Queensland nursery growers who are keen to sharpen their pest and insect mite management skills are encouraged to attend an upcoming workshop being held at two leading nurseries in Queensland this week.

The workshops will be run by NGIQ and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Queensland) and are aimed at providing practical information on how to better manage pests and insect mites using an integrated crop management approach.

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A nationwide survey of Australia’s nursery and garden industry is set to get underway for a second year in a row.

Known as ‘Nursery Industry Statistics 2017-18 to 2019-20’ (NY17008) the project aims to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the industry’s economic contribution, size and employment.

Building on the success of the 2017 collection, the project will seek to survey 300 greenlife producers, as well as 200 greenlife customers including retailers and landscapers.

As with the previous year, it will be managed by an independent research agency, Down to Earth Research (DTER), in partnership with ACIL Allen (AAC) and Nursery & Garden Industry Australia. More

Australia’s nursery sector is a vibrant industry with a very positive story to tell. It contributes over $2.29 billion to our economy every year, provides starter stock into our food and fibre supply chains, and delivers a green product which boosts the health and wellbeing of our environment and our communities.

But, like many other agricultural industries, it’s facing a major challenge around high staff turnover and an ability to attract and retain appropriate talent. In a more competitive employment environment than ever, the industry is needing to improve its image as an attractive and rewarding career choice in Australian horticulture.

A new project, titled Review of Nursery industry career pathways (NY17002), is being funded by Hort Innovation using the nursery industry levy and funds from the Australian Government, to help address the employment issue and provide a clear response roadmap for industry. More

Name: Vegetable looper; Looper Chrysodeixis eriosoma; Chysodeixis spp.

Category name: Caterpillars

Importance: Occasionally a significant pest of broad leaf vegetables as well as Geranium, Dahlia, Coleus, Tomato, and Citrus amongst others.

Similar to: Heliothis (budworms), armyworms, soybean looper, Tobacco looper, and various other looping caterpillars.

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A new project is set to unearth leading research and development (R&D) from around the world and develop a roadmap that will help guide future R&D investment and collaborative opportunities for Australia’s nursery industry.

The six-month project, Global Review and Gap Analysis of Nursery Industry Research and Development Initiatives (NY17006), is being carried out by RMCG, a consulting company that specialises in horticultural R&D.

It aims to investigate world-leading nursery R&D initiatives and provide an action plan on how the industry can build an innovative R&D program here in Australia. The project is funded by Hort Innovation using the nursery industry levy and funds from the Australian Government. More

The Strategic Investment Advisory Panel (SIAP) is a panel of industry representatives that provides advice to Hort Innovation in relation to industry R&D and marketing investments, funded by nursery industry levies and contributions from the Australian Government.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your career in the nursery industry

I’m a fourth-generation horticulturalist from Redland Bay and have been involved in the family business since the early 1980s. I grew up surrounded by plants and have always felt very connected to the industry.

Earlier in my career, I studied in New Zealand, and returned to work full time in the nursery in 1983. Today, we own and operate Greenlife Solutions which specialises in young plants of frangipanis and advanced palms for landscape use.

I’m also General Manager of Proven Winners Australia, a marketing cooperative for new flowering ornamentals and shrubs.

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