IN THIS ISSUE - Strawberry Innovation
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
THE AUSTRALIAN STRAWBERRY NUMBER 49 MARCH 2018
INDUSTRY NEWSLETTER
IN THIS ISSUE
Developing Asian Markets for
Australian Strawberries
3
Growing from ‘Labour Pains’
Simon Dornauf - Hillwood Berries
6
Biosecurity - Queensland Fruit Fly Jennifer Rowling, Sub-Tropical Strawberry Industry Development Officer
Update
8
Do Growers Need Robots?
10
Berry Breeding for Propagation and
Speed
12
The Art of the Freeze Dried
Strawberry
14
Taste ‘N See - 2017 Horticulture
Farmer of the Year
15
Is HARPS required for my business?
16
Protected Cropping - Shared Lessons
from BerryQuest
17
The Importance of Leaf Area
Expansion for the Productivity of Simon Dornauf, Hillwood Berries and BerryQuest International 2018
Strawberries in a Warming Climate Conference Chair presenting an overview of the Australian Berry Industry
19
What’s Happening in your Region BerryQuest International 2018 is being local speakers covering a broad range of
22 hailed as a huge success and the largest topics, delegates were encouraged to
News & Events berry conference of its kind in Australia to make the most of the information being
24 date. shared to help grow their businesses, now
Held at The Country Club Tasmania and into the future.
Strawberry Innovation is a national industry in Launceston between 12th to 15th
development program, focused on improving national Conference highlights
communication and coordination across the whole February, the conference was attended by
of the Australian strawberry industry. This project has
been funded by Hort Innovation, using the strawberry more than 400 delegates, all eager to learn Marion Regan of Hugh Lowe Farms in
research and development levy and contributions what is on the horizon for the Australian the UK provided an overview of the berry
from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation
is the grower owned, not-for-profit research and berry industry. The packed three day industry there, including the challenges
development corporation for Australian horticulture.
agenda included a conference program, and costs associated with Spotted Wing
full day of farm tours, a trade show with Drosophila, which is now in every major
over 40 exhibitors and a number of social berry growing country except Australia
networking events. and New Zealand.
The conference program kicked off Marion’s business in the UK,
with MC Ashley Walmsley, Editor of which she runs with her husband Jon,
Good Fruit and Vegetables magazine, grows over 5,000 tonnes of strawberries,
welcoming delegates and inviting Simon raspberries and blackberries in substrate
Dornauf, Organising Committee Chair under tunnels and glass. Hugh Lowe
to officially open proceedings. With an Farms supply supermarkets, caterers,
outstanding program of international and restaurants, farm shops and stalls across
1
London, including a partnership which to provide public weather data from a With a trade exhibition of more than 40 has seen them the sole suppliers of fruit grower’s perspective. Information on exhibitors, plus a number of networking for the past 20 years of the world famous growing conditions such as water balance, events including a sumptuous BBQ dinner “strawberries and cream” at Wimbledon evapotranspiration and rainfall, humidity at the stunning Josef Chromy Winery and grand slam tennis championship. In and wind activity aims to help growers conference dinner at the Country Club, 2012, Marion and Jon joined forces with make faster and more informed decisions. delegates had plenty of opportunity Kate and Stewart Sutherland to set up Substrate production was a topic well to meet with friends and colleagues Burlington Berries to produce berries in covered throughout the conference, and network with growers and industry Tasmania. including a panel discussion with growers associates from Australia and as far away Tristan Kitchener of Kitchener Partners who shared their experience with as New Zealand, North America, Mexico, Pty Ltd presented an entertaining and producing berries in substrate. Italy, Spain and the UK. informative session about the changing Rachel Mackenzie, Growcom Chief Feedback about BerryQuest retail landscape in Australia. Tristan Advocate didn’t let a lack of lighting or International 2018 has been exceptional. explained how each of the major audio stop her from presenting following A vast amount of information on an supermarket chains have evolved to assert a power outage as a result of a passing extensive range of topics was shared, and their position within the retail environment, storm. With appropriate mood lighting provided a positive outlook for the future and also provided a fascinating look at the for Valentine’s Day, Rachel gave delegates of berry production in Australia. market disruption we can expect in the an overview of the Fair Farms initiative, very near future with the introduction of and returned later in the proceedings retailers such as Amazon and its high-tech (with lights and sound back on) to discuss capabilities both in-store and at home. a number of other key issues around A presentation on robotics by Carla labour, plus participated in a grower panel Brown of the Australian Centre for Field discussion on sourcing and managing Robotics, provided an insight into the labour in the berry industry. progress of robotics for use in a variety A full day of farm tours on the final of horticultural crops, with video footage day of the conference was a highlight for giving delegates a fascinating view of the all who participated. Delegates visited a technology at work. number of berry producers in the region, Ros Harvey of The Yield Technology including Hillwood Berry Farm, Burlington Solutions also presented on how artificial Berries and Tasmanian Berries, all of which intelligence can help grow the perfect have a range of different berry crops and berry. Ros introduced delegates to The production systems, and unique points of Yield, an App that uses data analytics difference. 2
DEVELOPING ASIAN MARKETS FOR AUSTRALIAN
STRAWBERRIES
Karl McIntosh, Export Development Consultant at RMCG
What’s the current situation?
Close proximity to Asian markets, a
favourable seasonal supply window and
a growing consumer preference for clean,
safe food has assisted Australian strawberry
exporters to establish a foothold in Asian
markets in recent years. And if consumer
trends continue, increasing growth in
the berry category could lead to steady
demand for Australian strawberries across
many retail markets both domestically and
abroad.
West Australian producers have led
the way in recent times, supplying over
80% of the total volume of exported
strawberries (3,010t) in 2016 and
successfully establishing long term trading
relationships in Asia and the Middle East. Figure 1: Exports (Tonnes) by country by state, 2016
In addition to its locational and seasonal
advantages of supply, WA producers
have also been successful in growing Working together as an industry preferences, then build collaborative
varieties preferred by Asian consumers As with many other Australian fresh relationships, set a high standard and then
and consistently supplying volumes that produce lines, when we look to increase improve supply chain efficiencies, across
fill retailer commitments. our export capabilities and grow our ten Asian Markets.
Queensland’s export growth has market share in Asia, relying solely on our For strawberries, the development
been bolstered due to increased overall close proximity and clean-green image of a Berry Export Strategy due for
production of quality fruit and relatively is not a viable long term competitive publication in March 2018, will provide
close proximity to international flights out advantage. Mounting competition from important insights on Asian markets and
of Brisbane airport. Success in supplying the US, South Korea, NZ and Egypt will recommendations on how the industry
the NZ market and a focus on export is quickly erode access gains unless we can best build export capabilities.
becoming more important as volumes can implement a strategic approach to When considering Australian producers’
increase and more direct flights to Asian developing strawberries that fit Asian supply window compared with some of
markets become available. Victorian export markets. our competitors (see Table 1, Page 4),
growers have exported in the past, however The success of other horticultural sub-tropical producers and temperate
a stronger domestic focus and the timing products in Asian markets, particularly producers face very different challenges in
of production has resulted in varieties and in China demonstrates that the interest developing export capabilities.
costs of production that are not conducive and demand is definitely there and leads Building on its current competitive
to new export market development. Often to the question ‘why don’t we push for advantage of counter-seasonal supply,
the variability in quality and production direct access to China for Australian sub-tropical producers in WA and QLD
over the southern summer period makes strawberries?’ The short answer is that need to focus on expanding the supply
export competitiveness on price, quality if it is not done right, in the long term, it window beyond July to September and
and reliability of supply from this region could actually do more harm than good. look to enter new markets. This will require
extremely difficult. The old adage, ‘you only get one chance greater collaboration between these two
Tasmania’s QFF free status opens up to make a first impression’ is a simple but states to provide markets with scheduled,
more market development opportunities important consideration here, particularly consistent volumes and quality so that a
for producers and a shift to substrate when entering new markets, where a consistent brand can evolve from both
production under tunnels will assist co-ordinated approach that builds on production areas.
with providing the consistent quality the gains that have been made in other In temperate regions, protected
demanded in export markets. But recent produce categories is the right approach. cropping is potentially the only real
QFF outbreaks in Tasmania suggest that Hort Innovation’s new ‘Taste Australia’ alternative that will deliver consistency
relying on fruit fly-free status alone as a Retail Program is an example of how in the quality and efficiency needed to
strategic advantage may be tenuous. a coordinated, collaborative approach compete in export markets. Branding
The export of strawberries in 2016 from across multiple markets can achieve is important here too, to promote the
each state to current export markets is greater outcomes than focussing on a provenance of the Australian product, off
shown in Figure 1 and demonstrates that single commodity. For approximately 10 the back of consistent quality from the
the majority of export is from Western fruit lines and vegetables, the program sub-tropical season.
Australia and Queensland1. aims to first understand consumer
1.
2015/16 Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook
3
Developing Asian Markets for Australian Strawberries, cont.
Table 1: Seasonality of Supply
Key considerations commitments are potentially disrupted themselves from the competition and
As we look to grow the market by shortfalls in supply and subsequent avoid being traded as a commodity
share of Australian strawberries price increases in the domestic market. is crucial to longer term success.
in Asian markets, these important There is arguably a greater need for But effective branding requires
questions need to be considered: WA and QLD growers to work more strict adherence to specifications,
closely together, with a targeted which would be improved by greater
1. Have we got the right varieties? approach to volume commitments collaboration across the industry.
Korean strawberries are well and promotional activities in Asian
renowned for their sweetness and markets. 4. Have we got the right standards in
impeccable quality, which is an As Korean strawberry producers place?
important positioning attribute to continue to extend their supply A greater focus on quality assurance
consider, particularly in Malaysia window using protected cropping, and adherence to specification
and Indonesia, where sweetness Australian producers also need requirements by growers serving
is paramount. Appearance too is to consider their ability to supply the major Australian chain store
important, especially for the retailer preferred varieties between July and retailers has increased the level of
at point of arrival, so varieties that September, to ensure that it’s branding confidence in the food safety of
are bright red in colour with white position is not lost. This is where Australian fresh produce by Asian
shoulder will be favoured over darker temperate supply could play a greater consumers. Furthermore, some Asian
red varieties. There is a common role but it is dependent on producing retail outlets would prefer supply
view that varieties often preferred the right varieties, committing to from producers who currently service
in Australia are not compatible with consistent supply and the strength of the major Australian retailers as it
preferences in most Asian markets the Australian brand in the market. demonstrates an ability to comply
and therefore consideration needs to A transition to protected cropping with strict specifications and food
be given to commitment to changing could also help to drive efficiencies safety requirements, as well as the
production to suit Asian consumers. and quality consistency resulting capacity to meet programmed
in greater cost competitiveness.
2. Have we got capacity?
This question is obviously underpinned 3. What do we do about branding?
by capacity to supply the right varieties A branding strategy that captures the
at the time the market is demanding benefits of provenance and positions
the fruit. Whilst WA producers and Australian strawberries at the premium
marketers have made exceptional end of the market will provide
inroads into developing long lines strength in the longer term. There also
of premium export quality fruit, needs to be consideration given to
being relatively concentrated in the multiple branding strategies such that
Wanneroo/Bullsbrook region means different brands can be supplied from
it is vulnerable to adverse weather different growing regions and used in
conditions. Increases in export out of competing markets, if necessary. Like
Queensland help to ensure continuity most fresh produce lines, branding
of supply in periods of low production is a critical component of being able
out of WA, but there is also a risk that to add value across multiple supply
oversupply during the peak season channels by driving demand from the
could result in falling prices and end user. In a mature product category
erode value in export markets. It is like strawberries, the ability of
difficult to grow export markets when Australian strawberries to differentiate
4
Developing Asian Markets for Australian Strawberries, cont.
order commitments and support efforts particularly if it compromises market development for strawberries in
promotional activity. Broadening quality or interrupts consistent supply. Asia as highlighted in Figure 2.
producers’ quality assurance capacity
to meet specific retail requirements 6. Are we building the right relationships?
(such as HARPS or Global Gap Trade shows such as Asia Fruit Logistica
for example), and to enhance the and rapid use of WhatsApp and
integrity of the brand is also beneficial. WeChat have made it easier for buyers
to engage with Australian growers
5. Have we got efficient supply chains in directly, and to even trade directly
place? in certain markets across e-trading
Improvements in communications platforms such as HiveExchange. But
technology have made it easier for it is important to understand what is
buyers to engage with Australian driving demand. Is it a genuine long-
growers directly, and to even term interest in regularly stocking the
trade directly in certain markets Australian product or is it just a short-
across e-trading platforms such as term interest due to price or lack of Figure 2: Six components
HiveExchange. Increasing numbers of supply from elsewhere? Engaging to enhance export markets
flights to Asia are also providing more with an experienced, Australian In summary, a cohesive export strategy
opportunities for growers to supply based export consolidator (or even that encompasses these components is
overseas customers directly by loading an exporter of another product to the not without risk but will potentially help
airfreight consignments on a regular same market) to discuss the intricacies build a stronger position for Australian
basis out of the major Australian of the market or prospective customer strawberries for the longer term. The
airports. Freight forwarders too are can provide valuable information alternative of continually building
now often accredited with AQIS to in the short term that saves a lot of economies of scale through increased
provide phytosanitary certificates and money in the longer term. Greater production to supply a relatively small
import permits required for certain collaboration across production domestic market with limited retail
markets. They can receive, treat, regions could provide opportunities to competition, is arguably a higher risk,
store, label, strap and load produce supply volume commitments, extend particularly for smaller producers. Rather,
in time to meet flights on a regular branding and target markets more building on the strengths already gained
basis. But interruptions to this supply strategically according to location across the broader horticultural industry
chain due to treatments (such as advantages. to take a strategic, measured approach,
fumigation) or trans-shipping stock will help to drive demand for Australian
from one airport to the next, have Effectively there are six interrelated strawberries in Asian markets for the
the potential to undermine export components that would enhance export longer term.
Because not all filters are
created equal.
Multi-layer
Epoxy lined sintered screen
high grade steel
Continuous linear
movement flushing
mechanism
WINNER
Rivulis F3200 Automatic Screen Filter (Parallel)
2018
1800 558 009
www.rivulis.com.au
5
GROWING FROM
‘LABOUR PAINS’ at Hillwood Berries
Timeline of protected cropping berry production at Hillwood Berries
2011: 2 ha of in-ground strawberry production established
2016: 18 ha of berries – moved to table tops and substrate
2017: 34 ha of berries including 1,200 tonne strawberries
Simon Dornauf,
The Dornauf family has farmed in the Hillwood Berries
Meander Valley, north of Launceston, for Farm Manager
three generations. Their involvement with
berries began 30 years ago, when Simon’s
father, Robin, began growing raspberries Living by Simon’s mottos of “don’t program, including releases of Persimilis
for the domestic and export markets. die wondering” and “why not have a to control two spotted mites, and Orius
Simon has since been involved in the crack?” Hillwood made the decision at for Western flower thrip (WFT). Growing
berry industry for several years, including the end of the season to convert 13ha of in substrate, Simon also adds Hypoaspis
representing Tasmania on the peak strawberries to 10ha of tabletops and 3ha to the grow bags for beneficial biological
industry body, Strawberries Australia. of raspberries. activity, including the control of WFT lar-
The main family business of the The initial transition wasn’t without its vae.
Dornauf’s had been dairy farming, but challenges. This was largely due to delays Hillwood exclusively grow the Driscolls
when the opportunity arose to grow in ordering plants which resulted in a late variety, Amesti. All fruit is field graded,
berries in collaboration with Driscolll’s, the start to production, with the first season weighed and packed, using barcode
dairy business was sold. plants in substrate achieving only 900 traceability in field for quality control.
The farm started with two hectares grams yield per plant. Packed fruit is cooled on farm before
of in-field strawberries grown under Production with table-tops, however, distribution through Driscolls.
tunnels, and a tunnel of raspberries. has since made a big difference, including Simon’s advice to anyone wanting to
After two seasons, they began to expand an increase in planting density from move to protected cropping and substrate
the enterprise, moving into hydroponic around 50,000 plants per hectare to 76,000 is to do as much research as you can,
raspberries and adding blackberries and plants per hectare, with the crop quality travel to see what is being done around
blueberries. more predictable grown under cover in the world,and a word of caution that you’ll
Strawberries were grown in the ground, substrate. Over the last 5 years, the first “need a strong stomach”.
but always under tunnels, for four seasons, day of picking each season has been Simon recalls one weather event,
expanding from the initial 2 hectares to 6, within a window of around 9 days. watching 2 hectares of tunnel being
and then 12 hectares. Management of the crop is easier when “smashed in front of his eyes”, including
the plants are elevated on tabletops, a 40-metre tunnel “turned into a pretzel”.
Transitioning to soil-less
including pest and disease control, as it is
production Investing in people
easier to monitor the crop.
Accessing and retaining labour Pest and disease problems still occur, Hillwood berries have not looked back
became a pivotal turning point for the such as powdery mildew early in the season, from the decision to transition to soil-
business, especially as other farms in and botrytis later when temperatures drop less production under Haygrove tunnels,
the area moved to growing in substrate and humidity increases, but having the which has been particularly advantageous
on tabletops. Hillwood began to find plants at waist height makes it easier to in accessing the seasonal worker program
the competition for seasonal workers to control. to source their labour.
pick in-field strawberries too great to not Simon has implemented a comprehen- Hillwood first accessed the program
change. sive integrated pest management (IPM) through a labour provider, but have since
moved to directly managing the seasonal
worker program themselves. Simon says
by managing the program, he can have
more control over the workers they hire
and can look after their workforce better.
The business has also been pro-active
in sourcing accommodation for their
seasonal workers, which is provided in
Launceston around 20 minutes away.
In addition to having a strong focus
on the quality of their product, Hillwood
continues to invest in their team. Simon
has forged a strong relationship with
University of Tasmania, and has two full
time agronomists on his team – which is
In-field packing and quality control at Hillwood Berries pretty impressive for a 34 hectare farm!
6
Or
ga
OmniBio ce nica
fie lEn
r ti ly
Your soil’s health starts here d
Promotes
biological
M
diversity, O
soil health
& nutrient
availability
OmniBio will:
• Improve biological diversity The benefits of using Mega-Kel-P
• Stimulate root systems • Improved late season leaf retention • Enhances
• Feed beneficial microbes including fungi post harvest reserves
• Increases systems
• Act as a natural chelating agent
• Accelerates root growth • Improves f
• Improve nutrient availability • Overcomes nutrient deficiencies • Increase cr
• Improve yield and quality
• Promote soil health
of productsOmnia
designed
have atorange
help you
of products
increasedesigned to help you increase
Omnia have a range of products designed to help y
elp
p yield Omnia
you including:
increase
Omnia
Omnia
plant have
havea
have
growth a range
arange
and range
cropofof
of products
products
products
yield designed
designed
designed
including: to
totohelphelp
helpyou you increase
youincrease
increase
plant growth and crop yield including:
have aplantplant
range growth
plantgrowth and
growthand crop
andcrop
of products yield
cropyield
yield including:
including:
designed including:
to help you increase
growth and crop yield including:
ed, continuousNaturally mined, granulated, Mega-Kel-P continuous
allows you to manipulate Mega-Kel-P
crop growth allows you to manipulate crop growth
Mega-Kel-P
cation Mega-Kel-P
for up allows
Naturally
release
to allows
you
Naturally
twoboron. toyou
mined, One togranulated,
manipulate
manipulate
mined, granulated,
application
to your crop crop growth
growth
continuous
continuous
for
advantage up toby to scientifically
twoyour Increase Increase
Mega-Kel-P
toMega-Kel-P
managing
your fertilizer
fertilizer
allows
advantage
plant allows efficiency
efficiency
you
byyou with
toto with K-Humate,
K-Humate
manipulate
manipulate
scientifically cropthegrowth
crop
managing world’s
plant Natu
growth
to your advantage
advantage
ailable boron. release
releaseby
by scientifically
scientifically
boron.
boron.
seasons of safe, plantOne
One managing
managing
application
application plant
for
available boron.
physiology, physiology,
plant
forupuptototwo
two the
improving yields and quality toto most
world’s
your
your concentrated
most
advantage
physiology, advantage
with better by humate
concentrated
by product.
humate
scientifically
scientifically 100% Australian
managing
managing
improving yields and quality with better plant boro
plant
physiology, improving
improving
seasons
seasonsyields
ofof and
yields
safe, quality
safe, and
plant
plant with better
quality
available with
available nutrition
better
boron.
boron. and
nutrition and fruit set. Apply Mega-Kel-P product. made.
100%
physiology,
physiology,
nutrition Recognised
as a andAustralian
improving
foliar improvingas the
made.international
yieldsRecognised
yieldsand
and industry
quality
quality withstandard.
with
fruit set. Apply Mega-Kel-P as a foliar bettersafe,
better
fruit set.
nutrition and fruitApply
set. Mega-Kel-P as
Apply Mega-Kel-P a foliar spray
as a to new
foliar foliage
spray to new foliage for vital root growth. as the international
nutrition
nutritionandand industry
fruit
fruit
set.
set. standard.
Apply
Apply Mega-Kel-P
Mega-Kel-P
spray to new foliage for vital root growth. as asa afoliar
foliar
y mined,
spray forgranulated,
to new vital root growth.
foliage continuous
for vital root growth. Mega-Kel-P spray
sprayallows
totonew
new you
foliage
foliageto
formanipulate
for
vital
vital
root
root crop growth
growth.
growth.
boron. One application for up to two to your advantage by scientifically managing plant
s of safe, plant available boron. physiology, improving yields and quality with better
nutrition and fruit set. Apply Mega-Kel-P as a foliar
spray to new foliage for vital root growth.
Andrew
BrendanDoecke
Lauman Brendan Lauman Andrew Doecke Brendan Lauman
Andrew
AndrewDoecke
Doecke Brendan
Brendan Lauman
NLauman
U T R I O L O G Y *
0427 399 708 N U T R I O L O G Y *
N NU UT0438 776
OL LO480
0427
0438 399
776 708
480 N U T R I O L O G 0438 Y * 776 480 *the science of growing TR RI IO OG GY Y* *
*the science of growing
0427
0427399
399708
708 0438
0438776
776480
480adoecke@omnia.net.au blauman@omnia.net.a
u adoecke@omnia.net.au
blauman@omnia.net.au
*the science of blauman@omnia.net.au
growing *the
*the
science
scienceof of
growing
growing
net.au adoecke@omnia.net.au
adoecke@omnia.net.au blauman@omnia.net.au
blauman@omnia.net.au
03 5133 9118 www.omnia.com.au 03 5133 9118 www.omnia.com.au 7
03 5133 9118 www.omnia.com.au 0303
5133
5133
9118
9118 www.omnia.com.au
www.omnia.com.au
BIOSECURITY –
QUEENSLAND FRUIT FLY UPDATE
Angela Atkinson, Temperate Region Strawberry Industry Development Officer
Note: Information in this update was correct at the time of publishing,
please refer to relevant state agencies for updates. Fruit Fly
Larvae
Tasmania requirements. produced so the population is decreased.
Eradication, surveillance and Industry, growers and the wider This technique is useful in areas of low pest
management of waste and risk community continue to provide high pressure, so is ideally suited to controlling
produce activities remain ongoing levels of assistance and co-operation in outbreaks in pest free areas.
within the areas where fruit fly has maintaining vigilance, reporting suspect Quarantine and suspension areas
previously been detected in the State. produce, co-operating with movement around West Hindmarsh and Woodville
There has been no change to the restrictions and host-produce disposal Gardens will remain in place until 2 April
current Control Areas which remain in measures. and 22 May 2018, respectively.
place on Flinders Island and in northern Reports of fruit fly can be made by In addition to the outbreaks of Qfly, an
Tasmania. contacting Biosecurity Tasmania on 6165 outbreak of Mediterranean fruit fly (Med-
No detections of fruit fly or larvae have 3774 or the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on fly) has been declared in the Kilburn area
been made outside the current Control 1800 084 881 following the detection of a single female
Areas. fly on Friday 2 February 2018, with a total
At and around the detection sites within South Australia of three single flies detected within the
the control areas eradication activities Following earlier outbreaks in the West previous 14 days.
are continuing with spot baiting being Hindmarsh and Woodville Gardens areas A 1.5km radius outbreak area has
undertaken. Biosecurity SA has declared an outbreak been established around the outbreak
Surveillance is also being undertaken of Queensland fruit fly (Q-fly) in Brooklyn centre. Host fruit cannot be removed
with ongoing inspection of host produce Park following a larval detection in the from properties inside the outbreak
at and around identified sites as well as area, which was confirmed on Wednesday zone. A 7.5km suspension area has been
monitoring of approximately 1,500 fruit fly 14 February 2018. established outside the outbreak zone.
traps around Tasmania. A 1.5km outbreak area has been Quarantine and suspension areas will be
Within the current Control Areas established around the detection point in place until 4 December 2018.
existing movement controls remain in and quarantine restrictions apply. As in the As with Qfly, host produce grown or
place. Within the Northern Tasmania previous detections, a 15km suspension packed in the suspension zone must
Control Area roadside bins are in place area has been established outside the be treated and certified as meeting the
on major routes to enable disposal of 1.5km outbreak area. The quarantine and import requirements of the destination
produce for people leaving the Control suspension areas will remain in place until state prior to departure and cannot be
Area. Regular clearance of these bins is at least 18 May 2018. certified (this applies to Qld, NT, NSW, Vic
also occurring. It is a requirement of other States that and Tas).
Staff are also continuing to attend Suspension Zones are imposed for all fruit The current outbreaks do not impact on
farmers markets and other events as fly host produce which effectively removes the fruit fly free status of the rest of South
part of providing the latest information the fruit fly free status of the zone. Until the Australia outside of the suspension areas.
and ensuring compliance with current suspensions are lifted host produce grown For more information and maps of
or packed in the zone must be treated suspension areas go to http://www.pir.
and certified as meeting the import sa.gov.au/biosecurity/fruit_fly
requirements of the destination state prior To report Qfly call the Fruit Fly Hotline
to departure (this applies to Tas, WA, and on 1300 666 100.
PFAs in Vic and NSW).
Affected suburbs include Brooklyn Park,
Flinders Park, Fulham, Fulham Gardens, Western Australia
Kidman Park, Lockleys, Underdale and The Department of Primary Industries
West Richmond. and Regional Development (DPIRD)
Biosecurity SA have commenced an is responding to the detection of an
eradication program aimed at eliminating adult female Queensland fruit fly (Qfly)
any fruit flies from the outbreak area and in a department surveillance trap in a
nearby surrounds. residential area east of the Fremantle
Sterile Qflies raised in the new national CBD.
Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) facility at An eradication program has been
Port Augusta will be released into the put into place to prevent any potential
affected areas of Adelaide in April 2018 to spread of the pest. This includes fruit
ensure the pest is eradicated. The sterile and vegetable movement restrictions for
flies are released into the wild and mate Fremantle, and parts of East Fremantle,
Queensland Fruit Fly on strawberry with any Qfly present, but no eggs are North Fremantle and White Gum Valley,
8
Biosecurity - Queensland Fruit Fly Update, cont.
and surveillance and baiting operations Information Service on 1800 084 881 and biosecurity. Measures that should be
close to the detection point. taken include:
As of 23 February 2018 no further Qfly Yarra Valley (Victoria) • timely harvest of fruit
have been detected. Following the detection of Qfly larvae • satisfactory disposal of collected waste
The detection was made in a in Yellingbo within the Yarra Valley Pest fruit that ensures no larval survival
surveillance trap that forms part of Free Place of Production (YV PFPP), the • removal or destruction of fallen fruit
DPIRD’s early warning fruit fly trapping PFPP was suspended on 1 February 2018. and fruit left on the trees/plants after
system. Over 1,900 traps across the Perth This latest detection follows the the main harvest
metropolitan area are regularly monitored, discovery of two male fruit flies in a trap • ensuring no fruit from unknown or
to assist in proving WA’s Area Freedom in the same area in early January 2018, unreliable sources is bought onto the
from Qfly and to provide an early warning and was found during the supplementary property – this includes;
against the pest. trapping and larval sampling response by – commercial fruit,
The Department has officially informed Biosecurity. This earlier detection did not – labourer’s and tourist’s lunches
other jurisdictions and the Commonwealth trigger suspension of the PFPP at that – domestic fruit purchases made by
of the detection and that DPIRD is time. people living on the property
implementing a response in accordance Biosecurity and the YV PFPP committee Qfly traps and bait sprays are available,
with Australia’s Fruit Fly Code of Practice. are working to ensure that measures are and growers are encouraged to seek the
It is important to note there have taken to eradicate the outbreak, and advice of their agronomist.
been no recent Qfly detections in any ultimately reinstate the PFPP status of the For more information go to fruitflyfreeyv.
commercial fruit or vegetable production Yarra Valley. com.au
areas. Qfly larvae have been detected in areas If you find larvae in fruit, contact
Western Australia’s Area Freedom from outside the PFPP, including Montrose, Bronwyn Koll (Yarra Valley Fruit Fly
Qfly, which underpins market access for a Warburton and East Warburton. Regional Coordinator) on 0409 381 999 or
range of produce, remains in place. It is important for growers in the area to Agriculture Victoria on 13 61 86.
To report QFly call the Pest and Disease be vigilant and increase on-farm hygiene
Resources
To support growers in the identification and management of Qfly, several resources have been developed through the
Strawberry Innovation project. Resources include a shed poster to support staff identification, and a webinar recording for fruit fly
management. The webinar features Dan Papacek and Paul Jones from Bugs for Bugs who discuss the biology and behaviour of Qfly
and recommend control and management options, including protein baiting, regular monitoring and male annihilation technology
(MAT). The webinar is also joined by Brett Jackson from Biosecurity Queensland who provides an update on market access issues
for plant material to interstate markets following a spike of Queensland Fruit Fly Detections. All resources are available through
your Industry Development Officer or visit www. strawberryinnovation.com
NS LAND
QUEE FLY
FRUIT en
ve you se ?
Ha se s,
...If yee
f the
any o pleas t it
repor r
to youger.
mana
pical of
ea. Ty
ked ar
ter-soa n.
Soft, wa fly infestatio
fruit
d
evelope nd
Well-d Queensla
of
larvae
.
fruit fly
Atkinson.
n, Angela
Hort Innovatio
edure,
n Proc
Operatio
s ICA-34
ensland’
rt
suppo
ity Que
of: Biosecur
courtesy 1
more
Photos 084 88
1800
ct for 666 010
conta 1300
Who to
e 1
t Hotlin 084 88
Pla nt Pes 1800
Exotic 381 99
9
e e 0490
Hotlin Servic
Fruit Fly e Info
rmation 86
Tasma
nia 13 61
Diseas
Austr
alia Pest and inator 13 25
23
South al Coord
Austr
alia Region toria heries
Weste
rn
lley) lture Vic e & Fis
Agricu ricultur
s from
rra Va Ag ribution for
ia (Ya tment
of and cont ion
Victor Depar
ent levy ent corporat
lopm lopm
and deve deve
research research and
berry rofit
the straw d, not-for-p
sland vation,
using
er-owne
Queen Hort Inno n is the grow
ed by vatio
been fund Hort Inno
er has ent.
This post Governm
ralian
the Aust n horticulture.
Aust ralia
RRY
WBE
S T R AO V A T I O N
I N N
Several Qfly resources are available for growers on
the strawberryinnovation.com website, including an
identification poster and webinar recording.
9
DO GROWERS NEED ROBOTS?
Scientists at the Australian Centre the ABC program ‘Catalyst’ recently • dispense variable rates of fluid
for Field Robotics certainly think so. featured the innovative work of the team autonomously
The Centre is opening up a new world at HICRIS as they explore the world of • conduct soil sampling and mapping.
of farming science; one that could give agriculture to develop robots and create This testing shows that in time, robots
Australian producers more control over smarter ways of farming. To see more like RIPPA are likely to perform labour
their future than ever before. on the technology developed to assist intensive tasks like mechanical weeding,
horticultural producers go to: http://www. soil sampling and spraying in row crops
The Horticulture Innovation abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4792106.htm without the need for human involvement.
Centre for Robotics and Intelligent The team at HICRIS are currently The team at HICRIS are also looking at
Systems (HICRIS) assessing how robotics and intelligent integrating the latest sensing and robotic
systems can be used to assist on- technologies to provide mango, avocado
The Horticulture Innovation Centre for farm decision making using tools such and macadamia farmers with tools to
Robotics and Intelligent Systems (HICRIS) as advanced sensing and machine help improve their decision making and
was jointly launched with Horticulture perception techniques, decision support improve production and profit.
Innovation Australia in October 2016. systems, mechanisms and robotics for The RIPPA robot has been tested in a
Part of the Australian Centre for Field crop interaction and farm automation. number of orchards to assess its ability to
Robotics (ACFR), HICRIS is Australia’s • move autonomously up and down
first horticultural robotics learning and and between tree rows
Lessons from other industries
development hub with a focus on robotics • detect, then target apples with
to increase farm efficiency and productivity The RIPPA robot has been working variable rates of fluid
for the vegetable and tree crop industries. on several commercial vegetable farms • prune branches (once pruning
Carla Brown from the Centre provided around Australia to test its abilities in the equipment is attached)
a key note presentation during the field. So far, RIPPA has been able to: • harvest fruit (once a gripper is
BerryQuest International conference • follow rows and collect data attached which twists and pulls the
on the opportunities for automation as autonomously apple from the tree and places the
relevant to the berry industry. Meanwhile, • conduct mechanical weeding fruit in a tray).
Mango fruit detection, localisation
and mapping is made easy using
‘Shrimp’, a multi-sensor robot which
acquires data with a variety of different
sensors, including LIDAR for tree canopy
segmentation and colour vision for
fruit detection and triangulation. This
is arguably the world’s most accurate
system for mapping individual whole fruit
in commercial orchards, while the fruit is
still on the tree. Scanning is performed
2 months before harvest time, meaning
there’s plenty of opportunity to use it for
targeting optimised fruit production.
To find out more about HICRIS and
what the team have planned, visit their
website at acfr.usyd.edu.au
10Trial Report
COMMERCIAL STRAWBERRY
** PUBLISHED, PEER REVIEWED ARTICLE “Increased growth response of strawberry roots to a commercial extract
from Durvillaea potatorum and Ascophyllum nodusum.” (Scott Mattner, Mirko Milinkovic, Tony Arioli).
SITUATION APPLICATION
• Independent study conducted • 7 monthly applications of
over seasons 2014,15,16 in 10L/Ha plus a pre-planting soak
Coldstream Victoria in a of runners in a 400:1 solution.
commercial fruit production.
9% improved visual berry score, 4% increased redness after 1st harvest, 7-11% reduced berry rot
Strawberry Fruit Yields grams per plant
600
550
500
450
+ 8.2%
400
350
300
a better way to grow
Control Seasol Control
$ RETURN
(50,000 plants/Ha): $15,000 per Ha
For your nearest Seasol Regional Manager
a better way to grow Call Angela on 1800 335 508
www.seasol.com.au
11BERRY BREEDING FOR
PROPAGATION AND SPEED
AT BROCKLANDS NURSERY
Aileen Reid
Western Australia Strawberry Industry
Development Officer
Karen Brock, Brocklands Nursery.
Photo: Chook Brooks, ABC Rural
Brocklands Nursery owner, Karen Automated picking requires as much fruit custodians of your material. There have to
Brock, used her 2014 Nuffield Scholarship as possible to be picked at one time. be processes in place in their business to
to investigate the use of molecular So the requirements keep changing protect the clients investment. But there
markets in the berry fruit industry. The and breeders can’t keep up. also have to be processes in place to
nursery is part of a 89 hectare farm in MAB is trying to look at where this all protect the investment of the customers
Tasmania, and supplies plants and tissue fits. It is still in its infancy. buying the plants. There also needs to
culture material to the soft berry fruit The diagram of the genome of a be a respect for the breeders that have
and truffle industries. Together with her woodland strawberry in Figure 1, is a put 10-15 years work into the variety. So
husband, Karen runs a tissue culture compilation from the work of about 70 the first thing Karen did following her
laboratory, a joint venture raspberry authors over 12 years. On the left and scholarship was to build a gate and put a
breeding program and also specialise in right respectively are the genes of interest lock on it. All visitors are by appointment
root stocks for the avocado, pear, apple in the fruiting parts, and in the roots of only and all visitors now have to sign in
cherry and hazelnut industries. All these Fragaria vesca. Molecular geneticists look and out. There are designated areas so
industries rely on clean planting material. at all parts of the plant and the myriad of not everyone can go anywhere.
The nursery has been accredited interactions. We now have a very good Karen now DNA tests every plant that
under the Nursery Industry Accreditation idea of what happens, but not how it comes on the property to make sure it is
Scheme (NIASA) for 20 years and is also happens. true to type. They also test all material on
accredited under Eco-Hort. Over the When the ancestry of the modern the way out so the customer knows they
next 18 months a new structure is being strawberry is examined it all comes back are getting the right plant.
built which will enable them to become to four or five species. So if there is a Despite the fact that plants often come
accredited under the Biosecure HACCP recalcitrant gene you may have to throw in as tissue culture, they still may have
program. The instigator for this was the the book out and bring in new genetics. endophytic bacteria or viruses. Quarantine
blueberry rust incursion which resulted That is where MAB is exciting. only hold plants up for exotic pest threats.
in the borders to SA, Vic and WA all They are using it to find the relevant So they need to make sure other people’s
being closed. While certification for genetics in some of the wild species plants aren’t infected. They have set up a
SA and Vic was achieved quickly, entry and introduce them into the breeding protocol for pathogens and also for testing
to WA for plugs and tissue cultured program. that the cultivar is true to type. Cultivars
material has taken virtually 12 months. One of Karen’s major realisations from also often require individual media. For
Breeding programs come at an her trip was that as a propagator they are example they have eight blueberry recipes
incredible price. Blueberry cultivars
typically take 15-18 years to develop,
raspberries 15 years and strawberries
slightly less. The purpose of Karen’s
scholarship was to investigate if molecular
assisted breeding (MAB) could significantly
reduce the development timeline for new
cultivars based on shared lessons from the
tomato industry (from eight to four years).
The berry industry however is much
more complicated. Due to the long
timeframes to assess a cultivar, the
objectives of a breeding program at Year
1 could change at Year 10. For example,
a move from in-ground production to
hydroponics, new pest and disease
threats and market forces all may require a
changed focus for the breeding program.
Robotics are also changing the
requirements of breeding programs. Figure 1: The genome of woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca): Nahla Bassil et al, 2010
12Berry Breeding for Propagation and Speed cont.
and still two cultivars are not performing in were true to type. Fifteen have been so far and half in bioreactors. At the end of
tissue culture. Cultivar variability in tissue completed. However, when they started the process they are DNA tested to
culture is a major issue and the nursery is looking at the raspberries they found them ensure there is no somaclonal variation.
even resorting to genetic maps to give to be a challenge given they have been in The raspberries haven’t been started
them some idea of the plants history and the country for something like 40 years. yet due to the high degree of genetic
why they may be recalcitrant. And for all that time, been passed around, instability.
Plants coming out of quarantine are re-propagated and bulked up by various • Molecular techniques will benefit
often extremely small which means nurseries. They decided to reintroduce all growers. Industry will get plants
they may have to be grown on for some the public varieties. more quickly and both the nursery
time. For all that time they must be kept A similar move taken (not by Brocklands) and its clients will not be exposed to
pathogen free. with the raspberry variety ‘Tulameen’ environmental pathogens.
The quality of material presented doubled the yield simply by going back to • Broader logistics, longevity in plants
can be variable. Material can come in the original. and future plant yields are the nursery’s
from anywhere, even the back paddock. The nursery now requests all clients focus.
Often any sort of plant history is lacking. to provide select forms of their plants for Karen concluded by saying ‘Time is not
initiation on a yearly basis. our friend’. We do have an understanding
A few more innovations at the of what is happening now but molecular
Is it the right plant?
Brocklands nursery include: genetics is still really in its infancy.
A lesson from one large company in the • Providing correct light wave spectrum However propagation techniques are
Netherlands was presented with a plant using LED’s for optimum vegetative improving at a rapid rate. We are seeing
called ‘x’. A check showed it wasn’t on growth. Karen is studying this through robotic transplanting and chopping up of
the PBR list so they went ahead, bulked it Hertogenbosch University in the plants in tissue culture.
up and distributed it. However, it turned Netherlands and they will have a facility Their focus is on developing solutions
out the plant was actually “y”, which was built for this within the next two year. to have secure processes so the supply
on the PBR. The person that gave the This will mean plants won’t see daylight chain is secure from the start to your
company the plant was fined for theft, until they leave the property. This has paddock.
meanwhile the company actually went major biosecurity benefits as there Karen’s Nuffield scholarship
broke, having been fined for the millions will be no chance of plants acquiring report can be accessed here: http://
of plants that had been distributed. pathogen once in the tissue culture nuffieldinternational.org/live/Report/
So now Brocklands will not proceed facility. AU/2014/karen-brock
with any work unless they see the patent • Bioreactor container production. This
first. is now in technical trials. This year all the
When Karen returned home from her cherry rootstocks and chrysanthemums
scholarship, she started to DNA test all are being produced this way. The
38 varieties of blueberries to see if they blueberries are being done half in agar
F RUITHAUL
REFRIGERATED PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION
13THE ART
OF THE FREEZE DRIED
STRAWBERRY
Aileen Reid,
Western Australia
Strawberry Industry Development Officer
Final product of a freeze dried strawberries
John and Sophie Ranicar established process. So at the end of a cycle there is coatings (as powders), beverages and
Forager Foods at their family property in a solid block of ice sitting at the bottom of smoothies. There is a high level of demand
Red Hills, Tasmania late in 2009. The move the chamber. It takes about 24-36 hours from the nutraceutical market for foods
into freeze drying came as the result of a for the cycle depending on the product. with high antioxidant properties.
company restructure at Bellamy’s Organics 95% percent of the nutrition will still be Forager Foods currently export to
where John had been working. They there at the end of the process. In fact, China, Japan, Middle East and Malaysia.
started out with several processing lines probably most of the nutrition lost is They are looking at other markets
acquired from Bellamy’s and continued from the freezing process, rather than the overseas such as the food service industry
contract manufacturing for them. Forager vacuum freeze drying. and direct sales to restaurants. While
Foods has grown from there! From a cost of production perspective, the product doesn’t replace fresh fruit, it
Freeze drying is quite a simple process. vacuum freeze drying is the slowest provides a different flavour and enables
The same principles were used by the Incas and most expensive way to concentrate out of season supply. It is also really
2,000 years ago. Potatoes were harvested, flavours due to electricity costs. The decorative on a platter!
taken up into the mountains and stored technique has been superseded by spray Forager has the capacity to do about
in caves until they were picked up again drying or drum drying. For example, milk 450 tonnes fresh fruit per year now with all
the following summer. The combination can be spray dried at the rate of about 50 four machines. About 10-15 tonnes of this
of low temperatures and low air pressure tonnes per hour, whereas this process only is strawberries, with room for expansion
due to the high altitude, effectively freeze does a couple of tons a day! dependent on supply and market demand.
dries the potatoes making them safe to The final product ends up at about 1-4% The fruit is mostly second grade, though it
eat. However, it wasn’t until the second moisture which means flavours are highly still needs to have reasonable appearance.
world war that the process was really concentrated. It is not possible to partially The lowest grade fruit is powdered.
commercialised when the Americans used dry product as it dries from the outside in Forager Foods was included as a site
it to transport blood to the Western Front. and if not dried completely there would visit as part of the BerryQuest International
NASA further developed the process to still be a frozen core. It’s either dry or still 2018 field trips to examine opportunities
preserve food for use in space flights. ice. for value adding and diversified market
Forager Foods has four freeze dryers. Forager Foods sell the freeze dried access. For further information visit
‘Rosie’ holds 80kg wet product (10 kg product in a number of product lines, the Forager Foods website, www.
dry) per run. Two years later ‘Bertha’ was ready to eat snack foods, muesli, chocolate foragerfoods.com.au
purchased – she holds 280 kg. The two
newest machines are also the biggest,
each holding 1,150 kg.
Frozen product goes into the chamber
in trays at -20ºC - water boils at that
temperature in these chambers. Vacuum
pumps bring the pressure down to about
2-3 pascals. The trays in each machine can
be heated so the temperature inside the
chamber can be varied to best suit the
product which will still be frozen due to
the low air pressure. John aims to keep
most product below 40ºC to maximise the
retention of vitamins, anti-oxidants and
other chemicals.
The moisture goes directly from
solid to gas which means the product
doesn’t distort and retains its colour and
appearance.
At the bottom of the chamber is a
refrigeration coil that operates at -50ºC
that recaptures the moisture from the
Back of house of one of the freeze drier units at Forager Foods
14CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEAM AT
TASTE ‘N SEE
2017 HORTICULTURE
FARMER OF THE YEAR
This article first appeared in the
Weekly Times Coles 2017
Farmer of the Year Awards
Merv Schiffke and daughter Laura
Wells with some of their produce
Berry unique approach wins over consumers decisions,” said Laura Wells, Taste ‘N See growing manager and
Neighbourhood love has emerged as a crucial piece of daughter of business co-founders Merv and Marilyn Schiffke.
the puzzle that comes with farming some of Australia’s best The business is firmly focused on the future and, as such, the
strawberries. families last year began the biggest ever transition on the farm.
Family-run business Taste ‘N See grows 2.5 million strawberry They trialled 5.5 hectares of hydroponically-grown strawberries
plants, producing 1,680 tonnes of fruit a year, at Bellmere, near on outdoor tables, which allow for a significant increase in
Caboolture in southeast Queensland. production (64,000 plants a hectare compared to 38,000 in field
Its origins date back to 1990, when friends the Schiffke and conditions).
Stothart families bought adjacent properties, combining their This year about 60 per cent of the farm will move to tabletop
production to grow strawberries initially for the wholesale market. hydroponics, making Taste ‘N See one of the early adopters of
In 2003 both families agreed to sell their strawberries to Coles, this production method.
shortly after launching the Taste ‘N See brand. Other farm systems will also change in the transformation,
The brand now has 38 hectares under crop (19 hectares in which is costing about $160,000 a hectare. Irrigation will move
each family), growing fruit that is all marketed first-grade and sold from overhead and T tape, to an entirely computerised injection
to Coles stores along Australia’s east coast in 350g punnets. They dripper-feed system. Harvesting will switch from “backbreaking”
achieve top-grade status – and premium prices – through careful ground work, to bench-level manual labour. Chemical use will be
growing and packaging methods initiated on farm. reduced, while threats from pests will be eliminated.
“We’re now into the second generation of farming and we’re The vision, and aim to produce the best-quality fruit it can,
just like one family. We always do everything together, meeting makes Taste ‘N See ideal winners of The Weekly Times Coles
with the fertiliser company, talking about inputs, making future 2017 Horticulture Farmer of the Year.
The Schiffke and Stothart families of Taste ‘N See strawberries in Queensland
Photo Credit: The Weekly Times
15IS HARPS REQUIRED
FOR MY BUSINESS?
The Harmonised Australian Retailer Produce Scheme referred A decision graphic has been developed to assist suppliers
to as HARPS is an industry-funded initiative to align the food in determining whether their business requires HARPS. The
safety requirements of Australia’s major retailers. It aims to reduce terminology in this graphic replaces the previous references to
the costs and stress associated with the adoption, maintenance Direct and Indirect suppliers, and uses a tiering system to define
and auditing of multiple food safety systems by individual direct supply chain responsibilities and actions required by suppliers.
suppliers to multiple retail customers in Australia. It has been
funded by Hort Innovation using horticulture industry levies and Based on the feedback received from low volume producers
Government funds and is managed by a Project Team, including requesting more support and time for implementation, a number
the Produce Marketing Association Australia-New Zealand (PMA of provisions to the scheme have been made.
A-NZ).
This includes additional time allocation for Tier 2 suppliers
The five leading retailers that have developed and recognise that may require HARPS approval, who have until 1st January
HARPS are ALDI, Coles, Costco, Metcash (IGA) and Woolworths. 2019. These businesses should register their interest in achieving
HARPS approval at www.harpsonline.com.au by 30th June 2018.
HARPS must be adopted with a GFSI (Global Food Safety
Initiative) approved base scheme. These schemes are: In addition, low volume producers supplying less than 10
• Freshcare Food Safety & Quality Edition 4 (FSQ4) pallets per year will not require HARPS approval. These suppliers
• SQF, BRC Global Standard for Food Safety will fall under Tier 3 and will be required to be certified to an
• Global G.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance approved base scheme (refer to the decision graphic for details).
For further information, please visit www.harpsonline.com.au
16You can also read
