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THE AUSTRALIAN STRAWBERRY NUMBER 46 JULY 2017
INDUSTRY NEWSLETTER
IN THIS ISSUE NATIONAL STRAWBERRY
National Strawberry Breeding
Program Update
1
BREEDING PROGRAM UPDATE
Plant development and temperature
Jodi Neal, Mark Herrington, and the rest of the National Strawberry
influence on fruit size in Queensland Breeding Team
strawberry crops
4
Benefits of the Yarra Valley Pest Free
Place of Production. Bobby Cincotta –
Wombat Berries, Wandin North
6
QSGA awarded commercial licence of
sub-tropical strawberry varieties
8
Biosecurity – it’s your responsibility
too
10
HARPS hits the right note for growers
and retailers
12 Figure 1: Producers assessing strawberry selections from the clonal trial at the Wandin field day,
November 2016.
The Australian Brand
T
14 he last 12 months have been individual selections (Figure 1). We were
Towards market recognition for fair very productive for the National also able to host the second day of the
farm employers Breeding Program, with two Victorian Strawberry Forum at Wandin,
15 subtropical varieties released to industry, where we provided an update on our
and two more in the process of being temperate breeding program and ran a
Advertorial
released. We have assisted Strawberries tour of the site.
Transitions to substrate production
Australia (SAI) in distributing four
16
temperate SAI and Hort Innovation About the National Breeding Program
News & Events selections for national on-farm testing. The breeding program looks to help
24 On-farm testing has also commenced create a nationally more profitable
for 10 newly developed temperate strawberry industry with the major
selections and 3 advanced subtropical specific objectives of the program being
Strawberry Innovation is a national industry selections. to:
development program, focused on improving national
communication and coordination across the whole Our variety ‘Red Rhapsody’ is • deliver varieties with more efficient
of the Australian strawberry industry. The project
(BS15002) has been funded by Horticulture Innovation
proving popular this season, and has production of robust, attractive,
Australia Limited using the strawberry levy and funds seen excellent uptake by producers. flavourful fruit;
from the Australian Government.
QSGA has also been working closely • meet changing market and
with agents and supermarkets in recent environmental demands; and
months to ensure that the naturally • target temperate, subtropical and
deep rose-red colour of ‘Red Rhapsody’ Mediterranean production areas and
fruit is recognised and accepted by the needs.
larger chains. The work is funded by Hort Innovation
In November last year we held a field using the strawberry research and
day at the Wandin Strawberry Research development levy and contributions
Centre, where the majority of our from the Australian Government, in
breeding for the temperate production addition to funding from the Queensland
region is undertaken. We considered the Government through the Department
day highly successful, and received a lot of Agriculture and Fisheries.
of valuable feedback from producers on In making selections we focus on both
1
Above: Figure 2 - Progression of breeding selections from cross to
commercial release.
Right: Figure 3 - One of the temperate selections currently being
trialled nationally on-farm.
Above Right: Figure 4 - Fruit from ‘Albion’ and one of the temperate
14-series selections currently being trialled on-farm.
Far Right: Figure 5 - Selection 2013-055, currently being processed for
release for the subtropical production region.
consumer-related traits, and the traits our last update, which has enabled to the hotter conditions that may
important for profitable fruit production. us to get 10 advanced, 14-series occur with climate change. We have
The consumer traits that we measure selections out onto farms this season 216 selections being tested this year
include flavour, sweetness, acidity, for assessment by producers (Figure in early-stage clonal trials across the
external and internal colours, overall 4). These 10 selections were chosen two sites, and 13 advanced selections.
visual impact, and shelf life. Producer- in collaboration with the industry’s We also currently have three advanced
related traits include total yield, yield Temperate Node Reference Group, and 2014 selections being trialled in on-farm
patterns over the season, fruit size and feedback from producers collected at trials for their second year, and the best
shape, bruise and abrasion resistance, the field day at the Wandin Research of these will be commercialised next
plant size, truss characteristics and ease Centre last November. Next year, the year.
of picking. Producer traits are weighted most promising of these selections will
in an economic analysis that allows us be trialled on a larger number of farms Mediterranean node update
to predict which selections are likely to and the best then positioned for release Our breeding focus for Western
be the most profitable to produce. We to industry. Australia’s Mediterranean zone is
also screen all advanced selections and This year at the Wandin Research the development of cultivars for the
parents for resistances to the crown rot Centre we generated and planted international fruit export market. This is
diseases Macrophomina (Charcoal rot), another 13,000 seedlings from to build on the Mediterranean region’s
Fusarium and Colletotrichum. controlled cross-pollinations between strong historical orientation toward
Large numbers of genetically unique 15 parents. Of last year’s seedlings, 99 export, its commercial connections and
seedling plants are produced each year have been clonally propagated and are market knowledge. We expect that this
for each production environment. The being assessed in this year’s clonal trial, focus will allow capacity building with
best of these are progressed to clonally along with the 10 selections from the later inclusion of the eastern production
replicated trials, first on research 14-series. We have also established a regions into a nationally-integrated,
centres for one to two years (‘early’ and second smaller trial of temperate type international export market strategy.
‘advanced’ clonal trials) and then on material at DAF’s Applethorpe Research This year, nearly 2,000 seedlings, plus
farms of producer’s (‘on-farm’ trials) for Facility near Stanthorpe in Queensland, 18 selections from the last two years,
an additional one to two years (Figure containing 1,500 seedlings, along with have been planted north of Perth for
2). Selections considered promising at 31 early and advanced selections. assessment (Figure 6).
the end of the process are commercially
released. Subtropical node update Alternative production systems
‘Sundrench’ and ‘Parisienne Kiss’ have Due to increasing interest in hydroponic
Temperate node update now been released and have received (substrate) culture nationally, for the
Four selections from the earlier SAI and positive initial responses from industry. past few years we have been running
Hort Innovation Southern Breeding These varieties have large fruit and small seedling and clonal trials under
Program have been distributed are early bearing, similar to ‘Red this production system at the Maroochy
nationally by SAI for on-farm trials, and Rhapsody’, with brighter red colouring. Research Facility. We hope to expand
we expect will be progressed towards An additional two selections are now this work to the temperate environment
commercial release in the near future. in the process of commercial release: in the next couple of years. ‘Red
Three of the selections are from the 2013-055 (Figure 5) and 2013-027. Small Rhapsody’ is also performing well in this
05-series (short day: 05-027-001 and 05- numbers of these are expected to be system.
028-055, day neutral: 05-069-063) and available next season for planting.
one is a day neutral from the 08-series This year we have planted 10,400 Disease resistance screening
(08-042-022) (Figure 3). seedlings from 73 parents at the Disease resistance screening of
A major aim in the temperate node Maroochy and Bundaberg Research breeding selections is continuing for
is to reduce the time from crossing to Facilities for assessment. Bundaberg the crown wilt diseases Macrophomina
commercial release. We have continued has been chosen as a trial location with (Charcoal rot), Colletotrichum and
to make good progress on this since the aim of producing varieties adapted Fusarium. We have identified both
2
temperate and subtropical selections
with relatively high levels of resistance
to Charcoal rot.
Colletotrichum screening is
continuing and selections with high
levels of resistance, and close-to-
commercial fruit quality, are currently
being back-crossed with advanced
selections. This should produce future
selections with high Colletotrichum
resistance, as well as superior consumer
and production traits.
Figure 6: Western Australian 2017 seedling and clonal trials.
In the last 12 months, 232 selections
have been screened for Fusarium The National Strawberry Breeding support staff).
resistance. Most of the advanced Team Western Australia: Aileen Reid
selections and recently-released Maroochy Research Facility (DAF): Dr (Mediterranean zone co-ordinator,
varieties from the subtropical node Mark Herrington (Principal Breeder), previously Horticulture Development
were resistant or moderately resistant. Dr Jodi Neal (Breeder), Lien Ko (DNA Officer, Department of Agriculture and
Sources of Fusarium resistance have cultivar identification, molecular virus Food, Western Australia).
been identified in temperate varieties, indexing, Colletotrichum crown rot
and are being incorporated into the resistance), Michelle Paynter (tissue Acknowledgements:
temperate breeding population. culture production, biological virus We thank the Strawberry Variety
indexing, Fusarium wilt resistance), Steering Committee (SVSC) for their
Tell us your thoughts and suggestions Apollo Gomez (inoculum production support and assistance. We also thank
for improvement and disease identification and control, the producers who host and collect
One of the guiding principles of the Macrophomina crown rot resistance), data from on-farm evaluation trials, and
breeding work is to foster the exchange Louella Woolcock (field and glasshouse everyone who has provided feedback at
of ideas, so please contact project leader subtropical operations manager, field days. This project has been funded
Mark Herrington (mark.herrington@daf. subtropical grower trials liaison), Dale by Hort Innovation using the strawberry
qld.gov.au) or co-lead Jodi Neal (jodi. McKenna, Mary Grace, Jean Douglas research and development levy and
neal@daf.qld.gov.au) if you want more (operations support staff). funds from the Australian Government,
information. We value your thoughts and Wandin Research Centre (DAF): and also the Queensland Government
appreciate your feedback (information, Karen Spencer (field and glasshouse through the Department of Agriculture
advice or constructive comments) for temperate operations coordinator), and Fisheries.
the project team. Susan Hibbit and Alan Noon (operations
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3
PLANT DEVELOPMENT
AND TEMPERATURE
INFLUENCE ON FRUIT
SIZE IN QUEENSLAND
STRAWBERRY CROPS
Christopher Menzel, Queensland Department of
Agriculture and Fisheries
Summary There were
One of the major issues affecting 12.8 leaves Small fruit adds to the costs of picking berries.
strawberry production in south-east per plant
Queensland, and other growing on the controls at the start of the Defoliation, and defoliation + thinning
regions, is the production of small fruit. experiment on 28 June (Day 1), and 10.1 decreased fruit weight by about 1 or 2
Small fruit reduce marketable yields, flowers and immature fruit per plant. g compared with the control, whereas
and increases the cost of harvesting the There were no mature fruit on the plants thinning had the reverse effect. In the
crop. One study from Italy showed that at this time. Information was collected current experiment, the plants were
for every one gram increase in average on yield, fruit production and average able to produce new leaves, flowers and
fruit fresh weight, the cost of harvesting fruit fresh weight every week over the fruit after the treatments were applied.
was reduced by about €500 (~$750 following 16 weeks until late October. The effect of defoliation on yield was
AUD) per ha. Fruit were classified as mature when greater than the effect on fruit size.
An experiment was conducted they were 75% coloured. The fruit were There is often a good relationship
to investigate the effect of plant classified as marketable (12 g or greater) between productivity and leaf area
development and temperature on or non-marketable (less than 12 g). expansion in strawberries. In contrast,
fruit growth in ‘Festival’ strawberries there are few studies linking fruit size to
growing on the Sunshine Coast in What we found leaf area expansion. A study from Poland
Queensland. Groups of plants were Defoliation, thinning, or defoliation + examined the relationship between fruit
defoliated to remove half of the mature thinning decreased yield (total and/or weight and leaf area in seven cultivars
leaves on each plant, thinned to remove marketable) compared with the control with small leaves and six cultivars with
all the inflorescences carrying flowers (see Table 1). Defoliation, or defoliation large leaves. Mean fruit weight was 7.6
and fruit on each plant, or defoliated + thinning decreased fruit weight (total g and 9.1 g in the two groups of plants,
and thinned. Control plants were left and/or marketable fruit) compared and there was a strong correlation
intact. The main objective of the study with control, whereas thinning had between fruit weight and total leaf area
was determine whether changes in leaf the opposite effect. The incidence of per plant in the sample. Further studies
area and crop load affected the decline small fruit increased towards the end are required to determine whether this
in fruit weight that typically occurs as of the growing season. There were response occurs in cultivars grown in
the season progresses in Queensland. weak negative relationships between Queensland.
Information was collected on the fruit weight, and the number or weight The average daily mean temperature
relationship between fruit size and of fruit on a plant during the early and from April to September at Nambour
temperature in the different treatments. middle part of the season. Fruit weight has increased by about 2.0oC from
The study found that defoliation was strongly related to average daily 1965 to 2015. In the current study, fruit
decreased fruit size, while thinning had mean temperature in the seven weeks weight decreased by about 4.5 g for
the reverse effect. Fruit size declined as before the fruit were harvested in the every degree Celsius above a daily
temperature increased over the season, different treatments (see Figure 1). Fruit mean temperature of 16oC. Overall,
irrespective of defoliation or thinning. weight decreased from 24 g to 8 g as the response to temperature was
Overall, the effect of temperature on the temperature increased from 16o to greater than the response to defoliation
fruit weight was greater than the effect 20oC. or thinning. Increasing the leaf area
of leaf area or crop load. supporting the developing crop through
Implications for commercial strawberry plant breeding might improve fruit size
What we did production in Queensland. The strong effect of
An experiment was conducted to Removing the leaves, flowers and fruit temperature on fruit growth indicates
investigate the effect of removing leaves, changed plant dry matter production. that production on the Sunshine Coast
flowers and fruit on the development There was some recovery in the plants might be a problem in the absence of
of ‘Festival’ strawberry plants growing after the treatments were applied, with heat-tolerant cultivars.
at Nambour, Queensland. Groups of new leaves and flowers initiated in the
plants had 50% of their mature leaves defoliated and thinned plants. Total yield Acknowledgements
removed, or all their inflorescences was reduced by about 15% when plants The Queensland government has
carrying flowers and fruit removed, or were defoliated or thinned compared funded the research through the
both treatments applied. Control plants with the control, and by about 21% Queensland Department of Agriculture
were left undefoliated and unthinned. when they were defoliated and thinned. and Fisheries.
4
" $
! !
#
"
"
! !
Figure 1: Relationship between average fruit fresh weight (marketable + non-marketable) and
average daily mean temperature in the seven weeks before the fruit were harvested in ‘Festival’
strawberries. Data show the relationships for the four different treatments. First, there are the
relationships for the whole 16-week season in the control (red) and the defoliation treatment
(blue). Second, there are the relationships when the fruit were harvested from all the treatments
over the last 12 weeks in the control, and in the defoliation, thinning (green), and defoliation +
thinning (yellow) treatments. Data are the means of four replicates per treatment.
Sorting and weighing berries from research
trials.
Treatment Yield (g per plant) Average fruit fresh weight (g)
MKT Non-MKT Total MKT Non-MKT Total
Control 853 138 991 19.0 8.9 16.4
Defoliation 676 157 834 18.3 9.1 15.3
Thinning 725 118 843 19.9 8.8 17.4
Defoliation + 651 130 780 18.6 8.8 15.9
thinning
Table 1: Effect of defoliation and thinning on yield and average fruit fresh weight in ‘Festival’
strawberries. The plants had half of the mature leaves removed or all the inflorescences carrying
flowers and fruit removed in June. Data are the means of four replicates per treatment. MKT =
marketable fruit and Non-MKT = non-marketable fruit (less than 12 g). Large commercial fruit of Festival
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BENEFITS OF THE YARRA
VALLEY PEST FREE PLACE
OF PRODUCTION
BOBBY CINCOTTA –
WOMBAT BERRIES, WANDIN NORTH
Angela Atkinson, Strawberry Industry Development Officer
Bobby Cincotta
V
ictoria’s Yarra Valley, north-east Australia, South Australia and Tasmania fruit for QFF is not really any more work
of Melbourne, is an important without the need to treat it for QFF. All than the other checks they do anyway
production area for a range of fruit growing businesses within the PFPP to ensure the produce is pest-free, and
fruit crops, not only strawberries, which area are able to participate. the cost of accreditation under the PFPP
are potential hosts of Queensland fruit Bobby Cincotta from Wombat is relatively low per year. Market access
fly (QFF). Berries in Wandin, is one of a number is not the only advantage of the PFPP,
During 2013, changes to the of strawberry growers in the Yarra Valley as the cost of managing QFF, if it were
management of QFF in Victoria meant who have had accreditation under to get into the Yarra Valley, could be
that fruit exported to QFF sensitive the PFPP in the Yarra Valley since its upwards of several hundred dollars per
markets had to undergo disinfestation inception. hectare per year.
treatment. To avoid this, Yarra Valley Accreditation under this scheme Last month, the funding for trap
strawberry, cherry and rubus (raspberry allows growers like Bobby access into monitoring on properties, through
and blackberry) growers, together other markets without the need for Horticulture Innovation and Agriculture
with Horticulture Innovation Australia fumigation of produce. Bobby says the Victoria, ended and will now be
Limited, Agribusiness Yarra Valley and accreditation has been good for them, funded by the fee paid by participating
Agriculture Victoria, funded a project particularly early in the season, and has businesses for their accreditation.
aimed at developing a Pest Free Place allowed them to send around 80 pallets Monitoring of traps in the buffer zone
of Production (PFPP) program in the of strawberries to Tasmania this season. surrounding the Yarra Valley will still
region. He also said the ability to send their be funded. As part of his commitment
PFPP status was achieved in 2014, produce into other markets means their to the YV PFPP, Bobby has volunteered
and is maintained, using an extensive produce is supplied to order, and there to sit on the new committee formed to
network of monitored QFF traps to is no selling off the market floor, helping oversee the transition to this user-pays
verify the region as being free of QFF. to maintain the price for their berries. system. Bobby hopes other growers in
Legislation is also in place to control Initially Bobby was concerned the region will become part of the PFPP
fruit marketing in the region. Agriculture about how much extra work would be too, as the more traps that are out there
Victoria negotiated acceptance of the involved, but has found it very simple. on farms, the more likely it is that the
PFPP with interstate counterparts based Packed fruit is inspected in the shed, Yarra Valley can remain free of QFF, and
upon this program. and a form is completed and attached maintain its market access. As Bobby
Accredited Yarra Valley fruit growers to each pallet. Stickers are applied to says, “Any avenue to sell our produce is
are able to send their produce to fruit every few boxes identifying the source a good thing”.
fly sensitive markets including Western of the berries. He said inspecting the
6
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QSGA AWARDED
COMMERCIAL LICENCE
OF SUB-TROPICAL
STRAWBERRY VARIETIES
Jennifer Rowling, Strawberry
Industry Development Officer
C
ommercialisation for strawberry Project. QSGA’s significant experience runner producers have been extremely
varieties developed under the in managing issues around intellectual supportive throughout the process and
sub-tropical breeding program is property and propagation, together with the QSGA would like to acknowledge
now the responsibility of the Queensland the ability to promote the varieties to the and thank them for their support.
Strawberry Growers Association wider industry in Australia, contributed
(QSGA). QSGA has been awarded the to the success of the tender submission. Marketing of sub-tropical varieties
Master Licence for commercialisation in The collaborative partnership will Initial estimates from the sale of
Australia. ensure access to varieties managed runners for the 2017 winter production
Through a stringent tender process, under this program to all strawberry season indicates a significant increase
the QSGA demonstrated their capacity producers, regardless of location, farm in planting of Queensland bred,
the Department of Agriculture and size, distribution/marketing networks or sub-tropical varieties over previous
Fisheries (DAF) as a suitable commercial business partnerships. years, particularly with Red Rhapsody.
business partner. This will be to Sub-licences have been issued Considering the darkness in colour
manage the licence and facilitate the to both Stanthorpe based runner associated with this variety and others
evaluation and commercialisation of producers (Sweet’s Strawberry Runners under the program including Suncoast
current and future sub-tropical varieties and Red Jewel) and the Toolangi Runner Delight, QSGA is preparing to launch
developed by the National Breeding Grower’s Co-operative in Victoria. All a marketing campaign to increase
GROWERS OF QUALITY CERTIFIED STRAWBERRY PLANTS SINCE 1960
Suppliers of “World’s Best” varieties
Please Contact our office on:
Ph: (03) 5962 9220 | Fax: (03) 5962 9416 | Email: admin@tcsrgco-op.com.au
8
consumer awareness and acceptance of the direction of the breeding program intake, based on current compositional
darker varieties. and to provide feedback that will assist data (NUTTAB database) per serve of
Members at a recent QSGA General their breeders with understanding retail strawberries (144g).
Meeting voted in favour of a portion of sales of fresh produce and what the In addition, the total anthocyanin
the business management fees received consumer wants. Further meetings with content in the commercial cultivars was
through the commercial licence being retailers are planned and it is hoped that at the higher end of literature reports for
allocated to a marketing and PR this process will build closer working commercial strawberries. This was not
campaign. The goal of this campaign relationships with industry for the future. unexpected due to the fact that many of
will be to highlight the nutritional the commercial varieties grown in South
benefits of darker varieties, whilst also Nutritional benefits to be highlighted East Queensland are deep red in colour.
promoting all varieties with the view to In 2015, QSGA funded a project Apart from the health benefits linked
increasing overall sales. The QSGA will undertaken by DAF in collaboration to the content of macro and micro
be working with a PR company to ensure with The University of Queensland (UQ) nutrients, the lowering of LDL (‘bad’)
that the campaign is well coordinated and Technical University of Munich cholesterol is the specific health benefit
and implemented. (TUM) to further investigate the health from strawberry consumption with
The QSGA recently met with benefits of strawberries in comparison the strongest evidence. The average
Woolworths and will be working closely to current nutritional information. The anthocyanin content (90 mg/100 g fruit)
with retailers on a range of initiatives project was undertaken to provide for seven of the tested cultivars was seen
over time to increase both staff and an up to date compilation of the to be higher relative to the majority of
consumer awareness of the range composition and health benefits of cultivars analysed in previous studies.
of colours available now and in the strawberries, and to characterise the
future through the Queensland based nutrient and phytochemical content Acknowledgments
breeding program. Varieties currently and bio-accessibility of Queensland We sincerely thank DAF, HIA, Australian
being developed through the program grown commercial strawberry varieties runner growers and also Queensland
range in colour from the very dark red and genotypes. The health claims and strawberry fruit growers for their
through to a soft peach, and there is labelling information that were detailed support during this commercialisation
potential for the development of a in the final report are now available to process. In particular, we would like to
white sweet strawberry. be used for Queensland grown fruit. acknowledge the DAF breeding team
Some of these varieties, if In summary, the project found that led by Dr Mark Herrington and Dr Jodi
determined viable, will only be suitable the best opportunities for promoting Neal for developing varieties which
for niche markets and won’t necessarily the nutrient content of Queensland are adapted to sub-tropical growing
be appropriate for mass sale through grown strawberries are in fibre, iron, conditions, and which we hope will
major supermarkets and retailers, but folate and Vitamin C. Each of these increase the profitability of all sections
QSGA and DAF feel that it’s important nutrients is at greater than 10% of the of the Australian strawberry industry.
for the supermarkets to understand recommended dietary intake (RDI)/daily
9
BIOSECURITY – IT’S YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY TOO
Rebekah Pierce, Plant Biosecurity Officer – Industry, NSW DPI
G
ood biosecurity practices Signage should
are essential to protect your be used to inform
property and the industry visitors that biosecurity
against the entry, establishment and practices are in place.
spread of exotic plant pests and their Use signage to
impacts. Exotic plant pests can affect direct all traffic to a
farmers and industry stakeholders as designated parking
well as trade and communities. It is area where visitors can
important that everyone plays their make themselves known and vehicles overseas is spotted wing Drosophila.
part in biosecurity by preparing for, and and clothing can be assessed for risk. This plant pest has been identified as
managing, biosecurity threats. Monitor your berries for plant pests high priority exotic plant pests in berry
While Australia’s geographic isolation and familiarise yourself and your biosecurity plans. Plant Health Australia
and national quarantine systems provide employees with pests and diseases has prepared the plans in collaboration
some protection against harmful exotic commonly seen in your crop. Keep an with industry and technical experts.
pests being introduced, there will eye out for any new or unusual pests Awareness and identifying these
always be some risk to Australia. Natural or diseases and make sure employees plant pests early are essential for
dispersal, such as by wind, or assisted know who to alert if they spot something successful containment and eradication
dispersal from tourism and imports unusual. should they be introduced to Australia.
provide pathways for exotic pests to be Use pest-free propagation material Further information on strawberry
introduced to our shores. sourced from reputable suppliers biosecurity and other high priority
to avoid introducing new pests and plant pests is available on the Plant
Farm biosecurity diseases to your property. Health Australia website (www.
Newly introduced plant pests can easily Keep records that allow all materials planthealthaustralia.com.au).
be spread on plant material, clothing, moving on and off your property to If you think you have seen any other
vehicles and equipment. be traced, as well as movement of exotic plant pest or disease, call the
Come clean go clean as vehicles, contractors, vehicles and visitors. Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084
farm equipment and people can carry Report suspect plant pests and 881.
plant pests on and off your property, diseases to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline An exotic plant pest is a disease
especially associated with soil or plant 1800 084 881. causing organism or an invertebrate
material. Clean down between farms, not present in Australia that threatens
including vehicles and footwear. Use an Berry biosecurity agricultural production, forestry or
on farm vehicle where possible when on One of the most threatening exotic native and amenity plants.
a property to prevent cross infection. plant pests affecting strawberries
SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA (DROSOPHILA SUZUKII)
Affected berries: strawberries, Spread: Adults can fly short
blueberries, raspberries, blackberries distances. A larger spread occurs when
and boysenberries. fruit infested with eggs or larvae is
Damage: Spotted wing Drosophila moved.
females attack healthy ripening fruit, Distribution: Spotted wing
depositing eggs under the skin. Larvae Drosophila originates in South east
develop and feed inside causing fruit Asia and has spread rapidly through
breakdown and secondary disease North America, Europe and Japan’s
Adult spotted wing Drosophila on fruit.
Source: Celmson University. infection. fruit producing regions
Description: Adults are small yellow–
brown flies 2–3 mm long. Adults have Acknowledgements
red eyes and black stripes across the This information is sourced from the
abdomen. Adults can be distinguished Berry plant protection guide 2016-17
from similar species in Australia by the published by the NSW Government
female’s ability to lay eggs in healthy Department of Primary Industries.
fruit and by the black spot on the This project was funded by
male’s wingtips. Horticulture Innovation Australia
Larvae are cream, 0.6 mm and Limited using The Australian Blueberry
noticeable in rotting flesh. Affected Growers’ association levy with co
Spotted wing Drosophila larvae in strawberry. fruit will break down and become investment from NSW DPI and funds
Source: Hannah Burrack, North Carolina
discoloured. from the Australian Government.
State University.
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03 5133 9118 www.omnia.com.au 03 5133 9118 www.omnia.com.auHARPS HITS THE RIGHT NOTE FOR
GROWERS AND RETAILERS
Richard Bennett, Head of Food Safety & Technology, PMA A-NZ & Fresh Produce Safety Centre A-NZ
O
ver 270 audits have now been additional food safety elements that audits being conducted in 2017 must
conducted under the new Australian retailers had developed include the HARPS standard.
Harmonised Australian Retailer over the last fifteen or so years into Indirect suppliers are those who
Produce Scheme (HARPS), and the one combined standard under HARPS. supply product to direct suppliers on
feedback from audited businesses, These were previously in retailer- its way to the five chain retailers. This
auditors and retailers has been very specific standards, codes, checklists includes growers supplying packers,
positive. and addendums. The HARPS standard and packers who are not packing into
Following a four-year development is audited at the same time as the base retailer-branded packaging. From 1st
period, the Horticulture Innovation standard. All participating retailers are January 2019, indirect suppliers will be
Australia (HIA)-funded Scheme was now accepting direct suppliers certified required to be certified to one of the
launched in October 2016. against the appropriate base standard four base standards (BRC, Freshcare,
This world-first initiative has plus the HARPS standard. GLOBALG.A.P. or SQF). Codex HACCP
harmonised the food safety certification Direct suppliers to the chain will no longer be accepted. Indirect
requirements of Australian chain retailers retailers are growers, grower-packers suppliers are not required to be certified
in order to reduce the duplication of and wholesalers/brokers who pack to the HARPS standard but can do so if
food safety audits previously required into retailer-branded packaging and/ they wish. It is interesting to note that
when a direct supplier has multiple retail or invoice the retailer. This includes some are wanting to.
customers. The project has been made sub-contract packers and co-packers. The HARPS project has been
possible by the strong collaboration Retailer-branded packaging includes supported by the Australian Competition
between the participating retailers – crates, cartons, bins and other and Consumer Commission and the
ALDI, Coles, Costco, Metcash/IGA and packaging that bears the retailer’s name Australian Food and Grocery Council.
Woolworths. on tags, labels or film or the package HARPS is managed by PMA Australia-
The new harmonised arrangement is itself. New Zealand, with the Project Team, led
fairly simple. Direct suppliers are required HARPS applies to whole fruit, whole by Kitchener Partners, actively engaged
to be certified to the standard in one of vegetables and nuts-in-shell. HARPS with a range of stakeholders.
four globally recognised schemes (BRC, does not apply to processed or value- For further information on HARPS,
Freshcare, GLOBALG.A.P. or SQF). The added lines. Direct suppliers are including the standard, the scheme
standard chosen is referred to as the required to be certified to their base rules, a comprehensive Q&A, a pre-audit
base standard. The Retailer Stakeholder standard plus the HARPS standard by checklist, a comments page and a free call
Working Group has harmonised the 1st January 2018, so all direct supplier number, go to www.harpsonline.com.au.
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4888 www.tractorshop.com.au13THE AUSTRALIAN BRAND
Dr Renee White, Patent and Trade Mark Attorney, Watermark
I
n the face of recent food safety scares Australian origins.
and increasing international demand As Australia’s leading
for safe, clean food, Australia has natural health brand,
become one of the first ports of call the company’s stock
because of its reputation for food has increased over 1200
product safety, quality and integrity. per cent in the past 10
The Australian brand cache, as well as years. Blackmores has
certain individual company brands, has also aggressively grown in
exploded in overseas markets. the Asian market, servicing the
But is this a double-edge sword? growing middle class and their wellness genuinely Australian
Can these brand owners keep up with needs in China, Malaysia, Thailand and and cautious of counterfeit
demand without compromising brand Singapore. Like Bellamy’s, Blackmores product. Meat & Livestock Australia
integrity? And while some brand owners experienced “passive” or “grey” (MLA) – a producer-owned, not-
have gone it alone, others have created (daigou) market sales with foreign for-profit organization that delivers
a unified front. So, should Australia’s consumers travelling to Australia to research, development and marketing
dairy, wine and horticultural industries purchase large quantities of product to services to Australia’s red meat industry
follow in the footsteps of the red meat re-sell in China. – attempted to address these concerns
sector, consolidating their products with unified branding, “True Aussie”.
under the one Australian brand? What’s in a brand? The trade mark comprising a colourful
While Bellamy’s and Blackmores map of Australia and the words “True
Key drivers of demand products play a vital role in their success, Aussie” easily identified the Australian
With our lush landscapes and crystal in the eyes of the consumer their brands origin of the red meat products. The
blue skies, there is no mistaking why and other intellectual property help brand is also underpinned by Australia’s
there is an international appetite for maintain an internationally recognized red meat sectors stringent food safety
Australia’s clean, green products. standard. A brand is a badge of origin and traceability integrity systems.
Australia is renowned for its food safety to distinguish the goods or services of How are individual companies fared
and integrity. Assisted by organisations one company from another. Trade marks in this unified approach to marketing? It
like the Australian Food & Grocery form part of a company’s brand and is a two-sided coin.
Counsel and HACCP Australia, we have securing exclusive rights to a distinctive For companies that have had limited
impeccable regulations when it comes logo, slogan or word mark is important, exposure to international markets,
to the production and processing of especially in the fast-moving consumer it creates new supply opportunities,
food products. Some countries do not food products market. increased product visibility and
have such a strong regulatory framework Bellamy’s has easily identifiable improved farm gate profits. For those
and foreign consumers are looking to packaging, branded with “Australian companies that have spent years
Australia to delivery on its reputation. made” and “certified organic”. They building their own successful brand
The Chinese infant formula have trade mark filings across the world overseas, they must now compete with
contamination in 2008 drove Chinese and secured registrations of a suite of a unified brand that has greater capacity
parents beyond their own borders marks in Australia, including the slogan to meet demand. Companies under a
to safe markets like Australia, where “Bellamy’s Organic: A pure start to life”. unified brand should also be mindful
the Infant Nutrition Council provides Securing intellectual property rights of the consequences of variations in
stringent guidelines to manufacturers to these trade marks gives Bellamy’s product quality or a possible food
of infant formulations, sparking the enforceable rights against anyone who counterfeiting event – these impact
“white gold rush”. With its gold- uses their trade marks without consent, the whole brand and all participating
standard Australian pedigree, Bellamy’s ensuring they generate the economic companies – whereas a single brand
conquered this market with a strong benefit and value from their branded owner has control over its own food
value-add – being exclusively organic products. standards and will not be tarnished
– which is particularly appealing to by any quality problems that affect a
Asian consumers who are increasingly One brand, one voice unified brand.
demanding these food products. While the success of Bellamy’s has been So, go it alone or join forces? If as
With 16 million babies born in extraordinary, Australian companies a brand owner of Australian produce
China annually, Chinese parents are have also learnt that tackling the you have the opportunity to move into
paying more than 200 per cent over the international market alone can be very an international market, you need to
recommended retail price for a tin of challenging and financially detrimental. think about your branding strategy
Australia’s best organic infant formula. The alternative: one sector, one brand, and the pros and cons of going alone
A similar phenomenon was seen in one voice. or joining forces. But one thing is for
Hong Kong and Singapore, although Pre-2015, Australian red meat was sure – the “Australian brand” is trusted
recent changes in China’s food import being sold internationally under 75 throughout the world.
regulations have caused great impact different brands. The resounding Contact Renee White: r.white@
on dominant Australian companies in message was that the overseas market watermark.com.au
the market. was “confused” and “cautious” – First published in Food Australia
Blackmores is another overseas confused as to what products are magazine, May\June 2017 Volume 69.
blockbuster that has leveraged its Issue 3. Republished with permission.
14TOWARDS MARKET RECOGNITION
FOR FAIR FARM EMPLOYERS
A
ustralian fruit and vegetable food safety and quality assurance Towards a fairer fresh produce supply
industries generally enjoy a certification for thousands of fresh chain?
clean, green, fresh and healthy produce businesses,” said Freshcare’s Some Australian retailers have adopted
reputation amongst consumers. As Clare Hamilton Bate. “Now we are the SEDEX system and associated
a result, media stories about young working to develop an additional SMETA audits for their suppliers. This
workers – often overseas visitors - being standard that will enable growers to framework, however, covers a broader
mistreated, underpaid or exploited on achieve third-party certification of their set of issues that are not all relevant in
Australian farms are highly damaging. fair employment practices.” the Australian context. The emerging
The Fair Farm Initiative, launched in May, The new employment standard, certification process through Freshcare
provides a timely opportunity to coordinate along with the audit and certification and RCSA will offer a sound alterative
industry efforts around this issue. process, will be piloted with a least to SEDEX that provides a strong focus
Fair Farms aims to foster good four production horticulture businesses on the issues relevant in Australia
employment practices within the later in 2017. The new certification will around fair work practices. Together,
Australian horticulture industry. It is be available to Freshcare members late the certifications being developed
coordinated by Growcom and funded this year or early in 2018. The training for farm employers and labour hire
by the Fair Work Ombudsman. Through requirement for the new certification companies have the potential to drive
the initiative, grower-employers have the can be achieved by growers working real improvements.
opportunity to work through Growcom’s through the Hort360 workplace relations “Up until now, growers committed
Hort360 Workplace Relations module. module. to employing workers fairly and paying
This steps growers through all relevant award wages have been significantly
aspects of the Fair Work Act and the But what about Labour Hire Companies? disadvantaged by less scrupulous
award wages system and highlights the The Recruitment and Consulting operators who could undercut them on
practices and procedures necessary to Services Association (RCSA) is close to price,” said Growcom Chief Advocate,
ensure full compliance with Australian finalizing an auditable industry standard Rachel Mackenzie.
employment laws. for labour hire companies – which is “We are calling on all major Australian
To provide an effective verification good news for growers who use these retailers and food services companies
mechanism, Growcom is working with services. While voluntary, the standard to strongly support industry’s efforts
Freshcare to translate the Hort360 will allow labour hire companies to in this area. Once these certifications
module into an auditable national identify themselves as legally compliant are up and running, no-one should be
industry standard. operators, providing growers greater buying cheaper product from a supplier
“Freshcare is well established in the confidence that their obligations to on- who cannot verify their fair employment
Australian marketplace as an effective hire workers are being met. practices.”
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15ADVERTORIAL
TRANSITIONS TO SUBSTRATE PRODUCTION
Advertorial content supplied by Powerplants Australia
T
he strawberry industry has the adoption of different techniques Apart from time scheduled irrigation,
experienced considerable change for injecting fertiliser with water. Many many controllers these days use a
in the last 5 to 10 years. growers start off mixing fertilisers in a light influence to automatically trigger
Growers around the world have been large tank before irrigation the crop. irrigation more often during sunny
gradually considering alternatives to The next level is the adoption of simple periods, and less often during dull days.
traditional soil growing techniques due water driven proportional fertiliser A more recent advance in control
to many factors, including the need injectors, such as Dosatron injectors has been the introduction of “scales”
to sterilise soil and the withdrawal of which draw from 100:1 concentrated to weigh a number plants in substrate.
effective soil sterilants. Other factors fertiliser solutions held in “stock The trend in change in weight is used
include the increasing incidence of tanks”. As Calcium Nitrate will not mix to determine the level of transpiration
soil borne diseases such as charcoal well with any form Sulphate when in which automatically influences irrigation
rot, increasing cost and scarcity of concentrated form, there are usually scheduling. Once configured, such
competent labour, environmental at least two dosing injectors needed, systems free up the grower to focus on
issues, increasing cost and availability of usually marked A and B, each drawing other aspects of crop management as
good quality irrigation water. from a separate stock tanks. they need to spend less time ensuring
For these, and other reasons, growers Apart from the need to adjust the the crop is irrigated at the right
have been increasingly considering dosing levels manually, these types of frequency to the conditions on the day
substrate production as a viable units are limited in capacity, and may – this is handled automatically.
alternative to soil production. Substrate wear over time causing their accuracy to Such systems are now starting to
production involves growing plants on diminish. feature on properties in several states in
a growing media which provides a very The current level of technology Australia.
good root growing environment, but involving fertiliser dosing involves a Other advancements have been in
does not offer any nutritional value. “Direct Injection” dosing unit controlled the area of crop and labour registration/
There are many benefits to substrate by a suitable controller. The dosing unit management systems. Recent systems
production for the grower, including features EC (Electrical Conductivity) use cloud based services to allow the
precise control of the plant root and pH sensors, a pump, and “dosing supervisor and managers to register
environment and plant nutrition. This channels”. Each dosing channel draws activity both in the field and in the pack
allows the grower to “steer” the crop from a separate stock tank. Often there house. Such systems not only allow
vegetatively or generatively to achieve is a separate dosing channel to draw managers to improve staff efficiency
the most optimum balance of quality from tank with acid or alkali used to and provide incentives for staff to
and production. At the same time, correct pH in the irrigation water. perform, it also allows different crops to
water and fertiliser consumption can The controller uses measured water be tracked, the incidences of pest and
be accurately and carefully managed flow measured through a flow meter, the diseases to be recorded, etc.
so that there is minimal waste of both strength in the stock tanks, the capacity To find out more about this
water and fertiliser. of the dosing channels, and the desired technology and case studies contact –
Growers have also been adopting EC and pH to determine the optimum Powerplants Australia on 03 8795 7750
increasingly sophisticated levels of level of dosing to achieve the set or www.powerplants.com.au.
technology. One example of this is targets.
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