Author: Amy Spear

new era began for members of the New South Wales- based Bananacoast Credit Union on November 1. Almost five decades after a formation meeting was held in the Country Women’s Association rooms in Macksville, a merger with P&N Bank was approved. While the name remains, the merger was pitched to…

The national banana levy collected by the Federal Department of Agriculture is compulsory for commercial banana growers. It is 2.19 cents per kilogram of bananas sold. The dollars collected show an estimate of production for the previous financial year. Right is a table of the…

The latest wave of Consumer Tracking results, an impromptu Triple J banana fest and spots in nine of the ten top mainstream television programmes are among the latest Australian Bananas marketing highlights. TV If you were watching The Block, Australia’s Got Talent or This Time Next Year,…

By Amy Spear The first thing you notice when arriving at Jason Gentle’s banana plantation, near Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, is just how steep the hill is. The next is how much he loves it.  Jason is a fourth-generation grower who, with his mum Monica, invested…

Well-known soil biology expert, Dr Tony Pattison, was recently honoured for 25 years with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF). The globally-respected scientist, author and Principal Nemotologist took time to reflect on his milestone achievement of service, which he described as both fulfilling and challenging. By Sonia Campbell Making a difference…

A regular feature in Australian Bananas magazine, Under the Microscope profiles the industry’s emerging and exotic diseases. Sometimes you just need the facts, fast. What is Moko Disease? Moko is caused by a bacterium called Ralstonia solanacearum which belongs to a group of pathogens that cause bacterial wilts in…

By Amy Spear At this time of year, it’s hard to think of a better treat than a tub of cold, creamy gelato. But if you needed an extra reason to tuck in, the popular dessert is also providing a tasty way to give new life to banana…