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Commodity in Focus: Vegetables
Australia’s vegetable industry is big business. In 2023 the nation’s vegetable industry was valued at $5.86 billion, with 3.6 million tonnes sold for domestic consumption and export supply.
Insects make a meal of horticulture
Pests cost Australian primary producers approximately $5.3 billion annually in management and production losses. Managing pests absorbs precious time and effort with around 72% of the estimated cost being in the working hours devoted to managing pests (and weeds).
Walkamin grower protecting people, planet, and prosperity
Dennis Howe, Managing Director of Howe Farming Enterprises is a certified legend. And no, that’s not hyperbole; Dennis was awarded the inaugural ABC Rural-Kondinin Group Farming Legend of the Year Award in 2016.
Legend of the north to share knowledge with Mareeba growers
When it comes to fence building, veteran of the industry Macka says “Make the first expense, your last.”
Commodity In Focus: Citrus
Queensland’s citrus industry has an important land stewardship role to play with 81% of the state’s crop grown within the Great Barrier Reef catchment.
Farming and the Reef - rewriting the narrative
It’s difficult to be anything other than impressed by the manicured rows of mango trees as you drive through the front gate at Golden Drop Winery in Biboohra, just north of Mareeba in Queensland’s far north.
Carb monitoring… not a fad diet, but useful tool for horticulture
Over 70 horticultural growers and agronomists recently came together in Childers and Mareeba to learn about carbohydrate monitoring and how the practice can lead to more informed infield decision making. A variety of crops were represented leading to positive interactions and learning among participants.
Shipshape greenhouses a win for the Reef
Jason Smith’s approach to running his greenhouses is nothing short of meticulous. Maybe it’s because he served in the Navy for nine years? Maybe it’s because he just really loves his plants? Either way, the Carter & Spencer greenhouses he’s in charge of turn out some beautiful eggplants.
If your trees could talk...Carbohydrate monitoring for improved yield
There are multiple benefits for growers to use tools like carbohydrate sampling including improved nutrient budgeting and management practices.
Commodity In Focus: Macadamias
Horticulture is playing a positive role in reducing the impact of farming management practices on water quality in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Growers’ commitment to participating in Growcom’s best management practice (BMP) program, Hort360, and becoming Reef Certified has been key to this achievement.
Benaraby growers strike Honey Gold for a second time
Taking home Piñata’s coveted Honey Gold Grower of the Year award for a second time wasn’t about luck for Benaraby mango growers Ian, Gloria, and Scott Pershouse. It was a case of old-fashioned hard work and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Commitment to stewardship
As the largest fresh produce company in Australia, Costa has a significant role to play in driving the sustainability of fresh food production as well as the protection of the environment in which it is grown.
NQ workshops focus on IPM technologies
The horticulture industry continues to face greater restrictions and scrutiny around access to and use of pesticides, especially near sensitive waterways and ecosystems.
Digging deeper for soil health
Although primarily known for beef production, the Fitzroy region in Central Queensland boasts a growing and diverse horticulture industry.
SAVE THE DATE: Shed talks for soil health
Central Queensland horticultural growers with an interest in soil health are invited to attend the upcoming Dirt Work shed talks being run by Growcom in June.
Compost-based crop nutrition and soil regeneration system focus for NQ grower
North Queensland watermelon and vegetable growing enterprise, Black River Produce is a family-run business with patriarch Jon Caleo overseeing operations at the Black River property, north of Townsville while his son Anthony and wife Tomi oversee the Sellheim property located on the Burdekin River outside Charters Towers.
Horticulture in Reef catchments to benefit from phase two investment
Horticultural growers in Reef catchments are set to benefit from a renewed collaboration between Growcom and the Queensland Department of Environment and Science.
High fives for horticulture in the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is one of the richest and most complex natural ecosystems on earth, and the world’s most extensive coral reef ecosystem. It is recognised for its vital ecosystem functions and supporting extensive aquatic wildlife. No other World Heritage property contains such biodiversity.
Resilient farming practices, soil health take the limelight at The Caves
Participation by the horticulture industry at a field day on soil health and farm resilience at The Caves, north of Rockhampton, last month demonstrate the industry’s enduring interest in soil health and a commitment to preventing loss of topsoil.
Growcom’s Hort360 GBR program puts spotlight on compost
Growcom was pleased to host the Australian Organics Recycling Association’s (AORA) Compost in Agriculture workshops in Bowen on Friday March 25 and Walkamin on Monday March 28.