A new report released last week confirms the Australian horticulture industry will be making an essential contribution to attaining the ambitious goal of $100 billion in national agricultural value by 2030.

Commissioned by Hort Innovation and delivered by The Centre for International Economics, the Contribution of Australian horticulture industry report predicts the sector will witness a 22.5 per cent increase in combined value by 2030, to reach $21.8 billion.

Jolyon Burnett, Chair of the NFF Horticulture Council, said the anticipated additional $4 billion generated by horticulture equated to half the value needed across the whole of agriculture to hit the $100 billion target on today’s figures. “The horticulture sector, including fruits, vegetables, nuts and also our turf, nursery and garden industries, has experienced solid growth, backed by strong demand and innovation, with this trend set to continue,” said Mr Burnett.

“We continue to punch well above our weight, being among the most efficient industries in converting valuable land, energy and water resources into more jobs and greater wealth across regional Australia.

“And with fewer than 1 in 10 Australians eating the recommended daily intake of vegetables, half eating enough fruit, and with diet-related chronic diseases currently the major causes of premature death and disability among adults in Australia, we have an opportunity and responsibility to grow our domestic markets. 

“These are all opportunities we need to address in partnership, with state and federal governments, but also other organisations and businesses who share our goals.”

The NSW Government this week announced $31 million to support beekeepers, horticulture and cropping industries affected by the Varroa mite outbreak.

Minister Moriarty said Varroa mite will add an estimated $52 million per year in apiary management expenses. The impacts without intervention would be severe on both the wild European honey bee population as well as managed hives around Australia.

In the past year:

• 2,148 people have spent an estimated 452,569 hours on the response across 990,400 hectares of eradication (red) zones

• The NSW DPI has fielded more than 10,000 calls, and has held close to 100 community

• meetings and webinars;

• The Wild European Honey Bee Management Program has deployed 705 bait stations, 823 Fipronil applications, and has been monitoring samples of Wild European Honey Bees collected in Emergency Eradication Zones for Varroa mite of which 725 have returned negative results;

• The NSW DPI has sampled 40,726 managed hives across NSW;

• Beekeepers have sampled 91,626 hives throughout the state.

The NSW Government has already spent more than $33 million to control Varroa outbreaks, including $13.7 million in reimbursement to around 2,500 affected commercial and recreational beekeepers.

Minister Moriarty said an updated plan for the next three years of the response had been endorsed by the National Management Group, which includes representatives from all states, the Commonwealth and industry groups.

Farmers and agronomists in the Western region in NSW are dealing with several difficult-to-control weeds, and herbicide resistance is adding to the challenge.

For the past ten years, WeedSmart has promoted science-backed weed management tactics proven to work in the field to drive down weed numbers and contain herbicide resistance in dryland and irrigated cropping systems. 

Project manager, Jessica Strauss, says that the tenth WeedSmart Week event, planned for Dubbo in early August, promises to deliver practical solutions to the weed management challenges facing growers on the Western Plains. 

“The 3-day event will delve into ways to mix and rotate herbicides within a diverse cropping rotation that tackles herbicide resistance head-on,” she says. “Local agronomists and growers will speak about how they are disrupting weed cycles and using mechanical and cultural practices to underpin their herbicide programs to drive down the weed seed bank in crop and in the fallow.” 

WeedSmart Week begins with the forum day at the Dubbo Regional Theatre & Convention Centre on 1 August, 2023. The 3-day event includes bus tours to three farms in the region and a machinery expo, where growers can see the latest in spray and camera technology, impact mills and other mechanical weed control tools used on Western Plains farms. 

“At the forum, the speakers and panels will address wide-ranging topics, including the use of residual herbicides, pulse width modulation technology, the role of livestock in weed control and ways to increase crop competition across farming systems,” says Ms Strauss. “The farm visits and machinery expo are always a highlight of the event as forward-thinking growers outline how they implement the WeedSmart Big 6 tactics in their farming system.” 

Register for this important 3-day event for the ‘early bird’ single ticket price of $290, which includes the bus tours, machinery expo and forum, all fully catered. Early bird pricing is available until 2 July. Group bookings and student discounts are available. 

Work has begun on one of the largest water infrastructure projects in NSW, with the Parkes-Peak Hill Water Supply Project designed to put the region in a stronger position to manage water in a drier climate.

NSW Water Minister, Rose Jackson said, “The Australian Government is proud to have committed $11 million to ensure this much-needed water infrastructure project becomes a reality, bolstering drinking water security for the Parkes and Peak Hill communities.

“Our Government has an unwavering commitment to continuing to invest in Australia’s regions to create jobs, build opportunity and unlock economic growth.

“We’re putting in 39 kilometres of new pipelines, two new pump stations, an upgraded Lachlan River pump station, a new pre-treatment plant at Eugowra Road and a new raw water storage lagoon at the Parkes Water Treatment Plant.

“To make sure we are doing everything we can to shore-up water security for the community, especially during dry periods. The project will more than double Parkes’ current transfer capacity from the Lachlan River and bore fields, which is major win for the community as it will secure better access to safe, clean drinking water” 

Lilly and Lachlan Cox in action with Shadow. Inset: Dustin and Adam Tanswell with Tess.

Parkes Yard Dog Trials were held on 18th and 19th June at the Parkes Showground. Over the two days, thirty-two competitors ran one hundred runs. The Maiden, Novice, Encourage and Local were given eight minutes to move twelve sheep through a series of yard configurations. The Juniors had no time limit and the Open were given ten minutes to move twenty sheep through a harder course.

Saturday saw the running of the Maiden, Novice, and Juniors. Gary White from Nyngan first place in both divisions with White’s Pint, second with White’s Albert in the Novice. William Cox from Young was second and third in the Maiden with Sam and Maverick and third in the Novice with Sam.

Sunday, we ran the Encourage, Local and Open. First in the Encourage was Teagan Cox, Young with Sam, second Karren Higgins, Terrey Hills and Rouge, third Sharron Steer and George from Billimari.

The local was hotly contested with Donna Lindley, Cowra and Jet winning, Lachlan Cox, Alectown second and equal third with Shadow and Lieu, Bernard Dwyer, Alectown equal third with Annie.

Sunday was the Open. First and third were won by Dean Incher, Cooma with Hulk and Raffa second Gary White, Nyngan, and White’s Benny. Hulk scoring one hundred and ninety-seven from a possible two hundred.

Our highlight for the weekend were our juniors. They were Dustin Tanswell and Tess, Lilly Cox and Shadow and Kinsley Unger and Annie. Each child had an adult with them in the yard. The three entrants were under five. Special thanks to the judge Greg Walton for all his encouragement. Also, thanks to Robert Cox for judging on Saturday and Ollie Hanson on Sunday.

Thank you to our sponsors Inland Petroleum, Westonfence, Quality Wool, Wakely Shearing, Tanswell Transport, Nick Williams Livestock Pregnancy Scanning, Agriwest, Agboss, AA Blatch, Nutrien Ag, Dwyer Contracting, Timtrac Industries, Parkes Central Butchery, Gundarimbah Merino Stud and CopRice, and all our helpers.

Pictured are students who attended the workshop. AgriFutures Australia hopes to inspire the next generation of agriculture professionals and highlight the exciting career opportunities in agriculture from biotechnicians and marine scientists to agricultural engineers and economists.

AgriFutures Australia and Training Services NSW hosted the tech-savvy, socially minded Gen Zs at inaugural Ag Industry Days, a new event showcasing the diverse career opportunities in Australia’s agricultural industry.

At the one-day workshops, which took place in Albury/Wodonga on 21st June and Wagga Wagga on 22nd June, Year 9 and 10 school students engaged with some of the most dynamic young professionals at the forefront of innovation in agriculture. They also got the opportunity to visit local businesses that are transforming the industry

AgriFutures Australia Manager, Workforce Delivery, Abbey O’Callaghan said the workshops respond to recommendations from a recent community perceptions and worker experiences report that included broadening the conversation about roles in the industry and showcasing new technology as a selling point.

“Some of the world’s biggest challenges are directly related to agriculture: food security, sustainability and climate change. The Ag Industry Days will challenge perceptions of the agriculture industry and galvanise the next generation of agricultural innovators.”

“Importantly, we really want to inspire students to embrace STEM and agricultural subjects as they progress into their senior school years.”

Attendees were challenged to answer the question ‘How do we rethink agriculture?’ Back in the classroom, participating students refined their answer and submitted their ‘pitch’ to AgriFutures Australia. The responses will offer AgriFutures Australia important insights into the perspectives of young people.

Rabobank animal protein analyst Angus Gidley-Baird

Australia’s beef sector is set for a return to “more normal” market conditions in the season ahead, after a recent extraordinary period marked by record prices levels and volatility, according to Rabobank’s Australian Beef Seasonal Outlook 2023.

But while prices are projected to track in a narrower range – at close to current levels – through the year, this is still “historically high’ and expectations are that beef producer margins will remains strong, the agribusiness banking specialist says.

The lower prices and resulting market stability will have “an upside”, according to report author Rabobank senior animal protein analyst Angus Gidley-Baird, with cheaper cattle improving Australia’s competitive position in export markets and less price volatility allowing supply chains to rebalance.

“While high cattle prices in recent times have been great for producers selling cattle, this legacy remains and we are now working our way through some very expensive cattle in much softer consumer markets,” he said. 

“A more stable price range for 2023 will allow the supply chain to rebalance, once these expensive cattle are cleared. Cattle prices have returned to more average levels, making Australian beef competitive again and creating a more sustainable market for everyone in the supply chain.”

This price stability also provides an ideal opportunity for cattle producers to plan for the future. “This greater stability, along with the expectation that farm profits will still be strong, also provides an ideal time to plan and prepare for the future,” Mr Gidley-Baird said. 

“And with a number of wetter seasons behind us, there is increased likelihood of a dry season ahead, so now is the best time to prepare for future, less favourable years.”

NSW Farmers has warned the federal government against hiking costs to operate trucks and tractors in the proposed Fuel Efficiency Standard. 

Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Transport Minister Catherine King announced a Fuel Efficiency Standard would be introduced as part of Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy, aimed at driving cleaner, cheaper to run vehicles.The ministers said Australians households and businesses are missing out on more efficient vehicles, which could save motorists $519 per year in fuel costs. 

Farmers were fearful, however, that the fuel standards could make it more expensive to run the diesel vehicles that form the backbone of Australia’s farm sector and transport fleet, in turn increasing the cost of food and goods for consumers. 

NSW Farmers Energy Transition Working Group chair Reg Kidd said there were no commercial alternatives to diesel-powered trucks and tractors, and Australia’s large size meant electric vehicles were still not an option to keep the country running. 

“There’s a lot of promise in electric vehicles, but the farm and transport sectors are a long way from broad-scale adoption, the technology’s just not there yet,” Mr Kidd said. 

“People can choose to drive an electric car to get around town, but you still can’t drive from Dubbo to Broken Hill in one – the distances between charging stations are too great. 

“We want people in rural, remote and regional communities to be involved in this discussion, not sidelined as a consequence of a narrow thinking.” 

“Genuine engagement and consultation is critical here, because what works even in a large center like Orange doesn’t work further out at West Wyalong,” Mr Kidd said. 

“Good intentions alone just won’t cut it, people are keen to do their bit in reducing pollution, but we need to be careful we don’t also reduce our ability to feed ourselves.”