Janne Dipple describes herself as a woman who wears two hats. With 20 years’ experience working in adult education and training Janne has design and run training across all kinds of subjects.

In the first half of 2024, Growcom’s South East Queensland (SEQ) Water Quality Program has focused on working with growers to access land management information on their property and undertake remediation works to address the movement of nutrient, chemicals, and soil from their farms.

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.

Imagine a phone call or chance encounter at an event or workshop turning into the building of a dam, a pipeline, a new irrigation system, or an on-farm commercial kitchen.

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.

The picturesque backdrop of a Carnarvon sunrise or sunset belies the extreme environmental conditions under which research scientist Dr Melanie Ford and her team from the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) have operated their jackfruit variety research trial site.

Maria Lorenzo of Lakeland Produce in Far North Queensland found herself at a crossroads recently with her organic banana and papaya business. Needing to invest in both expanded water storage as well as enhancing her approach to producing her value-add product range, Maria was unsure of which project to tackle first.

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.

A love for people in the agricultural sector is what drew Amy Nash to her new post as the Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN) Officer for South East Queensland.

A grower’s to-do list is never complete. Beyond the running of day-to-day operations there are longer term considerations around investing in improved on-farm practices and new products and equipment to minimise environmental impacts and get the most out of every crop.

There are multiple benefits for growers to use tools like carbohydrate sampling including improved nutrient budgeting and management practices.

Summer 2023/4 has proven to be volatile for Queensland growers. While parts of the state sweltered through heat and bushfires, the far north contended with Cyclone Jasper and flooding, and the Southeast received storms as a rather unwelcome Christmas visitor.

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.

Growing pineapples has taken Mark Harris all over South East Queensland, but on his current property on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, he’s sprucing things up ahead of handing over the reins to his nephew, Bert.

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.

When thinking about the benefits of planning for your agribusiness’s future, it’s natural to think in financial terms. But in speaking with Mick and John Cranny from Valley Syndicate in Bungundarra, good planning also buys you time.

The Primary Producer Flood Management Grant Scheme offers rebates to eligible primary producers of up to $7,500 towards the costs of professional advice to improve resilience to flooding and high rainfall.

More than 800 primary school students in the Toowoomba area got hands-on with fruit and vegetables as part of the Moo Baa Munch event held at Downlands College.

As another summer of heatwaves, bushfires, and storms bears down on Queensland, primary producers are using every available resource to protect their families, crops, and businesses.

Mackays Group operate a portfolio of large-scale tropical fruit farms in Queensland’s Far North. They are committed to minimising the environmental impact of their agricultural operations, investing in infrastructure and technology.