Vegetable Grower News

Updated: 05/02/2010

 

Please take a few moments to browse the NEWS stories we have selected from RELIABLE local and international sources.

We aim to provide a range of stories RELEVANT to those interested in Vegetable Production in Victoria.
 

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Bayer Vegetables ForumBayer CropScience host Vegetable Future Forum
Bayer CropScience CEO, Liam Condon recently opened the inaugural Vegetable Future… Go to article.

Agricultural TrailersMinimum Requirements for Safe Use
Many pieces of agricultural equipment are classified as agricultural trailers if they travel… Go to article.

Food Safety Proposal For CommentFood Standards Australia New Zealand has called for submissions on a report looking at the safety of fresh produce including fruits,… Go to article.

Supermarket Cuts Veg PricesVGA Executive Officer Tony Imeson states that special price reduction for vegetables by major supermarkets is merely a retail marketing… Go to article.

Green Snail AlertThe declared exotic plant pest Green Snail has been detected in Victoria for the first time, near Cobram in the north of the state…. Go to article.

Spray Drift ManagementOff-target spray drift that can accompany the application of pesticides is a concern that sometimes alarms the community and always… Go to article.

Tuscan CabbageSomerville vegetable grower Darren Pivato grew his first crop of the dark green, leafy vegetable in 2008, and this year is hand-cutting… Go to article.

Market goes to EppingThe State Government has announced the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market will move from Footscray Road to Epping… Go to article.

National Biosecurity ReportPlant Health Australia have released a 180 page report on the status of Australia’s Plant Biosecurity systems.
The report… Go to article.

2020 Vision for Plant BiosecurityAustralia’s first National Plant Biosecurity Strategy has just been released by Plant Health Australia.
The Strategy looks… Go to article.

Food Safety Alarms ChinaThe flying pips, shattered shells and fleshy shrapnel still haunt farmer Liu Mingsuo after an effort to chemically boost his fruit… Go to article.

Reducing Farm InjuriesINJURIES to workers in the vegetable industry cost more than three times the average of WorkCover claims across Australia.
Victorian… Go to article.

More Water for Werribee & Bacchus MarshContinued runoff in the catchments has enabled Southern Rural Water to announce that surface water allocations are now up to 100%… Go to article.

Locusts Threaten Vegetable FarmsVegetable growers are nervously watching for the swarms of Australian Plague Locusts which crossed the Murray River from NSW early… Go to article.

Who Grew My Dinner?If you eat,  you should be interested in agriculture…
Nearly 90% of Australians now live in cities and large towns and… Go to article.

Industry Partnership Night at LindenowMarketing and free trade agreements were among many topics discussed at the Vegetable Industry Partnership Night, at Lindenow… Go to article.

Marketing your cropGrowers at last week’s Hydroponic Farmers Federation conference at Cranbourne were encouraged to regain marketing control and add… Go to article.

Growers urged to boost soil healthKeynote speaker at the 2010 AUSVEG convention, Major General Michael Jeffery, AC, AO(Mil), CVO, MC (Retd), and former Governor-General… Go to article.

Honours for Luis GazzolaLuis Gazzola, 71, knew his Somerville family business, Gazzola Farms, was a finalist in the industry impact category of the AUSVEG… Go to article.

AUSVEG Convention a WinnerThe 2010 AUSVEG National Convention has been hailed as a great success.
The convention brought together growers, researchers… Go to article.

Sydney’s growth shifts local growersMost of the Sydneys vegetable farms look set to disappear over the next 20 years as housing development expands.
THE body representing… Go to article.

AUSVEG Conference BeginsQUEENSLAND will host one of the biggest horticultural events of the year when the 2010 AusVeg National Convention, Trade Show… Go to article.

NZ Veg theftsSoaring NZ vegetable prices and the faltering economy have led to a rise in thefts which are costing growers tens of thousands… Go to article.

Fairwork Audits AheadThe Fairwork Ombudsman will begin audits of about 1000 horticultural properties around Australia in the coming months to ensure… Go to article.

Epping Market Development Major Projects Minister Tim Pallas today signed major construction contracts with Go to article.

Natives fight pestsBIOLOGICAL control of major insect pests such as Western Flower Thrips (WFT) has become possible now that new beneficial insects… Go to article.

UK Compost SafetyGrowers who use compost can feel doubly confident about its benefits after research commissioned by the UK Waste & Resources… Go to article.

Autumn Field DaysTHERE is only so much a grower can tell from looking at pictures in a catalogue. Being able to see and feel potential need… Go to article.

Agribusiness Careers at ELDERSYoung people with career aspirations in Australia’s rural sector are being offered the opportunity to apply for a national… Go to article.

Elders – AUSVEG strategic partnersElders Chief Operating Officer Mike Guerin and AUSVEG Chief Executive Officer Richard Mulcahy today announced that AUSVEG and… Go to article.

Vegetables reduce allergy riskA Japanese study  has found that eating lots of vegetables and fruits during pregnancy may lower the chance of having… Go to article.

IAC announcedThe State members of the new Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee – IAC have been announced.
The Vegetable IAC make important… Go to article.

Farm Safety CourseHortSkills Australia are offering a Farm Safety course specially designed for vegetable growers.
Well qualified and experienced… Go to article.

Growing Leaders 2010Growing Leaders 2010 is a program designed for people wishing to take up leadership roles at all levels of the vegetable industry… Go to article.

MarketFresh Schools ProgramVictorian school kids are learning more about fruit and vegetables through a program run by the Melbourne Market Authority…. Go to article.

South Eastern Distribution CentreA new fresh produce Distribution Centre is set to open in Dandenong in 2011The ‘South Eastern Fresh Distribution Centre’… Go to article.


Baby VegetablesVictorian tastes in vegetables are clearly changing.
Ten years ago, Peter Schreurs was growing leeks, cabbage, broccoli, parsnip… Go to article.

Vegetable Industry Awards – 2009Congratulations to the 2009 winners of the Australian Vegetable Industry Awards
AUSVEG CEO Richard Mulcahy was impressed with… Go to article.

Tomato Potato Psyllid in NZAustralian vegetable growers are being forewarned of a new plant pest that is causing havoc in New Zealand.
Many will recall… Go to article.

Growing Leaders Program 2010 Apply now for the 2010 “Growing Leaders” program.
The program will help you develop skills for personal, business and industry… Go to article.

Vital Vegetables win Science AwardThe 2009 Hugh McKay Future Farming Award has been presented to
The Vital Vegetables Marketing Partners (VVMP) for their … Go to article.

Apply NOW – 2009 Grower Study Tour to the USATen Australian vegetable growers will have the opportunity of a lifetime to visit agricultural facilities in the… Go to article.

Predators vs Plant PestsHungry pests cost farmers millions in crops losses each year, resulting in the widespread use of plant protectants, to… Go to article.

Darren Schreurs – Australia’s BEST Farm Spray Operator Last night, Victorian vegetable grower Go to article.

Farm Safety update A farm worker is recovering in hospital from serious injuries after he was run over by a tractor on a Werribee… Go to article.

Horticulture Industry Network launchedVictorian Agriculture Minister, Joe Helper has launched the Horticulture Industry Network – HIN, a joint initiative of the Victorian… Go to article.

Epping Market Construction BeginsWork has begun on the $300 million Melbourne Wholesale Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Market at Epping.
Acting Premier Rob… Go to article.

Strategic Plan for VictoriaVictoria’s much awaited Vegetable Industry Strategic Plan has been just been released.
Five specific… Go to article.

Improving Vegetable Choices for ConsumersMonsanto and Dole Fresh Vegetables USA have agreed to develop and market an improved range of broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce and… Go to article.

BIOCHAR study to beginThe Federal Government will fund a $1.4 million research project into the use of BIOCHAR in agriculture.
… Go to article.

Skills for GrowthA new Victorian Govenment initiative will invest $52 million in a novel program that will position small business to succeed… Go to article.

Better Services to FarmersBetter Services to Farmers is a new service delivery initiative from the Victorian Government.
In the new delivery… Go to article.

Growing on THE EDGEPAT Senserrick’s family have grown artichoke,cauliflower and lettuce on the river flats at Keilor since 1926.
… Go to article.

Spray Operator CourseSuccessful vegetable growers draw on a large body of information to construct plant protection programs for their crops…. Go to article.

Golf Day Success98 golfers enjoyed a fun filled round of golf with sunshine, rain and wind on Friday at the Vegetable Growers Annual… Go to article.

BOOSTER – the Super BroccoliVital Vegetables® have just launched BOOSTERTM, a new super broccoli scientifically proven to contain 40 percent more… Go to article.

Feeding the World in 2050?CSIRO director, Dr Peter Carberry, says the world demand for food and fibre will eclipses climate change as… Go to article.

Bovis Lend Lease to build new MarketBovis Lend Lease have been selected to design and construct the $300 million main market floor of Melbourne’s… Go to article.

Tripod Farms win NAB excellence awardThe achievements of leading Victorian lettuce growers TRIPOD FARMS have been recognised with the National Agribusiness… Go to article.

Rick Butler – 2009 Young Leader AwardHeatherton grower Rick Butler has been honoured with a 2009 Young Leadership Award in recognition of his contribution… Go to article.

Worker dies in Werribee farm accidentA man died after being run over by the trailer of a reversing tractor at a Werribee vegetable farm on Monday.
It… Go to article.

Woolworths donates days profit to farmers Sources: James Ferre, Australian Food News – 25 February 2009
������������� Woolworths – 21 February… Go to article.

Retail food sales improvingBy James Ferre
ABS Retail Trade figures for May 2008 showed that retail Food sales improved in May… Go to article.

Food and fertiliser costs 27th May 2008, JODIE THOMSONPrices for fresh produce will need to rise to cover a… Go to article.


Australian food crisis aheadMay 16, 2008, Jodie ThomsonAustralia may have its own food crisis, with the WA Vegetable… Go to article.


Victorian food securityMay 20, 2008, by Daniel PalmerHidden environmental costs could make food… Go to article.


Retailers exempt from code of practiceThe Horticultural Code of Conduct, introduced last year could soon be extended to agents who buy from growers on behalf of retailers…. Go to article.

Biodiversity and food May 22, 2008,
Isobel DrakeJust twelve crops and fourteen animal species… Go to article.


Downy mildew threatens UK cropsUK Growers warned of downy mildew threatFreshInfo UK, Wed 6 Aug 08 10:01;
UK Growers are being advised… Go to article.


NZ vegetable growers under pressure By HELEN MURDOCH – The Press | Friday, 20 June 2008Gone are the days of Tasman’s… Go to article.


Global food problem a ticking time bombThursday, June 19, 2008The world�s current food crisis and the future of sustainable… Go to article.


Senate examines our food supplyBy Daniel PalmerA new Senate inquiry led by Bill Heffernan will… Go to article.


Soil carbon a must for emissions tradingsource: LUCY SKUTHORP – Rural Press… Go to article.


Werribee growers to benefit from grantssource: ‘Irrigation and Water Resources’ magazine, Winter 2008
Vegetable growers at Werribee South… Go to article.

UK veg prices to risesource: telegraph.co.uk 7/21/2008
Desperate British vegetable growers are lobbying supermarkets to increase… Go to article.

Mustard too hot for crop pestssource: Stock & Land 22/07/2008
Mustard plants are proving too hot to handle for some crop pests, and are… Go to article.

Carbon tax credits for agriculture?source: Stock & Land, Vic 24 July 2008
Trading in carbon could be a real winner for farmers, if common sense… Go to article.

Waste water common in global urban agricultureABC News, 18 August 2008
Waste water is widely used to irrigate urban agricultural land… Go to article.

ACCC reports on fertiliser pricingACCC Media Release , 22 August 2008
The ACCC have published a report which examines the reasons… Go to article.

Garnaut counts soil carbon Farmonline, 4 September 2008
In a boost for agriculture, Professor Ross Garnaut has called for… Go to article.

Future uncertain for Bacchus Marsh growers Source:
Les White, Weekly Times – 22 April, 2009a
Les White, Weekly… Go to article.

Industry defends HALGood Fruit & Vegetables, August 2008
An open letter from the peak industry bodies for Australian horticulture… Go to article.

UK hort research under threatFreshInfo UK, 6 September 2008Horticultural research and development… Go to article.


Fruit and vegetables cut risk of diseaseFruit and vegetables cuts risk of disease
The West Australian , 26 August 2008
26th August 2008,… Go to article.

China struggles to keep fertiliserSources:David
Stanway, Forbes Business… Go to article.


JUST ADD FRUIT & VEGThe Vegetable Growers Association of Victoria
is proud to support a great new initiative that encourages all Victorians
… Go to article.

UK wholesalers urged to take the leadSource: FRESHINFO Sun 12 Oct 08
Wholesale… Go to article.

World food crisis aheadSource: World Union of Wholesale Markets – 07 Oct 08
“There… Go to article.

Pesticide Problems in ChinaSource:
Epoch Times – 17 April, 2009
������������ Greenpeace China – 9 April2009�

… Go to article.


Victorian drought reliefSource: ALISON BARBER- Stock & Land – Mon 13 Oct… Go to article.

Federal relief for bushSource: LUCY SKUTHORP – Farm online – Tue 14 Oct 08
… Go to article.

UK farmers fight to use farm chemicals NFU Vice President Paul Temple takes the pesticides fight to Brussels today as senior figures meet to discuss… Go to article.

Epping market still on trackSource: Melbourne Market Authority – 17 October 2008
Notice to all Market Users:
… Go to article.

Water everyones worry !Source: National Marketplace News – September 2008
WATER quality and availability… Go to article.

Kids junk food adverts to endSource: Just-food.com – Fri 24 Oct 08Australian food manufacturers… Go to article.


UK supermarkets squeeze growersSource: www.freshinfo.com – Fri 24 Oct 08… Go to article.


Future food and farming Source: Australian Conservation Foundation – Monday, 27 Oct 08… Go to article.


Peak fertiliser price ?Source: COLIN BETTLES – Thursday, 30 Oct 08Fertiliser… Go to article.


UK carbon emission standardSource: Fresh Info – Monday, 3 Nov 08The new specification for… Go to article.


UN future food concernsSource: Fresh Info – Sunday, 2 Nov 08Professor John Beddington, chief scientific… Go to article.


Holding on to young workers Source: Fresh Info – Wednesday, 5 Nov 08Mark Murphy, chief executive of Leadership… Go to article.


Australian horticulture measures carbon footprintHorticulture Australia Limited (HAL), today released a series of discussion papers on measuring the carbon footprint of the… Go to article.

AUSVEG ratifies emergency plant pest deedSource: AUSVEG, 21 Nov 2008AUSVEG, the national peak industry… Go to article.


Why are fertiliser prices still high ?Source: David McKenzie, Weekly Times – December 2, 2008
THE local fertiliser market… Go to article.

New market one step closerSource: Peter Hunt , Weekly Times – December 5, 2008
The Victorian Government is pushing ahead with its… Go to article.

Outcry triggers fertiliser price dropSources: Gregor Heard, Stock & Land – December 22, 2008������ ������ Alison Bell, AAP… Go to article.


Biosecurity changes afootSources: Sara Everingham, ABC – December 18, 2008
An independent report has called for a major… Go to article.

New Victorian IDOSource: Tony Imeson , VGA Victoria – 28 December, 2008
������������ Weekly Times NOW – 12 January, 2009
… Go to article.

EU ruling threatens UK vegetable cropsEU rulings threaten UK vegetable crops
Sources: Caroline Davies, The Observer – January 4,… Go to article.

Aussie exports battle foreign regulationsSources: David Minnis, Weekly Times – December 22, 2008������ ������
Governments… Go to article.


NZ bans EndosulphanSources: Kelly Burke – Sydney Morning Herald, 8 January 2009
ERMA news, 15 December 2008
… Go to article.

Endosulfan – the factsEndosulfan – Facts
Source:   APVMA – January 2009Endosulfan… Go to article.


Future cultivation and plantingSource: Roger Chesher, UK Horticulture Week – 20 February 2009 �� �������There… Go to article.


Ladybirds & Lettuce Source: Vegetables Victoria Editorial – 2 March 2009Ladybird beetles… Go to article.


Better Water for Werribee GrowersSource:
Werribee Banner – 8 April, 2009
Victoria… Go to article.

Vegetable Expo Spectacular Vegetable displays feature at Werribee Expo
Source: Sandra Godwin, Weekly Times – 3 March 2009
… Go to article.

Beneficials in the GreenhouseSources:����� Edwina Hall, Weekly Times – 6 May, 2009
������������ ����� Geoff Strong, The AGE – 5… Go to article.

Irrigation Water for Melbourne’s West Weary vegetable growers at Werribee and Bacchus Marsh are hoping the early autumn rains signal a break from the ongoing drought…. Go to article.

A-Class Water a Winner Source:� Leif Ericson, TYCO Engineering – March, 2009
������������� Les White, Weekly Times – 7 April, 2009
… Go to article.

UK concern for Fruit & VegThe EU decision to ban key plant protection products – vital for controlling weeds and plant pests – “will limit Europe’s… Go to article.

Support for Tas organicsMay 23, 2008, James FerreThe Tasmanian Government is looking to the organic… Go to article.