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34 Striving for innovation, market access and environmental sustainability MIKE BADCOCK HAS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE THAT HE HAS APPLIED NOT ONLY TO HIS GROWING OPERATION, BUT THE WIDER AUSTRALIAN VEGETABLE INDUSTRY. HE SPEAKS TO VEGETABLES AUSTRALIA ON THE EVER-EVOLVING INDUSTRY, INCLUDING ITS FUTURE AND THE NEED FOR GROWERS TO SHOWCASE THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL CREDENTIALS. Tasmanian grower Mike Badcock has undoubtedly played a major role in helping to shape the Australian vegetable industry. His industry involvement has included roles at AUSVEG and the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, developing the former Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, working roles with the government for industry development and preparing the Vegetable Incursion Management Plan in case of disease outbreak. While Mike has seen many changes within the vegetable industry, he is confident of the key areas of industry development both now and in the future. Environmental credentials a key focus According to Mike, showcasing the good environmental standards of Australian growers within the country and abroad is essential, and embracing available modern communication techniques is needed to drive this idea forward. “The advocacy work of AUSVEG in the media is driving this very well and benefiting the industry. Farmers are some of the most environmentally aware people in society and we have to be – it is our livelihood and we would do nothing that is going to be detrimental to the health
35 of our soil and the farming property,” he said. While he says there is a place for organics, Mike believes there needs to be a change in consumer awareness around the growing conditions for Australian produce. “A lot of produce is grown using a lot of organic practices and we only use chemicals when there is a major problem. “We have lots of controls and regulations to put up with here in Australia, but because of those controls and regulations we produce a very healthy and safe product and we should be capitalising on that.” - Mike Badcock “As growers, we have to prove that there are no residues on our products, and the transparency with everything we do allows consumers to trust our produce.” EnviroVeg benefits Mike is a member of the Australian vegetable industry’s dedicated environmental program, EnviroVeg, which he oversaw in its earlier days during his time as Chairman of AUSVEG. He reiterates how programs such as EnviroVeg are really important for the industry. “EnviroVeg is an excellent scheme with quite a membership now and another really good marketing advantage for us,” he added. On his property, Mike uses agronomists and advisers to minimise his chemical use and to implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. This has cut back chemical use by 60 per cent and is one of the biggest areas of change in R&D techniques that Mike has witnessed. “We are very much more chemically and environmentally friendly now and most farms are taking this on-board.” Areas of opportunity In addition to being a member of EnviroVeg, Mike foresees retail market structure, innovation with modern technology and showcasing Australia’s environmental credentials overseas as necessary areas of industry focus. “The retail structure affects the whole supply chain, and farmers don’t have options to market their produce. The industry needs to find ways to market produce directly from the grower to the consumer,” he said. “In its current state, the industry is losing out in low socio-economic areas where people can get fast food easier than <strong>vegetables</strong>. People are only eating two of the five recommended <strong>vegetables</strong> on average per day – if we can get that up to four, then the industry is effectively doubled and there is a healthier population.” Further to expanding the Australian vegetable market with increased consumer awareness and ease of access, the next greatest area of expansion will be overseas. “There are great opportunities in the growing Asian and United Arab Emirates markets in the higher level product side, which we are producing under the top level conditions of Australia. If we can start capitalising on high-end material overseas, then we are taking more products out of Australia which gives us more power in negotiating the product left in Australia.” Showcasing quality produce Mike believes that the top level growing conditions of Australian Photography by Belle Young produce is going to be a big advantage in the Australian vegetable industry’s access to burgeoning export markets, and modern technology will be the way forward in accessing this information. “We have lots of controls and regulations to put up with here in Australia, but because of those controls and regulations we produce a very healthy and safe product and we should be capitalising on that,” he said. “Something like QR codes can show where, how and who produced the product. Consumers are now crying out for more knowledge on how their food was produced and who produced it. “Australian grown labels were fought against initially; people thought the only factor was price, but now this label has really taken off and people are demanding Australian grown produce.” Overall, Mike encapsulates what it is like to be involved in the Australian vegetable industry right now in one sentence: “It’s an exciting world at this time and we should be capitalising on it.” Vegetables Australia November/December 2015
Page 1 and 2: vegetables Michael Vorrasi Nuffield
Page 3 and 4: Contents November/December 2015 Reg
Page 5 and 6: AUSVEG Chairman and CEO messages Ge
Page 7 and 8: As we approach the end of 2015, the
Page 9 and 10: Nufarm 9 WIN THE DOWNY FIGHT WITH D
Page 11 and 12: 11 GIVE YOUR CROP A CLEAN GETAWAY V
Page 13 and 14: Dr Kristiansen noted that there was
Page 15 and 16: 15 Photography by Chris Kershaw. gr
Page 17 and 18: 17 Vegetables Australia November/De
Page 19 and 20: The Front Line 19 stakeholders. The
Page 21 and 22: Export Development 21 JAEPA opens g
Page 23 and 24: Two centuries of innovation. A life
Page 25 and 26: moist during incorporation to obtai
Page 27 and 28: Veggie Stats: Beans R&D Drive Train
Page 29 and 30: 29 Gross Value of Production $180 $
Page 31 and 32: VG14031 New product development inf
Page 33: Sustainable Farming 33 Focus Region
Page 37 and 38: 37 Price and Perceived Value Figure
Page 39 and 40: 39 such as ladybirds, spiders and w
Page 41 and 42: 41 improve the strength of the root
Page 43 and 44: Recent issues and developments in A
Page 45 and 46: Minor use permits Permit Number PER
Page 47 and 48: 47 47 Around the states South Austr
Page 49 and 50: 49 Northern Territory Spring is a t
Page 51: CALENDAR 30 January - 2 February 20

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