Growers’ e-bulletin – 11 October, 2022

Growers’ e-bulletin – 11 October, 2022

Content

Bagging technique improves fruit quality
Cassowary Coast BGA meeting
Unbreakable Success workshop – limited places
Nutrient Management Plans for QLD growers
Haifa ‘Croptune’ App
Weather workshop at South Johnstone
TR4 animation series
Farm Business Resilience workshop – Innisfail
AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award
Fair Farms Conference

Bagging technique improves fruit quality

Experienced premium Cavendish grower Naomi Brownrigg is confident that a bagging technique which leaves a ‘flue’, has improved fruit quality by reducing fungal and mould issues.

Sellars Bananas implemented this technique on their property more than 20 years ago.

Naomi is passionate about helping other growers improve their fruit quality and is willing to share her knowledge and experience of lessons learnt. She will be attending this week’s Cassowary Coast BGA meeting (Thurs, 7pm, Silkwood Hotel) if any growers would like to ask questions.

View the Case Study on Better Bananas here: https://betterbananas.com.au/2022/10/07/grower-case-study-bagging-technique-improves-fruit-quality-for-sellars-bananas/

Cassowary Coast BGA meeting

As mentioned above, the Cassowary Coast BGA meeting will be held this Thursday (October 13), 7pm, at the Silkwood Hotel.

In addition to Naomi’s presentation, Dr Rosie Godwin (ABGC) will provide a short update on industry Research and Development.

Sonia Campbell (ABGC) will also share a retail training video produced by the ABGC’s Communications Project, aimed at improving the handling, storage and merchandising of bananas in stores. The video enlists the expertise of Richard Clayton, Managing Director of Australian Produce Partners, and Piet Fontyn, APP Category and Account Manager, to present the videos, with support from Harris Farm Markets. The video will be offered nationally to independent retailers as well as major chains as a best practice guide.

Just a few places left at Trevor Farmer workshop

FNQ growers: have you secured your place at Trevor Farmer and Juliane Cowan’s ‘Unbreakable Success Matrix’ workshop? There are limited tickets left for the November 2-3 event! Grower Gavin Mackay has worked with Trevor in the past and believes it’s well worth your while. Check out the video below or find out more here: https://topcatz.com.au/programs/usm/CairnsNov-2I9K7PS-C

Nutrient Management Plans for QLD growers

In times of rising input costs, some growers may be surprised to learn that their traditional nutrient applications are more than necessary to achieve a productive farming business.

To help growers optimise their nutrient applications, ABGC has enlisted expert private agronomists to help growers develop efficient and effective nutrient management plans for their farm.

These individualised plans will utilise soil and leaf testing to develop nutrient recommendations that are tailored to farm layout and soil. This tailored approach can help growers to meet their crop needs and improve their soil health while potentially reducing nutrient losses and saving money.

Growers on the Cassowary Coast are invited to express interest in working with ABGCs Best Practice team to develop FREE customised nutrient management plans for their farm by contacting Molly Blake at molly@abgc.org.au or on 0419 602 864.

Presentation of Haifa ‘Croptune’ App for bananas

Plant nutrient deficiency is a major issue for farmers, with a number of current factors bringing focus to the precise application of nutrients.

Haifa Croptune is a unique Agro-technology software that enables the user to assess the Nitrogen uptake in a plant using a “smart” phone’s camera. So far, banana and 17 other crops can be assessed by Croptune.

Haifa Australia will be available at the South Johnstone Research Station on Tuesday 8^th November from 2 – 3pm, with a member of the Croptune development team to present the App and explain its functionality. More info here: https://abgc.org.au/2022/10/11/presentation-of-haifa-croptune-app-for-bananas/

To RSVP, please contact Molly on 0419 602 864 or email molly@abgc.org.au.

Weather driving you bananas? Get the info you need

Banana growers are invited to attend a weather and climate workshop at South Johnstone later this week. This free half day workshop is organised as part of the NextGen group by the National Banana Development & Extension Program.

The workshop aims to raise awareness and understanding of climate and seasonal forecasts, climate drivers and historical patterns to help growers incorporate seasonal forecast information into their on-farm decision making processes.

The workshop will run from 9am to 12:30pm, with a light lunch to follow.

South Johnstone – Friday, 14 October – South Johnstone Research Facility, 24 Experimental Station Road, South Johnstone, QLD, 4859.

More details here:
https://betterbananas.com.au/current-events/

RSVP is essential for catering purposes by tomorrow (Wednesday 12 October). Contact Shanara Veivers on 0400 870 731 or e-mail shanara.veivers@daf.qld.gov.au

Panama TR4 explainer videos

The Panama TR4 Program has produced a series of short animations that give you a brief overview of what happens when a surveillance team visits your farm and what happens behind the scenes after they leave. You can find these animations in the Grower Kit or click straight through below:

Farm Business Resilience workshop – Innisfail

Growcom will be hosting a Farm Business Resilience workshop in Innisfail on 28 October.

Starting at 12.30pm with a light lunch at Brothers Leagues Club, Innisfail, the workshop will feature an introduction to Farm Business Resilience Planning and farm management system, a Farm In One demonstration and a presentation from Michael Russo (Marlin Blue Bananas) on the Farm In One system.

Details and RSVP information: CLICK HERE

Nominations open to recognise exceptional rural women

Applications are now open for the 2023 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. AgriFutures is also holding a range of Q&A sessions in September and October for the awards, as well as their Acceleration Grant program. Applications for both programs close on 19 October 2022. Apply here.