Month: April 2019

What you need to know The decline in water quality in catchments and sub-catchments is a problem attracting government and community interest across Australia and the world. Water quality on the Great Barrier Reef has been an especially hot topic for some years now but the Queensland Government’s recent introduction of environmental…

By Sonia Campbell The Coffs Highway bypass project might well be a fait accompli. But, talk to the likes of third generation banana grower David Pike, and the raw reality of ‘making way for progress’ really sinks in. His sprawling 50 acre banana farm sits in the direct diagonal path…

Curtis Lanham, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries A new trial examining plant-nitrogen use across banana production systems in the Wet Tropics recently commenced at South Johnstone research station and commercial farms. This three year trial will be conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) across…

Excitement is building for next month’s Australian Banana Industry Congress, to be held at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast from 22-24 May. An amazing line-up of speakers and entertainers have been locked in to a comprehensive, grower-focused program, bringing an exceptional range of expertise, insight and motivation. The dedicated…

Under the Microscope profiles the industry’s emerging and exotic diseases. Sometimes you just need the facts, fast. What is Banana Wilt Associated Phytoplasma? Banana Wilt Associated Phytoplasma or BWAP is a disease caused by very small bacteria which do not have a cell wall and cannot be grown on…

For 15 years banana growers in Coffs have faced an uncertain future over the proposed $1 billion Coffs Harbour bypass project, first mooted in 2004.  Today, they continue to fight tooth and nail, to ensure the best outcome is achieved for local farmers. By Sonia Campbell Coffs…

If you ever have any doubts about the future of the banana industry, sit down and have a chat to Gilbert brothers, Stuart and Angus. You will quickly learn the future is certainly bright, with these two young guns showing how it’s done on their family’s Far…