Cassowary Coast meeting rescheduled

The Cassowary Coast BGA meeting originally scheduled for April 8 has been moved to April 15 (Thursday), 7pm at Silkwood Tavern. Guest speakers Sam Spina (QRIDA) and Nick Birchley (Rural Financial Counselling Service) will explain the loan and grant application processes for disaster assistance.

Grants available for flood affected NSW growers

A reminder that any NSW grower affected by the recent severe weather and flooding may be eligible for a Special Disaster Grant to help pay for immediate clean-up and repairs to infrastructure.

You can apply here. Applications for the Special Disaster Grant are open until 31 October 2021.   

From the NSW Department of Primary Industries: Primary producers are encouraged not to self-assess and to apply for the scheme through the RAA so it can determine your eligibility. 

Please visit the RAA Special Disaster Grants – Floods webpage to access the program guidelines and for more information on eligibility and how to apply. 

Feast of the Senses

Got a few hours to promote local bananas and enjoy some good company on Sunday April 18? The Australian Bananas stand at Feast of the Senses is again looking for volunteers. If you can spare any time to help out, Jo Borsato would love to hear from you on 0417 611 996.

Field sites needed for data on new leaf spot active

Staphyt Australia conducts studies for various organisations requiring residue data for chemical registration submissions. 

They are currently looking for 2 small sites in NQ –   one on the Tablelands/Lakeland and another on the coast. Each trial will run for 21 days, will involve approximately 80 banana plants.

Full compensation will be paid to the grower. 

Staphyt are familiar with biosecurity requirements, will abide with any required by the grower and will supply their own gum boots etc.

If you think you can help please contact Andrea Bryan on 0409 422 551 abryan@staphyt.com

Remember these trials are necessary to get new leaf spot controls registered for our industry.

Agchemical update

The latest Agchemical update was recently released by Hort Innovation. Growers can find the full report here, but some points of interest below:

Australia

Bayer has sought registration of Routine 200SC (isotianil) for the control of leaf spot diseases in bananas. Reportedly, it’s a low dose preventative which induces systemic acquired resistance in plants.

Internationally

• Canada and USA: Restriction and limitations on uses of Chlorpyrifos 
• Europe: Withdrawal of Mancozeb and authorization for Imidacloprid (which is found in Confidor, Suscon, Movento Energy) will expire in the coming months
• Germany and Mexico- phasing out of Glyphosate by 2023 and 2024 respectively

Register for Congress in Cairns!

The countdown to Congress in Cairns has well and truly begun!

Join us from May 12-14 for a stellar line up of presenters, social events and even a bit of star spotting! Special guests include croc wrangler Matt Wright and NRL legend Billy Slater.

You can view the full plenary program here.

Banana Women’s Luncheon

Tickets to the Banana Women’s Luncheon are selling out fast!

The luncheon will be held on Thursday, 13 May at Kingsford’s Lounge at the Pullman Cairns International. Our special guest will be Mary O’Brien, founder of ‘Are you bogged mate?”

Cost is $60 and includes a two-course plated meal and welcome drink on arrival.

Our Shout!

Any grower who registers for Congress before May 1 (National Banana Day) will go into the draw to win a $250 bar tab, which will be drawn at the Welcome Drinks on Wednesday May 12. If you’d rather spend the cash on something else, there will be the option to spend your $250 voucher on a range of services at Pullman Cairns International, including food and the hotel day spa.

Register now for your chance to win!