SUPPORTING HORTICULTURE SINCE 1948

Having now been in the CEO chair for over five months, I can now much better appreciate the multifaceted challenges and exciting opportunities within our vital industry.

www.gga.org.au/activity/farmelevate/

valuecreators.com.au

20 February 2025: The release of The Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook 2023–24 has revealed a 4.3% growth (YOY) in total production value for Australia’s horticulture sector to $17 billion.

Carnarvon is a key horticultural district in WA, with approximately 170 horticultural properties covering 2,000 hectares. The district produces about 22,000 tonnes of vegetables annually, valued at over $69 million.

edp.com.au

Technology advancements in Western Australian horticulture

Expanding extension outreach and impact across WA

out and about with vegetable growers

Amid workforce challenges, the horticulture sector is poised to adopt the latest in automation technology for pollinating, spraying, harvesting and packing to boost productivity, with estimated labour savings on the table of up to 90 per cent.

Risk management

Managing stable fly in the Shire of Gingin

Transpiration stress during hot weather can cause wilting, leaf scorch, fruit drop, and disruptions to the movement of nutrients, minerals, sugars, and metabolites throughout the plant. Damage to plant cells caused by transpiration stress can also favour disease development and impact fruit quality.

The world is becoming a complicated place. In everyday life we are constantly fending off scams and filtering fake news from legitimate facts. Production horticulture follows the same global trends that we see worldwide. This means that it is not safe from fake news. Perhaps 2025 is the year of the furphy?

On 12 February 2025, the FSANZ Primary Production and Processing Standards for Leafy Vegetables, Melons and Berries commenced.

In the ever-evolving world of crop protection, VERTENTO® insecticide emerges as a groundbreaking solution for tree crop growers. This innovative product, powered by PLINAZOLIN® technology, offers a unique mode of action that promises to revolutionise pest management in almonds, avocados, citrus, macadamias, mangoes and papayas.

Soup season is here

Done and dusted – WA apple market leads the nation

Integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) focuses on biological, cultural and chemical control options to produce high quality fresh produce while minimising harmful effects on the environment.

A crucial step for pome growers in Western Australia

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is investigating the potential of 2D multileader narrow orchard systems in Western Australia for three Australian bred apple cultivars (‘ANABP 01’, ‘ANABP 09’, ‘ANABP 14’). This pilot trial is a part of the five-year national ‘Narrow Orchard Systems for Future Climates’ project, funded through the Hort Innovation Frontiers program.

This year’s crop is back to its normal volumes, with over 20,000 tonnes forecast. Making sure that our WA customers know our fruit is in market, we launched the industry digital marketing campaign in June.

Griffith, 18–20 March

A woman of many talents, Helen Newman lead a full day of training for staff from 4 citrus businesses in late March.

Life is full of journey’s which enriches your spirit and knowledge, whilst developing meaningful friendships and respect for the people you work with and represent.

2025 sales report

Due to a chance meeting at the WAHU Conference 2023, I was able to engage with David Magri from Skytronics about the need for a drone that could assist growers with the control of bird damage on farms.

How drones and robotics are changing farming and what it means for workers

Current Minor Use Permits can also be searched by specific crop or pest types at https://portal.apvma.gov.au/permits.