Vegetable Grower News

Agribusiness Careers at ELDERS

Young people with career aspirations in Australia’s rural sector are being offered the opportunity to apply for a national traineeship program with leading Australian agribusiness Elders Rural... Go to article.

Elders - AUSVEG strategic partners

Elders Chief Operating Officer Mike Guerin and AUSVEG Chief Executive Officer Richard Mulcahy today announced that AUSVEG and Elders have forged a new strategic partnership. Elders is Australia�s... Go to article.

Vegetables reduce allergy risk

A Japanese study  has found that eating lots of vegetables and fruits during pregnancy may lower the chance of having a baby with certain allergies,. Dr. Yoshihiro Miyake at Fukuoka University... Go to article.

IAC announced

The State members of the new Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee - IAC have been announced. The Vegetable IAC make important recommendations to Horticulture Australia about how the National Vegetable... Go to article.

Farm Safety Course

HortSkills Australia are offering a Farm Safety course specially designed for vegetable growers. Well qualified and experienced trainers will help you implement a OH&S system that is painless... Go to article.

Growing Leaders 2010

Growing Leaders 2010 is a program designed for people wishing to take up leadership roles at all levels of the vegetable industry – workplace supervisors, business leaders and industry representatives.... Go to article.

MarketFresh Schools Program

Victorian school kids are learning more about fruit and vegetables through a program run by the Melbourne Market Authority. MarketFresh Schools Program co-ordinator Sharyn Dunstan said the program... Go to article.

South Eastern Distribution Centre

A new fresh produce Distribution Centre is set to open in Dandenong in 2011 The 'South Eastern Fresh Distribution Centre' has been designed to enable local retailers and growers to compete... Go to article.

Baby Vegetables

Victorian tastes in vegetables are clearly changing. Ten years ago, Peter Schreurs was growing leeks, cabbage, broccoli, parsnip and kohl rabi, on the family farm at Devon Meadows, 60km South-East... Go to article.

Vegetable Industry Awards - 2009

Congratulations to the 2009 winners of the Australian Vegetable Industry Awards AUSVEG CEO Richard Mulcahy was impressed with the high standard of this year’s awards finalists and recipients,... Go to article.

Tomato Potato Psyllid in NZ

Australian vegetable growers are being forewarned of a new plant pest that is causing havoc in New Zealand. Many will recall how New Zealand growers were devastated by Currant Lettuce Aphid,... Go to article.

Growing Leaders Program 2010

Apply now for the 2010 "Growing Leaders" program. The program will help you develop skills for personal, business and industry situations and covers: handling conflict effective communication ... Go to article.

Vital Vegetables win Science Award

The 2009 Hugh McKay Future Farming Award has been presented to The Vital Vegetables Marketing Partners (VVMP) for their research, development, production and marketing of new novel vegetable... Go to article.

Apply NOW - 2009 Grower Study Tour to the USA

Ten Australian vegetable growers will have the opportunity of a lifetime to visit agricultural facilities in the USA from 1-13 October. This 12 day tour will take ten selected... Go to article.

Predators vs Plant Pests

Hungry pests cost farmers millions in crops losses each year, resulting in the widespread use of plant protectants, to which many bugs eventually become resistant. But one effective... Go to article.

Darren Schreurs - Australia's BEST Farm Spray Operator

Last night, Victorian vegetable grower Go to article.

Farm Safety update

A farm worker is recovering in hospital from serious injuries after he was run over by a tractor on a Werribee vegetable farm this morning. Workers were planting broccoli... Go to article.

Horticulture Industry Network launched

Victorian Agriculture Minister, Joe Helper has launched the Horticulture Industry Network, a joint initiative of the Victorian Department of Primary Industries and Victorian Horticulture... Go to article.

Epping Market Construction Begins

Work has begun on the $300 million Melbourne Wholesale Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Market at Epping. Acting Premier Rob Hulls inspected works today with Major Projects Minister Tim Pallas... Go to article.

Strategic Plan for Victoria

Victoria's much awaited Vegetable Industry Strategic Plan has been just been released. Five specific areas are identified where development will better prepare Victorian... Go to article.

Improving Vegetable Choices for Consumers

Monsanto and Dole Fresh Vegetables USA have agreed to develop and market an improved range of broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce and spinach varieties.        ... Go to article.

BIOCHAR study to begin

The Federal Government will fund a $1.4 million research project into the use of BIOCHAR in agriculture. The CSIRO will assess the potential for BIOCHAR to reduce greenhouse gas... Go to article.

Skills for Growth

A new Victorian Govenment initiative will invest $52million in a novel program that will position small business to succeed as the economy recovers. Skills for Growth offers... Go to article.

Better Services to Farmers

Better Services to Farmers is a new service delivery initiative from the Victorian Government. In the new delivery model, DPI will collaborate with other service providers,... Go to article.

Growing on THE EDGE

PAT Senserrick's family have grown artichoke,cauliflower and lettuce on the river flats at Keilor since 1926. But today, their fields are empty for the first time in more... Go to article.

Spray Operator Course

Successful vegetable growers draw on a large body of information to construct plant protection programs for their crops. They must consider the wide and changing variety of... Go to article.

Golf Day Success

98 golfers enjoyed a fun filled round of golf with sunshine, rain and wind on Friday at the Vegetable Growers Annual Golf Day at Lang Lang Golf Club. An additional 17 non... Go to article.

BOOSTER - the Super Broccoli

Vital Vegetables® have just launched BOOSTERTM, a new super broccoli scientifically proven to contain 40 percent more naturally protective and powerful antioxidants than... Go to article.

Feeding the World in 2050?

CSIRO director, Dr Peter Carberry, says the world demand for food and fibre will eclipses climate change as the world's next great challenge. The UN Food and Agriculture... Go to article.

Bovis Lend Lease to build new Market

Bovis Lend Lease have been selected to design and construct the $300 million main market floor of Melbourne's new Wholesale Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Market. The... Go to article.

Tripod Farms win NAB excellence award

The achievements of leading Victorian lettuce growers TRIPOD FARMS have been recognised with the National Agribusiness Primary Producer of the year award. Winners Frank and Joe Ruffo... Go to article.

Rick Butler - 2009 Young Leader Award

Heatherton grower Rick Butler has been honoured with a 2009 Young Leadership Award in recognition of his contribution to industry. Rick is a sixth generation Victorian vegetable grower... Go to article.

Worker dies in Werribee farm accident

A man died after being run over by the trailer of a reversing tractor at a Werribee vegetable farm on Monday. It is understood the trailer, loaded with cabbages, was being reversed into... Go to article.

Woolworths donates days profit to farmers

Sources: James Ferre, Australian Food News - 25 February 2009               Woolworths - 21 February 2009                  Daniel Palmer, Australian Food News... Go to article.

Food and fertiliser costs

27th May 2008, JODIE THOMSON Prices for fresh produce will need to rise to cover a jump in fertiliser prices that has added to the jump fuel and labour... Go to article.

Australian food crisis ahead

May 16, 2008, Jodie Thomson Australia may have its own food crisis, with the WA Vegetable Growers Association indicating their fear that WA will be unable... Go to article.

Victorian food security

May 20, 2008, by Daniel Palmer Hidden environmental costs could make food production more vulnerable than previously thought and we... Go to article.

Retailers exempt from code of practice

May 28, 2008, David McKenzie - Weekly Times The Horticultural Code of Conduct, introduced last year could soon be extended to agents who buy from growers on behalf... Go to article.

Biodiversity and food

May 22, 2008, Isobel Drake Just twelve crops and fourteen animal species now provide most of the world’s food. This limited... Go to article.

Retail food sales improving

By James Ferre ABS Retail Trade figures for May 2008 showed that retail Food sales improved in May with a 3.7 per cent rise in sales. More importantly,... Go to article.

Downy mildew threatens UK crops

UK Growers warned of downy mildew threat FreshInfo UK, Wed 6 Aug 08 10:01; UK Growers are being advised to think ahead and plan their fungicide campaigns now, if they want... Go to article.

UK agriculture borrowing figures reach £10 billion

FreshInfo UK, 18 August 2008 Borrowing levels for the UK agriculture sector have broken the £10 billion mark for the first time, according to the Bank of England. ... Go to article.

NZ vegetable growers under pressure

By HELEN MURDOCH - The Press | Friday, 20 June 2008 Gone are the days of Tasman's traditional family market gardener. They have followed the national... Go to article.

Global food problem a ticking time bomb

Thursday, June 19, 2008 The world’s current food crisis and the future of sustainable food provision are in the spotlight at the 52nd World Food Business... Go to article.

Senate examines our food supply

By Daniel Palmer A new Senate inquiry led by Bill Heffernan will examine how Australia can produce enough food for itself and maintain... Go to article.

Soil carbon a must for emissions trading

source: LUCY SKUTHORP - Rural Press 4/07/2008 Soil carbon must be recognised... Go to article.

Werribee growers to benefit from grants

source: 'Irrigation and Water Resources' magazine, Winter 2008 Vegetable growers at Werribee South are set to benefit from a $120,000 SmartWater grant to identify best... Go to article.

UK veg prices to rise

source: telegraph.co.uk 7/21/2008 Desperate British vegetable growers are lobbying supermarkets to increase the price they pay for cauliflowers, cabbages and broccoli by around... Go to article.

Mustard too hot for crop pests

source: Stock & Land 22/07/2008 Mustard plants are proving too hot to handle for some crop pests, and are providing an innovative bio-control for fruit and vegetable farmers.... Go to article.

Carbon tax credits for agriculture?

source: Stock & Land, Vic 24 July 2008 Trading in carbon could be a real winner for farmers, if common sense prevails. The politics of carbon trading are unfortunately well... Go to article.

Waste water common in global urban agriculture

ABC News, 18 August 2008 Waste water is widely used to irrigate urban agricultural land in developing countries, a practice that has both advantages and disadvantages,... Go to article.

ACCC reports on fertiliser pricing

ACCC Media Release , 22 August 2008 The ACCC have published a report which examines the reasons for recent increases in fertiliser prices. The factors... Go to article.

Garnaut counts soil carbon

Farmonline, 4 September 2008 In a boost for agriculture, Professor Ross Garnaut has called for soil carbon to be included in the greenhouse accounting process. ... Go to article.

Future uncertain for Bacchus Marsh growers

Source: Les White, Weekly Times - 22 April, 2009a               Les White, Weekly Times - 22 April, 2009b Victoria's productive Bacchus Marsh irrigation district... Go to article.

Industry defends HAL

Good Fruit & Vegetables, August 2008 An open letter from the peak industry bodies for Australian horticulture "It is important for all levy payers to... Go to article.

UK hort research under threat

FreshInfo UK, 6 September 2008 Horticultural research and development must find new funding streams urgently or it will disappear. ... Go to article.

Fruit and vegetables cut risk of disease

Fruit and vegetables cuts risk of disease The West Australian , 26 August 2008 26th August 2008, Antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables such as oranges,... Go to article.

China struggles to keep fertiliser

Sources: David Stanway, Forbes Business News, 28 April 2008 Edmund Klamann, Reuters,... Go to article.

JUST ADD FRUIT & VEG

The Vegetable Growers’ Association of Victoria is proud to support a great new initiative that encourages all Victorians to eat more... Go to article.

UK wholesalers urged to take the lead

Source: FRESHINFO Sun 12 Oct 08 Wholesale market authorities have been urged to become leaders and take the sector... Go to article.

World food crisis ahead

Source: World Union of Wholesale Markets - 07 Oct 08 "There is enough food in the world – the real debate should be about the... Go to article.

Pesticide Problems in China

Source: Epoch Times - 17 April, 2009              Greenpeace China - 9 April2009   Cheap frozen vegetables from China ? Think Again..! ... Go to article.

Victorian drought relief

Source: ALISON BARBER- Stock & Land - Mon 13 Oct 08 Cash-strapped... Go to article.

Federal relief for bush

Source: LUCY SKUTHORP - Farm online - Tue 14 Oct 08 Up to $4 billion will flow into... Go to article.

UK farmers fight to use farm chemicals

Source: UK National Farmers Union - 13 Oct 2008 NFU Vice President Paul Temple takes the pesticides fight to Brussels today as senior... Go to article.

Epping market still on track

Source: Melbourne Market Authority - 17 October 2008 Notice to all Market Users: It is appropriate that I keep you informed of the situation with... Go to article.

Water everyones worry !

Source: National Marketplace News - September 2008 WATER quality and availability are the biggest issues ahead for Victorian Vegetable Growers.. ... Go to article.

Kids junk food adverts to end

Source: Just-food.com - Fri 24 Oct 08 Australian food manufacturers have committed to a scheme that could spell the end of junk... Go to article.

UK supermarkets squeeze growers

Source: www.freshinfo.com - Fri 24 Oct 08 UK supermarkets are squeezing suppliers as they try to... Go to article.

Future food and farming

Source: Australian Conservation Foundation - Monday, 27 Oct 08 'Business as usual' is not an option for Victorian farming and food,... Go to article.

Peak fertiliser price ?

Source: COLIN BETTLES - Thursday, 30 Oct 08 Fertiliser prices have dropped significantly over the past three months... Go to article.

UK carbon emission standard

Source: Fresh Info - Monday, 3 Nov 08 The new specification for assessing the life cycle of greenhouse gas emissions of goods and services... Go to article.

UN future food concerns

Source: Fresh Info - Sunday, 2 Nov 08 Professor John Beddington, chief scientific adviser to the UK government, has stressed how the interconnected... Go to article.

Holding on to young workers

Source: Fresh Info - Wednesday, 5 Nov 08 Mark Murphy, chief executive of Leadership IQ has shared his tips for making the most of young workers. In... Go to article.

Australian horticulture measures carbon footprint

Australian horticulture measures carbon footprint Source: Horticulture Australia - Wednesday, 19 Nov 08 Horticulture... Go to article.

AUSVEG ratifies emergency plant pest deed

Source: AUSVEG, 21 Nov 2008 AUSVEG, the national peak industry body representing the interests of Australian vegetable and potato growers,... Go to article.

Why are fertiliser prices still high ?

Source: David McKenzie, Weekly Times - December 2, 2008 THE local fertiliser market was a "law unto itself'' and should be subject to tougher competition... Go to article.

New market one step closer

Source: Peter Hunt , Weekly Times - December 5, 2008 The Victorian Government is pushing ahead with its $300 million role in relocating Melbourne's Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable... Go to article.

Outcry triggers fertiliser price drop

Sources: Gregor Heard, Stock & Land - December 22, 2008               Alison Bell, AAP - December 19, 2008               Paula Thompson, Stock Journal... Go to article.

Biosecurity changes afoot

Sources: Sara Everingham, ABC - December 18, 2008 An independent report has called for a major overhaul of Australia's quarantine and biosecurity measures. On... Go to article.

Leadership development

Source: Jill Briggs, Rural Training Initiatives - December 21, 2008 Developing future leaders for the Australian vegetable industry is the mission of a new training program... Go to article.

Aussie exports battle foreign regulations

Sources: David Minnis, Weekly Times - December 22, 2008               Governments are turning a blind eye to Australia's horticultural export crisis,... Go to article.

New Victorian IDO

Source: Tony Imeson , VGA Victoria - 28 December, 2008              Weekly Times NOW - 12 January, 2009 The VGA are pleased to announce the appointment of Katie... Go to article.

EU ruling threatens UK vegetable crops

Sources: Caroline Davies, The Observer - January 4, 2009 UK vegetable growers are bracing for major quality and yield losses in carrot, potato, onion and parsnip... Go to article.

NZ bans Endosulphan

Sources: Kelly Burke - Sydney Morning Herald, 8 January 2009               ERMA news, 15 December 2008 The NZ Environmental Risk Management Authority has... Go to article.

Endosulfan - the facts

Source:   APVMA - January 2009 Endosulfan is registered for use in Australia on a number of crops to control a variety of insects and mites. The... Go to article.

Future cultivation and planting

Source: Roger Chesher, UK Horticulture Week - 20 February 2009            There have been many advances in ploughing, cultivation, drilling and planting... Go to article.

Ladybirds & Lettuce

Source: Vegetables Victoria Editorial - 2 March 2009 Ladybird beetles are very common in lettuce crops over summer and you may even find... Go to article.

Vegetable Expo Spectacular

Vegetable displays feature at Werribee Expo Source: Sandra Godwin, Weekly Times - 3 March 2009 Go to article.

Irrigation Water for Melbourne's West

Irrigation Water for Melbourne's West Source: Vegetables Victoria Editorial - 14 March 2009 Weary vegetable growers at Werribee and Bacchus Marsh are hoping the early... Go to article.

A-Class Water a Winner

Source:  Leif Ericson, TYCO Engineering - March, 2009               Les White, Weekly Times - 7 April, 2009   Vegetable growers in Melbourne's south east are glad... Go to article.

Better Water for Werribee Growers

Source: Werribee Banner - 8 April, 2009              Victoria University - 31 March 2009   VICTORIA University has appointed Wyndham councillor,... Go to article.

Beneficials in the Greenhouse

Sources:      Edwina Hall, Weekly Times - 6 May, 2009                    Geoff Strong, The AGE - 5 January, 2009   Hydroponic growers Tony... Go to article.

UK concern for Fruit & Veg

UK concern for Fruit & Veg Sources: UK Fresh Produce Consortium - 13 January, 2009               ... Go to article.

Support for Tas organics

May 23, 2008, James Ferre The Tasmanian Government is looking to the organic farming industry to improve food security. The Tasmanian... Go to article.