"Talking to growers and industry around the country recently, the common theme in these discussions has been the unusually low light levels and a colder than average winter", shares Australian industry body Protect Cropping Industry Development Officer Matt Plunkett. " This coupled with large amounts of rain on the East Coast has filled dams and water storages but left many growers struggling trying to manage fungal diseases. It has also affected some outdoor soil-based crops and as a result, a severe shortage in some lines on the supermarket shelves. We are still seeing some growth in the industry with this coming in the form of established larger growers in the vegetables and berries space."
"It was interesting to read in the latest AUSVEG Grower Sentiment Survey that increasing compliance workload and red and green tape has overtaken labour shortages as the number one issue facing growers in the vegetable industry. As many of our members would be aware, the burden trying to navigate the planning system to erect new structures is becoming increasingly harder. PCA are continuing to support our grower members in discussions with land use planning authorities to look for practical common sense solutions and awaiting further advice on the next iteration of the National Construction Code."
"As we head into the warmer months, it is a good time to check your irrigation and fertigation system to ensure it can meet peak demand in the middle of summer. It is also a good time to undertake any maintenance and water quality tests. Some simple system checks now can save you lots of time and headache in the peak summer period."
"I often ask growers whether they have tested the uniformity of their irrigation system? Why is this important? Put simply, it ensures that the target water and nutrient solution is being delivered to the plant roots evenly. This is important for substrate and soil-based production systems and there are some simple tests you can do. Please reach out if you require assistance with these tests and of course our corporate partner AgVita offer a 10% discount for members if you wish to test your water."
In other news, some PCA 2025 conference videos are now available to all members and delegates.
For more information:
Protected Cropping
[email protected]
