PLANTING PASSION

2026

10

The start of another tough year

A pioneer of WA’s fresh-cut salad industry

The new VegNET RDO bringing heart, humour and serious hustle to WA’s veggie scene

https://apcwa.org.au/join-apc

Spend ten minutes with Neil Miles and it’s clear he’s not just running farms or importing fertiliser, he’s building something far more ambitious. It’s an approach that feels both grounded in tradition and sharply modern, delivered with the intensity of someone who’s earned every inch of progress.

A chemical-free and cost-effective way to tackle viruses in Australia’s multi-billion-dollar vegetable industry is the focus of a 5-year project being led by The University of Queensland.

A small change making a big difference

How WA producers are strengthening food security

foodbank.org.au

Fruits and vegetables are some of Australia’s most wasted foods, accounting for around 50% of the nation’s total food waste1 . That’s three million tonnes of fresh produce that is grown, with much of it also harvested, processed, transported and sold — but never eaten1 .

We all want to avoid non-essential costs when operating a business. The good news is, there are some amazing free resources available to help you through every stage of your business journey.

This article summarises a presentation given by Julian Horsley at BerryQuest International 2025. Watch the recording at bit.ly/BQI25-e-weights

BioScout is an Australian agricultural technology company that has developed an autonomous sensor for detecting airborne fungal diseases. The technology can identify and count fungal spores affecting crops, and report results in near real-time.

Two risks that can halt an operation

How the SFFC delivers for growers

Heading into 2026 and beyond, vegetablesWA is increasing its support across the training sector. Over recent months, our vegetablesWA/VegNet Regional Support Officer, Lisa Hasson, has been updating our database and giving growers a clearer platform to share their thoughts on the industry’s direction.

We have commenced a new Hort Innovation-funded project to strengthen VegNET engagement with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, particularly Vietnamese-speaking vegetable growers across Western Australia.

The past few months have been a particularly active period for the VegNET WA team, marked by both team changes and a strong focus on grower engagement.

Open Weed Locator Demo Day showcases DIY spraying innovation in Manjimup

horticulture.com.au

Fifty years ago, Anglicare WA began with a simple but courageous idea: that people deserve to be seen, understood and supported — no matter the complexity of their circumstances.

anglicarewa.org.au

‘Mind the W’ Framework

Poorly managed vegetable waste on farms and market gardens can become major breeding sites for stable fly. More than just a nuisance, stable fly deliver painful bites that cause stress to livestock, pets, and people, with impacts felt both onfarm and across surrounding communities. Infestations can also result in significant economic losses for livestock producers.

Legal risks of automated workplace policy drafting

Relationships first

The cells in our bodies such as those found in our muscles need energy to grow and do what they do. One source of energy starts when we eat carbohydrate rich food such as bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, fruit, milk and yoghurt.

We work hard for our money; therefore, it is important to know where it goes and how we can manage it, invest it, plan for retirement or a rainy day. As the saying goes, “Money without financial intelligence is money soon gone”.

A critical priority for Western Australia’s vegetable industry

Electric secateurs are widely used in Western Australian (WA) orchards for seasonal pruning, thinning, removing dead or diseased wood, training young trees and preparing canopies for harvest. However, without proper safety measures they can cause serious injuries.

A new year, a new season, and more opportunities and challenges.

In Western Australia, the apple and pear industry’s national R&D program, PIPS 4 Profit is investigating the feasibility of classical biocontrol for Ceratitis capitata, Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) and augmentative biocontrol for Epiphyas postvittana, light brown apple moth (LBAM). This year is focused on Medfly, after our baseline monitoring indicated good conditions for the native parasitoid Diachasmimorpha kraussii.

Timely reminder to keep an eye out

As the season begins for many, I hope the summer break provided a chance to rest, reset and spend time with family and friends. The year ahead brings fresh opportunities and challenges for our industry.

As part of the industry development project, fruit is randomly selected from wholesale market floors and retail outlets throughout the season. It’s internal quality is then measured against WA and Australian Citrus Quality standards for juice content and BrimA levels to ensure it has the citrus zing loved by consumers.

The transition of the polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) from an eradication program to long term management marks a significant shift for Western Australia’s horticultural sector.

To better understand where to focus support, innovation, extension, and adoption efforts for stone fruit growers across the state, WA Stonefruit is conducting a Tree and Orchard Health Survey.

Cherry Growers Australia is pleased to introduce Caleb van Beynen, who has joined CGA as Biosecurity Officer supporting both the cherry and summerfruit industries.

A warm and sunny morning at Perth’s iconic Yagan Square set the scene for the official launch of the WA Stone Fruit season.

Meet the new Program Manager shaping the future of Australia’s honey bees

Western Australia remains free of Varroa! That confidence relies on the ongoing vigilance of beekeepers. The April Bee Pest Blitz is your chance to help protect that status by checking your hives and reporting what you find, even when no mites are found.

The Bee Industry Council of Western Australia (BICWA) supports WA’s bee industry, producers, and related organisations by providing leadership, advocating on their behalf, and actively contributing to policy development and planning.

commercial beekeeper

Simple, seasonal recipes that follow WA’s transition from warm to cool

www.bees2honey.org

www.waas.org.au

Looking for current minor use permits?

www.platinumtiger.com.au

hortconnections.com.au