1 March, 2023
Content
ABGC Board Meeting outcomes
(including TR4 Transition and Supply Chain Engagement update)
Applications open for Best Practice Fund
New video showcasing Bunchy Top tips & tools
21/22 Horticulture Statistics Handbook now available
TR4 Board Meeting
New Psychosocial Hazards Code of Practice
Farm resilience and BOM weather tools
Farmer wellbeing survey
Banana Congress supporters
ABGC Board Meeting outcomes
L-R: Doriana Mangili (WA), Stephen Spear (NSW), Leon Collins (Deputy Chair, QLD), Stephen Lowe (Chair, QLD), Andrew Serra (QLD) and Paul Inderbitzin (QLD). Not pictured: Ben Franklin (Treasurer, QLD) and Tayla Mackay (QLD).
ABGC Directors and senior staff met for their quarterly Board meeting in Brisbane last week.
Key issues of discussion included:
TR4 Transition
Industry Transition Leader Geoff Wilson updated Directors on progress of the Panama TR4 Program transition to industry management by 30 June 2023.
As well as the Code of Practice, key elements of the ABGC’s program are nearing completion including a Compliance Strategy, Sampling and Diagnostic Strategy, Surveillance Strategy, and an overarching Management Plan that will provide a framework for how, with grower support, the ABGC intends to practically manage the disease.
Supply Chain Engagement update
An update and outcomes from the recently completed Back to School campaign was delivered by Supply Chain Engagement Manager Andrew Burns.
He noted that a targeted program to drive amplification and retailer engagement resulted in a successful campaign, particularly with the inclusion of sporting great Jana Pittman.
A more comprehensive Supply Chain Report can be found on the ABGC website:
Congress 2023 and the Future Farming award
Congress 2023 is shaping up to be another exciting event with big savings currently on offer for Early Bird registrations, particularly for ABGC members.
Members can save up to $220 on full priced tickets, if you register before 14 March, but you will need your unique Grower Member code to access discounts.
Nominations are also now open for the Future Farming Award, presented at the Congress Ball. The award recognises a banana grower who runs a productive operation whilst showing a desire to contribute to the long-term improvement of farm management practices for the benefit of the environment and water quality.
You can nominate a grower via the simple online form below. Or, if you would like to submit a nomination over the phone, contact Kathryn Dryden on 0447 000 203. Nominations close 17 March.
This year’s Congress program includes a stellar line up of presenters and entertainers. All activities will be held at the Cairns Convention Centre and Pullman Reef Hotel Casino. For further information contact Communications Manager Sonia Campbell on 0428 038 330 or go to the Congress website here.
Applications open for Best Practice Fund
Applications are open for Round 1 of the Best Practice Fund.
The Best Practice Fund offers support to growers in the Great Barrier Reef catchment to improve farm management practices and contribute to better water quality running off-farm. $1.4m over three years has been invested by the Office of the Great Barrier Reef & World Heritage which will be administered by ABGC’s Best Practice Team.
The first round of funding will prioritise projects requiring the movement of soil. This will ensure that any works that exposes soil is undertaken in the dry season and that ground cover has time to establish before the wet.
Contact ABGC’s Best Practice Team via bmp@abgc.org.au for information. Applications close on 12 April.
New video showcasing Bunchy Top tips and tools
Banana Bunchy Top initially shows infection in the newest leaves. In their latest video, the ABGC’s Bunchy Top inspectors give their tips on the best way to look for symptoms on suspect plants in new leaves that may be out of reach and the tools they use to have a closer look.
21/22 Horticulture Statistics Handbook now available
Hort Innovation has released the 21/22 Horticulture Statistics Handbook, providing the most comprehensive and up-to-date data available on more than 75 horticultural products, including bananas. Click on the image below to view the resource:
The data shows the banana industry produced just over 374,000 tonnes in the last financial year, down 7 per cent on the previous year.
For the full breakdown, including state-by-state, you can read the handbook by clicking here.
TR4 Board Meeting
A snapshot of the January meeting of the Panama TR4 Program Management Board can be found online by clicking here.
New Psychosocial Hazards Code of Practice
The Managing the risk of psychosocial hazards at work Code of Practice 2022(PDF, 1.46 MB) (the Code) is a practical guide on how to prevent harm from psychosocial hazards at work, including psychological and physical harm. Register for a free livestream event on 21 March to learn more about the Code, which comes into place on April 1.
Farm resilience and BOM weather tools
Following today’s event in Atherton, a Farm Business Resilience Planning and BOM Climate Tools workshop will be held on Friday (3 March) in Silkwood, with a morning and afternoon session available. Find out more and register by clicking here.
Banana Congress 2023: Sponsored Content
A huge thank you to our sponsors, who make the banana industry’s premier event possible.
