WA Grower Summer 16 by vegetablesWA

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WA Grower Agricultural Produce Commission

SINCE 1948 Vol. 51 No 4. Summer 2016

APC-VPC APC-PPC

Food Social Australia launch

Biosecurity updates

What you need to know

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WA Grower 38 YOUR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

Vol. 51 No 4. Summer 2016

76 3

Advertorial — Protected Cropping Australia

vegetablesWA Chief Executive Officer

Grower Group R&D Grants program

Are you paying your APC vegetable FFS?

A new strategy to support WA biosecurity released

vegetablesWA President’s Report

Potato Growers Association President’s Report

Potato Growers Association of WA Update

New vegetablesWA staff

New Committee of Management Members

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POMEWEST

From the Executive Manager

Strategic Plan 2015–20

Thinning apple flowers to improve fruit

Is it worth investing in netting?

A risk assessment on sun damaged apples

New provisions and charges for stable fly management

Apples twist and shout at the Perth Royal Show

MyWeedWatcher app

2016 Karragullen Expo

Compost case study Baldivis Farms

Have you seen this brown etch?

White rot discovered in garlic

Help on offer to reduce CGMMV threat

Permits

110

TOOL TIME

YOUR BUSINESS

Water licence holders take control of metering

Advertorial — Mirco, Haifa partnership

Diesel fumes at work

Role of the Fair Work Ombudsman

A helping hand when your business is under pressure

Horticultural Robotics Centre

Freshcare Food Safety & Quality Program

The future of Agriculture with technology

If not backpackers, who?

Unfair contracts under new law spotlight

Industry Skills Fund

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Creating a ‘volcanic’ soil using local charcoal

Onion industry celebrates success

Gascoyne Food Bowl Initiative nears completion

Streamlining fresh produce industry export access

Cucurbit virus disease research

What gets measured, gets managed

Grower profile — Ivankovich Farms

Food Industry Innovation project overview

Hort Innovation National Vegetable Extension Network

Hort Innovation vegetable data Broccoli/broccolini Celery Beetroot

92 92 94 96

Gascoyne food a taste of sunshine at wintery Royal Show 46 Trial results highlight Pilbara’s irrigation potential

Grower profile — Bao Duy Nguyen

David Grays Aglink US Tour

The great Aussie crunch

Pilbara climate study

Graduates to lead the vegetable industry into the future 58

YOUR MARKET

Bright prospects for West Australian vegetable growers 98 Western Australia Worth Sharing

102

vegetablesWA launches Food Social Australia

104

VIETNAMESE TRANSLATIONS

105 WA Grower SUMMER 2016

Produced by

vegetablesWA

Cover photo: Nuffield Scholar, Bao Duy Nguyen with Minister Mark Lewis Contact details for Horticulture House vegetablesWA, Potato Growers Association, HorticultureWA 103 Outram Street West Perth 6005 t: (08) 9481 0834 f: (08) 9481 0024 e: office@vegetableswa.com.au Chief Executive Officer John Shannon m: 0488 111 526 e: john.shannon@vegetableswa.com.au Finance & Communications Manager Rebecca Blackman t: (08) 9481 0834 e: finance@vegetableswa.com.au Vietnamese Industry Extension Officer Truyen Vo m: 0457 457 559 e: truyen.vo@vegetableswa.com.au Industry Extension Officer Lauren Thompson m: 0427 373 037 e: lauren.thompson@vegetableswa.com.au Benchmark Lead Bryn Edwards m: 0417 409 821 e: bryn.edwards@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, 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

Graphic Design Josephine Eynaud, Redtail Graphic Design

Management Committees Vegetable Growers Association President Dan Kuzmicich m: 0408 910 761

Carnarvon

Vice President Maurice Grubisa m: 0413 050 182

Metro North

Committee M. Dobra L. East S. Grubisa P. Ivankovich A. Natoli B. Nguyen D. Nguyen P. Shain H. Shapland

m: 0417 174 110 m: 0419 047 371 m: 0438 900 668 m: 0428 919 211 t: (08) 9405 4817 m: 0418 939 982 t: (08) 9941 8376 m: 0419 041 045 t: (08) 9845 1064

Gingin Manjimup Metro North Myalup Metro North Geraldton Carnarvon Carnarvon Albany

Potato Growers Association President Vaughan Carter m: 0417 092 505

Busselton

Vice President Daniel Omodei m: 0427 761 121

Pemberton

Treasurer Mia Rose m: 0409 112 245

Myalup

Committee C. Ayres G. Bendotti R. Humfrey D. Terrigno

m: 0428 451 014 Albany m: 0427 569 903 Pemberton m: 0427 148 832 Gingin/Dandaragan m: 0417 771 333 Manjimup

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

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

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WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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vegetablesWA

Chief Executive Officer

BY JOHN SHANNON CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA

Individually, the words ‘what’ and ‘if’ are two of the least threatening words it is possible to think of. Put together, however, with the addition of a question mark, and ‘what if?’ can either haunt or inspire us. On November 25th we hosted a second extremely successful Vegetable Industry Leaders Summit. Grower feedback has been overwhelming and I encourage every grower to put aside a few hours for a single late afternoon next year to better understand what is going on in the broader industry and to make the most of the key details for the success of grower businesses. The Summit featured information about export opportunities for various vegetable lines in various markets presented by Tim Morris at Coriolis through a successful vegetablesWA Royalties for Regions proposal. Tim told us some pretty harsh but apparently pretty fair realities that, yes, WA is significantly underperforming in vegetable exports compared to our climatic peers and so there are huge opportunities to be had if we have the mindset and mettle to grasp them. However: not every market is an opportunity despite the hype (China and India as points in case); not every vegetable line will have the same opportunity because of different demands in these countries; and not every grower is going to be able to take advantage of these opportunities because you need a level of size and sophistication. We also had some very useful presentations from Horticulture Innovation funded projects about domestic market trends from Neilson and consumer research from Colmar Brunton.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

VEGETABLESWA hosed the successful Vegetable Industry Leaders Summit during November.

The summit was preceded by a tour targeted at younger growers with visits to: David and Ben Ellement at Ellement Produce; and to Sam Calameri at Baldivis Market Gardens, where they got to see a range of modern broadacre and greenhouse practices. Growers on the tour reported that one of the most powerful insights was that implementing new technology didn’t just allow them to maximise profits but also allowed them to spend more time with family and friends. And so I come back to my original proposition about ‘what if?’. If young growers are to take our industry forward into the future, should we be talking about new ideas not just because they will make more money, but also because they might also provide a better lifestyle for growers with time outside the garden? For example given that evaporation based irrigation/fertigation technology is already here, shouldn’t we be talking about the fact that yes it makes you more money, but also that it might allow you to schedule, check or change your irrigation

program while you’re out fishing with the kids or catching up with friends? There are certainly some other good examples in WA of growers moving from working ‘In’ the business rather than ‘On’ the business outside of the ones visited by the tour. Sometimes for things to stay the same some things will have to change!

‘What if’ our industry doesn’t? Let’s be inspired by the opportunities rather than haunted by the past. Please give our vegetablesWA staff a call for advice — we have expert staff on board with to help you great expertise in helping growers with production, marketing and business problems. From everyone at vegetablesWA we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe New Year. MORE INFORMATION John Shannon, phone 0488 111 526 or email john.shannon@vegetableswa.com.au

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Are you paying your

APC vegetable FFS? BY INGRID SMITH AGRICULTURE PRODUCE COMMISSION

The Agricultural Produce Commission (APC) Vegetable Fee for Service (FFS) is the fee paid by Western Australian vegetable growers, at the first point of sale, on vegetables grown in WA. The vegetable FFS excludes vegetables grown in Kununurra and mushrooms however includes tomatoes and all melons. The APC Vegetable Producers’ Committee was established in 2005, when WA vegetable growers voted to establish an APC Producers’ Committee. The Committee’s purpose is to improve and promote the long term sustainability and profitability of WA vegetable growers.

The FFS is used to fund the services undertaken by the Committee, on behalf of vegetable growers.

Dealers are required to advise growers of the FFS deducted and paid on their behalf. The APC also randomly selects a number of growers each year who are provided with a validation report. The purpose of this report is for growers to check that all FFS deducted from them by dealers has been paid to the APC, and that all FFS which they should have paid for produce sold during the year has been paid. Growers should be aware of the FFS paid by them, and of services provided by their Committee — the Producers’ Committee is working on behalf of you as a grower. To do this the Committee needs to have your current contact information — this includes trading name, email and postal address, and farm location. Accurate data is increasingly used to improve grower profitability and industry sustainability. If the data the Committee has for you is not current, then the service which can be provided to you could be impacted.

MORE INFORMATION If you want to discuss services currently provided, please contact the Committee Executive Officer, John Shannon (john. shannon@vegetableswa.com.au) or the Committee Chairperson, Maureen Dobra (mdobra@looseleaf.com.au). If you have any queries in relation to understanding the vegetable FFS rate or the payment of your FFS, please contact the APC (apcmanager@agric.wa.gov.au or APCadmin@agric.wa.gov.au).

THE vegetable FFS excludes vegetables grown in Kununurra and mushrooms however includes tomatoes and all melons.

The current FFS is set out in Table 1.

Each year the Committee consults with vegetable growers to identify areas of concern or initiatives, with growers also encouraged to contact the Committee at any time should they have concerns or suggestions. After consultation with growers, the Committee considers what services it will fund for the year.

TABLE 1 Current fee for service

The FFS rate is set by the Committee each year, taking into account the services to be provided and the impact that paying the FFS will have on the growers. In setting the FFS rate, the Committee strives to ensure that it is equitable to all vegetable growers.

Weight

Fee ($)

Per individual package of vegetable product weighing 100kg or less

0.05

Per individual package of vegetable product weighing 101–1000kg

0.40

Tonne contained within trailer/truck

0.70

The FFS is generally remitted to the APC, by the wholesaler/market agent/dealer to whom a grower sells their produce (at the first point of sale). FFS is required to be remitted to the APC within 15 days of the end of the month in which the produce was sold, unless alternative arrangements have been made with the APC. WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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President’s Report

BY DAMIR KUZMICICH PRESIDENT, VEGETABLESWA

The weather has played its part for the vegetable growing sector in Western Australia, it has been freezing cold this Winter. Carnarvon has been unusually cold and has created some challenges for growers to produce quantities and quality of vegetables, hence high prices for most of the vegetables at retail outlets. vegetablesWA is pleased to have gained the services of Claire McClelland to fill the position of Market Development Manager. Claire presented extremely well in the interview process and I believe Claire will be a valuable asset to vegetablesWA, Claire begins her position at the beginning of 2017. Bryn Edwards has also joined vegetablesWA and has hit the ground running on the Aggregated Purchasing Project. Bryn’s knowledge and experience will add value to vegetablesWA in a number of areas.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

I would like to thank three outgoing committee of management members, Ken Sue, Peter Wauchope and Kim Edwards for their time and efforts in their roles at vegetablesWA which have been valuable. Welcome to the new committee members Sam Grubisa, Lauren East and Bao Nguyen. Hort Innovation have held workshops around the state to discuss the Strategic Investment Plan (SIP), I attended the workshop held in Carnarvon. I was glad to see growers taking part in the process and discussing ideas which effect growers directly. I was impressed with Hort Innovation making the effort to visit Carnarvon and the way the workshop was presented. It became an informative discussion between growers and Hort Innovation which I believe was productive for all. I urge all growers to take part in these workshops as it is an opportunity to have your ideas heard, be involved and kept informed. Hort Innovation are really putting their front foot forward being proactive in working with growers. On-farm biosecurity is always a major factor for growers to stay competitive, viruses have had a big impact in the Gascoyne growing region as well as Geraldton and Perth regions.

ON-FARM biosecurity is always a major factor for growers to stay competitive.

Some of the viruses which are currently impacting growers are CGMMV, YZMV, CMV and white rot fungus. They have all made an impact and made growing difficult this year.

I recommend growers to contact vegetablesWA with any concerns with on-farm biosecurity issues to rectify any problems. Now on some sad news former Committee of Management Member Mr Thang Le passed away recently, vegetablesWA sends our condolences to Mr Thang Le’s family. Mr Thang Le was a grower and a leader in the Carabooda growing community and he will be missed. I would like to finish of by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe New Year where we can start a fresh new growing season. MORE INFORMATION Contact Dan Kuzmicich on 0408 910 761 or damir.kuzmicich@bigpond.com

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President’s Report The biosecurity issue was discussed in length to highlight the importance of our PCN free status and also how seed exports could become vital to industry expansion. We as an industry would be decimated if PCN and other viruses were to cross in to WA. Minister Mark Lewis now understands the significance of what we are trying to achieve.

Out in the field, Busselton held a trial of new varieties that was well attended. Growers were willing to travel distances to see what might be the ‘next best thing’. To name a few of the varieties there were Colomba, Perella and Rossi along with numerous others. Thanks to Darryl Smith and Larry Hegarty and the guest speakers for a good afternoon. Watch for more details and how they performed. I would like to again acknowledge Simon and Morena for their continual hard work during this unprecedented period of change. I don't think we realise the time that is needed to restructure the PGA and deal with all things industry, so thank you from all growers.

BY VAUGHAN CARTER PRESIDENT, POTATO GROWERS ASSOCIATION

Finally some sunny days have turned up after a long wet winter. The effects of this winter have influenced the industry right across Australia. The floods in South Australia and Victoria have seen supply tighten and returns increase on product nationwide. This scenario will be beneficial for grower confidence as we take steps into the deregulated cycle. On the home front industry is underway with the GAP distribution and also access to the industry assistance package. The time this has taken is frustrating to say the least and can't wait for a positive outcome.

Wishing all of our growers a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Busselton growers had the opportunity to meet with the current Agriculture Minister Mark Lewis on 11th of November, along with Libby Mettam MLA, Barry House MLC and Wade DeCampo, Shire President of Warren Blackwood.

MORE INFORMATION To contact Vaughan call 0417 092 505 or email marybrook438@gmail.com

Topics of discussion were the drawn out GAP process, the quickening of getting access to the $2m industry assistance and biosecurity.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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Potato Growers Association of WA Update SIMON MOLTONI EXECUTIVE OFFICER, POTATO GROWERS ASSOCIATION

As I write this report the application forms for the Grower Adjustment Package are being filled in and returned by growers. It’s great news that this process is finally underway and I acknowledge the patience and tolerance displayed by growers since this payments was first announced in April. I would like to thank the Minister for Agriculture and Food the Hon Mark Lewis and the Minister for Regional Development the Hon Terry Redman and their office and departmental staff for making these payments possible.

On the first of October growers began selling ware potatoes on the open market for the first time in three generations. Prices have been very strong due, unfortunately to the significant impact that the severe storms and flooding have had on the major growing areas on the east coast. We believe supply could remain tight for some time and hopefully prices continue to reflect this.

An emerging issue in our industry is the potential negative impact of PBR disputes. PBR has had many positives over a number of years, however disputes between private companies can lead to growers and the supply chain being exposed to high levels of risk and uncertainty. Consumers, retailers, wholesalers and growers could all be affected in these circumstances.

A particularly wet winter with isolated frosts have seen yields and quality generally lower this spring. Crops are improving now as we move into the warmer weather although plantings have been delayed in the Manjimup/Pemberton region due to a wet start to spring.

The review of the national certified seed scheme continues. WA seed growers have contributed to this process through WASPP and the PGA and we look forward to the finalisation of this issue.

Backpackers have become an essential source of labour for growers so it’s been disappointing to see the politics being played over the ‘Backpacker Tax’, we hope that this is resolved as quickly as possible so that we can be assured of a continuing source of reliable staff for growers.

The PGA is expecting a reply to our grant application for the 2 million dollar Industry Adjustment Package in early December. This package will allow us to undertake the R & D, Marketing (along with grower contributions) and Export Development projects that have been endorsed by the committee of management. In the next issue of the WA Grower we will have a comprehensive description of these programs and further changes to our industry and our PGA. From everyone at the PGA we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. MORE INFORMATION Simon Moltoni, Executive Officer, Potato Growers Association of WA call 0447 141 752 or email simon.moltoni@vegetableswa.com.au

BACKPACKERS have become an essential source of labour for growers.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

Seeking Proposals/ Applications Under the APC Act 1988, APC Producersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Committees are seeking proposals/applications for initiatives or projects which will provide a service benefit to their producers. Initiatives or projects gaining a Committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approval are funded through a Fee for Service charge for the relevant Committee. APC Committees which can provide services to producers are: avocado, beekeepers, eggs, pork, pome, citrus & stone fruit, strawberries, table grapes, potatoes, vegetables and wine.

A Project proposal/application template is available on APC website at apcwa.org.au Submission date: Friday 23 December 2016 E: APCmanager@agric.wa.gov.au P: (08) 9368 3127

Services can be provided in any area covered by the functions of the Committee. APC functions which Committees provide on behalf of their growers or producers can be viewed on the APC website at apcwa.org.au

Encouraging Producer Initiative

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BY REBECCA BLACKMAN FINANCE & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, VEGETABLESWA

New vegetablesWA staff We would like to introduce two new team members to the vegetablesWA team.

Bryn Edwards Benchmark Lead We are pleased to inform you that Mr Bryn Edwards has now commenced with us as the Benchmark Lead in the first phase of our Aggregated Purchasing project, funded by the APC-VPC. Bryn has a diverse 15 year background of investigating and solving business challenges in Australia and the UK that include: • Analysing the working patterns of behaviour to identify significant real estate saving for Nottingham City and County Council, Rolls-Royce and Experian credit rating agency; • Conducting cultural analysis and auditing of a major UK law firm and bakery; • Leading the program to analyse and implement initiatives to reduce the number of instances London Underground train drivers passing red lights; and Bryn Edwards t: (08) 9481 0834 m: 0417 409 821 e: bryn.edwards@vegetableswa.com.au

• Mapping the operational processes and data flow across mega LNG facilities. He will be in touch with the broader industry to discuss how data analysis and benchmarking can be used to assist vegetables growers as well in assessing input demand levels for the Aggregated Purchasing scheme.

Claire McLelland Market Development Manager We very pleased to let you know that Claire McClelland is going to join us as our new Market Development Manager in the New Year. Claire has direct experience of vegetable exporting and domestic value chains in her current position as Sales and Marketing Manager with the large scale Victorian grower, Shruers and Sons. Prior to this Claire worked for a couple of years as the Assistant Manager of Export Development at AUSVEG. Claire will be undertaking the Market Development Manager role which is funded by Department of Agriculture & Food WA (DAFWA), Hort Innovation and the APC-VPC. The main role will be to assist growers in gaining more value from supply chain.

Claire McLelland t: (08) 9481 0834 e: claire.mclelland@vegetableswa.comau

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

Department of Agriculture and Food

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Strong plant with high yields Excellent fruit quality, firm & sweet, bright & glossy red colour + Uniform size bottom to top, mini-plum fruit shape (18-20g) + Suitable for greenhouse & open field Resistances : + HR: ToMV / Fol:1,2,3 + IR: TSWV:T0, TYLCV / Ma / Mi / Mj For further information : Kevin Swan Sales & Development Manager 0400 622 314 kevin.swan@hmclause.com

Important: The descriptions, illustrations, photographs, advice, suggestions and vegetation cycles that may be presented herein are aimed at experienced professionals and are derived from observations made in defined conditions on various trials. They are offered in all good faith, for purely informational purposes, and shall not therefore, under any circumstances, be held to be exhaustive, be taken as any form of guarantee of harvest or performance, prejudge specific factors or circumstances (either current or future), and more generally, form any kind of contractual undertaking whatsoever. The user must first and foremost ensure that his exploitation conditions, local geographical conditions, his planned growing period, his soil, the means at his disposal (such as technical knowledge and experience and cultural techniques and operations), his resources (such as tests and control methods) and his equipment, and more generally his agronomical, climatic, sanitary, environmental and economic context are suitable for the crops, techniques and varieties that are presented herein. All the varieties illustrated in this publication were photographed in favourable conditions and no guarantee can be provided that results will be identical under different conditions. All reproductions, whether in part or in whole, of this publication (of the medium and/or the contents), in any form whatsoever, are strictly forbidden, unless specific prior permission is granted. Non contractual photographs - All rights reserved - ÂŠ 2014 HM.CLAUSE

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New Committee of Management Members At the recent vegetablesWA AGM there were three new committee members voted in, with the new Committee members all looking forward to undertaking what the industry needs.

BY REBECCA BLACKMAN FINANCE & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, VEGETABLESWA

As we welcome new members we say good bye to three long standing committee members; Ken Sue Vice President from Busselton, Kim Edwards Manjimup and Peter Wauchope from Woodbridge.

Thank you for your service over the years from the vegetablesWA committee, staff and members.

Bao Duy Nguyen

Lauren East

Sam Grubisa

Walkaway

Manjimup

Wanneroo

Bao lives and works in Walkaway Geraldton at Sun City Produce. He has grown up with vegetable growing as his parents own a tomato farm in Geraldton however they encouraged both of their sons to go out and receive an education. Bao returned to the farm three years ago after a successful career as a Geotech Engineer and then bought a property with his brother. Now as the Farm Manager Bao and his brother produce 350 tonnes of protected cropping cucumbers and 200 tonnes of tomatoes per year. Recently Bao has been awarded the prestigious Nuffield Scholarship for 2017. You can read more about it on page 50.

Born and raised in Manjimup, farming is in Laurenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blood. As a third generation farmer, she wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be anywhere else. As the farm manager of over 600 acres on the Wilgarup River, they are primarily growing broccoli, around 22 hectares each season. Lauren has been furthering her skills undertaking different courses and in 2015 took park in the Growing Leadership Training Program with Rural Training Initiatives.

Sam is a third generation vegetable grower in Carabooda and works full-time with her Dad and Uncle on the property. They grow rhubarb on 30 acres and on the remaining 20 acres grow spring onions, silverbeet and capsicums. The Grubisa family is the largest rhubarb grower in the state with product grown all year around. Sam also has a farm with her sister where she grows small lines of garlic and broad beans. Prior to settling into the Farm Operations Manager role, Sam worked in a pathology as a lab assistant.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

MORE INFORMATION For more information visit our website www.vegetableswa.com.au/about

YOUR PRODUCTION

YOUR

PRODUCTION

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

YOUR PRODUCTION

New provisions and charges for stable fly management The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) has introduced changes to the Stable Fly Management Plan to strengthen the management of stable fly in declared shires. Additionally, DAFWA has introduced new charges for non-compliance inspections. Stable flies are a major pest along the Swan Coastal Plain and in parts of the South West including Capel, in particular where horticulture and livestock enterprises are located side by side.

Also known as biting fly, this serious pest inflicts painful bites on cattle and horses in particular, but also on humans, dogs, sheep, goats, and even kangaroos, seeking to draw blood. DAFWA Executive Director for Biosecurity and Regulation, Dr Kevin Chennell said the Stable Fly Management Plan first came into force in September 2013 to minimise stable fly breeding through the mulching and burying of rotting organic/plant matter, and ageing animal manures. “Stable fly is a declared pest under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (the Act), meaning land owners and managers in declared local government areas are responsible for minimising stable fly breeding in their operations," he said.

“Local government rangers and environmental health officers support DAFWA with local inspections, provide information about requirements, issue warnings and monitor general compliance with the management plan regulations. “The new charges relate to follow-up inspections and travelling time required following the issue of non-compliance notices. These charges were put in place to meet Treasury requirements for fees and charge under the Act. They are one of a number of new fees and charges introduced by DAFWA on 1 July 2016.” There are currently 14 local government areas in which stable fly regulations apply. The Shire of Capel is a newly declared shire, and joins existing local government areas of Armadale, Cockburn, Joondalup, Kwinana, Rockingham, Swan and Wanneroo, and the Shires of Chittering, Gingin, Harvey, Kalamunda, Serpentine-Jarrahdale and portions of Murray. STABLE fly maggots can be found in rotting vegetable and hay waste.

MUSCIDAE (Stomoxys calcitrans) also known as biting fly, this serious pest inflicts painful bites on cattle and horses in particular, seeking to draw blood.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

YOUR PRODUCTION

Dr Chennell said the management plan changes were based on vegetable grower-funded research, which identified new and better ways to reduce stable fly breeding. “These include new restrictions on the transport and use of poultry manure and poultry litter from commercial sheds, and new provisions on the handling and treatment of vegetable production waste.” New provisions include: • All poultry manure to meet the Australian Standard for composting. Previously, raw poultry manure only had to be treated via a process intended to control stable flies. • Within three days of finishing harvest, waste must be mulched, water turned off, and the area sprayed with insecticide. • Alternative options include deep burial, by stone burier or mouldboard plough, or treatment with an approved measure of deep rotary hoeing five times in five consecutive days.

• The depth for burying vegetable waste in pits has been increased from 300mm to 500mm, combined with an insecticide treatment, to prevent adult stable flies emerging from under the sandy soil. • Animal manure, soiled bedding, rotting hay and feedstuffs must immediately be collected into a pile and treated by insecticide and left for two weeks, or covered with plastic sheeting until no stable fly larvae or pupae are observed.

Bury vegetable waste

500mm

Specific breeding sources of stable fly in Perth include rotting vegetable crop residues, reject produce of vegetables and some fruits like rockmelons, old ageing accumulations of animal manures, spilled and wet grain feed, rotting hay after being fed out to livestock, olive pressing residue (pomace), wet piles of grass clippings, reject vegetables fed out to livestock, and poultry manure applied to irrigated horticulture.

MUSCIDAE (Stomoxys calcitrans) also known as biting fly, this serious pest inflicts painful bites on cattle and horses in particular, seeking to draw blood. INSET: Silage pit at Capel.

DAFWA is continuing to work closely with vegetablesWA and local governments to ensure best management options are available to horticulturalists and livestock producers. MORE INFORMATION Management practices required under the Stable Fly Management Plan can be found on DAFWA’s website at agric.wa.gov.au/stablefly.

Department of Agriculture and Food

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

YOUR PRODUCTION

MyWeedWatcher

app enhances community surveillance of weeds in WA BY ANNA MICHA ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER DAFWA

Western Australian horticultural areas are free from a large number of weeds and pests that are present in other parts of the world. Surveillance for biosecurity threats is the cornerstone in maintaining Western Australia’s enviable biosecurity status and environment. Western Australian growers, home gardeners and biosecurity groups now have a chance to join the biosecurity surveillance community with the launch of a free mobile device app, MyWeedWatcher.

Designed and developed by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, the app is intended to improve identification, mapping and management of declared weeds that impact agriculture and our biosecurity status. The app is a perfect companion for home gardeners and industry stakeholders alike; it will allow quick and easy identification of common weeds as well as provide an easy mechanism for the community to report unusual or declared weeds. The new app joins a suite of pest surveillance applications developed by the department to enhance surveillance and protect agriculture from biosecurity threats.

MyWeedWatcher’s in-built guide helps users identify weeds according to the plant’s characteristics, including the type of plant, flower colour and leaf shape, and a reporting feature allows users to map the location of the weeds, add photos and include information such as the density of weeds, and any weed control undertaken.

Reports are sent directly from smart devices to the department for identification or verification, and the response, and outcomes are mapped online. The MyWeedWatcher app can be downloaded free from iTunes App Store or for android devices from Google play, the online tool is available on the DAFWA website. HOARY cress (Lepidium draba) is a targeted weed species for the department. It is a deep rooted perennial weed that produces small white flowers in late spring. The roots of Hoary cress release chemicals that hinder the growth of cereals (especially wheat) and horticultural crops including cabbage, onion and tomato.

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Alternatively, people without a mobile device can report declared weeds using the online tool available on the department website at agric.wa.gov.au by searching for ‘weed surveillance’. MORE INFORMATION The MyWeedWatcher app was developed as part of the Department of Agriculture and Food’s $20 million Boosting Biosecurity Defences project, made possible by the Royalties for Regions program.

DAFWA has released a new app to help West Australians to report unusual weeds or declared plants. Cape tulip was selected by the community as a surveillance target. They flower in spring and while very pretty are toxic to livestock. If you see cape tulip help out your community groups by downloading the MyWeedWatcher app and making a report.

Department of Agriculture and Food

ORGANIC

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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Owners Sam Calameri, Charlie Blogna and Joe Blogna Location Baldivis, WA Size 40 hectares Soil type Spearwood sand Enterprises Potatoes, carrots, cauliflower (all in-field), hydroponic lettuce (in a glasshouse)

PERTH

Soil and plant health benefits from using compost — a long-term case study on Baldivis Farms

Compost case study Baldivis Farms At a glance Key benefits of using compost at Baldivis Farms: • Organic matter in the soil has doubled • Improved soil structure • No fumigant used on composted areas • Reduction in fertiliser use by 10% • Increase in yield of carrots by 30% • Increase in yield in potatoes • Reduction in sandblasting in young seedlings • More uniform crops in cauliflower, carrot and potatoes • Growing beds are more stable and don’t erode • Easier to drive tractors on compost treated areas.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

Overview Baldivis Farms is located on the Swan Coastal Plain, about 50km south of Perth. The soil type at Baldivis Farms is a Spearwood sand which is characterised by yellow or brown sand in the top 30cm and it commonly occurs over limestone at depth. The soil pH is neutral to slightly alkaline. The sandy soil has limited water and nutrient holding capacity. Sam Calameri has been using compost on Baldivis Farms for the past 10 years and has seen benefits in his carrot, cauliflower and potato crops. Sam’s decision to trial compost was prompted by his concern for the condition of the soil. “We had a more intense cropping program, growing crops all year round as we needed to maximise our returns from the same area of land. I knew we were pushing our ground to the maximum and our carrot yield was starting to decline”, said Sam.

Sam was attracted to compost by the potential benefits of improved soil structure and water holding capacity on the very sandy soil.

Sam set up a trial area for compost, where he could compare a compost treated growing area with an untreated area side by side. A high quality fully matured compost has been applied at a rate of 20m3 per hectare to every crop grown in the trial area. This equates to about a 2mm layer of compost being applied per crop. Two crops are grown in the area each year, giving an application rate of 40m3 per hectare per year. For each crop, Sam forms up the planting beds first, applies fertiliser and any other products, then applies the compost using a Nufab multi-spreader. The compost is lightly raked into the ground using harrows and then the beds are reformed.

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Improving crop quality The first crop grown in the compost trial area was cauliflower. This crop had increased yield, was more even in growth and had less yellow curds due to sun exposure compared to the non-compost control area. “These benefits were enough for me to keep applying compost before each crop. The improved uniformity of growth in the cauliflower was especially notable when I incorporated the compost in a windrowed strip prior to transplanting the cauliflower (rather than broadcasting),” said Sam.

Sam has since grown carrots and potatoes in rotation in the compost trial area, moving away from cauliflower due to market conditions. The carrots grown using compost had larger, less brittle tops and were more uniform in size.

Sam noticed an increase in potato yield in the composted area, with more uniformly sized potatoes. The potatoes growing in the composted area had better early establishment than the non-composted potato crop (Figure 2). Sam is planning to grow cauliflower again and will use a windrowed compost placement system for this crop.

“If planting an onion crop I would double the rate of compost to 40m3 per hectare, to stop the beds collapsing and the loss of onions from the edge of the bed”, said Sam. “Using compost holds the soil together better and helps to prevent sand blasting of seedlings in strong winds, which can be a major cause of yield loss”.

A key benefit of using compost is that preformed beds are more stable. In non-compost beds, the shoulders of the bed often erode during heavy rainfall, exposing the carrots or potatoes to the sun (Figure 3). This results in greening and increases crop waste. The more stable shoulders also reduce losses during harvest because carrots do not fall over when the beds disintegrate along the edges.

Sam has been able to reduce his fertiliser rate and eliminate fumigant application in the compost area. “In the compost treated crops I have not used the fumigants metham sodium or Telone® [1,3 dichloropropene] before a crop. I have also reduced the fertiliser rate by 10%. I reduced the fertiliser rate slowly, over several crops, as the amount of compost in the soil increased with each application”, said Sam.

Sam noted an increase in the carrot yield of 30% in the crop planted in January 2016. He thought it was due to even germination of the seed in the compost treated ground with better early establishment of the carrots (see Figure 1). The less brittle tops made it easier to harvest the carrots without damaging them or leaving some behind. The brix reading in the carrots was higher in the composted area (8 compared to 6.7 in the non-composted area), the higher brix helps to extend storage life of the carrots and makes them taste sweeter. FIGURE 2 Potatoes planted in soil containing 20m3 compost (left) had better early establishment compared to potatoes grown in non-composted soil (right). No fumigant was used in the composted area Source: Deb Archdeacon, Agronomica

FIGURE 1 Carrots grown in composted treated soil (left) were larger at 10 weeks after seeding, compared to carrots grown in non-composted soil (right)

FIGURE 3 The shoulders of non-composted beds (right) collapsed after heavy rainfall. The composted beds (left) did not collapse

Source: Deb Archdeacon, Agronomica

Source: Justin Wolfgang, C-WISE

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Want to try compost? Things to think about are: • What is the reason for using compost? −− Is it to increase organic matter in the soil? −− Is it to help prevent bed collapse? −− Is it to add nutrients to the soil? HARVESTING carrots grown in compost treated soil at Baldivis Farms Source: C-WISE

“It was noticed at harvest that carrots growing in the compost had a ‘carrot smell’ to them, which wasn’t obvious in the non-compost crop”. Compost helps to retain nutrients from fertiliser applications in (the) plant’s root zone, reducing leaching especially in sandy soils.” If fumigant is used, it should be done before the compost is applied, as the fumigant would kill any beneficial micro-organisms in the compost, reducing its effectiveness.

Improving soil quality Sam noticed it is easier to drive the tractor through the composted bays. “When driving the tractor on the soft sand, it feels like there is a build-up of sand on the tyres. In the compost treated areas, you don’t get that build up and the tractor seemed to run more freely”, said Sam. Sam has noticed some major changes to the soil and water holding capacity by applying compost for several years. He first started noticing soil and water benefits after a couple of years. “The organic matter in the soil has doubled, the soil structure has improved and the soil pH and water electrical conductivity (EC) has stabilised. I assume there is increased water retention in the compost treated plots, although due to my irrigation layout which is fixed, this is difficult to measure”, said Sam. “The compost has changed the dynamics of the soil with

a change in colour and feel, as the compost treated soil is not soft and doesn’t collapse as easily as the non-treated soil. The soil now looks like a really good growing soil.” Sam recommends growers give compost a go but be aware that compost is a long-term treatment. “You have to build your soils up. Many growers are used to fertilisers with a quick action but compost doesn’t work like that at all. Expect some benefits after the first couple of years but you have to apply compost consistently, before every crop. There is no benefit in applying a large amount of compost all at once and then not doing it for a few years.”

Thinking of using compost — things to consider The rate of compost to be applied can vary depending upon the crop and the purpose for using compost. “It can vary from 5m3 per hectare in a broad acre situation to 100m3 per hectare in highly intensive cropping, especially where the planting beds need to stay formed and not collapse”, says Justin Wolfgang from C-WISE who supply compost to Baldivis Farms. “It is important that growers work with their compost supplier to find out the best type and rate of compost to apply. This can be done through trial applications of compost at different rates, taking into account the type of crop, the quality of the compost, the soil condition/texture and the purpose for which compost is being applied. A dedicated compost spreader is useful to get an accurate and even application rate when handling bulk compost.” Focus on getting the highest possible carbon and humified substances in the product. SAM noticed an increase in the yield in the carrots of about 30% in the composted area.

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−− Is it to increase the water and nutrient holding capacity of the soil? −− Is it a combination of reasons? • Can you consistently produce compost on-farm to a high quality, meeting local environmental regulations or should you buy it from a reputable supplier? • Do you need certified organic compost? What compost is to be used for can affect the type of compost needed. It is important to let your supplier know why and how you want to use compost, so they can assist you to select the right product and application rate for your needs. Ask for a composition analysis and look at the amount of carbon and nutrients. Check the relative amount of carbon to nitrogen (C:N ratio), which should be less than 20:1, to prevent the nitrogen from fertiliser being used by the compost instead of plants.

Look for any components which would cause a negative effect on your crop, such as heavy metals, pesticide residues and inert contaminants such as metal, glass and plastic. Compost can contain useful amounts of copper and zinc for plant growth, allowing fertiliser programs to be adjusted. Be aware there may be a build-up of copper and zinc after repeated applications of compost, which can be detrimental to plant growth. Consider the maturity level of the compost and whether it suits your needs. Mature compost doesn’t have an unpleasant odour but has an ‘earthy’ smell. Less mature compost stimulates soil flora quickly and is useful for fast growing crops however the compost doesn’t last very long in the soil.

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Less mature compost uses nitrogen as it continues to mature and available nitrogen for the crop needs to be closely monitored. A mixture between mature and less mature composts may be required for some crops.

Questions to ask a supplier of compost • What is the maturity of the compost?

All compost contains varying amounts of beneficial bacteria and fungi. Some types of compost can help the proliferation of beneficial fungi such as vascular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM).

You should ask about the temperature and method by which the compost was made, to ensure pathogenic microorganisms (plant, and human pathogens) and weeds seeds are destroyed. When using compost for the first time, set up a trial area to compare the effects of using compost against your usual growing program. The non-composted area should be close by, with the fertiliser and irrigation programs in both areas, initially being kept the same. Reduce the amount of fertiliser you apply in stages. Don’t make irrigation and fertiliser changes at the same time. Doing them separately allows you to compare the differences more easily. Don’t make large changes suddenly.

• What is the suggested application rate for your crop and soil type? • What is the quality of the compost? • What does the compost contain? −− Ask for an analysis of what’s in the compost. −− Check for the presence of undesirable components in the compost, such as heavy metals, pesticide residues and inert contaminants such as plastic, glass and metal. • Is the compost plant and human pathogen and weed free? • Is there anything in the compost that might impact on food safety programs?

The value of compost What is the value of compost when applied to an intensive vegetable growing farm? It costs about $110/m3 for compost to be delivered and applied to Baldivis Farms. At an application rate of 20m3/ha, this costs $2,200/ha. The fumigants, metham sodium or Telone® were not applied to the composted area.

TABLE 1 Value of nutrients based on a typical analysis of compost used at Baldivis Farms^ Nutrient

Nutrient applied Nutrient available (kg/ha) to the crop from the compost (%)

Nitrogen (N)

Fertiliser equivalent in 20m3 of compost (kg/ha)

Value ($/ha)

128

28kg urea

$16

Phosphorous (P)

109kg superphosphate

$51

Potassium (K)

138kg potassium nitrate

$251

Calcium (Ca)

210

221kg calcium nitrate

$146

25kg magnesium sulphate

$13

Magnesium (Mg) Total ^

Compost is applied at 20m3/ha

$477

Not using Telone® saved $1,640/ha and not using metham sodium saved $920/ha. The compost supplies some nutrients to the crop, which has allowed Sam to reduce the amount of fertiliser applied by 10%. Table 1 shows the value of the major nutrients that are in compost, based on a typical analysis of the compost used on Baldivis Farms. There is additional value gained from the micronutrients that are also contained in the compost. Composted beds hold together, with no slippage of the sides of the beds. There was less greening on carrots as they were not exposed to the sun and they were easier to harvest as the tops were less brittle. Sam noticed an increase in the yield in the carrots of about 30% in the composted area. Not using fumigant, improving fertiliser use efficiency, adding carbon to the soil and improvement in crop yield and quality all contributed to off-setting the cost of the compost. Additional benefits, which are difficult to value such as improved environmental and social sustainability also need to be considered.

A final thought Compost should be used to support plant growth, with it being one component of the overall production system. “Since using compost, I have had better yield and quality, improved crop uniformity, the soil organic matter has doubled and I have made a saving on fumigation and fertiliser”, says Sam. “The main challenge on the farm is producing high quality crops and using compost is contributing to improved quality”. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thanks to Sam Calameri from Baldivis Farms, Justin Wolfgang from C-WISE and Deb Archdeacon from Agronomica, who supplied their valuable time and information, allowing this case study to be produced.

This project has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the vegetable levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (HIA Ltd), Applied Horticultural Research Pty Ltd (AHR), RM Consulting Group (RMCG) and IPM Technologies Pty Ltd make no representations and expressly disclaims all warranties (to the extent permitted by law) about the accuracy, completeness, or currency of information in this article. Users of this material should take independent action before relying on it’s accuracy in any way. Reliance on any information provided by HIA Ltd, AHR, RMCG or IPM Technologies Pty Ltd is entirely at your own risk. HIA Ltd, AHR, RMCG or IPM Technologies Pty Ltd are 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 HIA Ltd, AHR, RMCG, IPM Technologies Pty Ltd or any other person’s negligence or otherwise) from your use or non-use of information from projects VG13076 Soil condition management — Extension and capacity building, or VG13078 Extension of Integrated Crop Protection information in this article or from reliance on information contained in this material or that HIA Ltd, AHR, RMCG or IPM Technologies Pty Ltd provides to you by any other means.

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Have you seen this

brown etch? BY JENNY EKMAN APPLIED HORTICULTURE RESEARCH

Brown etch, or ‘Rust mark’ is a major problem for many Australian pumpkin growers, particularly producers of butternut varieties. It regularly results in significant losses on farm, product quality downgrades or rejections in the market. In growing regions such as Mareeba, Bundaberg and Gatton in Queensland, losses of 50% are not unknown. Sometimes crops may be abandoned as not worth harvesting, due to the large percentage of affected fruit. Brown etch can develop in the field, where it can appear as concentric brown rings or patterns. As the pumpkin ages the brown area dries and cracks, allowing growth of fungal diseases and rots.

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Worse, in many ways, is when the condition develops during transport. By this time it has been picked, packed and possibly trucked for thousands of kilometres, only to have to be re-graded or even rejected on arrival at the market.

This type of brown etch more often has an irregular, blotchy appearance. It can appear on any part of the fruit, or all over it. Interestingly, it usually doesn’t spread any further after arrival at the market, but simply dries out and cracks. As a cause of major economic loss, it could be expected that brown etch would have been the subject of significant research effort in Australia and in other countries (e.g. the USA) that grow butternut pumpkins. However, surprisingly little is known about this problem. It is not even clear whether brown etch is caused by a disease or is actually a physiological disorder. Although many have assumed that a species of Fusarium,

Brown etch

is a major cause of economic loss

IT is not even clear whether brown etch is caused by a disease or is actually a physiological disorder.

or black rot (Didymella bryoniae) was to blame, neither organism can be consistently isolated from the affected tissue, and attempts to induce the symptoms have had mixed results. A new project on this issue — Improved management of pumpkin brown etch — has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia, using the vegetable industry levy and funds from the Australian Government. The aim is to find out what causes brown etch, and how to manage it. The project team recently met with growers in Mareeba, QLD, to discuss when and where they had seen brown etch. Humidity and prolonged wetness certainly seem to be contributing factors. As a result, a series of weather stations will be installed on farms to determine the climatic conditions associated with the onset of brown etch.

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It is also planned to conduct some postharvest trials to examine whether different storage and packing methods can control etch during transport. We would welcome input from any pumpkin growers in WA who have observed this problem, or even who have NOT observed this problem. This will help identify causal factors, and, indeed, preventive factors for this serious issue. MORE INFORMATION Please contact Dr Jenny Ekman, Applied Horticulture Research, if you have observations to contribute or would like to be involved in the project. E: jenny.ekman@ahr.com.au M: 0407 384 285

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White rot discovered in garlic Now in

BY JODIE GYSEN DAFWA

The recent discovery of white rot in garlic from a Perth backyard and a Swan Valley property prompts yet another reminder of the need for good biosecurity practices. White rot (caused by Sclerotium cepivorum) affects Allium species, which include onions, garlic, leeks, shallots and ornamental alliums. White rot is considered to be one of the most severe diseases of alliums. The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) advises that good biosecurity measures, such as planting certified disease-free plants, and ensuring vehicle, people and equipment hygiene can prevent the entry of infested soil or plant material from other potentially infested properties. White rot can persist in soil for many years and can easily be transported on muddy footwear and vehicles. While there are some control options available, the best form of control is preventing the disease from entering your property. DAFWA Chief Plant Biosecurity Officer John van Schagen said both samples were from plants that were grown in the same soil year after year from the same bulbs, meaning the initial infection was likely to have occurred several years ago. “The cold, damp spring has probably provided the conditions for the organism to develop to the point of being noticed,” he said.

WA WHITE rot can persist in soil for many years and can easily be transported on muddy footwear and vehicles.

“White rot can be difficult to differentiate from other diseases above ground. The disease is more apparent on the bulb itself. Growers may first notice yellowing and death of the outer leaves, although this could be easy to miss as yellowing foliage just before harvest time would be expected anyway.”

This is the first time white rot has been detected in WA, although it is widespread in other states and overseas. What to look for: • White rot usually affects patches of plants, rather than individuals. • Growers may first notice stunted plant growth, followed by yellowing and death of the outer leaves. • If progressed, remaining leaves and the central stem will die, and there will an obvious rotting of the stem above the bulb. • In severe cases the bulb will be completely rotten. • The disease manifests as a fluffy white (mycelia) growth on the roots and root plate, with tiny black growths like poppy seeds (sclerotia). • Infected plants will pull easily from the soil.

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Biosecurity and control options • The poppy seed like sclerotia drop off infected plants into soil, and will remain in the soil for many years, surviving through cold winter temperatures. • The disease can then be spread through the movement of infested soil and planting material, plant debris and water that has come into contact with the infested soil. • Infected plants must be immediately removed, along with the surrounding soil, and burned. • For backyard gardeners, wash any soil from infected parts of the garden from footwear and tools before moving to other areas of the property. • Do not replant from this year’s crop if disease is present. Use disease free planting material or grow from clean seeds. • Registered fungicide treatments are available to protect the roots of growing plants against infection. • Consider biological control options such as garlic juice, or pre-treating garlic cloves before planting. • Alternatively, use crop rotations by planting non-Allium species (no garlic, onion, spring onion, shallots). • One option for crop rotations is green manure crops with biofumigant activity, such as brassicas (e.g. mustard, cabbage, radish) that can help prevent the build-up of sclerotia in the soil.

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MORE INFORMATION

REPORTING

For specific information on fungicide treatments contact your local agronomist, consultant or nursery.

Report any suspect signs of white rot to DAFWA’s Pest and Disease Information Service on freecall 1800 084 881 or by emailing info@ agric.wa.gov.au. Alternatively you can download the MyPestGuide reporting app or make an online report at mypestguide.agric.wa.gov.au.

For more information on biosecurity measures, go to farmbiosecurity.com.au.

Department of Agriculture and Food

See DAFWA’s web pages for updates — agric. wa.gov.au/whiterot

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Help on offer to

reduce CGMMV threat “Even where CGMMV is not present, these measures will ensure the most effective protection against future infection,” Mr Van Schagen said. “On-farm biosecurity protects crops against all pest and disease threats — not just CGMMV.” In Carnarvon, growers not only need to consider the threat of CGMMV, but also Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus (ZYMV), with reports of this virus increasing.

As of November 2016, cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) has been confirmed on commercial cucurbit properties, and in native and naturalised weeds in Kununurra, Geraldton, Carnarvon and Perth. CGMMV infects cucurbit crops — including watermelon, cucumber, melons, zucchini, pumpkin, squash, bitter gourd, and bottle gourd — and can cause substantial crop losses. The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) is continuing to stress the imperative of developing and implementing on-farm biosecurity plans. This message is particularly important for those cucurbit growers in the north and south west now planting summer crops. DAFWA Chief Plant Biosecurity Officer John Van Schagen said DAFWA would be providing cucurbit growers in the Geraldton area with free farm biosecurity planning support over the next two months. Depending on the success of the service, it may be offered to other cucurbit growers in WA. “Property visits will take place in Geraldton over November and December, to interview growers and help identify property management requirements, biosecurity practices for staff, and any required new infrastructure.

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CGMMV infects cucurbit crops including watermelon, cucumber, melons, zucchini, pumpkin, squash, bitter gourd, and bottle gourd.

“Growers will then be provided with a written report with recommendations for future action. DAFWA will contact growers to initiate visits. “Additionally, information sessions and farm biosecurity workshops are planned for midJanuary in the Waroona-Harvey and the Donnybrook-Manjimup growing areas. We will also be working with cucurbit growers in the Perth and south west regions over the next four months to check for the presence of CGMMV in crops.” For more on property visits, contact James Dee in DAFWA’S Geraldton office on (08) 9780 6285, or visit DAFWA’s CGMMV web pages. Further information on workshops and surveys will be provided to growers once finalised. Mr Van Schagen said at this time of year farm biosecurity measures should in particular include proper disposal, destruction or decontamination of any host materials prior to planting. Host materials include dead or infected plants and fruit, weeds, and volunteer plants. In-field risk items can also become contaminated with CGMMV. These include plastic mulch, drip irrigation lines, stakes and string. No mulch or irrigation material should leave the farm.

“Biosecurity measures are important even where cucurbits are not being grown over summer, such as in Kununurra. Weeds and volunteer cops from fruit that have been ploughed in could become hosts for CGMMV.”

DAFWA will shortly be providing growers with guidelines on how to properly bury, burn or decontaminate host materials. Mr Van Schagen advised farm biosecurity should also include ongoing monitoring and sampling of plants for CGMMV symptoms Sampling kits and instructions are currently being developed, to be made available from DAFWA regional offices. “And of course, a reminder that any farm biosecurity plans should include hygiene measures relating to vehicles, people and equipment,” Mr Van Schagen said. “Although be aware there is no ‘one size fits all’. The onus is on growers to tailor these measures to their own properties.” Mr Van Schagen encouraged growers to start thinking about their biosecurity needs by visiting the DAFWA CGMMV web pages to download the farm biosecurity checklist, as well as a biosecurity plan template. MORE INFORMATION The checklist and more CGMMV information and updates can be found at agric.wa.gov.au/ cgmmv. The checklist has been based on the CGMMV National Management Plan, which was recently endorsed and released. If interested the management plan can be downloaded from the AUSVEG website at ausveg.com.au. Department of Agriculture and Food

TOOL TIME

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WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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JIM Trandos at the launch of the Horticultural Robotics Centre in Sydney.

Horticultural Robotics Centre

BY REBECCA BLACKMAN FINANCE & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, VEGETABLESWA

to revolutionise Aussie farming Australia’s first horticultural robotics learning and development hub officially opened in early October, signifying the industry’s determination to adopt on-farm technologies, ramp up export capacity and develop future leaders in non-traditional areas of horticulture.

Located at the University of Sydney, the Horticulture Innovation Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems (HICRIS) will initially host a $10 million commitment to projects in robotics and autonomous technology that aim to increase farm efficiencies.

Through working with the University of Sydney, we have been able to develop technology that can detect foreign matter, robots with that can map treecrop architecture, and ground-breaking autonomous weed identification and eradication capabilities,” he said.

Horticulture Innovation Australia (Hort Innovation) chief executive John Lloyd said the new centre will help the horticulture industry minimise labour costs and prepare for the future.

“Through the Horticulture Innovation Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems, this research will be further expanded to investigate capabilities such as automated crop forecasting to predict the best time to harvest and ground penetrating radar sensors to measure things like soil water content.

“Never before have we seen this level of innovation in the horticulture industry.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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HICRIS projects

“Importantly through our latest work, which is funded through vegetable industry levies and funds from the Australian Government, we are looking at identifying commercial partnerships with the aim of making these new technologies accessible to growers. The development of horticulture technology standards and policies to meet regulations will also be a focus. University of Sydney’s Professor Salah Sukkarieh, Director of Research and Innovation at the Australian Centre for Field Robotics thanked Hort Innovation for its continuing support of robotic research saying the HICRIS would further put Australia’s — and the University’s — reputation for developing world-leading technologies on the world map. “The Horticulture Innovation Centre for Robotics and Autonomous Systems will be positioned within the University’s internationally recognised Australian Centre for Field Robotics with access to the nation’s leading roboticists and researchers,” he said.

Professor Sukkarieh said the Centre will initially have six research fellows, five PhD students and six technical staff. “It will attract Australia’s brightest minds in engineering and science. It will also act as a training facility for Australian growers and the future generations of students who are passionate about creating innovative solutions to make farming more efficient.” The HICRIS will initially support three large-scale projects which aim to increase on-farm efficiencies.

1 M ulti-scale monitoring tools for managing Australian tree crops — Industry meets innovation This collaborative project will integrate the latest imaging and robotics technologies to provide mango, avocado and macadamia farmers with decision-support tools to help improve production and profit.

Value: Sydney University’s project is $788,000 Funded through: The Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources as part of its Rural R&D for Profit programme and funds from the Australian Government Due for completion: Mid 2018

2 U sing autonomous systems to guide vegetable decision making on-farm The aim of this project is to further develop the adoption of technologies that reduce production cost and increase on farm productivity in the vegetable industry, in particular Brassica, Lettuce and Baby Leaf.

Value: $3.8M Funded through: Horticulture Innovation Australia using vegetable industry levies and funds from the Australian Government Due for completion: 2021

3 E valuating and testing autonomous systems developed in Australian vegetable production systems A key facet of this project is to help translate the research done to date into tangible commercial outcomes for end users. The objective is to prove the operational effectiveness of the systems developed, and to simultaneously undertake economic, market and IP evaluations of these technologies in order to define potential commercial pathways, along with identifying potential commercial partners.

Value: $5.1M Funded through: Horticulture Innovation Australia using vegetable industry levies and funds from the Australian Government. Due for completion: 2021

MORE INFORMATION For more information go to http://horticulture. com.au/research-levy/hicris/?mc_ cid=aad09ecc4f&mc_eid=8314dc3719

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TOOL TIME

The future of Agriculture with technology BY CLARE RUTHERFORD THEYIELD

The Internet of Things is revolutionising industries by harnessing the power of data. It involves the internetworking of devices with sensors and network connectivity. Data analytics and data models are then applied to gain a better understanding of what is happening in an environment to optimise decision processes. Australian AgTech company, The Yield, is developing Internet of Things solutions for Agriculture to help growers use the power of real time data to improve on farm decision making. The Yield is developing a suite of products including on-farm sensors and customised information services to help growers make decisions faster. Ros Harvey, Founder and Managing Director

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

of The Yield has said that the company has been built to help growers to improve productivity and efficiency to support a global vision. “We have a really clear purpose which is how we’re going to feed the world without wrecking the planet,” she says. Ms Harvey says that Australia has a strong global reputation for food quality and innovation in agriculture. “If we are going to maintain and grow that reputation as well as tackle some of the high costs associated with farming in Australia, we need to work smarter not harder.” She explained that it is essential to make better use of smart technologies and quality data across farm management practices and supply chains.

Anthony Houston, Director of Houston’s farm said that the products developed by The Yield take the guess work out of farming. Historically, to work out how much water to put on his crops, Mr Houston estimated evapotranspiration by measuring the difference in the height of water in a drum on his farm in the morning and the afternoon.

THEYIELD predictions have been shown to be highly accurate with a correlation coefficient for agricultural sites of 0.88.

Mr Houston said that through The Yield’s technology, “it’s now an exact science, and the whole objective is to get higher yield.” The Yield has worked with growers to develop an app to support farm management decision making with further services in the pipeline. Ms Harvey said “this is just the beginning. We are working to develop microclimate sensing to incorporate data into our system which goes right down to the level of the plant. This will continue to improve the precision of our systems, helping growers to make more informed decisions faster.” MORE INFORMATION For further information contact Clare Rutherford, The Yield, Business Development Manager clare.rutherford@theyield.com or 0414 018 543 and you can find further details on the website www.TheYield.com

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Creating a ‘volcanic’ soil using local charcoal BY WENDY WILKINS SOUTH WEST CATCHMENTS COUNCIL

Farmer Doug Pow Location Middlesex Rainfall 800–1100mm Soil type Variable — heavy vertosols with cracking clay, lateritic gravels and heavy red and brown chromosol soils with gravel

PERTH

Enterprises Cattle & avocados

Doug Pow is truly an innovative thinker. In 2011, he began feeding biochar to his cattle so that dung beetles could bury it. This success led Doug to commence a fouryear trial in 2014 with biochar in a new avocado orchard to increase drainage and aeration, and facilitate root growth in his soils. Eighteen months after planting, the trees with biochar are twice the size of the control row and much healthier looking.

Why did you do it? I’ve seen avocados growing on a volcano and I’d like to replicate, as best I can, those andosol soils, because avocados have a very high requirement for oxygen in the soil and that is a very tall order in a soil which is of a very high bulk density, like our clays. CONTROL row on the left and trees planted with biochar on the right (July 2016).

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How did you do it? We used a very big 350hp road grader that even drove the front wheels, all controlled by a GPS rather than a steering wheel. It peeled 300mm of top soil to one side — like rolling back a carpet. We didn’t spray the weeds, we didn’t spray the pasture — we just rolled it off the paddock 300m x 4m wide. That was at the end of November, setting up for planting the avocados about early December, which, from experience, is the best time to plant because they then get established before the main heat of summer and grow through that first summer to get established. We then turned the grader around at the bottom of the row, drove up the 4m-wide track that it had cut and took another 300mm out to the other side. We then ran the ripper bar of the grader down the bottom

DOUG Pow on his Middlesex farm with woodchips used for mulch.

of the trench and had a delivery of Jarrah biochar all ready. We put that in a very large front end tipping trailer, a bit like the one they spread the blue metal on the roads with, and sprinkled that down the rows in blocks of four trees at an even rate. We are trialling three amounts of biochar, being 20%, 10% and 5% by soil volume. We split the application in two halves, putting half of the biochar in with the 300mm of subsoil removed in the second pass, and the remaining half with the topsoil. To do this, we spread the first batch of biochar over the ripped bed of the trench and the subsoil was then graded back over the top and the whole row was then rotary hoed.

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We then spread the second load of biochar over the top of that in the trench and then graded back the top soil that had been first removed, weeds, pasture and everything, and then rotary hoed that. So it was rotary hoed down to the depth of 600mm in two halves. In the control row we graded off the top soil to one side, and then ripped the length of the row with the ripper bar. We then graded the soil from about 4m out either side at a slight angle of about eight degrees back into a ridge and then rotary hoed that ridge. That became the control row, and is pretty much the standard way to plant avocados in this district. There are varying soil types within the rows. It starts virtually level at the top of the hill and the rows run north down the hill. At the top of the hill is a red chromosol soil, which is pretty much what people would call a karri loam, on a clay subsoil and as you go further down the hill it graduates into a brown chromosol and then into a pure laterite with no clay at 600mm — there would be clay at some depth, but much deeper.

Each of the different volumes of biochar (20%, 10% and 5%) were placed under groups of four trees, so that we ended up with 12 trees on each of the soil types down the hill. That way, we not only tested the reaction of the trees to different amounts of biochar, but also whether different soil types affected the outcome.

Mulching And then there’s a secondary test going on in each block of four trees, whether it’s got 20%, 10% or 5% biochar mixed into the soil underneath, or it’s the control alongside. Two of each block of four trees, is mulched with biochar enhanced mulch. We use mulch under every avocado tree as a normal cultural practice and that mulch is normally made up of big over-sized woodchips from the woodchip mill here in Manjimup; a mixture of very old sawdust that’s got a lot of wood-rotting fungi in it which is a good inoculate.

but once the trees are removed (for a century), the soil becomes quite compacted.

Using a front end loader, we mix one bucket of the new woodchips with one bucket of the old sawdust and one bucket of pretty new chicken manure. New chicken manure from broiler production is about 50% smashed up wood anyway, so it’s not pure chicken manure, but it has some nitrogen, phosphorus and a trace of potash in it, as well as enough nitrogen to drive the breakdown and composting of that material. That’s the standard mulch. Two of every four trees has that mulch around the trees and two of every four has that mulch with a bucket of biochar mixed in with it. That’s under trees in both the control and the trial rows.

Come and have a look. A lot of people have come and had a look. It’s quite astounding the way it has enhanced the evenness of growth and the consistency of tree size, trunk size, root volume, and its ability to absorb nutrients.

The results are interesting — we can’t see any effect from that in either row. It was applied just after planting and is repeated once a year. Normally that’s done about the time the rains come so we will do that again for the whole orchard around the winter period. Those trees will have a reapplication of mulch, not on top of the first mulch, but around the outside so the area of mulch grows out with the increase in diameter of the drip line to coincide with the root development. It probably goes on about 100mm to 150mm thick.

It’s interesting that we have tested 5% to 20% biochar, which is a 400% increase in biochar proportion in the soil, but the trees look exactly the same. So the chances are 20% is not too much and 5% is not too little. We were trying to have too little by trialling 5% and too much by 20%, but it looks like we underestimated the top and overestimated the bottom.

Over the course of a year, that compacts down because it’s a loose open mulch and there’s a whole lot of woody material that probably reduces to a third of its thickness. The worms come up from below and bring soil up into it, so it becomes a lot woodier and a lot of the finer components become humic soil. The reason we use the very woody mulch, is that avocados are a forest tree, having been cultivated by man for 9,000 years in Central America. But they are a forest tree and have been cultivated in a forest situation. Our soils are forest soils but a century after the forest was cleared, they aren’t really a forest soil anymore as the organic carbon matter has dropped markedly. Trees in a forest keep the soil very open and aerated and non-compacted,

Doug’s tips

All the avocado growers that see this trial are very impressed that it grows such a big tree so quickly, because little weak trees are susceptible to all sorts of things. So getting a tree up quickly is a real head start and if you can cut a year off your wait for the trees to fruit, then that is an economic return, it’s pretty damn good.

So we need to continue the experiment with a lot less biochar and see what happens. The real test will be in fruit volume, fruit quality and fruit size and I guess the biggest test of all will be if it affects biennial bearing. It’s ability to help the tree survive attack by Phytophthora cinnamomi will also be very interesting. MORE INFORMATION For more information contact Wendy Wilkins, Sustainable Agriculture Project Manager, on phone (08) 9761 4184 or email wendy.wilkins@swccnrm.org.au

Doug’s trial is supported by the South West Catchments Council through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

“Every tree I plant from now on, I would plant in biochar — that's lesson number one in flashing lights. If the biochar trees fruit one year earlier than the control, as I predict, this will be a game changer.” Doug Pow WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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Onion industry celebrates success Onions Australia has celebrated the successful culmination of its annual conference — held in Brisbane in October 2016. Delegates met and networked over two days, enjoying the prestigious 2016 Bejo Reg Miller Awards dinner featuring keynote speaker Jody Allen (founder of the Stay at Home Mum network), tours of the Brisbane Markets and Gatton DPI site. Queensland grower and former OA chair Andrew Moon from Moonrocks took out the Reg Miller Award. Forty conference participants toured the Brisbane Markets in Rocklea to see the hive of activity that is Australia’s third largest central vegetable market. Some 7000 growers supply produce to the market, there are 4000 workers, and the market has an annual turnover of $1.3 billion. After the Onions Annual General Meeting and an Annual Levy Payers’ Meeting, about 20 growers and industry participants caught the bus to Gatton so see a presentation from DuPont on their

new fungicide Zorvec Enicade for control of downy mildew in onions and other bulb vegetables. In the field trials, Rio Red Rocks onions were inoculated with downy mildew and then treated with Zorvec Enicade in rotation with other fungicides across seven trial areas. The effectiveness of Zorvec Enicade was evident with consistent downy mildew control across the trials in which it was used.

In their on-site presentation, DuPont representatives said the new fungicide did not wash off the leaf if it rained as little as 20 minutes after the spray residue dried and it circulated systemically through the plant to protect new growth. A more formal part of the conference saw a new Onions Australia Executive Committee elected.

ONION industry representatives visited the Gatton DPI to inspect a DuPont trial to combat downy mildew.

Congratulations to all, including: • Peter Shadbolt (Chair) • Alan Thierry (Vice Chair) • Kees Versteeg • Andrew Moon • Lewis Lydon • Michael Williams • Dean Metcalf • Greg Bragg • Rohan Shadbolt • Darren Wood • Darren Rathjen • Chris Eastwood

New Chair Peter Shadbolt said he was honoured to lead the well-respected peak industry body, and thanked outgoing executive members, Andrew Doran, Mark Dobson, James Ryan, Garry East and Daniel Mead. “The outgoing members should be acknowledged for their contribution and work for the organisation, it is greatly appreciated,” he said. “The new Executive Committee brings together a focus on growers, ensuring that their needs are met within the industry and I plan to ensure that Onions Australia continues to provide outstanding industry support. “Thanks must also go to outgoing chair Kees Versteeg, who has stepped aside after leading Onions Australia for the past two years.” Mr Shadbolt said the Australian onion industry’s dedicated sponsors also contributed to making the conference a huge success.

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“We are genuinely appreciative to Bejo, Dobmac, Terranova, DuPont, Seminis and Agnova for their ongoing support as staging such comprehensive industry events would not be possible without this strong level of commitment,” he said.

THE Onions Australia Executive Committee (from left) Kees Versteeg, Alan Thierry, Chris Eastwood, Peter Shadbolt, Andrew Moon, Darren Wood, Lewis Lydon, Rohan Shadbolt and Dean Metcalf. Absent were Greg Bragg, Darren Rathjen and Michael Williams.

MORE INFORMATION For further information or interviews, please contact: Onions Australia CEO Lechelle Earl 0458 111 126 or OA Chair Peter Shadbolt 0419 108 464.

Fresh market & seed potato storage AVAILABLE: NOVEMBER TO MARCH

Donnybrook WA

Anthony Scafﬁdi 0417 919 906 tscafﬁdi@optusnet.com.au WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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Gascoyne Food Bowl Initiative nears completion

• In excess of 400 hectares of new land has been identified and incorporated into the Shire of Carnarvon’s town planning scheme for horticulture expansion.

Collector main pipe construction A new collector main pipeline to boost the volume of water available to Carnarvon horticulture growers and expand production in the region is under construction. Construction company SSP Diverse was awarded the contract to build the 25 kilometre long Northern Borefield Pipeline, as part of the $25 million Gascoyne Food Bowl project, funded by the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program. BY TONY DELLA BOSCA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD & AGRICULTURE WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The Carnarvon horticultural industry is an important contributor to Western Australian production of fresh fruit and vegetables for the WA market. This industry also has the potential to become a major exporter as it is well placed geographically and offers short air and sea freight delivery times to many Asian and Middle Eastern markets. Annual horticultural production from the area is generally around $85M.

Over winter approximately 60% of Perth’s vegetables are supplied from the Carnarvon horticulture precinct. Carnarvon’s warmer winters, coupled with reliable water supplies, have enabled it to become a major source of out of season fresh vegetables when the southern growing areas cease production due to lower temperatures.

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AGRICULTURE and Food Minister Mark Lewis examines a sand spear, which acts as a horizontal bore when the Gascoyne River flows, with Gascoyne Water operations manager Eddie Smith, DAFWA principal research scientist Dr Richard George and Saxon Boston from North West.

The Gascoyne Food Bowl Initiative was established in 2012 with the goal to significantly increase horticultural production in the Carnarvon precinct through the provision of new land and water resources for irrigation expansion. This initiative is funded by the State Government’s Royalties for Regions with the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA), as the lead agency. The Gascoyne Food Bowl Initiative is nearing completion with completion due December 2016. Key milestones that have been achieved during the four year project are: • The collector main pipe construction is nearing completion and anticipated to be completed in November, 2016. • Electrification of the Northern Borefield is now complete (0–24.5km) • 4 gigalitres of new water has been sourced.

The contract was the culmination of four years of work towards providing a high quality water supply and associated infrastructure to increase irrigated agriculture production in the Gascoyne by 400 hectares. When the pipeline is complete and fully developed, the current water delivery capacity will increase from 183 to more than 550L/sec from the northern bore field. The pipeline is supported by the electrification of the northern bore field, completed in September 2016 which will ensure the consistent and more efficient delivery of water for horticultural crops.

Drilling program More than 120 exploration bores have been drilled by the project, from which 42 production bores have been established; 35 of which will deliver four gigalitres per year with an average flow of more than 12L/sec per bore. Additional production bores have been developed by the GFB project for Gascoyne Water to assist them in delivering more than 30% of their allocation to the existing industry.

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Shire’s town planning scheme, has been adopted by the Shire of Carnarvon and circulated for public consultation. A public information session was held in March 2016 where Town Planning consultants Urbis, commissioned by DAFWA to undertake the technical and land use planning studies and specialists from DAFWA were available to answer questions and provide information.

Due for completion

December 2016

Minor changes were made to the documents and Carnarvon Shire Council adopted the final plan in April 2016.

The Carnarvon Shire Council has delivered the Irrigated Agriculture structure plan (IASP) to the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) for approval.

ABOVE: Public Information session in Carnarvon. RIGHT: Dr Richard George conducting aquifer tests.

Natural Resource Management Four sand spears are now installed in the stage 2 area (11–24km) with a capacity to draw 30–60L/sec each when conditions are suitable. They will be equipped in the closing stages of the GFBI project

Existing industry (Gascoyne Water) The GFB project has also been able to help the existing horticultural industry through increasing system capacity of Gascoyne Water Cooperative to 183 l/sec. GFB has funded in excess of 30% of this capacity for existing growers. The GFB project was recently able to drill an additional two production bores in stage 1 for the industry at no cost to Gascoyne Water and access to another two production wells to assist in meeting periods of peak demand.

DAFWA is working with the water managers DoW, and providers Gascoyne Water Cooperative and Water Corporation to make the GFB water available for temporary trade until the new land is bought into production, as well as identify further water in the system for current growers to access.

The town planning scheme is part of a parallel process to expand the land in Carnarvon. Department of Lands (DoL) will continue to work on the land tenure change: from Unallocated or Vacant Crown Land and Pastoral lease tenure into a Section 79 lease (a General Lease granted for a purpose and subject to conditions), and then ultimately to freehold, which requires Native Title negotiations to occur first. DoL has advised EOIs are expected to be advertised in late 2016 or early 2017 Once the 400 hectares of land is released, horticulture production in the Gascoyne will have the capability of generating an additional $20 million per year.

Land expansion

The next steps in the project are:

In addition to the infrastructure work being conducted for the project, progress for land tenure change and development is continuing.

• Completion of pipeline

Technical studies including an airborne electromagnetic survey (AEM) analysis, soil surveys, revised floodway modelling, land use constraint mapping and flora and fauna surveys have been undertaken to identify suitable parcels of unconstrained land. As a result, about 600 hectares of high to moderate capability land has been identified with 400 hectares being selected for potential annual and perennial horticulture. The GFB District Structure Plan and Scheme Amendments, which will incorporate the ‘new’ GFB land into the

• Water allocation/association to land policy • Defining owner and/or manager of infrastructure and water. MORE INFORMATION For more information on the Gascoyne Food Bowl Initiative visit www.agric.wa.gov.au or email gascoynefoodbowlinitiative@agric.wa.gov. au for a copy of the most recent newsletter.

Department of Agriculture and Food

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DR Jones discusses results of insecticide treatments applied to a watermelon trial with growers during a Kununurra field day, August 2016.

Cucurbit virus disease research in the Ord River Irrigation Area The need for more effective control of aphid-borne virus disease in cucurbit crops growing in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) continues to be the number one research priority for growers deriving their livelihoods from growing melon and pumpkin crops in this region of Western Australia. Addressing this problem is the project Resolving the critical disease threats to the WA cucurbit industry from new and previous incursions of damaging cucurbit viruses which commenced in June 2015. The project is funded via the Boosting Biosecurity Defences Project’s Research and Development (R&D) Fund made possible by Royalties for Regions. The Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA), Ord River Co-operative (ORDCO) and ORIA enterprises Ceres Farm, Barradale Farm and Bothkamp Australia Farm are also providing financial and in-kind support, said DAFWA’s Dr Roger Jones.

The project’s objectives are to identify: (i) control measures that assist in managing spread of the virus effectively; and (ii) critical vulnerabilities in the disease cycle to target.

Strong collaboration between ORIA cucurbit growers, ORDCO, the Kununurra-based company Raitech Ltd, and DAFWA Kununurra and Perth staff is helping greatly with achieving these objectives, he said. Earlier articles in the WA Grower Winter edition, described (i) progress made during the 2015 growing season and (ii) important new information obtained over where the virus responsible for the disease epidemics, Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), and its aphid vectors survive outside the ORIA’s cucurbit growing season. Previously, all attempts at discovering where ZYMV persists when no commercial cucurbit crops are present had failed to find an answer. Similarly, information was completely lacking over where the aphids that transmit the virus from plant-to-plant survive outside the annual growing season. “This article describes progress made during the 2016 growing season,” Dr Jones said.

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The main activities during this period were: • Evaluation of insecticides for their effectiveness at reducing aphid numbers colonising melon crops and suppressing ZYMV spread. • Establish the effectiveness of (i) sorghum planted as a nonhost aphid ‘cleansing barrier’ surrounding crops to render incoming aphids carrying ZYMV non-infective, and (ii) millet as an aphid deterrent by planting watermelon into desiccated millet mulch. • Collection of seasonal data on aphid and ZYMV arrival and numbers in melon data collection blocks planted at different times. • Conduct case study investigations to determine aphid occurrence and ZYMV spread in sandalwood plantations throughout the Ord valley, and on the properties of four major ORIA cucurbit growers (studies undertaken by Rebecca Clarke of Raitech Ltd.)

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ROCKMELON trial with sorghum strips acting as non-host virus barriers on either side. ZYMV-infected plants showing leaf mottle and distortion in foreground.

Field trials DAFWA’s Dr Brenda Coutts said, “planting watermelon and rockmelon into groundcover consisting of desiccated millet trash derived from spraying herbicide onto millet plants sown four weeks earlier, greatly reduced aphid landings on the melon plants. At four weeks after sowing the melons, the millet trash still prevented more than 90% of winged aphids from landing on melon leaves, and colonisation by melon aphid was greatly suppressed for a further three week period. Also, spread of ZYMV infection was greatly suppressed for an eight week period after sowing.

Millet trash effectively reduced aphid landings and foliage colonisation by melon aphids thereby controlling ZYMV spread. This is a highly significant finding warranting further field trials next year”, she said. DRIED out millet trash groundcover protecting young watermelon plants by deterring incoming aphids landings. INSET: Melon aphids colonising watermelon causing marked deformation of their leaves.

“However, with the trial design used in 2016, consisting of protecting melon plantings with strips of sorghum on either side of the melons proved ineffective as a ‘cleansing barrier’ capable of reducing ZYMV spread by incoming virus-carrying aphids. This was most likely due to the orientation in relation to the prevailing wind of the sorghum strips on either side of the melon plantings. They acted as a wind tunnel for aphid movement rather than a barrier,” she said.

Dr Jones said, “imidacloprid seed dressing followed by two spray applications of spirotetramat was very effective in reducing numbers of melon aphids colonising the crop, but the seed dressing used alone was infective. However, ZYMV spread was not controlled emphasising the importance of migrant aphids visiting the treated crop and transmitting the virus rapidly before being affected by the insecticide. “Aphid and ZYMV spread in the data collection blocks and field trials followed a similar growing season pattern to the one in 2015, with aphid arrivals delayed until early May and, coinciding with an increase in aphid numbers, ZYMV infections to late July,” he said.

Sandalwood survey and case history studies Dr Jones said, “aphid colonies were found infesting sandalwoods’ main host tree (Sesbania formosa) and the tree Casia siamea. They were also found on several common weeds including siratro, native rosella and Vigna trilobata. No aphids were found on sandalwood itself. These findings suggest that sandalwood plantations constitute an important source of aphids for spread to cucurbit crops in the ORIA. “No ZYMV was detected infecting any sandalwood or other tree, or in several common annual or perennial weed species. This suggests that sandalwood plantations are not acting as a source of ZYMV for spread to cucurbit crops in the ORIA,” he said. WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Four case history studies were undertaken to obtain a better understanding of aphid build-up and ZYMV spread on commercial melon properties in the ORIA during the cucurbit growing season. Such knowledge is vital if we are to better understand the annual ZYMV disease cycle and control the disease effectively,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Aphid species found During the field trials, sandalwood surveys and case history studies, only six aphid species were found in aphid traps, cucurbit plants, or a wide range of volunteer crop and weed hosts. These were: melon aphid, cowpea aphid, oleander aphid, corn leaf aphid, rusty plum aphid, and a species without a common name called Schoutedenia ralumenis. Since ZYMV is transmitted non-persistently by aphids (meaning that its particles are acquired rapidly from infected plants and transmitted rapidly to healthy plants) during very rapid superficial probes, and is transmitted by

a range of aphid species regardless of whether they colonise cucurbit plants, all of these six aphid species are potential ZYMV vectors.

Summary Information was obtained for the first time that sowing melons into millet trash has the potential to reduce early aphid vector landings and subsequent ZYMV spread in cucurbit crops.

The millet trash provides groundcover that reduces aphid landings and colonisation by effectively minimising early ZYMV spread. The insecticide treatment combination of imidacloprid seed dressing followed by two spirotetramat spray applications greatly suppressed numbers of melon aphids colonising melons. In data collection blocks of watermelon, aphid build-up and ZYMV spread were delayed until the middle of the ORIA growing season.

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Sandalwood plantations were a source of aphids, but not of ZYMV, for spread to cucurbit crops. Only six aphid species were detected in the ORIA all of which are potential ZYMV vectors. MORE INFORMATION For more information, go to the DAFWA website agric.wa.gov.au/biosecurity/resolving-criticaldisease-threat-western-australian-cucurbitindustry, or contact Dr Roger Jones or Dr Brenda Coutts at the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, phone (08) 9368 3333.

Department of Agriculture and Food

What are you doing about your waste? Food waste costs a bomb! A recent Australian vegetable industry study showed that over 277,000 tonnes of the major vegetable lines, representing around 25% of production, is wasted each year before it gets to the farm gate. This represents a loss of $155 million to growers. The major reason is that produce does not meet the standards required, which in many cases is more to do with appearance rather than being inedible.

What can be done about this? Composted products can be used to build soil fertility. C-Wise conducted on-farm trials in a cauliflower crop at Baldivis to demonstrate the benefits of applying compost. In addition to improving yield it was found to suppress soil borne disease such as clubroot. The composted crop produced a greater number of export quality cauliflower heads than the untreated crop which resulted in reducing waste. Contact us today to find out how we can help you reduce your production waste.

Please contact Justin Wolfgang on 0419 904 001 or justin.wolfgang@cwise.com.au for more details www.cwise.com.au

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Business Ivankovich Farms Location Myalup Size 260 hectares Produce Onions and carrots PERTH

Ivankovich Farms continuously improving BY LAUREN THOMPSON INDUSTRY EXTENSION OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA

In November 2011 Peter Ivankovich was given the National Onion Grower of the Year award (Reg Miller Award) by Onions Australia, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Australian onion industry. At the time they were focusing on improvements in technology and infrastructure that assisted their business. Only five years later, onions have become much less prominent in the crop mix for Peter and his son Anthony. They are much more focused on carrot production with a high proportion going to export markets in the Middle East.

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BELOW: Carrots and onions are monitored for soil moisture to ensure accurate irrigation.

Peter has stepped back from the day-to-day running of the operation and has recently become a member of vegetablesWAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Committee of Management, representing vegetable growers in the Myalup District. The reins of Ivankovich Farms have been passed down to Anthony, who oversees the farming and packing operations as well as transport and shipping logistics. Generational change has coincided with expansion and impressive technological improvements, predominantly in the last three years. This will be a continuous process, with further expansion a distinct possibility.

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Mechanisation and other improvements Labour is a big cost for the business. New components have been placed in the packing shed to remove or significantly reduce labour requirements where possible. • A carton erector that takes flattened cartons from a stack and makes them ready for the liners to be inserted. The liners are inserted by a machine that also folds the edges over the cartons, ready for filling. • After filling (and a manual final inspection), the box is automatically closed and moved down the line, ready to be stacked. • A robotic pallet stacker has replaced three men who used to manually stack the cartons. The robot is a customized gripper that can stack 30 boxes a minute coming in from three packing lines. It also handles the pallets (export and domestic) and the wrapping. • They comfortably pack three containers per day. With the old system it would take all day plus a night shift to achieve this. • Washing and packing capacity is 650 tonnes per week when necessary.

Other technologies, improvements and practices include: • The setup of the packing shed has been significantly altered to improve overall efficiency, with all product flow moving steadily towards the corner where the pallet-stacking robot is located. • They use an inline, large hydro cooler that gets the core temperature of the carrots down to the desired temperature as quickly as possible. • Energy-saving features and the ability to monitor and control things remotely. • Variable speed drives (VSD) are used wherever possible. • As far as possible they’ve made things failsafe by having back-up lines • Tractors will soon be fitted with monitoring devices that will allow Anthony to see how much they are being used, enabling him to calculate the running costs more accurately. • They have three key employees on the farm outdoors and three inside the packing facility. • Solar panels (100kW) have been installed on the roof of the packing shed. • The loading dock has been designed so that trucks back up to the cool room’s ante-chamber and ‘curtains’ are used to seal the area between the container and the cool room so that the temperature is maintained at 0–0.5ºC at all times. • All rain water is caught, collected and used were possible. All water is filtered before use in the packing shed for Iron and particles.

THEY saw the opportunity to move strongly into export carrots and made sure their brand became associated with exceptional quality in their export markets.

Anthony has a lot of admiration for his father. “Peter has always been a person to look ahead and be at the forefront of adopting technology”. They saw the opportunity to move strongly into export carrots and made sure their brand became associated with exceptional quality in their export markets. The income from exporting top quality carrots has enabled the expansion and improvements to date. With a respected brand and an efficient, leading edge operation, they are poised to take advantage of further opportunities that may arise. MORE INFORMATION For further information contact Lauren Thompson, Industry Extension Officer, lauren.thompson@vegetableswa.com.au or 0427 037 373.

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Hort Innovation National Vegetable Extension Network project update BY REBECCA BLACKMAN FINANCE & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, VEGETABLESWA

The Hort Innovation National Vegetable Extension Network (NVEN) recently held their annual meeting in Sydney where all states came together to discuss the project. It involved two fantastic days of networking, training, planning and discussion! As it was the first time the group met face to face it was great for everyone to get to know each other.

vegetablesWA has been running similar projects for the past 20+ years however some states havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t had the opportunity previously and it allowed Truyen and Lauren to pass on their experiences. There have been many events run over the past few months such as the Postharvest Management of Vegetables, this was undertaken in conjunction with AHR in Manjimup and Wanneroo, Biosecurity workshops in conjunction with Department of Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA), Freshcare and Soil Fumigation training with Vietnamese growers and most recently the vegetablesWA Grower Group Tour and Industry Summit which was held at the Crown.

TOP: Participants at the Wanneroo Postharvest Management of Vegetables meeting. ABOVE: Jenny Ekman talking to growers in Wanneroo.

MORE INFORMATION If you need assistance contact Lauren Thompson, 0427 373 037 or email Lauren at lauren.thompson@vegetableswa.com.au or contact Truyen Vo, 0457 557 057 or email Truyen at truyen.vo@vegetableswa.com.au

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This project has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the vegetable industry levy and funds from the Australian Government.

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Seasol is a concentrated blend of quality kelps providing a range of benefits to all plants. In particular, Seasol stimulates root production as shown in the photograph, and assists plants cope with a variety of environmental stresses, such as drought, heat and frost. The two tomato seedlings had their roots trimmed & placed in water & the other in a 400 to 1 solution of Seasol. The results shown here are 14 days. Please watch the Benefits of Seasol video in full at www.seasol.com.au

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Gascoyne food

a taste of sunshine at wintery Royal Show The Gascoyne Food stand introduced the new showbag this year to provide visitors to the show with a healthy and locally-sourced option. The offer included banana bread, dried fruit and a preserve (handmade in Carnarvon), fresh produce, an eco-bag, magnet and activity book for $15 (RRP $25). The showbag was well-received with many positive comments, especially given it was primarily promoted through social media (Facebook and Instagram). The Gascoyne Food Council also coordinated a second display for the region this year, teaming up with the Department of Water to bring it to life. A real working model of the Gascoyne River was built and filled with Gascoyne River sand and rocks donated by Sweet As Concrete — a local Carnarvon business. Visitors loved seeing the river and touching the rocks and sand while learning about the governments' Water for Food program.

Healthy options and provenance the focus with free samples and a new showbag on offer during the 2016 Perth Royal Agricultural Show at Claremont Showgrounds. The Gascoyne Food Council has declared its participation in this years Perth Royal Show a great success. The annual event has seen thousands of Perth customers engaging with their showcase in the Centenary Pavilion by enjoying free food samples, learning about the river system, purchasing products or collecting fact sheets, activity books and other free information. The stand also welcomed a timely visit from the new Minister for Food and Agriculture, the Honourable Mark Lewis.

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THE Gascoyne Food team welcomed a visit from the newly appointed Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mark Lewis. Pictured with Doriana Mangili and Chris Persson.

“This is what the Royal Show is all about — consumers getting a taste of food from the regions that produce it. Making those connections between Perth consumers and regional food producers is really important and I was impressed by the variety and quality of produce featured from the Gascoyne”, said Mr Lewis. The Gascoyne team provided thousands of free samples of regional produce over the week including bananas, capsicums, tomatoes, paw paw, asparagus, black sapote, and zucchini. The healthy Gascoyne Food showbag, Sweeter Banana bread and bags of Sweeter Bananas were also popular with visitors able to purchase produce for the first time. The stand was consistently busy — despite some rainy days and cool weather during the week.

A working model of the river, bores and pumping systems was also available to demonstrate how the water moves through sand and is then pumped for irrigation of crops. This year there were some major changes in the Centenary Pavilion, with a move towards more interactive displays and a more cohesion between regions. The result was overall very positive, with a greater focus on education through activities such as the model of the Gascoyne River, indigenous face painting, hand-milling grains, digging for gold and of course sampling the best of locally grown produce. One of the main highlights for the Gascoyne team was the positive discussions had with many visitors. Customers were grateful for the fresh, local and healthy options and many were amazed at the variety available from the region. The timing of the Royal Show capitalised on the momentum created by the recent Gascoyne Food Festival and confirmed the hunger for quality, local produce in the States capital.

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MORE INFORMATION To stay up-to-date with Gascoyne Food Council activities please head to the website, Facebook or Instagram accounts as listed below. GascoyneFoodCouncil @gascoynefood

www.gascoynefood.com.au

Fresh from Carnarvon

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Trial results highlight

Pilbara’s irrigation potential BY VERITY WHITE POLICY OFFICER, DAFWA

Understanding the potential of irrigated agriculture in the Pilbara is a step closer, as results from a remote irrigation trial were shared with a crowd of enthusiastic attendees from the region. Hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA), pastoralists, traditional owners, miners and government representatives gathered at the Woodie Woodie site to learn about the trial results for the first time.

DAFWA project manager Chris Schelfhout, said the trial was designed to test the logistics of running an irrigation operation in the Pilbara, as well as the impacts of relying on surplus dewater for irrigation to grow fodder crops. “Many of the crop species evaluated were new to the region,” Mr Schelfhout said.

The first trial crops of sorghum, Rhodes grass, lucerne and tropical legumes were planted in September 2015 and grown over the summer months. Planted in May 2016, the winter trial program assessed a range of cereal and legume grain and fodder crops. Mr Schelfhout said the trial demonstrated the capacity to yield high tonnages of quality fodder. “There was particular interest in the mixedspecies trials at the site, including a cloveroats-vetch mix which offered a good balance in feed quality,” he said.

“While the Pilbara climate supports the growth of biomass, it is important to focus on the quality of fodder produced, especially if it is destined for an intensive cattle feeding operation. “Due to contrasting temperature regimes within the region, there is considerable variation in crop performance between inland areas of the Pilbara like Woodie Woodie, compared to the humid coastal areas. “This has highlighted the need for different crop combinations to match the varied climate conditions of the Pilbara.” DAFWA Acting Director of Irrigation Development and Agribusiness Vicki McAllister said on-site discussions with pastoralists in the Pilbara revealed a high level of interest in irrigated agricultural development in the region. “People are keen to learn, and access scientific research and expertise which they can use to inform their business decisions,” Ms McAllister said. CHRIS Schelfhout (of DAFWA) discusses irrigated agriculture opportunities with a pastoralist from Pardoo Station.

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TOP: Lisa Chalmers and Chris Schelfhout (DAFWA) discuss with attendees the regulatory requirements for water licencing at the pump station for the site. Photo: Brenda Powell, AFS Agriculture.

The 38 hectare centre pivot was established on Warrawagine Station in the eastern Pilbara, 190km south-east of Marble Bar. The Woodie Woodie site takes its name from the nearby Woodie Woodie manganese mine which provided the source of dewater for the trial period. “Numerous mines in the Pilbara dewater,” Mr Schelfhout said. “However, the supply is often dynamic making it challenging to secure a consistent supply for agricultural development.” DAFWA’s Northern Beef Futures project also co-located a weed risk field nursery and additional small plot trials at the site. DAFWA acknowledges the contributions of Warrawagine Station, contractors and its project partners, Pilbara Development Commission and Department of Regional Development in the Woodie Woodie trial. The Woodie Woodie trial is part of the broader Pilbara Hinterland Agricultural Development Initiative (PHADI), funded from the Royalties for Regions’ Pilbara Cities Initiative.

Research into agronomics, regulatory pathways, supply chain and market opportunities, economic viability, and soil and water resource investigations in the Pilbara are part of the PHADI program of work.

“This is the first time the Pilbara has been assessed for irrigated agriculture opportunities,” Mr Schelfhout said. “Investment in irrigated agriculture could provide an opportunity to supply a consistent product to the market, and a market premium for producers.” Irrigated agriculture development is a transformational opportunity to diversify and drive growth in the Pilbara economy. PHADI supports public and private sector investment decisions for new irrigated agricultural developments and the expansion of existing areas. PHADI is delivered by DAFWA in partnership with the Pilbara Development Commission and the Department of Regional Development, and works closely with the mining industry, Aboriginal groups and the pastoral industry.

LEFT: Chris Schelfhout discusses the results of some of the trials including Rhodes grass and a sorghum varieties and a range of temperate and tropical legumes. ABOVE: Nat Byrne of Warrawagine Station demonstrates the control centre for operation of the pivot, pumps and fertigation system at the Woodie Woodie trial site.

The Woodie Woodie trial results are currently being collated into a report and will be made publicly available via DAFWA’s website. The PHADI project concludes in 2017. MORE INFORMATION Stay in touch: follow us on Twitter @DAF_WA and search for #PHADI for photos and videos of our work. Visit www.agric.wa.gov.au/r4r/pilbarahinterland-agricultural-developmentinitiative-phadi to find out more.

Department of Agriculture and Food

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Business Sun City Produce Location Walkaway, Geraldton WA Size 5.6 hectares Soil type Sand PERTH

Enterprises Tomato and cucumber produced under protected cropping

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Grower profile

Bao Duy Nguyen Nuffield Scholar 2017 BY REBECCA BLACKMAN FINANCE & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, VEGETABLESWA

Bao Duy Nguyen of Walkaway Western Australia, received the 2017 Nuffield Scholarship supported by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited. Bao will investigate the field of protective cropping in horticulture in low-tech greenhouses, with an emphasis on monitoring technology and water sustainability practices. After three years of working on the farm they had plateaued and were not improving, Bao started to research conferences to connect with other growers to see how they might improve their business. After seeing the Nuffield scholarship information in the vegetablesWA e-news, he spoke to Nicky Mann, a previous Nuffield Scholar and she highlighted the benefits of winning the prestigious award to her business. Bao said “The change of perspective to farming and to potentially help improve our business was enough for me to motivate myself to apply”. The ability of being able to connect with other growers in similar industries and with suppliers from around the world will have significant impact to their business thought process. One of the advantages is being able to access previous Nuffield scholars and speak to them about the experience and learn from them. Bao has recently travelled to South Australia and visited a high-tech hydroponic greenhouse and this was eye opening. Bao is looking forward to being able improve older low-tech greenhouses and then see businesses diversify.

The travel is a large part of the Nuffield scholarship and there are numerous trips planned throughout the next year. Bao will be heading to Brazil, the United States, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Holland, the United Kingdom and Israel.

Being able to connect with suppliers and companies in Australia is important to allow the connections to also be made overseas. “I’m looking forward to Israel, as they are number one in innovation throughout all industries not just agriculture and due to food security they need to produce their own fresh produce which has created further innovation. The irrigation suppliers in the region will also be valuable to see how we might utilise a sprayer or other innovation ideas,” Bao said. The travel will provide a well-rounded marketing, supply/demand and R&D perspectives from other countries including Australia. Bao said “I have much more respect for the R&D and marketing part of being a market gardener. There is a lot more to gain from working on the farm rather than in the farm”.

BAO hopes, through his project, to be able to bring technology, diversification and water management skills to the region.

slow growth to allow for sustainable and efficient horticulture businesses in the Mid-West.” MORE INFORMATION Bao is looking forward to connecting with suppliers and other growers, if you are interested please contact him on 0418 939 982 or contact@suncityproduce.com.au.

Overall Bao would like to see changes throughout the Mid-West by passing on any knowledge he gains to other growers. There are many challenges in the region with the water salinity, not being able to diversity and water management. Bao says “with my project I hope to be able to bring technology, diversification, water management skills to the region. The most important point is a WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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David Grays Aglink US Tour

These US growers have the same concerns as our industry and they experience many of the same problems as we do — and they have some differing solutions to us. Some we can utilise, some are not possible. Some facts to consider: • Labour cost is what is most talked about — by us and also them –– They pay around AU$16.00/hr to a contractor — the field worker ends up with between $12–13.50/hr • A comparison of supermarket prices is also very interesting –– Cauliflowers cost: US AU$1.96; Australia AU$4.00

BY JOHN MCBRIDE DAVID GRAYS

In August, a group of Western Australian vegetable growers visited the United States on a tour led by the David Gray company through the key vegetable producing areas California. After flying in to San Francisco we made our way south to Monterey which gave us easy access to Salinas Valley. This valley boasts one of the most intensive salad producing areas in the world — at any given time there is between 80,000 –150,000 hectares in production. Commonly referred to as the salad bowl of the world, the Salinas Valley has many micro climates but has two very common features which make this an ideal location for vegetable production. The soil is very fertile and every evening a low cloud descends across the valley creating a blanket effect for the crops.

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OUR tour group L–R: David Blakers, Capel Farms; Tran and Lynda Do, T&C Do; John McBride, David Grays; Kevan Dobra, Looseleaf Lettuce Company; Javier Saldana, 3 Star Lettuce US, tour guide; Ron Davis, Brookrise; Steve Alley, Looseleaf Lettuce Company; Mitchell Gill, David Grays; Courtney East, Bewray.

We visited the leading seed companies along with some major vegetable supply companies.

The companies visited range from smaller family owned vegetable farms through to fully integrated businesses — ‘seed to plate type enterprises’. From the outset it was obvious that even the smaller operations were on a scale much larger than any Australian operation. As the saying goes ‘big is not always best’ but the operations we saw were of a very high standard at the marketing end they are top class. We got to meet farmers along with their agronomists and workers which was a very rewarding experience.

–– Cabbage cost: US AU$2.29; Australia AU$4.00 –– Watermelons: US AU$1.30/kg — as whole melons only These supermarket prices are interesting but we were not privy in returns to the grower but as usual we can predict that the supermarkets are likely to operate on similar margins to our Australian chains.

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COS lettuce on field packing line.

We visited Sutton Agricultural suppliers — Many Australian growers know and deal with this machinery specialist. We saw big seeding machines — fully automated harvesting machines but undoubtedly the most interest was given to the robotic weeder. Newly released there is only two of these in Salinas — we were able to look one over in Sutton Agricultural’s workshop where it was awaiting repairs. This is an amazing bit of gear and is worth a look on the following link: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=dR9BDyTv-tc&feature=youtu.be

Terranova Seeds connected us with lettuce breeder/General Manager of 3 Star Lettuce, Javier Saldana, he led us on a full day tour — starting with the specialty lettuce program they have in place with some of the key grower groups in the US. He had also sown trials for us to look at — Javier is a frequent visitor to Australia and many of his products have market share here so he knows what the Aussie market is like and these trials were very helpful for our growers. It is most rewarding to meet with

the breeder responsible for the products we use right here at home. 3 Star lettuce are part of the Tanamura and Antle vegetable group. Through Javier we were also able to visit with this massive packing processing and shipping facility — the size and scale is simply unimaginable until you see it in operation. The growing technique and field packing undertaken by this company is very unique.

Chiller trucks are loaded in the field — picked and packed ready for sale is the outcome for this group. The quality control is second to none and the end result are excellent products. With a forklift big enough to lift and shift one side of a semi in a single shift and a vacuum cooler able handle this is a matter moments, it was awesome to see in action. The marvel of this facility is that it they pick it up in its entirety and relocate it from Salinas to Yuma at the change of seasons — Yuma is 600 miles away, nine hour drive. They have identical sheds and hardstand in Yuma — every piece of equipment is packed up on a Friday and is relocated to Yuma and is operational by Monday morning. It’s an amazing undertaking.

These companies utilise social media in a big way. For more information go to www.taproduce.com

Whilst in Salinas we also spent some time with the Monsanto/Seminis Lettuce breeder — she explained and demonstrated to us the intricacies and procedures of actually breeding lettuce. From field selection through to the glass house grow out, the tricky preparation of flowers and the cross pollination procedure, this gave us all an appreciation of the delicate procedure involved in breeding vegetables. The Seminis team took us on a tour of Church Brothers vegetable production farms and processing packing facilities. The protocols in place to ensure safe delivery of product here are amazing — in the field we were able to catch up with their growers and agronomists.

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Spending a full week, cutting, tasting and sampling the melons is a very rewarding time. Each day we seemed to find even better varieties. We made many new selections and already these on trial here in Australia. The farm visits were a highlight — the enormity of these operations really becomes evident when you consider that several of these individual farms are bigger than the entire Australian market. Check this link to Delbosche Farms: http://delbosquefarms.com/?page_id=20

ABOVE: Javier Salanda lettuce breeder, terranova seed trial.

More melons at www.dulcinea.com The US is an exciting place to visit — we had fun and saw too much to mention but there is no doubt we learnt a good deal from this tour and already some of our growers have implemented ideas they picked up from this trip.

RIGHT: Kevan Dobra and Mitchell Gill in a melon patch.

Church Bros are working closely with Seminis on developing a machine harvest broccoli — interesting concept that has been explored many times over — but it seems they are close to release. Watch out for this! For more info go to www.churchbrothers.com

There are many research facilities in this area and we spent the full week visiting the leading seed companies exploring watermelon and rockmelon fields. We visited several large scale melon farms — which again is awesome.

This salad producing area of the US is undoubtedly one of the most intensive horticultural regions in the world.

Each seed company have field days and trials in place for this time each year, people from all around the world descend on Davis during this two weeks of August. Breeders are on hand to show and demonstrate their portfolio of latest developments in vegetable breeding.

At every turn in the road there are vegetable fields and although they are all independent of each other they work in a collaborative manner. These people are passionate about the industry and are enthusiastic to share their expertise and knowledge with visitors. There are many billboards depicting vegetables which line the highways. After a full week in Monterey/Salinas region we made our way to David/Woodland district. Davis is a University town and Davis University is world renown for research and education in all fields of horticulture and agriculture.

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Thanks must go to all participants who joined this tour — this was an enjoyable group and we had many memorable moments throughout the journey. Also on behalf of the growers thanks go to the following seed companies for their help, Terranova , Seminis, Syngenta, Clause, Bayer, Rjik Zwaan and to the APC-VPC for the financial assistance given to the grower contingent. MORE INFORMATION For further information contact John McBride at David Grays on (08) 9331 0225, or 0400 934 706 or email jmcbride@davidgray.com.au.

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During the week commencing the 5th September, over 21,500 Western Australian primary school aged children representing 94 primary schools participated in The Great Aussie Crunch. Funded by the Agricultural Produce Commission (APC) for the second year, and coordinated by the Cancer Council WA Crunch&Sip® program, the event encouraged students to bring their choice of crunchy fresh vegetables to school and all CRUNCH simultaneously. Teachers used specially made ‘crunch-o-meters’ to measure whether their crunch was more of a ‘caterpillar nibble’ or a ‘crocodile crunch’. The students from Palmyra Primary School were very lucky to have a visit from Rio Olympian Joel Swift, and Vegie Man was super busy visiting schools in Perth and Kalgoorlie.

“All students and staff enjoyed the day.rent We had many students who tried diffe vegetables for the first time!”

Cancer Council WA Schools Nutrition Coordinator, Shannon Wright, says “The Great Aussie Crunch is an entertaining way of encouraging children to eat more vegetables and it increases positive perceptions of healthy eating. “The Great Aussie Crunch is a fun way to increase vegetable consumption at school. While most Western Australian children are eating the recommended daily intake of fruit, only one in six are eating enough vegies,” she said.

“It’s important that children form healthy eating habits to prevent the risk of chronic disease later in life. The classroom is the perfect environment to promote this message and put it into practice.” Feedback was extremely positive. MORE INFORMATION For further information on the program see the website www.crunchandsip.com.au/programinfo/about-crunchsip or contact Shannon Wright, Schools Nutrition Coordinator, Cancer Council on (08) 9388 4340.

LEFT: Students from Palmyra Pr imary School with Rio Olympia n Joel Swift.

“Our small group udents really enjoyed even tried vegies ofthst sharing ve encourage healthy eaey normally wouldn’t. It was a greagiet swand some ting”. ay to WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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climate study

highlights, irrigation challenges and a surprise opportunity A new report released by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) has revealed a surprise opportunity, as part of its research into the potential of irrigated agriculture in the Pilbara. DAFWA Project manager Chris Schelfhout, said the Climate in the Pilbara report has brought to light areas of the Pilbara which could accumulate enough chill units conducive to growing temperate fruit crops, like low-chill stone fruit. “The Pilbara is well known for its scorching summer temperatures, but we’ve also found the region has a chill factor.” “Highland areas of the Hamersley range and in particular the south-east Pilbara around Newman, regularly record winter chill units

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accumulation similar to Carnarvon where table grapes, and subtropical peaches and nectarines are successfully grown,” Chris said. “This highlights the potential for high-value horticulture in the region, and the associated economic development and employment opportunity that may bring.” “While production of annual horticulture crops such as capsicums will be dictated by crop suitability to the Pilbara seasons, crop management technologies such as shade and windbreak structures may help mitigate some of these challenges.” Climate in the Pilbara brings together the best available information to describe the climate characteristics of the region, what factors drive the climate, and how the Pilbara climate may change in the future.

Chris said a thorough understanding of climate is essential to any agricultural enterprise as temperature, rainfall and seasonality determine what can be grown and when. “Understanding the likelihood and severity of extreme events such heatwaves and cyclones is essential to managing risk, not just to people and infrastructure but for crop production as well,” he said. “The purpose of the climate report is to provide a succinct and user-friendly summary of the climate, so we can understand how it may impact irrigated agricultural development in the region — now and in years to come.” CLIMATE in the Pilbara brings together the best available information to describe the climate characteristics of the region.

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The Pilbara claims a number of climate records: • seven of Western Australia’s top ten hottest days, with Mardie recording the hottest day on record (50.5°C), • most sunshine hours a day in Australia (more than 10 hours a day) • second highest inter-annual variability in rainfall (second only to central Australia) and • being the most cyclone prone area along the Australian coastline.

Over the last 40 to 60 years, average annual temperatures have increased over most of the State. Climate projections show very high confidence for temperature in the Pilbara region to continue increasing by another 0.6–1.5ºC to 2030, with the northwest of the State warming more than elsewhere in Australia.

Annual rainfall is projected to remain largely unchanged in future and there is high confidence that natural rainfall variability will remain the primary driver of rainfall changes to 2030. There is medium confidence cyclones will become less frequent in future, but will increase in intensity.

Climatic extremes of the Pilbara will pose production challenges for potential irrigators. Close attention will be required to optimise crop water use given the high evaporative demand likely to be faced by field crops. Climate in the Pilbara is part of the Department’s work in the Pilbara Hinterland Agricultural Development Initiative (PHADI), made possible by Royalties for Regions investment.

DAFWA works in partnership with the Pilbara Development Commission and Department of Regional Development to deliver the project. MORE INFORMATION Read the full report online at www.agric. wa.gov.au/climate-change/climate-pilbararegion-western-australia?nopaging=1 Follow us on Twitter @DAF_WA and search for #PHADI for photos and videos of our work. Contact Chris Schelfhout chris.schelfhout@ agric.wa.gov.au for further information.

Department of Agriculture and Food

PHADI aims to help government, industry and investors better understand the potential of irrigated agriculture in the Pilbara.

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Graduates to lead the vegetable industry into the future

During the Growing Leaders’ visit to Canberra the team facilitated multiple stakeholder meetings including Members of Parliament including Minister Hunt’s office and The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

Fifteen leaders graduated from the six-month 2016 Growing Leaders — National Vegetable Industry Leadership Program in Canberra on the 13th of October 2016. Local industry star, Natalie Borshoff, one of the 15 participants from across the industry, was officially graduated by Research and Development Manager, Bianca Cairns, Horticulture Innovation Australia and Board Director, Bill Bulmer, AUSVEG.

The Growing Leaders Graduation was part of the final industry networking dinner that was once again strongly supported by key stakeholders of the vegetable industry who flew into Canberra from across Australia for the event. During the Graduation participants provided an overview of the outcomes of the six month 2016 Growing Leaders Mission which they have facilitated and implemented. The outcomes included a new farm tour information package, an analysis of the industry flow of extension research and exploring the opportunity to attract school leavers into vegetable growing.

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The Growing Leaders had a number of industry heads provide ‘future focused’ guest speaking sessions including Ex-CEO Fresh State, Horticulture Innovation Australia, Plant Health Australia and Department of Agriculture and Water. NATALIE Borshoff being presented with her award from Bill Bulmer and Bianca Cairns.

Jill Briggs, Growing Leaders Program Manager from Rural Training Initiatives P/L said, “This is one of the great concepts for the Australian vegetable industry. What better way to ‘future proof’ our country than an ongoing investment in the leadership capability for the people of the industry. Rural Training Initiatives P/L provides skills sessions and practical activities that enhance participants’ knowledge and confidence to lead the industry into the future.” GRADUATING growing leaders 2016.

“I believe that the three greatest learnings from Growing Leaders were firstly the importance of the mentoring process, secondly the importance of enabling imagination to achieve visions and concepts for the future and development for the industry and lastly ‘be yourself’ and I believe the program has already assisted me with gaining more confidence and helping others to become more productive in my workplace”, said Natalie Borshoff Assistant Manager of Firetail Farms of Manjimup. MORE INFORMATION For further information on the Growing Leaders program please see the website www.ruraltraininginitiatives.com.au/home/ programs/vegetable

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ADVERTORIAL

Protected Cropping Australia The Apex-Brinkman Conference 2017 will be Protected Cropping Australia’s (PCA) 14th biennial event bringing 450+ industry people together over three and a half days on 9–12th July 2017. Adelaide was selected as this year’s host city due to its accessibility of quality farm tours sites and the brand new first class venue. The Adelaide Convention Centre, West Wing. The state-of-art, hi-tech venue also prides itself on using local, fresh produce — which is our forte too!

The successful formula includes a large trade exhibition with 60+ booths open for two and a half days. Sunday afternoon is open to the general public to maximise exposure. Then two days of technical how-to speaker presentations followed by hydroponic greenhouse farm tours on the Wednesday, for registered delegates.

A perfect place to meet with industry peers, make new connections and reinforce relationships face-to-face.

The conference provides industry education and excellent opportunities for networking and business between growers, their allied trade and interested parties.

MORE INFORMATION

Networking is fostered in many ways and this year we launch a new feature with a central Hub space in the middle of the trade display which will be transformed into a busy Happy Hour Bar each afternoon.

PCA look forward to welcoming you to Adelaide in July 2017.

For more information and registration head to the website www.protectedcroppingaustralia. com/?page_id=58 or contact Saskia Blanch on 0414 333 996

Apex-Brinkman Conference

9–12 July 2017

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

YOUR INDUSTRY

Grower Group R&D Grants program

vegetablesWA project update BY REBECCA BLACKMAN FINANCE & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, VEGETABLESWA

The first round of Grower Group R&D Grants has now concluded and a second round of grants has now opened, see the following page for further details. vegetablesWA was fortunate to be awarded two projects: 1 Growing Horticultural Exports â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Finding the sweet spot working with Coriolis Research due for completion by 31st December 2016. 2 Creating a high value processed food industry in Western Australia working with Fresh Produce Alliance due for completion by 31st Mary 2019.

Following is an update on each project Coriolis Research The project was carried out between September and December 2016. The project developed a strategy to grow West Australian vegetable exports to Asia by develops an understanding of the most attractive growth markets and vegetable categories.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

vegetablesWA announced the release of the detailed study of the export market possibilities for West Australian vegetable growers Finding The Sweet Spot: Growing WA Vegetable Exports. Some encouraging opportunities have been unearthed by Coriolis Research. The report looks at the prospects for 28 categories of vegetable grown in Western Australia in 38 markets within a workable proximity to WA.

This project is now finalised and formed part of the discussion at the vegetablesWA Industry Leaders Summit on 25th November. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the report please contact Rebecca Blackman at vegetablesWA. For further information on the content of the report contact Tim Morris from Coriolis at tmorris@coriolisresearch.com or phone (08) 9468 4691. Fresh Produce Alliance New technologies are now available to preserve the true flavours of fresh foodstuffs in a hygienic and practical manner. This project is about applying those new technologies to the preservation and value-adding of vegetables to develop new products for domestic and export markets. This project is seeking to develop innovative value added, uniquely WA food products and develop diverse options for the use of vegetables to increase the value of the food industry in WA.

ABOVE: Born Pure Beetroot, Strawberry, Tomato & Chia Seed baby food.

The aim of Fresh Produce Alliance is to take nutritionally sound but currently unmarketable fruit and vegetables and turn them into value-added products. The second phase of this project has now been completed with the launch of the Born Pure baby food range being released into stockists throughout WA. The first three varieties of baby food has come off the production line and were launched at the Big Pram Walk in Perth in November. For further information on the baby food range see their website www.bornpure. com.au. There have been many trips to export markets to trial this product and the Avo Vita range which includes, avocado mousse, pure avocado and avocado smoothies. These have been very popular through the Asian markets. You can read more on the Avo Vita website www.avovita. com.au. MORE INFORMATION For more information on either of the projects contact Rebecca Blackman at finance@ vegetableswa.com.au or (08) 9481 0834. See more on the website DAFWA website regarding the projects here www.agric.wa.gov. au/agricultural-exports/growing-vegetableexports-finding-sweet-spot-grower-group-rdgrants-program www.agric.wa.gov.au/food-beverages/newtechnology-deliver-new-market-opportunitieswa-fresh-produce-grower-group-rd

YOUR INDUSTRY

Grower Group R&D Grants program

Round 2 now open

Apply now

for Industry Grants for International Competitiveness Expressions of interest for funding from the Industry Grants for International Competitiveness (IGIC) program are now open.

Applications close

Friday, 10 February 2017!

The IGIC program will invest up to $1.3 million in grants to support organisations working together along supply/value chains, who see their future as part of an internationally competitive export-oriented agrifood sector.

About the Industry Grants for International Competitiveness Program

The Grower Group R&D Grants Program aims to stimulate research and innovation along supply and value chains to help Western Australian agricultural exports grow their share and value in international markets. Up to $10.5 million will be invested in Round 2 of the program. WA-based, incorporated grower groups, and not-for profit, farmer-driven organisations are eligible to apply for individual grants between $20,000 and $500,000. Applications close on Friday, 10 February 2017. For application details, visit: www.agric.wa.gov.au/r4r/growergroup-rd-grants-program

Successful Round 1 projects In its inaugural round, the Grower Group R&D Grants Program awarded $6.7 million to 16 grower groups from across the agrifood sector, including horticulture, honey, wine, citrus, truffles, livestock and grains â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from Kununurra to Esperance. Find out more about the Round 1 projects at www.agric.wa.gov.au/crops/growergroup-rd-grants-program-successfulrecipients The Grower Group R&D Grants Program is a major component of the $22.1 million Agricultural Sciences R&D Fund managed by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, with Royalties for Regions investment. MORE INFORMATION If you are interested in discussing an opportunity with vegetablesWA contact John Shannon on (08) 9481 0834 or email john.shannon@vegetableswa.com.au

Industry Consortia can apply for grants between $20,000 and $100,000 to develop strategies to drive international competitiveness at the enterprise and value chain level. The IGIC program is a targeted response to the Pathways to Competitiveness Report. Grant applications should align with opportunities identified in the report which is available online at www.agric.wa.gov.au/ pathways-competitiveness-report

Industry Consortia are considered to be alliances involving combinations of agrifood businesses, industry organisations, recognised Grower Groups and professional service providers. MORE INFORMATION For more details on how to apply visit: www.agric.wa.gov.au/agricultural-exports/ industry-grants-international-competitiveness

The IGIC program is a component of the $22.1 million Agricultural Sciences R&D Fund managed by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, with Royalties for Regions investment.

Department of Agriculture and Food

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

YOUR INDUSTRY

MINISTER for Fisheries Joe Francis, Minister for Agriculture and Food Mark Lewis, Laura Pearse from Upper Reach Winery, and Minister for Regional Development Terry Redman at the launch of the State Biosecurity Strategy.

A new strategy to support

WA biosecurity released Effective biosecurity systems help protect Western Australian growers from incursions of pests and diseases that could negatively impact production and access to markets. The Western Australian Biosecurity Strategy (‘the Strategy’) was recently released and provides a state framework to manage biosecurity, including plant and animal pests and diseases including diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans.

The Strategy also sets the strategic direction for partnership arrangements to manage biosecurity issues affecting agriculture, fisheries, forests and biodiversity. Biosecurity incursions have the capacity to increase costs and disrupt export and domestic trade of agricultural, forest, aquaculture and fish products, as well as affecting our unique environment, biodiversity and social amenity.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

The Western Australian Biosecurity Western Australia is Strategy was launched by the fortunate to be free of many Go to of the major animal and agric.wa.gov.au Minister for Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Lewis as the plant pests and diseases for a free lead Minister for Biosecurity that occur elsewhere. copy! in the Swan Valley on the 21 Effective biosecurity November 2016. management underpins the state’s reputation as a supplier Minister Lewis was joined by of clean, safe, high quality food, Minister for Regional Development Terry and valuable market access and trade Redman and Minister for Fisheries Joe arrangements. Of equal importance is Francis for the launch. keeping our marine areas, conservation areas and unique natural ecosystems free The Strategy covers the period of 2016from damaging pests. 2025 and will be reported against annually and reviewed within three years. The development of the Strategy was led by government and informed by The Strategy has been developed as part industry and community. The first draft of the $20 million Boosting Biosecurity of the Strategy was released for public Defences project under the $350 million comment on 4 December 2014 at the State Royalties for Regions Seizing the Biosecurity Forum held in Fremantle. Opportunity Agriculture initiative. The Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) coordinated a range of consultation processes from December 2014 to May 2015, to gather feedback from government, industry and community on the draft. More than thirty detailed submissions were received. The feedback shaped the final revision of the document.

MORE INFORMATION To view the Strategy, or to download a copy, please see the WA Biosecurity Strategy webpage www.agric.wa.gov.au/biosecurity/ development-state-biosecurity-strategy

POMEWEST

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

POMEWEST

Pomewest Committee Members Harvey Giblett — Chair E: newtonbros@wn.com.au

From the

Mario Casotti E: mario@casottigroup.com

Executive Manager

John Gregorovich E: raelene.gregorovich@bigpond.com Sam Licciardello E: sam@orchard1sixty.com.au Mark Scott E: markpscott@bigpond.com Nardia Stacy — Executive Manager E: nardia@fruitwest.org.au

APC–Pomewest FFS Income 2016–17 Project General Account Budget Biosecurity Account Budget

500,000 70,000

APC-Pomewest projects 2016–17 Project Commercialisation for WA (FW Co-operative Ltd)

$ 120,000

Note less 50% salary reimbursed for professional services of Nardia Stacy as executive officer as in 15–16 financial year.

Dormancy and New Technology Project (Susie Murphy White)

68,135

Medfly Surveillance Trapping Network (Ashmere Consulting)

58,025

Codling Moth (DAFWA)

35,620

Maturity Standards legislation and compliance (Ashmere Consulting)

25,000

Flavonoid Project

25,000

Natural Mite control Project (shared with the Stone Fruit Subcommittee) (Stewart Learmonth DAFWA)

7,900

Promotion & Publicity Local Project (Fresh Finesse)

16,000

Industry Sponsorships and Association Memberships

12,000

Administration

With the end of 2017 drawing near, with flowering and fruit set established we look forward to the next season. All indications point for good production 2017, thinning has been more efficient for growers this year with more compact flowering and chill hours are well above average which is excellent for producing fruit.

October 2016 Committee Meeting The Pomewest Committee recently met on 12 October in Bunbury. Outcomes of the meeting include: • FFS review of compliance and identifying orchards, growers and varieties who contribute majority of production; • Establishing legislated maturity standards with compliance and market testing;

Susie Murphy White will be performing fruit sizing and determining yield estimates shortly and provides statistics for chill this year — see below.

• Biosecurity and strategic planning and projects for codling moth, medfly and Q fly aligning with the strategic and biosecurity strategic plans;

How cold was winter 2016?

• Increasing market access for WA export; and

Its felt like a cold and wet winter in WA and it was. Winter chill accumulation has been good for 2016 compared to the last few years (see Table 1).

• Clarifying fumigation practices at State Borders;

• Roadshow visits early in 2017 to consult with growers.

TABLE 1 Total accumulated dynamic chill portions 1 March – 31 August using DAFWA weather stations daily minimum and maximum air temperatures

123,500

2016

2015

2014

2013

Donnybrook

Manjimup

POME Fruit effective from 1 January 2015

Newlands

Type of fruit

$/kg

Nannup

Fresh fruit — Apples, Pears, Nashi, other

0.015

Pemberton

Mt Barker

Processing fruit

0.005

Biosecurity FFS for fresh fruit

0.002

Biosecurity FFS for processing fruit

0.001

APC Administration Charge

45,000

APC fee for service charge

BY NARDIA STACY EXECUTIVE MANAGER, POMEWEST

WA Grower SPRING 2016

Bickley (BoM) Karragullen (MEA) Source: DAFWA Weather Stations

POMEWEST

Merry Christmas

and a very Fruitful New Year!

Strategic Plan 2015–20 Pomewest is the subcommittee of the pome, citrus and stone Fruit Producers’ Committee of the Agricultural Produce Commission of WA

This edition The strategic plan is displayed in this edition which will help explain how the Committee decides on supporting projects to align with the basic principles. We also feature reporting on the latest future orchard walk along with an article on sunburn and how to minimise risk, along with reporting promotional events.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all greetings for the season from both myself and the Pomewest Committee. We wish our members a very Merry Christmas and a very Fruitful New Year. Personally I would like to thank you all for your support during the year and look forward to another great year for Pome fruit in 2017. MORE INFORMATION Contact Nardia Stacy on (08) 9368 3869 or nardia@pomewest.net.au

Vision A profitable and sustainable Western Australian pome fruit industry that meets market requirements and consistently satisfies consumers with high quality fruit.

Mission Working in partnership with our stakeholders to provide industry leadership, strategic direction and innovative solutions to support a profitable and sustainable Western Australian pome fruit industry.

Objectives 1. To increase the profitability and sustainability of the Western Australian pome fruit industry 2. To increase the quality and consumption of Western Australian pome fruit 3. To provide industry leadership, unity and purpose Objective 1 — Increase profitability and sustainability

Objective 2 — Increase quality and consumption Increase the quality and consumption of Western Australian pome fruit by product development, product enhancement and developing maturity standards to meet consumer expectations by: • Product development • Product enhancement • Developing maturity standards for Western Australian pome fruit. Objective 3 — Leadership, unity and purpose Support industry development through enhancement of the operating environment, encompassing leadership and skills development, partnerships, communication, extension, planning and R&D capability by. • Provide leadership and a supportive operating environment • Development of capacity and capability.

Improve the productivity and domestic and international competitiveness of the Western Australian pome fruit industry and safeguard against potential pest threats by: • Securing the production base • Improve production efficiency and innovation • Develop and maintain market opportunities.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

POMEWEST

Thinning apple flowers to improve fruit

BY SUSIE MURPHY WHITE PROJECT MANAGER, POMEWEST

Atherton Orchards, Donnybrook, was the venue for the spring Future Orchards walk in WA.

As part of the Future Orchards® program, Apple and Pear Australia Ltd (APAL) and leading horticultural consultants from AgFirst in New Zealand shared the latest technologies and knowledge about thinning to Australia.

“When left alone, apple and pear trees will naturally set heavy crops that lead to small, poor quality fruit and leave the tree with biennial bearing tendencies meaning that every second year the trees produce a much lighter crop.

Every spring, growers remove a proportion of the flowers from their apple and pear trees and keep the optimal number to produce the healthiest and bestsized fruit.

“To effectively intervene, growers normally need to thin out 85-90% of the crop.”

But if they get this thinning process wrong it can spell disaster, because no flowers means no fruit.

“An excellent thinning result at flowering can mean significantly lower hand thinning costs with fewer fruit to be removed later,” says AgFirst’s Steve Spark.

“Thinning is one of the most critical parts of orchard production and, with so many factors in play, it is also one of the most complex,” explains APAL Technical Manager Angus Crawford.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

Not all of this thinning is done at flowering, but getting the right amount of thinning done at flowering can reduce labour costs and improve the size and quality of fruit produced.

POMEWEST

“When flower numbers are reduced to the optimal number early in the season, the potential yield of the block will also be increased.” “Atherton Orchards was a great back drop for the September orchard walk. Attendees from Donnybrook, Manjimup and Pemberton had the opportunity to discuss the approaching thinning season and time to take home the key messages and implement in their own orchards” says WA Front Line Advisor for Future Orchards Susie Murphy White.

TOP: Growers listening to guest speakers Brett Freehan and Steve Spark from AgFirst NZ at Atherton’s orchard. ABOVE: Discussion in Atherton’s Orchard about the thinning fruit.

“Winter chill accumulation has been excellent, and the trees are primed and ready for what should be a strong flowering.” MORE INFORMATION For more information contact Susie Murphy White, Project Manager, Pome, Pomewest (08) 9777 0151 or email susan.murphy-white@ agric.wa.gov.au

“It has been a wet and cold winter for Donnybrook with the average minimum and maximum temperatures lower than the long term average,” says WA Front Line Advisor for Future Orchards Susie Murphy White.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

POMEWEST

Is it worth investing in netting?

A risk assessment on sun damaged apples TABLE 1 Median number browning risk days in January (31 days) for pome fruit growing regions across Australia for a 30 year period centred on 1995, 2030, 2050 and 2090

How many days above 34.1ºC did we have in January 2016? How many will we have in 2017? Do we have enough hot days to make netting viable option to protect apples from sun damage? A risk assessment of sun damaged Royal Gala apples was completed as part of the Crossing the Threshold Climate Change project*. The assessment found that those apple growing regions with very warm summers are at higher risk of sun damaged fruit occurring after extreme heat days.

Sun damage occurs in apples as a result of exposure to extreme heat. Apple quality is downgraded and yield is reduced as a result of browning. Browning in apples is characterised by yellow, brown, bronze or dark brown spots on the sun exposed side of the fruit due to a combination of high fruit surface temperature and light exposure. Over tree netting can reduce the impact of sunburn browning. Impact assessments of the risk of browning for Royal Gala apples have been conducted for fruit growing regions across Australia now and into the future. These assessments indicate the risk of sustaining browning for open orchards and those with over tree nets. When air temperatures exceed 34.1ºC in open orchards and 37.9ºC in netted orchards Royal Gala apples can sustain browning damage (Darbyshire et al., 2015). An analysis using daily maximum temperatures for January the harvest month for Royal Gala apples, estimated

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

Manjimup WA un-netted

1995

2030

2050

2090

2.5

3.9

4.5

6.1

Manjimup WA netted

0.5

1.4

Donnybrook WA un-netted

8.9

10.3

12.8

Donnybrook WA netted

Lenswood SA un-netted

4.5

5.1

Lenswood SA netted

1.5

1.8

2.3

Tatura VIC un-netted

9.4

10.4

Tatura VIC netted

2.8

3.6

5.6

Huonville TAS un-netted

1.5

Huonville TAS netted

Browning risk categories and colour coding. ≤ 1.6 days ≤ 5.0%

1.7–3.1 days 5.1–10.0%

3.2–6.2 days 10.1–20.0%

6.3–9.3 days 20.1–30.0%

9.4–15.5 days 30.1–50.0%

≥ 15.6 days ≥ 50.1%

Source: Webb et al., 2016

future potential browning risk and showed how over tree netting might reduce this risk. The results were calculated as the number browning risk days in January (Table 1). The highest risk 9 out of 31 days to browning can be seen in Tatura followed by Donnybrook in open orchards in 2030.

When over tree netting is installed the risk to browning is reduced to a 3 out of 31 days when apples are at risk of browning. There would be only one day when apples in Huonville are at risk to browning in the future, making netting in Huonville an uneconomical investment with respect to minimising browning damage.

Un-netted >34.1ºC Netted >37.9ºC

10 Days at risk to browning

BY SUSIE MURPHY WHITE PROJECT MANAGER, POMEWEST

8 6 4 2 0 Donnybrook

Newlands

Manjimup

Nannup

Pemberton

FIGURE 1 Number of days where Royal Gala apples were at risk to browning in January 2016 for the pome fruit growing regions of the South West of Western Australia Source: DAFWA

POMEWEST

The negative impact of netting can include skin colouration (pale blush and more intense green background colour) which can be managed using reflective surfaces. The orchard environment changes under netting and the risk of increased pest and diseases increases due to increases in humidity. But the there is also lower wind speed under netting improving spraying conditions. When all benefits are considered the economics of netting for WA appears favourable but is still dependent on grower attitude to risk, grower experience and financial position. MORE INFORMATION

While the browning risk is reduced to less than 1 day under netting for Manjimup compared to un-netted orchard with a 4 out of 31 day chance of browning after 2030. If we look at the maximum air temperatures in the South West for January 2016 it shows that Donnybrook is already experiencing 11 days where Royal Gala apples are at risk to browning in un-netted orchards (Figure 1). In netted orchards, there was only 1 day in January 2016 where the maximum air temperature exceeded 37.9ºC. The maximum air temperatures recorded at the Manjimup netting demonstration site over the last 3 summers has recorded no days over 37.9ºC under black and white nets.

TOP: Sunburn browning in Royal Gala apples. ABOVE: Thermocouple inserted into Royal Gala apple testing fruit surface temperature.

*This risk assessment has been undertaken as part of The Crossing the threshold: Adaptation tipping points for Australian fruit trees project is supported by funding from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources www.piccc. org.au/research/project/440. REFERENCES

In January 2016 the number of days over 34.1ºC in the un-netted orchard was 4, 2015 there were four days and six days in January 2014. When using netting as management tool to reduce future browning-risk there are other benefits to consider; reduced risk to hail damage, reduced irrigation requirements and reduced bird damage.

1 Darbyshire R, McClymont L and Goodwin I (2015) Sun damage risk of Royal Gala apple in fruit growing districts in Australia. New Zealand Journal of Crop & Horticultural Science. 43:222–232. 2 Webb L, Darbyshire R and Goodwin I (2016) A robust impact assessment that informs actionable climate change adaptation: Future sunburn browningrisk in apple. International Journal of Biometeorology. (accepted).

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

POMEWEST

Apples twist and shout at the Perth Royal Show BY NOELENE SWAIN FRESH FINESSE

Apples were once again active at the IGA Perth Royal Show. This year, a move to the IGA Fresh Pavilion provided a prominent stand with excellent background signage illustrating the apple story and a steady flow of food lovers. Fresh crisp apples and ice cold apple juice were on offer with the apple team armed with Apple Slinky machines to swirl and twirl their way through over 1,600 Pink Lady and Granny Smith apples whilst chatting to show goers about the importance of eating locally produced fruit. Surrounded by other snack food options provided a sharp reminder of the need for apples to promote themselves as a delicious and convenient snack food.

Sale of the Apple Slinky machines appealed to those keen to continue the apple ‘magic’ at home. This simple tool provides a super easy mechanism for kids (of all ages!) to enjoy apples fresh or to prepare apples for cooking.

Slinky machines have a loyal following in Primary Schools and school canteens. Even young adults show customers drooled affectionately over the apples as they recalled their primary school memories. The show provides an excellent opportunity to engage with the public. Unfortunately, extremely wet and windy weather conditions during show week created some challenges to achieve maximum engagement. We look forward to involvement in 2017 to create a strong educational engagement with the WA Community. MORE INFORMATION Please contact Nardia on (08) 9368 3869 or email nardia@fruitwest.org.au

2016 Karragullen Expo WA First, Let’s Grow Together BY NARDIA STACY EXECUTIVE MANAGER, POMEWEST

Pomewest was pleased support the 2016 Karragullen Expo held on Saturday 8th October. Despite the severe weather, the Hills Orchard Improvement Group (HOIG) soldiered on. Again, the Expo was hailed as a great success due to the massive support by the local community, the tireless commitment of the members of HOIG and the dedication and support of exhibitors and participants. The Pomewest sponsorship assisted with the promotion of this year’s theme of ‘WA First, Let’s Grow Together’ by supplying 800 x 1kg bag fruit giveaways for children attending the Expo.

Pomewest also presented the ‘Best Horticultural Machinery Display’ and the kids colouring competition. Nardia Stacy, Executive Officer of Pomewest attended the official presentations and presented awards at the event. MORE INFORMATION Please contact Nardia on phone (08) 9368 3869 or nardia@fruitwest.org.au

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

YOUR BUSINESS

YOUR

BUSINESS

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

YOUR BUSINESS

THE Department of Water will no longer be reading and maintaining the Gnangara project meters, and is conducting one final service on each before offering the 900 licensees the option of taking free ownership of the meters.

Water licence holders take control of metering BY PETER COLLINS DEPARTMENT OF WATER

Meters installed by the State Government over a decade ago to help optimise Perth’s Gnangara groundwater system are being given free of charge to licensed water users as part of the modernisation of Western Australia’s management of our precious water resources. Intensifying pressures on the State’s water resources have demanded a policy shift towards self-metering across WA and by December 2020, most water licence-holders will be responsible for measuring and reporting their own water use. The Department of Water has monitored groundwater use of about a third of the Gnangara Mound’s licensed users for the past 12 years, after the installation of 1,269 state-owned meters on bores in high-priority areas from 2004–10 for the Gnangara Metering Project. The project has provided more accurate data crucial to long-term sustainability of supply, with thousands of reliable meter reads creating a knowledge bank of allocated versus actual use.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

BENEFITS OF SELF-METERING The Department of Water is offering to transfer free-of-charge the ownership of state-owned meters, installed for the Gnangara Metering Project, to licence holders. Under the State Government-funded Gnangara Metering Project, the Department of Water installed 1,269 water meters on the bores of about 900 licence holders on the Gnangara Mound between 2004 and 2010. The Gnangara Metering Project has created a knowledge bank of groundwater use on the Gnangara Mound that is being used to improve both management strategies and productivity efficiencies. Accurate measurement of water use benefits water resources by: −− making the process of sharing the resource more fair, transparent and accountable by removing guesswork about individual amounts used; −− helping keep water use within allocation limits and preventing stress on the resource; −− informing more accurate water models for more precise supplydemand outlooks; and

−− aiding assessment of impacts to the water resource and causes. Self-metering also offers benefits to individual licence holders, such as: −− knowing how your water use changes over time to plan for improvements in water efficiency — saving water, power and money; −− opportunity in areas with water trading to lease or trade unused portions of an entitlement (as trading cannot occur without approved accurate measurement), or to use it for increasing crop area under irrigation; −− enabling more efficient application of fertiliser to crops through ‘fertigation’, which can lead to healthier crops, cost savings and less excess fertiliser ending up in groundwater and waterways; −− repairing inefficient bores to save on power bills and water use; and −− helping to keep within annual licensed water entitlements and being able to make positive changes to water use practices if entitlements are being exceeded.

YOUR BUSINESS

Not only has this helped to inform the DoW’s allocation planning and state-wide groundwater management strategies, it has led to a wide range of efficiency dividends for licensees. “I have collected about 12,000 meter readings over the past decade, visiting properties from North Gingin to Baldivis. Speaking with licensees, I have seen firsthand how meters have been used to improve productivity of fertigation systems through testing a bore’s production and how much water each station or cropped area is using,” Ian Jeffrey, DoW. To ensure regulatory consistency for all licensees as self-metering is rolled out across the state, the DoW will no longer be reading and maintaining the Gnangara project meters, and is conducting one final service on each before offering the 900 licensees the option of taking free ownership of the meters on their land.

Licensees are encouraged to accept the handover offer — particularly where metering is a regulatory requirement — and more than 75 licensees had already taken up the offer by mid-October 2016. Licensees who choose not to accept ownership will have the state-owned meters removed from their bores — but they will need to re-install their own meters unless they are exempt from the new selfmeasurement requirements. The handover of Gnangara state-owned meters is scheduled to progress over four years for completion by December 2018, and affected licence-holders will be individually contacted by the DoW during this period. MORE INFORMATION Detailed information about the handover of Gnangara state-owned meters is available via the DoW’s website at www.water.wa.gov.au including Frequently Asked Questions, a fact sheet about the handover, an information sheet for licensees on the move to measuring their own water take and the full Measuring the take of water policy document.

If you have an issue with licensing that you can’t sort out online, phone the DoW’s Licensing hotline 1800 508 885 or email licence.enquiry@water.wa.gov.au.

Expressions of interest

Freehold land available for lease/joint business opportunity ‘Point Grey’, Peel region • Rare, large landholding with significant tracts of cleared land, comprising Spearwood Dune System soils. • Untapped potential, ideal for market garden operations close to Perth and Mandurah. • Area demarcated as high prospectivity for market gardening by DAFWA. • Median rainfall of 704mm recorded on site between 2005–2015.

• Water license and production bore on site. • Well maintained local roads and farm access facilities and amenities. • Within 5km of an approved residential subdivision. • Excellent access to main roads. • 15km from the Forrest Highway (10min), 28km from Pinjarra (30 min), 37km from Mandurah (40 min), and 101km from Perth (1hr 20min).

• Experienced and well-regarded property owner seeks expressions of interest from market gardeners or other growers who require land. • Potential leasing arrangements or co-investment opportunities available. • Various areas between 40ha and 116ha available. All offers and expressions of interest presented.

Dawesville

Point Grey

Plunkett Properties:

Ben Plunkett 0458 858 250 benplunkett@iinet.net.au Graeme Sampson 08 9321 2283 graemesampson@iinet.net.au

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

YOUR BUSINESS

ADVERTORIAL

Mirco, Haifa

celebrate ‘quality’ partnership A FIRM focus on providing the best quality products and service to Mirco’s loyal horticulture and gardening customers meant a relationship with one of the world’s highest quality fertiliser suppliers, Haifa, was always going to be a strong success. Mirco Bros, now with stores in Henderson, Neerabup, Manjimup (Manjimup Trading Co) and a machinery division in Bibra Lake, recently chalkedup 50 years after originally commencing in Spearwood and Haifa is celebrating its own jubilee this year. Today, the company plans to continue its pioneering vision, aiming to provide growers with innovative nutritional solutions to support better agricultural practice. Mirco pays attention to every little detail for customers and knows they have come to expect a certain level of quality in its products, which is why the business has maintained particularly strong relationships with trusted brands.

Mirco provides Multicote with 4-month and 8-month nutrient release timings and they have been popular for the nursery and flower industries, feeding crops continuously throughout the growing season. Based on Haifa’s polymer coating technology, Multicote releases nutrients into soils in a gradual manner, matched to plants’ requirements. It also differs from other controlled release fertilisers because its release rate is governed by temperature, not moisture. This is important in ensuring the nutrients being supplied to plants are not lost during periods of high rainfall or over-watering. “Haifa’s Poly-Feed and Multi-K fertilisers are the premium, Rolls Royce of soluble products, going through drip lines and out through sprinklers. They are really high quality and everybody knows it — Haifa is renowned for it,” Rob said.

“It means they are very reliable. I have been in the industry for 30 years and I have never encountered a problem with a Haifa product.”

Haifa has a strong reputation with growers for providing superior fertiliser products and several in its range are very popular with Mirco customers in all regions.

He said the flagship Multi-K plain and enriched potassium nitrate fertilisers were excellent and use of the Poly-Feed range was widespread by market gardeners, fruit growers and grape growers.

Mirco’s Rob Illiano said Haifa’s PolyFeed soluble NPK fertilisers and Multi-K potassium nitrate product were always highly demanded and the more recently released Multicote controlled release fertilisers were also becoming popular.

“A lot of Poly-Feed is applied through irrigation, but it is a very versatile product and some people even throw it on the ground. For some growers, it’s all they want.”

The Haifa Poly-Feed range is designed to feed crops by Nutrigation or foliar application, providing plants with optimal, balanced nutrition throughout the growth season. It is fully water soluble, comprises pure plant nutrients and is enriched with a full range of plant micronutrients.

Other popular Haifa products at Mirco include the company’s MAP, MKP and the calcium nitrate fertiliser range, Haifa Cal.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

“In the good old days, a lot of farmers even used it for wheat and barley.”

Haifa’s Managing Director in Australia, Trevor Dennis, said the company’s local team was proud to be able to supply

MIRCO’S Rob Illiano and Michael Mirco with some of the quality water soluble fertilisers from Haifa, which is celebrating 50 years of growth.

growers the best quality nutrients with the minimum levels of non-target elements. “It is this drive for quality that makes Haifa products the perfect partners for Mirco and horticultural growers, as collectively our goal is to grow high quality food free of contamination,” Trevor said. “Yes, there are cheaper alternatives, but is the risk to the supply chain and food quality worth the saving.” He said using Haifa products also meant there was little to no residue remaining in soils. “When our flagship Multi-K fertilisers are applied, plants actively absorb both the nitrogen anion, or negative particle, and the potassium, which is the cation or positively charged particle. This unique property of Multi-K makes it the premium source of potassium, and, while it may be more expensive per kilogram than other options, it should be viewed as more efficient and thus more economic in the long run.” “Another advantage of this dual affinity the plants have for absorbing the nutrients from Multi-K is that it increases water use efficiency and reduces the energy used by the plant to gain the nutrients — energy that can be used to the crop and which farmers are paid for,’’ Trevor said. MORE INFORMATION Contact Johny Mirco 0419 909 648 or go to www.mircobros.com.au

Noth’n feeds like Poly-Feed Soluble NPK fertilisers for complete plant nutrition World-renowned Poly-Feed fertilisers enable growers to feed crops according to their developing needs by Nutrigation or as foliar sprays, providing plants with optimal, balanced nutrition throughout the growth season. • Fully water soluble and safe for use with all irrigation and spraying systems, including with water of variable quality.

Years of Growth

• Comprise pure plant nutrients and enriched with high levels of micronutrients.

Haifa australia

Free of chloride, sodium and other detrimental elements.

www.haifa-group.com

QUALITY HAIFA FERTILISERS AVAILABLE FROM: Henderson 800 Rockingham Road Ph 9410 2233 E: mirco@mirco.com.au

neerabuP 2048 Wanneroo Road Ph 9407 4522 E: mirco@mirco.com.au

ManjiMuP Trading 9-11 Pritchard Street Ph 9771 1044 E: trading@manjimup. mirco.com.au

Rob Illiano 0447 030 367

Johny Mirco 0419 909 648

Marty Collins 0429 372 607

www.mircobros.com.au

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Diesel fumes at work

CAUSE 130 LUNG CANCER CASES EVERY YEAR

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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Cancer Council Australia highlights cancer risks during National Safe Work Month Cancer Council is calling for greater cancer awareness in the workplace, following new estimates that about 130 workers are diagnosed each year in Australia with lung cancer as a result of work-based exposure to diesel fumes. Terry Slevin, Chair of Cancer Council Australia’s Occupational and Environmental Cancer Committee, said an estimated 3.6 million Australians were exposed to cancer-causing agents at work, with around 5,000 cancer cases diagnosed each year as a result. “Awareness of the risks of exposures like asbestos and UV radiation is increasing, and is reflected in gradual improvements in work safety practices,” Mr Slevin said.

“Exposure to diesel fumes is Australia’s second-most prevalent work-based cancercausing agent. It’s estimated that around 1.2 million Australians are exposed to diesel engine exhaust at work each year and that 130 workers each year are diagnosed with lung cancer as a result of their exposure on the job. “The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer has upgraded its classification of diesel exhaust to a ‘Group 1’ carcinogen, confirming that it is an established cause of cancer in humans. IARC estimates that people regularly exposed to diesel exhaust fumes at work can be up to 40 per cent more likely to develop lung cancer. Most

Eliminate (get rid of)

Substitute (change)

3 4

Engineer controls

(make something new)

Administrative controls

(make something new)

Personal protective equipment (gloves, earplugs)

Lowest

Reliability of control measures

Level of health and safety protection

Highest

130

“By contrast, workers awareness of the hazards of exposure are diagnosed with lung cancer to diesel fumes is each year low, especially in relation to the potential harms.

“While the general population might only be exposed to diesel occasionally, those who work with diesel-fuelled heavy machinery are at high risk. This includes those who work with diesel motor vehicles including buses, tractors, trains and forklifts, especially in enclosed spaces like garages and workshops. There are also risks for people who work with diesel operated generators, compressors or power plants.” Mr Slevin said both workers and employers had to take steps to reduce their cancer risk at work.

“Taking simple steps, such as winding up the window and turning on the air con if you are driving a diesel vehicle, can reduce your cancer risk,” Mr Slevin said. Eliminate or reduce exposure to hazards using the hierarchy of control (Figure 1) and put in place a risk management process. If suitable control measures are not in place, anyone working with or around dieselpowered engines could be at an increased risk of developing cancer. As a part of National Safe Work Month in October, Cancer Council has released a series of free resources outlining workplace cancer risks for employers and employees. As well as diesel engine exhaust, the new fact sheets cover UV radiation (outdoor workers), asbestos (builders and renovators), welding fumes and secondhand tobacco smoke. The resources aim to provide information about workplace cancer risks, how to reduce carcinogen exposure at work, and legal obligations for organisations. MORE INFORMATION

For more information please visit: cancer.org. au/workcancer

Least

For further information contact: Melissa Ledger, Cancer Smart Manager, Cancer Council Western Australia on (08) 9388 4348.

FIGURE 1 The hierarchy of risk control

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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Role of the Fair Work Ombudsman

regarding labour hire arrangements Part of the role of the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) is to raise awareness of the obligations of businesses which engage workers through labour hire arrangements. In Western Australia the FWO has jurisdiction over propriety limited companies, but not sole traders or partnerships. In WA many host companies use the services of labour hire companies to obtain workers rather than employing them directly. This is a legitimate business decision and the FWO does not have any concerns with such arrangements, as long as all parties are complying with their obligations under the Fair Work Act. This means that the labour hire business, if it is a proprietary limited company, must pay its workers the minimum entitlements in a Modern Award and must maintain employee time and wage records in accordance with Fair Work Act and FW Regulations.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

From time to time, the FWO becomes aware of labour hire companies which do not comply with Commonwealth workplace laws by: • underpaying or not paying legal minimum rates of pay • not paying superannuation • not providing their employees with payslips within one day of payment • not maintaining employee records • not having written piece work agreements with piece workers • engaging employees as subcontractors in circumstances where those persons are not genuine contractors — otherwise known as ‘sham contracting’. In many cases the host company has no written agreement with the labour hire company, and has not made any enquiries to ensure they are dealing with a trustworthy labour hire company which complies with workplace laws. In some situations, these oversights have enabled less scrupulous labour hire companies to exploit their employees, many of whom are vulnerable workers.

What are your obligations when using labour hire workers in your company? It is important that your company ensures that any labour hire company you engage to provide labour is meeting its obligations under any relevant Modern Award or Enterprise Agreement, and the Fair Work Act.

While many companies face pressure to keep costs low to enable them to be competitive, they must be alert to the noncompliance risks associated with using low cost labour hire arrangements. The labour hire fee paid by the host employer should be sufficient to enable the labour hire company to pass on the correct legal minimum wages and entitlements (e.g. annual leave, superannuation, etc.) to its employees. The charge out rate should also allow for the labour hire company to retain a portion of the fee for its own service costs and profit margin.

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• is the hourly wage rate charged to your company sufficient for the labour hire company to meet all legal minimum obligations to their employees (i.e. hourly wages or piece rates, overtime and penalty rates, annual leave entitlements, superannuation, etc., based on the hours that they work for you).

As best practice, you should have a written contract between your company and the labour hire company detailing each party’s legal obligations. Fair Work Infoline

13 13 94

If the fees you are paying for labour hire do not, or may not, allow for the payment of minimum entitlements, you should ask the labour hire company to clarify what they are paying their employees. This is necessary to make sure the labour hire company is meeting its obligations to the employees working in your company. Unfortunately, Fair Work Inspectors have found many instances of host companies entering into arrangements with labour hire companies in which hourly charge out rates are too low to allow for employees to be paid all legal minimum entitlements.

What are the consequences of not ensuring that your labour hire arrangements comply with workplace laws? Under section 550 of the Fair Work Act, the FWO has the power to commence legal proceedings against both legal and natural persons (individuals) who have been ‘involved’ in contraventions. Checking that a labour hire company you use is complying with the law will help you and your company to avoid facing legal proceedings and monetary penalties for being involved in contraventions of the Fair Work Act, by the labour hire company. For example, should a host company be aware that a rate paid to a labour hire company is not sufficient for that company to meet its legal minimum wage obligations, it may be viewed

ENSURE any labour hire company you engage is meeting all minimum legal obligations to its employees.

that the host company is involved in the underpayment of wages. The host company may face legal action for being involved in contraventions of the Fair Work Act and/or a Modern Award. The maximum penalties for each contravention where a person is involved, as at 31 July 2015, are $54,000 for a company and $10,800 for an individual.

What should I do to make sure that my arrangements are lawful? In order to ensure that any labour hire company you engage is meeting its obligations to its employees, and to reduce the potential liability of your company, we recommend that you obtain certain information from the labour hire company. The information you should obtain includes: • are the host workers full-time, part-time, casual or piece rate workers; • have the workers been advised of their employment status i.e. full-time, part-time, casual or piece rate;

It is also good practice for the contract to include reference to the Modern Award or Enterprise Agreement which covers the labour hire company. Further information about Modern Awards, wages rates and resources to assist employers to meet their workplace obligations, including the FWO’s piece work agreement template, can be found on our website at www.fairwork.gov.au or by phoning the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94. If you are not aware of the Modern Award that covers your company you should immediately use the FWO website or contact the Fair Work Info Line to identify the Modern award or Enterprise Agreement that covers your company, and any employees you engage through labour hire. The current rates of pay for various employee classifications in Modern Awards can be found on the FWO website at www.fairwork. gov.au/pay/minimum-wages/pay-guides.

What may happen in the future? The FWO would like to draw your attention to the information provided above and recommends you take steps to ensure any labour hire company you engage is meeting all minimum legal obligations to its employees. MORE INFORMATION For further information see the website www.fairwork.gov.au/how-we-will-help/ templates-and-guides/fact-sheets/rightsand-obligations/on-hire-employee-servicesworkplace-obligations

• are the workers covered by a Modern Award, if so, which Award; • are the workers issued with pays slips within one day of being paid; • do piece rate workers have individual written piece work agreements; and WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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CHRIS Wheatcroft, CEO of the Rural Financial Counselling Service of WA.

RFCS WA Independent professional expertise!

A helping hand when your business is

under pressure

Horticultural production in Australia has many challenges and opportunities. In particular, changing market trends and competition from interstate and overseas are forcing Western Australian growers to consider the direction of their businesses and to look for new opportunities within the sector.

But how do you adapt to the new realities? What is the right product for you to move to? What steps do you need to take to switch from your current position to a new one? “I’ve never seen any business that has to deal with more complexity than vegetable growers,” says Chris Wheatcroft, who is CEO of the Rural Financial Counselling Service of WA. “We find that growers are very skilled at what they do but the complications of the changing business environment can become overwhelming. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes can help us see new options and alternatives.”

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

The RFCS WA can help you work through the business strategy and planning steps to create your solutions, and Chris Wheatcroft explains how it works. “One of the most important benefits of our service is the way we can help you to think about the future and what changes in your business will fit best with your life goals. You see, planning what to do with your business is about much more than the finances. It’s also about what you want for your life and how the business fits with your goals and those of other people involved, like family and business partners. “We use a Harvard-based business planning model. Through this process, growers can regain focus, make better decisions and create solutions. “Our financial counsellors are very practical people, skilled, qualified and experienced in financial and business analysis, especially relating to agricultural businesses that are facing financial difficulty. “They bring independent professional expertise to support growers who are looking to be clear about their future direction. ‘Independent’ means that they are not

affiliated with any banks or agricultural suppliers — they are on your side. “Our financial counsellors can help with practical things like your negotiations with banks, your analysis of financial position and financial implications of establishing a new crop. Sometimes it’s just helping with the maths. Sometimes it’s dealing with all the complexities that I know growers have to deal with. “Our service is confidential, free to anyone doing it tough, and it’s mobile. We come to your home or business.” MORE INFORMATION Contact the Rural Financial Counselling Service of WA on 1800 612 004 to arrange a Rural Financial Counsellor to visit you. For further information see the website www.rfcswa.com.au

Regain Focus, Create Solutions Rural Financial Counselling Service

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Steps to become certified to the

Freshcare Food Safety & Quality Program Freshcare is the fresh produce industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own on-farm assurance program, meeting the needs of Australian growers in fulfilling both domestic and international market requirements. Freshcareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s practical approach to helping growers and packers assure customers that their produce is safe to eat and sustainably grown has seen thousands of fresh produce businesses adopt the Freshcare program since its launch in July 2000. In order for Freshcare to be successful you will need to ensure all steps are completed to become certified.

Freshcare certification steps 1 Undertake Freshcare training It is a requirement that at least one business representative completes training to the Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) Program.

2 Implement system on farm

Once the FSQ Program has been implemented on-farm, and required records have been established, you can prepare for a third-party audit to verify your compliance.

3 Schedule on-farm audit To become Freshcare certified you must first successfully complete and pass an audit. To schedule an audit, contact a Freshcare approved Certification Body.

4 On successful completion of audit = Freshcare Certified Your Certification Body will send you a copy of your Freshcare Certificate. If you do not have a Freshcare certificate you are not certified.

5 Maintaining certification To maintain Freshcare certification, your business must be audited annually. Each year you need to go through steps 3 and 4.

THOUSANDS of fresh produce businesses have adopted the Freshcare program since its launch in July 2000.

FRESHCARE APPROVED CERTIFICATION BODIES

MORE INFORMATION

Please find below the contact details of Certification Bodies who currently provide Freshcare Food Safety & Quality auditing services.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact Freshcare on 1300 853 508, email admin@freshcare.com.au or visit the website www.freshcare.com.au.

AUS-QUAL Pty Ltd

1800 630 890

Australian Certified Organic

(07) 3350 5706

BSI Group ANZ Pty Ltd

1300 730 134

Merieux NutriSciences Certification

(03) 8878 2122

Sci Qual International Pty Ltd

1800 998 999

SGS Australia Pty Ltd

1300 723 503

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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If not backpackers, who?

TIMOR-LESTE

Seasonal workers from Timor-Leste provide solutions to horticultural labour shortage across Australia The Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP), administered by the Australian Department of Employment: ‘...contributes to the economic development of participating countries by providing access to work opportunities in the Australian agriculture and accommodation industries. The Seasonal Worker Programme offers seasonal labour to employers in the agricultural industry, who can’t meet their seasonal labour needs with local jobseekers. Participating countries include; Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, TimorLeste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu’.

BY NICOLE COOPER ASSISTANT LABOUR ATTACHÉ, EMBASSY OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE

With the uncertainty of the proposed changes to the taxation of workers entering Australia on a working holiday maker visa, it is essential for growers to consider what the composition of their workforce will look like over the years to come. 82

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

TIMORESE workers in the field planting.

Alongside reports of fruit trees remaining unpicked and growers reporting an administrative burden come tax time, issuing literally hundreds of PAYG statements for backpackers who stayed for very short time frames, it follows that workforce stability is something which most growers either strive to achieve or feel may be something of a pipe dream. However, pipe dream it is not, the truth is a scheme exists which can provide stability and certainty to horticultural workforces. This scheme is called the Seasonal Worker Programme.

Of these labour sending countries, the closest proximity and therefore greater accessibility to Western Australia is Timor-Leste. Workers from Timor-Leste generally have a strong connection to farming, as life in Timor-Leste is supported by the practical ability of the people to work the land, growing a variety of subsistence crops. In addition, there is also the commercial coffee export trade which has proven valuable in supplying global niche markets with quality Fairtrade and organic coffee and has provided some candidate workers with experience in commercial horticulture. Growers who employ workers from TimorLeste frequently comment on the efficiency and ability of these workers. In particular, a vegetable grower in South Australia was

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recently surprised by the Timorese worker’s harvesting efficiency and upon observing the worker’s efficiency and care in harvesting the crop, immediately requested further recruitments. The scheme, like any other has some challenges, specifically in the initial stages of seeking departmental approvals, however, growers report it is worthwhile. According to a fruit farmer in Queensland who recently decided to utilise seasonal workers and domestic labour in favour of backpackers, ‘the stability and certainty of knowing the fruit will be picked and by whom, makes it all worthwhile’. The core feature which attracts growers across Australia to this program is that these workers are able to return year after year. This ensures the portion of their HR budget reserved for training is an investment in upskilling an enduring workforce and it also means the grower knows exactly what to expect from the workers each season. This certainty makes it much easier for growers to staff their farms adequately. It is so important that growers who have utilised the SWP with a view to recruiting a returning workforce have been supported by the labour sending country’s labour department to travel to the country of choice to choose their initial group of workers. The grower’s involvement with candidate selection is welcomed and supported by

TIMORESE workers undertaking various roles within the vegetable industry.

SEPFOPE, the Department of Labour in TimorLeste. The positive results of this process and others like it applied to candidate preparation and selection phases, are evident in the statistics collected by the administration of the program which show approximately 90% of workers from Timor-Leste are returning each year to the same locations.

The Seasonal Worker Programme, certainly provides a solution to labour force shortages for Australian growers but also allows people living in developing countries to pursue activities which they may not have been able to without income earned in Australia. The income the workers earn is essential to ensuring their ability to work toward achieving an acceptable quality of life. In addition to offering support to children and other family members, these remittances have been applied to a variety of important projects including; building homes, gaining a higher level of education, to access complex health care for sick relatives, funding education for children and younger siblings and to create small businesses.

One of the workgroup team leaders at farm in the NT described her future plan for her earnings; “I hope one day to make my own business, working in tourism, giving tours”, it is this entrepreneurial spirit combined with the fantastic opportunity afforded to the workers by Australian farmers which continue to contribute to the economic development of Timor-Leste. If you can hire workers who are happy to return to your farm year-after-year, stabilising your workforce while ensuring maximum efficiency in harvest operations, while contributing to economic development in a developing country, why wouldn’t you? MORE INFORMATION If you would like more information about Timor-Leste’s Seasonal Worker Programme, please contact Assistant Labour Attaché Nicole Cooper via email at nicole.cooper@mfac.gov.tl or on 0468 582 131.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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Unfair contracts under new law spotlight BY DI GRAHAM SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Protection for consumers entering into standard form contracts has existed for many years however, since 12 November 2016, similar protections are now in place for small businesses. Changes to the Australian Consumer Law, introduced on 12 November 2016, have the potential to affect a large number of small businesses in their dealings with other businesses, both as suppliers and customers, so it’s important to know your rights when entering into a standard form contract, or providing a contract to others. The new protections apply to small businesses with fewer than 20 employees however, currently in Western Australia, the protections apply only if one party to the contract is incorporated e.g. a Pty. Ltd. company. This may be amended in the future. In preparation for the introduction of the new laws, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) investigated a range of standard form contracts currently in place across seven industries; advertising,

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

telecoms, retail leasing, independent contracting, franchising, waste management and agriculture.

Within agriculture, including horticulture, beef and cattle, viticulture, honey, cotton, poultry, grain and sugar industries, several potentially problematic terms were identified. Clauses that could now be subject to challenge included those giving only one party to the contract: • broad rights to reject or downgrade produce • limited liability • the ability to significantly restrict a supplier’s ability to sell produce in excess of the amount committed under the contract, and • the right to late, indicative or variable pricing of produce.

IN preparation for the introduction of the new laws, the ACCC investigated a range of standard form contracts.

Although these ACCC discussions continue, the consultation has already resulted in significant change. A common clause that came to light provided traders with broad discretion to change the quality of produce requirements and pricing terms. It was argued that such a clause was necessary to allow the trader to respond to changes in regulatory requirements beyond their control. After discussions with the ACCC, two of the traders amended their contracts to allow changes to be made only in the event of regulatory changes outside of the business’ control. Other contracts in the horticulture/ agriculture sector, give suppliers the right to enter a property at any time, to inspect where produce is grown.

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Common questions Q

In general terms, a standard form contract is one that has been prepared by one party to the contract and that gives the other party little or no opportunity to negotiate the terms — that is, it’s effectively offered on a ‘take it or leave it’ basis.

The new protections only apply:

What’s a standard form contract?

If a dispute arises, an agreement is assumed to be a standard form contract, unless the party that prepared it can prove that it’s not.

What’s an unfair contract term?

The law sets out examples of terms that may be deemed ‘unfair’, including where only one party: • holds all, or the majority of power under the contract • can terminate the contract • is penalised for breaching or terminating the contract

Which contracts are covered by the new laws?

• when the upfront price payable under the contract is under $300,000 (for contracts of less than 12 months), or under $1 million (for longer contracts) • to contracts entered into, or amended, on or after 12 November 2016 • to contracts that are automatically rolled over on, or after, this date.

What should I do if I’m offered an unfair contract to sign?

• Attempt to negotiate the unfair elements out of the contract • Talk to the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) • Contact the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) small business helpline on 1300 302 021 • Seek legal advice

While this may be necessary in some cases to ensure compliance with a contract, in the main it was seen as an unnecessary burden. The ACCC raised its concerns about these types of terms, with three traders. As a result one amended its contract to allow for a two-week notice period, one did not amend its contract, and consultation is continuing with the third. MORE INFORMATION The Small Business Development Corporation provides free, confidential advice and guidance for small business owners in Western Australia. Contact the SBDC on 13 12 49 or visit smallbusiness.wa.gov.au

• can vary the terms of the contract

FROM CONCEPT DESIGNS TO OPERATIONAL PROJECTS FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GRADING AND HANDLING EQUIPMENT.

AUSTRALIAN MADE

edp australia pty ltd 31-37 O’Brien Street Mooroopna VIC 3629 Phone (03) 5820 5337 Fax (03) 5825 2758 Email sales@edp.com.au

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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Industry Skills Fund

If you are an existing business that has identified an opportunity to grow, such as a new product, a new process or a new market, and your employees need training so that your business can take advantage of this opportunity, the Industry Skills Fund may be able to help you. The Industry Skills Fund helps eligible businesses to invest in training to take advantage of new business growth opportunities.

You may be able to receive free independent skills advice and access Government funding to support your training efforts. The Industry Skills Fund can help your business: • access an opportunity to grow outside of your normal day-to-day operations; and • offer training to your employees to assist the business to take up new opportunities.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

Does your business have access to the skilled and productive workforce it needs to turn good ideas into great commercial outcomes? • Are you an existing business that has identified an opportunity to grow, such as a new product or a new market? • Do your employees need training so that your business can take advantage of this opportunity? • Perhaps you need to hire and train more employees in order to grow? • Could you benefit from some expert advice on the skills your workforce needs to help your business meet its growth opportunity? • Do you want to know what training may be available?

The Industry Skills Fund is here to help Australian businesses grow and prosper. The first step in seeking assistance through the Industry Skills Fund is to: • call Navitas Professional on 1300 856 549 or • call the single business service on 13 28 46 or • complete a simple online enquiry form available on business.gov.au/industryskillsfund

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YOUR

MARKET

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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Streamlining

fresh produce industry export access Australian vegetable growers looking to enter key export markets are set to save significant costs and complication after global and domestic food-safety certification requirements are combined. The new initiative being delivered through Horticulture Innovation Australia — using vegetable industry levy funds and funds from the Australian Government — in partnership with peak industry body AUSVEG, will have a significant impact. FRESHCARE is the most widely adopted food safety standard in the Australian fresh produce sector.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

Horticulture Innovation Australia Chief Executive John Lloyd said currently, vegetable exporters have to implement food safety standard GLOBALG.A.P to access many key export markets in Asia and the Middle East. On top of that, to operate in the domestic market, producers have to meet a local certification — the Freshcare Food Safety and Quality Standard being the most widely used. But that dual requirement is about to change. “This new initiative will see the Freshcare standard benchmarked against the internationally recognised GLOBALG.A.P. standard, leading to increased efficiencies and cost savings for Australian fresh produce exporters,” he said.

“Australian produce has a strong international reputation for being fresh, clean and safe, and as the horticulture industry looks to increase its presence in overseas markets, it’s vital that this reputation is backed up by an internationally recognised certification.”

Freshcare Executive Officer Clare Hamilton-Bate said the on-farm assurance organisation will develop a supplement to its current Freshcare Food Safety and Quality Standard to achieve GLOBALG.A.P. recognition. “Freshcare is the most widely adopted food safety standard in the Australian fresh produce sector, with over 5,000 participating horticulture businesses using the standard to meet domestic market requirements. However, the Freshcare standard is not widely recognised in export markets.

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Australia's international reputation:

fresh, clean & safe

Benchmarking the Freshcare standard against GLOBALG.A.P. will allow these Australian producers to achieve regulatory and retailer compliance in export markets through an extension to their existing Freshcare certification.”

AUSVEG, has welcomed the project and its potential to help Australian growers access the wealth of overseas markets. “Evolving food safety demands could represent a barrier to trade for Australian vegetable and potato exports, and benchmarking Freshcare against the GLOBALG.A.P. standard will help keep overseas markets open to Australian growers,” AUSVEG CEO Simon Bolles said. “We hope to see this project pay real dividends into the future — not just for our vegetable and potato growers, but for the entire horticulture sector.” MORE INFORMATION The GLOBALG.A.P. benchmark process is expected to be completed by mid-2017. For more information, go to the Freshcare website www.freshcare.com.au.

What gets measured, gets managed BY BRYN EDWARDS BENCHMARK LEAD, VEGETABLESWA

In a competitive environment, with ever increasing operating costs and tight margins, it is imperative to understand in detail how all the elements of production and business operations play their part so they can be specifically targeted to improve the bottom line. vegetablesWA are developing a benchmarking facility for all growers to benefit from, with a view to assisting growers with this challenge while also investigating wider benefits of aggregating purchasing. In essence, benchmarking is simply comparing individual input and process metrics to the wider industry norms and trends. In this way, it is possible to identify very quickly the specific target areas that an individual grower can focus on to gain efficiencies and save costs. It also has the potential to strengthen the industry here in WA as a whole.

Metrics can range from the use and efficiency of fertiliser, water and pesticides to the equipment maintenance cycles and finance, diesel consumption and use of safety equipment. The first concern of many businesses when considering participation in benchmarking is giving up secrets and advantages for competitors to see. However, all information submitted is kept strictly confidential and comparisons are made against anonymous averages and trends. This way key insights can be surfaced while retaining the confidentially of participants.

Benchmarking is a recognised global business management practise across industries including oil and gas, car manufacturing and banking, as well as locally in the wine and citrus industry. The key to a successful benchmarking facility however is squarely dependent upon participation; the more participants, the stronger the results, which leads to better outcomes for the participants. MORE INFORMATION The project to develop the benchmarking facility is currently in its scoping and development phase. If you wish to provide any suggestions, advice, input or have any questions please contact Bryn Edwards, Benchmarking Lead, on (08) 9481 0834 or bryn.edwards@vegetableswa.com.au

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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Food Industry Innovation project overview It has been an exciting and busy time for the Food Industry Innovation project. The launch of the Western Australian Premium Food Centre, the food production and processing capacity survey of the Great Southern getting underway and participation in two major conferences, Seizing the Opportunity Agriculture (STOA) and Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA) exposing the project to the wider business community.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

Food Industry Innovation Project Manager Kim Antonio said the level of participation from industry at the launch of the Western Australia Premium Food Centre was testament to the interest industry has in the project. “We certainly feel there were real benefits that accrued from having DAFWA’s A/ Director General and the Minster for Agriculture and Food spending time at the launch and in and around the region, meeting producers and seeing how their businesses operate. The additional benefit of having high-level government involvement pre and post the launch was definitely significant for the project” Kim said.

BELOW: (L-R) At the launch of the Western Australian Premium Food Centre, Minister for Agriculture and Food Mark Lewis, DAFWA’s A/Director General Mark Webb, Minister for Regional Development Terry Redman, DAFWA’s Food Industry Innovation Project Manager Kim Antonio, Manjimup Shire President Wade DeCampo and DAFWA’s Premium Food Centre Manager Phil May.

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FRESH Produce Alliance are producing an exciting new range of Avovita avocado smoothies and mousses and Born Pure baby food at their high pressure processing facility.

After months of planning and preparation it was a very exciting and pivotal moment for the DAFWA Food Industry Innovation project when the Western Australian Premium Food Centre was launched by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mark Lewis early in October. Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Lewis, was impressed by the agrifood businesses he visited while in the region. “It was great to see the level of enthusiasm from industry at the Western Australian Premium Food Centre launch and I was delighted to be able to meet with innovative producers in the region and visit new developments, like the high pressure processing facility at Fresh Produce Alliance producing an exciting new range of Avovita avocado smoothies and mousses and Born Pure baby food.” At the event, 80 invited guests, predominantly from industry, were treated to a selection of premium food products, catered for by a former South West Chef of the Year, Raj Thyagarajan, from Cilantro Café. As part of the formalities, Phil May, Western Australian Premium Food Centre Manger, was able to highlight some of WA’s already

DAFWA’S Food Industry Innovation Project Manager Kim Antonio and Western Australian Premium Food Centre Manager Phil May, with Manjimup Shire President Wade DeCampo (centre) at the Western Australian Premium Food Centre launch.

successful premium producers who featured on the menu at the delicious morning tea including Holy Smoke, Newton Orchards, The Truffle & Wine Co., Omega Walnuts, Bridgetown Cidery, Sally’s Lane and Blue Ridge Marron.

Minister Lewis said the Western Australian Premium Food Centre, supported by a $3 million investment from Royalties for Regions, would assist agricultural producers and processors to work together to capture a share of the growing global premium food market. “The Western Australian Premium Food Centre will enable the local agrifood industry to build on its enviable reputation and capitalise on growing domestic and international demand — particularly from Asia — for reliable suppliers of high quality, safe, premium products,” he said.

“The centre will work with agribusinesses throughout WA, including the organics industry, that are actively pursuing market expansion. These businesses will make an important contribution to realising the Liberal National Government’s vision to double the value of agriculture by 2025.” Minister for Regional Development, Terry Redman said the centre would support suitable agribusinesses in their endeavours to become competitive, providers of premium agrifood products. “These investments will equip WA agribusinesses with the skills and market intelligence to stand out in the international marketplace as preferred premium food suppliers,” he said. MORE INFORMATION For more information or to register your interest in the Western Australian Premium Food Centre (08) 9777 0162 or email Phil May at phil.may@agric.wa.gov.au or contact Kim Antonio, Food Industry Innovation Project Manager (08) 9368 3676 or email kim.antonio@ agric.wa.gov.au

Department of Agriculture and Food

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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Hort Innovation vegetable data Horticulture Innovationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s data projects (VG15019 Baseline Demographic Research for the Vegetable Industry, also known as Nielsen Homescan data and VG14060 Consumer and Market program for the vegetable industry, also known as Project Harvest by Colmar Brunton) have provided data insights for the vegetable industry over the past three years.

Broccoli/ broccolini

Regular analysis Year to August 2016

To support the projects, a series of presentations were organised around the country, with the assistance of the National Vegetable Extension Network. The presentations explained the project, the data collection methods and resulting analysis, with case studies on how the analysis could be applied, focusing on the commodities grown in the regions in which the presentations were held. They also presented an excellent opportunity for growers to form direct relationships with the data teams. The recent Summit in WA was one of the events where the data was showcased for Beetroot, Broccoli and Celery, you can view some of the information in the following pages. Both projects are scheduled to draw to a close by early 2017, and a review by independent service provider SPP, is currently underway. MORE INFORMATION If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to have a say about the usefulness or drawbacks of the projects, please email your feedback to sarah.robins@horticulture.com.au

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

WHILE broccoli volume declined marginally, value sales were up 4% over last year.

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Volume

Value

Total vegetables Australia

Highlights Broccoli represented 4.3% of both value and volume market share this year. Share for volume was down slightly while value was up. Slightly more households purchased broccoli, they also purchased more often. Senior and established couples remained the key buyers for broccoli; accounting for 43% of buyers and 44% of volume. Their volume share has decreased slightly in the latest year despite their buyer distribution remaining the same.

NSW and WA were the only states to decrease their buyer base size. SA+NT was the only region to see an increase in average volume purchased. Combined, NSW and VIC account for 57% of broccoli sales.

2.5% 3.0% 5.3% 5.7% 5.6%

2.5% 3.1% 6.4% 5.4% 5.9%

9.7%

4.2%

4.3%

8.4%

7.8%

7.9%

9.5%

3.1% 2.9% 4.2% 4.1%

3.0% 3.0% 4.1% 4.1%

10.2%

13.5%

13.3%

Onions

10.8%

4.3%

4.4%

Tomatoes

21.2%

21.0%

21.6%

21.0%

Last year

Broccoli/Broccolini

(Source: Google Trends www.google.com.au/trends/explore?g eo=AU&q=%2Fm%2F0hkxqSeptember 2016, Colmar Brunton Industry Insights Report September 2016)

Is pricing responsible for the decline in volume sales? The category witnessed growth in value driven by value spend per occasion while volume per occasion declined indicating that there may have been an increase in pricing. However given the category has grown itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s buyer base slightly this dip in volume per occasion may have been caused by lighter buyers entering the category. Further investigation needed to determine the driving cause.

Mushrooms Sweetpotatoes/Kumara Pumpkin Cucumbers

Carrots

This year

36.6%

37.1%

11.0%

10.4%

Last year

This year

Potatoes

Source: Nielsen Homescan

Share by retailers

Sales vs. last year

This year Broccoli/broccolini

This year vs last year Broccoli/broccolini

Other supermarkets

Nonsupermarkets

-6%

8% 6% 27%

23% 4% 10%

29%

-1% -4%

-9%

Recommendations

10%

10% 27%

21% 4%

Value

Given the high protein content of broccoli coupled with the fact that currently within Australia the category is witnessing the highest level of digital interest it has seen in the past five years, leveraging the national health trends could provide a significant opportunity to bring new buyers to the category.

Fresh salad

FIGURE 1 Share of market

Volume

About 60.4% of Woolworths shoppers who purchased broccoli preferred to purchase it at Woolworths stores, this conversion rate was fairly similar for Coles at 60.6%. In both retailers this was the third best conversion rate only being out preformed by carrots and potatoes.

4.3%

All others

Larger households with 3+ members are an important group for broccoli. While they only make up 44% of buyers they contribute half of broccoli volume.

While broccoli volume declined marginally, value sales were up 4% over last year. Coles and ALDI were the standout performers.

4.4%

9% 32%

7% -1%

-1%

FIGURE 2 Share of sales by retailer Source: Nielsen Homescan

There was a slight decrease in volume share of -0.1% for broccoli while value share increased 0.1% compared with last year (see Figure 1).

MORE INFORMATION Copyright ÂŠ2016 The Nielsen Company. Confidential and proprietary.

While broccoli volume declined marginally, value sales were up 4% over last year. Coles and ALDI were the standout performers, achieving double digit value growth (see Figure 2). This project has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the vegetable levy and funds from the Australian Government.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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Celery

Regular analysis Year to August 2016

Highlights Celery accounts for 1.5% of volume and 1.9% of value share in the total vegetables market. Volume share has decreased by 0.2% while value share increased by 0.1%. Celery buyer base has contracted by 2.5% this year. Buyers reduced their yearly purchase volume, however spent more than last year. Households purchased less frequently, but spent more on each trip.

Senior and established couples are significant celery buyers as they have higher contribution ratio than other households groups. Households in all sizes and demographic groups experienced buyer base reduction. Decline in shopping frequency and unchanged size of basket was seen by most household groups as well, indicating there was minimal differences across groups. AUSTRALIANS are now snacking four times as much as they did 10 years ago.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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Volume

Value

Total vegetables Australia

1.7%

1.5%

2.5% 3.0% 5.3% 5.7% 5.6%

2.5% 3.1% 6.4% 5.4% 5.9%

9.7%

1.8%

1.9%

8.4%

7.8%

7.9%

9.5%

3.1% 2.9% 4.2% 4.1%

3.0% 3.0% 4.1% 4.1%

10.2%

13.5%

13.3%

10.8%

4.3%

4.4%

Tomatoes

11.0%

10.4%

Carrots

21.6%

Celery

23.7%

Last year

This year

Recommendations

Mushrooms

Vegetables are becoming popular as an ingredient for beverages, such as smoothies or fresh juices. In 2012, the number of beverages featuring celery rose six-fold. Promote beverage recipes as alternative ways to consume celery.

Sweetpotatoes/Kumara Pumpkin Cucumbers Onions

(Source: http://ausfoodnews.com.au/2013/07/03/%E2%80% 98healthy%E2%80%99-soft-drinks-flavours-set-to-be-nextglobal-beverage-trend.html)

Potatoes

21.0%

23.9%

Fresh salad

All others 39.0%

39.5%

Last year

This year

Australians are now snacking four times as much as they did 10 years ago. They are also more aware of the health benefits that they want and can get from what they eat. This has led to a rise in single serve healthy snacks. The celery category could take advantage of this as it is a known snacking vegetable.

FIGURE 1 Share of market Source: Nielsen Homescan

(Source: Ausfoodnews.com; July 22, 2015)

Share by retailers

Sales vs. last year

This year Celery

This year vs last year Celery

Other supermarkets

Volume

2% 29%

34%

17%

5% 5%

Nonsupermarkets

-2% -5%

-6%

Celery accounts for 1.5% of volume share in the vegetables market, and 1.9% of value share. The gap between volume and value share has grown over the year (see Figure 1). Celery shares show opposing trends; volume sales down 6%, value sales rose 7%. This was driven by Coles, in gaining 24% value and losing 11% in volume (see Figure 2). MORE INFORMATION

-11%

-13% 24% 17%

30%

Value

9% 7% 33%

0% -9%

FIGURE 2 Share of sales by retailer Source: Nielsen Homescan

50.4% of Woolworths shoppers have purchased celery in Woolworths, while 54.1% of Coles shoppers purchased the category at Coles. Household reach only increased in WA. Consumption remained unchanged in WA and VIC, while it declined in all other states. This project has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the vegetable levy and funds from the Australian Government.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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Beetroot grower action plan FAST FACTS • Beetroot has strong levels of endorsement, indicating consumers are happy to recommend to family and friends. Future propensity to purchase is high. • Beetroot is purchased approximately three times per month. Consumption of beetroot occurs eight times per month, relatively consistent with the previous wave. • On average, consumers purchase 0.9kg of beetroot. Recalled last spend was $3.70. Overall, consumers perceive good value for money.

• Price tracking revealed both loose and bunched beetroot could be purchased from most mainstream retailers. Average price per kg in May was $4.99. • Awareness of beetroot types is very low, with 73% of consumers unable to recall a type. • Beetroot is expected to remain fresh for just under 10 days. Freshness expectations are being met at least most of the time. • Taste and health remain the key triggers to purchase. The main barriers to future purchase are consuming enough and not wanting to waste any.

1. INSIGHT Beetroot has high interest in new varieties and strong word of mouth recommendations. Short-term recommendation:

79%

of new products launched globally which contained beetroot were from Europe.

Leverage strong future purchase interest by introducing new beetroot varieties into the Australian market. Ensure new varieties clearly communicate flavour and textural descriptors to differentiate from current in-market commodities. As beetroots are purchased for their colour, greater distribution of yellow beetroots may be an opportunity.

2. INSIGHT There were four new products launched in Australia containing beetroot in the last three months. Long-term recommendation: Look to international launches and trends to see how other industries are utilising beetroot in products. Products such as beetroot ‘noodles’ and juices that highlight health benefits will especially appeal to Conscious Improvers.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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Average spend and price sensitivity

Average weight of purchase

Recalled last spend

Value for money

The average consumer typically purchases 0.9kg of beetroots, which is consistent with the last wave.

The average recalled last spend is $3.70 in May 2016, slightly lower than the previous waves.

On average, consumers perceive beetroot to be good value for money (6.5/10).

1.0kg, Wave 28

$3.90, Wave 28

— 6.5/10, Wave 28

— 0.9kg, Wave 32

$3.90, Wave 32

6.4/10, Wave 32

Q1. How much beetroot do you typically purchase when you shop for it? Q2. To the best of your memory how much did this cost on your most recent typical purchase? Q3. Please indicate how Poor to Good Value you think this product is? (0-10 scale)

Indicates LOWER score than current wave.

Sample Wave 28 N=206, Wave 32 N=207, Wave 36: N=202

Indicates HIGHER score than current wave.

The main triggers for beetroot purchase are taste and health. Consumers list having enough to balance their diet and not wanting to waste any as the key barriers to purchase. Triggers

Barriers 69% 66% 67%

They taste great As they are healthy To add variety to my vegetable selection Specific health and nutritional benefits To complement other food To add colour to a meal Easy to prepare/cook with I like the texture The whole family likes them To use as an ingredient in dishes

57% 54% 59% 46% 49% 40% 38% 31% 38% 35% 37% 36% 36% 39% 36% 34% 31% 32% 32% 29% 32% 29% 36% 30% 32% 29% 27% Wave 28: Sep-15

Wave 32: Jan-16

4% 2% 6% 9% 7% 6% 6% 11% 7%

17% 12%

8% 8% 7% 8% 4% 9% 10%

30%

16% 14% 17% 22% 23% 24% 20%

25% 30% 30% 34%

I grow my own Too inconvenient to prepare Other Lack of variety available I don't know how to fit any more vegetables into my daily diet Expensive I want a variety of vegetables in my diet I don't want to waste any I consume enough to balance my diet

Wave 36: May-16

Q4. Which of the following reasons best describes why you purchase beetroot? Q5. Which reason best describes why you don’t buy beetroot more often? Sample Wave 28 N=206, Wave 32 N=207, Wave 36: N=202

Not versatile for my cooking style

MORE INFORMATION Colmar Brunton Wave 36 Report is available at AUSVEG Members Area www.ausveg.com.au. For further information contact Fiona McKernan, Account Manager, (03) 8640 5224.

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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vegetablesWA is pleased to announce the release of a detailed study of the export market possibilities for West Australian vegetable growers Finding The Sweet Spot: Growing WA Vegetable Exports.

for West Australian vegetable growers

Some encouraging opportunities are unearthed, if you’ll pardon the pun? Agrifood consultants, Coriolis Research, looked at the prospects for twenty-eight categories of vegetable grown in Western Australia in thirty-eight markets within a workable proximity to WA.

In each market the volume and value of imports for each vegetable category (e.g. onions, carrots, capsicum, etc.) were established. Tim Morris, the lead researcher, says, “We then looked at how the market is growing and who the competition is, in terms of the share of the market held by each country shipping that product.”

This research made possible with the support from Grower Group Research and Development (R&D) Grants Program a part of the Agricultural Sciences R&D Fund Royalties for Regions program managed by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA).

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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UAE

Malaysia

500

Total

400 300 200 100

Australia

500 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0

20 0 20 6 07 20 0 20 8 09 20 1 20 0 11 20 1 20 2 13 20 14

Australia

Total

Australia

20 0 20 4 05 20 0 20 6 07 20 0 20 8 09 20 1 20 0 11 20 1 20 2 13 20 14

600 US$ (m)

Total

Singapore

700

The research identified the existence of three tiers of vegetable market, which were directly related to the per capita income of the country (see Figure 2).

Australia

0 20 4 05 20 0 20 6 07 20 0 20 8 09 20 1 20 0 11 20 1 20 2 13 20 14

Companies from other countries are showing what’s possible. Coriolis Director Morris quips, “A number of other countries are eating our lunch at the moment. High cost, high quality suppliers, particularly the Netherlands and Spain, are achieving growth in what we would consider our regional markets”, adds Wilkinson. “Lower cost suppliers, such as Vietnam and Jordan, are also growing strongly in these same markets.”

Total

400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0

20 0 20 4 05 20 0 20 6 07 20 0 20 8 09 20 1 20 0 11 20 1 20 2 13 20 14

US$ (m)

Coriolis Research Director, Virginia Wilkinson, explained, “There is a detailed analysis of the current situation and the potential for WA suppliers is quantified for every product in every market.” Key questions for WA producers considering entering a particular market with their product are also included in the study.

Saudi Arabia

800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0

Year

FIGURE 1 Fresh vegetable import value by select countries: Australia vs. total 2004–14 Source: UN Comtrade database; Coriolis estimates, classification and analysis

Imported vegetable dollars per person; log scale; US$; actual; 2015

Qatar Singapore

100.0 UAE

Kuwait

Bahrain Seychelles

Hong Kong

Malaysia Oman

Sri Lanka Botswana

10.0

Iraq

Afghanistan

Indonesia

Bangladesh

Saudi Arabia South Korea

Mauritius Lebanon

Japan

Taiwan

Israel

Thailand Jordan

Attractive (Tier I)

1.0

Laos Philippines Vietnam Rwanda Yemen South Africa Zambia North Korea Sudan Madagascar Kenya Egypt Cambodia Uganda 0.1 Burundi Zimbabwe Opportunistic (Tier II) Pakistan Comoros

Ethiopia

Malawi India Eritrea Tanzania

0.01

Iran Bhutan

Hard (Tier III) China

0.0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

Can they afford imported vegetables? GDP per capita; Nominal; US$; 2015 FIGURE 2 Imported vegetable market segmentation by country: GDP/person vs. fresh vegetable imports/person Per capita income clearly drives fresh vegetable imports per capita; markets for Western Australian fresh vegetable exports can be triaged into three broad income-based tiers Source: United Nations; UN Comtrade; World Bank; Coriolis classification and anaylsis

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

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Malaysia Japan UAE South Korea Kuwait Saudi Arabia Hong Kong Taiwan Singapore Qatar Oman Israel Bahrain Lebanon Mauritius

$65 $56 $51 $46 $27 $27

Mr Morris said it was very clear that the most attractive and highest potential markets, designated Tier I in the study, typically are modern and higher income, having the money and desire to buy fresh vegetables. They already import substantial quantities. Wilkinson adds, “In other words, these are consumers who are willing to pay for high quality imports. This is where we should first focus our efforts.”

$18 $13 $13 $10

Detailed in the full report: Assumes matching best individual product by market and market-share across all markets.

$8 $6 $6 $5 $1

FIGURE 3 Hypothetical country import upside into select target markets US$; m; model Source: Coriolis Research

Carrots Onions Cauliflower/broccoli Mushroom, white Beetroot, radish etc. Cabbage lettuce Cabbages, kale etc. Tomatoes Other vegetables Lettuce, fresh Celery, fresh Brussels sprouts Asparagus Leeks Chicory, fresh Capsicum Mushroom, other Legume veg. nes Peas, fresh Spinach, fresh Cucumbers, fresh Aubergines Globe artichokes Witloof chicory Garlic, fresh Beans, fresh

$100 $62 $40 $21 $20 $18 $16 $14 $14 $10 $7 $6 $6 $4 $3 $3 $2 $2 $2 $1 $1 $1 $0 $0 $0 $0

FIGURE 4 Hypothetical product import upside into select target markets US$; m; model Source: Coriolis Research

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WA Grower SUMMER 2016

The research also found a second tier which were labeled opportunistic. These are economies that are modernising with an emerging middle class. Tim Morris concludes “They import some fresh vegetables but are very price sensitive which often makes it difficult for West Australian exporters to generate sufficient margin to cover their costs. However, there can be times when seasonal or local shortages present WA producers with a market opportunity. The problem is that these times often can't be predicted or planned for.” MORE INFORMATION For access to this report please contact John Shannon, vegetablesWA.

Detailed in the full report: Assumes matching best individual product by market and market-share across all markets.

For more information from the authors, please contact Tim Morris, (08) 9468 4691 or email tmorris@coriolisresearch.com Additional Coriolis agrifoods reports found at: www.coriolisresearch.com/reports/ Coriolis; www.agric.wa.gov.au/pathwayscompetitiveness-report and www.agric. wa.gov.au/agricultural-exports/targetmarket-opportunities-report

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Western Australia

Worth Sharing In mid-October vegetablesWA attended the launch of the new government brand focussing on exports and a few Western Australian vegetable growers are now part of the program. The event was opened by Premier Colin Barnett to an audience of local companies, international consuls and industry groups. Western Australia Worth Sharing puts the State’s exporting agrifood producers at the heart of an international marketing campaign, inviting global consumers to share Western Australia’s world-class produce. “The brand seeks to represent WA’s premium agrifood produce grown in clean, fresh air, under blue skies and bathed in sunshine. It will signify our modern agriculture and production methods and high food safety standards, which are greatly valued in international markets,” Mr Barnett said.

COMPANIES that agree to be export partners will be able to licence use of the brand from the State Government free of charge.

Western Australia Worth Sharing encompasses a distinctive logo featuring Western Australia, and a website where people from overseas can learn about and connect with companies exporting WA produce. Companies that agree to be export partners will be able to licence use of the brand from the State Government free of charge, and incorporate it into their international marketing plans. State Development Minister Bill Marmion said the brand had been developed through comprehensive research and testing.

“The brand is based around the idea of sharing, and WA companies and their individual stories will be at the very heart of this campaign.

“This is an $8.1 million, threeyear initiative that we will continually monitor and refine,” Mr Marmion said.

“Companies already involved range from some of WA’s most successful agricultural exporters through to smaller, family-run businesses.”

“We expect to launch the brand soon through an international advertising campaign in Singapore then China, with Japan and Indonesia to follow next year.” The branding project is funded by Royalties for Regions through the $350 million Seizing the Opportunity Agriculture initiative.

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WA Grower SUMMER 2016

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said regional businesses would feature strongly in the campaign, contributing to initiatives seeking to achieve the Government’s goal of doubling the value of the Western Australian agrifoods industry by 2025. “So far, we have companies involved from Shark Bay, Manjimup, Margaret River, Esperance, Harvey, Moora and many other towns across the State,” Mr Redman said. “This brand focuses on the key strengths of our diverse State, from its immense size and sunshine, to the pristine environment and transparent supply chains.” MORE INFORMATION For more information see the website: www.westernaustraliaworthsharing.com/en

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Motor Vehicle Landlords Insurance Marine Transit Aviation Insurance Income Protection Insurance

Growers who participated in the pilot program received a reduction in premium of between 10% to up to 40%! Contact Gavin Statham today to review your insurance. Gavin Statham Senior Insurance Broker | T 08 9349 7900 | M 0488 988 697 | E Gavin.Statham@centrewest.com.au

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vegetablesWA launches

Food Social Australia Collectively we manage pages with more than 100,000 followers across all the major social media platforms. With a strong focus on agrifood, our ability to cross promote is difficult to beat. Food Social Australia will provide a onestop-shop service which includes fresh and innovative strategic planning, digital media management (including social, email, YouTube and website), regular monitoring and reporting of objectives and outcomes, creative content development and strong financial and bookkeeping skills. The Food Social Australia team are already servicing a range of clients from wine, horticulture, meat and other industries.

BY REBECCA BLACKMAN FINANCE & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, VEGETABLESWA

Food Social Australia has been set up by a team of people that love speaking to foodies. We’re food industry specialists and we know how to share our foodie obsession with like-minded consumers. We’ve learnt what really matters to consumers across Australia and can leverage that to create a highly engaged audience for your brand. Through Facebook, Instagram and Electronic Direct Mail (EDM)’s we’ll assist in creating and developing your brand profile, while driving trial and product consumption.

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WA Grower SUMMER 2016

Our aim, quite literally, is to make sure that your brand is on the tip of everyone’s tongue. Our team are hugely experienced at successful social media campaigns in the WA Food and Beverage Industry. Our staff are experienced in campaigns that: Manage your brand — influencing your key stakeholders to think of you in the way that you would like. • Grow the market — so you can sell more, or achieve a higher value for your product. • Develop a market understanding — so you understand your customer base better. • Develop a network — of consumers, customer, influencers or communities. We have a track record in project management across many projects and industries which lets us guarantee your work will be on time and right first time.

MORE INFORMATION If you are interested in the services or would like more information visit our website www.foodsocialaus.com.au or contact Rebecca Blackman at rebecca@foodsocialaus.com.au or phone (08) 9481 0834.

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ROLE OF THE FAIR WORK OMBUDSMAN REGARDING LABOUR HIRE ARRANGEMENTS VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

Vai trò của Thanh tra tiền lương (FWO) trong thỏa thuận thuê mướn nhân công

Một trong những vai trò của Thanh tra tiền lương (FWO) là nâng cao ý thức trách nhiệm của doanh nghiệp có sử dụng lao động thông qua các thỏa thuận thuê mướn lao động. Trong tiểu bang Tây úc FWO có phạm vi thẩm quyền xử lý các công ty trách nhiệm hữu hạn ngoại trừ các lao động đăng ký hành nghề cá thể và các tổ hợp tác. Tại Tây Úc nhiều doanh nghiệp sử dụng dịch vụ cung ứng lao động hơn là tự thuê nhân công. Đây là công việc chính đáng của doanh nghiệp và FWO không có quan ngại nào về vấn đề này một khi tất cả các bên liên quan tuân thủ trách nhiệm như qui định trong nghị định về công bằng đãi ngộ. Điều này có nghĩa rằng các dịch vụ cung ứng lao động, nếu họ là các công ty trách nhiệm hữu hạn có đăng ký hợp pháp, phải chi trả nhân công của họ theo qui định mức lương tối thiểu như trong các hạn mục qui định và

phải duy trì việc lưu giử sổ sách ghi chép theo qui định trong nghị định về công bằng đãi ngộ. Thỉnh thoảng FWO phải lưu tâm đến các công ty cung ứng lao động không tuân thủ các luật lệ nêu trên do:

• Chi trả chế độ thấp hơn hoặc không chi trả theo qui định về mức lương tối thiểu • Không đóng bảo hiểm xã hội

• Không cung cấp nhân công phiếu chi trả tiền lương trong vòng một ngày sau khi chi lương như qui định. • Không lưu giử sổ sách

• Không có bản thỏa thuận thuê khoán với nhân công làm khoán.

• Móc nối với công nhân trong doanh nghiệp trở thành người cung cấp lao động trong khi họ không phải là dịch vụ cung ứng lao động hợp pháp, hay gọi nôm na là “thầu lao động”.

Trong nhiều trường hợp doanh nghiệp không có hợp động với đơn vị cung ứng lao động và cũng không tìm hiểu kỹ để bảo đảm rằng họ đang làm với công ty hợp pháp và tuân thủ luật pháp. Có tình huống cho thấy các doanh nghiệp bất cẩn này đã tạo điều kiện cho các dịch vụ cung ứng lao động bốc lột nhân công mà đa số họ là những người trong hoàn cảnh dể bị lợi dụng.

Trách nhiệm của quí vị là gì khi sử dụng nhân công từ các dịch vụ cung cấp lao động? Vấn đề quan trọng là công ty của quí vị phải đảm bảo rằng nơi cung cấp lao động cho quí vị đáp ứng đầy đủ trách nhiệm của họ mọi yêu cầu hiện hành về thỏa thuận lao động, tiền lương, và nghị định về công bằng đãi ngộ (FW Act).

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YOUR BUSINESS

ROLE OF THE FAIR WORK OMBUDSMAN REGARDING LABOUR HIRE ARRANGEMENTS VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

Trong khi nhiều doanh nghiệp đối mặt với áp lực kéo giảm chi phí sản xuất để cạnh tranh, thì họ cũng nên cảnh giác đến các rủi ro về vấn đề không tuân thủ luật lệ liên quan đến việc sử dụng nhân công giá rẻ từ các dịch vụ. Mức chi trả nhân công của doanh nghiệp sử dụng lao động phải đủ để phía dịch vụ cung ứng lao động chi trả cho nhân công đúng với mức qui định về tiền lương và các chế độ đãi ngộ tối thiểu họ được hưởng chẳng hạn như nghĩ phép năm, tích lủy hưu trí…). Mức doanh nghiệp chi trả củng phải đủ cho dịch vụ cung ứng lao động giử lại một phần cho các chi phí dịch vụ và có lời.

Nếu mức chi trả của quí vị không đủ để dịch vụ cung ứng lao động trả đúng chế độ đãi ngộ theo qui định cho nhân công thì quí vị phải yêu cầu đơn vị cung ứng lao động xác nhận họ chi trả bao nhiêu cho người lao động. Điều nầy là cần thiết để đảm bảo rằng nơi cung ứng lao động làm tròn trách nhiệm của họ đối với người lao động mà quí vị đang sử dụng. Tuy nhiên, thanh tra lao động đã phát hiện nhiều trường hợp doanh nghiệp có thỏa thuận với đơn vị cung ứng lao động trong đó mức tiền lương theo giờ quá thấp khiến người lao động không thể nhận được mức lương tối thiểu họ được hưởng theo qui định.

Hậu quả là gì khi doanh nghiệp không đảm bảo thảo thuận cung ứng lao động theo qui định? Trong mục 550 của nghị định về công bằng đãi ngộ FW Act, tổ chức thanh tra tiền lương lao động FWO có quyền tiến hành các hành động pháp lý chống lại tổ chức và cá nhân có dính líu trong các hoạt động phi pháp.

Kiểm tra để biết chắc rằng nơi cung ứng lao động mà quí vị đang sử dụng tuân tủ đúng luật pháp sẽ giúp quí vị và doanh nghiệp của quí vị tránh phải đối mặt với các tiến trình pháp lý và các khoản tiền phạt vì có liên lụy trong các hoạt động phi pháp ngược lại nghị định về công bằng đãi ngộ bởi nơi cung ứng lao động.

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Thí vụ, nếu một doanh nghiệp biết rằng mức chi trả nhân công của họ không đủ để phía dịch vụ cung ứng lao động chi trả cho nhân công đúng với mức qui định về tiền lương và các chế độ đãi ngộ tối thiểu thì doanh nghiệp đó bị xem như có liên quan đến vấn đề chi trả lương dưới chuẩn. Doanh nghiệp này có thể phải đối mặt với các hành động pháp lý do sự dính líu trong hoạt động phi pháp ngược lại nghị định về công bằng đãi ngộ này. Mức phạt tiền tối đa cho mỗi hành động (liên quan đến mỗi người lao động) theo qui định hiệu lực vào 31/7/2015 là 54.000 đô la đối với doanh nghiệp và 10. 800 đô la đối với các nhân.

Nên làm thế nào để chúng tôi đảm bảo rằng các thỏa thuận lao động là đúng luật? Để đảm bảo rằng các dịch vụ cung ứng lao động mà quí vị đang sử dụng đáp ứng đúng trách nhiệm pháp lý đối với người lao động củng như để giảm thiểu rủi ro tiềm ẩn về trách nhiệm của doanh nghiệp chúng tôi khuyến cáo rằng quí vị nên thu được một số thông tin của đơn vị cung ứng lao động.

Các thông tin quí vị nên có được bao gồm:

• Các công nhân của họ làm việc toàn thời gian, bán thời gian, thời vụ hay thuê khoán; • Các công nhân này có được cho biết họ thuộc dạng lao động nào trong toàn thời gian, bán thời gian, thời vụ hay thuê khoán hay không; • Công nhân có được chi trả các chế độ đúng như qui định không;

• Công nhân có được trao phiếu tính tiền lương chậm nhất là 01 ngay sau khi nhận lương không; • Công nhân khoán có giấy thỏa thuận khoán không; và

• Mức chi trả theo giờ họ tính với doanh nghiệp vủa quí vị có đủ để họ thỏa mản các yêu cầu trách nhiệm pháp lý tối thiểu đối với người lao động của họ hay không (chẳng hạn như lương giờ, lương khoán, tiền ngoài giờ hoặc tiền phạt, chế độ nghĩ phép, tích lủy hưu trí…theo sồ giờ họ làm việc cho doanh nghiệp của quí vị).

Tốt nhất là doanh nghiệp sử dụng lao động nên có bản hợp đồng trên giấy với đơn vị cung ứng lao động nêu rỏ trách nhiệm pháp lý của mỗi bên. Cũng nên kèm theo trong phụ lục hợp đồng nghị định về công bằng đãi ngộ bao trùm luôn cả đơn vị cung ứng lao động.

Muốn biết thêm chi tiết về Qui định về công bằng đãi ngộ (Modern Awards), mức chi trả tiền lương, và các tài liệu để hổ trợ doanh nghiệp sử dụng lao động làm đúng các qui định, kể cả bản mẩu thỏa thuận thuê khoán, xin vui lòng xem trong trang thông tin điện tử www.fairwork.gov.au hoặc gọi đến 13 13 94.

Nếu quí vị không biết rằng Nghị định về công bằng đãi ngộ bao trùm luôn cả doanh nghiệp của quí vị thì nên ngay lập tức xem trong trang thông tin của FWO hoặc liên hệ với đường dây thông tin của họ để xác định loại qui định nào hoặc thỏa thuận nào áp dụng cho doanh nghiệp của quí vị cũng như những người nhân công do đơn vị cung ứng lao động đưa tới đang làm việc cho quí vị.

Quí vị có thể tìm hiểu mức chi trả tiền lương hiện hành cho các loại hình thuê mướn khác nhau theo qui định trong www.fairwork.gov.au/pay/minimum-wages/ pay-guides.

Điều gì tiếp theo? Tổ cức thanh tra lao động FWO mong rằng quí vị lưu tâm đến các thông tin trên và khuyeeso cáo quí vị nên tiến hành các bước cần thiết tiếp theo để đảm bảo rằng đơn vị cung ứng lao động mà quí vị đang sử dụng thảo mãn các qui định hiện hành đối với người lao động. THÊM THÔNG TIN

Dể biết thêm thông tin xui vui lòng tra cứu trang: www.fairwork.gov.au/how-wewill-help/templates-and-guides/fact-sheets/ rights-and-obligations/on-hire-employeeservices-workplace-obligations

YOUR INDUSTRY

BAO DUY NGUYEN NUFFIELD SCHOLAR 2017 VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

Nông dân Bảo Nguyễn

— Người nhận học bổng Nufield 2017 Các chuyến đi tham quan học tập chiếm phần lớn trong học bổng Nuffield và sẽ có nhiều chuyến tham quan học tập được hoạch định cho năm tới. Bảo sẽ đi Brazil, Hoa kỳ, Singapore, Indonesia, Nhật, Hà lan và Do Thái. Kết nối với các nhà cung cấp vad các công ty trong nước Úc là cơ sở quan trọng để tạo kết nối với các tổ chức ở nước ngoài. Bảo nói rằng: “ Tôi đang thu xếp đi Do thái vì họ là nững nhà cải tiến hàng đầu trong nhiều lảnh vực không chỉ trong nông nghiệp và để bảo đảm an ninh lương thực họ luôn cần thực phẩm tươi mà đó là động lực cho sự cải tiến hơn nửa”. Các nhà cung cấp thiết bị tưới trong vùng cũng có giá trị dể xem họ dùng các thiết bị phun thuốc như thế nào hay các ý tưởng cải tiến khác nữa. Các chuyến tham quan học hỏi cũng sẽ cung cấp cái nhìn toàn diện về tiếp thị, hệ thống cung-cầu và các quan điểm nghiên cứu phát triển của các quốc gia – kể cả nước Úc. Bảo chia sẽ rằng: “ với tư cách một nông dân tôi đánh gia rất cao lảnh vực nghiên cứu phát triển và tiếp thi. Còn rất nhiều thứ phải tiếp thu bên ngoài trang trại hơn là trong chính trang trại của mình”.

Tên công ty Sun City Produce

Loại hoa màu Sản xuất 200 tấn cà chua và 300 tấn dưa leo trồng trong nhà nóng PERTH

Nơi sản xuất Walkaway, Geraldton WA

Rebecca Blackman, vegetablesWA Người dịch: Võ Thế Truyền

Nguyễn Duy Bảo ở Walkaway Western Australia nhận được học bổng Nufield 2017 do Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited hổ trợ. Bảo sẽ nghiên cứu về lảnh vực canh tác hoa màu trong điều kiện nhà kín đơn giản, chủ yếu là nghiên cứu các công nghệ theo dõi sự phát triển của hoa màu và các phương pháp canh tác bền vững. “Sau 3 năm canh tác chúng tôi như đang chửng lai và ngừng tiến bộ”, Bảo bắt đầu tìm kiếm các cơ hội kết nối với các nông dân khác để tìm xem họ cái thiện doanh nghiệp như thế nào. Nicky mann, người từng nhận được học bổng này trước đây

đã nhấn mạnh với Bảo các lợi ích của việc dành được học bổng có giá trị này đối với cô. Báo thổ lộ rằng: “ Sự thay đổi quan điểm để làm nghề nông cũng như để giúp cải thiện doanh nghiệp của chúng tôi về sau chính là động lực để tôi nộp hồ sơ học bổng này”.

Khả năng được kết nối với nông dân khác trong ngành và với các nhà cung cấp khác trên thế giới chắc chắn sẻ tác động tích cực đến tiến trình hoạch định doanh nghiệp. Một trong các điều bổ ích là được tiếp xúc với những học giả Nuffield đi trước để học hỏi kinh nghiệm của họ. Mới gần đây Bảo đã đi South Australia tham quan hệ thống nhà kính áp dụng công nghệ cao trong thủy canh và đây chính là cơ hội mở tầm nhìn. Bảo đang tìm cách cải thiện biện pháp canh tác trong nhà kính kiểu củ và muốn đa dạng hóa.

Nói chung, Bảo muốn nhìn thấy sự thay đổi mọi mặt của vùng Trung-Tây (MidWest) bằng cách chia sẻ kiến thức thu thập được cho các nông dân khác. Còn nhiều thách thức trong vùng này chẳng hạn như nước mặn, khó đa dạng hóa và vấn đề quản lý nước. Bảo tâm quyết rằng: “ Với dự án học tập này tôi hy vọng có thể đem công nghệ, sự đa dạng hóa, kỹ năng quản lý nước về đây. Điều quan trọng là một sự phát triển chừng mực để cho các doanh nghiệp miền Trung-Tây này phất triển bền vững và hiệu quả”. THÊM THÔNG TIN

Bảo muốn mở rộng kết nối với các nhà cung cấp và quí nông dân. Nếu quí vị quan tâm xin liên hệ Bảo theo số 0418 939 982 hoặc contact@suncityproduce.com.au

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YOUR PRODUCTION

HELP ON OFFER TO REDUCE CGMMV THREAT VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

Thêm hổ trợ để giảm thiểu mối đe dọa của bệnh virus bầu bí dưa CGMMV

“Biện pháp an ninh sinh học bảo vệ hoa màu trước tất cả các loại dịch hại không chỉ riêng bệnh CGMMV”

Tại Carnarvon nông dân không chỉ cần phải lưu ý mối đe dọa của CGMMV mà còn bệnh khảm virus ZYMV trên zucchini khi mà báo cáo cho thấy bệnh này ngày càng gia tăng. “biện pháp an ninh sinh học cũng quan trong ở nhũng nơi mà không trồng dưa mùa hè như Kununurra”.

“Nên nhớ rằng cây rài mọc lên từ hột của vụ trước cũng có thể là cây ký chủ của bệnh CGMMV”

Người dichj: Võ Thế Truyền Cho đến tháng 11/2016 bệnh CGMMV đã được xác định trên các trang trại dưa leo thương mại và trên cây hoang dại ở Kununurra, Geraldton, Carnarvon và Perth. Bệnh CGMMV xâm nhiểm cây trồng thuộc họ bầu bí dưa bao gồm dưa hấu, dưa leo, các loại dưa khác, bí ngồi, bí rợ, khổ qua, bầu…và có thể gây ra thiệt hại đáng kể. Bộ Nông nghiệp và thực phẩm Tây Úc (DAFWA) tiếp tục nhấn mạnh tầm quan trọng của việc xây dựng và áp dụng biện pháp an ninh sinh học trang trại.

Thông điệp này có tầm quan trọng đặc biệt đối với nông dân phía Bắc và Tây Nam đang vào vụ trồng mùa hè. Trưởng bộ phận an ninh sinh học cây trồng của DAFWA ông John Van Schagen cho hay DAFWA sẳn lòng cung cấp cho nông dân trồng dưa Geraldton hổ trợ kỹ thuật để xây dựng kế hoạch an ninh sinh học trong trang trại trong 2 tháng tới đây. Tùy theo mức độ thành công của đợt này mà sự hổ trợ có thể được mở rộng cho nông dân vùng khác trong tiểu bang. “Trong tháng 11 và tháng 12 sẽ có các cuộc viếng thăm đến các trang trại để phỏng vấn nông dân và giúp họ nhận ra các yêu cầu về quản lý trang trại, thực hành anh ninh sinh học cho công nhân và các yên cầu khác về cơ sở hạ tầng”.

“Sau đó các báo cáo sẽ được gởi lại cho nông dân cùng với các khuyến cáo để thực hiện. DAFWA sẽ liên hệ với nông dân trước khi đến thăm trang trại”.

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“Ngoài ra các buổi trao đổi thông tin cũng như hội thảo chuyên đề về an ninh sinh học cũng được sắp xếp vào trung tuần tháng giêng ở Waroona-Harvey và Donnybrook-Manjimup.”

“Chúng tôi cũng sẽ làm việc với nông dân ở Perth và các khu vực Tây Nam trong 4 tháng tiếp theo để kiểm tra xem có bệnh CGMMV trên hoa màu hay không.” Để có thêm thông tin về vấn đề viếng thăm trang trại xui vui lòng liên hệ James Dee tại văn phòng DAFWA ở Geraldton số (08) 9780 6285 hoặc CGMMV web pages.

Thông tin thêm về các hội thảo và điều tra nông dân sẽ đươc công bố sau khi soạn thảo xong. Ông Van Schagen nói rằng tại thời điểm này trong năm thì công tác an ninh sinh học nên được chú trọng bao gồm việc loại bỏ và tiêu hủy bất kỳ vật liệu mang bệnh nào trước khi trồng vụ mới. Các loại vật liệu mang bệnh có thể là cây trái nhiểm bệnh vụ trước còn sống hoặc đã chết, cỏ dại và cây rài mọc lên từ hột.

Các loại vật liệu khác trong trang trại cũng có thể mang mầm bệnh như ni-lon trãi luống, dây tưới nhỏ giọt, dây quấn dưa, cây sì-tích…Không nên mang các vật liệu ni-lon trãi luống, hay dây tưới loại thãi ra khỏi trang trại. Ông Van Schagen nói rằng “Ngay cả ở những nơi mà bệnh CGMMV chưa xuất hiện thì các biện pháp này cũng đảm bào có hiệu quả cao ngăn chặn bệnh xâm nhiểm trong tương lai”.

DAFWA sẽ sớm cung cấp cho nông dân thông tin hướng dẫn cách chôn lấp, đốt hay tiêu hủy các loại có thể mang mầm bệnh.

Ông Van Schagen cũng khuyến cáo rằng biện pháp an ninh sinh học nên bao gồm công tác theo dõi và lấy mẩu cây có triệu chứng bệnh CGMMV. Bộ dụng cụ thu mẩu và hướng dẫn thu mẩu đang được chuẩn bị và có thể được cấp phát tại văn phòng DAFWA ở các địa phương.

“Và tất nhiên là biện pháp an ninh sinh học nên được kết hợp với công tác vệ sịnh trang trại có liên quan đến các phương tiện, thiết bị và con người”. “Cũng nên nhớ rằng không có công thức nào phù hợp cho mọi hoàn cảnh. Vấn đề là chính người nông dân phải uyển chuyển áp dụng các biện pháp phù hợp với trang trại của mình”.

Ông Van Schagen cũng khuyến khích nông dân bắt đầu nghĩ đến các vấn đề cần thiết cho mình bằng cách vào xem trang thông tin chuyên về bênh CGMMV của DAFWA để tải về các bảng kiểm tra củng như mẩu kế hoạch an ninh sinh học. THÊM THÔNG TIN

Bảng kiểm tra có trong trang agric. wa.gov.au/cgmmv. Bảng kiểm tra này được dựa trên kế hoạch quốc gia quản lý bệnh CGMMV mới vừa xây dựng được phát hành.

Kế hoạch an ninh sinh học có trong trang thông tin ausveg.com.au

YOUR BUSINESS

STEPS TO BECOME CERTIFIED TO THE FRESHCARE FOOD SAFETY & QUALITY PROGRAM VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

Các bước cần làm để được chứng nhận vệ sinh an toàn thực phẩm Freshcare Người dịch: Võ Thế Truyền Freshcare là chương trình cam kết tại trang trại về sản phẩm tươi của ngành thảo mãn nhu cầu của nông dân Úc trong việc đáp ứng các yêu cầu của thị trường nội địa và xuất khẩu. Hướng dẫn thực hành Freshcare giúp nông dân và nhà đóng gói đảm bảo với người tiêu dùng rằng sản phẩm của họ an toàn để ăn, và sự phát triển đáng kể vừa qua cho thấy có hàng ngàn doanh nghiệp sản xuất sản phẩm tươi tiếp thu chương trình Freshcare kể từ khi bắt đầu vào năm 2000. Để đạt được chứng nhận Freshcare quí vị cần phải đảm bảo hoàn thành tất cả các bước theo yêu cầu.

Các chi nhánh chứng nhận Freshcare Vui lòng tìm dưới đây các địa chỉ liên hệ của các cơ sở chứng nhận đang cung cấp dịch vụ thanh tra chất lượng và an toàn thực phẩm. AUS-QUAL Pty Ltd Phone: 1800 630 890

Australian Certified Organic Phone: (07) 3350 5706 BSI Group ANZ Pty Ltd Phone: 1300 730 134

Merieux NutriSciences Certification Phone: (03) 8878 2122

Bước xác nhận Freshcare

1 Tham gia tập huấn Freshcare

Yêu cầu là phải có ít nhất một đại diện của doanh nghiệp hoàn thành tập huấn chương trình vệ sinh an toàn thực phẩm (FSQ)

2 Đưa chương trình vào thực hiện trong trang trại

Một khi chương trình FSQ được thực hiện trong trang trại và các sổ sách ghi chếp được thiết lập, quí vị có thể chuẩn bị cho thanh tra vào kiểm tra trang trại để xác nhận sự tuân thủ qui trình.

3 Xếp lịch thanh tra trang trại

Để được chứng nhận Freshcare đầu tiên quí vị phải hoàn thành và vượt qua vòng

kiểm tra trang trại. Để xếp lich kiểm tra quí vị hảy liên hệ với một cơ sở thuộc hệ thống Freshcare. Xem chi tiết bện dưới.

4 Vượt qua vòng thanh tra trang trại = được chuwsnh nhận Freshcare

Cơ quan chứng nhận Freshcare sẽ cấp giấy chứng nhận cho quí vị. Nếu không có giấy chứng nhận quí vị không được công nhận freshcare.

5 Duy trì chứng nhận Freshcare

Để duy trì chứng nhận Freshcare quí vị phải được thanh tra trang trại hàng năm. Mỗi năm quí vị phải lặp lại các bước 3 và 4.

THÊM THÔNG TIN

Muốn biết thêm thông tin xin vui lòng liên hệ Freshcare on 1300 853 508, email admin@freshcare.com.au hoặc vào trang www.freshcare.com.au.

Sci Qual International Pty Ltd Phone: 1800 998 999 SGS Australia Pty Ltd Phone: 1300 723 503

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

109

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permits Permit No.

Minor Use Permits can also be searched by specific crop or pest types at https://portal.apvma.gov.au/permits

Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

Polyram (metiram)

Alternaria

CURRENT

PER14701

Pyriproxyfen

Silverleaf whitefly

CURRENT

30-Jun-20

PER81196

Bifenthrin

Specified whitefly and mite species

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER14245

Score Foliar Fungicide

Leaf spot

CURRENT

31-Aug-18

PER14184

Phosphorous (phosphonic) acid

Damping off and downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER14043

Chlorothalonil

Various diseases

CURRENT

30-Nov-18

PER81260

Imidacloprid

Aphids & thrips

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER14891

Trifloxystrobin

Alternaria leaf spot

CURRENT

30-Sep-19

PER11949

Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Various insects

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER14456

Tebuconazole

Sclerotonia rot

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

Acramite Miticide (bifenazate)

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-21 30-Nov-20

Apple varieties PER12864

30-Jun-20

Beans

Beetroot

Bitter melon PER82341

Brassica leafy vegetables PER12008

Propachlor

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

PER11990

Chlorothalonil

Downy mildew, alternaria spot & grey mould

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER14127

Pendimethalin

Weeds

CURRENT

31-Aug-18

PER14864

Pirimicarb

Aphids

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER14184

Phosphorous (phosphonic) acid

Damping off and downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER10845

Barmac Zineb Fungicide

Cercospora leaf spot & downy mildew

CURRENT

31-May-20

PER13154

Dual Gold Herbicide

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER14907

Emamectin

Various pests

CURRENT

30-Nov-19

PER14584

Imidacloprid

Aphids, whitefly and thrips

CURRENT

31-Mar-19

PER11848

Clethodim

Grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER14045

Mancozeb + Metalaxyl

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER14958

Dimethomorph & Mancozeb (Acrobat Fungicide)

Downy mildew & other diseases

CURRENT

31-Oct-19

PER81196

Bifenthrin

Specified whitefly and mite species

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER14596

Chlorpyrifos

Vegetable beetle adults

CURRENT

30-Sep-19

PER14045

Mancozeb + Metalaxyl

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER14164

Clethodim

Rye grass, winter grass

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER14051

Iprodione

Rhizoctinia

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

Broccoli

Brussels sprouts PER14432

Pendimethalin

Weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER80910

Iprodione

Grey mould

CURRENT

31-Jul-20

PER14164

Clethodim

Rye grass, winter grass

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER14045

Mancozeb + Metalaxyl

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

Phosphorous

Downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

Frontier-P

Nut grass and other Cyperus spp.

CURRENT

31-Jul-18

Aphids

CURRENT

31-May-20

Bulb (allium) vegetables PER13698 Bulb onions PER80060

Cape gooseberry PER12489

110

Imidacloprid

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permit No.

Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

PER12712

Applaud Insecticide

reenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and G leafhoppers

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER81408

PHOSPHOROUS ACID

Phytophthora soil fungu

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER12565

Scala Fungicide

Botrytis rots

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

PER14722

Abamectin

Tomato red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER14725

Paramite Selective Miticide

Tomato spider mites

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER13031

Maldison

Fruit fly

CURRENT

31-May-17

PER11564

Switch Fungicide

Botrytis & sclerotinia

CURRENT

30-Nov-17

PER14050

Flint 500 WG Fungicide

Powdery mildew

CURRENT

30-Jun-23

PER14184

Phosphorous (phosphonic) acid

Damping off and downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER10918

Imidacloprid

Greenhouse whitefly and aphids

CURRENT

31-May-18

PER14816

Azoxystrobin

owdery mildew, sclerotinia rot (white mould), black P rot

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER12048

Prometryn

Weeds

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER11747

2,2-Dichloropropionic Acid

Promotion of bolting and grass weed control

CURRENT

30-Nov-19

PER14045

Mancozeb + Metalaxyl

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER14535

Clethodim

Grass weed control

CURRENT

31-Mar-19

PER13305

Glyphosate (shielded sprayer)

Certain broadleaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-20

PER14164

Clethodim

Rye grass, winter grass

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER13147

Lontrel

Capeweed and clover

CURRENT

30-Nov-19

PER14037

Alpha-Cypermethrin

Staphylinid beetle

CURRENT

31-Mar-23

PER14045

Mancozeb + Metalaxyl

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

Applaud Insecticide

reenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and G leafhoppers

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER14043

Chlorothalonil

Various diseases

CURRENT

30-Nov-18

PER10875

Pirimor WG Aphicide (pirimicarb)

Aphids

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER13114

Prometryn

Grass weeds listed on label

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER13323

Score Foliar Fungicide (difenoconazole)

Cercospora leaf spot & septoria leaf blight

CURRENT

31-Oct-20

PER13367

Linuron

Grass and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

30-Apr-21

PER14353

Rovral Aquaflo Fungicide (iprodione)

Sclerotinia rot

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER13673

Ridomil Gold MZ WG

Late blight, septoria leaf blight & downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Sep-21

PER14494

Trifloxystrobin

DM, cercospora & septoria

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER12489

Imidacloprid

Aphids

CURRENT

31-May-20

PER14436

Applaud Insecticide (buprofezin)

Greenhouse whitefly

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER14341

Chess Insecticide (pymetrozine)

Aphids

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER14843

Indoxacarb (Avatar Insecticide)

eliothis, lightbrown apple moth, lucerne leaf roller H and vegetable weevil

CURRENT

30-Sep-19

Capsicum

Carrot

Cauliflower

Choko PER12712 Celeriac

Celery

PER13496

Linuron

Range of weeds

CURRENT

30-Apr-17

PER14049

Permethrin (Ambush )

Helicoverpa and looper

CURRENT

31-Mar-23

PER14812

Score Fungicide

Cercospora & septoria leaf spots

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER11686

Nufarm Regent 200SC Insecticide

estern flower thrips (celery) & onion thrips W (lettuce)

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER11127

Nufarm Filan Fungicide

Sclerotinia rot

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER14071

Pirmicarb

Aphids

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

111

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permits (cont.) Permit No.

Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

PER14456

Tebuconazole

Sclerotonia rot

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER11848

Clethodim

Grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER14045

Mancozeb + Metalaxyl

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER80282

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

CURRENT

30-Nov-17

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER14494

Trifloxystrobin

DM, cercospora & septoria

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER14841

Walabi Fungicide

Botrytis and alternaria

CURRENT

30-Sep-19

PER14457

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER14864

Pirimicarb

Aphids

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER81241

Phenmedipham (Bental)

Broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

31-May-20

Chicory

Chilli PER14722

Abamectin

Tomato red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER13397

Clethodim (Select Herbicide)

Fops annual ryegrass and winter grass

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER13254

Dimethoate

Queensland and Mediterranean fruit fly

CURRENT

5-Oct-17

PER12823

Trifluralin

Various broad leaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-21

PER14536

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

Triadimenol

White rot (sclerotium)

CURRENT

31-Oct-19

Triadimenol

White rot (sclerotium)

CURRENT

31-Oct-19

PER14722

Abamectin

Tomato red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER12447

Teldor 500 SC Fungicide

Botrytis rot

CURRENT

31-May-21

PER12489

Imidacloprid

Aphids

CURRENT

31-May-20

PER14043

Chlorothalonil

Various diseases

CURRENT

30-Nov-18

PER7909

Scala 400 SC Fungicide

Botrytis rot

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

PER81196

Bifenthrin

Specified whitefly and mite species

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER82341

Acramite Miticide (bifenazate)

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER12391

Prodigy Insecticide

Lepidopteran pests

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

PER14077

Eco-Oil (Botanical Oil)

Silverleaf whitefly

CURRENT

30-Sep-23

PER14050

Flint 500 WG Fungicide

Powdery mildew

CURRENT

30-Jun-23

PER12712

Applaud Insecticide

reenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and G leafhoppers

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER13031

Maldison

Fruit fly

CURRENT

31-May-17

PER81702

DOMINEX DUO EC INSECTICIDE

Loopers

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER14046

Mancozeb

Grey mould

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER80891

Pyranica Miticide

Two-spotted mite & European red mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER14765

Hexythiazox (Calibre 100 EC miticide)

omato spider mite, two-spotted mite, broad mite, T tomato russet mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER14725

Paramite Selective Miticide

Tomato spider mites

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER80138

Alpha-cypermethrin

Cucumber fruit fly

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

Chinese onions PER14906 Chives PER14906 Cucumber

Cucurbits

PER14840

Bupirimate

Powdery mildew

CURRENT

30-Sep-19

PER80101

Sumitomo Samurai Systematic Insecticide

Cucumber fruit fly

CURRENT

30-Sep-18

PER13304

Paramite

Two-spotted mite, red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER12823

Trifluralin

Various broad leaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-21

PER12712

Applaud Insecticide

reenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and G leafhoppers

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER13397

Clethodim (Select Herbicide)

Fops annual ryegrass and winter grass

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

Eggplant

112

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permit No.

Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

PER80910

Iprodione

Grey mould

CURRENT

31-Jul-20

PER14722

Abamectin

Tomato red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER81196

Bifenthrin

Specified whitefly and mite species

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER82341

Acramite Miticide (bifenazate)

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER12391

Prodigy Insecticide

Lepidopteran pests

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

PER14036

Bupirimate

Powdery mildew

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER12506

Dimethoate

Queensland fruit fly & Mediterranean fruit fly

CURRENT

31-Oct-18

PER13351

Pirimicarb

Aphids

CURRENT

31-Mar-19

PER14186

Success Neo (spinetoram)

Melon thrips

CURRENT

30-Sep-18

PER14484

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER11451

Chlorothalonil

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER14047

Methidathion

Rutherglen bug

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER14839

Zineb

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.)

CURRENT

30-Sep-19

PER80717

Trichlorfon

Fruit fly

CURRENT

31-Oct-20

PER14456

Tebuconazole

Sclerotonia rot

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER14045

Mancozeb + Metalaxyl

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER81241

Phenmedipham (Bental)

Broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

31-May-20

PER11848

Clethodim

Grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER14494

Trifloxystrobin

DM, cercospora & septoria

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER14841

Walabi Fungicide

Botrytis and alternaria

CURRENT

30-Sep-19

PER13036

Bravo 720 SC

Downy mildew, purple blotch

CURRENT

31-Jul-21

PER13698

Phosphorous

Downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

Mediterranean fruit fly & Queensland fruit fly

CURRENT

30-Sep-18

Endive

Fennel

Fruiting vegetables excluding cucurbits PER80100

Sumitomo Samurai Systematic Insecticide

Fruiting vegetables PER14765

Hexythiazox (Calibre 100 EC miticide)

omato spider mite, two-spotted mite, broad mite, T tomato russet mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER80101

Sumitomo Samurai Systematic Insecticide

Cucumber fruit fly

CURRENT

30-Sep-18

Chlorothalonil

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

Eco-Oil (Botanical Oil)

Silverleaf whitefly

CURRENT

30-Sep-23

PER14336

Prodigy

luster caterpillar, looper and light brown apple C moth

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

PER14696

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-19

PER10918

Imidacloprid

Greenhouse whitefly and aphids

CURRENT

31-May-18

PER14958

Dimethomorph & Mancozeb (Acrobat Fungicide)

Downy mildew & other diseases

CURRENT

31-Oct-19

PER12712

Applaud Insecticide

reenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and G leafhoppers

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER12391

Prodigy Insecticide

Lepidopteran pests

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

PER12351

Confidor Guard Soil

Silverleaf whitefly

CURRENT

30-Jun-20

Garden peas PER11451 Garlic PER14484 Green beans PER13626

Greenhouse & hydroponic capsicum PER14077 Head lettuce

Leafy lettuce

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

113

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permits (cont.) Permit No.

Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

PER14958

Dimethomorph & Mancozeb (Acrobat Fungicide)

Downy mildew & other diseases

CURRENT

31-Oct-19

PER14837

Mandipropamid (Revus Fungicide)

Downy mildew

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER14906

Triadimenol

White rot (Sclerotium)

CURRENT

31-Oct-19

PER14457

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER13367

Linuron

Grass and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

30-Apr-21

PER14473

Dimethomorph & Mancozeb

Downy mildew, purple blotch & botrytis rots

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER13653

Maldison

Onion thrips

CURRENT

31-Oct-18

PER14742

Methabenzthiazuron (Tribunil Herbicide)

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-21

PER80282

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

CURRENT

30-Nov-17

PER13257

Select Herbicide (clethodim)

rass weeds as per label including winter grass G (Poa annua)

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER14484

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER81196

Bifenthrin

Specified whitefly and mite species

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER12008

Propachlor

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

30-Nov-20

PER11686

Nufarm Regent 200SC Insecticide

estern flower thrips (celery) & onion thrips W (lettuce)

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER14077

Eco-Oil (Botanical Oil)

Silverleaf whitefly

CURRENT

30-Sep-23

PER14210

Acramite Miticide

Two-spotted (red spider) mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-18

PER13301

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite & vegetable weevil

CURRENT

31-May-20

PER14430

Azoxystrobin (Amistar 250 SC)

Bottom rot

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER14351

DC-Tron Plus

Various bugs

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER14318

Metalaxyl-M

Damping off

CURRENT

30-Sep-18

PER14431

Rizolex Liquid

Bottom rot

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER81136

SWITCH FUNGICIDE

Anthracnose

CURRENT

30-Sep-18

PER12447

Teldor 500 SC Fungicide

Botrytis rot

CURRENT

31-May-21

PER81241

Phenmedipham (Bental)

Broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

31-May-20

PER12846

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

PER13698

Phosphorous

Downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

PER12565

Scala Fungicide

Botrytis rots

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

Leafy vegetables

Leek

Lettuce

Lettuce seedlings PER13332

BALAN (benfluralin)

Grass and broadleaf weed control

CURRENT

31-Mar-22

PER14964

Chlorothalonil

Antracnose (shot hole)

CURRENT

30-Nov-19

Applaud Insecticide

reenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and G leafhoppers

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER14649

Acramite (bifenazate)

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER14650

Paramite (etoxazole)

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

31-May-18

PER13170

Dimethoate

Various fruit fly species

CURRENT

5-Oct-17

Confidor Guard Soil

Silverleaf whitefly

CURRENT

30-Jun-20

PER14602

Boscalid, Iprodione & Chlorothalonil

Botrytis neck-rot

CURRENT

30-Sep-18

PER14773

Basagran (bentazone-sodium)

Broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER80282

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

CURRENT

30-Nov-17

PER14722

Abamectin

Tomato red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER12823

Trifluralin

Various broad leaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-21

Marrow PER12712 Melons

Okra PER12351 Onions

Paprika

114

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permits (cont.) Permit No.

Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

PER13397

Clethodim (Select Herbicide)

Fops annual ryegrass and winter grass

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER14536

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER14045

Mancozeb + Metalaxyl

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER14184

Phosphorous (phosphonic) acid

Damping off and downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER11348

Clethodim

Grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-22

PER14858

Pendimethalin

Grasses and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER12048

Prometryn

Weeds

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER14484

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-18 30-Sep-20

Parsnip

PER12357

Linuron

Grass and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

PER14695

Ridomil Gold 25G (metalaxyl-M)

Pythium Spp. and Phytophthora Spp.

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER13696

Trifluralin

Wintergrass

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER11935

Triadimenol

Powdery mildew

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER14043

Chlorothalonil

Various diseases

CURRENT

30-Nov-18

PER81196

Bifenthrin

Specified whitefly and mite species

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER14035

Diflufenican

Broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-23

PER13397

Clethodim (Select Herbicide)

Fops annual ryegrass and winter grass

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER12712

Applaud Insecticide

reenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and G leafhoppers

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER81196

Bifenthrin

Specified whitefly and mite species

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER82341

Acramite Miticide (bifenazate)

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER12391

Prodigy Insecticide

Lepidopteran pests

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

PER14840

Bupirimate

Powdery mildew

CURRENT

30-Sep-19

PER11440

Sumiclex 500 (procymidone)

Sclerotinia rot

CURRENT

31-Jan-20

PER14353

Rovral Aquaflo Fungicide (iprodione)

Sclerotinia rot

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER14047

Methidathion

Rutherglen bug

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER11127

Nufarm Filan Fungicide

Sclerotinia rot

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER12378

Acephate

Western flower thrips

CURRENT

31-Oct-20

PER12489

Imidacloprid

Aphids

CURRENT

31-May-20

PER82359

Pirimor (pirimicarb)

Aphids

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER12447

Teldor 500 SC Fungicide

Botrytis rot

CURRENT

31-May-21

Calypso Insecticide

Mediterranean fruit fly

CURRENT

30-Nov-18

PER14722

Abamectin

Tomato red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER80344

Chlorpyrifos

lack beetle, wingless grasshopper, red-legged B earth mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER10822

Sodium hypochlorite

Various insect and fungal pests

CURRENT

30-Nov-19

PER12612

Alpha-cypermethrin

Garden weevil

CURRENT

30-Apr-21

PER14765

Hexythiazox (Calibre 100 EC miticide)

omato spider mite, two-spotted mite, broad mite, T tomato russet mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

Peas

Peppers

Pome fruit PER14562 Potato

Protected cropping — cucumber PER14694

VectoBac WG Biological Larvicide

Protected cropping — capsicum PER14694

VectoBac WG Biological Larvicide

Protected cropping — eggplant PER14694

VectoBac WG Biological Larvicide

Protected cropping — lettuce PER14694

VectoBac WG Biological Larvicide

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

115

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permits (cont.) Permit No.

Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

Protected cropping â&#x20AC;&#x201D; tomatoes PER13721

Switch

Grey mould (Botrytis)

CURRENT

31-May-21

PER13716

Abrade Abrasive Barrier Insecticide

Various insect pests

CURRENT

31-Jan-20

PER13717

Amistar Top (azoxystrobin + difenoconazole)

Powdery mildew

CURRENT

31-May-21

PER13723

Avatar

eliothis (corn earworm), looper, cluster caterpillar, H leafhoppers, green mirid

CURRENT

31-May-18

PER13725

Chess

reenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly, green peach G aphid

CURRENT

31-May-18

PER13724

Previcur

Root rot

CURRENT

31-May-21

PER13720

Pristine

Powdery mildew

CURRENT

31-May-21

PER80216

Torque Insecticide (fenbutatin oxide)

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER13726

Trifloxystrobin

Powdery mildew

CURRENT

31-May-21

PER80210

Pyrimethanil

Botrytis

CURRENT

30-Jun-20

Chlorpyrifos

African black beetle

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER14045

Mancozeb + Metalaxyl

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER11848

Clethodim

Grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER14841

Walabi Fungicide

Botrytis and alternaria

CURRENT

30-Sep-19

PER81241

Phenmedipham (Bental)

Broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

31-May-20

PER14864

Pirimicarb

Aphids

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER14456

Tebuconazole

Sclerotonia rot

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER11949

Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Various insects

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER11451

Chlorothalonil

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER14126

Methomyl

Various

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

PER11441

Propachlor

Grass and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

31-Dec-19

PER14048

Pendimethalin

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-23

PER11935

Triadimenol

Powdery mildew

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER13444

Propiconazole

Cercospora

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER13441

Ambush Emulsifiable Concentrate Insecticide

reen peach aphid, green looper, light brown apple G moth and budworms

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER13300

Abamectin

Broad mite

CURRENT

31-Dec-16

PER14744

Clethodim

Grass weeds listed on label

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER14212

Imidacloprid

Aphids

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER14493

Phos acid

Downy mildew

CURRENT

31-Jan-19

PER12384

S-metolachlor (Dual Gold Herbicide)

Various weeds

CURRENT

31-Aug-20

PER14045

Mancozeb + Metalaxyl

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER12008

Propachlor

Annual grasses and broadleak weeds

CURRENT

30-Nov-20

PER14127

Pendimethalin

Weeds

CURRENT

31-Aug-18

PER14864

Pirimicarb

Aphids

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER14906

Triadimenol

White rot (sclerotium)

CURRENT

31-Oct-19

PER14473

Dimethomorph & Mancozeb

Downy mildew, purple blotch & botrytis rots

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER13653

Maldison

Onion thrips

CURRENT

31-Oct-18

PER14742

Methabenzthiazuron (Tribunil Herbicide)

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-21

PER13626

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER12008

Propachlor

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

30-Nov-20

Pumpkin PER11768 Radicchio

Radish

Rhubarb

Rocket

Shallots

116

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permit No.

Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

PER14842

Copper Oxychloride, Cuprous Oxide or Cupric Hydroxide

Downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Sep-19

PER14073

Diazinon

Thrips (excluding WFT) and onion seedling maggot

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER14890

Methomyl (Lannate-L)

Western flower thrips

CURRENT

31-Oct-19

PER13205

Secure 360 SC (chlorfenapyr)

Western flower thrips

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER13257

Select Herbicide (clethodim)

rass weeds as per label including winter grass G (Poa annua)

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER14048

Pendimethalin

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-23

PER14142

Ioxynil

Broad leaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-19

PER14536

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER14457

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER14484

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER14471

Lambda-cyhalothrin

Various pests

CURRENT

31-Mar-19

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER14703

Tramat 500 SC Selective Herbicide (ethofumesate)

Various weeds

CURRENT

31-Jul-19

PER14034

Chlorothalonil

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

31-Oct-19

PER13626

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER12008

Propachlor

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

30-Nov-20

PER14456

Tebuconazole

Sclerotonia rot

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER10918

Imidacloprid

Greenhouse whitefly and aphids

CURRENT

31-May-18

PER13673

Ridomil Gold MZ WG

Late blight, septoria leaf blight & downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Sep-21

PER13673

Ridomil Gold MZ WG

Late blight, septoria leaf blight & downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Sep-21

PER14841

Walabi Fungicide

Botrytis and alternaria

CURRENT

30-Sep-19

PER13397

Clethodim (Select Herbicide)

Fops annual ryegrass and winter grass

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER11991

Legend Fungicide (quinoxyfen)

Powdery mildew

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER14722

Abamectin

Tomato red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER14725

Paramite Selective Miticide

Tomato spider mites

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER14765

Hexythiazox (Calibre 100 EC miticide)

omato spider mite, two-spotted mite, broad mite, T tomato russet mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER12846

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

PER13899

Etoxazole

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER14470

Mancozeb & Dimethomorph

Downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Apr-17

PER11964

Chlorothalonil (Bravo)

Downy mildew & chocolate spot

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER11764

Spiroxamine

Powdery mildew

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER80558

Bifenazate

Various mites

CURRENT

31-Aug-20

PER10976

Bentazone

Broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER10988

Bladex 900 WG (cyanazine)

Broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER10938

Imidacloprid

Greenhouse whitefly

CURRENT

31-Jul-18

PER14033

Lambda-cyhalothrin

asture webworm, cutworm, Rutherglen bug and P thrips

CURRENT

31-May-18

PER14505

Pyrimethanil

Grey mould (botrytis)

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

Fruit fly

CURRENT

31-Jan-21

Prometryn

Grass and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-19

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER14034

Chlorothalonil

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

31-Oct-19

Silverbeet

Snow peas

Specified fruit crops PER12450

Trichlorfon

Specified root & tuber vegetables PER14385 Spinach

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

117

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permits (cont.) Permit No.

Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

PER13626

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER12008

Propachlor

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

30-Nov-20

PER12008

Propachlor

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

30-Nov-20

PER14456

Tebuconazole

Sclerotonia rot

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER10918

Imidacloprid

Greenhouse whitefly and aphids

CURRENT

31-May-18

PER14494

Trifloxystrobin

DM, cercospora & septoria

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER14494

Trifloxystrobin

DM, cercospora & septoria

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER14841

Walabi Fungicide

Botrytis and alternaria

CURRENT

30-Sep-19

PER81241

Phenmedipham (Bental)

Broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

31-May-20

PER13397

Clethodim (Select Herbicide)

Fops annual ryegrass and winter grass

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER14703

Tramat 500 SC Selective Herbicide (ethofumesate)

Various weeds

CURRENT

31-Jul-19

PER14071

Pirmicarb

Aphids

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER14457

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER14484

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER14906

Triadimenol

White rot (sclerotium)

CURRENT

31-Oct-19

PER14473

Dimethomorph & Mancozeb

Downy mildew, purple blotch & botrytis rots

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER13653

Maldison

Onion thrips

CURRENT

31-Oct-18

PER14742

Methabenzthiazuron (Tribunil Herbicide)

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-21

PER80282

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

CURRENT

30-Nov-17

PER14471

Lambda-cyhalothrin

Various pests

CURRENT

31-Mar-19

PER14034

Chlorothalonil

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

31-Oct-19

PER13626

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER12008

Propachlor

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

30-Nov-20

PER14842

Copper Oxychloride, Cuprous Oxide or Cupric Hydroxide

Downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Sep-19

PER14073

Diazinon

Thrips (excluding WFT) and onion seedling maggot

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER14890

Methomyl (Lannate-L)

Western flower thrips

CURRENT

31-Oct-19

PER13205

Secure 360 SC (chlorfenapyr)

Western flower thrips

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER13257

Select Herbicide (clethodim)

rass weeds as per label including winter grass G (Poa annua)

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER14048

Pendimethalin

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-23

PER14142

Ioxynil

Broad leaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-19

PER14536

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

Applaud Insecticide

reenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and G leafhoppers

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER14722

Abamectin

Tomato red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER14725

Paramite Selective Miticide

Tomato spider mites

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER14765

Hexythiazox (Calibre 100 EC miticide)

omato spider mite, two-spotted mite, broad mite, T tomato russet mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER12846

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

PER13899

Etoxazole

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER11964

Chlorothalonil (Bravo)

Downy mildew & chocolate spot

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER11764

Spiroxamine

Powdery mildew

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER80558

Bifenazate

Various mites

CURRENT

31-Aug-20

PER10976

Bentazone

Broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER10988

Bladex 900 WG (cyanazine)

Broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER10938

Imidacloprid

Greenhouse whitefly

CURRENT

31-Jul-18

Spring onions

Squash (all types) PER12712 Sugar snap peas

118

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permit No.

Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

PER14033

Lambda-cyhalothrin

asture webworm, cutworm, Rutherglen bug and P thrips

CURRENT

31-May-18

PER14505

Pyrimethanil

Grey mould (botrytis)

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

Swede PER14126

Methomyl

Various

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

PER11441

Propachlor

Grass and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

31-Dec-19

PER11935

Triadimenol

Powdery mildew

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER14337

Trifluralin

Weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-20

PER14722

Abamectin

Tomato red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER14071

Pirmicarb

Aphids

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER14474

Methoxyfenozide

Lepidopteran pests

CURRENT

30-Jul-17

PER13116

Propiconazole

Northern corn leaf blight

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER14536

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER82572

NIMITZ 480 EC NEMATICIDE

Root knot nematode

CURRENT

31-Jan-20

PER14484

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER13151

Mouseoff and Rattoff Zinc Phosphide Baits

House mouse and introduced rats

CURRENT

31-Dec-16

PER13153

Regent 200 SC

White fringed weevil & wireworm

CURRENT

31-Dec-16

PER14864

Pirimicarb

Aphids

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER13902

Phorate

phids, thrips, jassids and organophosphate A susceptible two-spotted mite and wireworm

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER14722

Abamectin

Tomato red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER14725

Paramite Selective Miticide

Tomato spider mites

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER82341

Acramite Miticide (bifenazate)

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER12378

Acephate

Western flower thrips

CURRENT

31-Oct-20

PER82509

APPLAUD INSECTICIDE

Greenhouse whitefly

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER81713

MAINMAN 500WG INSECTICIDE

Silverleaf whitefly

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER13675

Maldison

ueensland, Mediterranean and lesser Queensland Q fruit fly and cucumber fly

CURRENT

31-May-18

PER11935

Triadimenol

Powdery mildew

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER14126

Methomyl

Various

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

PER11441

Propachlor

Grass and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

31-Dec-19

PER14337

Trifluralin

Weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-20

Ioxynil

Broad leaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-19

PER14722

Abamectin

Tomato red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER82341

Acramite Miticide (bifenazate)

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER12712

Applaud Insecticide

reenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and G leafhoppers

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

Sweet corn

Sweet potato

Tomatoes

Turnip

Welsh onions PER14142 Zucchini

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

119

WA Grower ADVERTISING SPECIFICATIONS

Preferred format: press ready PDF

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vegetablesWA Horticultural House 103 Outram Street, West Perth 6005

t: (08) 9481 0834 f: (08) 9481 0024 e: finance@vegetableswa.com.au

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WA Grower advertiser contacts Name

Website/Email

Address

Contact name

APC (p9)

www.apcwa.org.wa

3 Baron Hay Court, South Perth WA 6151

Ingrid Smith

Anthony & Trish Scaffidi (p35)

tscaffidi@optusnet.com.au

0419 992 905

Bentonite WA (p101)

www.bentonitewa.com.au

0418 140 929

Centrewest Insurance Brokers (p103) www.centrewest.com.au

PO Box 636, Balcatta WA 6914

Gavin Statham

Contact number (08) 9368 3127

(08) 9439 7900

Clause Pacific (p11)

kevin.swan@hmclause.com

Kevin Swan

0400 622 314

C-Wise (p41)

www.cwise.com.au

Nambeelup Road, Nambeelup WA 6207

David Howey

(08) 9581 9582

Dobmac Ag Machinery (pOBC)

www.dobmac.com.au

36-38 Industrial Drive, Ulverstone, TAS 7315

Mark Dobson

(03) 6425 5533

edp australia pty ltd (p85)

www.edp.com.au

31-37 OBrien Street, Mooroopna VIC 3269

Mick Schirmer

Growise (IFC)

www.growise.com.au

Horticulture Innovation Australia (IBC) www.horticulture.com.au

0437 252 122 0411 086 292

Level 8, 1 Chifley Square, Sydney NSW 2000

(02) 8295 2300

Madec (p40)

www.harvesttrail.gov.au

Mirco Bros (p75)

www.mircobros.com.au

2048 Wanneroo Road, Neerabup WA

Johny Mirco

0419 909 648

Mirco Bros — Advertorial (p74)

www.mircobros.com.au

9-11 Pritchard Street, Manjimup

Marty Collins

0429 372 607

NaanDanJain (p57)

CGrabe@naandanjain.com.au

Organic 2000 (p17)

www.organic2000.com.au

1800 062 332

Coenraad Grabe 59 Safari Place, Carabooda, WA 6033

0428 395 684 (08) 9407 5182

Plunkett Properties (p73)

benplunkett@iinet.net.au

Ben Plunkett

0458 858 250

Seasol Australia (p45)

www.seasol.com.au

Alan Corke

0488 006 993

Stratus Imaging (p23)

www.stratusimaging.com.au

Andrew Dedman

0438 358 756

120

WA Grower SUMMER 2016

PO Box 130, Forresteld WA 6058

JUMP ON BOARD BECOME A MEMBER NOW MEMBERSHIP IS FREE AND KEEPS YOU IN THE LOOP OF THE INNOVATIONS HAPPENING IN YOUR INDUSTRY. ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EASY TO APPLY AND ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES AT WWW.HORTICULTURE.COM.AU/MEMBERSHIP OR CALL 1300 880 981 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

ONION GRADING & PACKING SOLUTIONS M & P Onion Peelers • Small Peeler for 18-45mm Onions or Shallots • Large Peeler for Onions over 45mm • Stainless Steel Construction • Variable Speed Drive • Dry Peeling Process

• Manual Orientation of Onions • Adjustable Operator Station • 415v 3 Phase 50 Hz • Unique Peeling System

Baxmatic®

Fully automated Bagging System Combination Weighing Scale (Optional)

• High capacity (up to 1200 bags/hr) • Quick start-up & changes • Automatic bag placement • Automatic sewing & closing • Bag sizes from 2.5kg to 50kg • Heavy duty construction • Integrated labelling • Online support system • 12 & 16 Head Combination Scales • Up to 1500 scale movements per hour

Turn Key Pack House Solutions • Onion Toppers • Pre Sizers • Intake Hoppers • Dirt Separation • Inspection Tables • Box/Big Bag Fillers • 5-25kg Baggers • Semi & Fully Automatic Palletisers

36-38 Industrial Drive (PO Box 93) Ulverstone TASMANIA. 7315 AUSTRALIA Phone: (03) 6425 5533 Fax: (03) 6425 5847

PO Box 1021, Pukekohe. New Zealand Phone: 0272 907 281

Email: dobmac@dobmac.com.au Website: www.dobmac.com.au A leader in the design, manufacture & supply of specialised agricultural machinery