News & Media | Australian Banana Growers

Working Holiday Maker changes & what they mean for banana growers

Changes to the Working Holiday Maker program announced in Canberra last week have significant implications for horticulture, but strong industry advocacy has already delivered some important progress for growers facing urgent workforce shortages. The Federal Government announced a suite of migration reforms on 17 September, including…

Freshcare changes reflect issues raised by banana growers

ABGC members have been telling ABGC for some time that audit and compliance demands for various productive standards and regulations are getting harder to manage, particularly the cost, paperwork, duplication and sometimes inconsistent expectations between auditors. ABGC took those concerns directly to Freshcare through its national…

The cutting edge of disease management

A multi-ratoon comparison of deleafing strategiesAUTHORS: Kathy Grice, David East, Daniel Farrell and Carole Wright – Department of Primary Industries. Harvested bunches on the Atherton Tablelands. Deleafing at the coastal farm. Most banana growers are familiar with the chemical strategies and cultural practices required to…

Drones and beneficial mites

Drone releasing predatory mites (Californicus) in a banana production system. Cassowary Coast Drones – operational setup outside farm biosecurity zone. Predatory mite carrier media (vermiculite, sawdust) deposits on foliage. DPI researchers have recently been exploring a new approach to managing spider mites by using drones…

Bananas take centre stage at Parliament House

Close to 100 politicians, political staffers and advisors met Australian banana growers at Parliament House, putting biosecurity, regional communities and the future of our industry directly in front of federal decision makers. Delivered by the Australian Banana Grower’s Council (ABGC), the event brought together representatives from…

FROM THE FIELD: Concrete mats prove their worth in the tropics

When BMP Extension Officer, Stephanie Ruiz, first spotted concrete erosion mats at the Rotary FNQ Field Days in Mareeba, she saw something the banana industry hadn’t tried before, a product well-proven in civil construction, never tested on tropical banana farms. That observation sparked a trial documented across…

Opal is Supporting Growers Through Strong Biosecurity Practices

ABGC staff recently visited Opal’s Innisfail depot to see its truck wash facility in action and learn more about the practical steps Opal is taking to support effective TR4 management. Opal is an affiliate member of ABGC, supporting the broader industry thanks to their contribution. Opal…