WA GROWERS SHINE NATIONALLY p42

SPRING 2025 ■ VOL.60 NO.03

Western Australia’s vegetable industry is experiencing a season of renewed optimism, driven by strong winter rains, expanded grower support, and exciting global engagement. As we reflect on recent developments, it’s clear that our growers are not only weathering challenges, but they’re also embracing innovation and building resilience for the future.

Navigating food safety? The FPSC Help Desk can guide you.

www.dpird.wa.gov.au/WAHU2025.

celebrating a new partnership with The Wiggles

Exhibitor space for the fifth annual Meet the Buyer™ trade show, hosted by the WA Government’s Buy West Eat Best program, officially sold out in record time ahead of the event on 21 October at Crown Perth.

International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium IFPSS25

The future of horticulture is here and growing fast

Chi Nguyen visits growers throughout WA

VegNET Projects Update

dpird.wa.gov.au

A taste of how AI could help prevent

A benefit cost analysis

When was your last farm safety review? When was the last time you and your management team actively discussed and acted on farm safety? Be honest.

furphies Part 2

What WA growers need to know

Keep your community safe from stable flies

Spring marks the awakening of a new harvest season, a time to embrace learnings and keep abreast of the opportunities and challenges that come with the change of seasons.

On the evening of 30 June, the Western Australian apple and pear industry experienced a significant loss with the passing of a key figure in the orcharding sector in the Donnybrook region. This story honours the remarkable achievements of Mick and his extraordinary contributions to improving orchard harvesting processes.

Scorecard serves as a tool to assess

In June, I joined the APAL Hort Frontiers study tour to South Africa, accompanied by 21 fellow Australian and International growers and industry professionals. Over the course of the tour, we explored a diverse range of orchards, a nursery, and a packhouse gaining valuable insights into the scale, strategy, and sustainability of South African horticulture.

Nestled in the fertile lands of Ceres, Western Cape, Lorraine Farm stands as a beacon of transformation in agriculture. Over the past two decades, this farm has shifted from conventional farming practices to a regenerative model that embraces nature, sustainability, and resilience. Led by Hendrik Pohl of Holistic Horticulture, the farm’s journey is a testament to the power of long-term vision and ecological stewardship.

Mark your calendar — our end of season event will be in late November this year. Watch your inbox for more information.

WA growers assess the next generation of citrus

The WA Stone Fruit Producers’ Sub-Committee is excited to announce the appointment of Kim Starkie as the new Industry Development Officer (IDO) — a role created to help strengthen and grow the stone fruit industry across Western Australia.

Summerfruit Australia

Adventures of a West Australian orchardist

into Western Australian queen breeding programmes

WA Beekeepers step up to support

Western Australia continues to lead the way in proactive biosecurity, thanks to the vigilance of local beekeepers who voluntarily report their hive checks for varroa mites. While reporting isn’t mandatory, each submission strengthens confidence that WA remains mite-free. This season’s results offer valuable insights into participation rates, regional coverage, and opportunities to improve early detection efforts, ensuring our bees stay healthy and our industry resilient.

The Bee Industry Council of WA represents all stakeholders in the industry and will continue to lobby on behalf of them. BICWA has been engaged in various activities during this period, with ongoing work resulting in notable outcomes for the industry.

In Western Australia, all owners of livestock (Yes, Bees are livestock, unless they are dead) are legally required to register with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia (DPIRD) Brands Office. This includes beekeepers. Registration is now done online with the Department utilising myGovID from the Australian (federal) Government. It is the same digital identity technology used when you lodge Business Activity Statements (BAS) with the

www.waas.org.au

Globalpackaging.com.au

Here to help until January!

spring recipes featuring WA grown onions and sprouts

Understanding cholesterol

www.agspec.com.au