Author: Amy Spear
Why the banana is excellent for school kids
School children love to snack through the day. They might eat three to five snacks a day in addition to three meals. Children are constantly on the go – netball, soccer, swimming and riding their bikes. To keep their energy stores topped up they will need carbohydrates at each meal.…
New Queensland biosecurity laws
The new Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014 (the Act) will come into effect on 1 July 2016. According to the State Government, the Act will improve Queensland’s biosecurity preparedness and response capabilities. Under the Act, the Queensland government will be better placed to focus on the biosecurity risks…
New Biosecurity Act planned for NSW
New South Wales growers were recently asked for their feedback on the proposed new Biosecurity Act 2015, which comes into effect in 2017, replacing 14 separate Acts. Initial consultation with growers sought feedback on present and future risks to the industry and how we can do…
South Johnstone variety trial first ratoon results
As part of the Banana Plant Protection Program project Jeff Daniels has been evaluating the agronomic performance of new banana varieties at South Johnstone. Results from the plant crop were presented in Australian Bananas vol 44, pp 26-27. More background information on the varieties can be found…
TR4: a small grower’s experiences
Tim Liebelt, ABGC Biosecurity Extension officer, spent time with northern Queensland banana growers Peter and Vivien Grant, finding out about their farm and their experiences responding to the threat of Panama TR4 disease. Here is their story. Peter and Vivien Grant own and operate a 12 acre plantation at South Johnstone, growing niche banana varieties.…
Cultivating soil the biological way
Mick Russo, 34, is a third generation banana grower and a first generation biological farmer. The Boogan banana grower is dedicated to using the knowledge he gleaned from international biological leaders to bring out the best in his soil. Paula Doran reports. What started as an interest in using…
