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November 2009 Edition 26 Inside this issue:

Norma Higgins

Local Hero

2

National Fruit Fly

Strategy

3

Climate Change

Communications Brochure f or Industry

4

Harv est Update 5

NTHA Office hours for the F es-

tive Season

6

Sustainable Practices Implementation in NT

NTHA CONTACTS 15 Coolalinga Village Shopping Centre Stuart Highway Coolalinga 0835 PO Box 2207 Palmerston NT 0831

Phone 08 89 83 3233 Fax 08 89 83 3244 Email ntha@ntha.com.au www.ntha.com.au

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the NTHA Council or NTHA’s members.

The Northern Territory Horticultural Association acknowledges the ongoing support of the Northern Territory Government

FREE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLANS As part of the Sustainable Practices Implementation in NT Agriculture (SPINTA) project, NTHA and NTAgA members have the opportunity to be assisted in developing an Envi-

ronmental Management Plan (EMP) for their enterprise. This will not cost members any-thing apart from a day of their time to provide information input. The project officer Tim

West will assist growers with undertaking the plan. These plans can be developed on-site or in the NTHA/NTAgA offices.

As we move into a Carbon Economy there is no better time to capitalise on this offer. Many may not see the urgency in developing an EMP for their business at present but

all predictions point to this being a requirement in the future. Please capitalise on this opportunity as your associations, through this project and others, are proactively

working towards assisting you to adapt and thrive in the new Carbon economy.

Please contact Tim on 8983 3233 or 0418 901 552 to book a time during Dec-Jan to undertake your free EMP

SPINTA Soils Workshops The recent Soils Workshops were very interesting and thought provoking. They were held at Coastal Plains Research Station,

Katherine Research Station and Ti Tree. As well as learning about the typical structure and properties of Top End soils, guest speaker

Dr Maarten Stapper spoke on the advantages of biological inputs for soil and plant health. Maarten demonstrated his passion for using the power of na-

ture in food production systems—and the connection between soil biology, soil health, and the overall functioning of agro-ecosystems, and sees many opportunities to reverse

soil degradation and regenerate soils. Contact Tim if you were unable to attend and would like more

information The next Workshop topic to be covered is Nutrients, in February 2010. For dates and

topics of other future workshops visit our website—www.ntha.com.au or phone NTHA on 8983 3233

NTHA COUNCIL

Tom Harris President Citrus

Jan Hinzte

Vice President Cut Flower

Geoff Selems Public Officer

Mango

Fergus Higson Treasurer Nursery

Haig Arthur Director

Emerging Industries

David Boehme Director

Emerging Industries

Peter Marks Director Mango

David Higgins Director

Katherine Region

John Etty Director Organics

Alan Pedersen

Director Organics

Ben Hoffmann

Director Cut Flowers

Charmaine Carter

Director Tropical Exotics

Daniel Herrick

Director Tropical Exotics

Jane Dellow Director Nursery

The views expressed by contributors to this magazine may not reflect the views of the Northern Territory Horticultural Association and the NTHA gives no warranties to the products and services advertised herein. To contribute editorial or purchase advertising space please contact the NTHA.

All editorial and advertising is published at the discretion of the NTHA.

Page 2 NORTHERN AUSTRALIA GROWER

NTHA COUNCIL

Jan Hintze President Cut Flowers

Tom Harris Treasurer Citrus

Ian Baker

Vice President Regional

Representation

David Higgins Regional

Representation

Mark Smith Bananas

Kerry Eupene

Citrus

Haig Arthur Emerging Industries

Murray Linton

Mango

Andy Hancock Mango

Jane Dellow Nursery

John Etty Organics

Ben Hoffmann Cut Flowers

Rob Doyle

Tropical Exotic Fruit

Hardy Schimmel Nursery

David Boehme Vegetables

Jerry Hemphill

Organics

Northern Territory’s local hero

Katherine-based horticulturalist Norma Higgins has been named the Northern Territory’s Local Hero in the lead-up to the 2010 Australian of the Year Awards. Norma received the award for her ac-tive involvement in a number of agricul-ture associations and her contribution to the NT agriculture industry through the establishment of a local produce market in Katherine. She established the Katherine commu-nity market, which has increased profits for local farmers and had flow-on ef-

fects for tourism, training and employment opportunities in the region. Norma is active in the Northern Territory Horticultural Association, NT’s Primary Industries Training Advisory Council and was a founding mem-ber of the NT Women in Agriculture and the Katherine Region Food Processing Group. The national Local Hero Award recipient will be announced in Canberra January 25, 2010. In 2008, Higgins won the NT Rural Woman of the Year Award which rec-ognises the vital contribution women make to rural Australia.

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NTHA CONTACT

Phone 08 898 83 3233 Facsimile 08 89 83 3244

PO Box 2207 Palmerston NT 0832

Email ntha@ntha.com.au

www.ntha.com.au

NORTHERN AUSTRALIA GROWER Page 3

The National Fruit Fly Strategy Background information Why the focus on fruit flies? Fruit flies hav e the potential to infect a w ide range of crops, from mangoes and apples to tomatoes and grapes. Their impact on Australia’s capacity to trade in domestic and international horticultural markets is also signifi-cant. If not adequately managed, the presence of fruit fly larv ae in horticultural produce can lead to closure of

international ex port markets and significant disruption of domestic trade. The average annual v alue of fruit fly susceptible Australian horticultural crops is $4.8 billion. The av erage v alue of Australian fresh fruit ex ports from fruit fly susceptible crops is nearly $500 million. A further $1.2 billion of fruit fly susceptible produce is traded interstate. Ov er the fiv e year period from 2003-2008, Australian industry and gov ernment inv ested more than $128 mil-lion in the management of fruit flies. This does not include the direct cost to grow ers of managing the pest in crop production. What is the National Fruit Fly Strategy – Why is it needed? The draft National Fruit Fly Strategy (NFFS) aims to dev elop a v iable, cost-effectiv e and sustainable national approach to fruit fly management, w ith commitment from all stakeholders. The dev elopment of the Strategy inv olved more than 60 organisa-tions from both the public and priv ate sectors. The document contains 20 recommendations, under w hich more than 80 spe-cific strategies were developed. It w as formally released by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in Nov ember 2008. What is the draft NFFS Implementation Action Plan? The NFFS Implementation Action Plan represents the culmination of some nine months work by experts from industry and government (the NFFS Implementation Committee). The Action Plan proposes the implementa-tion of key recommendations contained in the draft NFFS that lay the foundation for a new and sustainable national approach to the management of fruit flies in Australia. Draw ing upon the Horticulture Market Access R&D Strategic Plan 2009/10 to 2013/14, the Implementation

Committee rev iewed and prioritised the initiativ es within the draft NFFS and dev eloped 15 key projects to facilitate the introduction of a national approach. In addition, a mechanism is proposed that w ill prov ide ongo-ing gov ernance to guide the implementation of these projects and prov ide coordination and support for indus-try and gov ernments from a national perspectiv e. Why is it important and what benefits are provided by the draft Implementation Action Plan? The NFFS implementation Action Plan proposes a new and sustainable national approach to the manage-ment of fruit flies in Australia that is designed to: Enable industry investment to be carefully prioritised and targeted tow ards maintaining, protecting and en-

hancing critical domestic and international market access for growers;

Reduce overlap of effort and duplication of resources across regions, jurisdictions and industries;

Ensure financial investment in maintaining market access brings optimum returns for industry and gov ernment stakeholders;

Prov ide significant support for local industry management of fruit flies in both endemic and pest free areas;

Improv e coordination of operational responses to fruit flies in all production areas; Facilitate the sustainable and long-term management of fruit flies, w ith support for industry and gov ernment stakeholders pro-v ided by a national governance mechanism. For further information and copies of both the draft NFFS and Action Plan, please visit the NFFS Website

Chainsaw Course Only three (3) spaces available

Northern Territory Horticulture Asso ciation members FREE

All other participants $250

Tuesday 15th. Decemb er

You must book as positions are l imited

Contact James on 0435 182 042 or email james.gorrie@trainsafe.net

NTHA CONTACT

Phone 08 898 83 3233 Facsimile 08 89 83 3244

PO Box 2207 Palmerston NT 0832

Email ntha@ntha.com.au

www.ntha.com.au

NORTHERN AUSTRALIA GROWER Page 4

Climate Change Communication Brochure for Industry

Recently there has been debate about climate change and emission trading, mostly in relation to where agriculture fits into the Australian Emission Trading Scheme. While agriculture emissions amount to about 16% of all national industry emissions, horticul-ture comprises just 1% of this total. However, climate change and variability will likely play a significant role in shaping the future of the Australian horticultural industry. The Climate Change Research Strategy for Primary Industries (CCRSPI) program and Horti-culture Australia Limited (HAL) have recently published a brochure “Horticulture and Climate Change” to provide succinct information to growers about climate change and variability. The brochure provides information about: • Predicted climate change impacts on horticulture • Research underway to assist growers to respond to climate change • Practical measures to mitigate and adapt to the challenges • Opportunities presented by climate change • A glossary of commonly used climate change terms View or download a copy from our website www.ntha.com or contact Cathy at NTHA for a copy.

NTHA CONTACT

Phone 08 898 83 3233 Facsimile 08 89 83 3244

PO Box 2207 Palmerston NT 0832

Email ntha@ntha.com.au

www.ntha.com.au

NORTHERN AUSTRALIA GROWER Page 5

Harvest News Tracey Leo—harvest consultant, Ready Workforce Mango harvest update Darw in harvest has concluded and most farms in Katherine have finished. No shortages of unskilled workers reported how ever there was a higher than av erage turnov er in the past few weeks. Incidents of mango / climatic intolerance w ere on par w ith other years and still an issue for the industry . A reported increase in language and communication issues attributed to the disproportionate number of Koreans, Taiw anese and non English speaking French participating in harv est. Most complaints from w orkers w ere in relation to irregular and reduced w ork schedules and; pay and piece rates.

Attention Cut Flower Growers Valentines Day is on the horizon. Hav e you thought about y our upcoming labour needs to get y our orders out. Plan ahead. We adv ertise nationally and attract w orkers w ho are eager to mobilise themselv es to where the w ork is. By planning ahead we can recruit to your specifications and can ensure that y ou have access to staff w hen y ou need them. Don’t break y our heart try ing to get y our products out the door this Valentines Day . Call us 89 23 9222 Ready Workforce and the new awards Our harv est referral serv ice w on’t be affected by the new awards as we simply refer w orkers to y ou or y our preferred labour prov ider. I.e. we are not the employer. How ev er our payroll services w ill be affected as w e w ill not hav e a pre reform w orkplace agreement in place because we do not currently hav e any employees in the horticulture industry to v ote on a work place agreement. We are aw aiting the final draft o f the new aw ard and w ill make a determination on how best to meet the needs of our clients and candidates. As such we will not be providing quotes on payroll services until the New Year w hen the cost impacts of the modern aw ard are clear. If y ou require any further information or are looking for staff please do not hesitate to call Darw in Harv est 89 23 9222 Tracey.leo@readyworkforce.com.au Katherine Harv est 0400 359 231 Haley .Moulds@readyworkforce.com.au

Page 6 NORTHERN AUSTRALIA GROWER

Merry Christmas and a Safe and Prosperous New Year.

The Northern Territory Horticultural Association will be closed from

Thursday 24th December to Monday 11th January.

NTHA Council and Staff wish all of our members and

stakeholders a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.