976

Bentazone

Snow peas & sugar snap peas

Broadleaf weeds

31-Mar-25

PER87878

Delegate Insecticide

Snow peas, sugar snap peas, green beans

Liriomyza leaf miners

28-Feb-23

PER87631

Coragen Insecticide

Spinach & silverbeet

Cabbage leaf miner

30-Jun-24

PER14703

Tramat 500 Sc Selective Herbicide (Ethofumesate)

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea only) & Silverbeet

Various weeds

31-Jul-24

PER14842

Copper Oxychloride, Cuprous Oxide Or Cupric Hydroxide

Spring onions & shallots

Downy mildew

30-Sep-24

PER14890

Methomyl (Lannate-L)

Spring onions & shallots

Western flower thrips

31-Oct-24

PER14142

Ioxynil

Spring onions, shallots & Welsh onions

Broadleaf & grass weeds

30-Sep-25

PER88179

Propargite

Sweet corn

Two-spotted mite

31-Dec-22

PER88170

Etoxazole

Sweet corn

Two-spotted mite

29-Feb-24

PER88018

Chlorpyrifos

Sweet corn

African black beetle

30-Nov-22

PER89705

Indoxacarb

Sweet corn

Fall armyworm

30-Jun-23

PER90374

Avatar Evo Insecticide (Indoxacarb)

Sweet corn

Fall armyworm

30-Nov-23

PER90841

Abrade Abrasive Barrier Insecticide

Sweet corn

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-24

PER84531

Methoxyfenozide

Sweet corn

Lepidopteran pests

31-Aug-25

PER13116

Propiconazole

Sweet corn

Northern corn leaf blight

31-Jan-26

PER86245

Veritas Fungicide

Sweet corn

Maize rust

28-Feb-26

PER88277

Huwasan Tr50

Tomato

Agrobacterium

30-Nov-21

WA Grower SPRING 2021

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permit no.

Product

Crop

Reason for use

Expiry date

PER86815

Versys

Tomato

Silverleaf Whitefly

31-Dec-21

PER87208

Torque

Tomato

Two-spotted mite

30-Apr-22

PER88484

Nimrod

Tomato

Powdery mildew

30-Jun-22

PER89419

Miravis

Tomato

Powdery mildew

30-Sep-23

PER87185

Benevia Insecticide

Tomato

Suckling pests

31-Jul-24

PER87619

Entrust Sc Naturalyte

Tomato

Various thrips

31-Aug-24

PER85076

Peratec Plus Fungicide

Tomatoes

Fusarium wilt

28-Feb-25

PER81713

Mainman 500wg Insecticide

Tomatoes

Silverleaf whitefly

31-Mar-25

PER13566

Methomyl

Tomatoes & capsicums

Fruit fly

31-Mar-26

PER13567

Bifenthrin

Tomatoes & capsicums

Fruit fly systems approach

31-Mar-26

PER13717

Amistar Top (Azoxystrobin + Difenoconazole)

Tomatoes (protected)

Powdery mildew

31-May-22

PER80219

Apollo Miticide (Clofentezine)

Tomatoes (protected)

Two-spotted mite

30-Apr-24

PER13724

Previcur

Tomatoes (protected)

Root rot

31-May-26

PER13726

Trifloxystrobin

Tomatoes (protected)

Powdery mildew

30-Jun-26

PER13720

Pristine

Tomatoes (protected)

Powdery mildew

30-Jun-26

PER89870

Entrust Organic Insecticide

Various

Fall armyworm

31-Jul-23

PER11604

Metsulfuron Methyl, Triclopyr, Picloram + Triclopyr

Various areas

Kudzu

30-Sep-24

PER90213

S-Methoprene

Various areas

Red imported fire ant

31-Mar-26

PER82104

Custodia

Various beans

Powdery mildew

30-Nov-22

PER90820

Fawligen — Spodoptera Frugiperda Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus (Sfmnpv)

Various crops

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-24

PER89353

Chlorantraniliprole

Various crops

Fall armyworm

31-May-23

PER90928

Spinosad

Various crops

Leaf miners

30-Apr-24

PER11843

Malathion (Maldison) & Chlorpyrifos Various crops

Locusts

31-Jul-24

PER91125

Mouseoff 50 Zinc Phosphide Econobait

Various crops

Mice

31-May-22

PER89398

Magnet Insect Attractant Technology

Various crops

Fall armyworm

30-Jun-22

PER89279

Various Products

Various crops

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-23

PER89278

Avatar Insecticide

Various crops

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-23

PER89263

Proclaim Opti Insecticide

Various crops

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-23

PER89259

Altacor Insecticide

Various crops

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-23

PER89241

Success Neo & Delegate Insecticide Various crops

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-23

PER82426

Pyrethrins

Various crops

Brown marmorated stink bug & yellow-spotted stink bugs

31-Mar-23

PER82552

Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Various crops

Brown marmorated stink bug & yellow spotted stink bugs

30-Apr-23

PER82428

Methomyl

Various crops

Various pests — amalgamation of uses

31-Mar-24

PER82341

Bifenazate

Various crops

Mites

30-Apr-25

PER87973

Difenoconazole Fungicide

Various crops

Various diseases

31-Aug-25

PER91161

Chlorantraniliprole + Thiamethoxam

Various leafy vegetables

Leaf miners

30-Jun-24

WA Grower SPRING 2021

119

YOUR PRODUCTION

permits (cont.)

Permit no.

Product

Crop

Reason for use

Expiry date

PER89285

Proclaim Opti Insecticide

Various leafy vegetables, celery, blueberry

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-23

PER82551

Diazinon

Various onions & herbs, & cauliflower

Onion maggot, onion fly & thrips

31-Jan-24

PER91155

Spinetoram

Various vegetable & herb crops

Leaf miners

30-Jun-24

PER14583

Chlorpyrifos

Various vegetable crops

Various insect pests

31-Oct-24

PER14479

Propiconazole

Various vegetable crops

Various pests

30-Nov-24

PER90387

Benevia Insecticide

Various vegetables

Liriomyza leaf miners

31-Dec-23

PER81702

Alpha-Cypermethrin

Various vegetables

Various insect pests

28-Feb-24

PER87809

Durivo Insecticide

Various vegetables

Various pests

30-Apr-24

PER13695

Ecocarb Fungicide

Various vegetables

Powdery mildew

31-Jul-25

PER82895

Chlorothalonil

Various vegetables & herbs

Fungal diseases

31-Aug-25

PER90718

Prothioconazole

Watermelon

Fusarium wilt

30-Nov-23

PER89348

Prothioconazole Fungicide

Watermelon

Furarium wilt

30-Nov-23

PER87918

Pestech Py-Bo

Zucchini

Ants, aphids, caterpillars, earwigs, leafhoppers, thrips & whitefly

30-Apr-22

WA Grower advertiser contacts

120

Name

Address

ABC Software (p34)

6–8 Devonshire Place, Taradale, Napier 4112, New Zealand

+64 6281 2020

Anthony Scaffidi (p39)

Hamilton Road, Donnybrook, WA

0417 919 906

Bon Electrics (OBC)

Lot 4, Bullsbrook Road, Bullsbrook, WA 6084

(08) 95711314

Boya Equipment pty ltd (p37)

2 Prestige Parade, Wangara, WA 6065

(08) 9302 2006

Coldahold Pty Ltd (p49)

71 Cristobal Crescent, Mindarie, 6030

0492 462 060

Cropnets (p23)

37 Boor Street, Carnarvon, 6701

0437 203 024

edp australia pty ltd (p89)

31–35 O'Brien Street, Mooroopna, Vic 3629

(03) 5820 5337

Harvest Trail Information Service (p43)

126–130 Deakin Avenue, Mildura, VIC 3500

1800 724 214

Rivulis Irrigation Pty Ltd (p33)

13–15 Duntroon Street, Brendale, QLD 4500

(07) 3881 4071

Seasol International (IFC)

1027 Mountain Highway, Bayswater, VIC

0488 006 993

Solar Direct Corporation (p86)

21 Darlot Road, Landsdale, WA 6065

1300 477 172

Tiger International Solutions (p109)

2 Tarlton Crescent, Perth International Airport, WA 6105

0412 107 405

Trical Australia (p111)

5 Chamberlain Street, Wingfield, SA 5013

(08) 8347 3838

WA Crates (pIFC)

Crate Yard, Market City, WA

WA Grower SPRING 2021

Contact No

N/A

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

0 email: service@wacrates.com.au

Unlocking the true power of water and electrical technology for WA growers.

At BON, we’ve been working across the unique WA horticultural landscape for over 30 years with growers in every corner of the state.

As a family owned and run business, we take a proactive approach to identify and solve your electrical, water and refrigeration needs. We can bring your vision to life through the design and install of new infrastructure, partnering with you along the way to keep things running as they should.

We pride ourselves on doing the right thing by our customers, providing you with end-to-end solutions through dependable service.

Pictured in the photo, left to right: Brandon Southern (Project Manager), Frank Bonomi (Company Director), Ben Bonomi (Technical Director).

Water

Comprehensive Irrigation System Solutions | Pump Systems and Associated Controls | Filtration Systems and Solutions | Automated Fertigation and Water Control | Maintenance of your entire water supply system Water Measurement Technologies

Electrical

Back Up Power Solutions | Packing Floor Custom Design Automation | Horticultural Climate Control General Electrical Maintenance | Programmable Logic Control Systems | Energy Efficient Lighting Solutions Energy Harvesting Solutions | Refrigeration Systems and Solutions

Automation

Automation Assessments | Equipment Monitoring & Automation | Robotics | Conveyer Systems Flow Wrap/Shrink Wrap Systems | Check Weighting | Xray Scanning | Print and Laser Labelling Automated Palletising | Carton Erectors | Labelling Machines | Vibration Tables

“Over the past 20 years BON Electrics have been our electrical contractor of choice. We have worked with them on numerous projects and they continually support our business with ongoing maintenance. We recommend BON Electrics without hesitation, they’re efficient, knowledgeable and consistently deliver the high quality of work required by WA Corn Growers.”

- Jim Trandos, Trandos Farms

If you’re looking for a partner with knowledge and experience in the WA horticulture industry, book your free consultation with BON today.

www.bon.com.au