WA Grower Magazine Winter 2021

VOL. 56 NO 2. WINTER 2021 $25.00 (inc GST)

wa

grower WORKING FOR WA GROWERS SINCE 1948

Win for growers as more Pacific workers secured

Transitioning your farm to Freshcare 4.2 What to do when things get tough, and your business runs into trouble This issue of the WA Grower is brought to you by vegetablesWA together with: • APC — Vegetable Producers Committee • Potato Growers Association • Pomewest • WA Citrus • Stonefruit WA

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“Over the past 20 years BON Electrics have been our electrical contractor of choice. We have worked with them on numerous projects and they continually support our business with ongoing maintenance. We recommend BON Electrics without hesitation, they’re efficient, knowledgeable and consistently deliver the high quality of work required by WA Corn Growers.”

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inside Your vegetablesWA magazine

8 YOUR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

3

YOUR PRODUCTION

7

WA declared free from Qfly

76

40 8

Freshcare Supply Chain Standard

42

STONEFRUIT WA

75

Decoding Horticulture Award

43

Industry update

76

Natural disaster support update

44

Bumper cherry season

78

Farm biosecurity focus

46

Grower profile: Dennis Tucker

80

Growing horticulture in WA

48

Stewed plums recipe

82

Pest surveillance

13

Rapid fall armyworm identification

16

Foreign object contamination

18

Latest mail on the snail

20

Chief Executive Officer’s report

53

When things get tough

84

Using compost safely

22

Winter recipe

54

What you can claim at tax time

86

NSW grower trials cover crops

25

Tribute to Brett DeCampo

56

Small business check

88

POMEWEST 57

Your work agreement

90

Succession planning

96

End of Financial Year 2021

98

Permits 116 TOOL TIME

27

WA POTATOES

51

YOUR BUSINESS

83

Executive Manager’s report

58

Biodegradable polymer membrane 28

Apple and pear launch

60

High-speed 3D scanner

Sam and Vanessa Licciardello

62

Exotic pome fruit pests

64

A fresh look at exports

67

When it’s difficult to bounce back

102

69

Extra mental health sessions

104

YOUR INDUSTRY

30 31

Instant asset write-off YOUR HEALTH

100 101

WA's Great Graze

32

New Labour Specialist

34

More Pacific workers secured

35

From the Chair

70

WA consumers ‘buy local’

36

WA Citrus on tour

71

Water and fertiliser use

38

Digital tools in the orchard

72

Sea freight LCL service

108

Freshcare

40

Increasing efficiencies

73

Coles: New ordering system

110

Free employee assistance

41

In the supply chain

74

VIETNAMESE TRANSLATIONS

112

WA CITRUS

When will I get a COVID-19 vaccine? 106 YOUR MARKET

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VOL. 56 NO 2. WINTER 2021

WORKING FOR WA GROWERS SINCE 1948

YOUR CONTACTS

contacts vegetablesWA

Management Committee

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

President Dan Kuzmicich m: 0408 910 761

Chief Executive Officer John Shannon m: 0488 111 526 e: john.shannon@vegetableswa.com.au Editor Amber Atkinson t: (08) 9486 7515 e: amber.atkinson@vegetableswa.com.au COVER IMAGE: Carol and Brett Metcalfe at their Coastal Plains property in Geraldton.

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

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

DISCLAIMER: vegetablesWA make no representations and expressly disclaims all warranties (to the extent permitted by law) about the accuracy, completeness, or currency of information in WA Grower.

Reliance on any information provided by vegetablesWA is entirely at your own risk. vegetablesWA is not responsible for, and will not be liable for, any loss, damage, claim, expense, cost (including legal costs) or other liability arising in any way, including from any vegetablesWA or other person’s negligence or otherwise from your use or non-use of WA Grower, or from reliance on information contained in the material or that vegetablesWA provide to you by any other means.

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Operations Manager Karen Raybould t: (08) 9486 7515 e: karen.raybould@vegetableswa.com.au Admin, Marketing & Sales Benjamin Hamilton t: (08) 9486 7515 e. ben.hamilton@vegetableswa.com.au Regional Development Officer Truyen Vo m: 0457 457 559 e: truyen.vo@vegetableswa.com.au Regional Development Officer Sam Grubiša m: 0427 373 037 e: sam.grubisa@vegetableswa.com.au Benchmark Lead Bryn Edwards m: 0417 409 821 e: bryn.edwards@vegetableswa.com.au Quality Assurance Coordinator Joel Dinsdale m: 0417 857 675 e: joel.dinsdale@vegetableswa.com.au Export Development Project Lead Manus Stockdale m: 0448 897 652 e: manus.stockdale@vegetableswa.com.au Labour Scheme Facilitator Kit Sainsbury m: 0477 477 044 e: kit.sainsbury@vegetableswa.com.au

Life Members

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

Carnarvon

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

m: 0419 047 371

Paul Glavocich

m: 0413 922 287 Metro South

Peter Ivankovich m: 0428 919 211

Manjimup Myalup

Michael Le

m: 0417 962 427 Metro North

Anthony Lieu

m: 0401 558 886 Metro North

Paul Shain

m: 0419 041 045

Carnarvon

Agricultural Produce Commission APC Manager Ingrid Behr t: (08) 9368 3127 e: APCManager@dpird.wa.gov.au

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

YOUR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

your

industry association

Your industry association

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YOUR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

vegetablesWA

President’s Report

H

BY DAN KUZMICICH PRESIDENT, VEGETABLESWA

ello once again to my fellow growers and industry members.

It has been an unusually wet start to the season in the Gascoyne region.

With around 397mm of rain falling, it certainly brings some challenges to growers and their properties.

While rain is always welcome, it has been pretty constant over the first four months of 2021.

While it is a lot greener, it is mostly weeds, which host insect pests like thrip, aphids and white fly, which have been quite rampant.

I haven’t seen them like this for quite a while in Carnarvon.

Anyway, crops are mostly planted and thriving and harvest season is almost upon us.

In early April, I took a road trip down to Donnybrook for a couple of days and caught up with a good grower mate of mine, James Wringe, for a coffee.

James is a tomato producer in Kirrup.

Our conversation led to the labour shortage issue in the area and he indicated that this was the worst season he has had on record.

Due to the lack of workers in the area, he was not able to pick all his fruit and most had to remain on the vine, which was quite a challenge on top of the usual things that we deal with.

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Now, James is a pretty cool and collected guy, but it was really disappointing to see a fellow grower doing it tough — his face told the story.

If you, like James, are having concerns with labour in your business, make sure you give vegetablesWA a call.

We may be able to assist you with some avenues to source workers, especially as this issue will be ongoing until we can manage the global pandemic.

As I am writing this report, I have been advised that DPIRD have announced that Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) has been eradicated again in Western Australia (WA) — which is excellent news.

We congratulate DPIRD and the State Government for their tireless work and investment in protecting our market access and mitigating the costs to horticultural industries with this result.

Qfly is a pest that would cause a real headache and inflict huge financial loss to many if it was established in WA. Well done DPIRD and thank you!

Goodbye Maureen Dobra I would like to take this opportunity to greatly thank a special person that has made a monumental difference to our vegetables industry, Maureen Dobra.

Maureen’s perseverance and commitment of service over 16 years is unsurpassed, serving on both Committees of vegetablesWA and the Agricultural Produce Commission’s (APC), Vegetable Producers Committee (VPC).

Maureen and Barry Dobra own and operate Loose Leaf Lettuce, situated in Gingin, and have more than 40 years’ experience in growing and running a hugely successful business.

How Maureen has found time to take on the responsibility of her role on the vegetablesWA Committee of Management, becoming a regional representative in 2005, then Vice Chair for two years, and finally Chairperson in 2008 until September 18, 2015, is quite incredible.

Maureen wasn’t finished there, she stayed on the Committee of Management for one more year after she had handed the role to me!

YOUR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

I must say that Maureen was a fantastic Chairperson. I was very grateful for her years of experience and insight. I can tell you firsthand, it is a challenging position!

Maureen was also heavily involved with the VPC, taking the Chairperson position back in February 2006.

Maureen certainly kept herself very busy, as you can imagine, and at the beginning of this year she decided to step down and take a rest. I think she has certainly left a huge legacy for the industry, and I can safely say Maureen has done her part and left it in a better place through all her efforts.

The Committee of Management and staff of vegetablesWA, as well as our grower members, greatly appreciate and respect Maureen for all she achieved.

Maureen, we wish you and your family all the best for the future and thank you for all your dedication and hard work.

You will be sadly missed but you are well overdue for a break in service and some more time to enjoy the fruits of your labour over the years.

Moving forward, vegetablesWA is currently looking to update its Strategic Plan for future planning purposes. The most important part of this process will be engagement with as many growers and industry stakeholders as possible, in an open, consultative manner.

If there are any of our members that are concerned and need some guidance with the Pacific Labor Scheme and the Seasonal Worker Programme, please contact the new Labour Scheme Facilitator assisting the horticulture sector, Kit Sainsbury (0477 477 044).

So, in the coming weeks, vegetablesWA will be sending out a survey, to better understand your insights, and we encourage you all to be involved. From your feedback, we will be better placed to improve our services to you, our members, and to support a viable and profitable vegetable industry for many years to come.

Kit will tell you everything you need to know about these programs and guide you through the process, outlining your best options.

Keep an eye out for the email newsletter sent from our Communications and Policy Officer Amber, and check your emails for more information. Once again, I can’t stress how critical it is for you to get involved.

Finally, to all our members in the Perth metro area, Gingin and the South West, with your harvest season ending, I hope that it was as successful as it could be and despite the challenges you have faced, I wish you all the best.

To all our members situated in the north, Dongara, Geraldton and the Gascoyne region in turn, I wish you every success with your upcoming harvest season.

On finishing this report, I would like to again reiterate that labour is the major issue for our industry moving forward.

Stay well, stay safe.

It is heartening to see that growers have been collaborating to find short-term solutions so far this year.

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

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WA Grower WINTER 2021

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YOUR PRODUCTION

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production Your production WA Grower WINTER 2021

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YOUR PRODUCTION

WA declared free from Queensland fruit fly f IN response to the Queensland fruit fly outbreaks the McGowan Government invested more than $13.5 million into the eradication efforts to protect the State’s $1 billion horticulture industries.

The DPIRD thanks growers for their co-operation with the control measures introduced.

BY DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

W

estern Australia has been declared free of Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) after a successful 15-month campaign to eradicate the destructive pest from the Perth metropolitan area.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) thanks growers for their co-operation with the measures introduced to prevent the spread of Qfly.

In response to the outbreaks in Dalkeith and more recently Coolbellup, the McGowan Government invested more than $13.5 million into the eradication efforts to protect the State’s $1 billion horticulture industries and access to vital export markets.

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A team of more than 550 DPIRD personnel worked closely with communities in and around Dalkeith and Coolbellup to carry out more than 173,000 property and baiting inspections.

At the height of the eradication effort, more than 200 response personnel were on the ground conducting inspection and control activities.

Impact on WA growers Following the Coolbellup Qfly detection, a 15km Wider Quarantine Area was established — this encompassed Perth Markets in Canning Vale.

DPIRD’s chief plant biosecurity officer approved measures for commercially produced host fruit or plants moved from the wider quarantine area to other areas within WA. Anyone buying or selling Qfly host material at Perth Markets were required to follow these measures to reduce the risk of Qfly spreading.

Approved measures included using fly proof packaging such as netting, plastic wrap, plastic bags or cardboard boxes with holes no larger than 1.6mm.

Alternatively, produce could be kept inside a building with closed doors, rapid lift doors, curtains or fly mesh. These restrictions have now been lifted.

Sterile Insect Technique After conducting six weeks of baiting and surveillance in Coolbellup with no further detections, the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) was used. A scientifically proven method of pest insect control, this technique uses the mass rearing, sterilisation, and release of Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) in targeted areas. Once released in the environment, the sterile Qfly mate with their wild counterparts, which disrupts reproduction and suppresses pest population numbers.

Qfly are bred in the state-of-the-art National Sterile Insect Facility SITPlus, located in Port Augusta, South Australia.

YOUR PRODUCTION

f PUPAE are reared in special towers used to ensure successful, bulk emergence of the flies.

f ENTOMOLOGIST Herojeet Singh checking sterile Qfly at DPIRD’s South Perth facility prior to release.

f PUPAE are marked with a distinctive coloured dye.

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f STERILE Qfly mate with their wild counterparts, resulting in infertile eggs.

f STERILE Qfly are loaded into a special release machine attached to a specially modified vehicle.

Eggs are collected on a larval tray where the eggs hatch into larvae.

After maturing into pupae, the pupae are marked with a distinctive coloured dye and sterilised using x-rays. The now sterile pupae are transported to entomologists at DPIRD’s South Perth facility and placed in emergence containers.

Qfly were released weekly in the outbreak area at the rate of 3,000 flies per hectare.

f STERILE Qfly are then released along a pre-determine route.

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As the flies emerge from their pupal case, traces of the coloured dye stick to their bodies in a unique pattern. This is what makes them distinguishable from the wild flies once caught and microscopically examined. The sterile ‘dye-marked’ adults are released at five days old.

Sterile ‘dye-marked’ adult Qfly are loaded into a special release machine fitted to a specially modified vehicle.

Travelling along a pre-determined route, sterile Qfly were released weekly in the outbreak area at the rate of 3,000 flies per hectare.

DPIRD’s permanent grid of surveillance traps as well as supplementary traps are then used to monitor the population of sterile Qfly and to detect any wild Qfly.

Both the Dalkeith and Coolbellup responses have been successful in raising public awareness of Qfly. As a result of this awareness, reports of SIT Qfly are received on a regular basis from the general public.

YOUR PRODUCTION

Next steps After completing treatments, including six weeks of Sterile Qfly releases and no further detections of wild Qfly, eradication was declared. Restrictions for the movement and management of fruit in the Perth metropolitan area have now been removed.

DPIRD, with the help of the community, has successfully eradicated previous Qfly outbreaks in Perth on seven occasions since the late 1980s.

The Department will continue to maintain a permanent grid of more than 2,000 Lynfield Qfly lure traps.

These traps are distributed throughout the Perth metropolitan area, Albany, Bunbury/Busselton, Gingin, Manjimup and in the Ord River Irrigation Area at Kununurra. Acting as an early warning system, the grid alerts DPIRD to Qfly incursions within WA.

In May, DPIRD staff took part in the three-day National Fruit Fly Symposium.

The symposium is designed to progress discussion on critical fruit fly issues and will seek to identify priorities for building future national success.

Biosecurity and reporting The successful management of Qfly requires a coordinated approach from government, growers, producers and the community — everyone has a part to play. Pest pressure in WA is growing and prevention is always better than cure.

We encourage industry to constantly review their produce hygiene, Qfly host plant maintenance and farm biosecurity. By working together, we can reduce pest pressure and increase market opportunities.

Early detection is the best protection against serious horticultural pests such as Qfly. Producers and the wider community play a critical role in protecting WA’s biosecurity. Stay vigilant for signs of Qfly, sightings of unusual insects or damage to plants. Working together to report suspect fruit fly in your area will strengthen local industries and support your community.

Early detection is the best protection against serious horticultural pests such as Qfly.

Maintaining Qfly Area Freedom provides WA growers access to export markets, such as avocados to Japan and strawberries to Thailand.

Carnarvon Research Station Manager Salary: $102,966 – $113,590 pa The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (formally Department of Agriculture) are seeking an experienced and dynamic horticultural manager to manage research trials on Carnarvon Research Station.

MORE INFORMATION

Report biosecurity concerns to DPIRD’s Pest and Disease Information Service on (08) 9368 3080 or email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au.

Alternatively, they can send photos via DPIRD’s MyPestGuide™ Reporter app (Google Play Store and Apple iTunes Store), or email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

A range of fruit, vegetable and broad acre cropping trials are grown on Carnarvon Research Station. The research investigates new and innovative practices and crops in order to demonstrate best practices to growers.

The position will supervise a small number of technical staff and will be responsible for maintenance of plant, machinery and other assets on the well-resourced research station.

This position would suit someone who has managed a complex farming operation and who has demonstrated good interpersonal and organisational skills.

This position offers someone a chance to be part of an exciting research program that will help the development of horticulture in Carnarvon. Carnarvon offers a great lifestyle with access to some of the best coastlines in Australia!

Please contact: Neil Lantzke on 0429 990 439 to find out more details about the position.

www.dpird.wa.gov.au WA Grower WINTER 2021

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YOUR PRODUCTION

Identifying brown marmorated stink bug in a laboratory at DPIRD.

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YOUR PRODUCTION

Pest surveillance working together to support WA horticulture industry

BY DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

W

estern Australia has responded to 13 plant pest incursions over the last four years. These responses highlight the increasing importance of surveillance for the early detection, containment and eradication of invasive pests and diseases not established in WA.

Surveillance is also imperative in demonstrating to national and international trading partners that Western Australia is free of invasive pest and disease threats in our primary industries, supporting area freedom certification that allows producers access to lucrative markets.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Chief Plant Biosecurity Officer, Sonya Broughton, said DPIRD recognised the value of surveillance.

“Equally important to WA’s surveillance outcomes have been activities to increase biosecurity awareness and encourage the community and industry to play a role in surveillance, complementing DPIRD’s targeted programs.

Dr Broughton said invasive pests such as beetles, bugs, snails, ants and bees were expert hitchhikers, and as volumes of freight, mail, travellers and vehicles crossing our borders increases, so too does the threat of pests making their way here undetected.

Invasive pests such as beetles, bugs, snails, ants and bees are expert hitchhikers!

“Over the past few years, in response to these border breaches, we stepped up our ongoing surveillance efforts to ensure we have the best defences in place,” Dr Broughton said.

“It is increasingly recognised that we cannot maintain our strong biosecurity systems without the community and industry playing a greater role in surveillance and early warning,” she said.

f SURVEILLANCE is imperative in demonstrating to national and international trading partners that WA is free of invasive pest and disease threats.

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Ongoing surveillance to maintain area freedom for CLso in WA continues.

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Current surveillance priorities 1 Maintaining freedom from Candidatus liberibacter solanacearum (CLso) DPIRD responded in 2017 to an incursion of tomato potato psyllid (TPP), known to be a carrier of Candidatus liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), which causes the disease zebra chip in potatoes. TPP could not be eradicated, but WA has met national surveillance requirements to demonstrate absence of CLso, and regained area freedom in 2018. Ongoing surveillance to maintain area freedom for CLso in WA continues.

2 Brown marmorated stink bug early detection Seasonal surveillance measures are in place to manage the risk of brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) arriving in WA, including 50 traps near industrial transport routes in the Perth metropolitan area, checked weekly.

“This includes adopting biosecurity measures to prevent the entry of pest and diseases into WA and onto their properties, and becoming involved in surveillance by looking for and reporting suspicious pests and diseases.”

This builds on the principle of shared responsibility — that biosecurity should be “part of everybody’s business, everyday practices, everywhere”.

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3 National citrus canker eradication program Following eradication of citrus canker from WA in 2019, continued surveillance enabled evidence to be gathered to support absence and area freedom certification for Australia. This was recently achieved.

4 Maintaining freedom from blueberry rust To support absence and area freedom certification from blueberry rust, evidence-gathering activities include surveillance of blueberry growers and community awareness, including 30 reports, all of which were negative, in the 2020 Biosecurity Blitz.

Day-to-day surveillance underpins success Dr Broughton said some department surveillance programs, which have been in place for decades, are still proving their worth as early warning systems for pest outbreaks, and allowing quick action to be taken to contain the incursion, prevent spread, and achieve eradication.

Most notably is the exotic fruit fly trapping grid, which comprises more than 2000 traps throughout the Perth metropolitan area and region, ensuring eradication of Australia’s worst fruit pest, Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) 10 times since 1989. Without early detection, Qfly could spread into production areas before eradication efforts could begin.

YOUR PRODUCTION

Dr Broughton said early detection led to the eradication of Qfly in Dalkeith, Perth, in March 2020; the biggest outbreak since the first in WA in 1989, costing $14.3 million to eradicate.

West Australian potential threats f SERPENTINE leafminer causes damage by larvae feeding under the surface of leaves.

“Our permanent trapping grid alerted us to this incursion, and gave us confidence that eradication activities were targeting the right locations,” she said.

Other long-standing successful surveillance programs include trapping for European wasp, European house borer, codling moth (a pest of pome fruit) in the South West, Mediterranean fruit fly in the Ord River Irrigation Area, and starlings in WA’s south east.

“European wasp queens arrive in WA each year on trucks, trains and machinery from the Eastern States where they are well established, but our 44-year-old wasp surveillance program continues to prevent their establishment,” Dr Broughton said.

“When nest numbers spiked in 2019, additional personnel enabled us to deploy 3,769 traps over 1,300km2, and to hike and four-wheel drive through national parks in the Darling Scarp. This led to the detection and destruction of 116 nests across the Perth metropolitan area — the largest number of nests detected in the history of the program.”

Joining forces with the public and industry DPIRD’s development of the MyPestGuideTM app in 2014 had successfully facilitated community and industry involvement in surveillance activities to complement the department’s surveillance programs.

MyPestGuideTM Reporter app has enabled the public, growers, producers, and other stakeholders to be on the frontline of our biosecurity defences by incorporating ‘look and report’ as part of their everyday life.

“MyPestGuideTM underpins all of DPIRD’s surveillance activities aimed at encouraging public and industry involvement, and provides a quick and easy option for reporting unusual pests,” Dr Broughton said.

MyPestGuide is the foundation of DPIRD’s annual community surveillance event, the Biosecurity Blitz, which started in 2015.

TM

1 Serpentine leafminer (Liriomyza huidobrensis), which causes damage by larvae feeding under the surface of leaves. It was detected in New South Wales and Queensland in October 2020, but is absent from WA. 2 Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), which is a plant hopper that feeds on the sap of over 65 species of plants and can damage grape, apple and summer fruit crops.

3 Spotted winged drosophila (SWD, Drosophila suzukii), which is a major horticultural pest affecting many crops, particularly soft-skinned fruit including berries, stone fruit and grapes.

LOOK, ACT, REPORT! Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Pest and Disease Information Service: phone (08) 9368 3080, or email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au MyPestGuideTM Reporter app, mypestguide.agric.wa.gov.au

The month-long Blitz encourages WA residents to report unusual pests they have seen in their community, garden or home, enhancing our ability to detect pest incursions early, and increasing the chance of successful eradication or containment.

members to host an insect trap to report the absence or presence of insects in their pantry.

“The success of Pantry Blitz demonstrated the relatively untapped resource of community surveillance, with 1380 people opting to host a trap, and 850 people sending in reports each week, totalling thousands of reports.”

MyPestGuideTM Reporter app has enabled growers to be on the frontline of our biosecurity defences.

DPIRD is capitalising on the success of the Biosecurity Blitz to introduce community engagement activities that focus on specific pests.

Dr Broughton said in response to the incursion of invasive ants, DPIRD launched an Ant Blitz in 2020, and this year undertook the third, monthlong Pantry Blitz, inviting community

MORE INFORMATION Sonya Broughton, phone (08) 9368 3271, email sonya.broughton@dpird.wa.gov.au, or go to dpird.wa.gov.au.

WA Grower WINTER 2021

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PHOTOS © DPIRD

Craig Webster and Ben Congdon demonstrate the use of LAMP to detect fall armyworm in crops.

Rapid fall armyworm identification assisted by LAMP technology DR CRAIG WEBSTER 1 AND DR BEN CONGDON 2 1 LABORATORY SCIENTIST, DPIRD 2 RESEARCH SCIENTIST, DPIRD

R

esearchers at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) have developed a new infield early warning system to detect a significant pest threat to grains and horticulture crops and help protect production and profitability.

Since fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), was first detected in northern Western Australia (WA) in 2020, it has rapidly spread across the State, most recently being detected in horticulture crops as far south as Gingin.

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WA Grower WINTER 2021

In an Australian first, DPIRD researchers Ben Congdon and Craig Webster used Loop-mediated isothermal AMPlification (LAMP) technology to make a new test that is able to rapidly identify fall armyworm. The test is accurate on all life stages, including all ages of caterpillars, which can be difficult to distinguish from similar species.

Research scientist Ben Congdon said the LAMP system was very rapid compared to laboratory-based tests and could identify fall armyworm at a molecular level in the field in under half an hour due to the LAMP machine being battery powered. The new technology keeps costs low by ensuring rapid results.

The test uses a small piece of the fall armyworm, mixed with water and buffers, and the portable LAMP machine processes it in the field to provide an accurate result.

The department tested the system in horticulture crops in the State’s north and validated its results with genomic sequencing undertaken in the lab to confirm the molecular diagnosis.

In spring, when the pest is active in vegetable crops elsewhere in the State, further infield validation will be carried out.

The LAMP fall armyworm test will generate far-reaching benefits to both horticulture and grains industries.

Senior research scientist and manager for Insect and Pest Management, Helen Spafford, said much was being learned about how best to control fall armyworm, including how it performs in different crops and environments.

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Rapidly and cheaply identifies crop pests.

“Confirmation of an established and potentially damaging population relies on the detection of early instar larvae in the crop, which is critical to make informed management decisions. As the LAMP test can be used on very young caterpillars, it enables decisions to be made rapidly,” Dr Spafford said.

“The new LAMP fall armyworm identification test will enable horticulture and grain growers to rapidly and cheaply identify the pest in their crops so they can take evasive action to protect production and optimise profitability.”

MORE INFORMATION Horticulture, grain growers, agronomists and gardeners are encouraged to report suspect fall armyworm sightings or damage to the Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS) by calling (08) 9368 3080, emailing padis@dpird.wa.gov.au or via the MyPestGuide Reporter app.

• Dr Ben Congdon, (08) 9368 3499 or email ben.congdon@dpird.wa.gov.au

f BEN Congdon confirms the identification of fall armyworm using LAMP in the field in Kununurra.

• Dr Craig Webster, 0499 997 563 or email craig.webster@dpird.wa.gov.au • Dr Helen Spafford, (08) 9166 4074 or email helen.spafford@dpird.wa.gov.au • www.agric.wa.gov.au/fall-armywormwestern-australia

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f MANY so-called pests that give rise to consumer complaints are actually beneficial insects.

BY RICHARD BENNETT TECHNOLOGY MANAGER, PRODUCE MARKETING ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIANEW ZEALAND (PMA A-NZ)

Foreign object contamination of fresh produce

F

ruit and vegetable purchases may occasionally contain unintended additional contents, such as physical contaminants or foreign objects.

Growers aim to eliminate these from the fresh produce sent to retailers and processors.

Most retail and food service specifications have a zero tolerance for pests, dead or alive, or other physical contaminants. Consumers also have a low tolerance of additional contents.

Physical contaminants is a broad category that includes but is not limited to soil, stones, sticks, weeds, insects, frogs, glass, nails, plastic and rubber, pens, pins, paper clips and jewellery.

Some are a social media novelty while others have genuine injury potential.

Some come from the environment and others are from harvest, handling and packing.

Some can result in withdrawals, recalls and negative media coverage.

The following Q&A’s address the topic of contamination of pests and objects.

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Pests The good news is that pests in produce are highly unlikely to result in foodborne illness. That’s the domain of bacteria, not bugs.

Q What pests can be found in fresh produce?

There are two broad categories of pests, ‘invertebrate pests’ and ‘vertebrate pests’. Invertebrates are those without a backbone. This includes mainly insects like spiders, moths, aphids, flies, caterpillars, beetles, cockroaches and earwigs, and their eggs. Vertebrate pests are those with a backbone and include frogs, skinks and snakes.

Q Where do pests come from?

include certain ladybugs, spiders and earwigs, as well as frogs and skinks.

Q How do growers usually control fruit and vegetable pests?

Most growers practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM), the combination of biological, cultural and chemical methods for controlling pests and diseases. IPM means that there is often a background population of pests and predators in any crop. Some attribute the perceived increase in insect contamination to the shift away from broad-spectrum insecticides.

Pests in produce are highly unlikely to result in foodborne illness.

Pests either breed within the crop or migrate in from surrounding bushland, roadsides, gardens or neighbouring farms. They are looking for food, shelter or a mate. Many insects can travel many hundreds of metres on breezes.

Some are carried in on farm machinery.

There is usually nothing stopping pests from migrating into fruit and vegetable production areas. Many so-called pests that give rise to consumer complaints are actually beneficial insects. These are ‘good bugs’ that have migrated in to eat the pests that want to eat the crop and

Biological control includes predators, parasites and pathogens that eat, infest or otherwise suppress or kill pests and diseases.

Cultural methods of control include crop rotation, companion planting, buffer zones, fallows and cultivation practices that disrupt the pest and disease life cycle by disrupting their habitat.

Chemical control includes kill or repel substances used as a last resort and often in conjunction with biological and cultural control methods.

Other techniques include mass trapping and the use of pheromones to make it difficult for male and female pests to meet and breed.

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Q Why are frogs and spiders most often reported in fruit and veg?

Frogs and spiders might be the most reported in the media, possibly for their fear factor or general interest, but moths and soldier beetles are the most reported complaints to retailers from consumers of leafy vegetable mixes.

Q As spiders and frogs gain the most attention, how do they get there?

Spiders are prolific predators and will travel some distance often at night or ‘on the breeze’ to feed on moths, beetles, millipedes and the like. They tolerate hot and cold and wet and dry. They can shelter in bunches of grapes or broccoli heads where they are very difficult to detect, or surf through wash water clinging to a spinach leaf.

Frogs, also a great indicator of good environmental health, are also reported in salad vegetables in particular. The moist conditions of leafy vegetable farms and the presence of the same spiders and insects mentioned above, provide an ideal environment for frogs.

Salad vegetables are often mechanically harvested and sorted and frogs are well disguised to pass through processing and into a bag. For every frog found in retail produce, many, many frogs have been found when the product is sorted, inspected and washed.

Q What is being done to reduce pest contamination in fresh produce?

Apart from stepping up physical inspection of finished product, most effort is being directed to prevention of pests getting into crops and being picked up at harvest.

At the most expensive end, some growers are resorting to ‘protected cropping’, which is growing crops in polyhouses or glasshouses. f FROGS are a great indicator of good environmental health.

An intermediate step is to use floating crop covers, a light nylon mesh that is draped over the rows to exclude pests, eucalyptus leaves, etc.

Many packers and processors have now installed metal-detecting equipment as the final opportunity to prevent contamination from metallic objects.

As a lot of insect and other pests are most active at night, the use of light traps and other attractants to lure pests away from crops is also an option.

There are also engineering solutions being developed for harvest and sorting equipment that enable better elimination of all contaminants.

Q What about intentional contamination (tampering) from foreign objects?

Other physical contaminants Other physical contaminants include those from the growing environment, such as sticks and stones. There are also those from the harvest and packing workplace, such as nuts and bolts from equipment or paper clips from a worker’s pocket. There are food safety processes in place in most horticultural businesses to minimise this occurrence, but some still slip through undetected.

Q What is industry doing to reduce these physical contaminants in produce?

Preventing environmental contaminants such as stones and sticks starts with selecting a ‘clean’ growing site or thoroughly inspecting and cleaning up sites that may be contaminated. For crops that are mechanically harvested, machinery improvements such as shakers and screens remove most unwanted objects, but may also add hazards such as nuts and bolts and fragments of belts and rollers if machinery is not properly maintained.

Inspection is still required to remove eucalyptus leaves, weeds and feathers, for example. Picking containers off the ground and not harvesting during wet weather also helps.

Produce may be interfered with at any stage along the supply chain from the farm to the kitchen. This is known as tampering. Such incidents are rare but when they do happen, they can create injury to consumers.

Media coverage can then create substantial economic and reputational harm to the producer/s and the entire industry. As we saw in 2018, copycat behaviour creates additional issues.

Tampering is firstly a matter for the police as well as health officials and severe penalties may apply. Addressing the threat of tampering is a requirement of food safety certification programs implemented throughout the industry.

Growers and packers of fruit and vegetables have a number of actions they can implement to address this issue. Firstly, a thorough threat assessment needs to be undertaken throughout the business, identifying where tampering may occur. The risk is then calculated by assessing the likelihood and severity of tampering and then steps are implemented to address significant risks. Such steps are underpinned by a strong food safety culture that encourages staff to speak up if they see anything suspicious. They include staff training in food safety and security, staff and visitor sign-in register, restricted areas, security cameras, locks where appropriate, a key register, detection devices, tamper-proof packaging and occasional testing of systems to ensure potentially tampered product can be identified, traced and isolated.

Tampering incidents are rare but when they do happen, they can create injury to consumers.

Equipment, containers and the packhouse structure itself can be a source of non-pest foreign objects. Any maintenance needs to be cleaned up to prevent metal shavings, tools, flakes of paint and pieces of plastic and rubber from attaching to produce or finding their way into packaging. Light fittings need to be protected or special globes used and glass bottles from any source should not be in the packhouse at all.

Office items such as pins, staples, paper clips and pens need to stay in the office or be strictly controlled.

MORE INFORMATION Fresh Produce Safety Centre Australia & New Zealand, https://fpsc-anz.com

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Latest mail on the snail:

watch out for this giant pest! f GIANT African Snails can transmit bacteria, parasites and disease if handled incorrectly.

BY ZALI MAHONY BIOSECURITY OFFICER, AUSVEG

C

Giant African Snail (GAS) is one of the world’s most invasive plant pests due to its insatiable hunger for over 500 plant species, including many important vegetable crops. Originating from East Africa, the snail has already established itself around the globe, including Asia, the Pacific, the Americas and parts of Europe.

f GIANT African Snails have been observed laying up to 4,000 eggs per year.

PHOTO © PEST AND DISEASES IMAGE LIBRARY, BUGWOOD.ORG

This article discusses the snail’s unwanted presence in Australia and the recent increase in interceptions with the Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer, Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith.

PHOTO © DR JESSICA LYE FROM CESAR AUSTRALIA

urrently sitting at number 12 on the National Priority Plant Pests list, the Giant African Snail (Lissachatina fulica) poses a significant threat to vegetable growing regions around the country.

While the snail thrives in non-arid subtropical to tropical climates, it is still active below 10ºC and can survive subzero temperatures by entering dormancy.

Although it is yet to establish in Australia, GAS poses a significant threat to Australian plant production, the natural ecosystem and human health if it were to reach our shores.

An invasive, damaging pest Giant African Snails can completely wipe out crops with the capacity to eat entire plants, including the stem, leaves, flowers, fruits and even bark.

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The snail has a vast host range from fruit and vegetable crops such as bananas, citrus, beans, brassicas, cucurbits, sweet potato and solanaceous species, to nursery, ornamental and native plants.

In countries where this giant pest is established, horticultural crops experience reductions in yield and quality, and in some instances, entire crop loss can occur early season.

The snail’s high reproductive capacity is the key driver behind our concern for this pest as they are difficult to eradicate.

GAS are hermaphrodites, meaning they are able to self-fertilise. They have been observed laying up to 4,000 eggs per year in laboratory conditions. If a single snail were to enter Australia undetected or unreported, rapid increase in population could easily occur.

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These snails can also be detrimental to human health. If handled incorrectly, GAS can transmit bacteria, parasites and disease.

Most notably, GAS is a host of a harmful parasitic nematode (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) — commonly known as rat lungworm — that causes meningitis in humans.

Detections on the rise Expert international hitchhikers, these snails commonly enter Australia as stowaways on imported farm machinery, vehicles and shipping containers, with the eggs transported in soil or plant imported goods.

However, the biggest threat of an outbreak is the intentional and illegal importation of GAS for medicine, food or even as pets.

Since 2013, GAS interceptions at border have been on the rise with 28 in 2020.

At the time of writing, there have been four this year (to April 2021).

Despite Australia’s outbreak history suggesting most GAS interceptions occur at Queensland’s borders, Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith, said that the interceptions were made in a variety of imported cargo and at different border locations across the country.

Dr Vivian-Smith also noted that the increasing number of interceptions could be linked to the pandemic.

“There has been a bit of disruption and change in terms of container movement patterns and the ability of countries to apply their normal inspection protocols, so that is possibly one reason why we’re seeing an increase in Giant African Snail detections,” she said.

However, irrespective to the pandemic, Australia does have a steady number of Giant African Snail interceptions at the border each year.

Reducing biosecurity risks Early detection and reporting are key to keeping these giant pests out of Australia.

Australia’s biosecurity system has strict import conditions and other measures to manage pest incursion risks. Shipping crates and containers from countries identified as high risk for GAS are routinely inspected.

Dr Vivian-Smith also noted that while our biosecurity system helps manage the risk of GAS and other plant pests arriving in Australia, everyone — from importers and growers to the general public — has a role to play. Being aware of this giant pest increases our chances of detecting them before they start to cause any issues.

“Make sure you follow our conditions when importing cargo to Australia. Keep an eye out and report any potential biosecurity pests such as Giant African Snails,” Dr Vivian-Smith said.

By implementing biosecurity best management practices, growers can greatly reduce the chance of the snail’s entry onto their properties.

Early detection and reporting are key to keeping these giant pests out of Australia.

There are several established control procedures that are put in place upon detection of GAS, including physical inspections.

“A salt ring is applied to ensure live snails do not escape. Containers are fumigated, washed and reinspected to ensure freedom from live snails,” Dr Vivian-Smith explained.

MORE INFORMATION

Any unusual plant pest should be reported immediately to the relevant state or territory agriculture agency through the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline (1800 084 881).

For further information, please contact AUSVEG on (03) 9882 0277 or email zali.mahony@ausveg.com.au. The Farm Biosecurity Program is funded by the Plant Health Levy.

This article first appeared in Vegetables Australia — Winter 2021, and supplied by AUSVEG.

Post-border, Australia has nationally consistent response guidelines under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed that can effectively respond to a pest incursion.

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WA Grower WINTER 2021

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Using compost safely

A guide for the use of recycled organics in horticulture

C

ompost is a mixture of recycled organic materials that have been processed by natural organisms, breaking down the original materials into a usable form. Compost has many benefits for soil. It can feed plants, stimulate beneficial microbes, improve soil structure and help the soil retain nutrients, water and warmth.

However, compost is also a potential source of microbial, chemical and physical contamination. Human pathogens in manure, heavy metals in sewage sludge and plastics left in green waste bins all have the potential to contaminate growing sites and fresh produce.

Growers may therefore be reluctant to use compost, in spite of its potential benefits, because of concerns about how it could affect the safety of the food they grow.

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This guide describes how fresh produce growers can use compost without affecting their food safety assurance program.

My business is Freshcare certified — what products can I use?

There are many organic fertilisers and soil amendments that can be used without affecting Freshcare certification: • Compost that has been pasteurised in accordance with the AS 4454-2012 Composts, soil conditioners and mulches (AS 4454), or an equivalent, verified time / temperature treatment, can be used without restrictions.

contacts) the harvestable part, and the product may be eaten uncooked (Figure 1).

• Human effluent and biosolids must not be applied to horticultural production areas. N.B. Treated biosolids, present as a component in commercial composts, are acceptable.

What do we mean by ‘recycled organics’?

Compost can feed plants, stimulate beneficial microbes, improve soil structure and help it to retain nutrients, water and warmth.

• If a composting treatment cannot be verified, the material must be managed as if it were untreated manure.

• If untreated manures are used, a minimum period must pass between application and harvest. In most cases 45 days is sufficient. However, a longer period of 90 days is required if soil contacts (or potentially

Recycled organics are defined as any plant or animal material that has been collected through waste management systems and treated to make it usable.

A wide range of materials may be used, either individually or within a mixture, including: • Green waste from forestry, land clearing, garden prunings and clippings and tree pruning • Crop residues • Spent mushroom compost • Reject fruit and vegetables • Organic materials from manufacturing (e.g. grape or olive marc, brewery waste)

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• Food waste and used cooking oils (e.g. grease traps)

Are fertilisers or soil additives containing manure and/or food waste used? Sources may include: • Use of fertliser or soil additives containing manure and/or food waste.

• Direct application of manure.

• Grazing livestock.

YES

• Manure and bedding from livestock, horses, pigs and poultry • Waste materials from abattoirs (e.g. blood, bone) • Dead animals, unsuitable for consumption

NO

Is the product treated following an treatment process?

YES

NO

Government regulations affect movement and use of organic materials.

Please check with your supplier for guidance.

NO EXCLUSION PERIOD

YES

Making compost that’s safe

BETWEEN APPLICATION AND CROP HARVEST

NO

Do you grow produce that may be eaten uncooked?

• Sewage effluent and biosolids (sewage sludge).

Microbial contaminants For compost to be considered treated, the key minimum requirement is that the materials are thoroughly pasteurised. That is, the centre of the pile should reach:

Do you grow produce where the harvestable part is: • Grown in, or in contact with, the soil OR • Grown in close proximity to or picked up from the ground, some soil contact likely?

NO

• >55°C for three consecutive days prior to each of three turnings of the pile or windrow. If manures are included, as they usually are, then the centre of the pile should reach • >55°C for three consecutive days prior to each of five turnings (Figure 2).

YES

Turning also ensures that the pile does not become anaerobic (lacking oxygen), as this can increase growth of some human pathogens.

90 DAYS EXCLUSION

45 DAYS EXCLUSION

At the end of the composting period the pile should achieve E. coli <100cfu/g and Salmonella not detected in 25g. This is verified through testing.

BETWEEN APPLICATION AND CROP HARVEST

BETWEEN APPLICATION AND CROP HARVEST

FIGURE 1. DECISION TREE FOR USE OF FERTILISERS AND SOIL ADDITIVES (FROM FRESHCARE FSQ4).

TEMPERATURE (ºC)

80 60 3d@>55°C

3d@>55°C

3d@>55°C

3d@>55°C

3d@>55°C

40 20

COMPOST TURNED

0 0

7

DAYS

14

21

FIGURE 2. TEMPERATURES INSIDE A COMPOST PILE CONTAINING MANURE. THE CORE TEMPERATURE NEEDS TO EXCEED 55°C FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS ON FIVE OCCASIONS, WITH THE PILE BEING TURNED AFTER EACH HEATING EVENT, FOR IT TO BE CONSIDERED PROPERLY COMPOSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AS4454.

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TABLE 1. EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE. The supplier has an approved, certified treatment process

• Evidence of certification to AS4454 is kept.

The supplier has a documented, verified treatment process

• Evidence of treatment process provided.

• Certificate of analysis supplied for each batch of product, verifying the treatment achieves E. coli <100cfu/g and Salmonella not detected in 25g.

The supplier does not have a documented, verified treatment process

• Product is considered untreated for the purposes of Freshcare.

The materials have been treated on farm to a documented, verified process

• Records kept detailing composition, treatment method, start and end dates, temperature readings, batch quantity and identification code and name of supervisor.

• Certificate of analysis supplied for each batch of product, verifying the treatment achieves E. coli <100cfu/g and Salmonella not detected in 25g.

• Application date.

Measuring changes in the temperature of the pile after turning can indicate the maturity of composted material: • Immature product heats rapidly and continues to rise over time.

• Composted product will heat up, but then tend to decline.

• Mature composted product will heat slowly, if at all.

Shredding (to produce mulch), ageing, dehydration and anaerobic digestion do not provide the same heat treatment as composting.

This means the raw materials cannot be considered pasteurised.

Unless the feedstock can be proven as free from manures or other animal products, the same withholding periods should be observed as indicated in Figure 1.

Compost must not exceed upper limits for chemical contaminants such as cadmium, lead, and many others as set out in detail in AS4454. Confirming heavy metal concentrations in a composted product is particularly important if soil levels are already high.

What else do I need to do?

If compost containing manure or food waste is applied within the exclusion period before harvest then evidence must be kept that it has been treated in accordance with an approved treatment process.

Compost should not be applied when heavy rain or windy conditions are expected.

Physical and chemical contaminants Compost containing physical contaminants introduces a potential food safety risk to growing areas. Compost must not contain more than 0.5% glass, 0.05% plastic or 5% stones/clay lumps as a minimum standard. f TURNING compost efficiently using a windrower.

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Freshcare certification also requires that records are kept of:

All composts, soil additives and other recycled organics must be stored so as to minimise any potential contamination of water sources and growing areas.

Compost should not be applied when heavy rain or windy conditions are expected. This will help avoid contamination of neighbouring crops or watercourses.

• Location and crop.

• Product used.

• Rate of application.

• Wind speed and direction.

• Method of application.

• Name of the person applying the material.

The bottom line Many recycled organics products can be used without affecting Freshcare Certification.

• Compost can be used without restriction if it has been correctly treated to kill pathogenic microbes (compliant with AS4454).

• Products that have not been treated to kill pathogenic microbes can still be used, so long as either: — They do not contain any manures or other materials of animal origin OR — Withholding periods are observed between application and harvest.

• Contamination is of most concern if the crop is grown close to, or in contact with the soil, and may be eaten uncooked.

• Human effluent and untreated biosolids must not be applied to growing areas.

MORE INFORMATION For further information on the use of composts and soil amendments in horticulture: • Freshcare: freshcare.com.au • Improving soil health: soilwealth.com.au • Composts for soils: compostforsoils.com.au • Recycled organics: mraconsulting.com.au

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NSW grower

f VEGETABLE grower Kim Ngov and Marc Hinderager from the Soil Wealth ICP team inspect the different cover crops at an early stage.

s p o r c r e v o c s l tria

BY SOIL WEALTH ICP TEAM

T

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

The project team is currently working with New South Wales (NSW) vegetable grower Kim Ngov, who is using cover crops to not only build soil health and control weeds, but also eliminate singleuse plastic mulch.

Using cover crops to build soil health, control weeds and eliminate singleuse plastic mulch. f AREAS of millet cover crop ground cover at an early stage (4L) with roadways in between.

Kim has sown another cover crop trial on his intensive vegetable farm near the southwest outskirts of Sydney (Wedderburn, NSW).

against the cover crops all through the autumn and winter months.

This time, Kim is focused on using cover crops to build soil health, control weeds and eliminate single-use plastic mulch.

We expect the millet and sorghum areas to self-terminate with the onset of winter.

Four cover crops were sown on February 14, 2021: ryecorn (cereal rye), millet (see Figure 2), sorghum and a mixture of sorghum and ryegrass.

Ryecorn and ryegrass areas will likely need to be mulched down several times, adding to the overall biomass on the soil surface.

At this stage, a broadleaf herbicide could be used to clean up roadways as well as bird-damaged cover crop areas and eliminate weeds like common mallow (Malva parviflora), wireweed (Polygonum aviculare) and common sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus), which will compete

Another option Kim has in mind is installing a weed mat later in the season, just before planting chillies in September–October 2021 on a flat surface.

The weed mat is a ground cover consisting of a woven polypropylene, needle-punched fabric with reinforced fibre for extra durability.

The cover crops will still recycle nutrients and increase infiltration rates.

The five metre width rolls of weed mat — if needed — will lay over the cover crops between the roadways, allow fertiliser to flow into the soil, control weeds, warm the soil and be rolled back up at the end of the season to be re-used multiple times.

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A trio of integrated weed management fact sheets

Now available at soilwealth.com.au/ resources/fact-sheets

Is oxalis, volunteer potatoes or nutgrass driving you nuts on-farm? The Soil Wealth ICP project has put together a series of three fact sheets on priority weed species and their integrated management in vegetables.

1. Nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus) Nutgrass, also known as purple nutsedge, Java grass, coco-grass and red nutsedge, is a major problem for the Australian vegetable industry.

It is extremely invasive under the right conditions (warm, wet soils) and requires planning, diligence and multiple strategies to control it on Australian vegetable farms.

An integrated weed management (IWM) strategy, including cultivation measures and chemical control, is the best approach for reducing nutgrass populations to a manageable level.

You can access the fact sheet here: soilwealth.com.au/resources/ fact-sheets/weed-management/ integrated-weed-managementnutgrass-cyperus-rotundus

You can read more about Kim’s efforts in weed management in a case study that explains how an inter-row ryegrass cover crop was used to control weeds in his snow pea crops: soilwealth.com. au/resources/case-studies/interrowryegrass-cover-crop-a-winner-insnow-pea-production He also explains more in this short podcast: soilwealth.com.au/resources/ podcasts/cover-crops-used-for-weedsuppression-in-snow-pea-production7-minutes

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2. Volunteer potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) Volunteer potatoes are generally the most significant weed problem in the field following a potato harvest.

Where it is timed appropriately, an IWM strategy can be very effective in managing this problem when combining proper harvest practices, using appropriate harvest conditions, physical destruction by tillage, weeding or grazing and herbicide application with tillage.

You can access the fact sheet here: soilwealth.com.au/resources/ fact-sheets/weed-management/ integrated-weed-managementvolunteer-potatoes-solanumtuberosum

3. Oxalis (Oxalis spp.)

There are about 30 species of oxalis in Australia, including soursob and creeping oxalis. More commonly found in the southern parts of Australia, oxalis is an invasive weed of cultivated fields but is also found in no-till situations (e.g. roadsides and native landscapes). Not to be confused with clover, most oxalis species have three heart shaped leaflets (forming one trifoliate leaf) with smooth edges.

Control measures in an IWM strategy should be undertaken prior to flowering stage for soursob and creeping oxalis.

You can access the fact sheet here: soilwealth.com.au/resources/ fact-sheets/weed-management/ integrated-weed-managementoxalis-oxalis-spp

MORE INFORMATION For more information, please contact project leaders Dr Gordon Rogers on (02) 8627 1040 or gordon@ahr.com.au and Dr Anne-Maree Boland on (03) 9882 2670 or anne-mareeb@rmcg.com.au Soil Wealth ICP Phase 2 (VG16078) is a strategic levy investment under the Hort Innovation Vegetable Fund.

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

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

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Sprayable biodegradable polymer membrane technology for agricultural crop production systems

f AROUND 3,500,000 metric tons of plastic film is produced every year for the Plasticulture market.

BY DR KEITH L BRISTOW | CSIRO TOOL

SPRAYABLE BIODEGRADABLE POLYMER MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY

WHAT DOES IT DO

MINIMISES SOIL EVAPORATION, SUPPRESS WEEDS AND IMPROVE CROP WATER PRODUCTIVITY

WHO WOULD USE IT

HORTICULTURE GROWERS

THE COST

TBA

MORE INFORMATION

www.csiro.au/en/Research/AF

THE WORLD NEEDS to radically increase food and fibre production to feed and clothe a global population predicted to exceed 9.5 billion people by 2050.

It will have to achieve this using essentially the same land area as is currently used for crop production, but with much less water, less nutrients and less agrochemicals.

This will require further intensification of irrigated and dryland cropping systems so that more of the water that enters the soil is transpired, rather than being used by weeds and/or ‘lost’ through soil evaporation and deep drainage.

WA Grower WINTER 2021

The Plasticulture market enjoys an average annual growth rate of about 5 per cent, and research firm Markets and Markets projects the global agricultural films market to reach a value of US$11,744 million by 2020.

With the promise of reduced labour costs for installation and removal compared to plastic mulch film, the technology has the potential to significantly benefit growers and large-scale agribusiness by offering a recognisable value proposition for their enterprises. Further commercial opportunities also exist.

Polymer membrane technology offers extensive benefits to farmers and the environment.

CSIRO has tackled this challenge by developing a sprayable biodegradable polymer membrane technology for use in agricultural crop production systems to minimise soil evaporation, suppress weeds and improve crop water productivity in order to increase crop yields, farm income and farm profitability.

Around 3,500,000 metric tons of plastic film is produced every year for the

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Plasticulture market, representing a significant opportunity for market disruption via a new technology.

Results to date show significant gains have been made in crop water use and yield by using plastic mulch films, and that sprayable biodegradable polymer membrane technology offers extensive benefits to farmers and the environment compared to preformed plastic mulch films.

nd research firm Markets and Markets exist. roduction benefits to farmers and the environment compared This patented technology currently undergoing rable flexibility and help eliminate is costs to preformed plastic mulch films. pre‐commercial trials. global agricultural films market to reach

suppress ted with installation, retrieval and disposal, as TOOL TIME s eliminating the environmental damage S$11,744 million by 2020.

Results to date show significant gains have been y in order oning to sprayable biodegradable polymer by the pollution of our soil and water systems ane technology will offer farmers Figure 1: Sprayable polymer membrane offers farmers flexibility, helps reduce production costs, and made in crop water use and yield by using plastic and farm ted with current petroleum‐based preformed rable flexibility and help eliminate costs eliminates soil and water pollution (Field demonstration of the non‐pigmented polymer formulation). labour . romise of reduced mulch films, costs and for that sprayable biodegradable ted with installation, retrieval and disposal, as oning to sprayable biodegradable polymer s eliminating the environmental and removal compared to plastic mulch polymer damage membrane technology offers extensive ayable technology has been demonstrated in ane technology will offer farmers by the pollution of our soil and water systems hnology has the potential to significantly benefits to farmers and the environment compared ndergoing ory pot experiments and in irrigated field rable flexibility and help eliminate costs ted with current petroleum‐based preformed als using melons, sorghum and cotton. These ted with installation, retrieval and disposal, as mers and large‐scale agribusiness by to preformed plastic mulch films. .

ave confirmed increases in crop water s eliminating the environmental damage Figure 2: Commercial scale up of polymer was ecognisable value proposition for their tivity in excess of 30% compared with bare by the pollution of our soil and water systems successful with the first set of pallets delivered ayable technology has been demonstrated in Further commercial opportunities also atments. ted with current petroleum‐based preformed to the melon field trial site. ory pot experiments and in irrigated field ane offers farmers flexibility, helps reduce production costs, and .

als using melons, sorghum and cotton. These

mmercial farm trials are now underway and ield demonstration of the non‐pigmented polymer formulation). ave confirmed increases in crop water Figure 2: Commercial scale up of polymer was FIGURE 2. COMMERCIAL SCALE UP OF

ng valuable lessons regarding: ayable technology has been demonstrated in tivity in excess of 30% compared with bare successful with the first set of pallets delivered POLYMER WAS SUCCESSFUL WITH THE odegradability and non‐toxicity of the ory pot experiments and in irrigated field ate show significant gains have been FIRST SET OF PALLETS DELIVERED TO THE atments. to the melon field trial site. mer membrane and potential risks to soil als using melons, sorghum and cotton. These MELON FIELD TRIAL SITE. p water use and yield by using plastic

th, ave confirmed increases in crop water Figure 2: Commercial scale up of polymer was mmercial farm trials are now underway and , and that sprayable biodegradable ater use, weed suppression, crop yield and tivity in excess of 30% compared with bare successful with the first set of pallets delivered ng valuable lessons regarding: cost:benefit of different product application atments. to the melon field trial site. embrane technology offers extensive odegradability and non‐toxicity of the s, across full crop cycles under real world

mer membrane and potential risks to soil armers and the environment compared ditions, and mmercial farm trials are now underway and th, d plastic mulch films. netuning the polymer formulation, its ng valuable lessons regarding: ater use, weed suppression, crop yield and ication and impact, as demonstrated by odegradability and non‐toxicity of the cost:benefit of different product application res 2‐4. mer membrane and potential risks to soil s, across full crop cycles under real world

th, FIGURE 3. USING MULTIPLE SPRAY ditions, and Figure 3: Using multiple spray nozzles to helps reduce production costs, and NOZZLES TO IMPROVE UNIFORMITY als to date have also demonstrated the ability ater use, weed suppression, crop yield and netuning the polymer formulation, its improve uniformity of application (Black OF APPLICATION (BLACK PIGMENTED n‐pigmented polymer formulation). y our polymer membrane with small hand‐ cost:benefit of different product application ication and impact, as demonstrated by pigmented polymer formulation that maintains POLYMER FORMULATION THAT rayers and currently available large s, across full crop cycles under real world res 2‐4.

MAINTAINS IN-FIELD COLOURATION). in‐field colouration).

nised sprayers. This makes our product ditions, and Figure 3: Using multiple spray nozzles to e for use by small holder farmers in netuning the polymer formulation, its als to date have also demonstrated the ability improve uniformity of application (Black ping countries and large commercial farm ication and impact, as demonstrated by y our polymer membrane with small hand‐ pigmented polymer formulation that maintains ons in developed countries. res 2‐4. rayers and currently available large

in‐field colouration). nised sprayers. This makes our product Figure 3: Using multiple spray nozzles to

come commercial expresssions of interest to als to date have also demonstrated the ability e for use by small holder farmers in improve uniformity of application (Black develop this technology via seed investment y our polymer membrane with small hand‐ ping countries and large commercial farm pigmented polymer formulation that maintains hnology partnerships. rayers and currently available large ons in developed countries. in‐field colouration). nised sprayers. This makes our product

e for use by small holder farmers in come commercial expresssions of interest to ping countries and large commercial farm develop this technology via seed investment ons in developed countries. wledgements : FIGURE 4. INSTALLED MELON FIELD hnology partnerships.

search is supported by the Science and come commercial expresssions of interest to ry Endowment Fund (SIEF).

FIGURE 1. SPRAYABLE POLYMER MEMBRANE OFFERS

develop this technology via seed investment FARMERS FLEXIBILITY, HELPS REDUCE PRODUCTION hnology partnerships.

COSTS, wledgements : AND ELIMINATES SOIL AND WATER POLLUTION

(FIELD DEMONSTRATION OF THE NON-PIGMENTED search is supported by the Science and POLYMER FORMULATION). ry Endowment Fund (SIEF).

TRIAL.

These trials have confirmed increases Figure 4: Installed melon field trial. in crop water productivity in excess of 30 per cent compared with bare soil treatments.

Trials performed by the CSIRO to date have also demonstrated the ability to apply its polymer membrane with small handheld

sprayers and currently available large, mechanised sprayers.

Pre-commercial farm trials are now

Figure 4: Installed melon field trial.

AT CSIRO, WE DO THE underway and providing valuable lessons Transitioning to sprayable biodegradable regarding: Agriculture & Food wledgements : EXTRAORDINARY EVERY DAY US polymer membrane technology will Dr Keith L. Bristow We innovate for tomorrow and help This makes the product suitable for use 3 400 search is supported by the Science and 1. biodegradability and non-toxicity of offer farmers considerable flexibility t +61 4753 8596 improve today – for our customers, by small holder farmers in developing 545 2176

the polymer membrane and potential ry Endowment Fund (SIEF). and help eliminate costs associated with e keith.bristow@csiro.au all Australians and the world.

Figure 4: Installed melon field trial. quiries@csiro.au countries and large commercial farm risks to soil health,

installation, retrieval and disposal, as w www.csiro.au/en/Research/AF (20170419) AT CSIRO, WE DO THE We imagine. We collaborate. We innovate. iro.au operations in developed countries.

2. water use, weed suppression, crop well asEXTRAORDINARY EVERY DAY eliminating the environmental Agriculture & Food US yield and the cost: benefit of different damage caused by the pollution of Dr Keith L. Bristow MORE INFORMATION 3 400 product t application rates, across soil andWe innovate for tomorrow and help water systems associated +61 4753 8596 improve today – for our customers, 545 2176 Contact Dr Keith L. Bristow, Agriculture full under real world with current petroleum-based crope cycles keith.bristow@csiro.au all Australians and the world. quiries@csiro.au preformed plastics. & Food, phone (07) 4753 8596, email AT CSIRO, WE DO THE conditions, and w www.csiro.au/en/Research/AF (20170419) We imagine. We collaborate. We innovate. iro.au keith.bristow@csiro.au or go to EXTRAORDINARY EVERY DAY Agriculture & Food US 3. fine-tuning the polymer formulation, CSIRO sprayable technology has www.csiro.au/en/Research/AF Dr Keith L. Bristow We innovate for tomorrow and help 3 400 its application and impact, as been demonstrated in laboratory pot t +61 4753 8596 improve today – for our customers, 545 2176 demonstrated by Figures 2–4. experiments and in irrigated field plot e keith.bristow@csiro.au all Australians and the world. quiries@csiro.au trials using melons, sorghum and cotton. w www.csiro.au/en/Research/AF (20170419) We imagine. We collaborate. We innovate. iro.au WA Grower WINTER 2021

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High-speed 3D scanner to inspect fresh produce TOOL

WHAT DOES IT DO

WHO WOULD USE IT

THE COST

MORE INFORMATION

HIGH-SPEED 3D SCANNER

MEASURES AND ANALYSES THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF FRESH PRODUCE

HORTICULTURE GROWERS

PLEASE CONTACT WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY & RESEARCH

www.agrofoodrobotics.eu

THE AVAILABILITY OF a skilled workforce to undertake quality produce inspection in the agri and food industry is rapidly decreasing.

As a result, there is a growing need to automate tasks such as the colour and size assessments of fruit, vegetables and processed food for sorting purposes or to classify batches.

Automation could also lead to work being completed faster, more objectively, more precisely and 24/7 if necessary.

The Wageningen University & Research, located in the Netherlands, has developed a high-speed 3D scanner, designed to help growers, traders, packers, transporters, objectively assess the quality of their products as far as size and shape are concerned.

The scanner, which features a 360-degrees ring-scan, is a precision instrument developed to objectively measure and analyse the size and shape of agri- and food products in all parts of the production chain from harvest to retail.

The high-speed scanning (up to about 20km/h) means the scanner can handle a complete batch of produce instead of just a sample, which is a big advantage compared with other scanning equipment.

It is equipped with a ring of three (or more) line-scan cameras, and a powerful software package to capture images, as well as measuring size and shape in an objective way.

The software has multiple analysis possibilities to measure length, largest diameter, volume, detect spots on products.

MORE INFORMATION To learn about availability please contact Wageningen University & Research.

Website: www.agrofoodrobotics.eu Email: paul.goethals@wur.nl Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/ AgroFoodRobotics

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Success showcasing WA’s local food and beverages

T

BY GEORGIA THOMAS FRESH CREATIVE MANAGEMENT ON BEHALF OF SOUTHERN FORESTS FOOD COUNCIL

his April, all West Australians were invited to join in a cross-regional celebration of WA agriculture by enjoying a locally sourced grazing platter and beverage.

WA’s Great Graze featured an extensive program of grazing events and offerings, curated market and a major competition.

Delicious grazing experiences were offered across 21 venues.

The celebrations were brought to life

by Genuinely Southern Forests and key partner Buy West Eat Best, along with sponsors, Pomewest, WA Potatoes, Carnarvon Visitor Centre, Gascoyne Food Council, Farmer Jacks, Gilbert’s Fresh Market and City of Swan.

Delicious grazing experiences were offered across 21 venues from Carnarvon to Albany for holidaymakers, families and foodies alike.

Those who couldn’t make it to an event were invited to make their own locally sourced platter at home, or order online through WA’s Great Graze partner Dinner Twist.

Grazers were also encouraged to share an image of their platter on Instagram to go in the draw to win a trip for two to Carnarvon and Coral Bay, including flights and accommodation, plus a scenic tour with grazing board to share.

Southern Forests Food Council Chairman, Kieran Kinsella, said the idea for WA’s Great Graze was sparked by the cancellation of many of the State’s events due to COVID-19 in 2020.

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 WA’S Great Graze featured an extensive program of grazing events and offerings, curated market and a major competition.

“We sat down with our committee and decided that we needed an opportunity to unite and celebrate our State's food and beverage sector,” Mr Kinsella said.

“So, with a bit of creative thinking and collaboration across industry, the inaugural WA’s Great Graze was developed.”

“The outcomes from the celebrations are still being tallied but are extremely positive so far.”

Organisers were targeting audience impressions of 2 million from campaign activity, however, final results indicate the figure achieved is closer to 8 million.

That means that the target audience of grocery buyers and foodies were able to see the content many times.

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Showcasing incredible local products, including a grazing styling demo by Kate Flower.

The program achieved: 13 articles

13 articles in local newspapers, news websites and blogs including The West, The Sunday Times, Community News, Urban List, Perth Is Ok, Have A Go News and others across WA (some shared multiple times on various platforms for each article)

1.3 million followers

Content shared via social media accounts with over 1.3 million followers in total

700,000 impressions

Confirmed impressions of nearly 700,000 from WA’s Great Graze social media

1.5 million listeners

Radio interviews and advertising reaching a combined total of 1.5 million listeners

700,000

WIN TV campaign reaching over 700,000 viewers.

The program culminated in the first ever WA’s Great Grazing Market at Perth City Farm on April 18, where the Hon Minister for Agriculture Alannah MacTiernan was able to attend and mingle with the vendors and visitors.

The event showcased incredible local products and included a grazing styling demonstration by Kate Flower Food.

Feedback from attendees has been very positive, with requests for more vendors and more food in the future.

 GRAZERS were encouraged to share an image of their platter on Instagram to go in the draw to win a trip for two to Carnarvon and Coral Bay. MORE INFORMATION To register your interest in the event for 2022, please contact Southern Forests Food Council marketing@southerforestsfood.com Full program and event information: www.wagreatgraze.com.au

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Several employers have expanded in size due to the stability of their SWP workforce.

vegetablesWA welcomes new Labour Specialist to boost grower workforce

I

BY DAN KUZMICICH PRESIDENT, VEGETABLESWA

n late April, vegetablesWA welcomed Kit Sainsbury as the new Labour Scheme Facilitator.

Kit took over the Labour Scheme Facilitator position, previously held by Melissa Denning, and brings to the role a wealth of knowledge and experience from previous positions held within the not-for-profit sector worldwide.

This role is tasked with assisting horticulture growers find suitable labour through the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) and Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS).

If any of you are unclear about the programmes, I will provide a brief overview below.

The Labour Scheme Pilot was established in 2019 and scheduled to run for a 12-month period.

The goal of the pilot was to assist 6-12 employers with accessing the SWP and PLS and to determine why there was resistance to utilise them.

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The COVID-19 situation changed the labour landscape in Western Australia significantly, and as backpacker numbers dropped, industry was forced to adapt.

The SWP and PLS programmes have allowed many horticulture growers to do this. The programmes are accessible to work with any type of grower e.g. Pome, Citrus, Stonefruit, Potatoes.

The State Government agreed to fully fund the Labour Scheme Facilitator role, with vegetablesWA overseeing the delivery of services.

Based on the feedback we have received to date, 100 per cent of Approved Employer’s agree that having Seasonal Workers has led to an improvement in their business.

Improvements are varied, from better productivity between SWP workers and Working Holidays Makers (WHMs) and between SWPs in their first and second year.

Several employers have expanded in size due to the stability of their SWP workforce, creating more down-stream jobs for Australians and other businesses.

No matter what sector of the horticulture industry, Kit will be able to guide you through the labour options available to you during this time of rapid change.

MORE INFORMATION If you would like to get in contact with Kit to discuss your labour needs, his contact details are below.

Kit Sainsbury, phone 0477 477 044 or email kit.sainsbury@vegetableswa.com.au

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

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Win for growers

as more Pacific workers secured

I

BY KIT SAINSBURY LABOUR SCHEME FACILITATOR, VEGETABLESWA

n mid-May, a group of much needed seasonal workers from the Pacific island of Tonga departed COVID-19 quarantine and commenced their nine-month contract assisting the citrus, apple and avocado industries in regional WA.

In total, 150 Pacific workers were recruited, with 20 workers travelling to Carnarvon to assist with table grapes, 95 workers going to Margaret River to support vineyards, 41 workers going to Gingin to support the berry industry, and six workers to Harvey to support the citrus industry.

While backpacker numbers have decreased enormously due to the international border closure, seasonal workers from the Pacific Islands

continues to fill a huge hole in our agricultural workforce. vegetablesWA President Damir Kuzmicich, said he was pleased to see another cohort of farm workers complete their quarantine period to ensure the safe passage of an important workforce into key growing regions.

“In late April, Western Australian Minister for Agriculture Alannah MacTiernan indicated that we can be very optimistic about June and July flights and continuing these charters throughout 2021,” Mr Kuzmicich said.

“We are hoping for two more flights from Vanuatu, and this is exactly the kind of information we need to be able to plan our crops.

Seasonal workers from Tonga have commenced their nine-month contract in regional WA.

“This is the fifth successful flight into the State since the Government Restart in September last year, bringing in now 779 workers from Vanuatu, Fiji and now Tonga across the Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme,” Mr Kuzmicich said.

“We are expecting confirmation for three more flights over June and July to supplement these numbers from Tonga and allow growers to grow and harvest their crops with confidence.”

Mr Kuzmicich said the Government has indicated that it views the risk profile of the people coming in from Pacific nations as less than those coming in from India and the USA.

“The approval of flights into WA means that growers will be able to plan for their labour requirements for the rest of the year, which gives them the certainty to be able to produce and harvest their crops.

“We look forward to continuing our good working relationship with the Minister, and her office, as we work towards securing our ongoing labour needs.”

MORE INFORMATION

Contact Kit Sainsbury on 0477 477 044 or email kit.sainsbury@vegetableswa.com.au

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Flight schedule vegetablesWA has proposed a flight schedule for the rest of 2021 with the WA Government, but due to the unpredictability of COVID-19, it is likely that the State Government will only consider flights for the next three months.

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WA consumers hearing the call to

‘buy local’

f CONSUMER research showed nearly half of all West Australians are buying more local produce following the challenges presented over the past year.

L

atest research shows more than two thirds of Western Australians are hearing the ‘buy local’ message and increasingly supporting the State’s important agriculture, food and beverage industries.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) Buy West Eat Best (BWEB) food and beverage labelling program has championed the benefits of buying local since 2008.

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The program is unique to the state of WA, enabling consumers to confidently identify ingredients and grocery products that are grown, farmed, fished and processed right here in WA.

Department Food Industry Development Manager Deborah Pett said it was fantastic to see so many West Australians recognising the benefits of buying local, seasonally fresh produce and supporting our important food and beverage industries and businesses.

Independent consumer research undertaken Eight out of 10 in February this year shoppers (79 per cent) “Interestingly, the showed almost eight are now familiar with the consumer research showed nearly half of all West out of 10 shoppers BWEB brand.

Australians are buying more (79 per cent) are now local produce following the familiar with the BWEB challenges presented over the brand, an increase of 13 per past year, and a third are cooking cent since 2017. more at home,” Ms Pett said.

Of this, more than 90 per cent of respondents believed BWEB was important to the WA economy and to local farmers, producers, agrifood businesses and communities.

“We have seen similar trends overseas, and it is important that we support local businesses to optimise these opportunities, through programs such as Buy West Eat Best.”

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When asked about the Good choice, WA campaign, 76 per cent of grocery shoppers said they were aware of the advertising campaign.

Ms Pett said the Good choice, WA campaign, was first introduced to consumers in 2017 as a call to action for shoppers to think local, buy local and dine out local.

“WA food and beverage businesses and industry groups are also seeing the benefits of being affiliated with the Good choice, WA campaign and the distinctive BWEB logo,” Ms Pett said.

“The BWEB program currently has 186 members, including producers, processors, retailers, restaurants and distributors spread out across the State.”

Milne AgriGroup Head of Marketing Nikki Atack said as a WA family ownedand-operated business, Milne considers Buy West Eat Best to be an important industry partner for their local free-range meat brands Mt Barker Chicken and Plantagenet Pork.

“BWEB’s Good choice, WA campaign has been extremely effective in highlighting the importance of local provenance and supporting WA producers,” Ms Atack said.

WA’s farming community needs more support than ever.

“BWEB continues to have a positive impact on our business and brand salience, providing a trusted platform to communicate our core values and ethical farming philosophy.

“Particularly in this COVID era, WA’s farming community needs more support than ever.”

Sweeter Banana Co-operative Business Manager Doriana Mangili echoed the need for business to continue to support the campaign.

“BWEB aligns with our broader business vision and brand, and Carnarvon Sweeter Banana has significantly invested to support delivery of the Good choice, WA campaign,” Ms Mangili said.

f MORE than two thirds of Western Australians are hearing the buy local message and recognising the benefits of buying local produce.

“The strong brand awareness of the distinctive bite mark logo is essential to maintain. For many grocery shoppers, it is a simple yet highly effective cue to support our local producers.

“All rural and regional communities, including us here in the Gascoyne region, benefit by supporting Buy West Eat Best and there is recognition and greater understanding of the critical need to support WA’s food and beverage sector which is more important now than ever.”

West Australians will have the opportunity to sample some of the State’s best produce in June as part of BWEB’s Plating Up WA month. For more information visit platingupwa.com.au MORE INFORMATION For more information on the program visit buywesteatbest.org.au

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f TRUYEN Vo is working with growers to better understand soil moisture monitoring.

Water and fertiliser use efficiency improvement A VegNET WA extension service update

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BY TRUYEN VO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA

n the Summer 2020 edition of WA Grower magazine, we outlined the VegNET WA Strategy — a roadmap for enhancing WA vegetable growing businesses.

The desired outcomes for this project are: • Develop a strong task force to combine diverse resources and knowledge in irrigation technology.

• Implement a five-stage extension process to enhance growers’ decision-making and innovation adoption.

The five stages of this extension process include: 1 Knowledge: Introduce innovation to growers and help them understand the benefits.

As part of this strategy, Western Australian (WA) VegNET Regional Development Officers (RDOs) will work closely with growers and stakeholders to create value by translating innovation into adoptable field practices.

2 Persuasion: Development of a favourable attitude to the innovation being introduced.

As part of this project, we are looking at enhancing the efficiency of fertiliser by integrating soil moisture monitoring with knowledge on rootzone concept and soil characteristics to fine-tune the irrigation schedule.

4 Implementation: Growers putting the innovation into use via a trial-anderror process.

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3 Decision: Gaining a commitment from growers to adopt the innovation.

5 Confirmation: Reinforcement that the adoption yielded positive outcomes.

Developing a strong task force The careful implementation of a stakeholder engagement plan has marked the first success step for this project and led to the formation of a strong task force in January 2021.

Members of the task force share common interests and are committed to contributing resources and knowledge in order to create value by translating new innovation into adoptable field practices.

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

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

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Implementing field extension services The plan to implement field trials that demonstrated the benefits of using soil monitoring technology, compared to conventional irrigation techniques growers normally use, was scheduled for February.

Unfortunately, this was delayed due to a COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions that prevented organising the grower meetings and field day events.

In April, the team was finally able to establish the first two field demonstrations.

The field demonstration sites include soil moisture monitoring probes installed at various depths to monitor the soil moisture profile over time, as well as introducing the rootzone concept and soil characteristics to growers.

Reducing water wastage by using soil moisture monitoring.

The participating growers were assisted with downloading an app to their smartphones that allow them to read the soil moisture monitoring results, and better understand the data outputs presented in graph form (see Figure 1).

The growers were also presented with field observations of the rootzone and the soil texture at demonstration sites.

When we spoke with the participants about their conventional irrigation practices, we learned that water was being applied once every day for 1–2 hours through a medium flow drip tap (one litre of water per drip per hour).

Fertiliser was applied through fertigation every 2–3 days when crops were watered.

From the data outputted by the soil moisture monitoring, we learned that at the depth of 60cm the soil is as wet as soil at 30cm, when water is applied.

f THE rootzone within 30cm depth.

Explanation provided by the RDO helped the growers to realise that water was leaking down beyond the rootzone, which meant that water, along with fertiliser, was being wasted.

Moreover, the fertiliser that was applied to the rootzone (at a 30cm depth) was being washed away by the water application on following days.

The grower has taken on board the RDO’s suggestion that he tries a new water and fertiliser application schedule and split the irrigation to water more than once a day, with shorter application times.

The trial aims to evaluate the benefits to the crop performance and to reduce water wastage by using soil moisture monitoring over the cropping season.

The RDO’s will continue working with DPIRD collaborators to estimate the value of saved water and fertiliser throughout the duration of the trial.

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

FIGURE 1. SOIL MOISTURE MONITORING RESULTS AT THE GROWER DEMONSTRATION SITE. WA Grower WINTER 2021

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Transitioning your farm to the latest

Freshcare Food Safety and Quality Standard

2 .

4 n o i t i d E

T

BY JOEL DINSDALE QUALITY ASSURANCE COORDINATOR, VEGETABLESWA

f THE Freshcare Food Safety and Quality Standard, Freshcare rules, fact sheets and some of the forms have been revised as part of the release of FSQ4.2.

here has been a sixmonth transition period of all existing participants in Freshcare onfarm food safety and quality (FSQ) program to update to the latest edition of the Standard, FSQ4.2.

From May 3, 2021, audits for growers and grower-packers should be undertaken to the FSQ4.2 Standard.

Freshcare has advised that due to a number of extraordinary events and circumstances that may have impacted businesses over the past six months, some businesses may not be appropriately prepared for transition to the FSQ4.2 Standard.

your upcoming audit. Certification body contact details can be found on the Freshcare website.

What’s new in Freshcare’s FSQ4.2?

The Freshcare Food Safety and Quality Standard, Freshcare rules, fact sheets and some of the forms (including examples) have been revised as part of the release of FSQ4.2.

From May 3, 2021, audits should be undertaken to the FSQ4.2 Standard.

To assist those affected, Freshcare has provided guidance to Certification Bodies to allow currently certified businesses impacted by extenuating circumstances to progress their certification audit against FSQ4.1 (between May and July 2021, if required).

If you are a business that has been impacted by events or circumstances over the past six months and are not fully prepared for an audit to FSQ4.2; or have lost crop, Freshcare urge you to contact your certification body as soon as possible to discuss options for

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The specific changes and updates are printed in italics in the FSQ4.2 standard to help you identify changes.

The best way to update to what’s new in the Freshcare FSQ4.2 is to access the resources that have been made freely available to support the transition process for existing participants. These resources can be downloaded from: www.freshcare.com.au/standards/ fsq4-2

Additional FSQ4.2 resources including worked examples and templates for record keeping can be downloaded from your FreshcareOnline user access.

If you have any questions regarding the transition to FSQ4.2, or require assistance accessing resources, please contact 1300 853 508 or info@freshcare.com.au Once you have accessed all the resources, the best way to ensure you have adjusted you program and updated all areas as required, is to conduct an internal audit to the FSQ4.2 Standard.

There is huge value in spending the time to undertake an internal audit of your full program to help you identify what needs to be updated and whether you are prepared for your external audit.

If you’ve obtained the resources, have attempted an internal audit, and are still feeling underprepared or unsure you’ve got everything updated, then do yourself a favour and seek out a training session or further support — as there’s tailored resources there to help you.

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Training or an update session can provide personalised assistance to build the program to the needs of your business, helping you to create efficiencies in processes and documentation, creating a tailored understanding and greater confidence for audit preparedness.

Training is proven to enhance knowledge, empower businesses and support them towards ongoing certification. And you’re in luck as we’re here to help!

MORE INFORMATION Want to start a dialogue to better understand your QA needs? Contact Joel Dinsdale for support and/or training at joel.dinsdale@vegetableswa.com.au.

Free employee assistance for Freshcare participants

A

BY JANE SIEBUM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, FRESHCARE

n industry first initiative, Freshcare is providing free access to the Benestar® Employee Assistance Program to all certified businesses, their staff and immediate family members.

Benestar® provides a confidential counselling, coaching and wellbeing service to help manage work and life experiences, issues or concerns that arise from time to time.

Freshcare Chief Executive Officer, Jane Siebum, welcomed the initiative by the Freshcare Board to add another

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“With the number of challenges the industry and regional communities have faced over the past 12 months, it’s an instrumental initiative by the Freshcare Board to have this service freely and confidentially available to those who might need it in the Freshcare community,” Ms Siebum said.

The Benestar services include confidential access to face-to-face or telephone counselling, live chat support and a vast library of online health and wellbeing resources.

MORE INFORMATION Freshcare certified participants have received a direct email on how Benestar® services can be accessed. If you require these access details to be resent please contact the Freshcare office on 1300 853 508.

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f THE standards provides certification options for fresh produce supply chain businesses involved in packing; storage; ripening; transport and distribution; wholesale; brokerage; virtual brokerage and provedores.

BY ALLAN DALL CHAIRPERSON, FRESHCARE

Freshcare Supply Chain Standard

Next in line to achieve global benchmark

T

he Freshcare Food Safety and Quality — Supply Chain Standard was launched in 2018 to address the challenges of food safety and quality compliance for businesses involved in fresh produce supply chain operations in Australia.

Developed with the support of Fresh Markets Australia (FMA), the Freshcare Supply Chain Standard provides certification options for fresh produce supply chain businesses involved in packing (including pre-pack/re-pack); storage; ripening; transport and distribution; wholesale; brokerage; virtual brokerage and provedores.

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Throughout this year, the Standard has been undergoing review and benchmarking to the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) to gain international recognition against the global benchmark model for best practice in food safety systems.

Freshcare Chairperson Allan Dall said that demonstrating compliance to food safety is a fundamental requirement for all businesses in the Australian fresh produce supply chain.

“International recognition also opens doors to market access and therefore provides another boost in confidence for Australian fresh produce in global supply chains,” Mr Dall said.

An update of the standards will be released mid-2021.

“As the custodian of Australia’s most widely used Standards, it is important that the Supply Chain Standard also achieves GFSI benchmark recognition to validate that all of Freshcare’s food safety systems are aligned with world best practice,” Mr Dall said.

An update to the Freshcare Food Safety and Quality — Supply Chain Standard will be released mid-2021 as the GFSI benchmark process progresses. Freshcare’s benchmarking progress can be monitored via the GFSI website: www.mygfsi.com.

MORE INFORMATION If you’re interested in starting the journey to Freshcare certification visit www.freshcare.com.au or contact the Freshcare team on 1300 853 508.

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Decoding the Horticulture Award 2020

Individual Flexibility Agreements

I

BY STEPHEN FARRELL INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS CONSULTANT, VEGETABLESWA

f you have found yourself confused by the complexity of the hours worked arrangements in the Horticulture Award 2020, you are not alone.

The Award states that “the ordinary hours of work for all full-time and part-time employees, other than shift workers, will not exceed 152 hours, over a 4-week period”.

This can be quite problematic for employers where the demands of work for sections of their business can dramatically fluctuate between busy periods, such as harvesting.

During this time, the demand for labour can be quite intensive compared with quieter periods, like after crops have been sown, when there is less to do.

For many employers, structuring their workforce and rostering arrangements within the parameters set out in the Award is difficult.

It can also be expensive, as hours in excess of those set out for employees in the four-week period are required to be paid as overtime.

While the Award does provide for some ‘discount’ during the harvest period, employers are still required to pay overtime for the excess hours.

An underused and often overlooked provision of the Award can be of assistance though.

f //

Clause five of the Award allows for individual employees to vary certain terms of the Award to suit their own individual circumstances.

One of the terms of the Award that can be varied is the Hours clause.

It is possible for employers to come to an arrangement with their employees to enter into an Individual Flexibility Agreement (IFA).

• An employer cannot make an IFA a condition of employment.

• An employee also cannot be treated adversely or discriminated against for not agreeing to an IFA. •

The IFA must result in the employee being better off overall than if no IFA had been agreed to at the time the agreement is made.

One of the terms of the Award that can be varied is the Hours clause.

This would enable employers to vary the hours clause to make arrangements so the hours required to be worked are spread out over a longer period.

This means employees can work more hours when the workload is high and then have longer periods off work when the workload is not so high.

There are a number of rules surrounding IFAs such as: • An IFA must be in writing and be genuinely agreed to without coercion.

IFAs can genuinely be useful in permitting employers, where they engage with and come to an agreement with employees, to arrange work so that it is able to be done efficiently and meeting the needs of both employers and employees.

MORE INFORMATION

If you require further assistance in coming to an agreement with employees and drafting an IFA, please contact Stephen Farrell: (08) 9460 3878, 0455 833 352, stephen.farrell@vegetableswa.com.au or go to https://vegetableswa.com.au/humanresources/

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Natural disaster support update

BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

O

n the evening of April 11, 2021, Severe Tropical Cyclone Seroja made landfall between Kalbarri and Port Gregory in the Shire of Northampton.

The dangerous system brought destructive winds and heavy rainfall to coastal areas and continued inland impacting additional communities.

Cyclone Seroja has been proclaimed an eligible disaster under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements Western Australia (DRFAWA).

PHOTO © WWW.THELAND.COM.AU

Assistance may be available toward freight costs, materials for boundary fences (only where it is demonstrated that public safety is at risk), professional advice grants and interest rate subsidies on ‘new’ loans approved by Authorised

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 LATHAM farmer Dylan Hirsch lost his main workshop along with other infrastructure such as windmills, fuel storage, fertiliser sheds, stored fertiliser and fences.

WA Grower WINTER 2021

Deposit-taking Institutions to assist with recovery.

Following the cyclone, staff from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) assessed 20 horticultural properties in the Geraldton and Northampton areas for damage and found it varied according to location.

Damage to field-grown horticultural crops was limited to tomato crops being blown over and young pumpkin and melon crops suffering damage or loss.

There was also infrastructure damage to protected cropping tunnel houses.

For details of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements please visit the Emergency-response/disasterrecovery-funding-arrangements page on the DPIRD webpage (see link under more information).

To apply for support, an application should be submitted online, together with suppliers' invoices, evidence of payment and a tax invoice to DPIRD using the department's online Grant Management System by the specified date for each event.

Submissions close midnight October 14, 2021.

Support measures under the DRFAWA are administered by DPIRD for primary producers.

The DRFA assessment is not yet complete and growers seeking assistance are encouraged to access available support.

For primary producers — eligible support measures under the DRFAWA are administered by DPIRD.

Free access to Rural West financial counselling services is also available to impacted producers by contacting them directly on 1800 612 004 or emailing admin@ruralwest.com.au.

Flood in Carnarvon declared natural disaster

In early February, a tropical low dumped hundreds of millimetres of rain across northwest Western Australia, causing the worst floods in the Gascoyne region in a decade.

DPIRD mobilised a team of horticulture and soil specialists to assess the impact of the flood on growers and inform the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Based on advice provided in the report, supporting data, and discussions with DPIRD staff, the Department of Fire and

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To apply for support, an application should be submitted online.

(YMAC) to assess cultural or heritage values on the land being considered.

All land being considered is Crown land, including the blocks of the Gascoyne Food Bowl Initiative (GFBI).

Products such as sand and aggregates, including rock, are considered Basic Raw Materials.

PHOTO © TRIN SUCKLING

On Crown land, Basic Raw Materials are deemed to be minerals, and extraction of minerals is administered under the Mining Act 1978.

Therefore, while a mining lease may be made over Reserve land, no mining can commence without the consent of the Minister for Mines.

Emergency Services (DFES) advised that the criteria for activation of DRFA Category C Recovery Grants for Primary Producers had not been met.

Throughout March, DPIRD focused on identifying and testing suitable soil, and assessing requirements to overcome barriers in accessing each site and helping to prioritise discussion required for approvals.

UNTREATED

The process to access soil is complex and involves many agencies.

DPRID has been liaising with the departments of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS), Planning, Land and Heritage (DPLH), and Water and Environmental Resources (DWER).

In addition, DPIRD has approached the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation

Native Title legislation procedures must be satisfied before the Minister will approve a mining tenement.

MORE INFORMATION www.agric.wa.gov.au/emergency-response/ disaster-recovery-funding-arrangements https://agric.smartygrants.com.au/ Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

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WA Grower WINTER 2021

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Developing and implementing farm biosecurity plans.

FARM BIOSECURITY FOCUS

f THE aim of the project is that at least 10 per cent of WA vegetable growers will have farm biosecurity plans developed and implemented by the end of the project.

A

BY TRUYEN VO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA

re VegNET WA Regional Development Officers and WA vegetable growers on the same page?

In December 2020, a project was established to improve the capacity of Western Australian growers to develop and implement farm biosecurity and plant protection management plans.

The project is part of the National Vegetable Extension Network (VegNET) project, funded by Hort Innovation Australia (HIA).

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The aim of this project is to: 1 Assist with information dissemination, from national and state sources, regarding on-farm compliance; as well as cultivating positive cultural attitudes among vegetable growers, and 2 To consolidate the state’s defence against new and unpredictable biosecurity threats. The project also aims to strengthen vegetable growers’ capacity to develop and implement farm biosecurity plans that enhance their business sustainability.

RDOs have designed the project strategy in a way that will help grower participants to move through a five-stage process of innovation adoption. The five steps are:

VegNET WA Regional Development Officers contributions

5. Confirmation —reinforcement based on positive outcomes from it.

Planning This project is the result of a careful screening process to capture the key insights regarding the importance of WA vegetable production, available knowledge of farm biosecurity practices, the known opportunities for improvement in grower’s practices in this area and the benefits of bridging the gaps.

1. Knowledge — expose growers to farm biosecurity concepts and assist them with understanding the benefits.

2. Persuasion — the forming of a favourable attitude towards innovation.

3. Decision — commitment to its adoption.

4. Implementation —putting it to use.

Implementing project activities A multi-agency task force was established in February 2021 to share knowledge and resources to assist growers with enhancing farm biosecurity practices.

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The task force includes Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA (DPIRD) plant pathologists and entomologists, AUSVEG biosecurity coordinators, a Perth Natural Resources Management (Perth NRM) senior officer and VegNET WA RDOs. In March 2021, workshops were organised in two major vegetable production areas of WA, Wanneroo and Carnarvon, to introduce growers to the relevant knowledge and information. f FARM biosecurity workshop in Carnarvon.

The recent incursions of fall armyworm and Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) in WA were used to illustrate the fundamental importance of biosecurity to the horticulture industry.

The presentations covered pest and disease management, as well as the results of the DPIRD area wide management project, which is being used for the control of plant bacteria and virus diseases.

The venues and timing of the workshops were selected to make it easier for growers to participate.

The late afternoon start time was chosen to avoid peak work times and training venues were selected close to the production areas to save growers travel time.

Invitation adverts were prepared in both English and Vietnamese and a range of different communication channels were used to reach growers, such as emailnewsletters and social media (grower communities Facebook pages). Text message reminders were sent to growers on the morning of the workshops.

Refreshments were provided in the breaks to cater to growers who may have come straight to the workshop from their farms.

Grower participation

Grower engagement improvement

Attendance at the workshops was pleasing with eight grower participants at Wanneroo and 18 in Carnarvon.

The grower participation in the two workshops were lower than expected. In future, consideration will be given to how to make the workshops more attractive to growers including:

These figures represent approximately 8 and 15 per cent of the total number of vegetable growers in each area, respectively.

A multi-agency task force was established in February 2021 to share knowledge and resources.

Translation was provided at the workshops for Vietnamese grower participants.

The presentations were prepared using simple and grower-familiar language, with lot of illustrative images to promote better information uptake.

Frequent breaks at the end of presentations were provided to allow growers time to ask questions and to enable them to absorb key take-home messages.

A few other growers sent their apologies to RDOs saying that unfortunately they were too busy to attend, but indicated they would attend future workshops.

The growers’ feedback was collected by RDOs using faceto-face discussion and follow up phone calls.

The feedback demonstrated that participants had benefited from attending by gaining good information about farm biosecurity and pests and diseases management.

The higher participation rate in Carnarvon was because fall army worm and Qfly are serious problems in the area.

• Ensuring that the information and techniques that are presented are tailored to growers needs and interests, and • The delivery format of the workshops to better accommodate grower learning styles.

The project team consider that grower engagement and participation is crucial to the project’s success. The aim of the project is that 10 per cent of WA vegetable growers (approximately 90 growers) will have individual farm biosecurity plans developed and implemented by the end of the project.

RDOs and project collaborators would appreciate more grower feedback and suggestions.

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

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Horticulture has the highest flow on benefits of all agricultural industries.

Growing horticulture and irrigated agriculture in WA

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WA Grower WINTER 2021

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T

BY ROHAN PRINCE DIRECTOR HORTICULTURE & IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE, DPIRD

he wholesale value of all horticulture and irrigated agriculture across Western Australia is valued at more than $1.2 billion annually.

Horticulture has the highest flow on benefits of all agricultural industries, increasing in value throughout the supply chain, from the farm gate until it reaches the consumer.

At their final destinations, horticulture and irrigated agriculture are estimated to be worth more than $2.5 billion to the WA economy.

Spanning 3,500 kilometres from Albany to Kununurra, and employing more than 5,600 workers, WA’s horticulture sector is also a significant contributor to regional economies.

With diversity in climate, WA’s production regions present many opportunities and challenges to meet domestic and international demand for quality produce.

Horticultural industries and their produce have been catalysts to the development of significant destination and experiencebased tourism in WA.

research and development capacity and capability has led to the recruitment of experienced Program Managers.

Value adding and destination food tourism rely on strong, quality and profitable primary industries at their base.

Margaret River and the Swan Valley have both leveraged the State’s formidable wine industry to cultivate the towns as celebrated destination tourism hubs.

Other tourism events held throughout the State, such as Truffle Kerfuffle and the Cherry Harmony Festival in Manjimup, and Donnybrook apple, and Gascoyne food festivals, build on a foundation of local, fresh produce.

Destination food and beverage events generate significant, positive flow on effects in regional economies, beyond the $1.2b farm gate value of produce.

Fruit and perennial crops Led by senior research scientist Dario Stefanelli, focuses on supporting established and emerging fruit and perennial crop industries across WA. The aim is to grow high quality, consumer preferred products in productive, responsible, and efficient production systems to increase WA’s competitiveness in global markets.

A significant project is the National Apple Breeding and Evaluation Program, which is building on past successes to develop new varieties that match changing market needs while yielding well on-farm and in a changing climate.

Dario is also overseeing work to generate valueadding opportunities for fruit and perennial crop industries, and increase profitability along the value chain.

WA’s horticulture sector is a significant contributor to regional economies.

Regional development, and increased spending on hospitality, accommodation and entertainment in local economies are tangible benefits, and tourists inject vigour, vitality and a sense of community into rural destinations.

Since the formation of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and following a significant restructure, we set about developing a coordinated Horticulture and Irrigated Agriculture program that would best support the industries across the value chain.

A concerted effort by the State Government to rebuild the department’s

f STEEL Jacob with Bravo branded apples developed by the National Apple Breeding and evaluation Program.

Focus areas

Vegetables team Led by senior research scientist Neil Lantzke, undertakes research and development to increase vegetable quality and yield, with a key focus on assessing the yield and quality benefits of growing vegetables under protected cropping structures. The team spans the State, from Carnarvon in the north to Manjimup in the south.

f DEVELOPING management systems for pests and diseases, enabling growers to minimise chemical use and costs while producing high-quality fruit and vegetables.

WA Grower WINTER 2021

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Insect and disease management Steered by senior research scientist Dr Helen Spafford, focuses on developing management systems for new and established insect pests and diseases that enable growers to minimise chemical use and costs while producing high-quality fruit and vegetables.

Tropical food, fibre and fodder Managed by principal research scientist Dr David McNeil and senior development officer Chris Ham. David and Chris lead the team’s collaboration with national and international research and industry partners to expand, improve, and better understand the productivity of WA’s tropical irrigated crop production systems.

research services for industry. Other areas of focus include identifying new economically viable crops for each region, and providing agronomic packages for the development of the crops.

Industry Network Group In response to the COVID-19 pandemic last year, we pulled together a horticulture Industry Network Group to enable us to build and lead strong industry networks and relationships.

Developing management systems for new and established insect pests and diseases.

Research stations program Overseen by Ian Guthridge, from Manjimup Research Station and Mark Warmington, from Kununurra Research Station. The team delivers client focused and regionally and climate relevant

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WA Grower WINTER 2021

The forums supported business continuity and twoway communication between government and industries.

I thank industry representatives for their role in this successful engagement activity. It was fantastic to experience various horticulture industries collaborate.

The positive interactions saw expertise be shared across the sector, providing an ideal environment for peer-to-peer learning — one of the most valuable outcomes of the group.

Going forward, I hope to use this forum to tackle cross industry issues in the horticulture sector. I look forward to continuing our work in building cohesive, collaborative, and strong WA horticulture and irrigated agriculture industries.

MORE INFORMATION Rohan Prince, phone 0429 680 069 or email rohan.prince@dpird.wa.gov.au

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

WA POTATOES

potato

update WA Potatoes

WA Grower WINTER 2021

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WA POTATOES

contacts Horticulture House 103 Outram Street, WEST PERTH WA 6005 p: (08) 9481 0834 e: admin@wapotatoes.com.au w: todatoes.com.au Simon Moltoni, Chief Executive Officer m: 0447 141 752 e: simon@wapotatoes.com.au Morena Perdec, Finance & Admin Manager e: morena@wapotatoes.com.au Georgia Thomas, Project Manager e: georgia@wapotatoes.com.au

For this, and many more tasty potato recipes go to www.todatoes.com.au

Committee 2019–20 Vaughan Carter Chairperson

Busselton

Albany Colin Ayres Deputy Chairperson

m: 0417 092 505 m: 0428 451 014

Glen Ryan Secretary

Pemberton

m: 0428 827 126

Gary Bendotti Treasurer

Pemberton

m: 0427 569 903

Patrick Fox

Scott River

m: 0499 887 202

Bronwyn Fox

Dandaragan

m: 0427 447 412

Christian deHaan

Manjimup

m: 0429 436 361

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

Fee-for-service charge 2020–21 Processing potatoes — local and export

$6.00/t

Seed potatoes — local and export

$150/ha

Ware (fresh) potatoes — local

$8.00/t

Ware (fresh) potatoes — export

$6.00/t

Ware (fresh) potatoes — marketing

$2.50/t

Perfect with:

white varieties

Projects approved 2020–21 Part funding for PGA Delivery of Registered Seed Potato Certification Schemes & Virus Testing

$310,500 $96,000

Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid (PSTVd) surveillance of the Seed Scheme Part Funding for Export Development Project $100,000 SmartSpud™ System

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WA Grower WINTER 2021

$16,000

Layered potatoes with vegan white sauce and mushrooms

WA POTATOES

WA Potatoes

Chief Executive Officer’s report SIMON MOLTONI CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, POTATO GROWERS ASSOCIATION

I

t has been a hectic period here at Horticulture House. As mentioned in the last issue, we are undergoing renovations and therefore have had to pack the contents of the PGA into storage.

During this process we discovered many fascinating pieces from our history. Some of the most interesting date back to the war years and speak of a very different time. Under a thick layer of dust, at the back of a storage cabinet, I discovered our “minute books” including the very first meeting of the PGA. Some of the items that best reflect our history will be on permanent display once the renovations are complete.

At our recent APC Potato committee meeting we were able to assess the previous season and consider the project proposals for the coming year.

The production in WA last season was affected by the severe storms and did lead to imports in order to fill the production shortfall.

It was pleasing to receive many, significant proposals. These ranged from existing projects like the administration of the Certified Seed Scheme, through to new projects ranging from biosecurity and R and D, to potential database and digital solutions to improve accuracy and efficiency in the Seed Scheme. We will advise growers of the successful proposals once the approval process is complete.

Early season rainfall has seen a very promising start to the Autumn/Winter supply period. So far, we have had a warm, mild autumn that has crops looking very good. Unfortunately, these same rainfall events have caused some significant losses in seed crops in the Albany region.

Individual growers have been affected to varying degrees, so growers need to confirm their orders and make any necessary adjustments. This loss is a significant setback to seed growers who are still recovering from the TPP incursion that devastated interstate sales.

Earlier this year, AUSVEG CEO James Whiteside announced he would be moving on at the end of June. James has had a successful term as CEO despite the challenges in recent times due to COVID-19. One of the major disruptions from this has been the cancellation of Hort Connections last year. This event provides significant income for AUSVEG and James has had to oversee the maintenance of the delivery of services on a greatly reduced budget. James, the board, and staff are to be congratulated on managing this issue over the last year.

I know James is determined that Hort Connections in Brisbane this May (7–9) will be a great success to improve the finances and continue to deliver services into the future.

We wish James all the best in his future endeavours.

Michael Coote has been appointed as the new Ausveg CEO starting from July 1. Michael has experience working at both HIA and Ausveg and has a deep understanding and significant network in the potato and vegetable industries.

We wish Michael great success in his new role.

I would like to thank Morena and Georgia for their continued efforts to support our members and also our Committee of Management, in particular our Chairman, Vaughan Carter.

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

WA Grower WINTER 2021

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WA POTATOES

Available now

s

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inter 2021

Autumn/W

Free

phie Inside: So Zalokar’s for 10 recipes under $10

WA Potatoes Autumn/Winter Magazine Potato and pork and fennel sausage tray bake

ers’ Kate Flow and potato, pork age fennel saus tray bake i using P. Princ Butchers sausages p20

Win tant Pot an Ins from Kitchen e!

Warehous

rth’s Guide to Pedishes o best potat tin Eade

Preparation time | 15 minutes Cook time | 45 minutes Serves | 4

by Mar

toes.com.au www.toda

Ingredients 600g blue potatoes sliced into large chunks (approx 5cm) 4 tbsp olive oil 6–8 thick pork and fennel sausages 2 red onion sliced into quarters 2 Granny Smith apples, sliced in half through the centre, seeds removed 6 fresh bay leaves, torn Olive oil Salt and pepper To serve

T

he latest edition of WA Potatoes Magazine is loaded with delicious recipes inspired by classics such as potato bake, mashed potatoes and sausage tray bake.

Once again, WA Potatoes partnered with Kitchen Warehouse on a fantastic competition to win a sought-after kitchen appliance. The winner will be randomly selected in July.

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WA Grower WINTER 2021

Local food writer Martin Eade from Morsels contributed an article where he rounds up some of Perth’s best potato dishes, including potato rosti, fries and gnocchi.

The magazine has provided excellent opportunities to work with other local suppliers. In this edition, collaborations have been showcased in new recipes with WA Potatoes and Mt Barker Chicken and also P. Princi Butchers.

Green beans Gravy

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 220°C, fan 200°C, gas 7.

2. Cook the potatoes in boiling salted water for six minutes then drain well.

3. Pour the olive oil into a roasting tray and heat in the oven for a few minutes.

Add the drained potatoes to the oil and mix in well then adding the sausages, red onion and bay leaves.

4. Return to the oven and roast for 25 minutes until the potatoes and the sausages are golden. Flip the sausages and potatoes, add the Granny Smith apples and cook for a further 15 minutes then season with salt and pepper and serve with traditional gravy and steamed green beans.

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Go to www.todatoes. com.au/magazine for the latest issue of WA Potatoes.

Potato and pork and fennel sausage tray bake

Potato, sausage, red onion and apple bake with bay leaves

WA Grower WINTER 2021

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WA POTATOES

Tribute to Brett DeCampo

O

n February 26, 2021, the life of Brett DeCampo was tragically lost in a car accident near his family farm near Pemberton, Western Australia (WA).

Brett had spent the day harvesting potatoes and was on his way to Dunsborough to spend the weekend with his beloved family.

The DeCampo name is synonymous with the potato industry in WA.

This was reflected by the enormous turnout of people, from around the state, at Brett’s funeral service, held at the Pemberton Community Centre.

Brett had immense enthusiasm for life, farming, community and especially his family.

He will be greatly missed by all.

Our heartfelt sympathies go to his wife Sarah, their four young children, his parents Kerry and Brian and family.

Rest in Peace Brett.

Their farming and transport business network reaches every grower, processor, exporter and wash packer.

Fresh market, seed Fresh market & potatopotato & onion seed storage ALL YEAR ROUND AVAILABLE: NOVEMBER TO MARCH

Donnybrook WA

Anthony Scaffidi 0417 919 906 tscaffidi@optusnet.com.au 56

WA Grower WINTER 2021

PHOTOS: VICTORIA BAKER PHOTOGRAPHER

POMEWEST

pome

update Pomewest

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From the Pomewest

contacts

Executive Manager

Pomewest Committee and Officers

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

Pomewest budgeted Income 2020/2021 Project General Account Budget including FFS (Project Grant Funding APAL, HIA and DPIRD) Biosecurity Account Budget (FFS)

$

474,210 47,500

Pomewest budgeted expenditure general account for 2020/2021 Project New Technology Project (Susie Murphy White) Maturity Standards Legislation & Compliance Medfly Surveillance Trapping Network (Ashmere Consulting) Systems Approach to Market Access Promotion & Publicity Local Project (Fresh Finesse) including other projects including investment in BWEB Annual Meetings & Communications Industry Sponsorships & Association Memberships Strategic Plan Administration including salary & office costs APC charge @10% of FFS income Total

$

87,000 35,000 61,557 40,000 45,000 15,000 4,500 33,000 187,000 42,000 550,000

Pomewest budgeted expenditure biosecurity account 2020/2021 Project Codling Moth (DPIRD) Biosecurity Liaison Officer APC charge @10% of FFS income Total

$ 35,500 16,520 6,000 58,030

APC fee-for-service charge

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

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$/kg 0.015 0.005 0.002 0.001

Season update

B

BY NARDIA STACY EXECUTIVE MANAGER, POMEWEST

y the time you get to read this report the 2021 harvest season will be done and dusted.

By all accounts, we have managed to struggle through again this year — albeit at a higher cost associated with labour shortages, the impact of lockdowns, Qfly incursions and dealing with the usual culprits that challenge the business of orcharding.

Getting through has taken a great deal of organisation and collaboration by you all, and the Western Australia (WA) horticultural industries at large.

Now, we again have to look to the next season of pruning, thinning and harvest with similar concern.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the world and recovery will be slow, despite the introduction of vaccinations. Sourcing backpackers in the conventional way, with international travel, will remain difficult until the virus is under control. This is why the Seasonal Worker Program must continue to source skilled workers from low-risk countries. Pomewest continues to work with the State Government to maintain this scheme, keep the flights coming, and strive to improve the process to be more cost effective and streamlined.

We also will continue to explore ways to find other workforce alternatives moving forward.

The good news is that the State Government does recognise that securing labour is essential for WA food security and it is firmly on the agenda.

We would like to thank the Hon Minister Alannah MacTiernan MLA, and her office, for her personal commitment of assistance with this ongoing situation.

We also thank DPIRD for continued funding of a Labour Scheme Facilitator, supported and housed by vegetablesWA to assist the hort industry.

What else has been happening…

Netting scheme The perfect piece of fruit is always in high demand and the only effective way to truly achieve this is growing under netting. Pomewest were pleased that finally DPIRD advised the WA rollout of the National Horticultural Netting Infrastructure Scheme in early April, following the Federal Government’s announcement in December 2019.

The WA pome industry welcomed this news, as many had been anticipating some funding assistance to upgrade their farms with protective cropping measures. Recognised as the future of orcharding, netting is an effective tool to increase efficiencies in production, by managing climatic events, water usage and pests. As cost of production is high in this country, matching returns of premium fruit are critical for our growing businesses to remain viable.

Pomewest has remained an advocate for a fair and equitable approach to the allocation of funds and recognises that WA has only been granted a small amount in comparison to the other states. As such, it was always difficult to manage the distribution process as it was always likely to be oversubscribed.

We therefore call for consideration for additional Government funding to continue this essential investment to create resilience and protect the industry.

POMEWEST

Committee business The committee have been busy looking at the objectives, strategies and tactics of the 2021–25 strategic plan and addressing the priorities established late last year. We are working on developing our own industry R&D plan to maximise orchard productivity and lower the cost of production. In addition, working with stakeholders and growers to develop return to export strategies, further engagement with DPIRD and the breeding program, and cultivating more productive relationships with APAL, Hort Innovation and DPIRD to leverage greater support for WA industry investment.

This includes consideration of project proposals and setting budgets for 2021–22. Projects that are likely to continue to be supported include: 1 Susie Murphy White’s role as Project Manager to facilitate various projects including Crop Estimation, Future Orchards, Biosecurity Liaison Officer, PIPS 3 Soil Health Field trial, APAL Tree Census Data collection.

It is pleasing to report that this role is now being 40 per cent externally funded, by APAL, Hort Innovation and DPIRD thanks to our continued cultivation of valuable relationships.

2 The introduction of a capacity building for business program will be announced shortly. Pomewest will be collaborating with other Hort sectors to assist growers to attain a clear understanding of the profit levers inside the cost structure of their businesses. Additional to produce a robust set of industry benchmarks which will bring clarity and certainty to decision making for future funding support. This project stands to gain a considerable amount of leverage funding to extend our investment. We hope our growers will take full advantage of this opportunity.

3 Maturity Testing Program — this project will continue to maintain the success of the minimum standards, that been measured in wholesale and retail throughout the season of 2021.

4 Promotions program lead by Fresh Finesse, including all events and social media, to promote produce to consumers and develop a clear value proposition for WA apple and pear varieties.

There is still high support within the Committee to fund ongoing study tours to build industry development, particularly for the younger players, however due to travel restrictions with the pandemic this activity will be put on hold, at least until early 2022.

The Committee have been proactively seeking and inviting interested parties to apply to sit on the Pome Committee, particularly from the next generation.

This drive will continue so that we increase our capacity to engage more growers for additional ideas and concepts.

This edition We review the recent Export Readiness Event we held in late March.

This was an opportunity to review future market development and encourage collaboration with supportive and interested businesses.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite all our growers to contact me if you need any assistance with industry matters. I am committed to my role in the industry and welcome your calls or emails to discuss issues or provide feedback. Both Susie and I are working hard to maintain our service to you, via Pomewest, for return on your investment via the APC fee for service.

Our committee and staff are always open to take on board any ideas on how we can improve our services to you, so please contact us with your suggestions.

Finally, we congratulate your pursuit of excellence and integrity in these most demanding times of uncertainty, during the harvest season. The industry has again displayed its ability, resilience, and mental and physical toughness to push through this period admirably. With all the beautiful fruit in store as a result, I am sure the consumer is applauding you too!

State Government recognises that securing labour is essential for WA food security.

Susie continues to report on on-farm biosecurity management by asking “do you know your exotic Pome fruit pests?”.

This is part of her new role working as Horticulture Liaison Officer, in conjunction with Citrus and Stonefruit, to prepare the industry for any biosecurity threat. This project is funded by the APC and DPIRD, as well as Pome, Citrus and Stonefruit Producers’ Committees.

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

We report on our recent promotional events to support the 2021 season, with insights and pathways to improve these activities in the future.

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Show time launch for apple and pears

PHOTOS © PHILO LOVES @PHILOLOVES

T

BY BY NOELENE SWAIN FRESH FINESSE

hrough March and April, Pomewest kicked off the 2021 season with a range of activations and events to showcase early season varieties, and get consumers focused on eating apples and pears once again as the Autumn dawned.

The aim of early season promotional activities was to present new season fruit varieties, along with the awareness of the industry quality program, that keeps consumers aware that when they buy a WA apple it will be a great apple, and a reminder to support the hardworking WA farmers by buying local.

Buy West Eat Best (BWEB) Belmont Forum Activation 6 March 2021

Warren Districts Agricultural Show — Manjimup 13 March 2021 Getting active in the heart of apple growing country was a great opportunity to focus on celebrating the history of apple breeding and local growers.

Events to showcase early season varieties.

A range of cooking demonstrations and interactions with Chefs Don Hancey and Sophie Budd captured shoppers’ attention. This was supported with social media postings.

It was also an opportunity to promote awareness of the industry’s quality programs and efforts being made to ensure that apple maturity testing achieves optimal eating outcomes.

Live Lighter Donnybrook Apple Festival 2–3 April 2021 After cancelling the 2020 festival due to COVID-19 restrictions, there was excitement and a little caution in preparing for the 2021 Donnybrook Apple Festival, yet the sun was shining and the crowds pleased to be able to attend. Pomewest took on the coordination of the apple and pear tasting and sales.

With substantial support from growers, ably lead by Sam Licciardello, 11 different varieties were available for people to try and buy as part of a small or large mixed bag of fruit. It was a particularly good opportunity to introduce consumers to Modi™ apples and Piqaboo® pears — both of which received extremely positive responses.

Approximately 2500kg were distributed during the weekend.

Great exposure was also achieved with support from Anna Gare presenting cooking demonstrations, featuring a range of apple and pear varieties.

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POMEWEST

 POMEWEST participated in the inaugural WA Great Graze celebration.

The activities were well supported with resources like apple banners and display material and cookbooks. A number of media opportunities were also offered to those involved.

We recognise and applaud Sam for his kind-hearted and generous personal contribution, to the event.

Especially his ability to rally local growers to contribute and support with fruit donations. Pomewest will continue to improve our presence at this event in the future.

at Perth City Farm on April 18 provided a perfect Autumn day for food enthusiasts and media representatives to see the expansive range of local produce.

The inaugural WA Great Graze celebration!

WA Great Graze 18 April 2021 f SAM Licciardello and daughter Mia helping dad out at the Apple Festival.

Pomewest participated in the inaugural WA Great Graze celebration — a collaboration of local producers promoting the currently popular theme of grazing platters. A feature event held

An apple stand featured seven varieties of apples and pears, allowing the opportunity to taste and discover new and unfamiliar varieties of fruit.

People were particularly interested and keen on new Piqaboo® pears and the still widely unfamiliar Bravo™ apple. The Minister for Agriculture was in attendance and happy to add her support to the apples promotional efforts.

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

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Sam and Vanessa Licciardello Orchard 1 Sixty

S

BY SUSIE MURPHY WHITE PROJECT MANAGER, POMEWEST

am and Vanessa Licciardello are the third generation of orchardists on Orchard 1 Sixty in Donnybrook. The orchard was started in 1950 by his grandfather Sam, who emigrated from Sicily.

On the 45-hectare orchard they grow mainly apples and pears along with plums, nectarines, peaches and cherries with his dad Cirino.

 VANESSA and Sam Licciardello with daughters Mia, Amber and Jade.

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The varieties of apples include Fuji, Granny Smith and Pink Lady, while the majority of their production come from the pears; Barlett, Packhams, Golden Bosc and Corrella.

During the warmer months they also grow summer crops of pumpkins to utilise fallow areas of the orchard, which are being turned over to new varieties.

Sam and Vanessa said they changed their business model to become more cost-efficient, increase yields on smaller production areas and focus on growing for the consumer demand.

They are always striving to produce the best fruit they can and to ensure the maximum freshness they only pack to order for their markets and into the chain stores.

Their farm shop shows their commitment to quality produce, as only best fruit is on display.

Selling from their farm shop and being highly involved with the Donnybrook Apple Festival provides the opportunity to give time to educate the consumers.

At the Apple Festival this year, Sam was able to give time to people concerned about cool storage and help them to understand that there is nothing adverse happening to fruit in cool store.

“They almost died when I told them that the Pink Lady samples they were enjoying were 11 months old,” Sam said.

Sam’s passion for the Donnybrook Apple Festival is to be commended, as his commitment to the festival ensured that we had a great range of apples and pears for sale from 12 different growers from the Donnybrook area.

POMEWEST

f LONG term employee

f CIRINO Licciardello.

His support to the local community and the pome industry is also apparent in his commitment to the Pomewest committee.

Daughters Amber, Jade and Mia are very much the apple of Sam’s eye and already showing an interest in continuing the family tradition, helping out in the pack shed during the holidays.

Middle daughter Jade was keen to talk to festival goers about apples and pears.

Sam’s wife Vanessa keeps everyone on track, running the books and administration.

The crew of long-term employees became very important during the pandemic for Orchard 1 Sixty – ensuring they were able to continue operating with minimal impact.

MORE INFORMATION Contact Susie Murphy White at susan.murphy-white@dpird.wa.gov.au or phone (08) 9777 0151.

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EXO TIC PLA NT P EST HOT LINE

18 0 0

084

Do you know your exotic pome fruit pests?

8 81

TABLE 1. EXOTIC (NOT FOUND IN AUSTRALIA) PESTS OF THE POME INDUSTRY. Common name

Scientific name

Apple leaf curling midge

Dasineura mali

Apple maggot fly

Rhagoletis pomonella

Asian gypsy moth

Lymantria dispar

xotic pests can be devastating for the Australian Pome Fruit Industry.

Asiatic brown rot

Monilinia polystroma

Brown rot

Monilinia fructigena

Brown marmorated stink bug

Halyomorpha halys

European canker

Neonectria ditissima

Fire blight

Erwinia amylovora

Make sure you and your staff are familiar with plant health symptoms to look for and what these pests look like.

Manchurian fruit moth

Cydia inopinata syn Grapholita inopinata

Monilinia leaf blight (blossom wilt)

Monilinia mali

Nun moth

Lymantria monachal

Early detection and reporting of these pests will help protect the Australian Pome Fruit Industry. Report any suspected finding immediately to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 at Plant Health Australia.

Oriental fruit fly

Bactrocera dorsalis

Peach fruit moth

Carposina sasakii

Rosy apple aphid

Dysaphis plantaginea

Spotted-winged drosophila

Drosophila suzukii

Tropilaelaps mites

Tropilaelaps clareae and Tropilaealaps mercedessae

Table 1 is a list of Australian high-priority exotic pests of apples and pears. These pests were identified during the development of the ‘Biosecurity Plan for the Apple and Pear Industry’ in consultation with industry, government and scientists. They have been assessed as high-priority pests based on their potential to enter, establish and spread in Australia due to environmental factors, host range and vectors, as well as the cost to industry of control measures.

Varroa mites

Varroa destructor and Varroa jacobsoni

E

BY SUSIE MURPHY WHITE PROJECT MANAGER, POMEWEST

More detailed information about these pests, including photos of what the pests look like and fruit damage, can be found on the Plant Health Australia webpage: www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/ industries/apples-and-pears

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What happens when an exotic pest is found?

Identification of an exotic pest must be confirmed by two separate diagnostic laboratories before any control action is taken.

Possible restrictions and eradication activities may impact an individual orchard, a growing region, or the entire State. Preparing for these events before they occur is important for business continuity.

A temporary quarantine zone, restricting movement of material, may be established while awaiting laboratory results.

Create a biosecurity plan for your business and implement management activities to reduce threats to help protect your business during a pest incursion.

Once an exotic pest is confirmed, notification is provided to State and National Governments, as well as affected industries. An official response according to a nationally-approved Response Plan may occur.

f ASIAN gypsy moth has an extremely wide host range, feeding on the foliage of more than 650 species of plants.

POMEWEST

Fire blight

Asian gypsy moth

Fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) is a serious bacterial disease of pome fruit including apple, pear, quince and loquat. It gets its name from the burnt appearance of affected plants. Symptoms of fire blight infection generally affect all parts of the plants from blossoms and leaves to branches and roots, eventually killing the tree.

There is no cure for the infection. The disease spreads easily and rapidly since it can be spread by wind, rain and insects as well as by people, vehicles and equipment.

Asian gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) is a destructive pest of forest, horticultural and urban trees and if it were introduced into Australia it could cause extensive environmental and economic damage to our native bush, forests, crops and gardens. The larval (caterpillar) stage of this pest causes heavy defoliation of trees and shrubs — killing them or increasing their susceptibility to other pests. Asian gypsy moth has an extremely wide host range, feeding on the foliage of more than 650 species of plants. Moths have greyish-brown wings (30–40mm wingspan) in males or white with grey markings (40–70mm) in females.

f ERWINIA amylovora bacteria attacks fruit trees leaves and causes disease, bacterial burn of apple tree.

Brown rot Apple brown rot (Monilinia fructigena) is a fungal pathogen of apple and pear trees. Infected fruit typically develop spreading firm, brown spots that rapidly develop into rotting. These rotting areas will normally be surrounded by conidial pustules, often in concentric circles. These pustules resemble small, raised white-cream spots.

Within five days of infection, the entire fruit can be rotted and covered with pustules. Infected fruits become mummified and tend to remain on the tree. Symptoms can spread to the stems resulting in blighted twigs developing into cankers. Leaves may turn dark brown and remain attached instead of abscising. Cankers are generally restricted to the twigs and do not extend into the previous year’s wood. At harvest, apparently healthy fruit may be contaminated with spores and decay during storage and marketing. Apple brown rot produces similar symptoms to other brown rot species that are present in Australia, however, Apple brown rot produces more severe symptoms in apples and pears than other species.

Spotted winged drosophila Spotted winged drosophila (SWD, Drosophila suzukii) attacks a range of soft-skinned fruit species, depositing eggs in maturing firm fruit. Adult SWD are yellowbrown coloured flies with dark bands on the abdomen and red eyes. They are 23mm in length and the female flies have a serrated ovipositor at the tip of their abdomen. This ovipositor allows the females to lay eggs in healthy, thin-skinned fruit. Males have a small dark spot on the front edge near the tip of each forewing (unlike females). Larvae are cream or white coloured and about 3mm long. Pupae are red to brown, 2–3mm in length and cylinder shaped with two small projections on the end.

f DROSOPHILA suzukii, commonly called the spotted wing drosophila or SWD, is a fruit fly originally from southeast Asia.

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European canker

Rosy apple aphid

European canker (Neonectria galligena), also known as crotch canker or eye rot, is an economically important fungal disease of apples and pears throughout the world causing fruit losses of up to 60 per cent. The fungus has a wide host range, with the main hosts including apple, pear, maple and birch trees. European canker symptoms are mostly present on branches and trunks of trees.

Early signs of infection are reddish brown lesions which develop on small branches, generally around a leaf scar, spur or pruning wound. Symptoms usually present in late spring or early summer.

The Rosy apple aphid (RAA, Dysaphis plantaginea) is considered the most destructive aphid species that attacks apples, with infestation resulting in major damage to leaves, roots and fruit. RAAs are small, softbodied insects with piercing sucking mouthparts and two cornicles, which resemble tailpipes, projecting from the back of the abdomen. Adults grow up to 2.5mm in length and can be winged or wingless. Winged adults are a brownish-green to black colour, while wingless adults are rosy brown or purple and covered in a greyish-white wax coating.

Apple maggot The apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella) is one of the most serious fruit fly pests of North America, mainly damaging apples but also attacking a range of stone fruit.

Direct host fruit damage occurs through feeding activities of the larvae and secondary infections can occur through egg laying wounds. Adult flies are smaller than house flies (up to 5mm in length with a wingspan of just over 10mm) with black bodies, yellowish head and legs and greenish eyes. Wings are clear with characteristic black bands and a white spot can be seen on the thorax. The abdomen is black with three (males) or four (females) light coloured cross bands. The larvae can grow up to 10mm in length and are usually cream coloured. The larvae are normally contained within the fruit tissue of hosts. Pupae are yellow/brown, about 5mm long and oval shaped.

Found a pest or disease?

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

Calls to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline in WA are directed to the Pest and Disease Information Service at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development on (08) 9368 3080 or by email: padis@dpird.wa.gov.au MORE INFORMATION Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 at Plant Health Australia.

Pest and Disease Information Service at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development on (08) 9368 3080 or by email: padis@dpird.wa.gov.au Contact Susie Murphy White at susan.murphy-white@dpird.wa.gov.au or phone (08) 9777 0151.

Report your observations!

MyPestGuide™ Reporter via online or app mypestguide.agric.wa.gov.au @

Pest and Disease Information Service (08) 9368 3080 padis@dpird.wa.gov.au

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

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POMEWEST

Leading the WA industry to take a fresh look at

exports

BY NARDIA STACY EXECUTIVE MANAGER, POMEWEST

B

oosting exports is a key priority in reducing industry risk but will require industry to shift from a ‘reactive price taker’ into a ‘proactive market maker’.

Progressing the recent consultative process of developing our new Strategic Plan, the Pome Industry’s Number 1 objective is to lift Class 1 packouts and raise spend for apples and pears per household, per year.

In addition, the second phase is to build a strategy to enable the export of 15 per cent of Western Australian (WA) annual apple production within five years.

It is the view of many that the expansion of markets will continue the growth and protection of the sector for future generations.

It is not for everybody; however, it is crucial for orcharding businesses who are invested in future growth.

Export can be lonely journey, so a collective industry approach may be

the solution to share the benefits and manage risk.

This may be achieved by bringing together a group of like minded individuals willing to open the door again.

This industry has a rich history of export success, especially in premium markets, so the timing could be right for a re-launch, particularly if there was an avenue to capitalise and celebrate our past achievements. We can’t forget the fact that WA is home to two unique and exciting apples that continue to attract high demand and present so many opportunities for our local growers.

To start the ball rolling, Pomewest facilitated a two-day event on March 23 and 24 in Manjimup, to bring a select group of interested parties together to engage in some frank and robust discussion.

Pomewest lead the activity by engaging APAL export manager Justin Smith, APAL head of trade Jenny Van De Meeberg and Marketing Licensee for Pink Lady® apples Peter Richardson, to present before the discussion.

A strategy to enable the export of 15% of WA annual apple production within five years.

There are risks to consider: our continued reliance on the domestic market with the ongoing threat of imports, and oversupply resulting from increased production with improve practises, planting more trees and varieties. The reality may be that there’s not enough room for so much choice, which could result in more consumer confusion.

The event started with a workshop, which started with a SWOT analysis of the reasons why and why not, highlighting the obvious opportunities and threats.

It was suggested that if collaboration was the answer, there were real advantages to developing a platform of trust between businesses, underpinned by a working policy of transparency, commitment and collaboration. This would be essential component for an industry led approach.

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f EXPORT workshop participants.

Benefits to looking at a collaborative export approach recognised.

APAL’s Jenny Van De Meeberg then presented a comprehensive presentation covering a big picture synopsis for the future global trade and mega trends, current Australian export programs, summary of opportunities and threats, and an overview of the ‘Technical Market Access Strategy’, particularly looking at Japan and Taiwan.

f L–R: Peter Richardson, Nardia Stacy, Justin Smith, Susie Murphy White and Jenny Van De Meeberg.

This was followed by practical advice of how to run an export business: • Developing a strategy • Regulatory considerations • Commercial considerations • Where to go for further assistance.

The next component of the workshop was to have an open discussion about the current situation, outlining the advantages of developing a state export working group, a coalition of willing participants to build an export program.

This resulted in most of the participants recognising the fact that exporting needs to be prioritised and there were benefits to looking at a collaborative approach in order to progress.

Hence, the understanding of the power of market diversity, commitment to supply, growing varieties that appeal, and finding markets that are viable.

We still have a way to go in putting a plan together, however, we have taken the first steps to re-engage WA industry consideration and buy in.

The next steps are to build on the momentum and present back to the group a viable proposition and path for success.

MORE INFORMATION

APAL kindly invited the participants to a dinner after the workshop, to continue discussions, network and build trust within the group to develop and suggest ideas.

Pomewest acknowledges the support of APAL to make this event become a reality, particularly since it was tricky planning travel during these uncertain times, with restrictions of the pandemic.

The next day, the APAL visited the participants to get some true reflections of the previous day and to collate this valuable feedback.

If anyone would like to access any information about exporting, please go to this link https://apal.org.au/programs/ export-readiness-market-access/ on the APAL website. This project is overseen and managed by APAL and funded by Hort Innovation using the apple and pear R&D Levy.

The service provider team (Pomewest and APAL) continued to brainstorm and explore some opportunities while APAL were in town.

The positive outcomes of this exercise were that a group of industry businesses came together, as industry leaders, and understood the need to be ahead of the game before being forced to find new markets to survive.

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WA Grower WINTER 2021

Justin Smith at jsmith@apal.com.au or Nardia Stacy at nardia@pomewest.net.au, 0411 138 103 or go to pomewest.com.

New Strategic Investment Panel member We congratulate Terry Martella of Santa Rita Orchards on his recent appointment as industry representative for Hort Innovation’s Strategic Investment Panel for the for the Apple and Pear Research and Development Fund.

We look forward to working with Terry to progress and improve productivity and profitability for pome growers with initiatives funded by the National Levy system.

WA CITRUS

citrus

update WA Citrus

WA Grower AUTUMN 2021

69

WA CITRUS

f FROST fans for dealing with spring frosts.

contacts WA Citrus Committee

From the

industry

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

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

about

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

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

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T

BY JOSEPH LING CHAIR, WA CITRUS

wo days of visits to northern and southern orchards was a welcome distraction before the winter season got started. This year we were joined by other horticultural industry representatives to explore common interests.

It was also an opportunity to welcome new faces in the industry, Charl de Fin, orchard manager at Moora Citrus; Wayne Freeborn, orchard manager at Sandgroper Fruit; and Craig, Peta and Ronan Hogarth from the South West.

A very big thank you to the hosts of the visits and the excellent speakers.

The work behind the scenes for securing labour has been ongoing. WA Citrus thanked Melissa Denning for her support in securing Seasonal Workers for the 2021 season.

Kit Sainsbury is continuing in the Labour Scheme Facilitator role to assist horticulture growers find suitable labour through the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) and Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) for the WA horticulture industry. The role is facilitated by vegetablesWA with State government funding. Citrus Australia is also collating information around the piece rates discussion that is going on nationally.

The other uncertainty for the season is export markets for mandarin and Navel oranges. The ongoing risks of either labour availability and markets mean risk management and business continuity plans are still as important as ever.

WA Grower WINTER 2021

f ELBE Coetsee, Industry Development Officer

Looking forward, growers will meet our new Industry Development Officer, who commenced in early June.

Elbe Coetsee is working part-time and will be focussing on industry communication and some research, supporting Kevin and Bronwyn. Elbe has experience in communications and industry with grains, as well as experience in research in citrus. Please introduce yourselves and make Elbe feel welcome if you come across her.

Thanks again to hosts of the citrus tour.

A reminder to stay connected during these unprecedented times.

MORE INFORMATION Contact Joseph Ling on 0417 828 238.

WA CITRUS

WA Citrus

on tour

I

f THE majority of WA production was represented by growers and packers from Manjimup to west Midland.

BY BRONWYN WALSH INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (IDM)

nstead of heading to the East Coast this year, at least 26 industry members joined a tour in Western Australia (WA), visiting orchards in the north and the south over two days.

TABLE 1. TOUR PRESENTATIONS.

Presentation topic

Information will help improve my business

Orchard overviews

Y

Digital tools — dashboard, environment

Y

Digital tools — irrigation

Y

Y

Digital tools — machine operations

Y

Y

Digital tools — paperless office

Y

Y

Frost management

Y

Rootstocks

Y

Canopy management afourers

Y

Protected cropping

Y

Bee exclusion netting for seedlessness

Y

The event also provided the opportunity to identify topics and format for future industry days.

Lemon and Lime walk

Y

Y

Automation in packshed

Y

Y

WHS in practice

Y

Y

They included:

Networking

Y

• Technical/focussed learning about sap flow and dendrometers, advanced irrigation and best management practices for citrus, including pruning, agronomy fundamentals, spray days and equipment implementation, disease management, sustainability;

Other topics mentioned: degreening, team management and job allocations

Y

The majority of WA production was represented by growers and packers from Manjimup to west Midland.

Also present were producers and representatives of avocado, potatoes, mangoes, table grapes and vineyards.

Participants indicated they were satisfied with the day and learned something that would improve their business. The mix of field and shed presentations accompanied by open discussion were popular and provided a variety of topics and interest (see Table 1).

• More specifics on lemons and pack standard; • WHS going to be an issue in future so more information is required.

Maybe some tips/standard tools that growers can use; • Meaningful data capturing, templates, Excel etc;

• Packing/packaging, supermarket presentations, export opportunities and marketing, where and how fruit is sold; • Farm visits to learn more, Kununurra trip or 2PH, Queensland; • Different field days focussing on individual enterprises.

Make changes

Y

Y

MORE INFORMATION If you’re interested in these or other topics, would like to share something you’ve learned, or host a visit as part of an improvement group or industry day, please let Bronwyn know.

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

There is also a hunger for more.

More time at field walks, more spread across industries, more about specific industries, more days and opportunities to learn from each other.

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WA CITRUS

Digital tools that make a difference in the orchard

• There’s a lot of data coming in; it would be good to be able to see the data in a meaningful way.

• There’s a lot of double handling of paperwork and delays because of having different sites.

• Improving accuracy and occupational health and safety are what we are aiming to get out of the tool, as well as time saving.

• Installations make attractive to investors.

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TABLE 1. A COMPARISON OF TOOLS USED FOR IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT.

supPlant

• I want to know how much water I should put on for my orchard as accurately as possible.

• D endrometers to see trunk and fruit growth: early research.

Mait industries

• It means I can also go on holiday with the family and know that I will get an alert that I can check while I’m away.

• S ap flow meters to see what’s happening in the tree: early research.

ICC Pro

• Saving time is a big incentive.

I don’t have time to run around between sites turning irrigation on and off. There are so many other jobs that also need doing.

• Electrical conductivity (EC) meter.

Enviroeye

1 Why are you looking at or using digital tools?

• S oil moisture probes at 10–30cm and 80cm for assessing whether scheduling is right.

Outpost

W

est Australian citrus businesses were asked questions about their use of digital tools as part of the industry tour. Here are some of the responses.

2 What digital tools are you using?

• Weather stations on site for calculating irrigation scheduling.

Full stop/ Tensiometers

BY STAFF AT MOORA CITRUS, AGRIFRESH AND HARVEY CITRUS

Digital tools on farm — saving time, money, and water.

Y

Y

Y

n/a

Y

n/a

Long-term cost

Low

Low

Low

n/a

Average

High

Annual subscription

n/a

Y

Y

n/a

n/a

Y

Agronomic advice

N

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Y

Remote management

N

n/a

n/a

Y

Y

Y

Good

?

Factors Upfront cost

Support

n/a

Average Average

n/a

No. sites

n/a

Single+

Single+

n/a

Autonomous irrigation

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Y

Y

Dashboard quality

n/a

Average

High

n/a

High

?

Detection of system failure

N

n/a

?

Y

Y

?

SMS/Email report to on-duty operator

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

?

Y

Y

?

Multiple Multiple

Operating & monitoring via mobile phone

n/a

Secure access

n/a

Y

Y

Y

Y

?

Real time performance analysis & status reporting

n/a

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Monitor Monitor only only

WA CITRUS

f TRACMAP has a cloud-based job management system and in-cab GPS display unit.

• Monitoring and control systems (collect data and control irrigation system).

• D ashboards to present data in a meaningful format.

• Score card using Excel spreadsheet to produce packout reports.

• Remote imaging for crop forecasting and tree stress (satellite’s, planes, drones).

3 What did you think about when choosing digital tools?

Some of the factors to consider for the irrigation management tools are listed in Table 1.

Connectivity was also a factor to be considered when installing sensors to take advantage of the time efficiencies gained from remote data download.

Reducing paperwork and increasing efficiencies

BY STAFF FROM AGRIFRESH AND MOORA CITRUS

T

he decision to go paperless by 2022 for one business was driven by the need for timely information, a lack of room for record storage, and having multiple sites between which records were created, processed and stored.

Using online cloud-based software, based on Google forms for HR, including timesheets, audit documents from the orchard and shed and induction documentation. The online system complements face-to-face inductions at the orchard.

It is estimated that changes led to the reduction in paper usage by about 95 per cent.

Efficiencies in time (labour), about 12 hours per new employee; increased data integrity due to fewer doubles ups in data handling and more real-time data for greater efficiencies.

TracMap is used by the spray team to save time, increase accuracy, improve OH&S and for reporting. It has a cloudbased job management system and in-cab GPS display unit. The system has gone from paper-based diagrams and handwritten notes, that then also needed to be entered into the computer, to a digital based job description that includes GPS location, as well as tracking and reporting for OH&S and QA records.

f WEATHER stations used for calculating irrigation scheduling.

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WA CITRUS

In the supply chain

D

uring the industry tour, Terry from Ivankovich Farms explained the packing line for carrots and their new piece of technology at the end of the packing line.

This stacks and wraps boxes/cartons saving man hours, reducing workplace health and safety issues and ensuring a faster throughput for the shed.

Queensland fruit fly This year the wholesale markets was within the Quarantine area for the Coolbellup outbreak of Queensland fruit fly. The Quarantine Area Notice ended on Monday May 24, meaning all restrictions for the movement and management of fruit have been removed. This outbreak highlighted the impact on the supply chain and growers, and was raised as an agenda item for discussing future preparedness within the supply chain at the Horticulture Biosecurity Advisory Council.

MORE INFORMATION To discuss your labour needs please contact Kit Sainsbury, 0477 477 044 or email kit.sainsbury@vegetableswa.com.au

The Qfly Quarantine Area Notice ended on Monday May 24.

Workplace health and safety, learnings from vegetable industry

W

e would like to extend a big thanks to David Ellement from Ellement Produce, for his time and discussion on workplace health and safety in his vegetable business.

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WA Grower WINTER 2021

David highlighted the use of toolbox meetings and being aware of relevant legislation.

A small team, led by NSW Department of Primary Industries leader of digital delivery and resources, Michelle Smith, are developing resources on workplace health and safety after identifying certain gaps.

These resources will also be in multiple languages.

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

For more information on the fund and strategic levy investment visit horticulture.com.au

STONEFRUIT

stonefruit

update Stonefruit WA

WA Grower WINTER 2021

75

STONEFRUIT

contacts Stonefruit Sub-Committee Danny Di Marco, Chair e: dimarconson@gmail.com Anthony Fullam

e: afullam@wn.com.au

Bruno Delsimone

e: bdelsimone@mercermooney.com.au

Anthony Caccetta

e: antc83@hotmail.com

Mark Scott

e: markpscott@bigpond.com

Sebastian Fiolo

e: karragullen@bigpond.com

Mick Padula

e: mickpadula@yahoo.com.au

Robert Giumelli

e: juroorchard@live.com.au

Scarlet Roxby, Value Chain Facilitator

e: scarlet.roxby@perthnrm.com e: (08) 9374 3306

APC fee for service charge Stone fruit effective from 1 November 2009 Type of fruit

$/kg

All fresh stone fruit (apricots, cherries, loquats, nectarines, peaches and plums)

0.015

Processing fruit

0.006

News

We are pleased to announce that Rachel Lancaster has been contracted to do the Horticulture Biosecurity Liaison Role for the Stonefruit Industry and this will be taking place in 2021.

e t a d p u y r t Indus

T

BY SHAY CROUCH VALUE CHAIN FACILITATOR, STONEFRUIT

hough the season has finished, work continues with planning for the next season and learning from previous challenges.

COVID-19, labour shortages, and Queensland fruit fly continue to pose risks to business, which we are attempting to alleviate through forward planning.

Moora Citrus are currently trialling a protected cropping system with DPIRD, and looking at a range of measures to establish its cost/benefit ratio.

At the end of May we held the APC Stonefruit sub-committee annual general meeting (AGM) at Masonmill Gardens in Carmel. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend, we appreciate you taking the time.

There were many learnings to take away from the field trip and the technologies we saw, some of which could be transferred to stonefruit orchards, to improve the orchard efficiencies and the quality of the fruit pack-outs.

In mid-April Danny and I were able to join Citrus growers on a bus tour to AgriFresh and Moora Citrus.

The field day was about the digital tools they use in the orchard, which included monitoring the environment, irrigation systems, tracking of labour operations, frost fans and more.

what’s on...

2021

Grower tour to Renmark WHEN Spring 2021 WHERE TBC

WA Stonefruit Season Launch EARLY December 2021 WHERE TBC

f PROTECTED Cropping trial at Moora Citrus.

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WA Grower WINTER 2021

We hope we can offer similar opportunities for Stonefruit growers in the coming seasons. Please let us know if there are particular places or things you would like to see and hear about.

STONEFRUIT

We look forward to continuing our engagement with Buy West Eat Best in the future.

f BUY West Eat Best organising another fantastic interaction display of local produce at Belmont Forum.

Buy West Eat Best is a good choice We are grateful for our engagement with Buy West Eat Best over the years, especially the recent Good Choice campaign. In March they held their second retail activation at Belmont Forum. To leverage the event, we had Fresh Finesse run a stand for WA Stonefruit, in collaboration with Five Seasons Fresh, to display yellow and white peaches and red plums for customers to taste. This was a fantastic event in all, with excellent community engagement.

The Good Choice WA campaign is coming to the conclusion of its two-year time frame. This project provided a fantastic array of promotional events and advertisements to WA customers.

The campaign for WA Stonefruit went far and wide, with radio and TV in metro and regional areas, billboards, TransPerth bus sides and Xsight TVs in IGAs. They also extended their support for the season launches, organisation of activations at Floreat Forum and Belmont, other community events

such as Barbeque in the Burbs and WA Great Graze.

f FRESH finesse staff providing samples of stonefruit to customers at Belmont Forum.

The BWEB logo and message are widely known in the WA community. Hence, participation in the campaign has been a valuable opportunity. We look forward to continuing our engagement with Buy West Eat Best in the future. ● MORE INFORMATION For more information contact Shay Crouch via shay.crouch@perthnrm.com or phone (08) 9374 3306.

FOLLOW WA STONEFRUIT @wastonefruit @WeLoveWAStonefruit

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STONEFRUIT

Bumper

cherry season stems from lower prices

f MORE than two-in-five Australian households purchased cherries in the 2021 season.

100

SEASONAL KEY PURCHASE DRIVERS OF CHERRIES 43.0% OF AUSTRALIAN HOUSEHOLDS Bought cherries throughout the 2020 season

Christmas and cherries go hand in hand with summer and socialising and it’s not unusual to see a display of these shiny, sweet, and rich-coloured stone fruit taking pride of place on the Aussie Christmas dining table and across summer occasions.

The domestic cherry season typically lasts around 100 days from late October to February and NielsenIQ Homescan research reveals that 2021 was a bumper season for Australian cherries.

For the 18 weeks ending 28 February 2021, cherry consumption (volume sold) was up by a staggering +33.2% versus the same period in 2020, while dollar sales increased +17.0%.

0

$23.44met with Two-thirds (66.3%) of all cherry volume 2018 The latest season was sales were sold loose, while 33.7% were households spent $23.44 on average this favourable growingBuying conditions sold pre-packed. While loose cherries on cherries Repeat buyer and steady rainfallseason resulting in represented 64.1% of total volume growth consumers having1.8KG access to for cherries, pre-packed still had a higherthan-expected growth contribution (35.9%) bountiful supply and lower prices.

An average of 1.8kg of cherries were purchased by buying households

Australian buying households

WA Grower WINTER 2021

SEA

Trialis

2018

Average buying occasions

2019 2020

Average $ spent

0 Average kg purchased 0

5

10

15

% % change 2020 vs 2019 season % change 2020 vs 2018 season

FIGURE 1. SEASON ON SEASON PERFORMANCE. Source: NielsenIQ Homescan 18 weeks to 28/02/2021 vs two years prior

78

20

given its overall share position.

SEASON

F

or many Australians, spotting the first cherries of the season heralds the arrival of summer and the festive season.

60

The performance of this The 2021 season saw the average price 2.7year’s TRIPScherry crop was also significantly greater than per kilogram for cherries decline by 40 On average, buying households made 2.7 trips the 2019 season in both volume (+23.8%) -12.2% compared to the 12 months prior, 20 to purchase cherries and dollar terms (+35.3%). but still +9.3% higher than 2019. %

BY LEWIS MUSCAT MANAGER FRESH ANALYTICS, NIELSEN

80

20

25

30

Pre-Ch

STONEFRUIT

SEASONAL KEY PURCHASE DRIVERS OF CHERRIES 43.0% OF AUSTRALIAN HOUSEHOLDS Bought cherries100throughout the 2020 season

100

43.0% OF AUSTRALIAN HOUSEHOLDS Bought cherries throughout the 2020 season

80

80

2.7 TRIPS 60 On average, buying households made 2.7 trips 40 to purchase cherries 100

%

2.7 TRIPS SEASONAL KEY PURCHASE DRIVERS OF CHERRIES 40 PURCHASE DRIVERS OF CHERRIES On average, buyingSEASONAL households madeKEY 2.7 trips 20 43.0% OF AUSTRALIAN HOUSEHOLDS to purchase cherries 2019

SEASON

0

Australian2019 buying households Australian buying SEASON households

2018

erage kg purchased

2020

Average 10 buying15occasions 20 25 Average %occasions FIGURE 2. REPEATbuying BUYER SHARE OF BUYERS. 5

30

NielsenIQ Homescan ge 2020 vs 2019 season Source: % change 2020 vs 2018 season

80

%

60 40 20 0

2020

25

30

Average $ spent Average $ spent

Repe

Average $ spent 2020 20

40

60

80

2018 Average kg purchased % 2018 Repeat buyer Trialist Pre-Christmas Post Christmas 2019 0 5 10 15 2019 FIGURE 4. VOLUME SALES NINE WEEKS PRE- AND POST-CHRISTMAS. % Source: NielsenIQ Homescan 18 weeks to 28/02/2021 vs two years prior 2020 % change 2020 vs 2019 season % change 2020 vs 2018 season 2020

Repeat buyers — those who purchased more than once in the season — are incredibly important to the cherry This 0 5 10 category.

15 20 group 25 of buyers 30 represented 56.8% of all 2019 % 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 cherry buyers (see Figure % change 2020 vs 2019 season % change 2020 vs 2018 season % 2) and accounted for 2020 % change 2020 vs 2019 season % change 2020 vs 2018 seasonthan three-quarters more (78.6%) of all volume sales 20 2020 40 100 2018 0 2019 (see60Figure 3). 80 % SEASON Repeat buyer Trialist Pre-Christmas Post Christmas

FIGURE 3. REPEAT BUYER SHARE OF VOLUME SALES.

Shopper behaviour

Post Christmas

Repe

Average buying occasions

Average kg purchased 2018 kg purchased Average

Source: NielsenIQ Homescan

40

0 2019

SEASON

100

2018

100 100 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20 0 0

100

SEASON

Repeat buyer Trialist

0

SEASON

0

60 SEASON 40 Repeat buyer Trialist 1.8KG40 20 An average of 1.8kg of cherries were purchased 20 by buying 0 households 2018 2019 2020 0 2018 2019 2020 SEASON Australian buyingRepeat buyer Trialist SEASON householdsRepeat buyer Trialist

SEASON SEASON

Average $ spent

%

%

On average, buying households made 2.7 trips to cherrieshouseholds made 2.7 trips Onpurchase average, buying 1.8KG to purchase cherries An average of 1.8kg of cherries were purchased $23.44 by buying households $23.44 Buying households spent $23.44 on average this HERRIES 100 100 season households on cherries spent $23.44 Buying on average this Australian buying 80 80 season on cherries households 2018 1.8KG 60 60 1.8KG An average of 1.8kg of cherries were purchased 2019 ge buying occasions 40 by buying An averagehouseholds of 1.8kg of cherries 40were purchased by buying households 20 20 2020

Trialist

100 20 $23.44 80 0 spent $23.44 on average this Buying80 households 60 2018 2019 2020 2020 season on cherries

% %

43.0% OF AUSTRALIAN HOUSEHOLDS 0

Bought cherries throughout the 2020 season $23.44 2018 Bought cherries throughout the 2020 season Buying households spent $23.442.7 on average TRIPS this season on cherries Repeat buyer 2.7 TRIPS

%

60

% %

ONAL KEY PURCHASE DRIVERS OF CHERRIES

In the 2020–21 season more shoppers purchased cherries, with shoppers purchasing more than they usually would and far more frequently. More than two-in-five (43.0%) Australian households purchased cherries in the 2021 season — an increase of +4.4% of Australian homes versus the previous year (see Figure 1). During this period, shoppers cherries 60 purchased 80 100 2.7 times % on average (+9.4% versus 2020) and spent a total of $23.44 for around 1.8 kilograms of the fruit.

The post-Christmas opportunity

20

25

30

20 on driving 40 60 activity0that focuses % 0 across the20summer period 40 60 demand % will help Pre-Christmas build on thePost already growing Christmas consumption post-Christmas. Making Pre-Christmas Post Christmas cherries available in convenient, pre-packed sizes to suit different household types, messaging that centres on cherries as an indulgent but much healthier treat, recipe ideas for smoothies, smoothie bowls, homemade sorbet and snack bars, may help to encourage consistent buying across the season.

Cherry sales have a strong dependency on Christmas as the peak consumption period.

Cherry sales have a strong dependency on Christmas as the peak consumption period. The first nine weeks of the 18-week cherry season includes Christmas and made up 69.1% of all volume sales, compared to the second half of the season which only accounted for 30.1%.

To encourage strong cherry consumption right through the season, growers and retailers should continue to work together to guarantee the availability of the fruit from the first to the last domestic harvest. While cherries are a great-tasting and affordable gift option for Christmas, continued marketing

MORE INFORMATION www.harvesttohome.net.au FOLLOW WA STONEFRUIT @wastonefruit @WeLoveWAStonefruit

WA Grower WINTER 2021

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STONEFRUIT

Grower profile

Dennis Tucker

BY SCARLET ROXBY MERCHANDISER, STONEFRUIT WA

T

here are over 170 stonefruit growers in Western Australia and they all have a story to tell. I recently got to chat with Dennis Tucker about his Capel River Orchard.

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WA Grower WINTER 2021

PERTH

CAPEL RIVER

Farmer Dennis Tucker Location Capel River, WA Enterprises Plums

f DENNIS with a handful of Flavour Fall Pluots, fresh from the tree.

STONEFRUIT

The plum market had its challenges, but that's nothing unusual. It seemed that the export market was subdued, which probably added to the annual February plum glut in our domestic market.

Hopefully, as borders reopen, the exports can pick up.

What would be your key message for consumers about WA Stonefruit?

Where is your farm, how long have you been orcharding there and what do you grow?

My farm, technically my father’s farm, is at Capel River, located between Capel and Donnybrook. My great, great grandfather farmed down the Stirling near the mouth of the Capel River and moved 15km upstream to our current location here at Capel River in 1923.

Various horticultural pursuits, as well as beef cattle and dairy, have been undertaken here in the past 98 years.

In the mid-1990s, Dad began increasing the scale of our stonefruit operation. He started planting blocks of high-density (1,800–2,500 trees/hectare) plums to supply the export market.

I moved here and began working full-time in 2013, and plums are now the primary focus of our operation. Some of my father's original high-density plum blocks are still in full production, however, our markets have shifted. About 80 per cent of our fruit is sold in Western Australia (WA), 10 per cent sent over east and 10 per cent exported. The bulk of our production is late season, February to April, as we believe our climate is most suited to growing varieties targeting this marketing window.

Have you changed the way you grow stonefruit in recent years or implemented new technology/ practices?

A high-density production system revolves around maximising yield per hectare whilst minimising labour cost per unit of grade one fruit produced. This thematic and basic orchard structure hasn't changed over the last 25 years. However, tinkering is ongoing. Newer plantings

have a maximum height of 3m, allowing 70 per cent of the work to be done from the ground. It is easier to manage labour on the ground, more efficient and safer.

Under the guidance of our advisor, Geoff Godley, and my father's encouragement, I have embraced the orchard systems advocated by Bas van den Ende, a research scientist from the Victorian Ag Dept. Over the past eight years, our management has changed to reflect this. The result is a laborious summer pruning regime with the aim being to improve light penetration into the tree, especially the lower half of the canopy.

More light improves fruit colour and sugars. The pruning also extends the commercial fruiting life of the permanent branches.

I distinctly remember a friend visiting and asking how we clear more forest to plant orchard to replace existing plantings that have degraded the land. I pointed out some oranges that my great grandfather had planted — they are still in production today. The ground doesn't get run down; it is built up, I explained. He is a mechanical engineer from Perth — it shows some preconceptions that exist about our farming systems.

Like most modern growers, we monitor soil moisture to conserve water and ensure nutrients aren't leached through the soil, maintain ground cover to stop erosion and use integrated pest management to limit our chemical usage. Caring for the land and farming sustainably is massively important. It is hard to quantify many metrics around these themes, but it is good for the public to know as it enhances our social licence to operate.

The trellis system used on the farm maximises yield, while minimising labour costs.

I have also reduced our nitrogen inputs down to around 100kg N/Ha. I believe this helps reduce vegetative growth and leads to an improvement in fruit firmness. Combined with the summer pruning, it substantially reduces the winter pruning load.

What issues and challenges (especially regarding COVID) have you managed with this season?

This season, along with most other growers, thought was put into being proactive at the beginning of the season to reduce labour requirements and plan ahead for labour requirements to liaise with potential workers and other growers about labour ‘sharing’. Whilst there were certainly fewer backpackers around Donnybrook, we managed okay, but I'm expecting it to be more difficult next season.

When choosing a piece of fruit, I would say that bigger is better as they are generally sweeter. Finally, store stone fruit in the fridge, not the banana bowl — it will keep so much better!

Do you have a favourite stonefruit recipe?

I'm not much of a cook, but I do like a few stewed plums to give me my plum hit in the winter and spring offseason. ● MORE INFORMATION For more information contact Shay via email shay.crouch@perthnrm.com or phone (08) 9374 3306.

FOLLOW WA STONEFRUIT @wastonefruit @WeLoveWAStonefruit

WA Grower WINTER 2021

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STONEFRUIT

s m u l p Stewed

Add a bit of spice with star anise or cinnamon sticks!

A comforting winter dessert, best served with something creamy...

PREPARATION | 10 MINUTES COOKING | 45 MINUTES MAKES | 8 LARGES PLUMS

•

f LOOK out for the BUY WEST EAT BEST logo to ensure you are buying West Australian grown plums.

Ingredients

Preparation

• 1kg firm red plums, halved and pitted (about 8 large)

1. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the sugar, water and lemon juice to a boil. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes or until the sugar has completely dissolved. Add the plums and cook for 1 minute. Simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes, depending on the size of the plums, or until tender. Let cool.

• 500mL (2 cups) sugar • 250mL (1 cup) water • 30mL (2 tbsp) lemon juice

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WA Grower WINTER 2021

2. Keep the plums in the refrigerator until ready to serve. The stewed plums will keep for about two weeks in the refrigerator.

NOTE: Each type of plum, according to its variety, size and level of ripeness, can have a very different cooking time. Watch carefully while cooking.

YOUR BUSINESS

your

business Your business WA Grower WINTER 2021

83

YOUR BUSINESS

What do you do...

when things get tough, and your business runs into trouble

BY CHRIS PUCKRIDGE RURAL AND SMALL BUSINESS FINANCIAL COUNSELLOR, RURAL WEST

M

ost farming businesses, at some stage in their history, will have a time so difficult that things look bleak and the future is clouded.

Here are some proven suggestions that can help you: 1 Look around for a contact to discuss your situation and assist with a way forward.

Most people find that it is much easier to work with someone else, rather than to try and find all the answers by themselves. Who do you know who you can trust to maintain confidentiality and remain impartial and focused on supporting your business to recover?

This could be a trusted friend or neighbour who has business experience, or your accountant or farm advisor, or it could be an organisation like Rural West which incorporates the Rural Financial Counselling Service of WA.

It’s important to find someone to bounce ideas off, and there is the potential benefit of learning from someone that has experience in some of the matters that you are dealing with. When you are experiencing difficulty, it can be very

Often in farming, things can deteriorate quickly because of a natural event such as drought or crop failure.

Hard times can be caused by many other factors such as unforeseen expenses, personal upheaval due to disputes, divorce or death in the family.

Or events that reduce income or increase expenses to the point that the business is not able to meet its financial commitments.

Most farming businesses will experience some sort of financial crisis if not once, perhaps even more than once.

So, what can you do if you find your business in a position like this?

There are a couple of key elements that will help many businesses through a financial crisis and the common thread between them is communication.

If you find your business is in financial difficulty, there are several steps you can take to start digging your way out and get back on your feet.

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isolating. Sharing this with someone you trust will make it much easier on you and decision making will be more effective with the shared knowledge of others’ experiences.

2 When you have found people you can trust to be working in your interests, you can then work together to review your situation. This will help you to put everything into perspective and separate emotions from facts. This can lead you to understand your ability to reduce debt or manage payment plans with creditors. It can also help you to review your overall position and look at the business strategically, and perhaps review if the business has a long-term future or whether it’s in the final stages of its financial life. You will then be able to update the status of your current financial position, including your assets, liabilities and cashflow, for the next one or two years. Once you have had a good look at the business and your overall financial position you can evaluate your capacity to recover and rebuild, or to sell or liquidate.

Hard times can be caused by natural events such as drought, cyclones and flooding.

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f MOST farming businesses will experience some sort of financial crisis if not once, perhaps even more than once.

Useful numbers FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY TO CALL 3 If you plan to move forward with running the business, you are now ready to prepare an initial plan for rebuilding. You can start by contacting your creditors to let them know that you are in a difficult situation and that you have plans to make full payments on the debt you owe, but you may be asking for their support in providing you with increased times to pay or other forms of extended terms.

4 If you have bank debt, it will be important to contact your bank and discuss your situation. If you have a dedicated person in the bank that you can contact, this will be a good start. If you do not have a direct contact in the bank, all banks have a hardship section that you can speak with, and they can start the process of analysing your position.

Hopefully the bank will provide you with assistance where needed, such as extending payment terms or changing your account structure, to give you short term assistance. An example of this would be moving from principal and interest on a loan to interest only, so that you can manage your cashflow better until you are able to recover.

5 If you have Australian Taxation Office (ATO) debt you will need to contact their hardship service. The ATO are very supportive of business owners and will do everything possible to support payment plans and extended arrangements.

6 Once you have your plans in place it is critical that you maintain ongoing contact with your creditors to keep them aware of your position. It is important to recognise that most creditors will be patient if you keep up the communication. Most creditors would rather get paid three or six, or even 12 months late than not paid at all.

6 Now that you have your immediate debts and critical issues under control it is important that you plan to ensure your business remains in a better financial position and doesn’t slip backwards. This can be done by regularly reviewing your cashflow budget and looking at building in a safety margin to cover any unforeseen expenses.

ATO SMALL BUSINESS HARDSHIP

Regularly reviewing your recovery plan and communication with your creditors are your keys to recovery.

Farming businesses can recover very well once plans are in place and communication is maintained.

1300 660 155

Often difficult times like these build stronger bonds between the farming business and their suppliers and lenders, who learn that the business operator is reliable and trustworthy to repay debt, even when faced with difficult times.

13 11 42

ANZ BUSINESS CUSTOMER CONTACT

1800 252 845

BANKWEST CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE

1300 769 173

COMMONWEALTH BANK ASSIST

13 26 07

NAB FINANCIAL HARDSHIP

1300 961 577

RURAL BANK CUSTOMER SERVICE

WESTPAC CUSTOMER ASSIST

1800 067 497

MORE INFORMATION Rural West is supported by the State and Federal governments, Rural West works with a wide range of primary producers and regional small business owners to improve their position and profitability.

Call 1800 612 004 or visit ruralwest.com.au

for more information.

The key points of managing unexpected business difficulties are finding people you can trust to work with and then ensuring communication with your creditors is open, honest, and consistent.

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If you’re an employee in the agriculture industry it pays to learn what you can claim at tax time

You can claim the cost of using a car when you drive between separate jobs on the same day.

To claim a deduction for work-related expenses

f YOU can’t claim the cost of trips between home and work.

n You must have spent the money yourself and weren’t reimbursed n It must be directly related to earning your income n You must have a record to prove it.* You can only claim the workrelated part of expenses. You can’t claim a deduction for any part of the expense that relates to personal use. * You can use the myDeductions tool in the ATO app to keep track of your t expenses and receipts throughou the year.

Vehicle expenses You can claim the cost of using a car you own when you drive: — between separate jobs on the same day — for example, travelling from your first job as a fruit picker directly to your second job to test soil for crop research — to and from an alternate workplace for the same employer on the same day — for example, travelling between cane fields for your employer.

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If you claim car expenses, you can use the logbook method or the cents per kilometre method to calculate your work-related claim.

If your vehicle has a carrying capacity of one tonne or more, such as a ute or panel van, you can’t use the cents per kilometre method to calculate your claim. You can claim the actual expenses based on the work-related use of your vehicle.

The easiest way to demonstrate this is by keeping a logbook. You can claim the work-related percentage of the decline in value and running costs, such as fuel, oil, insurance and loan interest but you must keep your receipts and records that show your work-related travel.

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You can’t claim the cost of trips between home and work under any of the methods, even if you live a long way from your usual workplace or work outside normal business hours.

In limited circumstances you can claim the cost of trips between home and work, where you carry bulky tools or equipment for work. You can claim a deduction for the cost of these trips if: — the tools or equipment are essential to perform your employment duties and you don’t carry them merely as a matter of choice — the tools or equipment are bulky — this means that because of the size and weight they are awkward to transport and can only be transported conveniently by the use of a motor vehicle — there is no secure storage for the items at the workplace.

You can claim the decline in value and running costs of all-terrain vehicles (ATV), such as a quad bike, where you're required to cover large distances of land that is not accessible by car. You can only claim the decline in value for an ATV if you paid for the vehicle yourself and you were not reimbursed by your employer.

Travel expenses You can claim travel expenses if you’re required to travel away from your home overnight in the course of performing your employment duties — for example, carting cattle long distances between farms.

Travel expenses can include meals, accommodation, fares and incidental expenses you incur when travelling for work.

You can’t claim a deduction if the travel is paid for, or you are reimbursed by your employer or another person.

Receiving a travel allowance from your employer doesn’t automatically mean you can claim a deduction.

You still need to show that you were away overnight, you spent the money yourself, and the travel was directly related to earning your employment income.

Clothing, footwear and laundry expenses You can’t claim the cost of buying or cleaning conventional clothing worn at work — for example, footy shorts, track pants, jeans or jackets, even if you only wear it to work and your employer tells you to wear it. ou can claim the cost of buying, Y cleaning or repairing: — compulsory uniforms that are unique and distinctive and identify you as working for a particular employer — non-compulsory uniforms that are registered with AusIndustry (check with your employer if you’re not sure).

You can claim clothing and footwear that you wear to protect yourself from the risk of injury or illness posed by your income-earning activities or the environment in which you carry them out. To be considered protective, the items must provide a sufficient degree of protection against that risk — for example, a cattle farmer can claim gloves and steelcapped boots. The cost of repairing, replacing or cleaning protective clothing and footwear can also be claimed.

claim the initial cost of obtaining it, however you can claim the cost of renewing it during the period you are working.

Other expenses You can claim the work-related portion of other expenses if they relate to your employment, including: — the decline in value and maintenance of guns, firearms and ammunition — working dog and working horse expenses, such as food, vet bills, miscellaneous items like the decline in value of a saddle — hats and sunscreen — tools and equipment as well as repairs, such as a chainsaw or fencing tools — union and professional association fees — phone and internet costs, apportioned for private and work use, with records showing a detailed usage pattern

You can claim clothing and footwear that you wear to protect yourself.

You can’t claim a deduction if your employer pays for or reimburses you for these expenses.

— technical or professional publications.

You can’t claim a deduction if the cost was met or reimbursed by your employer. You also can’t claim private expenses, such as music subscriptions or childcare.

MORE INFORMATION

Licences, permits and cards You can’t claim your driver’s licence or motor bike licence.

You can’t claim the initial cost of getting a special licence, condition on your licence or certificate in order to gain employment — for example, a heavy vehicle permit, firearm or forklift licence.

This information is for employees who work in agriculture. It doesn’t apply to hobby farmers.

If the drought is causing you financial difficulties, phone us on 1800 806 218 and we can help you manage your tax.

This is a general summary only.

For more information, visit ato.gov.au/ occupations or speak to a registered tax professional.

You can claim the additional costs to renew a special licence, condition on your licence or certificate in order to perform your work duties. For example, if you need to have a forklift licence to get your job, you can’t WA Grower WINTER 2021

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Small businesses play a major role in economic recovery in WA!

Small business check a year into disruption

BY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

S

ince the rapid onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March last year, businesses of every type around Western Australia (WA) have bounced from lockdowns and restrictions, to labour shortages and in some cases, surges in demand.

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The top challenges businesses identified

14.4%

attracting new customers

12.7%

dealing with a reduction in sales/revenue

9.5%

coping with government legislation

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It has certainly been a time of unparalleled disruption, which has required constant adaption by businesses.

One positive to come out of the past year is an increased focus on small businesses and a recognition that they play a major role in economic recovery in WA and throughout Australia.

As a result, some important research has been undertaken to track the sentiment and challenges among business owners in the new environment.

The outlook in the new year At the start of each year, the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC), the WA Government’s dedicated agency for small business support, conducts its business expectations survey to assess how business owners are feeling about the year ahead.

They were surveyed about different focus areas for their business, with responses tracked against the January 2020 survey, which reflected the pre-COVID environment.

1 Impact of the economy Respondents were asked whether they believed the economy would have a positive, negative or neutral impact on their businesses in 2021.

The level of negative sentiment rose significantly in 2021, with 56.6 per cent of businesses expecting a negative impact — more than 20 per cent higher than in 2020. Interestingly, nearly as many businesses (36.3 per cent) were anticipating a positive economic impact, only four points lower than 2020 40.6 per cent result.

2 Overall sales/revenue Almost a third of respondents (32.7 per cent) indicated they expected an increase in the overall sales/revenue of their business over the year ahead, down from 57.4 per cent last year. Just under half (47.8 per cent) expected their sales/revenue to decrease in the next 12 months, a jump of 16.5 per cent from the previous year.

3 Cost of materials Over half of respondents (58.4 per cent) indicated that they expected the unit cost of materials and supplies to increase this year, unchanged from 2020. Just under a third are expecting costs to remain stable, while only 7.1 per cent anticipate a decrease, similar to 2020 expectations.

4 Selling price and profit Selling prices are expected to remain stable over the next 12 months for nearly half (48.7 per cent) of respondents, a decrease of around 12 per cent. Almost two in five (38.1 per cent) expected to increase in their selling price, while 13.3 per cent expected it to decrease.

Just over half (51.3 per cent) of respondents expected profitability to decrease in 2021, a significant jump from 22.6 per cent in 2020. However, more than a quarter of respondents (26.5 per cent) anticipated an increase in profitability for the year ahead. This may be attributed to the different impacts of the pandemic across industries, with some sectors booming while others struggled.

5 Staffing This year sees close to two thirds of respondents (64 per cent) expecting the cost of employing staff to increase in 2021, up from 57 per cent in 2020.

Thirty-one per cent expect staff costs to remain stable. However, the ability to find and retain suitable staff is a more pressing concern for small businesses across WA in 2021.

Three quarters of respondents (75.3 per cent) indicated they are expecting it to be more challenging to find suitable staff this year.

This result points to a tightening of the labour market throughout the state and is backed by the most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data from March 2021, showing that total employment in WA has now recovered beyond pre-COVID levels.

ACT nationally when also comparing states and territories.

If employment recovery continues throughout 2021 while overseas migration remains on hold and border restrictions hamper interstate workers from travelling into WA, the pressure of filling staff needs could translate into higher wage demands in WA. 6 Adaption and challenges Respondents were asked whether they had planned to make any changes to their business during 2021.

The most common change reported for 2021 (in line with previous years) was to increase their customer base (21 per cent), followed by exploring new markets (16.5 per cent) and employing more staff (13 per cent).

The number of businesses that indicated that they are considering closing or restructuring doubled to 8.5 per cent from 2020.

The top challenges identified by businesses were attracting new customers (14.4 per cent), dealing with a reduction in sales/revenue (12.7 per cent) and coping with government legislation (9.5 per cent).

How to manage business challenges in 2021 If you are expecting challenges to continue or increase for your business throughout this year, it’s important to know that you are not alone.

The SBDC will continue to provide practical, accessible support to WA business owners, no matter what arises.

MORE INFORMATION You can turn to the SBDC and its local providers in regional WA for free business advice, practical skills development, a range of online resources, dispute management and more. Visit smallbusiness.wa.gov.au or call 133 140 for more information.

WA’s unemployment rate in March fell to 4.8 per cent — the lowest of all states and second only to the WA Grower WINTER 2021

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Your work agreement Use this template to help make a piecework agreement under the Horticulture Award.

This visual agreement template uses simple images and text to help employees, particularly those with low literacy, to better understand the rights and entitlements of a pieceworker under the award.

The agreement must set out the piecework rate for each unit or work produced.

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YOUR BUSINESS

ABOUT THE AGREEMENT This Agreement is an example only. Other formatting is still considered valid provided it complies with the Award.

This is an Agreement to be paid by the piece.

You will be paid piecework rates instead of the hourly or weekly wages under the Award. You aren’t guaranteed minimum hourly rates or weekly wages.

Because you’re a pieceworker, some clauses in the Award won’t apply to you. Those clauses are ‘ordinary hours of work and rostering arrangements’ (clause 13), ‘meal allowance’ (clause 18.3(c)) and ‘overtime’ (clause 21).

The Award says your Agreement must be in writing and signed by both you and your employer.

The employer and the employee agree to enter into this Piecework Agreement (Agreement) under clause 15.2 (Pieceworkers) of the Horticulture Award [MA000028] (Award).

The more you pick, pack, prune or make, the more you get paid.

The Agreement must set out the piecework rate for each unit of work produced.

For information about piece rates and Award requirements, visit

You must be paid for your work in money (by cash, cheque or EFT).

Your employer can’t pay you with visa extensions, meals or accommodation.

www.fairwork.gov.au/horticulture

The Award says you must receive a copy of your signed Agreement. Your employer must also keep a copy of the Agreement.

Any changes to your Agreement should be agreed by both you and the employer and in writing.

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PIECEWORK AGREEMENT Employee Name: ___________________________________________ Employee Address: ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Employer Name: ___________________________________________ Employer Address: ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ 1.

2.

This Agreement will start on: _______/______/_________ DD MM YYYY

You are employed on the following basis (tick the one that applies):

 Full Time 3.

Your Award classification level is (tick the one that applies):

4.

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 Part Time

 Casual

 Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Level 4  Level 5

Work Locations: Address 1 ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ Address 3 ______________________ ______________________ ______________________

Address 2 ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ Address 4 ______________________ ______________________ ______________________

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PIECEWORK AGREEMENT You may have more than one piece rate depending on what crop you are picking, packing or pruning, the unit that will be used to measure your work and a number of variables.

5. Duties you will perform under this Agreement:____________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ (Insert duties in detail. An employee’s duties may, for example, include picking, packing, making or pruning.)

Crop: The type of produce you work with is called a crop (eg. apple, orange).

6.

Rate: This is the amount you will be paid per unit that you pick, pack or prune.

Unit: You will be paid for every unit. For example, trays measuring (insert dimensions), boxes measuring (insert dimensions), by weight (KG) or something else.

Variables: Your piecework rate may change based on a number of variables such as the method of work you are using, the weather you are working in, or the condition of the crop you are working with.

You will be paid:

Crop

Rate

Unit

Variables

To get pay equivalent to at least 15% more than your minimum hourly rate in the Award*, you must pick/pack at least...

EXAMPLE 1

Grapes

$Y

KG

Rain

1 KG/HR

EXAMPLE 2

Grapes

$Z

KG

Sun/Cloud

2 KG/HR

PAY 1 PAY 2 PAY 3

Employer to complete the table. The employer must review the piecework rates regularly. *Your piecework rate must be high enough to allow the average competent employee to earn at least 15% more per hour than the minimum hourly rate in the Award for your type of employment and classification level. If you are a casual employee, calculation of your piecework rate must also include the casual loading.

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PIECEWORK AGREEMENT 7. Payment Tick the most appropriate method and frequency below: 7.1 Method: 7.2 Frequency:

 Cash  Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)  Cheque

 Every week  Every 2 weeks

8. Notes Add any additional notes here (eg. authorised deduction arrangements): If you are doing work not covered by this Agreement, you must be paid the minimum wages for your type of employment and classification level in the relevant Award.

Signatures

Employee Signature: __________________________________ Print name:

Date:

__________________________________

___/___/______

(DD/MM/YYYY)

(If employee is under 18) Parent/Guardian Signature: __________________________________ Print Name:

Date:

__________________________________

___/___/______

(DD/MM/YYYY)

Employer Signature: __________________________________ Print name:

Date:

__________________________________

___/___/______

(DD/MM/YYYY)

Need help?

If you have questions about your job, you can always ask for help.

Speak to your Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman: Speak with your employer: community: www.fairwork.gov.au/ Your employer may be the Labour Hire company or language-help the Grower.

13 13 94 Name: _______________ Phone: _______________

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Free resources available

DE

YOUR BUSINESS

PIECEWORK PIECEWORK GUIDE GUIDE Your Yourrights rights

Deduc Dedu

There Thereare arelaws lawsto tokeep keepworkplaces workplacesfair fairand andsafe safefor foreveryone. everyone. They Theyinclude: include: -- You Youmust mustbe bepaid paidfor forthe thework workyou youdo. do.

-- No Noone oneisisallowed allowedto toharass harassor ordiscriminate discriminateagainst againstyou. you.

-- You Youshould shouldnot notbe beasked askedto towork workunreasonable unreasonableadditional additionalhours. hours. For Forexample, example,additional additionalhours hoursmay maybe be unreasonable unreasonableififyou youdon’t don’tget getextra extrapay, pay,or orififthe theextra extrahours hoursaffect affectyour yourhealth healthand andsafety. safety.

-- You Youcannot cannotbe beforced forcedor orpressured pressuredinto intosigning signingthis thisAgreement.

Agreement.

-- You Youmust mustbe begiven givenaapay payslip slipwithin withinone oneworking workingday dayof ofbeing beingpaid. paid.ItItneeds needsto toinclude includedetails detailslike likeyour your name nameand andthe theamount amountyou’ve you’vebeen beenpaid. paid.Your Yourboss bossneeds needsto tokeep keeprecords recordsabout aboutyour youremployment employmenttoo. too.

Taking Takingmo m deduction deduction AAboss bosscan ca -- You You bene ben -- It’s It’saa Work Wor -- It’s It’saa -- It’s It’saa you youa

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You Youshould shouldreceive receivea:a: --10 10minute minuterest restbreak breakeach eachday dayor orshift shiftyou youwork work --30-60 30-60minute minutemeal mealbreak breakon onevery everyday dayyou youwork. work.This Thismust mustbe betaken takenno nolater later than than55hours hoursafter afteryou youhave havestarted startedyour yourshift shift --break breakof of10 10hours hoursbetween betweenfinishing finishingwork workon onone oneday dayand andstarting startingwork workon on Taking money out of an employee’s pay is called a r and safe for everyone. They include: the thenext nextday dayor orshift. shift. deduction. u do.

A boss can only deduct money if: criminate against you.

- You agree in writing and it’s principally for your unreasonable additional hours. For example, additional hours may be You may be required to work at different times benefit, or ra pay, or if the extra hours affect your health and safety. of the day and night.

- It’s allowed by a law, a court order, or by the Fair d into signing this Agreement.

You should receive a: Error!

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Work Commission, or in one working day of being paid. It document needs to include details like your - 10 minute rest break each day or shift It’s allowed under your Award, or en paid. Your boss needs to keep records about your employment too. you work - It’s allowed under your registered agreement and - 30–60 minute meal break on every day you agree to it. you work. This must be taken no later than 5 hours after you have started your shift be required to work at different times of the day and night.

A boss cannot deduct money for things like visa fees or for - break of 10 hours between finishing work damaged produce. on one day and starting work on the next uld receive a: day or shift. minute rest break each day or shift you work 60 minute meal break on every day you work. This must be taken no later 5 hours after you have started your shift ak of 10 hours between finishing work on one day and starting work on next day or shift.

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Template last updated: December 2020

YOUR BUSINESS

Succession planning is more about people than it will ever be about farming.

f PLANNING for, and communication of, how you may distribute your assets and wealth later in life can never be started early enough.

SUCCESSION PLANNING Start planning and communicating, there’s too much to lose

BY PAUL OMODEI DIRECTOR, PLANFARM

G

rowing up and working in the horticulture industry, as well as working with farming families for a significant time now, I have certainly gained a lot of personal and professional knowledge around this area known as succession planning.

I have recently experienced the process of succession planning myself and this highlighted certain aspects that should be avoided and other aspects that, in hindsight, should have had more emphasis placed on them.

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I do not claim to have all the answers, but I do believe I am aware of the key ingredients required for an effective outcome.

Frequently, family members may end up feeling misled, not necessarily through words said, but through the lack of words.

I would also like to take a moment to state the number one component of this planning, which unfortunately sometimes gets overlooked in the process.

It is important to keep this in the front of your mind and be prepared to have those conversations that some people may deem ‘uncomfortable’ very early on in the succession planning process.

Succession planning is, and always will be, more about people than it will ever be about farming.

Picture this common scenario — a now 40-year-old son came home when he was 21 after finishing his apprenticeship.

The ultimate measure of achievement in succession planning will always be family harmony after the implementation of the plan, not the fact that the farm and business continue.

When succession plans go do not go the desired way, it is certain that somewhere along the planning, some of those involved feel that they were not provided with the full picture.

The small 100ha farm was small but productive. He worked on the farm for not a lot for years, got married, had two kids and then as his children’s primary school days raced by, he and his wife started thinking about secondary education for their children and ultimately what the future held and the role the farm would play for them as a family.

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The son initiates a conversation with his parents regarding future planning, only to learn that his parents not only required a lot out of the farm financially to retire but that they wanted to provide equally financially for the non-farming sister and brother (neither of whom had worked in any capacity on the farm in their adult years).

This of course came as a big shock to the farming son who felt that through his parents’ actions so far, it was his given and obvious right to take over the farm.

He had made the incorrect assumption that his sister and brother would be the beneficiaries of just what was left of his parents off-farm assets, not part of the farm, given they had never contributed to it.

It should be noted that the farm, on the back of rising land values, was now worth $2M, however, it realistically could only support one family, the parents had minimal off-farm assets — a house near the coast and not much superannuation.

It is not my place to judge the parents right to allocate the farm as proposed above but what I do question is the wisdom of not telling the farming son much earlier on (perhaps before he started work on the farm or not long after) what their estate plans were.

If this son had known this was to be the case, he may well have chosen a different career path or even if he had not, he would not have been surprised by his parents’ plans, which emerged many years later.

I cannot stress enough, planning for, and communication of, how you may distribute your assets and wealth later in life can never be started early enough.

Unfortunately, many farming parents do not think of what the implications or consequences are when allowing sons or daughters to come home to the farm.

There are many elements that must be considered such as farm scale, equity, retirement requirements and how you wish to treat any non-farming children when commencing the planning for succession.

In recent times, I have helped numerous clients with children approaching the end of high school (or slightly older)

consider and choose what message they can give to their children as they start choosing their working and career pathways.

Ensuring that the messages are age appropriate of course (such as do not disclose the value of assets of the business nor talk too specifically) it is important to contain enough information for mum and dad’s intentions to be perfectly clear.

These are vitally important conversations to have, and more so if your children are approaching their late twenties.

Before commencing these conversations, parents need to be aware of what the capacity of the farm is, whether they are trying to grow the business and what their off-farm investment position and strategies are.

The parents need to be fully informed to be able to communicate effectively and with clarity to the children.

• Our retirement will be well-funded and not compromised by the possible desire of the next generation to ‘go farming’. This will likely require capital to flow from the business in the future.

• If only one or two of the three decides to have a career on the farm (depending on viability) then they need to understand that significant equity/capital, which could include farmland, will flow to the rest of the family to allow for ‘fair’ allocation of assets/wealth.

• The farm is of good size but likely not quite large enough to support three families, so it would need to grow (both operationally and in land size) if all of you chose to farm.

By providing the above type of information to older children/young adults you not only clearly outline your thinking at an early age, but you also invite robust and detailed discussions around this subject. This conversation will form the basis and a reference point for future discussion that can continually build upon as the years go by.

Assuming that the parents are of the agreed view that there is a career pathway on the farm If these conversations happen, for the child/children, and it is done well, then Early, clear, there should be no great then they should state surprises emerge for open, honest, evolving, explicitly and with in the family accountability what is and regular communication anyone group — even as they expected by an aspirant are the core elements to get married and their to prove their interest circumstances change. successful succession. and commitment.

Early, clear, open, honest, An example of the messaging at this age is as follows.

• Peter, Jane, and Tom, you will all be given equal opportunity, independent of age or sex, to come back to the farm to work and if you like it stay and forge your own careers.

• To be eligible to return to the farm it would be expected that a suitable qualification be obtained (i.e., degree or trade) and that a minimum of two years’ work experience elsewhere be undertaken first.

• It would be expected that if any of you wanted to pursue a career on the farm that you start your ‘apprenticeship’ on the farm by age 25.

evolving, and regular communication are the core elements that will give you and your family the best chance of successfully navigating the challenging farm succession anxiety if you find yourself within it.

Hopefully, you may even find you have a happy and united family regularly sharing Christmas lunch together in your ripe old age!

MORE INFORMATION Please contact Planfarm if you would like to discuss any aspect of succession planning.

We have numerous experienced consultants who can help you.

Call Paul Omodei on 0436 687 530 or go to www.planfarm.com.au

• A long-term commitment would be expected by approximately age 30.

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YOUR BUSINESS

What to think about before the end of Financial Year 2021?

The end of financial year is fast approaching; is your business ready?

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uring these unprecedented times, we need to think differently about our businesses and prepare for tax time before it is too late.

f NOW is the time to book an appointment to see your Tax Accountant to ensure you have the full picture of your possible tax liability.

The end of a financial year is the perfect time to plan for your tax position and also the perfect time to set your business up for a profitable year of growth.

So, what should your business be thinking about on the countdown to EOFY 2021?

1. How will JobKeeper impact me this EOFY? Many small business owners don’t know that Government initiatives such as the JobKeeper Payment is a taxable income and will be included in their tax return. For the latest information, refer to the ATO’s COVID-19 support for businesses webpage.

You may wish to seek professional advice regarding the tax and superannuation implications of COVID-19 business relief.

It is also now time to strip back the “Covid Numbers” and start looking at your business numbers without the recent Government assistance to plan for what the new financial year might look like without the Government stimulus.

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The EOFY is the perfect time to set your business up for a profitable year of growth.

YOUR BUSINESS

f BEFORE you decide to make any larger asset purchases, ensure you discuss all of the details with your Tax Accountant.

2. Is your bookkeeping up to date?

Now is the time to book an appointment to see your Tax Accountant to ensure you have the full picture of your possible tax liability.

Before you visit your accountant, make sure your bookkeeping is up to date and correct. This includes entering in your sales and purchases, reconciling your bank accounts, reporting STP, completing and lodging outstanding activity statements and paying any outstanding employee super contributions.

It is also the perfect time to decide if your current accounting software is currently serving its purpose for your business. EOFY is the ideal time to make changes to your chart of accounts to reflect any upcoming changes to your business and to ensure your financial reports can give you the best possible information.

Have you thought about how you can streamline your business processes?

Take the time to see how technology can help you by looking at what apps or add-ons are available for your business.

3. Do you have the correct structure for your business?

The EOFY is the perfect time to review your business structure to ensure it is correct for your future goals and also to eliminate any possible risk. Your Tax Accountant will be able to review your current position and advise you on the best structure for your business.

4. How can I pay less tax?

5. What does the future for my business look like?

Now that we are ready and prepared for the EOFY it’s time to start looking at the future of your business and what this looks like. Review and plan your budget for FY22, determine your business goals and exactly what you want to accomplish for the new financial year. Have a look at what business strategy you will use to get you there and most importantly look at your marketing strategy and if this needs any improvements to bring in new business.

Review and plan your budget for FY22.

This is the million-dollar question! If you have to spend $4 to save $1 of tax, you’re still $3 out of pocket.

Does the tax deduction support your business’s performance? It’s important to find out what you can claim and what makes sense for your individual business.

Before you decide to make any larger asset purchases, ensure you discuss all of the details with your Tax Accountant. Looking at what pre-payments can be made, such as rent, is another option to discuss with your Accountant.

The end of financial year can be a stressful time for business owners but it’s important to be prepared, we hope that these tips are helpful to help you get started.

MORE INFORMATION If you need help preparing for EOFY, get the help from one of bookkeepers or business advisors by contacting us on (08) 6153 0036 or hello@thesmallbusinesslounge.com.au.

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YOUR BUSINESS

Instant asset write-off for eligible businesses

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BY AMBER ATKINSON COMMUNICATIONS & POLICY OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA

ast year, the government expanded the instant asset write off by lifting the value of eligible assets from $30,000 to $150,000 and the businesses that could use it from those with an annual turnover of less than $50 million, up to $500 million.

The 2021 Federal Budget revealed that the scheme has been extended for one year to 30 June 2023.

Eligible businesses can claim an immediate deduction for the business portion of the cost of an asset in the year the asset is first used or installed ready for use.

Instant asset write-off can be used for: • multiple assets, if the cost of each individual asset is less than the relevant threshold • new and second-hand assets.

If you are a small business, you will need to apply the simplified depreciation rules in order to claim the instant asset writeoff. It cannot be used for assets that are excluded from those rules. There rules can be found on the Australian Taxation Office website. Visit www.ato.gov.au The instant asset write-off eligibility criteria and threshold have changed over time.

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You need to check your business’s eligibility and apply the correct threshold amount depending on when the asset was purchased, first used or installed ready for use.

Recent changes For assets first used or installed ready for use between 12 March 2020 until 30 June 2021, and purchased by 31 December 2020, the instant asset write-off: • threshold amount for each asset is $150,000 (up from $30,000) • eligibility extends to businesses with an aggregated turnover of less than $500 million (up from $50 million).

corporate tax entities that satisfy the alternative test • the business portion of the cost of eligible second-hand assets for businesses with an aggregated turnover under $50 million • the balance of a small business pool at the end of each income year in this period for businesses with an aggregated turnover under $10 million.

MORE INFORMATION

The EOFY is the perfect time to set your business up for a profitable year of growth.

From 7.30pm AEDT on 6 October 2020 until 30 June 2022, temporary full expensing allows a deduction for: • the business portion of the cost of new eligible depreciating assets for businesses with an aggregated turnover under $5 billion or for

For more information visit the ATO website, or head to www.ato.gov.au/Business/ Depreciation-and-capitalexpenses-and-allowances/ Simpler-depreciation-forsmall-business/Instantasset-write-off

YOUR HEALTH

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YOUR HEALTH

When it’s difficult

k c a b e c n u o to b

BY AMBER ATKINSON COMMUNICATIONS & POLICY OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA

Depression is a serious condition that affects your physical and mental health.

You are e! not alon 3 million

Australians are living with anxiety or depression.

1 in 5

Australians aged between 16–85 will experience a common mental health illness in a 12-month period.

1 in 8

males will experience depression (over a 12-month period).

1 in 5

females will experience depression (over a 12-month period).

Suicide

is the leading cause of death in males between the ages of 15–44.

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hile we all feel sad, moody or low from time to time, some people experience these feelings intensely, for long periods of time (weeks, months or even years) and sometimes without any apparent reason.

Depression is more than just a low mood — it's a serious condition that affects your physical and mental health.

Signs and symptoms You may be depressed if, for more than two weeks, you've felt sad, down or miserable most of the time, or have lost interest or pleasure in usual activities, and have also experienced several of the signs and symptoms across at least three of the categories below.

It’s important to remember that we all experience some of these symptoms from time to time, and it may not necessarily mean you're depressed. Equally, not everyone who is experiencing depression will have all of these symptoms.

YOUR HEALTH

Behaviour • not going out anymore • not getting things done at work/ school • withdrawing from close family and friends • relying on alcohol and sedatives • not doing usual enjoyable activities • unable to concentrate.

• overwhelmed • guilty • irritable • frustrated • lacking in confidence

Some people may be more at risk of depression because of their personality, particularly if they have a tendency to worry a lot, have low self-esteem, are perfectionists, are sensitive to personal criticism, or are self-critical and negative.

• indecisive • disappointed • miserable • sad.

Thoughts • 'I’m a failure.'

• 'I’m worthless.'

• 'Life’s not worth living.'

• 'People would be better off without me.'

Family history

Personality

• unhappy

• 'Nothing good ever happens to me.'

Personal factors Depression can run in families and some people will be at an increased genetic risk. However, having a parent or close relative with depression doesn’t mean you’ll automatically have the same experience. Life circumstances and other personal factors are still likely to have an important influence.

Feelings

• 'It’s my fault.'

more likely to cause depression than recent life stresses. However, recent events (such as losing your job) or a combination of events can ‘trigger' depression if you’re already at risk because of previous bad experiences or personal factors.

Serious medical illness

Depression can run in families and some people will be at an increased genetic risk.

Physical • tired all the time • sick and run down • headaches and muscle pains • churning gut • sleep problems • loss or change of appetite • significant weight loss or gain.

What causes depression?

While we don’t know exactly what causes depression, a number of things are often linked to its development.

Depression usually results from a combination of recent events and other longer-term or personal factors, rather than one immediate issue or event.

Life events Research suggests that continuing difficulties — long-term unemployment, living in an abusive or uncaring relationship, long-term isolation or loneliness, prolonged work stress — are

The stress and worry of coping with a serious illness can lead to depression, especially if you’re dealing with longterm management and/or chronic pain.

Drug and alcohol use

Drug and alcohol use can both lead to and result from depression. Many people with depression also have drug and alcohol problems. Over 500,000 Australians will experience depression and a substance use disorder at the same time, at some point in their lives.1

Still wondering where you sit on the mental health spectrum?

The Beyond Blue website features a simple anxiety and depression checklist, which asks you to reflect on your feelings over the past four weeks.

Together, these ten questions measure how distressed you’ve been recently, by signs of depression and anxiety.

It is a measure of distress commonly used by Australian GPs and mental health professionals to determine what level of support you may require.

After completing this checklist, you can print your score for your records or to give to your GP.

Help for people for whom English is not their first language People who do not use English as their first language can get free translation support from the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) by visiting www.tisnational.gov.au The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is an interpreting service provided by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection for people who do not speak English and for agencies and businesses that need to communicate with their nonEnglish speaking clients.

Immediate and pre-booked phone interpreting services are available.

MORE INFORMATION Visit www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/ anxiety-and-depression-checklist-k10 If you or anyone you know needs help, contact: • Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au • MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 or www.mensline.org.au/Home.html • Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au • Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or www.beyondblue.org.au • Headspace https://headspace.org.au/ If you are in an emergency, or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please contact emergency services on 000.

DISCLAIMER: Information in this article was supplied by Beyond Blue.

Visit www.beyondblue.org.au for more information.

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YOUR HEALTH

You’ve got 10 extra mental health sessions under Medicare Maybe it’s time to use them

BY AMBER ATKINSON COMMUNICATIONS & POLICY OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA

If you're finding that your usual coping mechanisms are not working, it’s time to reach out for help.

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 THE subsidised mental health session could be with a GP, psychologist, psychiatrist, eligible social worker or occupational therapist.

YOUR HEALTH

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here’s no doubt about it, these are difficult times and it’s not easy knowing where to turn when the chips are down.

COVID-19 has placed an incredible burden on people from all walks of life and for many people working in horticulture. With the impact of labour shortages, natural disasters and interruptions to trade, not to mention the implications of the Qfly outbreak, stress is at an all-time high.

If you're finding that your usual coping mechanisms are not working, it’s time to reach out for help.

Late last year we saw a big win for mental health: mental health sessions subsidised by Medicare were doubling, from 10 to 20 per calendar year, until 30 June 2022.

That’s for in-person sessions.

The subsidised mental health session could be with a GP, psychologist, psychiatrist, eligible social worker or occupational therapist.

Usually, you only have 10 sessions per calendar year (from 1 January to 31 December), but the new scheme allows you to carry your additional sessions into the next calendar year.

If you're starting from scratch with all this, head to your GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP).

Initially you can only be referred for a maximum of six sessions. After that you'll have to go back to your GP who can extend your referral for more, if you need it.

Some services will bulk bill, and cover the whole cost of the appointment, but for others you'll have to pay the difference between the rebate and session's full price.

Visiting your doctor The first step is to connect with your doctor. When you make the booking, ask if a long appointment is available — 20 minutes or more.

Your doctor might ask you some personal questions to understand your situation.

You doctor will then be able to consider your needs and circumstances.

Mental health professional support Your doctor can refer you to mental health professionals including: • psychiatrists • psychologists • counsellors • social workers • occupational therapists.

If you live in a remote area you may be able to have a telehealth video consultation.

You might also be asked to fill out a questionnaire about how you are feeling.

Talking to the doctor and answering the survey, can help the doctor to find the best support for you.

Sometimes it can be hard to talk to others about your mental health, so you can take a family member or close friend along for support; they can also help explain your situation to the doctor, and they can help remember the discussions you had.

Rural and remote support If you live in a remote area, it might be hard to see a mental health professional.

You may be able to have a telehealth video consultation instead.

You can claim for video consultation sessions with a mental health professional.

Ask your GP or mental health professional if they offer this service.

MORE INFORMATION You can also search the find a health service tool on the healthdirect website for mental health telehealth services.

Visit www.healthdirect.gov.au/australianhealth-services

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YOUR HEALTH

When will I get a

COVID-19 vaccine?

Everyone in Australia will be offered a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.

BY AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

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id you know that you can use the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker to find out when and where you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine, book an appointment if you are eligible, or register your interest?

Head to https://covid-vaccine. healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility and answer some questions to check if you can get a COVID-19 vaccination now.

You’ll also be able to find out where and book an appointment for yourself or another person.

The following information is available on the Australian Government Department of Health website. Please visit www.health.gov.au for up to date information and resources.

COVID-19 vaccines will be voluntary and free The COVID-19 vaccine is free for everyone in Australia. Vaccination providers cannot charge you for the COVID-19 vaccine or your appointments to receive the vaccine.

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Frequently asked questions Who will receive a vaccine?

Everyone in Australia will be offered a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.

National Cabinet has agreed that, in line with the advice of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) the Pfizer vaccine will be prioritised for people under 50 years of age. The AstraZeneca vaccine will be prioritised for people aged 50 years and over.

Are COVID-19 vaccines mandatory in Australia?

Vaccination for COVID-19 is voluntary — as are all vaccinations in Australia — and people maintain the option to choose.

This will apply to any COVID-19 vaccination that may become available.

There may be circumstances in the future, however where there may be border entry or re-entry requirements that are conditional on proof of vaccination.

How long will the COVID-19 vaccine last once I have had two doses?

It is not yet known how long the protection of the COVID-19 vaccine will last. We will know more through

ongoing research. Clinical trials are currently happening to find out if we will need booster doses on an annual or longer basis.

What we do know is that evidence shows the Pfizer and the AstraZeneca COVID19 vaccines prevent severe disease, people going to hospital and dying. The aim of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination program is to reduce COVID-19 related harm. Vaccines do this by preventing serious illness and death, and, as much as possible, transmission of the virus that causes disease.

Why do I have to wait 14 days between getting the flu and COVID19 vaccine?

The COVID-19 vaccine does not protect against the flu, so you should still have your annual flu shot.

It is recommended that people wait at least 14 days between a dose of seasonal flu vaccine and a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. There’s no evidence that the 2 vaccinations interact with each other, this is a precautionary recommendation that allows for proper safety and monitoring for both vaccines.

YOUR MARKET

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market Your market WA Grower WINTER 2021

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YOUR MARKET

Sea freight LCL service to support WA exporters The lack of international passenger aircraft has had a dramatic impact on WA exporters.

f IF the service is supported and proves to be a success, the lanes could be expanded to include Hong Kong and Bangkok.

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YOUR MARKET

f L–R: Tigers International Solutions, General Manager, Jason Radford with Freight & Trade Alliance Pty Ltd, John Park.

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n April 16, Tigers International launched its new sea freight ‘Less than Container Loads’ (LCL) service to support West Australian (WA) exporters, across agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture to reach their overseas markets.

The lack of international passenger aircraft has had a dramatic impact on WA exporters of these and other products.

Tigers International, a major player in the movement of these products via airfreight, has now initiated a LCL service via sea, initially to Singapore, to allow exporters to maintain supply to their overseas customers.

Assisting exporters with small or large consignments wishing to access the Asian markets.

While the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) has played a pivotal part in the support of these industries to continue to access overseas markets, not to mention the support of workers in these industries to hold onto their jobs, the cost of airfreight was still prohibitive to many exporters.

However, the ongoing doubt about the quarter-to-quarter extension of this scheme places stress on the industry and its supply chain.

The service, which commenced on April 16 with the one shipping line weekly service, will assist exporters with small consignments as well as those larger exporters wishing to access the Asian markets.

The initial container was set at +3 degrees and will be transporting potatoes, pumpkins, apples, onions and citrus products.

Tigers International Solutions Jason Radford said the company was also offering containers at -1 degree for meat and seafood, and assessing the viability of frozen -18 degree containers.

Using this sea freight option will allow exporters to ship their cargoes at around 60 cents per kilogram, rather than around $2.60 per kilogram via airfreight (even after IFAM assistance is provided).

The service is being marketed through avenues within Austrade and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in WA. If the service is supported and proves to be a success, the lanes could be expanded to include Hong Kong and Bangkok.

MORE INFORMATION Jason Radford, General Manager Tigers International Solutions, phone (08) 9479 0308, 0412 107 405, email jason.radford@go2tigers.com or go to www.go2tigers.com

export fReight

WWW.GO2TIGERS.COM CONTACT JASON RADFORD 0412 107 405 | JASON.RADFORD@GO2TIGERS.COM PERTH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Tigers are the largest perishable freight forwarder in Western Australia with the ability to handle export by air and sea. With a full range of facilities close to Perth Airport Tigers can handle all of your perishable freight requirements including air freight security screening, phytosanitary inspections and certification, fumigation services cold storage facilities.

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YOUR MARKET

Coles

announces centralised ordering system to improve food freshness and reduce food waste

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oles has announced it has partnered with RELEX Solutions, provider of unified retail planning solutions, to optimise their end-to-end supply chain planning for fresh produce categories as well as their long-term inventory planning capabilities.

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Improving food freshness and reducing food waste.

YOUR MARKET

The RELEX solution will service the retailer’s supermarkets nationally and their seven fresh produce distribution centres, driving better customer service, reduced food waste, and improved supplier collaboration.

The RELEX solution, part of the RELEX Living Retail Platform, will optimise Coles’ replenishment for fresh produce, utilising AI and high scale computation power. The solution also automates replenishment processes, giving planners time to focus on more critical and strategic tasks.

“Using the RELEX solution to centralise the control of the replenishment model allows Coles to provide increased efficiency in one of our most complex supply chains and improve the customer experience through more targeted ranges, improved availability, fresher products, and simpler processes for our team members and our suppliers.

“The centralised ordering of fresh produce will also help to reduce waste on our existing range and minimise waste on new ranges, which is important to us as Coles aims to become Australia’s most sustainable supermarket.”

The RELEX solution will service the retailer’s supermarkets nationally.

Coles Executive General Manager Central Operations and Transformation Kevin Gunn said Coles started the journey of centralising its replenishment model more than ten years ago.

“Fresh produce presents many unique challenges compared to other parts of the grocery business: shorter shelf life, seasonality, price elasticity, along with the diverse and complex growing seasons and regions we are challenged with in Australia,” he said.

Coles CIO Roger Sniezek said that Coles had selected RELEX as its next-generation replenishment technology to deliver benefits across the Coles Group, including great value for customers, while reducing the amount of manual work undertaken by team members.

“RELEX is a modern, automated, cloud-based replenishment solution provider to a number of leading grocers across Europe and the U.S. It represents a best-in-class technology solution that will deliver another major component of our technology-led strategy,” he said.

“The initiative forms part of Coles’ Easy Ordering program, which is a critical project in delivering on our Smarter Selling strategy.

“The new replenishment platform will integrate with Coles’ existing in-house advanced analytics smarter forecasting solution, which has already been rolled out to other non-fresh categories. This will enable an improved customer offer by not only taking into account past purchases, but also factoring weather and local community events into the forecasting algorithms.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Coles, a clear market leader in Australia that represents an exciting step in RELEX’s expansion. With the project already underway, we’re eager to see the results,” says Kristie Davison, APAC Sales Director at RELEX Solutions.

“Our companies share the same mindset and values, and it’s great to establish this partnership with a joint focus on solving the complexities that fresh product categories bring to retailers,” says Jukka Uskonen, Director of APAC Operations & Alliances for RELEX Solutions.

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YOUR INDUSTRY

FARM BIOSECURITY FOCUS — VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

Xây dựng và thực hiện kế hoạch an ninh sinh học trang trại.

AN NINH SINH HỌC TRANG TRẠI VÕ THẾ TRUYỀN CHUYÊN VIÊN KHUYẾN NÔNG VIỆT NAM, HIỆP HỘI RAU CẢI TÂY ÚC

Nông gia vaf chuyên viên khuyến nông có cùng chia sẽ mối quan tâm?

Dự án tăng cường năng lực cho nông gia để xây dựng và ứng dụng kế hoạch an ninh sinh học trang trại và quản lý sâu bệnh hại được hình thành vào tháng 12 năm 2020. Đây là một trong những hợp phần của dự án Mạng lưới khuyến nông quốc (National Vegetable Extension Network — VegNET) do Hort Innovation Australia (HIA) tài trợ.

Mục tiêu của dự án này là: 1. Tiếp tục sự hổ trợ của chính phủ liên bang và tiểu bang cho nông gia trong việc chuyển tải thông tin, tuân thủ qui định trên trang trại và xây dựng các phẩm chất nông dân tiến bộ;

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2. Liên kết hệ thống phòng thủ quốc gia chống lại các mối đe dọa an ninh sinh học mới và không lường trước được. Dự án này cũng nhằm tăng cường năng lực nông dân trong việc xây dựng và thực hành kế hoạch an ninh sinh học trang trại để nâng cao tính bền vững của doanh nghiệp. Đóng góp của chuyên viên phát triển nông thôn — VegNET WA Regional Development Officers (RDOs)

Xây dựng kế hoạch dự án Dự án này là kết quả của quá trình lược khảo cẩn thận để nắm được các yếu tố then chốt về tầm quan trọng của ngành rau cải Tây Úc, nguồn kiến thức hiện có về an ninh sinh học trang trại, cơ hội nâng cao các biện pháp thực hành của nông gia trong lảnh vực này và lợi ích thu được của việc nâng cao thực hành an ninh sinh học. Chuyên viên phát triển nông thôn đã thiết kế chiến lược của dự án theo cách mà sẽ giúp nông gia trãi qua tiến trình 5 bước trong ứng dụng tiến bộ kỹ thuật an ninh sinh học.

Tiến trình đó là:

– Kiến thức (Giúp nông gia tiếp cận với thông tin, kiến thức để tăng cường hiểu biết về an ninh sinh học trang trại và lợi ích của nó)

– Thuyết phục (Nông gia tự hình thành thái độ tích cực đối với vần đề an ninh sinh học) – Quyết định (Nông gia tự cam kết ứng dụng an ninh sinh học trang trại) – Thực hiện (Đưa an ninh sinh học trang trại vào thực hành)

– Công nhận (Tăng cường ứng dụng sau khi thấy được lợi ích của an ninh sinh học trang trại)

Tiến hành thực hiện dự án Một nhóm công tác bao gồm nhiều thành phần được thanh lập vào tháng 2/2021 nhằm chia sẽ kiến thức và nguồn lực để hổ trợ nông gia tăng cường năng lực trong lảnh vực này. Nhóm công tác bao gồm các nhà bệnh học và côn trùng học cây trồng của Bộ Nông nghiệp và phát triển nông thôn; các điều phối viên an ninh sinh học của Hiệp hội Rau cải Úc ; chuyên viên của Văn phòng quản lý tài

YOUR INDUSTRY

nguyên thiên nhiên và chuyên viên phát triển nông thôn của dự án VegNET. Hai cuộc hội thảo nông dân đã được tổ chức vào tháng 3/2021 tại hai vùng sản xuất chính của Tây Úc là Wanneroo và Carnarvon. Mục tiêu hội thảo là giới thiệu với nông gia thông tin, kiến thức an ninh sinh học. Hai trường hợp sâu keo mùa thu và ruồi đục trái Queensland xâm nhập mới đây được đưa vào làm các dẫn chứng minh họa tầm quan trọng của an ninh sinh học trong ngành rau quả. Kết quả dự án quản lý bệnh vi khuẩn và siêu vi khuẩn gây hại hoa màu cũng được trình bày trong hội thảo.

 HỘI thảo an ninh sinh học trang trại tại Carnarvon.

Địa điểm và thời gian hội thảo cũng được thu xếp sao cho thuận tiện nhất để nông gia tham dự. Thời gian họp vào chiều tối để tránh giờ làm nông và nơi họp được chọn trong vùng sản xuất để nông gia đở phải đi xa.

Thông tin mời dự hội thảo cũng được soạn bằng cả hai ngôn ngữ Anh-Việt và thông báo trên nhiều kênh khác nhau đến cho nông dân như trang tin điện tử của Hiệp hội, các trang mạng xã hội của cộng đồng. Tin nhắn qua điện thoại di dộng để nhắc nhở về hội thảo cũng được gởi đên nông gia ngay buổi sáng ngày hội thảo. Nước giải khát và phần ăn nhẹ cũng được lo sẳn phòng khi nông dân đi thẳng từ đồng ruộng đến nơi họp chưa ăn tối.

qua điện thoại để thu thập ý kiến đóng Tài liệu trình bày tại hội thảo được huẩn góp về hội thảo. bị bằng ngôn ngử đơn giản, gần gủi với Ý kiến đóng góp của nông gia sau hội nông dân và có nhiều hình ảnh minh thảo rất khích lệ. Nông gia tiếp thu được họa. Ban tổ chức cũng lo phiên dịch cho nhiều thông tin bổ ích về an ninh sinh nông gia người Việt tại hội thảo. Trong học trang trại và các biện pháp quản lý quá trình hội thảo ban tổ chức cũng sâu bệnh hại hoa màu. Nông dân tạo điều kiện thuận lợi cho nông ở Carnarvon tham dự hội thảo gia hỏi và tìm hiểu rỏ thông tin đông hơn là do sâu keo mùa cũng như tóm tắt từng phần thu và ruồi đực trái hiện là một trong mỗi chủ đề để Một nhóm công tác 2 vấn nạn rất được quan nông gia nắm bắt được đa ngành đã được hình tâm tại địa phương. thông tin cốt lõi. thành vào tháng 2 năm

Sự tham gia của nông gia

2021 để chia sẽ thông tin và kiến thức.

Chuyên viên khuyến nông tổ chứa hội thảo đã hân hạnh đón tiếp các nông gia đến tham gia 2 cuộc hội thảo — 8 người tại hội thảo Wanneroo và 18 người tại Carnarvon.

Con số trên chiếm khoảng 8% tổng số nông gia Wanneroo và 15% tổng số nông gia Carnarvon. Một số nông gia cũng nhắn tin cáo lổi không thể tham dự vì nhiều lý do và cho biết sẽ cố gắng tham dự các hội thảo sau này.

Sau hội thảo các chuyên viên khuyến nông tiếp tục tiếp xúc với nông gia bằng các cuộc viếng thăm trực tiếp và

Cải thiện tỉ lệ nông gia gắn kết với dự án

Thành thật mà nói là tỉ lệ nông gia tham dự hội thảo được tổ chức trong dự án thấp hơn kỳ vọng của nhóm tổ chức và chuyên viên khuyến nông. Chúng tôi đang xem xét lại các vấn đề sau đây để làm cho các hoạt động và hội thảo của dự án hấp dẫn hơn đối với nông dân: 1. Đảm bảo rằng mỗi thông tin và kỹ thuật giới thiệu trong hội thảo phù hợp với nhu cầu và quan tâm của nông gia; 2. Thiết kế hội thảo phù hợp hơn nữa với thói quen học tập/tiếp thu của nông gia

Nhóm thực hiện dự án luôn cho rằng sự tham gia của nông gia là nền tảng cho thành công của dự án. Dự án đặt mục tiêu có khoảng 10% tổng số nông gia trồng hoa màu tham gia (khoảng 90 người) và những nông gia này sẽ nâng cao được kỹ năng xây dựng và thực hành kế hoạch an ninh sinh học trang trại cho chính doanh nghiệp của mình.

Chúng tôi, những người thực hiện dự án, và nhóm chuyên gia phối hợp rất mong nhận được nhiều góp ý hơn nữa của quí vị.

THÊM THÔNG TIN Võ Thế Truyền, Chuyên viên phát triển vùng, (08) 9486 7515, Di động 0457 457 559, truyen.vo@vegetableswa.com.au

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WATER AND FERTILISER USE EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT — VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

Cập nhật công việc cải thiện hiệu quả sử dụng nước và phân bón trong dự án VegNET WA VÕ THẾ TRUYỀN CHUYÊN VIÊN KHUYẾN NÔNG VIỆT NAM, HIỆP HỘI RAU CẢI TÂY ÚC

Như đã đề cập trong một bài báo trong ấn ản mùa hè 2020 của tạp chí hiệp hôi Rau cải Tây úc — Lộ trình tăng cường năng lực doanh nghiệp rau cải và chiến lược công tác của mạng lưới khuyến nông Tây Úc — các chuyên viên khuyến nông sẽ sát cánh với nông gia và các cơ quan hửu quan tạo ra giá trị bằng cách diển giải các tiến bộ kỹ thuật ra thành các biệp pháp canh tác ứng dụng được trong sản xuất.

Một trong các tiến bộ kỹ thuật được đưa vào dự án là kỹ thuật tăng cường hiệu quả sử dụng nước và phân bón bằng cách phối hợp quan trắc ẩm độ đất với khái niệm “vùng rể” và kiến thức về các đặc tính đất đai để tinh chỉnh chế độ tưới. Hai nhiệm vụ khuyến nông chính trong dự án để đạt được mục tiêu trên là: 1. Xây dựng liên minh đa thanh phần để phối hợp kiến thức, nguồn lực và kỹ thuật từ nhiều phía.

2. Thực hiện dự án theo cách mà sẽ giúp nông gia trãi qua tiến trình 5 bước trong ứng dụng tiến bộ kỹ thuật. Tiến trình đó là: – Kiến thức (Giúp nông gia tiếp cận với thông tin, kiến thức để tăng cường hiểu biết về kỹ thuật mới và lợi ích của nó).

– Thuyết phục (Nông gia tự hình thành thái độ tích cực đối với kỹ thuật mới).

– Quyết định (Nông gia tự cam kết ứng dụng).

– Thực hiện (Đưa kỹ thuật mới vào thực hành).

– Công nhận (Tăng cường ứng dụng sau khi thấy được lợi ích của kỹ thuật mới)

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f CHUYÊN viên thực hiện dự án cùng kỹ thuật viên cộng tác và nông dân đứng bên cạnh một hệ thống quan trắc ẩm độ đất.

Xây dựng liên minh Việc thực hiện cẩn thận kế hoạch kêu gọi liên minh đã mang lại kết quả ban đầu cho dự án — đó là sự hình thành liên minh vào 1/2021. Liên minh bao gồm các chuyên gia và nhà nghiên cứu của Bộ Nông nghiệp và Phát triển Nông thôn, Văn phòng quản lý tài nguyên thiên nhiên (Perth Natural resources Management), Hiệp hội tưới tiêu Úc (Irrigation Australia), Công ty chuyên môn về quan trắc ẩm độ đất Wildeye và chuyên viên phát triển nông thôn của dự án mang lưới khuyến nông rau cải tây Úc (VegNET WA). Các thanh viên của liên minh chia sẽ quan tâm chung và cam kết đóng góp nguồn lực, kiến thức để biến kỹ thuật tưới tiêu tiến bộ thành các biện pháp dể ứng dụng trong sản xuất cho nông gia.

Liên minh đã bắt đầu làm việc với nhau hồi 2/2021 để thiết kế các thí nghiệm và các điểm trình bày mô hình ngoài đồng và cùng với các nông gia tham ga dự án thực hiện các thí nghiệm này tại Wanneroo, Tây Úc.

Thực hiện công tác khuyến nông.

Kế hoạch ban đầu là thực hiện 2 thí nghiệm vào tháng 2/2021 trên 2 trang trại hoa màu tại Wanneroo để so sánh lợi ích của kỹ thuật mới (tưới nước dựa vào kết quả quan trắc ẩm độ đất) so với cách tưới mà nông gia đang áp dụng. Không may là các qui định hạn chế tiếp xúc và đi lại do Covid đã ngăn cản các bước họp nông dân và thăm viếng nông gia để thực hiện kế hoạch này.

YOUR INDUSTRY

Tuy nhiên chúng tôi cũng thiết lập được 2 điểm trình bày hệ thống quan trắc ẩm độ đất vào 4/2021.

Tại các điểm trình bày này chúng tôi đã lắp đặt các thiết bị đo ẩm độ đất ở các độ sâu 15cm, 30cm, 45 cm, và 60cm để liên tục theo dõi ẩm độ đất cũng như thị phạm cho nông dân thấy phạm vi vùng rể hoạt động của cây cà và ớt đang mang trái không sâu hơn 30cm trên đất cát.

Nông dân tham gia cũng được hổ trợ cài đặt ứng dụng để theo dõi tình trạng ẩm độ của đất trên điện thoại di dộng và hiểu được ý nghĩa của các biểu đồ biến động ẩm độ đất hiện trên điện thoại.

Tìm hiểu qua nông dân tham gia dự án về cách tưới nước đang áp dụng cho thấy rằng hoa màu được tưới bằng hệ thống tưới nhỏ giọt (T-tap, thường là dung loại T-tap có lượng nước ra 1l/ lổ/giờ) mỗi ngày một lần, mỗi lần hơn 60-120 phút. Phân bón cũng được hòa vào nước và tưới theo cách này 2-3 ngày/lần.

Mặt khác, kết quả quan trắc ẩm độ đất cho thấy đất ở độ sâu 60cm cũng có biến động ẩm độ giống như đất ở độ sâu 30cm. Dựa trên ksết quả này chuyên viên khuyến nông đã giải thích cho nông dân tham gia hiểu rằng có sự thấm sâu của nước khỏi giới hạn 30cm của vùng rể. Sau mỗi lẩn tưới nước bị thất thoát và phân bón hòa tan trong nước cũng bị thất thoát theo cách này. Hơn nữa, lượng phân bón còn giử lại được trong nước ở lớp đất 30cm cũng tiếp tục bị rửa trôi theo nước tưới của ngày hôm sau.

f TẦNG rể hấp thu trong phạm vi độ sâu 30cm.

Cho đến nay những người nông dân tham gia thử nghiệm đã đồng ý thử tưới theo đề nghị của chuyên viên khuyến nông là giảm thời gian tưới 60-120 phút xuống còn 25 phút (nếu chỉ tưới 1 lần/

ngày) hoặc là tưới 2 lần/ngày mỗi lần 15 phút nếu có điều kiện thời gian. Kết quả sau 24 giờ cho thấy rất rỏ sự hạn chế thất thoát nước xuống khỏi tầng rể 30cm.

Nhóm côong tác cũng cố gắng tính toán lượng nước phân bón được ngăn chặn khỏi thất thoát để xác địng giá trị tiết kiệm được khi áp dụng kỹ thuật tưới này.

THÊM THÔNG TIN Võ Thế Truyền, Chuyên viên phát triển vùng, (08) 9486 7515, Di động 0457 457 559, truyen.vo@vegetableswa. com.au

FIGURE 1. KẾT QUẢ QUAN TRẮT ẨM ĐỘ ĐẤT THỂ HIỆN BẰNG BIỂU ĐỒ TRÊN ĐIỆN THOẠI DI ĐỘNG. WA Grower WINTER 2021

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Permits

Current Minor Use Permits can also be searched by specific crop or pest types at https://portal.apvma.gov.au/permits Permit No. Product

Crop

Reason for use

Expiry date

PER14726

Adzuki & faba beans

Grass & broadleaf weed control

30-Sep-24

116

RAPTOR WG HERBICIDE

PER14936

Haloxyfop

Adzuki bean

Grass weeds

30-Jun-24

PER12237

Pendimethalin

Adzuki bean

Broad leaf weeds

30-Nov-25

PER82124

FILAN

Adzuki beans

Sclerotinia

31-Mar-22

PER12716

Confidor 200 SC Insecticide

Asian root vegetables

Greenhouse whitefly & green peach aphid

31-Jul-25

PER84890

Pyriproxfen

Beans

Silverleaf whitefly

31-Mar-23

PER86530

Status Herbicide

Beans

Annual rye grass & winter grass

31-Aug-21

PER81260

Imidacloprid

Beetroot

Aphids & thrips

31-Jul-25

PER14891

Trifloxystrobin

Beetroot

Alternaria leaf spot

30-Sep-29

PER87630

Serenade Opti Biofungicide

Brassica leafy vegetables

Bacterial spot

30-Jun-22

PER10845

Barmac Zineb Fungicide

Brassica leafy vegetables

Cercospora leaf spot & downy mildew

31-May-25

PER14907

Emamectin

Brassica leafy vegetables

Various pests

30-Nov-24

PER14584

Imidacloprid

Brassica leafy vegetables

Aphids, whitefly & thrips

31-Jan-24

PER87670

XENTARI WG BtA BIOLOGICAL INSECTICIDE

Brassica leafy vegetables

Diamond back moth, cabbage white butterfly, helicoverpa & vegetable looper

31-Jul-24

PER87563

Warlock Insecticide

Brassica vegetables

Liriomyza leaf miners

30-Jun-24

PER14596

Chlorpyrifos

Brassica vegetables

Vegetable beetle adults

30-Sep-29

PER87773

Devrinol-C 500WG Herbicide

Brassica vegetables

Broadleaf & grass control

31-Aug-22

PER81876

ABAMECTIN

Brassica vegetables, bulb vegetables, fruiting vegetables

Leaf miner

30-Apr-24

PER81867

DIPTEX 150 WP

Brassica vegetables, fruiting vegetables

Leaf miner

30-Nov-23

PER89280

Durivo Insecticide

Brassicas, leafy vegetables

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-23

PER14352

Metalaxyl-M (Apron XL 350) and Fludioxonil (Maxim 100)

Broccoli (seed treatment)

Damping-off & rhizoctonia

31-Jan-24

PER84261

Admiral Insect Growth Regulator (pyriproxyfen)

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage & cauliflower

Silverleaf whitefly

31-Aug-25

PER14432

Pendimethalin

Brussels sprouts

Grasses & broadleaf weeds

30-Jun-24

PER80910

Iprodione

Brussels sprouts & eggplant

Grey mould

31-Jul-25

PER11951

Phosphorous acid

Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, silverbeet, endive, radicchio, chicory & processing peas

Downy mildew

31-Mar-25

PER87200

Starane Advanced Herbicide

Bulb onion

Weeds

31-Aug-24

PER80060

Frontier-P

Bulb onions

PER89185

Mainman 500 WG Insecticide

Bulb vegetable

Thrips

31-Aug-23

PER82039

BIFENTHRIN

Cabbage, Chinese cabbage & cauliflower

Symphyla

30-Sep-23

PER81408

PHOSPHOROUS ACID

Capsicum

Phytophthora soil fungus

31-Jul-25

PER12565

Scala Fungicide

Capsicum & lettuce (protected crops only)

Botrytis rots

30-Jun-25

WA Grower WINTER 2021

31-Jul-21

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permit No. Product

Crop

Reason for use

Expiry date

PER13901

Glyphosate (shielded sprayer)

Capsicums, snow peas, sugar snap peas

Annual & perennial grass & broadleaf weeds

30-Jun-24

PER90346

Flonicamid

Capsicums & eggplants

Green peach aphid

31-May-24

PER87852

Versys Insecticide

Capsicums,cucumber, eggplant

Aphids

31-May-23

PER11747

2,2-Dichloropropionic Acid

Carrot crops (for seed)

Promotion of bolting & grass weed control

2-Dec-22

PER88504

Propazine products

Carrot seed crops

Various weeds including nightshade, fat hen, wireweed

30-Apr-26

PER89181

Sumagic Uniconazole

Carrot seed crops

Plant height reduction

31-Oct-23

PER10918

Imidacloprid

Carrot, leafy lettuce, silverbeet & spinach

Greenhouse whitefly & aphids

31-Dec-23

PER88430

Versys Insecticide

Carrots

Aphids including green peach aphid & carrot aphid

31-Jul-23

PER86665

Fipronil

Carrots

White fringed weevil & symphylids

31-Jan-22

PER13305

Glyphosate (shielded sprayer)

Carrots

Certain broadleaf & grass weeds

30-Jun-22

PER80169

Metribuzin

Carrots

Grass & broadleaf weeds

30-Apr-24

PER13147

Lontrel

Cauliflower

Capeweed & clover

30-Sep-24

PER90927

Cyantraniliprole

Celery

Leaf miners

31-Dec-23

PER86599

Bifenthrin

Celery

Red-legged earthmite

31-Dec-23

PER82358

Esfenvalerate

Celery

Helicoverpa armigera

31-Jan-26

PER14843

Indoxacarb (Avatar Insecticide)

Celery

Heliothis, lightbrown apple moth, lucerne leaf roller & vegetable weevil

30-Sep-24

PER88066

Emamectin

Celery

Helicoverpa, lightbrown apple moth & cluster caterpillar

31-Aug-24

PER12489

Imidacloprid

Celery, cucumber, peppers & Cape gooseberry

Aphids, whitefly, thrips

31-May-25

PER14457

Alpha-cypermethrin

Chicory, leeks, spring onions, shallots

Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips

30-Jun-24

PER88558

Imidacloprid

Chilli peppers

Silverleaf whitefly

30-Sep-23

PER86428

Serenade Opti

Cucumber

Bacterial spot

30-Jun-21

PER14722

Abamectin

Cucumber, zucchini, squash

Tomato red spider mite

31-Jul-25

PER80138

Alpha-cypermethrin

Cucurbits

Cucumber fruit fly

31-Mar-25

PER88032

Serenade Opti Biofungicide

Eggplant

Early blight, botrytis grey mould, powdery mildew, bacterial spot

31-Oct-22

PER12506

Dimethoate

Eggplant

Queensland fruit fly & Mediterranean fruit fly

31-Aug-23

PER14186

Success Neo (spinetoram)

Eggplant

Melon thrips

30-Sep-21

PER8930

Phorate

Eggplant, peppers, shallots & spring onions

Aphids, jassids, mites, thrips & onion maggot

30-Nov-24

PER14839

Zineb

Eggplant, spinach & silverbeet

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum Spp.)

30-Sep-24

PER80717

Trichlorfon

Eggplant, Thai eggplant, pepino & Cape gooseberry

Fruit fly

31-Aug-25

PER82456

RIDOMIL GOLD MZ WG SYSTEMIC & PROTECTIVE FUNGICIDE

Field grown capsicum, chillies, paprika

Downy mildew

31-Jul-25

PER87754

Folicur

Garlic

Orange rust

31-Jul-22

PER88363

Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Garlic

Various pests

30-Jun-23

PER86750

lambda-cyhalothrin

Garlic

Insects

30-Sep-23

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permits (cont.)

Permit No. Product

Crop

Reason for use

Expiry date

PER88362

Garlic

Fungi & mildew

30-Jun-25

118

Various Products

PER87005

Abamectin

Garlic

Bulb mite

30-Sep-24

PER87114

Axiom plus

Garlic

Downy mildew, purple blotch

30-Jun-22

PER87113

Chateau

Garlic

Various weeds

31-Oct-22

PER82015

Clethodim

Garlic

Winter grass

31-Dec-23

PER87015

Lambda- Cyhalothrin

Garlic

Various pests

31-Aug-24

PER14604

Lambda-cyhalothrin

Garlic

Selected insect pests

30-Sep-25

PER86800

lambda-cyhalothrin

Garlic

Insects

30-Sep-23

PER14886

Pendimethalin

Garlic

Grass & broadleaf weeds

31-Jan-25

PER87376

Switch

Garlic

Black mould

30-Nov-21

PER86799

tebuconazole, mancozeb, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M

Garlic

Fungal diseases

30-Sep-23

PER89516

Various Copper Fungicides

Garlic

Downy mildew

30-Sep-25

PER86751

VARIOUS FUNGICIDE

Garlic

Various disease

30-Sep-23

PER87552

Various Herbicides

Garlic

Various weeds

30-Apr-24

PER86732

Various Herbicides

Garlic

Various weeds

30-Aug-21

PER86723

Various Herbicides

Garlic

Broadleaf & grass weeds

30-Sep-21

PER87014

Various Products

Garlic

Annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

28-Feb-24

PER87013

Various Products

Garlic

Various diseases

28-Feb-24

PER87012

Ioxynil

Garlic (Allium sativum) (fresh market and seed)

Broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-21

PER85103

Nufarm Nuprid

Green beans

Silver leaf whitefly

30-Sep-22

PER14896

Bentazone (Basagran)

Green peas (processing)

Broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-24

PER12351

Imidacloprid

Leafy lettuce, okra, green beans

Silverleaf whitefly

30-Apr-25

PER14906

Triadimenol

Leek, chives, shallot, spring & Chinese onions

White rot (sclerotium)

31-Oct-24

PER13367

Linuron

Leeks & celeriac

Grass & broadleaf weeds

30-Apr-25

PER81271

Various Actives

Leeks & garlic

Grass & broadleaf weeds

30-Sep-25

PER14742

Methabenzthiazuron (Tribunil Herbicide)

Leeks, spring onions and shallots

Various broadleaf and grass weeds

30-Apr-24

PER14210

Acramite Miticide

Lettuce

Two-spotted (red spider) mite

30-Sep-21

PER13301

Alpha-cypermethrin

Lettuce

Red-legged earth mite & vegetable weevil

31-May-25

PER14964

Chlorothalonil

Lettuce seedlings

Antracnose (shot hole)

30-Nov-22

PER81241

Phenmedipham (Betanal)

Lettuce, chicory, endive, radicchio & spinach

Broadleaf weeds

31-May-25

PER89331

Success Neo Insecticide

Onion

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-23

PER80282

Alpha-Cypermethrin

Onions

Onion thrips

30-Nov-25

PER13119

Diazinon

Onions

Onion thrips

31-May-23

PER89991

Dimethenamid-P

Onions

Annual ryegrass

28-Feb-24

PER84734

Verdict (haloxyfop)

Onions

Storksbill

31-Dec-24

PER86551

Pyrethrins

Organic green beans

Bean podborer

30-Apr-24

PER14858

Pendimethalin

Parsnip

Grasses and broadleaf weeds

31-Mar-25

PER12048

Prometryn

Parsnip & carrot

Weeds

31-Jul-25

PER12357

Linuron

Parsnips

Weeds

31-Jul-25

WA Grower WINTER 2021

YOUR PRODUCTION

Permit No. Product

Crop

Reason for use

Expiry date

PER14695

Ridomil Gold 25G (metalaxyl-M)

Parsnips

Pythium Spp. & Phytophthora Spp.

30-Jun-24

PER11949

Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Radish & beetroot

Various insects

31-Mar-25

PER11441

Propachlor

Radish, swede, turnip

Grass & broadleaf weeds

31-Oct-24

PER86805

Phosphorous Acid

Rhubarb

Downy mildew

31-Jan-24

PER14471

Lambda-cyhalothrin

Shallots & spring onions

Various pests

31-May-24

PER89645

Afalon Herbicide

Shallots & spring onions

Annual weeds as per Afalon label

30-Jun-22

PER11991

Legend Fungicide (quinoxyfen)

Silverbeet

Powdery mildew

31-Jan-26

PER10988

cyanazine

Snow peas & sugar snap peas

Weeds as per label

31-Mar-25

PER11764

Spiroxamine

Snow peas & sugar snap peas

Powdery mildew

31-Dec-21

PER80954

METHOXYFENOZIDE

Snow peas & sugar snap peas

Native budworm, tomato grub & cluster caterpillar

31-Jul-25

PER10976

Bentazone

Snow peas & sugar snap peas

Broadleaf weeds

31-Mar-25

PER10938

Imidacloprid

Snow peas & sugar snap peas

Greenhouse whitefly & green peach aphid

31-Jan-25

PER14505

Pyrimethanil

Snow peas & sugar snap peas

Grey mould (botrytis)

30-Jun-24

PER87878

Delegate Insecticide

Snow peas, sugar snap peas, green beans

Liriomyza leaf miners

28-Feb-23

PER14593

Mancozeb

Specified fruiting & legume vegetables

Downy mildew, anthracnose (Colletotrichum Spp) & alternaria

30-Apr-25

PER81244

Fluazifop-p-butyl

Specified vegetables & herbs

Annual grass weeds

30-Jun-22

PER14703

Tramat 500 SC Selective Herbicide (ethofumesate)

Spinach (Spinacia Oleracea only) & silverbeet

Various weeds

31-Jul-24

PER87631

Coragen Insecticide

Spinach & silverbeet

Cabbage leaf miner

30-Jun-24

PER14842

Copper Oxychloride, Cuprous Oxide or Cupric Hydroxide

Spring onions and shallots

Downy mildew

30-Sep-24

PER14890

Methomyl (Lannate-L)

Spring onions and shallots

Western flower thrips

31-Oct-24

PER14142

Ioxynil

Spring onions, shallots & Welsh onions

Broadleaf & grass weeds

30-Sep-25

PER88179

Propargite

Sweet corn

Two-spotted mite

31-Dec-22

PER90841

Abrade Abrasive Barrier Insecticide

Sweet corn

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-24

PER90374

Avatar eVo Insecticide (Indoxacarb)

Sweet corn

Fall armyworm

30-Nov-23

PER88018

Chlorpyrifos

Sweet corn

African black beetle

30-Nov-22

PER89705

Indoxacarb

Sweet corn

Fall armyworm

30-Jun-23

PER84531

Methoxyfenozide

Sweet corn

Lepidopteran pests

31-Aug-25

PER13116

Propiconazole

Sweet corn

Northern corn leaf blight

31-Jan-26

PER86245

Veritas Fungicide

Sweet corn

Maize rust

28-Feb-26

PER86443

Pirimicarb

Sweet potato, spring onion

Various aphids

30-Jun-23

PER87185

Benevia Insecticide

Tomatoes

Suckling pests

31-Jul-24

PER87619

Entrust SC Naturalyte

Tomatoes

Various thrips

31-Aug-24

PER88277

Huwasan TR50

Tomatoes

Agrobacterium

30-Nov-21

PER89419

Miravis

Tomatoes

Powdery mildew

30-Sep-23

PER88484

Nimrod

Tomatoes

Powdery mildew

30-Jun-22

PER87208

Torque

Tomatoes

Two-spotted mite

30-Apr-22

PER86815

Versys

Tomatoes

Silverleaf whitefly

31-Dec-21

PER81713

MAINMAN 500WG INSECTICIDE

Tomatoes

Silverleaf whitefly

31-Mar-25

WA Grower WINTER 2021

119

YOUR PRODUCTION

permits (cont.)

Permit No. Product

Crop

Reason for use

Expiry date

PER85076

Peratec Plus Fungicide

Tomatoes

Fusarium wilt

28-Feb-25

PER13717

Amistar Top (azoxystrobin + difenoconazole)

Tomatoes (protected)

Powdery mildew

31-May-22

PER80219

Apollo Miticide (clofentezine)

Tomatoes (protected)

Two-spotted mite

30-Apr-24

PER13724

Previcur

Tomatoes (protected)

Root rot

31-May-26

PER13567

BIFENTHRIN

Tomatoes & capsicums

Fruit fly systems approach

31-Mar-26

PER13566

Methomyl

Tomatoes & capsicums

Fruit fly

31-Mar-26

PER89870

Entrust Organic Insecticide

Various

Fall armyworm

31-Jul-23

PER90820

Spodoptera Frugiperda Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfMNPV)

Various crops

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-24

PER89259

Altacor Insecticide

Various crops

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-23

PER89278

Avatar Insecticide

Various crops

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-23

PER89398

MAGNET INSECT ATTRACTANT TECHNOLOGY

Various crops

Fall armyworm

30-Jun-22

PER89263

Proclaim Opti Insecticide

Various crops

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-23

PER89241

Success Neo & Delegate Insecticide

Various crops

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-23

PER89279

Various products

Various crops

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-23

PER89293

Lannate Insecticide

Various crops as per label

Fall armyworm

30-Apr-23

PER89285

Proclaim Opti Insecticide

Various leafy vegetables, celery, blueberry

Fall armyworm

31-Mar-23

PER14583

Chlorpyrifos

Various vegetable crops

Various insect pests

31-Oct-21

PER14479

Propiconazole

Various vegetable crops

Various pests

30-Nov-24

PER81702

Alpha-cypermethrin

Various vegetables

Various insect pests

28-Feb-24

PER90387

Benevia Insecticide

Various vegetables

Liriomyza leaf miners

31-Dec-23

PER87809

Durivo Insecticide

Various vegetables

Various pests

30-Apr-24

PER13695

Ecocarb Fungicide

Various vegetables

Powdery mildew

31-Jul-25

PER82895

Chlorothalonil

Various vegetables and herbs

Fungal diseases

31-Aug-25

PER89348

Prothioconazole Fungicide

Watermelon

Furarium wilt

30-Nov-23

PER87918

Pestech Py-Bo

Zucchini

Ants, aphids, caterpillars, earwigs, leafhoppers, thrips & whitefly

30-Apr-22

Contact name

Contact no.

WA Grower advertiser contacts Name

120

Website/Email

Address

ABC Software (p33)

robyn.brady@abcsoftware.co.nz 6–8 Devonshire Pl, Taradale, Napier 4112, NZ

Robyn Brady

+64 6281 2020

Anthony Scaffidi (p56)

tscaffidi@optusnet.com.au

Hamilton Rd Donnybrook

Tricia Scaffidi

0417 919 906

Bon Electrics (IFC)

kaela@bon-electrics.com.au

Lot 4, Bullsbrook Rd, Bullsbrook WA 6084

Kaela Bonomi

(08) 95711314

Boya Equipment pty ltd (p21)

boyaequip@boyaequip.com.au

2 Prestige Pde Wangara WA 6065

Margaret Neale

(08) 9302 2006

edp australia pty ltd (p17)

sales@edp.com.au

31–35 O'Brien St Mooroopna Vic 3629

Ian Parsons

(03) 5820 5337

Harvest Trail Information Service (p50) apezzaniti@madec.edu.au

126-130 Deakin Ave, Mildura VIC 3500

Alicia Pezzaniti

1800 724 214

Mobishear Australia (p26)

admin@mobishear.com.au

Box 89, Mount Barker, SA, 5251

Heidi Enneking

0409 289 532

Rivulis Irrigation Pty Ltd (p41)

Tiffany.Visser@rivulis.com

13–15 Duntroon St, Brendale QLD 4500

Tiffany Visser

(07) 3881 4071

Seasol International (pOBC)

alancorke@seasol.com.au

1027 Mountain Hwy, Bayswater Victoria

Alan Corke

0488 006 993

Solar Direct Corporation (p5)

admin@perthsolardirect.com.au 21 Darlot Rd, Landsdale 6065

Neil Van Der Walt

1300 477 172

Tiger International Solutions (p109)

jason.radford@go2tigers.com

2 Tarlton Cres, Perth International Airport, WA 6105

Jason Radford

0412 107 405

TriCal Australia (p45)

info@trical.com.au

5 Chamberlain St, Wingfield SA 5013

Robyn Beck

(08) 8347 3838

WA Crates (IBC)

Service@wacrates.com.au

Crate Yard, Market City

Colin Strong-Grove

WA Grower WINTER 2021

N/A

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

0 email: service@wacrates.com.au

HORT

& AG

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Se

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