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CENTRE PIVOT & LATERAL MOVE IRRIGATION COURSE

Thu, 10 May 2012 02:00:00 GMT

Please see attached course flyer and registration forms.

Manual Handling in the Vegetable Industry

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:00:00 GMT

A project investigating manual handling solutions for the vegetable industry in Victoria has recently been completed. The driver for the project was an identified concern about the number of claims being made for back and shoulder injuries resulting from planting, harvesting and packing of produce. The project was initiated by Worksafe Vic and completed by Andrew Sullivan of the University of Ballarat. Since the project completion three workshops, sponsored by EE Muir, have been held for growers in Werribee, Cranbourne and Lindenow. Material will be provided to other centres including Mildura for distribution to growers. Please see a copy of the publication attached.

INTRODUCTION TO IRRIGATION COURSE

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 02:00:00 GMT

23rd &24th April 2012 – Meeting Room", Victoria House Lev 1, Bill Sewell Complex, Chapman Road, Geraldton Irrigation Australia is providing a 2-day short course to assist in the education and training of newcomers to the irrigation industry. Industry experts, will guide participants towards a basic understanding of the principles of irrigation to help them perform their job more effectively and to develop as professionals in the irrigation industry. For more information or to register please view form attached.

GRANTS FOR GROWERS

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:00:00 GMT

The state and federal governments provide a range of grants which growers may be eligible to apply for. Grants can assist growers with a range of things from training expenses through to business planning and export development assistance. Here is a list of grants that growers are encouraged to take advantage of if they’re eligible. Grants for Women
www.communities.wa.gov.au/grantsandfunding/Grants/WAGFW/Pages/default.aspx Closing 5 April 2012 Funding of up to $5000 is available for community organisations to develop projects that strengthen the health and wellbeing of women, encourage women's economic independence, encourage women’s leadership and/or encourage women’s sense of safety in the home or community. Please contact the Grants & Contracts Officer 6551 8700 or grants@communities.wa.gov.au Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/women/get_involved/grants_and_scholarships Closing 27 April 2012. Managed by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) in partnership with the Australian Government Office for Women. Providing women with opportunities to undertake training to reach their leadership potential within the industry as coaches, officials and administrators. Grants of up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organisations, and scholarships of up to $10,000 per annum, are available. Grants and scholarships are available in the following categories: More Help for Mature Age Workers www.deewr.gov.au/employment/programs/expplus/pages/morehelpformatureageworkers.aspx The initiative is part of Building Australia’s Future Workforce – Skills to promote increased participation. Over the next three years, 7500 workers (and small business owners) aged 50 years and over with trade relevant skills but no formal qualifications will have the opportunity to have their skills assessed and formally recognised. This program allows eligible employers to apply for reimbursement of costs as-sociated with a skills assessment for a mature age worker capped at $2200 (inc GST). Reimbursement for a further $2200 (inc GST) for additional training (at Cert III to Advanced Diploma level; or an approved Training Package Skill Set for mature age workers with Cert III or above) as identified in the skills assessment. Technicians and Trade Workers; Machinery Operators and Drivers and Labourers are being targeted by this initiative. www.deewr.gov.au/employment/programs/expplus/pages/morehelpformatureageworkers.aspx FarmReady
www.farmready.gov.au Eligible participants are able to claim up to $1500 per financial year to attend FarmReady-registered courses, with additional funding available for associated reasonable travel, accommodation and childcare expenses. Registered courses focus on areas designed to equip primary producers with the tools to manage and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The guidelines were changed in 2011 and have been amended to include a co-contribution requirement for primary producers to invest 35 per cent towards their training costs with FarmReady reimbursing the remaining 65 per cent up to a maximum of $1500 per person per financial year. Indigenous land managers are exempt from a co-contribution requirement. For more information about these changes please call the FarmReady Program Administrator on 1800 087 670 or email admin@farmready.gov.au Export Market Development Grants
http://www.austrade.gov.au/default.aspx?FolderID=1356 The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme is a key Australian Government financial assistance program for aspiring and current exporters. Administered by Austrade, the scheme supports a wide range of industry sectors and products, including inbound tourism and the export of intellectual property and know-how outside Australia.

The EMDG scheme: encourages small and medium sized Australian businesses to develop export markets reimburses up to 50% of eligible export promotion expenses above $10,000 provided that the total expenses are at least $20,000 provides up to seven grants to each eligible applicant. To access the scheme for the first time, businesses need to have spent $20,000 over two years on eligible export marketing expenses.

Applications for the 2011-12 grant year open 1 July, 2012 and closes 30 November, 2012. Commercialisation Australia
www.commercialisationaustralia.gov.au/ Commercialisation Australia is an initiative of the Australian Government. It is a competitive, merit-based assistance program offering funding and resources to accelerate the business building process for Australian companies, entrepreneurs, researchers and inventors. It offers a range of funding options as well as multi-layered networking opportunities to help you achieve business success. Participants in the program work with dedicated Case Managers and benefit from our Volunteer Business Mentor Network. WA Small Business Development Corporation
http://www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/ There is a range of federal, state and local government financial assistance initiatives available for various small business related activities and access is usually subject to meeting specific eligibility criteria. Aussie Farmers Foundation Grants http://www.aussiefarmersfoundation.org.au info@aussiefarmersfoundation.org.au Aussie Farmers Foundation Grants program aims to support initiatives which will make a difference to the health and wellbeing of Australian rural and regional communities. Through the Grant program, the Foundation will aim to partner with best practice organisations around Australia each year who are delivering services in rural and regional Australia, where there has been an identified need of assistance. We are interested in community-focused activities which will make a real and measureable improvement to rural and regional communities, activities which are based on consultation or input from the community. The Foundation’s granting is characterised by: • a focus on innovation • an interest in leverage • provisioning of benefits for disadvantaged Australian farming families and their communities • a focus on issues particular to Australian farming communities Drought Assistance G04638 http://www.daff.gov.au/agriculturefood/drought/assistance/small_businesses 13 23 16 or Rural Business Development Corporation 1800 198 231
Our purpose is to provide drought assistance to small businesses. Many small businesses that rely on farmers and their income may be eligible for exceptional circumstance’s income support and business support. Income support, or the Small Business Income Support Payment, is provided through Centrelink as a fortnightly payment in a similar manner to the Newstart Allowance. Interest rate subsidies or the Small Business Interest Rate Subsidy is administered by the State and Territory rural assistance authorities. Both forms of support are available to eligible small businesses that rely on farmers for their income. To be eligible, the owners of small businesses must source a minimum 70 per cent of their income from the provision of goods and services for farming activities in EC-declared areas, or after 25 September 2007, demonstrate that the business is located in a town that is substantially reliant on farm income, has a population of 10 000 or less and is in an Exceptional Circumstances (including prima facie and interim assistance) declared area. • employ up to 100 full time equivalent staff • have experienced a significant downturn as a result of the drought • contribute a significant part of their labour and capital to the business and derive a significant part of their income from the business • be an Australian resident or have permission to stay permanently in Australia, and • have a current Australian Business Number (ABN) and carry out commercial activities. • income and assets tests do apply but assets essential to the running of the small business are not included. Farm Water Rebate Scheme

The Farm Water Rebate Scheme encourages commercial farmers in dryland agricultural areas of the state (those areas that receive less than 600mm average annual rainfall) to implement on farm water supply improvement to address identified areas of water deficiency. The scheme also aims to encourage farmers to better manage existing water supplies and reduce water wastage.

Commercial farmers in dryland agricultural areas of Western Australia operating either traditional broadacre or non-broadacre farming businesses. For further information on eligibility criteria, please refer to the "Information For Applicants" booklet available from the Department of Water.

Rebates totalling $15,000 are claimable in any ten year period. For details of items attracting rebates and the rebate claimable per item, please refer to the current rebate schedule available at www.water.wa.gov.au or contact the Department of Water.

Obtain an information package by contacting the Department of Water on free call 1800 780 300 or emailing ruralwater@water.wa.gov.au

Farm Water Supply Planning Scheme

www.water.wa.gov.au

The Farm Water Supply Planning Scheme encourages commercial farmers in dryland agricultural areas of the state (those areas that receive less than 600mm average annual rainfall) to participate in a comprehensive water supply planning process that:
• provides the framework for an ongoing process of addressing water deficiency;
• improves water resource and demand management by raising awareness of issues and suggesting solutions to these; and
• promotes the conservation and efficient use of water.
At the conclusion of the process, applicants are provided with an Audit report which provides a summary of the auditing and planning process and may be eligible to apply for further rebates under the Farm Water Rebate Scheme.

Commercial farmers in dryland agricultural areas of Western Australia operating either traditional broad acre or non-broad acre farming businesses. Farmers currently connected to a scheme water service are also welcome to apply.

For further information on eligibility criteria, please refer to the 'Information For Applicants' booklet available from the Department of Water.

Two rebates are available under the scheme and are claimable once every three years:

• the FWSPS - Part one rebate offered is for the cost of undertaking the planning process with a Department of Water approved farm water supply auditor. The rebate claimable is 50% of the auditor’s fee up to a maximum rebate of $500. This rebate must be claimed within 90 days of the planning process being completed.

• the FWSPS - Part two rebate offered is for a call-back service performed by an approved farm water auditor after works have been completed under the Farm Water Rebate Scheme. The rebate offered is 50% of the auditor’s call-back fee up to a maximum rebate payment of $250. This rebate must be claimed within 18 months of the planning process being completed.

Obtain an information package by contacting the Department of Water on free call 1800 780 300 or emailing ruralwater@water.wa.gov.au

Carbon Farming Initiative Communications Program - targeted grants http://www.grantslink.gov.au/Info.aspx?ResourceID=2130 The Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) Communications Program is a component of the Australian Government’s $45.6 million CFI. It will invest $4 million from 2011-12 to 2013-14 to provide farmers, land managers and their key influencers with credible, clear and consistent information on the CFI. A proportion of funds will be allocated to targeted grants for each of the 56 Natural Resource Management (NRM) regions. Regional Landcare Facilitators will provide farmers and land managers with information on:

* the CFI, to enable them to make informed decisions about it
* how they might be able to participate in the CFI
* the productivity, economic and environmental benefits from creating land-based carbon credits.

It will see Regional Landcare Facilitators work closely with farmers, Indigenous Australians and other land managers to identify how they can participate in and benefit from the opportunities created by the CFI and carbon farming.

The CFI Communications Program will build on work Regional Landcare Facilitators undertake as part of the Regional Landcare Facilitator Initiative.

The CFI Communications Program is a targeted grants program. No applications are sought. For further information - see the website listed below

Pilot of Drought Reform Measures in WA 2011/12 WA Farm Training Scheme

Fri, 9 Dec 2011 02:00:00 GMT

Please find attached the details and application forms for the 2011/12 WA Farm Training Scheme. The scheme is open now and runs until mid 2012.

VIRUS MATTERS NEWLETTER

Fri, 9 Dec 2011 02:00:00 GMT

Please find the latest 'Virus Matters' newletter attached.

vWA 'Fresh from the Farm' Advertising Campaign

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:00:00 GMT

vegetablesWA is conducting an advertising campaign with The West Australian newspaper. After conducting 2 consumer research programs. This has given vWA a very clear picture of the factors influencing purchase of vegetables for WA shoppers. vWA selected the Fresh section of The West Australian to conduct this marketing campaign with. Fresh has over 550,000 readers on a weekly basis and is the most cost effective way of talking to a large number of West Australians who are specifically interest in food. The campaign will run from the 10th November till the end of June. The feature will appear on the front page of the Fresh section. In addition there will be 2 further adverts in special Buy West Eat Best and Perth’s Best pull outs. For further explaination and details please see attached.

INTERSTATE TOMATO MARKET ACCESS POST-DIMETHOATE AND FENTHION

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 02:00:00 GMT

Friday 4th November 8 am -Luckens Fumigation Service, 69 Dowd Street Welshpool Here is an opportunity to see tomatoes fumigated using Methyl Bromide under the ICA-04 protocol (Interstate Certification Assurance) and the condition of the fruit post fumigation A follow-up to view how the treated tomatoes store will be held ina fortnight at the Canning Vale Markets, date and time to be Confirmed. For information and to reply, please call Rohan Prince 0429680069 or email rohan.prince@agric.wa.gov.au

DRIP TAPE DYE DEMONSTRATION

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 02:00:00 GMT

Thursday 13th October, 3 pm -250 Bernard Rd North, Carabooda (Next to WesGrowers packing shed) Come and see how to perform a dye test to see the movementand spread of water in the soil from your drip irrigation system. Trial from 10 am to 2 pm with a short presentation of results from3 pm. Growers are welcome anytime during the day. The demonstration is part of VT10001 Developing Good Practicefor tomatoes grown on sand using drip irrigation funded through the APC/VPC with matching funds from HAL For information and to reply, please call Rohan Prince 0429680069 or email rohan.prince@agric.wa.gov.au

HAVE YOU SEEN ANY SCLEROTINIA DISEASE IN YOUR VEGETABLE CROPS?

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 02:00:00 GMT

The University of Western Australia and DAFWA are conducting a research project to identify different pathotypes of Sclerotinia species in vegetable brassicas and natural sources of plant resistance to the disease. Information about the disease can be used in plant breeding programs to reduce the impact of the disease on vegetable brassica crops. The collection of samples of Sclerotinia in any vegetable crop or nearby plants (eg: weeds) is vital for the success of this project. Spring is the ideal time for Sclerotinia to be active in vegetable crops. Typical symptoms of the disease include a soft watery rot, covered in white fluffy fungal growth. Small black hard sclerotia (resting bodies) may also be seen in the fungal growth. Please see photos for examples. If you think you have seen Sclerotinia disease in your vegetable crops, please contact either Charlotte Butler at vegetablesWA (phone: 0427 373 037, email: charlotte.butler@vegetableswa.com.au) or Rachel Lancaster at DAFWA (phone 9780 6210, email: rachel.lancaster@agric.wa.gov.au) and we will organise for a sample to be collected. Further information can be obtained from Rachel Lancaster. Thank you.