JANUARY 2018 / VOLUME THIRTY

AUSSIE MANGOES

ATget BONDI messy Page 14

GROWER MARKET TOUR—A HIT ONCE AGAIN Page 12

MAPPING AUSTRALIA’S ORCHARDS Page 18

KEEP COOL THIS SUMMER Page 20

SUMMER 2018SUMMER PAGE 1 ISSUE JOIN AMIA!

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PAGE 2 MANGO MATTERS CONTENTS

4 CEO & CHAIRMAN REPORTS 6 DIRECTOR REPORTS 8 INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT Chemical update Pre-season Roadshows— wrap up PMA welcomes new directors The Hort Innovation Churchill Fellowship North Queensland Manbulloo mangoes set sail for Asia from Townsville 12 PR & MARKETING Grower Market Tour—a hit once again! Aussie Mangoes get messy at Bondi 16 RESEARCH & POLICY Small Tree High Productivity Initiative Field Walk Getting to know your Agriculture Workforce PAGE 12 Officer Mapping Australia’s THE GROWER TOUR A orchards for improved RESOUNDING SUCCESS! industry productivity, biosecurity and natural A jam-packed three-day tour of disaster recovery—update retailers, wholesalers and the annual Mess-tival at Bondi Beach. Keep cool this summer 22 PEOPLE & EVENTS Spotted in QLD! Congratulations Sam Collins

Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA) Contact Details Publication design by Fresh Republic Office Address: Unit 2, The Fresh Centre, Brisbane Markets www.freshrepublic.com.au Postal Address: PO Box 376, Brisbane Markets QLD 4106 Phone: 07 3278 3755 Fax: 07 3278 4761 Email: [email protected] Australian Mangoes: www.mangoes.net.au AMIA: www.industry.mangoes.net.au WANT TO Mango Matters has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the mango research and CONTRIBUTE? development levy and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture. If you would like to

Disclaimer: This publication is produced upon the understanding that no responsibility is accepted by AMIA, submit pictures and its directors and officers and the editor for any opinions, claims or statements made and views expressed in story ideas to AMIA, or any edition of Mango Matters and associated material (for example Conference Proceedings, Industry Reports). provide feedback, please Readers should rely on their own enquiries when making decisions concerning their interests. All material in the contact the AMIA team magazine is copyright. Reproduction in whole or part is not permitted without the written permission of the editor. via the details listed on this page.

SUMMER 2018 PAGE 3 CEO’S REPORT

data for the market to plan and try to keep number of fruit sold at below cost. It is the flow of the crop in balance with sales. important during these times that we stay Well done to those who have participated focused on the things we can control; in this process. fruit quality, accurate crop flow data, great retail and consumer marketing, and The additional supply in excess of ongoing research into the medium to forecast which has been dispatched to long term barriers to growth. We continue market over the month of December to undertake these activities and we whilst picked up in the dispatch data, is should be confident that whilst we have an area for us to focus on going forward— experienced a tough market, we are on to provide the best possible crop flow Robert Gray the right track. Our strategy is to deliver data to industry ahead of time. Chief Executive Officer, AMIA positive results and we will achieve our Email: [email protected] Special mention to Samantha, Jess and long-term goals. Mob: 0418 737 861 Treena for their ongoing management of We hope you enjoy this edition of our these projects. quarterly magazine. Please find below a Welcome to this edition of Mango Matters The export market has been tough this summary of some of the articles featured. and Happy New Year. year particularly into Hong Kong. This We are now past the half way mark for the has reinforced that our focus on opening CHEMICAL UPDATE season and it has again reinforced we are new markets and improving the protocols A new permit (PER84427) for Lannate-L in an exciting industry, full of opportunity, into our existing markets, whilst a slow Insecticide / mango (Mangifera indica) very much in demand by consumers and steady process, is one which is / redbanded thrips; chilli thrips; banana and retailers the world over and with a essential to achieve our overall goals. flower thrips; tomato thrips has been clear strategy which is delivering positive We have progressed with research into issued for NT and QLD by the Australian results. That said it is not without its new disinfestation techniques such as Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines challenges as the December market has low-dose methyl bromide fumigation, Authority (APVMA). Further details about shown us. made significant steps in opening Japan to all mango varieties, and applied for this have been included on page 8. The relentless focus on our key point and implemented several new maximum of difference—the fantastic Australian residue limits (MRLs) into target markets. PRE-SEASON ROADSHOWS mango flavour—has again, this year, We have also reduced the cost of seen retailers embrace our product with administration of protocols into Korea, In late September and early November, great displays and extensive marketing Japan and the United States. Whilst our we held our Queensland pre-season and promotional support. This retailer work is far from done in these areas, roadshows in Bowen, Ayr, Mareeba support has seen consumers of Australian it is encouraging to see the increased and Benaraby. With over 170 industry mangoes embrace our product with investment in facilities to tap into these stakeholders taking part in these confidence and come back time and time markets, such as in irradiation and vapour roadshows, either as presenters or again well and truly satisfied. heat treatment (VHT). attendees, Australian Mangoes was thrilled to see such as great turnout Congratulations to all involved in again The commercialisation of the NMBP new across the industry. You can read more focusing on achieving optimum maturity mango varieties are gaining momentum about the Queensland pre-season at harvest and to those in the rest of and I encourage you all to keep a close roadshows on page 9. the supply chain that are working hard eye on the outcomes of the commercial to provide accurate feedback on how scale trials which are now being planted GROWER MARKET TOUR AND suppliers are performing against quality across all major growing regions. Market (flavour) standards. We have clearly evaluation of fruit from the small number MESS-TIVAL demonstrated that as an industry we of trees planted at the research stations It was great to see some of you in can supply great eating fruit consistently this season has shown promising early December at the annual Grower from the beginning of the season (which results particularly regarding flavour Market Tour and at Mess-tival. Many this season started in July) right through and visual appearance—especially mango lovers hit Bondi beach on to the end. Flavour standards are now following irradiation treatments. Please Sunday, 4 December to enjoy the tastes, becoming part of our industry’s day to contact Samantha if you are interested in competitions and atmosphere of Mess- day focus and by listening to retailers participating in the commercial evaluation tival. You can read more about the Grower and maintaining this focus, it has helped of these varieties as we still have several Market Tour and Mess-tival from page 12. reinforce mangoes position as a leader in regions where we are looking for another the summer fruit offer. grower to participate. This season increased participation in our December has been a tough month for industry’s crop forecasting process, has many growers in the market place, there lifted the accuracy and provided great is no doubt there have been a large

PAGEPAGE 44 MANGOMANGO MATTERSMATTERS CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

at the inaugural conference promoted by • Retailers not being able to handle EMEX1. EMEX is an association of Mexican mangoes in the correct way from the mango growers, packers and marketers. distribution centres to the stores due to The event attracted speakers from all carrying mixed loads at temperatures over the world to speak about production that are either too warm or too cold. systems and marketing with a specific • The market place not having the right mandate from the organisers to try and information about production levels or gather best practice methods from all over quality early enough to create effective the world. They are also interested in our marketing campaigns. work on variety development, with special Greg McMahon What struck me, like it does here, is that Chairman, AMIA mention being made to the new varieties the AMIA is working on commercialising the vast majority of those in the supply Email: [email protected] through its subsidiary, Newmanco. chain want to do things better because they Mob: 0419 831 899 can see fresh produce (and specifically The organisers wanted to hear from mangoes) becoming more in demand As I write for this edition of Mango Matters, Australia because of the work we are doing as the customer base swells with people the Northern Territory season is all but done to grow the value for growers. They were looking for good quality fresh food. The and the growers I have spoken to have interested to learn about the work that has presentation I gave about what we are had a good run overall. The cross-over of been done over the last several years on doing here in Australia in partnership with production regions from one to the other quality standards, particularly around the the levy system operated through Hort can cause some angst in the market place, objective reporting process, and bringing Innovation was well received, and I hope but the signs are pointing towards the the suppliers closer to the consumers using we can learn from each other as the world 2017/18 season being a successful one for the wheel of velocity and momentum. continues to get smaller. the collective industry. We are a tiny industry compared to the I hope all readers have managed to spend For those in the midst of picking, packing Mexican production capacity. They produce some time with family and friends over and selling now—all the best for the over 270 million trays (7kg equivalent) to our Christmas and wish you a very happy and coming weeks and months. We are going seven (7) to nine (9) million trays, and yet safe 2018. to be doing our best to make sure a lot of the issues they are trying to address are the 1Greg McMahon attended this conference at the same as what we face in our industry. For Australians put mangoes in their shopping invitation of EMEX. EMEX contributed to the travel and baskets over the holiday season. Hopefully example: accommodation costs, but all other expenses were a few people in other countries will do the • Retailers and importers spoke about paid by Greg personally. No levy or AMIA funds were same with Aussie mangoes. immature fruit coming to the market too used. In early December, I was lucky enough to early and causing sales to fall away for be invited to speak as a representative of eight (8) weeks. Sound familiar? the Australian Mango Industry Association • Mangoes being transported at incorrect temperatures.

WHITTO’S NURSERY

SUMMER 2018 PAGE 5 DIRECTOR REPORTS

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND & NEW SOUTH WALES FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND & NORTH QUEENSLAND

Karl Gygar M: 0481 591 410 E: [email protected] Although many growers in the north have put the season behind them, Southern Queensland and New South Wales growers Matt Fealy are only just getting started. Spot picking is M: 0402 412 471 occurring in the northern part of the region E: [email protected] with reasonable volumes expected for the Good warm weather and only a couple of season. scattered storms has helped the Mareeba John Nucifora I would like to encourage all growers to region push well into the thick of the season M: 0418 193 885 ensure they are updating their forecasting without much trouble. The quality has E: [email protected] information regularly. This is vital for the remained high while we escape widespread Picking is under way in Mareeba and planning of marketing and promotion rain. Dimbulah. I am hearing that the fruit from activity. This season has seen large At the time of writing, the typical pre- this region is of very good quality, even volumes of fruit on the market and with Christmas glut is upon us and the prices though a few growers have suffered hail prior notification the industry marketing are suffering. What can we do about it? storms. Apart from the few wild storms team can ensure they have customers and AMIA continues to drive ahead trying to in certain areas, the weather has been consumers eager to snap up the volume. create access to more export markets to favourable to this point. If you are unsure about forecasting please alleviate the pressure on domestic supply, contact Samantha or Jessica and they will while also trying to communicate with the As I’m writing this, the prices are down on be able to help you through the process. supply chain as accurate a forecast as last year and for some growers in other regions well below the cost of production Thank you to all growers in the region who possible (with the information supplied). and a long way off being profitable. I attended the recent AMIA roadshow in I believe it is imperative that all growers believe this was mostly due to an overlap the Gladstone region. It was fantastic to submit their forecasts to AMIA, and provide in harvest between regions and in some see everyone there and provided a great updates on a regular basis, otherwise how cases poor quality fruit in the market. I urge opportunity to be updated on what is can the supply chain prepare? all growers to ensure they are packing happening across the industry and meet If you thought you had five tonne of mango clean and quality fruit. fellow growers. It was also a good chance per hectare and that turned out to be to speak the AMIA team. Also, a big thank 20 tonne of mango per hectare it would In my view, at this point it would be you to Ian and Gloria Pershouse for hosting change how you would have planned your detrimental to our industry to have a big the event. resources. If the markets think 100,000 increase in plantings. I believe that the industry is not ready for a big growth spurt. Finally, I hope everyone had a safe and trays are on their way and 300,000 trays happy Christmas and New Year period—for turn up, this makes it extremely difficult for Let’s hope this season is as successful as some in this region it would have been them to manage. If you are not participating it can be, and that next year brings better (and still will be) a busy time harvesting in the AMIA forecasting process, I profits. and packing. For those who had some time encourage you to get in touch with Jess or off—I hope you enjoyed the break! Samantha today. Continued page 7

PAGE 6 MANGO MATTERS This year Ash-Lei and I had the privilege of attending the Grower Market Tour and Mess-tival at Bondi Beach. Mess-tival is a great event that helps keep mangoes at the front and centre of people’s minds. It is also a great fundraising event for Gavin Scurr the Bondi nippers. I urge growers, if they M: 0407 714 549 have the opportunity, to attend this event E: [email protected] next year. I must also apologise to the hosts of the various Grower Market Tour Most growers in Katherine had a good functions before and after Mess-tival, for crop, however like most seasons it was not not attending those events due to time without its challenges. We had unseasonal restraints. rain before and during harvest, which never improves fruit quality, and always I would also like to thank everyone who makes harvesting challenging. The fruit has helped and offered advice to us during also matured very quickly on the tree. Most 2017 and the season. I hope you all had a growers were waiting for fruit to be mature safe and happy Christmas and wish you a enough to harvest and a week later were prosperous New Year. losing fruit due to it being ripe on the trees. This caused the season to finish earlier than NORTHERN WESTERN expected, and put pressure on getting fruit AUSTRALIA & NORTHERN off in time. TERRITORY We have had storms since harvest which have started to set up the trees for a postharvest flush and if the rain continues should be the foundation for a good crop next season. To those growers who have completed their harvest I hope you are having a well earned break and for those still harvesting I hope the season goes well for you. I wish everyone a prosperous 2018, and hope everyone enjoyed Christmas. Han Shiong Siah M: 0423 444 598 E: [email protected] It’s done! Another season is complete in the Northern Territory (NT). The majority of the Darwin region started their harvest in late August with most farms completing Continued from page 6 their harvest in mid-October. We did another good year with 3.9 million trays of mangoes sent from the NT. We Geoff Warnock also successfully sent our first export to the M: 0438 884 842 United States (U.S.) market from the Top E: [email protected] End, giving the U.S. a taste of mangoes earlier than last year! Well done to everyone KUNUNURRA: Production in this area was involved in making the NT season another up on previous years, however difficulties successful one. were experienced with having sufficient Most farmers have now pruned their trees transport available to move this volume of fruit. Due to transport delays some fruit was Ben Martin or are in the process of doing so. Some affected and could not be taken, resulting M: 0400 125 928 have even taken a well needed holiday in the overall return per tray to growers E: [email protected] away from the farm. The wet season is finally here with storms starting to become being down on the previous season. The 2017 mango season has once again a daily event, the monsoons will be here CARNARVON: The crop in this region shown us that no two seasons are the soon, and hopefully with another great wet has progressed well and the trees and same. This year, more than ever, it is year, everything will be looking green and fruit look good. At the time of writing (early evident that we need to work on our market lush at the end of it. December), most growers are preparing access protocols for export. If we were for picking which will start during the next to get workable protocols into some key I hope all growers had a Merry Christmas few weeks. It is expected that there will be countries, I personally feel that this would and Happy New Year! I hope all farmers reasonable production this year relieve the pressure placed on the domestic had a few days off during this festive markets. This is a process I believe could season even if you were harvesting SOUTHERN REGION: Flowering here has be funded through the research and mangoes. I would also like to thank the been strong and resulted in a good fruit development (R&D) components of our team at Australian Mangoes for their hard set. Providing no unusual weather occurs, levies and another reason why R&D must work in 2017 and am looking forward to an production should be good, although it will be a key part of our industry. exciting new year ahead! start a little later than normal.

SUMMER 2018 PAGE 7 AMIA AND INDUSTRY NEWS

Chemical update The following permit has been issued by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA):

Permit Date Expiry Description Comments Permit holder Number Issued Date

PER84427 Lannate-L Insecticide / 20-Nov-17 30-Nov-22 New Permit. AMIA / mango (Mangifera indica) / AgAware Issued for NT and QLD redbanded thrips; chilli thrips; only. banana flower thrips; tomato thrips APVMA requires data from a minimum of two Australian residue trials before this permit can be renewed.

AMIA suggests that anyone planning to Users are advised that while the Please be aware that in the absence of use this chemical should download a copy pesticide can be applied legally under an MRL in the Food Standards Code, of the permit. To find a copy of this permit the APVMA minor use permit, there can the use of the pesticide according to the click here. be a significant delay until the maximum permit may result in the suspension of the residue limit (MRL) gazetted by the APVMA produce in the marketplace. Please check All efforts have been made to provide is adopted in the Australia New Zealand the FSANZ website to confirm if there are the most current, complete and accurate Food Standards Code. MRLs established by the Australia New information on these permits, however we Zealand Food Standards Code. recommend that you confirm the details Until this occurs the MRL may not be of these permits at the following APVMA recognised and a zero tolerance may be website: https://portal.apvma.gov.au/ imposed for residues of the pesticide permits. resulting from its use according to the APVMA permit.

PAGE 8 MANGO MATTERS Pre-season Roadshows— wrap up The Australian Mangoes team visited Bowen, Ayr, Mareeba and Benaraby as part of the Queensland Pre-season Roadshows, which were held in late September and November. Industry stakeholders enjoying the Queensland Pre-season Roadshows.

With over 170 industry stakeholders taking part in these roadshows, either as presenters or attendees, Australian Mangoes was thrilled to see such as great turnout across the industry. There were some great presentations from Coles, Harris Farm Markets, Woolworths, Steritech, Port of Townsville and more, giving attendees some great insights into retail and export, among other topics. These roadshows also provided the Australian Mangoes team with a great opportunity to catch up with many of you and enjoy some farm visits across the regions. We thank everyone involved with the roadshows for their assistance. If you would like any information on what was discussed at these events, please don’t hesitate to contact us on (07) 3278 3755.

Plant Health Australia Members Forum

Our Industry Development Manager Samantha Frolov and Chief Executive Officer Robert Gray attended the 2nd Plant Health Australia (PHA) Members Forum in Canberra in late November. Among topics discussed at the forum were updates on plant biosecurity research and development and education. This was attended by cross industry members of PHA and well received. Information about the Biosecurity Surveillance and Analysis Initiative funded by the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper (which was presented at the meeting) can be found at http://agwhitepaper.agriculture.gov.au/.

SUMMER 2018 PAGE 9 PMA welcomes new directors

Ms Katie de Villiers of OneHarvest and Mr Daniel Williams of Coles Supermarkets were appointed as Directors of PMA Australia-New Zealand (PMA A-NZ) at the Annual General Meeting held in Brisbane in November 2017.

Katie de Villiers is the National Sales The PMA A-NZ board nominated Joe Manager at OneHarvest and has been a Craggs as the new Chair replacing Andrew Ms Katie de Villiers. PMA Taskforce Member since 2016 (Fresh Francey who has been an enthusiastic and Connections, Women’s Fresh Perspective, dedicated Chairman for the last 12 months. and Industry Talent). She has worked in Mr Craggs, the Sales and Marketing the fresh produce industry since 2009 and Director of Tropical Pines and now Chair of has strong cross-functional experience the PMA A-NZ board, welcomed the new gained through eight years at OneHarvest, Directors and acknowledged the significant specifically in relationship management, contribution of those stepping down. operations, supply chain and product development. For the full story visit: http://www.pma-anz. com/news/latest-news/1203/pma-a-nz- Daniel Williams is the Head of Fruit at welcomes-new-directors. Coles Supermarkets and has 25 years retail experience, including 18 years in category management and leadership of buying teams across fresh categories including fruit, vegetables, dairy, delicatessens, as well as general merchandise. Mr Daniel Williams.

The Hort Innovation Churchill Fellowship—applications open shortly Under a partnership with Hort Innovation, three Churchill Fellowships, will be offered annually for the next three years, specifically for international research on a topic related to horticulture. They will be awarded on the basis that the research undertaken will provide clear benefit to the Australian horticulture sector and, ultimately, to the wider community.

The scholarships are available to anyone working in a registered levy-paying IMPORTANT DATES Australian horticulture business. To find out more about the Hort Innovation 1 February 2018 Applications open Churchill Fellowships and to apply please visit https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/ 27 April 2018 Applications close sponsors/about/horticulture/.

Churchill Fellowships are funded by the Applications reviewed. Short-listed applicants called May/June 2018 Hort Frontiers Leadership Fund, part of for interview the Hort Frontiers strategic partnership Short-listed applicants attend interview in relevant initiative developed by Hort Innovation, June/July 2018 with co-investment from Winston Churchill State or Territory Memorial Foundation and contributions from the Australian Government. September 2018 Successful applicants notified

February 2019 Fellowship travel commences

PAGE 10 MANGO MATTERS North Queensland Manbulloo mangoes set sail for Asia from Townsville 3,250 cartons of Manbulloo mangoes grown in North Queensland set sail for Asia in December from the Port of Townsville in refrigerated containers on Mariana Express Lines’ Kota Reefer container loading onto Kota Nasrat. Nasrat container vessel.

Manbulloo’s Quality and Export Manager Scott Ledger said that the export shipment was a great milestone for the business. “Our team have been very busy heat-treating and packing mangoes over the past week at Manbulloo’s facility in Giru ready for export,” said Mr Ledger. “Packing the mangoes directly into the refrigerated container at the packhouse, then exporting out of the Port of Townsville, means there is less physical handling of mangoes and the time in the supply chain is shorter, giving us greater control and confidence to deliver high quality mangoes to our customers,” he said. For the full story visit: https://www.townsville-port.com.au/north- queensland-manbullo-mangoes-set-sail-for-asia/. Manbulloo Giru packhouse.

Your levy is hard at work—let Hortlink Let’s talk about your show you how! industry Don’t miss the latest edition of Hort Innovation’s Hortlink, which provides an update on all new, current and recently completed levy-funded activity in each levy industry. Check out the mango section at

Corrine Jasper www.horticulture.com.au/hortlink-2017- Relationship Manager Hort Innovation edition-4/mango.

Hortlink includes easy-to-read project updates, results and Meet the mango industry resources you can use in your business, plus case studies, industry contacts and more. You can choose to browse the whole mango Relationship Manager and see snapshot or use the interactive project list to jump straight to the how she can support you. information you want. Also look out for the ‘ACT NOW’ tags to Corrine is keen to chat with you. She is your link to the latest R&D and marketing easily identify project resources and information you can make use developments and how these can help your business grow. It’s easy to request a of straight away. phone call – just go to the ‘Contact Me’ form at horticulture.com.au/contact-me. Alternatively, call 02 8295 2300 or email [email protected] and let Stay in the loop with your levy by becoming a member of Hort us know you would like Corrine to call you. Innovation, the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture. Paying a levy horticulture.com.au doesn’t automatically make you a member, but signing up is free at www.horticulture.com.au/membership.

SUMMER 2018 PAGE 11

“This year was the second Grower Market Tour I PR & have attended and what a year it was! I do not know how it can be done, but each year it gets better and better. It was great to hear MARKETING the new strategy plans for not only Woolworths and Harris Farm Markets, but this year Metcash (IGA) also presented their plan. Mango madness is certainly rubbing off on everybody and it has become very noticeable that mangoes are now a big part of the Grower Market Tour— Australian summer, and that they have become a hero fruit for retailers. Stores are putting a lot of effort into making great displays especially at the a hit once again! front of the stores.” - Emma Harrison As Australia celebrated the first weekend of summer, mango growers representing different regions and varieties left their farms to take to Sydney streets and experience all the energy, excitement, and exhilaration of a mango season in its peak!

Boarding the bus was Teresa Pham Throughout the three days growers were Sunday dawned in full sunshine and from NT Golden, Darwin; Dianne and given the opportunity to see things they with great excitement our growers Peter Marks from Ballongilly Farms, had not seen before, hear things they had enthusiastically boarded the bus and Katherine; Andrew Dalglish from The Fox not heard, go behind doors they would headed for Bondi Beach. Mess-tival is our Hole, Katherine; Emma Harrison from not ordinarily walk through and share in industry’s signature event and something Nutrano, Katherine; Luciano Raco from conversations they would not otherwise our growers were very keen to experience. King Producers, Katherine; Ian and Gloria have. Meeting and greeting consumers, they Pershouse from IH & GA Pershouse, shared their stories, their knowledge and The tour began on Saturday visiting a Benaraby; Ben and Ash-Lei Martin from their passion, gave tips and advice, handed wide range of stores across all retail Marto’s Mangoes, Bowen; and Kerry out samples, and smiled for the paparazzi. markets including Aldi, Coles, Independent Singh from Bundaberg Fresh Produce, Greengrocers, Harris Farm Markets, Monday was our final day and as the sun Bundaberg. Metcash / IGA and Woolworths. While the came up we boarded the bus to tour the Now in its fourth year, the annual Grower number and size of the mango displays Sydney Markets and meet with wholesalers. Market Tour enables growers to experience varied from retailer to retailer one thing This was an opportunity for growers to the entire supply chain, giving them a was indisputable—mangoes were the hero gauge the pulse of the market, to meet and real understanding of what it takes to commanding front and centre stage at speak with a range of wholesalers, to see create sales, velocity and momentum for every store we visited. our objective reporting process, and to add mangoes. to their market intelligence. Continued page 13

“A huge thank you to Australian Mangoes for hosting an outstanding farmers tour, I loved it and got a lot out of it. There is always stuff to learn and contacts to be made and this is an excellent way of achieving both. Personally, I really enjoyed seeing just how invested each of the retailers are in mangoes. While they all have different business models, it was obvious that mangoes are important to all of them. The retailer presentations were very good and I was particularly impressed with the IGA presentation as I can see that team working super hard and it feels like they are going to go places. It was great to see Woolworths and Aldi enforcing the industry quality specifications in their distribution centres. David Harris and his team put on a lunch and a half, and that team does an amazing job with mangoes. What the tour highlighted for me is that farmers are not alone, in fact there are a lot of people along the way that help us deliver an awesome mango experience, and it is great to see them so engaged.” - Andrew Dalglish

PAGE 12 MANGO MATTERS “Due to work commitments, I joined the Grower Market Tour half way through the event and found it to be a unique, jam-packed tour, with a “An outstanding event great mixture of business and pleasure. with a good mixture of work and Visiting Sydney Markets and retail chains pleasure. Take the fun factor out (and in full mango madness, showed dedication there was plenty of that), it was definitely from the farm right through to the retail floor. a worthwhile business investment. Big thanks It is instrumental for every grower to have an to all those who hosted our visits. The Harris Farm understanding and personally experience Markets lunch was an extraordinary mango spread and what happens with their mangoes after the presentations from both Woolworths and Metcash they leave their pack house, were well received. Visiting the markets and distribution this tour covers it all.” centres and seeing the quality assessments was insightful. Mess-tival was an outstanding celebration of summer and all - Kerry Singh things mangoes. If everyone who attends the Grower Market Tour has something to say to their agents and buyers, the mango message will continue to gain momentum. Usually when I go on a market trip it is all business with almost no fun, so it was awesome to have so much fun and such good company, so thank you to Australian Mangoes for encouraging us and we will spread the word for next year.” - Peter Marks

Continued from page 12

The day ended with a tour of a Costco store and behind-the-scene tours of both the Woolworths and Aldi distribution centres providing growers with a “The Grower Market Tour deeper understanding of; the different was a great experience and I would business models, the service and quality recommend it to other growers for next year. requirements and the receivals, order Stores had some fantastic mango displays that picking, dispatch and quality assessment would have had to greatly increase sales. A great credit processes. goes to David Harris from Harris Farms Markets and to his stores for their amazing mango displays, they were giving their As the weekend drew to a close our customers such a large choice it seemed no one was leaving growers left Sydney engaged, excited, without mangoes. exhilarated and exhausted. On behalf of Australian Mangoes, I extend sincere Mess-tival was a very exciting and busy morning with thousands thanks and appreciation to all the growers, of people sampling four different varieties of mangoes, and what wholesalers and retailers who participated a fantastic day it was to be at Bondi. Blue skies, warm sunshine, in making our 2017 Grower Tour a a beautiful beach and as far as the eye could see, thousands wonderful experience and an unforgettable of people celebrating summer with mangoes. The visit to the mango memory. This year’s dates wholesale markets was a good opportunity for us to see how the industry objective reporting is done, as well as being able have been set and planning is already to see the quality of mangoes on offer and what we are underway. We would love you to join us so competing with. It also gave us a chance to catch up please put Friday 30 November to Monday with our wholesaler. This is a trip that all growers 3 December 2018 in your diary now. should put on their to-do list.” For more information contact Treena Welch - Ian Pershouse at AMIA: [email protected], or 0417 001 253.

SUMMER 2018 PAGE 13 Aussie Mangoes get messy at Bondi The sixth annual Mango Mess-tival (Mess-tival) event was successfully held over the first weekend of summer on 3 December 2017. Funded by Hort Innovation using mango industry levies, Mess-tival gives the public an opportunity to converse with growers—putting a friendly face behind the mangoes they will eat over the summer. It also celebrates summer at the peak of mango season on Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach.

KIIS FM covered the day running national The photo booth proved fun and a massive radio advertisements over the Mess-tival hit with people walking away with their weekend and the weekend following, mango memories. There was a continuous letting consumers know that mangoes queue for the barbequed mango cheeks were in abundance and in peak season. and many happy punters walked away The campaign reached a huge 1.2 with a tray of mangoes after winning their million unique people, who heard the mango eating competitions. It was great advertisement at least two times over to see all the mango love that was being the concurrent weekends. The KIIS team spread around Bondi and all the visitors were also in attendance on the day doing getting messy when eating the delicious some filming and have created a mango king of fruit. madness video which is available on Media helped promote the event with the KIIS FM website, and is also cross- coverage from TimeOut, Hit, City Of promoted through their Facebook channel. Sydney, and many others. Social media 9,859 mango samples were given out to influencer, Nourish Naturally who has mango lovers, 350 mango smoothies were 145,000 followers was also in attendance made on the blend ‘n’ bike and over 200 snapping away and posting the antics of mango flowers from the fruit carver were the day via their social channels, as did consumed, raising over $14,408 for North Sydney socialite Kurt Tilse who has 40,000 Bondi Surf Life Saving Club! Growers followers. in attendance represented all in season varieties, which contributed to making the Continued page 15 day a huge success and our biggest Mess-tival yet!!

PAGE 14 MANGO MATTERS Results through Facebook are also having Sunrise broadcasted live from the auction great success in terms of page reach and Australian Mangoes featured on (1,359,297) and engagement (36,972) Channel 7 News nationally throughout the being huge! day. ABC News Radio also featured the event nationally, along with Channel 10 Grower famils have taken place in Far North News in Brisbane, Rural Weekly, 612 ABC Queensland with Dimbulah grower Alvise and other media outlets. In total over 60 Brazzale being featured. Broadsheet, an media hits were achieved with 32 print online media publication with a readership / online mentions, 20 TV segments and of 864,878 monthly unique readers, 8 radio mentions specific to the Mango published an article in early December Auction. which is well worth the read as it gives an Continued from page 14 insight into a generational mango farmer and one of the great characters of our Mango Recipes industry. October and November saw the team OTHER PR ACTIVITY working on developing new mango recipes Grower interviews have also taken place; which are now available at http://mangoes. Social Media and PR in October Dale Williams from Bowen net.au/recipes/. We have produced six full The ‘always on’ social media 2017-18 reassured consumers that Cyclone recipes and six recipes suggestions. Three campaign, #200DaysofMangoes is Debbie had not impacted mango supply. of each were released in November. having success on Instagram. This hashtag The Burdekin Advocate published an The full recipes included: continues to feature at every possible article on export guru Marie Piccone from touchpoint across the press office, Manbulloo on 8 December and there are 1. Duck and Mango Noodle Salad social media and at the Mess-tival event, more grower profiles in the pipeline to 2. Mango Croissant Pudding prompting acknowledgement of the mango follow. 3. Mango Curd. season and the endless possibilities that The recipe suggestions included: the mango brings. New social content, Mango Auction delicious recipes, competitions and harvest The official launch of the mango season 1. Mango Friands tiles from the various regions have been took place on 5 October with the auction 2. Smoked Chicken and Mango Wraps incorporated through our social channels to of the first mango tray in Brisbane. We saw 3. Smoked Salmon and Mango Blinis. date with some excellent results. Australian professional boxer Jeff Horn, NRL Legend Sam Thaiday and celebrity Recipes have been featured strongly On Instagram to date, 666,813 hashtag chef Matt Golinski as the official event throughout the season with online and impressions have been recorded since the ambassadors. Sam and Jeff battled it out print coverage giving Australian Mangoes inception of the campaign with over 11,000 in the boxing ring for the mango eating recipes a run. total engagements. As influencer outreach competition—whilst wearing boxing gloves! increases it is anticipated these numbers For more information contact Craig will increase dramatically. Influencer kits Importantly, alongside the festivities, we Perring at Hort Innovation: craig.perring@ have been sent to key influencers which also saw the first mango tray be sold for horticulture.com.au or 0404 407 262. includes a tray of mangoes and some $29,000 to Nuccio Camuglia, owner of mango themed goodies and we are Fruity Capers in Toowong Village, Brisbane, currently tracking results. who was crowned the Mango King for 2017.

SUMMER 2018 PAGE 15 RESEARCH & POLICY

Small Tree High Productivity Initiative Field Walk Mango growers, agronomists and researchers were treated to a spectacular view of the latest innovations in mango orchard design at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) Walkamin Research Facility on the 23 November. Approximately 45 mango industry Stef De Faveri, DAF. stakeholders attended the morning event.

The Small Tree High Productivity Initiative aims to increase tree productivity by identifying fundamental plant growth relationships and how future orchards may be managed to give higher productivity. The two large trials; the Planting Systems Trial and the Mango Rootstock Trial were only three weeks away from harvest and were laden with fruit, demonstrating the potential of the different treatments. Presentations were given by DAF project staff Dr Ian Bally, Dr Paula Ibell, Dr Mahmud Kare and Mr Peter Rigden. Growers were also invited to provide their views on the management (positives and negatives) of adopting high density plantings over conventional wide-spaced designs. For more information please contact Geoff Matt Fealy. Dickinson at DAF; geoff.dickinson@daf. qld.gov.au or 0407 177 237.

The Small Tree High Productivity Initiative is an initiative of the Queensland Government. Partners include the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), DAF’s research alliance with The University of Queensland (Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation), and the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Key funding for this project has been provided by the Australian Government using the across-horticulture levy and by voluntary contributions from DAF, within the Hort Innovation project “Transforming tropical/ subtropical tree crop productivity.” Dr Paula Ibell and Dr Mahmud Kare, DAF.

PAGE 16 MANGO MATTERS Getting to know your Agriculture Workforce Officer

The Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN) is an initiative of the Queensland Government, designed to assist the state’s food and fibre producers with local employment opportunities and skills training.

QAWN comprises of six regionally- Kylie is based with the Bundaberg Fruit To find out how QAWN can work with you, based agriculture workforce officers, and Vegetable Growers Association and contact Kylie on 0488 533 801 or email including Kylie Jackson who is available is an advocate for facilitating partnerships [email protected]. to provide advice to any primary producer between regional producers and and agribusiness in the Wide Bay community stakeholders. She aims to Burnett, Gladstone and Banana regions. improve workforce relationships, build Connecting with agribusinesses to support business confidence in local labour portals the attraction, recruitment and development and facilitate opportunities to connect. of skills throughout regions is a driver for an agriculture workforce officer.

Planting Mango Trees?

Birdwood Nursery is a specialist Fruit Tree nursery supplying wholesale quantities of the highest quality fruit trees to commercial growers throughout Australia.

■ Highest quality trees guaranteed ■ We deliver to order on time ■ Specialist large order supplier BIRDWOOD NURSERY Telephone: ■ Efficient palletised transport (07) 5442 1611 Email: ■ Despatch to all mainland states [email protected] www.birdwoodnursery.com.au

SUMMER 2018 PAGE 17 Mapping Australia’s orchards for improved industry productivity, biosecurity and natural disaster recovery—update For the first time, Australia’s mango, avocado and macadamia orchards have been mapped. The map delivers new foundation information for industry in an easily accessible online web map for improved decision-making, biosecurity and natural disaster response, recovery and monitoring.

A collaborative team from four universities, It was formulated using satellite imagery and speed up applications for recovery government agencies, industry partners, together with industry and government assistance. In fact, the map has already grower groups and commercial providers data, regional surveys and on-ground proven useful following the devastating have developed a new interactive web map validation. Tropical Cyclone Debbie which crossed the of horticulture tree crops across Australia. Queensland coast on Tuesday 28 March The mapping will be used by industry to 2017. Launched by the Assistant Minister develop a better understanding of changes for Agriculture and Water Resources, in growing areas, grower demographics, The map is also presented in an interactive Senator Anne Rushton, the Australian cultivars used and regional variations in web app that summarises the area Tree Crop Rapid Response Map provides production and quality. The information (hectares) of each commodity within stakeholders and growers from the mango, supports improved marketing and decision- the map extent. Panning and zooming avocado and macadamia industries the first making, and informs improved biosecurity the map extent will update the statistics opportunity to see the location and area of and pre and post natural disaster planning, on-the-fly. Users can also search for a commercial (>2 hectares) mango, avocado response and monitoring. place of interest, and optionally switch the and macadamia orchards across Australia. background display to see other basemaps For example, in the event of a pest or (for example streets or topography). The mapping is accessible from any disease outbreak industry groups can desktop or mobile device web browser access the map and know exactly where Search www.arcgis.com for Australian Tree and does not require a user account or surrounding crops are and quickly develop Crop Rapid Response Map. subscription. It uses coloured polygons to management strategies for containment. identify horticulture tree crops (mangoes, The product can also be used following Continued page 19 avocados and macadamias), on the base natural disasters like floods and cyclones satellite imagery.

The mapping will be used by industry to develop a better understanding of changes in growing areas, grower demographics, cultivars used and regional variations in production and quality.

PAGE 18 MANGO MATTERS Continued from page 18 KEY FACTS AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL TREE PROJECT A unique whole industry view. This new map allows growers to help safeguard the future of their The Web Map is the first component of Australia’s National Tree industries by pin-pointing where farms are. For Project, an ambitious project that combines innovative technologies example, it provides important contextual information such as satellite mapping, laser scanning and on-ground robotics for growers, industry bodies and relevant agencies with citizen science apps to deliver improved industry information involved in biosecurity planning and response. and methods of monitoring tree health, productivity and quality. The National Tree Project is funded through the Australian Government’s Rural Research and Development for Profit program, managed by Horticulture Innovation Australia Ltd and coordinated It provides valuable input to natural disaster by the University of New England. The success of the project can recovery. By overlaying storm track or tropical be attributed to the multi-disciplinary team from industry, research/ cyclone trajectory information onto the map, relevant academia and government, including The University of Queensland, authorities and industry bodies can quickly identify University of Sydney, Central Queensland University, Agtrix Pty which farms were affected post event. Ltd, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation, Simpson Farms Pty Ltd, Australian Mango Industry Association, Avocados Australia, and Australian Macadamia Society. A brave future for emerging Australian crop monitoring technology. A host more work is underway as part of this project including using SUMMARY STATISTICS robots to monitor and measure orchards, employing new technology, including drones, to help identify Orchards in Australia by State/Territory (Hectares) disease through heat stress sensing, and deriving yield maps from satellite imagery. STATE/ MANGO AVOCADO MACADAMIA TERRITORY

NSW 273 1,642 14,872 The best use of the map will be your idea! The full value of this information can be realised when it’s NT 7,264 0 0 combined with other spatial data—for example soils, climate, market, etc. This information can ‘spatially’ QLD 9,980 9,044 13,243 inform decision making and form the basis of industry scale business cases. SA 0 177 0

TAS 0 4 0 Cross-sector collaboration is the key. The VIC 0 555 0 success of this map shows what can be achieved when growers, industry, academia, commercial WA 1,288 1,714 62 organisations and government agencies work together. TOTAL 18,805 13,136 28,177

Geography of Mangoes in Australia

STATE/TERRITORY LOCATION LATITUDE LONGITUDE

Most northern orchard Leanyer, Darwin, NT -12.367 130.900

Most southern orchard Carabooda, Perth, WA -31.605 115.729

Most eastern orchard Cudgen, NSW -28.280 153.540

Most western orchard Carnarvon, WA -24.845 113.669

Highest orchard (elevation 991m) Wondecla, QLD -17.438 145.432

Lowest orchard (elevation 2m) Bowen, QLD -19.976 148.218

Largest single feature (770 hectares) Lambells Lagoon, Darwin, NT -12.602 131.239

SUMMER 2018 PAGE 19 Keep cool this summer An early heatwave across parts of Queensland has brought concerns that workers across the state need to prepare for a long hot summer. Media reports on the recent death of a Belgian backpacker working on a watermelon farm in North Queensland suggest the incident could be linked to heat stress, although Workplace Health and Safety Queensland’s (WHSQ) investigation is ongoing.

In the last five years, there have been over 200 reported incidents of heat stress, BE AWARE OF HEAT- WHAT TO DO IN AN 22 of which resulted in serious injury or RELATED ILLNESS AND EMERGENCY death. The risk from heat stress comes HOW TO PREVENT IT Make sure that you have emergency plans from a combination of factors, not just that outline what to do when a worker may temperature. These may include working in All workers need to be made aware of heat- be suffering from a heat-related illness. the sun, humidity, reflected heat, strenuous related illness and understand tactics to Remove workers who may feel weak or work and low air movement. Heat from prevent it such as: faint from the heat, whether outdoors in the machinery, inappropriate clothing and • working at a comfortable pace and take sun or inside in hot conditions. Generally, general worker health, as well as alcohol regular rest breaks with rest, being in a cool environment and and caffeine consumption, can also have • being aware of your how your body drinking water, recovery is rapid, however, adverse impacts. feels and responds to working in hot the worker should not return immediately WHSQ has an online tool to assist in conditions. If you feel unwell, remember to the hot situation. In more serious cases, identifying and assessing the risk of heat to stop work and move into cooler you may need to assist the affected person stress, with control measures needing to be conditions immediately by: implemented when the risk of a heat related • drinking frequently—water is the best • physically removing the worker from illness is assessed as high. Use the Heat choice to rehydrate the heat and lying them down in the Stress (Basic) Calculator to help identify • planning ahead and accounting for hot shade and assess the risk factors. The risk rating conditions. result can be used to determine strategies • cooling by sponging the skin with to control the risk of heat-related illness. water and fanning • encouraging to drink cooled but not cold water • raising the legs if the victim is dizzy. If recovery is not evident, medical aid should be sought quickly. During this time, cooling must be maintained as a continued high body temperature may result in heatstroke, which can be fatal.

FURTHER INFORMATION More information is available at: https:// www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/injury- prevention-safety/hazardous-exposures/ heat-stress/managing-exposure and https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/injury- prevention-safety/hazardous-exposures/ heat-stress. Article prepared with content from worksafe.qld.gov.au.

PAGE 20 MANGO MATTERS SUMMER 2018 PAGE 21 PEOPLE & EVENTS Spotted in QLD!

PAGE 22 MANGO MATTERS Congratulations Sam Collins

Sam Collins, from Dimbulah Queensland was a nominee in this year’s Charlie Nastasi Horticultural Farmer of the Year Awards, but was pipped at the post by Mareeba farmer Matthew Perkes.

A commitment to efficiency and innovation has seen Sam Collins embrace 21st century farming. From his modern packing shed to an automated irrigation system, Sam takes pride in his expanding mango and avocado operation. For the full story visit—http://www. theexpressnewspaper.com.au/online_ editions (Wednesday 27 September edition).

SUMMER 2018 PAGE 23 PAGE 24 MANGO MATTERS