potatoes

More documents

Recommendations

Info

10 Respected grower elected as SPV President AN EXPERIENCED GROWER WITH A PASSION FOR THE INDUSTRY, DEAN BONE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO TAKING ON THE PRESIDENCY OF SEED POTATOES VICTORIA AND WORKING CLOSELY WITH GROWERS AND INDUSTRY BODIES TO PROVIDE NEW, PROFITABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE STATE’S SEED SECTOR. Photography by Warrnambool Photography Dean Bone loves the challenges involved in growing seed potatoes. He’s now taking on an even bigger challenge as he steps into the role of President of Seed Potatoes Victoria (SPV). A respected seed potato grower with over 30 years of experience, Dean first went into business with his father and brothers as soon as he finished school. At first combining dairy farming with potato growing, the family eventually decided to focus solely on seed potatoes. “We started growing seed in ’84 and we just built the business up from there. As each of us got a bit older and got married, we all went our own way, so we’ve all got our own seed potato businesses now,” Dean says. “My father is still growing seed and he’s 76! He started it all; he’s the one who got us all into it. We had a lot of help from him, to start with.” For the love of seed After many years of running his own business, Dean is still passionate about the seed potato industry. “I love the challenge of growing a crop,” he explains. “Every year you dread the thought of ‘here we go again’ – you think there’s going to be so much work – but once you get into it, it all flows really well. There’s not much that’s better than growing a good crop of spuds. “After that, it’s about your customers and being able to supply them with something they’re happy with. To hear the positive things about how well your seed went is always a bonus. There are also a lot of good people in the industry, and because it’s only a small industry, you get to know most of them.” A new leader Looking ahead to his new responsibility as President of SPV, Dean is excited. “I’m looking forward to my term, and I hope to be able to work with the committee to sort out the issues that potato growers face in the course of the job,” he says. SPV is the representative body for approximately 70 certified seed producers in Victoria and South Australia. The body assists growers by discussing and resolving a variety of issues, such as disease, pests, OH&S, technology and innovation. Members can be found predominantly in Ballarat, Kinglake, Portland, the Otways and Gippsland in Victoria, as well as Kangaroo Island in South Australia, where cooler climates result in good quality seed that supplies many of Australia’s potato growers. Challenges ahead Dean’s greatest worry is the effect that Plant Breeder’s Rights (PBRs) are having on the industry. “The work can be rewarding and profitable, however along with the usual agronomic and climate-related issues, we now struggle with the restrictions connected with PBR varieties and the risk involved in putting money and effort into propagating varieties for three to five years, only to face the prospect that the variety has been discontinued,” Dean explains. “With the decline of public varieties, many seed growers are looking closely at their prospects for the future and the job. There is clearly a need to open discussion on this and other issues, and I’d like to think that five years down the track we’ll all be working in a vibrant and viable industry, providing good quality seed potatoes to both local and export markets, and making a dollar as well, which is very important.” A positive outlook Despite the challenges, Dean remains confident that SPV can work with other bodies and commercial operations to ensure a fair system that benefits everyone. “The seed industry is really at a crossroads at the moment,” he says. “I would like to see any seed growers out there with any issues getting in touch with us, so that we can work together to deal with those issues. I’d also like to see us working more closely with ViCSPA, AUSVEG and Horticulture Innovation Australia, as well as commercial growers, packing sheds, supermarkets, etc., to deal with issues together. “There’s plenty in it for everybody; we just need to work together a bit more.”
Dobmac Potato Planter DOBMAC AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY T2 POTATO HARVESTERS The STANDEN-PEARSON T2 is a tractor trailed 2-row potato harvester featuring advanced harvesting technology. Chassis design, lifting, separating, haulm removing and discharging functions are all optimised to give you a great harvesting performance every time you lift your crops. With large area digging and sieving webs, the VariSep adjustable web step, and the new OMEGA fluted roller separating system, T2 is built to perform. Gentle lifting with lowest possible transfer heights and low angle webs; all helping to ensure that your crops are always handled with care. Features: • Touch screen & joystick controls • T2-All hydraulic • Variable speed drives • Total control • Open plan chassis • Great driver visibility • VariSep – adjustable step between digging and sieving webs • OMEGA – new fluted roller separation • High capacity discharge elevator - with extra reach • High power wheel drives • New RoTo Axle – ready for the road in minutes A leader in the design, manufacture & supply of specialised agricultural machinery Tasmania - AUSTRALIA Phone: (03) 6425 5533 Industrial Drive, Ulverstone, Tasmania. AUSTRALIA 7315 Email: dobmac@dobmac.com.au Phone: • Website: (03) 6425 www.dobmac.com. 5533 Email: dobmac@dobmac.com.au • Website: www.dobmac.com.au au
Page 1: potatoes australia December 2015/Ja
Page 4 and 5: 4 EMESTO ® PRIME IN-FURROW FUNGICI
Page 6 and 7: Visit www.ausveg.com.au December 20
Page 8 and 9: 8 News in brief Senator Anne Ruston
Page 12 and 13: 12 Uncovering the potato levy THE N
Page 14: 14 Volunteer potato. PVY glasshouse
Page 17 and 18: 17 She also looked at the certifica
Page 19 and 20: 19 and Leanne have another commodit
Page 21 and 22: The Front Line 21 submissions close
Page 23 and 24: 23 Preventing fungicide resistance
Page 25 and 26: “These tests confirmed that we ha
Page 27 and 28: Feeling the heat: Potato yield suff
Page 29 and 30: How would you describe your average
Page 31 and 32: 31 higher demand for potatoes as a
Page 33 and 34: 33 2015 Reader Survey 1. What secto
Page 35 and 36: International Update 35 Potatoes Au

potatoes

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?