WA Grower Winter 16 by vegetablesWA

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WA Grower Agricultural Produce Commission

SINCE 1948 Vol. 51 No 2. Winter 2016

A star is born â&#x201E;¢

Bravo

Grower profiles:

Chi & Anthony Lieu Nicole Rose David Blakers

APC-VPC APC-PPC

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.

WA Grower 14

Vol. 51 No 2. Winter 2016

YOUR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

Grower profile — Chi & Anthony Lieu

From the Chief Executive Officer

Margaret Court Community Outreach

President’s Reports

Addressing labour supply issues

Potato industry update

Foreign investment

Export Development Manager

Grower profile — Nicole Rose

Nothing's as fresh as WA potatoes

Wildeye soil moisture monitoring

Country of origin food labelling

Drones & remotely piloted aircraft systems

The Queen’s young leaders program

YOUR PRODUCTION

Early indications of performance of Maranca in WA

Ag chemical update

Community surveillance unearths exotic pest

POMEWEST

Chemists discover how sulphur is used by organisms

From the Executive Officer

Exploring new potato varieties for the WA fresh market

Sniffing out infestations of apple looper

Carnarvon Medfly Eradication project — update

Mite versus mite in WA deciduous fruit tree crops

Research to control cucurbit virus disease

A star is born

How can I control pests?

YOUR BUSINESS

Meet Dave Blakers

WorkSafe — Agricultural mobile plant safety

Nutrition and disease survey on tomato farms

Powerplants Australia

Microbial research to model risk & build resilience

Are you SuperStream ready?

Energy audits point to potential savings

Permits

109

TOOL TIME

New political forces

New technology to change the way you work

Water Online

Groundbreaking robots can help growers pollinate

Professionalism

YOUR INDUSTRY

Preliminary hay analysis provides positive results

Gascoyne Food Bowl Initiative

Wireless irrigation in Pemberton

Imported potatoes policy review commences

YOUR MARKET

Target market opportunities for Asian market success

Maximising your trade show experience

From farm to retail

VIETNAMESE TRANSLATIONS

102

WA Grower WINTER 2016

Produced by

vegetablesWA

Cover photo: Nardia Stacy, Pomewest & Mario Cassotti Pomewest Committee Member 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/Administrator/Communications Rebecca Blackman t: (08) 9481 0834 e: finance@vegetableswa.com.au

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

Vice President Ken Sue

Carnarvon

Busselton

m: 0417 986 467

Committee M. Dobra K. Edwards M. Grubisa P. Ivankovich A. Natoli D. Nguyen P. Shain H. Shapland P. Wauchope

m: 0417 174 110 m: 0427 724 243 m: 0413 050 182 m: 0428 919 211 t: (08) 9405 4817 t: (08) 9941 8376 m: 0419 041 045 t: (08) 9845 1064 m: 0400 717 600

Gingin Manjimup Metro North Myalup Metro North Carnarvon Carnarvon Albany Gingin

Magazine Advertising Morena Tarbotton t: (08) 9481 0834 e: morena.tarbotton@vegetableswa.com.au Vietnamese Field Extension Officer Truyen Vo m: 0457 457 559 e: truyen.vo@vegetableswa.com.au

Potato Growers Association President

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.

Treasurer

* Deceased

Vaughan Carter m: 0417 092 505

Mia Rose

Busselton

Myalup

m: 0409 112 245

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

m: 0428 451 014 Albany m: 0427 569 903 Pemberton m: 0427 148 832 Gingin/Dandaragan m: 0427 761 121 Pemberton 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 WINTER 2016

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From the

Chief Executive Officer BY JOHN SHANNON CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA

Neither wise men nor fools can work without tools. However, it can be well argued that the wise man has the larger and more judiciously curated tool box. With this in mind it’s great to see more and more WA growers make use of the tools provided by vegetablesWA to analyse their fee for service data and participate in the portal we created to make domestic and export trading opportunities. Growers are encouraged to speak to our Export Development Manager, to either set up an account or get some assistance in making the most of these tools unique to WA growers. In other news at Horticulture House, the Potato Growers Association of WA has welcomed a new Executive Officer in Mr Simon Moltoni. Many growers will be very familiar with Simon from his various roles such as being on the board of Western Potatoes and as part of the Potato IAC, as well as being a former seed potato grower himself. His strong industry background will stand him in good stead as many in the potato industry face difficult times with the recently announced deregulation of the domestic ware potato marketing system. I know that the industry appreciates Ross’ dedication and excellent contribution to the cause. The State Government Water for Food initiative continues to investigate opportunities for industry expansion in the Irwin, Dinner Hill, Myalup, Carnarvon and Southern Forest Districts as well as further to the State’s north. These opportunities are welcome as long as proponents are focussed on export markets.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

What is much less welcome is the news from the recent vegetablesWA grower meeting with the Department of Water in Wanneroo that they’re looking to reduce grower allocations on the Gnangara Mound by 25% over the coming decade. This would clearly have significant impacts on grower viability and land values. There is also an issue for industry and government to deal with given the ongoing zoning of current growing areas as Rural rather than Urban until at least 2050.

vegetablesWA is working with government to progress a community reference group to look at moving water from the Alkimos treatment plant to growers, allowing growers to move into the pine forestry and rezoning. Also in government news, WA has recently welcomed a new Agriculture Minister, The Hon Dean Nalder MLA and a new Director General of the Department of Agriculture and Food, Mr Mark Webb. vegetablesWA has had an initial meeting with Mr Webb and his approach to the portfolio and background in horticulture is most welcome. We have also met with former DG Mr Rob Delane in his new role at the Department of State Development as Special Advisor for Agribusiness Expansion and we look forward to continuing working with him to secure the significant opportunities for WA growers in this area. WA had a significant win on March 11 when after a Queensland fruit fly incursion detected in suburban Perth was declared as successfully eradicated. This is a particularly good result for our friends in the pome fruit, citrus and stone fruit industry, but also a very welcome result for tomato, chilli, capsicum and melon growers in the vegetable industry.

A Queensland fruit fly incursion detected in suburban Perth was declared as successfully eradicated — a welcome result for tomato, chilli, capsicum and melon growers in the vegetable industry.

The Agricultural Produce Commission Vegetable Producers Committee pledged $15,000 towards the operation which cost more than three quarters of a million dollars. We are now working with government and other horticulture industries to plan ahead for how we work together better in case of another incursion. WA growers have also been relatively lucky in the recent Yarloop Bushfire which cause such significant damage to some areas of forestry, farming and townships. Whilst growers escaped the worst effects of the initial blaze, some along the Forrest Highway had a difficult time in getting workers in and product out over the next few days after the immediate danger had passed. We hope that the results of the inquiry will improve the response to these sorts of events. vegetablesWA has had a recent win with being allocated two DAFWA Grower Grant projects which will see us working with Coriolis next year to undertake research and Fresh Produce Alliance to further advance the value added, uniquely West Australian food products and develop diverse options for the use of vegetables to increase the value of the food industry in Western Australia. MORE INFORMATION If you would like to discuss any of these items further please give me a call on 0488 111 526 or email john.shannon@vegetableswa.com.au

C the Difference? Improve your:

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Ask us how for your next growing season.

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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President’s Reports BY DAMIR KUZMICICH PRESIDENT, VEGETABLESWA

BY VAUGHAN CARTER PRESIDENT, POTATO GROWERS ASSOCIATION

It’s that time of year, the growers from the south of the state are towards the end of their harvesting season and the growers from the north are cleaning the cobwebs off their graders to commence their season.

As everyone is well aware the deregulation time frame has been announced along with a Grower Adjustment Payment (GAP) payment of $12 million. The timing of the repeal occurs on the 30th of September after the completion of pool 1.

As you growers are all aware of the Backpacker Tax situation, there has been very little information on what the final outcome will be for the backpackers. I urge the growers to keep on informing the backpacker work force so at least there is some form of communication to reassure them on when or if the new tax will affect them in the new financial year.

I’m sure everyone has some concerns about the ability to remain in a deregulated industry and whether you can align with merchants, seek farm gate pricing etc. I can only wish everyone the very best through this period of uncertainty.

For the growers that are exporting there product overseas, the shipping prices are very competitive at the moment so take advantage of this while you can. If you have any queries on export please contact vegtablesWA office (08) 9481 0834 in regards to any issues that you might have or are looking to start exporting your products. The AusVeg National Horticulture Convention is on again for this year 23–25 June 2016. It is a great opportunity if you can get to this convention, if you are going that’s great and I look forward to seeing you there, if not look to book yourself in for the future as it is very informative and useful for your business. MORE INFORMATION Contact Dan Kuzmicich on 0408 910 761 or damir.kuzmicich@bigpond.com

WA Grower WINTER 2016

I must mention the government and how disappointing it was for the Potato Marketing Corporation (PMC) not to be formally notified on the cabinet decision to deregulate. I find this terribly disrespectful to all and sundry who have been or are currently involved in the potato industry. Another point that I wish to raise is the feedback regarding the GAP payment and how many from the outside looking in feel we were lucky to receive any assistance at all. Luck had nothing to do with it, it was just pure hard work and perseverance from PMC, PGA and most importantly growers themselves that delivered a somewhat positive outcome. As a result of deregulation and Cabinets recommendations, the PGA has requested that no GAP be used in the winding up of the PMC and that the $2 million industry assistance package not be dollar for dollar but full funded by government.

Growers are aware of the committee that has now been formed to deal with the unenviable task of distributing the GAP payment. Fortunately we have three industry representatives on this panel who will do the utmost to represent growers. The PGA has asked for submissions from all growers on key points regarding the GAP and it was very pleasing to see a great number come through. With this information it gives us the best measures for true representation.

It is imperative that PGA pass any information that comes to hand as quickly as possible and keep growers fully informed. To conclude I must acknowledge Simon and Morena. It has been extremely busy at Hort House and without there tireless work we would be like mushrooms. In the dark. Thank you both. MORE INFORMATION To contact Vaughan call 0417 092 505 or email marybrook438@gmail.com

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ALL potatoes sold from October 1 onwards will be in a deregulated market.

Potato industry update

As part of the deregulation process government has made available to industry $14 million dollars. $12 million dollars will be paid to growers and $2 million dollars is available to industry to help maintain existing R&D and marketing programs as well as help industry develop new markets particularly export. The PGA will be the industry body charged with the responsibility of administering the industry funds within the criteria as defined by the Minister.

The Grower Adjustment Package (GAP) available to growers is not a compensation payment or license buy-back but rather an acknowledgement that industry will be severely impacted by this government’s decision.

BY JOHN SHANNON CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA

After two years Dominic Jenkin, first as a Field Extension Officer and then as our Export Development Manager, has made a huge impact on the businesses of many vegetable and fruit growers.

SIMON MOLTONI EXECUTIVE OFFICER, POTATO GROWERS ASSOCIATION

Deregulation continues to dominate the landscape in the WA Potato Industry. Growers are understandably nervous as the September 30 deadline approaches. All potatoes sold from October 1 onwards will be in a deregulated market.

Export Development Manager

Qualification for GAP payment is subject to criteria as described by a cabinet decision which will be implemented by the Minister for Agriculture based on recommendations from the ministerially appointed industry committee. All growers have had access to the committee individually through submissions and collectively via the PGA committee of Management. The sever summer storm in the Manjimup/ Pemberton summer supply period has seen both yields and quality reduced through late summer and into autumn. This has resulted in a tightening in supply which will hopefully lead to higher returns. Looking further ahead the growers will needed to consider how they want to position the Peak Industry Body (PGAWA) to better present their interest. Significant changes are required to meet the new landscape facing the industry. New threats, opportunities and responsibilities will need to be addressed in the immediate future while growers are still adjusting to the new deregulated industry.

It’s with both a great deal of sadness and a great deal of pride that Dominic is leaving us to take up a great new opportunity as CEO of the Australian Horticultural Exporters Association. I’m sure that Dominic, like many other former vegetablesWA staff members from over the years, will continue to greatly assist WA growers in his new role. Dominic left us on the 9th of June, and I’m sure growers will join with us in wishing him all the best for the future, particularly as we’re looking forward to continuing to be a part of it. We are looking to develop the role further and in line with our project funding agreements and will appoint someone in the near future. MORE INFORMATION In the meantime please contact the office on (08) 9481 0834 or office@vegetableswa. com.au for assistance in the export area.

MORE INFORMATION To discuss any of these items further please call Simon Moltoni on 0447 141 752 or email simon.moltoni@vegetableswa.com.au

Growers will be faced with decisions such as potentially leaving the industry or reinvesting to stay competitive. WA Grower WINTER 2016

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NOTHINGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S AS FRESH AS WA POTATOES

WA Grower WINTER 2016

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FRESH POTATOES? THEY ARE IF YOU BOUGHT THEM FROM A 100% LOCAL CLUB RETAILER.

BY LAURA CLARKE BRAND MANAGER FRESH POTATOES

The final phase of the marketing campaign 100% Local + Fresh launched May and will run till the end of June 2016.

100% LOCAL CLUB RETAILERS:

IN THE GROUND TODAY. ON YOUR PLATE TOMORROW.

The campaign aims to establish consumer demand for 100% WA potatoes and celebrate Woolworths, IGA and Aldi as 100% Local Club retailers who have all committed to only source local when available.

NOTHING’S AS FRESH AS WA POTATOES Freshpotatoes.com.au

ADVERTS used to provoke consumers to really think about where they shop and which retailers are sourcing fresh, WA produce.

The messaging is two fold; stimulate consumers demand, and drive purchase from 100% Local Club retailers. This has being delivered through the activity outlined below.

Press advertising A range of ‘Freshness’ themed press advertising ran in The West Australian Early General News and Fresh sections between 16th May to 11th June. A series of 100% Local Club retailer adverts have also run on the front page of The West Australian. The purpose of these adverts is to provoke consumers to really think about where they shop and which retailers are sourcing fresh, WA produce. A potato themed edition of The West Australian, Fresh lift out was published on the 7th June highlight the positive benefits the local potato industry provides the consumer.

RECIPES | NEWS | WINE & SPIRITS | REVIEWS

Coffee art. P4

Unfried fish and chips Baked fish and chips are healthier than the fried version and by coating the fish in lupin flakes it adds extra fibre and protein to your meal. Lupin flakes are a WA product that contain magnesium, calcium, antioxidants and are gluten free. Serves 6 6 potatoes (ruby red or royal blue are best) 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp salt flakes

6 firm white fish fillets 1 ⁄2 cup rice flour 1 tsp paprika 1-2 eggs, whisked 1 cup lupin flakes 2 tbsp olive oil

Preheat oven to 200C. Cut the potatoes into fat chips and place in a pot of boiling water for 5 minutes to blanch. Drain in a colander. Toss in the olive oil, paprika and salt and place on a baking tray and into the oven for 20 minutes. Cut the fish into two or three portions, toss in the rice flour and second lot of paprika, dip in the egg and then press into the lupin flakes that have been tossed with the second lot of olive oil. Turn the chips over and add lupin-coated fish on another tray. Bake for a further 10-15 minutes or until crispy and browned. Serve with mayonnaise mixed with chopped green olives and capers.

Oven baked Warming recipes for cool autumn nights

Photo available at westpix.com.au

IN THE GROUND TODAY. ON YOUR PLATE TOMORROW. NOTHING’S AS FRESH AS WA POTATOES

RARE_PMC26985C

Freshpotatoes.com.au

THIS COPYRIGHT MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION OR PASSED ON TO ANY THIRD PARTY. CONTACT: SYNDICATION@WANEWS.COM.AU

May 17, 2016

Topics for editorial were freshness, growing regions, recipes, variety selection tips and grower stories. Rob Broadfield was engaged as an Ambassador for the campaign and wrote a range of editorial opinion pieces on regulation versus deregulation, why buying local is important and WA’s disease free status.

Digital A series of sponsored articles and native adverts were published on The West Australian news site (https://au.news. yahoo.com/thewest/) about freshness of local potatoes, food safety and buying local, and local growers contribution to local industries. This is a new form of digital advertising where you can pay to have articles written by The West and promoted on their news site. WA Grower WINTER 2016

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QUICK FACT The rise of food bloggers The hunt for something to eat has never looked so good: with the rise and rise of Instagram, addictive programs like Masterchef and My Kitchen Rules, and a new generation of gastrobloggers, there’s culinary inspiration at every turn. There is an estimate two million food blogs on the Internet today all with the power to influence what their followers eat and where they dine. Fresh Potatoes need to adapt our campaign and embrace this new marketing channel. So we teamed up with Perth’s top bloggers, get to know them.

Fresh Potatoes Food Bloggers Foodie Cravings Food, Lifestyle and Mum Blogger http://foodiecravings.com.au/ • Popular on Facebook and Instagram • Mother of a toddler and well respected for her nutrient advice • Has been featured in Sunday Times Magazine (STM) and was featured on HotelClub as one of Australia’s top food bloggers

Breakfast Confidential http://breakfastconfidential.com.au • Mother of two toddlers • Popular on Facebook and Instagram and Twitter • Very well recognised in the food industry, been involved for over six years has strong connections in the industry

WA Grower WINTER 2016

• Regularly writes for WA Today and is featured often on 6PR

This form of advertising enabled us to spread the campaign message in an editorial way and appear more credible as if it was written by a journalist at The West. Each article is badged ‘sponsored’ so we are not seen to be misleading readers and appears with our digital advertising.

Thanks to our strong agency relationship Fresh Potatoes also placed adverts on the Community Newspaper Group’s new website free of charge.

Cooking 101

This helps further extend the campaign to a localized WA audience.

www.cooking101.com.au

Point-of-sale

• Mother of one

All IGA and Woolworths stores installed point of sale for four weeks during the campaign. This is the first time the Fresh Potatoes campaign has activated point of sale in Woolworths and is the result of years of persisting and building a relationship.

• Popular on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest • Recent winner of the WA Signature Dish Award • Great for food reviews, well respect for her restaurant reviews

A new campaign tower was installed across 25 IGA and Woolworth stores which brought a new visual element to the standard point of sale display. These 25 stores also received cooking demonstrations showing how to make Mexican potatoes.

Food bloggers Major WA food bloggers Cooking101, Breakfast Confidential and Foodie Cravings were all commissioned to write food stories about local, fresh potatoes and publish across their websites and social channels. All bloggers are mothers with strong profile amongst our primary target market (families with kids). An estimated 240,000 impressions were reached (that is number of people looking at the content). MORE INFORMATION Potato Marketing Corporation, (08) 9423 0500

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Early indications of performance of Maranca in WA BY STEVE MILROY 1 AND JOEL DINSDALE 2 1 RESEARCH MANAGER, POTATO RESEARCH WA QUALITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, POTATO MARKETING CORPORATION OF WA 2

The recently introduced variety â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Marancaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; has potential as a high yielding yellow fleshed variety for the fresh market. It has very good skin finish and ranks very highly in taste tests. The short growing period of the cultivar and its low fertiliser requirement suggest that there is also potential for high water and fertiliser use efficiency. Maranca has now been delivered into five pools in WA and growers are gaining experience in its management. We can now take a look back at how the variety has been performing in WA.

Likewise, we compared the pack-outs obtained for Maranca by each grower in each pool to that achieved for Nadine in the same pool (Figure 2). Similar to yield, in 60% of the cases the pack-outs of the two varieties were approximately the same. In the other 40% of the cases the pack-out for Maranca was markedly lower. The same was true, though less clearly defined, when the comparing the total percentage of (Class 1 + Class 2 + smalls) for the two varieties. The two main causes for low pack-out have been size distribution (a high proportion of large tubers) and skin discolouration. Like some other yellow varieties, it appears that it is important for delivery to be well coordinated with skin set.

Using delivery data provided by the Potato Marketing Corporation, we compared the yields obtained for Maranca by each grower in each pool, to the yields they achieved for Nadine in the same pool (Figure 1). In two thirds of the cases the yields of the two varieties were approximately the same. In the other one third of cases the yield for Maranca was lower.

100

Maranca Class 1 (%)

Maranca yield (t/ha)

50 40 30 20

80 60 40 20

10 0

0 0

40 Nadine yield (t/ha)

FIGURE 1 Comparing the yield of Maranca to that of Nadine obtained by each grower in each pool. The black line indicates when the yields of the two varieties were equal

40 60 Nadine Class 1 (%)

100

FIGURE 2 Comparing the packout for Maranca to the packout for Nadine by each grower in each pool. The black line indicates when the pack-outs of the two varieties were equal 100

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0 0

40 60 80 100 Nadine Class 1 (%)YOUR PRODUCTION

Maranca (G1 + G2 + Smalls) (%)

100

0 40

100

Nadine yield (G1 + G2 + Smalls) (%)

AS with the adoption of any new variety, there is a certain amount of adjustment required to optimise the management to local conditions.

As with the adoption of any new variety, there is a certain amount of adjustment required to optimise the management to local conditions. We have been fortunate in this regard to have Matt Bennettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (agronomist, Zarella Fresh) input from his experience in growing Maranca in SA. The benefit shows up in the number of crops already matching Nadine in terms of yield and pack-out.

The variety is vigorous and tends to set relatively few tubers per plant. The result is that tubers can grow excessively large. Matt Bennett, suggests that the two key variety specific management adjustments are (i) use very mature seed and (ii) use a conservative fertiliser regime. Irrigation and fertiliser inputs should be stopped earlier than for other varieties. Consistent with these comments, WA growers who have had success with Maranca have used reduced fertiliser rates and closer spacing of sets. However, each grower also saw scope to improve size distribution and overall performance by further reducing the fertiliser inputs. Reduced fertiliser, particularly nitrogen, will also assist in effective and efficient defoliation which can be a challenge with the varietyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vigorous growth. A number have used cut seed to provide a more consistent shoot density and thus moderate the variation in tuber size.

Most growers also expressed a need to use older seed than they had in their first attempts to grow the variety.

FIGURE 3 The learning curve. This grower improved the pack-out for Maranca to be equivalent to Nadine by the third crop

As growers gain experience with Maranca we can expect performance to improve. In the data available, only two growers had delivered into three pools. It is informative that of these two, one had an average pack-out for Maranca (across the three pools) that matched that for Nadine. The data for the other grower (Figure 3) shows the benefit of engaging and learning from the experience of others. This grower had a poor pack-out for Maranca in their first deliveries but quickly increased this to match Nadine by their third delivery pool. In summary, the first 18 months of commercial production of Maranca in WA appears to be progressing well. The variety is showing the potential to yield as well as Nadine and to achieve similar pack-outs under WA conditions. We anticipate that the adoption of the lower input management strategy, the use of more mature seed, and improved timing of delivery relative to spray-off will be reflected in greater consistency of packouts in the future. Maranca thus appears to present a good option for meeting the retail demand for yellow-fleshed varieties without compromising saleable yield. MORE INFORMATION For further information please contact Dr Steve Milroy, Research Manager, Potato Research WA, Murdoch University, phone: (08) 9360 2425 or 0403 629 093.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

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Ag chemical update March 2016 (Project AH13027)

HELICOVERPA in tomato.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Below is a summary of various regulatory issues and chemical reviews currently underway both locally and internationally.

National regulatory issues APVMA

APVMA & Chemical reviews Current review progress

Omethoate The finalisation of the omethoate review is expected within the month. It is understood the outcome is a recommendation to cancel all uses except barrier spraying for red-legged earth mite and use in ornamentals.

Dimethoate The finalisation of the dimethoate review is anticipated by mid-2016.

Priority re-evaluation By December 2016 the APVMA will have completed a re-evaluation of the review priority for the following chemicals: dicofol, propargite, fenbutatin oxide, methomyl, acephate, chlorothalonil, trichlorfon,

WA Grower WINTER 2016

amitrole, and triazole fungicides. It is understood that the APVMA will decide whether a re-evaluation is necessary or whether areas of concern could be addressed through label amendments.

New reviews Dithiocarbamates (mancozeb, thiram, ziram) The APVMA is proposing to undertake a detailed scoping exercise for the dithiocarbamate fungicides.

As part of this process the APVMA intends establishing a working group to help refine the review scope. The intention will be to invite industry participation in the working group. The scoping exercise is anticipated to start mid-2016. FSANZ It is understood that the FSANZ project exploring the possibility of establishing MRLs at low levels to cover situations where inadvertent contamination of by unregistered chemicals is ongoing.

The purpose is address situations in which low level residues result in a technical MRL breach but there are no health, safety or trade concerns. Department of Agriculture

Chemical access The first round of the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minor use grants scheme is nearing finalisation with successful applicants to be being informed in early 2016. The Department indicates that a call for round two applications is likely to be announced by mid-2016. See www.agriculture.gov. au/ag-farm-food/ag-vet-chemicals/ improved-access-agvet-chemicals/agvetassistance-grants

Regulatory reform The Department has appointed Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu to review the impacts of work health and safety (WHS) legislation on AgVet chemicals. The review is to focus on the duplication of effort and unnecessary costs associated with AgVet chemical product compliance with both WHS legislation and AgVet chemical legislation. This includes potential duplication of label statements.

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To date industry groups have argued that AgVet labels should remain exempt from the addition of GHS elements as they would be superfluous as the risk assessment has already been done by the APVMA and allied agencies when registering a use. Growers aren’t going to be in a position to undertake their own risk assessments based on any hazard statements on a label, so adding additional statements etc would be redundant. New chemicals A number of applications have been made to the APVMA seeking registration or active ingredient approvals for new chemicals. BAYER have applied to register the product Serenade Opti® a combination product consisting of the a biocontrol agent and 1-methylcyclopropene as a post-harvest treatment. ADAMA have recently sought to register a new insecticide for use in citrus TRIVOR® Insecticide, a combination of acetamiprid and pyriproxyfen. Syngenta are seeking to have the carboxamide fungicide isopyrazam (SEGURIS FLEXI®) for the control of powdery mildew and black spot in apples and black spot in pears. The company has also sought registration for a new postharvest fungicide called Chairman® for mould control. It is a combination product of propiconazole and fludioxonil.

Agroserve are seeking approval for a Brassinolide plant growth regulator/ promoter. ISK are seeking approval for their diamide insecticide cyclaniprole for use in apples.

Monsanto are developing a new seed treatment nematicide — Tioxazafen internationally with the first registration anticipated in the US in the latter part of 2016. It is from a new class of nematicidal chemistry and exhibits broad-spectrum activity against cyst, root knot, and reniform nematodes.

International Canada The Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced a plan to re-evaluate some 65 active ingredients or groups of chemicals and further special reviews of 28 active ingredients from April 2015 to March 2020. Compounds included of potential interest in Australia, from a biosecurity perspective, are: Aluminium phosphide, chloropicrin, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, dimethoate, imidacloprid, iprodione, lambda-cyhalothrin, dithiocarbamates and thiamethoxam.

USA The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently working towards the cancellation of products containing flubendiamide over concerns that certain metabolites are toxic to aquatic fauna. The compound is registered in Australia in a range of crops for the control of various lepidopteran pests. The EPA has also proposed the revocation of all food MRLs for chlorpyrifos over drinking water aquifer contamination concerns. Korea Korea will be implementing a Positive List System for MRLs, in the near future. The first step in the process occurs on January 1st, 2017 when residues above 0.01mg/kg will not be permitted for non-registered pesticides in tropical fruit, tree nuts and oil seeds. The system will then be applied to all other commodities from January 1st, 2018. Basically, for a MRL to exist it will need to be a registered use in Korea or have had an import tolerance recently established. Unfortunately, it appears that Codex MRLs will no longer be accepted in the absence of a domestic MRL. MORE INFORMATION This project has been funded by HIA using the across industry levy and matched funds from the Australian Government.

To date, review recommendations have been to cancel all methomyl food uses due to dietary intake concerns and cancel a number of uses for chlorothalonil due to OH&S concerns.

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Community surveillance unearths exotic pest DAFWA published images of the sweet potato weevil on social and in print media to increase awareness of the insect and encourage the public to report sightings back to the department using the MyPestGuide Reporter app. DAFWA staff were encouraged to see the reaction of the community to this pest alert with over 80 people sharing the images with their families and friends. Due to the extensive sharing of the information, DAFWA received a number of sweet potato weevil reports and responded by assigning two DAFWA biosecurity staff to undertake further surveillance for the exotic pests.

The MyPestGuide Reporter app is free to download onto mobile devices. It enables people to take up to four photos of an animal, insect or disease and sends the images directly to the department.

Sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius, is THE most damaging pest on sweet potatoes. It can devastate crops and has been reported to cause significant product losses in severely infested areas such as the United States. In its larval stage, the weevil mines sweet potato tubers, but apart from causing some yellowing of leaves, heavy infestations are often not noticed until the vegetable crops are harvested. The pest could cause significant losses to the Western Australia’s sweet potato crops if it becomes established.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

SWEET potato weevil — an exotic pest to keep out of Western Australia.

The beetle has a distinctive ant-like appearance, with a black head and red antennae, thorax and legs. The abdomen is electric blue and the insect measures about 5–8mm in length. The exotic pest is well established in Queensland and other sweet potato growing areas world-wide but quarantine and community surveillance has so far kept it from becoming established in Western Australia. A vigilant member of the MyPestGuide reporting community recently discovered a sweet potato weevil inside a bag of Queensland-grown sweet potatoes and reported it to the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) via its biosecurity surveillance tool, MyPestGuide Reporter.

Department experts identify the reported pest, reply back to the device with information on how to manage the pest, if necessary, as well as map your observation online. Every report helps protect our agriculture and food sector as each and every report helps build the surveillance data needed to prove WA is free from certain exotic pests. MORE INFORMATION The MyPestGuide Reporter app can be downloaded from Google Play and the iTunes App Store www.agric.wa.gov.au/biosecurity/ mypestguide-suite People without access to a mobile device can report a pest using MyPestGuide online via the department website agric.wa.gov.au. The MyPestGuide Reporter app is part of the Department of Boosting Biosecurity Defences project — a Food $20 millionAgriculture Royalties forand Regions project launched in October 2014 — which is being led by the DAFWA. The Council of Grain Growers Organisation supported the development of the

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SWEET potato infested with Cylas formicarius.

MyPestGuide Reporter app.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

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Chemists discover how sulphur is used by organisms UNIVERSITY OF YORK

Plants make about

10 billion tonnes

of SQ annually

BACTERIA in the gut, such as crucial protective strains of E. coli, use SQ as a source of energy.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

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A critical discovery about how bacteria feed on an unusual sugar molecule found in leafy green vegetables finally reveals how sulphur is harnessed by living organisms. The work may inform strategies to boost our ‘good’ gut bacteria and promote digestive health. A team of researchers including scientists from the Department of Chemistry at the University of York identified a previously unknown enzyme used by bacteria, fungi and other organisms to feed on the unusual but abundant sugar sulfoquinovose — SQ for short — found in green vegetables. Each year, leafy green vegetables — such as spinach — produce the sugar on an enormous scale globally, comparable to the world’s total annual iron ore production. The research, supported by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the European Research Council, was led by Professor Gideon Davies of the York Structural Biology Laboratory (YSBL), Dr Ethan Goddard-Borger from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and Professor Spencer Williams from the Bio21 Institute and University of Melbourne. It is published today in the journal Nature Chemical Biology.

Professor Davies said: “Plants make about 10 billion tonnes of SQ annually. We finally know the key chemical steps in the assimilation of the sulphur and we can now see that these pathways are far more widespread than originally thought.”

Dr Goddard-Borger said the discovery could be exploited to cultivate the growth of ‘good’ gut bacteria. “Every time we eat leafy green vegetables we consume significant amounts of SQ sugars, which are used as an energy source by good gut bacteria,” he said. “Bacteria in the gut, such as crucial protective strains of E. coli, use SQ as a source of energy. E. coli provides a protective barrier that prevents growth and colonisation by bad bacteria, because the good bugs are taking up all the habitable real estate,” Dr Goddard-Borger said. “E. coli is a key bacterial coloniser needed by our gut. We speculate that consumption of this specific molecule within leafy greens will prove to be an important factor in improving and maintaining healthy gut bacteria and good digestive health.”

“We discovered the enzyme YihQ, which is used by bacteria to absorb and metabolise these sulphur-containing sugars as food,” he said. “Sulphur is critical for building proteins, the essential components of all living organisms. SQ is the only sugar molecule which contains sulphur, and ‘digestion’ of the molecule by bacteria releases sulphur into the environment, where it re-enters the global ‘sulphur cycle’ to be reused by other organisms.” Professor Williams said that the pathway was unusual, but abundant in biological organisms. “This work answers a 50-year mystery that has surrounded how sulphur — an element essential for life on Earth — was used and recycled by living organisms,” he said. “What is remarkable is that the YihQ enzyme was hiding in plain sight and is produced by the humble bacterium E. coli, present in nearly every biologist’s laboratory.” MORE INFORMATION Contact University of York www.york.ac.uk/ chemistry/news/deptnews/sulphurorganism

Professor Williams said the team had revealed how bacteria extract the sugar from plants in order to fuel their growth.

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Exploring new potato varieties for the WA fresh market BY DR STEPHEN MILROY POTATO RESEARCH WA

Western Australian potato producers need access to the best potato varieties available in terms of yield, quality, manageability and consumer appeal. Importantly though, we need varieties that will perform successfully under local weather and soil conditions. This will be all the more critical for meeting the requirements of the major retailers in a deregulated environment. Western Australia currently has no systematic program for the identification, introduction and evaluation of new potato varieties for the state. As a first step in developing such a program, PMC conducted two small-plot trials during 2014–15 to compare the performance of a tranche of new and recently introduced varieties.

FIELD view of the variety trial at Dandaragan, 2014–15.

FIELD view of the variety trial at Pemberton, 2014–15.

grown under our conditions, especially conditions of high temperature,

On-farm comparison of potentially useful material from different suppliers is valuable for a number of reasons:

• To reduce financial risk to seed producers in bulking up material that may or may not be useful, and

• To identify those varieties with best potential to perform under the conditions of WA’s soils and climate; in particular to identify which varieties best meet the requirements of major retailers when

• To give growers advanced exposure to new material becoming available.

The trials were grown on commercial properties in Pemberton and Dandaragan to provide a contrast in growing environment, season and soil type.

AG90 Class 1 20

WA Grower WINTER 2016

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TABLE 1 Yield and quality of varieties when grown in Pemberton AG 67

AG68

AG86

AG90

AG91

Bute

Divaa

Ext appearance (gen)

Nadine 3.0

3.0

4.0

3.7

4.3

3.0

2.8

2.7

1.7

3.3

2.3

3.7

3.0

4.3

Uniformity of shape

3.0

3.3

4.0

3.7

4.3

2.7

2.3

3.7

2.0

3.3

4.0

2.7

3.0

3.7

Size and distribution

3.0

3.5

3.3

3.7

4.3

2.0

3.0

3.7

2.8

3.0

3.7

3.3

3.7

2.7

Skin finish

3.0

2.3

3.0

4.0

2.7

3.3

2.0

2.3

2.7

3.3

2.3

4.3

Blemish/disease

3.0

2.0

4.0

3.0

2.3

1.7

2.7

3.3

3.2

2.7

4.3

Flesh appearance

3.0

3.3

4.3

4.0

2.0

3.7

4.0

3.3

3.7

4.3

Internal defects

3.0

3.3

4.7

1.7

3.7

4.3

3.3

2.0

4.7

4.3

Overall average Yield (t/ha)

Maranca Melody Orchestra

Rodeo

Soprano

Senna

3.0

3.1

3.5

4.0

4.3

3.1

2.5

3.0

2.8

3.3

3.1

3.5

3.3

4.0

92.6

113.1

108.1

72.5

91.4

82.1

80.3

75.7

85.3

76.5

87.9

75.7

76.0

80.2

TABLE 2 Yield and quality of varieties when grown in Dandagaran Nadine Ext appearance (gen)

3.0

AG 67

AG68

AG86

AG90

AG91

Bute

Divaa

4.0

3.0

4.0

3.0

4.0

Maranca Soprano 3.0

4.0

Uniformity of shape

3.0

4.0

3.0

4.0

Size and distribution

3.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

3.0

Skin finish

3.0

5.0

4.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

4.0

Blemish/disease

3.0

5.0

4.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

4.0

Flesh appearance

3.0

4.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

4.0

1.5–2.5

Worse than Nadine

Internal defects

3.0

5.0

2.5–3.5

Similar to Nadine

3.5–4.5

Better than Nadine

Average Yield (t/ha)

3.0

4.4

3.9

4.1

3.9

3.4

3.6

4.0

22.4

32.4

20.7

22.9

16.7

23.6

16.4

15.3

13.7

23.8

The Pemberton trial was sown on 25–26 September 2014. A conservative pre-sowing fertilizer application was made to the trial and the surrounding commercial Nadine crop. Subsequent fertiliser applications were based on petiole analysis of the Nadine crop. All varieties were sprayed off at the same time. Harvest was delayed beyond the optimum date due to bushfires in the area. The Dandaragan trial was sown on 30 July 2015. A conservative fertiliser program was used throughout. All varieties were sprayed off at the same time.

At harvest, the varieties were assessed for appearance (external, internal, and defects) by a group including growers, industry participants and PMC staff. A professional sensory evaluation was also obtained for the varieties. This included appearance of the cooked product, smell, taste, texture, after-taste and overall acceptability.

In Pemberton, with a somewhat delayed harvest, the appearance of the tubers was not exceptional; rating similarly to Nadine. The general external rating was similar to Nadine with the skin finish being rated poorly. By contrast, AG67 performed very well in the Dandaragan trial (Table 2) with a strong assessment for skin finish. The best quality assessment for the Pemberton trial was for the variety AG90. This is a distinctive, bright, red-skinned variety which growers found particularly attractive. The yield was roughly similar to Nadine (91.4t/ha compared to 92.6t/ha). In the Dandaragan trial, the appearance of the tubers was again rated well, but not as strongly as AG67. In this trial however, there was a 5.7t/ha yield penalty relative to Nadine. In the sensory evaluation, the two varieties which had highest appeal were AG90 and Maranca. Both varieties scored high across the traits evaluated.

QUALITY evaluation key

4.5+

Much better than Nadine

AG90 had the highest rating in terms of overall appeal. By comparison, Nadine score moderate to moderately high across the traits. AG67 also scored moderately high across the traits. The promising new varieties will be evaluated further. AG90 offers potential for strong market appeal in terms of both appearance and flavour. However, it will be important to obtain good information on yield and yield variability. With high yield and the potential for very good tuber appearance, AG67 is also worth further assessment. A second tranche of new material is being assembled for evaluation. MORE INFORMATION For any queries please contact Dr Steve Milroy, Research Manager, Potato Research WA, Murdoch University, phone (08) 9360 2425 or 0403 629 093.

The highest yielding variety in both trials was AG67 obtained via the Mitolo group. In the high-yielding Pemberton trial (Table 1), AG67 out-yielded Nadine by 20t/ha (113.1 compared with 92.6t/ha). In Dandaragan it yielded 32.4t/ha to Nadine’s 22.4. WA Grower WINTER 2016

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Carnarvon Medfly Eradication project — update

In essence the Carnarvon Medfly Eradication project involves baiting to reduce Medfly numbers to low levels, followed by release of sterile male flies using Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) to reduce the population of wild Medflies to very low levels and eventual eradication. Following successful eradication, area freedom will be maintained by ongoing quarantine and prophylactic release of reduced numbers of steriles as occurs in other jurisdictions overseas. Initially, voluntary restrictions on fruit movement into the area, road signage and public relations will all be used to prevent new incursion of wild flies from outside the Carnarvon area. Fruit movement gazettal will be progressed later in the project as Carnarvon’s isolation and limited road access makes it ideally suited for a regulatory program based on community engagement.

FEMALE Medfly.

Field releases of sterile Medflies will being in June and continue until December 2017 in conjunction with the current baiting scheme, managed by the Carnarvon Growers Association (CGA).

BY SANDY LEIGHTON BIOSECURITY OFFICER (MEDFLY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT)

As the numbers of sterile Medflies released increase, baiting will decrease and eventually cease. ABC Rural Radio recently interviewed Department of Agriculture and Food, WA (DAFWA) staff rearing the sterile Medflies at the South Perth facility

Fruit flies are a serious pest costing Australian horticultural industries an estimated $300 million annually in control costs and lost markets. The Carnarvon Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) Eradication project aims to eradicate Medfly from the isolated Carnarvon horticulture area. The Carnarvon fruit and vegetable industry is currently worth $80–100 million/year (farm-gate value) to the state’s economy and this area is planned to double in the next five years. Carnarvon is 1000km from Perth and is surrounded by arid lands without fruit fly hosts.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

Eradication of Medfly will lower grower costs, improve product quality and increase market access both nationally and internationally. The scheme will be used as a pilot to demonstrate both the level of industry and community participation required for these programs to be successful and for developing fruit fly free areas or areas of low pest prevalence in Western Australia.

The Medfly team ground-truthed all aerial plantation maps and identified a wide variety of Medfly hosts across the plantation estate, including capsicums, chillies and grapes. In early April we received the first trial shipment of irradiated male pupae and these were then reared at the recently completed and purpose-built Sterile Medfly Emergence Facility at the Carnarvon Research Station.

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Don McInnis (USDA retired, Hawaii) and Les Zeller (University of Southern Queensland) worked with Ernie Steiner (DAFWA) to field test the new release machine and investigate release rates and crop penetration by the sterile Medflies. The release machine is linked in with the plantation maps and target crop, with the number of flies released calibrated to the specific area of the target crop. They also assessed adult emergence rates from sterilised pupae. All results were very positive.

We are reminding Carnarvon growers that the release of sterile Medflies is not a silver bullet â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they need to continue their crop hygiene, including appropriately treating all unpicked, fallen and discarded fruit and fruiting vegetables. The Medfly Compliance Plan for Carnarvon will be completed soon, and after approval from industry, will form the basis of what growers must legally do to control Medfly and help eradicate it from their plantations. It includes both preventative and post-harvest actions using a variety of methods including physical, mechanical and chemical.

ABOVE: Sterile Medfly Emergence Facility, Gascoyne Research Station Carnarvon. RIGHT: Dumped Medfly-infested chillies. BELOW: Mango infested with Medfly larvae.

MORE INFORMATION The Carnarvon Medfly Eradication project is part of the DAFWA Boosting Biosecurity Defences project made possible by Royalties for Regions with additional funding from Horticulture Innovations Australia, the Shire of Carnarvon and the Carnarvon Growers Association. The project will run until December 2017. Contact Sandy Leighton, Biosecurity Officer (Medfly Community Engagement), DAFWA, on (08) 9956 3315 or email Sandy at: sandy.leighton@agric.wa.gov.au

Department of Agriculture and Food

WA Grower WINTER 2016

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Research to control cucurbit virus disease in the Ord River irrigation area BY DR ROGER JONES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FOOD WA

The cucurbit industry in the Ord Valley has identified research being undertaken to control devastating aphid-borne virus disease in their crops as the ‘number one issue’ threatening grower livelihoods. The project Resolving the critical disease threats to the WA cucurbit industry from new and previous incursions of damaging cucurbit viruses is addressing this problem. It commenced in June 2015 and is funded through 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 Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) enterprises Ceres Farm, Barradale Farm and Bothkamp Australia Farm are also providing financial and in-kind support. The project constitutes a strong collaboration between ORIA cucurbit growers, ORDCO, and DAFWA Kununurra and Perth staff.

The Kununurra-based company Raitech Ltd is helping with its execution. We’re aiming to fill information gaps that will provide critical knowledge required to target vulnerabilities in the disease cycle and so develop procedures to effectively manage virus spread. A previous article in the WA Grower Summer Edition described progress made during the 2015 growing season. Since then, important new information was obtained over where the virus responsible for the disease epidemics, zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), and its 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. The principal activities since the last growing season have included:

• Catching out-of-growing-season aphids from trapping sites distributed around the ORIA, and identifying and counting aphids from these traps. Such knowledge is vital if we are to understand the annual ZYMV disease cycle and control the disease effectively. An in-depth survey of wild and self-sown cucurbit plants and other potential weed or self-sown crop plant hosts of ZYMV and aphids growing over the wet season was undertaken. The survey commenced in November 2015 and lasted until April 2016. Leaf samples from (i) plants that were potential hosts of ZYMV and (ii) plants found with aphid populations were collected and sent to Perth for evaluation. The virus samples were tested using antisera specific to ZYMV. The aphid samples were examined using light microscopy to identify them by their morphology and testing by Polymerase Chain Reaction and sequencing of their mitochondrial DNA to detect aphid speciesspecific DNA sequences.

• Identifying how ZYMV and its vector aphids persist in the ORIA during the wet season when no commercial cucurbit production is underway.

This survey has proven extremely productive with wet season ZYMV hosts being identified and aphids found on diverse herbaceous and woody hosts.

DR Jones examining virus-infected pumpkin plant.

To date, five species of aphids have been found, three of which had never been recorded before in the ORIA. The ZYMV positive samples came mainly from Kununurra town site. They consisted of pumpkin, rockmelon and gourd being grown through the wet season in residential gardens, and self-sown cucumber, pumpkin and watermelon growing at other sites. A later extension of the survey sampled areas further afield including farms, plantations, bush scrub and public spaces within 20–100km outside of Kununurra town site. Two of these samples contained ZYMV-positive host plants, both in wild melon vines.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

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LEFT: Rebecca Clarke (Raitech Ltd, Kununurra) inspecting plants for ZYMV.

SIRATRO weed leaf with cowpea aphid.

ABOVE: Pumpkin with chlorotic blotch ZYMV leaf symptoms.

L–R: Watermelon with melon aphid; caltropis with oleander aphid; white apple with Schoutedenia ralumensis; and tridax daisy with an unidentified aphid species.

This aphid summer survey took place throughout the ORIA, and included aphids collected from woody and herbaceous plants. Surprisingly many aphids were found during the wet season, given that their occurrence outside the annual growing season had never been recorded before. Aphids were collected from cucurbit, snake beans, chilli, okra and hibiscus plants in residential gardens; from wild and self-sown melons, and self-sown pumpkins; and the weeds amaranth, milkweed, wandering jew, siratro and tridax daisy. The species found were melon aphid, cowpea aphid, oleander aphid, and Schoutedenia ralumensis (no common name). Whilst melon aphid was found on many different species Schoutedenia ralumensis was restricted only to ‘white apple’, and cowpea aphid to snake beans and Siratro.

Wet season aphid trapping Sticky and water traps were installed to catch flying aphids at five sites representative of the ORIA. These traps were checked weekly by ORDCO Agronomist Penny Goldsmith and the aphids caught sent to DAFWA,

South Perth where the aphids were counted and those from the water traps identified to species using light microscopy and DNA techniques (PCR and sequencing of mitochondrial DNA). Melon, cowpea and corn aphids were found in the traps but only low numbers were caught between November 2015 and February 2016. These traps provide important information so they will be maintained at the same sites during the annual growing season to identify parts of the ORIA with greater or smaller aphid numbers and serve as an early warning system for growers. Adjacent roadside vegetation will also be sampled for aphid and virus testing.

Summary Information was obtained for the first time over where ZYMV and it aphid vectors persist outside the cucurbit growing season in the ORIA. ZYMV was found infecting cucurbit plants being grown in residential gardens and infecting self-sown cucurbit plants mostly in or near to the Kununurra town site.

Aphids were found on crop plants in residential gardens and on a diverse array of self sown crop plants and weeds. Flying aphids were also caught in traps. Five different aphid species were identified. These findings in the wet season help greatly with explaining why ZYMV epidemics develop later in melon and pumpkin crops during the annual growing season. MORE INFORMATION For more information, go to the DAFWA website agric.wa.gov.au/biosecurity/resolvingcritical-disease-threat-western-australiancucurbit-industry, or contact Dr Roger Jones at the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, Phone (08) 9368 3269.

Department of Agriculture and Food

WA Grower WINTER 2016

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How can I control pests? Options for controlling high priority pests in brassica leafy vegetables TABLE 1 High priority diseases

Horticulture Innovation Australia Ltd (HIA) and the vegetable industry reviewed pesticide requirements in brassica leafy vegetables via a Strategic Agrichemical Review Process (SARP) in 2014. This SAR process identified diseases, insect pests and weeds of major concern to the brassica leafy vegetable industry. Against these threats, available registered or permitted pesticides, along with nonpesticide solutions, were evaluated for overall suitability in terms of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), resistance, residues, withholding period, efficacy, trade, human safety and environmental issues.

Tables 1 and 2 list the high priority pests, and control methods, impacting brassica leafy vegetable production in Australia. High priority weeds The SARP did not identify any weeds as high priority, noting that most weeds can be controlled with currently available herbicides. Although some growers use a preplant weed control (general knockdown herbicides) to prepare the paddock, quick reworking of the soil means that this step is not part of the strategy for many growers.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

Disease

Type of control

Options

Downy mildew (Peronospora farinosa)

Currently registered fungicides

• Copper (as copper ammonium complex) — Group M1 — reduced efficacy under high pressure • Metalaxyl-M + mancozeb (RIDOMIL® GOLD MZ) — Groups 4 + M3 — effective

Currently permitted fungicides

• Copper (various, PER14038, expires Sep 2023) — Group M1 — reduced efficacy under high pressure • Mandipropamid (REVUS®, PER14837, expires Mar 2018) — Group 40 • Phosphorous acid (various, PER14184, expires Jun 2017) — Group 33 — useful in rotations • Zineb (ZINEB®, PER10845, expires May 2020) — Group M3 — reduced efficacy under high pressure

Non-chemical options

• Rotate crops • Space plants to improve air flow and spray penetration • Use resistant varieties

Currently registered fungicides

• Metalaxyl-M + mancozeb (RIDOMIL® GOLD MZ) — Groups 4 + M3 — effective

Currently permitted fungicides

• Azoxystrobin (various, PER13123, expires Mar 2014) — Group 11 — varying efficacy

Non-chemical options

• Use IPM strategies • For further information refer to http://bit.ly/whiteblister

White blister (Albugo candida)

Source: www.soilwealth.com.au

Growers can either alternate herbicides or use them in combination for effective weed control. All those available are either pre-emergent or early post-emergent herbicides.

IPM compatibility of pesticides Growers using an IPM approach need to consider the IPM compatibility of any pesticide they apply. This means considering not only the efficacy of the product, but also its impact on the key beneficial insects and mites in each specific cropping system.

GROWERS using an IPM approach need to consider the IPM compatibility of any pesticide they apply.

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TABLE 2 High priority insects Insect

Type of control

Options

Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella)

Currently registered insecticides

• Chlorantraniliprole (various, including CORAGEN®) — Group 28 — effective • Chlorantraniliprole + thiamethoxam (DURIVO®) — Groups 28 + 4A — effective • Flubendiamide (BELT®) — Group 28 — effective • Spinetoram (SUCCESS® NEO) — Group 5A — effective, resistance issues

Helicoverpa (Helicoverpa spp.)

Currently permitted insecticides

• Chlorfenapyr (PER14292, expires Mar 2016) — Group 13A — field situations only

Non-chemical options

• Use IPM strategies — required to manage resistance • Manage the retail/supermarket expectation for zero/ low damage

Currently registered insecticides

• Alpha-cypermethrin (various) — Group 3A – effective only for Helicoverpa punctigera, not registered for all brassica leafy vegetables • Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) (various) — Group 11C – effective • Chlorantraniliprole (various, including CORAGEN®) — Group 28 — effective • Chlorantraniliprole + thiamethoxam (DURIVO®) – Groups 28 + 4A — effective • Cypermethrin (various) — Group 3A – effective, not registered for all Brassica leafy vegetables • Flubendiamide (BELT®) — Group 28 — effective • Helicoverpa NPV (various) — effective • Indoxacarb (various) — Group 22A — effective • Prothiofos (TOKUTHION®) — Group 1B — not used • Spinetoram (SUCCESS® NEO) — Group 5A — effective, resistance issues

Currently permitted insecticides

• Chlorfenapyr (PER14292, expires Mar 2016) — Group 13A — field situations only

Non-chemical options

• Use IPM strategies — required to manage resistance

HELICOVERPA moth.

Growers are encouraged to contact an IPM consultant for specific advice about the IPM compatibility of any pesticide listed in this factsheet. MORE INFORMATION Pesticide registration and permit information changes regularly. To access the most up-to-date information, check the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website at: http://apvma.gov.au, or InfoPest at: www.infopest.com.au The information provided here is a summary of the SARP conducted for brassica leafy vegetables. For information regarding ‘gaps’ on pest control options and the identification of suitable new or alternative pesticides to address these ‘gaps’ view the full report at: http://bit.ly/SARPS For more information on the minor use permit system, contact the Minor Use Coordinator at AUSVEG on (03) 9882 0277.

Source: www.soilwealth.com.au

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 fact sheet. 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 project VG13078 Extension of Integrated Crop Protection information in this fact sheet, 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.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

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Meet Dave Blakers

— the Capel vegetable grower who has worked hard to control stable fly BY DON TELFER DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD, WA

On the surface David Blakers looks like any family man who manages a large vegetable production business on 160 hectares of irrigation. But Dave has an innovative spirit, and a will to ‘do it better’. Seventeen years ago the Blakers and the Norton families in Capel decided to set up a large vegetable production business using five centre pivots and fixed irrigation. Capel Farms has a three gigalitre water licence, pumping approximately 300 meters deep from the Yarragadee basin. Capel Farms originally started growing carrots, potatoes and brassicas.

These days they concentrate on broccolini as the main contract crop, supplying Western Australian markets twelve months of the year under an exclusive contract. They also grow baby spinach, avocados and have a grape vine nursery. They have just moved away from growing 80 to 100ha lucerne each year and now spell paddocks by growing barley, and are looking at growing mustards as a disease break crop.

Planning is the key Broccolini is a very labour intensive, and takes a lot of planning and inputs. In Capel, the summer growing period is 65 days, and in winter it takes up to 95 days from seeding to harvest.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

DAVE Blakers, Capel Farm (left) and David Cook, DAFWA (right).

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The main insect pests are diamond back moth and stable fly in summer. David is insistent on regular monitoring, getting out there and inspecting the crop for pests. That drives his control measures of soft option pesticides, only spraying when he must. You will often see Dave in shorts, this is important he says, it’s a great measure of how many flies are around when you get bitten on the legs.

In 2014 Dave Blakers asked Dr David Cook from the University Of Western Australia (UWA) to assist in the control of stable flies. Dr Cook has been researching stable fly control measures for nearly 20 years in WA. David was working on a Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA) stable fly control project and is considered a world expert on stable fly management, especially when it comes to the interaction of fly breeding in horticulture and livestock enterprises in close proximity. Stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) is a blood sucking fly that lays eggs in rotting vegetation such as old hay, silage, or rotting waste from vegetable production. Both the male and female fly require three to four blood feeds each day to ensure they can lay eggs. The stable fly prefers blood from cattle and horses, but will bite all livestock, pets and humans. Large numbers of stable flies will cause distress and weight loss with large animals, and death on small animals. Their bites are painful, and cattle with over 20 stable flies will stamp, tail flick, flick up dirt, roll, brush and mill with others, and refuse to feed. At this level of infestation there is significant economic loss.

STABLE fly emergence traps placed in a broccolini crop on Capel Farms.

Know your pest Dave Blakers first spent time learning about the stable fly life cycle, and where it liked to breed. Now with David Cooks help, they have a control system that seems to work. This year there have been no complaints directed at Capel Farms.

In fact a trial that David Cook set up at Capel Farms in November last year failed. No stable flies turned up for the trial. In hind sight this is considered a good sign. Keep vigilant To ensure there is good control of stable flies, Dave thinks the first step is to be vigilant; to make sure stable flies never have the chance to build up. The second bit Dave says is to follow the Stable Fly Management

Plan. Follow the four steps: 1. Shorten the harvest period; 2. Turn of the water if you can; 3. Mulch and spray with an insecticide; and 4. Come back in a week and rotary hoe the remaining crop waste to pulverise it completely.

In-crop management Control all starts at harvest. Dave has shortened harvest from six to three weeks, so plants some extra area to cover the production lost. In crops such as broccolini, cauliflower, broccoli, or celery, when the head is cut, it allows bacterial and fungal rotting agents access into the stem, where the soft core will start to rot. Flies will lay their eggs in this slowly rotting stem, and this starts the flies’ life cycle. Dave religiously cover sprays the crop being harvested with copper every seven days to help to sterilise the wounds on the

STABLE FLY

Whilst stable flies have been in Capel Shire in low numbers for many years, they have only been a problem for the last five years. Dave admits that stable flies used to love his cropping program and bred on the crop waste. At the same time Dave started to grow these crops, the Capel Shire started to get complaints. These complaints peaked in the 2015 season with approximately 40 objections. To make it worse, Capel Farm is surrounded by cattle and horses — both are stable fly’s favourite blood sources.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

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Capel Farms does lime every year, so an extra half tonne is not a big ask. The only extra is perhaps an extra pesticide or two. Baby leaf spinach is not a problem, once harvested; the roots are small and easily chopped up. Dave says it’s the brassicas that cause most problems. Capel Farms has stopped growing lucerne, partly because of the stable fly problems. As all lucerne growers know, the cutting and bailing process leaves large blobs of waste hay on the ground. If this is not cleaned up before the water is turned on again, high numbers of stable fly will grow under each pile.

ONCE crops have been harvested rotary hoe the remaining crop waste to pulverise it completely.

plant and assist wounds to dry out. “Keep the plant as healthy as you can,” says Dave. “Keeping the nutrients up reduces the rotting of the inner parts of the stems.” Insecticides used to control diamond back moths also help with controlling stable flies. Finding out what works, and what can be used is important. If there is a bad outbreak of stable flies, don’t be afraid to spray for them using a short withholding period spray. Alternately Dave will stop harvest early, and treat the crop to an early haircut — mulch, spray and bury. “Stick to the Stable Fly Management Plan,” says Dave.

Stable flies thrive where there are five elements; 1. Mammalian blood 2. Rotting vegetation 3. Sandy well drained soils 4. Water to keep everything wet 5. Warm temperatures Take away any one of these elements and stable flies have difficulty in surviving in large numbers.

Post-harvest management Dave uses a high speed forage mulcher with a roller on the back to chop the above ground crop waste off right at ground level. “Leave nothing sticking up” comments Dave ”what’s left will quickly shrivel up and dry out, and make the later operation of rotary hoeing a lot easier.”

WA Grower WINTER 2016

If it’s not possible to turn the water off especially with the centre pivots, Dave may deep rotary hoe soon after mulching, going deep and slow, getting all the waste deeply buried. He will do this several times to ensure a full burial of stems and roots. “Once stable flies get into the roots, it’s very hard to control them, so don’t give them the chance!”

He believes a roller on the back of the rotary hoe to compact the soil will make it better for soil protection and reduce the ability for any stable flies to emerge from the soil after emerging from the pupal stage. The next step is to spread two tonnes of lime over the top of the renovated area. Dr Cook’s research shows that making the soil more alkaline will give two benefits, it sweetens the soil for the next crop, and egg laying by stable flies are reduced. Dave would normally have limed later, but this tactic works well. In the peak of summer if stable flies promise to be bad, he may spray a residual insecticide as a safety precaution on the bare soil. He will use Bifenthron or Chlorpyrifos in this circumstance.

The cost of good control Does stable fly management cost much more than if they were not present? “We are not doing a great deal extra” comments Dave.” If we did not have stable fly, we would not be mulching nor going slow with our rotary hoe to bury the crop. But we would be doing two rotary hoes to macerate the crop. Doing what we now do does get the paddock back into production quickly.”

Dr David Cook has measured up to 2,000 stable fly larvae per square meter under waste hay. The best way to get around this is to turn large numbers of cattle onto the lucerne stubble for several days prior to commencing watering, to clean up the hay before it rots. Next year Dave will not change the process too much from what he has done this year, however he will continue to be vigilant and keep learning. This year there have been several stable fly outbreaks nearby, not on his farm, but on silage and grape marc (pressing waste). Dave Blakers final message is “Understand the pest, understand its lifecycle, know all the options available to control them, and don’t cut corners. If you mess up the control once, you are behind the eight-ball for the rest of the season. Any prevention is better than a cure!” MORE INFORMATION It is expected that Capel Shire will be included on the list of shires in the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management (Stable Fly Management) Plan later in 2016. This will restrict Capel residents in the use of raw poultry manure, restrict vegetable growers in how they handle crop and vegetable waste, and restrict livestock owners in how they deal with waste hay, silage and feed. For more information contact the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia or go to its web site at www.agric.wa.gov.au

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WA Grower WINTER 2016

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Nutrition and disease survey on tomato farms in the Gnangara/Carabooda area BY VO THE TRUYEN FIELD EXTENSION OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA

Eight tomato growers in the Wanneroo and Carabooda area to the north of Perth were selected to take part in a nutrition and disease survey in late 2015 and early 2016. The survey was conducted by Neil Lantzke, an independent agronomist working for Perth Region NRM and Truyen Vo vegetablesWA Field Extension Officer. The aim of the work was to review fertiliser, irrigation and disease management in the industry and provide independent advice to each grower on how to improve management on their farms.

The steps involved were: 1. Each grower was visited to conduct soil, water and leaf sampling for laboratory analysis, obtain the growers fertiliser and irrigation programs and discuss any nutrition and irrigation related issues. Language assistance to Vietnamese grower participants was provided by vegetablesWA 2. Plant samples were taken for disease identification and management options for disease control were discussed. 3. The laboratory analysis and information collected was collated in a report in which the results were benchmarked against the other growers (in a confidential manner) and compared to industry standards. Feedback was provided to the grower on their management practices. This work has been funded by from Perth Region Natural Resource Management

Results Water analysis of growers bore water In general, results from water testing showed that the water quality is suitable for irrigation of tomatoes using drip irrigation. The pH of water samples from 8 tomato farms ranged from 5.7 to 7.7 which is acceptable although the optimum range for tomatoes is 6.0 to 6.5. The salinity of the water was low and suitable for drip irrigation of vegetables.

High levels of nitrogen were found in the irrigation water on many of the properties. Nitrate fertiliser rapidly leaches from sandy soils following heavy rainfall and over irrigation. This nitrogen ends up in the groundwater below the farm. Irrigation with this water can in some cases provide a significant contribution of nitrogen to subsequent crops. The growers involved in the study were unaware of this additional nitrogen being applied to the crop and were not taking account of it in their fertiliser programs.

Table 1 shows the concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen in water samples from eight tomato farms and the amount of nitrogen (in kg/hectare) added to the crop when the volume of irrigation was taken into account. Possible savings in fertiliser as a result of this contribution of nitrogen from the groundwater are also given. The concentration of nitrate nitrogen in eight water samples under the survey range from 0 to 32mg/L (Table 1). For instance, the concentration of nitrate nitrogen in the water samples taken from the property number 4 is 21mg/L. That provides 210kg nitrogen in 10ML irrigation water/ha/crop which has a fertiliser value of about $336. The high concentration of nitrogen in bore water is mainly a result of leaching from horticultural properties which significantly pollutes the underground water resource. The proper water application within the root zone therefore helps not only to save some fertiliser cost and operation costs (and water costs in some areas) but also to protect the water resource.

TABLE 1 The concentrations of nitrate nitrogen in eight water samples under survey and possible saving cost Property

Crop

Nitrate nitrogen (mg/L)

N from irrigation water (kg)

Possible saving ($/ha)

Tomato

150

210

Tomato

290

430

Tomato

210

336

Tomato

128

Tomato

320

512

Tomato

< 0.1

Source: Perth NRM data

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Soil analysis results Soils samples from eight tomato farms were tested for soil pH and macro nutrient element such as nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and sulphur as well as some other parameters like electrical conductivity (salinity) and organic carbon.

TABLE 2 The rates and cost of fertiliser applications of eight properties as compared to DAFWA recommendation for tomato Property

N (kg/ha/crop)

1429

K (kg/ha/crop)

Cost of fertiliser program ($/ha)

347

5019

1111

234

1186

16184

800

544

541

9589

777

253

1000

9443

753

997

8680

717

741

6654

1992

235

1552

22275

686

231

616

6693

DAFWA recommendation

625

125

950

6397

Although all samples showed relatively high concentration of nutrient elements, this is a result of fertiliser applications rather than the natural fertility of the sandy soil in the area.

P (kg/ha/crop)

Soil pH is an important measurement as it affects the availability of many of the nutrients required by plants. The soil pH of the eight samples in the survey ranged from 6.1 to 7.4 which are acceptable for tomato cultivation, except one sample in Gnangara where the soil pH value was only 5.0. Further investigation revealed that the grower of this tomato farm had not applied lime for quite some years. The leaf test result of this farm showed low concentration of Calcium (0.95%) as compared to all other samples in this survey, which was probably related to the low soil pH.

The DAFWA fertiliser recommendation should be used as a guide only and growers should use crop appearance, yield and fruit quality, leaf analysis, soil analysis and take the nutrient concentration of their irrigation water into account when developing a fertiliser program.

Leaf test results

Irrigation

Leaf tests were carried out to measure key nutrient elements such as N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Mn, Fe, Cl, Cu, B, Zn.

The rates of water application in the eight properties were also highly variable as compared to DAFWA recommendations for tomato (Table 3).

The results showed that leaf concentrations of the nutrients tested were rarely low. In a number of cases the leaf samples showed high concentrations of nitrogen. The investigation showed that the nitrogen levels in the irrigation water of these properties was also very high, which the grower was unaware of. Thus, it is suggested that the growers should take the concentration of nitrogen in their irrigation water into account when developing their fertiliser program and as a result they will make savings in fertiliser costs.

Source: Perth NRM data

In three cases very high volumes of water were applied (Properties 2, 3 and 8). These volumes were significantly higher than the DAFWA recommendation. The information provided by the growers on these properties revealed that they watered with the same frequency as the others, but their irrigation TABLE 3 The rates of water applications of eight properties as compared to DAFWA recommendation for tomato Property

KL/ha/crop

ML/ha/crop

Fertiliser use

13616

13.6

The rates of nutrient application and the costs of fertiliser in 8 properties under this investigation are highly variable (Table 2). Many of the growers were applying considerably more nutrients than that recommended by DAFWA. Though the data collected could not be statistically analysed it should be noted that those growers applying the highest rates of nutrients did not achieve higher yields.

25168

25.2

18850

18.9

8280

8.3

7800

7.8

11896

11.9

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Yield (kg/plant)

9375

9.4

26880

26.9

10500 to 15000

10.5 to 15

DAFWA

Source: Perth NRM data

times were much longer. Instead of two to three shifts of 30 minutes each they irrigated for up to 90 minutes each shift.

Water requirements change as plants grow larger, increase leaf area, mature and produce fruit. Matching irrigation to plant water demand minimises the risk of stress and yield losses. Research from DAFWA1 showed that most tomato roots will not exceed the depth of the rotary hoe. While some stabilisation roots are found beyond 30cm, most fibrous feeder roots are in the top 0â&#x20AC;&#x201C;25cm. Table 4 shows the root depth and crop factors at different growth stage of tomato plant. Therefore, this research suggested that scheduling irrigation to a depth of 30cm for mature plants reduces excess drainage and increases water and fertiliser use efficiency. Using evaporation to match irrigation requirements to plant growth stage is also recommended. Generally it is suggested that with the typical drip irrigation systems used by the tomato growers on the low water holding sands that growers do not irrigate for over 20 to 30 minutes each irrigation depending on the growth stages. The irrigation time to wet the required root depth depends of the dripper types. Drippers are spaced at 20â&#x20AC;&#x201C;30cm and output ranges between 0.7 and 1.6 litres per hour. Drip line is often described by its flow per metre. A line 1 www.agric.wa.gov.au/water-management/dripirrigating-tomatoes-sand

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TABLE 4 The root depth and crop factors at different growth stage of tomato plant Growth stages

Crop factors

Root depth (mm)

Transplanting and establishment

0.5

First tie

0.6

100

Second tie

0.9

200

Third tie

1.1

250

Fourth tie

1.3

300

Fifth tie through harvest

1.4

300

Towards end of harvest

1.2

300

Source: Perth NRM data

2A with drippers spaced at 20cm and dripper output of 1 litre per hour would deliver 5L/m/hr. A tape with the same flow and drippers spaced at 25cm would only deliver 4L/m/hr. Furthermore, time between irrigations is best determined by assessing the soilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to hold the readily available water.

Disease identification results 1A

Result of the investigation has revealed that the soil borne diseases caused by Fusarium sp., Pythium sp. Collectrotrichum sp. and Rhizoctonia sp. continue becoming the primary problem on tomato and cucumber. Fusarium disease which was detected as Fusarium Solani and Fusarium Oxysporum f.sp. licopersici. was the widest spread disease as it has been detected in all 11 samples including tomatoes, cucumber, zucchini and parsley (see photos 1a, 1b, and 1c).

It has also been detected that the fusarium disease was associated with Pythium in a cucumber sample while it was also found along with Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) in another zucchini sample.

Seriously, the soil borne diseases problem were also detected along with other dangerous transmissible diseases including tomato bacteria canker, Tomato spot wilt virus and Zucchini Yellow Mosaic virus. A dangerous combination of different disease was found in a tomato sample in Carabooda including fusarium, bacteria canker and tomato spot wild virus TSWV (see photos 2a and 2b).

PHOTO 1Aâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;C: Fusarium disease on tomato; cucumber; and parsley.

Observed poor pest and disease management practices

2B PHOTO 2A: Combination of different disease including fusarium, bacteria canker and tomato spot wild virus on tomato in Carabooda orchard. PHOTO 2B: Combination of dangerously transmissible diseases on a tomato plant in Carabooda including fusarium, bacteria canker and tomato spot wild virus.

site organising, quarantine, and plant debris treatments were poor. These along with the year-round present of wild solanacean and other broad leaf plants within tomato rows and around the farms as the possible hosts of the insect vectors and sources of inoculation should be considered of key contributing factors to the disease occurrence. MORE INFORMATION Please refer to the article on The outspread of vegetables plant disease in North Perth in the Autumn 2016 edition of WA Grower magazine for more information as well as control measures. For more information contact Truyen Vo at vegetablesWA on (08) 9481 0834 or Perth NRM on (08) 9374 3333.

In those tomato farms where severe losses due to the disease problem were observed the farm hygiene practices in terms of farm WA Grower WINTER 2016

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Microbial research to model risk & build resilience IN 2013, in the US alone, there were Salmonella outbreaks from cucumbers, tomatoes, papaya and sugarcane.

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BY ELIZABETH FRANKISH RESEARCH STUDENT, UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA

Where is horticulture and microbial risk? Quality assurance schemes provide a focus on potential hazards in operations. By now growers have a checklist of where microbial pathogens might occur. We know how Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli find their way into produce via water, manures, equipment and workers.

So controls are put in place around irrigation water and water used in packing houses. Guidelines around the use of manures and sanitation procedures are implemented and followed. Despite this, around the world we are seeing an increase in foodborne illness outbreaks from fruit and vegetables. In 2013, in the US alone, there were Salmonella outbreaks from cucumbers, tomatoes, papaya and sugarcane; a Hepatitis A outbreak in pomegranates, and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;leafy greensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; were responsible for outbreaks of Cyclospora and Shiga toxinproducing E. coli.

Food recalls for microbial contamination in produce are increasingly common with recent examples being bagged sliced apples with Listeria monocytogenes and frozen berries/cherries with Hepatitis A. In Australia between 2001 and 2011 there were 93 outbreaks, with fruit and vegetables causing 7% of these. More recently we have seen outbreaks of Hepatitis A in frozen berries and Salmonella in bagged lettuce.

What can this mean? Occasionally a breakdown in system controls occurs but there are likely to be more profound reasons why, despite current knowledge, fresh produce increasingly is linked with outbreaks of foodborne illness. Increases in outbreaks might be due to increased consumption as we are encouraged to eat more fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet. Regulators have improved their surveillance of foodborne pathogens and improved the communication of outbreaks to regions where the produce has been sold. Fresh produce is being used in more innovative ways as consumers demand fruits and vegetables year round and products in ready-to-use forms.

Perhaps assessing risk from the hazards identified on farm is more complex than first thought. Knowing a hazard needs to be controlled does not quantify the level of risk that hazard poses as produce leaves the farm. Most produce goes through a packing house and this is only one part of a long and complex supply chain. What if the packing house operator knew exactly how much microbial risk he contributes to that supply chain and which activities and actions in the pack house would most reduce those risks?

Science-based produce risk management Managing risk through the supply chain to reduce contamination and subsequent outbreaks is recognised as the most effective approach in many food sectors. Unsurprisingly, research has shown this also applies to the fresh produce supply chain.

INCREASES in outbreaks might be due to increased consumption as we are encouraged to eat more fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet.

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Growers have little control over what happens to produce as it travels along this chain. Is it being value-added or processed? How is it being stored and transported? How is it being handled at retail and by consumers?

When outbreaks occur they affect everyone in the supply chain. Experience has shown that a business can suffer reduced consumer confidence and sales even when its product is not implicated in the outbreak. For food safety to be maximised under quality assurance programs we need quantifiable risk assessment. This requires not only accumulating data from verification testing, but critical analysis and interpretation of the data to determine how best to minimise the risks from the microbial hazards identified.

CHEMICAL USERS HAVE RETURNED OVER

4.2

MILLION

AGVET CONTAINERS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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Where to next? My research is using data to model microbial risk in produce packing houses. It aims to identify the most important factors that affect risk, so that controls and verification activities can be adjusted around specific business operations. It will allow quality management decisions to target the areas where they will have the most impact. Just as you need tools to sow and harvest the crop, tools are required to manage risk. The right tools increase business capability and build in resilience against the microbial hazards that occasionally, but inevitably, find their way onto fruits and vegetables. Consumers are becoming interested in a greater variety of fresh food and its provenance. Are you ready for the challenges this presents in food safety risk management?

Share in the responsibility for a sustainable future in Australian agriculture.

CONSUMERS are becoming interested in a greater variety of fresh food and its provenance. MORE INFORMATION If you are interested in being a part of owning the new business weapons of data and software, and want to make better use of your data, please contact me. All data will be treated in the strictest confidence. Elizabeth Frankish: Phone, 0407 446 937 or email Elizabeth.frankish@gmail.com

Visit www.drummuster.com.au or call 1800 008 707 to locate your nearest collection site.

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New technology

GP Graders has recently launched a unique 360 degrees electronic grading machine known as the AirJet®.

to change the way you work Australian company GP Graders are paving the way for more sophisticated grading technology that provides greater efficiency across the entire fresh produce industry. The award winning company has pioneered grading technology for years, and recently launched a unique 360 degrees electronic grading machine known as the AirJet®. Designed specifically for small fresh produce, the new machine is capable of sorting fruit according to size, colour, shape and internal and external quality. This technology has caused an industry wide revolution. GP Graders Director Stuart Payne says this machine is a natural progression of the company’s work in the industry. “GP Graders is universally considered an industry leader in small produce grading technology and have pioneered the cherry grading industry, where we were the first to release defect-grading technology to the industry.”

WA Grower WINTER 2016

He explains that the AirJet® comes in two models to suit different fresh produce grading needs. “The first is able to sort produce between 15mm to 42mm such as cherry and grape tomatoes, radishes, sprouts, small potatoes, cherries and a variety of other fresh produce. The second model consists of our “micro-roller” which sorts produce between 8mm to 32 such as blueberries,” he says.

Our slim line colour separations of cherry tomatoes has proven to provide an average of seven days longer store shelf life. The grading machine also uses High Definition cameras and captures 35 synchronised images of each piece of fruit as it passes under them at different phases of the fruit’s rotation process.

“Importantly, all captured images from the black and white, colour and near infra-red cameras are overlayed to determine the percentage spread and size of, say, the brown on a red cherry, the size of bruises on a fruit, whether the fruit is deformed in shape, if a cherry has a stem and if so how long is it, the percentage size of a crack or fresh split, or the location of the stem connection to determine the exact commercial size grade,” Mr Payne explains.

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“We have also included a fourth camera located under the roller so we can capture images and analyse the bottom of the fruit to determine if there are any problems with the quality that [are not revealed] to the top cameras. This enables us to see a full 360 degree image of the vegetable/fruit.” He says the positioning of the cameras also provides a more accurate determination of size grading when compared to cameras positioned at side angles, and also gives the AirJet® an advantage of providing“ synchronised top-down images without parrellax errors, using image overlay of all images captured (not having separate image capture along the conveyor that separates any analysis)”. Mr Payne says they have also “completely re-written the software platform the system is based upon over the past two years with the most cutting-edge, streamlined programming language available.”

“Our company’s focus is fixated on reducing our customer’s cost base and improving their profit,” he says. “GP Graders entire scope of product offering is to be faster, smarter, more productive, lower maintenance and more reliable than any competitive product available in the marketplace.” Other unique functionalities of this technology include: the ability to separate the quality of produce into any number of different grades (being export first, domestic first, second, third, fourth, etc.); a 100% load capacity processing power; absolute flexibility in grading programming; the ability to determine stem length and stem colour, and the ability to see fresh splits on produce, as well as an easy to use interface that Mr Payne says“ operators rate higher than any competitive interface”.

“This technology has caused an industry wide revolution from a largely mechanical platform of grading small fresh produce to an electronic platform. The entire worldwide industry is transferring across to this technology and it is happening at a rapid rate.” He also says that GP Graders “is largely responsible for the introduction of this technology to the industry, being the inventors of defect technology in the cherry, cherry and grape tomato industries and are now leading the charge in the blueberry industry” — and that these advancements benefit the whole industry in a range of ways. “The cost savings this technology delivers [are] in the reduction of sorting and packing staff, the ability to separate quality grades to cater to different market demands, the elimination of waste, and the elimination of rejections and pricing adjustments when produce is delivered to the buyer,” he says. “The revenue increases are delivered through the accuracy in grade sizes — GP Graders provides 100% accuracy whereas the next closest competitor is only able to achieve 88% accuracy). Revenue is also enhanced through the ability to separate quality specifications according to buyer demands, be they export or domestic.”

“The industry perceives us as the best in the market at what we offer and there has been an unprecedented demand for our solutions,” Mr Payne says. “Our machinery and technology yields our customers the best money for their produce at the lowest cost base.” With a team of 30 software technicians who are considered the best in their field of vision technology, Mr Payne says GP Graders will continue to research, develop and innovate the technologies used in this industry. “We believe there are always advancements to be achieved in our product range and we spend millions of dollars each year on the generation of product ideas into functional, market driven solutions,” he says. “And we do this with great success, with 90% of our product ideas leading to on-going market adoption. Innovation is in GP Graders’ DNA, our competitive position in the industry is one of leadership through innovation.” MORE INFORMATION Stuart Payne, GP Graders, (03) 9585 9444 or email sp@gpgraders.com www.gpgraders.com.au/products/ cherrygrape-tomato

Demand for the technology and innovations brought to the industry by GP Graders is now so strong that the company has locations in the USA, Canada and Chile, as well as Australia.

He says the AirJet® grader system highlights the advancements GP Graders have made for the fresh produce grading process, with improvements the whole industry is racing to adopt.

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Groundbreaking robots can help growers pollinate KELLY VORST-PARKES COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, MEDIA, HORT INNOVATION

Two Australian-made robots have uncovered the best locations to place beehives in orchards to get maximum fruit output in a new study commissioned by Horticulture Innovation Australia (Hort Innovation). Delivered by the University of Sydney’s Australian Centre for Field Robotics, the findings came from a four-year study which included the use of two 1.5m-high unmanned vehicles. The robots — trialled on apple, lychee, custard apple, almond, avocado and banana farms — worked concurrently on either side of tree rows using a series of cameras, lasers and software to create a series of algorithms which led to the identification of the fruit. Hort Innovation Chief Executive John Lloyd said data supplied by the robots showed patterns in yield variations consistent with a lack of pollination. He said at a test site, a grower then moved the pollination block and is already seeing results. “This is a very exciting finding as this technology has the ability to help growers identify issues such as a lack of pollination and address them quickly,” he said. “By monitoring the data patterns produced by these robots growers can effectively help ensure the best yield possible.” Mr Lloyd said the robots also showed the capacity to identify individual pieces of fruit, and nuts — making way for fully autonomous tree fruit and nut picking. “This study has provided a real window into a not too distant future where labour hire shortages and associated costs no longer need to be key concerns for tree crop growers,” he said.

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HIA is investing more than

$15 million “Ultimately, this technology will enable growers to save time and money, allowing growers to get their produce to consumers more efficiently while increasing their overall farm gate returns.” Mr Lloyd said the robots were able to identify the fruit load on the trees with an accuracy rating of between 60–96%, depending on the commodity and the amount of leaf coverage and sunlight. “The study showed apples and mangoes that were visible to the human eye were the easiest for the technology to detect, with an accuracy rating of 92% and 96% respectively. This suggests that the technology for these two commodities is the closest to development,” he said. He said the next step is to use these findings to inform further development of robotics systems that autonomously

in autonomousbased projects

harvest, and also have the potential to undertake tasks such as pest management. Horticulture Innovation Australia is currently investing more than $15 million in autonomous-based projects on behalf of the nation’s horticulture industries, with a host more expected to come online in the near future. MORE INFORMATION For further information please contact Hort Innovation http://horticulture.com.au/about/ contact/ phone (02) 8295 2300 or email communications@horticulture.com.au

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Preliminary hay analysis provides positive results for remote irrigation trial BY VERITY TODD POLICY OFFICER, DAFWA

The first hay has been cut from an irrigation trial on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert in Western Australia, showing great potential for fodder crops in the Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remote pastoral region.

Cropping species were selected to test their agronomic and economic potential in the Pilbaraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extreme environment, as part of the broader Pilbara Hinterland Agricultural Development Initiative (PHADI) project, to assess the potential of irrigated agriculture in the region using surplus mine dewater and other in-situ water resources to create diversification and investment opportunities in the region (see Figure 1).

Temperatures were hotter than average for both Telfer and Marble Bar, and the strong dry winds made establishment and survival of young seedlings particularly challenging.

Summer cropping program

In September 2015, the 38 hectare centre pivot was planted with the summer cropping program.

The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) embarked on the Woodie Woodie project, to explore the use of surplus mine dewater to grow a range of fodder and biofuel crops in the Pilbara.

Summer stretches from October to April, with hot days and nights, and maximum temperatures often above 40 degrees Celsius. Cyclones occasionally pass during this period, dumping heavy rainfall.

Varieties of Rhodes grass, sorghum and lucerne were assessed for their yields, metabolisable energy (ME), protein content (CP), and the digestibility of the feed (DMD), with sorghum and Rhodes grass performing particularly well.

Over the past summer, evapotranspiration at the pilot site (ETo) was approximately 10% more than average for the period, while rainfall was about 50% of long-term average (see Table 1).

LEGUMES were planted to learn about the timing of sowing, land topology and preparation, irrigation and crop rhizobium inoculation.

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These factors made management of the water supply challenging and also highlighted the benefit of having access to a predictable water supply.

The pivot was divided into four sectors to trial a mix of perennial and annual crops. Trial crops included three varieties, each of lucerne, sorghum, Rhodes grass and several annual legume species (Figure 2). The scale of the pivot allowed a number of crop varieties to be trialled to produce meaningful crop yields and experimental results, under standard management processes.

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ern

PORT HEDLAND

rth t No

Gre

DeGr ey Riv e

Manner

ve ko Oa

rbl eB

PORT HEADLAND

Hills R

LEGUMES

SORGHUM

LUCERNE Sweet Jumbo

500

Marble Bar Rd

Ebony cowpeas

RHODES GRASS

Western Australia

PERTH

Cavalcade/ Lablab & Pearl millet

vis

Callide

NULLAGINE

Woodie Woodie

Ripon

ve r

MARBLE BAR

ie R ood eW odi Wo

Nu lla

gin eR

ive r

ive

Katambora

Burgundy beans/ Lablab & Pearl millet

Kilometres

Woodie Woodie Pilot Site Woodie Woodie Mine Site

NEWMAN

50 Kilometres

100

Sardi Grazer

Hunnigreen

Sardi 10

Superdan 2

Sardi 7

FIGURE 2 The 38 hectare centre pivot was divided into four sectors to trial a mix of perennial and annual crops.

FIGURE 1 The Woodie Woodie pilot site is located on Warrawagine station, 190 kilometres east of Marble Bar, Australia’s hottest town. TABLE 1 Woodie Woodie physical environment, including evapotranspiration (ETo), rainfall (mm), and temperature (average max, average min) Month

Evapotranspiration (ETo, mm)

Rainfall (mm)

Maximum temperature (ºC)

Minimum temperature (ºC)

The aim of the project is to capture information about crop production, as well as the nutritional composition and crop physiology during the calendar year.

Sep 2015

283

35.2

15.7

Breakdown of the results

Oct 2015

295

41.0

22.8

Nov 2015

312

42.5

26.4

Dec 2015

320

44.2

26.1

Jan 2016

260

40.6

26.2

Feb 2016

282

42.8

26.4

Mar 2016

282

43.2

27.5

One of the features of the trial is the ability to deliver auditable nutrient application and traceability for the growth of a range of crops under centre pivot irrigation. The benefits of this system include being able to apply precise amounts of water and nutrients to a crop, minimising water wastage and leaching and avoiding adverse impacts on the surrounding environment.

Source: DAFWA Weather Station

A sophisticated irrigation and fertigation controller was required to facilitate the delivery and monitoring of nutrient programs for each crop. The system also enabled programming of fertiliser trials within crops to determine if certain nutrients are deficient or have been provided in excess.

Sector 2: Three varieties of lucerne (Sardi Grazer, Sardi 10 and Sardi 7).

Trial species by pivot sector

Sector 4: Three varieties of Rhodes grass (Callide, Katambora and Mariner).

Sector 1: Legumes — initially cowpeas, cavalcade and burgundy beans. Cavalcade and burgundy beans were replaced with lablab (co-planted with pearl millet to provide protection for the legume).

Sector 3: Three varieties of sorghum (Sweet Jumbo, Hunnigreen and Superdan 2).

Approval to grow the crops was granted through a Pastoral Diversification Permit, and includes a further 20 species that will be trialled in the coming months.

The first harvests at the Woodie Woodie project were in December 2015. The crop was established in September 2015, however, the nutrient injection system was not completed until December 2015. Nutrients had to be top-dressed and early hay results reflect this delay, through lower sub-optimal yields and quality. Following the commencement of programmable fertigation, these issues have largely been resolved. Rhodes grass • Elsewhere in the Pilbara, Rhodes grass averages three cuts at 3.5 tonne per

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THREE varieties of sorghum were planted, including Sweet Jumbo, Hunnigreen and Superdan 2. The sorghum responded extremely well once fertigation was online and recent yields have been close to 6t/Ha.

hectare per cut (dry matter) over summer (December – March) • The Woodie Woodie trial has gone close to these benchmarks despite some initial challenges in establishing the trial • Most recently, cut hays were Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA) grade A2-A3 (>9.5 MJ/kg DM; >13% CP) • This demonstrates how optimising nutrition delivery in combination with a reliable water supply can yield very exciting results Sorghum • Sorghum responded extremely well once fertigation was online • Recent yields (late March) have been close to 6t/Ha; the crop was greater than two metres tall • Preliminary hay analysis (trial samples taken two weeks before the harvest proper and prepared as hay) indicated 9.1–9.9 MJ/ kg DM and 13–19% protein (Grade B3-A2) depending on variety • The results show what is possible given a well-designed and implemented irrigation and nutrition plan

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• These numbers may ease for hay analysis of the final cut (which was delayed for logistical reasons) but they give pointers towards getting the right balance between yield and quality • Another summer sorghum crop would provide very robust data on this trade-off. Lucerne • Lucerne crops have produced high quality hay (A1-A2) but yield has been lower than expected, mostly due to loss of access to mine de-water at critical times in the crop cycle • Watering strategy has been changed to better suit the crop and this resulted in notable visual improvement; the proof will be in the next cut and analysis due in late April. Other legumes (cowpea, burgundy bean, cavalcade, lablab) • The experimental plots included various legumes to learn how they establish and grow under centre pivot irrigation and in the Pilbara conditions • Important discoveries have been made about the timing of sowing, land topology and preparation, irrigation and crop rhizobium inoculation from their inclusion in the trial. Ultimately, the results from the trial will provide information for the economic analysis of stand-alone irrigated crop production, and in livestock feeding systems.

Crop management and preferred crop sequences (rotations) will also come under scrutiny during the final 18 months of the trial.

Irrigation scheduling Woodie Woodie site contractors, AgGrow Energy Resources (AER) and Global Groundwater have partnered with AFS Agriculture to benchmark optimal water and fertigation application for the crop and environment. Irrigation scheduling is based on forward forecasting to ensure optimal soil moisture and greatest crop return per millimetre of water applied. Crop water use and response is monitored by telemetry including weather station, flow meters, and soil moisture probes. As well as biomass and hay yield analysis, satellite and ground-level (hand-held) NDVI monitoring have been used to assess crop performance.

Water efficiency is gained by using crop response to refine and ground-truth the forward forecast irrigation schedule model. Optimisation of fertiliser application and uptake has been achieved by use of both liquid and granular fertilisers. Predicted crop requirements were modelled according to expected crop yields, with a focus of cost per kilogram of fodder. Variable rate application at an elemental level coupled with yield

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response and laboratory analysis is used to achieve the crops’ potential for the lowest cost and without waste. Sampling points have been established to alert site operators to any nutrient run-off or deep drainage from irrigation.

Overcoming challenges The irrigation system’s ‘taps’ were turned on in early September using surplus dewater from the Woodie Woodie mine, 10 kilometres away. This achievement was temporarily delayed after an encounter with one of the risks associated with relying on mine dewater — a change in the mine’s operations saw dewatering rates fluctuate and affect the water supply for the trial. Since then, the Woodie Woodie mine has gone into care and maintenance. DAFWA has been able to reach an agreement with Consolidated Minerals to maintain water supply to the site that will enable the trials to continue uninterrupted. While this agreement is in place DAFWA is also working with Warrawagine station owners and project contractors to explore the option of implementing a self-supply arrangement where the irrigation site can access water directly from bores or redundant mine pit lakes. That involves resolving a number of land tenure, engineering and water resource investigations to determine the potential for and cost of expansion of irrigation activity in the area.

It highlights one of the key risks of the project; how using mine dewater for irrigation is closely linked to changes in mine operations, and can create risks if dewater is the sole supply for irrigation. These are important lessons-learned which need to be shared with others, if successful and sustainable irrigated agriculture in the Pilbara is to be developed.

Collaboration

Groundwater and AER and sub-contractor AFS Agriculture. DAFWA has joined with the Mills family, veteran pastoralists from Warrawagine station, who are hosting the trial on their 404,685 hectare station 190 kilometres east of Marble Bar, Australia’s hottest town. Hay produced from the trial was fed to some of the Mills’ 23,000 head Droughtmaster and Droughtmaster-cross cattle herd.

The Woodie Woodie pilot is one part of the overall Pilbara Hinterland Agricultural Development Initiative (PHADI) projects that is assessing the potential of irrigated agriculture in the region using surplus mine dewater and other in-situ water resources, such as groundwater and surface water, to create economic diversification and investment opportunities in the region.

The Woodie Woodie pilot will also complement DAFWA’s $15 million Northern Beef Futures (NBF) Royalties for Regions project, designed to transform the State’s northern beef industry by improving markets, businesses and productivity.

The results from the Woodie Woodie trial will provide data to ground truth scientific models and improve understanding of the feasibility and viability of irrigated agriculture in the Pilbara.

MORE INFORMATION

Collaboration has been a key feature of the project, backed by the Western Australian Government’s Royalties for Regions funding. DAFWA is delivering PHADI in partnership with the Pilbara Development Commission and the Department of Regional Development, in association with the local mining and pastoral industries and aboriginal groups, site contractors, Global

The Woodie Woodie and PHADI projects will conclude in 2017.

To find out more email: phadi@agric.wa.gov.au Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter: www.agric.wa.gov.au/r4r/ pilbara-hinterland-agricultural-developmentinitiative-phadi

Department of Agriculture and Food

ORGANIC

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Department of Agriculture and Food

Final work commencing for the

Gascoyne Food Bowl Initiative

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BY KIRRILY PALMER DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD, WA

A new pipeline to boost the volume of water available to Carnarvon horticulture growers and expand production in the region commenced at the end of May 2016. Construction company SSP Diverse has been awarded the contract to build the 25 kilometre long Northern Borefield Pipeline, as part of the $25 million Gascoyne Food Bowl project, made possible by the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program. Project manager Tony Della Bosca said 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 completed in three months, the current water capacity will increase from 183 to more than 550 litres per second,” he said. “The pipeline will be supported by the electrification of the northern bore field, which will ensure the consistent and more efficient delivery of water for horticultural crops.” More than 120 exploration bores have been drilled by the project, from which 35 production bores have been established to deliver four gigalitres per year with an average flow of more than 12 litres per second per bore. The drilling program is also set to recommence by the end of May to develop an additional 6–8 production

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.

bores in order to verify the Northern Borefield’s water resource for sustainable delivery and possible further expansion in the future. Mr Della Bosca said the project would complement previous Royalties for Regions investments into Gascoyne Irrigation Pipeline and Flood Mitigation Works to create a viable and sustainable Carnarvon horticulture precinct.

“This Royalties for Regions project will satisfy growers’ need for a reliable, effective water supply, providing confidence for industry growth,” he said. “It will also ensure a sustainable water resource to service potential new irrigated agriculture opportunities.” In addition to the drilling and pipeline work being conducted for the Gascoyne Food Bowl project, progress for land development is continuing. 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 for potential annual and perennial horticulture. The GFB District Structure Plan and Scheme Amendments, which will incorporate the ‘new’ GFB land into the Shires town planning scheme, has been adopted by the Shire of Carnarvon and circulated for public consultation. The town planning scheme is part of a parallel process to expand the land in Carnarvon. Department of Lands will continue to work on changing the title of the land 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. The Department of Lands is currently seeking approval from the Minister for Lands to proceed with tenure change and Native Title negotiations. 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. MORE INFORMATION For more information please refer to www.agric.wa.gov.au/r4r/gascoyne-foodbowl-initiative

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ADVERTORIAL

Wireless irrigation in Pemberton or farm 4WD, park, walk through the crop then open and close maybe 4, 6, 8 lines at a time. There is the benefit to check the sprinklers to ensure there is no blockages and that they all rotate though usually its quick fix if required Early December 2015, 10 hectares of paddock with newly planted seed potatoes was set up with 66 x 50mm Nelson 1000 series automatic solenoid valves instead of manual gate valves. The irrigation layout had a 6” aluminium mainline running through the centre of the paddock with mainline couplings every 12m. Each tube connection point had a 6” coupling with two valves on either side.

Watering potatoes has never been easier for Danny Omodei on a 10 hectare plot at the family farm in Pemberton. Wireless automation helped saved many man hours, water and energy and allowed more free time to attend to other farm duties. Setting up and dismantling aluminium solid set irrigation systems is nothing new to potato farmers in the Manjimup and Pemberton regions. The practice has been the same for many decades and still continues to this day. The ability to move, set up, run then dismantle the entire irrigation set up gives growers total flexibility on the farm which is great. Once the system is set up and running opening and closing taps or gate valves becomes a task in itself. The common practice can be to change lines on the hour or half hour depending on the watering regime. This requires someone to return to the paddock with the use of a quad bike

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Danny’s watering pattern was to open six lines down then six lines up and repeat this process for 11 shifts in total. Based on manual valves that’s 11 times returning to the paddock to open/close valves and check sprinklers — very time consuming! For the automatic valves to open and close a Nelson Wireless TWIG System was installed comprising of the following: • TD200 controller with external antenna installed at the shed which has the ability to operate up to 200 valves. • TWIG Contact with external antenna at the pump shed approximately 1km away from the TD200 Controller • TWIG Repeater — approximately 1.5km away from the pump shed and 800m away from the TD200 Controller • TWIG2I — 11 along the mainline in the paddock mounted on 1.5m x 40mm square aluminium tube placed over a star picket to stay upright and in place The TD200 is the control device which sends a radio signal to start the pump and open up the first six lateral lines in

the system. The repeater was placed in a tree line break to ensure the radio signal was strong throughout the watering cycle. Danny would simply decide on the run duration for each shift then start the automatic program with a flick of a switch. Someone would usually check to make sure the sprinklers were not blocked and were rotating though this process was real quick. To make the project cost effective TWIG2I were installed. There are two outputs for the operation of two separate valves. The system was configured for three Nelson 2” 1000 valves to operate at one time using hydraulic tubes via a DC solenoid coil output. The hydraulic tubes were coloured coded at the key fitting joints so they could be disconnected when splitting the mainline for spraying. Danny found the reconnection simple to allow automatic irrigation to commence again. The Nelson wireless control system works on 900MHz two way radio signal every 20 seconds. The very strong signal is best installed at a maximum line of sight distance of 1.5km between the field valves and TD200 controller. The TWIG system has the capability of having nine repeaters installed giving a total distance of 13.5km if required. Site assessments are needed to determine what is required to ensure peak performance. Some regions will be undulating or have obstructions though in most cases a wireless TWIG system can be installed. Each TD200 and TWIG component has their own unique address world wide to eliminate a clash with an adjoining property. There was massive upside for the Omodei property having the automatic irrigation system. • Many man hours saved not having to open and close taps • Hours saved not having to manually start the pump

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Imported potatoes policy review commences BY MORENA TARBOTTON POTATO GROWERS ASSOCIATION OF WA INC

The Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA) has commenced a policy review of the importation of washed ware potatoes from other Australian states and territories.

• Could achieve precise watering schedules for each shift – eliminated over watering or under watering • Reduced power costs if previously over watering occurred with less pump run times • Had the ability to run short sharp cycles to cool the crop in excessive heat conditions • Ability to fertigate more accurately • Grower had an excellent crop outcome • Have the ability to set an automatic program to run any time or day when away from the property MORE INFORMATION In the event you would like more information on the Nelson TWIG wireless automatic irrigation system please contact either person from Nelson Irrigation: Greg Stewart Mobile: 0437 348 488 greg.stewart@nelsonirrigation.com.au

Washed ware potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are currently permitted entry into Western Australia from interstate under quarantine conditions. Department plant biosecurity director John van Schagen said these measures had been in place for over ten years.

“They are being reviewed to ensure they continue to provide an appropriate level of protection against pest and disease risks and comply with trading requirements,” Mr van Schagen said. “Under the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity the department is required to ensure that import conditions are scientifically justified.

“A rigorous process will be followed to ensure that any quarantine conditions placed on importations are based on science and comply with trading requirements.” Mr van Schagen said industry would be engaged throughout the process, and that the department’s draft pest categorisation report and draft policy review would be released for stakeholder consultation. The department is encouraging any stakeholders or interested parties who would like to receive information via email in relation to this policy review to complete the registration form at www. agric.wa.gov.au/form/stakeholderregistration. At the conclusion of the policy review Western Australia’s import requirements will be modified to reflect any recommended measures determined in the final policy. MORE INFORMATION Further information is available from the department website agric.wa.gov.au or John van Schagen, plant biosecurity director on (08) 9368 3765.

Department of Agriculture and Food

“The department is committed to ensuring Western Australia has strict quarantine processes in place to safeguard our industries, environment and community.

Jeff Sullivan Mobile: 0448 112 816 jeff.sullivan@nelsonirrigation.com.au

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Grower profile

Chi & Anthony Lieu BY REBECCA BLACKMAN FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER, VEGETABLESWA

Chi and Anthony Lieu are rare in the WA vegetable growing arena, as Anthony is part of the second generation of the Vietnamese family and he is working on the farm.

Most second generation Vietnamese don’t continue in their family’s footsteps and Chi has been farming for almost 40 years. He commenced working on a market garden and then started share farming a range of different vegetables and then purchased his own farm to grow strawberries.

Anthony has gone out into the world and done a university degree however he decided that it would be a waste of his father’s hard work if there was no one to carry on the family farming business.

As they worked through succession planning they decided the best way forward was for Anthony to learn from his father for a few years before taking over. Anthony has been the Farm manager for three years and has taken key business and farming insights from his Dad, efficiency is the key. Keeping the working environment clean and tidy is a key efficiency. Anthony says “it might take longer however it will enable us to be more efficient later on.”

PERTH

COMPANY Landsdale Strawberry Farm NAME Chi (father) & Anthony (son) Lieu LOCATION Carabooda SIZE Growing on 50 acres GROWS Summer: tomatoes, capsicum & eggplant; Winter: strawberries

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TRUYEN Vo with Chi and Anthony Lieu on their property in Carabooda.

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Hygiene standards are a high priority on the farm and they ensure that strict protocols are followed to minimise the spread of disease. Anthony has applied his knowledge from his Sports Science degree to the hygiene practices. Some has been trial and error however Anthony looks as plants as humans as in the transference of disease happens sap to sap the same as blood to blood.

By taking this approach and with some advice from Truyen Vo, vegetablesWA Field Extension Officer, they were able to minimise bacterial wilt in the last season. This assistance was critical as they only lost a few plants rather than the entire crop, which was the fate of some growers in the region. Anthony explained “in summer we have 15– 20 staff with eight being permanent. They will pick the crops (tomatoes, capsicum and eggplant) every three days and when they are not picking they are trimming bushes, pulling grass, wedding and look after their current crop, once the current crop is tended to they are getting ready for the winter crop. Each of their crops is split between four market agents. During demand periods they have new agents trying to outsell their current agents and whilst they are happy to give them a chance, they do tend to stay loyal to their current agents.” Significant time and money is put into growing and looking after the crops, with the majority of the time spent maintaining the crop. Anthony said “we spend time pulling grass and weeds as there is a huge benefit as it ensures there are sufficient nutrients for the crop to grow. We use preventives rather than try and stop the disease once it is there, this practice can cost a bit more however makes a significant

difference in the end product and the price we receive from market agents”. Chi and Anthony are looking forward to taking the business into the future with the next step collaborating with other tomato growers to share knowledge and farming practices.

HYGIENE standards are a high priority on the farm and they ensure that strict protocols are followed to minimise the spread of disease. MORE INFORMATION Contact Truyen Vo, Vietnamese Field Extension Officer on 0457 457 559 or truyen.vo@ vegetableswa.com.au

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Margaret Court Community Outreach Feeding WA’s needy with WA grower produce BY REBECCA BLACKMAN FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER, VEGETABLESWA

Margaret Court Community Outreach (MCCO) was established in 1999 by former Australian Tennis Champion Rev Dr Margaret Court. What began as an attempt to feed the homeless of Perth, has now grown into a strong welfare arm which has the sole function of supporting those suffering some form of hardship in the local community.

They give away over 5,000 meals per week and since commencement, to date they have given away over 900,000 meals.

They are currently servicing two areas of Perth; Osborne Park and Kwinana/ Rockingham. One of the themes which comes through MCCO is, they are providing people a hand up not a hand out.

• Bendotti Exporters

• MCCO supports around 550 families and individuals per week

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• Community Hours for Correctional Services clients • Basic Warehouse volunteer job training • Some Food provided towards School Breakfast Programs • Monthly Seniors Lunch Program MCCO are proud to have connections with WA growers such as: • Beta Spuds • Dobra Gardens Trust • Newton Bros • Oasis Fresh Produce • Loose Leaf Lettuce Company • Fresh Choice

• Assists over 10,500 people annually including those suffering from various forms of physical, emotional and mental distress and illness

• Truss Tomatoes

• They have a dedicated team of over 70 volunteers and 12 consultant personnel

ABOVE: MCCO has over 70 volunteers and 12 consultant personnel.

• Basic Clothing and Kitchen wares

• Provides 5,000 meals (24 tonnes) every week

• Whilst providing food hampers they also provide basic essential needs such as toiletries, clothes, guidance and support

TOP: Rev Dr Margaret Court with husband Barry Court.

Other services that they provide include:

MCCO food hampers are one of the largest requests for assistance, with 24 tonnes of fresh, frozen, perishable and non-perishable food items going out per week. These food donations are made by various companies around Perth such as IGA, British Sausages, National Foods and Dobra Garden Trust.

• Spudshed • Twin Lakes Manjimup

Call (08) 9202 7154

to donate!

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THE Ladybird.

As we approach winter more people require services and if any WA growers would like to contribute excess produce to MCCO they can contact MCCO directly on (08) 9202 7154.

Due to the size of the facility they are able to store large amounts of produce and have the ability to receive deliveries directly into their warehouse to reduce the additional trips by the growers transport companies. MCCO are also able to take varying grades of produce — do you have produce you need dispose of and don’t want it to go to waste, why not call MCCO? They can also collect from Canning Vale Markets, Rand Cold Stores have five pallet spaces reserved for drop offs. MORE INFORMATION For more information you can see contact MCCO on (08) 9202 7154, website http:// mcco.org.au/, Facebook www.facebook. com/MargaretCourtCommunityOutreach and Instagram www.instagram.com/ communityservices/

DUE to the size of the facility they are able to store large amounts of produce.

Addressing labour supply issues in the vegetable industry BY KELLY VORST-PARKES COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER — MEDIA, HORT INNOVATION

In an effort to bolster the longterm growth of the nation’s $3.3 billion vegetable industry, Horticulture Innovation Australia has commissioned a research project that aims to address labour supply challenges faced by growers. To be led by labour expert Dr Joanna Howe in the University of Adelaide’s Law School, the project will evaluate the labour needs of the vegetable industry, review the existing framework regarding the role of temporary migrants in the industry and propose innovative solutions for addressing vegetable industry worker shortages. Horticulture Innovation Australia Chief Executive Officer John Lloyd said the vegetable industry is critical to Australia’s economic development and food security into the future, and therefore solutions to labour issues must be found. “The almost 5000 vegetable operations across Australia produce $3.3 billion of nation’s Gross Domestic Product making them a vital contributor of the nation’s economy,” he said.

away from releasing technology that will harvest vegetables. “While there has been a lot of discussion of late about labour shortages within the farming industries, little has been done to research the true extent of the problem including genuine labour supply solutions for the vegetable industry,” he said. “Through this project, which is expected to be complete in December, we expect to uncover tangible solutions to labour shortages — whether those be training initiatives, policy recommendations, new technologies or all of the above.”

Mr Lloyd said one of the first actions in the project is to conduct a national survey of vegetable growers throughout May to help establish an evidence base for reform. He said the project, which is funded through the vegetable levy and the Australian Government, is just one aspect of Horticulture Innovation Australia’s efforts to build a globally competitive, innovative, resilient and profitable vegetable industry. MORE INFORMATION For further information please contact Dr Joanna Howe, Senior Lecturer, Adelaide Law School, The University of Adelaide, email: joanna.howe@adelaide.edu.au, or phone: (08) 8313 0878

Mr Lloyd said while robotic equipment, such as the Ladybird, is being developed to help vegetable growers find efficiencies, researchers are still a while WA Grower WINTER 2016

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Foreign investment

should be used to stoke agriculture fire BY TONY MAHAR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NATIONAL FARMERS FEDERATION

WA Grower WINTER 2016

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Rarely, if ever before, has the national debate surrounding foreign investment in Australian agriculture been so public, so relevant or so important. The sale of Van Diemen’s Land Company, an imminent decision on the sale of S. Kidman & Co, most likely to predominantly Chinese interests, and the recent revelation the Foreign Land Ownership Register will not be made public have brought to the forefront the need for a balanced, mature and future-focused policy discussion on the role overseas capital plays in the growth of the domestic agricultural supply chain. This discussion has now been further fuelled by the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) announcement, in its Annual Report, Chinese interests have been approved to invest $2.5 billion in agriculture in 2014–15. This is a record amount, no doubt skewed by the fact the threshold for FIRB approval was lowered from $250 million to $15 million, but is still reflective of a significant increase in activity from China.

However, this must be contextualised against the backdrop of a $9 billion annual capital gap in Australian agriculture and an insatiable appetite for our worldleading food and fibre products.

Already the sector is forecast to generate $1.2 trillion between now and 2040, while, this year alone, agriculture is predicted to reap a record farm-gate return of $57.6 billion. Each dollar of this further cements the industry’s place as a leading driver of the domestic economy and demonstrates its capacity to vastly increase this contribution, should it have the capital and infrastructure it needs, for the benefit of all Australians. Simple economics shows agriculture requires foreign investment to perform to its potential, but there is no misconception this is not the most palatable means of capital raising for some stakeholders across industry and politics.

Superannuation has long-been heralded the miracle potion to stymie the need for foreign dollars coming into Australia to fill the capital shortfall. The simple premise has been super funds have the cash resources necessary to purchase large agricultural property assets and, with the forecast for the sector so bright, why would they not? But they don’t. And there are a number of very logical reasons why. Whilst there are exceptions, the direct investment of a superfund, Australian or otherwise, in agriculture through the acquisition of land or business assets would be entirely at odds with their existing investment models. Super funds do not usually directly invest in mining, retail or many other industries but prefer investment in the sector through the stock market. In simple terms, they don’t buy the mine, they by shares in the company which owns the mine that is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) — why then is there an expectation the model should be different for agriculture?

WA Grower WINTER 2016

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However, what the NFF most certainly does not advocate is the unbridled and wholesale sell off of our farmland. Revelations that the Agricultural Land Register will not be made fully public, but aggregated data would be made intermittently available, came as a major disappointment to industry. Whilst we understand there are commercial sensitivities that need to be respected, it is also important as much information as possible is available to provide baseline data for debate and well-informed decision making.

OVERSEAS capital provides an immediate and direct investment in the sector that supports a vibrant supply chain and improves production efficiencies to keep Australia competitive in a highly distorted global marketplace for agricultural commodities.

The more likely channel for superannuation funds to enter agriculture is through investment in infrastructure to support rural and regional communities and to equip the industry with roads, rail lines and other physical assets to support export growth. Public Private Partnerships can provide a strong model for infrastructure development whereby a cogent plan backed by Government, local communities and business can deliver value to users and a return to investors.

The substantial increase in interest from China, as evidenced by the rise in forecast spending for the coming financial year reported by FIRB, is reflective of a heightened interest in Australian agriculture and recognition of its many global competitive advantages. Our agriculture industry also has greatly enhanced relevance to China following the finalisation of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) which came into force in December 2015.

Overseas capital, on the other hand, provides an immediate and direct investment in the sector that supports a vibrant supply chain and improves production efficiencies to keep Australia competitive in a highly distorted global marketplace for agricultural commodities.

Already, Australian exports to China account for nearly six per cent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is worth $100 billion annually. Of this, farm exports were $9 billion in 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201C;15 and have doubled in five years. ChAFTA has, and will continue to, deepen and broaden the Australia-China relationship and it should be no surprise there has been ensuing broader interest in our agricultural assets given the Chinese now, more than ever before, understand our capability to produce the best food and fibre in the world. As further FTAs are secured, you would expect new interest from other nations will follow.

Furthermore, Government must uncompromisingly ensure foreign investors adhere to Australian law, especially tax and competition law, and comply with existing and new production and/or transaction levies. Would it be nice to think all Australian farmland could be retained domestically and that Australia, independent of overseas investment, could capture the burgeoning opportunities for growth and prosperity to build a robust agriculture sector? Of course it would. Is this realistic? Absolutely not.

Australian agriculture should not be afraid to use foreign capital to build capacity, to innovate and to help rural communities flourish. Increased funds equate to increased industry resilience and the opportunity to best position the sector ahead of its global competitors in the long term. Provided there is vigorous legislation in place to ensure foreign companies are responsible corporate citizens who bring value to the national economy, foreign investment should be seized as fuel to further stoke the Australian agriculture fire. MORE INFORMATION

$9 billion Farm exports to China in 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201C;15

WA Grower WINTER 2016

For more information contact National Farmers Federation Phone (02) 6269 5666 or www.nff.org.au

Two centuries of innovation. A lifetime of success. Lizarra

Fruit Quality with Unique Disease Package!

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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

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Platynum

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Strong plant with unique disease package Uniform large fruit size of 18-22g Suitable for greenhouse & open field Brilliant dark red, firm, round fruit Very good fruit numbers

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Green Moon

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Warm / hot season in the south and summer & autumn harvest in Perth Large, upright & vigorous vanguard frame which is well layered offering excellent protection from sun scald Strong against tip burn & bolting Great dark green colour with exceptional shelf life & field holding ability Resistances : Bl:16-26,28,31-32 / Nr:0

For more information, contact: Kevin Swan – Sales & Development Manager – Tel: 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 - © 2014 HM.CLAUSE

Clause Pacific - P.O. Box 475 - Bulleen - VIC 3105 - AUSTRALIA Tel: +61 (0)3 8850 5400 - Fax: +61 (0)3 8850 5444

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Grower profile

Photos: Peter Kovacsy

Nicole Rose

Q How did you first become involved in the potato industry? PERTH

NAME Nicole Rose AGE 27 LOCATION Pemberton, WA WORKS Ryan Family Farms GROWS Potatoes — varieties include; Maranca, Orchestra, Laura, Senna, Royal blue, Nadine, A.G90 and Crop 55

A I first became involved in the potato industry in 2010 when I got myself a job grading potatoes for Colin Ayres and his family down near Albany in Western Australia. It was only meant to be six weeks of work while they were grading and it turned into a year and a half of work. I had so much fun working for Colin and Chris. I then went on to working in the dairy industry for several years before I moved to Manjimup in 2015 to live with my partner. I was looking for full time work and Glen and Dean Ryan were looking for a worker, so that worked out well. Q What is your role in the business? A I am a full time Farm Hand for Ryan’s. I have been given three patches of spuds to grow, fertilise and irrigate and we are

WA Grower WINTER 2016

now harvesting them. I was tipping bins at planting, helping out with the cattle on the farm and operating machinery. I pretty much do anything that is needed.

Q How would you describe your average day at work? A At the moment my average work day consists of checking the spuds to see how much moisture is in the soil and irrigating if necessary. I check the calving cows, then do odd jobs or go ‘Catros-ing’. We ‘Catros’ the ground after the spuds are harvested and then seed it. Q What do you enjoy most about working in the potato industry? A I enjoy the people I work with — they are a great bunch of guys. Free spuds are always good! There is so much to learn and I am forever learning new things and improving my skills and building confidence.

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Q What are the biggest challenges you face working in the industry? A There is a bit of uncertainty going

around at the moment with the deregulation of the potato industry in Western Australia but I don’t think that will affect me too much. As a female working in a male-dominated workplace, I sometimes feel that strength and confidence holds me back a bit, but I give it a good go!

Q Where do you see opportunities for growth in the Australian potato industry? A I would like to see something done about all the spuds that are wasted in Australia, whether we export to third world countries or feed them to the homeless.

Q How do you think more young people could be encouraged to take up jobs in the potato industry? A I guess it’s like all areas of agriculture. It’s hard to find good workers and reliable ones. To get young people into the industry and to stay, offer to send them to workshops and training days, offer reasonable timetable and wages suitable to their skill level and revise it once they gain more skills. Field days are always good for young people to network with like-minded people.

Q Where do you see yourself in five years? A In five years’ time I will be a full time farmer’s wife with a few kiddies to look after!

Q If you weren’t working in the potato industry, what would you be doing? A If I wasn't potato farming I would be helping on my partner’s beef farm or another farm with cattle. I love cows!

WA Grower WINTER 2016

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ADVERTORIAL

Wildeye soil moisture monitoring for better irrigation and crop nutrition BY ROHAN PRINCE OUTPOST CENTRAL

Soil moisture monitoring is often thought of as a water saving technology. While this is true, there are other significant benefits from soil moisture monitoring.

Crop nutrition is intrinsically linked to crop irrigation. Many nutrients move quickly with water or only move through plants when water is available. Nitrogen (N) is released in water and too much irrigation can result in nitrogen leaching, causing low soil N poor plant growth. Testing only the nutrient content of a plant or soil in isolation may give you the answer as to why a plant is expressing a symptom, but not necessarily the contributing factors that led to the issue developing in the first place. Monitoring soil moisture continuously and comparing the water availability to the nutrient testing results adds significant value to any testing. Looking at concentrations of nutrient in isolation does not showing how the water availability is potentially affecting availability of the plant to access those nutrients.

A classic example is application of calcium for tip burn. Calcium moves through a plant’s xylem (the arteries). When taken in through the roots, calcium only moves upwards, unable to be “translocated” within a plant. An abundance of calcium in the soil is only available to the plant if there is soil water available for the plant to extract when a plant is using water for photosynthesis and respiration.

WILDEYE installation in cucumbers at Sun City Produce.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

Wildeye soil moisture monitoring is an affordable and simple soil moisture solution that continuously monitors the moisture in your soil. Measurements taken every 15 minutes are reported daily to the web, so growers can make sure that the irrigation they applied kept up with the crops demand.

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FIGURE 1 Wildeye soil moisture trace of cucumbers on a sandy loam

FIGURE 2 Wildeye soil moisture trace of cucumbers on a coarse sand Source: Wildeye

Fine tuning your irrigation depth and timing, based on the measurements from wildeye, can insure that water (and therefore nutrients) are always available for good growth. Good agronomists will always suggest growers use soil moisture monitoring so they have access to the information required to make better decisions. Terry Friemond, an agronomist at Soilzone Solutes, says â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;having soil moisture data gives a far clearer picture and adds immense value to other testing being doneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Using wildeye has highlighted the need to monitor irrigation and has proven extremely useful for growers Bao Duy and Bao La Nguyen of Sun City Produce. Bao has two wildeyes installed, monitoring irrigation of his cucumbers in two different soil types at his farm near Geraldton.

Wildeye has shown that a sandy loam soil, (Figure 1), holds soil moisture as high as 21% before draining and only requires once a day irrigation. The information from the wildeye suggest that slightly less water would reduce drainage in the lower profile.

The lighter sandy soil (Figure 2) required more frequent, shallow irrigation, because of lack of water holding capacity. Moisture greater than 12% drains through the profile taking nutrient away from the crop's root zone.

Through observation and changing irrigation volumes and timing, the red line became less reactive, indicating lower drainage. Consequently, Bao commented that the plants recovered from looking yellow and became more green. This was a result of less drainage allowing nutrients to be retained where the plants can access them. MORE INFORMATION For information go to www.mywildeye.com and register for a demo account or contact Rohan Prince on 0429 984 252.

The red line, on each graph, represents the deepest probe and is placed below the active root zone to measure drainage. On the left side of graph 2, this line was quickly rising and falling indicating large volumes of drainage. WA Grower WINTER 2016

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Country of origin food labelling BY REBECCA BLACKMAN FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER, VEGETABLESWA

If you sell food in retail stores in Australia, new Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) laws will apply to your products from 1 July 2016.

Country of Origin Labelling online tool available end of June 2016

Businesses will have time to adjust over a two-year transition period. This means food products packaged up until 1 July 2018 can be sold without the new labels.

• A new standard mark

How to get the new labels

Standard mark label

Your business will have two years until the new labels are mandatory but you can start designing and applying your new labels now. To design your new labels, you’ll need to:

Country of origin statement label

A standard mark is the new label that has:

A country of origin statement label is an explanation of where a food product came from. These labels are used for products that can’t use a standard mark label.

• Use the Information Standard to determine the correct label for each food product • See how your label should look and be applied to your product using the Style Guide • Download the relevant label parts from the Country of Origin Label Library • Prepare your own label.

Country of Origin Labelling online tool If you sell food in Australia and you’re not sure which country of origin label to use, this online labelling tool is for you. The tool will help businesses find and download or design the right label for their products.

Before you start You will be asked a series of questions about your product and where it came from. This information will help you choose the right label. Please allow at least 15 minutes for each food product when using the tool.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

The tool will recommend one of three new labelling options: • A country of origin statement • No new label (neither a standard mark or country of origin statement).

• The kangaroo, bar chart and explanatory text, or • Bar chart and explanatory text only. Once the tool generates the standard mark, you can save or print your label.

The tool will show you how to create your own country of origin statement label. Examples:

Not all products will need a mandatory standard mark label, but for some products you can still volunteer to use the label if you want.

• Produced in Mexico

Certain products can’t use a standard mark label and will need a country of origin statement label instead.

Labels can be:

EXAMPLES of the standard mark.

• Packed in Italy from imported products

Orientation • Portrait — logo and bar chart above explanatory text • Landscape — logo and bar chart to left of explanatory text.

Label colours Labels can be: • In green, gold and black combination • In monochrome • With a transparent background colour providing there is sufficient contrast and legibility. It is recommended the green, gold and black combination be used where possible.

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PANTONE 341 PANTONE 137 100% K

COUNTRY of origin colour palette

The CoOL Online Tool generates vector based PDF and PNG files for download. The PDF version can be used for all monochrome, spot colour and full process printing. The PNG version is suitable for web, screen, email and insertion into Word documents. The PNG file can be converted for use in print applications but may result in quality loss.

MORE INFORMATION Access all information www.business.gov. au/info/run/goods-and-services/sellinggoods-and-services/selling-goods/countryof-origin-food-labelling and the label format can be downloaded at www.business. gov.au/Info/Run/Goods-and-services/ Selling-goods-and-services/Selling-goods/ Country-of-origin-food-labelling/Country-ofOrigin-Label-Library

Country of Origin Food Labelling Style Guide v1.0 17 APRIL 2016

Unpackaged products For unpackaged products country of origin labels must be: â&#x20AC;˘ Anywhere on the product OR â&#x20AC;˘ Close to the product, for example on a shelf talker, hanging sign or display card.

BUSINESS.GOV.AU/FOODLABELS

Note: packaged fruit and vegetables (in transparent packaging only) can be labelled as packaged or unpackaged products. WA Grower WINTER 2016

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Drones & remotely piloted aircraft systems for use in agriculture BY REBECCA BLACKMAN FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER, VEGETABLESWA

The new flight laws have been registered with CASA and will come into effect on 29th September 2016 which will allow growers to legally be able to fly their under 2kg drones over their farms.

The additional perk is that if the drone is under $20,000 and you qualify as a small business you should be able to claim the drones as an instant tax deduction as per the ATO Ruling (www.ato.gov.au/General/ New-legislation/In-detail/Direct-taxes/ Income-tax-for-businesses/SmallBusiness---expanding-accelerateddepreciation/) effective until 30 June 2017 New technologies are revolutionising the use of remote sensing in agriculture. The widespread availability of low cost drones enables agricultural professionals to cost-effectively gather crop health information without waiting for satellite passes or paying the high costs of manned-aircraft flights. Information can be collected at resolutions measured in just inches per pixel.

Data captured on a frequent basis enables growers and agronomists to map the health and vigor of crops today as well as observing how that crop is changing over time. The use of UAV drones for precision agriculture, farming, and crop management is exploding across the world. Drones have a unique advantage in being able to provide live data from a range of sensors (including multispectral, NIR and lidar) to perform in-depth analysis of crop health and more. Some of the benefits of agriculture drones are: • Increased yields — identify issues with crops immediately and take action.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

• Time and cost savings — drones can achieve the results you want fast, and cut down on the number of personnel required. • Return on investment — identify issues, and resolve them quickly, increasing yields. Average increase are around 10%. • Ease of use — drones can come with GPS functionality, and auto return home to land function. • Integrated GIS mapping — all our agriculture systems have the ability to perform mapping functions via PIX4D software • Crop health imaging — using Infra Red, Thermal, NVDI and multispectral sensors allows direct visibility over the health of your yield. View things such as sunlight absorption rates, transpiration rates, crop health and more. If you are interested in using drones we suggest you do your research and find what drone suits you and your budget. If you are planning on accessing the ATO Small Business Instant Tax Write Off, please speak to your financial advisor or accountant before purchasing. MORE INFORMATION If you would like to discuss this further please contact the office on (08) 9481 0834 or office@vegetableswa.com.au

Landmark Harcourts WA (08) 9318 8260

BEERMULLAH 252.65 Ha / 624 Ac

COWALLA/GINGIN 48.84 Ha – 120.68 Ac

TO BE SOLD BY 30TH JUNE 2016 • Cleared cropping, grazing and horticulture country • Ideal for intensive farming, market garden, fruit, lucerne, feedlot, agistment, rural industry, depot and much more • Water licence 1,105,750 kilolitres (exp 2022) • Three production bores (total 300m3 p/hr) quality water • Managers residence, office, machinery sheds, hard stand • Brand Highway and Douglas Road frontage, excellent access • 30 minutes to Muchea State saleyards, 1.5 hours to Perth Web ID: LEP23743

FOR SALE BY “EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST” All offers presented, Trade welcome, finance terms available.

Adam Shields 0429 104 760

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The Queen’s young leaders program 2017

BY REBECCA BLACKMAN FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER, VEGETABLESWA

Queen’s Young Leaders Awards open

mid-2016

THE YOUTH@WORK INITIATIVE

QUEEN’S YOUNG LEADER’S GRANTEES

YOUNG JAMAICANS HELPED BY QUEEN’S YOUNG LEADERS GRANTS

The queen’s young leaders programme discovers, celebrates and supports exceptional young people from across the commonwealth, leaving a lasting legacy for her majesty the queen.

This unique, life-changing Programme has two parts:

2 Grants

Last year a search was launched to find exceptional young people to receive the first ever Queen’s Young Leaders Awards. Hundreds of applications flooded in from incredible young people all dedicated to making lasting change in their community and beyond. Over the course of its five year life span, the Programme aims to discover, celebrate and support young people from every Commonwealth nation to transform their own lives and the futures of others around them.

1 Awards The Queen’s Young Leader Award recognises and celebrates exceptional people aged 18–29 from across the Commonwealth, who are taking the lead in their communities and using their skills to transform lives.

Winners of this prestigious Award will receive a unique package of training, mentoring and networking, including a one-week residential programme in the UK during which they will collect their Award from Her Majesty The Queen. With this support, Award winners will be expected to continue and develop the amazing work they are already doing in their communities. Applications are now closed and will reopen in June 2016.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

As well as awarding inspirational young people, Queen’s Young Leaders Grants will be made to organisations in selected Commonwealth countries that can show they are improving the lives of young people. Our vision is to provide opportunities for young people to learn new skills, enter employment and give them a voice in their communities. All our funding has now been allocated and applications for grants are closed. MORE INFORMATION For more information check their website www.queensyoungleaders.com or Instagram (www.instagram.com/queensyoungleaders) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/QueensLeaders) The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme is a partnership between The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, Comic Relief and The Royal Commonwealth Society.

POMEWEST

WA Grower WINTER 2016

POMEWEST

From the

Pomewest Committee Members

Executive Officer

Harvey Giblett — Chair E: newtonbros@wn.com.au Mario Casotti E: mario@casottigroup.com John Gregorovich E: raelene.gregorovich@bigpond.com

BY NARDIA STACY EXECUTIVE OFFICER, POMEWEST

Mark Scott E: markpscott@bigpond.com Nardia Stacy — Executive Officer E: nardia@fruitwest.org.au

APC — Pomewest 2015–16 projects WITH funding allocation Project Commercialisation for WA (FW Co-operative)

$ $120,000

Maturity Standards for identified WA Apple varieties (Ashmere Consulting)

$82,000

Medfly Surveillance Trapping Network (Ashmere Consulting)

$52,750

Codling Moth (DAFWA)

$35,000

Markers, Markets and validated nutritional qualities of Australian Apples (UWA)

$25,000

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

$18,300

Promotion & Publicity Local Project (Fresh Finesse)

$16,000

Apple Looper Project (shared with the Wines of Western Australia) (Stewart Learmonth DAFWA)

$4,870

However it may just be early maturity of some varieties this year that will challenge the success of the season. Growers and packers may need to be diligent when managing storage and maintaining quality. It is the focus on quality that will continue build demand through consumer confidence. At the end of the day it is the fruit eaters taste experience that is the key factor to maintain and grow this industry. Pomewest continues to be committed to the maturity standards projects for WA and we hope to report more on this at the end of its project term and our plans to progress the outcomes.

Q fly

POME Fruit effective from 1 January 2015 Type of fruit

$/kg

Fresh Fruit — Apples, Pears, Nashi, other

0.015

Processing fruit

0.005

Biosecurity FFS for fresh fruit

0.002

Biosecurity FFS for processing fruit

0.001

WA Grower WINTER 2016

The fruit has been well coloured and of good size. All indicators point to good results for most WA apple and pear growers.

Projects

APC Fee for Service

The season will be done and dusted, by the time you read this update. By all accounts it has been a robust picking period. Reports indicate that crop yield has been quite heavy and supply will be sound this year.

On behalf of apple and pear growers in WA, the Pomewest Committee, Harvey Giblett, the Chairman of Pomewest, and myself, I would like to congratulate the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA) on the recent successful eradication of Qfly in the suburb of Alfred Cove in the Perth Metropolitan area. This means that the Department has met the national requirements for reinstating Qfly area freedom for Western Australia. The Qfly trap inspections undertaken

and properties inspected within the Qfly outbreak zone, constitutes a mammoth effort by dedicated DAFWA staff. This is a great result for Western Australia, Pomewest and all producers throughout WA. ANABP 01A and Bravo™ The three step approach to launching and introduce the variety and trademark to the world has been the big news here in WA for the last month or so. We sometimes lose sight of the enormity of such an endeavour and how much effort and commitment has been undertaken by all involved in this substantial project.

Since its inception, the apple’s potential had been recognised but to now see it come full circle and to see it on the shelf at retail is a celebration. The fact it has been received with such gusto by both market and consumers has really been phenomenal. This apple is delivering all its promises and, we hope for the benefit of the WA Pome industry, it is set to be the next success story on the global fresh produce stage. If nothing else it has impacted and raised the profile of the WA apple industry in a very positive way — apples are definitely being talked about a lot this season. Trees are still available to all commercial growers and orders are being taken for 2017 plantings please contact myself if you are interested or wish to discuss the variety.

POMEWEST

This edition We present articles on our Apple Looper and Mite projects Bravo™ release and a general update. I hope you continue to find this subscription a valuable way for us to report our activities to you. Our contribution to this publication forms part of our services to our membership via the Fee for Service via Agricultural Produce Commission. MORE INFORMATION I invite and welcome feedback or suggestions for content of future editions.

ABOVE: Mario Casotti, Dean Nalder and David Windsor DAFWA with the BravoTM.

Pome Growers Meeting On Tuesday 17 May a Pome Growers’ meeting was held at the Manjimup Horticultural Research Station. The program included guest speaker Dr Rebecca Darbyshire Research Fellow University of Melbourne Tatura Victoria on the national climate change project. Our own Susie Murphy on the dormancy breaker spray trials results and Rohan Prince DAFWA on the Netting Demonstration site.

Other Pomewest projects were also presented to the 40 growers attending the day.

Pome Grower meetings are opportunities for members to have their say in the future direction of Pomewest projects, industry objectives and an opportunity to engage with the committee members.

APRIL 2016 Grower Field Day.

We encourage you to attend further meetings, we are planning the next meeting off-season in September/October to maximise grower participation.

&staffing news

Committee BY NARDIA STACY EXECUTIVE OFFICER, POMEWEST

Thanks Terry Martella for the last six years!

It is with sadness that we say goodbye to Terry Martella, Kirup orchardist, who retires from the Pomewest Committee this May. Terry has served, representing the Pome industry, the Fruitwest and Pomewest Committees since 2010. Terry has been an active member, and his expertise, industry knowledge and valuable contributions will be sorely missed. On a personal note — Terry, I have appreciated your openness, insight and advice since I have been involved with the fruit industry and I think it’s great that you can now just concentrate on the business of growing fruit.

Welcome back Susie Murphy White Well, she never really left, but I can report that the Pomewest Committee has recently decided to continue to support and fund Susie’s work in the next financial year which is great news. Susie will continue her dormancy project, future orchards co-ordination and be available as a technical officer to support Pomewest grower members. Susie is based in Manjimup, please feel free to contact Susie if you have any suggestions for programing of field days or any technical enquiries. Susie will continue to report her work in this publication.

We thank you Terry on behalf the Pome Industry and will advise Terry’s replacement on the committee shortly. WA Grower WINTER 2016

POMEWEST

Sniffing out infestations of apple looper in apple and grape crops STEWART LEARMONTH AND HELEN COLLIE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD, MANJIMUP

Apple looper (Phrissogonus laticostata) is a native insect that damages fruit in apple orchards and vineyards in the South West of Western Australia. Apple fruitlets are attacked, and damage to wine grape berries may introduce bunch rots. Early detection of the apple looper can be difficult and poses an ongoing threat to apple orchards and vineyards. A recent study by the Department of Agriculture and Food, WA (DAFWA) has looked at the effectiveness of pheromones to monitor the presence of the pest to assist growers to protect their crops.

APPLE looper grubs are capable of gouging large cavities in apples. INSET: Female apple looper moths; wingspan 16–18mm. (Photo: TASMOTHS.NET).

Apart from some feeding on apple flower petals, the first sign of an infestation is damage to young, developing fruit just after flowering. Both adults and larvae are difficult to detect in crops. Moths are reasonably small and non-descript, and larvae are a similar colour to foliage. Larvae are not easily dislodged when apple clusters or grape bunches are tapped. The looper has probably been responsible for damage to apples over many years, on occasion being misidentified as heliothis

APPLE looper grub damage to grapes. (Photo: Simon Eyres, DAFWA).

damage. Insecticides used to control spring pests of apples would result in reduced numbers of looper larvae. However, the situation for vineyards was different. Damage to wine grapes by the looper had not been noted until the 2008– 09 season, when severe and widespread damage occurred. The reasons for this are unknown, but in the same year damage to apples was high also. This prompted a closer look at how best to monitor the presence of pest numbers of apple looper. The study sought to identify whether pheromones could be used to monitor moths and provide advance notice to growers of an impending infestation. Supported by the Pomewest Sub-Committee of the Agricultural Produce Commission and Wine Australia’s Regional Program, DAFWA completed the project in the 2015–16 season. Pheromone Entomologist Dr Richard Vickers sourced chemicals from a European company to produce a series of blends to test in the field.

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This result showed that none of the test pheromones and blends was successful in attracting apple looper moths. PHEROMONE traps deployed in an organic apple orchard. INSET: Pheromone traps with different lure blends.

The parent chemicals were selected based on those known to have attractant activity for moths in the same family as apple looper. In all, seven blends were formulated for testing. Each of the blends was absorbed by hollow rubber tubes placed on sticky bases in corflute triangular traps. Field sites for testing the pheromone blends were selected on the basis of a history of apple looper infestation. One vineyard near Carbanup in the Margaret River wine region, and two organic apple orchards — in the Perth Hills and in Manjimup — were chosen. Five replications of each blend were carried out at Carbanup and Manjimup, with four replications at the Perth Hills orchard. The pheromone traps were deployed to coincide with flowering to early fruit set. They were hung in the crop canopy in late September and checked weekly for moths over the next six weeks. At the same time traps were checked, fruitlets were examined for the presence of looper larvae or their characteristic damage.

What we found No male apple looper moths were caught in the pheromone traps. Low to moderate levels of apple looper larvae and associated damage to fruitlets was observed on the three properties where the pheromone traps were deployed.

What we recommend for the future The project was undertaken with the expectation that using existing synthetic insect pheromone chemicals attractive to moths in the same family as the apple looper may result in defining a successful blend, or refinement of the concentration of the different chemicals used.

Previous attempts to collect mature larvae from field infestations and rear them to pupae have resulted in high levels of mortality. This challenge must be overcome before obtaining funds to identify the pheromone composition.

Acknowledgments Financial contributions to the project by the Pomewest Subcommittee of APC and the Wine Australia Regional Program are gratefully acknowledged.

Using “off the shelf” chemicals was a cost, and time effective option, rather than commencing a longer term project to define and develop a synthetic pheromone specific for apple looper.

The co-operation of growers in allowing us to have access to their farms to deploy traps and monitor for looper larvae is greatly appreciated.

With no activity demonstrated for the blends assessed, other options need to be considered.

MORE INFORMATION

The availability of a synthetic pheromone specific to apple looper is considered to provide the most effective means of detecting pest populations of apple looper and enable growers to make timely preparations to protect their crops.

In each year since the large invasion in 2008–09, some spraying to control apple looper has been required. With the availability of a pheromone trap, it is expected that individual farms can be monitored efficiently to determine whether pest populations are present.

For more information contact Stewart Learmonth, Manjimup Horticultural Research Institute, Department of Agriculture and Food, Manjimup at stewart.learmonth@agric. wa.gov.au FURTHER READING Common, I.F.B. (1990). Moths of Australia. Melbourne University Press. 535 pp. Herbison-Evans, D. (donherbisonevans@yahoo. com), Ted Cadwallader and Stella Crossley (2008). Web address http://linus.socs.uts.edu. au/~don/larvae/lare/laticos.html Learmonth, S.E. (2015). Apple looper: pest of apples and grapevines. Department of Agriculture and Food web address www.agric. wa.gov.au/pome-fruit/apple-looper-pestapples-and-grapevines

Within Australasia, there are two laboratories that could identify the chemical composition of the apple looper pheromone to develop a field stable synthetic equivalent. A major issue that must be addressed is the ability to rear field-collected larvae to dispatch the large number of apple looper pupae required for laboratories to characterise the pheromone.

Department of Agriculture and Food

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FADED leaf colour in the case of apple and stone fruit is a symptom of mite infestation.

Mite versus mite in WA deciduous fruit tree crops BY STEWART LEARMONTH AND HELEN COLLIE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD, MANJIMUP

In 2005, the European red mite, a major pest of apples, was confirmed to be present in WA and has become endemic.

A study to determine whether two types of predatory mites can improve the natural control of pest mites in Western Australia’s deciduous fruit tree orchards is underway, with some valuable learnings so far.

A range of naturally occurring and introduced predators of pest mites are present in WA. These include predatory beetles and thrips, lacewings, naturallyoccurring predatory mites, and two species introduced to WA in the 1970s.

The Department of Agriculture and Food, WA project commenced in the 2015–16 season and is supported by the Pomewest and Stonefruit Sub-Committees of the Agricultural Produce Commission.

Pest mites Deciduous fruit tree crops in WA’s south west are food plants for a range of pest mites. They feed on foliage and if unchecked, will cause premature leaf loss exposing fruit to sunburn, and reducing the vigour of trees which affects their ability to produce quality fruit. A mite only recently recorded in WA — the plum vagrant leaf mite — attacks growing tips of stonefruit trees, and can affect tree-growth habit and overall vigour in newly planted trees.

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Predatory mites

It is only recently that the non-native predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus, or ‘californicus’ has been confirmed to be present in Australia. While it is likely that the predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri, or ‘pyri’ does not occur in WA, both these predatory mites are available in eastern Australia and are permitted for import to WA. These predatory mites have slightly different food preferences to predators currently present in WA deciduous fruit tree orchards. Californicus feeds on a wide range of mites like the larger pest mites such as two-spotted mite and to a lesser extent, the European red mite. They also feed on very small mites such as apple rust mite and plum rust mite. Pyri is well known to be a good predator of European red mite, and will also attack two-spotted mite. Both californicus and pyri can live on pollen, which is a useful attribute when mite prey is not available.

TOP: Plum rust mite being consumed by a naturally occurring sigmaeid predatory mite. ABOVE: Two-spotted mite and circular eggs and introduced predatory mites and their ovoid eggs. (Photo: VicDPI).

Orchard modification such as planting or promoting pollenproducing groundcover, and alternate row mowing, could enhance the abundance of these species. These predators can limit the effect of pest mites in orchards but have an inconsistent effect.

What we did The inconsistent effect of predators, and the arrival of European red mite, prompted a review of natural mite control. Based on a preliminary survey of pest and beneficial mites in the 2014–15 season, pome and stone fruit orchards were selected across the south west of Western Australia for monitoring in the 2015–16 season. The orchard location, number, fruit type and blocks selected for monitoring are shown in Table 1. Orchard blocks were monitored approximately every fortnight. Based on monitoring results to determine the timing of occurrence, and species of pest mites, the californicus and pyri predatory mites were released. The predatory mites were released into a small area. Monitoring compared the release area with an adjacent area, which was either sprayed or untreated.

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TABLE 1 Orchard location and fruit type for monitoring Pome

Stone

Orchards

Blocks

Orchards

Blocks

Perth Hills

Donnybrook

Manjimup/Pemberton

Total

MORE INFORMATION For further information contact Stewart Learmonth or Helen Collie Department of Agriculture and Food, Manjimup stewart. learmonth@agric.wa.gov.au

Source: DAFWA

TABLE 3 Predatory mite releases Releases Nc*

Releases Tp#

Pome

Stone

Pome

Stone

Perth Hills

4 blocks

Donnybrook

2 blocks

6 blocks

Manjimup/Pemberton

2 blocks

Total

4 blocks

10 blocks

1 block

0 blocks

*Nc = Neoseiulus californicus ex South Australia

FURTHER READING Bower CC & Thwaite WG 1995, The mite management manual — a practical guide to integrated mite control in apples. NSW Industry and Investment (DPI). Hetherington S 2005, Integrated pest and disease management for Australian summerfruit. NSW Industry and Investment (DPI) and Summerfruit Australia.

Tp = Typhlodromus pyri ex Victoria

Source: DAFWA

in November, some sites were so heavily infested, spraying was required rather than releasing predators. Monitoring will commence in October in 2016–17 season.

The californicus predatory mites were obtained from South Australia and pyri were imported from Victoria. Pest mite species found at infestation levels at the monitoring sites is shown in Table 2.

2. Difficulty in identifying orchards in Victoria which were well infested with pyri resulted in fewer releases of this predatory mite than expected. Late season liaison with orchardists in Victoria has resulted in more monitoring sites and should mean more pyri are available for the coming season.

We released californicus and pyri into 14 blocks and 1 block respectively in WA orchards. The table below shows the block locations where the two species of predatory mites were released.

Predatory mites were collected before releasing the new species and where applicable, after the release, to confirm whether the new predatory mite species would establish.

Whether the natural control of the pest mites is improved as a result of these releases will become clearer after the second season of monitoring is conducted in 2016/17.

Monitoring continued until mite numbers declined as they entered their overwintering phase.

Hetherington S 2009, Integrated pest management for Australian apples and pears. NSW Industry and Investment (DPI) and Apple and Pear Australia Limited. Learmonth SE 2015, Management of European red mite in Western Australia. Department of Agriculture and Food web address www. agric.wa.gov.au/pome-fruit/managementeuropean-red-mite-western-australia Learmonth SE 2016, Miticides for WA deciduous fruit trees. Department of Agriculture and Food web address www. agric.wa.gov.au/pome-fruit/miticides-wadeciduous-fruit-trees Malipatil MB, Williams DG & Semeraro L 2009, Pests of pome and stone fruit and their predators and parasitoids — a pocket guide. Department of Primary Industries, Victoria.

Acknowledgments We are grateful to the Pome and Stone Fruit sub-committees of the APC for funding for this two year project.

What we found so far The main findings of the project to date are:

The co-operation of growers in allowing us to have access to their farms to monitor pest mites and release predatory mites is greatly appreciated.

1. The unexpected early occurrence of high populations of pest mites in some orchards. When monitoring commenced

Department of Agriculture and Food

TABLE 2 Pest mites at "infestation" levels in orchard blocks monitored Pome fruit

Stonefruit

TSM*

ERM

Erios^

Bryobia

TSM

ERM

Erios

Bryobia

Perth Hills

3 of 12

0 of 12

Donnybrook

1 of 5

0 of 5

3 of 5

1 of 5

2 of 7

0 of 7

4 of 7

3 of 7

Manjimup/ Pemberton

1 of 7

7 of 7

3 of 7

0 of 7

Total

2 of 12

7 of 7

6 of 12

1 of 12

5 of 19

3 of 19

7 of 19

3 of 19

*TSM = two-spotted mite

ERM = European red mite ^Erios = Eriophyids: apple rust mite on pomefruit; plum rust mite on stonefruit

Source: DAFWA

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Quotes

“Its not an easy decision to plant a new variety, my biggest concern is will it colour. I’m happy with the colour, it is right up to expectation and the taste is excellent — I am very happy.” John Vetta, La Valle Orchards, Perth Hills

“This apple is a taste sensation that dares to be different. People are loving the apple, the distinctive colour, the amazing taste. Not since the success of Pink Lady™ has the apple industry had such a promising opportunity.” Ann Lyster, Lyster Orchards, Manjimup

ANN Lyster, David Windsor and Nardia Stacy celebrate at The Herdsman retail launch (Photo: Peter Maloney DAFWA).

A star is born

Mario Casotti, Casuarina Valley Orchard, Manjimup

BY NARDIA STACY EXECUTIVE OFFICER, FRUIT WEST CO-OPERATIVE LTD

ANABP 01A variety and Bravo™ fruit have been taking centre stage in WA for the last month or so, with a three pronged launch approach to introduce the variety and trademark to the world. The formalised naming launch took place on 6 April by the State Minister of Transport and Agriculture Dean Nalder, Bravo™ was announced as the trademark.

along with a pack house tour and demonstration at Newton Orchards. Following the field day, the first commercial pick revealed that the variety was performing well producing heavy yields and had the matching quality indicators. Finally, on 10 May a successful retail launch took place which has generated much public excitement. Consumers have been fascinated by the apple’s unique story, bold branding, point of difference in colour, backed up by its excellent taste.

Mario Casotti, local grower was primed to support and promote the advantages growing of the variety Bravo™ to potential growers, country wide.

The apple is delivering all its promises and is set to be the next Australian premium apple on the global stage, so far an overwhelming success story for the pioneer growers.

Over 40 local and Eastern States growers attended a variety and trademark grower field day in Manjimup on 18 April, 2016.

MORE INFORMATION

Details of name, brand and market strategies were presented, along with field trips to see fruit on the trees at Casuarina Valley and Newton Orchards

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“This apple is 20 years in the making and is potentially the best performing apple I have seen. It is an absolute credit to the world class apple breeding team at the Department of Agriculture and Food WA. This apple is so good — it makes me want to cry.”

Trees are still available to all commercial growers and orders are being taken for 2017 plantings please contact myself if you are interested or wish to discuss the variety. For further details please contact Nardia Stacy on (08) 9368 3869 or email nardiastacy@fruitwest.com.au

“It’s a very exciting opportunity for growers, my view and my family’s point of view, it is really rewarding to know we are growing something that is so healthy and very much part of a staple diet. I hope that this apple will kickstart the export of apples in WA.” Harvey Giblett, Newton Brothers Orchard, Manjimup

“With massive export potential, Australian Bravo™ fruit will be first into the international market and we see capturing the export opportunities that abound, as the game changer the Australian apple industry needs.” Ben Darbyshire, Chairman Fruit West Co-operative

Department of Agriculture and Food

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BUSINESS

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WorkSafe Agricultural mobile plant safety KEEP children and bystanders away from the plant and ensure visibility is clear.

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Agricultural Mobile Plant SAFETY

General safety tips

Mobile plant is the number one cause of deaths in the agricultural industry. One in every five deaths is due to falling or climbing off a moving item of plant, or being run or struck by plant or machinery.

• Read the safety manual and follow procedures, including safe maintenance and jacking procedures.

Mobile plant may include tractors, elevated work platforms, earthmoving machinery, dozers, graders, headers, forklifts, multi tool carriers and mobile cranes. Reducing the risk Regularly check for hazards related to mobile plant, attached implements and field conditions.

Hazard areas include mechanical parts, untrained or poorly trained operators, by-standers, work procedures, unsafe jacking, climate conditions, chemicals used and uneven terrain. Keep a record of hazards identified and make sure they are assessed and controlled. Once a potential hazard has been identified, assess the likelihood and severity of an injury or hazardous incident occurring and take steps to minimise or control the risk.

• Make sure the operator is properly trained. • Ensure a roll-over protective structure (ROPS) is fitted to plant that can overturn. • Fit and use a seat belt on mobile plant with ROPS. • Never carry passengers unless the mobile plant is fitted with ROPS and has a separate passenger seat and seatbelt, inside the protective zone of the ROPS. • Where there is a risk from falling objects, or where a front end loader attachment is fitted to an agricultural tractor, endure a falling objects protective structure (FOPS) is fitted. • Conduct daily pre-start checks and have an up to date maintenance schedule. • Never work under any raised item of plant unless adequate stands or supports are in place. • Keep all guards in place including master guards, the power take off (PTO) and power input coupling (PIC). • Wear hearing protection if machinery is noisy as not all cabs are sound reduced.

• Keep children and bystanders away from the plant and ensure visibility is clear. Operating mobile plant • Always mount and dismount mobile plant from the left side to avoid accidental activation of controls. • Adjust the seating so all controls are safely and comfortably reached. • Only ever attempt to start mobile plant from the operator’s position. • Operate at speeds to retain control over unexpected events. • Reduce speeds before turning or applying breaks. • Watch out for ditches and other ground conditions that my result in loss of control. • Where possible reverse up steep slopes for greater safety. • Engage the clutch gently at all times, especially when going uphill or towing. • Use as wide wheel track as possible on hillsides and sloping ground. • Descend hillsides and slopes cautiously, in low gear, using the engine as a break. • Never leave the engine running unattended. • Ensure the park brake is effective and applied before dismounting.

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WEAR hearing protection if machinery is noisy as not all cabs are sound reduced.

Avoiding strain injuries • When first operating mobile plan make sure the seat is in a good condition, safe and comfortable.

• Always remove the ignition key when the plant is not in use. • Never leave mobile plant in a position where it could roll. • Never mount or dismount moving plant. • Take breaks regularly when working long hours. • Ensure workers are competent in operating the plant or have the required licence. • When parking, always lower hydraulic equipment. Towing implements • Fit attachments according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Consult the safety manual. • Always attach implements to the draw bar or the mounting points provided.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

ONE of the major safety issues of using a forklift is a co-worker or pedestrian being hit by a forklift in operation or one of its moving parts.

• Never alter, modify or raise the height of the draw bar unless provided for in the safety manual. • Regularly check safety pins on implements to ensure they are not worn.

• Check the seat height, depth, back rest height and angle, forward and backward movement, seat tilt, vibration absorbing suspension and that the padding is firm. • Check if the seat is partial pivoting if you have to spend long periods looking behind. • Assess to mobile plant is such that there are no slip, trip and fall hazards, i.e. low steps, secure handgrips, adequate access, sufficient cab space (no rubbish or spare tools in the way), a safe mounting platform.

• Never hitch above the centre line of the rear axle (high hitch).

Safe movement of vehicles including mobile plant

• Never adjust or perform on implements while they are in motion.

Vehicle hazards may occur during:

• Never attach PTO implements unless guarded.

• vehicles and mobile plant reversing and manoeuvring;

• When parking, always lower the threepoint linkage.

• loading and unloading operations;

• Always ensure the mobile plant is suitable for the task.

• mounting and dismounting;

• pedestrian movement;

• hitching and unhitching of attachments;

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• securing of loads; and

What can be done?

• maintenance work.

To avoid injuries a number of things can be done such as:

Movement and speed of vehicles must be managed in a way that minimises the risk of injury to operators and pedestrians. Vehicle access around the property must be: • wide enough for the largest vehicle; • one way if possible, with adequate passing space around slow or stationary vehicles; • clearly signposted to indicate hazards or restrictions; • well surface and drained; and • free from excessive gradients.

Forklift safety Is your forklift licence current? By June 2012, all certificates of competency will need to be converted to high risk work licences. This includes scaffolders, riggers, crane and hoist operators and forklift and pressure equipment operators. All unconverted certificate holders will be required to be reassessed. How are workers getting hurt using forklifts? The major safety issues using forklifts are: • co-workers/pedestrians being hit by moving forklifts or moving parts of a forklift; • co-workers/pedestrians being trapped or caught between a moving forklift/moving parts of a forklift and stationary object; • operators suffering muscular stress due to a combination of inappropriate seating, vibration and manual handling;

• ensuring that the forklift is adequately maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions; • carrying out daily pre-start checks and keep records of all checks and maintenance; • providing adequate signage in areas where the forklift is used and providing load charts for attachments; • ensuring that any attachments are de-rated for the particular forklift; • not using the forklift for pushing or pulling (ie towing equipment), unless the manufacturer has advised in writing that it is safe to do so; and • maintaining the seat and seat belt and ensuring the sea

Quad bikes What is a quad bike? A quad bike (a four-wheeled motorbike) may be defined as — ‘Any motorised off-highway vehicle designed to travel on four low pressure tyres, having a seat designed to be straddled by the operator and handlebars for steering control and intended for use by a single operator and no passenger, unless the quad bike is designed to do so’.

Quad bikes have serious safety risks when used incorrectly.

Before purchasing a quad bike or using existing quad bikes: • conduct a risk assessment to determine if a quad bike is the best vehicle option for the task; • ensure that anyone using a quad bike has appropriate information, training and supervision; • supervise all inexperienced operators; and • always wear an approved motorcycle helmet when operating a quad bike. General safety tips • Agricultural bikes should be operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. • Agricultural bikes are not designed to carry passengers. • Never allow children to operate an agricultural bike. • Always have a system for restraining items being carried on agricultural bikes. • Always wear an approved motorcycle helmet [labelled AS/NZS 1698] which fits the rider. • Never attempt jumps, wheelies or other stunts on an agricultural bike. • Ride at an appropriate speed for the terrain, experience and the visibility conditions. MORE INFORMATION See the WorkSafe website www.commerce. wa.gov.au/worksafe, phone 1300 307 877 or email safety@commerce.wa.gov.au

• operators falling while getting into or out of forklifts; • collisions between forklifts and other vehicles or stationary objects; • overloading or unsafe stacking of loads on forklift tines; • forklift is not used for towing unless the manufacturer has approved this in writing; • forklift operators and others being hit by objects falling from the forklift tines; • the operator’s body protruding from the cab and hitting an object; and • forklifts tipping over.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

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ADVERTORIAL

Powerplants Australia Powerplants Australia is a family owned company which has been servicing the Australian horticulture industry for over 22 years.

With staff based all over Australia, Powerplants assists customers in all corners of the country and have an increasing presence in Western Australia. Powerplants customer Sam Calameri from Baldivis Farms have been part of the Australian horticulture industry for over 30 years. After many years growing potatoes, Sam has moved into a new field, focusing on lettuce and herbs. The company now operates a 7,000m2 retractable roof greenhouse giving them plenty space to grow in. Baldivis Farms have partnered closely with Powerplants since 2012, working on various projects over the last few years. The new project recently completed, which was supplied and commissioned by Powerplants and partnered by Priva and Cravo, has been operating since February 2016.

Since the WA Government announced the potato industry would be deregulated, there has been an increasing need to diversify business. Baldivis Farms made the decision to commence producing a guaranteed product in a protected environment with minimal labour. Powerplants were contacted to consult on this decision based on the experience that they have had with transforming other field based growers to protected environment growing. The challenge was to produce the best product in the quickest timeframe, with the best quality and minimal labour. The solution delivered was to use a modern greenhouse control system, in conjunction with a completely retractable roof greenhouse and a moving bench system. The combination of automation allowed him to reliably produce maximum numbers of lettuce and herbs with a good shelf life and minimal labour. He can now grow his crops with minimal staff doing repetitive work. Sam is now growing different products than he was previously, which allowed him to open up to a new market. He can now grow lettuce from the seedling to the finished product in three weeks, and less staff is needed reducing Samâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s costs.

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BALDIVIS Farms — Leafy Green Production under a Cravo Retractable Roof. L–R: Charlie Blogna Jnr, Charlie Blogna, Sam Calameri and Alastair McLean (Powerplants).

4 Ways fresh are a grower and major supplier of Cucumbers, Capsicums and Tomatoes around Australia. They have been based in Adelaide for the last 25 years and have now set up a one hectare farm in Geraldton, WA. In the past, staff at 4 Ways Fresh had to attend to each valve and manually turn on and off when they wanted to water to the crop. This meant driving around the farm all day, every day however this task has now been eliminated as the water system has been automated.

the learning curve Powerplants also installed a computer program called GeoVision so that the farm manager has a bird’s eye view of the whole farm allowing him to set which areas should be activated and when. 4 Ways in Geraldton can now collaborate with 4 Ways in Adelaide to help improve their growing as the system can be securely accessed from anywhere in Australia. The system records previous irrigation information to help the farm manager make educated improvements to the irrigation scheduling.

Powerplants have two staff members servicing the Western Australia region. Experienced Controls Technician Matt Wade is based in WA for one week every month and Account Manager Alastair McLean visits on a regular basis. MORE INFORMATION For more information on how Powerplants can help your business, please call Alastair on 0405 761 045.

4 Ways Geraldton — Containerised Irrigation Solution.

4 Ways Fresh was looking for ways to reduce their labour costs and improve their crop of in-ground cucumbers and capsicums. Based on previous success of their project in Virginia, South Australia, Powerplants were selected to provide irrigation and greenhouse monitoring systems for their Geraldton site. Powerplants recently installed two direct injection fertiliser systems. The systems are designed to automatically irrigate two different areas of the farm simultaneously and provide the optimal level of fertiliser for the required duration. To help reduce WA Grower WINTER 2016

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Are you SuperStream ready? All employers with 19 or fewer employees should be SuperStream ready by 30 June 2016. SuperStream is the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) mandatory superannuation reporting scheme.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

BY REBECCA BLACKMAN FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER, VEGETABLESWA

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More than 125,000 employers across Australia have already made the change and are now enjoying the time-savings that SuperStream offers.

You can also ask your accountant or bookkeeper to help you with one of these options.

To get started you will need to ensure that you have an option to make super contributions electronically. These include: your payroll system, your super fund’s online system or a super clearing house. Make sure that these options are SuperStream ready.

Collect information and update your records

Next you need to collect key information on your employees, including their tax file number and a unique super identifier and enter these into your system.

To use SuperStream you'll need to collect some new information from your employees, in addition to the information you already use to pay super.

Finally you will need to process your next super contributions using SuperStream.

Once you have this information, enter it into your system, along with the other details you use to pay super, and you're ready to use SuperStream.

The steps are:

1 Choose an option To use SuperStream, you need to pay super and send employee information electronically. If you're already doing this, you may only need to refine your system to send the contribution data in the standard format. You can use: • a payroll system that meets the SuperStream standard • your super fund's online system • a super clearing house • a messaging portal.

3 Use SuperStream

You only need to collect this information for current employees. New employees who choose their super fund will fill out a standard choice form, which will have all the information you need. Ask your employees for the following information, if you don't have it already: • employee tax file number • fund ABN • fund unique superannuation identifier (USI). If your employees have a self-managed super fund (SMSF), they need to give you slightly different information:

Start using SuperStream as soon as possible. Employers with 19 or fewer employees should be SuperStream ready by 30 June 2016 (larger employers should already be using SuperStream). However, we recommend making your first SuperStream payment as soon as possible. This will give you time to make several payments and ensure your system is running smoothly. It may take time to collect the information and get used to the new system. If any information is incomplete or incorrect, the super payment is likely to be rejected. It's still up to you to meet your super guarantee obligations by the due dates. If you're using a clearing house, check how long they will take to send the money and information to the super fund. Generally an employee's super contribution is counted as being paid on the date the fund receives it, not the date a clearing house receives it from you. MORE INFORMATION For more information go to the ATO website www.ato.gov.au/Super/Superstream/ Employers/Employer-checklist--a-step-bystep-guide/?sbn

• employee tax file number • fund ABN • fund bank account details • fund electronic service address.

FOR SALE 144 Pead Rd, Binningup A BIG APPETITE

• Our population is increasing and we need more fresh food. • This established 66.35 hectare market garden has: • A terrific 264,000 kl water licence and a history growing potatoes, carrots, onions, cabbages, cauliflowers and broccoli etc. • Boasts an excellent irrigation system, pumps incorporating 6 inch and 2 inch laterals, great sheds, cool rooms and internal access roads. • Features a bonus lovely 4 Bedroom x 2 Bathroom home. • Brilliant Forrest Fwy access near Myalup. • Work from home in a great coastal location.

Don’t hesitate contact Gary Jones on 0417 984 522 or 9397 0671 for a private inspection.

2 66.35 ha

$2,500,000 WA Grower WINTER 2016

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ENERGY audits indicated that the majority of electrical energy consumption was split between irrigation pumps and cooling systems.

Energy audits point to potential savings on vegetable farms BY JOHN CUMMING INFOTECH RESEARCH

Energy is of increasing importance as a cost centre in vegetable operations. Saving energy can improve the bottom line; it’s a matter of finding where the best and most economic energy savings are hidden. Infotech Research conducted a series of 22 energy audits of levy paying vegetable growers in 2014, as part of a project with Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (formerly known as Horticulture Australia Limited). We found that while individual operations vary, most of the energy used on a farm is as diesel fuel for cultivation, planting, irrigation and harvesting (see Figure 1). Electrical energy consumption is less but costs about the same as diesel, while LPG is the predominant fuel used by forklifts.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

Diesel is an efficient fuel compared to petrol and LPG. Diesel engines average about 35% fuel energy conversion to work. When put through the tractor drive train, this drops to about 25%, so three quarters of the energy in the diesel is converted to heat rather than work. This efficiency varied in a recent tractor study with efficiencies of 75kW tractors fluctuating between an efficiency of 23% to 31%. At the better efficiency end of the tractor range there is a potential saving in fuel of 25%, so it pays to buy a fuel efficient tractor.

Electric motors are more efficient than diesel engines, usually by about 90%, and simple direct drive chains give a total conversion of electrical energy to work of about 80%. So electrical motors are approximately three times more efficient than diesel engines. Conversion of diesel fueled systems to electric systems makes good economic sense where the option exists, such as for irrigation pumps.

Electrical energy consumption The audits indicated that the majority of electrical energy consumption was split between irrigation pumps and the cooling systems, which take up 80% of the total electrical energy of most grower operations (see Figure 2). Processing of vegetables is relatively minor as is lighting and ancillaries such as compressed air. A focus on the big users gives bigger rewards.

Cooling produce The average energy used to run cool stores totalled 62kWh per tonne across the 22 growers audited. This was compared to the sensible heat required to be extracted from a tonne of vegetables, starting at 30°C and cooling them to 2°C requires 111MJ/tonne (30.8kWh/tonne including an allowance for respiration). This is almost 50% of the average energy used, so the losses are also about 50%. Reducing losses is the cheapest way to save. In cool rooms this comes down to better insulation (particularly the floor — if not already insulated), protecting the cool store

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Diesel 63% — on farm tractors, diesel pumps and transport

Water movement 44%

Electricity 33% — packing shed operations and irrigation

Processing 11%

Cool stores 35% Lighting 5% Ancillaries 5%

LPG 4% — forklifts and heating

FIGURE 1 Energy consumption

FIGURE 2 Electricity breakdown by operation

Source: HIA Project Data VG13054

Water movement 44%

from the sun’s heat, reducing heat from The pump itself needs to be able to supply Cool stores 35% fans, forklift exhausts and cooling losses pressure at the highest duty requirement Processing 11% through doorways. and, if this varies, most irrigation systems Lighting 5% encountered used a chocking valve to Improving chiller system efficiency is the next Ancillaries 5% reduce the flow rate. Varying the flow rate step in saving energy. This costs real money electronically with a VSD is more energy as chillers are not cheap. Before investing in efficient than using a valve and can save a new chiller it may be worth considering the 30 or 40% of the pump energy if duty cycles servicing regime of the chiller and fan systems vary a lot. employed. Chiller efficiencies were measured across a group of potato growers in the UK Growers can measure pump at a COP1 of 0.7 (ave.) while new systems are efficiencies and energy costs of available with a COP of 4. This will save 82% pumping to determine where the of the energy used by an old inefficient chiller.

Efficient water movement Delivering water to crops and moving it between dams requires energy. Electric systems were compared, where possible, during the audits arriving at an average energy per ML moved to crops of 260kWh/ ML. The variation recorded between growers was from 200 to 460kWh/ML and pump efficiencies measured varied from 20% to 75%. Design of the irrigation system is critical to pumping efficiency with low pressure irrigation systems being more efficient. Irrigation mains can contribute to pumping pressure and energy costs with the pressure varying in inverse proportion to the pipe diameter to the power 5. So doubling the main diameter reduces the pressure loss by a factor of 32. Pressure also varies as the square of the flow rate so low pressure slow irrigation systems such as trickle irrigation can save pumping energy by large factors. Restrictions in water flow using “T”s and elbows add to pressure, designing the pipe work to reduce turbulence and smooth water flow improves energy efficiency. 1 COP stands for Coefficient of Performance for cooling systems the COP= sensible heat removed / energy input and can be from 2 to 4 for new chiller systems.

opportunities lie for efficiency improvement. Setting targets is necessary

• Improve energy use efficiency — Chiller efficiencies (COP from 0.7 to 4, VSD control) — Pumps efficiency maximised — Pump diesel to electric conversion (plus the addition of VSDs to accommodate duty cycles) — Irrigation systems conversion to low pressure (guns >> fixed, boom>>pivot, spray>>drip) — Belt drives to direct drives — Forklifts to conveyors/flumes (diesel/ LPG to electric) • Secure the cheapest reliable energy supplies — PV panels

“Fail to plan and plan to fail” is an old adage that may be better stated as fail to have a target and then you don’t know whether you are efficient or not and whether you are improving or going backward.

— Grid electricity

You can do your own energy audit and set your own plans for improvement.

• Establish Energy Management Systems

Possible grower actions

— Establish targets for energy efficiency

• Reduce energy losses (wastes)

— Monitor cost and efficiency in major areas of consumption

— Better insulation of cool stores — Insulation of cooling systems (chillers, flumes, hydro-coolers...) — Reduce the effects of solar heating — Reduce evaporation of water from irrigation systems — Reduce run off from irrigation — Reduce idling plant and equipment (especially during breaks) — Lights off when not needed — Stop cool room fans when doors opened

— Wind — Batteries/Fuel cells/Gen sets — Fuel storage — Water storage — Control and secure energy supplies

MORE INFORMATION Details of these suggested opportunities, including costings and payback periods can be found at Infoveg www.ausveg.com.au/infoveg and search for project VG13054. Prepared by Infotech Research contact John Cumming on 0418 125688, email john@ infotechresearch.org The project has been funded by HIA using the national vegetable levy and funds from the Australian Government.

— Reduce restrictions in irrigation mains (build-up of sand and algae)

WA Grower WINTER 2016

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New political forces supporting small business across the country BY DI GRAHAM SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

DAVID Eaton, CEO, Small Business Development Corporation

With the economic focus shifting from mining and resource based industries to other sectors of the business community, small business will be playing a major role in the creation of employment and wealth generation for the State. In recognition of these changes, governments at all levels are increasing their support and assistance for small business from start-ups to substantial businesses with growth potential.

There are now Small Business Commissioners in four states including WA, and a new national Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman in Canberra. In October 2015, the Hon. Kelly O’Dwyer was appointed federal Small Business Minister and in April 2016 the Hon. Sean L’Estrange MLA, Member for Churchlands, was appointed the new Western Australian Small Business Minister.

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Federal Budget initiatives for small business in 2016–17 This year, the Federal Budget is focussing on building the economy and creating jobs and growth, with small business playing a significant role in this process. Cuts to company tax rates and unincorporated business tax discounts will be welcomed by many small to medium sized businesses and middle income tax bracket extensions will benefit some micro and small businesses. The 32.5 per cent personal income tax threshold currently at $80,000 is set to increase to $87,000 from 1 July 2016.

This will apply to unincorporated sole traders and partnerships that earn a taxable income above $80,000 thereby helping to insulate them from bracket creep. There is also some good news for small business owners with an annual turnover of up to $10 million who will have access to a broader range of small business tax concessions. These changes mean tax concessions will be made to over 90,000 additional businesses and include access to simplified depreciation rules; simplified trading stock rules; a simplified method of paying PAYG

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Water Online

*RYHUQPHQW RI :HVWHUQ $XVWUDOLD * 'HSDUWPHQW RI :DWHU '

instalments calculated by the Australian Taxation Office; fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemptions; and immediate deductibility of professional expenses. Job creation is also at the top of the list with funds allocated to getting 120,000 vulnerable people under the age of 25 into work. A proportion of this funding will go towards expanding the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) and increasing access to selfemployment and mentoring for job seekers.

water.wa.gov.au

Water Online

your easier way for managing water licensing

State budget 2016–17 The State Budget, released in May, includes a range of incentives for small business as well as additional spending targeted at broadening the economy in resources, agriculture, fisheries, defence and tourism. It also includes $350 million to drive development and export opportunities in the agrifood industry, building on the ‘Seizing the Opportunity Agriculture’ program supported by Royalties for Regions funding. A further $20m for the WA Open for Business project will assist agriculture and food sectors to increase trade and investment in the regional sector, and $6.7m over five years to 2019–20 has been allocated for the Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute.

Through these initiatives, the Government is seeking to broaden the State’s economy by creating more jobs and export growth through innovation in agriculture, resources, science, tourism, education and health services. These initiatives may also create opportunities for primary producers and small businesses involved in horticulture industries to innovate farming practices and potentially commercialise an invention or new seed strain. MORE INFORMATION For more 2016–17 Budget information visit ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au/infographic The Small Business Development Corporation provides free, confidential advice and guidance for small business owners at all stages of development from start-ups to wellestablished. Contact SBDC on 13 12 49 or visit smallbusiness.wa.gov.au

Managing your water licence has never been easier with the new online services offered by the Department of Water (DoW). Water Online water licensing services are accessed by the department’s website and provide a one-stop secure online service for managing your water licence applications, renewals and meter readings. If you have not yet registered to do business online with the department, the website takes you through the necessary steps.

By filling out your registration you will soon be able to enter a world of quicker and easier access to water licence applications and regulation compliance. Water Online has also expanded to include a new service for online land use planning referrals, helping to service the thousands of requests for advice and information by business and government. The Water Online project is significantly reducing processing times as well as supporting paperless transactions between clients and the Department of Water.

Looking to see what water is available in your area? Check out the Water Register. Wanting to know about trading and transferring of water entitlements? Go to our section on Water Trading. We’ve also updated our metering and measurement section including the new Measuring the taking of water policy released in January 2016. Measuring the water you take helps you understand your water usage to make the most of your entitlements and reduce your overall costs. Measuring the water you take helps the Department of Water understand how much water is being used and the impact on our important water resources. Measuring the water you take also helps you to determine your water use and effectiveness of your water saving measures. Make your business with water a whole lot easier with the Department of Water’s Water Online. MORE INFORMATION It’s all available online through www.water.wa.gov.au. If you have an issue with licensing that you can’t sort out online, give us a call on the Licence enquiry hotline 1800 508 885 or send an email to licence.enquiry@water.wa.gov.au.

The Licensing area of our website also provides loads of other information and access to online services to help you manage your water needs.

WA Grower WINTER 2016

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Horticulture business tips

Professionalism BY EMILY NOLTING COMMERCIAL HORTICULTURE SPECIALIST, K-STATE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION

Professionalism can be defined as the mastery of techniques, skills, and the achievement of expertise in any given business or career. The excellence of performance carries through to every aspect of the business and becomes part of the culture or habits of the company. After investigating the professionalism of the horticulture industry, the findings illustrate common characteristics of professional operations. The first characteristic is true mastery of horticulture information. Whether through education or experience, the technical information is accurate, up-todate, and taught to management and staff. There are no guessing games, and when information is not at hand, correct information is acquired and relayed to others in the organisation. Professionals develop standards of performance that equal the values of the company and meet the expectations of the customer. Daily operations follow a prescribed design of process that is consistent throughout the company. The standards developed speak volumes to the customer about what they can expect. Consistent performance of whatever you do better than anyone else, is the core of the company’s purpose. If a company promises a product on a particular day that meets recommend procedure and pricing is agreed on by both parties, it is a fair expectation that the company will respect the commitment made with the customer. What professionalism is not, are excuses, lack of communication with the customer, work quality that is mediocre or lacking attention to the details of operation, and failure to follow up to be certain of customer satisfaction and success with their investment.

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Professional image is often interpreted by the customer from physical characteristics. The first impression given by the company is often reflective of the company’s performance. Professionalism does not set the company up to be aloof or out of the comfort range of the consumer but should send a message of committed excellence. Excellence begins with the friendliness of a sales person answering the telephone, signage, convenient parking; cleanliness of the facilities, well thought out displays) the knowledge of the staff, and the willingness to service the customer. A good company image is continuous throughout departments from the front door to the delivery truck. Part of the professional image is acquired through branding all merchandise. Put your name or logo on everything and everybody. Measurement and evaluation of the company’s activities is essential for making good business decisions. A professional approach to the issues of tracking, buying, pricing, selling, and training will help the business to be more profitable. Pay close attention to the details of the operation, examining for strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for efficiency. Be clear and realistic about the direction of the company. Being in business for many years or being a large, complex organisation does not

A professional approach to the issues of tracking, buying, pricing, selling, and training will help the business to be more profitable.

earn the professional seal. Small and large companies alike have opportunities to increase profits by practicing professionalism.

Professionalism does not lie with the owners but with the entire attitude and performance of the business. Finally, professionals are continually open to learn. An internal focus may limit the ability to change, adopt new methods and standards, and persist in an attitude of business as usual. The professionals in my research looked outside the discipline of horticulture and investigated all avenues of business that could be applicable to their companies. MORE INFORMATION Contact vegetablesWA on (08) 9481 0834 for further information.

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Target market opportunities

for Asian market success

Western Australia is positioned as a supplier of high quality, counter-seasonal fruits and speciality vegetables (e.g. carrots, apples, avocados and citrus).

Fruit and vegetables are a tough, highly competitive sector in Asia • Asia is the largest producer in the world of almost every major product • Asian countries are self-sufficient across most traditional fruits and vegetables used in their cuisine styles. Asia, particularly China, is a major producer and exporter of processed fruit and vegetable products • Asian consumers demand very high quality from imported products, only the highest quality/least damaged product will survive the journey through the multistage supply chain

Some select imported fruits and vegetables are growing into Asia • High quality Western/non-traditional Asian fruits from the US/EU • High quality, counter-seasonal fruits and specialty vegetables from the Southern Hemisphere

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TOTAL = $120m

• Where WA has a clear seasonal window • Where WA can truly deliver on world-class quality • Where WA has sufficient scale and efficient systems

Vegetables $92m Fruit & nuts $28m

• Where WA can differentiate its offer from that of Southern Hemisphere leaders (e.g. Chile, South Africa) Western Australia had produce exports of $120m in YE9/15; current exports focused on vegetables (see Figure 1).

One hundred and sixteen produce trade codes were evaluated through a two stage screening process; four high growth, high potential opportunities were identified for Western Australia. The top four tier 1 opportunities were avocados, carrots, apples, oranges/ mandarins. Whilst there were a total of forty-nine other produce products which were identified as tier 1 and tier 2 export opportunities from WA to Asia. The average export value per kilogram of vegetables varies significantly by product (see Figure 2). A wide range of vegetables are achieving growth (see Figure 3).

140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 MAT 9/2015

Western Australia can succeed in strategic, targeted exports into Asia ($120m exports, 2015)

Western Australia can succeed in fruits and vegetables in Asia under certain market conditions

Million $

BY REBECCA BLACKMAN FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER, VEGETABLESWA

Vegetables

Fruit & nuts

FIGURE 1 WA produce exports by type A$m; MAT 9/2015 Source: ABS (stas.abs.gov.au); Coriolis analysis and classifications

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$27.36 $0.97 Dried adzuki beans

Garlic, fresh

Potatoes, frozen

Dried beans

$1.02

$1.06

Frozen peas

Cabbages, kohlrabi, kale...etc,

$1.08

Sweet potatoes

$1.06

$1.13

Cabbage lettuce, fresh

Leguminous veg. froz Spinach, frozen

$1.21

Frozen mixed veg

Frozen beans

$1.29 $1.29

Beetroot, radishes, etc.

$1.23

$1.36

Lettuce, fresh

$1.26

$1.49

Other veg mix

Frozen sweet corn

$1.56

Tomatoes

$1.26

$1.66

$1.58

Leeks, etc. Beans, fresh Olives pres

Frozen vegetables nes

$1.77

$2.44

Chicory, fresh Dried onions Cucumbers, fresh Brussels sprouts, fresh Witloof chicory, fresh Asparagus

Capsicum Other mushrooms pres

$2.46 $2.66 $3.27 $3.81

$4.08 $5.29 $5.76 $17.77 $7.20 $6.37

Dried peas

Potatoes

$0.37

$0.38

Onions

Dried leguminous nes

$0.41

Dried chickpeas

$0.46

$0.55

Carrots

Dried broad beans

$0.61

Dried lentils, shelled

$0.48

$0.63

Dried beans nes

Seed potatoes

Peas, fresh Leguminous veg. nes, fresh Cauli/broccoli, fresh Other vegetables

$0.67

Dried veg nes Mushrooms, fresh $0.68 Spinach, fresh Truffles, dry Mushrooms not Agaricus, fresh $0.73 $0.96 $0.97

Avg. export value per kg by target markets

Volume exported to target markets

FIGURE 2 Average export value curve for vegetables: Aggregate peers to aggregate target markets Data is import from 22 climatic and economic peers only, not total world US$; kg; b; 2014 Note: Some very small categories removed for clarity Source UN FAO Agstat database; Coriolis analysis and classifications

40%

Jelly fungi dry

10y Aggregate growth rate

Leguminous veg. nes, fresh Sweet potatoes

30%

Peas, fresh Dried leguminous nes Potatoes, frozen

20%

Garlic, fresh Truffles, dry Dried adzuki beans Lettuce, fresh Frozen beans 10% Roots and tubers dry Mushrooms not Agaricus, fresh Cucumbers, fresh Cauli/broccoli, fresh Agaricus Mushrooms pres Capsicum Spinach, frozen Celery, fresh Beetroot, radishes, etc. Mushrooms, fresh Letttuce Leeks, etc. Frozen peas Cucumbers pres Manioc dried Olives pres Brussels sprouts, fresh Spinach, fresh Other mushrooms pres

-10%

Witloof chicory, fresh Cabbages kale...etc, Wood ears dry Leguminous veg. froz Aubergines, fresh Capers pres

Potatoes Dried beans

Frozen vegetables nes

Tomatoes Seed potatoes

Carrots

Dried veg nes Other vegetables

Onions Chicory, fresh Other veg mix Frozen mixed veg Asparagus Frozen sweet corn Dried onions Dried beans nes

Globe artichokes, fresh Beans, fresh Truffles

-20% Agaricus mushrooms dry $0 $0

$10

$100

$1,000

10y Absolute growth (logarithmic scale)

FIGURE 3 A wide range of vegetables are achieving growth; dried pulses stood out for absolute size Export growth matrix for vegetables: aggregate peers to aggregate target markets US$m; 2004 vs 2014 Data is import from 22 climatic and economic peers only, not total world Note: Some very small categories removed for clarity

Source: UN FAO Agstat database; Coriolis analysis and classifications

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Attractive growth region Attractive platform

Acceptable role of government in export development

High growth product Best market(s) Opportunity areas Final product developed by Western Australian firm

FIGURE 4 identifying Asian agrifood opportunities Source: Coriolis analysis and classifications

It is important to recognise that the process of identifying Asian agrifood opportunities is like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;peeling an onionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;; at each stage of the process we get closer to the target (see Figure 4); however at the end of this process, Western Australia growers must own the opportunity and drive success.

THE top four tier 1 export opportunities from WA to Asia were avocados, carrots, apples and oranges/mandarins.

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Role of industry

MORE INFORMATION This information has been taken from the Department of Agriculture and Food WA report Target Market Opportunities with funding from Royalties for Regions and the work undertaken by Coriolis. You can access the full report here, www.agric.wa.gov. au/agricultural-exports/target-marketopportunities-report. For further information contact DAFWA Asian Market Success Team on asianmarketsuccess@agric.wa.gov.au or (08) 9368 3333.

Department of Agriculture and Food

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Maximising your trade show experience PUBLISHED BY PHILIP LITTON ON 20/02/2016 IN CARGOHOUND

At trade exhibitions, potential customers — often very senior people who are otherwise very difficult to obtain an audience with — are at their most receptive. New products and services are now on their radar screens and this all works in favour of you, the exhibitor. They can be used as a powerful promotional tool for gaining exposure and new business opportunities.

Whether exhibiting or visiting, trade fairs provide an opportunity to assess market trends, competitor’s products and gathering market intelligence of where you sit in the marketplace. How to choose a trade fair Once you have reviewed your marketing plan and determined the countries or regions where your products and services are likely to be in demand, you can turn to the search for the right trade fairs. You can review lists of trade fairs, ask your industry body or government agency for their experiences, seek counsel from business associates, or search on line — many companies list the trade fairs they are attending. You should consider all of the following important factors when evaluating a particular trade fair: • Is it established and does it have a proven track record — ask for a copy of the Post Show report for their last edition, and critically review it. • Is it well known and regarded by your industry and the market

ASIA Fruit Logistica is Asia’s leading trade show for international fresh fruit and vegetables.

• Be sure that the Organiser is professional and experienced, with a good history of delivering quality events. • Is the show accredited by UFI — the global association of the exhibition industry? • Is it a “trade only” event or a “domestic retail event” — which is right for you? • Is it a new show in an emerging market or a well-established show in a mature market? Both or one may suit you.

• Are visitors from your target countries?

• Testimonials from past exhibitors — then phone them to talk about it.

• Are there conferences, competitions and special events at the show that are of interest to you, and that might give your product more exposure?

• Review the list of exhibitors from the last edition — by country, by name (were your competitors or suppliers there?)

Do not go on price alone — your investment in time and travel is significant. Make sure you choose the trade fair that is best for you.

• Analyse the exhibitor category profiles — does your product or service fit in this show?

MORE INFORMATION

• Does the Organiser have a strong and effective promotional campaign?

For more information contact the office on (08) 9481 0834 or office@vegetableswa.com.au

• Review the Visitor profiles, relevance for you of their business roles. WA Grower WINTER 2016

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From farm to retail — how food prices are determined in Australia BY RURAL INDUSTRIES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (RIRDC)

The Australian food system is complex and dynamic — a matrix of sectors, products, markets, and value-chains that make up Australia’s agrifood industry. Further dimensions are added with the diversity of quality of produce, the extent to which foods are processed and the variety of end-uses within single product categories. Understanding the major determinants of food prices along valuechains is of critical importance. The aim of the paper, published by the RIRDC and summarised in this article, is to convey a better understanding of the main factors that determine prices (and costs) in value-chains for Australian agricultural food products, involving primary producers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.

The ongoing effects of pricebased competition for retail market share continue to alter the food industry landscape, and will do so for some time. Alongside this, there have been many successful cases where food producers have captured higher unit value in meeting a more diverse set of consumer wants.

Direct supply versus produce markets Wholesale prices for fresh produce are generally set in a fresh market system which operates in capital cities and limited other major urban centres.

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A grower either: • Sells produce to a market wholesaler who takes a position in the produce to realise an available price; or • Uses a commissioned agent to facilitate or broker a sale on the growers’ behalf to a buyer. Wholesale markets remain a major function within the fresh produce sector, influencing wholesale produce values in all channels. This is despite significant volume of fresh produce supply being purchased direct by major supermarket chains. The use of direct supply arrangements has grown in the past decade. These arrangements are preferred by major grocery buyers as: • Produce reaches stores in and gets into store in a shorter time — accordingly it is fresher; • Certainty of supply is improved, minimising retail stock outs; • Stability in pricing is more readily achieved; and • Specifications for quality, appearance or other attributes are agreed in advance or to reflect adverse seasonality. The fresh produce markets — which collectively handle about 45–50% of volumes (for independent grocers and specialist greengrocers) retain a key role for the overall market in price discovery. Direct supply prices in the short-run remain directly influenced by prevailing seasonal conditions and prices struck in the fresh markets system. The direct supply arrangements generally benefit suppliers, who typically earn a higher price than the prevailing averages achieved in the wholesale markets, although the extent of such differentials and the ongoing fluctuations in product varies category to category.

Apples Fruit pricing over time • Apples are a major fruit category with year-round availability comprising a Red Delicious number of varieties, of which Pink Lady is Golden theDelicious highest seller in volume and value (see Figures 1 and 2). Pink Lady • Granny AppleSmith pricing for major selling varieties tends toFuji be relatively stable over time, (see Figures 3 and 4) with the exception of Royal Gala extreme weather events which shortened $0 $1.00 $2.00 $3.00 $4.00 $5.00 supplies of other fruit, creating greater demand for the category. 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0%

Vol

$ sales 2010

Vol $ sales 2013

Fuji Golden Delicious

Royal Gala Pink Lady Red Delicious

Granny Smith Other

FIGURE 1 Changing sales mix of apples 2010 to 2013 Source: Retail sales data

Red Delicious Golden Delicious Pink Lady Granny Smith Fuji Royal Gala $0 $1.00 $2.00 $3.00 $4.00 $5.00 FIGURE 2 Range of retail prices for apple varieties (2013) 100% Source: Retail sales data

80% 60% 40% 20%

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FRUIT value chain Limited visibility — certain categories and channels are characterised by poor information flows and market visibility, providing a weak platform for adding value.

Production complexity — production volumes highly volatile and seasonal, which has a big bearing on the volumes coming to market, causing price fluctuations. Technology & innovation — innovation in minimal processing and pre-prep of fresh fruit for more convenient end-use in home and food service.

Wholesale markets

Juice fruit availability and returns have strong bearing on returns to citrus, apple and pear producers.

Retail

Wholesale market

Retail

2009–Q1 2009–Q1 2009–Q2 2009–Q2 2009–Q3 2009–Q3 2009–Q4 2009–Q4 2010–Q1 2010–Q1 2010–Q2 2010–Q2 2010–Q3 2010–Q3 2010–Q4 2010–Q4 2011–Q1 2011–Q1 2011–Q2 2011–Q2 2011–Q3 2011–Q3 2011–Q4 2011–Q4 2012–Q1 2012–Q1 2012–Q2 2012–Q2 2012–Q3 2012–Q3 2012–Q4 2012–Q4 2013–Q1 2013–Q1 2013–Q2 2013–Q2 2013–Q3 2013–Q3 2013–Q4 2013–Q4

Wholesale market

Source: Retail sales data

Wholesale market

Retail

Wholesale grocery

2013–Q4 2013–Q4

Wholesale grocery

2013–Q3 2013–Q3

Retail

2013–Q2 2013–Q2

Wholesale market

2013–Q1 2013–Q1

Greater preference for consistency of product availability and quality in retail presentation. Stiff competition — between major chains and other forms of convenience and specialty retail, as well as food service.

Quality perception — compete on basis of higher quality, wider range and better value.

Food service Imports

Intense competition among wholesalers due to competing distribution channels.

Potentially strong impact of imports in areas such as bananas, and apples affecting confidence to maintain economies of scale in production enterprises.

FIGURE 3 Royal Gala apple prices 2009 to 2013

2012–Q4 2012–Q4

Distributor/ wholesaler Specialty retail

Increasing capital intensity — largescale production and packaging house efficiency is changing operating cost structures.

2012–Q3 2012–Q3

Grocery retail

Wholesale broker

Farm

Perishability — of product requires timely access to market once crops are planted and picking time committed.

FIGURE 4 Royal Gala apple prices 2012 to 2013 Source: Retail sales data

Exports

Value-chain efficiency — direct supply by integrated growers/ packers to chain retailers, providing stable pricing to secure long lines of consistent quality product.

• Grocery buy prices represent a relatively high portion of the retail price, reflecting costs associated with storage. • Our analysis of grocery retail and farmgate prices in the apples category over two financial years based on confidential data provided to us shows the farmgate portion of the average retail prices was between 52% and 56%. Costs between producer and wholesaler include packaging and transport, which are assigned to the “distribution” share of prices in this illustration. • Other apple lines achieved a slightly higher share of retail prices in 2013–14 of up to 60% of retail value.

apples WA Grower WINTER 2016

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VEGETABLE value chain

Production complexity — production volumes highly volatile and seasonal, which has a big bearing on the volumes coming to market, causing price fluctuations. Technology & innovation — innovation in minimal processing and pre-prep of fresh vegetables for more convenient end-use in home and food service.

Limited visibility — certain categories and channels are characterised by poor information flows and market visibility, providing a weak platform for adding value.

Farm

Value-chain efficiency — direct supply by integrated growers/ packers to chain retailers, providing stable pricing to secure long lines of consistent quality product.

Exports

Demand patterns — greater demand for convenience and lifestyle solutions in meals and food preparation. Household penetration — prep methods and usage defining peak consumption periods. Stiff competition — between major chains and other forms of convenience and specialty retail.

Grocery retail

Wholesale broker Wholesale markets

Distributor/ wholesaler Specialty retail

Perishability — of product requires timely access to market once crops are planted and picking time committed.

Stiff competition — between major chains and other forms of convenience and specialty retail.

Food service Imports

Increasing capital intensity — in largescale production and packaging house efficiency is changing operating cost structures.

Quality perception — compete on basis of higher quality, wider range and better value.

Intense competition among wholesalers due to competing distribution channels.

Role for fresh imports due to supply windows or climate affected shortages. Import competitiveness is growing reliance on imported frozen and processed products, forcing more fresh product onto the market.

100%

• There has been limited product development and range extension in the category. The large majority (90%) of broccoli is sold45% as a crown in loose form. 43% The remaining 10% of volume is sold as Broccolini or Baby Broccoli (see Figure 6), which is sold by the bunch at a substantial 2012 2013 price above loose broccoli (see Figures Disribution 7 and 8)Farmgate — a narrower range that is reflective of the managed marketing of this product.

80% 60%

broccoli 40% 20%

Vol

$ sales 2010

Broccoli

Vol $ sales 2013

Baby broccoli

Broccoli

Vegetable pricing over time Wholesale market

• Broccoli is a major vegetable category which has steadily grown in overall value due to its image as a healthy green vegetable.

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Wholesale grocery

Wholesale market

100%

Retail

80% 60% 40% 2009–Q1 2009–Q2 2009–Q3 2009–Q4 2010–Q1 2010–Q2 2010–Q3 2010–Q4 2011–Q1 2011–Q2 2011–Q3 2011–Q4 2012–Q1 2012–Q2 2012–Q3 2012–Q4 2013–Q1 2013–Q2 2013–Q3 2013–Q4

20%

2013–Q4

2013–Q3

2013–Q2

2013–Q1

2012–Q4

0% 2012–Q3

• Seasonal fluctuations in supply are regularly caused by climatic patterns, which flow on to cause price variations at both wholesale and retail points (see Figure 5). Broccoli displays strong seasonal purchasing patterns with increased weekly purchasing during cooler months of the year.

Retail

Vol

$ sales 2010

Broccoli

Vol $ sales 2013

Baby broccoli

FIGURE 5 Broccoli prices 2012 to 2013

FIGURE 6 Changing sales mix 2010 to 2013

Source: Brisbane Markets, Retail sales data

Source: Retail sales data

Wholesale market

Retail

Wholesale market

Retail

Wholesale grocery

Retail

FIGURE 7 Broccoli prices 2009 to 2013 Source: Brisbane Markets, Retail sales data

Retail

2009–Q1 2009–Q2 2009–Q3 2009–Q4 2010–Q1 2010–Q2 2010–Q3 2010–Q4 2011–Q1 2011–Q2 2011–Q3 2011–Q4 2012–Q1 2012–Q2 2012–Q3 2012–Q4 2013–Q1 2013–Q2 2013–Q3 2013–Q4

Wholesale market

Vegetable pricing over time • Pre-packed salads have won support with greater interest in portion control, convenience and limiting household waste. This is better suited to single and couple • The category has evolved to includePre-packed households that do not require a full head of lettuce. a number of different and innovative salads • The lettuce category is a large component of the fresh salads market, with a seasonal sales pattern dominated Signals read and met in warmer months.

• Based on confidential data provided to varieties and types of lettuce, including Loose-leaf Cos us for the purposes of this study, lettuce loose, self-select product lettuce and pre-packed lettuce Signals read and met growers supplying direct to a grocery (see Figure 11). There are various preValue Value diminished won retailer earned between 45% and 50% in packed consumer options also, with Pre-packed salads 2013/14 for iceberg lettuce in loose form standalone varieties and mixed salads. (see Figure 12). Iceberg lettuceLoose-leaf lettuce Signals read and met

Value diminished

FIGURE 8 Baby broccoli prices 2009 to 2013 ($/kg) Source: Brisbane Markets, Retail sales data

Loose-leaf lettuce

Farmgate share of retail price • Based on confidential data provided to us for the purposes of this study, broccoli producers supplying direct to a grocery retailer earned an average of 45% of average retail price in 2012, and 43% in 2013 (see Figure 9). • Costs between producer and wholesaler include packaging and transport, which are assigned to the “distribution” share of prices.

45%

2012 Farmgate

Cos lettuce

Pre-packed

salads Signals ignored Cos

Iceberglettuce lettuce

Value diminished

Signals ignored

Iceberg lettuce

Signals ignored

Disribution

Wholesale market

Retail

Wholesale grocery

Source: Retail sales data

Wholesale market

Pre-packed 58.37% Iceburg 23.45% Cos 9.06% Pre-packed 58.37% Decorative 5.57% Iceburg 23.45% Loose mix 3.51% Cos 9.06% Organic 0.04%

2013

• Costs between producer and wholesaler include packaging and transport, which are assigned to the “distribution” share of prices.

FIGURE 10 Lettuce SWOT analysis.

Pre-packed 58.37% Iceburg 23.45% Cos 9.06% Decorative 5.57% Loose mix 3.51% Organic 0.04%

43%

Value won

• Suppliers of bagged pre-pack products Valuehigher value and achieved captured won between 50% and 65% depending on the specific line.

Retail

Wholesale grocery

Wholesale market

Retail

Wholesale grocery

FIGURE 12 Iceberg lettuce prices 2009 to 2013 Source: Brisbane Markets, Retail sales data

2011–Q4 2012–Q1 2012–Q2 2012–Q3 2012–Q4 2013–Q1 2013–Q2 2013–Q3 2013–Q4

Disribution

2009–Q1 2009–Q2 2009–Q3 2009–Q4 2010–Q1 2010–Q2 2010–Q3 2010–Q4 2011–Q1 2011–Q2 2011–Q3 2011–Q4 2012–Q1 2012–Q2 2012–Q3 2012–Q4 2013–Q1 2013–Q2 2013–Q3 2013–Q4

2013

Lettuce

2009–Q1 2009–Q2 2009–Q3 2009–Q4 2010–Q1 2010–Q2 2010–Q3 2010–Q4 2009–Q1 2011–Q1 2009–Q2 2011–Q2 2009–Q3 2011–Q3 2009–Q4 2011–Q4 2012–Q1 2010–Q1 2012–Q2 2010–Q2 2012–Q3 2010–Q3 2012–Q4 2010–Q4 2013–Q1 2011–Q1 2013–Q2 2011–Q2 2013–Q3 2011–Q3 2013–Q4

2009–Q1 2009–Q2 2009–Q3 2009–Q4 2010–Q1 2010–Q2 2010–Q3 2010–Q4 2011–Q1 2011–Q2 2011–Q3 2011–Q4 2012–Q1 2012–Q2 2012–Q3 2012–Q4 2013–Q1 2013–Q2 2013–Q3 2013–Q4 Farmgate

lettuce

43%

2012

YOUR MARKET

Retail

2009–Q1 2009–Q2 2009–Q3 2009–Q4 2010–Q1 2010–Q2 2010–Q3 2010–Q4 2011–Q1 2011–Q2 2011–Q3 2011–Q4 2012–Q1 2012–Q2 2012–Q3 2012–Q4 2013–Q1 2013–Q2 2013–Q3 2013–Q4

2013–Q4

2013–Q3

Wholesale market

45%

Wholesale market

Wholesale grocery

2013–Q2

Retail

2013–Q1

2012–Q4

2012–Q3

Wholesale market

Decorative 5.57% Loose mix 3.51% FIGURE Estimated share of retail sales Organic11 0.04%

FIGURE 9 Share of retail price in % Source: Freshagenda analysis

(2012/13) Wholesale market

Retail

Source: Retail sales data

WA Grower WINTER 2016

YOUR MARKET

Wholesale market Wholesale market

Pumpkin

Onions

Wholesale grocery Wholesale grocery

• Seasonal fluctuations in supply are morepronounced in this category compared with other hard-cooked vegetables. • Pumpkins are a comparatively low value vegetable product (see Figure 14) and there has been limited varietal and range extension in the category over the past decade (see Figure 15).

Pricing over time

• Onions are a comparatively low value vegetable product and there has been limited varietal and range extension in the category over the past decade. • About half of all sales are made in loose form, which sell at a significant premium to the bulk pre-packed form. In recent years, small sales of varieties in loose form offering culinary variety have added greater unit value, but remain insignificant in the overall category. • Based on confidential data provided to us for the purposes of this study, onion producers supplying direct to a grocery retailer earned an average of 49% in 2013/14 for major selling lines in bulk and pre-packed bags (see Figure 13). • Costs between producer and wholesaler include packaging and transport, which are assigned to the “distribution” share of prices. Retail

FIGURE 13 Brown onion prices 2009 to 2013 Source: Brisbane Markets, Retail sales data

100

WA Grower WINTER 2016

Grey Grey

• Costs between producer and wholesaler include packaging and Butternut transport, which are assigned to the Butternut $0 $0.50 $1.00 $1.50 $2.00 $2.50 $3.00 “distribution” share of prices. $0 $0.50 $1.00 $1.50 $2.00 $2.50 $3.00 FIGURE 14 Relative prices for pumpkin varieties in 2013

Wholesale market

Retail

Wholesale grocery

Source: Retail sales data

Kent Kent Butternut Butternut Grey Grey

FIGURE 16 Pumpkin prices 2009 to 2013 Source: Brisbane Markets, Retail sales data

FIGURE 15 Share of pumpkin category by value Source: Retail sales data

Kent Grey Butternut $0 $0.50 $1.00 $1.50 $2.00 $2.50 $3.00

Wholesale grocery

2009–Q1 2009–Q2 2009–Q3 2009–Q4 2010–Q1 2010–Q2 2010–Q3 2010–Q4 2011–Q1 2011–Q2 2011–Q3 2011–Q4 2012–Q1 2012–Q2 2012–Q3 2012–Q4 2013–Q1 2013–Q2 2013–Q3 2013–Q4

Wholesale market

Kent Kent

• Based on confidential data provided to us for the purposes of this study, pumpkin producers supplying direct to a grocery retailer earned an average of 38–40% in 2013–14 for major selling lines (see Figure 16).

2009–Q1 2009–Q2 2009–Q3 2009–Q4 2010–Q1 2010–Q2 2010–Q3 2010–Q4 2011–Q1 2011–Q2 2011–Q3 2011–Q4 2012–Q1 2012–Q2 2012–Q3 2012–Q4 2013–Q1 2013–Q2 2013–Q3 2013–Q4

• Seasonal fluctuations in supply are lesspronounced in this category and prices tend to be far more stable than soft-cooked and salad vegetables.

• In recent years, small sales of varieties in loose form offering culinary variety have added greater unit value, but remain insignificant in the overall category.

onions

Retail Retail

pumpkin Kent Butternut Grey

Signals read and met

YOUR MARKET

Cherry/Grape in punnet Heirloom varieties

Wholesale market

Field gourmet

Mini Roma Roma Cherry Large truss Cherry Grape

Grape

2013–Q2

FIGURE 18 Changing fresh tomato retail sales mix (2010 v 2013) Field gourmet

FIGURE 20 Field Gourmet tomato prices 2012 to 2013

Source: Retail sales data

Source: Brisbane Markets, Retail sales data

Greenhouse

2013–Q4

2013–Q3

2013–Q2

2013–Q4 2013–Q1

2013–Q3 2012–Q4

2013–Q4

• Costs between producer and wholesaler include packaging and transport, which are assigned to the “distribution” share of prices.

45%

2013–Q2

2013–Q1

2013–Q1 2013–Q4

Roma

2012–Q4

Large truss

2012–Q4 2013–Q3

Field/Gourmet

Vol $ sales 2013

2012–Q32012–Q3 2013–Q2

$ sales 2010

2013–Q1

Vol

2012–Q4

2013–Q1

2012–Q3 2013–Q3

Wholesale grocery

20%

Mini Roma Grape Vol $ salesCherryVol $ sales Vol $ sales Vol $2010 sales 2013 2010 2013 Field/Gourmet Large truss Roma

Gourmet oma

Retail

40%

20% 0%

• The share of retail in other higher-value pre-packed lines tested by us were between Wholesale market Retail Wholesale grocery 55% and 65% of the retail value, showing Wholesale market Retail Wholesale grocery a higher value-capture for the supplier.

60%

2012–Q3

40%

Wholesale market

80%

41%

2013–Q4

100%

60%

$10.00

2013–Q3

Source: Retail sales data

80%

2013–Q2

$5.00 $15.00

FIGURE 19 The value range in retail prices per kg

Signals ignored Signals FIGURE ignored17 Tomato SWOT analysis. 100%

Source: Freshagenda analysis

2013–Q2

$0 $10.00

2013–Q1

Signals ignored

$5.00

2013–Q1 2013–Q4

2012–Q4

Grape

gourmet

Disribution

45%

Cherry

2013

41%farmgate • Our analysis45% of retail and prices for field gourmet products over two 2012 financial years based on confidential data 2013 2013 provided to 2012 us shows the farmgate portion Farmgate Disribution of theFarmgate average retail prices was between $15.00 Disribution 41% and 45% (see Figure 22).

Roma

Roma won

Value won

Farmgate

Wholesale grocery

Greenhouse

Truss Greenhouse Value Value won

Field Field gourmet

Retail

2012–Q4 2013–Q3

Truss

2012

41%

Wholesale market Wholesale grocerygrocery Wholesale marketRetailRetail Wholesale

Wholesale market

2012–Q3 2012–Q3 2013–Q2

diminished

Field gourmet

45%

FIGURE 22 Share of retail price in % (field gourmet)

2012–Q3

HeirloomHeirloom varieties varieties Value Truss Value diminished

Retail

$15.00

2013–Q1

Cherry/Grape Cherry/Grape in punnet in punnet

Cherry/Grape in punnet

$10.00

2012–Q4

SignalsSignals read and readmet and met gnals read and met

$5.00

Wholesale market

Source: Brisbane Markets, Retail sales data

• While field tomatoes formerly Fielddominated gourmet 0% the category with close to half of20% overall Greenhouse Farmgate share priceVol $ sales Volof retail $ sales sales in a typical retail profile (see 0% Figure 2010 2013 Roma Vol $• sales Vol $ sales Grocery retailers pay a buying price to 18), their share of sales has slipped to Field/Gourmet Large truss Roma 2010 2013 Cherry their direct that is well above that Mini suppliers Roma Cherry Grape about a third as pre-packed truss and small Field/Gourmet Large truss Roma Grape reported by the fresh produce markets. Mini Roma Cherry Grape fruit lines have increased in popularity. $0

Retail

Wholesale grocery

2013–Q4 2013–Q42013–Q1

Roma and retail are heavily Grape influenced by the different seasonality of supply80% (see Figure 20), whereas the pricing of pre-packed, small fruit is relatively stable 60% by comparison due to their consistent year40% round production in protected cropping 20% (greenhouse) facilities (see Figure 21).

2013–Q4

40%

Wholesale market Wholesale grocery

FIGURE 21Wholesale Grape tomato prices 2012 to 2013 market Retail Wholesale grocery

Large truss at wholesale Cherry 100%

2012–Q4

• The tomato category has evolved in Field/Gourmet Mini Roma recent years towards a higher value mix 100%have of product as suppliers and retailers responded to greater consumer demand for 80% products that provided greater taste, usage 60% and convenience (see Figure 17).

2013–Q1 2013–Q1

Vol Signals ignored 2010 2013 • Prices for low-value field gourmet tomatoes

Pricing over time

2013–Q3

2012–Q3 2012–Q3

20%

2012–Q4 2012–Q4

gourmet

• Wholesale prices stay volatile due to seasonal factors — adverse weather and drought conditions in key production ignored regions. Vol Signals $ sales $ sales

Field 40% gourmet

2013–Q4

60%

Retail

2013–Q2 2012–Q3

tomatoes 80%

Wholesale market

2013–Q3

Heirloom 100% varieties

Retail

2013–Q3 2013–Q32012–Q4

Wholesale market

• Pre-packed products — presented in in punnet punnets and Heirloom small trays — typically attract varieties Trussover loose a significant price premium Value(see Truss Figure 19). The range of small fruitValue diminished won Value products have been enhanced by products won targeted Field at snacking occasions.

2013–Q2 2013–Q22012–Q3

Cherry/Grape in punnet

Signals ignored Cherry/Grape

2013–Q1

2012–Q3

Signals read and met Signals read and met

2012–Q4

Value won Field gourmet

Tomatoes

Wholesale grocery

Truss

Value diminished

Retail

MORE INFORMATION Access the full report here https://rirdc. infoservices.com.au/items/16-013

41%

Roma

Field gourmet Cherry Greenhouse Grape

2012 45% 45%

Farmgate 41%

2013 41%

Disribution

WA Grower WINTER 2016

101

YOUR PRODUCTION

HOW CAN I CONTROL PESTS? — VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

Làm sao phòng trừ sâu hại?

Các lựa chọn để phòng trư sâu hại chủ yếu trên các loại cải ăn lá Tháng 2 năm 2016 Cơ quan cải tiến nông nghiệp Úc (HIA) và ngành rau đã rà soát các yêu cầu thuốc sâu trong các loại cải ăn lá thông qua một Chương trình chiến lược tầm soát nông dược (SARP) trong năm 2014.

Chương trình này tầm soát các loại sau bệnh hại và cỏ dại đã xác định là mối quan tâm của ngành trồng cải ăn lá. Trong việc phòng chống các mối nguy hại trên các loại thuốc sâu có đăng ký dài hạn, các loại được phép sử dụng tạm thời ủng như các giải pháp không dùng thuốc đã được đánh giá khả năng thích hợp về các phương diện phòng trừ tổng hợp (IPM), tính kháng, dư lượng, thời gian cách ly trước khi thu hoạch, hiệu lực, thương mại, ảnh hưởng độ an toàn dến con người và các vấn đề môi trường.

Các bảng dưới đây liệt kê danh sách các loại sâu bệnh hại chủ yếu và các biên pháp ưu tiên liên quan đến ngành sản xuất cải ăn lá ở Úc.

Các loại cỏ chủ yếu SARP không xác định bát kỳ loiaj cỏ dại nào là loại ưu tiên cao, lưu ý rằng hầu hết các loại cỏ đếu có thể khống chế bằng các loại thuốc cỏ đang lưu hành.

Mặc dù nông dân áp dụng biện pháp diệt cỏ trước khi trồng (chủ yếu là dùng các loại thuốc cỏ thông dụng) khi làm đất, nhưng việc xới xáo đất rất thương xuyên trong ngàng trồng cải ăn lá làm cho biện pháp này không trở thành biện pháp chiến lược cho mọi nông dân. Nông dân áp dụng biện pháp phòng trừ tổng hợp có thể thay đổi thuốc cỏ hoafc kết hợp chúng với các biện pháp khác để diệt cỏ hiệu quả. Các loại thuốc đang lưu hành đều hoặc là tiền nẩy mầm hoặc là hậu nẩy mầm. Sự tương hợp của các loai thuốc trừ sâu bệnh với biện pháp phòng trừ tổng hợp

102

WA Grower WINTER 2016

Nông dân áp dụng biện pháp phòng trừ tổng hợp cần phải Sự tương hợp của các loai thuốc trừ sâu bệnh với biện pháp này khi áp dụng. Điều này có nghĩa là không chỉ xem xét hiệu lực thuốc mà còn tác động của thuốc đến các loài có lợi khác và các loài nhện trong mỗi hệ thống canh tác. Nông dân nên tham vấn các chuyên viên phòng trừ tổng hợp về khả năng tương thích của bất kỳ loại thuốc nào trong danh mục.

Thông tin cập nhật • Tình trạng đăng ký và thông tin giấy phép sử dụng tạm thời thay đổi thường xuyên. Dể kịp thời cập nhật thông tin nên kiểm tra với Ủy ban kiểm định thuốc: Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority trên: http://apvma. gov.au, hoặc InfoPest at: www.infopest.com.au • Thông tin cung cấp trong bài này là tóm tắt của SARD cho các loại cải ăn lá. Thoonh tin cho “các biện pháp thực hành nông nghiệp tốt” về các lực chọn phòng trừ sâu bệnh hại hoặc xác định các biện pháp phù hợp mới hay các loại thuốc thay thế thì tham khảo thông tin trên: http://bit.ly/SARPS

YOUR PRODUCTION

Bệnh hại

Cách thức phòng trừ

Lựa chọn

Downy mildew (Peronospora farinosa)

Thuốc trừ bệnh do nấm có đăng ký dài hạn

Copper (as copper ammonium complex) — Group M1 — giảm hiệu lực khi áp lực bệnh cao Metalaxyl-M + mancozeb (RIDOMIL® GOLD MZ) — Groups 4 + M3 — Hiệu quả

Bệnh phấn trắng

Thuốc trừ bệnh do nấm được phép dùng tạm thời

Các giải pháp không dùng thuốc Bệnh đốm trắng

Thuốc trừ bệnh do nấm có đăng ký dài hạn

Copper (various, PER14038, expires Sep 2023) — Group M1 — giảm hiệu lực khi áp lực bệnh cao Mandipropamid (REVUS®, PER14837, expires Mar 2018) — Group 40 Phosphorous acid (various, PER14184, expires Jun 2017) — Group 33 — kết quả tốt khi luân phiên đổi thuốc Zineb (ZINEB®, PER10845, expires May 2020) — Group M3 — giảm hiệu lực khi áp lực bệnh cao Luân canh Trồng thưa đề tạo thông thoáng Dùng giống kháng

Metalaxyl-M + mancozeb (RIDOMIL® GOLD MZ) — Groups 4 + M3 — Hiệu quả

White blister (Albugo candida)

Thuốc trừ bệnh do nấm được phép dùng tạm thời

Azoxystrobin (various, PER13123, expires Mar 2014) — Group 11 — Công hiệu không ổn định

Ngài đen

Thuốc trừ sâu có đăng ký dài hạn

Chlorantraniliprole (various, including CORAGEN®) — Group 28 — Hiệu quả Chlorantraniliprole + thiamethoxam (DURIVO®) — Groups 28 + 4A — Hiệu quả Flubendiamide (BELT®) — Group 28 — Hiệu quả Spinetoram (SUCCESS® NEO) — Group 5A — Có hiệu quả nhưng lưu ý tính kháng thuốc

Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella)

Các giải pháp không dùng thuốc

Thuốc trừ sâu được phép dùng tạm thời

Chlorfenapyr (PER14292, expires Mar 2016) — Group 13A — Chỉ dùng ngoài đồng

Thuốc trừ sâu có đăng ký dài hạn

Alpha-cypermethrin (various) — Group 3A — Chỉ công hiệu với loài Helicoverpa punctigera, Lưu ý không đăng ký trên tất cả các loại cải ăn lá Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) (various) – Group 11C — hiệu quả Chlorantraniliprole (various, including CORAGEN®) — Group 28 — Hiệu quả Chlorantraniliprole + thiamethoxam (DURIVO®) — Groups 28 + 4A — Hiệu quả Cypermethrin (various) — Group 3A — Hiệu quả. , Lưu ý không đăng ký trên tất cả các loại cải ăn lá Flubendiamide (BELT®) — Group 28 — Hiệu quả Helicoverpa NPV (various) — Hiệu quả Indoxacarb (various) — Group 22A — Hiệu quả Prothiofos (TOKUTHION®) — Group 1B – Không sủ dụng Spinetoram (SUCCESS® NEO) — Group 5A – Có hiệu quả nhưng lưu ý tính kháng thuốc

Các giải pháp không dùng thuốc Các loại sâu thuộc nhóm bướm ngài

Áp dụng các biện pháp phòng trừ tổng hợp Xem thông tin trên: http://bit.ly/whiteblister

Helicoverpa (Helicoverpa spp.)

Thuốc trừ sâu được phép dùng tạm thời

Các giải pháp không dùng thuốc

Phòng trừ tổng hợp — yêu cầu dùng giống kháng Thỏa thuận với bên mua hàng về mức độ hư hại trên lá chấp nhận

Chlorfenapyr (PER14292, expires Mar 2016) — Group 13A — Chỉ dùng ngoài đồng Phòng trừ tổng hợp — yêu cầu dùng giống kháng

Muốn tìm hiểu về hệ thống danh mục thuốc được phép dùng tạm thời xin liên hệ điều phối viên tại AUSVEG theo số (03) 9982 0277

Vườn Innovation Australia Limited (HIA Ltd), Ứng dụng Vườn Nghiên cứu Pty Ltd (AHR), Tập đoàn Tư vấn RM (RMCG) và IPM Technologies Pty Ltd cũng không tuyên bố và từ chối tất cả bảo hành (trong phạm vi pháp luật cho phép) về tính chính xác, đầy đủ hoặc tiền tệ thông tin trong tài liệu này. Người sử dụng các vật liệu này nên có hành động độc lập trước khi dựa vào độ chính xác của nó trong bất kỳ cách nào. Căn cứ vào các thông tin được cung cấp bởi HIA Ltd, AHR, RMCG hoặc IPM Technologies Pty Ltd là hoàn toàn nguy cơ của riêng bạn. HIA Ltd, AHR, RMCG hoặc IPM Technologies Pty Ltd không chịu trách nhiệm và sẽ không chịu trách nhiệm về bất cứ mất mát, thiệt hại, bồi thường, chi phí, chi phí (bao gồm cả chi phí pháp lý) hoặc trách nhiệm pháp lý khác phát sinh trong bất kỳ cách nào (kể cả từ HIA TNHH , AHR, RMCG, IPM Technologies Pty Ltd hoặc sơ suất bất kỳ người nào khác hay không) từ việc sử dụng hoặc không sử dụng thông tin từ dự án VG13078 Gia hạn hợp thông tin bảo vệ thực vật trong tài liệu này, hoặc từ sự phụ thuộc vào các thông tin trong tài liệu này hoặc rằng HIA Ltd, AHR, RMCG hoặc IPM Technologies Pty Ltd cung cấp cho bạn bởi bất kỳ phương tiện khác.

Dự án này được tài trợ bởi Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited sử dụng tiền rau và các quỹ của Chính phủ Úc .

WA Grower WINTER 2016

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YOUR PRODUCTION

CARNARVON MEDFLY ERADICATION PROJECT — UPDATE — VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

Thông tin cập nhật Dự án loại trừ ruồi vàng đục trái tại Carnarvon mật số ruồi vàng ngoài đồng và kế đến là phóng thích ruồi vàng đực bất dục (sau khi xử lý bằng kỹ thuật bất dục côn trùng SIT) để giảm mật số ruồi vàng ngoài tự nhiên xuống mức rất thấp và dần dần loại trừ hoàn toàn. Sau khi loại trừ ruồi vàng hoàn toàn là giai đoạn tiếp tục duy trì khu vực “không ruồi vàng” bằng công tác kiểm tra dịch hại kết hợp với việc tiếp tục phóng thích ruồi vàng đực bất dục với lượng thấp như các nước khác đã từng làm có kết quả. Đầu tiên, tự hạn chế di chuyển trái cây trong khu vực, các bảng thông báo ven đường và các cuộc vận động công chúng sẽ được áp dụng để ngăn chận ruồi đục trái hoang dại xâm nhập vào khu vực Carnarvon. Công báo hạn chế lưu chuyển trái cây sẽ được tiến hành sau đó trong dự án khi tisng biệt lập của khu vực Carnarvon cùng với sự giới hạn dường xá tiếp cận làm cho nó trở nên phù hợp một cách lý tưởng cho một chương trình duy trì dựa vào sự tham gia của cộng đồng.

Ruồi đục trái cái.

Công việc phóng thích ruồi đực bất dục sẽ được tiến hàng vào tháng sáu và tiếp tục cho đến tháng 12 năm 2017 song song với tiến trình đặt bẩy dẩn dụ do CGA điều hành. Khi mà số ruồi bất dục phóng thích gia tăng công tác bẩy dẩn dụ sẽ giảm dần và chấm dứt. Đài phát thanh nông thôn ABC mới đây đã phỏng vấn các chuyên viên nhân nuôi ruồi bất dục của bộ Nông nghiệp tại cơ sở ở Souh Perth.

SANDY LEIGHTON CHUYÊN VIÊN AN TOÀN SINH HỌC (GẮN KẾT CỘNG ĐỒNG PHÒNG TRỪ RUỒI VÀNG ĐỤC TRÁI) NGƯỜI DỊCH VÕ THẾ TRUYỀN, CHUYÊN VIÊN KHUYẾN NÔNG, HIỆP HỘI RAU TÂY ÚC

Ruồi vang đục trái là một loại côn trùng gây hại nghiêm trọng làm tổn thất mỗi năm khoảng 300 triệu đô la chi phí phòng trị và mất thị trường. Dự án loại trừ ruồi vàng đục trái tại Carnarvon đặt mục tiêu loại trừ ruồi vang đục trái ra khỏi khu vưc trồng trọt biệt lập này. Ngành rau quả Carnarvon có giá trị khoảng 80 triệu – 100 triệu đô la/năm (giá trị tại chổ) trong nền kinh tế địa phương và lảnh vực này được quy hoạch tăng gấp đôi trong 5 năm năm tới. Carnarvon cách Perth 1000km và bị bao bọc bởi vùng đất khô hạn không có cây ký chủ của ruồi vàng đục trái. Loại trừ ruồi vang đục trái sẽ giúp nông dân giảm chi phí, cải thiện

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chất lượng sản phẩm và tăng cường khả năng xâm nhập thị trường cả trong nội địa lẩn quốc tế. Dự án này sẽ được dùng như một thí điểm để trình bày mức đọ tham gia cần thiết của ngành và của cộng đồng để chương trình thành công củng như tạo ra một vùng sản xuất không có ruồi vàng đục trái hoặc chí ít cùng là vùng ít thịnh hành sâu hại trong tiểu bang Tây Úc. Về căn bản dự án này bao gồm công việc bắt ruồi vàng bằng bẩy dẩn dụ để hạ thấp

Nhóm công tác trừ ruồi ddujc trái mới vừa tiến hành công việc kiểm tra đánh giá trên thực địa tất cả bản đồ không ảnh các trang trại và đã xác định được rất nhiều chủng loại là ký chủ của ruồi đục trái hiện diện khắp nơi bao gồm các loại như ớt chuông, ớt cay và nho. Chúng tôi củng đã nhận được chuyến hàng vận chuyển thử nghiệm nhộng ruồi đã qua chiếu xạ đầu tiên hồi tháng Tư và đang nhân nuôi chusnh trong khu vực cách ly ở Trạm nghiên cứu nông nghiệp Carnarvon. Don McInnis (cựu chuyên viên bộ Nông nghiệp Hoa Kỳ, Hawaii) và Les Zeller (Đại học Southern Queensland) đã làm việc với Ernie Steiner (DAFWA) để thử nghiệm máy phóng thích ruồi bất dục và tìm hiểu tốc độ phóng thích và khả năng xâm nhập

YOUR PRODUCTION

////////// — VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

1 của ruồi bất dục vào ruộng cây trồng. Máy phóng thích ruồi được tích hợp với bẩn đồ thực địa và các loại hoa màu đang là mục tiêu với tỉ lệ phóng thích được hiệu chỉnh theo từng vị trí xác định. Nhóm này cũng theo dõi đánh giá tỉ lệ nhộng thành ruồi trưởng thành. Tất cả kết quả rất khả quan.

Chúng tôi muốn lưu ý bà con nông dân Carnarvon rằng việc phóng thích ruồi bất dục tự nó không giải quyết được tất cả mà cần phải tiếp tục vệ sinh đồng ruộng bao gồm việc dọn dẹp trái cây loại thải, rơi rụng, và các loại rau ăn trái. Chương trình tổng hợp tiêu diệt ruồi đục trái sẽ sớm kết thúc và sau khi được ngành chấp thuận sẽ cơ sở pháp lý những việc nông dân bắt buộc phải tuân thủ để kiểm soát ruồi đục trái và xóa sổ chúng trong trang trại của mình. Điều này bao gồm cả việc ngăn chặn và các biện pháp sau thu hoạch áp dụnghàng loạt phương pháp lý học, cơ học và hóa học.

Ảnh 1. C ơ sở nhân nuôi ruồi bất dục tại trạm nghiên cứu Gascoyne Carnarvon

Ảnh 2. Ớt loại thải bị nhiểm ruồi đục trái

Ảnh 3. Xoài bị nhiểm vòi của ruồi đục trái

hội nông dân Carnarvon. Dự án sẽ vận hành đến tháng 12 năm 2017. THÊM THÔNG TIN

Muốn biết thêm chi tiết xin liên hệ: Sandy Leighton, Biosecurity Officer (Medfly Community Engagement), DAFWA, số điện thoại 08 9956 3315 hoặc gởi email cho Sandy theo địa chỉ: sandy.leighton@agric.wa.gov.au

Dự án xóa sổ ruồi đục trái Carnarvon là hợp phần của dự án bảo vệ an ninh sinh học do bộ Noongh nghiệp điều phối được Ủy ban phát triển khu vực tài trợ cùng với nguồn kinh phí từ Cơ quan cái tiến nông nghiệp Úc (HIA), Quận Carnarvon và Hiệp

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NUTRITION AND DISEASE SURVEY ON TOMATO FARMS — VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

Điều tra dinh dưỡng và bệnh hại cà chua khu vực Gnangara/ Carabooda Kết quả nghiên cứu BY VO THE TRUYEN FIELD EXTENSION OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA

Bối cảnh nghiên cứu

Tám nông dân trồng cà trên khu vực Wannero and Carabooda phía bắc Perth được chọn tham gia trong nghiên cứu dinh dưỡng và bệnh hại này trong thời gian cuối 2015 đến đầu 2016. Nghiên cứu này được tiến hành bởi Neil Lantzke – chuyên viên nông nghiệp độc lập đang cộng tác với Cơ quan bảo vệ tài nguyên Perth – và Võ Thế Truyền – chuyen viên khuyến nông của Hiệp hội Rau Tây Úc.

Mục tiêu của nghiên cứu là rà soát các cách thức áp dụng phân bón, tước nước, và quản lý bệnh hại trong ngành trồng cà và cung cấp ý kiến tư vấn độc lập cho từng nông dân nhằm tăng cường khả năng của họ về quản lý trang trại.

Các bước tiến hành nghiên cứu 1. Đến làm việc tại trang trại của từng nông dân tham gia để: thu thập mẩu đất, nước tưới, cây trồng đưa về phòng thí nghiệm phân tích; thu thập thông tin về qui trình bón phân, tưới nước và tìm hiểu về các vấn đề có liên quan đến đinhưỡng và tưới nước. Phiên dịch cho người Việt thông qua Võ Thế Truyền 2. Thu thập Mẩu cây bệnh để phân tích và thông tin liên quan đến tình hình bệnh hại cà cùng với các biện pháp phòng trừ nông đân thường áp dụng.

3. Tổng hợp kết quả phân tích với thông tin thu thập được viết thành báo cáo cho từng nông dân trong đó có so sánh với kết quả của các nông dân khác tham gia nghiên cứu (nhưng không tiêt lộ tên) và so sánh với tiêu chuẩn kỳ thuật của ngành. Trao đổi với nông dân ý kiến đóng góp có liên quan đến các biện pháp canh tác của họ. Hoạt động nghiên cứu này do chương trình bảo vệ đất đai sông ngòi (Healthy Soils Healthy Rivers Program) của Cơ quan quản lý tài nguyên thiên nhiên Perth tài trợ.

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Kết quả phân tích nước giếng

giúp tiết kiệm nước, phân bón vừa tránh gây ô nhiểm nguồn nước.

Nhìn chung chất lượng nước giếng phù hợp cho mục đích tưới cà bằng hệ thống tưới nhỏ giọt. Độ pH của 8 mẩu nước của các hộ tham gia giao động trong khoảng chấp nhận được từ 5.7–7.7 mặc dù ngượng pH tốt nhất cho cà là 6.0–6.5. Độ mặn của các mẩu này cung thấp trong giới han thích hợp cho rau cải.

8 mmaaru đất của các trang trại tham gia nghiên cứu cũng được phân tích độ pH và hàm lượng các nguyên tố dinh dưỡng thiết yếu như đạm (N), lân (P), kali (K), lưu huỳnh (S) cùng với các yếu tố như độ dẫn điện (để xác định độ mặn) và thành phần hữu cơ.

Mẩu nước giếng của nhiều trang trại củng cho thấy chứa hàm lượng đạm (N) cao. Đạm ở dạng ni-trat nhanh chóng thấm sâu xuống đất cát theo nước mưa và nước tưới và hòa vào nguồn nước ngầm. Sử dụng nguồn nước ngầm này tưới cây trong nhiều trường hợp bổ xung một lượng đạm đáng kể cho cây trồng mà hầu hết nông dân không biết và không tính đến khi tính toán công thức phân cho cây trồng. Bảng 1 cho thấy hàm lượng đạm ni-trat trong 8 mẩu nước và lượng đạm tính bằng kg/ha/vụ bổ xung từ nguồn nước tưới cùng với chi phí có thể tiết kiệm nếu tính toán giảm bớt lượng phân bón phải mua.

Trong bảng 1, hàm lượng đạm trong nước giếng từ 0-32mg/L. Lấy ví dụ lượng đạm trong mẩu số 4 là 21mg/L thí lượng đạm có trong 10 ngàn mét khối nước giếng tưới cho một vụ cà trên một hec-ta là 210kg trị giá khoảng 336 đô la. Ngoài ra, lượng đạm trực vi còn gây ô nhiểm nghiêm trọng nguồn nước ngầm. Chính vì vậy việc áp dụng kỹ thuật tưới đúng cách để chỉ lầm ẩm cho vùng rể vừa

Kết quả phân tích đất

Mặc dù kết quả phân tích cho thấy tất cả các mẩu đều chứa hàm lượng dinh dưỡng cao nhưng chủ yếu do phân bón chứ không phản ảnh tình trạng dinh dưỡng tự nhiên của đất cát trong khu vực.

Độ pH đất là yếu tố quan trọn ảnh hưởng đến độ hửu dụng của nhiều nguyên tố dinh dưỡng cần thiết cho cây trồng. đọ pH của 8 mẩu thử dao động trong khoảng 6.1 đến 7.4 (khoảng pH như thế phù hợp cho cây cà), ngoại trừ một mẩu đất tại Gnangara có độ pH thấp là 5.0. Tìm hiểu thêm với nông dân canh tác trên trang trại cho thấy đã nhiều năm đất không được bón vôi. Kết quả mẩu thử dinh dưỡng trong lá cà cho thấy hàm lượng can-xi trong lá cũng thấp (0.95%) so với các mẩu khác, có thể do yếu tố pH đất thấp gây ra. Kết quả phân tích dinh dưỡng trong lá

Các mẩu lá thu thaajp được phân tích hàm lượng N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Mn, Fe, Cl, Cu, B, Zn. Kết quả cho thấy hàm lượng dinh dưỡng trong các mẩu tương đối thấp. Vài mẩu có lương đạm (N) cao khi điều tra lượng

Bảng 1 Hàm lượng đạm ni-trat trong 8 mẩu nước và chi phí có thể tiết kiệm Trang trại

Cây trồng

Tomato

Đạm ni-trat (mg/L) 15

Đạm trong nước giếng (kg) 150

Tomato

290

Tomato

210

Tomato

Nguồn: Dữ liệu Perth NRM

< 0.1

Lương chi phí có thể tiết kiệm ($/ha) $210

$430 $96

$336

$128

320

$512

50 0

$80 $0

YOUR PRODUCTION

Bảng 2 Lượng phân và chi phí cho phân bón của 8 trang trại so với khuyến cáo của Bộ Nông Nghiệp Trang trại

N kg/ha/crop

1429

Sử dụng phân bón Lượng phân và chi phí cho phân bón của 8 trang trại so với khuyến cáo của Bộ Nông Nghiệp được trình bày trong bảng 2. Đa số nông dân bón lượng phân nhiều hơn so với khuyến cáo. Mặc dù số liệu thu thập không đủ để tiến hành thống kê, nhưng cũng có thể nhìn qua số liệu thô để thấy rằng những nông dân bón nhiều phân nhất chưa hẳn là có năng suất cao hơn. Tuy nhiên khuyến cáo của Bộ Nông nghiệp về lượng phân bón chỉ nên được sử dụng như tài liệu hướng dẩn để tham khảo. Nông dân nên xác định lượng phân bón dựa vào nhiều yếu tố khác nữa như tình hình sinh trưởng của cây trồng, năng xuất và chất lượng sản phẩm, kết quả phân tích dinh dưỡng lá, đất, nước.

Tưới nước Lượng nước tưới của 8 trang trại rất khác nhau và khác với khuyên cáo của Bộ Nông nghiệp (Bảng 3).

Có 3 trường hợp lương nước tưới cao hơn rất nhiều so với khuyến cáo như trang trai 2,3 và 8. Tìm hiểu nông dân cho thấy các nông dân này có số lần tưới trong ngày giống như những người khác. Tuy nhiênthofi gian tưới mỗi lần lại lâu hơn nhiều. Thay vì tưới 2-3 lần/ngày và khoảng 30 phút mỗi lần, thời gian mỗi lần tưới của các nông dân này có khi đến 90 phút. Nên biết rằng nhu cầu nước thay đổi khi cây lớn lên, tăng thêm diện tích lá, thành thục và mang trái. Tưới vừa đủ cây yêu cầu sẽ hạn chế tình trạng cây bị sốc và giảm năng suất.

Nghiên cứu của Bộ Nông nghiệp đã cho thấy bộ rể của cây cà không vượt quá độ sâu làm đất. Mặc dù có ít rể cố định ăn sâu hơn 30 cm nhưng hầu hết bộ rể hút nước tập trung trong khoảng 0-25 cm trong lớp đất mặt. Bàng 4 trình bày độ sâu của rể và hệ số cây trồng của cà ở các độ tuổi khác nhau.

Khuyến cáo của Bộ Nông Nghiệp

253

1000

753

541

997

1992

1186

544

717

347

234

800 777

K kg/ha/crop

1111

N trong mẩu nước của các trang trại này kết quả cũng rất cao mà nông dân không để ý. Vì vậy có thể khuyến nghị nông dân xem xét giảm bớt lượng N trong nước khi tính toán công thức phân bón để tiết kiệm chi phí.

P kg/ha/crop

686

741

Năng suất (kg/cây)

5019

16184

9443

9589

8680

6654

235

1552

22275

125

950

6397

231

625

Chi phí phân bón ($/ha)

616

6693

Nguồn: Dữ liệu Perth NRM

Bảng 3 Lượng nước tưới của 8 trang trại so với khuyên cáo của Bộ Nông nghiệp Trang trại

Mét khối/ha/ vụ

Triệu lít/ha/ vụ

13616

13.6

18850

18.9

4 5

25168 8280 7800

11896

26880

9375

DAFWA 10500 to 15000

Nguồn: Dữ liệu Perth NRM

25.2 8.3 7.8

11.9 9.4

26.9

10.5 to 15

cát có khả năng cầm giử nước kém thì không nên tưới quá 20-30 phút mỗi lần tùy theo giai đoạn sinh trưởng của cây.

Thời gian mỗi lần tưới còn phụ thuộc vào loại ống nhỏ giọt. Thông thường ống có khoảng cách lổ 20-30cm và cho ra 0.7L đến 1.6 L nước mỗi lổ trong điều kiện áp lực tiêu chuẩn như trong nhản. Nhưng thường thì lượng nước ra được tính trên mét ống. Ống có khoảng cách lổ 20cm và mỗi lổ giọt 1 lít nước/giờ thì cho ra 5list nước/m. Ống có khoảng cách lổ 25cm cho ra 4 lít nước/m/giờ. Hơn nữa thời gian cách nhau giửa mỗi lần tưới được xác định tốt nhất dựa vào kết quả đo đạt khả năng cầm giử nước của đất.

Kết quả nghiên cứu bệnh hại

Chính vì vậy nghiêu cứu này khuyến cáo rằng tính toán lịch tưới đến độ sâu 30cm cho cây cà trưởng thành sẽ giảm lượng nược thất thoát do thấm sâu và gia tăng hiệu quả sử dụng phân bón và nước tưới. Nghiên cứu này cũng khuyến cáo tính toán lịch tưới dựa vào hệ số bốc hơi trong dự báo thời tiết. Nói chung với cách tưới nhỏ giọt cho cây cà như hiện nay trên loiaj đất

Kết quả phân tích mẩu cây và mẩu đất thu thập trong quá trình điều tra cho thấy các loại bệnh có tác nhân gây hại trong đất gây ra do Fusarium Solani và Fusarium Oxysporum f.sp. licopersici; Pythium sp.; Collectrotrichum sp.; và Rhizoctonia sp. tiếp tục xuất hiện trên diện rộng. Các loại bênh này được phát hiện trongtaast cả 11 mẩu thu thập bao gồm cà chua, dưa leo,

Bàng 4 Trình bày độ sâu của rể và hệ số cây trồng của cà ở các độ tuổi khác nhau Các giai đoạn sinh trưởng Mới trồng

Hệ số cây trồng của cà 0.5

Độ sâu bộ rể(mm) 75

Nuộc 1

0.6

100

Nuộc 3

1.1

250

Nuộc 2 Nuộc 4

Nuộc 5 và thời kỳ thu hoạch Gần kết thúc

Nguồn: Dữ liệu Perth NRM

0.9 1.3 1.4 1.2

200 300 300 300

WA Grower WINTER 2016

107

YOUR PRODUCTION

NUTRITION AND DISEASE SURVEY ON TOMATO FARMS — VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

2A bí ngồi và 01 mẩu rau thơm là cây cần tây lá vún nhỏ (parsley) (hình 1a, 1b và 1c).

Hình 1a: Bệnh vàng lá héo rủ fusarium trên cây cà chua

Hình 1b: Bệnh vàng lá héo rủ fusarium trên cây dưa leo

Hình 1c: Bệnh vàng lá héo rủ fusarium trên cây cần tây lá vún nhỏ

Cuộc điều tra củng phát hiện thấy có nhiều loại tác nhân gây bệnh xuất hiện trên cùng một mẩu thu thạp như nấm Fusarium và Pythium trên cây dưa leo hay Fusarium với vi-rút khảm vang lá trên mẩu cây bí ngồi.

Ngiêm trọng hơn, Các loại tác nhân gây hại có nguồn gốc trong đất này còn được thấy xuất hiên trên cùng một cây với các loại tác nhân như vi khuẩn và vi-rút gây bệnh thán thư trên cà chua (tomato bacteria canker - Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. Michiganensis), Bệnh cháy lá héo rủ cà chua (Tomato spot wilt virus) (hình 2a và 2b). Hình 2a: Tổ hợp bệnh gồm fusarium, thán thư (bacteria canker) và tomato spot wild virus TSWV trên vườn cà chua ở Carabooda

Hình 2b: Tổ hợp bệnh gồm fusarium, thán thư (bacteria canker) và tomato spot wild virus TSWV trên cây cà chua ở Carabooda

Những biện pháp quản lý sâu bệnh hại không đúng Tại các trang trại trồng cà chua mà bệnh cây gây ra thiệt hại nghiêm trọng chúng tôi nhận thấy công tác vệ sinh đồng ruộng như thiết kế trang trai, vệ sinh phòng dịch và xử lý rác thải thực vật không được thực hiện tốt. Bất cập này đi đôi với sự tồn tại

108

WA Grower WINTER 2016

2B quanh năm của các loại cây dại thuộc họ cà và các loại cỏ lá rộng khác có khả năng làm ký chủ cho mầm bệnh và các loaị côn trùng truyền bệnh trú ẩn trong khu sản xuất và chung quanh trang trại có thể được xem như nằm trong nhóm các nhân tố chính góp phần làm cho dịch bệnh xảy ra. THÊM THÔNG TIN

Tham khảo thêm chi tiết trong bài “Tình trạng xuất hiện nhiều loại bệnh trên rau cải khu vực phía bắc thành phố Perth” trong tạp chí ấn bản tháng Ba.

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permits Permit No. Description

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

Status

Expiry date

Alternaria

CURRENT

30-Jun-20

Propyzamide

Weeds

CURRENT

30-Nov-16

Avatar (indoxacarb)

Garden weevil

CURRENT

30-Sep-16

Apple varieties PER12864

Polyram (metiram)

Artichoke â&#x20AC;&#x201D; globe PER14203 Asparagus PER12777 Beans PER14701

Pyriproxyfen

Silverleaf whitefly

CURRENT

30-Jun-20

PER81196

Bifenthrin

Specified whitefly and mite species

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

Score Foliar Fungicide

Leaf spot

CURRENT

31-Aug-18

Beetroot PER14245 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

Bitter melon PER82341

Brassica leafy vegetables PER12008

Propachlor

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

30-Nov-20

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

Broccoli 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

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

WA Grower WINTER 2016

109

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permits (cont.) Permit No. Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

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

Imidacloprid

Capsicum PER12712

Applaud Insecticide

Greenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and leafhoppers

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER14326

Captan

Grey mould

CURRENT

30-Nov-16

PER81408

PHOSPHOROUS ACID

Phytophthora soil fungus

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

PER12399

Ridomil Gold MZ Systemic & Protective Fungicide

Downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Sep-16

Phosphorous (phosphonic) acid

Damping off and downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

Carrot PER14184 PER10918

Imidacloprid

Greenhouse whitefly and aphids

CURRENT

31-May-18

PER14816

Azoxystrobin

Powdery mildew, sclerotinia rot (white mould), black 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

Clethodim

Rye grass, winter grass

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

Cauliflower PER14164 PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER13147

Lontrel

Capeweed and clover

CURRENT

30-Nov-19

PER10272

Diazinon

Onion fly and onion seedling maggot

CURRENT

30-Sep-16

PER14037

Alpha-Cypermethrin

Staphylinid beetle

CURRENT

31-Mar-23

PER14045

Mancozeb + Metalaxyl

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

Applaud Insecticide

Greenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and leafhoppers

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

Choko PER12712 Celeriac 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

Celery

110

PER13122

Proclaim Insecticide

Heliothis, lightbrown apple moth and cluster caterpillar

CURRENT

30-Sep-16

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

WA Grower WINTER 2016

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permit No. Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

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 and H vegetable weevil

CURRENT

30-Sep-19

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

Western flower thrips (celery) & onion thrips (lettuce)

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER11127

Nufarm Filan Fungicide

Sclerotinia rot

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER14071

Pirmicarb

Aphids

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

Tebuconazole

Sclerotonia rot

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

Chicory PER14456 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

Abamectin

Tomato red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

Chilli PER14722 PER14326

Captan

Grey mould

CURRENT

30-Nov-16

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

PER12399

Ridomil Gold MZ Systemic & Protective Fungicide

Downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Sep-16

Triadimenol

White rot (Sclerotium)

CURRENT

31-Oct-19

Triadimenol

White rot (Sclerotium)

CURRENT

31-Oct-19

Abamectin

Tomato red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

Chinese onions PER14906 Chives PER14906 Cucumber PER14722 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

PER14326

Captan

Grey mould

CURRENT

30-Nov-16

PER14050

Flint 500 WG Fungicide

Powdery mildew

CURRENT

30-Jun-23

PER12712

Applaud Insecticide

Greenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and leafhoppers

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

WA Grower WINTER 2016

111

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permits (cont.) Permit No. Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

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

Hexythiazox (Calibre 100 EC miticide)

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

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

Cucurbits PER14765 PER14725

Paramite Selective Miticide

Tomato spider mites

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER80138

Alpha-cypermethrin

Cucumber fruit fly

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

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

Eggplant PER12823

Trifluralin

Various broad leaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-21

PER12712

Applaud Insecticide

Greenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and leafhoppers

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER13397

Clethodim (Select Herbicide)

Fops annual ryegrass and winter grass

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

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

PER8930

Phorate

Aphids, jassids, mites, thrips and onion maggot

CURRENT

31-Jul-16

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

PER13122

Proclaim Insecticide

Heliothis, lightbrown apple moth and cluster caterpillar

CURRENT

30-Sep-16

PER14839

Zineb

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.)

CURRENT

30-Sep-19

PER80717

Trichlorfon

Fruit fly

CURRENT

31-Oct-20

Endive 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

Fennel 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

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

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

Fruiting vegetables excluding cucurbits PER80100

Sumitomo Samurai Systematic Insecticide

Fruiting vegetables PER14765

112

Hexythiazox (Calibre 100 EC miticide)

WA Grower WINTER 2016

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permit No. Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

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

Cluster caterpillar, looper and light brown apple moth

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

PER14696

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-19

Greenhouse whitefly and aphids

CURRENT

31-May-18

Garden peas PER11451 Garlic PER14484 Green beans PER13626

Greenhouse & hydroponic capsicum PER14077 Head lettuce

Leafy lettuce PER10918

Imidacloprid

PER14958

Dimethomorph & Mancozeb (Acrobat Fungicide)

Downy mildew & other diseases

CURRENT

31-Oct-19

PER12712

Applaud Insecticide

Greenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and leafhoppers

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER12391

Prodigy Insecticide

Lepidopteran pests

CURRENT

30-Sep-17

PER14326

Captan

Grey mould

CURRENT

30-Nov-16

PER12351

Confidor Guard Soil

Silverleaf whitefly

CURRENT

30-Jun-20

Leafy vegetables PER14958

Dimethomorph & Mancozeb (Acrobat Fungicide)

Downy mildew & other diseases

CURRENT

31-Oct-19

PER14837

Mandipropamid (Revus Fungicide)

Downy mildew

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

Leek 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

PER10272

Diazinon

Onion fly and onion seedling maggot

CURRENT

30-Sep-16

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 (Poa G annua)

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

PER14484

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

Lettuce 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

Western flower thrips (celery) & onion thrips (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

PER12386

Dacthal (chlorthal-dimethyl)

Stinging nettle

CURRENT

31-Aug-16

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

WA Grower WINTER 2016

113

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permits (cont.) Permit No. Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

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

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

Greenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and leafhoppers

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

Marrow PER12712 Melons 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

Metolachlor

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

Confidor Guard Soil

Silverleaf whitefly

CURRENT

30-Jun-20

Boscalid, Iprodione & Chlorothalonil

Botrytis neck-rot

CURRENT

30-Sep-18

Navy beans PER13626 Okra PER12351 Onions PER14602 PER14773

Basagran (bentazone-sodium)

Broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER82018

Triadimenol

White rot

CURRENT

31-May-16

PER80282

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

CURRENT

30-Nov-17

Abamectin

Tomato red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

Paprika PER14722 PER12823

Trifluralin

Various broad leaf and grass weeds

CURRENT

30-Jun-21

PER13397

Clethodim (Select Herbicide)

Fops annual ryegrass and winter grass

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER14536

Abamectin

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

30-Jun-17

PER12399

Ridomil Gold MZ Systemic & Protective Fungicide

Downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Sep-16

Parsnip 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

PER12357

Linuron

Grass and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

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

Bifenthrin

Specified whitefly and mite species

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

Peas PER81196

114

PER14035

Diflufenican

Broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-23

PER13397

Clethodim (Select Herbicide)

Fops annual ryegrass and winter grass

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

WA Grower WINTER 2016

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permit No. Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

Peppers PER12712

Applaud Insecticide

Greenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and 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

PER8930

Phorate

Aphids, jassids, mites, thrips and onion maggot

CURRENT

31-Jul-16

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

Pome fruit PER14562 Potato PER14722

Abamectin

Tomato red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

PER80344

Chlorpyrifos

lack beetle, wingless grasshopper, red-legged earth B 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

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

Pumpkin PER11768

Chlorpyrifos

African black beetle

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

Mancozeb + Metalaxyl

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

Radicchio PER14045 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

Tebuconazole

Sclerotonia rot

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

Radish PER14456 PER11949

Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Various insects

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

PER11451

Chlorothalonil

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER13035

Clethodim

Control of grasses

CURRENT

30-Sep-16

WA Grower WINTER 2016

115

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permits (cont.) Permit No. Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

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

Rhubarb

PER14744

Clethodim

Grass weeds listed on label

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER14212

Imidacloprid

Aphids

CURRENT

30-Jun-18

PER13152

MCPA 250 Selective Herbicide

Broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

30-Sep-16

PER14493

Phos acid

Downy mildew

CURRENT

31-Jan-19

PER12384

S-metolachlor (Dual Gold Herbicide)

Various weeds

CURRENT

31-Aug-20

Rocket PER14045

Mancozeb + Metalaxyl

Various fungal diseases

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER12008

Propachlor

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

30-Nov-20

PER14127

Pendimethalin

Weeds

CURRENT

31-Aug-18

PER14864

Pirimicarb

Aphids

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

Shallots 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

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 (Poa G 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

PER8930

Phorate

Aphids, jassids, mites, thrips and onion maggot

CURRENT

31-Jul-16

PER14484

Fluazifop

Grass weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-18

PER14471

Lambda-cyhalothrin

Various pests

CURRENT

31-Mar-19

Silverbeet

116

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

WA Grower WINTER 2016

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permit No. Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

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

Acramite Miticide (bifenazate)

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

Acramite Miticide (bifenazate)

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

Sin qua PER82341 Snake bean PER82341 Snow peas 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

PER14211

Fenhexamid

Grey mould and chocolate spot

CURRENT

30-Sep-16

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

Pasture webworm, cutworm, Rutherglen bug and thrips

CURRENT

31-May-18

PER14505

Pyrimethanil

Grey mould (botrytis)

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER12399

Ridomil Gold MZ Systemic & Protective Fungicide

Downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Sep-16

Fruit fly

CURRENT

31-Jan-21

Prometryn

Grass and broadleaf weeds

CURRENT

31-Mar-19

Phosphorous acid

Downy mildew

CURRENT

31-Mar-20

Specified fruit crops PER12450

Trichlorfon

Specified root & tuber vegetables PER14385 Spinach PER11951 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

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

WA Grower WINTER 2016

117

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permits (cont.) Permit No. Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

Spring onions PER14071

Pirmicarb

Aphids

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER14457

Alpha-cypermethrin

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER8930

Phorate

Aphids, jassids, mites, thrips and onion maggot

CURRENT

31-Jul-16

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 (Poa G 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

Greenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and leafhoppers

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

Tomato red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

Squash (all types) PER12712

Applaud Insecticide

Sugar snap peas PER14722

Abamectin

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

PER14211

Fenhexamid

Grey mould and chocolate spot

CURRENT

30-Sep-16

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

Pasture webworm, cutworm, Rutherglen bug and thrips

CURRENT

31-May-18

PER14505

Pyrimethanil

Grey mould (botrytis)

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER12399

Ridomil Gold MZ Systemic & Protective Fungicide

Downy mildew

CURRENT

30-Sep-16

Swede

118

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

WA Grower WINTER 2016

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permit No. Description

Virus

Status

Expiry date

Sweet corn 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

Sweet potato 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

PER12047

Tecto Flowable SC Fungicide (thiabendazole)

Field rots caused by scurf & root rot

CURRENT

30-Sep-16

PER14864

Pirimicarb

Aphids

CURRENT

30-Jun-19

PER13902

Phorate

phids, thrips, jassids and organophosphate susceptible A 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

Tomatoes

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 fruit Q fly and cucumber fly

CURRENT

31-May-18

Grey mould (botrytis)

CURRENT

31-May-21

Tomatoes (protected) PER13721

Switch

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

PER13722

Teldor 500SC Fungicide

Grey mould (botrytis)

CURRENT

31-May-16

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

Turnip 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

Abamectin

Tomato red spider mite

CURRENT

30-Sep-20

Welsh onions PER14142 Zucchini PER14722 PER82341

Acramite Miticide (bifenazate)

Two-spotted mite

CURRENT

31-Mar-21

PER12712

Applaud Insecticide

Greenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and leafhoppers

CURRENT

31-Mar-17

WA Grower WINTER 2016

119

WA Grower ADVERTISING SPECIFICATIONS

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Half page without bleed 190mm(W) x 130mm(H)

Horticultural House 103 Outram Street, West Perth 6005

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

ONE THIRD PAGE One third page without bleed 190mm(W) x 80mm(H) or 60mm(W) x 254mm(H)

WA Grower advertiser contacts Name

Website/Email

Address

Contact name

Agsafe / drummuster (p38)

www.drummuster.com.au

Level 4, AMP Building 1 Hobart Pl, Canberra ACT 2601

Bevan Henderson

Bentonite WA (p31)

www.bentonitewa.com.au

Capegroco Farms (p15, 19)

www.capogreco.com

PO Box 147, Waroona, 6215 WA

C-Wise (p5)

www.cwise.com.au

Nambeelup Rd, Nambeelup, WA 6207

David Howey

(08) 9581 9582

Dobmac Ag Machinery (OBC)

www.dobmac.com.au

36–38 Industrial Dv, Ulverstone, TAS 7315

Mark Dobson

(03) 6425 5533

HM.Clause Pacific (p59)

www.hmclause.com

165 Templestowe Rd, Lower Templestowe, VIC 3107

Kevin Swan

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

0429 089 780 0418 140 929 (08) 9733 2878

Level 8, 1 Chifley Square, Sydney NSW 2000

Murdoch Jones Realty (p85)

www.murdochjonesrealty.com.au 194 Anstey Rd, Forrestdale, WA 6112

Organic 2000 (p47)

www.organic2000.com.au

Landmark Harcourts WA (p67)

Contact number

0400 622 314 (02) 8295 2300

Gary Jones

59 Safari Pl, Carabooda, WA 6033

0417 984 522 (08) 9407 5182

Level 1, 66 Belgravia St, Belmont, WA 6104

Adam Shields

0429 104 760

Nelson Irrigation (p50)

www.nelsonirrigation.com.au

14 Hydro Rise, Bibra Lake WA 6163

Greg Stewart

0437 348 488

Powerplants Australia (p82)

www.powerplants.com.au

27 Technology Circuit, Hallam, VIC 3803

Alastair McLean

0405 761 045

120

WA Grower WINTER 2016

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A BOOKKEEPER WHO UNDERSTANDS YOUR INDUSTRY?

CONTACT VEGETABLESWA TO DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS TODAY.

We can provide: · Online access to your accounts at anytime from anywhere on any device · Real time collaboration with your bookkeeper — everyone is on the ‘same page’ · Reconciliation of bank accounts · Preparation and lodgement of Business Activity Statements · Preparation and lodgement of Superannuation · Preparation and lodgement of Payroll Tax · Preparation and review of financial statements · Liaison with your accountant as required · Posting of end-of-year adjustments as directed by your accountant

CONTACT REBECCA BLACKMAN P (08) 9481 0834 E FINANCE@VEGETABLESWA.COM.AU

Contact vegetablesWA to discuss your requirements today or go to www.vegetableswa.com.au/membersservices/#bookkeeping

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

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