Category: News & Media

Principal Nematologist Tony Pattison has been recognised for 25 years of service to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Highly regarded both nationally and internationally in the soil health discipline, Mr Pattison has pioneered a range of innovative technologies that have greatly assisted the quantification of microorganisms within soil that are able…

Kennedy Valley banana grower Jeff Dickinson is no stranger to the winner’s circle when it comes to exhibiting prize winning fruit. But, walking away with top honours at both the Innisfail and Tully Shows this year was especially rewarding. Mr Dickinson took home the highest accolades at both banana exhibits,…

Professional shooter Trevor Williamson, who has helped lead the Australian Banana Growers’ Council’s feral pig fight in the Tully Valley was named a finalist in the prestigious Cassowary Awards in June. Mr Williamson, who has been conducting a concentrated aerial shooting program in high risk TR4 zones, was nominated in the…

By Sonia Campbell The number of feral pigs culled from the Tully Valley in the past two years to help reduce the risk of spreading TR4 has surpassed 4300. The major milestone was reached through a co-ordinated eradication program that began in July 2017, involving aerial shooting, as well ground shooting,…

More than 50 people got a taste – literally – of new varieties being trailed at the South Johnstone Research Station in June. Participants in a field walk organised as part of the National Banana Development and Extension Program were intrigued by the variation in the plant crop bunches…

A fruit fly outbreak in Australia’s major banana growing regions could be devastating for the $600m industry. The most damaging pest affecting horticulture more broadly, fruit flies have a wide variety of hosts, spread rapidly and have severe, ongoing impacts on both production and industry reputation. In 1995, Oriental fruit fly…

Ponchos and umbrellas were in high demand as growers from Coffs Harbour and the Northern Rivers gathered for an update on varieties at the Duranbah Trial Site. Even heavy showers and gusty winds didn’t deter their interest, as Industry Development Officer Matt Weinert and block manager Zac McKeever…