Project updates and extension materials are regularily updated, for more information on a specific project click on the relevant project title and you will be directed to the most up to date activities.
Queensland Fruit Fly Community Engagement project
Data Collection and statistics program
The National Vegetable Extension Network (VegNet) - Wide Bay Burnett
Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network
Reef Trust | Reef Alliance - Growing the Great Barrier Reef Project (Burnett Mary/Fitzroy)
Queensland Fruit Fly - Community Engagement Pilot
20th August 2019
A series of clips have been developed by Plant Health Australia for the National Fruit Fly Council
Episode One: Pruning for Success Episode Two: Trapping Ernie
Episode Three: Garden Hygiene Episode Four: Exclusion
Episode Five: Best Practice
Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network
25th September 2020
School Holidays are usually when Students are out and about playing with their mates. That's not the case for these September Holidays where 21 students from 6 local State and Private High Schools have joined the Horticulture Workforce in farms across Bundaberg. For some of these students it is their very first job, others it is helping them decide on which pathway they want to take in Agriculture and others it is just to save money to buy a 4wd.
The program is running for the second time this year as COVID-19 restrictions prevented us hosting jobs in the earlier holidays. With the success of these holidays, we will be running it again in the Christmas holidays.
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5th February 2020
Bundaberg Agricultural businesses could soon see changes in the emerging workforce.
A pilot program co-developed with Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers, the Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (Wide Bay & surrounds) and Bundaberg Canegrowers saw three students from Bundaberg Christian college embark on the first set of Paid Holiday Placements this January.
After an application and screening process, the successful students were offered positions with local businesses. Kylie Jackson from the Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network says 'not only does this program give students an opportunity to earn some money in the school holidays but also helps with developing those employability skills such as writing applications, resumes and interview skills'
The program has been designed that so students in the program may be shared among employers to expose them to multiple elements of the industry.
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Megan Terry, a Year 10 student was placed with Dean Cayley, a local Sugarcane and peanut farmer and was also shared with Dan O'Connor, Peanut Company Australia, where she was able to get a taste of irrigation and pest identification through her placement. Megan's host, Dan sent through the following feedback to one of the program coordinators " very impressed with Megan" .
'Feedback such as that is important for these programs, it's a testament that we are on the right path. We put a lot of thought into the design and how we would approach students. Being the first year, overall we are extremely happy with the results' Ms Jackson says. Megan will be placed with Dean and Dan again in the Easter School Holidays with a possible extension to be placed with a local Sweet Potato grower.
We look forward to hearing about her experience and that of the employers.
Jeremiah Hooper, another Year 10 Student was placed with Tony Chapman, a local sugarcane grower and contract slashing business.
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Straight away, you could tell this young man belonged in the Agriculture Industry. With a keen interest and aptitude for Mechanics, Tony had Jeremiah servicing some of his contract equipment and carrying out general maintenance around the work shed. Jeremiah has since been offered a Small motor Apprenticeship out of the Industry but we don't think it will be long before he is back. We wish him the very best of luck in his Apprenticeship and hope to see him again in the future.
Local student Cody Muller was recently employed by Bundaberg Sugar Services to undertake one weeks work alongside local Field Officers, Michael Turner and Caitlyn Killick.
Cody is currently studying Ag Science at school and participates in the Hoof and Hook program. Experience in the Sugar Industry was of interest to Cody because it forms a large part of the local economy and he would like a career in agriculture upon completion of his schooling.
Cody was able to gain experience in many field operations including RSD and YCS testing, inspecting Rhyparida beetle damage, smut whips, soil moisture probes and soldier fly blocks. Cody was able to dig out a cane stool, find soldier fly larvae and inspect them under microscope at the local SRA facility. Cody said “the past week has been enjoyable because I got to learn and try new things that I would not do at (school).”
The Paid Holiday placement program could be considered as a perfect introduction to the Agriculture Industry. We've identified some key areas that need to be finetuned and are working closely with the School and key stakeholders to improve on the process.
If you are an employer within the Bundaberg region and would like to know how you can be involved as a host employer, please contact either Kylie Jackson, Agriculture Workforce Officer on 0488 533 801 or Tanya Howard, Bundaberg Canegrowers on 07 4151 2555.
4th April 2019
The ‘Your Future in Agriculture’ video highlights the importance of food, fibre, forestry and renewable fuel production, and the endless opportunities and diverse career pathways available in agriculture.
25th January 2019
Catch up with your Agriculture Workforce Officer and have a chat over a cuppa!
Visiting;
Gympie: Friday 22nd March 2019
Gin Gin & Gladstone: Wednesday 17th April 2019
Gayndah & Mundubberah: Wednesday 17th July 2019
Register your attendance HERE
21st January 2019 | Engage with the Department of Small Business and Training
Supporting local businesses in the Agriculture Sector navigate current initatives to support training and upskilling.
Based in Bundaberg, field officer Michelle Newton's focus is meeting with local Agriculture/Production Horticulture employers to gain a clearer insight into what’s happening in your industry and discuss a number of incentives available right now!
- Interested in finding out more on:
- Up to $20,000 available through Queensland Government programs for recruitment options
- Subsidised training for qualifications
- Programs available to assist employer workforce skills development
- Work experience options
- Traineeships and Apprenticeships
I travel to your business covering Bundaberg, Childers, Gin Gin up to Agnes Waters.
Look forward to the opportunity of meeting up!
Contact details: Michelle Newton
Department of Employment, Small Business and Training
Michelle.newton@det.qld.gov.au
Ph: 1800 210 210
28th August 2017 | Backpackers vs Local workers in Seasonal Work.
13th July 2017 | Seasonal Work Incentive Trial Snapshot. Download
5th July 2017 | QAWN BFVG Chairman, Allan Mahoney and Agriculture Workforce Officer, Kylie Jackson comment on benefits to region on the introduction of the Seasonal Worker Incentive Trial.
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The National Vegetable Extension Network (VegNet) - Wide Bay Burnett
30 January 2020
Recorded Webinars
Growing biofumigants – what variety and when
There are many brassica species and cultivars that can be grown as biofumigants or cover crops. These brassicas are typically thought of as cool seasons options but work by the cover crop project has looked at how they perform across the year in southern Queensland. And some results will surprise! In this webinar Dr John Duff and Dr Kelvin Montagu summarise the results of trials growing more than 12 different biofumigants at different times of the year in Gatton and Bundaberg.
In Part 1 the discussion focuses on:
- Biomass produced – how well they grew
- Glucosinolate production – how ‘hot’ was the biomass
In Part 2 John discusses the following:
- Any pest and disease issues during growth
- Early indications of their impact on some soil-borne diseases - charcoal rot, sclerotinia rot and sclerotium rot
15 January 2019 | NEW Resources
Bacterial leaf spot of tomato and pepper
Management of bacterial leaf spot of tomato and pepper
Area-wide management of insect-vectored viral and bacterial diseases
17 October 2018 | Vegetable Leafminer update
The Vegetable leafminer is a pest of agricultural concern in many parts of the world. Between 2008 and 2015, the pest was detected on multiple islands in the Torres Strait. In 2015 the pest was found on Cape York Peninsula, the most northerly point of the Australian mainland.
MT16004 Program for control, eradication and preparedness for the Vegetable Leafminer (2017-2020) was developed in recognition of the extensive impact that Vegetable Leafminer could have on the vegetable and nursery industries were it to move into production areas with no management in place.
For more information, contact AUSVEG on 03 9882 0277 or at info@ausveg.com.au.
1 June 2018 | Biofumigant Crops
VegNET IDO Michelle Haase has been visiting zucchini and capsicum growers over these past two weeks to assist in the establishment of two biofumigant on-farm demonstration sites. Biofumigant crops are a popular topic at the moment; the use of them providing multiple benefits for vegetable growers. Not only does the cover crop add substantial organic matter and improvements to soil structure and fertility, it additionally has a fumigation effect on soil-borne pests, diseases and some weed species. Download this factsheet on the benefits of biofumigant crops in vegetable cropping systems.
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16 May 2018 | TPP Surveillance Update
The TPP Surveillance program has been extended for a further two months until a national approach to TPP surveillance is developed. For further information - LINK
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4 May 2018 | Agrichemical Pest Management Needs and Priorities
AUSVEG’s Patrick Arratia was in Bundaberg this week to meet with sweetpotato and zucchini growers to capture direct input relating to individual crop commodities. Priority agrichemical gaps identified in consultation with growers will inform industry actions at the annual Ag Chem Collaborative Forum, assist in updating industry SARPs and identify potential solutions to address these gaps. For more on the project – LINK.
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30 April 2018 | Robots Drones & Sensors at Agrotrend
The 2-day series of masterclasses on Robots Drones & Sensors were a huge hit at Agrotrend this year. The event involved scientists, mechatronic engineers, PhD students, innovative farmers and small rural business people, and two universities. VegNET IDO Michelle Haase has all the stats in the VegNET blog or you can watch the masterclasses via our Future Farming webpage.
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3 April 2018 | Vegetable Leafminer
Dr Jessica Lye from AUSVEG visited Bundaberg in April to talk to growers about vegetable leafminer. Vegetable leafminer is a very small black and yellow fly (1-2mm in length) that lays eggs inside leaves and stems of host plants. The maggots tunnel inside the leaf, making visible tracks which get wider in width as the maggot grows. Vegetable leafminer damage to leaves can reduce plant growth but does not make fruit unsafe to eat. Host plants include most vegetables and allium species (onions, garlic) and ornamental plants such as snap dragons and petunia. For further information and fact sheets – LINK
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8th October 2017 | #VegNet Blog
6th September 2017 | TPP Surveillance Program
Extended surveillance for incursions of the Tomato Potato psyllid in eastern Australia by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture
The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA), funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia, is coordinating a national surveillance program for the Tomato Potato psyllid (TPP) which was discovered in Western Australia in February 2017.
We invite industry stakeholders to participate in the surveillance program by placing sticky traps in TPP susceptible crops and returning them to TIA for checking the presence of the pest. TIA will provide this service free of charge and supply reply-paid envelopes for returning traps.
Sticky Trap Packs
Surveillance packs contain the following:
- Clear plastic sheets to place traps onto after field collection
- Prepaid envelopes
Trap Protocols
For details on trap instalment see the TPP trap protocols page.
Get Involved
The BFVG office has some trap packs available for collection, contact the office or call in and see one of the team to get a pack.
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23rd August | Horticulture Code Update - "Good Faith" Definition and information
One of the parts of the new Code which applies immediately (i.e. is not subject to the transition period) is the obligation to deal in good faith. Failure to deal in good faith can lead to penalities for breching the Code. Find our more HERE
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18th July 2017 | Growing the Supply Chain Bus Tour Wrap up 12-13 July, 2017
Thirty-four representatives of the Horticulture Industry participated in the Growing the Supply Chain bus tour mid July which was funded through BFVG’s VegNET project with major sponsorship from AustSafe Super.
The delegation of growers and Industry featured a behind the scenes tour of the Brisbane Produce Markets in Rocklea and visited farms in the Lockyer Valley and Mary River. READ MORE
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7th April 2017 | VegNet CGMMV & Soil Wealth Workshop
AHR_John Couloumbe NT Farmers_Greg Owens
Presentation available for DOWNLOAD Presentation available for DOWNLOAD
Lucy Tran-Nguyen Pt1 Lucy Tran-Nguyen Pt 2
Presentation available for DOWNLOAD
Brett Jackson - Biosecurity QLD
Presentation available for DOWNLOAD
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16th March 2017 | Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus(CGMMV), useful resources.
Biosecurity Queensland | Media Release notification
Melons Australia | Property Management Plan
The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia | CGMMV Farm Biosecurity Checklist
Ausveg | DIY Farm Biosecurity action plan
DAF Queensland | CGMMV General information
The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia | Decontamination Factsheet
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Biosecurity Signage available FREE to grower members.
Contact the office to reserve your sign or email bfvg.info@bfvg.com.au
07th March 2017 | Review Of Alternative Treatments For Bacterial Spot And Speck contol
Background
Copper tolerance/resistance in the pathogens causing bacterial speck and bacterial spot of tomatoes and capsicums, has been reported worldwide. Preliminary experimental results suggest we have copper resistance in bacterial speck in Queensland.
Therefore we need to look into alternative products to give us a better chance of controlling disease.
The following information is based on a review of around 100 journal publications on bacterial speck and spot control with copper based products and other alternatives. The products discussed are currently available or should be registered over the next few years. Summary HERE
Karina Griffin (née Bennett) BSc(Hons) | Research Student | School of Medical & Applied Sciences – Agriculture and Environment has also published a paper 'Copper-tolerance in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and Xanthomonas spp. and the control of diseases associated with these pathogens in tomato and pepper. A systematic literature review', full paper available HERE
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Controlling Fruit Fly in Vegetables: (1) Targeted Control |
Controlling Fruit Flies in Vegetables: (2) Monitoring |
Controlling Fruit Fly in Vegetables: (3) Food Based Baits |
Reef Trust | Reef Alliance - Growing the Great Barrier Reef Project (Burnett Mary/Fitzroy)
| The Water Quality module is funded through the Australian Government's Reef Alliance: Growing a Great Barrier Reef Program |
| Testing Fertigation injection and flush times in small crops | 'Constant feed fertigation and tensiometers' | Testing Fertigation injection and flush times in tree crops |
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P14003 | Restoring the balance: BFVG Carbon Farming Solutions
18th April 2017
CARBON FARMING CASESTUDY - THE FRUIT SALAD PROJECT - HORTICULTURE
THE ISSUE | Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas. Increases in the concentration of nitrous oxide (N2O) in the atmosphere have been associated with global warming and climate change. Almost 80% of these nitrous oxide emissions are produced by agriculture, with 73% emitted from agricultural soils.
ABOUT THE PROJECT PROJECT LOCATION | The Fruit Salad Project was a joint initiative of the Australian Melon Association, NSW Department of Primary Industry and QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, to investigate how nitrous oxide emissions in commercial melons, bananas and blueberry crops could be reduced, and soil carbon increased, with the use of compost and biochar. Funded by the Australian Government through the Action on the Ground programme, this partnership worked with growers in northern and central NSW and southern QLD
Download the full casestudy HERE
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Extension Summary Materials, provided by Zane Nicolls, Development Horticulturist, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Action on the Ground (AOTG) projects 143 - Improved soil, fertiliser and irrigation management for SEQ ginger production and 218 Improved fertiliser and soil management in south east Queensland intensive horticulture. The projects concluded in September 2015, and were led by Zane Nicholls with valued assistance from Sam Price (HF&S) and with collaboration from industry partners Australian Pineapples, Queensland Strawberry Growers' Association and the Australian Ginger Industry Association.
The projects provided industry firsts for documenting nitrous oxide (N2O) emission generation in ginger, pineapple and strawberry production systems from granular fertilisers, and measurement of total organic and labile soil carbon stocks in ginger. The key project deliverables were to promote plant health, yield and nutrient efficiency benefits of controlled release nitrogen (CRN) fertiliser use in the respective industries, and develop mixed fallow cover-crop options that build labile carbon and total organic soil carbon stocks in ginger under two land management scenarios.
View the full summary HERE
Caption - Zane Nicholls discussing AOTG project outcomes to multi-industry farmers from the Burnett Mary River region 30th April 2015.
For Full Report details, contact
Zane Nicholls
Development Horticulturist
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
T 07 5381 1391 M 0412 032 965
E Zane.Nicholls@daf.qld.gov.au
GPO Box 5083 SCMC, Nambour QLD 4560
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P14003 | Restoring the balance: BFVG Carbon Farming Solutions
Grow Your Wealth, Grow Your Soil Health Workshops:
Bundaberg: Wednesday 17th February 2016 9.30am-3.30pm at Rowers on the River
Gympie: Thursday 18th February 2016 9:30-2:30pm Venue to be advised
Please RSVP to bree.grima@bfvg.com.au
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