Simply Red Ed 39 Sep 2015

QUEENSLAND STRAWBERRY INDUSTRY NEWSLETTER 39 SEPTEMBER 2015

IN THIS ISSUE1 Field Day showcases

the latest in Farming Technology and Innovation

4 And The Winner Is...

6 Workplace Relations Issues in Horticulture into 2016

8 Jodi Neal joins the National Strawberry Breeding Team

10 Federal Minister visits growers to discuss new Labelling Laws

12 Performance of Strawberry Plants grown under plastic tunnels during a dry, cool, overcast season on the Sunshine Coast

16 Strawberry Festival Attracts Thousands!

18 Cold Snaps

19 Meetings & Events

20 QSGA DIRECTORY

INDUSTRY SPONSORSPLATINUMRed Jewel NurseryToolangi Certified Strawberry Runners

GOLDBerry Yummy Marketing

SILVERBarmacDavid Evans Group

BRONZEAustSafe SuperAgSafe – ChemClear/drumMUSTERANZRivulis IrrigationOrganic Crop Protectants

Despite drizzly weather conditions, the bi-annual Field Day for the Queensland Strawberry Industry was well attended in July this year by growers and industry associates alike, with over 80 visitors through the gate. Red Jewel Nursery was the major sponsor and host of the day, providing an ideal venue for the event at the Red Jewel Nursery Research Farm in Wamuran.

The Field Day provided an opportunity

for growers to liaise directly with a range of over 20 businesses exhibiting their products and services. This included the latest in farm machinery and implements, packaging, irrigation supplies, fertilisers. soil conditions, labelling and weighing equipment, agribusiness products and rural financial services. Presentations were held throughout the day, including information presented by exhibitors to showcase their products and services. Staff from Growcom

Field Day showcases the latest in farming

technology and innovation

Jen Rowling, IDO Qld Strawberries

PublisherQSIPC www.qldstrawberries.com.au

EditorJennifer Rowling: [email protected]: 07 5474 0374Mobile: 0438 752 177Address: PO Box 917, Cooroy Qld 4563

Advertising ManagerJennifer Rowling

Advertising [email protected]: 07 5474 0374Mobile: 0438 752 177

Contributing WritersJennifer Rowling (QSGA); Elise Pike (Red Jewel Nursery); Donna Mogg (Growcom); Chris Menzel and Lindsay Smith (DAF).

SubmissionsIf you have articles or suitable work for this publication, please submit to the editor for consideration. All correspondence of this nature should be directed to The Editor at the above address. QSIPC accepts no liability for loss or damage to unsolicited material.

QSIPC Committee President: Luigi CocoVice President: Adrian SchultzExec. Officer: Amanda RoyMembers: Ray Daniels, Rick Twist and Sue Mazi

Industry Development OfficerJennifer Rowling M: 0438 752 177Printed by GT Print

© QSIPC, Queensland Strawberry Industry Promotions CouncilAll rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by an other mean, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing to the publishers. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the publishers assume no responsibility for errors or omissions or any consequences of reliance on this publication. The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of the editor or the publisher.

THEPUBLICATION

2

were in attendance to provide growers with an update on workplace relations, Infopest and the new Hort360 best management practice program. Paul Jones of Bugs for Bugs and Dr Ken Fitzgerald from Petrik Soil Technology combined resources to present on soil health for disease control and the outlook for strawberry production in Queensland, and Dr Dean Metcalf presented some interesting information to growers regarding his work on the biological control of botrytis is strawberries.

Elise Pike from Red Jewel Nursery took growers on a farm tour to view and discuss how the new variety trials and Fortuna pre-planting trials are progressing. Red Jewel also conducted a taste test of new and current varieties, the results of which are featured in this newsletter. Nathan Roy of Aerobugs closed the day with a demonstration of the latest in drone technology, giving growers a birds-eye-view of the strawberry field and how this technology can benefit strawberry production.

A huge thank you to Ian Mungall, Elise Pike and Bill Sharpe of Red Jewel Nursery for allowing us to run the Field Day on the Research Farm and for all the help in the lead up to and on the day of the event. Very much appreciated.

A big thank you also to the Wamuran Mens Shed for coming along to feed the masses, the Daily Grind coffee van for the much needed caffeine fix and to Landmark Yandina for very generously giving away free vouchers for the coffee van! Very much appreciated!

Thank you to the following businesses for their support of the 2015 Field Day:

Major Sponsor and host of the eventRed Jewel Nursery

ExhibitorsAgrichemAgSafe – drumMUSTER/ChemClearANZAustralasia ScalesAustSafe SuperBarmacBerry Yummy MarketingDavid Evans GroupEldersElimbah Co-opKatek FertilizersLandmark YandinaMatthews AustralasiaMultisteps Pty LtdNetafim AustraliaNorco RuralNutrian Liquid Fertilizer

3

Organic Crop ProtectantsRed Jewel NurseryRivulisSweets Strawberry RunnersTractor Machinery Implements (TMI) Pty LtdWFI Insurance

4

Since the 2015 QSGA Field Day was held on 21st July, it has been asked, “Which Variety won the secret taste test over at the Red Jewel Nursery stand?” Well folks, here are the results!

The taste test was carried out across 4 varieties, some trial and some commercial, all given a letter and not identified by their current name. Participants were asked to taste each variety and score it from 1 to 4, with 1 being their favourite and 4 being the least favourite. The numbers were tallied and the variety with the lowest score over the 65 viable results was deemed the most popular. Participants verbally gave reasons for their results, ranging from visual appeal, to sweetness and texture.

The varieties and fruit used for this taste test were harvested from the trial plots of Red Jewel Research Farm. The full results of the

season long trials will be made available at a QGSA meeting later in the year.

Fourth Place – 2011-049 (Variety B)Coming in with a total score of 206, was 2011-049 in fourth place. The most common comment made about this variety was concerning the softer texture of the fruit. A number of participants noted, that despite flavour, they were instantly turned off the variety by its “floury” texture.

2011-049 is a current trial variety, developed by Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF). The variety is in the first stages of grower trials this season, with row stage plantings being evaluated at the Red Jewel Research Farm. From these trials, the variety has shown to be a vigorous plant, capable of producing high quantities of large sized fruit. 2011-049 has been made available for growers for small scale commercial trials in 2016. Future trials should determine whether reduced nutritional inputs have the ability to decrease the vigour of the plant and improve the softer texture of the fruit.

Third Place – 2011-214 (Variety D)In third place, with a total combined score of 199, was QDAF variety 2011-214. Participants in the taste test commented

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AND THE WINNER IS...

Elise Pike, Red Jewel Nursery

5

that it had an acceptable flavour, but was quite firm. Other participants noted that the colour of the fruit in the display were noticeably darker than the other three varieties.

2011-214 is a current small scale trial variety, and was available to growers in small plot amounts this season. The Red Jewel Research Farm has been evaluating the variety in row sized plots. 2011-214 will be available for growers in the 2016 season in small commercial trial volumes. This variety is quite interesting, as it has early and high production from a low vigour and manageable plant, with virtually no runners in noted in the fruiting fields.

Second Place – Red Rhapsody (Variety A)With a combined score of 129, Red

Rhapsody received second place in the Field Day Taste Test. The variety was noted by most participants as the most visually appealing in the display, with its uniform shapes packing well in the trays. Most participants approved of the flavour, ranking it as their first or second choice.

Red Rhapsody was available to growers in commercial trial quantities in 2015. Red Jewel Research Farm has trialled Red Rhapsody in row to half block amounts throughout the season, and offers it as a new commercial option to growers in 2016. The variety has shown to produce uniform, conical shape fruit at a consistent rate throughout the season. A plant health issue noted with the variety throughout the season is yet to be determined; however some affected plants have since grown out

of the issue.

And the winner is – Florida Fortuna (Variety C)With a combined score of 114, Florida Fortuna was crowned at the crowd favourite. As a clear winner, with the highest number of number 1 scores, participants noted that it was the sweet flavour of Florida Fortuna that won them over.

As an existing commercial variety, Florida Fortuna has presented growers and nurseries with a number of challenges over the years, however despite the risks associated with growing the variety, the productivity and fruit quality that is possible to achieve still makes the variety one of the most popular varieties grown in modern day winter production regions.

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Fourth Place: Variety B – 2011-049 Third Place: Variety D – 2011-214 Second Place: Variety A – Red Rhapsody First Place: Variety C – Florida Fortuna

1st

6

While industrial relations is an area that rarely stands still and is most often in flux, this year in particular has seen an explosion of reviews, senate hearings, productivity commission reviews, government reports and Fair Work Commission activity. It can be hard to keep up, but vital that we ensure our policy settings are solid, and that our activities reflect what’s in the best interests of horticulture growers and their workers.

Modern Award ReviewThe ACTU and AWU have made a number of claims on behalf of casuals:

• 4 hour minimum engagement of casuals. (ACTU)

• Conversion of casual to full time employees after 6 or 12 months employment (ACTU)

• 4 hour minimum engagement of part time employee (ACTU)

• Overtime rates for casual employees in the same way full time employees receive overtime and weekend penalties (AWU)

• Notice requirements of casuals when employing them including likely hours (ACTU)

• Restrictions on further casual and part time employment to require additional hours to existing casuals and part time employees (ACTU)

Growcom continues to work with the legal and industry team and Solicitor to identify issues as they arise and to co-ordinate industry submissions. A questionnaire is being developed which will be a facilitated gathering of information to support and supplement out submissions. Growcom providing pledges and collecting monies on behalf of VoH.

Our Horticulture Award will be listed for hearing before the Full Bench in Sydney commencing March 2016.

Accident Pay Top up – from 15 October 2015The Fair Work Commission has also just announced their decision to re-insert

Accident Pay provisions back into the Horticulture Award. This requires employers to top up WorkCover payments to the “Normal Weekly Earnings” (WorkCover pays 85% of NEW of first 26 weeks). Given the incidence of injury and WorkCover claims in our industry this is of some concern. The award review team has made a submission to the FWC stating that these payments should be restricted to fulltime and part-time workers (as in the parent award) and should not continue beyond the ‘normal’ employment period.

Productivity Commission ReviewThe Australian Government asked the Productivity Commission to undertake a public inquiry to examine the performance of the workplace relations framework (including the Fair Work Act 2009) and identify improvements to it. The draft report was released on 4 August 2015, Friday 18th September is the final date to make written submissions.

Key findings of Draft report:The Fair Work Act is intended to deliver outcomes that are fair, flexible, co operative, productive, relevant, enforceable, non discriminatory, accessible, simple and clear. The legislation is complex and there are meaty pickings for lawyers and workplace practitioners on all sides. In its opening statement, the PC said:

“Despite sometimes significant problems and an assortment of peculiarities, Australia’s workplace relations system is not systemically dysfunctional. Many features work well – or at least well enough….”

It needs repair not replacement. The PC have made a number of recommendations around General Protections, Conciliation transparency and reporting, unfair dismissal, reducing Sunday rates, replacing BOOT (better off overall test) with NDT (no disadvantage test), and some peripheral matters around the structure and compositon of the Fair Work Commission(ers).

Northern Australia White Paper(ie all of the Northern Territory and those parts of Western Australia and Queensland above the Tropic of Capricorn)

Proposal to expand the 417 visa (WHM) programThe Commonwealth Government will amend the WHM 417 Visa Programme to allow both Working Holiday (Subclass 417) and Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa holders to work an additional six months with one employer in northern Australia if they work in the following high demand areas in the north:• agriculture, forestry and fishing

• tourism and hospitality

• mining and construction

• disability and aged care.

The Government will also be giving Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa holders the opportunity to access a second 12 month visa if they work for three months in agriculture or tourism in the north.

Working Holiday (Subclass 417) visa holders already have access to a second 12 month visa and this change means WHM Visa Programme participants could potentially be able to work for the entire duration of their two year stay in Australia — increasing the supply of seasonal and temporary labour in the north.

Seasonal Worker ProgramThe Government will also expand the SWP to the broader agriculture industry and the accommodation sector on an ongoing basis, and invite northern Australia’s tourism industry to suggest proposals to trial the SWP in tourism sectors other than accommodation from 1 July 2015.

To support the expansion of the SWP, the Government will remove the minimum stay requirement of 14 weeks, provided workers receive a net financial benefit of at least $1,000 during their stay. The Government will also simplify cost sharing arrangements by combining the employer’s contribution

WORKPLACE RELATIONS ISSUESin Horticulture into 2016

Donna Mogg, Commercial Services Manager, Growcom

9

to each seasonal worker’s international and domestic airfare to a total of $500. Further measures to cut red tape for business will be announced by 1 July 2016.

A new Pilot Program for workers from Pacific Microstates The Commonwealth Government will introduce a new pilot programme for workers from the Pacific microstates of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu to help address unmet labour demands in northern Australia. This new five year pilot programme will provide up to 250 citizens from the Pacific microstates access to a multi-year visa to work in lower skilled occupations in selected industries in the north. The programme will target non-seasonal industries and occupations that are unable to access Australian workers, in turn supporting northern Australia’s economic development.

This is supplementary to the Seasonal Worker Program.

Government Proposal to “close tax loopholes” in taxation for 417 visa holdersIn the 2015–16 Budget the Government proposes to change the tax status of temporary working holiday makers from

that of resident, to that of non-resident, from 1 July 2016 forcing them to pay at least $32.5 per cent tax on every dollar then earned (33¢ in 2016).

The claim from Department of Immigration is that his is simply closing a loophole. This not entirely so, as under current Tax

laws, backpackers can be categorised as residents for taxation purposes in some circumstances and taxed at the same rates as other residents. In Horticulture, there is also a special tax table for workers in Hort and Shearing whereby they pay 13¢ in the dollar - and the SWP provides for workers to pay 15¢ in the dollar (there are no proposals to change this for SWP workers).

This new policy could substantially increase the incentives for tax evasion and the number of working holiday makers may diminish rapidly as soon as visa holders perceive there is less economic benefit to undertaking work that most Australians are reluctant to do, such as picking fruit, cleaning and casual hospitality.

The new income tax policy may reasonably be seen as a little more tax grab from the industry to fill dwindling treasury coffers. It offers nothing by way of incentive to those workers who we have relied on for years but will provide added incentive to those workers and to unscrupulous labour hire

companies and employers to offer cash in hand at slightly higher than the net rate which would be $14.48 per hour.

There is some growing support to introduce a one or two year low-skilled visa to address large scale, short-term labour needs – similar in operation to the SWP. There are some compelling arguments in favour of this, given the nature of and issues with backpackers (not committed to work, transient, unreliable in some cases). This proposal recognises that the days of getting large numbers of Australian workers to fill these jobs is well over, and that this kind of program will now be required if we are to provide a stable and consistent, if short-term workforce for harvest.

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“Despite sometimes significant problems and an assortment of peculiarities, Australia’s workplace relations system is not systemically dysfunctional. Many features work well – or at least well enough….”

8

Dr Jodi Neal has joined Dr Mark Herrington and his team as co-lead of the strawberry breeding program. Jodi comes to strawberries from the National Macadamia Breeding Program and brings extensive experience in plant breeding, quantitative genetic analysis and field trial management.

The DAF Subtropical Node of the National Strawberry Breeding Program was recently expanded to include the temperate and Mediterranean nodes of the national program. The national breeding program is funded by the Australian government through Horticulture Innovation Australia (HIA), Australian strawberry producers (through part of the levy) and the Queensland government through its Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF).

One of Jodi’s major ongoing priorities is talking with producers to learn more about the industry and what traits you think are important (or unwanted!) in new varieties. As such she’ll be attending as many industry meetings as possible, so please come and introduce yourself!

Jodi NealJOINS THE NATIONAL

STRAWBERRY BREEDING TEAM

Welcome to hort360! Hort360 is the horticulture best management practice (BMP) program developed by Growcom. It’s a process which is designed to give you a 360 degree view of your farm business operations. It assists you to identify potential risks, capitalise on business opportunities and highlight unnecessary farm expenses. It’s a whole of farm business approach.

Rowena Beveridge Hort360 Facilitator

07 4613 1077 0417 783 313 [email protected]

Anna Geddes Hort360 Facilitator

07 4613 1077 0413 902 218 [email protected]

Soil

The advantages of using Hort360 are:

Risk ManagementHort360 helps manage and identify risk whilst creating clear objectives and timeframes to work within.

MarketingHort360 creates the written records you need to prove your business is clean and green, opening market opportunities for your produce in both domestic and international markets.

Opportunity & Goal SettingHort360 identifies opportunities for improvement while keeping your goals on track in key areas of your farm business operation.

Office AdministrationHort360 helps to improve your business administration through better monitoring and record keeping.

Business SustainabilityHort360 is a whole of business approach for the sustainable management of your farming enterprise.

Hort360 is a simple web based program which steps through a series of questions about current management systems. These include irrigation management, energy, workplace health and safety, industrial relations, sediment management and water quality. It is a self assessable process that highlights risk, sets goals and provides direction for the grower in the form of links to existing sources of information and contacts. It doesn’t replace other forms of consultation but rather prioritises and provides specific actions for growers.

Hort360 along with the web program was successfully launched last month on the banks of the Lockyer Creek and is now ready for grower participation. To date there has been a lot of interest to have these assessments done which is extremely encouraging and shows the enthusiasm and willingness of our growers to continue to excel.

The sediment risk assessment is currently being delivered in the Lockyer and Sunshine Coast regions, the water quality risk assessment is being delivered through the Reef Programme and the irrigation risk assessment is being delivered through the Rural Water Use Efficiency Initiative program.

Growcom would like to acknowledge the Queensland Government for funding Hort360 as part of the Healthy Catchments Program and Resilient Rivers Initiative.

For a simple, 30 minute, no obligation soils risk assessment of your farm, please contact either Ro or Anna.

You will also receive an A3 laminated map of your farm(s).

10

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A group of Queensland strawberry producers met this month with Ted O’Brien, LNP Candidate for Fairfax and the Hon Ian Macfarlane, Minister for Industry and Science to discuss the potential implications of the new country of origin labelling system for the strawberry industry.

The Australian Government has announced that a new system for country of origin labelling will be introduced to ensure that consumers have access to the information they need to make informed decisions

about the products that they buy. Food that is grown or made locally will be labelled with a green and gold kangaroo and triangle icon with a new fill-bar graphic showing the percentage of Australian ingredients used in the product. For more information about the extent of the country of origin labelling, you can visit the following webpage: www.industry.gov.au/cool

The issue raised by strawberry producers relates to those who have purchased

punnet packaging in advance. Most growers hold a sizeable stock of labels and punnets at any given time, and the concern has been that there will be no opportunity to trade out leftover packaging in the timeframe that they plan to implement the new laws. There is also a concern about over-labelling, and the additional labour required to place kangaroo stickers on punnets.

Following on from recent Ministerial round table discussions, Ted O’Brien has been

Federal Minister visits growers to discuss new labelling laws

Jennifer Rowling, IDO Qld Strawberries

11

Please Contact our office on:Ph: (03) 5962 9220 | Fax: (03) 5962 9416 | Email: [email protected]

GROWERS OF QUALITY CERTIFIED STRAWBERRY PLANTS SINCE 1960Suppliers of “World’s Best” varieties

working with the Minister to get some concessions for strawberry growers and had invited him to a meeting with industry representatives to put forward a proposed solution and receive feedback.

The general consensus of those present at the meeting was that the new laws will be a positive step towards making Australian produce more recognisable. While there is still a process ahead including public consultation and approval by state governments etc, the Minister was confident that there would not be any significant opposition to the changes

and that the new law would likely become mandatory early next year.

A solution that has been proposed is that seasonal producers, such as berry farmers, will have a whole season to trade out of old packaging before they must be compliant with the proposed new labelling requirements. This means that growers will have the whole of the 2016 season to use up old labels and punnets, and must be fully compliant for the 2017 season. Growers will need to keep up to date with any changes to labelling laws to ensure they have time to incorporate the new requirements on packaging ordered for

the start of next season. The logo may also need to be added to packing cartons.

The feedback received from those in attendance was that the meeting was a good opportunity to have some quality discussion time with a Federal Minister, one who has a fondness for the region and the agricultural industries. A number of other issues affecting the industry were also discussed, and it is hoped that an open line of communication will continue with the Minister in future.

The QSGA will keep growers informed of developments in the new labelling laws as they come to hand.

Country of Origin Food Labels

Grown in Australia

‘Grown in’ country of origin claims

Companies will be encouraged to provide information on the origin of significant ingredients where possible

Imported food products must continue to declare their original country of origin

‘Made in’ country of origin claims

Made in Australia from less than 25% Australian ingredients

Made in Australia

from more than 25% Australian ingredients

Made in Australia


Made in Australia


Made in Australia

from 100% Australian ingredients

Made in Australia from 0%

Australian ingredients

Mandatory labels

Providing additional information

Imported products

For more information: industry.gov.au/cool

‘Packed in’ statements (imported ingredients)‘Packed in’ statements must also include a country of origin (made in or grown in) claim

Made in Australia

from Canadian

pork

Made in Australia

from Australian

milk

Made in Australia

from Australian carrots and French peas

Packed in AustraliaMade in Canada

Packed in AustraliaGrown in France

Made inFrance

Product of Canada

12

Studies conducted on the Sunshine Coast in 2012 and 2013 showed that strawberry plants growing under plastic high tunnels had higher yields and returns than plants growing in open, outdoor plots. Marketable yields were up to 40% higher in the plants growing under protected cropping. Lower yields in the plants grown outdoors were associated with higher losses due to rain damage and grey mould. In the second part of the research, we have been interested in determining whether plants growing under tunnels could produce good crops without the sprays normally used to control grey mould.

In 2014, plants of two cultivars were grown under tunnels at Palmwoods and their performance compared with that of plants grown outdoors. Half the plants in each group received the normal sprays to control grey mould, while the other group of plants received no sprays after flowering. It was relatively dry in 2014, with total rainfall from mid-May to late September of 285 mm compared with the long-term average of 366 mm. Overhead irrigation was used from early July to encourage the development of fruit diseases in the plants grown outdoors. The over-head irrigation used from early July provided about another 500 mm of water to the canopy. Plants growing outdoors and under the tunnels received the normal irrigation from under the plastic row covers. They also received the standard sprays used to

control powdery mildew and pests.

Plants growing in a dry environment under the tunnels (without over-head irrigation) had higher yields than plants growing in a wet environment outdoors (with over-head irrigation). Gross returns were more than $2.00 per plant higher in the plants growing in the dry, protected environment. A low incidence of grey mould in sprayed (2%) and unsprayed plots under the tunnels (2%) suggested that crops growing under plastic in southern Queensland probably do not need to be sprayed for this disease.

A second experiment was conducted at Palmwoods this year to continue the research on protected cropping. The set-up was different to that used in 2014, with no supplementary over-head irrigation given to the plants growing outdoors. The plants were grown under tunnels or outdoors. Half the plants in each group received the normal sprays to control grey mould, while the other group of plants received no sprays after flowering.

This season has been relatively dry compared with the rainfall in the previous three years. Total rainfall from May to August was 216 mm compared with the long-term average rainfall of 366 mm over this period. Even though it has been relatively dry this year, there has been a significant period of overcast and cloudy weather.

Plants grown under the tunnels had slightly lower yields and returns than the plants

grown outdoors, although the differences were not statistically significant (see Table 1). Overall production was lower than in the previous three years, possibly due to cool, cloudy weather for part of the season. Average fruit weight was slightly lower in the plants grown under the tunnels, perhaps due to lower light levels under the plastic.

The plants grown in the two different environments had similar rates of fruit defects, with slightly less than half the fruit culled over the season (see Table 2). The fruit harvested from the outdoor plots were mainly rejected because they were affected by rain or grey mould or were small. In contrast, the fruit harvested from under the tunnels were mainly rejected because they were affected by powdery mildew or were small. The higher incidence of small fruit under the tunnels was possibly related to the lower light levels under the plastic.

There was a mixed effect of the spray program on the incidence of grey mould in the two different growing environments. There was a lower incidence of the disease in the sprayed plots (7% of fruit affected) than in the non-sprayed plots (13% of fruit affected) when the plants were grown outdoors. In contrast, the incidence of mould was similar in sprayed (0.4% of fruit affected) and non-sprayed plots (0.1% of fruit affected) when the plants were grown under the tunnels.

PERFORMANCE OF STRAWBERRY PLANTS GROWN UNDER PLASTIC TUNNELS

DURING A DRY, COOL, OVERCAST SEASON ON THE SUNSHINE COAST

...continued on page 14

Christopher Menzel and Lindsay Smith, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

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The results of this experiment suggest that plants grown under tunnels can have lower yields than plants grown outdoors under cool, cloudy weather on the Sunshine Coast. This maybe because of the lower light levels recorded under the plastic compared with light levels outdoors. These conditions are generally not very common during the local strawberry season.

The incidence of rain damage and grey mould was lower in plants grown under tunnels than in plants grown outdoors. In contrast, the incidence of powdery mildew was higher in plants grown under tunnels. Only cultivars with some resistance to this disease should be grown under protected cropping. There was a very low incidence of grey mould in sprayed and non-sprayed plots in plants grown under the tunnels. These results indicate that sprays for this disease are probably not required for plants grown under protected cropping.

This work has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (HIA Ltd.) using voluntary contributions from the Florida Strawberry Growers’ Association (FSGA), with matching funding from the Australian Government.

Table 1. Effect of protected cropping on marketable yield, gross returns and average fruit weight in strawberry plants grown on the Sunshine Coast in 2015. The plants were grown under plastic high tunnels or in open, outdoor plots. Half the plots were sprayed for the control of grey mould and the other plots not sprayed. Data are the means of 16 replicates per treatment, pooled over sprayed and unsprayed plots and over two cultivars/breeding lines. Data were collected until the end of August.

TREATMENT Marketable Yield(g per plant)

Gross Return($ per plant)

Average Fruit Fresh Weight (g)

OutdoorTunnel

348275

2.532.04

21.920.0

Table 2. Effect of protected cropping on the incidence of various fruit defects in strawberry plants grown on the Sunshine Coast in 2015. The plants were grown under plastic high tunnels or in open, outdoor plots. Half the plots were sprayed for the control of grey mould and the other plots not sprayed. Data are the means of 16 replicates per treatment, pooled over sprayed and unsprayed plots and over two cultivars/breeding lines. Data were collected until the end of August.

TREATMENT Rain Damage and/or Grey Mould (%)

Grey Mould (%)

Powdery Mildew (%)

Small and/or Misshaped (%) Misshaped (%) All Defects (%)

OutdoorTunnel

231

101

112

2029

69

4342

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16

Thousands of strawberry lovers converged on the Sandstone Point Hotel at Bribie Island this month for a celebration of all things strawberry.

The Strawberry Festival is an initiative of the new Sandstone Point Hotel, who were keen to introduce a great family fun day while promoting the region’s strawberry production. With roughly 5,000 visitors on the day, their initiative has proved to be an incredible success and looks set to become an annual event.

The QSGA and strawberry producers from the region set up stalls to sell fresh produce and other strawberry treats including choc coated/dipped strawberries, strawberry jelly, tarts and meringues, strawberry skewers, strawberry punch and ice cream and much more. Taste n See went even further, offering face painting, balloons and temporary tattoos for the kids. A range of other stall holders were also invited to participate, the majority of which added a strawberry component to their products.

There was a great range of food on offer, rides for the kids, a strawberry based cocktail list plus strawberry beer and cider, strawberry eating competition for the kids, live entertainment and music throughout the day. The atmosphere was truly wonderful and the day was topped off with an incredible fireworks display.

A very big thank you to the entire team at the Sandstone Point Hotel for pulling together such an incredible inaugural Festival with very little lead-in time. It’s a credit to their expertise and professionalism that this event was such a success and we are super excited about what can be achieved next year. We can’t wait!

STRAWBERRY FESTIVALATTRACTS THOUSANDS!

18

C LDSNAPS

Residents of the Granite Belt and Darling Downs woke to a winter wonderland in July this year, with the heaviest snowfall recorded in Queensland since 1984. Some areas received as much as 8 centimetres of snow as the temperature plummeted. A unique and memorable experience, particularly for strawberry producers who have not been in the region for long.

Thank you to our inaugural Industry Sponsors for 2015:Platinum Gold

Silver

Bronze

19

MEETINGS & EVENTS

Tuesday, 6th October 2015QSGA Management and Normal Meeting

Glasshouse Mountains Sports Club from 5pm for Management Meeting and 7pm for Normal Meeting.

For more information regarding any of the meetings and events listed above, please contact Jen Rowling on 0438 752 177 or email [email protected]

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1800 008 707www.drummuster.com.au

drumMUSTER is leading the way in product stewardship.

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austsafe.com.au

20 QSGA DIRECTORYThe following businesses have shown their support of the Queensland Strawberry Industry this year by becoming Associate Members of the Queensland Strawberry Growers Association. We encourage

growers to show your appreciation by supporting these businesses where possible.

AgSafe – drumMUSTER/ChemClearAgsafe supports the safe and compliant handling, supply and disposal of agvet chemicals and their containers through three industry programs: Accreditation & Training, drumMUSTER and ChemClear.Contact: Colin Hoey (Regional Consultant) 0428 964 576Email: [email protected]: www.agsafe.com.auwww.chemclear.com.auwww.drummuster.com.auhttp://aat.agsafe.com.au/

ANZContact: Ryan BaddockPhone: 0407 110 757Email: [email protected]: www.anz.com

Australian Strawberry DistributorsContact: Jim RipepiPhone: 03 5964 4371Web: www.asdstrawberries.com.au

AustSafe SuperAustSafe Super is the industry super fund for rural and regional Australia. For over 25 years, we’ve been committed to supporting the Strawberry Industry and looking after members’ super throughout their working life, and into retirement. We also have a team of local Regional Managers on hand to help employers understand super and meet their obligations.Contact: Bruce Waltisbuhl, Regional Manager Southern Qld on 0400 995 824 Email: [email protected]: www.austsafe.com.au

Barmac ( a Divison of Amgrow) Barmac services a number of markets in the agricultural, horticulture and urban pest control arenas by formulating and supplying a wide range of commodity and specialty plant protection, nutrition and pest control products.Phone: 07 3802 5050Email: [email protected]: www.barmac.com.au

Berry Yummy MarketingBerry Yummy is a Distribution and Marketing business, Our aim is to take the stress out of the supply chain. We achieve this by running our own temperature controlled trucks specifically for berries, through to our own internal QA which ensure our quality berries receive the maximum returns and are sold to the appropriate customers. Berry Yummy owns the PBR in Australasia to Spelndor which is a partnership with Plant Sciences. We offer our partners the opportunity to grow these varieties which produce high yield great tasting fruit. Our fully transparent approach allows our growers to receive their returns with a breakdown of costs daily, along with a quality report so any issues can be addressed. If we can assist in the collection, distribution and marketing of your berries please get in touch.Contact: Ray Daniels Phone: 07 54967364Email: [email protected]

Biogrow Australia Pty LtdInternational supplier of high quality complexed or chelated products focused towards correcting nutrition deficiencies, fruit setting, colour, root development and stress relief.Contact: Geoff Jones 0419 168 650 [email protected]

Shane Singh 0400 174 644 [email protected] Montgomery 0419 698 102 [email protected]: www.Biogrow.com.au

Coochin Creek Fruitgrowers Co-OperativeContact: Errol Graham 0429 946 219Scott Pierantozzi 0408 002 540Website: www.coochincreek.com.au

David Evans GroupLeading supplier of innovative agricultural equipment and tailored solutions for the Strawberry Industry.Contact: Sales, Parts & ServicePhone: 07 5476 1166Email: [email protected] Web: www.deg.com.au

Don Alroe & SonsWith over 30 years experience selling Queensland Strawberries.Contact: Paul Alroe 0412 755 665 Email: [email protected]

Dykes Bros Pty LtdContact: Brian Dykes Phone: 03 9687 9150Email: [email protected]

Elders Rural Services CabooltureElders brings the best products, range and service in chemicals, fertilisers, packaging and more to meet all day to day needs of strawberry growers in Queensland.Phone: 5495 2033 Email: [email protected]

FruithaulRefrigerated Produce Distribution. Refrigerated Transport direct from the farm to produce markets and supermarket distribution centers along the Eastern Seaboard. Contact: Mathew VallancePhone: 07 5495 6777 Email: [email protected]: www.fruithaul.com.au

Glasshouse Design & ManufacturingQueensland’s No.1 strawberry equipment manufacturer of plastic layers, plastic retrievers, inter-row sprayers, poly pipe winders and conveyor systems. Proudly supplying agricultural and engineering products and services for over 25 years. Equipment Sales: Trevor BickleOther Sales and Services: Ian or Maree7 Biondi Crescent, Beerwah Qld 4519 Phone: 07 5494 0088 Fax: 07 5494 0924Email: [email protected] Web:www.gdmaust.com

LandmarkContact: Karl Tollner 0427 756 637Phone: 07 5446 7728Email: [email protected]

Organic Crop ProtectantsA leading manufacturer and distributor of crop protection and nutritional products for growers who are focused on Integrated Pest & Disease Management and improving the health of their soils.Contact: Andrew WoodfordPhone: 0448 016 551Email: [email protected]: www.ocp.com.au

R&R Fumigation ServicesSpecialising in soil fumigation services and related

products, R&R Fumigation Services provide the most complete and comprehensive range of soil fumigation options available today. Contact: Rod Mitchell 0418 585 666 Rob Gregorio 0400 538 715Email: [email protected]: www.fumigation.com.au

Red Jewel NurseryRed Jewel Nursery specializes in the supply of green top (leaf on) strawberry runners for the Australian strawberry industry. Frozen and trial plants of new varieties are available by arrangement. Contact: Elise Pike 0429 841 133Phone: 07 4684 1133Web: www.redjewel.com.au

Rivulis IrrigationRivulis Irrigation, formerly John Deere Water, are leaders in drip and micro irrigation technology, providing irrigation solutions to growers all over the world. T-Tape, Hydro PC, D5000, Filters, Valves and Sprinklers are just a few of the leading products Rivulis manufacture.Brisbane/ Northern NSW – Guy BoydEmail: [email protected]: 0419 797 905Nth QLD/ NT – John McDonnellEmail: [email protected]: 0418 418 992Central/Sth QLD (Rockhampton/Bundaberg/Sunshine Coast) – Marcus AshleyEmail: [email protected]: 0418 712 118WA – Michael LaughlinEmail: [email protected]: 0419 247 299NSW - Paul MillisEmail: [email protected]: 0447 849 872

Ross & Co Fruit & Vegetables Pty LtdStrawberry SpecialistsContact: Sean 0448 888 675Nick 0419 657 255Email: [email protected] 17 – 19, Building B, Brisbane Market, Rocklea, QLD 4106

S & F ProduceContact: Tony Cutri 0409 445629Phone: 02 93256137Fax: 02 93256138Email: [email protected]

SteritechExport and domestic market access using irradiation which is a chemical free phytosanitary treatment, providing a safe and effective option to maintain market access for all Australian states using ICA-55 and export to the USA, New Zealand, Malaysia and Indonesia.Contact: Glenn RobertsonPhone: 0402 456 124Email: [email protected]: www.steritech.com.au

Toolangi Certified Strawberry Runner Co-OpGrowers of quality certified strawberry plants since 1960. Access to “World’s Best” varieties.Phone: (03) 5962 9220Fax: (03) 5962 9416Email: [email protected]

Documents

Simply Red Ed 39 Sep 2015