Biggest flood in decades smashes macadamia farmers
NSW Farmers Lismore Branch Chair and macadamia farmer Warren Elvery said there would be major losses as a result of the flooding, which was the worst he had ever seen ... “We had 347mm of rain overnight and all of the work we’ve done building up our soil and getting ready for harvest could all be for nothing."
Aussie potatoes mashing previous records
New data released by Hort Innovation shows Australians are producing and consuming more potatoes than ever. Developed by Freshlogic, the annual Horticulture Statistics Handbook launches today and includes the latest available data on 75 different categories across fruit, vegetable, nut, nursery and cut flowers. And this year, potatoes were top performers in volume growth.
Fresh produce to focus on four key fields
The fresh produce sector and supply chain in Queensland has agreed on four key fields of strategic interest to pursue over the first two years of its new industry plan, Future Fields.
WA avocados smashing it in Japan
The WA State Government has partnered with the local avocado industry through Hort Innovation, Avocados Australia and Austrade to showcase the popular fruit to potential importers, retailers and consumers at the WA Premium Food and Beverage Trade Event in Tokyo.
New biosecurity collaboration to protect Australian citrus industry
Australia’s $900 million citrus industry could face serious production and market access risks if the industry is not adequately prepared to manage future biosecurity threats. A new five-year national biosecurity program, CitrusWatch, is a collaborative effort that is designed to protect the citrus industry from harmful exotic pests and diseases.
Next step? Using bird pellets and automation to protect bees
Scientists are checking birds’ regurgitated ‘pellets’ for bee wings in the latest efforts to protect Australian bee populations from threats. The work – which takes place in the Northern Territory, Brisbane and Townsville – involves teams locating Rainbow Bee-eaters, who typically roost in large numbers at the same sites each night, between March and November each year.
Singleton Station water licence subject to changes in conditions
Following the Water Resources Review Panel’s assessment of the Singleton Station water licence, the Minister for Territory Families and Urban Housing (as delegate for the Minister for Water Security) has announced that an amended water extraction licence has been granted for Fortune Agribusiness with some new and modified conditions ... Under the revised water licence, Fortune Agribusiness is required to carry out further hydrogeological investigation of the water resources at the site of the planned bore field, and also complete an impact assessment of groundwater extraction on identified groundwater dependent cultural values.
Sleuth scientist solves mystery of the mouldy mungbean
Qld Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said a Departmental plant pathologist has found that two pathogens cause powdery mildew in mungbean, potentially unlocking new solutions for the $100m Australian industry. “Scientist Lisa Kelly has ‘bean’ on the case to unlock the mystery of the fungal disease that’s been present in Australian mungbean crops for at least 60 years,” Mr Furner said.
Green is the new gold: Mooloolaba’s new parkland takes out National horticultural award
The Mooloolaba Boardwalk and Parkland Project has been awarded for its excellence and environmental responsibility in design by the Australian Institute of Horticulture Inc (AIH). The 2021 Green Space Urban Award recognised this signature project’s commitment in preserving the iconic Norfolk Pines, which have become sentinels of the Mooloolaba foreshore.
Price hikes a double whammy on harvest efforts
NSW Farmers is calling for better long-term national fuel security as higher fuel prices take their toll during a tight harvest season. It’s the latest hit to the grains and horticulture sectors, which have been crying out for better access to harvest workers for several weeks. Not only will farmers be frantically trying to find labour, they will also be frantically trying to secure fuel before the price blows out.
Macadamia Nursery Stock Specification enhancing customer confidence at MacQ Nursery
Innovation and the adoption of best practice plant protection and biosecurity measures on farm is critical to the delivery of high-quality nursery trees and maximising customer confidence for continued business growth. This philosophy is top of mind for Johan Oosthuizen, Farm Manager at MacQ Nursery, a four-hectare commercial macadamia production nursery located in Bundaberg, Queensland.
Jumping dogs! It’s the 156th Clare Show! 16 October 2021
Jumping dogs? Yes, that's right, come along to see the jumping dogs (and their assistants) in fast and fearless competition at the Clare Show on 16 October. Plus a whole lot more including show bags, kids zone, garden hub, lego legends, fireworks and side shows.
MoU to grow agricultural trade between Pacific Island Countries and Australia
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and DT Global will grow agricultural trade between Pacific Island countries and Australia, through improved food security, better market access and biosecurity outcomes.
Pollen home delivery sweet for honey bees
Scientists are exploring the use of mobile polliniser units to improve cross-pollination in netted apple orchards in a new trial being delivered through Hort Innovation in partnership with the University of Adelaide. Over the past 14 months, scientists have been working with apple growers in the Adelaide Hills as part of the project, which aims to solve the challenges involved in using honey bees to cross-pollinate in undercover settings.
New map to help safeguard nation’s protected cropping industries
Australian horticulture growers are being urged to contribute to the creation of a high-tech mapping tool
to improve biosecurity preparedness and natural disaster response efforts. The National Protected Cropping Map, an initiative being delivered through Hort Innovation and led by the University of New England’s Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre, will capture the location of commercial, polytunnels, shadehouses, glasshouses and permanent nets in every State and Territory of Australia.
The status of plant biosecurity in Australia
The National Plant Biosecurity Status Report (NPBSR) is the latest comprehensive plant biosecurity resource detailing Australia’s plant biosecurity system and the pre-border, border and post-border activities undertaken in the last year.
Gurra Downs Date Company
"Out of every adversity lays the seed of equal or greater opportunity" ... "if you've got a passion for farming, grazing, cropping or whatever it is, just keep looking through your genetics and the way that you manage your farms and your businesses and your environments" : Dave Reilly
Greenlife industry launches Careers Hub to attract new talent
Greenlife Industry Australia has unveiled its new Careers Hub, an online platform which aims to attract the next generation of talent to the nursery industry. The Greenlife Industry Careers Hub offers a portal to a series of resources relating to careers, education and professional development, to support the attraction, development and retention of workers in the greenlife industry.
Horticulture plots path to a more sustainable future
Growcom has welcomed the release of a new Australian-Grown Horticulture Sustainability Framework by industry R&D corporation Hort Innovation.
Reducing disaster risk through strategic planning at Mt Nathan Nursery
With the increasing risk of natural disasters and extreme weather events, it’s critical that Australian production nurseries are forward planning and implementing risk mitigation strategies that reduce the impact they have on the business and its operations. Operating for over 26 years, Mt Nathan Nursery, located on the Coomera River in the Gold Coast Hinterland, Queensland, is one nursery that made the decision to implement risk mitigation strategies to minimise future stock losses and damage in the event of a natural disaster.
Multi-million dollar farm in the Barkly to boost region’s economy
A representative from the Singleton Horticulture Project was in Tennant this week to chat with businesses and stakeholders about the future of the almost 3,000 square kilometre horticulture lease which will be used to grow grapes and rockmelons. The multi-million dollar project at Singleton Station will be developed in four stages over an eight year period and expected to create thousands of jobs each year in the region.
