Horticulture

... this region is renowned for its abundance and diversity of produce ... Marc and Stacey Brooke are one such couple who have wholeheartedly embraced the area’s inherent spirit of diversity, with the transformation of their small cropping farm nestled on the outskirts of Wakool into the blossoming Australian natives enterprise, Tulla Natives.

BeeHero's updated sensing solution, already in use worldwide, enables first-of-its-kind, high resolution heat mapping of bee activity, and features improved sensing and pollinator monitoring capabilities that enable predictive models for pollination success. ARR.News found out more about PIP 2.0 from Yuval Regev, Co-founder and CTO of BeeHero.

The NFF Horticulture Council welcomes Prime Minister Albanese’s appointment of the Hon Julie Collins MP as the new Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Minister for Small Business. Council Chair Jolyon Burnett said having a minister from a state where primary industries remained a significant contributor to the local economy should ensure a keener ear would be given to the needs of the sector.  

A family potato farm with operations in Waikerie is in the spotlight after it received international recognition for its contributions to the industry on the world stage. The 2024 World Potato Congress (WPC), held in Adelaide from June 23 to 26, saw Miltolo Family Farms recognised with the WPC Industry Award.

Australian food producers are finding innovative new ways to limit losses and create alternative uses for waste, as evidenced in a new report titled Crop loss/waste on Australian horticulture farms, 2022–23 ... The report was commissioned by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, to fill specific data gaps on food loss and waste in primary production in the horticulture industry.

Australia’s avocado industry is grappling with another year of increased production and low prices, according to a new report by agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank. However, the world’s growing appetite for the popular nutrient-packed green fruit is offering growers some relief, with increasing export demand for Australia’s produce, the report says.

As part of a series on businesses, community groups and sporting clubs for Yanchep News Online, Betheney A’Vard visited a Carabooda tomato grower. Steve Dimitrovich from Mitri Hydroponics talks about the differences between hydroponic and traditional growing.

Efforts are underway to continue to grow the important trade relationship between Australia and Japan, with exports from Australia to Japan valued at $154 million annually, through a series of inbound and outbound trade activities ... the program will enable Australian and Japanese horticulture industry representatives to build relationships, expand networks, exchange knowledge, and explore commercial and research opportunities.

BeeHero, the pioneer of precision pollination, announced the establishment of its new regional headquarters in Australia as part of a strategic plan to expand operations in support of Australian growers and beekeepers. BeeHero’s expanded presence involves support for multiple crops, with the company’s groundbreaking in-hive and in-field monitoring technologies now deployed across almonds, canola, macadamia nuts, apples, pears, plums, cherries, avocados, hybrid seed crops, and blueberries.

The NFF Horticulture Council ... welcomed the report by the Senate Select Committee on Supermarket Prices, which reveals the true cost of supermarket power and exploitative behaviour being borne by both Australian households and the national horticulture industry. Chair of the Council Jolyon Burnett said ... there has been shock at the evidence of widespread appalling treatment of fresh produce suppliers.

Jon Quill. Donald’s Red Gate Community Garden is currently experiencing something of a growth spurt with an influx of new members. But by far the greatest growth has been witnessed in their spectacular Sunflowers which peaked at just over 4 metres (14ft) before Christmas. Single seed head/flowers weighed in at a mighty 2kg.  

Mango growers on the Atherton Tablelands have been facing severe challenges due to the catastrophic effects of Ex Tropical Cyclone Jasper, which occurred in December 2023. The industry has experienced significant setbacks ... necessitating a call for fair disaster recovery support ... The disparity in recovery funding between the agricultural sector and other industries, notably tourism, has sparked significant concern and mistrust among growers.

UK biotech startup, LyteGro’s solution converts the pulp of waste bananas into a proprietary liquid supplement to turbocharge metabolic processes offering high-value for Australia’s distilling industry. An exciting joint venture opportunity now exists for Australian investors, banana growers and authorities to scale production plants.

Global vegetable trade value rose amid cost increases; production down in some major markets. The value of the global vegetable trade rose in line with rising prices, reaching 3 per cent average annual growth from 2017 to 2022, according to Rabobank’s recently-published World Vegetable Map.

It has elements of Jack and the Beanstalk and Cinderella, but our story is far from a fairytale, and doesn’t take place in a magical far away land. Our story involves one man’s dream, giant pumpkin seeds, a pumpkin boat, and our mighty Murray River.

The NFF Horticulture Council strongly supports the key recommendations detailed in the interim Independent Review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct ... The Council is particularly encouraged to see recommendations for the enforcement of the mandatory code, and the possibility of increased fines reaching up to 10 per cent of turnover, potentially amounting to billions.

Gardening in extreme conditions is not an educational program anywhere. Ukrainians in the combat zone are learning this from their own personal experience. Many people in other countries believe that this is a useful experience that should be taught to the population in peacetime ... Read Pavel's life hack for gardening in a war zone.

Forage oat growers should be vigilant for the troublesome pest fall armyworm (FAW) as several infestations have been spotted on the Darling Downs.

Farmers, community members and potential investors gathered at cluBarham this week to learn more about an exciting opportunity for the region.  Attendees listened to how the growing, processing and value-adding of industrial hemp could provide great opportunities to producers, in employment and provide a boost to the local economy.  

Established in 1954, the 2024 Festival marks the 70th Anniversary of this important Donnybrook community event. Following the success of the immersive, “Street Festival” approach in 2023, the Apple Festival will again be held throughout the main street of Donnybrook from the Amphitheatre at one end of town to Egan Park incorporating Ayers Garden, Station Square, Apple Fun Park, Pump Track and part of Collins Street.

The Senate Select Committee on Supermarket Prices continues its hearings in Melbourne ... having heard repeated incidences of poor - if not unconscionable - behaviour by supermarkets from consumers and growers alike in Hobart and yesterday in Orange. Chair of the NFF Horticulture Council Jolyon Burnett said evidence and testimony from growers and industry representatives had already painted a bleak picture of the unbalanced trading relationship between major supermarkets and fresh produce suppliers.