Streamlining compliance
Record-keeping is a vital part of agribusiness, underpinning not only internal quality assurance (QA), but also the routine compliance audits growers undertake so their produce can go to market.
Stop the buck passing, Australian’s need us to find solutions.
It’s been two weeks since we launched our national public awareness campaign ‘We Give A Fork’ designed to educate consumers and decision makers alike, as to the complexities in production horticulture.
Moo Baa Munching in Toowoomba
More than 800 primary school students in the Toowoomba area got hands-on with fruit and vegetables as part of the Moo Baa Munch event held at Downlands College.
Giving a fork for 100 years
Last week Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) celebrated our 100th anniversary supporting the horticultural industry.
Growers unite to show why it’s time for Australians to give a fork
Now is the time for the public to stand up and say, “we give a fork” about our growers, says Queensland’s state industry body for fruit, vegetables, and nuts.
Extension – Relationships are everything
People working in agriculture production systems across Australia converged in Launceston last week for the international Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN) Conference.
Webinar to unlock potential of climate and carbon tools for horticulture
As another summer of heatwaves, bushfires, and storms bears down on Queensland, primary producers are using every available resource to protect their families, crops, and businesses.
Fire, rain, hail or shine…
In the last couple of weeks Queensland horticultural growers have experienced two very different and frightening impacts.
AgTech – our two bobs worth
From a self-proclaimed Gen X digital migrant, last week’s AgTech Showcase at the Gatton Smart Farm was met with both trepidation and curiosity.
AgTech solution to sweeten pineapple picking
Wide Bay pineapple grower Jeff Atkinson has a strong track record in using engineering and technology to enhance his farm business.
Welcoming Liz Ford: Southern Queensland QAWN Officer
Liz Ford has never been far from agriculture. Having grown up in Mt Isa before settling in Laidley, Liz has spent the last 15 years working in agribusiness workforce management across the Lockyer Valley Region.
Coming together to support growers through whatever Mother Nature throws at us
In the last 18 months Queensland primary producers have been affected by floods, impending drought, and most recently bushfires, with each event throwing a different set of challenges at our farmers.
Turning food waste into wow!
Did you know… that 25% of all the food we produce in Australia goes to waste? Along the food chain, this waste and associated losses cost $36.6 billion per year.
How’s your elastic band?
Last week all QFVG staff were asked to complete a mental first aid course by Christmas as it was recognised that horticulture is really struggling, and we needed to be prepared to support in any way we can.
On the shoulders of giants
International Day of Rural Women was celebrated last week during a week of turmoil in Australia’s history. Women too have had to fight for rights as a minority and respect for their roles in relationships, families, businesses, and society.
“It didn’t feel right” – why we’ve canceled our gala event.
2023 holds special significance for QFVG, aka Growcom, aka COD, as it commemorates our 100th year in operation.
‘Grow Your Field’ seed funding recipients announced
Streamlining on-farm compliance, an innovative AgTech solution for Australia’s pineapple industry, and drone technology solutions in organic bananas are just some of the amazing projects
Grow Your Field recipients named
Setting goals and charting the course of an entire sector for the next decade sounds like a daunting task, but Queensland horticulture hasn’t hesitated in beginning to execute its Future Fields strategy.
Data backs claim – it’s never been harder
When anyone asks me what I believe is the main issue in horticulture, the answer I have been giving all year is: “Within the last three years, input costs have risen between 30 and 65 percent and productivity has decreased by a third. What business can survive those numbers?”
A classic love hate relationship
Last week I appeared as a witness to the Inquiry into the impact of climate change on Queensland agricultural production where I had three minutes to sum up its relationship with horticulture. Here’s what I said.