DPI Services to Horticulture Producers
Foreword
Victoria’s horticulture industry makes a significant contribution to the state’s economy and communities. It has a farm-gate value of around $2.4 billion per annum and accounts for 44 per cent of Australia’s horticulture exports.
The Victorian Government – through the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) – provides a range of services to the horticulture industry to support its development. DPI’s primary role is to promote economic development in a way that supports environmental sustainability and community capacity to manage change.
This document, DPI services to horticulture producers 2011, outlines DPI’s strategic context and describes the services we provide to horticulture producers and their service providers. These include research, development, extension, regulatory and emergency management services. DPI also has a significant policy role that helps support and guide service delivery. This year’s plan has been developed with input from industry partners including an evaluation of the 2010 service plan.
Richard Bolt
Secretary Department of Primary Industries
DPI is strengthening the way we deliver services. Our Services to Farmers strategy is helping to ensure we provide targeted, accessible services that are relevant to the needs of farm businesses.
We are also building our collaborations with a range of other service providers including CMA’s, agribusiness, industry associations and other key stakeholder groups.
A National Horticulture Research, Development and Extension Framework has been finalised in the last year under the guidance of the Primary Industries Ministerial Council and Horticulture Australia. This strategy will see DPI focus service delivery on Victoria’s horticulture industry priorities as part of a coordinated national approach.
DPI will continue working closely with our stakeholders to ensure the horticulture industry is well-placed to meet present and future challenges and opportunities.
Introduction
To respond to industry challenges, producers need to adopt contemporary practices and business models and target new and emerging strategic markets. They require access to relevant information and services, when and where they need it.
DPI’s task is to focus our service delivery where a core role for government exists and to boost our collaboration with other service providers.
This document aims to clearly outline the context for DPI’s operations and describe the nine key services we provide to horticulture producers in 2011–12.
DPI has developed this document based on a thorough analysis of our role and expertise, as well as input from a range of industry stakeholders. The intent is to update this document regularly based on feedback and an evaluation of the previous years plan.
This document’s target audience is industry partners, other service providers and DPI staff. It has been designed to help clarify DPI’s role and help identify specific collaborative opportunities.
An environment of change
The demand for horticultural products is forecast to grow, although it is difficult to predict the short- to medium-term impact of global economic volatility and the impacts of policies that may restrict global trade in certain countries. Access to some key markets also continues to be restricted. On the other hand, the industry also has many opportunities to differentiate and add value to its products.
While horticultural production has grown steadily at almost three per cent a year since 1990, it is highly dependent on seasonal weather conditions. Flooding and wet humid conditions played havoc with grape, fruit and nut industries throughout 2010 with major yield and quality downgrades impacting significantly on grower returns. With seasonal weather forecasts predicting more ‘average’ conditions in the 2011/2012 season and with security of water assured in irrigated regions prospects are for better yields in 2011/12.
Despite this, increasing import competition and competition in export markets from fellow southern hemisphere producers make for challenging times.Industry challenges and opportunities
The horticulture industry is adapting to and managing some significant challenges after a decade of dry seasonal conditions and recent heavy rainfalls and associated flooding.
Low productivity growth
Data on horticultural productivity is limited, however recent data <www.futurefocus.org.au> indicates that during the past 15 years some international competitors have achieved double Australia’s horticulture sector productivity growth.
Competition and differentiation in markets
Australia is a relatively small horticultural exporter, with most production targeted at a generally stable domestic market. Strong competition in international markets is expected to grow further, particularly from other southern hemisphere nations. The strong Australian dollar continues to hamper the competitiveness of Victorian horticultural products in world markets, and at the same time supports the competitiveness of imported products in the Australian market.
A significant opportunity to differentiate Australian produce exists by way of developing new varieties (e.g. the pink lady apple) and new technologies (e.g. packaging technologies). New business models are also emerging to capture benefits from these developments globally.
Climate variability and associated policies
Climate variability is predicted to have a significant impact on southern Australia. Implications for the horticulture industry include changes in frost frequency and severity which may result in lower yields and reduced fruit quality.
The risk of crop failures due to more variable/volatile growing conditions is also predicted to increase, affecting the industry’s ability to meet increasingly specific and targeted quality assurance/market requirements.
The industry may also be affected by policies to mitigate climate change, which are likely to result in higher energy, input and transport costs. Horticultural production is responsible for only about one per cent of total agricultural greenhouse emissions.
Competition for natural resources
The availability and quality of water, together with urban expansion pressures, are likely to pose challenges to the longer-term production of vegetables (particularly in the Werribee region). Limited water availability is also expected to be a continuing challenge for fruit and vegetable production in the Bacchus Marsh region and in northern Victoria.
Biosecurity risks
The Biosecurity Strategy for Victoria commits to protecting the state’s primary industries, environment, social amenity and human health from biosecurity threats. Maintaining and enhancing access to export and interstate markets through effective biosecurity management is essential for the sustainable growth of Victoria’s horticulture industry.
The industry faces a number of challenges, including the withdrawal of some chemicals used in product disinfestation, and pests and diseases becoming more resistant to some traditional chemicals.
Social change and labour shortage
The trend towards farm consolidation is projected to continue, with larger corporate-style family farms and declining rural town populations resulting in a shortage of labour for horticulture in some areas. This will be particularly evident during seasonal activities such as harvesting and pruning. The trend towards more reliance on mechanisation, remote sensing and automation is expected to continue.
Industry fragmentation
Diversity, both in terms of products/crops and their growing locations, is a distinguishing feature of Victorian horticulture. This means it is difficult to establish the critical mass to support investment in research and service delivery in some horticultural sectors.
The horticulture industry does not always act in a unified manner on major industry issues, reducing its ability to capitalise on its significant scale and investment in research, development and extension (R,D&E).
DPI’s investment context
Strategy-driven outcomes and investments
DPI’s vision is to enable the state’s primary industries to sustainably build Victoria’s wealth and wellbeing. Our strategic plan identifies three headline outcomes to achieve this vision:
- competitive businesses and efficient markets
- sustainable managed natural resources
- engaged, safe and responsible communities.
Supporting the DPI strategic plan is the Agriculture and Fisheries Four-year Strategy that sets the direction for our investment in the agriculture and fisheries sector. Four strategic outcomes will drive our investment decisions, namely:
- increasing productivity and net value (Outcome 1)
- growing market access (Outcome 2)
- sustaining the natural resource base (Outcome 3)
- protecting and enhancing community resources (Outcome 4).
Role of Government
A major role of government is to invest in important areas (for society) where industry and individuals under-invest due to their inability to capture sufficient or exclusive direct benefits. DPI determines investment priorities and evaluates projects through a rigorous investment process, which considers ‘market failure’ and the likelihood of net benefits arising from the investment.
In allocating funds to projects, DPI also considers the level of industry support. Where industry and private benefits predominantly arise from a project, we are unlikely to invest, given that society at large is unlikely to be a key beneficiary. To this end, DPI seeks to complement – but not compete with – the private sector, which is often better-placed to provide services that lead to direct enterprise-level profitability outcomes.
Investing in Victoria’s horticulture industry
DPI invests more than $180 million annually in research, development and extension (R,D&E) and regulatory services for the agriculture and fisheries sectors. This includes an investment of approximately $15 million in R,D&E activities that directly benefit the horticulture industry.
This investment is complemented by co-investment of around $8 million a year by industry and the Australian Government, predominantly through Horticulture Australia Limited and the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation.
DPI invests $40 million in broader R,D&E activities that affect the natural resource base and the social capital that supports all agricultural industries. Included in this effort are partnerships with CMA’s delivering irrigation efficiency and farm planning projects aimed at limiting off farm impacts on Victoria’s statewide high priority environmental assets.
| Primary industry sector sustainably building Victoria’s wealth and wellbeing | DPI Vision | |||
| ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ||
| Competitive business and effective markets | Sustainably managed natural resource | Engaged, safe and responsible communities | DPI Headline Outcomes | |
| ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | |
| Outcome 1 Increasing productivity and net value |
Outcome 2 Growing market access |
Outcome 3 Sustaining the natural resource base |
Outcome 4 Protecting and enhancing community resources |
Agriculture and Fisheries Strategic Outcomes |
The National Primary Industries Research, Development and Extension Framework aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the national R,D&E effort through better collaboration and a focus on national priorities. The framework’s intent is to provide a national focus on research, regional focus on development and local focus on extension.
Aligned with the framework, DPI will retain and build research capability in fields strategically important to the national horticulture industry, and will seek opportunities to work collaboratively with other R,D&E organisations. At the same time, we will exit those areas served better by industry and other organisations.
Pome and stone fruit, brassica vegetables and fresh and processing potatoes, along with dried vine fruit, wine grapes and almonds, are the priority horticultural crops for DPI’s R,D&E investments. This is based on the relative contribution of these crops to the GVP of agriculture in Victoria and alignment with which commodities the DPI plays a lead role in the National Horticulture R,D&E Framework.
DPI’s priorities for horticulture in 2011–12
DPI’s priorities for investment in research, development, extension and compliance services for the horticulture industry include:
Productivity
- Extending the reach and operations of the Horticulture Industry Network (HIN) and Horticulture Service Provider Network. These networks aim to link horticultural producers and their service providers with information and knowledge to increase the rate and scope of practice change, as well as industry and community productivity and sustainability.
- Developing further online tools and resources, and knowledge management approaches such as Systems for Enhanced Farm Services and the HIN online resource library to facilitate efficient and effective access to relevant R,D&E resources from around the world.
Market and business development
- Supporting resolution of market access impediments in key markets and improved industry value-chain efficiency.
- Further developing the Premium Fruit Project which aims to minimise fruit variability in summerfruit and apples and to improve consistency, quality and consumer confidence. Studies include the physiological effects of low water availability on fruit quality, yield and sweetness; a better understanding of tree variability in nectarines; and selection of improved summerfruit varieties based on consumer preference and storage performance.
- Establishing the Smoke Taint Centre for Excellence which will develop and evaluate a risk assessment tool to enable the wine grape industry and public land managers to determine windows of opportunity for control burning that minimise the risk of smoke taint.
- Seasonal industry updates, particularly for growers in northern Victoria, which take the form of regionally based forums where DPI brings together key subject specialists.
Biosecurity preparedness
- Pest and disease research on more efficient, effective and innovative integrated pest and disease management practices to reduce farm losses from insect pests, diseases and weeds.
- Building capability related to management practices for exotic incursions of diseases, and developing better diagnostic tools for emerging plant viruses.
- Biosecurity certification services for industry and support to minimise potential biosecurity disruptions to market access through effective pest and disease surveillance and product integrity programs.
- Providing advice and guidance on chemical use in pest and disease management, and monitoring of industry quality assurance schemes and of potential spray drift.
- Minimising the threats from invasive plant and animal species through integrated communication, surveillance and compliance programs.
Sustainability and natural resource management
- Spatial management of irrigation to maximise water use efficiency, investigating the effects of variation in tree size within an orchard block on drainage and water stress. The research will highlight the potential yield penalties in commercial orchards and the appropriate modifications to improve on-farm water use efficiency.
- Remote sensing of crop water use, exploring the use of satellite data to estimate evapo-transpiration from horticulture crops. This research will identify relationships between climate data, canopy cover and irrigation requirements.
- DPI is contributing to a national soil carbon research program to increase the understanding of the effects of soil type, climate and management on soil carbon.
- Modelling of climate change impacts on perennial horticulture to inform planning for climate change, and looking at the impact of climate change on endemic and exotic pest and disease threats.
- Disruption to water supply in a changing climate: research to determine minimum irrigation requirements for tree survival to minimise crop loss or to maintain productivity for apples, peaches, pears, grapes and almonds.
Skills and industry capability development
- Supporting producers to plan and make more informeddecisions in a whole-farm context so they can prepare for the impacts of climate variability, enhance the productive capacity of their land and water resources, and minimise off-site impacts.
- Targeted support for producers to manage the impacts of seasonal conditions, including whole-farm planning programs to support decision making and approaches to minimise environmental impacts and sustain tree and vine health.
Emergency management
- Supporting producers to prepare for and recover from emergencies.
DPI’s service delivery context
DPI works in partnership with other service providers to build capacity and deliver better targeted, more accessible and relevant services to Victoria’s horticulture producers.
The key principles of the Better Services to Farmers Strategy are that DPI will:
- target services to achieve greatest benefit for Victoria
- focus on public benefit, with industry funding supporting industry benefits
- consider who is best placed to deliver services
- not compete with effective private providers or community groups
- grow the capability of DPI staff and the service provider sector as a whole
- manage risks to ensure the strategy is successful.
DPI regularly consults with the horticulture industry to define needs and future services. We use six key approaches to inform the design and delivery of services:
- research – the discovery of new knowledge and technologies
- development – the testing and modification of new knowledge and technologies at a regional level
- retailing information – providing information direct to horticulturists (i.e. end-users)
- wholesaling information – gathering information on research and development results and new practices and packaging it for ‘retail’ service providers (e.g. private consultants, community groups)
- signposting – referring horticulturists and service providers to other (non-DPI) sources of information and services
- regulation – to achieve compliance with government legislation.
DPI ‘retails’ services where net public benefits arise and/or where industry co-invests in service delivery. Specifically, we will:
- provide one-on-one services to horticulturists for compliance and land and water management planning, but usually not provide one-on-one business or productivity consultancies, unless there are exceptional circumstances (such as fire, flood, hail, frost or drought)
- work, often in partnership with other providers, to facilitate group discussions, where this method is most effective
- increase the use of online service delivery, including targeted webinars, farmview videos and blogs
- continue to include farm visits in the induction and training of field staff.
DPI ‘wholesales’ information to other providers where they are best placed to deliver services directly to horticulturists. This approach also helps to grow the capability of the service sector as a whole, so producers have greater access to relevant information.
Specifically, we will:
- identify and package relevant research and development (from DPI and other sources, nationally and internationally) targeted at service providers, who in turn ‘retail’ information to producers
- package both (DPI) branded and un-branded products for use by service providers
- increase our ‘knowledge brokering’ and facilitation role to effectively link people, information sources and resources.
DPI will continue to provide a range of services directly to producers, including information to support climate change adaptation, recover from industry adjustment and emergencies, biosecurity and chemical use services. These services will mostly be delivered online, through group-based workshops, one-on-one support (where appropriate) and access to information notes and reports.
DPI and industry partners have established the Horticulture Industry Network (HIN) to increase the scope and rate of change in on-farm practices. As part of the HIN’s delivery, we have developed contracts with industry associations to co-deliver best-practice production services. The expectation is that industry will contribute 50 per cent of funding for these services.
We have also partnered with service providers to establish the Horticulture Service Provider Network (HSPN). The HSPN provides regular, regionally-based professional development and networking opportunities for service providers, including consulting agronomists, input supplier representatives, agribusiness professionals, education suppliers and other service providers.
DPI wholesales its research and information to members of the HIN and HSPN through regular forums. We have also established an online library to provide easy access to information resources and tools <www.hin.com.au>.
We do not anticipate charging producers or other service providers for the services we provide, apart from cost-recovery for some conferences, field days and training programs. Thus, the terms ‘retail’ and ‘wholesale’ are descriptions of the process, and don’t represent commercial activities.
DPI will continue to monitor for exotic pests and diseases at the border and post-border and intervene to minimise these threats. We will work with producers and industry bodies to improve on-farm biosecurity and implement crop pest and disease surveillance and reporting systems such as CropSafe, using existing industry monitoring networks. On-farm combined with border surveillance is crucial for early detection of exotics and validation of specific pest or diseases status for certification purposes.
DPI administers the following legislation relevant to the horticulture industry:
- Biological Control Act 1986
- Quarantine Officers (Transfer) Act 1990
- Agriculture Industry Development Act 1990
- Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992
- Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994
- Plant Health and Plant Products Act 1995.
In addition, developing and implementing industry and government co-regulatory arrangements will receive greater emphasis. These will help manage any emerging biosecurity threats and certify affected products for entry to sensitive markets. In other cases, DPI will seek to accredit third-party contractors and inspection agents to provide producers with cost-effective and timely crop inspection, diagnostic, certification and auditing services.
DPI services to horticulture producers in 2011–12
DPI offers nine specific services to horticulture producers and their service providers. The services (third column) and their alignment to DPI strategic outcomes are shown below. These services are detailed in full on the following pages.
The horticulture industry: at a glance
Horticulture in Victoria
In 2009-10 the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated that 3375 businesses in Victoria were involved in horticultural activities.
Of those businesses, most were concerned with the production of vegetables, fruit (particularly pome fruit, citrus, stone fruit and berries), nuts and grapes.
Businesses with Agricultural Activity in Victoria - Year ending 30 June 2010
| Horticultural activities | No. of busincess |
|---|---|
| Vegetable Growing | 801 |
| Grape Growing | 1678 |
| Other Fruit and Tree Nut Growing | 601 |
| Apple and Pear Growing | 196 |
| Citrus Fruit Growing | 99 |
| Total | 3375 |
(source ABS 7121.0)
DPI produces seasonal overviews of different sectors:
Victoria’s vegetable industry
Victoria is Australia’s second-largest vegetable-producing state
after Queensland, making up just over one-fifth of the national gross value of production (GVP). Victorian vegetable exports account for around 40 per cent of Australia’s horticultural exports. The state’s biggest market for fresh and dried vegetables is Japan.1
In 2009-10 the gross value of Victorian vegetable production was $727 million ABS, Value of agricultural commodities produced, Australia, 7503.0, 2009–10
Vegetable production is spread across the state, with crops varying according to seasonal and climatic conditions. Close to half the state’s production according to GVP is sourced from areas immediately surrounding Melbourne, predominantly the Mornington Peninsula, Bacchus Marsh and Werribee regions. Other areas of significance for vegetable production include the Goulburn Valley, East Gippsland, Gippsland, Central Highlands and Mallee regions.
Value of Vegetable commodities produced, Australia, 2008-10
Value of Vegetable commodities produced in each state, 2009-10
(source ABS 7503DO002)
Victorian exports of processed and fresh vegetables in 2009-10 were $68 million DPI – Victorian food and fibre export performance 2009-10.
The state’s main markets for vegetable exports are Japan, New Zealand and Singapore.1
1DPI – Victorian food and fibre export performance 2009-10.
Victoria’s fruit industries
Victoria is a major producer of many of Australia’s fruit and nut crops. In 2008–09, the GVP of fruit and nuts (excluding grapes) was $810 million.2 While most fruit produced in Victoria is consumed domestically, some industries such as citrus, stone fruit, olives and almonds have a strong export focus. In 2009–10, $322 million worth of Victorian fresh or dried fruit was exported.
Victoria’s fruit industry is diverse both in geographical spread and availability of commodities. It contributes significantly to the overall state economy and supports many regional economies. In regions such as the Murray Valley, Goulburn Valley, Loddon and Mallee, growers and processors are important local employers.
Value of Fruit & Nuts commodities produced, Australia, 2008-10
Victoria’s grape industry
The Victorian grape industry produces grapes for the wine, table grape and dried grape markets. Approximately 80 per cent of grapes produced in Victoria are used by the wine industry, making
Victoria the third-largest wine-producing state behind South Australia and New South Wales.
Wine grape production is geographically diverse, with both cool and warm climate grapes being grown. The wine grape sector has a combination of independent growers who sell their produce to wineries and many wineries that grow grapes for their own use.
Victoria produces 80,000 tonnes of late-season table grapes worth around $135 million each year, and more than 10,000 tonnes of dried grapes with a value of $39.5 million (in 2008–09). Table and dried grape production is centred on the Sunraysia/Murray Valley region of north-western Victoria.
Value of Fruit & Nuts commodities produced in each state, 2009-10
(source ABS 7503DO002)
In 2009–10, $322 million worth of Victorian fresh or dried fruit was exported. The state’s main markets for fruit exports are Hong Kong, USA, and India.
2ABS, Value of agricultural commodities produced, Australia, 7503.0, 2008–09.
Case Studies
Examples of DPI Services to Horticulture Producers
Case Study: Horticulture Industry Network (HIN)The objective of the HIN is to enable horticulture industry groups and DPI to communicate targeted information to growers more effectively. The HIN online library is co-funded by DPI and member associations. It enables DPI to provide more targeted services to horticultural producers. Member associations also have improved access to DPI research and support services. The HIN has brought together many of this varied sector’s associations to improve growers access to information and services. Pears and roses – all in the familyGrowers and service providers in Victoria’s diverse horticulture industry are discovering the benefits of collaboration and that they have more in common than they realised. The network includes the associations for blueberries, rubus (red berry fruits), citrus, apples and pears, summer fruits (stone fruit), table and wine grapes, dried fruit, cherries, tomatoes, vegetables and the nursery garden industry. Chris Peters, industry development officer for Fruit Growers Victoria, applauds the sharing of ideas and resources. “We have more in common than our differences might suggest,” Chris said. “So often we get focused on pears when we should say roses – which is what they all are back in their family tree. They have similar issues, such as the amount of hand labour required to produce a quality crop.” Jeff Scott, Mildura-based CEO of the Australian Table Grape Association, said the network is breaking down barriers and could help achieve economies of scale. “People are now discovering common interests, and they’re saying to each other – so you’ve got that problem too,” Jeff said. “With collaboration we’re starting to see things like the take-up of common record keeping for pest management.” Mary Cannard, industry development officer of the Murray Valley Citrus Board, highlights the value of professional development training offered through the network. “Our aim as associations is to help growers make better informed decisions, and this resourse is helping us to provide a better service,” Mary said. “The network also provides a fast, efficient central contact point for disseminating important information that affects all of us, about locusts for example.” The network has developed a comprehensive online library <www.hin.com.au>. |
Case Study: Premium Fruit
Two handheld devices are being trialled to collect data on individual fruit to help producers decide when to harvest, as well as identify areas where orchard management techniques could be improved. This will help in producing fruit that is harvested at the right time for sweetness and maturity, better meeting consumerexpectations particularly for export markets. New technologies to give our fruit exporters the edgeAccording to DPI scientist, John Lopresti, modelling from new technologies measuring fruit sweetness and maturity will give Victorian producers a better chance of staying competitive onthe world stage. “We’re competing with markets such as Chile where at the moment they’re producing similar quality products at a much lower cost, if we can guarantee a certain level of sweetness andmaturity then this will give us an edge,” he said. “For a particular block of trees a grower might want to know when they should harvest to maximise the sweetness,” Johnsaid.“DPI can give them a sampling plan to choose 50 fruit across an orchard on which to take measurements that will give them a fairidea of harvest maturity on that day.” Currently growers tend to use colour to decide when to pick fruit, but this is often misleading. John said it was also important to improve on current techniques for measuring fruit “You want to be able to measure sweetness and maturity on the tree through the development process and then pick it at theright time.” The new technologies will also enable DPI scientists to start linking fruit quality with orchard temperature and the effect oftree canopy management. “In this way we can find out what’s actually happening to fruitduring growth and their position or location in the orchard,” John said. “Whether through increasing light exposure within trees or thinning of fruit early in the season, we hope to come up withtree management principles that will be useful for growers.” |
Case Study: Support for the grapevine industry
The objective is to reduce the impact of phylloxera on the grape growing industry. Ninety per cent of Victoria’s grape growing area is now a phylloxera exclusion zone and growers havebecome more aware of biosecurity issues. Preventing the spread of phylloxera in the grape growing industryGrape phylloxera is an aphid that reduces root growth, weakens or kills grapevines and is a serious threat to the viticultureindustry. DPI is conducting surveys in grape growing regions which have unknown phylloxera status to increase the area of the state declared as free of phylloxera. Areas with ‘unknown’ status areconsidered risk zones. Two surveys over three years showing no presence of the pest are required before a region can be gazetted as a phylloxera exclusion zone. The benefits to grape growers of moving from ‘risk’ to ‘exclusion’ category are substantial and include lighterregulation and increased market access. Approximately 4560 hectares of grapevines have been surveyed since the commencement of the project. Bendigo-Heathcote (333 vineyards covering 2680 hectares) is now declared a phylloxera exclusion zone. Phylloxera has not been found in the first surveys of Geelong, Bellarine and Horsham through to Cobram in Northern Victoria. Four of the Geelong vineyards surveyed are historic properties that were phylloxera infested more than a century ago, andreplanted again in the 1970s. First surveys of Ballarat, Sunbury and Macedon Ranges were completed over the summer of 2010-11. By 2012, it is anticipated that the Cobram, Horsham, Geelong and Bellarine areas will also be gazetted as phylloxera exclusion zones. Grape growers involved in this rezoning process also learn about viticulture pest and disease issues, vineyard hygiene and biosecurity in general. This greater awareness contributes to the future security of rezoned areas. DPI, working closely with the relevant industry groups, has delivered results for growers and will help maintain the competitiveness of the sector as a whole. |
The Victorian Viticulture Biosecurity Committee was established by DPI in November 2008 with representatives from the wine, table grape, nursery and dried fruit industries. It was set up to ensure the industry plays a key role in the management and funding of phylloxera and exotic grapevine pest control programs.Service 1: Horticultural best practice and productivity improvement
DPI services to horticulture producers
For more information contact: Euan Laird – (03) 9210 9214
Note: All DPI officers can be emailed at <firstname.surname@dpi. vic.gov.au>
Service summary
This service aims to increase the rate and scope of new practices being adopted on-farm to deliver improved long-term productivity.
DPI research underway that contributes to this service:
- Managing smoke taint and tannins in wine grapes: the Smoke Taint Centre for Excellence will be established to develop a research and development program to improve knowledge of how smoke affects wine composition.
- The Premium Fruit Project is investigating fruit variability in summerfruit and apples and how to minimise this to improve consistency, quality and consumer confidence.
- Pest and disease research to support more efficient, effective and innovative integrated pest and disease management practices.
- Spatial management of irrigation to maximise water use efficiency: this research is investigating the effects of tree-size variation within an orchard block on drainage and water stress. It will highlight the potential yield penalties and/or drainage in commercial orchards and the appropriate modifications to improve on-farm water use efficiency.
- Remote sensing of crop water use: exploring the use of satellite data to estimate evapo-transpiration from horticultural crops across a region. It will develop simple relationships between climate data, canopy cover and irrigation requirements.
- Manipulating apple tree structure to optimise function: includes investigation of cultivar-specific pruning and crop load management systems to enable expression of the highest genetic potential in apple fruit quality.
- DPI leads the national potato breeding program, which has resulted in a range of fresh and processing varieties released for commercialisation by industry partners. The program is working on traits such as disease resistance, improved agronomic qualities and cooking performance. Horticulture Australia Limited is a program partner.
DPI provides the following services directly to produces (retail):
-
Outcomes of DPI-conducted R&D where industry co-invests in industry development and extension. Examples include:
- lettuce and brassica integrated pest management (IPM):
delivery of specific information on developing an IPM system including development of a series of posters, fact sheets and ‘ute guides’ - best-management practices for baby leaf vegetables:
agronomic advice for their production - production of extension resources detailing IPM approaches for pak choy and tatsoi
- wine grape composition: a targeted extension module to communicate the latest knowledge on tannin management in vineyards.
- lettuce and brassica integrated pest management (IPM):
- Provision of subject specialists to present and lead discussions on new and emerging issues at industry conferences.
- DPI Information Notes on horticulture production (Appendix 1).
DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):
- Online tools and resources: we have partnered with members of the Horticulture Industry Network (HIN) to develop an online library of current and past horticulture R&D outputs, fact sheets, DPI Information Notes, online tools and resources and links to other sources of information. These resources are available on <www.hin.com.au>. Examples include:
-
- farm view videos: five-minute-long educational videos on a range of topics including best practice management and drought management <www.new.dpi.vic.gov.au/ agriculture/horticulture/farmview-videos>
- water budgeting tool: an online irrigation budgeting and scheduling tool
- chill unit calculator: an online calculator to determine chilling requirements for various crops.
- specialist publications such as:
− Horticulture climate ready newsletter, covers seasonal risk, provides updates on horticulture-related climate change R&D and helps growers with medium-term decision making. It is provided to service providers for
distribution to their networks.
− Pests of stone and pome fruit and their predators and parasitoids – a pocket guide, (second edition 2009).
− A best management guide to employing industry development officers (2009). - annual horticulture agribusiness seasonal updates:
DPI runs annual workshops for the agribusiness sector in regions to provide updates on current market and seasonal conditions and other topical issues.
- Leadership courses for industry sectors: for example, DPI recently partnered with the HIN Members to develop and deliver industry leadership training.
- Farm Plan 21 is a group-based nationally-accredited learning program designed to provide growers with the skills and knowledge to develop a holistic farm plan comprising agronomic, business, market and natural resource management considerations.
- Technical training delivered at industry organised events, for example field days, association meetings such as the training of industry liaison officers as part of the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed.
DPI will refer producers and service providers to
the following resources (signpost):
- HIN online library. This can be accessed via <www.new.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/horticulture>.
- DPI also partners with industry to provide tailored information sites for specific topics. An example is the Horticulture Australia Limited-funded intensive pear site <www.intensivepear.com>, which provides information on orchard establishment, orchard management and other useful links.
- DPI will respond to general agronomic enquiries. For in-depth agronomic advice not specifically associated with an R&D project, declared pests, chemical regulatory queries, climate change or potential biosecurity related issues, growers will be referred to a relevant industry development officer, the online library at <www.dpi.vic.gov.au>, direct to the catalogue <www.hin.com.au> or to another service provider.
- Victorian Resources Online (VRO) is a major repository for DPI information about soils including soil health, soil checklist and soil management plan resources <http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_home>.
- Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) for a range of production, networks and industry information <www.horticulture.com.au>.
- Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation for a range of grape production and industry information <www.gwrdc.com.au>.
Service 2: Fostering and connecting horticulture networks
DPI services to horticulture producers
For more information contact: Kieran Murphy – (03) 9296 4658
Service summary
This service aims to help producers build a more a competitive and sustainable horticulture sector, by capitalising on existing industry networks and building network provision in Victoria’s horticulture industries and across the value chain.
DPI research underway that contributes to the delivery of this service:
- DPI conducts research into understanding landholders’ needs as well as their responses to specific issues. This helps inform our future R&D and design of resource materials and specific services to better meet the enterprise-wide needs of producers.
DPI provides the following services directly to producers (retail):
- Maintenance of the Horticulture Industry Network (HIN). DPI directly and indirectly funds industry development officers (IDOs) to provide agronomic and other productivity-related services to the horticulture sector.
- The AgFutures project works directly with communities to help them make decisions about their future and to adjust to change.
- FarmPlan21 is a whole-farm planning program that helps farmers make decisions across the entire farming system. It helps farmers plan and prepare for present and future challenges such as prolonged drought, climate variability, biosecurity threats, emergency management and variable market conditions. Further information can be found at <www. dpi.vic.gov.au>.
- DPI delivers the Sustainable Farm Families program to farmer groups across Victoria in partnership with Western District Health Services and local health agencies. This program aims to improve farmer health, wellbeing and safety through the provision of annual workshops over three years, which provide advice, information and free health checks. Further information can be found at <www.sustainablefarmfamilies.org.au>.
DPI will provide the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):
- The Horticulture Service Provider Network (HSPN) complements existing service provider networks, by linking service providers across Victoria to new R&D information, tools and resources. The HSPN is supported by quarterly meetings, an online collaboration space and an e-newsletter.
- The Rural Financial Counselling (RFC) service helps producers make decisions about their future role in farming and their business viability <www.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/ drought/rfcs/counsellors>. DPI is a significant investor in the RFC service.
Support for young farmers
- The First Farm Grant (FFG) provides grants for business planning and development projects to enhance the productivity and sustainability of young farmers. The FFG is administered through Rural Finance. Further information can be found at <www.dpi.vic.gov.au>
- Victorian Young Farmers provides support for young farmers wanting to expand their agriculture knowledge overseas and undertake international work experience. This enables young farmers to further their personal and professional development and link with other national and international rural youth networks.
- Stamp duty exemptions are available on the first $300,000 of agricultural land purchased by farmers under 35 years of age who buy their property for active involvement in food and fibre production. This is being administered by the Department of Treasury and Finance.
- Young Agribusiness Professional (YAPS): this program will help develop the next generation of leaders within the agribusiness sector. YAPS is supported by Regional Development Victoria and delivered through the Victorian Farmers Federation.
DPI will refer producers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):
- DPI has established an online library. This can be accessed via <www.new.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/horticulture> or directly at <www.hin.com.au>. As well as containing information resources it also links to other horticulture information sites such as HAL <www.horticulture.com.au> and GWRDC <www. gwrdc.com.au>.
Service 3: Supporting producers to manage risks and capitalise on market opportunities
DPI services to horticulture producers
For more information contact: John Naughtin – (03) 9658 4736
Service summary
This service helps horticulture producers manage risk and capitalise on market opportunities. These services provide market intelligence and analysis to aid the early identification of opportunities for Victorian horticulture in emerging markets, as well as assist two-way information flow in industry ‘value chains’ (end-to-end production process from production through to purchase and consumption by a consumer).
DPI research underway that contributes to this service
- The Premium Fruit Project is investigating factors affecting fruit composition through the market chain. This includes rapid quality assessment techniques, irrigation and nutrition management in the orchard, better brown rot models, selection of the best varieties for export markets and environmental monitoring from paddock to plate
- Strategic Market Research: this project provides market research into emerging international market trends and requirements.
DPI provides the following services directly to producers (retail):
Capacity building services for the horticulture industries
- Strategic planning: DPI is currently working with the Ballarat potato growers, in partnership with regional agribusiness groups to develop a project to look at industry benchmarking.
- Facilitating value chain demonstration projects and analysis relating to value chain efficiency (productivity) and product integrity, in partnership with industry.
- Identifying and facilitating inward and outward industry and government delegations, often delivered in partnership with the Department of Business and Innovation, the Australian Government and industry.
- A market reporting service focused on key trends in priority emerging markets, including the Middle East, India, China, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia <www.dpi.vic.gov.au/trade>.
- DPI works closely with the Australian Government and industry to support the identification and resolution of priority market access impediments.
DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):
- Value chain training modules including introduction to value chains, demand management, business structures, partnering strategies, business design innovation, supply chain management and value chain diagnosis
- Developing and trialling tools, in partnership with industry, to improve demand and supply forecasting to improve value chain efficiency.
Technical input to priority horticulture market access negotiations (led by the Australian Government).
DPI will refer producers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):
- To information provided by industry organisations and private providers that features detailed market analysis and interpretation for different horticultural crops. Examples include VegInsights <www.ausveg.com.au> and the Australian Almond Board’s Annual almond marketing forum <www. australianalmonds.com.au>.
Service 4: Supporting producers to secure their water future
DPI services to horticulture producers
For more information contact: Sue McConnell – (03) 5051 4500
Service summary
This service provides producers with information, tools and support to help them better understand policy changes and develop their capacity to adapt and capitalise on new opportunities.
DPI provides the following services directly to producers (retail):
- A range of regular workshops to help producers prepare for the adjustments required to capitalise on new opportunities.
- Advice to producers in relation to water scheduling, soil moisture monitoring, precision irrigation, water use efficiency and water savings practices to support them to incorporate new irrigation technologies and take full advantage of modernised irrigation delivery systems.
- Administering catchment management authority (CMA) irrigation efficiency incentives to encourage the adoption of improved irrigation practices that result in reduced salinity and nutrient losses, the protection of environmental assets and more water being available for Victorian rivers and wetlands.
- Helping irrigators develop water savings plans in-line with the Australian Government’s On Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program. This ensures irrigators’ co-investment not only delivers the desired water savings outcomes, but also the best outcomes according to their own farm business aspirations.
- Benchmarking irrigation efficiency to identify improvements in irrigation performance and inform water policy discussions. The data can also be used to measure the change in water use efficiency over time and compare the performance of different irrigation systems.
- New irrigation development case management to signpost irrigated horticulture developments or expansions through the appropriate land, water, salinity and native vegetation considerations. This aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness with which these factors are incorporated into new or expanded horticultural systems.
DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):
- Management guidelines and irrigation efficiency decision support tools to irrigation technicians, system survey and designers and other service providers.
- Accredited farm water use planning and training modules for delivery by accredited training providers.
- Regular policy information updates to service providers so they can communicate any changes to their clients. This helps to ensure the whole irrigation sector is kept up-to-date on any changes, and they are in the best position to capitalise on new opportunities.
- Workshops on regional sustainable water strategies to encourage industry provider awareness and input.
DPI will refer producers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):
- The relevant water authorities, in particular Southern Rural Water, Goulburn Murray Water and Lower Murray Water for enquiries in relation to licensing <www.srw.com.au>, <www.gmwater.com.au> and <http://www.lmw.vic.gov.au/>.
- The Our Water – Our Future website at the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), which provides comprehensive information on water management and planning in Victoria <http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/about>.
- DSE <www.dse.vic.gov.au> for information and advice on conducting control works that may affect native vegetation.
- CMAs for information on permits required for conducting control works on invasive plants along waterways and guidance on best-management practices.
- Victorian Resources Online, which is a major repository for DPI information about soils including soil health, soil checklist and soil management plan resources <http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/ dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_home>.
- CSIRO for information about climate change and potential implications for rainfall and water availability <www.csiro.au/ science/Changing-Climate.html>.
- Bureau of Meteorology for the latest short- and long-term weather forecasts and information about the factors driving current weather patterns <www.bom.gov.au>.
Service 5: Sustaining the natural resource base and adapting to a changing climate
DPI services to horticulture producers
For more information contact: Sue McConnell – (03) 5051 4543
Service summary
This service provides horticultural producers with information and tools to support their adaptation to climate variability. Planning and decision-making support will enable them to better manage these risks to their businesses and enhance the productive capacity of their land and water resources.
DPI research underway that contributes to this service:
- Investigating likely impacts of climate change and management options for the statewide horticulture industry, specifically investigating:
- disruption to water supply in a changing climate (minimum irrigation requirements for tree survival to minimise crop loss or to maintain productivity for apples, peaches, pears, grapes and almonds
- climate change models for impacts on perennial horticulture to inform planning for climate change.
- managing smoke taint and tannins in wine grapes: the Smoke Taint Centre for Excellence will develop a research and development program to improve knowledge of how smoke affects wine composition
- the current status of horticultural soils and their management to improve soil health through benchmarking soil carbon stocks in pome fruit and vegetable production
- the adaptive capacity of farms in the face of climate change, including consideration of options available to different farm systems.
- DPI is a contributor to a national soil carbon research program. This will help quantify the amount and type of soil carbon; increase the understanding of the effects of soil type, climate and management on soil carbon; and investigate the spatial variability of soil carbon at the paddock and catchment scale. This information will be important to support future policies associated with carbon sequestration.
- Developing and refining models to help policy, industry and land managers make informed decisions on catchment planning and investment priorities. These include INFFER (Investment Framework for Environmental Resources) and the CAT (Catchment Analysis Tool), designed to help answer a specific policy issues about prioritisation of environmental assets.
DPI provides the following services directly to producers (retail):
- Climate change and seasonal risk information: outcomes from climate change research is packaged and communicated via training programs, updates at grower field days, industry conferences, and industry project steering groups. The Horticulture climate ready newsletter is the primary communication vehicle.
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Carbon emissions information and decision-support tools: to support producers understand their carbon emission levels, how they can reduce them and any associated business risks. These will be delivered via industry based workshops, information notes and online decision support tools
- Access to online information and decision support tools, such as:
- the water-budgeting model, which helps growers make choices about their water requirements and determine their crops’ seasonal water requirements, accounting for evapotranspiration and tree canopy
- the chill-unit calculator: enables rapid calculation of accumulated chill-units for the fruit industries
- online farm view videos, which target specific aspects of dealing with extreme weather events, seasonal risk and climate variability.
- FarmPlan 21, a farm-planning program helping farmers make informed decisions across the entire farming system by enabling them to plan and prepare for challenges such as prolonged drought, climate variability, biosecurity threats, emergency management and variable market conditions and to sustainably manage their natural resource base.
- Technical advice and, where available, grants for targeted implementation of on-ground environmental works (e.g. native vegetation) to reduce the threat of salinity and nutrient contamination of high-value public assets such as waterways.
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Extreme weather event programs focused on supporting production while minimising the potential for negative environmental impacts. Specifically:
- providing management advice and grants (where available) to help producers to sustain trees and vines
- supporting producers to identify threats to soil health and develop management actions to help overcome these.
- Helping producers to prevent soil loss through wind and water erosion and other soil degradation processes by providing tailored advice on farm management best practice.
- Providing support to producers to access emerging EcoMarkets for the environmental benefits that their land and activities provide to the broader community (ecosystem services); for example, the establishment of trees to reduce dryland salinity or to store carbon.
EcoMarkets provides incentives for private landholders to manage their land in ways that conserve and enhance the environment. Producers can potentially earn income from EcoMarkets if they are able to provide environmental improvements in a cost-effective way.
BushTender, EcoTender and BushBroker are examples of EcoMarkets. BushTender and EcoTender adopt auction-based approaches, while BushBroker is a system of tradeable credits. More information can be found at <www.dse.vic.gov.au>.
- DPI Information Notes related to land management (Appendix 1).
DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale)
- Training programs to members of the Horticulture Industry Network and Horticulture Service Provider Network on carbon, climate change scenarios, adaptation and mitigation strategies and natural resource management – customised for regional audiences and specific commodities
- Information from the Victorian Climate Change Adaptation Program (VCCAP), which includes actions for understanding the potential impacts of climate change and developing Victoria’s ability to respond <www.land.vic.gov.au/DPI/Vro/ vrosite.nsf/pages/climate_vccap>.
DPI will refer producers and service providers to the following resources (signpost)
- The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), catchment management authorities (CMAs), Greening Australia and Trust for Nature for access to market-based instruments and grants, such as BushTender, CatchmentTender, Land Stewardship payments and vegetation covenants.
- For more information on the availability of EcoTender programs and advice on biodiversity extent and quality assessments in preparation for EcoMarket programs, phone DSE on 136 186 or go to <http://www.dse.vic.gov.au>.
- Victorian Resources Online is a major repository for DPI information about soils including soil health, soil checklist and soil management plan resources <http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/ dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_home>.
Service 6: Supporting sector capacity to prepare for and respond to plant pest and disease threats
DPI services to horticulture producers
For more information contact: Bill Ashcroft – (03) 5833 5253
Service summary
This service focuses on science-based risk analysis and decision making to underpin threat identification and prioritisation, prevention, preparedness, detection and hazard reduction or management.
DPI research underway that contributes to this service
- Building capability in the identification of plant diseases caused by fungi, viruses, nematodes and bacteria.
- Building capability in the development of management practices for exotic incursions of diseases, and development of better diagnostic tools for emerging plant viruses.
- Understanding the impact of climate change on pest and disease threats, including vector-borne virus transmission and genetic variation.
- Identifying and using genetic resources to provide new sources of disease resistance and use of novel biological methods (endophytes) for protection against soil-borne pathogens.
DPI provides the following services directly to producers (retail):
- Active surveillance is undertaken to provide evidence of disease/pest-free status for particular exotic diseases or pests of concern, such as fruit fly, phylloxera and potato cyst nematode.
- DPI oversees maintenance of fruit fly trapping grids to demonstrate area freedom and following outbreaks, implement eradication, product treatment and certification systems to enable industry to maintain markets. DPI-sponsored surveys will also continue to validate absence of endemic pests to allow certification under area-freedom arrangements and justify import restrictions.
- A diagnostic service to underpin passive and active surveillance for exotic pests and diseases. DPI’s Crop Health Services provides a fee-for-service pest and disease diagnostic services for producers. Producers can submit samples for pest identification. Crop Health Services can be contacted by phone (03) 9210 9356, fax (03) 9887 3166 or mail Private Bag 15, Ferntree Gully Business Centre VIC 3156. The office is at 621 Burwood Highway, Knoxfield.
- Compliance programs including issuing permits to monitor and control movement, and inspection and verification to validate the health status of produce and machinery into and out of the state. We will review high-risk practices and pathways to target compliance programs, and improve the quality and accessibility of regulatory information to help industry sectors be aware of and comply with requirements.
- Management of infested land: DPI works with landholders to make them aware of their responsibilities toward managing pests and diseases on their land and uses methods including inspections, review of management options and regulation to ensure compliance.
- Biosecurity emergency preparedness to develop and maintain the ability to respond quickly to outbreaks of priority pests, diseases and invasive species.
- DPI will take the lead role in eradication and suppression programs and work directly with industry bodies when an outbreak of an emergency plant pest or disease occurs. In many cases we will seek input from other service providers, such as baiting contractors, pest control companies and security firms where they are best-placed to respond
- Small Landholder Information Service is an extension service to inform new landholders of their biosecurity and land management obligations.
- DPI Information Notes for plant pest and disease management information (Appendix 1).
DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):
- Existing commercial monitoring networks will be used, for major horticultural industries to enable early detection, reporting and response to high-impact exotic threats. This program complements DPI’s crop health diagnostic services.
- Producers will increasingly be able to use approved service providers to inspect, supervise the treatment of and certify produce and machinery for movement in an out of control areas and to local and interstate markets. DPI will continue to oversee and audit the performance of the service providers and where multiple audits are required, seek to have them perform combined audits where practical.
- DPI is working with Plant Health Australia, industry associations and the allied services sector to develop and support industry biosecurity plans and encourage producers to develop and implement on-farm biosecurity plans to minimise the risk of incursion and spreading pests and diseases.
- DPI also works with industry to ensure knowledge of and implementation of legislative requirements under the Plant Health and Plant Products Act 1995. This requires landholders, producers and associate businesses to report any suspect exotic or notifiable pest or disease to authorities within a specified timeframe.
- Technical training delivered at industry events, such as field days, association meetings such as the training of industry liaison officers as part of the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed.
DPI will refer producers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):
- Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), the Australian Government regulatory agency with inspection and export certification responsibilities <www.aqis.gov.au>.
- Plant Health Australia, the lead national coordinating body for plant health, for information about national plant health policies and programs <www.planthealthaustralia.com.au>.
- The Farm Biosecurity Campaign, a joint initiative of Animal Health Australia (AHA) and Plant Health Australia (PHA). Farm biosecurity information and newsletters can be accessed at <www.farmbiosecurity.com.au >.
Service 7: Chemical use compliance
DPI services to horticulture producers
For more information contact: Alan Roberts – (03) 5430 4416
Service summary
DPI provides services and information to help producers control the use of horticultural chemicals. We give advice on horticultural chemicals and their use, provision of permits and licences, legal requirements and residue management and testing.
DPI also has statutory responsibilities under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992 and subordinate legislation to monitor, control and manage issues related to agricultural chemical use in Victoria.
DPI research underway that contributes to this service:
- DPI undertakes a range of research activities that aim to inform horticultural chemical use practices to ensure the sector’s ongoing ability to meet domestic and export market access requirements.
DPI will provide the following services directly to producers (retail):
- Advice to chemical users on appropriate chemical use to minimise the risk of chemical residues in products. In 2011/12 this will have a specific focus supporting the DPI’s Language Other than English projects.
- Spray drift monitoring, together with an enforcement program to prevent unintended effects on non-target areas.
- Monitoring industry quality assurance schemes for chemical use to ensure they actively and accurately support growers to minimise risks associated with chemical use.
- Targeted monitoring of agricultural chemical residues to ensure residue limits are not being exceeded.
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Guidance on chemical use in pest and disease management.
Investigation is both:
- broad based, providing an overview of horticultural chemical use issues that can be used to support domestic and export markets
- specific, using targeted testing based on market intelligence, and providing an opportunity for issue identification and resolution.
Pest and disease investigations are targeted to deliver higher whole of system outcomes such as with Integrated Pest Management.
- Industry advice on off-label use of chemicals, including industry action plans that help relevant industries plan to achieve compliance with the provisions of the Act, as well as the residue requirements of domestic and export markets.
- DPI chemical standards webpage provides information on control of chemical use in Victoria, as well as application forms for permits and licences <www.dpi.vic.gov.au/chemicalstandards>.
- DPI Information Notes on chemical use (Appendix 1).
DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):
- Information and tools to educate and inform chemical users about Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) in chemical use will be provided in collaboration with educators, quality assurance programs, industry bodies, chemical resellers and agronomists.
- The Reseller Engagement Project to test alternative methods for increased engagement and information provision to their clients.
DPI will refer producers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):
Integrated pest management advisers, consultants and chemical resellers, who can provide tailored advice to producers.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority(APVMA) is responsible for manufacture and supply of agricultural chemicals throughout Australia. It provides a Public Registration and Information System which is a comprehensive database of all agricultural and veterinary chemical products registered for use in Australia <services.apvma.gov.au/PubcrisWebClient>.
Food Standards Code: provides a comprehensive list of chemical/ commodity combinations and the maximum residue limits for domestic produce at: <www.foodstandards.gov.au/_srcfiles/Standard_1_4_2_MRLs_ part_2_Sched_1_A-L_v105.pdf> <www.foodstandards.gov.au/_srcfiles/Standard_1_4_2_MRLs_ part_3_Sched_1_M-Z_v105.pdf>.
Service 8: Minimising the threat of introduction and spread of invasive plants and animals
DPI services to horticulture producers
For more information contact: Brendan Roughead – (03) 5336
Service summary
This service focuses on protecting the economy, the environment and social amenity from invasive species. Specifically:
- providing information to producers about good practice and management options
- compliance, where required, to ensure that producers adhere to their Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 obligations
- surveillance to identify and eradicate any prohibited invasive plant or animal threats.
DPI provides the following services directly to producers (retail):
- Advice to landholders on weed and pest animal management and their land management responsibilities
- On-ground activities to eradicate State Prohibited Weeds
– focused on the treatment of known infestations and prevention of new infestations. - Governing of the regulatory framework and system for the manufacture and supply of 1080 pest animal bait products.
- Compliance services to support community action to control priority weeds and pest animals based on catchment management authority (CMA) priorities. Examples include the serrated tussock and gorse programs and rabbit management programs which operate in areas requiring protection of key assets.
- Prevention and early intervention for High Risk Invasive Animals to ensure the best chance of eradication occurs for new species.
- Issuing of permits to keep declared pest animals.
- DPI Information Notes on invasive plant and animal management (see Appendix 1).
DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):
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Community partnership programs achieving enhanced voluntary engagement of both community and private land managers in invasive plant and animal management; for example:
- control projects with the blackberry and gorse taskforces and private landholders to improve weed control in identified areas
- established invasive plants: the focus is on regionally prohibited and controlled weeds that are managed through containment and regional eradication strategies by treating satellite infestations, establishment/ maintenance of containment lines around core infestations and mitigating pathways of spread
- Weed Warrior program – whereby schools and communities extend the use of biocontrol to reduce the impact of established weeds
- WONS (Weeds of National Significance) programs that are focused on providing strategic advice for the management of Chilean needle grass, willows and blackberry across relevant jurisdictions
- improved approach to managing established invasive plants focusing on asset protection through CMAs and programs such as FarmPlan 21. An example of this work includes the Weed Spotters Program which involves community volunteers trained to identify high-risk emerging invasive plants.
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Joint industry and government partnership programs achieving enhanced voluntary engagement in invasive plant and animal management including:
- engaging the fodder, civil earthmoving, landscape industry, aquatic plant trade and agricultural seed industry in reducing the spread of weeds through developing best practice guides and training
- Weed Alert program – focused on the landscape and garden industry to improve weed management in the urban and lifestyle environments because these have been identified major sources of weed introductions
- building the capacity of local government pest response to improve roadside weed and rabbit management and therefore reduced spread of pests into adjoining public and private land – focused on regionally prohibited weeds, priority regionally controlled weeds and established pest animals
- with VicTrack, Vic Roads, easement managers and the quarry industry focusing on reducing pathways of spread.
DPI will refer producers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):
Pest animal bait information
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Victoria’s 1080 pest animal bait website <http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farming-management/chemical-use/agricultural-chemical-use/bait-system> which provides information on:
- Victoria’s commercial 1080 pest animal bait system and training requirements
- where authorised 1080 bait users can obtain registered products (Agsafe 1080 accredited retailers and authorised perishable bait manufacturers)
- ‘frequently asked questions’ developed for bait users, retailers, manufacturers and commercial operator licenceholders
- directions for the use of 1080 pest animal bait products in Victoria, Victorian Code of Practice for the Preparation of Perishable 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products, as well as Risk Assessment, Bait User Declaration and Neighbour Notification forms
- pest animal information notes.
Other useful information
- Department of Sustainability and Environment <www.dse. vic.gov.au> for information and advice on conducting control works which may affect native vegetation.
- CMAs for information on permits required for conducting control works on invasive plants along waterways and guidance on best-management practices.
- Landcare or ‘friends’ groups for providing help and support in conducting control works on invasive species.
- The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA) as the responsible authority for the assessment and registration of agricultural and veterinary chemicals in Australia for information on chemical registration status <www.apvma.gov.au>.
- The Royal Botanic Gardens and National Herbarium for identification of potential weeds <www.rbg.vic.gov.au>.
Service 9: Supporting producers to prepare for and recover from natural disaster emergencies
DPI services to horticulture producers
For more information contact: Banjo Patterson – (03) 5573 0730
Service summary
This service helps producers identify their disaster recovery needs and provides assistance to resume normal operations after an emergency.
DPI provides the following services directly to producers (retail):
- Information to enable producers to prepare for and reduce the impact of emergencies on their businesses <www.dpi.vic.gov. au>.
- Assessments of loss and damage to agricultural assets and the needs of affected persons and communities.
- Advisory services targeted to individuals, communities and government agencies on re-establishment of rural enterprises or alternative strategies for economic recovery <http://dpi.vic. gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/our-key-work-area/emergencymanagement>.
- Identification and delivery of specific funded recovery programs including administration of specific relief subsidies (where available). Depending on the incident, DPI may be required to retail services such as farm planning and provide recovery advice, soil conservation services and pest and weed control programs.
- DPI Information Notes on emergency management (Appendix 1).
DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):
- Participation in a coordinated program with Country Fire Authority, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Department of Human Services, Victoria Police, State Emergency Service , Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority, Department of Health, local government and other non-government organisations such as the Victorian Farmers Federation and RSPCA to ensure that emergency response is efficient and effective.
- The Horticulture Industry Network (HIN) and Horticulture Service Providers Network (HSPN) are key networks used for delivery of training and information. For example, industry development officers are trained as ‘industry liaison officers’ as described under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed. This ensures they have the necessary skills and procedures established to fulfil this role.
- Referrals to appropriate organisations for assistance including facilitating access to Rural Financial Counselling service.
DPI will refer producers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):
- Specific DPI generated Information Notes, prepared in advance of emergencies to provide rapid advice to affected landholders, and to a new website providing core information to enable landholders to prepare for and reduce the impact of emergencies on their business <www.cfa.vic.gov.au> and <www.dpi.vic.gov.au>.
- New web-based collaboration sites will be established immediately after an emergency to assist landholders to share information and access support from their peers. Access to these collaboration spaces will be via the HIN site <www.hin. com.au>. They will be established as required and removed once the need has passed.
- Services that directly support the personal needs of affected landholders after an emergency. This includes advice on who to speak to about financial assistance, accommodation and personal support. Support will be found on the following websites <www.dhs.vic.gov.au/>, <www.health.vic.gov.au/doh>.
- Services (not delivered by DPI) available to assist affected primary producers in re-establishing their businesses. This includes access to information packages on recovery and financial assistance http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/floods.
