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RIPE AND READY Premium2023-24 marks record avocado production for WA

WA’s avocado production has undergone substantial growth, with the State pumping out just over 65,800 tonnes of the fruit in 2023-24— a 217 per cent year-on-year increase.

Olivia Ford

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITIONPremiumAustralian professor receives prestigious award

ECU professor Zora Singh has been named winner of a prestigious international horticulture award, receiving the American Society for Horticultural Science Outstanding Graduate Educator Award. 

Sofia Fimognari

RetailGrocery giants allegedly dumping Italian tinned tomatoes

Federal regulators are investigation allegations by fruit processor SPC’s that Italian tinned and canned tomato had fallen foul of competition laws.

Neale Prior

MANJIMUP WINNERPremiumYoung Manjimup farmer 2024 WA Rural Ambassador

A fourth-generation female farmer from Manjimup has been recognised by the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia as the WA rural ambassador of the year. 

Anjelica Smilovitis

MORE APPLESPremiumNationwide project focusing on narrow orchard techniques

A nationwide project researching a 2D apple orchard design is underway with the Manjimup Horticulture Research Institute focusing on narrow growing techniques. 

Anjelica Smilovitis

HorticulturePremiumInvestment in WA horticulture exports needed: expert

Record avocado and table grape exports last financial year are indicators WA is well placed to supply growing market opportunities across Asia, but more investment is needed.

Rebecca Turner

NEW WEATHER RADARNew doppler radar system for Manjimup-Pemberton region

The State Government is allocating $4.29 million for a doppler radar system in a bid to improve water security for growers in the Manjimup-Pemberton region, but the radar will also benefit the wider community.

Anjelica Smilovitis

Biosecurity threatPremiumTomato growers on red alert for harmful fruit virus

WA’s $3 billion horticulture industry is on alert after a highly infectious tomato virus was detected in Australia for the first time.

Adam Poulsen

PoliticsCommentsPremiumJarvis blasts Liberals for shot-hole borer claims

Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis has blasted the Liberal party for amplifying incorrect claims the shot-hole borer had invaded the South West.

Jake Dietsch

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
EnvironmentCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Destructive shot-hole borer detected in WA’s South West

The destructive polyphagous shot-hole borer has reportedly been detected near Harvey in WA’s south west, sparking concern that the State’s fruit growing region could be in jeopardy. 

Caitlyn Rintoul

Horticulture researchPremiumGenome study to fast-track new apple varieties

Unlocking the genetic mysteries of WA’s Pink Lady apple is the focus of a new research project that aims to fas- track the development of improved and more profitable apple varieties.

Rebecca Turner

EnvironmentAustralia's organic rules a hot mess for consumers

Australia's regulation of organic products is laughable by world standards and the result is a legion of confused consumers, advocates for change say.

Tracey Ferrier

RetailCommentsPremiumColes rejects fresh produce waste, excessive mark-up claims

Executives have pushed back on suggestions the supermarket giant encourages food waste, saying it has worked with farmers to encourage customers to buy food affected by bad weather.

Adrian Lowe

‘Zest for innovation’PremiumWA’s Zeke Zalsman claims major horticulture award

A second-generation capsicum and eggplant farmer from the Peel region has scooped one of Australian horticulture’s biggest accolades after being crowned Young Grower of the Year.

Adam Poulsen

‘The right mix’PremiumUnpopular foreign worker scheme guidelines scrapped

The Albanese Government has axed controversial guidelines for its Pacific foreign worker scheme that would have forced farmers to pay employees a minimum of 30 hours a week.

Adam Poulsen

‘Unique platform’ PremiumNFF launches new National Horticulture Roadshow

Grants of up to $50,000 are now available to help fund ‘exceptional’ horticulture events across Australia as the industry launches a new national roadshow.

Adam Poulsen

Water security PremiumGrants to boost water security in Manjimup-Pemberton region

A new scheme to future-proof on-farm water security for horticulture growers has been launched by the State Government with ministers rolling into town last week. 

Anjelica Smilovitis

‘Tremendous achievement’PremiumWA eradicates Qfly one year after Perth outbreak

WA has been declared free of Queensland fruit fly after the destructive pest was detected in a Perth suburb early last year, putting the State’s $1.5 billion horticulture industry at risk.

Adam Poulsen

NewsFarmers suffer eye-watering $50m loss

Farmers claim supermarkets are using over-inflated supply agreements, causing them to lose $50 million each year.

Eleanor Campbell

Retail‘Insidious’: Farmers fears over supermarket pricing

Farming groups have lashed supermarket giants “insidious” market powers, as producers give evidence to a major hearing.

Eleanor Campbell

RetailPremiumFarmers to weigh in on grocery supply chain 'imbalance'

Growers will testify before a Senate committee on the conduct of major supermarkets as part of a probe into grocery prices.

Andrew Brown

Online Grower’s Marketplace Start up showcases helpful app connecting growers to buyers

Grown not Flown founders Nikki Davey, Hayden Timms and Sam Buff were at evokeAg this month to showcase their revolutionary app connecting small scale growers to consumers.

Olivia Ford

‘Kick in the guts’PremiumBiosecurity levy ‘will push up food prices’

A horticulture industry expert and Australian Biosecurity Award recipient has ramped up calls for the Albanese Government to bin its new biosecurity levy, labelling it an ‘insidious burden on farmers’.

Adam Poulsen

Growth and expansionPremiumCarnarvon seen as new market for jackfruit growing

Growing interest in the production of jackfruit, a popular tropical fruit which can be used as a meat alternative, is being pursued in Carnarvon, with four varieties set to make their debut in Mid West soil.

Anna Cox