Vegetables WA RSS news feed

Potato Industry Meeting

Thu, 9 Sep 2010 02:00:00 GMT

Friday 15th October 2010 – Quality Lord Forrest Hotel, Bunbury The meeting schedule is as follows: · 1.30 PM - Registration and Afternoon Tea · 2.00 pm - Introduction and welcome (Georgia Thomas, WPPL) · 2.10 pm - Upskilling Water Managers (Rohan Prince, DAFWA) · 2.30 pm - Calcium (Neil Graham, PMC) · 2.50 pm - Improving the visual quality of WA ware potatoes (DAFWA). · 3.10 pm - 20 minute break · 3.30 pm - Variety Development Strategy (WPPL, PMC, PGA) · 4.00 pm - Western Potatoes Marketing and Promotion Program (WPPL Team) · 4.20 pm - Questions/discussion and light refreshments For more information or to RSVP contact Georgia Thomas at georgia@westernpotatoes.com.au or call 92846266

Carnarvon Vegetable Growers Workshop

Tue, 7 Sep 2010 02:00:00 GMT

Vegetable Growers Workshop Tuesday 14 September 2010 Location: Gascoyne Research Station – Bombshelter Times: 4pm start 4.10pm field walk 5.00pm presentations BBQ and refreshments upon conclusion Presentations: Denis Persley – Plant Virologist, DEEDI QLD. Virus diseases in capsicum and tomato - current problems and ones to avoid. John Thomas – Plant Virologist, DEEDI QLD. Viruses of banana – threats to Carnarvon from the eastern states and overseas. Dominie Wright – Plant Pathologist, DAFWA. What disease is that on my crop? Is it bacterial, fungal or a nematode? Sonya Broughton – Entomologist, DAFWA. Western Flower Thrips and Aphids - the effectiveness of sprays and the problem of resistance. Monica Kehoe – Plant Virologist, DAFWA. Cucurbit viruses, particularly Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) - transmission, alternative hosts and management.

Buy West Eat Best Phase 2 Marketing Campaigne and Transfer to Industry Update

Fri, 3 Sep 2010 02:00:00 GMT

Friday 10th September 2010 – Department of Agriculture and Food The goal of the workshop is to identify the individual needs, goals and expectations of Buy West Eat Best members of a Phase 2 Marketing Campaign. Guest presenters include 303, who will provide a brief overview of Phase 1 and pitch creative ideas for Phase 2 across various medium, including TV, press and in store initiatives. Kristen Watts, editor of the very innovative, creative and flavoursome Buy West Eat Best Cookbook will be there to talk about the launch of the cookbook. Stuart Clarke will also be there to update on the transfer to industry progress being made by the working group. Your contributions to this discussion are vital to the development of a successful Phase 2 Marketing Plan. For further information or to RSVP contact Audrey Dias on 9368 3382 or audrey.dias@agric.wa.gov.au by Wednesday 8th September 2010 for catering purposes.

Veginsights

Fri, 3 Sep 2010 02:00:00 GMT

Latest headlines: Wholesale veg price up 7% to $2.09/kg • Better climate for retail price rises •New effort to tackle health issues • Insights on consumer spending patterns

HONEYBEE AND POLLINATION SECURITY CRC BID DEVELOPEMENT UPDATE

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:00:00 GMT

The RIRDC engaged Pestat Pty Ltd to develop a CRC bid for the Honeybee and Pollination industries. The plan is to submit a bid in 2011, which will be Selection Round 14 in the now annual CRC competition. Round 13 is now underway and while round 14 has not been opened by the Commonwealth Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Research, the best advice is that it will be, in late 2010. For information about the bidding process, the Honeybee and Pollination Sectors, Research Priorities and more please view attached

Veginsights 11/08/2010 and 18/11/2010

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 02:00:00 GMT

Latest headlines: · Novel collaboration plans expansion
· It remains a tough grocery market
· Blood pressure linked to chilli peppers
· Singles targeted by miniature lettuce · Shoppers seek product innovation
· New food rules to engage consumers
· Dining out market boosted by optimism
· Wholesale veg price up at $1.95/kg

Please see attached for further information on these headlines

Horticulture Award 2010 From Fairwork Onbudsman

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 02:00:00 GMT

UPDATED- Horticulture Award 2010 From Fairwork Ombudsman

vegetablesWA has received new information about the Horticulture Award that supersedes our previous advice: “The Fair Work Ombudsman has revised its position in relation to casuals and overtime.
Our current position is that casuals are not entitled to overtime rates when overtime is performed as defined by the Horticulture Award2010.
This position has been clarified today. This means that in the scenario below the Level 2 employee would be entitled to$18.24 on Sundays and for overtime performed during the week, with no overtime loadings. I appreciate that our position has changed and am happy to discuss any issues arising from this change in advice.” Yours sincerely

Fair Work Ombudsman
Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94 www.fairwork.gov.au
Previous Advice:

Horticulture Award 2010 From Fairwork Onbudsman "It the view of the Fair Work Ombudsman that casual employees are entitled to receive overtime rates under the modern award. We understand that employer associations are advising that casuals are not entitled to receive overtime. However, we further understand that unions are currently advising that casual employees do receive overtime.We understand the parties may apply to vary the award to clarify this situation.In the event that Fair Work Australia varied the modern award, FWO will review its position based on any changes made. What rates do casual employees receive on Sundays? A casual employee working on a Sunday is entitled to receive double time of the ordinary rate, plus the 21% casual loading. All Sunday work is defined as overtime, regardless of how many hours the employee has worked that week. For example, the base permanent rate for a Level 2 employee under the award is $15.08 and the casual base rate is $18.24. Double $15.08 is $30.16 plus the $3.16 casual loading makes a total rate $33.32. The award does have a couple of exceptions to the double time rule for Sunday work: · Should employees be required to work on a Saturday and the majority of such employees elect not to work on the Saturday but rather on the Sunday then such work performed on that Sunday will be paid for at the rate prescribed for Saturday work. · During harvest period, the first eight hours of overtime in a week may include five hours work on a Sunday at the rate of 150% but all Sunday work in excess of the eighth overtime hour worked in the week, or in excess of five hours on a Sunday, will be paid at the rate of 200%. NB: The casual loading is being increased in phases and will increase over time to 25%. What rates do casual employees receive for working overtime during the week? Under the award the overtime rate is 150%, except for overtime worked on a Sunday. Using the casual Level 2 employee again the time and a half rate would be time and a half of $15.08 ($22.62), plus the $3.16 casual loading, a total of $25.78. The award states that ordinary hours of work will not exceed 152 hours over a four week period. This means that overtime rates must be paid once more than 152 ordinary hours are worked in any four week period - there is no reference to a 38 hour week. Small variances may emerge in rates, depending on rounding of amounts."

APVMA reviewing pesticides dimethoate and fenthion

Thu, 5 Aug 2010 02:00:00 GMT

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is currently reviewing the pesticides dimethoate and fenthion. Fenthion and dimethoate are used post harvest to prevent the Mediterranean fly, which have been registered for many years for use on a wide variety of horticulture produce as a treatment for insect pests, were nominated for review to examine human health (occupational health and food residues) issues. Fenthion was also nominated for a review of environmental risks. If it is found that there are potentially significant health and/or trade risks, then some uses could be immediately suspended or withdrawn, even before formal completion of the review. If less significant changes to labels were required, there may be a two-year phase out period for old stock only, but with new instructions for use. For further information please see fact sheet produced by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Department of Agriculture and Food

Option to Reduce the Cost of Waste Management

Thu, 5 Aug 2010 02:00:00 GMT

Option to Reduce the Cost of Waste Management 19th August 2010- Retro Function Centre Bibra Lake This is an opportunity for food producers to understand the advantages of disposing of surplus food through FOODBANK and recycling liquid and green waste through CUSTOMCOMPOSTS, at costs which may offset rising local government and other disposal costs of food waste in day-to -day operations associated with food processing. Speakers at the 2 hour event will include: Greg Hebble – General Manager of Foodbank WA
Hamish Dobie – Operations Manager of Foodbank WA
Andrew Gulliver- General Manager CustomComposts
Dave Cullen- Business Manager CustomerComposts The cost of the event is $50 to RSVP or for further information please contact Amelia McColl on 08) 9368 3977 or email amelia.mccoll@agric.wa.gov.au

Veginsights 28/7/2010 & 3/8/2010

Wed, 4 Aug 2010 02:00:00 GMT

Veginsights News Headlines • Schools join McCain’s veggie patches • Native melons more disease resistant • New labelling to boost SA farms • Helping consumers build veg knowledge • Wholesale veg price higher at $1.93/kg Please see attached for more information