Your Levy at Work

Growers urged to participate in 2019 Statistics survey

Collection for the 2019 Nursery Industry Statistics survey is underway.

During the month of November, production nurseries are urged to make an appointment to participate in the voluntary survey, if called upon.

The independent research agency leading the survey, Down To Earth Research (DTER), are aiming to interview around 300 production nurseries nationwide.

The interviews collect key business data in order to produce a reliable and accurate snapshot of the size, value, production and employment in Australia’s thriving nursery industry.

By collating key business data, production nurseries will be able to make more informed business planning and resourcing decisions and monitor industry trends. The data collected will also be used to inform the development of the business-benchmarking tool.

At this stage survey progress has been steady, resulting in over half of the 300 required interviews being completed. During the final 3 weeks of the survey period, the DTER team will reach out to growers not already completing a survey.

The IPM Workshop series is coming to WA

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Western Australian growers and production staff are invited to attend the final leg of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Workshop series, held in Perth and Bunbury this November.

In collaboration with NGIWA and run by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF), these workshops aim to provide practical advice on managing pest insects and mites, to better protect the biosecurity of your production businesses.

The workshops will focus on the following areas:

Using IPM to protect plants from key pests
How to modify crop production to reduce pest pressure
How to use pesticides within an IPM program
The physiology behind pesticide mode of action
How to effectively manage pesticides to reduce resistance
New biological control agents for production nurseries
How to identify key pests and beneficials
Getting the most out of industry resources, e.g. the Nursery Production Farm Management System (FMS)

The search to incentivise the establishment and retention of trees on private land continues

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

The nine-month ‘Global review of incentive schemes for the retention and successful establishment of trees on private urban land’(NY18002) project is approaching its conclusion, with the final report set to be delivered in December this year.

This levy funded project aims to clarify which mechanisms may be suitable, and effective, for Australian local councils to consider in terms of establishing and retaining more trees on private land.

Commencing in May 2019, the project team from the University of Melbourne and RMIT University has completed an intensive literature review and led two international roundtable discussions at the ‘Nature of Climate Summit’ conference in Paris, France and the ‘European Forum on Urban Forests’ held in Cologne, Germany.

Attendees at these roundtables shared their experiences and key initiatives from cities across the globe, presenting strong case studies for evaluating incentives.

Over the past few months, the project team has continued purposefully collecting data on these various case studies, as well as interviewing dozens of individuals with experience on these types of mechanisms. The objective was to critically investigate what progressive things cities are doing to better retain and establish trees.

Australia working to safeguard horticultural sector from Xylella fastidiosa devastation

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Xylella fastidiosa is NOT in Australia, but as a result of the devastating impacts in a number of overseas countries, Australia is putting preparation at the top of the priority list for the potential arrival of this exotic plant bacteria.

Shrivelled Berries Napa Country. Photo: Craig Elliott

To safeguard the future of the Australian nursery industry and broader horticultural sectors, it’s vital that we work to build our nation’s capacity and diagnostic capabilities to better prepare and manage the threat of an outbreak of Xylella.

Now known to affect over 560 commercial, ornamental and native plant species in Australia, Xylella has devastating impacts on plants, causing reduced growth, production and plant death.

The most important aspect addressing the impact of Xylella, is to prevent it coming into Australia through our boarder surveillance and quarantine activities. However, here is a snapshot of current initiatives in the nursery industry, as we work to prepare for the management and mitigation of Xylella if it does eventually arrive in Australia.

Xylella coordinator

In a joint initiative earlier this year, Wine Australia and Hort Innovation, appointed Craig Elliott in the role of Xylella coordinator, as part of the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative. More

October Pest of the Month: Plum pox virus (PPV)

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Name: Sharka, Plum pox virus (PPV)

Plum pox virus is one of the most destructive disease of stone fruit worldwide and is a major threat to the Australian stone fruit industry. Currently found in Europe, North America, South America and Asia; it is not present in Australia.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of Plum pox are variable. They can be expressed unpredictably and may be confused with other disorders such as nutrient deficiencies or injury caused by pesticides.

Symptom expression varies depending on host, cultivar, strain (of PPV), the age of the infected tree and the prevailing environment. May occur in only a few leaves or fruit, along one limb, or throughout the entire tree.

Scholarships looking to support growth & innovation of horticultural sector

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Friday, 4 October 2019

The Australian nursery industry and broader horticultural sector is thriving.

To support further growth and innovation within the sector, the industry must focus on the development of one its most important resources – people.

Hort Innovation using nursery industry levies and funds from the Australian Government is investing in a range of professional development programs aimed at upskilling the workforce, accelerating careers and fostering leadership within the nursery industry.

There are a number of scholarship and professional development opportunities currently available for those employed in the Australian nursery industry. These include: More