wa grower december 11

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SINCE 1948Vol. 46 No 4. December 2011

Peter Ivankovich National Onion Grower of the Year

WA GrowerPotato GrowersAssociation Inc.

APC-VPCAPC-PPC

Agricultural Produce Commission

Fresh from WA Farms Campaign

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

Vegetable Growers Association

PresidentMaureen Dobra Gingint: (08) 9575 2086 m: 0417 174 110

Vice PresidentPaul Bogdanich Ginginm: 0421 575 124

TreasurerAnthony Marinovich Myalup/Bunbury m: 0417 907 910

CommitteeH. Shapland t: (08) 9845 1064 AlbanyK. Sue m: 0417 986 467 BusseltonR. Shain m: 0429 988 809 CarnarvonM. Jones m: 0438 418 384 CarnarvonK. Edwards m: 0427 724 243 Manjimup M. Lee m: 0417 962 427 MetroD. Rigali m: 0407 447 524 MetroA. Bogdanich m: 0419 248 422 GinginM.Grubisa m: 0413 050 182 Metro North S. Calameri m: 0418 957 236 Metro SouthP. Wauchope m: 0400 717 600 Gingin

Potato Growers Association

PresidentSam Calameri Metro m: 0418 957 236

Vice PresidentDarryl Smith Busseltonm: 0428 933 154

TreasurerAndrew Tempra Manjimup m: 0417 097 729

CommitteeC. Ayres m: 0428 451 014 AlbanyB. Russell m: 0429 318 216 DonnybrookP. Patane m: 0407 993 580 MyalupS. Calameri m: 0418 957 236 Metro SouthG. Bendotti m: 0427 569 903 PembertonD. Ryan m: 0427 731 066 Pemberton

Western Potatoes Pty Ltd

ChairmanRoss Taylor m: 0412 446 512

Executive Offi cer Georgia Thomas m: 0431 444 918

Non-Executive DirectorSimon Moltoni m: 0427 761 693

A. Kirou m: 0400 996 153R. Amos m: 0400 996 180

• APC- Vegetable Producers Committee

• Potato Growers Association

• Western Potatoes

• vegetablesWA

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

Cover photo: Peter Ivankovich, winner of the 2011 Reg Miller Award

Contact details for Horticulture House vegetablesWA, Potato Growers Association, Western PotatoesHorticulture House103 Outram Street West Perth 6005t: (08) 9481 0834 f: (08) 9481 0024e: offi [email protected]

Executive Offi cerJim Turleym: 0410 697 842 e: [email protected]

Policy and Program ManagerJohn Shannon t: 0488 111 526 e: [email protected]

Finance/Administrator/Magazine AdvertisingRebecca Blackmant: (08) 9481 0834e: fi [email protected]

Communications Offi cer Hayley Wilsont: (08) 9481 0834 e: [email protected]

Field/Extentsion Offi cerCharlotte Butlerm: 0427 373 037e: [email protected]

Life MembersA.J. Anderson*, D.J. Arbuckle, J. Arbuckle Snr*, J.H. Arbuckle* (M.B.E.J.P), S. Calameri, G. Kiriros*, R.G.Leach*, F. Natoli, S. Sawle*, R.M. Schultz, C.P. Stevens, W.R. Stevens* (M.B.E.J.P), HR. Ashby*,

Amy Harris*, A. Ingrilli. * deceased

Produced by vegetablesWA

Management Committees

1WA Grower December 2011

20 7846

Your IndustrY AssocIAtIons 3Fresh From WA Farms campaign 4vegetablesWA marketing strategy ramps up 8The vegetablesWA Field Extension Officer 9Western Potatoes 10President’s Reports 12Salesforce real time market data 13

Your ProductIon 15Post-harvest treatments to extend shelf life and open markets 16Indonesia set to recognise WA PCN freedom 20Vince Cavallaro — VISS user profile 22Good practice tomato drip irrigation trial 24Lettuce IPM project delivers 26IPM demonstration Stanthorpe 28New recommendations to prevent damage to potatoes 30Managing soilborne pathogens 34Greenhouse hygiene 36Investigating pesticide lettuce and Asian green MRLs 38Vegetable Industry Development Program 40 Why cleaning spray tanks is important? 40 Controlling weeds in broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts 41Permits 113

Your IndustrY 45Onions Australia the national peak body for onion growers 46Grower profile — Peter Ivankovich 48Long-term vegetable export deals with Singapore 50Beekeeper training 52

WA GrowerVol. 46 No 4. December 2011

busy in sharing research and ideas and is now moving towards some collaborative projects.

Also enjoying the excellent standard of WA grown produce recently was HrH Queen elizabeth II, with local produce featuring brilliantly at the royal banquet and other meals at cHOGm.

As usual, this edition also features a range of r&D projects which have been completed recently, in addition to information on a range of other topics important to growers. For further information in any of these areas please contact with either the author or the vegetablesWA Field extension Officer who will be able to assist further.

I hope you find the magazine useful and on behalf of the vegetablesWA team wish you and your family all the best for an excellent christmas season and a prosperous new year.

John Shannon, Policy and Program manager

Welcome to the latest edition of the Wa GroWerWestern Australia has again demonstrated it leads Australia in many aspects of the national vegetable industry. respected myalup grower Peter Ivankovich recently won the prestigious reg miller Award at Onions Australia in recognition of his years of service to, and success within, the national onion industry. This follows the win by fellow Western Australian Sam

calameri of the AUSVeG Grower of the Year award earlier this year.

The vegetablesWA marketing strategy is continuing to deliver with the exciting ‘Fresh From WA Farms’ campaign that many growers will have seen in the Fresh lift-out from The West Australian newspaper. The campaign seeks to lift the value of vegetable sales and profile of our industry within the community by featuring the fresh, seasonal and healthy produce from WA and its grower ambassadors every week until June 2012. The WA Produce marketing Group involves a range of organisations who are also seeking to promote fruit and vegetable consumption and has been

Doors opening for Mid-West potato industry 53Strategic Analysis of the WA Ware Potato Supply Chain 54Higher prices help to maintain vegetable farm incomes 55Grower profile— Graham and Mia Rose 56Tax rebates must be a genuine incentive to go bush 59Daniel Marinovich— olive oil competition winner 59Vegetable spotlight — cauliflowers 60Good Practice talks a walk 63Promising results from fumigation trial for tomatoes 66Finding virus disease in a weed stack 70Protective health benefits of white radish sprouts 72WA vegetables fit for a Queen! 73Australian Year of the Farmer 74International cooperation in modelling WA potato crops 76

Your BusIness 77Think about finance options 78IT and broadband opportunities 80Land leasing can open options 84A single idea can transform a business 85

Your envIronment 89European wasps in Western Australia 90

Your mArket 91Veginsights 92On-line consumer survey 98WA potato growers say thanks to major retailers 102

vIetnAmese trAnslAtIons 106

Landmark, specialists in horticulture.

You can look to the team at Landmark for unrivalled expertise. We partner with you by supplying specialised advice which is localised to your particular region. And because Landmark only stocks reputable products, you can feel assured that they will enhance your productivity and yields. That’s why more Australian farmers look to us.

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Your industrY associationsYour industrY associationsYour industrY associations

BusinessYOuR YOuR YOuR YOuR YOuR YOuR

BusinessBusinessBusinessBusinessBusinessBusinessBusinessBusinessBusinessBusinessBusinessBusinessBusinessindustrY associations

Your industrY associations


4 WA Grower December 2011


bY JOHn SHAnnOnVEGETABLESWA

campaign

December 2011

Why are we doing it and what is happening?We’ve just finished the second of two consumer research programs. This has given us a really clear picture of the factors influencing purchase of vegetables for WA shoppers:

1. Quality. Shoppers are looking for quality in the vegetables they purchase. This is defined by the freshness of the product (assessed by touch and sight), how long they can store it for after purchase and how it tastes.

2. Price. Shoppers in WA think that grocery prices are high. There is mixed feedback about fresh produce prices with some believing they are too high and some saying they are ‘just right’. All shoppers are disappointed when they spend money and get poor quality fresh vegetables.

3. local origin. Shoppers link local origin to increased freshness and quality of product. While they are prepared to pay a little more for WA grown, this is likely to be 5%, not 50%. This is interesting — shoppers are not buying local to support local growers — they are buying local based on increased perceptions of freshness.

4. versatility. Taste is a motivating factor in vegetable purchase and consumption. The vegetable category has a uniqueness in its versatility and adaptability across cuisine types and major meals.

5. seasonality. most shoppers say they would like to buy seasonal produce (ties back into the quality preference). However, most shoppers do not understand the seasonality behind fresh produce and what to purchase when.

6. Health. everyone knows they should have two fruit and five vegetables a day. However, they don’t know the specific health benefits of different types of vegetables.

Following on from the success of our retail marketing pilot with Woolworths, vegetablesWA is now rolling out a new campaign to further boost the value of vegetable sales in Western Australia and the profile of our industry. To see it, make sure you check out the Fresh lift out in The West Australian newspaper on Thursdays until June next year — it’s starring a range of quality produce coming from Western Australia and our growers.



What is our response?We’ve identified a generic advertising campaign that will help to reinforce some of the positive views above, change some of the negative opinions and educate ordinary shoppers a little bit more.

We’ve selected the Fresh section of The West Australian to conduct this marketing campaign. Fresh has over 550,000 readers on a weekly basis and is the most cost effective way of talking to a large number of West Australians who are specifically interest in food. Starting from november 10th we are featuring in The West Australian every week (apart from christmas and easter fortnights) until the end of June. The feature will appear on the front page of the Fresh section. In addition there have been further adverts in special buy West eat best and Perth’s best pull outs. The buy West eat best pull out featured an extra article about WA vegetables which included comments from our President, maureen Dobra, and executive Officer, Jim Turley, as well as numerous vegetable based recipes. Interestingly, the Woolworths 'Proudly Supporting WA' advertisements in this feature used the same concepts and some materials developed through the retail pilot vegetablesWA initiated with them previously.

In all there are 31 advertising slots. excitement about the campaign has been building across other horticulture industries as well. because of this and the scale of the program, Western Potatoes and FruitWest have also invested in the campaign and will be using seven of the slots to talk about their products. buy West eat best has also contributed funding to the program.

We know that it is important for advertising to have an effect. We’ll be monitoring the results of the program and have commissioned research both before the campaign and after to give us some evidence.

What are the adverts?We’ve titled the campaign ‘Fresh From WA Farms’. each week will feature a certain vegetable. A grower will be used as the face of the product and information will be provided about them and their farm. The advert will carry information on the health attributes of the product, seasonality and availability of the product, taste attributes of the product, as well as some grower insider’s ‘Top Tips’.

While the actual grower featured may be important within the grower community and will be interesting to the advert reader, it is not the actual grower that is important to the campaign in making it work with consumer. The important element is putting real life faces and stories behind products. All shoppers are aware of vegetables, but very few have any real understanding of them or our growers who work so far to produce them.

The adverts will carry the buy West eat best logo to reinforce the importance of local vegetables and will also contain a ‘call to action’ for shoppers to 'Put more WA Vegies on Your Plate'.

Your




our reasoning for the 'call to action' — Put some more WA vegies on Your Plate1. It’s important we link local growers to West Australian

consumers:

a. ensuring West Australians understand their grower community better will enable us to create a social bond between grower and shopper. 50% of our shoppers believe that prices are too high. Telling the story of individual growers and creating a social connection will help alleviate that belief, justify existing prices and lay a foundation (reputation) that can be used for any future price increases.

b. local origin product is a sign of freshness which is the key indicator of quality. We need to reinforce this perception with consumers.

c. Helping WA consumers to identify with and value our growers will also help when we need community support on other issues as well.

2. Talking about seasonality will give consumers an understanding of what is available and when.

3. Talking about the health benefits of vegetables will give consumers an understanding of specific health benefits of certain products.

4. Talking about the taste attributes of vegetables will increase consumer understanding of alternative uses for the product that they might not have tried. It will also assist in selection of the best fresh produce.

5. recipe suggestions are designed to inspire new ideas and encourage purchases which may not have happened otherwise.

With the consumption rate of vegetables in Australia well below that of other comparable countries such as Great britain, we hope that the various projects undertaken by the vegetablesWA marketing strategy, such as this campaign, will improve the value of sales for the benefit of our industry and consumer’s health.



In addition to the ‘Fresh from WA Farms’ campaign, vegetablesWA has been busy with a range of other activities as part of our overall strategy.

WA Produce marketing GroupvegetablesWA initiated and currently chairs the WA Produce Marketing Group as part of our overall marketing strategy because we recognised that by combining resources, knowledge and expertise we can all better leverage our investment in promoting the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables. This group has become very active in sharing knowledge and experience and it is hoped collaboration will continue into the future as a result. The WA Produce Marketing Group comprises:

• vegetablesWA

• Western Potatoes Pty Ltd

• FruitWest

• Sweeter Banana

• WA mushroom growers

• WA avocado growers

• DAFWA — Buy West Eat Best

• Perth Market Authority

• Go for 2 & 5

• The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA

• Cancer Council of WA

• The WA Department of Health

Across this group there is a significant amount of expertise and it has been an inspiring bunch to share ideas and plans with. Along with discussions about our

vegetablesWA marketing strategy ramps up

bY JOHn SHAnnOnPOLICY AND PROGRAM MANAGER, VEGETABLESWA

Woolies roll-out beginsWoolworths have announced that they have begun to roll out the vegetablesWA retail revitalisation project across the first 29 of their stores across Western Australia after the success of our pilot at ellenbrook. The roll out across WA is being funded entirely by Woolworths given its commercial success. Watch out for vegetable growers coming to a store near you!

own general marketing campaigns, more recently the group has focused on potential work to collaborate in promoting produce consumption in schools in association with the Centre of Excellence for Science, Seafood and Health at Curtin University.

retailer liaisonWe have had a number of meetings with Coles, Woolworths and Progressive IGA. At these meetings we have spoken about the Fresh From WA Farms campaign and the other elements of the marketing strategy and how they can best leverage their own promotion to leverage it at the retail level.

Grower cooperativesIt has previously been identified that there may be advantages to growers working together under cooperative arrangements. We have begun initial work to see what potential this may have on the ground with actual growers.



As Field Extension Officer at vegetablesWA, every day presents a new and exciting challenge. Whether it is sitting down with a grower to set them up with the Vegetable Irrigation Scheduling System (VISS) or digging up soil samples to be sent off for testing, there is never a dull moment.

Dealing with a range of queries from growers including; production methods, irrigation, varietal choices, pest and disease management, chemical use and accessing labour sources, the role involves continually assisting growers. A major part of this involves dealing with numerous people allied to our industry, including government and other service providers.

As part of the extension work for the VISS project, I have been conducting basic assessments of grower’s irrigation systems and have discovered some interesting results along the way. In many of the metro areas growers have turned to leasing additional land to cater for the increase in demand from their customers. Many of these leased properties have different irrigation setups and this can lead to inefficiencies for growers if both systems are treated the same. In many of the assessments conducted on homestead and leased properties there have been some significant differences found for the grower to learn about and profit from.

Possibly the most important aspect in the role is the face to face contact with a grower on their property. This ongoing contact is critical in building trust, which then enables

vegetablesWA to better identify individuals needs and how best to service them. For example, in Geraldton I had an enquiry about trialling some Asian vegetables and where to source the seed. Upon contacting a researcher in NSW, who was in fact looking at running some trials, they were more than happy to send some seeds to an enthusiastic grower, who was delighted to have the opportunity to see if the growing conditions were right for commercial production.

This relationship building enables me to target particular grower groups, ensuring they are made aware of upcoming events or newly released information that relates to their crop, region or business.

This is an essential element for the successful adoption of new production

The vegetablesWA Field Extension Officera vital service for WA growers

methods or technology, as well as encouraging participation in development programs for growers.

In addition to the face to face discussions with growers, participating in grower meetings also enables vegetablesWA to gather important feedback, identify further research needs as well as passing on important information to those not present.

Through the ongoing contact with growers the Field Extension Officer has become a first point of contact for grower’s enquiries. Having someone that they feel you can talk to about any problems you are facing is a great way to ensure vegetablesWA continues to service the needs of growers. If you have an issue I encourage you to make contact too. It is all part of the help provided to growers through the APC Fee for Service.

bY cHArlOTTe bUTler VEGETABLESWA




This year, the Perth Royal Agricultural Show was held a week later than in past years — from Saturday October 1 to Saturday October 8, inclusive. Also, there was no public holiday during the first weekend as in the past.

Preparations for the Royal Show consumed the WPPL staff for the majority of the month in getting showbags and value adding products organised for the event.

WPPL promoted a healthy alternative way of cooking chips by demonstrating the Tefal Actifry. Harvey Norman have given WPPL two complimentary Tefal Actifries — one for WPPL to use to promote healthy chips during the Royal Show and also other expos in the future and the other was for a prize for our competition in the Feel Good Food magazine. This is a great appliance

Royal Show 2011

for making healthy chips, roast vegetables

(potatoes) as well as other dishes. WPPL

focused on its chip-making ability and gave

samples of fresh hot chips to show goers.

WPPL also used this opportunity to promote

the Rodeo potato. Response to both the

chips and also the variety of potato was

very positive. There was enormous interest shown in the machine.

Harvey Norman also came on board with a ‘Show Stopper’ deal — supplying us with flyers highlighting a great discount on the Actifry for only $269 (RR $350) plus a free frypan (RR $140) from any purchase made at one of their many stores. This offer was in addition to the offer in our FGF magazine.

As per in previous years, WPPL offered the free information showbag which included past editions of the FGF magazine, variety chart and information flyer.

WPPL also had a Family Showbag for purchase at the show. The $10 showbag was very popular and proved to be excellent value for money. $2 of every showbag sold went to the Melanoma Foundation.

Sales of all our products this year were on par with last year’s sales figures. Unfortunately, we found ourselves discussing the Actifry more than was anticipated but hopefully it will translate to greater fresh potato sales in the future.

For WPPL, the Royal Show was once again, a great success.

bY Anne kIrOUWESTERN POTATOES




WPPl attended the mount barker Health expo which was held in the Plantagenet District Town Hall in mount barker this month.

The organisers did an excellent job in presenting this event. There were 15 stall holders in total. With Mount Barker being a relatively small town, the number of people attending was low compared to what we are used to but the organisers were very impressed and happy with the turnout.

The response to our stand and products was excellent. There was much interest in both our value adding products and also about the different varieties of potatoes that are available in Western Australia. WPPL enjoyed being a part of this event as it allowed us to be more personal and informative.

WPPL saw an excellent opportunity to provide information and advice on all aspects of potatoes to a small community.

This Expo has been an exciting event especially for those who live locally, and we look forward to being a part of many more Healthy Living Expos in the future.

Mount BarkerHealth Expo

WPPL have once again sponsored potatoes and showbags to several schools this month who were hosting fetes — such as upper Swan Primary, West Balcatta Primary and Banksia Grove Spring in the Valley — Neerabup Primary School, Nedlands Primary School and Highgate Primary School.

Nedlands Primary School held their own CHOG Festival (Children Helping Out Globally). WPPL were fortunate enough to be invited to take part in the event.

This was a great opportunity to promote the healthy eating of chips. The children’s response to the Actifry and the healthy chips was enormous with many standing around waiting for the timer to reach ‘0’. The countdown would commence at around the 15 minute mark and at every five minute interval, a child would call out the amount of time that was still left. When the countdown reached seconds, all children in hearing distance would run towards the WPPL stand eagerly waiting for their sample cup of chips.

Highgate Primary School held a Potato Day this month. The idea was to allow the students to eat their home grown potatoes. WPPL donated potatoes to make up the number of potatoes to be able to feed the entire school.

Nedlands School Visit

WPPL donationsWPPl regularly donates potatoes to different organisations ranging from schools, senior centres and fundraising events eg melanoma WA, lifeline and many more.

WPPL donated four bags of potatoes and a raffle prize to a Fundraiser ‘Brazilian Night’ at the City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club for the Cancer Council.

Lorna Hurst and her family had organised the Fundraiser in memory of her son.

The potatoes looked and tasted fantastic — they were crammed with chilli con carne, sour cream, cheese and chives and they went down a treat. It was a huge achievement by the volunteers who catered for around 200 people. There were some fantastic raffle prizes — one

The response to our stand and products was excellent. There was much interest in both our value adding products and also about the different varieties of potatoes that are available in Western Australia. WPPL enjoyed being a part of this event as it allowed us to be more personal and informative.

WPPL saw an excellent opportunity to provide information and advice on all aspects of potatoes to a small

This Expo has been an exciting event especially for those who live locally, and we look forward to being a part of many more Healthy Living Expos in the

was excellent. There was much interest in both our value adding products and also about the different varieties of potatoes that are available in Western Australia. WPPL enjoyed being a part of this event as it allowed us to be more

WPPL saw an excellent opportunity to provide information and advice on all aspects of potatoes to a small

This Expo has been an exciting event especially for those who live locally,

The event was also incorporated as a fundraiser, for the Cancer Department of the Princess Margaret Hospital. This came about due to the loss of one of their students who passed away a year ago from cancer.

The canteen manager offered the students a healthy stuffed potato, tossed salad, coleslaw and potato salad for only $2.00. All proceeds went to the hospital.

Each class and teacher lined up to received their food. The Year 1/2 and Year 6/7 students were involved in the planting and harvesting of the potatoes. They were given the first opportunity to receive the potatoes that they had grown.

Highgate Primary School has registered for WPPL Seed for School program for 2012.

The registration for the Seed for Schools program has now closed. The response to the program has been overwhelming with over 260 schools already registered. The response has also included numerous country schools which have replied to both the advertisement placed in the School Matters magazine last month and also from our Seed for Schools story in the Feel Good Food magazine. During the Royal Show week, many showgoers who were directly involved with primary schools and aware of our Seed for Schools program came to the WPPL stand to offer their congratulations on what they believe is a fantastic initiative on the part of WPPL. “It is great to see a local company working with our school kids by helping to educate them on where our food comes from” was one of many positive comments received.

of which was the pantry box with potatoes, recipe book, microwaver capsule and also the three dressing varieties. The event was a real success with over $2,500 raised for Relay for Life, which is a Cancer Council event held every year.

The family and friends were very grateful to Western Potatoes for so generously supporting the Brazilian Night fundraiser.



At the last Annual General Meeting, I was nominated and elected president of PGA.

I’d like to thank Darryl Smith and the committee for their ongoing commitment to the potato growers of Western Australia .

As your new president I will look forward to working with everybody in the potato industry .

I am sure that you would all agree with me that the culture within the potato industry here in WA is changing for the better, we are now starting to communicate a lot better within the supply chain.

PGA has taken a leading roll in communicating with growers to set an industry prospective in light of the strategic analysis produced by David McKinna.

The PGA will be asking the PMC to meet with PGA to consider and implement policies surrounding the 19 recommendations of the report.

To adopt all the recommendations at once will be a big task for industry to tackle. In the interim if we as growers can improve the quality and restore the integrity of packouts then we will be half way there .

Obviously it won’t be easy as we think when there’s issues like seed quality and post harvesting practices these are issues that we have to address urgently .

All the other important points highlighted in the report will take a little longer to implement.

Potato Growers AssociationPresident’s Report

Once again Western potatoes PTY LTD (WPPL) have demonstrated an outstanding performance in serving the growers in the area of seed development and promotion of our ware potatoes.

WPPL are now in a position to provide Salesforce reports, this data info will be very useful to the corporation .

We can now have a better understanding of how many imports are coming in, what variety and the price. Also WPPL has responded to growers concerns regrading the increase in plain grade potatoes.

The marketing team at WPPL have done an amazing job promoting our potatoes.

As the festive season fast approaches I’d like to wish everybody a merry Christmas and a profitable New season.

Just remember the most important tool in our business is communication.

bY SAm cAlAmerI PRESIDENT, POTATO GROWERS ASSOCIATION

In business today, we have many choices. What to grow, who to supply and who supplies us. One of the many choices is our energy providers. The majority of us have Synergy as our energy provider. However, just as there are numerous telephone, fuel, and fertiliser providers, there are other energy providers such as Alinta, Horizon and Perth Energy — just to name a few.

Today, as growers we face ever increasing input costs. Some of these we have no control over, however, we can be very vigilant and cautious with our expenses on our farms. All it takes is a little time to look at your costs and then a phone call.

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a year 10–12 school graduation. As the students were handed their certificates, the MC announced the student’s prospective careers. I had the privilege of handing a student a Horticultural Scholarship.

Sixty six students graduated however very few listed their careers in agriculture — let alone horticulture. In my conversations that night, I mentioned that in a horticultural business today, agronomists, mechanics, computer technicians, accounting and business skills are all needed. However, the top requirement for any career is PASSION.

The winter and spring months have seen good rainfall. The drought that was experienced last year had put the aquifer at an all time low level. Even with the good rains we still need to be diligent with our irrigation use.

vegetablesWA is saying goodbye to our Field Extension Officer, Charlotte Butler. Charlotte is heading off to New Zealand and I would like to thank her for all her work and I wish her all the best for her future.

Christmas is also just around the corner and the new year is looming fast. I would like to wish, all the growers, the staff of vegetablesWA and all those in Horticulture House, a very merry Christmas, a safe festive season and a prosperous new year!

vegetablesWAPresident’s Report

bY mAUreen DObrAVEGETABLESWA

Potato GrowersAssociation Inc.



At the beginning of the fiscal year WPPL installed a new Customer Relation Management solution called Salesforce. Salesforce is a cloud based platform that allows for WPPL field officers to retrieve customer information without having to be connected to a physical server.

By simply logging into the virtual database through the internet connection, field officers are allowed to update the database in real time and report on data collected in real time.

WPPL has invested in the latest technology, the Apple iPad, to assist in this data collection. At the store level we are able to update out customers details, record information about the potatoes being sold in the store, including quality, price, and provided the stores still have them, the grower codes from the bags the potatoes came in. WPPL feels this is invaluable information to record and report on. Like never before the industry can have up-to-

date information at a moment’s notice with highly customisable reports of which there are some examples to follow.

As the industry has been introduced to South Australian potatoes, we can now see just how much of our potato market is imported product and for what price it is sold as well as quality on the shelf.

During the shortage of potatoes WA incurred a few months ago, through diligent recording, WPPL confirmed the amount of imported product coming in to WA was 25% (Figure 1).

Salesforcereal time market data

False True Imported

Record count Record count

False True Imported

Figure 1 Imported potatoes from July 1 to September 1 (a) and September 1 to December 16 (b)

Figure 2 Available varieties and how they are sold

To combat the consistent suggesting that WA get more than three varieties. We have created a report to show exactly how many varieties there are in the market. Figure 2 illustrates the available varieties and how they have been sold over the last three months. Figure 3 shows the average price per kilo of the varieties.

Salesforce allows WPPL field officers to do more and provides more information when they need it without having to wait for a computer to boot up and connect to a server to get the information they require to be informed prior to seeing customers.

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Virginia

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Average potato price/kg

AlmeraCarisma

Cashmere GDelaware

KestralKipfler

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Red RascalRodeo

Royal BlueRuby Lou

VirginiaWhite Star

Other

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ato

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a b

Figure 3 Average price per kilo for different potato varieties



vegetablesWA would like to welcome their new Finance and Administration Manager, Rebecca Blackman.

Rebecca has been working in accounts for 13 years. She starting at OmniSTAR in West Perth, after working for them for two years she was transferred to Sydney where she stayed until 2008. During this time she became qualified in accounting by studying part time and working full time.

Welcome Rebecca Blackman Finance and Administration Manager

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

www.southpacificseeds.com.au

EMMA SMITH: 0427 947 919DUNCAN LAMONT: 0419 934 767

PERTH OFFICE: 08 9331 6356

The information provided is based on an average of data and observations collected from our trials. Significant variations may occur in the performance due to a range of conditions including cultural/management practices, climate, soil type and geographic location. As a consequence South Pacific Seeds cannot accept any liability as to the accuracy of this information. DECEMBER 2011 ACN: 002 887 256

DUCATI

Ducati has large blocky fruit approx 10x9cm with excellent red quality. A strong plant type with intermediate resistance to Xcv123 and TSWV. With striking red colour and exceptional firmness and wall thickness, Ducati has excellent presentation for both patterned pack and bulk fill boxes.

AURORA

Improved Atomic type with early maturity (60 days from transplant). Autumn to early winter type, with good domed shaped head with strong tolerance to hollow stem. Excellent head weight, fine bead size and dark green colour.

DANIKA

Danika is a classy indeterminate type in the 170-180gms range, with a strong vigorous bush and high yield potential. Danika has globe to deep oblate shaped fruit with a very tidy calyx scar, uniform green shoulder, and very firm when red. Danika has long shelf life qualities and with its striking presentation in the box has been widely received in the market place. Intermediate resistance to Fusarium Race 3 and ToMV.

ELF

Outstanding Green midi Cos with a 17-18cm upright frame for head production in open field or hydroponics. Slightly blistered leaf. Downy Mildew resistance is highly resistant, 1-27, Nr (0) and LMV.

Over the years she had a few different roles

as Company Accountant and Finance and

Admin Manager working in a variety of

industries. In 2008, she returned to Perth

with her husband and was the Financial

Accountant at Datacom. In April she gave

birth to her first child, Nayte and had been

on maternity leave for six months until she

joined the vegetablesWA team.

Her skills, experience and warm personality

will be a real asset to vegetablesWA and

anyone dealing with her.


ProductionYOuR

Your Production


Your Production

A recent project has discovered new ways for growers to extend storage life of their produce, potentially allowing the vegetables to be exported by sea freight and still have good quality and shelf life in a distant market. These treatments could also improve flexibility within domestic market supply chains and provide consumers with quality products which still have good storage life.

The project tested a variety of innovative treatments and technologies on seven important vegetables: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, capsicums, celery, cucumbers, lettuce and zucchini. The key findings for each product are as follows:

BroccoliThese trials examined the effectiveness of 1-methylcyclopropene (MCP), sold as SmartFresh®, at maintaining the freshly harvested green colour of different varieties of broccoli in simulations of domestic and export supply chains. SmartFresh® is likely to have little effect during cold storage as ethylene has minimal activity at temperatures below 5°C. Little yellowing therefore occurs. However, we were interested in whether the protective effects of SmartFresh® were retained during subsequent shelf life after broccoli was cold stored for up to six weeks.

results• The ethylene inhibitor SmartFresh®

(1-MCP) reduced yellowing in broccoli. Treating freshly harvested broccoli with

Post-harvest treatmentsto extend shelf life and open markets

Matt Adkins, SmartFresh®, applying the treatment to broccoli.

bY JennY ekmAnNSW DPI


Your Production

1μl.L-1 SmartFresh® for six hours at 10°C gave the best results.

• The SmartFresh® treatment was still effective after six weeks storage at 0°C, extending shelf life at both 8°C (refrigerated display) and 20°C (retail display).

• SmartFresh® could help protect broccoli from the effects of poor temperature control in domestic supply chains as well as maintain quality during sea freight to distant markets such as Dubai.

• More work is needed to optimise SmartFresh® treatment of broccoli by clarifying the effects of maturity, variety and delay before treatment. Further trials could also optimise the treatment duration and temperature so as to make it as easy as possible to integrate SmartFresh® treatment into the normal harvest and packing schedule.

• These results suggest that there could be commercial benefits of treating Australian broccoli with this compound.

Brussels sproutsSprouts need to be stored for at least six weeks to allow sea freight to Europe, which is longer than their normal storage life. Treatments which reduce respiration and/or delay senescence may therefore assist in accessing the European market by sea. In these trials we examined three potential methods;

1. Heat shock treatment

2. Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage

3. Treatment with gibberellic acid (GA)

results• Gibberellic acid (GA) can increase storage

life of Brussels sprouts stored at 10°C but is less likely to have an effect at temperatures of close to 0°C, which are recommended for Brussels sprouts storage.

• The hot water dips tested were unsuitable for using with Brussels sprouts.

• High CO2 is more likely to inhibit yellowing than low CO2, but effects are small and are only likely to be significant following extended storage.

• In these trials, neither GA or controlled atmosphere storage were effective at significantly increasing storability of Brussels sprouts.

• More research is needed to identify ways to improve storability of Brussels sprouts. Options could include MAP or treatment with the ethylene inhibitor SmartFresh®.

capsicumsCapsicums originated in the tropics of the Americas and are chilling sensitive. They are therefore not recommended to be stored below 7°C and in practice may be stored at closer to 12°C. At such temperatures storage life is usually only 2–3 weeks. The major cause of quality loss is decay, often caused by Botrytis cinerea but also by Alternaria, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and other fungal pathogens.

Three storage trials were conducted to identify methods that could improve the storage life of capsicum fruit;

1. Define the time/temperature combinations likely to cause chilling injury in red and green capsicums and chillis.

2. Test the effect of exposure to UV-C on storage and shelf life of green capsicums and chillis.

3. Test the effect of a short hot water shower treatment on storage and shelf life of green capsicums.

results• In these trials, red chillies and capsicums

tolerated cold storage better than green chillies and capsicums.

• When stored at 0°C, green capsicums developed dot pitting or ‘scald’. As this disorder was rarely observed in red capsicums, their storage life was maximised at 0°C.

• In all three trials, green capsicums developed less decay when stored at 2°C compared to storage at 6°C. At 12°C both decay and de-greening reduced potential storage life. Based on these results, 2°C appears to be a more suitable temperature for extended storage of green capsicums than current recommendations of 7°C or higher.

• Exposure to 3.8kJ.m2 UV-C light significantly reduced decay and improved quality during storage. However improvements were relatively slight and results variable.

Effect of SmartFresh® (b) on colour of (Variety X) broccoli following storage and shelf life.

a b

0°C 4 weeks + 20°C 4 days

0°C 2 weeks + 20°C 4 days

Capsicums showered for 30 seconds with 50°C water flowing, six weeks at 6°C and two days at 20°C.

Capsicums left untreated following six weeks at 6°C and two days at 20°C.


A 30 second hot water shower significantly reduced decay and improved quality.

Your Production

• A 30 second hot water shower at 50, 52.5 or 55°C significantly reduced decay and improved quality following storage at either 2, 6 or 12°C. Storage life was conservatively estimated to be increased by one week at each temperature.

• Maximum storage life of approximately one month was achieved by combining a hot water shower treatment with storage at 2°C. This method appears to have potential as a commercial treatment for capsicums. Larger trials are required to confirm cost effectiveness within domestic and export supply chains.

celeryThere may be opportunities for Australia to export celery to markets in Asia and the Middle East if quality can be maintained during sea freight. Current practice for whole celery bunches is to pack trimmed plants directly into waxed cartons. This system is cost effective for relatively short domestic supply chains. However, celery packed in this way has little protection against water loss and is unlikely to retain quality during long distance sea freight.

To access export markets by sea, trimmed celery would need to be stored for at least four weeks. Controlled atmosphere storage has been reported to extend storage life of

whole and cut celery petioles. However, using controlled atmosphere shipping containers is expensive. Such technology is unlikely to be justified for a relatively low price (relative to volume) commodity such as celery. Simple packaging which minimises water loss is likely to be the most cost-effective option. However, moisture impermeable films can result in excess water condensing inside the package. This has the potential to cause flaring of cut ends and increase rots, particularly of the leaves.

This trial examined;

1. The effect of water jet cutting compared to a trimming with a sharp or blunt knife on celery storage quality.

2. The potential of different packaging materials to improve celery storage life.

results• All plastic packaging materials tested

significantly reduced weight loss, maintained hardness and improved celery storage life compared to the current industry practice of packing directly into waxed cartons.

• Water jet cutting has advantages over trimming with a blade in terms of food safety and flexibility. However it causes severe tissue damage. The damaged cells give the cut surface a dry, whitish appearance after several days of storage.

cucumbersGreenhouse cucumbers are an increasingly important crop in Australia. Often referred to as ‘Lebanese cucumbers’, cultivars currently grown in Australia have been developed from the Israeli Beit Alpha varieties bred for production under intensive water and fertiliser regimes.

A series of four trials were undertaken to examine potential methods to improve storage and shelf life of greenhouse cucumbers;

1. Determine the most appropriate packaging for stored greenhouse cucumbers (for use in subsequent experiments).

2. Quantify the effect of temperature on quality attributes of cucumbers (to provide a guide for growers and subsequent research).

3. Test the effect of exposure to UV-C and Xenon light on storage and shelf life of cucumbers.

4. Test the effect of a short hot water shower treatment on storage and shelf life of cucumbers.

results• A short hot water shower treatment

appears to have significant commercial potential to improve storage and shelf life of greenhouse cucumbers.

• Placing cucumbers under a hot water shower for 30 seconds before storage for 12 days at 5°C significantly improved all quality attributes when assessed after two days at 20°C. Attributes included greatly reduced yellowing and softening, inhibited chilling injury and rot development and improved marketability of stored cucumbers.

• The optimum hot water shower temperatures were 55 and 60°C. These treatments reduced yellowing and softening, inhibited chilling injury and rot development and increased the proportion of cucumbers which were still edible and/or marketable after extended storage.

• Packaging cucumbers in sealed polyethylene or low density polyethylene bags significantly reduced rots and chilling injury. These bags developed atmospheres different to normal air, particularly after transfer to 20°C.

• More research is required to assess whether MAP would be commercially viable for cucumbers.

• A model was developed based on cumulative respiration to predict yellowing and

The effects of cutting celery with a water jet (a), sharp knife (b), blunt knife (c).

a b c


Your Production

Dr Penta Pristijono, NSW DPI, measures firmness of cucumbers.

softening of cucumbers between 8–40°C. This can be used to estimate shelf life within supply chains with variable temperatures.

• Postharvest quality of cucumbers is strongly influenced by pre-harvest growing conditions and harvest date. Controlled growing environments generally produce cucumbers less prone to yellowing, rots and softening than those grown under less favourable conditions.

• Exposure to UV-C light can reduce de-greening of cucumbers stored at 5°C for 12 days, but had less effect on other quality attributes. The positive effects were further improved by using a high intensity pulsed UV xenon light source, but still remained relatively small and the high cost of this equipment means that this technology is unlikely to be cost effective for cucumber producers.

lettuceOne of the major causes of quality loss in head lettuce is browning and discolouration of the cut surface of the central stem or butt. This has previously been identified as a barrier to longer term storage of head lettuce, particularly if it is being exported by sea freight to distant markets.

Previous research has demonstrated that heat can reduce browning in fresh cut or whole iceberg lettuce, however none have proposed a commercially applicable treatment.

It seemed likely that there would be an interaction between time and temperature — shortening the treatment time would necessitate a higher temperature to achieve the same effect, at least up to a point. This trial has examined the relationship between time and treatment temperature in terms of the effect on butt browning and, to a lesser extent, overall whole lettuce quality.

results• Dipping the cut main stem of iceberg

lettuce in hot water can reduce reddening/browning during storage and subsequent shelf life.

• There was a significant interaction between dip time and temperature.

• High treatment temperatures and long dipping times resulted in formation of a dark ring in the outer xylem tissue on the cut surface.

• The optimum dipping time/temperature combination is therefore a balance between minimising butt browning and avoiding both the appearance of a dark ring and heat damage to the outer leaves.

• Based on these results, a 30 second dip in 60°C water would appear the optimum combination. If this is too long for commercial application, a 15 second dip in 65°C water may be nearly as effective.

• It is possible that these results could be further improved by adding a sterilising agent to the water bath. In an earlier trial, adding calcium chloride was found to have a small benefit, but chlorine or peroxide based products may have greater effect, as could an acidifier such as ascorbic acid.

ZucchiniLike cucumbers, zucchinis are harvested while still young and tender. Their thin skins offer little barrier to water loss and they can shrivel rapidly if not refrigerated. However, also like cucumbers, zucchinis are damaged by storage below approximately 7°C.

This trial treated zucchini with the hot water shower treatments previously found to be effective on cucumbers. In addition to treating immediately after harvest, some zucchini were held at 20°C for one day before treatment. This not only tested whether heat treatments could still be effective if applied some time after harvest (as might occur commercially), but also examined whether such a ‘pre-conditioning’ treatment would further reduce chilling injury.

results• Keeping zucchini at 20°C for 24 hours

before storage at 5°C reduces softening, chilling injury and rot development.

• A 30 second shower under 50–55°C water reduced rots and chilling injury; higher temperatures removed the gloss from the zucchini skin.

• The effects of delay and hot water showering were additive. Therefore the best results were obtained by storing zucchinis at 20°C for 24 hours, then showering with hot water before cold storage.


Your Production

Peter Dawson, Project Manager Potatoes and Andrew Taylor, Plant Pathologist (Potatoes), Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

Indonesia produces almost as many potatoes as Australia. But, conditions for producing seed potatoes there are not as favourable as those found in Western Australia, so, for many years an Indonesian potato crisp processor has been importing seed potatoes from WA for its growers.

In 2010 the tiny worm-like pest, potato cyst nematode (PCN), was confirmed by scientific testing as eradicated from WA following its discovery here in the 1980s.

Indonesia set to recogniseWA PCN freedom

Minister Terry Redman visited the Indonesian Agricultural Quarantine Agency (IAQA) in Jakarta in September 2011 to discuss Indonesian recognition of WA’s PCN eradication.

The Indonesians responded by sending a verification team here in early November. In addition to verifying WA’s PCN status, the Indonesian team was interested in investigating how procedures for seed potato imports might be streamlined.

The verification team comprised Dr Purnama Hidayat, chair of the expert committee for plant quarantine for IAQA, Ms Cahyaniati, Head of Vegetable Protection in the Directorate of Horticulture, and Mr Hermawan, Head of Seed Imports for IAQA.

The delegation was first briefed on the WA potato industry including the procedure that was followed to eradicate potato cyst nematode. An important component was the procedure for producing certified seed potatoes. A telephone hook-up with Biosecurity Australia, the peak government body for international quarantine matters, ensured all government stakeholders were engaged.

Department ofAgriculture and Food

Seed and commercial potato crops were inspected at Manjimup and Pemberton for two days. This enabled the verification team to question growers about production and the conditions under which potatoes are grown.

The health of the crops, the long rotations used, and the isolation between crops impressed the delegation.

The delegation is expected to report to the Indonesian Agricultural Quarantine Agency shortly after collating information gathered during their trip. It is hoped that this visit will lead to further advances in potato quarantine procedures between Australia and Indonesia. Freedom from PCN should result in more international markets opening for our seed potatoes.

The visit was jointly funded by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, and the Ministry of Agriculture of Indonesia.

Pemberton fresh market potato grower Dennis Barnsby shows a crop to senior Indonesian officials Ms Cahyaniati and Mr Hermawan, accompanied by DAFWA’s Andrew Taylor.

Indonesian quarantine officials toured potato industry facilities and farms escorted by DAFWA staff.

WA cratesThe professional packaging service

for WA’s finest fresh fruit and vegetables

0 email: [email protected]

WAGROWER_0909.indd 18 15/9/09 3:52:00 PM


Your Production

Vince CavallaroVISS user profile

Grower profi lename Vince and margaret cavallaro

location karnup

Property size 2.6ha

enterprises Spring onions


Your Production

Vince Cavallaro and his wife Margaret have been on their six and a half acre property in Karnup since 2001. They specialise in growing quality spring onions all year round.

Vince’s father, Peter, originally was a grower also growing pumpkins, beans, potatoes and swedes in Waroona. Although his father got out of the industry in the 1970s when Vince was very young, he had already had a taste of the growing lifestyle.

After working in a fertiliser factory as a labourer for 13 years, Vince and his wife Margaret established a market garden in Wattleup in 1992 in which Vince worked on part time whilst still working as a labourer. In this time they grew a number of different crops such as spring onions, silverbeet, parsley and also Chinese vegetables for a while.

In 2001 they moved to their property in Karnup after taking 12 months to establish the land to make it suitable for vegetable production as the property had been cleared 50 years beforehand and previously had horses on it.

The Cavallaros decided to specialise in growing spring onions as Vince said, “It’s better to concentrate on one line and do it properly and we could afford to do it like this.” They were presented with an opportunity from Coles to grow spring onions specifically for them. Vince said, “We are limited to what we can grow in the area of land we have, you have to grow crops that gives you value per area, so we are restricted to small lines.”

Vince says the disadvantage of being situated in Karnup is there is no opportunity to expand their property due to the suburban sprawl and the land being too expensive. He also said, “Obtaining water licenses is a nightmare.”

Charlotte Butler, vegetablesWA Field Extension Officer, has been working with Vince using the VISS system. He has found it has improved his growing as since using the system he has realised he was under watering before. Vince said, “If watering to more demand of the plant, it will increase the shelf life of the produce”. He is also hoping that in the upcoming summer months, using VISS to water more effectively will stop yellowing of the plant.

Vince had mobile broadband setup to enable him to have the computer at his shed connected to the internet. This means Vince can login to the VISS every morning to check what the irrigation requirements are for that day.

The Cavallaros grow their spring onions all year round and plant on a regular basis. The crops are all picked by hand by Vince,

Margaret and their two full time workers. Vince says, “I work out roughly what we need to pick for a week then work around the weather.” Vince said that the weather can always be a problem but can always over come; you just need to work out ways to get around it. He also said, “You can have more than one problem targeting you at once, you just need to pin point which is the most volatile one and work on it.”

Vince said that there is a lot more paperwork and restrictions now days and keeping track of chemical restrictions and minor use permits is a bit harder.

Producing the highest quality product possible rather than a high volume is always Vince’s focus. He said that there isn’t any more time to spend on producing higher yields and attempting to do so would only prove detrimental to the quality of their produce.

Vince says he loves the freedom of being a grower and being able to choose and determine what you do.

When Vince isn’t busy growing his spring onions he enjoys driving his HR Holden ute that he has recently had restored. Vince said, “ I grew up in and around cars like this and it holds lots of memories for me, driving a car like this gives you the feeling you’re stepping back in time, which can be a great feeling.”Vince plans on growing long into the future as long as he is capable and will continue focusing on producing solely quality spring onions.

bY HAYleY WIlSOnVEGETABLESWA


Your Production

This year’s tomato trial to compare scheduling using evaporation and crop factors, adjusted by soil moisture monitoring and current grower practice, was planted on George Kyme’s Carabooda property on November 7. About 4,500 Swanson tomato plants were planted, but not before the site was tested using blue dye to find the right dripper spacing.

The dye demonstration was on the same test site as the trial to see the depth and spread of water in the soil. About 20 growers, irrigation industry and agronomists came to see how the process was done and how it is relevant to their field. A similar trail was run at Medina Research Station south of Perth

prior to last year’s planting, with surprisingly different results.

Last year’s trial showed that 0.5L of water applied to the soil at Medina reached about 29cm deep and 18cm wide for a single irrigation, while this year 0.5L applied on this commercial property penetrated only 17cm deep and 14cm wide.

The variation in spread can be put down to the subtle difference in the soil particle types. While soil at the Medina site contained only about 1.5–2.0 per cent clay, the site in Carabooda had clay levels as high as 4.5%.

The clay particles increase the water-holding capacity reducing the depth to which the water drained with the same volume of water applied. This means where 0.5L was the recommended maximum volume of water applied in one irrigation event at Medina, this year’s trial can have as much as 0.8 or 0.9L in one event without moving past the root zone.

The other interesting outcome from the demonstration was the lack of lateral or sideways movement of water. Where 1L resulted in a spread of 19–20cm at Medina, the same volume only led to about 15cm spread on this site (see Figure 1). Twice the

Good practicetomato drip irrigation trial planted after a blue start

rOHAn PrInceDEVELOPMENT OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICuLTuRE AND FOOD, WESTERN AuSTRALIA

amount of water per hour only reached slightly further (see Figure 2). As a result of the dye trial, the dripline used this season has drippers at 20cm rather than the standard 25cm spacing used by most growers in the area.

The main message is that even subtle differences to soil type can make significant differences to water movement, and that the best way to know how to irrigate is to know the soil on your farm.

Tomato trial site at George Kyme's Bernard Rd North Property, Carabooda at November 23 following planting on November 7.

Figure 1 Spread of water at carabooda tomato trial — 1l per hour dripper with 1l of water applied reached 35cm deep and spread 16cm


Your Production

Growers are welcome to visit the site with field walks planned for each month to look at progress.

If you wish to have a look while dropping off fruit nearby you are welcome, but please respect the farm biosecurity and clean you boots and wash your hands prior to entering the site and also returning to your own farm. See you at the site!

more information

To make the most of the opportunity, to have some input and make sure you are getting value from your levy contributions, contact me so I can arrange to meet you there for a tour. Any questions please phone 0429 680 069 or email [email protected].

Figure 2 1l per hour dripper with 2l of water applied drained to 40cm deep and 18cm wide

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Your Production

Lettuce IPM project deliversbY Dr SAnDrA mcDOUGAllNSW DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDuSTRIES

Lettuce is a valuable crop in Australia, production being valued at $187 million in 2008–09. However, production is threatened by a range of serious pests and diseases, including Heliothis caterpillars, western flower thrips (WFT), tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), sclerotinia rots and currant lettuce aphid (CLA).

While chemical methods can provide some control of these pests, the development of resistance, environmental issues and concerns about food safety mean these methods may not be viable in the long term. The alternative is Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which uses beneficial insects, cultural methods and ‘soft’ pesticides to provide more sustainable control.

This project has developed IPM strategies for lettuce including:

• Testing CLA resistant lettuce varieties

• Using cereal crops as ‘nurseries’ for beneficial insects

• Trials with low toxicity pesticides such as Movento® and Bion®

• Evaluating the effects of current pesticides on beneficial insects

• Extending effectiveness of natural pesticides

• Demonstrations comparing IPM management to conventional farming

Lettuce grown using IPM consistently had fewer WFT and more beneficial insects such as ladybirds and lacewings than a similar crop grown with conventional pesticides.

This research has provided growers with more tools to use against insect pests and diseases, and will help them reduce pesticide use into the future. More information on this part of the project is in a separate article on page 28.

A remaining barrier to increased adoption of IPM is the perception that harvested product may have insects on it. Industry members have confirmed their belief that consumers have “zero tolerance” for insects on vegetables. Focus groups indicated that while most consumers were tolerant of insects such as ladybeetles, they were more repelled by soft bodied animals (e.g. slugs) or insects arriving after harvest (flies, cockroaches). The exception was younger consumers, who were extremely intolerant of any insect. These results were confirmed in a National online survey which showed that factors associated

with tolerance of insects and interest in IPM methods included:

• Aged over 35

• Female

• Grown vegetables or herbs, currently or in the past

• Occasionally purchase organically grown products

The results show that not only is it possible to grow lettuce using IPM, but also that there could be a niche market for these products. While consumers may not be willing to pay significantly more for IPM grown lettuce, such a label would at least prevent exclusion of these products from retail. More information on this part of the project is in a separate article on page 98.

As a culmination of a decade of lettuce IPM, short video case studies of IPM lettuce growers have been produced on a DVD. In addition, a collection of information resources, produced from this and previously funded lettuce projects has been included on the DVD. The DVDs will be distributed to all Australian lettuce growers.

Within the Lettuce IPM projects, new tools and management options for growers have been developed in response to the arrival or spread of new insect pests and diseases. There is a need to develop systems that are as generic as possible and to build ‘resilient’ farms that can handle new pest incursions, primarily insects, mites, diseases, nematodes, and weeds. There will be a need to maintain capability and understanding of vegetable pest ecology.


Your Production

The results suggest that there is a strong market for IPM lettuce among certain demographics.

more information

For further information please contact Dr Sandra mcDougall, Industry leader — Field Vegetables, nSW Department of Primary Industries on (02) 6951 2728, [email protected], 0427 401 466 or your Field extension Officer on 0427 373 037.


Your Production

A commercial lettuce IPM demonstration was established with the co-operation of Ray Taylor (Taylor Family Produce) at their Amiens property by Agri-Science Queensland’s Senior Horticulturist Mr David Carey, Dr Lara Senior, Ms Mary Firrell and Ms Madaline Healy. The trial was conducted under low to moderate Heliothis pressure and yielded as well as the adjacent commercial crop.

Three blocks were planted over a ten day period to demonstrate viable commercial IPM techniques to local Stanthorpe lettuce growers, advisors and agronomists. The IPM lettuce blocks were close to surrounding native vegetation and so maximised the effect of naturally occurring beneficial insects that live in the surrounding bush. These naturally occurring beneficial insects provide a free source of pest control and are out working in the crop, night and day seven days a week. Mr Taylor was surprised and delighted by the number of beneficial insects present in his cropping area.

All lettuce were grown according to normal on-farm commercial practice, with pesticide and fungicide inputs selected and applied according to crop scouting reports. When spraying was required only soft option products were applied within the IPM demonstration plots, this minimised the disruption of the natural predators and parasites that were assisting with pest control.

Crop scouting was carried out twice a week in both the IPM demonstration area and the commercial crop to determine insect pest and disease pressure and to monitor beneficial insect presence. Crop protection decisions were made weekly, based on this crop scouting information.

Heliothis (Helicoverpa spp.) are the major insect pests of summer grown Queensland lettuce. As well as crop scouting, pheromone traps were used to give an indication of Helicoverpa spp. moth activity within the crop for the duration of the trial. Pressure was low to moderate throughout the trial period, with small Heliothis larvae numbers hatching most weeks.

Yellow Sticky traps were used to assist in monitoring thrips presence in the crop. A number of these sticky traps were also baited with trial blends of thrips pheromone to determine if any of these pheromone blends improved detection of thrips, compared to sticky traps alone.

Two Malaise traps were used to sample local beneficial insects, one in the commercial cropping area, with another between the native vegetation and the cropping area — to give an indication of what beneficial insects were moving into the crop from surrounding bushland. Malaise trap samples were collected and sorted and identified weekly, and provided a real insight into the large number of beneficial insects present in the cropping area.

Each trap was opened and allowed to catch passing insects for three days each week for the duration of the IPM demonstration trial (eight weeks). Wasps, beetles and spiders were the most prevalent naturally occurring beneficial insects caught in these interception traps (see Table 1). The category of Beneficial Wasps included four different significant agricultural parasitoid

IPM demonstration Stanthorpe

bY DAVID cAreYDEEDI, QuEENSLAND

View of the IPM Lettuce area with native bushland on either side. Irrigation sprinklers and Helicoverpa sp (Heliothis) monitoring traps visible in foreground, with dam in the distance.

Malaise trap used to monitor naturally occurring beneficial insect flights.

(L–R): David Carey, Dr Lara Senior, Madaline Healy and Mary Firrell at Gatton Research Station.


Your Production

or predatory wasp groups. Beetles were flying in and out of the cropping zone as were Robber flies, pirate bugs, and even spiders. Many small spider species were trapped suggesting the trap intercepted their movement while ‘web flying’ on the prevailing winds.

Clearly the bush and crop areas were supporting many beneficials, with greater numbers for many categories found in the bush.

Beneficial wasp releasesOver four weeks releases of the beneficial wasp Trichogramma pretiosum were made. This minute native wasp parasitises Heliothis eggs, preventing them hatching. On a weekly basis, 180,000 wasps were released in the IPM crop and a small number were placed in the surrounding bush in an endeavour to establish a local resident population. This release program reinforced the need to look after beneficials by choosing soft option pest control products compatible with an IPM system while highlighting the potential benefits beneficial insects provide.

variety trialsSeveral seed companies submitted Currant lettuce aphid (CLA) resistant lines for evaluation. Two plantings, a week apart were assessed for commercial performance and compared to the commercially grown variety.

Historically, many of the CLA resistant varieties only had a short window when they performed as well as the standard commercial lines. Rijk Zwaan, Nunhems and Syngenta provided commercial or semi commercial lines for evaluation.

Sixty to seventy lettuce of each CLA variety were transplanted in blocks 1.5m wide by 6m long with the standard commercial variety Raider® in the last two plantings within the IPM demonstration block. Several CLA resistant varieties performed well in this late summer planting. The first planting endured some hot condition during growth while the second planting grew into cooler autumn conditions.

Rijk Zwaan 45-08 performed well in the initial trial, good lower leaf, good butt size and excellent ground cover, and good colour saw it rating as well as the commercial standard Raider® (a Seminis variety) in this trial. Bernadinas®, another Rijk Zwaan variety, had less lower leaf but was still commercially acceptable. Queensland summer lettuce growers prefer a lettuce with good lower leaf growth as this provides good ground cover, presents well in a box and prevents soil splash and heart discolouration caused by summer storms.

The second trial transplanted on February 11, 2010 grew into cooler conditions, with all trial lines being commercially acceptable at the time of harvest.

Bernadinas® had good weight with a little less lower leaf than Raider®. This good weight and reduced lower leaf seem to indicate a potential for the bagged lettuce market in cooler growing periods. Uniformity of the line Ice Green® from Syngenta had improved in this later planting and the variety was commercially acceptable. This improved performance compared to the initial planting may indicate a preference for cooler growing conditions. The variety trial was assessed and viewed by a number of local growers and local reseller suppliers throughout the course of the trial and at maturity, providing an opportunity for discussion, comment and feedback.

more information

See the lettuce crop Protection Toolkit DVD for a copy of the full report (lettuce resources]HAl funded lettuce projects]lettuce IPm projects]lettuce IPm IV QlD IPm Demonstration).

dimethoate goneAPVmA has now suspended currant use of Dimethote on lettuce. Although initially suspended for 12 months it is not likely to be re-instated. Full information: www.apvma.gov.au/products/review/current/dimethoate.php

All lettuce growers should receive a copy of the lettuce crop Protection Toolkit DVD in the mail in early December. If you are a grower and have not received a copy contact Sandra mcDougall or David Troldahl (02) 6951 2611 or email [email protected] or [email protected] or ask you State Vegetable Association.

Table 1 beneficial insects by catch location

Beneficial insects Bush area crop area

Robber flies 18 1

Hoverflies 2 9

Lacewings 1 1

Pirate bugs 5 11

Damsel bugs 1 14

Mantids 10 2

Beneficial wasp 197 95

Beetles 179 41

Spiders 52 89

Lettuce from the variety trial for Currant Lettuce Aphid resistance.

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Changes to practices at both harvesting and washpacking stages can reduce the quality defect levels seen at retail level, a recently completed potato research project has shown.

Horticulture Australia Limited project PT06047 Improving the visual and internal quality of WA Ware Potatoes to meet consumer needs, run by Western Potatoes Pty Ltd and the Department of Agriculture and Food, found that soil and tuber temperature, varietal susceptibility and high tuber impacts during harvest and packing affect quality.

temperatureHeat and water stress reduce the quality of potatoes in summer in Western Australia. Crop water use increases with higher temperature, resulting in rapid reduction of soil moisture, which in turn leads to increased soil temperature. Temperatures between 12 and 18°C are considered best for harvesting and handling tubers. Tubers warmer than 18–20°C and under drought stress are susceptible to blackspot bruising.

Harvesting when tuber pulp temperature exceeds 12°C or soil temperature is greater than 20°C increases the risk of microbial rots, especially in damaged tubers.

To reduce quality issues in summer, growers should consider the following recommendations:

1. Monitor soil temperature in potato crops in the warmest months through temperature probes or soil moisture monitoring units.

2. Manage soil temperature and moisture by applying irrigation before harvest if soil is too dry or tuber temperature is above 18°C. Water should be applied to cool the soil sufficiently but not to saturate it as this leads to increased risk of bacterial rots.

3. During summer, harvest at night or when soil temperatures are lower.

4. Harvest periods with greater risks of bruise and rot are January to April in the Manjimup and Pemberton areas; October to September in Perth; and October to December in Busselton and Myalup areas. It will be particularly important to manage soil temperature if harvesting in these times.

New recommendationsto prevent damage to potatoes

bY rAcHelle JOHnSTOne DAFWA, BuNBuRY

The DAFWA spud project team, digging crop by hand at Myalup comprised Andrew Taylor, Ian McPharlin, David Tooke and Rachelle Johnstone (nee Crawford).

Your Production


mechanical damageTwo types of damage can occur when handling potatoes — bruising in two forms, and skinning. Blackspot bruise involves damage to the tuber’s cell contents and is only visible when the tuber is peeled (see Figure 1). Shatter bruise involves damage to cell walls and skin breaks that are visible as cracking (Figure 2). This can extend to the centre of the tuber and the broken skin is an ideal entry point for disease.

Skinning is most often seen in potatoes harvested before the skins have fully matured. Abrasion between tubers, between tubers and soil clods or grading equipment, loosens and removes the outer layer of skin. The shelf life of these tubers is reduced because diseases can enter easily and shrivelling is also likely due to high water loss.

Harvester and washpacker set-up was assessed using an electronic potato (instrumental sphere), called Smart Spud®. The Smart Spud (produced by Sensor Wireless Inc.) contains an accelerometer that measures impacts as G forces, as it passes through handling equipment. G is a measurement of gravitational units where 1 G = 9.81 metres per second squared. The higher the G force the more severe the impact.

The Smart Spud was buried in the ground and lifted with other tubers by the harvester. This allowed us to identify specific locations where tuber damage is occurring. The Smart Spud also passed through washpacker operations (Figure 3).

Results from calibration of potatoes against G force readings from the Smart Spud show differences in bruising occur with drop height (G force), variety and temperature. At 10°C 20 per cent of Nadine tubers were damaged from a drop of 40cm. Ruby Lou was more tolerant of bruising at this temperature with 30 per cent of tubers showing bruises when dropped from 60cm.

Under warmer conditions at 15°C a 20cm longer drop was required for Nadine to show bruises, but 90 per cent of tubers were affected. Bruising in Ruby Lou still appeared at a 60cm drop at the warmer temperature but the percentage more than doubled compared with the lower temperature. Royal Blue tubers at 15°C were susceptible to bruising at lower drop heights than Ruby Lou and Nadine with 5 per cent damaged at just 20cm, and 80 per cent damaged at 70cm.

Key areas of the harvesting and washpacking processes that lead to mechanical damage and bruising of tubers in the WA supply chain have been identified. Despite using different equipment, five impact factors were common to all machines: sites of tuber drops; changes in belt direction; speed; impacts against machinery; and impacts with other potatoes and debris.

Figure 1 Blackspot bruise

In order to reduce mechanical damage during harvesting and washpacking, the following points should be considered:

1. monitor temperatures before harvest and washpacking to ensure tubers are handled at optimum temperatures of 12–18°c.

2. minimise bruising by keeping conveyors full of potatoes. Increasing ground speed by shifting the tractor transmission to a higher gear can speed up harvest, increase and smooth out the flow of tubers through the harvester, and reduce damage.

3. ensure the speeds of individual conveyors are matched to the speed of the preceding or following conveyor on harvesters and washpacking equipment.

4. Assess equipment and identify high impact areas. modify equipment accordingly.

5. lower the number and energy of impacts. Avoid excessive drop heights. Drop heights on equipment should be kept below 30cm to prevent blackspot and shatter bruising.

6. Use cushioning material where possible. Addition of cushioning and removal of steel at transfers can reduce impact levels and any related damage.

7. leave potatoes in the ground for four weeks after spray-off to allow skins to harden and reduce skinning.

8. be aware of varietal susceptibility to bruising. Some varieties are more tolerant, and machinery and operations should be set up accordingly.

Figure 2 Shatter bruise

Figure 3 Smart Spud


It’s been another exciting year at Clause Pacific with the addition of Kevin Swan to the company

following the promotion of Graham Adams and his subsequent relocation to Queensland.

AN

EXC

ITIN

G Y

EAR

OF

NEW

VA

RIET

IES

Tomatoes - Currently of high interest to growers is our new indeterminate gourmet tomatoe, Napoline, which is performing

consistently well across a large geographical range, having the benefit of resistance (IR) to TWSV and nematodes. Short internodes,

large fruit and uniform size are producing high yields. New season, high quality seed is available.

Capsicums - New to our already extensive range are Cayman, a blocky red type with improved plant vigour and yields. Fruit

quality from top to bottom is outstanding, while the disease package is exceptional. To complement this is Quattro, a very

adaptable large high quality blocky red that has shone in trials for cool setting and fast maturity whilst maintaining firmness.

Uniformity of fruit means more efficiency in the packing shed. CMV resistance (IR) is also one of many resistances this variety

has to offer.

Broccoli - Already dominant in the brassica market with cauliflower varieties such as Liberty and Scudo, Clause Pacific are

now leading the way in broccoli, offering three new varieties all with resistance (IR) to white blister (albugo candida): Kuba for

warm season, Kolya for cool season and Kanga for that difficult period in spring.

Lettuce - The development of lettuce from our Vilmorin range is gathering pace very quickly. The first introduction has been

with Crown, a warm season iceberg lettuce that has had outstanding results in trials through 2010. Displaying strong tip burn

and bolting tolerance, combined with a good balance between frame and head size for the summer / autumn period, Crown

will be a variety in high demand this year. Several other lines of iceberg currently in trial include Saintly and Vintage Crop

which combine the size and adaptability of our US genetics with the quality of European genes.

To provide growers with the most accurate information on our varieties, we at Clause Pacific place a strong focus on confirming

results of our varieties by conducting on-farm trials. Without the opportunity many growers offer us, this wouldn’t be possible

and we thank all of those involved who allow the continued trial & development of many of our varieties on their farms. We hope

to continue this in the future as we endeavour to find the most adaptable, consistent and ultimately profitable varieties possible,

thank you. In order to discuss your seed requirements, or for further information on any of our varieties, please contact :

Kevin came to the company with much experience in horticulture,

having managed his own farm in South Africa where he produced

a range of vegetables including capsicums and tomatoes. This

background has allowed him to continue the strong development

and sales history of Clause Pacific in Western Australia which is

facing another wave of new and exciting varieties from the vast

range that our parent companies Clause, Harris Moran and Vilmorin

have to offer. Examples of just a few of our new varieties are :

Kevin Swan & Kris Welz looking at a Queen Lebanese cucumber trial in his greenhouse in Perth.

Kevin Swan - 0400 622 314 - [email protected] PACIFIC - P O Box 475 - Bulleen VIC 3105 AUSTRALIA - Phone : 61 (03) 8850 5400 - Fax : 61 (03) 8850 5444 - www.clause-vegseeds.com


Your Production

To effectively control soil borne pathogens in the longer term, it is better to integrate a number of methods including crop rotation, cultural practices, disease prediction and chemical controls. A recent project has investigated green manures and biofumigants further and found positive impacts in terms of both disease control and crop yields.

Green manuring with biofumigant cover cropsResidue of some biofumigant (mustard species) and Brassica crops (e.g. broccoli) can release volatile compounds, isothiocyanate (ITC) compounds, which directly inhibit pathogens. Residue of green manure crops can also enhance soil microflora populations that compete with pathogens and improve soil health.

Field trials in Victoria and Tasmania demonstrated that using Brassica biofumigant crops Mustclean™ and Caliente 199™ as green manure rotation crops have significantly reduced lettuce drop and bean root diseases. For instance, the biofumigation

effect of Mustclean™ reduced lettuce drop by 62% and bean root rots by 35%, compared with fallow or grass and cereal rotations.

At another site, Caliente 199™ increased the fresh weight of spring onions by 16%. In addition, results showed that some of the green manure crops improved soil health by increasing organic matter, nitrogen and beneficial microbial activity.

The efficacy of ‘green manuring’ on pathogen mortality depends on many factors including soil characteristics, plant

Managing soilborne pathogensusing green manure and biofumigants

key messages• crop rotation strategies can

reduce inoculum of soilborne pathogens by breaking the disease cycle, biofumigation activity (e.g. mustards) and/or improving soil health.

• biofumigant crops with the highest levels of isothiocyanate (ITc) producing glucosinolate (GSl) compounds were more effective for pathogen control.

• In-field effects of brassica biofumigant crops include excellent weed suppression, a reduction of root rots in green beans and lettuce drop and an increase in the fresh weight of spring onions.

• biofumigant crops should be pulverised before incorporation into moist soil to ensure biofumigant compounds are released into the soil.

• Some green manure crops showed other soil benefits, including increased organic matter, nitrogen and soil biological activity.

cultural PracticesThere are many cultural methods that can be used to reduce inoculum levels of soilborne pathogens, such as:

• rotation with non-host or less susceptible crops.

• Amending soil with residue of cover crops (green manuring).

• Increasing plant spacing to reduce canopy conditions (moisture levels) favourable for disease development.

• Good sanitation, weed control and irrigation practices to prevent inoculum and disease spread.


Your Production

tissue composition, length of soil treatment and biological (e.g. anaerobic capacity) and chemical (e.g. organic acids, volatile compounds, pH) changes in soil. The target pathogen is also an important consideration. For example, some Brassica biofumigant crops are highly susceptible to clubroot and should not be used where this disease is a problem. All of these factors need to be carefully considered when choosing the cover crop, some testing may be required, to ensure suitability for the particular situation on each individual property.

The ideal time to incorporate Brassica biofumigant crops is at flowering, before any seed is formed.

This is the stage when glucosinolate concentration is at its peak, and also prevents these plants from becoming weeds. For the best effect, the crop should be completely macerated before incorporation into moist soil to release the isothiocyanate (ITC) compounds. These compounds are highly volatile, so the soil surface should be sealed by rolling or irrigation after incorporation to minimise their escape from the soil.

Practical methods to optimise the disease control effect of Brassica biofumigants include:

• Pulverising plant tissue using a flail mower with hammer blades before incorporation into moist soils.

• Sealing the soil surface with a roller attached to the back of the rotary hoe and/or with irrigation.

• Incorporate tissue into moist soil to initiate the breakdown of glucosinolates into ITCs compounds which are biocidal to soilborne pathogens.

crop selection and growthChoosing the right green manure or biofumigant crops to include in a rotation strategy for effective disease management will depend upon many factors such as season, cropping system, soil type and condition and known pest and disease pressures. Key points to consider are:

• For maximum biomass production, break crops may need fertiliser input if nutrients in soil from previous crop are low.

Practical methods to optimise the disease control effect of Brassica biofumigants.

• For temperate regions, cold tolerant green manure crops should be selected for winter plantings to obtain good biomass production.

• Time to maturity (flowering) varies among cultivars and on the season. For example, in cold weather Mustclean™ matures in 60 days, while Caliente 199™ takes 90-100 days.

• Best biomass production is achieved during warmer weather, but insect pest pressure could be higher on mustards.

• Brassica biofumigant crops provide superior weed suppression to grasses and cereals.

• Some Brassica biofumigant crops can be highly susceptible to clubroot and should not be used where this disease is a problem.

acknoWledGment

many thanks to Oscar Villalta and caroline Donald at the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.


Your Production

The profitability and productivity of a greenhouse can be significantly improved by minimising the losses caused by pests and diseases. Preventative pest and disease management is a multifaceted approach requiring planning, cleaning and quarantining. There is no single practice that can, on its own, completely prevent pest and disease pressures in your crop.

Greenhouse hygiene


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One of the most effective ways of reducing disease carryover from one crop to the next is by cleaning out and disinfesting structures between plantings. To effectively clean a greenhouse: all biological matter (plants, soil, algae.) should be removed; all water pipes and hoses should be descaled and flushed with appropriate chemicals to remove pathogens; all surfaces should be washed down and rinsed with disinfectants. This includes hydroponic channels, the space between plant rows, sides of greenhouses, pathways and all internal structures.

When a crop is finished, an adequate length of time should be left between removing the plants and putting in a new crop, to allow full scrub down of structures to remove infectious fungi, bacteria and viral particles.

The best strategy is to carry out the cleaning process in two stages. The first stage is to clear the greenhouse out completely, followed by the disinfection of the greenhouse and all tools and equipment before returning them for use. This two stage cleaning strategy is outlined in more detail below.

the greenhouse clean out1. Remove old crop and dispose of material

away from greenhouse

2. Remove and dispose of items that will not be reused including substrate, bags, twine.

3. Remove from greenhouse all equipment, tools, plant containers, bins, clips and truss supports, plant hangers, dripper stakes and emitters and other items that will be reused.

4. Sweep down walls, floors and all internal structures. Remove all plant material.

the greenhouse clean up1. Pre-cleaning and sanitising: Cleaning

using products with detergent capacity and biocidal activity to remove soiling from the surfaces ensures greasy deposits do not remain on rough surfaces.

— Apply with a knapsack sprayer or pressure washer. The pressure washer should be set on a low pressure setting 500psi (35 bars) using a 45° angle jet. The application rate should be 1 litre of solution per square metre of surface area.

— Start at the apex of the roof and work down the walls to the floor paying particular attention to corners and other areas where dirt accumulates. Caked soiling should be brushed if necessary to aid removal.

— Allow surfaces to dry where possible before disinfection.

2. Clean and disinfect the irrigation system. All water systems contain some contamination, especially the header tanks where dust and dirt can accumulate. This may allow disease such as Pythium, Fusarium and Phytophthora to pass on from one crop to the next. Sanitisers will also breakdown bio-films and algae build up. Run the disinfectant solution through the pipes or soak them in a bath. Flush irrigation lines with clean water after treatment.

3. Disinfection: The level of disease organisms, particularly viruses, present after cleaning and sanitising is still high enough to offer a serious challenge to young or recently introduced plants. The use of a broad spectrum disinfectant active against viruses, bacteria, yeasts, moulds and other pathogenic organisms is essential to complete an effective disease control programme. For example, Oxy Plus which is a 50% hydrogen peroxide alternatively one can use a simple bleach or chlorine solution. When using any of the chemicals always refer to the label for recommended application rates. It is of prime importance to ensure all surfaces are thoroughly wet with disinfectant to break the chain of infection.

— Apply with a knapsack sprayer or pressure washer. The pressure washer should be set on a low pressure setting 500psi (35 bars) using a 45° angle jet. The application rate should

be one litre of solution per square metre of surface area.

— Start at the apex of the roof and work down the walls to the floor ensuring good coverage on all internal structures.

— Use a 0.5–1.0% chlorine solution, or a 0.1% (100ml in 100L) Sporekill solution or other appropriate disinfectant (wear personal protective equipment including a respirator).

— Allow 15–30 minutes for the product to activate (Or as product label specifies).

— Rinse walls, floor and all internal structures with clean water.

— Close up greenhouse with just a small amount of vent opening and leave to dry.

4. Wash and refill footbaths. It is recommended to replenish and clean foot baths twice weekly or more frequently if becomes heavily soiled. This solution can be a simple commercial detergent or chlorine mix, the importance is regularly cleaning and changing the solution in the footbaths.

5. Clean and disinfect all equipment, tools, plant containers, bins and other items to be returned to greenhouse. Use the 2 stage approach, pre-cleaning followed by disinfecting, as used to clean the greenhouse, time permitting.

6. Set up greenhouse for next crop making sure that no items, tools or equipment get contaminated.

The most important aspect of greenhouse hygiene is maintaining the high standard of cleanliness throughout production, with ongoing monitoring and daily checks of the whole system. It is essential that all equipment and personnel entering the greenhouse maintains the chain of hygiene to reduce the incidence of contamination.


Your Production

Violation of the MRL (Maximum Residue Limit) or pesticide residue non-compliance is the second most important factor that can cause high-value lettuce and Asian greens produced in greenhouse growing systems to be rejected by the major retailers, after produce quality.

Research has been done to better explain why MRL violation occurs more often in crops grown in greenhouses and/or hydroponic systems, than in those grown in the field. The study was funded by Horticulture Australia with funds from the Vegetable Industry Levy, matched by the Australian Government. Practical data were collected with cooperation of three commercial growers (in QLD, NSW and VIC) who use Protected Cropping (PC) and/or hydroponic systems.

A consideration is the MRL, which is used to assess if a residue is excessive. MRLs are established for pesticides across a range of crops and production methods. In Australia only few pesticides have special registration and a set MRL for PC/hydroponics lettuce. A pesticide that is not registered for lettuce using this growing method would have no MRL. In this situation a zero (or very low) tolerance would apply and any amount of residue detected would lead to an MRL violation.

Apart from that, residue issues are partly due to differences between greenhouse and field production. Pest and disease occurrence can be higher in PC/hydroponics due to a much longer growing season and more intense production, which may trigger more spraying.

Because crop cycles are shorter in PC/hydroponics than in the field, less withholding time is available between spraying and harvest, so there is more chance any pesticide residue is not broken down completely at harvest time. In the field any pesticide is washed off by rain or broken down by UV radiation, while in a greenhouse there is no rain and less UV. Also, in field-grown lettuce the outer leaves (with potential residue) are removed, whereas in PC cultivation whole lettuces plants are harvested.

Observations and interviews at the three PC enterprises yielded valuable data that can be used as benchmark.

A variety of pesticides were used, sometimes off-label. Each of the three growers said they incorporated Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technologies in their production process. But after further discussion, each grower said that in pressure situations they often take the easiest options. Each grower had invested very little to modernise the sprayers, and they found their current application systems adequate. Each used the ‘shotgun’ approach (blasting pesticides onto the crops) rather than finesse and careful consideration. All participating growers did not view any changes as necessary, because their current investment in pesticides appears small, and therefore cost saving in this area may not be substantial.

This study recommends to the industry to considerably reduce the reliance and use of pesticides in greenhouses and/or hydroponic systems. Methods for growers to achieve this are:

• Employing advanced spray technology that is commonly used in the advanced greenhouse industry overseas, which is based on treating the enclosed space, which allows using low-volume or ultra-low-volume of pesticide (or high-volume if not in PC). Conventional field sprayers use more pesticide and therefore causes

much more residues. Precision pesticide applications will improve the control of major problems:

— Diseases e.g. Botrytis, Sclerotinia, Downy mildew

— Pests e.g. Western flower thrips, Shore fly, Fungus gnats, caterpillars, Rutherglen bug

• Applying elements of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), such as cultural practices, intensive scouting, reduced-risk pesticides, biological agents (if possible), biorationals and optimal climate control. The latter is a strong benefit of growing in a greenhouse. Using biological control agents (as part of IPM) is not feasible, as it is undesirable that pests and control agents are present on the produce. A good method is creating conditions in the greenhouse that are favourable for the plants and unfavourable for pests and diseases. Good growing conditions make plants stronger & less susceptible for pests and diseases. Fungal diseases can be controlled by optimal humidity control to avoid condensation on the plants. These are advantages that PC offers over field cultivation;

• However, worldwide there are few solutions for neutralising pesticide in the nutrient solution. One technology that works well is burning (oxidising) the residue by a thorough ozone treatment. This requires good specialised equipment, otherwise the ozone can do a lot of damage to the plants and even to humans. There are no other techniques for removing pesticides from water that are currently feasible for horticulture. Other options are discharging the nutrient solution with the pesticide in it, but this may cause severe damage to wild-life in the environment (paddock, wet-land, stream or waterway) where the nutrient solution is dumped. Another way is storing it and exposing it to natural UV from the sun, but this is often not practical.

Investigating pesticide lettuce and Asian green MRLsin greenhousesbY PeTer DAl SAnTOAGAWARE CONSuLTING

GrAeme SmITHGRAEME SMITH CONSuLTING

Your Production


more information

For further information, please contact the vegetablesWA Field extension Officer on 0427 373 037 or Graeme Smith on 0427 339 009 or [email protected].

Table 1 The wider picture: side issues and broad approach of mrl violation

Problem Possible consequence Prevention/mitigation methods

(A) Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) violation in Protected Cropping (PC) and/or hydroponics

(a) Registration of pesticide for use in PC and/or hydroponics, to avoid that pesticide is used ‘off-label’

(b) Setting a realistic MRL for PC and/or hydroponic crops

(B) Residue on produce

(a) Reduce pesticide use Optimal climate control, cultural practices, IPM, advanced spraying technology, soft agents

(b) use precision application

(c) Apply waiting time * Delay harvesting

(d) Wash the produce *

(e) Apply treatment e.g. expose to air or uV **

(C) Residue on plant

(1) May end up on produce See above (B a, b, c, e) Optimal climate control, cultural practices, IPM, advanced spraying technology, soft agents

(2) May wash into nutrient solution and be discharged

See below (D & E)

(3) May have health consequences for workers

(a) Avoid working in greenhouse after spraying, especially when crop is wet

(i) Timing: spraying in late afternoon

(b) use protection

(ii) Postpone work if possible

(iii) use protective clothing and masks

(D) Residue in nutrient solution: systemic pesticides deliberately added to the nutrient solution (‘drenching’)

Pesticide in nutrient solution is gradually taken up by plants and ends up in the produce. Some of it will end up in discharge water.

(a) Adhere to recommendations as per label for hydroponic crops in PC (incl waiting time)

(b) Reduce the use of systemic pesticides (‘drenching’)

Optimal climate control, cultural practices, IPM, advanced spraying technology, soft agents

(c) Extend the waiting time ** Delay harvesting

(d) Dilute the nutrient solution

(e) Dump the nutrient solution

(f) Neutralise the pesticides by water treatment (e.g. ozone)

(E) Residue in nutrient solution: non-systemic pesticides have landed in the nutrient solution

See D c-f

(F) Residue in discharge water (systemic and nonsystemic)

Pollution of wet lands or waterways

(a) Reduce pesticide use Optimal climate control, cultural practices, IPM, advanced spraying technology, soft agents

(b) Reduce dumping

(i) Avoid build-up of sodium

(ii) Provide optimal nutrients

(iii) Reduce build-up of root exudates

(c) Neutralise the pesticides by water treatment (e.g. ozone)

* This has an adverse effect on produce quality


Your Production

Why cleaning spray tanks is important?

Vegetable Industry Development Program

• Crop protection products and associated

adjuvants can leave sticky oily residues on

all internal surfaces of spray equipment

• Small amounts of herbicide residue if

not properly removed can cause serious

damage to sensitive crops

• Small amounts of fungicide or insecticide

residue can activate some herbicides

causing greater levels of crop damage than

would be expected

• Small amounts of residue from some

actives could lead to MRL’s being exceeded

The Vegetable Industry Development Program is funded by HAl using the vegetable levy and matched funds from the Australian Government.

• Pesticide residues can cause corrosion of sprayer parts and rubber seals reducing the effective life of the sprayer and increasing the likelihood of blowouts.

What to clean with• All pesticide labels list the appropriate

agent to use to effectively remove residues of that active from internal sprayer parts

• READ THE LABEL and use the correct boom cleaner.

How to clean• Always wear protective clothing

when cleaning spray equipment, as recommended on the product label

• Fill the tank with clean water and the recommended tank cleaner

• Operate the pump and flush the cleaning solution through all hoses, strainers, screens, nozzles and the boom

• Remove nozzles, screens and strainers and clean them separately in a bucket containing the recommended cleaner

• Rinse the system with clean water.

disposal• Dispose of water onto bare soil or into

collection pits away from streams and waterways.


Your Production

BackgroundEffective weed management is an essential requirement for reliably achieving high quality brassica produce. By taking a long term view of weed management and adopting an integrated weed management strategy, you can consistently control the weeds that compete with brassica crops.

In-crop weed management requires a long term integrated approach.

Weed management commences prior to planting of the crop and does not stop until the crop has been harvested and residual produce/weeds are destroyed or cultivated.

Conducting all activities at the right time is the key to successful integrated weed control. Being too late reduces effectiveness and can lead to poor weed control.

IntroductionThis article is a guide to integrated weed management in Australian broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprout crops. It provides an overview of weed management

methods in these crops based on research conducted for Horticulture Australia Limited. There are three key steps to effective weed management. These are:

1. Plan your rotations

2. Identify your weeds

3. Develop your weed management strategy

Step 1: Plan your rotationsThe first step in effective weed management is to plan your rotations. Adoption of a long term view of how you intend to combat weeds includes considering:

• Your crop rotation

• How you want to carry out each weed control stage, and

• Which herbicides or method you need.

The use of rotation crops in which problem weeds can be more easily controlled will help to reduce seed banks prior to planting. Good weed control between crops is easy to achieve and can be done using knockdown herbicides such as glyphosate or paraquat and through cultivation. The use of cover or green manure crops will also aid in reducing weed seed banks and are an essential part of a long term integrated weed management system.

A guide to effective weed control in Australian brassicas

key messages• reduce the seed bank prior to

planting

• Transplant into weed free beds

• Apply appropriate pre-emergence herbicides before and/or immediately post transplanting

• Herbicides mUST be used correctly

• Inter-row cultivate Or use knockdown herbicide through protected sprayers to control weeds later in the crop as required

• Post-harvest clean up is essential.

key points• Use rotation crops to control weed

seed banks between brassica crops

• Using herbicides at the right time is crucial.

key points• Identifying present weeds will

determine which herbicide you can use

• Grass weeds do not need to be considered but can be a problem if knockdown herbicides are not used.


Step 2: Identify your weedsThe key to getting the most from an integrated weed management strategy is to understand the weeds which will be a problem in your crop. To most growers this will come from experience in individual blocks and from observation of the major weeds present in your district.

There are two main groups of weeds that cause problems in vegetable brassicas in Australia;

• Broadleaf weeds, and

• Grass weeds.

It is important to identify which weeds are present in your crops as herbicides and control methods will vary accordingly. With this knowledge a weed control plan can be developed which should give ‘best possible’ outcomes for that weed or weed spectrum.

11 key broadleaf weeds have been identified that cause problems to brassicas in Australia. Grass weeds are seldom a problem in brassica crops as they are controlled by the management strategies used for broadleaf weeds. A range of products are registered for their control.

Controlling weeds in broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts


Your Production

Step 3: Develop your weed management strategyThere are five possible stages in which weed control will be most effective. These are pre-planting, transplanting, early in-crop and late in-crop, post-harvest and when the paddock is fallow. There are several options per stage depending on your strategy and the density and diversity of the weed population.

Pre-plantingIn-crop weed management is easier and more effective where longer rotations and suitable break crops to reduce weed seed bank are used.

However in intensive pro duction systems where crop rotations times are tight this option can be difficult. Getting crop rotation correct and minimising weed populations in the previous crop will reduce weed pressure in the current crop.

Successful weed control commences with transplanting into a weed free seed bed. Best results are obtained using a combination of cultural and chemical controls. There are two main options:

• Option 1Form beds well before planting, irrigate to germinate an initial flush of weeds. These weeds can be controlled by spraying with a knockdown herbicide. Alternatively, weeds can be controlled with a very shallow cultivation.

• Option 2Form beds just before planting, with a final cultivation to prepare the seedbed and control any emerged weeds. This is discouraged in paddocks with substantial weed burdens, but does minimise pre-plant herbicide applications.

Herbicide options in the pre-plant management phase are all knockdown

herbicides with no residual activity. The options at this time are glyphosate, paraquat or diquat. The choice of the correct herbicide will depend upon the weeds present, their size and the herbicide cost. It is best to apply these products when weeds are small as lower rates can be used and better coverage obtained leading to more effective control at lower cost.

broadleaf weeds• Wild radish, Raphanus raphanistrum

• Redroot Amaranth / Prince-of-Wales feather, Amaranthus spp.

• Hogweed/wireweed, Polygonum aviculare

• Black berry nightshade, Solanum nigrum

• Pigweed, Portulaca oleracea

• Sowthistle/milk thistle, Sonchus spp.

• Fat hen, Chenopodium album

• Wild turnip, Brassica spp.

• Annual nettle/stinging nettle, Urtica urens

• Chickweed, Stellaria media (suppression)

• Shepherd’s purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris.

Grass weeds• Annual ryegrass, Lolium rigidum

• Winter grass, Poa annua

• Barnyard grass, Echinochloa spp.

• Summer grass, Digitaria spp.

Actions around planting (transplanting)Transplanting is the most critical time for obtaining good in-crop weed control. This is when most herbicides available for use in vegetable brassicas are applied. There are currently six different actives which are registered for application just before or just after transplanting, and before weeds have emerged (see Table 1).

early in-cropOptions for good control are limited if weeds develop in-crop. Grass weeds can be easily controlled using a number of group A herbicides which are registered in these crops.

These include fluazifop-p-butyl (Fusilade), sethoxydim (Sertin), quizalofop and clethodim (Select). Note these products may not be registered in all crops (check labels for registration rates and withholding periods).

Broadleaf weeds can only be killed by cultivation or by inter-row spraying with a shielded spray unit. There is an optimal time when cultural operations are most effective. If done too early the full benefits of the pre-emergence herbicide will be lost as there is time for further weeds to germinate before the canopy closes over. If done too late crops may just be transplanted and some damage can occur.

The actual timing depends upon the crop, the weeds and the time of the year, however this is generally around four weeks following transplanting.

In many areas cultivation is also a necessary part of the production process and is needed to ensure good soil aeration and to optimise crop growth.

An alternative option is to control weeds through the use of directed inter-row spraying with non selective herbicides using shielded spraying equipment. This method is effective and very efficient, however it does come with some risk, as any herbicide escape can lead to severe injury or death to the crop. The shielded unit must be well made and maintained to ensure that herbicide does not escape when spraying on uneven surfaces. Currently the only product registered for this use is Gramoxone. Please consult the product label and consult your local agronomist prior to adopting this form of in-crop weed control.

key points• Forming beds well before planting

then using a knockdown herbicide and cultivating any emerged weeds is the preferred method

• In beds with low weed populations cultivation can be carried out at time of bed formation to reduce herbicide applications.


Your Production

late in-crop and post-harvest weed controlOnce a crop is established and canopy closure achieved it will suppress the growth of most weed species. However species such as fat hen, radish and potato weed can grow rapidly and rise above the crop during the last few weeks and interfere with harvest. These weeds can also set seeds and reduce the effectiveness

of your integrated weed management strategy. It is important to reduce their numbers and subsequent seed set.

Hand weeding is the only way to reduce weed numbers prior to harvest and whilst this may be expensive in the short term, the longer term benefits of reducing the weed seed bank, will be seen in future crops.

Following harvest, effective weed clean up and maintenance of a clean fallow between crops is essential (see Table 2).

The use of cultivation or non selective herbicide sprays, or a combination of both will ensure clean fields and easier and more cost effective weed management in future crops.

Table 1 Herbicide application

Herbicide trade name Application timing key weeds controlled critical comments

chlorthal-dimethyl Dacthal 900 WG Immediately post transplant

Grasses, nettles, milk thistle, amaranth, pigweed, chickweed, wireweed

• Does not control brassica weeds or marshmallow

• Requires incorporation by irrigation immediately after transplanting

• Eight month plant back for sensitive crops (i.e. lettuce)

metolochlor S-metolochlor

Dual/Dual Gold Plus and other

Immediately post transplant

Grasses, nettles, milk thistle, nightshade, amaranth, pigweed, chickweed, wireweed


• Requires incorporation by irrigation within 24 hours after transplanting

• Can reduce crop growth in soils with low organic matter or >60% silt or fine sand

Oxyfluorfen ec Goal and others Pre-plant Grasses, brassica weeds, nettles, milk thistle, pigweed, chickweed, wireweed

• Requires incorporation by irrigation within seven days of application

• Transplanting can break herbicide barrier

• Six month plant back for sensitive crops (i.e. onions)

Oxyfluorfen WP Baron 400 WP Immediately post transplant (within three days)

Grasses, brassica weeds, nettles, milk thistle, pigweed, chickweed (Suppression), wireweed

• Requires incorporation by irrigation within seven days of application

• Can cause crop damage on sandy soils and when applied in cold weather

Pendimethalin Stomp and others Pre-plant Grasses, fat hen, milk thistle, pigweed, chickweed, wireweed

• Requires incorporation by irrigation within five days of application

• Transplanting can break herbicide barrier

• Can cause crop damage when applied in cold weather

• 12 month plant back for sensitive crops (i.e. silver beet)

Propachlor Ramrod Immediately post transplant

Grasses, nettles, fat hen, milk thistle, amaranth, chickweed, wireweed


• Requires incorporation by irrigation within 24 hours after transplanting

Trifluralin Triflur and others Pre-plant Grasses, amaranth, pigweed, wireweed

• Requires incorporation by irrigation within six hours of application

• Transplanting can break herbicide barrierTo effectively control the widest weed spectrum for an extended period a split application of metolochlor OR pendimethalin followed by Baron 400 WP provides the best result. However growers need to evaluate their individual situations with emphasis on environment, weeds present, time of the year, crop rotation, irrigation methods and herbicide cost before making a final decision.

key points• Grass weeds can be killed using

group A herbicides, but options are limited for broadleaf weeds

• cultivation and inter-row shielded spraying are the only options to control broadleaf weeds prior to canopy.

key points• It is important to control weeds prior

to harvest to reduce the opportunity for weeds to set viable seed

• Hand weeding is an expensive option but will reduce the subsequent seed banks and costs in the long term.

Table 2 effective weed management

crop stage Fallow Pre-transplant transplanting In-crop Post-harvest

• Weed control options

• Green manure crop

• Knockdown herbicides

• Cultivation

• Cultivation

• Bed forming

• Knockdown herbicides

• Some preemergence incorporated herbicides

• Post transplant pre-emergence herbicides

• Cultivation

• Inter-row spraying

• Hand weeding

• General knockdown herbicides

• Cultivation



Your Production

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Your industrY

Example from NSW DPI of a Spray Diary Template

Your industrY


Primarily loved for its smell on the Aussie barbecue, the onion has many uses in the kitchen from curries and korma through to salads and stews.

The much-loved allium is undergoing a resurgence, with the vegetable’s peak industry body actively working towards progressing a national marketing levy in order to further promote its versatility and health benefits.

Growers are represented by Onions Australia, the peak industry body which comprises members from throughout the country.

The body is responsible for liaising with growers and providing a voice for the allium industry.

The OA membership is varied and includes growers, packers, agronomists, researchers, horticulturists and many related Australian horticultural businesses.

The organisation supports the work of its members with an advisory committee, quarterly meetings and ongoing research funded in part by a growers’ levy.

With the times a-changing in the onion industry, OA has even more so become a commonsense first-port-of-call for both growers and non-growers alike.

Through the new OA website, the association is endeavouring to bring growers the latest news in an easy-to-read, informative format.

Members of the association have access to the OA office, which is home to a wide range of resources.

The organisation actively and determinedly represents its growers and keeps them updated on changes to chemical information, as well as new products available, and any other news pertinent to the industry.

The OA office, with Chief Executive Officer Joanne Thomas-Ward at the helm, keeps in regular contact with members, and provides a one-stop-shop for information.

Those who have a membership with OA are guaranteed a vote on important matters at regular meetings, ensuring they have a voice within the industry.

Onions Australiathe national peak body for onion growers

bY JOAnne THOmAS-WArDONIONS AuSTRALIA

The humble onion has come a long way in recent years, with much work done behind the scenes to ensure the popularity of the kitchen staple.


Your industrY

OA membership also provides for free entry into the association’s directory, which is now accessible online, and more importantly provides access to 28 years worth of industry research, also available online through a special portal.

As part of the association’s work, onion growers are being encouraged to look to the future to safeguard their industry.

Growers last year were surveyed to ascertain their views on increasing an industry levy in order to raise more research and development funds.

As part of the process, discussions were broadened to look at the possible implementation of a marketing levy to enable the industry to increase customer consumption of produce.

During recent years it has been demonstrated that the industry cannot increase, let alone maintain, the level of research and development.

In conjunction with increasing the R&D levy, Biosecurity and Plant Health Australia (PHA) obligations cannot be met without raising the amount of the levy.

With this in mind, a series of meetings were held to survey growers about their response to revising and increasing the onion levy.

Growers were supportive of the levy increase, although the issue provoked plenty of robust discussion.

All of the information was collated and growers voted on the matter, with the majority deciding to proceed with introducing a marketing levy, which will finance campaigns such as consumer promotion, with consumer research being done under the R&D component.

Onions Australia has subsequently forwarded a submission to the Federal Agriculture Minister, who will appoint the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to assess the proposal and provide recommendations.

The Federal Government will then draft appropriate legislation to implement the revised levy if the proposal is accepted.

It is just one of the varied tasks OA is committed to following through for growers.

The popularity of the association was demonstrated in November, when the South East SA city of Mt Gambier hosted the OA annual conference.

Growers and other industry representatives from every state of Australia converged on the region to take part.

The presentation of the Reg Miller Award was the highlight of a busy conference schedule. Major sponsor Southern Soils flew in calcium plant and soil nutrition experts from the US to speak about sustainable farming. There was also an onsite biological fertiliser manufacturing facility walk and presentation at Southern Soils.

The event also saw Brian Bonde step down as chairperson after serving three years in the position. He was replaced by Queenslander Andrew Moon during the Onions Australia AGM at the Lakes Resort, which was followed by the Annual Levy Payers’ Meeting.

Conference guests were then taken on a guided tour of Mt Gambier’s Blue Lake Pumping Station to inspect the region’s famed water supply. Meanwhile, a large

group of the female attendees were pampered at the award-winning Giannis and the Body Retreat.

Onions Australia Chief Executive Officer Joanne Thomas-Ward said the conference was hugely successful, with an outstanding attendance from all states of Australia.

“It was an extremely positive series of meetings and many of our attendees brought their family with them, allowing them to explore the Mt Gambier region,” she said.

“Many of our scientists also took the opportunity to meet with local businesses and those within the horticulture industry to further assess the region.”

more information

The conference was sponsored by Southern Soils, chep, J-Tech Systems, Dobmac machinery and Agnova.

For further information about Onions Australia call (08) 8725 8862 or visit www.onionsaustralia.org.au.


Your industrY

Grower profilePeter Ivankovich


Grower profi lename Peter Ivankovich

location myalup

Property size 97ha

enterprises Onions and carrots


Your industrY

Each year in November, Onions Australia offers a special award to recognise people who have made outstanding contributions to the Australian Onion Industry. The award is named after Reg Miller, a South Australian who helped found what is now known as Onions Australia.

This year’s Reg Miller Award went to Western Australian grower, Peter Ivankovich of Myalup who according to his peers was a very worthy recipient. Peter said, “I didn’t expect the award at all, it was a complete surprise! Even when they were reading it out, it still didn’t dawn on me!”

Peter is a third generation grower who has been in the industry for over 40 years.

Originally, Peter’s grandfather established a market garden in Spearwood where they grew a whole range of different crops.

The family moved to Myalup in 1992 but still kept their property in Spearwood also. But as the housing development around them started encroaching, they sold their market garden before they got pushed out. Over the years, Ivankovich Farms was passed down

from Peter’s grandfather to his father then to him. These days Peter’s son, Anthony has gradually taken over the reins and become the fourth generation of the operation.

Peter continued to develop the farm and today they have three properties covering 240 acres of irrigated land and is putting in another 30 acres this year. Ivankovich Farms specialise in growing onions which are all sold to the domestic market and carrots of which 95% are is exported. Peter said, “You grow what you know you can sell, there is no use growing something then trying to find a market for it.”

Harvesting used to all be by hand when Peter was young in Spearwood, but Peter said “now days you can harvest as many onions in one day as you could in one month when we first started.

“Peter said that over the years mechanisation and technology has improved growing as irrigation is all automated now and there are a lot more choice of herbicides available. Although Peter says there is a lot more red tape to go through now which is frustrating when you “just want to grow food for people to eat.”

Peter has been a member of the Onions Australia executive for more than a decade

and served as chairperson in 2005 and 2006. It was during this time that he was President that the IAC was becoming established in which he played a big role in working towards a smarter onion industry. Later he served as the WA representative on the IAC for a term.

An advantage the Ivankovichs have being in the Myalup area now is it is cooler than the metro region and the soil is ideal to grow in. Peter also said, “The new Forrest Highway has been a real gain for us, as it has knocked off 30 minutes travelling time for trucks to get to Perth.”

Peter enjoys utilising his pilot’s licence for recreation and has flown around Australia. He has also been in five air races to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctors Association. They have also held fundraising balls on the property. The last one they had was for 560 people held in one of the sheds which included a sit down roast dinner and made $23,000 profit for the charity.

Peter says the main aspects of growing that he loves are the satisfaction of producing a good crop and the lifestyle. He said, “I’ve never done anything else, I’ve never had a boss and it’s all I know!” He said he has no intention of retiring and plans to grow long into the future.


Vincent and Nick Tana from Sumich, Minister for Agriculture and Food Terry Redman, Seah Kian Peng CEO NTuC FairPrice, and Frank and Sheena Tedesco, Center West Exports were at the official signing of the memorandums of understanding for WA carrots to Singapore.

Your industrY

Senior representatives from Singapore’s largest supermarket group visited Western Australia in October to source sustainable long-term horticultural supplies.

NTUC FairPrice Cooperative Ltd signed Memorandums of Understanding with two WA companies to supply carrots to Singapore, and prospects for other similar deals look promising.

This is the first time such contracts have been signed in Australia.

under the agreement, Sumich and Center West Exports will be supplying container loads of carrots to Singapore on a weekly basis for at least two years.

NTUC Fairprice Co-operative Ltd was founded in 1973, with a social mission to moderate the cost of living in Singapore. It whas grown to become Singapore’s largest retailer with a network of more than 240 outlets comprising supermarkets, hypermarkets and convenience stores.

FairPrice Chief Executive Officer Seah Kian Peng said the arrangement signalled a significant development in doing business with Singapore, and could be the forerunner for other similar deals.

“FairPrice has chosen to source vegetables from Western Australian farms as they are able to offer quality vegetables that meet high food safety standards with stabilised prices and supply,” he said.

The company’s two-pronged approach to stabilise both supply and prices involves contract farming and diversification. Contract farming arrangements began in the 1990s, first in Singapore then spreading to Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. WA is FairPrice’s first contract farming collaboration outside South East Asia.

“These MoUs reinforce that WA is a reliable supplier of horticulture products. Such

Long-term vegetable export deals with Singapore


Your industrY

partnership agreements allow FairPrice to further diversify our food sources while the WA industry benefits from sustained demand,” Mr Seah said.

The Department of Agriculture and Food has been working closely with FairPrice management since 2009 to explore opportunities for agrifood supply and potential contract farming arrangements with WA fruit and vegetable growers.

DAFWA Irrigated Agriculture Executive Director Terry Hill said many countries were becoming increasingly concerned about food security, and Western Australia’s ability to provide high quality horticultural produce was attracting wider interest, particularly in the ASEAN region.

Sumich runs the largest single carrot growing and packing enterprise in Australia, producing about 50,000 tonnes per year. It has been dealing with FairPrice for about 30 years, directly and indirectly. Its efficient operation enables refrigerated containers of fresh carrots to reach the Fremantle container terminal within a couple of hours of lifting from the field.

Center West, owned by Frank and Sheena Tedesco, has more than 400 hectares of carrots under irrigation about 100km north of Perth. FairPrice has been working with Center West through a distributor for

uTR Managing Director Lloyd Williams, Gary Ryan, Seah Kian Peng NTuC FairPrice and DAFWA’s Terry Hill check out a young broccoli crop at Manjimup.

Harvesting of carrots is fully mechanised at Center West Exports.

Center West director Frank Tedesco shows the packing operation to NTuC FairPrice’s CEO, Mr Seah Kian Peng.

10 years and in 2010 began dealing with

them directly.

Year-round production of Nantes-type

carrots provides up to 200 tonnes per day.

Rapid cooling after harvest is an important

aspect of their successful formula and

carrots are packed and ready for despatch

within 45 minutes of harvest. This ensures

longer shelf-life required for a wide range of

export markets, particularly South East Asia

and the Middle East.

Following the Mou signing and property visits, the NTuC executives also met other growers in the South West around Manjimup.

The next important stage of this partnership will involve further work by DAFWA, facilitating the finalisation of an MOU between NTUC FairPrice and UTR Produce Pty Ltd for the future supply of broccoli, cauliflower, sweet corn, tomatoes and beans.

UTR Produce is a fresh vegetable broker specialising in South West broccoli and cauliflower. All of its growers are quality-assured and produce reaches Perth for export within 48 hours of picking. It is anticipated that contracts should be signed in 2012.



Your industrY

Western Australian beekeeping is currently faced with many threats to our industry, many people are not aware however of the impact that these pests will have on other industries too, beekeepers bio-security is your bio-security as well.

Bees carry out pollination to flowers of plants and these include fruits and vegetables that we are reliant on as consumers. The threat of such pests as the Varroa mite and Small Hive Beetle which will decimate all the feral bees that are currently doing most of

Beekeeper training

the pollination of these horticultural plants will be no longer and of course this in turn will impact greatly on your profits. Industry will then be reliant on managed bees to be brought in to carry out the pollination, there are not enough managed beehives in WA to cope with this demand.

Our other threat which is already in our Kimberley region is the Small Hive Beetle and this will create problems within the hives possibly reducing the ability of the bees to carry out the pollination.

With the kind donation of $2000 from vegetablesWA and the pledge to provide

further donations, industry was able to conduct a training course recently where beekeepers were trained in the use of the small hive beetle traps and also the sugar baiting stations (for varroa) this will enable beekeepers to be incident ready so that we are better positioned to control the pests when they arrive.

We wish to take this time to thank the Vegetable Growers for pledging the money and choosing to come on board to assist us in this battle which in the end will hopefully benefit one and all.

Varroa mites on European honeybee prepupa.

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Your industrY


Potato production in the Mid-West appears set to expand following a year of crop monitoring under a new research project.

The Mid-West was identified as an area for winter production to fill demand in domestic and export markets.

Plantings near Dandaragan, a traditional dryland wheat farming area over the last year have gone well, and hopes to provide additional mid-winter supplies for local and possible export markets look to be on track.

Three properties are currently involved, totalling about 120 hectares. These pioneer growers come from both traditional potato farming families such as Craig Ryan, Mick

and Dave Fox from Pemberton, as well as wheat farmers who have diversified into potato production such as Mark Hyde and Mark Campbell.

Local growers approached the Department in 2007 for assistance, but funding was only achieved in 2010, and the two-year project will conclude in 2012. The APC and HAL have provided financial assistance.

Planting of the Dandaragan crops starts in March, but this created an immediate challenge in accessing seed that needed to be harvested in November for correct maturity.

Supplies from South West areas such as Busselton were insufficient for the new demand, and the Mid-West growers have been forced to grow their own seed for at least one generation.

To do this they purchase G4 seed from crops harvested in the summer in the South West and grow for one generation, sowing in June/July and harvesting ‘bulk’ seed in

mid-November on their own properties. This then gives them a supply of seed at the right age for the autumn plantings. So, out of necessity they become seed growers.

The growers realised disease management was critical in producing high quality seed. Diseases of major concern are viruses and their vectors (carriers) such as green peach aphid (GPA). The project was able to provide a full season of insect monitoring showing defined peaks in GPA numbers, mainly in the spring with a smaller peak in winter.

Disease testing provided the growers with a full analysis of the viruses in their seed crops which demonstrated the importance of their management. Training in visual recognition of viruses and ‘roguing’ or removal of diseased plants to maximise yield of high quality seed is planned for 2012.

Soil moisture was monitored on the three properties using TDR probes to assist growers with their irrigation management. Some of the sands used for potatoes are similar to the coastal Spearwood sands but there are some

Doors openingfor Mid-West potato industry

bY IAn mcPHArlInPOTATO INDuSTRY DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICuLTuRE AND FOOD

Irrigation monitoring in a new potato crop at Dandaragan.


Your industrY

Grower Mark Hyde, DAFWA entomologist Stewart Learmonth, grower Mick Fox, DAFWA research officer Ian McPharlin, technical officer David Tooke, grower Mark Campbell, technical officer Tony Shimmin (standing) and grower David Fox review the Dandaragan season.

Six-week-old crop of Granola potatoes, an export seed variety grown this year at Kununurra.

loamier soils with higher clay content and water-holding capacity. This variation in soil type demonstrated the need for site-specific irrigation advice using the TDRs. The growers valued the information provided and requested this soil moisture monitoring continue in 2012.

Harvesting began in late July and continued through to November, with yields ranging up to 55 tonnes per hectare. Some potatoes are being sold for crisping or wares, as well as their own seed crops.

The new growers are cooperating well as they learn the ropes in a new location and for some, a new industry. Wheat grower Mark Hyde was surprised to find a single-row planter in use rather than the larger scale machinery favoured by broadacre farmers. He then visited South Australia to check out practices in Australia’s biggest potato producing State and returned with a six-row planter.

This fresh look at conventional thinking bodes well for the new area.

Strategic Analysis of the WA Ware Potato Supply Chain Final Report by McKinna et alThis document is now with the Potato Marketing Corporation’s (PMC) Board, who will decide on a course of action following extensive consultation with the potato industry stakeholders.

A workshop between the PMC Board members has been arranged with the objective of creating an implementation plan.

The Potato Growers Association of WA (PGA have consulted with potato growers all over WA and have now submitted their recommendations and comments to the PMC. There is no doubt the supply chain must maintain best practice that upholds the integrity of the grading system for the consumers of WA. Compliance through transparency and adopting the latest technology when identifying potato types, varieties and ownership must be introduced.

Other areas in the report that need attention include quality of product, core temperature, transport, marketing, improved administrative process through the supply chain etc.

Changing consumer’s needs requires continual marketing initiatives to maintain or increase demand for consuming fresh vegetable products that includes potatoes. Variety mix is also essential to maintain consumer interest. All of these consumer requirements and more are contained in the final report that will certainly drive the need to be a head of the game in marketing.

bY JIm TUrleYVEGETABLESWA


Your industrY

Average vegetable yields across Australia declined by an estimated 11 per cent in 2010–11, coinciding with heavy rain and floods in a number of vegetable growing regions over last summer.

Australian vegetable growing farms: an economic survey, 2009–10, released by ABARES recently indicates that over the same period, lower vegetable production contributed to higher farm gate prices, thus helping to maintain the average farm income for the sector as a whole.

ABARES acting Deputy Executive Director, Terry Sheales, said the preliminary findings for 2010–11 show the average farm cash income for vegetable farms across Australia was $147,000 per farm, which is similar to that estimated for 2009–10. However, some farms would not have been as profitable during this period due to heavy rain and flooding in late 2010 — early 2011.

“At the time of the survey, vegetable growers were generally positive about their future in the industry, with 64 per cent of growers expected to be still engaged in the industry in five years time and 22 per cent expecting to expand vegetable production in the next three to five years,” Dr Sheales said.

“Most vegetable growers felt that the most important factor determining the future viability of their vegetable growing businesses would be the cost of farm inputs such as labour, fertiliser, water and fuel.

Interestingly from a Western Australian perspective, we and Tasmania had the highest proportion of their agricultural workforce employed in the vegetable growing industry in August 2011, at around 11 per cent. However, this does not include estimates of seasonal or casual employment, or employment in vegetable processing, and therefore is likely to significantly understate total employment in the vegetable growing industry.

“The ABARES survey of vegetable farms has now been undertaken for the past five years and the data show that vegetable farms have become more diversified by increasing the types of vegetables produced as well as expanding into other commodities such as beef cattle and sheep.” However, in contrast to this national trend, vegetable farms in Western Australia had the highest reliance on vegetable production with, on average, 87 per cent of cash receipts from vegetable sales.

The report also found that average farm cash income fell by around 48 per cent for vegetable farms in Western Australia in 2009–10 because of a combination of increased costs and a decrease in total cash receipts, but WA vegetable growers still had the second highest average farm business profit in dollar terms nationally.

more information

The report was commissioned and funded by Horticulture Australia limited using the vegetable industry levy, which is matched by funding from the Australian Government.

Australian vegetable growing farms: an economic survey, 2009–10 is available on the AbAreS website.

Higher priceshelp to maintain vegetable farm incomes in 2010-11


Your industrY

Grower profileGraham and Mia Rose

Grower profi lename Graham and mia rose

location myalup

Property size 460ha

enterprises Potatoes, carrots, lucerne hay, beef cattle and prime lambs


Your industrY

Located in Myalup, Graham and Mia Rose are third generation farmers on their land.

Graham’s grandfather was one of the first farmers to start up in Myalup in the 1930s. Back then they drove the cattle to the land just for the winter months then back to the river flats for summer. At that time there was no roads and drove everything by horse. The property was sold during the first world war then bought back afterwards by Graham’s father and they have remained on the property since.

Today they grow potatoes, carrots, lucerne hay, beef cattle and prime lambs on their 460 hectares property.

As the land has been farmed on for 50 years, there is little biological and organic matter left in the soil so the Roses say they are not getting the same yield as they did in the past.

Graham said they are working on strategies to help with the soil health but thinks it will take around five years to see any standout results.

The Roses use green manure crops in rotation that compliment production crops. These incorporate biofumigation and organic matter to try and replace some biology and soil structure being depleted by cultivation and removal of nutrients through harvesting vegetables. The hope is that the additional organic matter will increase the water holding capacity of the soil and will lead to greater efficiency of their irrigation; in addition they are also using the VISS as a guide for scheduling their watering. When setting the Rose’s up with the system, vegetablesWA’s Field Extension Officer, Charlotte Butler, was able to enter their particular crop stages based on their own records from 30 years of growing experience.

Graham said the biggest changes of how they grow over the years have been specialised machinery. He said harvesters and planters have made it more efficient and have increased the amount of ground you can cover in one day. Machinery has also decreased labour as in 1995 they had 14 people working full time but now only have six full time and a couple of casuals which shows the impact that the increase in technology of machinery has had.

Graham said 10 years ago there was a lot more advancement in R&D and currently he is, “hungry for R&D to step up to the next stage, at the moment have we have maximised our efficiencies”

The Roses used to seed their carrots from February to June and harvest from July to November. They have now expanded their growing period from seeding November to May or June and harvesting from April and


November. They have gone from growing 60 to 100 acres of carrots as the demand is there.

They grow 40 acres of licensed and lease 10 hectares of ware potatoes. They are leasing out to increase their rotation period. Graham said that their disease pressure is increasing all the time as there is a build up from growing potatoes in the same soil for 50–60 years.

Automated irrigation has helped with the issue of frost in potatoes however wind can still be a problem as it moves the sand around. Graham said they have started to plant rye grass and clover to overcome this problem then cut it as hay to feed the cattle. They leave the stubble after hay so sand doesn’t move. It also has big root bulk and mass so it acts like a sponge when wet so it’s easier to wet up soil when starting to cultivate for ground preparations for next crop and also adds organic matter to soil.

Graham said what he most enjoys about the growing life is the challenge of growing the perfect crop. He said, “it’s not a job to me, it’s just what I do”. He also, “enjoys challenges of picking the weather and getting a good quality high yield crop”.

He said the biggest frustrations of being in the industry are, “meeting quality specifications and grades that are required by packing sheds and retailers”. He also finds it frustrating “not being rewarded for the amount of hours you put in”. He also added that, “these days you don’t get rewarded for high quality, it just means your produce gets sold first with the average return, there is no premium price like there used to be”.

Graham said, “The sad thing about horticulture is it is not a united industry, few people share their knowledge and there are very few specialised grower groups”.Graham and Mia enjoy travelling when they aren’t working. Graham says he enjoys the luxury of not having to answer to other people’s demands while on holiday and being TV free, stress free and phone free.

The Roses said they will continue growing long into the future.


Your industrY

Microwave technology similar to that used in household kitchen ovens is being tested as a new form of selective weed control.

Dr Graham Brodie, of the University of Melbourne, is leading a research project to develop a prototype machine that destroys weeds at a cost comparable to conventional chemical methods.

The research project is funded by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) who manage the Australian Government’s National Weeds and Productivity Research Program.

“It is possible to watch plants irreversibly wilt after a few seconds of microwave treatment as their cells soften due to microwave heating,” Dr Brodie said.

“Microwave radiation affects plants by softening and transforming cellulose — one of a plant’s most important molecules — leading to the collapse of the structures that carry water through their stems, ultimately leading to plant death.

“Microwave energy can be focused onto individual plants, without affecting adjacent plants, which would be very useful for in-crop or spot weed control.”

Microwave energy has also been shown to kill roots and seeds that are buried to a depth of several centimetres in the soil.

Microwavesto cook away weeds

“Unfortunately, microwave energy cannot selectively heat the seeds in the soil, so microwave-base seed treatment must also heat the bulk soil around the seeds in order to kill the weed seeds embedded in it. This takes a lot of energy.

“It takes far less microwave energy to kill growing plants above the ground, but preliminary studies indicate that plant treatment still requires about 10 times the energy that is embodied in conventional chemical systems to achieve effective weed control.”

Dr Brodie’s research project aims to develop a microwave application system that is more energy efficient and provides a viable weed control alternative to counter the problem of herbicide resistance to conventional chemicals.

“Microwave-based weed treatment is not affected by wind and rain after treatment and so this extends the application periods compared to conventional spraying methods,” Dr Brodie said.

“This treatment leaves no residue in the field or on the plant, so there are no withholding periods.”

While Dr Brodie’s initial trials will use a normal kitchen microwave oven, the research program will also test new techniques for applying microwave treatments.

The research team then hopes to develop a prototype carrying an industrial-scale microwave system for use in field trials before conducting an economic and environmental assessment of the procedure.

RIRDC is providing around $12.4 million (GST inclusive) to more than 50 new projects under Phase 2 of the National Weeds and Productivity Research Program. These projects include:

• The use of a biodegradable weed mat made of hemp fibre that both smothers weeds to death and adds organic matter to the soil

• The use of ‘suppressive plants’ to limit parthenium weed

• The use of aerial imagery to detect and monitor weed populations

• New machinery to destroy weed seeds at the point of crop harvest.

more information

more information on the weeds research projects being funded by the Australian Government is available at www.rirdc.gov.au/weeds.

Paddy melon plants immediately after microwave treatment (a) and three weeks after treatment (b).

a b

The prototype system, which is based on a modified microwave oven, used a horn antenna to apply microwave energy to weeds.


Your industrY

Tax rebatesmust be a genuine incentive to go bushOffering meaningful tax incentives to those who live in rural and regional Australia through revamping Australia’s Tax Zone Rebate scheme could encourage more people to move to country areas, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has said.

NFF President Jock Laurie said the proposal to review regional tax offsets, put forward by the Queensland and WA State Governments at the Tax Forum in Canberra, is not a new concept but rather something the NFF has long lobbied to achieve.

“The NFF has long suggested that tax rebates can overcome some of the serious inequities faced by those living in country areas, and we are pleased to see the proposal to review

the current system being raised at this week’s Tax Forum,” Mr Laurie said.

“We see many opportunities for the taxation system to be used more effectively in boosting rural populations, correcting the inequalities that currently exist between city and country living, and easing the growth in the urban population.

“A tax rebate scheme has been in place for some 75 years and is widely acknowledged to no longer be effective, as it has not increased sufficiently to offset the effects of inflation.

“Last year’s Henry Review found that the zone tax offset should be reviewed, and we certainly agree — it is time for the scheme to be analysed and the potential benefits fully realised. And, with the agricultural industry

facing a labour shortage of some 100,000 workers compared to pre-drought levels, now is the time to have this debate.

October also saw National Skills Week — the week where the Government is encouraging people of all ages to consider practical and vocational study in areas like agriculture.

“A push for more people to consider careers in agriculture, combined with incentives like tax offsets to move to country areas, could be a real boon for the farming sector and the communities that rely on it for their survival,” Mr Laurie said.

Daniel Marinovich of Myalup was the winner of the South West Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition this year winning the Best of Show with a score of 17.

He also won the Gold award and Best of Class for class 1 — Single Estate grown EVOO sourced from a single grove, Production volume 25–200L) in which he scored 17.

There were 36 oils in the competition from all over the state. The judges comments about Daniel’s olive oil were that it has a wonderful aroma of tropical fruits and

Daniel Marinovichwinner of South West Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition 2011

The Marinovichs with their awards.

has complex flavours on the palate which complements the finish.

The judges said that it was an all round well-balanced oil.

This season had tough seasonal conditions, and Daniel was the only one to be awarded a gold award in the show, all other entries who won best of their class, only achieved silver.

Daniel has also entered his olive oil into the Perth Royal Show two years ago and received bronze. Congratulations Daniel!


Your industrY

Vegetable spotlight

Productioncurrent Australian cauliflower productionAustralian cauliflower production in 2009 recovered from the lowest level of production this century in 2008 rising 9% to 70,286 tonnes (see Figure 1). The production rise was assisted by an 8% rise in the area planted in 2009 to 3,121 hectares.

Yields rose by 1% in 2009, to 22.5 tonnes per hectare, the second annual increase since a sharp decline in 2007.

long-term production trendsCauliflower production in Australia declined by 20% in cumulative terms between 2002 and 2009.

The area planted has fallen in six of the past eight years with a cumulative fall of 27% since 2001 (see Figure 2).

Australian cauliflower farmers had enormous success in driving efficiency gains by raising the yield of the crop by 34% from 18.8 tonne/hectare in 2003 to 25.2 tonne/hectare in 2006. The trend was broken in 2007, but there was some recovery in 2008 and 2009.

value and pricingDomestic value of productionThe gross value of cauliflowers grown in Australia in 2009 was $49.8 million, an increase of 6.4% on the previous 12 months

(see Figure 3). The increase reflected higher tonnages rather than higher prices.

The national gross unit value (average price per tonne) fell by 3.6% in 2008 and 2.7% in 2009, partly reversing the 9.1% increase in 2007.

cauliflower pricing

Average domestic prices based on production levels declined in 2008 and 2009 (see Figure 4). In contrast export prices rose strongly in 2009, extending the upward trend evident since 2005 to reach new highs.

In recent years, Australia has imported cauliflowers in very small quantities. Prices have been excluded from the chart as they may not provide an accurate indication of actual levels.

state production and national consumptionState cauliflower production

Cauliflower production is concentrated in Victoria and Queensland, with each state producing 28% of the national total in 2009. New South Wales accounted for 16% of the total in 2009 (see Figure 5).

There are significant year-to-year fluctuations in production in individual states. In 2009, production in South Australia and Queensland rose by 33% and 31% respectively, but there was a decline of 21% in Tasmania.

snapshot• cauliflowers are Australia’s 18th

largest vegetable crop in terms of value, accounting for 1.7% of total vegetable production with a gross value of $49.8 million in 2009

• Production volumes, value and area planted all rose in 2009 after a record low this century in 2008

• The area planted has fallen in six of the past eight years, with a cumulative decline of 27% between 2001 and 2009

• cauliflower growers increased yields significantly between 2003 and 2006. This upward trend was not sustained in 2007, but there was some recovery in 2008 and 2009

• Queensland and Victoria were the largest producers with shares of national production of 28%

• The number of cauliflower growers fell slightly in 2009 to 348 compared to 357 in 2008

• Australia runs a small positive balance of trade in cauliflower. Imports are negligible

• exports have collapsed since the early years of this century due to the loss of South east Asian markets to chinese competition.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics employed a new methodology in collecting data for the 2005–06 Agricultural Census. As a result, the data generated from the census — such as production volumes, area planted and yields — are not directly comparable to historical statistics. Readers should use this material with caution.

cauliflowers


Your industrY

Yields in South Australia were significantly above the national average in 2009, a similar story to 2008. Yield gains were significant in New South Wales but yields fell sharply in Western Australia.

cauliflower consumptionData on consumption is fragmented. Retailers collect data on sales and consumer purchases are monitored in a number of surveys.

Using official production and population data and ignoring home grown production and wastage estimates can be made of per capita consumption.

These suggest that per capita consumption averaged 3.2 kg over the last three years slightly higher than a decade ago.

Comparisons with estimates of per capita consumption of some other major vegetables are presented in Table 1.

Grower numbers and productioncauliflower growers by stateThe total number of cauliflower growers in Australia fell slightly from 357 in 2008 to 348 in 2009. There were declines in the number of growers in Victoria and Tasmania

and small rises in the other States except New South Wales where the number of growers was unchanged.

New South Wales had the biggest number of growers, with its share of the national total rising slightly to 30% in 2009. Victoria’s share declined from 25% in 2008 to 22% in 2009, while Queensland’s share rose from 19% to 22%.

Average production per grower was highest in South Australia with an average of 332 tonnes per grower (see Figure 6), well above the national average of 202 tonnes. Queensland and Victoria were also above the national average. Cauliflower growers scale of operations in New South Wales are smaller than in the other States. In 2009 growers in that State averaged 107 tonnes per grower.

export markets in 2009Destination of Australian cauliflower exportsExports are exclusively fresh with the main markets in South East Asia and the Pacific (see Figure 7). South East Asia accounted for over 70% of the severely diminished total in 2008–09 and countries in the Pacific region for more than 27%.

Singapore has been the most important country since 2004–05 when it took the leading position from Malaysia. Singapore and Malaysia have remained the most important markets since then, but exports to both countries fell sharply between 2004–05 and 2007–08.

Exports to Singapore rose slightly in 2008–09, but exports to Malaysia continued to decline.

exports and importsValue of cauliflower exportsThe value of cauliflower exports has collapsed in recent years due to the loss of price competitiveness with China due to higher labour costs for harvesting (see Figure 8).

Exports declined from $28 million in 2001–02 to less than $0.7 million in

Figure 1 national production Figure 2 Area planted versus yield

Year

Year

90

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2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

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2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

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Figure 3 Value of production Figure 4 Price per tonne

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1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

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Year

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Average price Exports

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Table 1 consumption estimate of other major vegetables

vegetable Average for 3 years ending

1999 (kg)

Average for 3 years ending

2009 (kg )

Cauliflower 2.7 3.2

Carrots 11.1 9.8

Potatoes 70.5 61.6

Tomatoes 22.0 20.9

cauliflowers


Your industrY

30

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NSW Vic Qld SA WA Tas

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Figure 7 cauliflower export destinations Figure 8 Value of cauliflower exports

Philippines

Vanuatu

East Timor

New Caledonia

Brunei

Fiji

Papua New Guinea

Indonesia

Malaysia

Singapore

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Percentage of exports

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Year

The data and information in this document has been put together by Industry Data Economic Analysis. Industry Data Economic Analysis is contracted by Horticulture Australia Limited to provide economic services to the vegetable industry including collation and analysis of data provided by other sources. Information is to be communicated to the industry through a number of channels, the AuSVEG website being one. Industry Data Economic Analysis, its principal, contractors and employees, does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any data or information contained in the document and does not accept legal liability for its contents or any loss or damage which may result. Professional advice is recommended for all strategic and financial decisions. This document does not represent professional advice.

2008–09. The small remaining market is for higher priced product.

Imports of cauliflowers are negligible.

marketmarket segmentsThe cauliflower market consists largely of the fresh market segment with some processing (largely for frozen use) taking place in Australia.

White or cream coloured cauliflower is the most popular variety whereby the heads of the cauliflower are protected from sunlight. Other colours such as green, purple and orange are available in addition to baby cauliflower.

market accessDomestic markets are free and there are no restrictions on cauliflower production.

Imports of fresh cauliflower are free to enter Australia whilst a 5% tariff applies on frozen cauliflower (4% for developing country status).

Access to foreign markets is reasonable with price competitiveness and freight costs

being the major barrier to expanded exports. Exports to Singapore and Malaysia do not incur a tariff.

Significant tariffs in place in the region are in Taiwan (27%), the Philippines (25% dropping to 20% in 2020), South Korea (20%) and Vietnam (15% phased to zero by 2017).

more information

For further details on these statistics please contact Ian James, Industry Data economic Analysis on 0439 440 023 or email [email protected]

For more economic analysis of vegetable production, visit the AUSVeG webpage at: www.ausveg.com.au/statistics

Figure 5 Production versus yield Figure 6 cauliflower growers by state

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Your industrY

Two events of this APC/VPC and HAL-funded Good Practice Demonstration project have been run since the planning meeting in July. Both events were well received with good numbers of growers attending.

The first, held again at Wanneroo Tavern in September, was a night of all things pathology with special interstate guest speakers, Barbara Hall, Manager of Horticulture Diagnostic Service, Manager Post Entry Plant Quarantine at SARDI, and Len Tesoriero who has 20 years’ experience with NSW Agriculture specialising in diagnostic plant pathology.

DAFWA virologist Brenda Coutts, diagnostic pathologist Dominie Wright, nematologist Sarah Collins, horticulturists Allan McKay and Aileen Reid, plus Len and Barbara, were on hand for healthy discussions of on-farm issues and how to diagnose and deal with the problems.

Problems with spring onions, bacterial canker in tomatoes, black rot in brassicas and the difference in powdery and downy mildew and their control were covered. The

important take-home message was that to treat an issue effectively you must know the cause and the pathogen you are dealing with. This is where diagnostic testing may help.

Dominie Wright handed out kits with information of how and what to sample. She emphasised the importance of filling in the forms with the crop history, soil type and chemicals applied, to help correctly diagnose a problem.

“It is very difficult to diagnose problems on plants that are almost dead, but with a sample of a plant just showing symptoms and a good history of the site you are more likely to be able to isolate the pathogen causing the symptoms,” Dominie advised.

The November event was a field walk in Gingin looking at All Things Soil with Katrina Walton from the Chemistry Centre WA helping growers to understand soil chemistry and how it can influence availability of plant nutrients. Bob Paulin, Dominie Wright and Aileen Reid also fielded questions on soil health and how this can influence crop performance and disease susceptibility.

Bob, retired since then and moving to Canada, explained the potential benefits of compost to soil health and fertility. He made it clear that the compost industry needs to work with growers to understand their needs to ensure that their products meet the needs of the vegetable industry. The vegetable industry in turn needs to move on from poultry manure’s nitrogen blast and focus on managing soil for better productivity and reduced

Good Practicetalks a walk


Specialist presenters, Aileen Reid, Len Tesoriero, Barbara Hall, Brenda Coutts and Dominie Wright at the plant pathology night for the Good Practice project.


Field walk in Gingin looking at All Things Soil.

Your industrY


environmental impact. By working with the compost industry, growers and the vegetable industry can ensure that compost products can best plant requirements by growth stage and farm practices. Once the products are developed and their use understood, the potential benefits will then be realised.

The infertile soils of the Swan Coastal Plain with limited water-holding capacity are difficult in which to produce good crops at the best of times, and any practices that can lead to better crops and minimise environmental impact are good for industry.

Three farms north of Perth in the project have had extensive soil sampling, which will show the results of any differences in practices used between sites. Chemical measurement, soil health indices and

physical characteristics such as water infiltration rate, bulk density and water-holding capacity have been measured. Practices will be monitored and all additives, cropping history and soil amendments will be recorded and the measurements repeated towards the end of the project.

This will allow the differences to be assessed in real situations with a baseline, and where possible, with a control plot to compare. Monitoring will continue throughout the project looking for differences in soil and crop performance.

Other soil amendment treatments that have been suggested are zeolite and spongelite as well as additives such as polyacrylimides and humates.

The Department of Agriculture and Food recently announced the appointment of Geoff Strickland as Director, Irrigated Agriculture Innovation.

This position is part of a new structure, introduced about a year ago, where horticulture is part of a larger directorate called Irrigated Agriculture and Diversification and headed by Terry Hill.

As well as the traditional work with fruit and vegetable industries, it also encompasses food, plant biosecurity, forestry research, and trade development.

Earlier in 2011, Dr David Windsor was appointed as Director, Irrigated Agriculture Industries Development. While the roles are similar, in many aspects, David will be looking after horticultural issues in the south, and Geoff in the north.

David has been with DAFWA for more than 20 years, working with wool, dairy and horticulture industries, most recently as regional manager for the South West Agricultural Region, based in Bunbury. He continues to be based there, but spends several days in Perth each week.

Priorities for next 12 months are seen as working closely with industry associations to develop partnerships that focus on greatest needs and opportunities.

Geoff Strickland’s focus will be on industry growth through innovation, aiming to help unlock the production potential of northern Australia. He is based in Broome and responsible for the production areas of the Gascoyne, Pilbara, west Kimberley and the Ord River region.

Each region has capacity to develop both intensive horticultural precincts and broadacre irrigated crops and pastures, he says. Creating synergies between these sectors offers the greatest prospect for agricultural growth in WA.

Prior to rejoining DAFWA, Geoff was the CEO of the Ord Irrigation Cooperative at Kununurra, which holds the largest irrigation water licence in the State. This experience in water issues and the expansion of irrigation at Kununurra will be useful background to developing and expanding industry growth in other northern regions. In addition to 'growing the north', Geoff has some broader roles, such as oversight of intellectual property developed by DAFWA through irrigation research, especially in horticulture.

“As always, market-driven development is the key to success and meaningful engagement with industry is critical,” he noted. Geoff looks forward to meeting with key industry groups and is open to discussing new ideas and seeking innovative solutions to industry and market issues through collaboration and alliances.

New appointments at DAFWA

Dr David Windsor

Geoff Strickland

Healthy discussion on the day was followed by a sausage sizzle and refreshments, and was a good way catch up and to learn more about one of the most important production factors that is often overlooked and taken for granted your soil.

more information

If you wish to know more about the day or be notified of the next event to be held south of Perth in early 2012, please contact rohan Prince on 0429 680 069 or email [email protected].


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Unlike more concentrated nitrogen products, the risk of scorching when top dressed with YaraLiva products is low. Both products are both widely and successfully used across a range of high value crops throughout the world.

YaraLiva Tropicote has 18.8% Ca and 15.5% N (as which 1.1% is ammonium) and YaraLiva Nitrabor has 18.3% Ca, 15.4% N (as which 1.3% is ammonium) and 0.3% B.

TROPICOTE/NITRABOR


Your industrY

The recent APMVA review of dimethoate has resulted in the loss of registration for many label uses of this chemical. This has not only affected many cropping practices but also impacted on Interstate Certification Assurance (ICA) protocols and therefore market access to other states for many fruit and vegetables.

A similar review of the alternative chemical fenthion is expected in the first half of 2012 which will most likely see the loss of ICA-01 and ICA-02, dipping and flood spraying with fenthion.

The Department has been working to ensure market access is maintained through other methods, for many crops including tomatoes. Interstate trade of WA tomatoes are estimated at being worth at least $30 million per year. Through APC/VPC funding, trials have been done by Dr Francis De Lima on the effect of methyl bromide fumigation on the shelf life and appearance of tomatoes. ICA-04 allows access to all states for fruit fumigated by methyl bromide, but was not favoured by growers, market agents and packers.

Testing at four concentrations of gas at four different temperatures allowed in the ICA procedure was done on gourmet round tomatoes, roma tomatoes and cherry tomatoes. All tomatoes fumigated at all temperatures showed no ill effects.

To validate the results from the small scale laboratory testing, about 300kg of fruit was fumigated in a commercial chamber at the most common rate of fumigant for post-packed tomatoes — 40g/m3 at 15–20.9°C (see Figure 1). These were then stored in a cool room for two weeks and brought out

on the market floor at Canning Vale for inspection by growers and market agents. The colour was good and the fruit appeared in good condition.

Following comments that the fruit would break down out of cool storage, it was then left at ambient temperature in a warehouse over the weekend and inspected again three days later (see Figure 2).

The later inspection confirmed that the fruit was still in good condition, but showed up some important factors to consider. Any physical damage may be highlighted by fumigation and it is important that fruit to be fumigated is of high quality. It also

showed that fruit with a larger calyx after the long period of storage was not in as good condition as fruit with a smaller, less prominent calyx.

Most importantly, the demonstration showed that when done correctly, fruit quality and colour is maintained, fruit is suitable for sale, and meets market access requirements for all states.

A pamphlet outlining the critical points will be available in the new year for anyone considering methyl bromide fumigation for tomatoes.

Promising resultsfrom fumigation trial for tomatoes


Figure 2 Comparison of fumigated and control tomatoes after 17 days storage (14 days at 9°C and three days at ambient temperature)

Figure 1 comparison of tomatoes fumigated with methyl bromide under IcA-04 with unfumigated control fruit at four stages of ripeness, one hour post-fumigation

¼ ripe fumigated ½ ripe fumigated ¾ ripe fumigated Full ripe fumigated

¼ ripe control ½ ripe control ¾ ripe control Full ripe control

¼ ripe fumigated ½ ripe fumigated ¾ ripe fumigated Full ripe fumigated

¼ ripe control ½ ripe control ¾ ripe control Full ripe control

Your industrY


In other developments, Quarantine WA has updated ICA-26 which allows pre-harvest treatment and post-harvest inspection of tomatoes, capsicums, chillies and eggplant to include Medfly. This modified protocol has been accepted by Victoria and South Australia and will be included as approved ICAs for those states very soon.

Quarantine is also modifying ICA-27 to include Medfly. This allows fruit picked at a mature green stage to be sent without post-harvest inspection, as in ICA-26.

Mature green means that fruit must have no more than a two centimetre diameter of pink to red colour at the stylar end (‘beaker’

stage) at the time of colour sorting after harvest and also have had the pre-harvest cover sprays. This may take a few months to move through the Certification Services Working Group (CSWG) and the Domestic Quarantine Market Access Working Group (DQMAWG) before it can be used as means of gaining access. It is hoped that all states will consider this protocol, and expected that Victoria and SA are likely to accept.

more information

I hope this information is useful, and will endeavour to keep you up to date with the progress. For further information, contact rohan Prince, [email protected].

Growers with sensitive agricultural production systems are encouraged to register their property for inclusion in the 2012 WA Sensitive Sites Map.

A sensitive property is one that the owner and the Department of Agriculture and Food consider particularly sensitive to the impact of activities occurring on nearby land.

Department Grains Industry Executive Director Peter Metcalfe said the service was in response to requests from growers and contractors to know where sensitive properties were.

“The free service assists growers in preparing informed risk assessment and risk mitigation plans for their ongoing production activities and enables them to help protect sensitive agricultural production systems in their area,” Mr Metcalfe said.

“Examples of sensitive sites include certified organic, certified biodynamic, aquaculture, horticulture and viticulture to name just a few.”

The department has sent a letter to growers involved in this year’s inaugural map asking them to re-register their properties, and is looking for other property owners who would like to also be included.

Once a grower has registered their property, the department will verify that the property fits within the scope of a sensitive site, before being included in the map.

“While this service provides additional information for growers, it is essential growers continue to talk with their neighbours and their local community,” Mr Metcalfe said.

It is anticipated the 2012 Sensitive Sites Map will be released late February next year.

more information

Growers have until January 13, 2012 to register their details by sending an email to [email protected].

Growers without internet access are encouraged to contact Dr modika Perera on (08) 9368 3526 or Dr rosalie mccauley on (08) 9368 3787. The current 2011 Sensitive Sites map can be viewed at www.agric.wa.gov.au/sensitivesites.

On the lookoutfor WA agricultural sensitive sites

Department of Agriculture and Food’s Grains Industry Executive Director Peter Metcalfe is encouraging growers with sensitive agricultural sites to register their properties.



Your industrY

Better modellingfor pest and disease freedom


Research at the Department of Agriculture and Food is offering a faster solution to proving area freedom from pest and diseases, without the need for costly and time consuming surveys.

Department research officer Nichole Hammond has developed a methodology that within weeks can draw on available passive and active surveillance data to confirm the absence of plant pests and diseases, and therefore better assist with future market access.

Ms Hammond said that questions about area freedom previously involved targeted surveys that could take months to complete. In the classic case of verifying area freedom from potato cyst nematode from Western Australia, several years were required for painstaking sampling of soils and laboratory analysis.

The research has shown that a statistical process known as stochastic scenario tree modelling can be used to validate existing surveillance systems and the data produced to support area freedom.

The project has built on methods developed to evaluate probability of area freedom for animal diseases, which also use scenario tree modelling.

Ms Hammond said the modelling allowed whole surveillance systems made up of different combinations of passive and active surveillance activities to be assessed.

“Passive surveillance refers to detection and reporting through routine activities, including grower reports to government departments, such as when people report unusual finds to the Plant and Disease

Information Service or send samples to AGWEST Plant Laboratories,” she said.

“Active surveillance refers to both targeted and general surveys, as have been done in the potato industry.

“The modelling can calculate the level of confidence in the effectiveness of these combined systems, and in the annual data generated by them.”

Ms Hammond said there was still a need to test for the pathogens at some level but in cases where area freedom was questioned, the methodology allowed for a faster response.

As a case study, Ms Hammond focused on the effectiveness of an existing surveillance system used to demonstrate area freedom from the grain industry fungal disease Karnal bunt. Her research included a survey of growers and agronomists to assess the effectiveness of the current passive reporting structure of the WA grains industry. It was the first time the passive surveillance activities of farmers and agronomists had been formally evaluated in WA. A similar survey could be conducted in any of the industries to gain a better understanding of reporting systems and the likelihood that reports of suspect plant pest/diseases would be made by growers

This information is then incorporated into the scenario tree methodology to gain an estimation of how effective the passive surveillance (reporting) systems are for that particular pest/disease and industry.

Ms Hammond said the survey included determining grower behaviour through their level of pest/disease knowledge, familiarity with pest advisory and reporting services, the likelihood that the pest would be detected if present, and past reporting behaviours.

“The survey validated the sensitivity of the system, and was able to identify where improvements could be made, such as providing growers with more information on signs and symptoms of exotic grains pests,” she said.

The research also looked at the effectiveness of active surveillance activities. The resulting data, when inputted into a scenario tree model calculated that the existing surveillance system for this pest provided more than 90 per cent confidence of area freedom.

The CRC for National Plant Biosecurity supported the PhD research project which has received widespread interest from Australia’s biosecurity community. Modelling could also be applied to other plant threats both in WA and other States, depending on existing data.

“Future applications of the modelling include identifying the need for additional surveillance activities as part of an overall system, comparing existing surveillance programs, or designing new programs,” she said.

“When applying the scenario tree model to other plant pest or disease systems, useful data could include crop trials, seed testing, research projects and sampling.”

The methodology can also be used in planning surveillance activities to compare different approaches to active surveillance, i.e. how many samples to collect, how to split the sampling over different regions that might have a different risk of the pest/disease being present (on scientific evidence such as suitable/unsuitable climate), different testing methods of samples collected for example visual assessment, isolation of pathogens from samples, and molecular techniques.

Sales Orders: Phone: (02) 9725 1088 Fax: (02) 9725 1066. For production guides and cultural notes visit www.terranovaseeds.com.au

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SE Queensland Michael Sippel Mobile: 0418 479 062

Victoria Ben Whykes Mobile: 0418 532 650

Tasmania Greg Hall Mobile: 0417 227 873

Coastal SE QLD/ Nthn NSW/Wide Bay, Burnett Regions Steven Williams Mobile: 0407 256 521

New South Wales Charlie Vella Mobile: 0419 286 370

South Australia Greg Bragg Mobile: 0419 635 548

Western Australia Danie Oosthuizen Mobile: 0417 930 233

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Your industrY

In recent years, capsicum and cucurbit crops grown in Carnarvon have suffered from virus diseases which reduce yield and fruit quality. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) infect capsicum and tomato crops, while zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) infects cucurbit crops.

One aim of the project Developing integrated virus and insect management strategies for vegetables grown in Carnarvon is to identify where the viruses survive between crops.

From August to November 2011, more than 2,600 weeds, volunteer crop plants and discarded fruit were collected from road verges, parks, river banks, fencelines and within crops around Carnarvon and tested for the three viruses.

For ZYMV, the hosts found were Mukia maderaspatana (a wild cucurbit vine), Afghan melon (Citrullus lanatus) and volunteer watermelon and pumpkin plants growing along road verges. Discarded watermelon fruit was also found infected.

Mukia maderaspatana is related to cucumber, a vine with rough, triangular-shaped leaves. It has small yellow flowers which become small red berries. It often grows on fences, on windbreaks and in trees.

CMV was found infecting wild mustard (Sisymbrium spp.), wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum), wild lettuce or thistle (Lactuca spp.), sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus) and discarded capsicum fruit. At some collection locations, 1–30 per cent of wild lettuce and wild mustard plants were infected.

TSWV was only found in wild lettuce or thistle (Lactuca spp.).

Infected weeds, volunteer plants and discarded fruit are sources for virus infection as the aphid and thrips vectors feed on them and then move to crops to feed on healthy plants and spread virus to them.

Prior to planting new crops, all old crops, discarded fruit and weeds need to be completely removed so that they do not act as a virus or insect source. A break of four weeks in the growing season over summer is suggested.

more information

For further information contact brenda coutts on (08) 9368 3266 or email [email protected].

Finding virus diseasein a weed stack

bY brenDA cOUTTS PLANT VIROLOGIST, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICuLTuRE AND FOOD, WA


Brenda Coutts collecting weed samples.

Symptoms on CMV-infected wild lettuce.Wild mustard is a host of Cucumber mosaic virus.

The revolutionis here!

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Your industrY

clinical studies required for making high level health claims.

At this point health claims are likely to be limited to nutrient content claims until sufficient evidence for higher level health claims can be generated for glucosinolates in general. Although there was preliminary evidence that white radish/radish sprouts also exhibited direct anti-proliferative activity against human cancer cells, Australian Food regulations currently prohibit therapeutic health claims.

more information

This project was funded from rIrDc core Funds, which are provided by the Australian Government and from Horticulture Australia limited (from industry revenue that is matched by funds provided by the Australian Government).

The Protective Health benefits of White radish Sprouts research report is available for free on rIrDc’s website: www.rirdc.gov.au or by contacting the vegetablesWA Field extension Officer on 0427 373 037.

Consumption of vegetables belonging to the Brassica family has been associated with a decreased incidence of various cancers, particularly colorectal cancer, which has partly been attributed to the glucosinolates that they contain. White radish (daikon) has been identified out of a wide range of Asian vegetables as having a glucosinolate profile with anti-carcinogenic (chemo-protective) potential.

A new study by RIRDC identifies white radish and radish varieties with particularly high levels of glucoraphenin, and the physiological stage at which they would provide greatest potential. It was confirmed early on that sprouted seed provided the most potent food-source, although white radish leaves were also identified as having similar potential to broccoli florets, a vegetable more widely studied for anticarcinogenic activity. Many white radish leaves however are not very palatable because they are hairy, although some white radish cultivars are grown specifically for edible leaves which have been bred to be

hairless. In this regard, white radish leaves would perhaps be an interesting and healthy addition to leafy salad mixes.

Different cultivars of white radish/radish sprouts were shown to differ in their glucoraphenin level, and the rate at which glucoraphenin declines with sprout age.

Based on the cultivars tested, ‘Cherry Belle’, ‘Black Spanish’, and ‘French Breakfast’ maintained highest glucoraphenin levels for 3–7 day-old sprouts. It was also shown that high glucosinolate levels correlated with an increase in perceived ‘hotness’ or pungency of the sprouts. In this regard, it was not the type of glucosinolate present (glucoraphenin or glucodehydroerucin), but the total glucosinolate level. All of the cultivars we tested were in an acceptable pungency range.

In addition, sprout extracts were tested on mammalian cell cultures for their ability to induce phase 2 detoxification enzymes, a key defence mechanism against carcinogens. Radish sprout extract was shown to suppress human leukaemia cancer cell growth in vitro, and was a more effective suppressor than broccoli sprouts. These preliminary findings with mammalian cell cultures provide the basis for conducting animal and

Protective health benefits

of white radish sprouts

Your industrY


Western Australia proves its produce is world class and fit for a Queen.

Commonwealth Heads of Government met in Perth from October 28–30, 2011. One of the highlights was the Royal Banquet Dinner hosted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, held in the Golden Ballroom of the Pan Pacific Perth Hotel on the Friday night.

Growers may be interested to hear that their produce starred on the night. The menu showcased an array of Western Australia’s fresh produce including vegetables.

Brad Froehlich, Executive Chef of the new Pan Pacific Perth Hotel commented “It’s not everyday you’re asked to prepare a meal for Queen Elizabeth II and this is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity we will never forget. When we were initially approached by the Palace, Travis Collins, our Executive Sous Chef, Ashok Kumar our talented Pastry Chef and myself knew

we wanted to create a menu inspired by the fresh local produce available in Western Australia, whilst showcasing the vast level of cooking skills within the kitchen. We then spent many hours collaborating as a team, testing and testing some more to create a refined menu worthy of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and more than 50 Commonwealth Heads of Government.”

“99% of the vegetables we use are locally grown. This ensures we always have access to the very freshest ingredients possible whilst also supporting our wonderful local growers”.

Executive Chef Brad Froehlich commented “We have an outstanding relationship with all our suppliers and they never cease to

WA vegetables fit for a Queen!


impress us with an excellent selection of high quality, seasonal vegetables”

For the Queen’s Royal Banquet they used “an amazing selection of radish, purple and orange carrots, oyster mushrooms, organic baby tomatoes, the list goes on. It was sensational!”

Pan Pacific Perth Hotel recently received a letter from the Palace commending them on how seamlessly the night ran and how pleased they were with the food and the service. Executive Chef Brad Froehlich commented “It was truly gratifying to receive recognition from Buckingham Palace.”


Your industrY

New research reveals the majority of Western Australians think farmers make a significant contribution to the Australian economy (86%) and deserve better recognition (82%).

And WA residents will have the chance to show their appreciation next year through a host of activities and celebrations around the nation, including the Australian Year of the Farmer Roadshow, which will roll out to 20 regional towns in Western Australia as part of a 56,000km, 400-stop trek across Australia.

Research shows one in four of Australians never venture beyond their cities. Nearly a quarter (22%) of city dwellers never make it to the countryside and the majority (69%)

visit rural Australia less than once a year, according to research released recently at the Australian Year of the Farmer 2012 launch in Sydney in October.

Despite Australia’s rich farming heritage and iconic rural landscapes, the research conducted by TNS found altogether city people spent an average of 3.5 days a year in rural areas and the majority (58%) said they would like to visit the country more often.

However Year of the Farmer Chairman Philip Bruem AM said he expected the Year of the Farmer campaign to help boost these numbers.

“The Australian Year of the Farmer campaign aims to enhance the ties between city and rural communities in a celebration of Australian farming, and in doing

so, communicate to all Australians the importance of farming to our economic and social fabric,” Mr Bruem said.

The official launch of the Year brought a diverse combination of celebrities, business and farming identities together at the site of the first European farm in Australia in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney.

Television personality Natalie Gruzlewski joined Patron for the Year, Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC and Ambassador for the Year, former Australian cricket champion, farmer and philanthropist Glenn McGrath in launching the Year, which also enjoys the support of the Federal, State and Territory Governments, sponsors and industry supporters.

Conceived by NSW-based farmer Philip Bruem, and former Sydney Markets CEO Geoff Bell, the Australian Year of the Farmer

Australian Year of the Farmer:Western Australia to join the nation celebrating Australian farmers in 2012

October 12, 2011: Official launch of Australian Year of the Farmer in Sydney. (L-R) Virginia Tomlinson, Andrew Forrest, Natalie Gruzlewski, Sara McGrath, Glenn McGrath, Alison McIntosh, Richard Quigley and John Ballard.


Your industrY

2012 is a year-long program of activities that will celebrate the contribution farmers and rural communities make to the nation.

“For the first time ever, Australia will celebrate our farmers and recognise how they connect rural and urban communities.

“The Australian Year of the Farmer recognises what farmers do for all Australians. It celebrates them for feeding the nation, for leading the world in farming techniques and innovation, and for sustaining the vital agribusinesses that underpin our economy. Farmers are the providers of our nation,” Mr Bruem said. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry the Hon Joe Ludwig MP said the year-long celebration would highlight how Australia is leading the world in farming techniques and innovation.

“I congratulate the founders of Australian Year of the Farmer for creating this program, which I believe will highlight the essential role of Australian agriculture to the maintenance of national and global food security.

“It will showcase the role our farmers play as environmental managers, creating and delivering sustainability through best practice management,” Senator Ludwig said.

Mr Bruem said the Australian Year of the Farmer was particularly important because of the key role farmers would play in providing food to meet significant growing demand in Australia and abroad.

“By 2050, there will be 9.3 billion people in the world, up from seven billion today. Farmers globally will need to increase productivity by 70% over the next 40 years,” Mr Bruem said.

“It goes without saying that we need a strong, sustainable farming sector in Australia.

“In 2012, the Australian Year of the Farmer will encourage all Australians to celebrate and recognise the contribution farming makes to all of our lives. It will celebrate farmers for feeding the nation, for leading the world in farming techniques and innovation, and for sustaining the vital agribusinesses that underpin our economy. Farmers are the providers of our nation.”

A non-political, not-for profit organisation, Australian Year of the Farmer is made possible by Foundation Partners Elders and Woolworths, and major partners Fairfax

Media, oOH! Media, Toyota and PMP. Seed funding for the development of the Year was provided by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry with support from all States and Territory Governments.

As part of the Australian Year of the Farmer program, a range of events, initiatives and educational programs will be rolled out across the nation throughout 2012. Highlights will include:

• A nine-vehicle One Country Roadshow travelling more than 56,000kms to attend more than 400 events

• An unprecedented Agricultural Innovation and Technology Expo

• The most significant food event to be held in Australia, Food of Origin Extravaganza, to promote the quality and origin of Australian food and fibre products — from ‘sheep to wool’ and ‘paddock to plate’

• Various educational components showcasing the many career opportunities available in the agribusiness sector

• A national school education challenge

• A photo competition;

• Commemorative collector’s coin and postage stamps;

• A TV program; and

• A special privilege card.

more information

Visit www.yearofthefarmer.com.au for more information.

Glenn and Sara McGrath at the official launch of Australian Year of the Farmer in Sydney.

Australian Year of the Farmer Patron and Govenor-General Ms Qunetin Bryce AC at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens.


Your industrY

The potato is one of the most widely consumed vegetable crops in many western countries, including Western Australia, but expansion of urban areas around Perth and South West centres is putting pressure on traditional growing areas.

Potatoes are versatile plants and can be grown in many different climates and conditions from the tropical highlands to temperate lowlands. To assist in expanding WA production it would be useful to be able to predict crop yields in different environments for potential growers or investors.

Computer models are often used to make these kinds of predictions and WA has the range of environments to test these models out. We needed a potato model to do the job and eventually managed to get the use of one after contacting colleague Professor Paul Struik from the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands.

Paul, who came to WA under the DAFWA Visiting Specialist program in 2006, is one of the world’s leading researchers on seed potato production and post-harvest technology.

Growers will remember his visits to farms and talks in the South West. He is remembered as someone who combined excellent science with very good practical advice. This personal contact was helpful and Paul provided us with the LINTUL potato model and DAFWA has been using potato crops grown in Dandaragan and Kununurra to test it out.

International cooperationin modelling WA potato crops

bY IAn mcPHArlInPOTATO INDuSTRY DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICuLTuRE AND FOOD

Dutch scientist Professor Paul Struik addresses a Western Australian audience when visiting in 2006.

The Kununurra seed and crisp crops were grown from June to October at the Frank Wise Research Institute for the first time for grower and exporter Tom Fox, where they performed well. In Dandaragan ware crops were grown from March to November on Lightning Ridge (Craig Ryan) and Jameson Farm (Mark Campbell). Yield and climatic data are fed into the model and results compared with actual crop yields. The model will then be fine-tuned to accurately predict potato yields in WA conditions.

This international collaboration is in its infancy only, but could lead to useful developments and valuable information on other possible growing areas.


BusinessYOuR

Your Business


Your Business

The recent economic landscape has seen an array of twists and turns being presented to business owners from their primary lending relationships — be it major banks or other institutions.

As a consequence the pursuit of a strategy for diversification of borrowings has developed as a key element of effective business finance, advantaging company owners and their growth plans.

At the heart of any loan transaction is risk — and how much of it your lender will bear.

If company A’s borrowings are all with a single provider, then terms and conditions are calculated to reflect the totality of that sole lender’s exposure. However, if a company spreads its various loans across a selection of lenders, each carries lesser risk.

Below are four key advantages of having a number of options when it comes to arranging business finance:

1) spread riskOne supplier, one customer — one problem.

One finance provider? It is self-evident that a single source of supply or sales exposes a business to unacceptable risk — a major disruption to supply can cripple a company’s ability to deliver products or services, while dependency on a significant single customer can cripple revenues and cashflow, and endanger the business’s viability.

Businesses looking to take hold of opportunities that are arising in WA at present need to widen their borrowing horizons.

By that I mean spread their borrowings between different lenders, because the individual lenders assess their individual exposure (less risk) and require only commensurate protection.

Having access to a substantial panel of banks and specialist finance providers enables a business to spread their financing requirements across a number of lenders. These individual lenders will generally offer

less onerous lending terms and conditions than a single lender who takes on the whole debt load.

This provides the ability to finance growth while maintaining assets and working capital for other purposes within the business.

2) Protection of personal and business assets

Increased debt exposure with one lender also increases the likelihood of that lender wanting other business assets or even personal assets (such as the family home, investment properties etc) as additional security to support new business borrowings.

By spreading finance between multiple providers, directors and shareholders of a business can help to ensure that their personal assets are not tied up as security for business borrowings where they are not required.

3) Provide optionsThe access to a range of banks and specialist finance providers also means business owners can benefit from having choice — and not just in regards to price.

Think aboutfinance options bY ISAAc HOUGH

LEDGE EQuIPMENT FINANCE


Your Business

Recently we’ve seen the increasingly competitive nature between banks and other lenders as they seek to secure new customers and retain existing ones. This provides great opportunities for the astute business owner to access the best pricing in the market at that particular time.

There is a wide range of funding institutions operating in the market offering an array of different products and lending solutions.

Insurance premium funding, construction finance and import facilities are just some of the specialist products available that not all lenders are able to provide to their customer.

Having access to a variety of different funders and their products helps to ensure a business can match the best option available to their desired transaction.

4) reduce reporting requirements/covenants

The ‘devil is in the detail’.

Indeed, it is when securing business and equipment finance on terms that help, not hinder, a business.

Yet too many business owners agree to onerous covenants premised on their applications to borrow.

Undue terms and conditions can result in constricted cash flow, onerous reporting requirements and having assets tied to previous borrowings, thereby limiting a business’s capacity to capture growth opportunities when they arise.

When it comes to finance, businesses relying on a single lender, often have stringent terms and conditions imposed on them as their lender’s exposure (and risk) increases.

This can result in a lender requiring detailed and time-consuming reporting conditions on top of having already taken security over assets.

An essential aspect of the success of any business is the strength of the relationships formed with key stakeholders in the business, be they suppliers, customers, shareholders or service providers.

However, in this increasingly uncertain and volatile economic climate such long term relationships must be balanced with the exploration of available options and alternatives to ensure diversification and spreading of risk.

Whether it is in the area of product development, alternative suppliers, wider export markets, sustainability strategies or financing alternatives the core principal is the same — each could hold the key to a business’s ongoing profitability and growth.

As such options are explored and appropriate ones are taken up a business develops the skill to evolve, helping to ensure its long term viability in the midst of a rapidly changing world.

more information

For more information, please contact Isaac Hough, ledge equipment Finance on (08) 9324 1777 or email [email protected].

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Secure Your Growth, whilst also protecting your assets.

Having access to a substantial panel of banks and specialist finance providers enables a business to spread their financing requirements across a number of lenders.


Your Business

IT and broadband opportunities

A new report provides good examples of how some progressive parts of the vegetable industry based in Tasmania are taking advantage of broadband and modern Information Technology (IT) to address some of the big business pressures facing growers. Many of these lessons could also be adopted in Western Australia.

The report uses case studies of some well known growers to show that there are some particular opportunities for better connecting growers to markets and information; increasing labour productivity; and managing businesses that increasingly require dealing with large amounts of information. Into the future, the example growers show that the integration of sensor technologies with databases, internet connections and management systems are the areas where the greatest level of innovation is now occurring.

Your Business


Premium Fresh “IT and broadband is not what our business is about, we grow carrots and onions. but we know that without strong IT, our business shuts down.” — rick ertler, Director, Premium Fresh

Premium Fresh is using high quality broadband to access a range of services that would not otherwise be easily available for the business. This means that the business can access services either at lower cost or that are better value for the business. Premium Fresh is also showing how growers can use technology to access special services that may not be locally available.

Premium Fresh packs and sells vegetables to major Australian retail chains, including over 40,000 tonnes of carrots, onions, shallots, broccoli and swedes every year. Recently, the business has also expanded into higher value products. Premium Fresh contracts over 70 local landholders to grow their produce under managed conditions. Premium Fresh is responsible for preparing the land and sowing the seeds. The land owners are then guided by one of the business’ agronomists until Premium Fresh harvests and packs the produce. Premium Fresh employs over 140 people to manage these processes.

Premium Fresh’s service providers are increasingly from different locations with coordination and communication facilitated by broadband. For example, they work closely with a consulting company based in the uK and their accountant is based in Ballarat. Broadband connectivity means that there is little difference in the ease of accessing these services than if they were based in Devonport or Launceston with regular face-to-face engagement occurring at scheduled times.

Broadband has also opened up people development opportunities that were previously beyond reach for the regional business. For example, one of the business’ Directors has been undertaking an online leadership course. The business’ high speed broadband connection means that it is possible to interact with course material in real time.

Integration is also growing within the business’ production system. Premium Fresh’s success is in part based on its business model including over 70 contracted growers. It is vital to the business that this model runs efficiently. Broadband connectivity lowers the costs of managing the business’ relationships with both its growers and clients. By enhancing

the internal efficiency of the business, broadband and associated technology enables the business to continue to grow without large increases in labour costs.

The production database is Premium Fresh’s most important information technology. All crops are packed on the basis of individual growers and until five years ago the system was all paper based. The information that is collated in the database is vital to the business because it now details how much to pay each grower. Premium Fresh labels all pallets and crates and transfers the information about the pallet into the database where it can be used more widely within the business to manage finance and monitor supply.

Once crates leave the Premium Fresh processing facility, the management of all crate transactions with Coles and CHEP are conducted online and in real-time. This is very valuable for Premium Fresh. One really obvious benefit of better efficiency has been more accurate information on crate leasing. With the online system it is now always clear when the lease of the crates changes hands. Consequently, Premium Fresh do not end up paying for crates that they are no longer using and are not responsible for as they did prior to system online integration.

In the future, Premium Fresh aims to have more data processed in real-time and used more effectively by coordinating it with tracking and decision making systems. An automated bar coding system would be particularly useful. However, there are technological issues that need to be addressed first. For example, barcodes do not work well on the plastic bags which some of their products are sold in. More sophisticated devices like RFIDs are too expensive to be cost effective at this point in time, although this may change in the future.

Other automation and integration opportunities have been identified for the future. Premium Fresh gathers data and checklists on all areas of production at a farm level. This system is complex as many of the requirements change with each crop. Currently, this information is entered manually into a centralised database. In the future, Premium Fresh would like to make this crop management electronic and accessible on handheld devices. They are currently looking into software which would enable this to occur. Premium Fresh estimates that having a more automated system would save staff time and create other benefits.

Houston’s Farm“We’ve had some negative experiences, which has made us cautious. but the business sees a lot of potential productivity benefits from integrating more technology online.” — David nelan, cFO, Houston’s Farm

Houston’s Farm is a vertically integrated business which produces two million kilograms of lettuce and herb mix salads every year. The business grows, harvests and processes all their own produce. They have offices all over the country including one farm in Cambridge, two farms in Richmond (Tasmania), processing plants in both Cambridge and Brisbane, and a marketing office in Melbourne. The Cambridge processing plant is the business’ principal processing plant, processing 1,500,000 kilograms every year of produce sourced from their Tasmanian farms. The Queensland processing plant produces 600,000 kilograms per year, using produce sourced from regional growers.

Internet connectivity is central to managing the business’ relationships with other partners. The ease with which they can communicate with their clients via the internet means that Houston’s Farm can be highly responsive to the retailer’s changing needs, something that is essential to maintaining the relationship and position as a preferred supplier over time.

Houston’s Farm is heavily reliant on constant contact and relationships with their customers. The large supermarket chains have very high expectations about the services and products that Houston delivers. For example, it is not uncommon for the major retailers to change their orders a number of times per day. Despite this volatility, the retailers also expect 98.5% service level. For Houston’s Farms to meet these expectations, maintaining connectivity seven days a week is vital. Over time these relationships are being integrated with online systems as customers change the way they do business.

Broadband related technology is also vital for communications between Houston’s different operations, some of which are located on the mainland. All parts of the business are linked by various forms of communication devices. This means the business can link simple, but important administrative parts of the business. For example, all the printers are linked between offices and transferring data has been simplified.

case studies

Your Business


case studies

At the processing facility in Brisbane and the offices in Melbourne, the company uses ADSL2+ broadband. Between their Tasmanian operations they use a mixture of radio link wireless and fibre broadband. Previously the connection between their administration office and their processing facility at Cambridge was radio wireless. Houston’s Farm has recently updated to fibre optic, which they find is much more reliable.

Internet connectivity has also enabled Houston’s Farm to use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phones to connect their facilities across the three states. They use GSM diallers to connect calls into the office to their mobiles. However, in their experience, VoIP phones can sometimes be unreliable. Because of these drop outs and the fact that not all their sites have the infrastructure to support VoIP phones, the business remains highly reliant on mobile phone technology.

Looking forward, Houston’s Farm’s focus is on improving their decision making processes. This is an area where broadband can greatly increase the timeliness and accuracy of their information. Ideally this will involve increased automation of their data collection system and electronic traceability on all of their products.

The potential productivity benefits to the business are substantial. Automation would save labour which can then be used in expanding or improving other areas of the business. More easily accessible information would also assist risk management which is vital to the long term sustainability of the farm.

Currently many farming records are paper based. Houston’s Farm is aware of software packages that would enable them to further automate their information and analytical systems and is considering these investments. In the interim, Houston’s Farm has established an in-house database for their farm production records.

By bringing more information online, Houston’s could more easily conduct searches of the information, monitor production block performance and refine their pack house management. This would assist them to manage important risks in the business including decreasing the risk of disease and mitigating against poor crop rotation. For food safety purposes, it is also vital that they can trace the source of their products effectively and accurately.

Hansen orchards“Technology is key to our business being able to continue to expand. The technology we use means that I can use my time much more effectively.” — Howard Hansen

For this business, technology is increasing the productivity of labour across the business and enabling better, more timely decision making by the business owners.

The experience of Hansen Orchards shows how labour productivity gains can be made from utilising and integrating relatively simple and widely available internet technology with a sophisticated production system.

The internet has also enabled Hansen Orchards to tap into a wider variety of knowledge, services and suppliers. This helps the company maintain and protect their competitive edge in the industry. As a result, the business is bucking the trend and continuing to grow despite pressures on local producers.

Automation of information gathering is allowing Hansen Orchards to move away from a reliance on people being in the orchard and monitoring conditions. Combining this technology with the internet and mobile data services means that conditions across the orchard’s multiple sites can be continuously monitored by the family.

Technology is constantly being identified and integrated into the production system. Hansen Orchards have invested in weather stations with wireless sensors which can be monitored online and wireless soil moisture monitoring. This information is all hosted online so the information can easily be accessed by farm personnel. Hansen also use GPS technology when developing new areas of their farms. Soil and weather monitoring has meant Hansen Orchards has access to more accurate information and as a result they can make better decisions.

A recent change has involved the installation of leaf wetness sensors for the cherries. This means Managing Director, Howard Hansen does not have to rely on his farm managers to inform him accurately how wet the cherries are getting. As a result he can employ the orchard’s infrastructure (helicopters are used to dry the cherries) more effectively and efficiently. Hansen Orchards is currently employing harvest.co.nz to develop technology to control all these monitoring systems remotely and further integrate information and decision making.

The result for the business is better use of labour resources and timely decision making. At critical times of the year this can be the difference between a successful crop and significant frost or rain damage to millions of dollars of fruit. However, these innovations also bring broader benefits for a family running such a large business, the most important of which is more flexibility in where people can be at any point in time and greater peace of mind that key risks can be monitored and managed remotely.

For Howard Hansen, the ability to monitor cool room temperatures has been particularly important. For Hansen Orchards and similar businesses, storing large quantities of fruit for long periods in cool rooms means that significant revenue depends on maintaining stable, reliable temperatures.

In 2000, Hansen Orchards invested in technology which controls the atmosphere in their cool rooms. This allowed more accurate and integrated control of temperatures. As part of wider integration of operations with the internet, they now can access and control the temperature in their cool rooms remotely.

This change has had a significant impact on the business. Before they had the technology to better manage their store rooms, manual checking would take one person approximately two hours each day and the family was constantly worried that something may have happened when they weren’t on-site. Now they can monitor the temperatures remotely 24 hours a day using an iPhone app which cost no more than $5. In this case, the personal and family benefits of reduced worry and remote control are even more important than the economic benefits for the business.

The internet is also an important source of information on services and inputs. The relationship with international service providers is enabled by internet technology. Real cost savings are also being made by identifying the lowest cost national and international suppliers for key equipment such as sprayers. This is further internationalising the business which is already importing new technology and services from the mainland, New Zealand and the uK.

Increasing remote access and integrating the data they collect is the largest future opportunity for the business. Currently, the monitoring systems are running in isolation


Your Business

and they are mostly reliant on human interpretation and analysis.

The goal for Hansen Orchards is to completely integrate all the information they gather. At the moment, they are at the beginning of this process. Recently, they integrated their soil moisture data with their weather data. In the future, this information will feed into their irrigation system and their mechanisms for dealing with frost and rain. Ideally, the system, which is currently controlled manually, will be automated based on this data. Essentially, Hansen Orchard’s aim is to move from passive monitoring to remote control of these operations. This will maximise the possible efficiency gains from this technology and further reduce the number of decisions Howard needs to actively make.

more information

For more information and a full copy of the report, please go to rirdc.infoservices.com.au/items/11-038 or phone (02) 6271 4100.

Hansen Orchards is also aiming to update and develop their website to engage better with their end consumer. This is driven by the recognition within the business that they need to connect more directly with the end consumer of their product and that consumers are increasingly interested in where their food comes from. This is a significant change and Howard admits that they cannot fully understand how that might shift priorities and create new opportunities over time.

Expression of Interest

PROPERTY TO LET Up to 50 acresLot 10 Safari Place, Carabooda

Substantial Bore water available

Can be cleared to suit tenant for potential MARKET GARDEN or

FRUIT ORCHARD use

Reticulation for current use(Avocado Farm)

Closing Date:20th January 2012

Response in writing to:Gavin

PO Box 2464, Clarkson WA 6030 [email protected]

9405 0000 for initial queries

Lot 10

45km North from Perth CBD


Your Business

A new publication from RIRDC has highlighted the potential for land leasing to improve the financial situation of both large and small rural enterprises. It also provides some critical points on what growers should consider when investigate the potential for leases to improve their business. If you are considering entering a lease agreement make sure you get a copy of this excellent publication.

Since the wool boom of the 1950s farmers have experienced a long-term downturn in rural commodity prices. There have been periodic upturns but overall the long-term trend is down. Farmers have responded to this pressure on prices by either leaving the land or expanding their farm size. Successful farmers have focused on increasing the productivity and scale of their farm enterprises in order to combat this trend, whilst smaller operations have been forced to leave agriculture. Over the last 40 years the number of commercial farms in Australia has nearly halved from approximately 200,000 in the 1950s; whilst the average area of these farms has increased by almost 50% from 2,800 hectares to 4,100 hectares.

On average, the larger the farm the higher the return on capital which clearly indicates that farm scale is critical to farm profitability.

Despite the increase in average farm size there are still many small farms which made little or no income.

If a manager’s allowance of $50,000 is used as a benchmark, then only the top 25% of Australian farms consistently made income in excess of this allowance. Many of the farmers making poor returns would have been better off financially by leasing their farms to larger and more profitable farm businesses. They could then work on improving farm structures and also work off-farm, if work is available. This could include working for the tenant.

Leasing has a role to play in producing income for many small farmers who currently make very little from the land and it can provide a better return on capital.

However, leasing of farm land in Australia is an under-utilised form of land tenure when compared with the high rates of leasing in England and Wales; and in the USA. After ownership, share-farming and leasing are the most common alternate forms of land tenure in Australian agricultural land. Alongside the traditional forms of these agreements there are a range of hybrid variations to be considered. Traditional lease agreements have been placed under pressure by rising land prices and widely fluctuating farm income, leading to a search for alternatives.

Before a landowner and tenant enter into a lease it is imperative that they identify the

taxation and legal consequences as well as undertaking a detailed financial analysis of the lease. The three main methods for establishing a fair lease rate and term are the rate of return method; the rate per unit of production method; and the percentage of expected gross margin method. All of these methods need to be considered when assessing a fair lease price.

Both parties then need to prepare a detailed business plan which identifies the effect of the lease on their business direction and performance. They also need to ensure that all aspects of the lease are thoroughly considered by using a leasing checklist which includes a detailed legal agreement appropriate to their circumstances.

more information

Successful land leasing in Australia — A guide for farmers and their advisers is available for free download or purchase from the rIrDc website www.rirdc.gov.au or contact ken moore, rIrDc Senior research manager, on (02) 6271 4127 or 0418 107 196. copies can also be obtained from the vegetablesWA Field extension Officer by contacting 0427 373 037.

Land leasingcan open options


Your Business

Did you know that innovative companies undertaking research and development (R&D) are twice as likely to be successful and contribute to growing a stronger Australian economy?

The R&D Tax Incentive provides generous benefits for eligible R&D activities, and is targeted towards R&D that benefits Australia. The R&D Tax Incentive will help drive the development of new ideas, products and processes.

The incentive replaced the R&D tax concession from July 1, 2011 and has two core components:

1. A 45% refundable tax offset for certain eligible entities with an aggregated turnover of less than $20 million per annum — unless they are controlled by tax exempt entities

2. A 40% non-refundable tax offset for all other eligible entities.

The program is administered jointly by the ATO and AusIndustry (on behalf of Innovation Australia).

Small innovative firms will be the big winners with greater access to cash refunds and increases to the rate of assistance. It is important that people who may not have considered applying for assistance under the old system understand the incentive is there to help them.

This is a huge opportunity for Australian firms, the new incentive is designed so more firms can access government support. It will provide assistance to innovating companies when they need it most.

The refundable R&D tax offset is equivalent to a 150% tax deduction for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and the non-refundable R&D tax offset is equivalent to a 133% tax deduction for all other eligible entities.

An additional 5,500 SMEs are expected to benefit from the R&D tax incentive.

The Research and development (R&D) tax incentive provides a tax offset for eligible R&D activities and is targeted toward R&D that benefits Australia. The incentive, which came into effect on July 1, 2011 and replaces the R&D tax concession, is geared towards encouraging companies to engage in R&D. It has two core components:

1. A refundable tax offset for certain eligible entities whose aggregated turnover is less than $20 million

2. A non-refundable tax offset for all other eligible entities.

About the program The R&D tax incentive provides a tax offset to encourage companies to engage in R&D that benefits Australia. The program is administered jointly by AusIndustry (on behalf of Innovation Australia) and the ATO.

eligibility

To be eligible for the R&D tax incentive you must be an R&D entity, you must be engaging in eligible activities and in most cases have notional R&D deductions of at least $20,000.

registering

You must register your R&D activities each year with AusIndustry prior to making a claim for the R&D tax incentive in your company's tax return.

Adjustments

You may need to make adjustments to your income tax return if you have received a government recoupment (clawback adjustment), or your R&D activities have produced either marketable products or products that have been applied to your own use (feedstock adjustment), or you are registered for GST.

claiming Companies claiming the R&D tax incentive do so when they complete their tax returns. They must complete and lodge an R&D tax incentive schedule at the same time.

correcting mistakes and disputing decisions In most cases, you will be able to amend your claim or dispute a decision made.

Getting help AusIndustry can help you work out whether or not your R&D activities are eligible and help you to register your R&D activities. We can help you with your claim and with working out whether or not you, and the amounts you wish to claim, are eligible for the R&D tax incentive. We also offer advice about how the laws apply to you.

compliance and monitoring We undertake complimentary risk assessment with AusIndustry and monitor and analyse claims relating to R&D expenditure to make sure they comply with the law.

more information

If would like more information about how to claim an r&D tax offset or whether the expenditure you are claiming for your r&D activities is eligible for a notional deduction, contact us on 13 28 66 between 8.00am and 6.00pm monday to Friday.

If you do not speak english well and want to talk to a tax officer, phone the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 for help with your call.

If you have a hearing or speech impediment and have access to appropriate TTY or modem equipment, phone 13 36 77.

If you do not have access to TTY or modem equipment, phone the Speech to Speech relay Service on 1300 555 727.

For more information about eligible r&D activities and registering for the r&D tax incentive, contact AusIndustry on the AusIndustry Hotline 13 28 46 or email [email protected]

A single ideacan transform a business


Your Business

statement from the Worksafe Western Australia commissionerWestern Australia has been participating in the harmonisation of occupation health and safety laws throughout the process which has included the development of the model WHS Regulations and First Stage Codes of practice. WA will be continuing to participate in that process. While it is not intending to adopt the whole of the model WHS Bill, WA will likely adopt the vast majority of the proposed model laws.

Below are some answers to the questions that have been commonly asked in relation to the effect of harmonisation for workers and workplaces in WA. However, if you have other questions please contact WorkSafe WA on 1300 307 877 or by email [email protected] and we will organise an answer for you.

When will the model WHS bill and model WHS regulations start?

The timetable that had been agreed for the commencement of the model WHS Bill and the model WHS Regulations in each of the State, Territory and Commonwealth

jurisdictions is January 1, 2012. However it has become clear that this timeframe is no longer attainable for WA as the point has been reached where there is insufficient time for a proper implementation process where everyone in Western Australian workplaces is given the opportunity to understand the obligations imposed by the model WHS laws.

The WA Minister has written to the Federal Government Minister responsible for the harmonisation of occupational health and safety laws, Senator Chris Evans, seeking a re-consideration of the implementation date.

As the matter is with Senator Evans for his consideration and referral to other jurisdictional Ministers for their views on an appropriate alternate date, it is not possible to provide any greater clarity on this matter until the Senator has made a decision.

Why have model (harmonised) OHS laws?Each State and Territory along with the Commonwealth (mostly Federal departments) has responsibility for the regulation of occupational health and safety in their jurisdiction and consequently each has its own laws about workplace safety. While all these different laws essentially achieve the same thing there are some differences.

For an extended period of time it has been recognised that there would be advantages if the laws in each State, Territory and the Commonwealth were more consistent. Consistent law will mean WA businesses that operate in other States and Territories

will not have to learn different sets of rules that apply to them because they have workplaces in more than one jurisdiction. Similarly, if a worker moves between states as a result of a transfer or a change of employment then they will also not need to learn new rules.

In 2008 the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments agreed that a model Act and model WHS Regulations would be developed which each jurisdiction would then seek to enact to deliver more consistent laws across Australia on this important topic. These model laws would be supported by model Codes of Practice which similarly would be adopted by each jurisdiction. Broad direction for this was provided by the Ministers representing the Commonwealth, States and Territories who make up a body known as the Workplace Relations Ministers Council (WRMC).

What is currently happening for WA?

Approval was given by Cabinet for the WA version of the model WHS Bill to be drafted. This process is currently being undertaken which includes the development of the WA position on each of the jurisdictional notes contained in the model WHS Bill along with dealing with the four areas of concern that will not be included in the WA version.

A draft of the WA version of WHS Bill has been provided to the Commission for Occupational Safety and Health for endorsement and recommendation to the Minister. Once the WA version of the WHS Bill is recommended it will then be introduced into WA’s parliament for consideration; the introduction of the WA version of the WHS Bill is expected to occur during 2011.

WA to get nationally harmonisedoccupational health and safety laws

notevegetablesWA understands that some occupational health and safety consultants may be making potentially exaggerated claims about the effects of the new nationally harmonised system on grower’s businesses. If you have further concerns please contact the vegetablesWA Policy and Program manager, John Shannon, on (08) 9481 0834, or contact WorkSafe WA. vegetablesWA will work to further progress on relevant codes of Practice for our industry.


Your Business

Why isn’t WA adopting the whole of the model WHS bill?It is expected that WA will be adopting all the other provisions in the model WHS Bill that create duties, impose responsibilities and provide the regulator with powers which are the provisions which effectively deliver safety at the workplaces.

However, from the beginning of the process to develop the model WHS Bill, WA has highlighted 4 areas that it did not agree with and consequently would not be adopting as law in this state. All of these matters are not considered to be ones that deliver direct improvements in safety outcomes in workplaces:

• Penalty levels The penalty levels proposed under the

model WHS Bill represented a significant increase compared to our current penalty levels. While WA supported an increase in penalties that would deliver an appropriate message concerning the importance of workplace safety and health, it could not support an increase that could be unreasonably punitive, particularly for small business operators.

• Union right of entry In Western Australia, right of entry for

occupational health and safety is already provided for under the Industrial Relations Act 1979 as part of the overall right of entry rules. WA considers this is the more appropriate location for union right of entry provisions to be contained rather than in occupational health and safety laws. By maintaining right of entry laws in one location it avoids any duplication around right of entry rules; duplication could ultimately result in confusion and inconsistencies if amendments are made to either Act.

• Health and safety representatives’ capacity to direct the cessation of work

The model WHS Bill contains provisions that allow a worker to refuse to work where they believe that to continue to work would expose him or her or any other person to a risk of imminent and serious injury or imminent and serious harm to his or her health. WA believes that this decision should remain with the individual worker and not be placed upon a health and safety representative.

• reverse onus of proof in discrimination matters

One of the origins of the harmonisation of occupational safety and health legislation was to achieve the removal of reverse onus of proof associated with prosecutions, which currently exists in Queensland and New South Wales. WA considers that its inclusion is contrary to one of the issues that initiated harmonisation.

What is happening with the development of harmonised codes of Practice?Eleven First Stage Codes of Practice have been developed and were released with the model WHS Regulations. Work has now commenced on stages two, three and four Codes of Practice.

• First Stage codes of Practice These are the Codes of Practice that

were considered essential to have available at the commencement of the harmonised occupational health and safety law implementation. These have been developed with the model WHS Regulations to ensure they complimented the relevant regulations.

Numerous other codes will be progressively developed over time once the harmonised laws are implemented. These have been categorised as Second Stage (and later) Codes of Practice. Some of the preliminary work on these materials has already commenced.

• Second and later Stage codes of Practice Second and later Stage Codes of Practice

will form an important part of the occupational health and safety framework, however, these were not considered essential to have in place at the time the harmonised laws are implemented.

In many instances there is a significant volume of guidance material, including current codes of practice, that will continue to provide workplaces guidance on specific topics while these national codes are progressively developed.

What will it mean for WA workers and workplaces?In terms of a workplace’s day to day operations, there will essentially by no change.

The model WHS Bill will create the same duties and responsibilities as the current WA Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 currently does.

There will be changes in terms of the section number(s) and terminology that is used As a result it will mean things such as induction material, training packages, publications, forms, etc. will need to be updated.

The model WHS Regulation will similarly use different terminology and have different Regulation(s) number(s) which will also impact on induction material, training packages, publications, forms, etc. The model WHS Regulations will introduce some new requirements into WA law and remove some existing regulation content. It will be important to review your operations once the model WHS Regulations have been settled and a WA version developed.

The model laws are also likely to result in changes to the appearance and contents of some forms and notices used or issued by WorkSafe but the effect of those forms or notices will be unchanged.

It will mean that WA businesses that operate in other States and Territories will not have to learn different sets of rules that apply to them because they have workplaces in more than one jurisdiction. Similarly, if a worker moves between states as a result of a transfer or a change of employment then they will also not need to learn new rules.

more information

WorkSafe WA will provide updated information about this topic through updates to our website; email updates to Health and Safety representatives & OSH professionals; media releases; and a variety of other processes. As more information comes clear about the content of the WA version of the model laws and their commencement dates. WorkSafe WA will provide more clarity about the things that can and need to be done in WA workplaces.


environmentYOuR

Your environment


Your environment

European wasp is a declared pest in WA, threatening agriculture, including the soft fruit industry, vineyards and the honey and pollination industries. The wasps also have serious environmental impacts and pose a health risk to the public, pets and livestock, and generally have the potential to be a great nuisance to our way of life.

Beekeepers in New Zealand and Tasmania lose hives annually to European wasps and major losses to grape growers in the Unites States have been recorded. In other parts of Australia, school authorities have banned children from eating outdoors during summer because of large numbers of foraging wasps.

More than 100 people die in the world each year from European wasp stings and although no-one has died in Australia yet, it is a risk that we need to be aware of.

European wasps in Western Australia

The first European wasp nest in WA was found in Mosman Park in 1977, and since then 719 nests have been destroyed by the Department of Agriculture and Food. These have mostly been in metropolitan industrial areas which are transport endpoints where fertilised wasp queens are most likely to arrive in freight and cargo.

European wasp does very well in WA. There is abundant food, nesting material (jarrah power poles) and perfect weather.

In fact, the wasp nests don’t die in winter as nature intended. Winters are too warm and when the founding queen dies, the nest keeps growing with multiple new queens. All nests need to be found and destroyed each year before the colony matures and releases the new queens.

An average nest can release more than 5,000 queens at maturity.

European wasps cause significant problems in some Tasmanian vineyards, with losses of up to six tonnes recorded by an individual grower in 2001. As European wasps increase their range in eastern Australia, more fertilised queens are transported into WA annually. This places additional pressure on the limited resources available to detect and destroy every nest each year.

Dealing with this ongoing risk is going to require cooperative partnerships and a much broader response across a number of sectors.

A European Wasp Working Group uniting local government, industry and community groups is being formed to coordinate improved measures to control the risk. DAFWA is currently inviting nominations for the European Wasp Working Group and inquiries can be made directly to me.

The department does not want people to call about paper wasps, which are also exotic, but are well established and not a declared pest. Paper wasps are also black and yellow striped, but there are major differences. European wasps:

• Are more bee-shaped than paper wasps and have black antennae or feelers

• Don’t hover or hang their rear legs down in flight like paper wasps

• Are unusual in that they are attracted to sweet foods as well as meat and fish products. Meats, fish, pet food and even dead insects on vehicle grilles attract these wasps. Barbeques could be a thing of the past if they establish in WA.

more information

DAFWA will continue european wasp surveillance and control in WA, and all reports of suspect wasps should be reported immediately to the department on 1800 084 881, or their local shire office.

bY mArc WIDmerDEPARTMENT OF AGRICuLTuRE AND FOOD, WESTERN AuSTRALIA

European wasps are unusual in that they are attracted to sweet foods.



marketYOuR

Your market


Your market

vegetable marketWholesale vegetable prices — The wholesale price difference between October 2010 and October 2011 for the major vegetables is profiled in the chart below.

The pressure of supply shortages has passed and price levels appear set to settle at current levels. The warmer temperatures in some states have firmed demand but all the main salad lines are in good supply.

Wholesale prices for all vegetable categories decreased this month compared to October 2010. At the product level, the most significant changes were with pumpkins

and chillies which increased over the same month last year, and capsicum, tomatoes, beans, broccoli, and ginger which decreased over the same month last year.

The weighted total vegetable wholesale price for the week ending October 28 was $2.23 per kg (see Figure 1).

The total retail sales of fresh and processed vegetables in October 2011 are estimated at $598.6m (see Figure 2). These sales are $14.9 or 2.5% lower than October 2011 and lower than the preceding month of September 2011.

The major impact on sales growth was the easing of fresh vegetable wholesale prices.

the Australian food marketA new era for retail in Australia — New research coordinated by the Australian Centre for Retail Studies has claimed that the Australian retail industry is undergoing ‘substantial change’.

The report titled Secure Insight: Changing the Way we Pay reveals online shopping will increase by 12.2% throughout 2012 in Australia. The report also states that the emerging digital and mobile channels of smartphones have brought significant

opportunities for local Australian merchants to compete in the online market and increase engagement with their customers. The QR codes have allowed traditional media to become a virtual store, allowing growers or producers to interact with consumers in new ways, while at the same time, enabling consumers to personalise their shopping experiences.

What it means? That the smartphone and new means of transacting retail sales has introduced new scope for producers and supplies to communicate with the consumers of their products.

Highlights • retail in Australia entering new

era

• lack of convenience — a barrier to healthy eating

• Super sweet roman onion set for Uk debut

• new product adds punch to potatoes

• eggplant profile with a retail value of $29m pa.

Figure 1 State weighted national wholesale price per kg Figure 2 Total vegetable retail sales by month


VeginsightsVegetable market insights

Change for month commencing October 1 2011 versus 2010 Fresh and processed — 2011 YTD

Year-on-year % change

700,000

600,000

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0

-50 -30 -10 10 30 50 70 90

CapsicumsTomatoes

BeansBroccoli

GingerSweet corn

ZucchinisCabbages

GarlicPotatoes

CauliflowersPeas

CucumbersRadish

LettuceSalad

MushroomsOnions

CarrotsSpinachChillies

Pumpkins Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep OctMonth

$00

0’s

Year-on-year % change

700,000

600,000

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0

-50 -30 -10 10 30 50 70 90

CapsicumsTomatoes

BeansBroccoli

GingerSweet corn

ZucchinisCabbages

GarlicPotatoes

CauliflowersPeas

CucumbersRadish

LettuceSalad

MushroomsOnions

CarrotsSpinachChillies

Pumpkins Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep OctMonth

$00

0’s


Your market

Woolworths well behind Coles in first quarter — Woolworths missed forecasts with its slowest quarterly sales growth in over a year, and was beaten by Coles on same-store sales growth for the 10th straight quarter.

The key Australian food and liquor division of Woolworths reported sales of $9.7 billion, up 4.4% for the three months to September, as sales were hit by tightened consumer spending and higher savings, petrol, and other fixed household costs. The group reported same store sales of just 1.9%, less than half of the 5.2% comparable number reported last week by Coles across the same period (see Figure 3). The difference between the two was also underlined by comparable fuel sales, with Coles up 5.2% in the quarter, against 0.1% for Woolworths.

What it means? Competition between the two major supermarket chains looks set to continue.

retailer activityPromotional activity in the month of

October — The retail promotional activity

reflects a pattern of increasing exposure

for vegetables, continuing the increasing

trend seen in September this year. Over

the month, the exposure of the total

vegetable products increased to an average

of 187 products per week, up from 175 in

September (see Figure 4).

The increase in exposure has been driven by

an increase in canned vegetables advertised,

offset by a decrease in fresh vegetables

advertised (see Figure 5). At the same time,

there has been no change in the level of

exposure for frozen vegetables advertised

this month.

Within the fresh vegetables, the level of

exposure decreased for hard cooked vegetables

and seasonings advertised in October. This

was partly compensated by an increase in

exposure for salad components and soft cooked vegetables advertised in the month.

the consumerF&V diet can help lower genetic heart disease — A new study conducted at Canadian universities has revealed that a diet rich in fruit and raw vegetables could alter a gene that increases risks of heart diseases.

The study analysed more than 27,000 individuals from five ethnicities — European, South Asian, Chinese, Latin America, and Arab — and the effect their diets had on the gene responsible for causing cancer. Results showed that the individuals with the high-risk cancer causing gene who consumed a diet mainly of raw vegetables, fruit and berries weakened the effect of the gene, decreasing the risks of heart diseases.

What it means? Yet another study confirms the health credentials of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Figure 3 retailer 'same store' sales 2007 to 2011 Figure 4 Advertised vegetables

Figure 5 Advertised fresh vegetables — total adverts per week

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Your market

Lack of convenience hinders healthy eating — A recent survey of 2,500 Australians by kitchenware Tefal revealed that almost half of Australians (45%) are failing to meet the recommended daily intake of vegetables due to “lack of convenience and culinary skills”. Of those surveyed, 39% stated that preparing and cooking vegetables was not convenient as part of their busy lifestyles and 37% stated that they avoided vegetables as they were not confident about how to prepare and cook them. Another 15% claimed that they were unaware that they should be consuming five portions of vegetables a day to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

What it means? Convenience and food preparation skills remain as barriers to increase vegetable consumption.

Colour coding for potatoes — The UK Potato Council has released a new report — Potatoes: A Fresh Outlook — that would introduce colour coding and clear messages to promote potatoes in the major retailers. Based on the findings of a year-long consumer research, the report states that 8 out of 10 shoppers agree that they need more information about the different potato varieties and would welcome clear on-pack information about what potatoes are best used for. Survey revealed that nearly half of shoppers think that baking, new, and white are varieties of potatoes and many link the potato size to its use, such as small for boiling, medium for multi-purpose use, and large for baking.

The UK fresh potato market is worth £1 billion, with a value growth of 1.5% and household penetration at 96%.

What it means? There is no substitute for clear and simple communication to consumers regarding selecting and preparing vegetables.

Fast food chains introduce details to menus — Ahead of a February 2012 deadline when fast food chains in NSW must start displaying the kilojoule counts in their meals, Hungry Jack’s and Domino’s Pizza have become the first fast food chains to display the kilojoule content of items on their restaurant menus across Australia. Hungry Jack’s menus will also display the average adult daily energy intake of 8,700 kilojoules, to help customers determine how much of this will be consumed by their choice from the menu. It has also improved the nutritional content of its menu by reducing saturated fat, sodium, and sugar levels. Following its footsteps closely, Domino’s Pizza was quick to commence displaying kilojoules counts on its menu boards, online ordering sites, and mobile devices, as well.

What it means? As the demand for healthy food and menu transparency gets a “regulatory nudge” quick service restaurants have responded early. It is hoped that this level of information will be welcomed and used by consumers.

Innovation from the worldNew Peel/Reseal Apio Squash Package by Apio & ClearLam Packaging: This new packaging features a platter that is compartmentalised through removable dividers and the lid provides versatility in product quantity and placement. Hermetic sealing and modified atmospheric used in the manufacturing process also help in extending the shelf life of produce from 16 to 18 days. In addition, a film seal prevents contamination, provides atmosphere control, and offers a tamper-resistant solution to retailers. Due to its design flexibility, it can be used for meats, cheeses, and a variety of other snacking items, together with fresh cut vegetables and fruits.

What it means? A packaging innovation that allows fresh foods to be prepared and then held safely in one container. As well as convenience, this innovation provides value by saving on home waste.

Live Gourmet Living Lettuce Squircle Clamshell & Shipping Container by Hollandia Produce: A new redesigned clamshell that incorporates features of both a square and a circle to reshape and optimise the space utilised to package the lettuce, eliminating unused space and allowing for a 20% increase in units per pallet. In addition, the new design reduces the amount of plastic used, resulting in a 15% saving per clamshell.

The shipping container features a colourful and communicative label, which acts as a tamper evident seal, as well as offers distinctiveness to the packaging. It also enables automated packaging system and reduces the total annual cardboard used to package the product by 40%.

What it means? Another packaging innovation that offers combinations of improved physical protection, better food safety, and less cardboard.

Season & Steam Microwavable Artichoke Pack by Ocean Mist Farms: The new Season & Steam Microwavable Artichoke bag features two fresh globe artichokes that are cleaned, trimmed, and ready to cook. The innovative packaging gives users the option to open the bag, pre-season the artichokes to their preference, reseal the package, and steam by microwave — all within the same bag. Its launch follows consumer research which revealed that many shoppers viewed the prepping of artichokes as the major barrier to purchase.

What it means? This innovative addressed a major purchase barrier by making it easy for first time buyers of artichokes to prepare the product.

Coolstix ‘n Dip by Eat Well Tasmania — A new healthy snacking option, CoolStixTM — was launched by Eat Well Tasmania this month for vending machines, schools, and hospitals, together with other places in Australia. The snack pack contains more than 1½ serves of seasonal Tassie vegie sticks, including carrot, celery, and raw


Your market

Are these market-leading lines in your programme?

Disclaimer: All cultural and descriptive information is given as a general guide only. Substantial variations may occur due to many environmental factors, including climate, soil type, location, management and cultural practices. No liability will be accepted by Fairbank’s Selected Seed Co. Pty. Ltd. (ABN 86 007 138 276), or its representatives as to the accuracy of the information. All information is given in good faith . Fairbanks Seeds Ph 03 8401 3346 Fax 03 8401 3347

Exclusive West Australian Agents: EE Muir and Sons – Wangara. Ph (08) 9409 6847

Brittany – 12/13 week cauliflower, well covered curd, with excellent adaptability. Dual purpose, cuts well late autumn and again mid spring

Prophet – Uniform broccoli with thick stems, medium beads and heavy head weight. Cuts well from late autumn through winter into spring. Not recommended for cutting later in spring, as it performs best under cooler conditions.

El Rancho – Winter harvest spinach with excellent vigour. HR Pfs 1-12, IR 13

Seed in demand.

Deep Purple – Innovative Pak Choi to add colour to your mixes. Bright purple leaf and excellent durability. Leading product in this segment.

Celtic - A revelation in the baby leaf market. Mid green oakleaf with very upright habit. Excellent tolerance to mildew pressure.

swede, as well as a 60g pack of Hommus. However, as of now, the product was available for schools as part of Healthy Fruit and Veg week in November this year.

What it means? An innovative handy snack pack that enables distribution through more channels of a product in a ready-to-consume form.

Super sweet Roman onion set for UK debut — A super sweet onion, the Sweet Cevenne onion, which is also known as the Oakley Onion, is now being grown exclusively in the UK for the first time by George Thompson Ltd, as part of a push on UK innovation. The premium onion is a labour-intensive

vegetable harvested, turned twice and packed by hand due to its delicate nature. Originating from south central France, the Cevenne onions have a thin pearly skin and sweet and mild flavour, suitable for both eating raw in salads and for use in cooking. A total of five tonnes of the trial onion is expected to be produced this year and targeted at high-end chefs, foodservice businesses, and the wholesale trade.

What it means? That a far-ranging specialty product with local links is being produced and is expected to win appeal on basis of its diverse use, unique taste, and now also its local origin.

New product adds punch to potatoes — An innovative pickled product, TaterPiks, made with organic Klamath Pearl potatoes has been launched by Baley-Trotman Farms in the US. The potatoes are grown by Klamath Basin Fresh Direct and are combined with flavours to create a distinctive product. The product has been introduced as a garnish, though it is much more versatile and can be used in salads, appetizers, and other dishes. TaterPiks is currently available only in

Oregon, the US, with distribution along the West Coast of the country underway.

What it means? A clever gourmet pickled potato product showcases the versatility of potatoes. Yet another option to increase interest and consumption of this staple product.

more information

The report has been produced by Freshlogic and funded by HAl as part of the national Vegetable levy and matched funds from the Australian Government. It forms a part of the VIDP and aims to inform vegetable producers and supply chain stakeholders on market influences and developments in the past week. We recommend that those seeking to act on the basis of this information first obtain independent professional advice.



Your market

selected key findings

Se Asian and china markets — Asia Fruit logistica

• As a result of the scale of growth in China

and Australia’s proximity to it, growers

should understand the opportunities in

these markets.

• SE Asian retailers with a range of

different store sizes and formats present

opportunities to distribute a wider range of

product forms and sizes.

• The network growth plans of the retailers

in SE Asian markets need to be defined to

ensure that future supply requirements

can be accommodated.

• Improvements in market access and airfreight capacities may have made servicing some parts of these markets more viable.

• Competition in the SE Asian markets will increase, as local production increases to supply more of the requirement of local retailers.

Australian market — Veginsights Tracking Indicators• Higher wholesale prices and increased

household spend have flowed through to generate increased sales at this time.

• The retail channel remains very competitive and is reflected in the level of promotional activity over the quarter.

• Market demand has clearly moved to favour salads.

• The increase in household penetration follows on from lower levels in winter, and reflects seasonal growth in demand for salad components.

• Vegetable products need to suit being purchased on frequent and smaller shopping trips.

• If the reasons why 20% of households buy less vegetable can be understood and their negative impact reduced, this action could increase vegetable sales.


VeginsightsVegetable market insights

• veginsights


Your market

Table 1 Findings and implications

Findings Implications for vegetable producers and marketers

Se Asian and china markets —Asia Fruit logistica

1. All indications point to strong food market growth in China for at least the near term and servicing this market is now a priority focus for the leading global food producers.

• Given the scale of growth and Australia’s proximity to the high growth market in China, growers should at least understand the opportunities in these markets.

2. There are clear opportunities to service the increasing volume demands of the expanding supermarket networks that are taking market share from the wet markets.

• The volume requirements of supermarket retailers in these markets could increase by several multiples in 2–3 years given how fast some are expanding.

3. The pace of development and the population density of the China and SE Asian metropolitan markets has led retailers to expand with a range of format sizes that service different customer segments.

• Retailers with a range of different store sizes and formats present opportunities to distribute a wider range of product forms and sizes.

4. Foodservice channels in these markets are also highly likely to enjoy growth in these conditions.

• Suppliers into these markets need to ensure that the intermediaries they work with have some exposure to foodservice channels.

5. The levels of growth expected in these markets needs to be understood when selecting distribution channels and establishing trading relationships.

• The network growth plans of the retailers in these markets needs to be defined to ensure that future supply requirements can be accommodated.

6. Trade buyers in these markets are unlikely to warm to product offers that are available subject to local Australian market returns.

• The production cost base and/or prevailing returns in Australian markets are not the basis to earn the prices Australian producers want. Other reasons to earn these prices need to be found and developed into the selling propositions for these products.

7. A number of enabling factors, including market access and airfreight capacity, are changing and their impacts need to be understood.

• Improvements in market access and airfreight capacities may have made servicing some parts of these markets and segments within these markets more viable.

8. Local supply in the region is being developed and local output volumes are likely to increase.

• Local production in these regions will increase to supply more of the requirements of local retailers. Therefore the level of competition in these markets is set to increase.

9. Plant breeder rights are a key consideration in most trading discussions. • This focus brings input providers of plant material into trading and market development discussions, which can be advantageous to all involved but needs to be understood by producers.

10. Most trade show interaction was centred on sourcing the volumes required to service the growth.

• The high volume nature of current demand is consuming trading activity. While there are encouraging signals about market volume potential, the potential for new innovative products should also be considered.

Australian market — Veginsights Tracking Indicators

11. Household spend on fruit and vegetables lifted in an expected seasonal pattern and spend on take home food may have peaked.

• Higher wholesale prices and increased household spend have flowed through to generate increased sales at this time.

12. In Q3 11 retail sales of all vegetables increased by $100 million or 6% compared to the Q3 10 period, twelve months prior.

13. The ABS total annual food inflation lifted from 6.1% in Q2 11, to 6.4% in Q3 11, which was largely influenced by price rises for fruit.

• While wholesale vegetable prices eased slightly over the quarter, prices remain higher than they were at this time last year, and product pricing remains a key focus of both consumers and media.

14. While variations occurred across products, in general, vegetable wholesale prices eased over the quarter, but were higher compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

15. The number of vegetables products advertised increased by 7% compared to the previous quarter, reflecting the competitive intensity within the retail channel.

• The retail channel remains very competitive and this is reflected in the level of promotional activity over the quarter.

16. The changes in the type of fresh vegetable product advertised in Q3 11 reflect an expected shift towards salad components over the latter half of the quarter.

• Market demand has clearly moved to favour salads.

17. Over the quarter, the use of salad preparation increased, while the use of cooking eased, in line with seasonal patterns.

• The increase in household penetration follows on from lower levels in winter, and reflects the seasonal lift in demand for salad components.

18. Over the quarter, 85% of households reported purchasing fresh vegetables on a weekly basis.

• Vegetable products need to suit being purchased on frequent and smaller shopping trips.

19. Salad components returned to the most frequently purchased vegetables. Households are undertaking supermarket shopping often and spending an average of $48 on each trip.

• There are several indications that aligning promotional activity with known seasonal demand patterns is effective and potentially likely to generate incremental growth.

20. Seasonality and promotions were the main reasons households purchased ‘more’ vegetables over the quarter. Purchase patterns show that 20% of consumers can be influenced to buy less vegetables.

• If the reasons why 20% of households buy less vegetable can be understood and their negative impact reduced, this action could increase vegetable sales.

more information

Please contact martin kneebone at [email protected] with any queries regarding the report’s content.


Your market

A national online survey was conducted to evaluate what main grocery shoppers, between the ages 18 and 64, think about farmers, the environment, lettuce and the issue of insect contamination in fresh fruit and vegetables.

A total of 1,120 people completed the survey over a two week period in May 2010. Approximately 71% of respondents were female and 29% male, reflecting what is widely believed to be the gender bias of grocery shoppers within the population (AC Nielsen). Respondents were further selected so as to reflect National population data as closely as possible in terms of age and location.

the questionsThe questionnaire was designed to be as wide ranging as possible while still easily completed in less than 10 minutes. It was hypothesised that factors such as experience with growing vegetables at home, interest in environmental issues, purchasing of organics and vegetarianism could affect acceptance of Integrated Pest

Management. Questions on these factors

were therefore included.

There was an assumption that the presence

of insects would be closely related to the

emotion of disgust. Six questions from

the Disgust Scale (Haidt et al., 1994) were

included, and a scale was developed to

measure individual differences in sensitivity

to disgust. In this study, we additionally

calculated an ‘Insect Intolerance’ Score

(IIS) and an ‘Environmental Activism’ Score

(EAS). In both cases, questions were chosen

so as to attempt to divide the respondents

around an average response. For example,

insect intolerance scenarios ranged from

experiences expected to be only very slightly

irritating (e.g. finding a ladybeetle on

some herbs) to those thought likely to be

unpleasant to the majority of the population

(e.g. finding a cockroach in a bag of salad).

results

What is important when buying fruit and vegetables?

key results

• Freshness/quality parameters were

consistently ranked the most important

factor when buying fruit and vegetables

for all age groups.

• Price, contamination and environmental issues were generally less important than product quality — but not to everyone.

• Taste and aroma were ranked second by respondents aged 35+, but were less important to younger groups.

• Insect free and dirt free were more important to younger respondents (<35 year olds) than older respondents.

Are the environmental impacts of vegetable production a concern?key results• A large proportion of respondents were

either neutral or did not know when questioned about environmental issues relating to fruit and vegetables.

• Although most respondents agreed that fruit and vegetables are safe to eat, understanding of pesticide use and regulation was low.

• Most people who took part in the survey agreed that they cared about the environment

• There was strong support (78%) amongst respondents for supermarkets favouring environmentally responsible suppliers — potentially outsourcing responsibility for environmental issues and offering a ‘point of difference’ for retailers.

Figure 1 The ‘Top 3’ priorities when buying fruit and vegetables, as ranked by the survey respondents

Figure 2 Importance of various factors when choosing fresh fruit and vegetables, expressed as mean ranking out of 10, by different age groups

bY JennY ekmAnNSW DPI

Factors affecting purchase

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Most important

Least important

On-line consumer survey


How much do people tolerate insects in food?

key results

• Respondents had more definite opinions

about insects in food than about

environmental issues.

• Most respondents (73%) said they would

tolerate finding a ladybeetle on herbs and

would still eat a lettuce even if they found

a caterpillar on it (78%).

• Fewer would eat a salad which had had a

bug on it (62%), and this figure fell further

the bug was found in a pre-prepared salad

mix (46%).

• Many respondents (40%) said they would

complain to the store if they found a bug

in a packet of salad.

• Although many respondents were

relatively tolerant of a ‘bug’, most (88%)

were strongly repulsed by a cockroach —

Figure 3 Percentage of respondents agreeing, disagreeing or remaining neutral on statements regarding environmental issues

Figure 5 Distribution of Insect Intolerance scores among survey respondents, divided by age and gender. High insect intolerance scores indicate intolerance of insects

Figure 4 Percentage of respondents agreeing, disagreeing or remaining neutral on statements describing reactions to insect contamination

perceived as not a “natural” contaminant from the farm.

• An IIS (insect intolerance score) was calculated for each participant from their combined scores. IIS values were higher for men than women and for respondents <35 years compared to older consumers, indicating that these groups were less likely to tolerate finding insects on fresh vegetables.

How easily disgusted were the survey respondents?key results• Disgust sensitivity could predict responses

to insect intolerance questions only when the respondent had strong views; more moderate opinions were not reflected in disgust sensitivity scores.

• While female respondents were slightly more easily disgusted than males, disgust sensitivity did not vary among other demographic dividers (age, location etc.).

What’s special about people who like gardening?• Families were more likely to be interested

in growing vegetables and herbs than single respondents. Respondents aged <25 were more likely to be non gardeners than those aged 35+. Interest was otherwise widely distributed across all other demographic dividers.

• Respondents who were keen gardeners or occasionally grew vegetables and herbs considered “locally grown” and “in season” more important than respondents who were non-gardeners.

• Although keen gardener respondents did not rank “insect free” as less important than other respondents, they were generally more tolerant of insects (lower IIS)

• Any experience growing vegetables increased tolerance of insects; many non-gardener respondents would not put up with insects on lettuce or salad.

Figure 6 Percentage of respondents agreeing, disagreeing or remaining neutral on statements evaluating sensitivity to disgust

Your market

If I see a fly or mosquito in my home I usually kill it with spray

Finding a lady beetle sitting on some fresh herbs would not bother me

I would not eat a salad if I saw a bug in it, even if it was washed to remove the bug

If I found a caterpillar on a lettuce I would remove the damaged leaves and wash and eat the rest

If I found a bug inside a bag of salad leaves I would throw the whole thing away

If I found bug inside a bag of salad leaves I would definitely complain to the store

If I found a cockroach inside a bag of salad leaves I would throw it all away

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral/don’t know Agree Strongly agree

Insect intolerance score

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30

25

20

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10

5

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4

Res

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f tot

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Men <35 years

Men >35 yearsWomen <35 yearsWomen >35 years


I might be willing to try eating monkey meat under some circumstances

Seeing a cockroach in someone else’s house doesn’t bother me

If I see someone vomit it makes me sick to my stomach

I probably would not go to my favourite restaurant if the cook had a cold

It would bother me to see a rat run across my path

Even if I was hungry, I would not eat soup stirred with a used but thoroughly washed fly swatter

I would eat a piece of paper than a piece of fruit

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100


The quality of the Australian environment has been greatly reduced since European settlement

Most fruit and veg are grown in an environmentally friendly way

Many farmers are not responsible in their use of pesticides

Fruit and veg grown in Australia are safe too eat

Pesticide use in Australia is controlled be the government

Supermarkets should favour environmentally friendly suppliers

Protecting the environment is very important to me

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100


Your market

• Respondents who were non gardeners were less interested in environmental issues and unlikely to be purchase IPM grown products (especially if they cost more) compared to those with any experience of growing their own vegetables.

• While iceberg was the favourite lettuce overall, keen gardener respondents were more likely to purchase cos or loose leaf types, while non gardeners respondents favoured lettuce mixes.

What’s special about people who are interested in organics?

key resultsMost demographic dividers (income, education, location etc.) did not affect respondents’ interest in purchasing organic products. However, organics purchasing was more frequent among respondents who were single with children, those with mostly vegetarian to vegan diets and to some extent among those aged <35.

• Tolerance of insects on vegetables was similarly low in all respondents aged <35, regardless of their interest in organics.

• There was a strong, positive association between insect tolerance and interest in organics among those respondents 35+.

• There was a positive association between interest in environmental issues and purchase of organics for all age groups, although this effect was slightly stronger in the 35+ age groups.

• For those respondents aged 35+, frequent purchase of organics could indicate attitudes about wider issues relating to food. For those aged <35 such associations were less clear.

• Respondents who were purchasers of organics (especially occasional purchasers) had strong interest in IPM and were more willing to pay a premium for IPM grown products than those who never purchased organics.

Who cares about IPm?key results• Respondents responded very positively to

an explanation of IPM, 70% agreeing that it sounded like an improvement on current practices and 78% expressing interest in purchasing these products.

• While 48% of respondents said they would buy IPM products if they were a similar price to conventionally grown vegetables, this fell to 3% if the price differential increased to 20% or more.

• IPM grown products appealed most strongly to those respondents aged 35+, especially if they had some experience with growing their own vegetables.

• There was a strong positive association between respondents’ purchase of organics and interest in IPM, particularly among those who were occasional buyers of organics.

• Respondents who were purchasers of organics were more likely to potentially pay extra for IPM grown products.

• Interest in IPM was also strongly associated with respondents’ tolerance of insects on vegetables.

• Survey respondents with who were interested in IPM also scored higher EAS values, indicating increased concern regarding environmental issues associated with farming.

Figure 7 Percentages of respondents from different demographics who choose organic products always/occasionally or rarely/never

Figure 8 Insect intolerance scores (IIS) of respondents aged <35 and 35+, identified by whether they purchase organic products

Figure 9 Percentage of respondents from each age group who were very interested in purchasing IPm grown products

Demographic

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Single with

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ith

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rgan

ics

(%)

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I purchase organics...

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know

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ore

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d

a

c

a

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a a

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Average

Interest in IPM grown products

Never/don’t know

Rarely

Occasionally

Always/often

Very interested

Org

anic

s pu

rcha

ser

Possibly interested Neutral/not interested

+

+

+

+

Figure 10 Interest in purchasing IPm grown vegetables, classified by respondents previously stated purchases of organic products


Your market

Who eats lettuce?The final part of the questionnaire contained a series of questions about lettuce. The answers were as follows:

“Before using pre-prepared loose leaves in a salad I would…

% responses

Always/usually wash them 60.4

Occasionally wash them 19.1

Rarely or never wash them 14.9

I never use these products 5.6

“In summer, I buy lettuce…

% responses

Weekly 57.3

Fortnightly 27.1

Occasionally 14.1

Never 1.6

“I most frequently buy…

% responses

Iceberg lettuce 53.8

Cos lettuce 13.0

Loose leaf types 13.7

Prepared lettuce mix (loose or bagged)

19.5

“Before I use whole lettuce leaves in a salad I would…

% responses

Always wash them 71.5

usually wash them 17.6

Occasionally wash them 9.5

Rarely or never wash them 1.4

key results• Most respondents said that they wash both

lettuce and pre-prepared salad products before use.

• Iceberg lettuce was chosen most frequently by respondents (54%), followed by bagged products (20%).

Figure 11 Differences between often, occasional, rare and non-purchasers of organic products when asked under what conditions respondents would choose an IPm grown product

• During summer most people surveyed bought these products weekly, although singles tended to buy lettuce fortnightly or less often.

• Families were regular purchasers of iceberg lettuces in the surveyed group.

• Couples without children at home and singles were more likely to choose pre-prepared salad mixes than other respondents.

• Washing of lettuce and salad mix was positively correlated in the surveyed group with disgust sensitivity but showed less relationship with IIS values.

discussion and conclusionsThe difference between respondents from different age groups is one of the most interesting aspects to come from this work. It appears that younger people have different priorities when purchasing fruit and vegetables compared to those from older generations. Despite their avowed interest in environmental issues and purchasing organics, those aged <35 were more likely to value extrinsic factors such as appearance, cleanliness and freedom from insects. Older consumers tended to be more interested in the intrinsic values of the products, such as freshness, taste and aroma. Women aged 35+ were the least likely to be offended by insects on vegetables, especially if they had grown vegetables or herbs themselves, while men aged <35 were the most likely to react negatively to contamination by insects.

One of the central aims of this study was to find out whether consumers cared about finding a bug of some kind on a vegetable. The results show that many do, and that a significant number are likely to complain to a retailer if they do find something, even if it is only a ladybeetle. However, it was

noted in the focus groups that many of the participants were unable to find insects in bags of lettuce even when they were told they were there. In this survey 90% of respondents said they always / usually washed whole lettuce leaves before use, with nearly 80% always / usually washing fresh cut salad mix. This suggests that small insects, such as predatory mites or even lacewings, would be easily missed and probably removed before serving anyway.

Although 78% of consumers expressed some interest in purchasing vegetables grown using IPM, this support disappeared if prices were significantly higher than those of conventionally grown products. Nevertheless, as the main issue for IPM grown vegetables is not necessarily that they are more expensive to produce, but rather that presence of insects can exclude them from the marketplace, this may not be a major problem.

The results of this survey suggest that there would be consumer support for IPM grown and labelled vegetables if this issue is linked with environmental sustainability, with reduced pesticides as a secondary selling point.

Such products would need to be clearly explained, believable and priced within 10% of conventionally grown vegetables. The consumers most likely to be attracted to these products are women aged 35+ who are concerned about environmental issues. They are likely to have grown vegetables or herbs for themselves at some stage and may already be occasional purchasers of organic products, although even consumers with little interest in organics could potentially be persuaded by IPM.

In conclusion, the results of this study provide some support for IPM branded consumer products. While explaining IPM is challenging given existing sensitivities about pesticides on vegetables, for some consumers and retailers this could be an appealing point of difference. Further research could test methods of explaining IPM to consumers and develop actual products to test in suitable marketplaces.

more information

See the lettuce crop Protection Toolkit DVD for a copy of the full report.

Cost issue of IPM grown vegetables

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Your market

The WA potato industry is launching a month long campaign in local newspapers thanking Coles, Woolworths and Progressive Supa IGA for their loyalty.

All three retail chains have shown dedication to bringing the best of local supply to their customers.

By sticking with WA potato growers during a period of oversupply on the east coast the retailers are ensuring that local growers can stay viable and consumers get the best available product.

Georgia Thomas, Executive Director of Western Potatoes commented:

“The WA potato industry has a great relationship with retailers and we wanted to take the opportunity to show our appreciation in a public way.

Most shoppers appreciate that buying local means a fresher, better quality product with higher nutrient levels and better taste. Additional benefits include longer shelf life; reduced carbon footprint and support for our local farmers, which is important for the future.”

Potatoes are easy to prepare, taste great and are really healthy! They have less carbs than rice or pasta and with the varieties available there is something for everyone — from various cooking types to low GI.

WA growers work really hard to farm the best produce possible and thanks to these great retailers, you can always enjoy the taste of West Australian grown potatoes in stores.

This campaign has been put together by the Potato Marketing Corporation and Western Potatoes and is 100% funded by potato growers. The retailers stock WA potatoes lines subject to availability and quality.

more information

For more information about tasty WA potatoes go to www.feelgoodfood.com.au.

contact Georgia Thomas, executive Director of Western Potatoes, 0431 444 918 or email [email protected].

WA potato growerssay thanks to major retailers


selfselfselfselfYOuR

Your self


Your self

Ingredientslamb

2 full racks lamb (cut in half)

3 cups bread crumbs (flavoured herb and garlic)

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cups water

3 tbsp oil

tripple mash

3 potatoes

1 sweet potato

¼ pumpkin

optional extras

Dob of butter

mild mustard

Method1. In a baking dish lined with baking paper,

place water.

2. roll lamb into crumbs, pressing firmly and place into baking dish. Drizzle oil and season with salt and pepper and sprinkle extra crumbs onto lamb.

3. cover with baking paper and then foil and cook on 180° in a hot oven for 1 hour.

4. remove dish and let lamb rest, either in oven or on a bench.

5. In a bowl, mash potatoes with a little milk, salt and pepper and a dob of butter. make sure the triple mash is smooth and add a little mild mustard if you want that little extra zing.

6. Serve lamb on scoops of triple mash and decorate with a paper frill and a sprig of rosemary.

Present1. To make paper frills, cut a sheet of A4

paper in half to create an A5 size. Fold the A5 sheet in half long ways. cut thin slits along the folded edge (cutting 2/3 of the way through), making sure not to cut all the way through. cut the strip in half to create two frills. Turn the folded paper inside out (this makes the frills puff out like a hat) and wrap around to form a small circle, securing with some sticky tape.

2. Place the frill over the end of the bone on the lamb rack.

You can make frills up in advance in your spare time and keep them in the cupboard.

A great local red wine will finish off this part of the meal nicely.

by adding water to the lamb and covering the dish, ensures that the lamb is cooked moist and tender.

Works really well with a side dish of batches of steamed stringless beans served wrapped in proscuito or steamed asparagus served in a light butter sauce.

These recipes are supplied from, The butcher Who bakes — A Quintessential Guide to entertaining with Style and Grace by Grace maiolo.

The butcher Who bakes is a collection of recipes, handy hints and anecdotes from Perth-based butcher and radio personality, Grace maiolo.

The butcher Who bakes is available from the following retail outlets:

• Foodworks Fresh Forrestfield

• master butchers limited

• Dymocks Garden city and midland

• The meat Pavillion, royal Show Week

• Harvey newspower

Also from selected butchers and also can purchase online at cookingwithgrace.com.au/shop/

Recipes

Lamb rackwith triple mash

Grace Maiolo


Your self

Recipes (cont.)

Spinach & ricotta canneloni

Ingredients1 packet fresh lasagne sheets

1 cup parmesan cheese

1 kilo of fresh ricotta

1 bunch of cooked spinach

4 eggs

500g tasty grated cheese

2 jars of tomato cooking sauce

Salt and pepper

Olive oil

2 cups herb and garlic bread crumbs

1 cup of water

Method1. In a large bowl, place ricotta, cooked

spinach, ½ the parmesan cheese, and bread crumbs.

2. Add ½ grated cheese to the bowl. Add 4 eggs and salt and pepper and mix well.

3. Add your cooking sauce to a large oven proof glass dish. Add one cup of water, using the water to clean the inside of the sauce jar, pouring over sauce.

4. mix with a wooden spoon to evenly combine the sauce and the water and spread over the bottom of the dish.

5. lay single sheets of lasagne pasta on your cutting board. Spoon a generous portion of filling mixture onto each sheet at one end in preparation for rolling into cannelloni.

Method1. In a large deep pot, bring water to the

boil. Add a little salt to the water.

2. When the water is rapidly boiling, add fettucini pasta and cook until aldente (soft but not mushy), approximately 10–15 mins.

3. remove pasta from the water and drain it. Set it aside to cool.

4. In a deep casserole glass dish, spray a little oil and lay the pasta in the dish. Spread ricotta evenly over the pasta. Top with fresh spinach leaves.

5. Pour the beaten eggs over the top. layer sliced tomatoes over the top of the spinach.

6. combine bacon, cheese and spring onions together in a bowl. Sprinkle the mixture over the top of the tomatoes.

7. Place in a hot oven, 180 degrees, for 20 mins. cut into portions and serve on a warm plate, with a side serve of fresh spinach.

Ingredients1 packet green fettucini pasta

1 packet white fettucini pasta

Spray on oil

1 tub fresh ricotta

1 packet fresh baby spinich leaves

6 eggs lightly beaten

4 sliced ripe tomatoes

2 cups grated cheese

250gms diced bacon

1 cup chopped spring onion

Grace’s sensational fettucini pasta bake

PresentUsing two different coloured fettucini, it gives the finished dish an added visual effect.

Very important that you do not overcook the pasta, as it continues cooking when you put it back into the oven.

by allowing the dish to stand a little before you serve, it makes it easier to cut and serve, as the egg sets.

This works well cold as well. For leftovers, you can reheat in the microwave.

This is a low budget, high impact meal and can easily double as a vegetarian dish simply by removing the bacon.

This dish can also be prepared with other forms of pasta…for example, penne, spiral, macaroni or bow pasta.

6. Firmly roll the lasagne sheet, keeping the ends open. Fill the ends with extra mixture and place on top of sauce in the cooking dish. repeat this until dish is filled (six cannelloni have been created in my bowl).

7. Pour the second jar of tomato cooking sauce on top of the cannelloni, covering completely. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan and then add the grated cheese to cover the top.

8. Place a sheet of baking paper over the dish. Seal with a sheet of alfoil. Place glass dish on a baking tray and cook in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 1 hour, removing alfoil and baking paper after 50 mins to brown the top.

9. Serve in the glass dish. Guests will serve themselves.

Grace Maiolo


Your Production

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eXAmPle From nsW dPI oF A sPrAY dIArY temPlAte — VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION


Your industrY


Brenda Coutts thu thập các mẫu rau dại.

các triệu chứng trên rau diếp dại bị nhiễm virút khảm hại Dưa Chuột.

Mù tạt dại là cây chủ của các loại virút khảm hại Dưa chuột.

Trong những năm gần đây, ớt và các loại cây bầu bí được trồng ở Carnarvon đều bị các bệnh do virút làm giảm năng suất và chất lượng trái.Virút khảm hại dưa chuột (CMV) và virút gây bệnh đốm héo rũ trên cà chua (TSWV) đã truyền bệnh cho các loại cây ớt và cà chua trong khi virút gây bệnh khảm vàng ở bí ngồi (ZYMV) lại truyền bệnh cho các loại cây bầu bí.

Một mục tiêu của dự án “Phát triển các chiến lược kết hợp về quản lý côn trùng và virút cho rau quả ở Carnarvon” là xác định nơi các loại virút tồn tại ở các loại cây.

Từ tháng 8 đến tháng 11 năm 2011, hơn 2600 loại cỏ dại, cây trồng mọc tự nhiên và các cây trái bị loại bỏ đã được thu thập từ ven đường, công viên, bờ sông, hàng rào và trong chính cây trồng xung quanh Carnarvon và được thử nghiệm tìm ra ba loại virút.

Đối với ZYMV, cây chủ được tìm thấy là Mukia maderaspatana (một loại bí leo nhỏ dại), dưa hấu Afghan (Citrullus lanatus) và cây dưa hấu và bí ngô mọc tự nhiên dọc ven đường. Các trái dưa bị loại bỏ cũng đều phát hiện bị bệnh.

Mukia maderaspatana cùng họ với cây dưa chuột, thân leo có lá thô và hình tam giác. Nó có hoa nhỏ màu vàng

phát triển thành quả nhỏ màu đỏ. Nó thường mọc lên trên các hàng rào, rào chắn và trên các cây.

CMV được phát hiện là lây lan sang cây mù tạt dại (Sisymbrium spp.), củ cải dại (Raphanus raphanistrum), ray diếp hoặc cây kế dại (Lactuca spp.), cây diếp dai (Sonchus oleraceus) và quả ớt bị loại bỏ. Ở một số địa điểm thu thập, 1-30% cây kế và mù tạt dại đều bị nhiễm bệnh.

TSWV chỉ được tìm thấy trên rau diếp và cây kế dại (Lactuca spp.).

Cỏ dại, cây trồng mọc tự nhiên và cây trái loại bỏ bị nhiễm bệnh là các nguồn lây nhiễm virút do rệp, bọ trĩ là các loại sinh vật ăn phải các loại cây nhiễm bệnh và sau đó di chuyển sang cây khỏe khác để ăn và truyền virút sang.

Trước khi trồng rau mới, tất cả cây cũ, quả và hạt bị loại bỏ cần được loại bỏ hoàn toàn để chúng không phải là một nguồn virút hay côn trùng nữa. Nên nghỉ 4 tuần trong vụ gieo trồng trong mùa hè.

Để biết thêm thông tin, vui lòng liên hệ Brenda Coutts theo số (08) 9368 3266 hoặc email [email protected]

FIndInG vIrus dIseAse In A Weed stAck — VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

Phát hiện bệnh do virút trong cụm cây dạiBrenda Coutts, Nhà Vi Khuẩn Thực Vật Học, Sở Nông Nghiệp và Lương Thực


Cuộc xem xét lại gần đây của Cơ Quan Quản Lý Thuốc Bảo Vệ Thực Vật và Thuốc Thú Y Australia (APMVA) đã làm mất hiệu lực đăng ký sử dụng nhiều nhãn hiệu của hóa chất này. Điều này đã không chỉ ảnh hưởng đến thực tế canh tác mà còn ảnh hưởng đến các thủ tục về Chứng Nhận Đảm Bảo Liên Bang (Interstate Certification Assurance (ICA) và do đó ảnh hưởng đến việc tiếp cận thị trường của các tiểu bang khác của nhiều loại trái cây và rau quả. Một cuộc xem xét lại tương tự về thuốc trừ sâu bọ chứa hoạt chất fenthion thay thế được dự kiến sẽ tiến hành vào nửa đầu năm 2012, qua đó sẽ rất có khả năng bị mất ICA-1 và ICA-2 khi nhúng và xịt ngập fenthion.

Sở đã và đang tiến hành làm việc để đảm bảo duy trì việc các loại cây trồng bao gồm cả cà chua được đưa ra thị trường thông qua các phương pháp khác. Hoạt động thương mại liên tiểu bang về cà chua Tây Australia được ước tính trị giá ít nhất $30 triệu mỗi năm. Thông qua tài trợ của APC/VPC, các cuộc thử nghiệm đã được thực hiện bởi Tiến sĩ Francis De Lima về ảnh hưởng của khử trùng metyl bromua lên thời gian bảo quản và hình dáng của cà chua. ICA-04 cho phép trái cây đã được khử trùng bằng metyl bromua được bán ở tất cả các tiểu bang, nhưng đã không được nhà sản xuất, các đại lý thị trường và nhà đóng gói ủng hộ.

Thử nghiệm ở 4 nồng độ khí gas ở 4 mức nhiệt độ khác nhau được phép trong quy trình của ICA đã được thực hiện trên cà chua tròn, cà chua roma và cà chua bi. Tất cả cà chua được khử trùng ở tất cả các mức nhiệt độ đã không cho thấy tác dụng xấu nào.

Để công nhận giá trị các kết quả từ các thử nghiệm trong phòng thí nghiệm quy mô nhỏ, khoảng 300 kg trái cây đã được khử trùng trong một buồng thương mại với tỷ lệ chất khử trùng ở mức phổ biến nhất cho cà chua sau khi được đóng gói - 40 g/m3 tại 15 - 20,9°C (xem Hình 1). Sau đó, chúng được lưu trữ trong phòng lạnh trong hai tuần và được đưa ra sàn giao dịch tại Canning Vale để nhà sản xuất và đại lý thị trường kiểm tra. Màu sắc rất đẹp và trái cây trông tươi ngon.

Sau khi có những ý kiến cho rằng trái cây sẽ bị giảm chất lượng khi ra khỏi kho lạnh, trái cây sau đó đã được lưu lại ở nhiệt độ môi trường xung quanh trong nhà kho suốt cuối tuần và được kiểm tra lại ba ngày sau đó (xem Hình 2).

Việc kiểm tra sau đó đã xác nhận rằng trái cây vẫn tươi ngon nhưng cho thấy các yếu tố quan trọng cần xem xét. Bất cứ hư hại nhìn thấy nào cũng có thể được phát hiện thông qua khử trùng và một điều rất quan trọng là trái cây được khử trùng đạt chất lượng rất cao. Kiểm tra cũng cho thấy những trái

Kết quả triển vọng từ thử nghiệm khử trùng cho cà chua

Rohan Prince, Chuyên Viên Phát Triển, Sở Nông Nghiệp và Thực Phẩm Tây Australia (DAFWA)

Hình 1 So sánh cà chua được khử trùng bằng metyl bromua theo ICA-04 với cà chua đối chứng không được khử trùng ở bốn giai đoạn chín, sau khử trùng một giờ

Hình 2 So sánh cà chua được khử trùng và cà chua được đối chứng sau 17 ngày bảo quản (14 ngày ở 9°C và ba ngày ở nhiệt độ môi trường xung quanh)

Độ chín ¼ được khử trùng

Độ chín ½ được khử trùng Độ chín ¾ được

khử trùngĐộ chín 100%

được khử trùng

Độ chín ¼ được đối chứng

Độ chín ½ được đối chứng

Độ chín ¾ được đối chứng

Độ chín 100% được đối chứng

Độ chín ¼ được khử trùng

Độ chín ½ được khử trùng

Độ chín ¾ được khử trùng

Độ chín 100% được khử trùng

Độ chín ¼ được đối chứng

Độ chín ½ được đối chứng

Độ chín ¾ được đối chứng

Độ chín 100% được đối chứng

PromIsInG results From FumIGAtIon trIAl For tomAtoes — VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

Your industrY


có đài hoa lớn sau một thời gian bảo quản lâu dài không còn tươi ngon như trái có đài nhỏ và ít nhô lên hơn.

Quan trọng nhất là thử nghiệm này cho thấy khi được xử lý đúng cách, chất lượng và màu sắc của trái cây vẫn được đảm bảo, trái cây rất thích hợp để bán và đáp ứng được các yêu cầu về tiếp cận thị trường ở tất cả các tiểu bang.

Sẽ có một sách nhỏ nêu rõ những điểm quan trọng trong năm tới cho mọi người cân nhắc về việc khử trùng cà chua bằng metyl bromua.

Trong một diễn biến khác, Cơ Quan Kiểm Dịch Thực Vật Tây Australia vừa cập nhật ICA-26 cho phép Kiểm Tra Xử Lý Trước Thu Hoạch Và Sau Thu Hoạch đối với Cà Chua, Ớt Chuông, Ớt và Cà Tím có chứa loại ruồi đục quả Địa Trung Hải. Thủ tục sửa đổi này đã được tiểu bang Victoria và Nam Australia chấp nhận và sẽ sớm được đưa vào làm các ICA được chấp thuận trong các tiểu bang này.

Cơ Quan Kiểm Dịch Thực Vật Tây Australia cũng đang điều chỉnh ICA-27 để đưa vào loại ruồi đục quả Địa Trung Hải. Điều này cho phép trái cây hái xuống ở giai đoạn trưởng thành còn xanh sẽ được gửi đi mà không cần kiểm tra sau thu hoạch như ở ICA-26. Trái cây trưởng thành còn xanh nghĩa là trái cây phải có đường kính không quá 2cm từ màu hồng sang màu đỏ ở cuối vòi nhụy (giai đoạn “‘beaker’) tại thời điểm phân loại màu sắc sau khi thu hoạch và cũng được phun thuốc trên vỏ trước khi thu hoạch. Có thể mất vài tháng để chuyển qua Nhóm Công Tác Về Các Dịch Vụ Chứng Nhận (Certification Services Working Group, viết tắt là CSWG) và Nhóm Công Tác về Tiếp Cận Thị Trường và Kiểm Dịch Thực Vật Nội Địa (Domestic Quarantine Market Access Working Group, viết tắt là DQMAWG) trước khi có thể được sử dụng như một phương tiện đạt được. Hi vọng rằng tất cả các tiểu bang sẽ xem xét thủ tục này và tiểu bang Victoria và Nam Australia có thể chấp nhận.

Tôi hi vọng thông tin này là hữu ích và sẽ cố gắng giúp quý vị cập nhật liên tục quy trình. Để biết thêm thông tin, vui lòng liên hệ Rohan Prince, [email protected].

CÁC HÌNH ẢNH ĐƯỢC CUNG CẤP

PromIsInG results From FumIGAtIon trIAl For tomAtoes — VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION CONTINuED

Your industrY

Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94 www.fairwork.gov.au

Last updated: 1 July 2009© Copyright Fair Work Ombudsman

This information has been provided by the Fair Work Ombudsman as general guidance only and should not be treated as legal advice. The relevant law is set out in the Fair Work Act 2009 and the Fair Work Regulations 2009.

Kể từ ngày 1 tháng Bảy năm 2009, có các thay đổi trong các luật lệ của Úc về quan hệ lao tư.

Các luật lệ mới nêu ra các quyền và nghĩa vụ mà mọi người có, tại nơi làm việc.

Những thay đổi này ảnh hưởng tới hầu hết các nơi làm việc của Úc.

Một vài trong số các quyền và nghĩa vụ này là về:

• những công nhân viên nào nên được trả công• các quyền lợi nghỉ phép và điều kiện làm việc• các hồ sơ mà các hãng sở cần phải giữ• công nhân viên và các hãng sở có thể có

được sự giúp đỡ bằng cách nào nếu họ có vấn đề ở nơi làm việc

• không phân biệt đối xử, chẳng hạn trên cơ sở sắc tộc, giới tính, sở thích về giới tính, tuổi tác, khuyết tật về thể xác hay tâm thần, hoặc tình trạng hôn nhân.

Ai có thể giúp đỡ?Hệ thống mới, cấp quốc gia về quan hệ lao tư có 2 tổ chức.

Đó là Fair Work Australia và Fair Work Ombudsman.

Fair Work Australia là một tòa đặc trách, cấp quốc gia về quan hệ lao tư. Đây là một cơ quan độc lập có quyền thực hiện nhiều các chức năng liên quan đến:

• mức bảo hộ về các mức lương tối thiểu và điều kiện nhân dụng

• thương lượng tại doanh nghiệp• bãi công• giải quyết tranh chấp• chấm dứt tuyển dụng• các vấn đề lao tư khác.

Fair Work Ombudsman:• cung cấp việc cố vấn và giáo dục về luật lệ

lao tư của Úc • theo dõi việc tuân thủ và điều tra các vi phạm

về luật lệ lao tư quốc gia• xuất bản thông tin về các quyền và nghĩa vụ

nơi làm việc• cung cấp các công cụ và thông tin cho các

kinh doanh nhỏ.

Cần biết thêm thông tin?• Hãy liên hệ với Đường dây Thông tin của

Fair Work ở số 13 13 94.

• Để nhận được các dịch vụ dịch thuật, hãy liên hệ với Dịch Vụ Biên Dịch và Thông Ngôn (Translating and Interpreting Service - TIS) ở số 131 450, 24 giờ mỗi ngày, 7 ngày mỗi tuần, với cước phí của một cuộc gọi địa phương.

Vietnamese

Trợ giúp về ngôn ngữ

Kể từ ngày 1 tháng Bảy năm 2009, có các thay đổi trong các luật lệ của Úc về quan hệ lao tư.

Các luật lệ mới nêu ra các quyền và nghĩa vụ mà mọi người có, tại nơi làm việc.

Những thay đổi này ảnh hưởng tới hầu hết các nơi làm việc của Úc.

Một vài trong số các quyền và nghĩa vụ này là về:

• Những công nhân viên nào nên được trả công

• Các quyền lợi nghỉ phép và điều kiện làm việc

• Các hồ sơ mà các hãng sở cần phải giữ

• Công nhân viên và các hãng sở có thể có được sự giúp đỡ bằng cách nào nếu họ có vấn đề ở nơi làm việc

• Không phân biệt đối xử, chẳng hạn trên cơ sở sắc tộc, giới tính, sở thích về giới tính, tuổi tác, khuyết tật về thể xác hay tâm thần, hoặc tình trạng hôn nhân.

Ai có thể giúp đỡ?

Hệ thống mới, cấp quốc gia về quan hệ lao tư có 2 tổ chức.

Đó là Fair Work Australia và Fair Work Ombudsman.

Fair Work Australia là một tòa đặc trách, cấp quốc gia về quan hệ lao tư. Đây là một cơ quan độc lập có quyền thực hiện nhiều các chức năng liên quan đến:

• Mức bảo hộ về các mức lương tối thiểu và điều kiện nhân dụng

• Thương lượng tại doanh nghiệp

• Bãi công

• Giải quyết tranh chấp

• Chấm dứt tuyển dụng

• Các vấn đề lao tư khác.

Fair Work Ombudsman:

• Cung cấp việc cố vấn và giáo dục về luật lệ lao tư của Úc

• Theo dõi việc tuân thủ và điều tra các vi phạm về luật lệ lao tư quốc gia

• Xuất bản thông tin về các quyền và nghĩa vụ nơi làm việc

• Cung cấp các công cụ và thông tin cho các kinh doanh nhỏ.

Trợ giúp về ngôn ngữ

Cần biết thêm thông tin?

• Hãy liên hệ với Đường dây Thông tin của Fair Work ở số 13 13 94

• Để nhận được các dịch vụ dịch thuật, hãy liên hệ với Dịch Vụ Biên Dịch và Thông Ngôn (Translating and Interpreting Service - TIS) ở số 131 450, 24 giờ mỗi ngày, 7 ngày mỗi tuần, với cước phí của một cuộc gọi địa phương.

last updated: July 1, 2009 © copyright Fair Work Ombudsman

This information has been provided by the Fair Work Ombudsman as general guidance only and should not be treated as legal advice. The relevant law is set out in the Fair Work Act 2009 and the Fair Work regulations 2009.

FAIr WOrk OmbUDSmAn — VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

more information

contact Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94 or www.fairwork.gov.au

Điểm thử nghiệm cà chua tại Khu Đất Bernard Rd North, Carabooda của George Kyme vào ngày 23 tháng 11 sau khi trồng trọt vào ngày 7 tháng 11.

Hình 1 Độ lan rộng của nước tại điểm thử nghiệm cà chua Carabooda — công suất nhỏ giọt 1L một giờ với lượng nước sử dụng là 1L khiến nước thấm sâu 35cm và lan rộng 16cm

Good PrActIce tomAto drIP IrrIGAtIon trIAl PlAnted AFter A Blue stArt — VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION


Your Production

Thử nghiệm về cây cà chua năm nay nhằm so sánh việc lập kế hoạch bằng cách sử dụng các yếu tố về cây trồng và sự bốc hơi (được điều chỉnh bằng cách theo dõi độ ẩm đất và thực hành của người gieo trồng hiện nay) đã được thực hiện trên đất Carabooda của George Kyme vào ngày 7 tháng 11. Khoảng 4500 cây cà chua Swanson đã được trồng nhưng không phải trước khi địa điểm này được kiểm tra bằng cách sử dụng thuốc nhuộm màu xanh để tìm ra các khoảng cách nhỏ giọt đúng.

Việc thử nghiệm nhuộm màu được thực hiện trên cùng một địa điểm thử nghiệm vì thử nghiệm này được thực hiện để xem độ sâu và khả năng lan rộng của nước trong đất. Khoảng 20 người trồng cây, chuyên gia nông học và ngành tưới tiêu đã đến xem cách thức tiến hành quy trình và mối liên hệ của nó đến lĩnh vực của họ. Một thử nghiệm tương tự đã được tiến hành tại phía nam Trạm Nghiên Cứu Madina của Perth trước khi trồng năm ngoái cho ra kết quả khác đáng ngạc nhiên.

Thử nghiệm năm ngoái cho thấy 0,5 L nước dùng cho đất ở Medina đã thấm sâu khoảng 29 cm và rộng 18 cm cho mỗi lượt tưới riêng lẻ, trong khi năm nay 0,5 L được dùng trên đất thương mại này lại ngấm sâu xuống chỉ được 17 cm và rộng 14 cm.

Sự khác nhau về khả năng lan truyền nước có thể được cho là mức chênh lệch không đáng kể trong các loại hạt đất. Trong khi đất ở vùng thử nghiệm Medina chỉ chứa 1,5 đến 2,0 % đất sét thì đất thử nghiệm ở Carabooda lại có mức đất sét cao là 4,5%.

Hạt đất sét làm tăng khả năng giữ nước, làm giảm độ sâu nước thấm xuống với cùng một thể tích nước sử dụng. Điều này có nghĩa là ở vị trí nào trên đất Medina mà 0,5 L đã được coi là thể tích nước tối đa sử dụng cho một lần tưới thì thử nghiệm năm nay có thể dùng 0,8 hoặc 0,9 L nước cho mỗi lần tưới mà không vượt quá vùng gốc rễ.

Kết quả thú vị khác thu được từ việc thử nghiệm này là sự thiếu di chuyển xuyên ngang hoặc sang bên của nước. Ở vị trí 1L nước tạo nên độ lan truyền từ 19-20 cm ở Medina, thì với cùng thể tích nước đó chỉ lan truyền được 15 cm trên vị trí thử nghiệm này (xem Hình 1). Gấp đôi lượng nước mỗi giờ

cũng chỉ đạt được mức cao hơn một chút (xem Hình 2). Kết quả của thử nghiệm nhuộm màu này là đường giọt chảy sử dụng cho mùa này có các giọt nhỏ cách nhau 20 cm chứ không phải khoảng cách tiêu chuẩn 25 cm như được hầu hết người trồng trọt trong vùng sử dụng.

Thông điệp chính là thậm chí những chênh lệch không đáng kể đối với từng loại đất có thể tạo nên sự khác biệt đáng kể trong khả năng di chuyển của nước, và cách tốt nhất để biết cách tưới cây là tìm hiểu về đất trên trang trại của mình.

Thực hành tốt thử nghiệm tưới nhỏ giọt cà chua được trồng sau khi nhuộm xanh ban đầu

Rohan Prince, Chuyên Viên Phát Triển, Sở Nông Nghiệp và Thực Phẩm Tây Australia (DAFWA)


Your industrY


Your Production

Người trồng trọt được hoan nghênh đến thăm quan khu thử nghiệm bằng đi bộ trên cánh đồng đã được dự định cho từng tháng để quan sát diễn biến. Bạn luôn được chào đón nếu bạn muốn quan sát lúc hái trái gần đó, nhưng xin vui lòng tôn trọng an toàn sinh học nông nghiệp và hãy làm sạch giày và rửa sạch tay trước khi vào khu thử nghiệm và cũng như trước khi quay trở lại trang trại của mình. Hẹn gặp lại bạn tại khu thử nghiệm!

Để tận dụng tối đa cơ hội này, để có ý kiến đóng góp và đảm bảo bạn sẽ thu được giá trị từ tiền thuế bạn đóng góp, hãy liên hệ với tôi để tôi có thể sắp xếp gặp bạn ở đó trong một chuyến đi nào đó. Nếu có bất cứ thắc mắc gì, xin vui lòng gọi theo số 0429 680 069 hoặc email [email protected].

Good PrActIce tomAto drIP IrrIGAtIon trIAl PlAnted AFter A Blue stArt — VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION

Hình 2 công suất nhỏ giọt 1L một giờ với lượng nước sử dụng là 2L khiến nước thấm sâu 40cm và lan rộng 18cm


WAGROWER_1209.indd 11 15/12/09 9:07:15 PM

112

United Crate Co operative Pty Ltd

Merry Christmas

Head Office - 1 Zanni Street Canning Vale WA 6155 PH: (08) 9455 1540 Fax: (08) 9455 2376 Email: [email protected]

At the close of another year, we gratefully pause to wish

you and your families a warm and happy Christmas

and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

A sincere thanks to all our valued customers

for all your ongoing support, from the

Directors, Management & Staff United Crate Co operative.

112


Your Production

Permits minor Use Permits can also be searched by specific crop or pest types at www.apvma.gov.au/permits/search.php

Permit Id description target expiry date

Adzuki beans

PER11033 Imazamox Control of grass & broadeaf weeds 31-Dec-11

PER11405 Haloxyfop Grass weeds 30-May-14

Alliums

PER7905 Phosphorous Downy mildew 30-Sep-12

PER12999 Azoxystrobin White rot 30-Apr-13

Asparagus

PER12777 Avatar (indoxacarb) Garden weevil 30-Sep-16

beans

PER10276 Filan Fungicide (boscalid) Sclertonia rot 31-Jan-13

beetroot

PER13034 Score Foliar Fungicide Leaf spot 31-Aug-13

PER12052 Phosphorous (phosphonic) acid Damping off & downy mildew 30-Jun-13

PER10908 Tebuconazole Sclerotonia rot 30-Jun-13

PER11919 Flint 500 WG Fungicide (trifloxystrobin) Alternaria leaf spot & cercospora leaf spot 30-Sep-13

PER11450 Ethofumesate (Tramat) Grass weeds 30-Jun-15

PER11949 Lambda-Cyhalothrin Various insects 31-Mar-15

borlotti beans

PER9509 Methomyl Bean pod borer & budworm 31-Oct-16

brassica leafy vegetables

PER12054 Propiconazole Cercospora leaf spot, rust, septoria leaf spot 31-Aug-14


PER13032 Pirimicarb Aphids 30-Sep-13


PER9631 Nufarm Cabrio Fungicide (pyraclostrobin) White blister rust 30-Jun-12

PER9669 Iprodione Sclerotinia, grey mould, alternaria leaf spot 30-Jun-12

PER10497 Imidacloprid Aphids, whitefly & thrips 31-Mar-14

PER10845 Barmac Zineb Fungicide Cercospora leaf spot & downy mildew 31-Mar-15

PER11475 Alpha-cypermethrin Redlegged earth mite, plague thrips & Lepidoptera 30-Jun-12

PER10674 Mancozeb + Metalaxyl-M Downy mildew & white blister 31-Mar-13

brassicas


PER10920 Chlorpyrifos Vegetable beetle adults 30-Sep-12


broad beans

PER12657 Tebuconazole Cercospora leaf spot 31-Mar-14

broccoli

PER11951 Phosphorous acid Downy mildew 31-Mar-15

PER10588 Iprodione Rhizoctonia 30-Apr-13

brussel sprouts

PER10090 Iprodione Grey mould 1-Aug-15


cape gooseberry

PER12442 Trichlorfon Fruit fly 31-May-14

capsicum (protected)

PER10903 Flint 500 WG Fungicide Powdery mildew 31-May-13

PER10311 Eco-Oil (Botanical Oil) Greenhouse whitefly & silverleaf whitefly 30-Sep-13

PER10656 Pyrimethanil Botrytis 30-Jun-12

PER10184 Products containing potassium salts of fatty acids @ 285 g 28-Feb-13

capsicums

PER11778 Agri-fos 600 Systemic Fungicide (phosphorous acid) Phytophthora soil fungus 30-Nov-15

PER13047 Acramite Miticide Two-spotted mite 30-Sep-13

PER13031 Maldison Fruit fly 31-May-14

carrots



Your Production

Permits (cont.)


PER10914 Azoxystrobin Powdery mildew, downy mildew & white blister rust 31-May-14

PER12400 Iprodione Suppression of black rot 30-Sep-12

carrots (for seed)

PER11747 2,2-Dichloropropionic Acid Promotion of bolting & grass weed control 30-Nov-14

cauliflower


PER13147 Lontrel Capeweed & clover 30-Sep-16

PER10688 Alpha-Cypermethrin Staphylinid beetle 30-Apr-13

celeraic

PER11987 Linuron Weeds 30-Apr-12

PER10846 Rovral Aquaflo Fungicide (Iprodione) Sclerotinia rot 30-Jun-12

PER11349 Prometryn Grass weeds listed on Label 11-Dec-11

PER10675 Metolachlor Various broadleaf & grass weeds 30-Jun-12

celery

PER10727 Ridomil Gold MZ WG Late blight, septoria leaf blight & downy mildew 30-Sep-12

PER9839 Permethrin (Ambush ) Heliothis & looper 31-Mar-13

PER10316 Avatar Insecticide (indoxacarb) Heliothis, lightbrown apple moth, lucerne leaf roller & vegetable weevil

30-Sep-12

PER10729 Applaud Insecticide (buprofezin) Greenhouse whitefly 31-Jan-13

PER10946 Linuron Range of weeds 30-Apr-12

PER11641 Flint 500 WG (trifloxystrobin) Cercospora leaf spot & Septoria spot 31-Oct-12

PER12405 Score Foliar Fungicide (difenoconazole) Cercospora Leaf Spot & Septoria spots 31-Oct-12


chicory


PER12054 Propiconazole Cercospora leaf spot, rust, Septoria leaf spot 31-Aug-14

PER11849 Ridomil Gold MZ (mancozeb + metalaxyl-M) Anthracnose, downy mildew & Septoria 31-Mar-13

PER11352 Walabi Fungicide Botrytis & Alternaria 30-Sep-14

PER11855 Betanal Herbicide Spray (phenmedipham) Broadleaf weeds 30-Jun-14

PER12397 Alpha-cypermethrin Red-legged earth mite, onion thrips 30-Nov-14


PER10677 Propyzamide Grass & broadleef weeds 30-Apr-18


chillies

PER11946 Clethodim Grasses 30-Sep-12

PER10747 Rovral Aquaflo Fungicide Sclerotinia rot 30-Sep-12

PER10730 Abamectin (Vertimec) Two-spoted mite 30-Sep-12

PER10800 Bayfidan 250 EC Fungicide Powdery mildew 30-Jun-13

PER12823 Trifluralin Various broad Leaf & grass weeds 30-Jun-21

coriander


PER9779 Diazinon Onion maggot 31-Mar-12

cucumber

PER10279 Abamectin Two-spotted mite 30-Sep-13

PER12504 Permethrin Cucumber moth larvae (Phakelura Indica) 31-Dec-13

PER9104 Pyranica Two-spotted mite 2-Apr-12

PER10219 Mancozeb Grey mould 30-Apr-13

PER10818 Bravo Weather Stik Fungicide (chlorothalonil) Botrytis rot 30-Sep-13


PER13031 Maldison Fruit fly 31-May-14

cucumber (protected)


PER10903 Flint 500 WG Fungicide Powdery mildew 31-May-13

PER11852 Fenhexamid Grey Mould 31–Jan–13

cucurbits

PER10764 Pyriproxyfen Silverleaf whitefly 30-Sep-12


Your Production

Permits (cont.)


PER10979 Bupirimate Powdery mildew 30-Sep-14

culinary herbs

PER10307 Metolachlor Weeds 31-Dec-12

custard apple

PER11966 Various Fipronil products Ants 30-Jun-13

PER11969 Sunny Plant Growth Regulator Plant growth regulation 31-Mar-13

PER12175 Phosphorous acid Phytophthora 30-Sep-12

eggplant

PER12823 Trifluralin Various broad leaf & grass weeds 30-Jun-21


PER8930 Phorate Aphids, jassids, mites, thrips & onion maggot 31-Jul-16

PER12862 Zineb Anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.) 31-Jul-14


PER11941 Pirimicarb Aphids (consolidated application) 31-Mar-12

PER11778 Agri-fos 600 Systemic Fungicide (phosphorous acid) Phytophthora soil fungus 30-Nov-15


PER5815 Spinosad Melon thrips 31-Jul-13

PER10948 Abamectin Two-spotted mite 30-Oct-13

PER10265 Methidathion Western flower thrips 30-Sep-12

PER9893 Methidathion Rutherglen bug 31-May-13

endive




PER11849 Ridomil Gold MZ (mancozeb + metalaxyl-M) Anthracnose, downy mildew & septoria 31-Mar-13

PER11352 Walabi Fungicide Botrytis & alternaria 30-Sep-14


PER10677 Propyzamide Grass & broadleef weeds 30-Apr-18

Faba bean

PER9508 Raptor Various weeds 30-Dec-11

PER12657 Tebuconazole Cercospora leaf spot 31-Mar-14

PER11033 Imazamox Control of grass & broadeaf weeds 31-Dec-11

Fennel

PER13036 Bravo 720 SC Downy mildew, purple blotch 31-Jul-16


Fodder beet

PER12364 BASF Pyramin WG Selective Herbicide Various weeds & grasses 30-Sep-12

Fruit & fruiting vegetables

PER10695 Methyl Bromide Fruit fly & thrips 30-Jun-13

PER11251 Maldison Fruit fly surveillance 30-Sep-15

Garlic

PER11453 Fluazifop Grass weeds 31-Oct-12

PER10511 Surflan 500 Flowable Herbicide (Oryzalin) Broadleaf & grass weeds 31-Mar-13

Garlic chives

PER11170 Fluazifop Grass weeds 30-Sep-14

Green beans


Greenhouse


Herbs

PER8601 Pyriproxyfen Silverleaf whitefly & greenhouse whitefly 30-Aug-12

PER8617 Fenhexamid Botrytis 30-Sep-12

PER8628 Pendimethalin Grass & broadleaf weeds 30-Sep-14

PER10305 Bacillus thuringiensis Lepidopteran pests 31-Dec-12

PER11815 Petroleum oil Insect pests 31-Dec-14

PER12017 Fluazifop-p-butyl Annual grass weeds 30-Jun-16


Your Production


Horseradish

PER10816 Amistar (azoxystrobin) White blister rust & downy mildew 30-Jun-12

leafy & woody herbs

PER8621 Quinoxyfen Powdery mildew 30-Jul-13

leeks


PER10088 Dithane Rainshield Purple blotch & downy mildew 1-Jan-12

PER8762 Maldison Onion thrips 30-Sep-12



PER3850 Copper hydroxide Downy mildew, purple blotch 13-Sep-12

PER9895 Thimet 100G Onion maggot & thrips 30-Jun-12

PER9904 Tribinul, Juggler 700, Tribunax 700 WP Broadleaf weeds 31-Jul-12

PER10902 Dimethomorph Downy mildew 30-Sep-13

lentils

PER12638 Deltamethrin Etiella 31-Mar-16

lettuce



PER9859 BALAN (benfluralin) Grass & broadleaf weed control 31-Mar-12

PER11651 Acramite Miticide Two-spotted (red spider) mite 31-Dec-12

PER12386 Dacthal (chlorthal-dimethyl) Stinging nettle 31-Aug-16


PER13002 Metalaxyl-M Damping off 30-Sep-13

lettuce head

PER10416 Methamidophos Western flower thrips 31-Mar-13

PER10807 Vertimec (abamectin) Two-spotted mite 31-Mar-14

lettuce (protected)



PER10184 Products containing potassium salts of fatty acids @ 285 g 28-Feb-13

lettuce head (protected)

PER11852 Fenhexamid Grey mould 31-Jan-13

melons & watermelons (post-harvest)

PER13170 Dimethoate Various fruit fly species 5-Oct-12

navy beans


Onions


PER11450 Ethofumesate (Tramat) Grass weeds 30-Jun-15

PER11854 Switch Fungicide White rot, black mould, botrytis 30-Jun-13

PER11989 Tramat 500 SC Selective Herbicide Various weeds 31-Jul-13

Paprika


PER10747 Rovral Aquaflo Fungicide Sclerotinia rot 30-Sep-12

PER10730 Abamectin (Vertimec) Two-spoted mite 30-Sep-12

PER10800 Bayfidan 250 EC Fungicide Powdery mildew 30-Jun-13

PER12823 Trifluralin Various broad leaf & grass weeds 30-Jun-21

Parsley

PER10672 Chlorthal-dimethyl Various broadleaf weeds & grasses 30-Apr-13

PER13121 Ridomil Gold 25G (metalaxyl-M) Pythium & phytophthora 30-Nov-16

PER10089 Chlorpyrifos Vegetable weevil & black beetle 30-Sep-13

PER9779 Diazinon Onion maggot 31-Mar-12

Parsnip

PER12002 Ecocarb Fungicide Powdery mildew 5-Sep-12


PER10758 Pendimethalin Grasses & broadleaf weeds 31-Jan-14

Permits (cont.)


Your Production

Permits (cont.)


PER11935 Triadimenol Powdery mildew 30-Jun-12

PER8813 Trifluralin Wintergrass 9-Aug-12

PER12354 Ridomil Gold 25G (metalaxyl-M) Pythium Spp. & Phytophthora Spp. 30-Apr-14


Peas


PER10691 Diflufenican Broadleaf weeds 30-Apr-13

Peas (processing)


Pepino


Peppers


PER9893 Methidathion Rutherglen bug 31-May-13


PER10979 Bupirimate Powdery mildew 30-Sep-14

PER11440 Sumiclex 500 (procymidone) Sclerotinia rot 31-Dec-11

PER10878 Trifluralin Broadleaf & annual grass weeds 30-Sep-13

Peppers (protected)

PER11852 Fenhexamid Grey mould 31-Jan-13

Potatoes

PER10822 Sodium hypochlorite Various insect & fungal pests 1-Feb-14

PER10089 Chlorpyrifos Vegetable weevil & black beetle 30-Sep-13

PER10283 Chlorpyrifos Black beetle, wingless grasshopper, red-legged earth mite 30-Sep-14

PER12612 Alpha-cypermethrin Garden weevil 30-Apr-16

Potted culinary herbs or leafy vegetables

PER10044 Permethrin Quarantine usage 31-Mar-12

Pumpkin


radicchio




PER11849 Ridomil Gold MZ (mancozeb + metalaxyl-M) Anthracnose, downy mildew & septoria 31-Mar-13


radish




PER12863 Chlorothalonil White blister (Candida albugo) 30-Jun-16


PER11350 Mancozeb Alternaria, cercospora leaf spot, white blister 31-Mar-15

PER11441 Propachlor Grass & broadleaf weeds 31-Dec-19

PER11949 Lambda-Cyhalothrin Various insects 31-Mar-15

PER13035 Clethodim Control of grasses 30-Sep-16

PER10676 Pendimethalin Various broadleaf & grass weeds 30-Apr-13

PER10980 Propiconazole Cercospora 31-Mar-12

red beet


rhubarb

PER9325 Ambush Emulsifiable Concentrate Insecticide Green peach aphid, green looper, light brown apple moth & budworms

31-Mar-12

PER9922 Phos acid Downy mildew 1-Jul-12

PER11358 Clethodim Grass weeds listed on label 30-Jun-14

PER12384 Dual Gold Herbicide (S-metolachlor) Various weeds 31-Aug-15

PER13152 MCPA 250 Selective Herbicide Broadleaf weeds 30-Sep-16


Your Production

Permits (cont.)


rocket


rockmelons


rosemary

PER11170 Fluazifop Grass weeds 30-Sep-14

Shallots




PER10882 Diazinon Thrips (excluding WFT) & onion seedling maggot 30-Jun-13

PER9921 Tribunil Herbicide Various broadleaf & grass weeds 15-Jul-12

PER10824 Copper Oxychloride, Cuprous Oxide or Cupric Hydroxide Downy mildew 30-Sep-14

PER11937 Dimethomorph & Mancozeb Downy mildew, purple blotch & botrytis rots 1-Jan-12

PER10088 Dithane Rainshield Purple blotch & downy mildew 1-Jan-12


PER10868 Ioxynil Broad leaf & grass weeds 31-Mar-13


PER6914 Lannate L (methomyl) Western flower thrips 31-Mar-13

Silverbeet





PER9355 Alpha-cypermethrin Thrips, vegetable weevil & red-legged earth mite 31-Mar-12

PER11356 Flint 500 WG (trifloxystrobin) Powdery mildew 31-Oct-12







PER11991 Legend Fungicide (quinoxyfen) Powdery mildew 31-Mar-16

PER10748 Tilt 250 EC Systemic Fungicide & all other 250gL formulations of propiconazole

Various fungi 30-Jun-12

PER8931 Propachlor Broadleaf & grass weeds 31-Mar-15

PER11572 Chlorothalonil Downy mildew, alternaria leaf blight & grey mould 31-Mar-13

Snow peas


PER11765 Etoxazole Two-spotted mite 31-Dec-12

PER12822 Chess Insecticide Aphids 30-Jun-13

PER7419 Lambda-cyhalothrin Pasture webworm, cutworm, rutherglen bug & thrips 31-May-13

PER10976 Bentazone Broadleaf weeds 31-Mar-15

PER10988 Bladex 900 WG (cyanazine) Broadleaf weeds 31-Mar-15

PER12571 Acramite 480 SC Mites 31-Jan-13


PER9485 Acrobat Downy mildew 30-Apr-12

Specified fruiting & legume vegetables

PER10679 Mancozeb Downy mildew, anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp) & alternaria

1-Jan-12

Specified herbs

PER11526 Chlorothalonil Fungal diseases 30-Sep-14

Specified leafy & woody herbs

PER8577 Etoxazole Two-spotted mite 30-Jul-13

PER8591 Myclobutanil Powdery mildew 30-Jul-13

PER8633 Chlorfenapyr Various insects 30-Jul-13

PER8576 Buprofezin Jassid, mealybug, silverleaf & greenhouse whitefly 30-Aug-12


Your Production

Permits (cont.)


Specified vegetables

PER11438 Glyphosate (shielded sprayer) Grass & broadleaf weeds 30-Jun-19

PER12017 Fluazifop-p-butyl Annual grass weeds 30-Jun-16

Spices

PER11130 Linuron Weeds 30-Jul-13



Spinach








PER8931 Propachlor Broadleaf & grass weeds 31-Mar-15

PER9355 Alpha-cypermethrin Thrips, vegetable weevil & red-legged earth mite 31-Mar-12

PER11572 Chlorothalonil Downy mildew, alternaria leaf blight & grey mould 31-Mar-13

Spring onions




PER10882 Diazinon Thrips (excluding WFT) & onion seedling maggot 30-Jun-13




PER11763 Pirimicarb Aphids 31-Dec-12

PER6914 Lannate L (methomyl) Western flower thrips 31-Mar-13

PER9921 Tribunil Herbicide Various broadleaf & grass weeds 15-Jul-12

PER10824 Copper Oxychloride, Cuprous Oxide or Cupric Hydroxide Downy mildew 30-Sep-14

PER11937 Dimethomorph & Mancozeb Downy mildew, purple blotch & botrytis rots 1-Jan-12


Squash



Sugar snap peas


PER11765 Etoxazole Two-spotted mite 31-Dec-12

PER12822 Chess Insecticide Aphids 30-Jun-13

PER7419 Lambda-cyhalothrin Pasture webworm, cutworm, rutherglen bug & thrips 31-May-13

PER10976 Bentazone Broadleaf weeds 31-Mar-15

PER10988 Bladex 900 WG (cyanazine) Broadleaf weeds 31-Mar-15

PER12571 Acramite 480 SC Mites 31-Jan-13


Swede





Sweet corn


PER10433 Pirmicarb Aphids 31-Mar-12

Sweet potato



PER5851 Chlorpyrifos Sweet potato weevil, bean spider mite, wireworm 12-Feb-12


Your Production

Permits (cont.)


PER9722 Talstar (bifenthrin) Wireworm 30-Sep-13

PER10273 Bifenthrin Sweet potato weevil & bean spider mite 30-Sep-13

PER12047 Tecto Flowable SC Fungicide (thiabendazole) Field rots caused by scurf & root rot 30-Sep-16

PER10460 Phorate (Thimet 100G) Aphids, thrips, jassids & organophosphate susceptible two-spotted mite & wireworm

1-Jan-13

Tamarillos

PER12652 Fenthion Mediterranean fruit fly (post harvest) 31-Mar-12

Taro

PER9694 Lorsban African black beetle 5-Mar-12

Tomatoes




PER12514 Sencor 480 SC (metribuzin) Weed control 31-Dec-15

Tomatoes (protected)


PER10934 Buprofezin Greenhouse whitefly 30-Sep-13

PER11120 Natrasoap & Neemtech Greenhouse whitefly 30-Sep-13

Turnip





Use during suspension

PER13198 Diuron 31-Mar-12

PER13239 Diuron 31-Mar-12

Use during suspension — agricultural uses

PER13155 Dimethoate 5-Oct-12

Use during suspension — domestic uses

PER13156 Dimethoate 5-Oct-12

Various crops

PER11950 Chlorothalonil Various fungicides 31-Mar-13

Various culinary herbs

PER11130 Linuron Weeds 30-Jul-13

Various greenhouse-grown vegetables


Various leafy vegetables

PER13089 Acrobat Fungicide Downy mildew 30-Sep-13

Various protected crops

PER11472 VectoBac WG Biological Larvicide Fungus gnats & sciarids 31-May-14

Various seeds

PER10822 Sodium hypochlorite Various insect & fungal pests 1-Feb-14

Various vegetable crops

PER12385 Products containing Copper Various diseases 31-Mar-13

Various vegetables

PER12589 Chlorpyrifos African black beetle & wireworms 30-Jun-12

Watermelons


Welsh onions


Zucchini



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vegetablesWAHorticultural House103 Outram Street, West Perth 6005

t: (08) 9481 0834 f: (08) 9481 0024e: fi [email protected]

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Bejo, a name that stands for quality

www.bejo.com.au

WA Representative

Tim AldridgeTel: 0458 685 858E-mail: [email protected]

Bejo Seeds Pty Ltd

Cranbourne • Australia

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wa grower december 11

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