New research highlights kiwifruit’s nutritional benefits
Kiwifruit is a nutritional powerhouse; its unassuming skin encases high levels of the key nutrients associated with optimal health. The secret of the kiwifruit’s powerful nutrient density has been unlocked through a body of first-class research which has now been brought together in an impressive reference.....
South Australian potato company collapses
A South Australia-based potato company has collapsed, with its assets now up for sale, following debts in excess of $40 million after a widespread drop in value for potato prices during 2011-12.Corporate advisory firm McGrathNicol has been appointed as receivers and managers to Mondello Farms Group, a.....
Australia's largest pomegranate operation calls it a day
The largest pomegranate orchard in the southern hemisphere has harvested its final crop.Seven years ago, PMG Agriculture planted more than 120,000 pomegranate trees on a farm near Condobolin in central west New South Wales.But its owner Paul McLaughlin says an unfortunate run of events including drought,.....
NZ: PSA levy signed off
The Government has signed off a levy on kiwifruit exports to help cover the cost of managing the outbreak of the Psa vine bacteria, and will hand over management of the disease to industry.Cabinet has approved a 1 cent levy per tray for green fruit and a 2 cent levy for gold fruit and will hand over the.....
AU: Texas wasp eats crop-destroying pest
A bug expert says the best way to control white fly outbreaks isn't with chemicals but with a predator wasp imported from Texas.The hayati wasp was brought to Australia in 2006 by the CSIRO to help fruit and vegetable growers control white fly outbreaks on their farms.Dr Siva Subramaniam, a senior.....
AU: Fresh produce imports increase 19%
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry figures show that the value of imported processed fruit and vegetables has risen from $71 million in 2010-2011, to $116 million in 20111-2012. Fresh fruit and vegetable imports also increased, by 19% over the same period. South West grower Ben Taylor said.....
Banana boon signals end to Elders forestry foray
Australia's largest banana grower may have driven the final nail into the coffin of Elders' failed foray into timber managed investment schemes (MIS) in Queensland.Mackay Bananas has purchased 3,200 hectares in far north Queensland for $10 million, significantly less than the $16 million paid by Elders only.....
AUSVEG launches innovative 1800 Agronomist hotline for vegetable growers
AUSVEG has launched a 1800 Agronomist hotline for vegetable growers, an industry-driven initiative which will be introduced on a national basis to provide technical information and address gaps in knowledge across the industry. AUSVEG spokesperson Andrew White said the hotline would provide vegetable growers.....
Review of Vegetation Management Act welcomed
Peak horticulture body Growcom has given its support to the State Government's proposal to review the Vegetation Management Act to reduce costs and improve environmental outcomes.Growcom's Policy Manager, David Putland, said the industry was pleased that the government had recognised that the current.....
AU: Lychee industry considers US, Asia export
THE Australian lychee industry has revealed ambitious plans to make its own export inroads to Asia and America.While Taiwan and Vietnam have been given the green light for export to Australia, Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) has released an updated Export Development Plan (EDP) for the industry.And.....
Australian ginger industry:
"We must maintain high biosecurity standards for sustainable future."
After over 12 years of negotiations, it appears the path may soon be clear for Fiji to commence exports of ginger to Australia. Australia, with its own ginger industry, capable of meeting the needs of the domestic market, is concerned with protecting its own production from inadvertent breaches of.....
AU: Swan Valley table grape growers fear Californian imports
The Swan Valley Grape Grower's Association says Californian table grape imports have the capability to harm the local industry if allowed into Western Australia for the first time.Swan Valley produces around 60% of Western Australia's total table grape yield, in the region of 5,200 tonnes. The Association.....
Enza Jazz apples in world record attempt
NZ: 18,000 take part in Big Crunch
On Friday 10 May at 2.13pm, 65 schools stretching from Kaitaia to Dunedin, with more than 18,000 pupils, took part in The Big Crunch - an attempt on the world record for the most people eating an apple simultaneously.The current world record is held by a group of American schools from Muskegon County,.....
"Best results will be achieved by national body."
AU: Banana growers meet to discuss industry issues
This week some banana growers from Southern parts of Australia expressed the opinion that they were not getting the benefit of levy funds that they were paying into the national industry. There was even the mention of a separate, regional industrial representation body being set up.In response to this The.....
Pea growers frozen by imports
Around 20 Tasmanian pea growers have been informed by frozen vegetable producer Simplot that they are not required to grow any peas for the company this season, news which comes as another blow for the struggling Australian processed vegetable industry.Growers in the Kindred region of Tasmania, where peas.....
NZ: Gold kiwifruit exports halved
Gold kiwifruit export volumes have dropped more than 50 per cent - but the industry is confident it will bounce back.In 2010/11 it exported 30 million trays of gold compared to 13 million this year.Zespri
general manager of grower and government relations Simon Limmer said
the impacts of Psa had been.....
AU: Tasmanian growers demand quarantine input
Tasmanian fruit growers fear changes to Australia's biosecurity laws will stop the State from setting its own stricter quarantine rules.A Senate inquiry into proposed national changes is hearing form Tasmanian primary producers and processors.A key issue is whether or not Tasmania's regional differences will.....
Citrus inquiry draws few Riverland submissions
South Australian Senator Anne Ruston says she is disappointed that only a handful of Riverland citrus growers have contributed to a Senate inquiry into the industry.Senator Ruston says a lack of local submissions could mean the region is bypassed when the inquiry hosts public hearings in July.More than 40.....
Apple and Pear Australia:
"Consumer behaviour needs to change"
Australia's peak apple and pear body is reminding consumers to buy local or risk losing Australian products from supermarket shelves.It comes ahead of a rally at Shepparton in Victoria's Goulburn Valley tomorrow to support struggling fruit growers and cannery SPC Ardmona.John Durham, managing director of.....
AU: Fruit fly control efforts extended in outbreak zones
The Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) has praised growers for their proactive approach to tackling Queensland fruit fly.The time frame for control programs in outbreak areas of Sunraysia, including Barham and Tooleybuc, has been extended until May 2014.The DEPI's Gary D'Arcy says the.....
AU: Shire ready to help SPC-impacted orchard workers
The Moira Shire Council has activated its employment response plan to help orchard workers hit by the SPC Ardmona decision to cut the intake from some fruit growers and reduce the quotas of others by up to half.The council will hold a meeting in Cobram late on Thursday afternoon for orchard staff,.....
AU: New South Wales banana growers critical of national body
A mid north coast banana grower said in five years he's seen no benefit from a national levyThe Australian Banana Growers Council introduced the levy in 2008 to raise money for industry research and development, and promotion.Coffs Harbour grower Paul Shoker said the Queensland based national body has.....
Jazz apples
NZ: "One of the best apple seasons on record"
The first New Zealand Jazz apples arrived in Europe this week and Rosstan Mazey, Global Marketing Manager, said it has been an outstanding growing season, "It looks likes being one of the best apple seasons on record. We had a hot, dry Summer which has given us good brix levels and good colour. There was.....
NZ: G3 is the future of kiwi industry
More than 150 kiwifruit growers attended a recent Direct Management Services information evening to learn more about the company's offer to convert part of their orchards to the new G3 gold variety - at no cost to growers.Around one third of those who attended the meeting formally expressed their interest in.....
AU: Third fruit fly outbreak in Adelaide
There has been a third fruit fly outbreak for the year in Adelaide, at suburban Royal Park.A fly was found in a detection trap on Monday.A quarantine area has been declared at Royal Park, Albert Park, Hendon and in parts of Seaton, West Lakes, Cheltenham, Alberton and Queenstown.People in the quarantine zone.....
Kim McCosker unveils sweet Aussie mandarin treats
Author of Australia’s number one selling cookbooks, 4 Ingredients, and Citrus Australia mandarin ambassador, Kim McCosker, has unveiled a range of delicious Aussie mandarin recipes to celebrate the start of the 2013 Australian mandarin season.The mouth-watering recipes, which include entrees, mains, desserts.....
AU: Dry Summer takes toll on crops
Potato growers near Ballarat say they might not have enough water to grow crops next year after a hot, dry summer.Norm Suckling is a potato farmer near Ballarat, who is nearly finished this year's harvest.He says the current harvest is producing yields that are down 10 to 15 per cent on last year.Mr Suckling.....
New Zespri Director named
Jonathon Mason has been appointed as a new independent director to replace John Loughlin on the Zespri Board.Mr Loughlin retired from the board on April 30, following 11 years of service. He was chairman of the board from August 2008 until November last year.Mr Mason is currently Fonterra's chief financial.....
NZ: Irradiated tomatoes a chance for "sound and robust" labelling
Historically Australia has used a dimethoate dip to ensure the tomatoes and capsicums it exports are free from Queensland fruit fly. However, the chemical treatment has now been phased out, which for biosecurity reasons, has led to a cessation in exports. Now the Queensland government has applied to export.....
Asian markets promising for table grape future
Volumes of Australian table grapes have been good this year, according to Jeff Scott, CEO of the Australian Table Grape Association. In fact, if anything, they may have been a bit too good."This year we had extraordinarily high volumes from our early season northern producers. This meant there was still a.....
NZ: EastPack reports PSA reduced profits
EastPack, has announced a reduced profit for the past year, reflecting the impact of the bacterial vine disease PSA.The co-operative, which merged with Satara this year, recorded profit for the past financial year of $7.5 million before tax. That compares with a $10.6 million net profit in 2011.Revenue.....
Horticulture's leading ladies to shine at AUSVEG National Convention
They are often the unseen, forgotten faces who play a fundamental role in driving the Australian horticulture industry. Whether hidden behind the scenes or leading their peers in the limelight, today's women in horticulture are definitely a vital part of the industry.The 2013 AUSVEG Women in Horticulture.....
AU: Mandarin sales up 10% in a year
Consumer trends that see people eating at their desk in front of the computer or otherwise "on the go" is seeing mandarins overtake oranges for the first time. Riverland mandarin marketer and grower Ben Cant said that modern culture made easy peeling fruit more desirable. This can be seen in retail.....
AU: Good apple season despite reduced yield
The Apple and Pear Growers Association of South Australia says the quality of apples this season has been excellent.Growers in the Riverland, south-east and Adelaide Hills are busy picking Pink Lady varieties before the season ends at the end of the month.Chief executive Susie Green says it has been a.....
11 seed suppliers and 64 machines on display:
Australia: Vegetable trends on show at expo
Thousands of growers and visitors from around the world travelled to Werribee to see the National Vegetable Expo this week. The expo ran yesterday and today at the DPI vegetable trials site on Dairy Rd. The event attracted 11 seed exhibitors and 64 machinery displays. New varieties of lettuce, broccoli and.....
AU: Ginger growers voice concern over Fiji imports
Australian ginger growers are concerned over recent news that Fiji could start exporting ginger to the country as soon as this October. The plans for the trade are being made, despite the fact that the Senate Inquiry surrounding it is not due to finish until next month. Earlier this year, DAFF concluded a.....
AUSVEG National Convention
Master of media to be Master of Ceremonies
Excitement continues to build around the 2013 AUSVEG National Convention, Trade Show and Awards for Excellence, with well-known media personality Mr Mike Jeffreys confirmed as Master of Ceremonies for the event. On loan from Sydney’s 2UE radio station, Mr Jeffreys boasts a career spanning from print media to.....
Australia heading for year round blueberry supply
Australia is soon to have a year round supply of domestically grown blueberries. Currently the various locations of plantings across the country offer fruit for around 9-10 months, starting in June. Peter McPherson, Treasurer of the Australian Blueberry Growers Association, says, "The varying length of.....
AU: 200kg produce seized at fruit fly roadblocks
About 200 kilograms of fruit has been seized in a random roadblock in South Australia's Riverland.Biosecurity SA last week inspected more than 600 vehicles at Blanchetown, to coincide with the school holidays and the Anzac Day public holiday.Compliance manager Mark Langman says it found fruit and vegetables.....
Australia: Vegetable expo doesn't attract ministers
The Australian State government will not have a representative at the National Vegetable Expo at Werribee this week. Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh declined to attend, and no other minister was sent in his place, despite the fact the expo represents Australia's $3,023 million vegetable industry, which.....
Research to see of tomatoes and grapes key to UV damage
In a new study, Australian researchers will determine if extracts from tomatoes and grapes can bolster the skin’s ability to fend off UV damage and improve its ability to repair following UV exposure.The study is being launched by the Australasian Research Institute, the research arm of the Sydney Adventist.....
Companies to collaborate more in future
Turners & growers abandons Zespri appeal
Turners & Growers' abandoned appeal in its long-running legal feud with kiwifruit marketer Zespri has led to a commercial partnership with the company to protect the "best interests of the kiwifruit industry."The listed fresh produce company was yesterday set to appeal against High Court ruling in favour.....
AUSVEG endorses SPC Ardmona’s calls for Emergency Safeguard action
The Australian vegetable industry today has endorsed calls from SPC Ardmona Managing Director Peter Kelly for Emergency Safeguard action to be put in place out of concerns for the damage and injury being caused to the local horticultural industry. Emergency Safeguard actions which are permitted under the.....
Australian growers hit back on irradiated tomatoes "scaremongering"
The debate over importing Australian tomatoes which have been zapped with radiation has been driven by fierce trans-Tasman rivalry rather than legitimate food safety concerns, growers in Australia.New Zealand growers have raised concerns that supermarkets could be stocking irradiated Australian tomatoes and.....
Banana industry plans internet data portal
The Australian banana industry is seeking tenders for suppliers to build a banana production and marketing information system to improve the resilience of an industry sometimes hit by cyclones and often threatened by overseas pests and diseases.The tender is being managed by Horticulture Australia Ltd, The.....
Breakfast of champions at Ausveg national convention
One of the most highly-rated events of the 2012 AUSVEG Convention, the Agribusiness Leaders Breakfast, is returning again with an all-star panel that will inform and enlighten. “We’re lucky enough to have secured four of agribusiness’ most prominent leaders to join Convention delegates at this exciting.....
AU: Woolworths backs parallel importing
Woolworths Ltd has established a team to expand its parallel importing of products from international locations in order to reduce prices, The Australian Financial Review reports.Woolworths, which has accused suppliers of earning excessive profits in Australia by charging local retailers higher wholesale.....
AU: Ginger crop down 20%
The Australian Ginger Growers Association says this year's crop is expected to be 20 per cent down on previous years.President Anthony Rehbein says growers were battling a drought when flooding rains devastated their farms."We've estimated we're around 1,000 tonne down, which is probably around 20 per cent.....
AU: Fruit growers want grants not tariffs
Fruit growers in Victoria's Goulburn Valley say they need more than just low interest loans offered by the Federal Government.Sixty growers who no longer have contracts to supply cannery SPC Armdona instead want a restructure package with a combination of exit grants, funds for removal of trees and a program.....
Food growth leading the way in retail sales
While the latest AFGC CHEP Retail Index indicates that consumer confidence remains shaky and retail growth is lacklustre, ABS statistics show that food is in a better position than other retail sectors.The Index is a collaborative project between the Australian Food and Grocery Council and CHEP Australia,.....
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