Your Levy at Work

Global review of RD&E providing roadmap to a greener future

“The nursery industry is dynamic but highly diverse. As we’re dealing with many different products and markets, it’s important to note that research isn’t a one-size-fits-all, but a vehicle to find new solutions for the benefit of all of industry.” – Dr Kristen Stirling, RMCG.

Our industry is booming, but how can we build our capacity to facilitate this growth?

That’s the focus of a recent review carried out by RM Consulting Group, aimed at investigating world-leading research, development & extension (RD&E), in order to develop a roadmap for a more effective, sustainable and innovative Australian nursery industry.

New tool highlighting risk of vegetable leafminer

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Friday, 22 March 2019

Project Overview

Led by research provider, cesar, the RD&E program for the control, eradication and preparedness for vegetable leafminer (MIT16004) is constantly developing and innovating to come up with new ways to protect the biosecurity of our industry.

The vegetable leafminer (Liriomyza sativae) is a small polyphagous fly that lays eggs within the leaves and stems of plants; maggots then tunnel throughout to create mines or tracks that only increase in size as they grow.

First detected in 2015 at the tip of Cape York in Queensland, VLM represents a substantial threat to vegetable and nursery industries, and this project is vital in raising awareness and educating industry on the best way to resist and manage its entry and spread.

Roadmap towards a stronger and more sustainable workforce

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Monday, 18 March 2019

Nursery is one of the largest industry sectors within Australian horticulture and is the starting point for all horticultural plant production across the country.

Production nurseries employ more than 20,000 people across Australia and in 2015-16 was valued at $2.29 billion. We are on the brink of a green era – and with approximately 1,700 production businesses nationwide, it is vital we support and promote initiatives that focus on human capital for the nursery industry workforce.

In partnership with Nursery & Garden Industry Australia (NGIA), the Review of Nursery Industry Career Pathways (NY17002) project is delivered by RM Consulting Group (RMCG), and works towards attracting, developing and retaining the right kind of people into our thriving and dynamic industry. More

Leading towards greener futures

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Applications for the 2019 Green Industry Growing Leaders Program (MT16002) are closing Friday 8 March 2019 5pm AEST.

The Green Leaders program has been funded by Hort Innovation using nursery and turf industry levies and funds from the Australian Government. The program awards scholarships to applicants who are nursery or turf levy payers, as well as employees of these businesses.

Delivered by management consultancy firm, The Right Mind, this initiative provides an opportunity to support the growth and empowerment of our workforce, through upskilling and professional development of leadership skills.

March Pest of the Month: Gummy stem blight

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Name: Gummy stem blight, Stagonosporopsis spp.

Symptoms on seedlings occur as light to dark brown spots on the cotyledons. Infection of the cotyledons or hypocotyl causes a water-soaked, brown discolouration of the tissues, followed by tissue desiccation and collapse. Seedlings die rapidly after infection of either the hypocotyl or cotyledons.

On older plants, leaf symptoms appear as small circular, tan spots up to 5 mm in diameter, sometimes surrounded by a yellow halo. Under favourable conditions, the leaf lesions may enlarge rapidly and become irregular in shape. When the lesions coalesce, the entire leaf may become blighted. The spots dry, become cracked and may tear, giving leaves a tattered appearance. Infection often begins at the leaf margins.

Influence the future direction of our nursery industry communications program

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

To mark the next phase of the Nursery Industry Communications Program (NY18001), we are asking levy payers to complete our short survey to ensure we are getting you the information that you want – the way you want it!

Delivered by our team of agribusiness communication specialists, our job is to ensure you receive the latest levy funded R&D and marketing to help grow your business and advance your career in this thriving industry.

Through our communications program, we utilise several channels to maximise our reach – providing updates on the NGIA and Your Levy @ Work websites, in the Hort Journal, across social media, and in our monthly e-newsletter delivered straight to your inbox.