Vegetables WA RSS news feed

Vietnamese Engineer Produces 'Potato Tomato Plant'

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 02:00:00 GMT

Vietnamese Engineer Produces ‘Potato Tomato Plant’ An engineer from central Dat Lat City in Vietnam, Nguyen Thi Trang Nha, has successfully developed a plant variety which can grow both tomatoes and potatoes.

Nha grafted the top of a tomato plant onto the foot of a potato plant and the resulting species proved capable of producing both types of produce. Planting the tomato-potato breed is also more efficient as growers can produce more vegetables in a small area, said Nha. In addition, tomatoes and potatoes would no longer have to be planted separately, saving time and taking better advantage of limited land. Nha said growers could expect to earn VND6-17 million (US$315-895) per hectare from the crop, more than what can be earned from cultivating the produce separately. The project was implemented over two years when Nha was a student at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry. The plants were then tested in Da Lat. Nha said that she will still continue her research in the hope of one day providing the new type of plant to farmers on a larger scale.

Upcoming Events

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:00:00 GMT

Upcoming Events MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS & MANAGING YOUR TEAM WORKSHOP 4 Feb & 5 Feb 2010 - 8.30am - 5pm - Granville Civic Centre, Weld St, Gingin WA 8 Feb & 9 Feb 2010 - 8.30am - 5pm - The Summit Rainforest & Conference Centre, Dalziel Ave, Atherton QLD Ph: (08) 9651 1770 or jemma.vanzetti@wheatbelt.wa.gov.au GLOBAL BIOSECURITY 2010 28 February – 3 March 2010 Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre For more information please visit www.globalbiosecurity2010.com

vegetablesWA Welcomes New Field Extension Officer

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 02:00:00 GMT

VEGETABLESWA WELCOMES NEW FIELD EXTENSION OFFICER vegetablesWA (vWA) are very pleased to announce that John Shannon will be the new Field/Extension Officer for vegetable growers. John will be moving to WA from Canberra where he has been working for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) for the past 6 years. John comes from a farming family and is eager to get back to his roots and work directly to assist growers. In his time with DAFF John has developed a great deal of experience in building strategies and policies and will apply this knowledge to the role. John commented recently, ”I am really looking forward to meeting the growers and working with the team in WA to drive industry development and communications.” Program Manager, Georgia Thomas said “We are really excited at vegetablesWA to have such a well regarded, enthusiastic person joining our team.” John commenced vWA on the 19th of October. During his first week John will undertake an induction program which will provide him with an introduction to the WA vegetable industry and important meetings with stakeholder contacts. To speak with John please contact 0488 111 526 or email fieldofficer@vegetableswa.com.au.

Freshcare Upgrade 9th December

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Upcoming Freshcare Upgrade V.2 – V.3 or Transition SQF – Freshcare V.3 workshop. Wednesday 9th December, 2009 10.00am – 2.00pm (light lunch provided) Chinkabee Complex - Bindoon Cost: $451.00/business (all inclusive) Cost covers up to two persons per business. Freshcare V.3 has been developed to meet Coles requirements. For those growers who supply to Coles, please note: Q. When will the updated supplier matrix require implementation? A. Audits scheduled after 1st March 2010 for current Cole’s suppliers will need to comply with the updated supplier matrix (Freshcare V.3 or SQF1000 L3 5th edition). Suppliers can choose to implement the requirements of the updated matrix immediately if they wish. New suppliers will require attaining certification against the selected standard as per the updated matrix before becoming an approved Coles’s supplier. Please RSVP to Helena 0407 772 299 or fax (03) 5429 5224 for catering purposes.

Freshcare Upgrade 10th December

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Upcoming Freshcare Upgrade V.2 – V.3 or Transition SQF – Freshcare V.3 workshop. Thursday 10th December, 2009 10.00am – 2.00pm (light lunch provided) Lesmurdie Sports Club Cost: $451.00/business (GST, inclusive) Cost covers up to two persons per business. Freshcare V.3 has been developed to meet Coles’ requirements. For those growers who supply to Coles, please note: Q. When will the updated supplier matrix require implementation? A. Audits scheduled after 1st March 2010 for current Coles suppliers will need to comply with the updated supplier matrix (Freshcare V.3 or SQF1000 L3 5th edition). Suppliers can choose to implement the requirements of the updated matrix immediately if they wish. New suppliers will require attaining certification against the selected standard as per the updated matrix before becoming an approved Coles’s supplier. Please RSVP to Helena 0407 77 22 99 or fax (03) 5429 5224 for catering purposes.

Myalup Field Trip

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:00:00 GMT

MYALUP FIELD TRIP Friday 9 October 2009 Featuring on farm demonstration sites at Ivankovich Farms and G & M Rose’s Hear about soil moisture and leachate monitoring from Rohan Prince (DAFWA) and Mustard as a biofumigant from Margaret Campbell (UWA). Beginning with lunch at the Old Coast Road Brewery, Myalup 12:30pm Departing the Brewery at 1:15pm and returning at 3:30pm Bookings are essential. A courtesy bus will be provided from Canning Vale via the new Forrest Highway departing 11:00am and returning at 5:00pm. For more information, to register your attendance or register your interest in a courtesy bus, contact Horticulture House by Tuesday 6 October Phone: 9481 0834 or email foord@vegetableswa.com.au This project is supported by vegetablesWA, through funding from the Australian Government's Caring for our Country, the Department of Agriculture and Food WA and Horticulture Australia Ltd.

National Vegetarian Week

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:00:00 GMT

NATIONAL VEGETARIAN WEEK September 28th - October 4th 2009 Load up on healthy vegetables and make the “pledge to try veg” at www.vegetarianweek.com.au. $1 will be donated to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation for every person who participates.

Field Day

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:00:00 GMT

FIELD DAY Friday 18th September 2009 Field walks featuring on farm demonstration sites at GINGIN & GINGIN WEST. Hear about good practice and better returns from local growers. Starting 1:30pm and finishing at 4:30pm Bogdanich Farms, Gingin Brook Rd, Neergabby If there is enough interest, courtesy buses may be available from Canning Vale, Wanneroo and Gingin For more information, to register your attendance or register your interest in a courtesy bus, contact Horticulture House by Tuesday 15 September. Phone: 9481 0834 or email foord@vegetableswa.com.au All Welcome

Pests, Beneficials, Diseases and Disorders in Cucurbits

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:00:00 GMT

PESTS, BENEFICIALS, DISEASES AND DISORDERS IN CUCURBITS Field Identification Guide This guide is for use in the field to aid in the identification of insect pests and beneficial, diseases and disorders that are found in cucurbits. If you would like a copy of the guide, please contact vegetablesWA on (08) 9481 0834 or email pacommunication@vegetableswa.com.au.

2009 Young Growers New Zealand Tour

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:00:00 GMT

2009 YOUNG GROWERS NEW ZEALAND TOUR 17th July – 25th July 2009 National Vegetable Levy payers under the age of 38 are invited to apply for this fantastic opportunity that will allow 10 young growers and a tour leader to visit vegetable operations near Christchurch, Timaru, and Ashburton in New Zealand. Attendees will learn about the production, marketing and supply chain systems and have the opportunity to attend the Horticulture New Zealand conference in Christchurch. The tour cost will be substantially subsidised by the National Vegetable Levy. Growers will be asked to make a voluntary contribution of $735 toward the cost of the tour. All air and land travel, share-accommodation and some meals will be included as well as registration for the Horticulture New Zealand Conference. Applications close Friday the 26th June. For expressions of interest or more information please contact Hugh Tobin at AUSVEG on (03) 9544 8098 or hugh.tobin@ausveg.com.au.