REPORTS TURF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION REPORTS
on the turf levy programme to be compiled and communicated to the industry. Turf Australia continues to work hard to be your national voice within the horticulture sector. We are working with Horticulture Innovation Australia (Hort Innovation) and the Voice of Horticulture to ensure the industry can get the best from the levy. By working with Hort Innovation, we can in effect double our turf levy income for research and development activities as the Federal Government matches our R&D levy dollar for dollar. This helps to ensure our small amount (compared to other horticulture industries) of levy collected goes further.
T
he benefits provided to turf growers from levy investments over the past 10 years are many and varied. In 2017, a process to review all horticulture levies, including the turf levy, will be initiated. Since 2006, the turf levy has been a major contributor to the professional development of the Australian turf industry. Using levy funding, Turf Australia has been better able to meet the needs of growers through the provision of comprehensive industry development and communication services, including:
The regular publication of a quarterly industry magazine specifically for turf growers; l The writing of articles for regular inclusion in industry magazines, such as Australian Turfgrass Management Journal; l A fortnightly e-newsletter; l An up-to-date industry website; l The 2016 State Forums; l Previous national conferences and field days; l The telephone sales and farm profitability workshops; l The NxGen programme, now in its sixth year; l State-based field days and seminars; and l Presentations on the many benefits of turf at landscaper, local council and urban planning conferences and exhibitions. In addition to the industry development and industry communication services activities listed above, the turf levy has also funded: l The development of the Turf Cost of Production Calculator and training on its use; l Research leading to the creation of an Australian Standard for using turf to control erosion; and l Various market research projects and marketing initiatives, such as the Lawnspiration Facebook page, Perfect Patch of Green and the Ground Cover Cost Calculator. Without industry support in paying the levy, these services for and benefits to turf growers would not have happened. Turf Australia hopes that the 2017 levy review will enable the facts and figures l
The turf industry levy has helped to fund a range of initiatives including the NxGen Forum which enables the next generation of turf growers to visit major facilities and learn new techniques to enhance their professional development
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AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 18.6
REVIEW OF AGRICHEMICAL PEST MANAGEMENT NEEDS To improve access to a wider variety of pesticides, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is working with Horticulture Innovation Australia and Turf Australia to conduct a Strategic Agrichemical Review Process (SARP) for the turf industry. The last SARP for the turf industry was carried out in 2006 and, despite turf being classified as a major crop by the APVMA, access to chemicals is being reduced and obtaining minor use permits can be difficult. The results of this revised SARP will provide the turf industry with sound pesticide options for the future that the industry can pursue for registrations with manufacturers or minor-use permits with the APVMA. The SARP for the turf industry involves a desktop audit and industry liaison to: Assess the importance of the diseases, insects and weeds (plant pests) that can affect a horticultural industry; l Evaluate the availability and effectiveness of fungicides, insecticides and herbicides (pesticides) to control the plant pests; l Determine any gaps in the pest control strategy; l Identify suitable new or alternatives pesticides to address the gaps. From the SARP process, the new or alternative pesticides may be pursued via registrations or permits. Possible justification for permit applications could be based on: l A new disease, insect or weed; l Current pesticides no longer work – resistance; l Current pesticides limiting trade; l IPM, environmental or operator issues; and l Loss of pesticides due to removal from market. For more information and/or a copy of the Draft Turf SARP, please contact Rachel Layt (02) 4588 5735 or email admin@turfaustralia.com.au. l
RICHARD STEPHENS BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER,TA