We feature next generation grower Zeke Zalsman of Zaldeesh Farms who has been part of an innovative feasibility study; meet grower Vange Panagiotidis of Carabooda; discover the history of horticulture in our tribute to Roy Schultz; find out how our heavily subsidised Building Horticulture Business Capacity Program can work for you; and find much more in news, business and features on, and for, the growing community of WA.

Welcome to the Autumn 2023 issue of WA Grower magazine. This issue brings us the latest not-to-be-missed benchmarking report, plus looks at the Biomineral System, provides a casestudy on cover crops and strip-till, uncovers disease-resistant tomatoes, celebrates Dennis Phillips's life and introduces Fair Farms. Plus we have all the information and updates from our partners Pomewest, WA Citrus, Stonefruit WA and Potatoes WA.

Take a deep dive into our revamped WA Grower magazine. Find more opinions, the latest news, more grower interviews and big reads what's happening and affecting you and your industry.

In this issue, we look at the grower-led innovation helping growers combat rising input costs, cold plasma application in horticulture and the pros of working on your business instead of in your business.

This issue looks at the rising costs exposing key areas of concern within the horticulture sector, packaging as a means to communicate sustainability and Agtech use and profile raising in industry.

The discovery of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) in cucurbit crops in northern Australia in September 2014 resulted in affected properties being quarantined in order to prevent the spread of the highly transmissible virus. Recognising the impact of the incursion on cucurbit growers, researchers in Project VG15013 investigated ways to manage the virus through on-farm biosecurity practices as well as improving the speed and accuracy of CGMMV diagnostics.

This year, Pomewest has been facilitating and encouraging pome growers to engage with Worksafe with their Orchard Inspection Project. Worksafe representatives were invited to present at our recent industry engagement dinners in Donnybrook, Manjimup and the Perth Hills.

The announcement of a proposed 10% reduction in licenced groundwater allocations for horticultural businesses in North Wanneroo has caused concern among vegetable growers.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has been responding to a Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) outbreak within the Perth metropolitan area since March 2020.

Communicating with growers is extremely important, now more than ever due to the pandemic, and finding a way to deliver key messaging is something that vegetablesWA is taking very seriously.