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Rachel Mackenzie | 0408 796 199 | rachelmackenzie@berries.net.au
Welcome to the winter edition of the Australian Berry Journal. Earlier this year I had the good fortune to be invited as the guest speaker at the Australian Embassy in China’s Women in Agriculture event. It was a career highlight for me, but it also gave me the opportunity to reflect on how much more value Chinese consumers place on high quality fruit and what opportunities we have in Australia to grow demand.
Globally, fruit consumption trends are on an upward trajectory. Health consciousness is driving demand, with the global berry market alone projected for consistent growth in both volume and value over the next decade. Countries like Italy, Turkey, and Brazil lead the pack in overall fruit consumption, with per capita figures soaring well over 190 kg annually, in some cases reaching close to 300 kg! The World Health Organization (WHO) champions a minimum of 400 grams of fruit and vegetables per day – a benchmark many nations are striving to meet.
Where does Australia fit into this global fruit feast? Our apparent fruit consumption, including fruit used in manufacturing, hovers around 82.4 kg per person annually (2022 data). This figure, while substantial, places us significantly behind the top-consuming nations.
More concerning is our adherence to health guidelines: in 2022, only 44.1% of Australian adults met the recommended fruit intake, a worrying decline from previous years. It seems that despite our abundant
fresh produce, many Australians are simply not eating enough fruit. Alarmingly, some modelling even suggests a further decline in fruit consumption by 2030, alongside an increase in junk food intake.
When we zoom in on berries, the picture becomes more nuanced. Australia boasts a robust berry industry, and domestic consumption remains its primary market, accounting for over 95% of sales. Our per capita berry consumption sits around 3.8 kg per year, with strawberries leading the charge at approximately 2.8 kg per person annually, placing Australia among the top ten global strawberry consumers. This indicates a strong national appetite for these particular sweet gems. Blueberries and Rubus (raspberries and blackberries) also contribute to this figure, though at lower individual rates.
So, here's the paradox: we're a major berry producer with significant domestic demand for these superfruits, yet our overall fruit consumption falls short of global leaders and health recommendations. Berry growers are battling oversupply issues, leading to disappointing prices despite record volumes. This suggests that while Australians love berries, the sheer volume of our high-quality produce might be outstripping the current domestic market's ability to absorb it, leading to downward pressure on farmgate prices.
This situation presents both a challenge and an opportunity. While we continue to grapple with unpredictable weather and market saturation, the global trend towards increased berry consumption offers a clear pathway. The Australian berry industry's proactive push into export markets, coupled with ambitious domestic marketing campaigns like the ‘$500,000 Berry Basket’ initiative, are crucial steps towards balancing supply and demand. By encouraging
Australians to eat more berries more often, and by securing new international markets, we can ensure our growers receive the fair value they deserve for their world-class produce.
Volume: Blueberry volumes were lower than anticipated for Q2. The Tasmanian season concluded as expected in March, and while northern production began earlier (February and March), this created a supply gap through the second quarter. Far North Queensland (FNQ) saw a slower ramp-up in production due to reduced light levels during crucial flowering months, which impacted output in April and May.
Pricing: Q2 pricing for blueberries was historically high, surpassing previous years' levels. This was primarily driven by the aforementioned supply constraints. Prices are expected to remain firm given ongoing weather impacts in Northern NSW.
Imports & Exports: New Zealand successfully supplied fruit into the Australian market as anticipated, experiencing a strong season with year-over-year production increases. Conversely, Australian blueberry export volumes remained low due to local supply challenges and an oversupply of Chinese-grown blueberries in various Asian markets.
Seasonal Challenges & Outlook: The quarter proved challenging for strawberries, particularly in the Queensland fruiting region, due to persistent easterly weather. This brought significant disease pressure and a lack of sunlight, affecting overall supply. The industry is cautiously optimistic for its best winter season in a long time, thanks to good plant quantity and health. The Tasmanian strawberry season was largely successful from a production and quality perspective. Good quality fruit achieved strong pricing, while lower quality fruit struggled to return value. A considerable amount of poor quality fruit in the market also contributed to softer demand.
Volume & Pricing: Strawberry volumes have been low for several months due to challenging weather conditions along the entire east coast. Victoria experienced significant heat, South Australia dealt with considerable drought, and Stanthorpe (Qld) faced consistent rain and hail. Despite these issues, pricing this season has been better than last year, which is a welcome surprise. However, moving stock has
sometimes been difficult due to strong competition for shelf space from a robust offering of grapes over the past two months. Winter strawberries are expected to come on in the next two weeks and are anticipated to bring prices down.
Volume: Raspberry volumes saw a significant increase, up 60%–100% compared to previous years. The industry's transition from southern to northern production has been well-received, particularly concerning quality. Southern production was in line with expected timing but brought more volume to the market. Northern production also remained strong, despite considerable wet weather, with Northern NSW recording 75 rainy days in the first 151 days of the year. Growers deserve credit for maintaining high volumes under such challenging conditions.
Pricing & Demand: Pricing has been negatively impacted by the increased supply across the industry. Demand experienced noticeable drops at several points during Q1 and Q2, particularly around long weekends and school holidays. While typical, these drops were more pronounced than in previous years. The industry must now focus on strategies to stimulate demand for Rubus fruits during high production periods, as this is no longer solely a summer challenge.
Trends: Blackberries mirrored raspberry trends, showing year-over-year volume improvements from southern regions and continued production into Northern NSW and Queensland during Q2.
Pricing & Demand: Generating demand for blackberries proved challenging due to increased competition from other berry varieties and the broader fruit category. This competitive landscape, combined with increased supply, led to pricing being affected by fluctuating demand.
The period after Easter and ANZAC long weekends put considerable pressure on all berry categories due to a distinct lack of demand. This ultimately impacted the final weeks of the southern season and led to a slow start for the northern season across the board. The increased supply in raspberries and blackberries, combined with challenging demand generation and competitive pressures, highlights a need for the berry industry to adapt its marketing and sales strategies to better manage high-volume periods and ensure consistent value for growers.
Anthony Poiner | 0412 010 843 | anthony@smartberries.com.au
Reflecting on the seasonal report, the first half of 2025 has been a period of significant challenge and proactive adaptation for the Australian berry industry. While we’ve grappled with adverse weather and market pressures (particularly in strawberries and raspberries), our collective efforts and strategic initiatives by Berries Australia are poised to drive future growth and stability.
Despite the hurdles, the outlook is ripe with opportunities, and for our part as an industry, Berries Australia is actively driving initiatives to capitalise on them:
1. "Berry Basket" Marketing Campaign: Berries Australia will invest $500,000/year in a two yearlong national consumer marketing campaign on the back of the successful 2024/25 campaign. This "Berry Basket" initiative promotes blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries collectively. It aims to encourage consumers to buy more berries, with a focus on snacking and breakfast occasions. This unified approach, featuring a humorous "One for me, one for you!" creative concept across various media, is crucial to stimulating demand during high production periods and improving the perceived value of berries.
2. Opening Export Markets: Berries Australia is proactively managing market access and trade development through the "Multi-industry berry trade development and market access project (2024-2029)". This five-year initiative aims to move an increasing volume of Australian berries offshore at sustainable prices, helping to alleviate domestic market saturation. It involves educating growers on export opportunities, enhancing their ability to engage in export supply chains, and empowering the industry to advise the government on market access priorities. Given that only a small percentage of our crops are currently exported despite significant global berry consumption growth (strawberries CAGR 5.8%, blueberries 13.8% over a decade), this focus is absolutely critical.
3. Industry Development & Communications:
Berries Australia plays a vital role in supporting growers through dedicated Industry Development Officers (IDOs). These IDOs provide on-farm support, facilitate workshops, field days, and study tours, ensuring growers stay updated with the latest R&D, best practices, and technologies. The "Facilitating the development of the Australian Berry Industries" project (2023-2028) provides a nationally coordinated program for information dissemination and uptake. Effective communication channels, including the Berries Australia website, quarterly journals, and monthly e-newsletters, serve as central hubs for industry news and resources.
• Focus on Quality:
Prioritise producing consistently high-quality fruit, as lower-quality produce struggles for value and dampens overall demand
• Embrace Technology:
Utilise farm management software for real-time insights, traceability, and data-driven decisions to optimise production, manage costs, and improve post-harvest practices
• Engage with Industry Initiatives: Actively participate in Berries Australia's IDO programs, workshops, and marketing campaigns to leverage collective efforts and gain valuable knowledge
• Explore Export Readiness: If feasible, explore the export training and resources offered by Berries Australia to understand potential offshore market opportunities
In conclusion, while the industry navigates challenging conditions, the proactive adoption of best practices by individual growers, coupled with the strategic investments and collaborative efforts led by Berries Australia, position the Australian berry industry for growth over the long term.
Brett Fifield, Hort Innovation, Chief Executive Officer
As we reach the end of the financial year, it is becoming clear that berries are one of the official fruits of 2025. Australians have a growing appetite for these delicious and nutritious fruits and recent data has shown how berries are becoming a staple in the daily diets of many Australians.
Data collected by FiftyFive5 has revealed that over the summer more than eight in ten Australians (83%) purchased berries at least once a month. Of those who purchased, almost one in five (17%) Australians ate berries at least once a day. This statistic highlights the increasing popularity of berries as a go-to snack, with 54% reporting that they prefer to eat fresh berries on their own. It is clear that creating more accessible packaging for snacking trends is paying off for our Australian berry farmers.
Interestingly, millennials are the highest consumers of berries, with the age groups 25-34 and 35-44 topping the charts when it comes to berry consumption, particularly those who have young families. This demonstrates that the versatility of berries fits well into the busy lives of this age group, with the convenience and health benefits making them an ideal choice for busy families looking to incorporate more fresh produce into their diets.
This is also promising for future sector growth, as children consuming berries today are more likely to take this habit into the future, meaning berry consumption will hopefully continue to grow over time.
Beyond packaging, innovation in the berry market is also playing a significant role in driving consumer interest.
The recent Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook revealed that berries have seen a substantial increase in production value over the 2023/2024 financial year. This growth can be attributed to rising consumer and
supermarket demand, as well as our Australian berries continuing to get tastier.
The focus on genetic improvement for berry varietals is helping ensure they tick off all the things consumers are looking for – delicious taste, attractive size and appearance, and better texture.
As growers continue to innovate to achieve these improvements, we expect that consumers will respond favourably and will continue to deliver growth for the sector.
As we continue to meet consumer demand with high-quality, flavourful berries, we can expect to see sustained growth and success in the market, particularly for growers who are insight-led in their market decisions.
To help support growers in ensuring they have access to insights, we’ve created HortIQ, a one-stop shop for powerful consumer insights designed to fuel growth and offers access to comprehensive data.
It provides consumer and customer data and insights on Australian horticulture, including:
• The market landscape: Gain a clear picture of the Australian retail landscape
• Consumer needs: Understand what drives fruit and vegetable choices in Australia
• Buying trends: Stay ahead of the curve with insights into purchasing habits
• Consumer perceptions: Discover how Australians view your products
We know 64% of Australians love to eat berries, but with the support of insight-driven growing and selling, we hope this number will continue to climb. We look forward to supporting Australian berry growers by empowering them with information to continue to drive the sector forward.
Find out more about HortIQ at www.horticulture.com.au/growers/hortiq
Dr Angela Atkinson | 0499 645 836 | angelaatkinson@berries.net.au
As part of the new Berry Advisory Mechanism (MT23003) an R&D Workshop was held on Friday 28 February after BerryQuest. The session was an opportunity to identify challenges within the berry industry and workshop possible R&D ideas to address these, engaging with a diverse range of industry stakeholders. Panel participants included researchers, agronomists, growers and other industry stakeholders, including the berry industry development officers. The workshop was also a good opportunity to engage with many of the researchers involved in some of our current projects to hear their ideas about potential future work.
The outcomes from the workshop were grouped into themes, with the highest priorities being effective pest and disease management, access to chemistry and resistance management, sustainability, and increasing berry consumption. These are recurring themes through all our industry consultations, as would be expected, as they represent the greatest challenges for growers that can potentially be addressed through R&D. These issues are also common across most of horticulture, opening up possibilities for cross-industry collaboration.
The next round of the advisory mechanism consultation is underway, with the Berry Ideation Panel meeting held at the end of March to work through industry needs and issues, and brainstorm potential research directions. The panel was provided with the outcomes of the BerryQuest workshop as a starting point for the meeting. The panel emphasised the need for research into effective pest and disease management to be more responsive, in order to address emerging issues. We are working with Hort Innovation to enable a more agile approach in this priority area.
At the time of writing, the Berry Prioritisation Panels are meeting to review recommendations from the Berry Ideation Panel. These include proposed R&D investments aimed at maintaining industry access to essential crop protection tools particularly permits for newer chemistries that support Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Outcomes from this round of industry advice will be reported in the next journal edition.
The pest and disease projects endorsed through the last round of the advisory mechanism, the management of Chilli thrips and the management of leafrollers, are in the final stages of approval, and should be contracted shortly.
Berries Australia and Plant Health Australia have been working together to develop a new Biosecurity Plan for the berry industry which includes all three berry crops for the first time. The previous plan only covered the strawberry and Rubus industries, and the blueberry industry had a separate biosecurity plan which was due for review. The industry biosecurity plan is a framework for government, industry and Plant Health Australia to assess the biosecurity risks facing the berry industry, and outlines actions to improve the industry’s biosecurity preparedness (SEE PAGE 20).
Fruit fly outbreaks are still causing concern in both South Australia and Western Australia, and Berries Australia is working with each state to support our growers who are in the affected areas.
If you would like more information about the berry advisory mechanism or are a levy payer interested in being involved in the Prioritisation Panels (one panel for each berry category, meeting once per year), please get in touch.
Sandy Shaw, Berry Industry Development Officer 0408 416 538 | vicberryido@berries.net.au
Over the past few months, Victoria and South Australia have experienced dry conditions. Some parts of the Yarra Valley received welltimed rainfall in mid-March, creating ideal conditions for bed preparation and fumigation just when many strawberry growers needed it most. However, other regions weren’t as fortunate. Long-term forecasts for winter rainfall remain uncertain, but growers are hoping for at least average rainfall to replenish water levels ahead of the next season.
Autumn temperatures were also warmer than expected, but were fortunately still cooler than the blistering average temperatures of summer. Autumn production volumes were lower than normal, but fruit size and quality returned with the lower temperatures, and many growers finished out the season with high percentages of premium grade fruit. By the time of publication, strawberry runners for next season will have been planted across Victoria and South Australia and everyone will be looking forward to a well-earned break.
Held in late February, BerryQuest was a fantastic opportunity to see Tasmanian production and connect with the broader Australian berry community.
If you missed the event or, like me, had to choose between overlapping sessions, most presentation recordings and slide decks are now available in the Berries Australia Resource Library. Simply visit bit.ly/BA-RL and search ‘BQI25’ to access them.
In March we hosted a webinar to help guide Victorian growers through the registration process for the new PPP standards for berries. Many thanks to Freshcare, Agriculture Victoria, and the Fresh Produce Safety Centre for presenting an overview of the standards and giving a practical how-to run-through of registration and compliance processes. If you missed it, the webinar is available to watch at any time here: https://youtu. be/fK9ZffRnzvs. You can also find short one-page instruction sheets for how to register your business in the Resource Library (search for ‘PPP’). More information on the Standards, including how to sign up for AV Connect and information on the registration pathway, is available on the Agriculture Victoria website Enforcement of the new standards starts on 1 July 2025.
Later in March I travelled to Yancheng, China for the 10th International Strawberry Symposium, organised by the International Society for Horticultural Science. This is a global event, held every four years, which offers a valuable opportunity for the international research community to connect. I’ve written a summary of the key themes that emerged from the conference, available on PAGE 93.
Also in late March, we held a field day in Victoria with a field preparation focus. Attendees were able to demo farm automation technology, take tractors retro-fitted with auto-steering and tractor guidance on a test run and hear the most recent findings on charcoal rot. For those wanting to learn more, the guide Integrated Control of Charcoal Rot in Strawberry in Victoria summarises charcoal rot best practice prevention and treatment options. It’s available in the Resource Library at bit.ly/BA-RL and search ‘Charcoal Rot’. Many thanks to AgTerra Solutions and VSICA Research for their excellent presentations.
In early May, I made a quick trip to South Australia to visit growers wrapping up their seasons and preparing for the next. It coincided with an industry event hosted by DJ’s Growers Services and Elders, and funded by the LP20000: Innovation at Work project, a partnership project between Hort Frontiers and Elders Rural Services, where Agri Automation showcased their autonomous Burro platform and introduced UVC technology to local growers. The evening also featured drone spraying demonstrations and predator-dispersal technology from a local operator. Many thanks to DJ’s and Elders for a great evening.
Looking ahead, the IDO Team has collaborated to launch a national webinar series that will be rolled out over the coming months. At the time of writing, the first session—The Future of Digital Integration in Berry Supply Chains—has just taken place. To view the webinar recording, visit the Resource Library and search for 'Digital Integration'.
The next webinar, covering drone legislation and current usage protocols, is coming soon. Recordings of all our webinars will be shared in the Resource Library for growers who are unable to join the live sessions.
Helen Newman,
Berry Industry Development Officer
0428 335 724 |
Helen.Newman@dpird.wa.gov.au
After a scorching start, summer ended on a mild note with generally average temperatures recorded throughout berry-growing regions in February. The relief was short-lived as March delivered three waves of very hot days, culminating in six consecutive days with maximum temperatures above 35°C at the end of the month in the Perth region.
The very much warmer-than-average March temperatures extended throughout the southwest berry-growing regions. Below-average falls associated with three rain bands were received in light showers throughout the month in the Perth region. In contrast, much higher-than-average rainfall was received in the southwest region, particularly from Manjimup to Albany.
Albany broke a 108-year-old record for daily rainfall with 126mm falling on 14 March! Average to above-average falls continued into April in the southwest. The Perth region received below-average April rainfall, delivered in three weak bands spread throughout the month. April temperatures were average to slightly above average in the southwest, but remained above average in the Perth region, with very much warmer than average temperatures in the first half of April, including three bouts of 30 to 35°C.
The focus is on strawberries again, with new season plantings now complete and second year crops due to commence fruiting in early-May. Second-year plants in the Perth region continue to struggle under the weight of chilli thrips pressure, with many not surviving the summer.
Light rainfall dispersed throughout March and April in the Perth region also generated favourable conditions for powdery mildew on second-year strawberry plantings. Conditions were favourable for new season planting when the majority of runners arrived in mid-April (after most of the heat). Earlier plantings of
runners and plug plants may have experienced heat/ transpiration stress on days when temperatures were high and humidity was low. While overhead watering assists in these situations, particularly with runners, care must be taken not to overwater plug plants. Plug plants actively draw water from their roots and should quickly establish new roots in the soil once planted. Overwatering can suffocate and damage existing roots in the plug, leading to poor establishment and death. Plug plants should be well rooted in the soil 7 to 8 days after planting, very much limiting their need for overhead watering. If high temperatures are expected during plug plant establishment, consider complementary methods, such as a kaolin clay spray, to manage plant stress.
As we head into winter, care must be taken with fungicide sprays used to manage botrytis. High frequencies of moderately to highly resistant botrytis isolates were found for several commonly used Fungicide Groups in a recent WA study (SEE PAGE 89 Autumn 2025 edition of this journal). Rotation of Fungicide Groups and effective application minimise the development of fungicide resistance and maximise the value you get out of your sprays. Always follow the label and the specific resistance recommendations for the Fungicide Group you are applying. Pay careful attention to your seasonal program, where the same Group may be used for managing different fungal diseases, and where products containing more than one Fungicide Group are used.
Chemical training delivered and assessed in Vietnamese
Nine strawberry growers participated in the bilingual chemical users training offered in Gnangara in March. The training was a success, with all participants receiving certificates of competency in the two chemical modules required for Freshcare certification (AHCCHM307 and AHCCHM304). Another round of this training is planned for later in the year. Please let me know if you would like to participate.
WA DPIRD has a network of automatic weather stations throughout WA. The stations provide a wide range of local weather data, including real-time Delta-T and wind spray conditions. A traffic light system (red, orange, green) shows when wind and Delta-T conditions are unsuitable, marginal, or preferred. The live map can be accessed on the DPIRD website or with their new weather stations app.
Wendy Morris, Berry Industry Development Officer
0484 272 963 | qldberryido@berries.net.au
As I write this, strawberry prices are high because there’s a shortage of fruit on the market. This is due to a seasonal gap — the Southern and Stanthorpe harvests have ended, and the winter season hasn’t kicked off yet. Runners and plugs for the winter season have been planted – despite possible cyclones, wet weather, and the usual challenges that come with this time of year –and many growers are anticipating a year of high fruit volumes, which may impact pricing.
Rubus (in SEQ) and blueberry harvesting is due to commence in the next month, with a number of growers noting that there have been delays in flowering, possibly due to the wet weather.
Over the past few months, I’ve had the pleasure of working on BerryQuest with my colleagues and it was great to see so many Queensland growers in Tasmania.
On a more local note, in early February we held a lunchtime event at Tinaberries in Bundaberg featuring Paul Jones from Bugs for Bugs. This was a great opportunity to share knowledge and catch up before the winter strawberry season started.
Our next ‘event’ is a series of webinars for growers organised as a joint initiative by Industry Development Officers. These webinars are focussed on areas that we believe are of interest, however if there is a topic we’ve not yet touched on that you want to learn more about, please get in contact with myself or one of my colleagues.
The first of these webinars was held in May entitled ‘The Future of Digital Integration in Berry Supply Chains’ in conjunction with FreshChain Systems. Growers were invited to join Greg Calvert to learn about the multitude of benefits that come from integrating 2D barcodes into your business. Greg shared a review of two recent
trials of 2D barcode integration into berry supply chains and spoke about the role that digital labelling, connected packaging, broader digital tools and AI can play in growing and fortifying the berry industry. The recording of this webinar is available at the industry Resource Library which can be found at bit.ly/BA-RL
There have also been a number of events held by other industry groups and associations. In April, Tony Bundock from Protected Cropping Australia and Clinton McGrath from Qld DPI presented a number of sessions on substrates and irrigation in Bundaberg.
Clinton McGrath also spoke on the Dubai experience of protected cropping – including reverse osmosis to desalinate ground water, cooled greenhouses, and innovation and technology. What is apparent is that Australian government investment in agricultural technologies is minimal in comparison to countries such as the UAE and South Korea. If you weren’t available and would like to review the presentation, please download it from the industry Resource Library at bit.ly/BA-RL.
It’s not always easy to make time to get off the farm for events and learning sessions, but I encourage everyone to attend whenever they can. There are some great opportunities not just within the berry industry, but across other sectors too, that can help us refresh our core practices and stay on top of emerging technologies. It's a chance to learn, improve, and stay competitive.
On a more ‘frontline’ level, chemical access continues to be a concern for industry. The APVMA has indicated they are currently understaffed and running behind with the renewal of Minor Use Permits. Berries Australia is currently working with other industries, Hort Innovation and the National Farmer’s Federation to review how we can help minimise chemical access disruption.
During the next few months, I intend to get ‘out and about’ on farm as much as possible. Grower visits allow us to get a better understanding of the challenges facing growers, and help find solutions.
Attendees at the event held at Tinaberries in Bundaberg on 6 February
Ella Roper, Berry Industry Development Officer
0400 100 593 | berryido@fruitgrowerstas.org.au
Winter is upon us again, and it has been a variable year for berry growers this season.
While I write this, Rubus and strawberry crops are still harvesting, however volumes are winding down and growers are focusing on maintaining fruit quality and ripening as the temperature cools. Many strawberry growers have reported lower than expected volumes this year, potentially driven by a cooler spring and slower start to the season, resulting in lower initial volumes. While strawberry pricing has seen average returns through summer, pricing has improved in the latter part of the season and efforts have been focused on promoting yield and fruit quality to push volumes before ripening slows into late autumn.
A key focus in promoting fruit quality has been managing pest and disease pressure such as botrytis and powdery mildew in the tail end of the season. Strawberry growers are now approaching the short and busy period when last season’s crops are removed, and new plants are established for the coming season.
Rubus growers have reported variable volumes, however pricing has improved towards the end of the season and growers have been focusing on promoting fruit yield and quality into May. Thrips, mirids and two-spotted mite remain the major challenges for Rubus crops under tunnel, particularly during the warm summer months when populations boom. This edition of the journal has a useful Pest Spotlight on mirids which can be found on PAGE 63 and you can find out more about managing two-spotted mite at the industry Resource Library at bit.ly/BA-RL. Shortly, substrate
Rubus growers will be removing longcane from cool store ready for planting through spring to target harvest windows.
Blueberry growers have reported variable yield volumes across the state. Pricing has improved into April for growers that are able to reach this market before the influx of fruit from the mainland arrives. As I write this, most crops have reached the end of their season and growers will soon be coming into the busy pruning period as they set the plants and crop up for the coming season, aiming to balance crop yield with supporting canopy development.
Tasmanian growers have experienced exceptionally dry conditions through late summer and early autumn. The state has experienced its driest February and March for almost 20 years, with overall average rainfall for both months more than 50% below the long-term average. Drier conditions have been beneficial for disease management in berry crops but resulted in higher water demands for growers particularly in soil systems. While dams were full to bursting after a considerably wet spring, growers have seen water levels drop significantly and a strong focus through late summer and autumn has been on managing irrigation to plants. The whirlwind of BerryQuest International 2025 has now come and gone and it was wonderful to be involved in such a large and exciting event. The work put in by the Berries Australia team was monumental and I feel fortunate to have played a role in the event. It was great meeting so many growers from around the country and discovering new research and innovations progressing in the berry space. There was a great level of engagement by attendees at both the conference and Farm Tour days as we visited berry, cherry and apple growers across the state. A huge thank you to local growers Driscoll’s, Hillwood Berries, Reid Fruits, Piñata Farms, Hansen Orchards and R&R Smith for hosting us over the two days.
A highlight for the conference was the Gala Dinner and Awards evening at the conclusion of the conference. The inaugural awards included seven categories, and I was thrilled and honoured to be nominated for the Berries Australia Next Generation Award, along with four other hugely inspiring finalists. Congratulations to Rebecca Scurr on receiving the Next Gen Award — a well-deserved recognition! You can read more about Rebecca on PAGE 24, along with the Agronomist of the Year winner Stuart Doyle on PAGE 25.
With one conference down, another approaches and the Fruit Growers Tasmania team has been working hard behind the scenes to organise our upcoming annual conference. The key theme this year is ‘Tasmanian grown quality’, and will bring together local and national pome, stone and berry growers for two days of learning, sharing of ideas and networking opportunities. The Fruit Growers Tasmania 2025 conference will be held over two days from 12-13 June 2025 at Wrest Point Hotel Casino in Hobart.
Tasmanian State Growth is exploring a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) for the state. This new migration option provides flexibility on existing employer sponsored visa conditions, which could increase the pool of people available to help fill workforce shortages.
The Tasmanian Government is keen to receive feedback directly from industry to help shape the business case to the Australian Government to implement a DAMA and offer another option for employers to fill gaps in their workforce.
Have Your Say at : engage.stategrowth. tas.gov.au/migration-tas
Gaius Leong, Berry Industry Development Officer
0484 055 748 | gaius.leong@dpi.nsw.gov.au
The team at NSW DPIRD are proud to introduce the brand new, sixth edition of the Berry Plant Protection Guide 2025-26. As usual, the guide has an integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) focus, providing information on a range of different methods that can be used to manage pests and diseases in berry crops. Let’s go through some of the new content that can be found in this current guide.
There are two feature articles, the first written by Helen Newman on chilli thrips, their impact on Western Australia’s berry categories and potential management options. With chilli thrips damage reported on all berry categories in Western Australia, it is essential that growers in other states be aware of their potential presence, be able to identify symptomatic damage and react accordingly with management options.
The second article is written by Zac Hemmings on managing biosecurity risks for the berry industry. Biosecurity has often been overlooked in the wider berry industry. However, as the industry continues to matureparticularly in how levies are managed - it’s important for growers and the broader industry to refocus on biosecurity, both on-farm and at an industry-wide level. To ensure resilience during a biosecurity event, being prepared as individual businesses and as a wider industry will ensure the risks are minimal. The article has been written with a strong berry focus and has a few high priority pests and diseases mentioned that growers and industry should be aware of. Growers can make use of the information provided to either kickstart or improve biosecurity practices on their farm.
The most significant difference you will notice in this edition is the addition of strawberries as the fourth berry category. Even though strawberries are not widely grown in NSW, the addition increases the
guide’s versatility and allows the guide to be used in other parts of Australia where strawberries are grown. We understand the guide does not cover every pest and disease that affects strawberries; however, we will continue updating and revising more strawberry content in future editions. It has also been a recurring theme in recent times that growers are diversifying into more than one of the berry categories. The guide reflects this expanding trend and hopefully will continue to remain valuable to the whole berry industry in every state.
The addition of the strawberry category is accompanied by a range of strawberry specific pests and diseases such as leaf blotch (Gnomomipsis fructicola); charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina); fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp fragariae); foliar nematodes (Aphelenchoides spp.) and root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne hapla). This is in addition to the pests and diseases that strawberries share with the other berry categories.
Some new pests and diseases (other than those specific to strawberries mentioned above) that have been added to the guide are: blueberry stem girdler (Idiophantis habrias); large blackberry aphid (Amphorophora rubi); whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Bemisia tabaci); and neopestalotiopsis (Neopestalotiopsis spp.). We have also incorporated the various leaf rollers and noctuid caterpillars into their own dedicated sections. Leaf rollers include light brown apple moth, mango flower webworm and orange fruit borer, while noctuid caterpillars include Helicoverpa spp. (budworms, bollworms) and Spodoptera spp. (armyworms and cluster caterpillars).
If you require a hard copy of the guide, please send a request to gaius.leong@dpi.nsw.gov.au or you can find it in the berry industry Resource Library at bit.ly/BPPG-25-26. We look forward to incorporating more pests, diseases and management options into the next edition of the berry plant protection guide.
Protected Cropping Australia
Protected Cropping Australia (PCA) is preparing to host its flagship event—PCA Conference 2025. In addition to a focus on berries and other protected crops, the conference will focus on industry insights, innovation, and connection under the theme Connect, Share, Learn.
The PCA Conference 2025 will bring together growers, researchers, allied trade professionals, students, government and non-government organisations, industry leaders, innovators, and experts to explore the latest advancements and opportunities in protected cropping, says Zak Iqbal of PCA. It promises to be an insightful and engaging event that will inspire our growers and industry to grow profitably and sustainably.
Protected Cropping Australia is the national industry body representing commercial growers who produce crops under or within protective structures—ranging from simple shade houses to polytunnels, advanced glasshouses and vertical farms.
“Our members grow a range of plants, using structures such as poly-tunnels, screen houses, retractable roofs, and even plant factory rooms,” explains Zak.
“Our membership is diverse—ranging from growers and equipment suppliers to consultants, researchers, and educators. We exist to advocate for our sector, support our members, and create opportunities that help the industry thrive,” he adds.
Set to attract over 600 delegates, the PCA Conference 2025 will feature an engaging agenda filled with keynote presentations, grower training sessions, panel discussions, and hands-on demonstrations. The organisers are bringing together speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors from around the globe to share innovations and practical knowledge, particularly focused on profitability and sustainability.
A returning highlight will be the popular grower training streams, with sessions designed to build core competencies in:
• Greenhouse pest and disease management
• Irrigation and fertigation fundamentals
• Energy efficiency strategies
• Business profitability frameworks
In addition, there will be with a strong focus on Integrated Pest & Disease Management, Pollination and Water and Nutrient Management in the berry concurrent sessions. The conference will also feature networking events, farm tours, an extensive trade exhibition, and the much-anticipated conference dinner. According to Zak the agenda is designed to offer both strategic insights and practical, on-theground knowledge for growers of all scales.
The conference targets a wide cross-section of the protected cropping sector. All berry growers and associated allied trade and industry professionals will benefit from this event.
To broaden accessibility, PCA will offer up to 150 free grower trade show passes, made possible through collaborations with allied trades and equipment suppliers. “This initiative is about getting more growers involved and ensuring they benefit from the training and innovations on offer,” Zak notes.
Students and emerging professionals will also have opportunities to network and learn, reinforcing PCA’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of industry leaders.
In a new addition to the conference program, PCA has teamed up with AusAgritech to launch Agtech Alley—a platform where startups and tech developers can pitch their solutions directly to growers and industry stakeholders. This is a fantastic opportunity for innovators to get their products in front of the people who need them most.
Additionally, a dedicated trade and exhibition show will run alongside the conference, showcasing products, services, and technologies that are shaping the future of horticulture.
Businesses interested in participating can reach out to Chelsea O’Brien, the Sponsorship and Exhibition Administrator on sponsorship@aomevents.com
PCA have been partnering with Berries Australia over the last four years at both organisations conferences to support our growers and assist with industry challenges such as land use planning and advocating the need to reduce red and green tape.
The last decade has seen impressive growth in Australia’s protected cropping sector, but recent global pressures are causing a cautious recalibration. “Growth has slowed in the face of high inflation, increasing input costs, and ongoing supply chain challenges,” says Matthew Plunkett from the PCA. “These are not problems unique to Australia but are being felt across the globe.”
Labour remains a critical issue. “We anticipate that the industry will need 10,000 skilled professionals by 2030. Attracting and training this workforce is a key focus,” he emphasises.
“Innovation and adoption of new technologies, increased investment in cutting edge research and development pertinent to Australian conditions and advocating for more support within our sector will be crucial to sustain industry growth,” says Matthew.
In response to recent developments, biosecurity will be a central theme at PCA 2025. “The detection of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) in 2024 was a major wake-up call. Before that, Australia and New Zealand were the only countries without the virus. It’s made us double down on our biosecurity efforts.”
Despite these headwinds, he remains optimistic: “While there’s been a correction post-COVID, the long-term outlook is positive—though it varies by crop type. With the right investments in education and training, research, regulatory reform, and market access, the sector can continue to thrive.”
Dr Angela Atkinson, R&D and Biosecurity Manager, Berries Australia
Over the last year, Plant Health Australia has worked with Berries Australia and technical experts to develop a biosecurity plan which includes all three berry industries, recognising the relationship between the berry industries and their shared biosecurity threats. The combined biosecurity plan was endorsed in March 2025, after extensive review by industry and government.
An industry biosecurity plan provides a framework for the coordination of activities and investment in biosecurity, enabling industry, government and stakeholders to better prepare for, and respond to, biosecurity threats. The biosecurity plan will be reviewed annually and updated when new information is available.
Previously the strawberry, Rubus and blueberry industries were covered by separate biosecurity plans, but in 2020 a joint Biosecurity Plan for the Berry Sector (Version 1.0), covering both strawberry and Rubus was developed. At that stage, the information in the Biosecurity Plan for the Blueberry Industry (Version 1.0) had not been reviewed since 2016, so could not be incorporated fully into the Berry Sector plan.
A major part of an industry biosecurity plans is the development of a Threat Summary Table (TST). This table is a compilation of all exotic pests and diseases (not present in Australia) known to affect the specific crop. Each pest or disease on the TST is given an overall risk rating based on four criteria; entry, establishment, spread potential, and economic impact. The risk ratings then inform the list of high priority pests for
that industry, with any pest or disease with a high or extreme rating included as a high priority exotic pest. The development of a TST and assessment of each pest is a complex and time-consuming process.
As an example, the TST developed for the biosecurity plan for the Rubus and strawberry industries listed 330 exotic pests and diseases, which were all assessed and given a risk rating to identify the greatest risks to industry.
In 2024, the TST for blueberries was reviewed, identifying over 120 exotic pests and diseases. This information was incorporated into the new Biosecurity Plan for the Berry Sector (Version 1.4), and a list of high priority exotic pests for the berry sector was developed (see table). The list includes 32 high priority exotic pests, with 5 shared between all berry industries, and the remainder affecting either one or two berry types.
As well as identifying the high priority exotic pests for the berry industries, the biosecurity plan lists established pests of biosecurity concern, including those subject to interstate movement controls, for example fruit flies, or pests which are managed by growers through good biosecurity practices, such as Charcoal Rot in strawberries.
The plan also details current mitigation and surveillance activities being undertaken by both industry and government, and identifies available resources including contingency plans, fact sheets and diagnostic protocols, that have been developed for pests relevant to the berry sector. This helps to identify gaps in the sector’s biosecurity preparedness, enabling prioritisation of biosecurity activities and allocation of responsibilities for undertaking specific actions. The combined biosecurity plan aims to reduce fragmentation and duplication of biosecurity activities within the berry industry.
Berry Sector High Priority Pest List (in alphabetical order of pest type, and affected industry)
Affected industry
Invertebrates
Acari (mites)
Rubus, Strawberry Tetranychus turkestani Strawberry spider mite HIGH
Strawberry Oligonychus ilicis
Coleoptera (beetles and weevils)
Southern red mite HIGH
Blueberry, Rubus, Strawberry Popillia japonica Japanese beetle HIGH
Diptera (flies and midges)
Blueberry, Rubus, Strawberry Drosophila suzukii Spotted Wing Drosophila EXTREME
Hemiptera (stink bugs, aphids, mealybugs, scale, whiteflies and hoppers)
Blueberry, Rubus, Strawberry Halyomorpha halys
Blueberry, Rubus Homalodisca vitripennis (with Xylella fastidiosa)
Rubus, Strawberry Lygus lineolaris
Brown marmorated stink bug HIGH (Blueberry) EXTREME (Rubus, Strawberry)
Glassy winged sharp shooter or GWSS EXTREME
Tarnished plant bug HIGH
Blueberry Ericaphis fimbriata (with Blueberry scorch virus) Blueberry aphid HIGH
Blueberry
Scaphytopius acutus (with Blueberry stunt disease) Sharp nosed leaf hopper HIGH
Rubus Euschistus conspersus Consperse stinkbug HIGH
Strawberry Lygus rugulipennis
Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths)
Blueberry, Rubus
Lymantria dispar (L.d. dispar, L. d. asiatica, L. d. japonica)
Blueberry Argyrotaenia velutinana
Blueberry Croesia curvalana
Bishop bug, European tarnished plant bug HIGH
Spongy moth complex HIGH
Red banded leafroller HIGH
Blueberry leaftier moth, rough skinned cutworm HIGH
Blueberry Lymantria monacha Nun moth HIGH
Affected industry
Thysanoptera (thrips)
Blueberry, Rubus, Strawberry Scirtothrips dorsalis complex (exotic species) Chilli thrips HIGH
Blueberry
Scirtothrips citri (syn. Euthrips citri) California citrus thrips HIGH
Rubus Thrips fuscipennis Rose thrips HIGH
Strawberry Frankiniella intonsa Flower thrips HIGH
Pathogens
Bacteria (including phytoplasmas)
Blueberry, Rubus Xylella fastidiosa Blueberry leaf scorch EXTREME
Strawberry Xanthomonas fragariae
Fungi
Blueberry, Rubus, Strawberry
Blueberry
Monilinia fructigena (syn. Oospora fructigena, Sclerotinia fructigena)
Botryosphaeria cortices (syn. Physalospora cortices)
Angular leaf spot HIGH
Brown rot HIGH
Blueberry cane canker, blueberry stem canker HIGH
Blueberry Botrytis pseudocinerea Grey mould HIGH
Blueberry
Blueberry
Godronia cassandrae (syn. Fusicoccum putrefaciens)
Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi (syn. Sclerotinia vaccinii-corymbosi)
Canker of blueberry, Fusicoccum canker HIGH
Mummy berry, cottonball disease HIGH
Rubus Arthuriomyces peckianus Orange rust HIGH
Strawberry Phytophthora fragariae Strawberry red stele root rot EXTREME
Oomycetes (water moulds)
Blueberry
Blueberry
Viruses and viroids
Phytophthora kernoviae (syn. P. kernovii)
Phytophthora blight HIGH
Phytophthora ramorum Sudden oak death EXTREME
Blueberry Nepovirus nicotianae
Blueberry Nepovirus lycopersici
Tobacco ringspot virus or TRSV HIGH
Tomato ringspot virus HIGH
CONTACT
Mark
Woodhead mark.woodhead@haygrove.com
As growers face rising input costs, labour shortages, and climate instability, it’s never been more important to invest in systems that deliver long-term resilience and precision. Total Vent, part of Haygrove’s premium Advantage Range, is a structure engineered for versatility and high-performance crop production.
Total Vent is designed to fully open and fully close, using a patented mechanical system that rolls the polythene right to the apex. This allows growers to make real-time climate adjustments, protect crops from extremes, and fine-tune growing conditions throughout the season. When integrated with environmental sensors, Total Vent empowers growers to make data-driven decisions based on accurate temperature, humidity, and light readings. This insight is key to maintaining an optimal Vapour Pressure Deficit (VPD) — a key indicator in optimising plant transpiration, nutrient flow, and disease prevention. Total Vent not only excels in climate management but also supports water-efficient farming. Its integrated rainwater harvesting gutters capture and redirect rainfall for irrigation, enhancing sustainability and reducing reliance on external water sources.
KEY BENEFITS OF TOTAL VENT:
• Advanced Climate & VPD Management: Vents above the crop allow hot, humid air to escape efficiently, helping growers maintain target VPD for optimal plant health and stress reduction
• Data-Driven Decisions with Sensors: Integrate environmental sensors to monitor real-time conditions, automate venting, and optimise the growing environment with greater precision and confidence
• Water Efficiency & Rainwater Harvesting: Steel gutters allow you to capture rainwater directly from the tunnel roof — mitigating the risk of drought, increasing sustainability, and supporting closed-loop irrigation systems
• Ideal for Propagation: Sensitive young plants benefit from a controlled, stable microclimate. Total Vent creates an optimal environment for rooting, reducing stress and improving establishment rates
• Enhanced Natural Light Access: Fully retractable covers increase light exposure and allows growers to influence crop physiology, particularly during low-light periods. When combined with a retractable shade net, growers gain another level of precision — reducing light intensity during peak sun hours while maintaining optimal airflow and crop protection
• Reduced Labour, Higher Efficiency: Automated venting systems reduce manual interventions and labour costs, supporting efficient management across largescale operations
• Enhanced Pollination & Ventilation: Open structures allow better airflow and access for pollinators, while improved ventilation lowers disease risk and supports robust plant health
Total Vent combines mechanical venting, rainwater harvesting, and precision climate control, offering a sustainable solution for long-term growers. Whether propagating, managing weather, or scaling production, it provides a flexible, high-performance environment.
Rebecca Scurr, of family-owned Piñata Farms and joint venture partner BerryWorld Australia, received the Next Generation Award at BerryQuest International 2025.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do after school, so I went to uni and did a Business Management degree,” said Rebecca. “I was working in admin part-time at the Piñata Farms’ office at Wamuran (south-east Queensland) when I began working with our third-party Honey Gold mango growers. While learning how to grow and market a new and amazing variety in the Australian fruit landscape, I just fell in love with the industry.”
She joined the sales team in 2006 and now manages national sales and marketing for pineapples, mangoes, strawberries, and raspberries.
“I grew up on the farm at Wamuran and have heard Dad (managing director, Gavin Scurr) and my uncle Stephen (general manager tropicals) share their homegrown passion for farming all my life. Dad and Stephen are true pioneers in the industry. They’ve taken so many risks and ridden the roller-coaster of farming and are as passionate today as they were in the beginning. Fruit growing (and selling) is a wild ride but seeing your fruit on the shelf at the end of the day is super rewarding.”
Rebecca values the down-to-earth perception of farming “When I tell people that I sell fruit for a living, they picture me with a stand on the side of the road. I love that farming is still seen as such a grass roots industry. We still operate with really strong family values.”
After decades of growing pineapples, Piñata Farms diversified into berries—strawberries in 2000 and specialty raspberries in 2017 through a partnership with the UK’s BerryWorld Group. “We launched BerryWorld Australia to commercialise exclusive European-bred varieties and develop the berry category,” she said. “We’ve seen the Australian raspberry category flourish. Consumers are now much more discerning, and this pushes us to keep pursuing excellence.”
Rebecca led the 2017 launch of the BerryWorld brand into Woolworths. “We’re continuously looking at how our berries can stand out on shelves through creative packaging and how to make packaging more sustainable. But flavour comes first and always has.”
She sees strong potential ahead.
“The Australian berry industry has so much to look forward to. The winning combination will be growers and retailers working together with our consumer hats on.”
Family is central to Rebecca’s story.
“We’re a food-obsessed family. If we put in a trial block of new berries at the farm, we all take some home to taste and share. If it doesn’t hit the flavour scale, we don’t grow it.”
“When I’m not travelling to visit customers or our farms, my husband Jake and I are parents to two little girls – Lucy, 3 and Alice, 1. Who knows, they might be the fifth generation of farming Scurrs!”
Stuart works in all four berry crops (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries) and across all growing systems - soil, substrate, open field, and protected cropping, with clients on all continents except Antarctica!
"I started working with berries in 2007 after a chance meeting with George Jessett from Costa Berries. We were tasked with formulating nutrient recipes for fertigating the Berry Exchange farms. Upon a deep dive into the nutrient requirements of blueberries, I was hooked! "
Stuart built on his initial passion for plant nutrition, taking ‘berry’ deep dives into genetics, protected and substrate growing, cultural management, entomology, and IPDM. This has given him great dexterity and a fully integrated understanding of berry agronomic management, which he shares with growers.
"Overcoming the daily challenges of growing soft fruit alongside growers is the most exciting and
Launceston-based berry agronomist
Stuart Doyle, of AgVista Australia Agronomy Consulting, received the Agronomist of the Year Award at BerryQuest International 2025.
"My family has always been involved in agriculture and my father farmed grains and cattle in south-western QLD and northern NSW. Seeing him innovate and being exposed to agronomists as I grew up on the farm encouraged me to study agronomy and later plant nutrition. My mentors encouraged me to step out into independent consulting."
rewarding part of my job. At any point in time, I seem to be advising on all aspects of growing all at once! Pruning, growing, fertigating, irrigating, flowering, ripening, picking, and post-harvest are happening all around the world simultaneously. It shortens the feedback loop on new techniques."
"I have the privilege of working with great growers, researchers, and plant breeders who have helped to shape the diverse berry-growing systems we see today. These could not have been imagined 30 years ago. This allows us to grow in nontraditional areas, producing fruit year-round and using protected cropping to manipulate the plant to produce in shoulder seasons."
With the pending tsunami of automation and AI options about to hit the berry industry, Stuart sees both opportunities and challenges. A challenge of particular concern to him is a potential movement away from learning the essential grass-roots basics of growing.
"I see some of the simple '101' growing tasks being overlooked due to tech adoption and AI robbing graduate agronomists of the opportunity to learn from 'doing' some of the more menial tasks before being expected to process higher-level information."
Stuart has seen some epic stuff in his time as a berry agronomist, from driving to berry farms alongside donkey-drawn carts and military trucks loaded with missiles, to witnessing IPM at its finest when a wild Nuclear Polyhedra Virus single-handedly wiped out a population of armyworm in the field. Thankfully, he always makes it safely home to Tassie, where he enjoys spending his free time with his wife, Amara, and their three daughters, enjoying the Bay of Fires, and rowing on the Tamar River.
Helen Newman, Berry Industry Development Officer, Agricultural Produce Commission, WA
Rachael Robertson is a renowned leader, author, and keynote speaker who led a year-long mission to the harsh, isolated environment of Antarctica. Known for her expertise in leadership, resilience, and teamwork, at BQI25 Rachael shared powerful insights from her experiences managing extreme conditions and building high-performing teams in challenging circumstances.
You can watch Rachel's talk by visiting bit.ly/BQI25-RR or by scanning this QR code
You might be wondering, how on earth did she end up in Antarctica?
It all started with a recruitment ad in the newspaper. Rachael, a Customer Service Manager at the time, was struggling to recruit customer service staff with ‘empathy’ when she saw an ad seeking a station leader at the Australian Antarctic Division camp.
The selection criteria for the position were based on personal attributes of resilience, integrity, and empathy, rather than technical skills. Intrigued by this recruitment approach, she applied for the job to see what the interview questions were. However, there was no interview … instead, the selection process was based on a week-long boot camp in the central highlands of Tasmania, where attributes (and leadership skills) were put to the test. As it turns out, Rachael had the right personal attributes and was offered the job, and she accepted!
Before sailing off to Antarctica, Rachael and the 17 recruits in her team underwent three months of intensive theoretical and practical training to acquire the technical skills needed to be self-sufficient for 12 months.
The team, which was tasked with maintaining the Antarctic Division camp, included engineers, mechanics, scientists, chefs, plumbers, carpenters, IT specialists, and a doctor. Everyone was trained in firefighting and other critical emergency services. The two carpenters were trained as theatre nurses, and the two IT officers were trained as anaesthetist assistants!
Recruit people with the qualities you need for the job because you can teach the technical aspects
Respect… trumps harmony, every time
With such extreme diversity in the group and challenging circumstances ahead (spending every day together for 12 months and enduring 4 months of total darkness), the team understood that it was not feasible to expect everyone to like each other.
Before leaving for Antarctica, the team agreed on the values they would follow while at the camp. Respect was the number one value identified by the team. The expectation was that everyone showed common professional courtesy and respect, respecting the diversity in the group.
Harmony is the outcome of respect. If you are treated with respect and your contribution is respected, harmony will be the outcome. Environments that focus on harmony as the goal can be harmful and stifle innovation because no one wants to offer different opinions for fear of ‘rocking the harmony boat’. People may not report bullying for the same reason.
When put under pressure, teams built on harmony will shatter. Teams built on respect will stand strong.
Many teams have the word ‘integrity’ as a value. It’s an important part of respecting others, but what does it look like? How do you describe the behaviour? How do you know you are treating each other with integrity and respect?
In Rachael’s team, integrity means no triangles. No triangles mean ‘you’ don’t speak to ‘me’ about ‘them’; ‘I’ don’t speak to ‘you’ about ‘them’. If someone has done something to upset you at work, you must have the professional courtesy and integrity to go directly to that person; you don’t take it to a third party. Have direct conversations.
It took Rachael's team about two months of practice to embed the ‘no triangles’ rule into their culture.
In a survey of over 200 teams with the ‘no triangle’ rule, 100% said it built respect and improved morale. 89% said it freed up time and productivity, and in 30% of cases, it freed up almost one hour a day! This is time and energy saved on listening to complaints, better spent being productive.
This is another one about respect.
The chef at the Camp had every Monday morning off, so other staff were on a roster for cooking breakfast. Bacon was on the menu, and there was a dispute over how it should be cooked. The plumbers liked their bacon soft, but the diesel mechanics liked their bacon crispy. They wanted a team meeting so that Rachael could decide how the bacon should be cooked.
But was bacon the real issue? No… it wasn’t.
Instead of having a meeting about bacon, Rachael conducted a root cause analysis, which involves asking five ‘why’ questions to identify the root cause of the problem. It turns out that the relationship between the two teams had broken down over the use of a vehicle. Each team thought the other team was deliberately cooking bacon the opposite way to irritate them. They were feeling disrespected.
The number one ‘bacon war’ in Australian and New Zealand workplaces is dirty coffee mugs. Other bacon wars might be:
• who put the empty milk jug in the fridge
• who left the lint in the dryer
• who didn’t fuel up the pool vehicle after using it
These little things that often happen in teams are a symptom of a deeper issue: a lack of respect. It has nothing to do with dishes, milk, lint, or fuel, it's about respect. It's disrespectful; it implies that one person's time is more important than another's.
It’s not until you stop focusing on the milk, lint, and fuel and start talking about respect that people change their behaviour. You need to raise the issue, sort it out by explaining how it is disrespectful, then move on, otherwise people fixate on the issue and get heated up.
Protect the tribe so the individual thrives
Emperor penguins are the only living things in Antarctica during winter, except for the people at the research camps. They only survive because of their teamwork. They sit in a huddle, and every bird has a turn on the outside bracing against the cold. When those on the outside have had enough, they go into the middle, and the birds in the middle go to the outside.
Every other bird species on the planet has a nest or a patch of turf, and they protect their own turf. If the Emperor penguins did this, they wouldn't survive. There'd be no Emperor penguins.
All it would take is just one bird to say, ‘I don't want to go the outside today it's too cold’, and the other birds would say, ‘well he's not doing it, so I'm not doing it’, and before long, the whole thing falls over.
This is a fantastic metaphor for a team: you protect the team, keep the team strong, relevant, and resilient, and then every individual will thrive.
Rachael suggested that Emperor penguins would be a fantastic mascot for the berry industry because of the diversity of skills and professions, growers, suppliers, scientists, and government. All at BerryQuest together to support the industry.
Leadership isn't a title; leadership is seeing something that needs to be done and doing something about it. Rachael recounted examples of this in her Antarctic team and asked berry growers to take the pressure off themselves and encourage leadership without titles in their teams.
Anyone in a team can lead. They don't need to rely on the leaders in the business to be the sole source of leadership. If they've got a great idea, let them bring it; if they can see a cost saving, let them bring it. If they see something that needs to be done, they will do something about it. That's leadership; leadership isn’t a title, it’s a behaviour.
Find a reason to celebrate
Antarctic winters are tough at the camp. There is no light outside, and every day for four months is spent indoors with your co-workers!
Every job has an Antarctic winter, a period where work is just work, when no big, exciting things are happening. If you want to keep yourself and your team inspired and motivated during these times, you need to find a reason to celebrate.
Moments of celebration build momentum and create a sense of achievement. The celebrations don’t need to be big parties, they can be words in a meeting or on a whiteboard or talking one-on-one with staff. Some achievements Rachael’s team celebrated included 100 days without a blackout, 50 days without the server crashing, and monthly safety targets.
Don’t wait until the end of the year (or season) to celebrate; do it regularly.
• It’s not feasible for everyone to like each other; focus on respecting each other instead
• When put under pressure, teams built on respect will stand strong
• Embed the ‘no triangles’ rule into the culture of your team to help build respect and morale
• Identify the root cause of issues (bacon wars) and resolve them before they become bigger cultural problems in the team
• Stop talking about the ‘bacon’ and start talking about ‘respect’
Protect the tribe so the individual thrives
• Protect the team and keep it strong, relevant, and resilient so every individual can thrive
Lead without a title
• Leadership isn't a title, it’s a behaviour
• Encourage all staff to be leaders
• Find reasons to celebrate regularly
• Moments of celebration build momentum and create a sense of achievement
Rachael has a host of resources available on her website which are very useful for sharing some of these key messages within your own teams. Visit: www.rachaelrobertson.com.au/ for more information
Jane Richter, Communications Manager, Berries Australia
Nathan Baronio is a third-generation horticulturist and co-manager of Eastern Colour, a family-run apple and strawberry farm located in Applethorpe, Queensland. Together with his brother Stephen, Nathan has upheld and expanded a legacy that began nearly a century ago, transforming Eastern Colour into one of the Granite Belt’s most innovative and community-focused agricultural enterprises.
The Baronio family's agricultural journey commenced in the 1930s when Battista Baronio emigrated from Brescia, Italy, to Australia. Initially working in the sugar cane fields of Innisfail, Battista relocated to the Granite Belt region to recover from dengue fever. There, he married Vincenza, whose family had also emigrated from Calabria, Italy. Together, they cultivated a vineyard and grew tomatoes and apples, laying the foundation for the family's farming tradition.
In the 1970s, their son John Baronio established Eastern Colour, naming it to reflect both its location on the eastern side of Applethorpe and the vibrant produce it yielded. The farm faced significant challenges, including a devastating hailstorm in 1985 that destroyed an entire apple crop. This setback prompted diversification into broccoli, leading Eastern Colour to become one of Australia's top five broccoli producers in the 1980s.
After pursuing careers away from agriculture, Nathan and Stephen returned to the family farm in 2014, bringing with them fresh perspectives and a commitment to innovation. Under their leadership, Eastern Colour has embraced protective cropping techniques, particularly for strawberries, which are now grown in substrate systems that enhance water efficiency and fruit quality.
Today, Eastern Colour cultivates approximately two million strawberry plants each season, making it the largest strawberry producer in the Granite Belt region of Queensland. The farm's location at 930 metres above sea level provides ideal conditions - cool nights and warm days - for producing high-quality apples and strawberries during the summer season.
Nathan's contributions extend well beyond farm management. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Granite Belt Growers Association, advocating for local horticulture and promoting collaborative marketing efforts among growers. Additionally, he is a director representing Strawberries Australia on the Berries Australia Board, reflecting his commitment to the broader industry. Nathan has also recently taken on responsibility for overseeing the joint industry ‘Berry Basket’ marketing activities following the first trial campaign in 2024-25.
Nathan's vision for Eastern Colour encompasses sustainable practices and community involvement. By integrating modern agricultural techniques with a deep respect for the family's heritage, he aims to ensure the farm's viability for future generations. Eastern Colour's long-standing partnership with Woolworths, established in 1988, exemplifies this balance of tradition and innovation.
As Eastern Colour approaches its 50th anniversary, Nathan and Stephen’s leadership continues to guide the farm toward a future that honours its rich history while embracing the advancements necessary for sustainable agriculture.
Ella Roper, Berry Industry Development Officer, Fruit Growers Tasmania
This article was written using information presented at the Berry Spray Optimisation webinar on 12 February 2025 by Scott Mathew, Product Lead Viticulture & Fruit at Syngenta. You can watch the Webinar at bit.ly/4ljHLmV or scan the QR code.
A berry industry webinar was held on 12 February 2025 focused on understanding and optimising sprays in berry crops. Scott Mathew, Product Lead in Viticulture & Fruit from Syngenta presented on a range of topics, including how crop protection products work, factors that affect their performance and how to get the dose right. The webinar was well attended with 53 growers, researchers and industry representatives tuning in, and it was great to see keen interest from berry growers who made up 81% of attendees. This article includes a summary of the topics covered in the webinar.
There are four main limiting success factors for sprays:
1. Right product: this requires a sound knowledge of the target pest or disease and enables us to better understand how it can be controlled
2. Right dose: check the product label and understand the required rates for the product, including understanding the difference between a ‘per 100L’ rate and a ‘per hectare’ rate
3. Right coverage: optimising the spraying setup, including spray volume, nozzle size, pressure and droplet size. Products require different levels of coverage in terms of water volumes and droplet distribution
4. Right timing: requires good observation of the crop stage, pest lifecycle and weather conditions. Good planning around weather conditions helps ensure the product is applied at the appropriate time
Preventative fungicides prevent spore germination or penetration of the pathogen into the plant. Preventative fungicides should be applied before disease development. Curative fungicides are designed to be applied when the disease is present but before symptoms are visible. Eradicant fungicides can be applied to the plant after symptoms are visible, but there are limited fungicide products available with eradicant activity and none currently available for berry crops in Australia.
A contact fungicide is a type of fungicide that remains on the surface of a plant and doesn't penetrate into the plant tissue. It protects the plant by creating a barrier against fungal pathogens when sprayed, essentially acting as a shield on the leaf surface.
A systemic fungicide is a type of fungicide that is absorbed into the plant and then moves throughout its tissues, effectively protecting the plant from fungal infections and potentially even controlling existing ones. Unlike contact fungicides which only protect the areas they are sprayed, systemic fungicides offer a more comprehensive and long-lasting protection.
Protectant or contact products spread out on the surface where the product is deposited but do not move inside the plant. As a general rule, contact pesticides require more coverage than systemic pesticides as they are not mobile within the plant and only control the area where they are applied.
Examples: copper, mancozeb, chlorothalonil
Volatile (vapour activity) products are compounds that can volatilise after being applied to the plant and redistribute to other areas within the canopy, however good coverage is still essential to maximise performance.
Examples: sulphur, cyflufenamid (Flute®)
Translaminar products can only move short distances from one side of the leaf to the other, and do not move through the plant. Scott explained that many translaminar products are labelled as ‘systemic’, which can be misleading as they do not move throughout the plant as a systemic product would.
Examples: emamectin (Proclaim®), cyflufenamid (Flute®)
Xylem mobile products are mobile in the plant but can only move upwards and outwards in the direction of the xylem stream from the point of application.
Examples: Switch®, propiconazole (Tilt®)
The attributes of different active ingredients can be combined into dual active products which provide complementing modes of activity to better target the pest or disease. For example, Miravis Prime® (pydiflumetofen & fludioxonil) incorporates two actives which provide translaminar and xylem translocation as well as contact/protectant activity.
Phloem mobile or ‘truly systemic’ products can move down through the phloem stream and upwards through the xylem, reaching all parts of the plant.
Excluding herbicides, there are only two phloem mobile or ‘truly systemic’ products registered for use on berries in Australia. What are they?
The xylem is the plant vascular tissue which transports water and nutrients upwards from the roots to the canopy. The phloem is the plant vascular tissue that transports sugars and other products from the canopy to other parts of the plant. Unlike the xylem, the phloem can move products both upward and downward through the plant.
The aim of spraying is to have good coverage with equally distributed product throughout the canopy, however it is not always possible to achieve this. Equal coverage is a challenge and there will be areas through the plant where coverage is higher or lower despite best efforts. Spray nozzles will generally produce a range of droplet sizes, with smaller droplets generally travelling further than larger ones. Smaller droplets are important as they can be dragged by turbulence in and around the canopy to the underside of leaves or fruit for better coverage.
In broadleaf crops such as berry crops, it can be difficult for the droplets to get past the outer leaf layer and into the canopy. Some turbulence is needed to move smaller droplets around and through the canopy and to avoid the outer leaves from ‘shingling’ and creating a barrier of foliage that spray cannot penetrate. Angled nozzles can also be used to increase turbulence and improve spray coverage in the canopy.
Air displacement is important to move out the existing air in the canopy and replace it with air containing the crop protection product. The aim is to move the volume of air containing the crop protection product through the canopy so that it reaches the outside edge, but not past it. A useful method to determine if the air is being displaced is by placing flagging tape on the outer side of the plant, and observing movement or fluttering indicates air is being displaced through the canopy.
Tip: yellow water sensitive paper is an easy and effective way to measure spray distribution and can be placed through the canopy to measure spray coverage through the plant.
Scott explained that even with a perfect sprayer setup there will be some areas where there can be higher or lower coverage, however the aim is to maximise the amount of canopy receiving even effective application.
Many factors can affect spray performance and reduce the final amount of product reaching the plant and target pest or disease. Despite aiming to apply 100% of our dose, application losses can occur throughout the process due to atomisation losses, poor retention of the product on the plant, slow product uptake and inefficient translocation in the plant. Application losses at each of these points can compound and result in very little product reaching and being taken up by the plant for effective pest or disease control.
A trial in New Zealand showed that in one example, only 2% of the initial application dose was available for uptake due to significant losses throughout the process.
Xylem mobile, translaminar or phloem mobile products can only enter the plant when the active ingredient is wet in solution, and once the droplet dries on the plant surface, there is no further uptake in the plant.
Temperature can significantly impact the extent of product uptake, with higher temperatures resulting in faster evaporation and less product uptake. Similarly, humidity can affect the time it takes for droplets to dry and therefore enter the plant.
Low humidity increases evaporation and droplet drying, reducing the time for plant uptake. Temperature and humidity can fluctuate significantly through the day, and in high Delta T conditions (hot and dry), larger droplets can be more suitable due to the faster evaporation. However, while increasing droplet size will increase the survival time of the droplet, it also reduces the number of droplets covering the plant, compromising coverage.
Scott explained that everything we do can be a compromise in trying to get the maximum efficiency out of crop protection products.
As the leaf grows and expands in spring, the area to which it is applied does not expand out with it, resulting in a dilution effect. This means that when the leaves grow, the area covered by the product relative to its size decreases, and there is reduced coverage and crop protection. This is a reason why spray intervals are recommended, to provide continual plant protection against growth dilution.
Source: Deveau et al. 2021
Source: Deveau et al. 2021
Rain, wind and ultraviolet light from the sun can degrade or wear off crop protection products, reducing their efficacy. Rain can wash off applied products, particularly if the product has not yet dried or become rainfast. The rainfast period is the time after application during which the product needs to remain undisturbed by rain to be effective. Scott explains that if the rainfast period is unavailable on the product label or from your product supplier, a rule of thumb is that when the product dries, it can often be considered rainfast.
Spray drift can be a major challenge and is something that all growers should know how to manage if they are undertaking sprays. Spray drift can be prevented by having a suitable sprayer and nozzle setup, such as appropriate droplet size for the conditions. Larger droplets are at less risk of drift than smaller droplets, which can be carried by wind or air currents to nontarget crops and areas. While spray drift is exacerbated by windy conditions, it can also occur on calm days, such as due to excessive air assistance from air blast sprayers.
Spray adjuvants aim to improve the effectiveness of pesticides and should be applied according to label directions. If a label recommends a particular adjuvant to be applied with that product, then that adjuvant should be used. Conversely, if a label does not have a requirement to have an adjuvant, then it is not required for the product to be effective.
Adjuvants have various functions:
Oils improve spread and reduce droplet evaporation rate and will generally be recommended when a product needs additional time on the leaf for plant uptake.
Non-ionic surfactants help to break the surface tension of a water droplet to provide better spread and coverage across the leaf surface.
Modified organic silicone surfactants break the surface tension to a greater extent than non-ionic surfactants with greater spread across the leaf, however they also dry faster and are not recommended for certain products.
Keeping to the recommended adjuvant rate is also important, as dose can impact how the droplet behaves. A dose higher than the recommended rate can result in too much spread and faster evaporation, preventing effective uptake of the crop protection product.
Different crops and canopies require different management strategies. Water volumes can change significantly between applications even within the same berry crop as plants grow through spring and require higher water volumes. Spraying requires close monitoring of the crop as it develops, and water rates should be adjusted accordingly.
Product labels vary in terms of required rates, which can be stated either as a rate per hectare or as a rate per 100L of water. This is an important distinction to be aware of as both require a different calculation for the crop application.
spraying
Dilute spraying is where a sprayer is set up to apply water volumes up to the point of runoff and can be adjusted to the type and stage of crop being sprayed. The point of runoff is the amount of water required to wet the plant to the point where some spray droplets join together and run off the plant. Determining the point of runoff should be done using test volumes numerous times during the season as the required spray volume will change and sprayer set up may need to be adjusted as the crop grows and develops through the season.
Example dilute spraying calculation using Switch®:
Water volume determined to reach point of runoff: 800L/ha
Label application rate for Switch®: 80g/100L
800 / 100 = 8
80g x 8 = 640g/ha
spraying
Concentrate spraying is where a sprayer is set up to apply water volumes less than that required to reach the point of runoff, however it is rarely used in berry crops.
Example concentrate spraying calculation using Switch®:
Water volume determined to reach point of runoff: 800L/ha
Chosen spray volume: 400L/ha
Concentration factor: dilute volume/ chosen volume = 800/400 = 2
Label application rate for Switch®: 80g/100L
Application rate for concentrate spraying: 80g x 2 = 160g/100L
Application rate/ha: 400/100 = 4
160 x 4 = 640g/ha
Useful resources and links
Berries Australia factsheet on tank mixing chemicals: bit.ly/3FZiqP6
Deveau, J, Ledebuhr, M & Manketelow, D (2021) Airblast 101: Your Guide to Effective and Efficient Spraying, Available at: https://sprayers101.com/airblast101/
Simpson, M. & Browne, B. (2020) Avoiding spray drift in blueberries. (Primefact 1786). NSW Department of Primary Industries, NSW Government. https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/1255976/Avoidingspray-drift-in-blueberries.pdf
Fungicide Facts Answers for phloem-mobile products: Spirotetramat (Movento®) and phosphorous acid (eg. Phos Acid®) –well done if you got both right!
Greg Calvert, FreshChain Systems
Greg Calvert is Co-founder and Director of Australian company, FreshChain Systems. The FreshChain solution offers a fully integrated digital traceability, provenance and cold chain monitoring solution for the purposes of enhanced food safety, trusted provenance, deeper consumer connection and insights, meeting emerging regulatory and compliance requirements for trade, reducing biosecurity threats with pests and live quality and location monitoring of product shipments.
You can watch Greg’s talk by visiting bit.ly/BQI25-GC or by scanning this QR code
In today's digitally driven market, proactive data utilisation is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Smart labelling, powered by serialised 2D Barcodes and the GS1 Digital Link Standard, is emerging as a game-changer. This approach transcends traditional packaging, offering a comprehensive solution for traceability, consumer engagement, and supply chain optimisation. The GS1 Digital Link Standard is pivotal, enabling a single URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) to resolve diverse digital experiences tailored to different stakeholders.
The term "2D barcode" refers to any type of barcode that stores information in both horizontal and vertical directions, allowing for much more data to be encoded than traditional linear barcodes. A QR code is a specific type of 2D barcode, but not all 2D barcodes are QR codes.
A trial between AusBerry Farmers and FreshChain Systems explored using smart labelling to better understand the potential impact through the supply chain. The "why" is clear: to build a resilient, transparent, and consumer-centric supply chain. By implementing digital traceability, it provided the ability to respond more swiftly to food safety incidents, gain insights to the supply chain around quality, and meet evolving regulatory demands. Furthermore, the immense value of direct consumer engagement and item level feedback assisted in building brand loyalty and fostering trust. In a world where consumers demand transparency, smart labelling provides a direct line of communication, showcasing provenance and sustainability efforts, ultimately driving purchasing decisions.
• Real-time supply chain optimisation: Serialised QR codes enable dynamic data capture for agile logistics and quality control
• Enhanced data-driven consumer interaction: GS1 Digital Link facilitates targeted URI resolution for stakeholder-specific digital experiences
• Improved regulatory compliance and traceability: Digital labelling supports granular data management for robust provenance and safety monitoring
landing page has information and interaction options for consumers which can be
Implementing smart labelling solutions is surprisingly accessible, even for businesses with limited IT infrastructure. The pilot program highlighted the scalability and cost-effectiveness of these technologies.
Integration with existing ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and WMS (Warehouse Management System) is streamlined, removing duplication and minimising disruption to daily operations. Adopting QR codes simplifies data capture and dissemination.
Grower collaboration, while essential, can be facilitated through user-friendly platforms and standardised data formats. The focus is on leveraging existing digital infrastructure and readily available tools to create a seamless data flow.
This ease of implementation ensures that businesses of all sizes can harness the power of smart labelling without significant technological hurdles, making it a practical and achievable solution in the digital age.
• Growers and brand owners: gain immediate access to essential supply chain information via dynamic QR codes, empowering faster, data-driven decisions and improved farm management
• Simplified system integration: allows growers to easily adopt smart labelling, minimising disruptions and maximising focus on core farming activities
• User-friendly platforms and standardised data formats: enhance collaboration, streamlining communication across the supply chain and fostering stronger partnerships
The pilot study included a simple survey (D) for the consumer to provide
The real power of smart labelling lies in the ability to extract actionable insights from the collected data. In a digitally connected world, this data becomes a strategic asset. Real-time analytics dashboards provide stakeholders with immediate visibility into supply chain performance, consumer behaviour, and quality metrics.
This data allows for targeted marketing campaigns, optimised product development, and proactive risk mitigation. We can leverage granular consumer feedback to enhance product quality and tailor digital content to specific demographics. Furthermore, the enhanced traceability enables us to meet stringent regulatory requirements, access new markets, and become preferred suppliers.
In a connected world, this data may translate to reduced insurance premiums, access to green loans, and a competitive edge. By fostering transparency and building trust through digital communication, we enhance brand loyalty and strengthen our position in the marketplace.
The ability to rapidly share data during food safety incidents or biosecurity outbreaks minimises impact and protects public health, showcasing the critical role of digital connectivity in safeguarding our industry and consumers.
• Enhanced Yield and Market Precision: Data analytics optimises cultivation and enables targeted market strategies, maximising revenue through informed decision-making
• Expanded Market Access and Cost Reduction: Traceability facilitates regulatory compliance, unlocking premium markets and potentially reducing operational expenses through optimised risk management
• Brand Protection and Rapid Response Capability: Digital connectivity ensures swift data dissemination during critical events, safeguarding brand reputation and minimising potential financial losses
To learn more about this work or if you are interested in deploying this technology to boost your business, please contact Greg Calvert gcalvert@freshchain.com.au | 0433 192 855
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Jane Richter, Communications Manager, Berries Australia
Claire McClelland is the CEO of the Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) and her leadership focuses on driving sustainable growth in the fresh produce sector through improved export market access, workforce development, and environmental sustainability initiatives.
The Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) is a group of leading fresh produce businesses working together to ensure a strong, sustainable future for Australia’s fruit and vegetable sector. Representing major growers and suppliers, the AFPA advocates for practical policy solutions, supply chain improvements, and fair access to labour—helping secure fresh, healthy produce for all Australians while supporting local industry growth.
You can watch Clare's talk by visiting bit.ly/BQI25-CMcC or by scanning this QR code
In recent years, the focus on climate action and environmental sustainability has intensified. For Australian berry growers and the broader horticulture industry, understanding and managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has become not just a responsibility but an opportunity. To help the industry tackle this complex area, the Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA), with support from Sustenance Asia, has developed the Common Greenhouse Gas Accounting Framework. But what is this Framework, and why should it matter to berry growers?
The Framework is a simple, standardised approach for fresh produce businesses, including berry growers, to measure, track, and report their greenhouse gas emissions. It provides step-by-step guidance on how to collect data and calculate emissions, so everyone across the industry is on the same page.
It’s based on the internationally recognised GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, meaning it aligns with best practice while being tailored specifically for the Australian fresh produce sector.
The idea is to give growers a clear, cost-effective, and practical method to understand their environmental footprint — and then do something about it.
Regulations around climate and sustainability reporting are tightening in Australia. Large retailers and export markets are starting to ask where their food comes from and how it’s grown — including its emissions profile. By understanding and reporting your emissions, you're prepared for future compliance and market expectations.
GHG accounting isn’t just about ticking boxes. It helps you see where you're using the most energy or resources — and that can reveal ways to save money. For example, reducing fuel use or fertiliser waste doesn't just lower emissions — it boosts your bottom line.
Whether you’re selling at local markets or supplying large supermarket chains, being able to show that you’re measuring and managing your emissions adds value to your product. It demonstrates your commitment to sustainability and can open up new sales opportunities.
When everyone uses the same framework, the data can be combined to give a full picture of horticulture’s emissions. That helps the industry negotiate better with government, seek support or funding, and highlight the environmental benefits of fresh produce — including potential carbon capture in orchards and berry farms.
The Framework is built on nine main components. Here's what they mean for berry growers:
This means emissions are counted from the moment inputs (like fertiliser) are used on the farm, through growing, harvesting, processing, packing and transport — up until the product reaches a retailer or wholesaler. Once your berries are delivered and accepted by the buyer, you're no longer responsible for the emissions.
Scope 1 includes emissions from activities you directly control — like fuel burnt in tractors or emissions from fertiliser use
Scope 2 covers electricity you buy and use on the farm
Scope 3 (which includes things like emissions from fertiliser manufacturing or transport by third parties) is not mandatory yet but may be included later
Focusing on Scope 1 and 2 keeps things simple, practical, and within your control.
3. Organisational Boundary: Financial Control
This defines what business activities you need to include in your emissions report. If you control the financial and operating decisions of a farm — even if you don’t fully own it — you include its emissions. This helps standardise reporting across different business setups like partnerships, joint ventures, or family farms.
Each business picks its own “base year” — the earliest year for which they have solid emissions data. This becomes the benchmark to track improvements over time. It’s a practical approach, especially for growers who haven’t previously kept this type of data.
5. The Calculation Tool: H-GAF
To make life easier, the AFPA recommends using the free H-GAF (Horticulture Greenhouse Accounting Framework) tool developed by the University of Melbourne through the Primary Industries Climate Challenges Centre (PICCC). It’s an Excel-based calculator that helps growers plug in data and get reliable results. No need for expensive software or consultants.
To make sure everyone’s numbers can be compared, the Framework outlines standard sources for data — like purchase records for fertiliser, electricity bills, or machinery fuel logs. Using these sources helps ensure the results are consistent and credible.
How you gather your data is up to you. Some growers might keep it all in a notebook, others might use farm management software. As long as it’s accurate and can be matched to the standard inputs in the calculator, it’s fine.
The Framework uses consistent “emission factors” — which are like multipliers that turn your activity data into emissions data. For example, how many kilograms of CO2 are produced for every litre of diesel used. These factors are aligned with Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
9. Accounting and Reporting
Each grower calculates both:
• Absolute emissions
(e.g., total tonnes of CO2 emitted in a year), and
• Intensity emissions (e.g., tonnes of CO2 per tonne of berries sold).
Reports should cover one year at a time, matching your financial reporting cycle. Over time, this helps you track changes and improvements.
Here are some common sources of GHG emissions on a berry farm:
• Diesel or petrol used in tractors, ATVs, and generators (Scope 1)
• Electricity used in cool rooms, irrigation, and packing sheds (Scope 2)
• Fertiliser application — especially nitrogenbased ones (Scope 1)
• Refrigerant gases in cool storage systems (Scope 1)
• Purchased products like pesticides (Scope 3 — optional for now)
Even things like the burning of crop residues or use of lime and dolomite in soil management are included.
There’s also recognition that perennial crops — including berry bushes — can capture and store carbon. If your farm has windbreaks, biodiversity zones, or forested areas, these may count as “carbon sinks” in the future, depending on how they’re managed and reported.
With this Framework, berry growers can now take action in a structured and supported way:
• Start by downloading the H-GAF tool and entering what data you already have — fuel use, fertiliser applied, electricity bills
• Use your chosen base year to benchmark performance
• Get familiar with what emissions are linked to your activities
• Look for quick wins — like reducing energy use or switching to renewables
As more growers participate, the industry can build a collective understanding of emissions and identify where real reductions are possible — without hurting productivity. This Framework isn’t about burdening growers with more paperwork. It’s about giving them control, clarity, and a way to show leadership on sustainability. For berry growers, it offers a way to keep up with changing market and regulatory expectations — and even get ahead of them. Climate change and sustainability challenges won’t be solved overnight. But by working together and using a common language around greenhouse gas emissions, the fresh produce industry — including berry growers — can be part of the solution, not the problem.
Download the H-GAF tool: https://piccc.org.au/resources/Tools.html
Download the Common Greenhouse Gas Accounting Framework: https://freshproduce.org.au/resources/
Find out more about the AFPA: www.freshproduce.org.au
Gaius Leong, Berry Industry Development Officer & Dr Saleh Adnan, Research Horticulturist Entomology, NSW DPIRD
As more of the berry industry adopts substrate and protected production systems, issues like ant infestations are also becoming increasingly prominent.
Ants are one of the most familiar and commonly occurring group of insects on berry farms. They are often not associated with direct damage to the crop and as such mostly go unnoticed. However, they can be responsible for indirect damage to both the fruit and overall plant health. Ants can disrupt root development in substrate bags, protect other pests like aphids and scale insects in exchange for honeydew, and compromise the hygiene and structural integrity of growing systems.
Ants are primarily identified by a constricted "waist" between the thorax and abdomen (Figure 1). It comprises one or two knobbed segments (bumps) rather than a single segment. The antennae have a distinctive elbow, and the mandibles (jaw) are prominent. The most common ants found on berry farms are black house ants, green ants, and costal brown ants. Other invasive species of ants to look out for would be Red Imported Fire Ants (See PAGE 39 Autumn 2025 edition for more information on this dangerous pest) and Argentine ants.
Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) are an invasive ant species originally from South America. They are small (about 2.5–3 mm long), light to dark brown in colour, and form massive super-colonies with multiple queens. Unlike many native ants, they don’t fight between colonies, allowing them to spread rapidly and outcompete local species. Argentine ants have been detected in various parts of southern Australia, particularly:
• Metropolitan Adelaide (South Australia) – widespread in urban areas
• Parts of Victoria – especially Melbourne suburbs
• Western Australia – including Perth and some regional locations
• New South Wales – limited but with known incursions
They are not currently established in Queensland, but are considered a high biosecurity threat, especially to horticulture and biodiversity.
Many ant species ‘farm’ sap sucking pests such as aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects in a mutualistic relationship. The ants move these pests to new feeding sites, protect them from predatory arthropods, and contribute to the health of the colony by removing dead or infected individuals. In return, the sap-sucking pests feed on plant sap and excrete a sugary substance called ‘honeydew’, which is a rich food source for the ants. As such, ants are often responsible for aggravating the damage associated with sap-sucking pests.
The establishment of ant colonies within substrate media represents another pathway through which ants can negatively impact plant health on berry farms.
Blueberries and blackberries that are grown in larger volumes for longevity are prone to incurring this kind of damage. When ants remove fine particles from the substrate, they create large air gaps in the pot. These gaps cause water to bypass parts of the root zone - a process known as water channelling - leading to false drainage readings and uneven moisture distribution. This not only limits root growth by reducing the area available for roots to anchor and absorb nutrients but also undermines the effectiveness and lifespan of the growing system. Above-ground symptoms can resemble those caused by root stress and may include leaf discolouration, reduced vigour, and stunted growth.
Currently there are no synthetic insecticides that are registered for use on ants in all berry categories. There are some steps that you can take to help reduce the impact:
• Monitor and identify infestations early particularly with regard to invasive species (find out more about these at invasives.org.au)
• Regularly inspect pots, benches, and surrounding areas for signs of ant activity (e.g. trails, nests, displaced growing media)
• Identify the ant species as some are particularly invasive and require specific strategies as well as notification to authorities
• Communicate with neighbours and industry bodies to coordinate control efforts for invasive species like Argentine, Yellow crazy ants or Fire ants
• Keep staff informed on identifying early signs of these dangerous species and reporting them promptly
The world around us is changing faster than ever. With 100 years of experience we are ready for any challenge. Our high quality substrates ensure that you and your crops are ready for the future. Wondering what we can do for you? Feel free to contact me or one of my colleagues!
Phil Badgery
Wendy Morris, Berry Industry Development Officer, Queensland
It’s an unfortunate fact of farming that not all fruit will meet retailer standards. Food waste has significant impacts on people, the planet and our industry’s profitability, however finding a home for ‘seconds’ fruit or knowing what to do with fruit that is uneconomical to harvest, remains a challenge for many growers.
At SSS Strawberries in Bundaberg, the sheer amount of waste troubled General Manager, Gina Dang and her family. As a larger farm, it wasn’t uncommon for pallets of fruit to be considered under sized, oversized or too cosmetically damaged for retail sale. During periods of high production, the costs of picking fruit often exceeded the market price.
Frustrated at the level of waste, and rather than accept this waste as part of the system, Gina was driven by a bigger vision. With a mission to create a future where “every meal is a celebration of sustainability, every farmer stands tall, and every plate tells a story of success,” she founded Gina’s Table — a food manufacturing company dedicated to transforming surplus produce into something truly valuable.
Gina began her research and collaborated with the End Food Waste Australia Cooperative Research Centre and Department of Primary Industries QLD to help develop, test and create suitable products.
Initially, fruit from the farm was sent away for contract drying and packing, however a desire for autonomy and concerns about potential contamination, lead to investment in a state-of-the-art facility freezing and freeze-drying in Bundaberg. This sentence makes the process seem straightforward, but it took over five years from research, planning to construction, and importing the freeze-drying fans was a multi-million dollar exercise.
The range of fruits processed has expanded from strawberries to include raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, mangoes, apples, watermelon, finger limes and more. Most fruit is now prepared and frozen on site using specialised machinery.
Gina’s Table proudly introduces a 100% Australian range of frozen berries named Merries™, along with healthy freeze-dried fruit snack collections under the Happles™ brand that are perfect for lunchboxes or onthe-go healthy snacking.
They also offer a premium range of natural freeze-dried ingredients, including powders and crumbles, ideal for smoothies, ice creams, natural flavouring, and adding a delicious decorative touch to cakes and desserts.
To reduce waste even further, any leftover fruit scraps from the preparation process are sent to a business in Childers, where they are turned into compost.
Today, Gina’s Table products are sold directly from their farm store, at selected boutique health food stores, IGA supermarkets, and to food manufacturers who turn their products into delicious ice creams, chocolates and more.
From humble beginnings, Gina’s Table has become a growing movement — one that invites everyone to come together to Gina’s Table, where no fruit is forgotten, no effort wasted, and no story untold.
Gina’s Table invites growers, retail buyers, distributors, and food processors who share its values of sustainability, circular economy, and community impact to join its mission. By collaborating with Gina’s Table, partners play a vital role in reducing food waste, supporting Australian farmers, and giving delicious yet imperfect fruit a second life. Together, they are creating a more resilient and thoughtful food system, one that values every harvest and honours the hands that grow it.
As consumer demand grows for shelf-stable, nutrientrich berry products, freeze-drying is emerging as a premium preservation method that delivers on quality, taste, and versatility. But what exactly is freezedrying—and how does it work?
Freeze-drying, or lyophilisation, is a specialised drying process that removes moisture from food while preserving its structure, flavour, and nutrients. It’s particularly well-suited to berries, allowing them to retain their natural shape and colour—unlike other drying methods that can shrink or darken the fruit.
Berries are carefully selected, washed, and sorted. In some cases, they may be halved or sliced to ensure even drying.
The fruit is frozen rapidly to very low temperatures— typically below -40°C. Quick freezing helps protect the cell structure, which is critical for maintaining texture after drying.
The frozen berries are placed into a vacuum chamber. A gentle heat is applied, causing the ice in the berries to convert directly from solid to vapour without passing through the liquid phase. This phase removes the majority of the moisture.
Once the visible ice is gone, the temperature is slightly raised to remove any remaining bound moisture. The result is an ultra-dry product which is typically less than 4% moisture content.
The dried berries are packed in moisture-proof, oxygenresistant containers to preserve their crispness and shelf life. Packaging often includes oxygen absorbers to protect the product during storage and transport.
Freeze-dried berries have an impressive shelf life. When properly sealed and stored in a cool, dry place, they can last between 12 to 25 years, particularly in commercial or emergency food applications. However, for most consumer retail products, the typical shelf life is 1 to 2 years unopened. Once opened, berries should be kept in airtight containers and used within a few weeks to maintain their texture and flavour. Moisture is the main threat to longevity, so proper packaging and storage are key.
Freeze-drying opens up new market opportunities for Australian berry growers by extending the product’s shelf life without relying on additives or refrigeration. The end product is light, portable, and highly nutritious making it ideal for snack foods, baking ingredients, cereals, and health food markets. It also allows for the use of secondgrade fruit that may not meet fresh market standards but still holds excellent flavour and nutritional value.
As interest in functional foods and low-waste processing grows, freeze-drying could be a valuable addition to Australia’s berry value chain, particularly for growers with large amounts of on-site waste wanting to explore product diversification or export opportunities.
NSW DPIRD is proud to launch the sixth edition of this essential resource for berry growers. Designed with a strong Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) focus, the guide brings together the latest strategies for managing pests and diseases across berry crops.
NEW in this edition:
Strawberries have been added as the fourth berry category, expanding the guide’s reach beyond NSW and making it even more relevant to growers Australia-wide.
While it doesn't yet cover every strawberry pest or disease, more updates are coming — so stay tuned!
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
Hard copy:
Email: gaius.leong@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Soft copy:
Download the PDF now at bit.ly/BPPG-25-26 or visit the industry Resource Library and search ‘Berry Plant Protection’
KEY STATISTICS
LAND AREA
331,690 km2
CAPITAL CITY HANOI
• Vietnam is one of Australia's fastest growing trading partners in recent years
• In 2023-24, two-way trade was valued at $28.2 billion
• Australia and Vietnam held the first Trade Ministers' Dialogue, on 5 March 2024, providing a platform to enhance the trade and investment relationship between our countries
• Vietnamese consumers trust Australian brands for their quality and safety
• Australia currently seeking market access for Blueberries with other berries to follow
• Vietnam achieved the largest improvement among 82 countries between 2003 and 2023, with a 1.7-point increase on a 10-point scale
• Vietnam's active participation in free trade agreements has enhanced its trade environment
• Vietnam's role in the global "China+1" strategy has attracted foreign investment by offering an alternative manufacturing base
URBAN RESIDENTS
42 039 428
RURAL RESIDENTS
59 559 099
TOTAL POPULATION 101.6m
POPULATION DENSITY RANKED #40 IN WORLD AT 328 PER km ²
MEDIAN AGE 33.4 YEARS AND STEADILY INCREASING ONLY 41% URBAN POPULATION
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• Vietnam's political environment is marked by significant leadership changes, ongoing anti-corruption efforts, and a strategic shift in foreign relations
• Vietnam's foreign policy has seen a pivot towards strengthening ties with China, highlighted by Tô Lâm's state visit to Beijing in 2024
• Conversely, relations with the United States have become strained due to the suspension of key humanitarian and development programs under the Trump administration
• Vietnam's logistics network has been developing rapidly, positioning the country as a key player in Southeast Asia's supply chain landscape
• The country has been investing in expanding its air and sea port capacities to handle increasing cargo volumes
• Vietnam remains among the top 5 logistics performers in ASEAN
• Direct flights depart from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide
Tết Nguyên Đán (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) - Late January to mid-February (varies with the lunar calendar) • Tết Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival) - 15th day of the 8th lunar month (usually September) • Tết Hàn Thực (Cold Food Festival) - 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month (usually April) • Lễ Vu Lan (Ghost Festival / Ullambana)15th day of the 7th lunar month (usually August) • Ngày Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương (Hung Kings' Commemoration Day) - 10th day of the 3rd lunar month (usually April) National Day – 2 September • Reunification Day (Victory Day) – 30 April • International Workers Day – 1 May
The Vietnamese consumer is rapidly evolving, shaped by a dynamic mix of economic growth, a young population, urbanisation, and increasing digital adoption
YOUNG AND URBANISING: Over 50% of the population is under 35, and urban areas are expanding quickly
GROWING MIDDLE CLASS: Vietnam has one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing middle classes, expected to reach 50 million by 2030
VALUE-CONSCIOUS: Consumers seek good value for money and are price-sensitive, but are willing to pay more for quality, health, and trusted brands
BRAND-AWARE: Brand reputation and product origin matter—Korean, Japanese, and Western brands are often seen as premium
SHIFT TO PREMIUM: As income grows, consumers increasingly opt for premium products, especially in food, beauty, and technology
TECH-SAVVY: High smartphone penetration and social media usage (Facebook, Zalo, TikTok) influence purchasing decisions
HEALTH-CONSCIOUS: There’s growing demand for organic, natural, and functional foods, especially among urban consumers
SUSTAINABILITY EMERGING: While not yet dominant, interest in eco-friendly products and sustainability is rising, especially among Gen Z
Australia is seeking marKet access for blueberries which will be the first Australian berry permitted in the market and industry has aspirations for strawberries and Rubus to follow
TRADITIONAL MARKETS (WET MARKETS) are still dominant, especially in smaller cities and among older consumers
BINH DIEN MARKET is the biggest wholesale market for agricultural products in Vietnam. Spanning an impressive 65 hectares, it serves as a bustling hub for traders and buyers from across the country
MODERN SUPERMARKETS like Co.opmart, VinMart, and Big C are growing in popularity for hygiene, convenience, and range
CONVENIENCE STORES (e.g., Circle K, VinMart+) are rising with urban youth and working professionals
ONLINE FOOD SHOPPING is increasingly common in cities— especially via apps like ShopeeFood, GrabMart, and TikiNgon. Strong uptake post-COVID, with demand for fast delivery and freshness assurance
CO.OPMART is a leading retail supermarket chain in Vietnam, managed by the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Trade Cooperatives (Saigon Co. op). It's known for operating a large number of supermarkets and hypermarkets across the country, including Co. opXtra and Co. opXtraplus. Co. opmart also runs Co. opFood convenience stores and Co. opSmile modern grocery stores.
BIG C (NOW GO!) is owned by Central Group (Thailand), with a strong presence nationwide
VINMART (NOW WINMART) is owned by Masan Group, with a wide network across the country
LOTTE MART is a South Korean chain with locations in major cities
AEON is the Japanese retail giant expanding steadily in Vietnam
FOOD SERVICES
• Vietnam's food service industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by factors such as urbanisation, rising incomes, increased tourism, and evolving consumer preferences
• The growing number of tourists contributes significantly to the food service market, ith international visitors seeking authentic Vietnamese culinary experiences
• Rapid urbanisation and a growing middle class have led to increased disposable incomes, prompting consumers to seek diverse and convenient dining options
• Approximately 43% of the population dined out once or twice per month in 2024, indicating a strong culture of eating out, especially in urban centres like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
• Online grocery platforms have seen strong growth, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
• TikiNGON – Online grocery service by Tiki
• Bach Hoa Xanh (Green Grocery) – Operated by Thế Giới Di Động, with both physical and online presence
• Chopp.vn, GrabMart, NowFresh (by ShopeeFood) – Online delivery of fresh produce
• Sendo Farm, VinID – App-based grocery platforms with fresh produce options
• Vietnam's strong economic growth, a shift towards increasing trade openness, and expanding middle-class (30% by 2026) have increased demand for imported and premium goods including food
• Consumer interest in health and nutrition combined with a strong food and drink culture, and the increased use of e-commerce and home delivery are all demand drivers
• Exporters can benefit from free trade agreements (FTAs) where lower tariffs mean products can compete better on price compared to those from countries without FTAs
• Australian growers can also take advantage of being counter-season to northern hemisphere competitors
• Australia is relatively close to Vietnam. This reduces freight costs and increases product shelf-life compared to the United States, Argentina, Brazil and the European Union
• Vietnam has 16 free trade agreements with multiple countries – exporters from these countries have similar advantages to Australians exporting to Vietnams
• Cold chain infrastructure – maintaining uninterrupted cold storage and transport is critical but expensive, and may be less reliable in some parts of Vietnam
• Educating consumers – many Vietnamese consumers may not be familiar with certain berry types or their quality and therefore value – an investment in education and marketing would be needed to grow demand over the longer terms
• Market access – as of now, fresh berries do not yet have formal market access to Vietnam
Personal relationships play a large role in Vietnamese business culture
Third-party introductions are almost a necessity - and always invest time in face-to-face meetings, even if initial introductions are online
Vietnamese people prefer to work with those they know and trust, and for them, trust is key to good business
Reciprocity is vital - a business partner will want to see an honest commitment to the relationship from you and so repeated visits and consistent communication will build credibility and trust
Everyone is consulted before reaching a decision, which can lead to lengthy negotiations, so be patient and don't expect things to be done quickly. Don’t mistake delays for lack of interest—politeness and indirect communication are common
Vietnamese businesses are often hierarchical so always address the most senior person first in meetings
Introductions by a trusted third-party are almost a necessity to beginning any
Kirsty Hall, Head of Marketing and Compliance, Natural Trace
As food fraud and provenance concerns grow across global supply chains, Australian growers are turning to breakthrough biotechnology. Natural Trace offers a natural, GMO-free tagging method applied directly to the produce, enabling secure, in-product traceability. Recent successful trials have demonstrated that this innovation can authenticate and trace berries without impacting quality or existing workflows..
You can watch Kirsty’s talk by visiting bit.Ly/bqi25-kh or by scanning this QR code
Traceability is fast becoming one of the most important factors in modern food systems, particularly in highvalue horticulture. In the berry industry, where freshness, provenance, and sustainable practices are paramount, ensuring supply chain integrity isn’t just about logisticsit’s about trust.
At Natural Trace, we’ve developed an innovative, sciencebased approach to embed traceability directly into food products themselves. Our solution, NaturalTag™, is the world’s first food-safe, natural, and GMO-free tagging system applied to the berry itself, not the packaging. The result? Unmatched traceability that starts at the farm and follows the fruit across every link in the supply chain.
Natural Trace is a biotechnology company based in Singapore, founded in 2021 during the rapid evolution of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing technology for mass diagnostics. Our team brings together expertise across life sciences, food safety, and bioinformatics, and we are proud to collaborate with leading institutions like the National University of Singapore and the UK’s Food Authenticity Network.
We manufacture in a fully licensed and ISO-certified facility in Singapore and were honoured to be named the Most Innovative Digital Solution at the 2024 Fi Europe Startup Challenge for our contribution to food and beverage traceability and you can find us in the 2024 FoodTech 500 by Forward Fooding.
The World Trade Organisation estimates food fraud causes over $50 billion in losses annually, surpassing some illicit trades like tobacco. This fraud takes many forms, including mislabelling, ingredient substitution, dilution, counterfeiting and adulteration where products may be tampered with maliciously or for financial gain. In all cases, the outcomes are the same: lost trust, compromised product integrity, and infringement on intellectual property (IP).
From the farm gate to international retail shelves, knowing exactly where each punnet comes from has never been more critical. Growers dedicate substantial time, resources, and innovation, including intellectual property and sustainable practices into the produce and products they create, making it essential to protect that investment.
NaturalTag is a 100% natural, GMO-free, and food-safe biological barcode made from inactivated probiotics. It’s applied at molecular level (parts per million or less) with zero sensory impact, therefore no change in taste, texture, or appearance. The tag can be read out reliably even after foods or in this case, fruit is processed further.
Each NaturalTag is unique and customisable, capable of verifying country of origin, a specific grower or block, harvest season or batch, species or variety.
The NaturalTag system is part of a broader three-part solution:
1. NaturalTag ™ – Applied to the product itself
2. NaturalDetect™ – A PCR-based testing method that identifies the unique tag
3. NaturalCloud™ – A secure digital platform that connects verified data with the supply chain
This enables multi-level traceability and ensures authenticity at every stage.
We recently partnered with Hillwood Berries, a family-owned Tasmanian producer renowned for its innovation and premium-quality crops across all four berry categories, to trial our technology in strawberry production. The goal was to demonstrate that NaturalTag can seamlessly integrate with existing farm practices and provide reliable traceability from farm to lab without impacting fruit quality.
The initial trial was conducted on a one-hectare block of strawberries, where NaturalTag was seamlessly integrated into an existing fungicide spray and applied during routine spraying. The strawberries were harvested, packed, and shipped to Natural Trace’s laboratory in Singapore. There, the unique bio-barcode was successfully detected on multiple fruit samples, confirming the tag’s presence without impacting fruit quality. This proof of concept established the feasibility of using NaturalTag in real-world farming conditions without disrupting normal workflows or compromising the final product.
Building on these promising results, a second, larger-scale trial was undertaken across 15 tunnels of strawberries to evaluate tag stability over time. NaturalTag was applied during Week 1 and reapplied in Week 3, with weekly sampling continuing through to Week 5. A total of 280 data points for 2 hectares of strawberries were collected and despite environmental exposure and routine spray applications, NaturalTag remained consistently detectable throughout the trial period. Importantly, internal sensory evaluations conducted by the Hillwood team found no changes to the strawberries’ flavour, texture, or shelf-life. This validated our approach as not only effective, but also grower friendly.
Berry supply chains can be complex, particularly when exporting. During our presentation at BQI25, we shared how NaturalTag can support traceability and verification at every key stage in the supply chain, including the following:
• NaturalTag can be seamlessly applied during existing spray or post-harvest processes, no extra packaging or workflow changes needed
• Distributors or supermarket distribution centres can verify origin before stocking
• Importers can authenticate the fruit’s country of origin at the receiving port
Because NaturalTag is embedded in the product itself, it provides a layer of verification that travels with the fruit, even if labels are removed or packaging changes. Each tag links back to a secure NaturalCloud record, giving full visibility from paddock to punnet.
Our patented tag creation and detection process ensures the protection and exclusivity of our technology. NaturalTag has been self-determined as GRAS (Generally Recognised as Safe) in the United States by two independent scientific assessors. In Australia, New Zealand, and the EU, our regulatory advisors have developed a matrix-specific decision tool, ensuring compliance with food regulations in line with how and where the tag is applied.
Following the success of our strawberry trials, we are now expanding into other berry varieties, including blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Further trials are planned to explore seasonality, weather conditions, and extended supply chain routes.
We are also engaging with supply chain partners to integrate NaturalTag into broader traceability strategies and ERP (Enterprise resource planning) systems offering seamless, scalable protection against fraud and loss of brand value.
Natural Trace offers a first-of-its-kind technology that enhances and complements existing traceability systems. Our mission is simple: to support growers, producers, and brands in delivering their promise by making sure every great product comes with a trusted provenance story.
We thank Hillwood Berries for their collaboration, and Berries Australia for the opportunity to present this innovation to the wider berry community at BQI25 and through this article.
Kirsty Hall is Head of Marketing and Compliance at Natural Trace with a background in Environmental Health and extensive experience in food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance across FMCG and government sectors.
A certified ISO 22000 and HACCP Lead Auditor, she specialises in new product development and supply chain integrity. Kirsty currently leads a biotech-driven traceability project in the berry industry, focused on combating food fraud and enhancing transparency.
Mirids are endemic to Australia and are pests in a wide range of crops including cotton, sunflower, summer pulses, lucerne and other legumes as well as in various fruits and vegetables. They are widely distributed throughout the country and can cause significant damage to berry crops. The main species of concern for berries are green mirid (Creontiades dilutus), crop mirid (Sidnia kinbergi), and brown mirid (Creontiades pacificus).
Adult green mirids are approximately 7–9mm in length with an elongated body, long antennae and transparent wings folded flat over the back.
Recently hatched nymphs are 1.5–2mm in length with long antennae, and change colour as they develop from a pale green in younger instars to yellow-green as adults.
The total lifecycle is as short as 3 weeks under optimal (warm, dry) conditions, enabling rapid population growth.
While traditionally associated with cotton, mungbeans, and lucerne, green mirids can migrate into berry crops from nearby broadacre fields.
Adult brown mirids are approximately 7–9mm in length and similar in shape and appearance to green mirids, however they often have brown colouration on the back and often match foliage making them hard to detect visually.
Antennae have distinctive colour banding in alternating red-brown and white.
The total lifecycle is ~ 3–4 weeks, though this can vary depending on temperature and environmental conditions.
Brown mirids are often overlooked early due to their cryptic behaviour and resemblance to beneficial insects like damsel bugs.
Adult crop mirids are comparatively smaller than green and brown mirids, approximately 4-7mm in length, greygreen in colour with brown markings or mottled brown on the back and bright green on the underside.
Adults have a distinctive dark ‘V’ pattern on the back and the tips of the wings are bent down sharply and can therefore be confused with the broken back bug.
Crop mirid nymphs have a distinctive black spot on the back which helps differentiate between them from green and brown mirid nymphs.
Crop mirids are the major mirid pest in Australian Rubus and strawberry crops and are abundant during the entire crop season.
Mirids reproduce sexually, with the lifecycle consisting of an egg stage, five nymphal stages and an adult stage. Eggs are laid onto the leaf, buds or petiole and are embedded into plant tissue, making them almost impossible to spot. Eggs hatch in 4-10 days depending on temperature. Studies have shown the optimum temperature for green mirid egg production is 23-32°C, with eggs and nymphs failing to complete development at temperatures below 15°C. In the warm summer months, green mirids can complete one generation in as little as three weeks from egg to adult, and adults survive for approximately 3-4 weeks.
Mirids are highly mobile and there is evidence to suggest that green mirids can migrate long distances on air currents and high winds, including from arid inland areas to coastal regions in spring and summer. One study suggests green mirids are not able to complete their lifecycle through winter in cooler regions such as Tasmania, and instead the insects migrate across Bass Strait each year, potentially via strong air currents.
Some mirid species can overwinter in low numbers on non-production hosts through the winter period in mild climates and populations increase again through spring as temperatures increase.
Mirids can cause a range of damage across foliage and fruit in berries. During feeding, mirid adults and nymphs pierce plant tissue and release a chemical which destroys the surrounding cells.
In fruit, this can result in tissue continuing to grow around the impacted area while the impacted cells cease to develop, resulting in deformed berries, a higher proportion of aborted flowers, reduced berry weight and an impact to marketable yield.
In strawberries in particular, mirid damage can cause a characteristic turban-like appearance. Mirids can also feed on leaves and new buds, causing pinhole-like damage through the leaf tissue and deformity around the initial feeding area as the leaf expands.
Mirid damage to fruit can be difficult to distinguish from pollination defects or cold damage, as the fruit deformation can look initially similar.
Mirids are most commonly found in the warmer months from spring through to autumn and monitoring helps to understand population dynamics in the crop. A crop walkthrough should ideally be done at least once a week to monitor for mirid nymphs and adults, increasing to twice a week when temperatures are warm and reproductive cycles are quickest.
Mirids are highly mobile and patchily distributed. They are most active in the mid-late morning and late afternoon. When monitoring, it is recommended to take multiple samples throughout the field. Beating trays (flat white surfaces – ideally a tray, but a white bucket, sheet of paper, or even a cupped hand can work) are useful for monitoring juvenile insect stages. Gently tap flowers and laterals over the tray to dislodge insects, which are then easier to see against the white background. Sweep nets can be useful for monitoring adult mirids, which are highly mobile and may not be picked up with a beating tray. It is important to also monitor nearby weeds and farm borders for mirids as these plants can act as alternative hosts.
Research in the cotton industry has resulted in the development of a lure and trapping pheromone system for green mirids. The pheromone can be used to lure male green mirids into a trap for monitoring. The pheromone is available for purchase from EcoKimiko IPM.
The current investment projects RB21000 and RB2100, funded through the Hort Innovation Raspberry and Blackberry Fund, aim to improve the use of integrated pest management for monitoring and management of mirids and other pests in Rubus crops. The projects are investigating mirid pheromones for monitoring and management, identifying action thresholds and investigating management techniques to reduce mirid pressure in Rubus crops, for example by investigating potential trap cropping techniques to divert mirids from berry crops.
Controlling weeds that act as an alternative host can help reduce mirid populations and their damage. Potential host weeds include flowering brassicas (for example wild mustard), fat hen, wild sunflower, thistles, marshmallow, wild beans and verbena.
Some research recommends the planting of native plant species that are hosts to generalist natural predators. This promotes predator habitat and has the added benefit of reducing the area potentially occupied by mirid host plants.
There are currently no commercially available biological control methods for mirids in berry crops. Some generalist predators have been observed to prey on mirids, including pacific damsel bugs, big-eyed bugs, predatory shield bugs, spiders, assassin bugs, and tiger beetles (night stalkers).
Chemical management is the most common method of controlling mirids in berry crops and can be very effective at managing populations. However, chemicals for mirids can disrupt existing biological programs in place for other pests, particularly predator establishment for two-spotted spider mites and western flower thrips.
Always consider your overall Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program before spraying for mirids. Re-establishing these biological programs can be time consuming and costly, and it can be increasingly difficult to control pests in the following weeks and months while you work to re-establish predator populations.
Table 1 shows the current registered or permitted chemicals for green mirid in Australia.
Cappadona, J.K, Miles, M.M.,Hereward, J.P., Walter, G.H. (2018) Invasion of Green Mirids (Creontiades dilutus)(Stal) (Hemiptera:Miridae) into cotton – perceptions of Australian crop consultants. Agricultural Systems, 166, pages 70-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2018.07.017
Cotton Research and Development Corporation. (2024) 2024-25 Cotton Pest Management Guide. https://www.greenmountpress.com.au/read/141#1
Hill, L. (2017) Migration of green mirid, Creontiades dilutus (Stål) and residence of potato bug, Closterotomus norwegicus (Gmelin) in Tasmania (Hemiptera: Miridae: Mirinae: Mirini). Crop Protection, 96, pages 211-220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2017.02.006
Khan, M.H. (2000) Aspects of the Biology, Ecology and Management of the Green Mirid, Creontiades dilutus (Stal), in Australian Cotton. PhD Thesis. University of New England. Leong, G. & Simpson, M. (2024) Berry Plant Protection Guide 2024-25. Available at https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/566349/Berry-plant-protection-guide-2025-web.pdf
McColl, S.A., Khan, M., and Umina, P.A. (2011) Review of the biology and control of Creontiades dilutes (Stål) (Hemiptera: Miridae). Australian Journal of Entomology, 50(2), pages 107-117. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-6055.2010.00800.x
Queensland Government & Grains Research & Development Corporation. (2021) Mirids and small mirid-like bugs. The Beat Sheet. https://thebeatsheet.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/SmallMiridlikeBugs-A3-April2021.pdf
This Pest Spotlight has been compiled by Sandy Shaw (Vic/SA) and Ella Roper (Tas) from the Berries Australia Berry Industry Development Team.
Shahnaz Sultana, Emily Remnant, Ron Hill and Joel Mackay, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney
Of the 100 crop varieties that provide 90% of the world’s food, 71 are pollinated by bees1. However, the recent invasion of Varroa destructor, a mite that parasitises honeybees, has led to thousands of hives to being burned, seriously impacting the livelihood of beekeepers and threatening the productivity of horticultural industries2 As part of an effective strategy to deal with this incursion, more specific and effective pesticides would be a valuable weapon. However, most pesticides currently used in agricultural applications work non-selectively against both pests and beneficial arthropods. A selective pesticide that is harmful to Varroa but safe for honeybees would therefore provide a valuable weapon in our arsenal and might also be a starting point for the development of pesticides that target other harmful mites.
In order to design pesticides that display significant selectivity, a target-based approach can be employed. This strategy leverages protein biochemistry, genomics, structural biology, toxicology and chemistry to identify molecules that interact with specific biological targets. In this context, a hormone binding protein in the Varroa mite known as the ecdysone receptor protein is a promising target for pesticide development. This protein interacts with the pest hormone ecdysone to regulate mite development, reproduction and behaviour3. Disruption of this interaction by designed chemicals would significantly impair mite development and reproduction4, meaning that such chemicals could be potent pesticide candidates.
Also, because this receptor is absent from vertebrates and is also subtly different between insects, chemicals targeting this receptor would be safe for farm workers, consumers and also beneficial insects such as honeybees. Such chemicals can also be applied in conjunction with current insecticides to improve potency and reduce the development of resistance.
Our research at The University of Sydney, led by Prof Joel Mackay, Prof Ron Hill and Dr Emily Remnant and funded by Hort Innovation and a generous philanthropic donation, aims to develop such a selective insecticide.
Already, we have made considerable progress on this quest. We have identified and purified significant quantities of the Varroa ecdysone receptor protein and also the corresponding protein from the honeybee through a laboratory-based protein production process. We have used an array of experimental methods to demonstrate that these lab-generated receptor proteins can interact with the ecdysone hormone and can therefore be used as targets for pesticide development.
With our target in hand, we have recently commenced the search for chemicals that can hit that target. Our strategy is to search collections of thousands of commercially available chemicals to find that needle in the haystack – a chemical that potently interferes with the Varroa ecdysone receptor but does not interfere with the equivalent target in the honeybee (and so is safe for our beloved pollinators Figure 1).
Excitingly, we have already discovered several ‘hits’ –chemicals that are starting points on that journey. Time will tell whether these starting points can be honed to yield our holy grail: a pesticide that can be deployed against Varroa without harming honeybees.
Concurrently, we are using this strategy to target another pollinator pest – the small hive beetle. To date, we have already purified and characterised the hormone receptor protein from the beetle and are on track to follow in the footsteps of our Varroa work. We hope that this new approach to pesticide design offers a competitive route to the identification of safer, more selective and environmentally friendly agents for the control of insect and arachnid pests, thereby helping to protect global agricultural systems.
Development of Ecofriendly Selective Pesticides to Safeguard Honeybees is funded by the Hort Frontiers strategic partnership initiative developed by Hort Innovation, with co-investment from the University of Sydney and contributions from the Australian Government.
FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN CONTACT:
Emily Remnant emily.remnant@sydney.edu.au
Professor Joel Mackay joel.mackay@sydney.edu.au
Research updates also appear on Joel’s lab website: mackaymatthewslab.org/wp/research
1 Nabhan, G. P., & Buchmann, S. L. (1997). Services provided by pollinators. Nature's Services: societal dependence on natural ecosystems, 133-150.
2 Goulson D, Nicholls E, Botías C, & Rotheray EL (2015) Bee declines driven by combined stress from parasites, pesticides, and lack of flowers. Science. 347(6229):1255957.
3 Jack CJ, Kleckner K, Demares F, Rault LC, Anderson TD, Carlier PR, Bloomquist JR & Ellis JD (2022) Testing new compounds for efficacy against Varroa destructor and safety to honeybees (Apis mellifera). Pest Manag Sci. 78(1):159-165.
4 Hamaidia, K., & Soltani, N. (2016). Ovicidal activity of an insect growth disruptor (methoxyfenozide) against Culex pipiens L. and delayed effect on development. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 4(4).
Gaius Leong, Berry Industry Development Officer, NSW Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development
Agriculture plastics on polytunnels (polytunnel film) have been used to enhance crop production by optimising growing conditions such as warmer temperatures, higher humidity, enhanced light levels and protection from wet weather events.
The use of polytunnels in berry production has increased significantly in recent years, driven by the need for improved fruit quality and greater production consistency. With this shift comes a corresponding rise in plastic use, prompting a critical question for the industry: how can we enhance the durability and service life of the plastic materials to minimise environmental impact and reduce waste?
Mould, microbial growth, and surface soiling are key factors that reduce light transmittance through polytunnel films, impairing photosynthetic efficiency and accelerating film degradation through discolouration and staining. Given the critical role of light in protected cropping systems, such deterioration often results in early disposal and without the option of viable recycling pathways, the plastic all ends up in landfill. In response, recent strategies have emerged to extend the plastic lifespan, including the integration of anti-fungal agents into the raw film materials and the adoption of regular treatment and cleaning protocols.
The use of drone technology in greenhouse and polytunnel maintenance is rapidly expanding across Australia’s agricultural sector, offering a safer, more efficient, and cost-effective alternative to conventional cleaning methods. Traditionally, the maintenance of plastic and glass roofing structures has relied on labour-intensive processes involving ladders,
scaffolding, or elevated platforms—methods that carry significant safety risks and operational inefficiencies. Drones provide a compelling solution by enabling remote, targeted cleaning that minimises labour demands and reduces occupational hazards.
Equipped with high-pressure water jets or specialised cleaning systems, drones can rapidly and uniformly clean large surface areas, including hard-to-reach sections of hothouses and tunnels. Their precision allows for targeted spot-cleaning of areas with localised algae or dirt accumulation, reducing unnecessary resource use. Advanced drone systems may also integrate imaging technologies and sensors to assess surface cleanliness, enabling data-informed maintenance decisions before and after treatment.
Incorporating AI and automated navigation capabilities, some drones can adapt in real time—modulating spray pressure or switching between cleaning tools based on surface conditions. These efficiencies contribute to extending the functional lifespan of polytunnel films by preventing light-blocking contamination and delaying degradation.
Environmental benefits are also notable. The precision of drone application reduces water and chemical use, and the predominance of electric-powered units helps lower the carbon footprint compared to fuel-based machinery.
Agricultural enterprises across Australia are beginning to adopt these technologies at scale, with several companies developing systems tailored to local conditions—for example, solutions to mitigate dust accumulation in dry climates or algae growth in highhumidity zones. As the technology matures, drones are set to play an increasingly integral role in protected cropping systems, supporting sustainable and economically viable farm management practices.
At the forefront of this technology is Daniel Sheahan from Applied Drone Technology. We got him to clean and treat the plastics of our research tunnels at Wollongbar recently and sat down with him after to have a chat about ‘all things drone’ in horticulture.
Tell us a little about yourself and Applied Drone Technology (ADT)?
My name is Daniel Sheahan, and I am the Director and Chief Remote Pilot of Applied Drone Technology (ADT). I have always been captivated by flight. After purchasing my first drone, it quickly became clear that this was more than just a hobby. Immersing myself in the world of remote aviation, I recognised the vast potential drone technology offers across a range of industries. This passion led to the creation of Applied Drone Technology in 2018, a fully certified, licensed, and insured RPAS/UAS/ UAVservice provider based in South-East Queensland.
Since 2019, ADT has been at the forefront of aerial whitewashing, mould prevention, and cleaning treatments for protected cropping, specifically greenhouses and glasshouses. Our proven track record of delivering cost and time savings for large commercial nurseries in South-East Queensland and Northern NSW highlights the value of our very specialised services.
As a ‘supply and apply’ provider of greenhouse whitewash coatings, we continue to lead in maintaining protected cropping facilities. Recently featured in Soilless Australia magazine, ADT's services are revolutionising facility maintenance in the protected cropping sector.
We specialise in a wide variety of aerial services, from agriculture (including aerial spraying, seeding, baiting and painting) to large-scale inspection and mapping projects for energy providers. We have extensive Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) licensing across various drone weight classes, allowing us to meet the diverse needs of our clients.
We place great emphasis on understanding our customers' goals to deliver a tailored and professional service. We have a trusted network of skilled operators and have established successful partnerships with major facility management companies, working within complex and restricted environments such as correctional facilities, rail, retail, and government sites.
Before we even attend site, an internal pre-flight approval process takes place for each location to comply with CASA regulations. Each site is checked for suitable airspace, and a general risk assessment is completed using available satellite imagery. After each job has been deemed suitable for drone operations, we complete a walk around at each facility looking for obstacles and any points of interest before any flying begins.
One of the most important parts of any autonomous drone flying is the mapping portion. Mapping can be completed in a variety of ways; however the common objective is to record the boundary points of the area to be sprayed, this creates an autonomous flight map that the drone operates within.
With the map created the flight parameters are entered in (height, speed, application rate, droplet size, swath or row width), and the drone is now ready to fly.
We then need to mix the product to be sprayed onto the roofs, whether it is paint or a reflective coating, paint remover or a biocide to treat mould, moss, lichen or any organic growth.
Our drone trailers carry 1000L of fresh water and a 160L batching plant. Our current drones can carry 40L of liquid which means we get 4 tanks from a batch of mixed product. Each 40L tank is sprayed and emptied within 5-8 minutes then the drone autonomously returns to its home point and lands where the crew immediately swap out the batteries and refill the drone tanks. Within 60 seconds the drone is back in the air, and it returns to the point of the roof where it previously ran out of liquid and continues spraying. This process is repeated for every flight until the map is complete. We can comfortably cover 50,000m2 (5ha) of roofs per day with one drone.
The drone features on board intelligence which enables it to map the area to be treated and then deliver the treatment with precision. Photo credit: Applied Drone Technology
After talking with several large berry growers on the East coast of Australia, it is understood that the expected life cycle of the plastic roofs is around 5-7 years with no existing efforts or methods of prolonging the lifecycle. This is generally due to the plastic itself degrading and the loss of light penetration due to organic matter growth build up on the roofs.
While the full extent to which polytunnel plastics can be preserved through cleaning and treatment remains under investigation, early application of suitable biocidal agents appears to offer significant benefits. When applied to new films, biocides can substantially inhibit the establishment of organic contaminants such as mould, moss, lichen, and algae—key contributors to surface degradation and reduced light transmittance.
Most commercial biocidal treatments provide an effective protection window of 12 to 18 months. With ongoing, scheduled applications throughout the typical 5–7-year service life of polytunnel films, there is strong potential to maintain film clarity and function well beyond the standard lifespan. This suggests that, with the right management protocols, the effective longevity of agricultural plastics could be extended considerably—possibly indefinitely—delaying replacement and reducing environmental impact.
Extending the lifespan of polytunnel plastics is not the sole benefit of aerial cleaning treatments. By regularly removing organic build-up, these treatments help maintain higher and more consistent levels of light transmittance throughout the life of the film. This enhanced light stability supports more uniform growing conditions, which can contribute to improved crop consistency and greater predictability in yield outcomes.
If you’d like to see the drone in action, watch our short video guide at bit.ly/Drone-Clean or scan the QR code
Stay tuned for a potential demonstration and follow-up article later this year, showcasing polytunnel film treatment on the Mid North Coast and the impact it may have on film performance.
Dr Agnieszka Orzel
Dr Agnieszka Orzel is a leading expert in agricultural research and innovation, specialising in sustainable farming practices and crop management strategies. With a PhD in Plant Science and over a decade of experience in the field, Dr Orzel has worked extensively with growers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to develop cutting-edge solutions that improve productivity and environmental sustainability.
You can watch Agnieszka’s talk by visiting bit.ly/BQI25-AO or by scanning this QR code
At BQI25 in Tasmania, Dr. Agnieszka Orzeł, owner of Dr. Berry and an experienced raspberry and blackberry breeder, posed a thought-provoking question to the audience: Is it possible to develop a single raspberry variety capable of thriving across vastly different climatic conditions worldwide?
This is a challenge that growers, breeders, and researchers have faced for decades. Raspberries –seemingly delicate fruits that favour temperate climates – can, in fact, cross both geographical and climatic boundaries. However, as Dr. Orzeł emphasised, the key to success lies in understanding plant biology, genetics, and local environmental conditions.
Poland is rapidly becoming a hub of innovation in raspberry breeding. As one of the largest raspberry producers in Europe, the country cultivated 22,000 hectares of raspberries in 2024, yielding 110,000 tonnes of fruit. The leading region is Lublin Voivodeship, which accounts for 71% of the national raspberry supply, with over 15,000 hectares of plantations.
Where do these raspberries go? Approximately:
• 46% are frozen
• 28% processed into concentrates
• 8% are exported
• The remainder supplies the fresh domestic market
This diversity in market channels drives the need for a range of production systems and raspberry varieties –from traditional floricane summer varieties to modern primocane types capable of producing two crops per season.
One of the greatest strengths of the Polish raspberry sector is its varietal diversity. Leading varieties include:
• Delniwa (27.1% market share)
• Glen Ample (22.3%)
• Polka and Polonez (12-13%)
Each of these cultivars was bred with specific climatic and production requirements in mind. But the question remains: Can a single, universal variety perform equally well in the cool climates of Poland and the hot sun of Australia or Central Asia?
Raspberry breeding in Poland is not only a continuation of a rich tradition but also a dynamic response to global market demands and climate change. The country has operated intensive breeding programs for decades, beginning with the National Raspberry Breeding Program, initiated in 1979, and continuing today across public and private institutions.
Notable outcomes of these programs include worldrenowned varieties such as:
• global bestseller Polka
• Polonez
• Przehyba
Each is tailored to specific climatic conditions and grower needs.
In parallel, private breeding initiatives have flourished, including the work of Dr. Agnieszka Orzeł, who since 2012 has led private projects (initially in collaboration with Niwa Berry Breeding and now independently at Dr. Berry). Over this time, she has completed over 4,300 Rubus crossings and submitted 15 new raspberry and blackberry varieties for official testing.
Her portfolio includes not only classic red raspberries but also unique coloured cultivars and primocane blackberries (such as Maryna, currently under trial in Australia):
• Delniwa – red, everbearing (primocane)
• Husaria – deep red, double-cropping, under trial in Australia
• Promyk – yellow, ideal for fresh markets and freeze-drying
• Jantar – golden
• Heban and Megan – black raspberries, with Megan being one of the first everbearing black raspberries in Europe
This palette of colours and nutritional profiles reflects rising consumer interest in superfoods and healthenhancing produce.
One of Dr. Orzeł’s most promising achievements is the Delniwa variety. This red primocane raspberry adapts exceptionally well to diverse climatic zones:
• the cool conditions of Poland
• temperate Western Europe
• the extreme heat of Uzbekistan and Australia
In Uzbekistan, where summer temperatures reach 50°C, Delniwa not only survives but produces highquality fruit. Trials conducted in Massachusetts (USA) and Brisbane (Australia) confirm the variety’s adaptability. Currently, Delniwa is undergoing quarantine procedures in Australia prior to local trials.
Key features of Delniwa include:
• high disease resistance
• self-pollination capability
• consistent fruit quality under high temperatures
• adaptability to different production systems (open field, tunnels, mechanical harvesting)
Dr. Orzeł emphasised that successful raspberry cultivation across different climates relies not only on genetics but also on a deep understanding of flowering and pollination biology.
Her research highlights that:
• The optimal temperature for raspberry flowering and fertilisation is 20-25°C
• Temperatures above this range significantly reduce pollen viability
• Pollinators such as bees and bumblebees can increase fertilisation rates from 2% to up to 80%
In high-temperature conditions where pollinators are scarce, traditional varieties suffer from low yields. However, Delniwa, as a self-pollinating variety, does not depend on insect pollination, making it ideal for challenging environments with limited pollinator populations.
Moreover, Delniwa’s fertilisation process completes within four days of flowering, ensuring high fruit set efficiency, even in extreme heat.
During her lecture, Dr. Orzeł outlined the key differences between floricane and primocane varieties:
• Floricane – fruit on two-year-old canes, require winter chilling and are more sensitive to climatic variability
• Primocane – fruit on first-year canes, eliminating the need for winter chilling, making them ideal for warmer regions
This flexibility enables growers to adapt cultivar selection to local environmental conditions. At Dr. Berry, the focus is on primocane breeding, given their superior potential for climate resilience.
The ongoing climate crisis presents significant challenges for fruit growers globally, including:
• droughts
• heatwaves
• shifting water availability
To address these issues, Dr. Orzeł advocates for:
• breeding for resilience
• microclimate management (e.g., shading, drip irrigation)
• mechanisation of harvesting to combat rising labour costs
At Dr. Berry, breeding programs focus on cultivars with:
• high drought tolerance
• stable fruit quality under heat stress
• compatibility with mechanical harvesting
These traits are essential for ensuring sustainable production in a rapidly changing world.
Breeding climate-adaptable varieties is only one aspect of Dr. Berry's mission. The brand is also deeply committed to education and promoting healthy dietary habits. Initiatives like ‘Super Girls Eat Raspberries’ and ‘Berry Education’ aim to raise awareness of raspberries’ nutritional benefits and their role in preventing lifestyle diseases.
The diverse colour spectrum of raspberries – red, yellow, golden, black – is not just visually appealing but also represents a range of bioactive compounds that support human health.
By combining innovation in breeding with educational outreach, Dr. Berry is helping to shape the future of sustainable berry production worldwide.
Lena Alice Schmidt, Jelena Preradovic, Abby Davis, Romina Rader –School of Environmental and Rural Sciences, University of New England
Jessie Moyses, Ayesha Tulloch – School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology. Cameron Spurr, Raylea Rowbottom – seedPurity Pty Ltd, Marie-France Courtois, Brad Hocking, Bar Shermeister – Costa Group Exchange
• Pollinators depend on diverse habitats, including nesting and breeding sites, to support their life cycle
• Integrating habitat features such as floral strips and nesting sites can promote pollinator populations
• Strategic habitat management that fosters a diverse community of pollinators and natural enemies can enhance ecosystem services and boost overall farm productivity and resilience
Pollinators require more than just the one type of crop flower they help pollinate; they depend on a variety of flowers for nectar and pollen, as well as places to nest and reproduce. However, intensively managed agricultural landscapes often lack natural vegetation, leaving fewer resources for vital beneficial insects. Wild insect flower visitors, such as bees and flies, are important contributors to berry crop pollination, but their specific habitat needs within cropping systems are not fully understood. Different insect species require distinct resources throughout their life cycles, particularly during their larval stages. By providing both nesting and breeding spaces for these beneficial insects, growers can enhance pollination services, support crop yields and promote biodiversity.
In high-intensity horticultural systems, integrating both floral and non-floral habitat features into the landscape offers a cost-effective approach to support pollinators at every stage of their development.
One strategy gaining traction is the use of interrow floral strips – planting flowering species between crop rows to provide food and habitat for beneficial insects. By carefully selecting plant species, growers can attract a diverse range of pollinators and pest-controlling insects, potentially improving fruit set, quality and overall farm biodiversity.
While the benefits of floral strips have been studied in cooler climates, their effects in Australia’s warm, humid berry-growing region on the NSW Mid North Coast are still being explored. A current study is testing how different interrow plant mixes influence both insect populations and blueberry production. After the first season, early results show that:
• The sown plant mixes established well and tolerated mowing
• More insect flower visitors, including pollinators and beneficial natural enemies, were observed in interrows with the sown plant mixes (treatment sites), compared to control interrows managed with standard practices such as grass
• Blueberry fruit weight and seed counts varied across treatments, with further data collection underway to assess long-term effects
With a second season of monitoring in progress, this research is providing valuable insights into the potential co-benefits of floral plantings for biodiversity and crop production.
Another approach to support pollinators is by providing supplementary nesting substrates. ‘Bee hotels’ have been widely used in Europe and North America to offer nesting sites for solitary bees, which do not form hives like honeybees but instead nest in hollow stems, wood, or soil. However, different species have varying preferences for nesting.
A study on the Coffs Coast, NSW, is testing different nesting substrates for native bees:
• Wooden stalks attract carpenter bees
• Mud bricks provide shelter for leafcutter bees, wasps and flies – some of which also deliver pest control services
• Bundled Rubus canes, known to support native bees in other Rubus systems, appear to be more commonly used by spiders on the Coffs Coast
These findings highlight the importance of tailoring supplementary nesting resources to suit local bee and other insect species and environmental conditions to maximise their conservation value and ecosystem service benefits in agricultural landscapes.
While bees are traditionally regarded as the primary pollinators, flies also play a critical role in pollination. Hoverflies, for example, visit berry flowers and can complement the pollination work of bees. Preliminary research trials have indicated that some species are suitable as managed pollinators, such as Eristalis tenax. This species appears to perform well on Rubus crops on the NSW Mid North Coast and in Tasmania. However, flies have different habitat needs to bees, particularly during their larval stages. To explore ways to support fly populations in horticultural settings, habitat pools – small water sources containing plant material – were tested as breeding sites in the Coffs Harbour region:
• Australian native fly species Eristalinus punctulatus and Austalis copiosa, along with the European drone fly Eristalis tenax, used the pools for egg-laying
• Independently of the oviposition observations, adults of the same species were recorded foraging on blackberry and raspberry flowers, suggesting their role in pollination
These findings underscore the importance of considering the full life cycle of pollinators, including habitat features that support larval development, to enhance fly populations and their pollination services in agricultural systems.
A low-cost, effective approach to enhancing pollination services is by utilising existing natural resources to create habitat on farms. Organic byproducts from pruning, weeding and harvesting can be repurposed to support pollinators and other beneficial insects. While trials are proving promising, we still need to better understand and mitigate any possible risks of plant or other pathogen transfer if plant material is retained. This work is still in progress:
• Woody material and soil can serve as nesting sites for bees
• Organic waste and vegetation pools provide egglaying sites for flies
• Designated habitat patches can help maintain diverse wild insect populations while complementing managed honeybee pollination
For growers, this all points to a simple but powerful idea: by taking a holistic approach to pollinator management – considering the diverse needs of bees, flies and other beneficial insects – you can build stronger, more productive and environmentally sustainable agroecosystems.
Many of the same habitat features that support pollinators, such as floral strips, nesting resources and habitat pools, also provide valuable resources for a broader range of beneficial insects, including predators and parasitoids that aid in natural pest control. By fostering both pollinator and natural enemy diversity, such strategies can enhance integrated pest and pollinator management (IPPM), reducing reliance on chemical pest control. These measures not only improve farm productivity but also boost biodiversity and resilience, promoting more sustainable and robust berry production systems.
This research is part of the Expansion of Flies as Berry and Cucurbit Crop Pollinators (MT22007) project. This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the raspberry, blackberry, blueberry and vegetable research and development levies, and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture. Further funding was awarded as part of Australian Research Council Future Fellowships to Romina Rader (FT210100851) and Ayesha Tulloch (FT210100655). The research is additionally supported by Future Food Systems CRC, Holsworth Research Endowment, Jill Landsberg Applied Ecology Award and the Conservation and Wildlife Research Trust.
We thank the berry growers who allowed us to use their crops for this research. We acknowledge the Gumbaynggirr people as the traditional owners of the land this research was conducted on and pay respect to Gumbaynggirr Elders past, present and future.
Blake M Dawson, Nikolas P Johnston, Stephanie Cerato, Raylea Rowbottom, Cameron Spurr, Abby Davis, Romina Rader (2025). Adding non-floral resources increases wild insect abundance but not yield in Australian hybrid carrot crops. Basic and Applied Ecology, Volume 84, 21-28, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2025.01.007.
Ulrika Samnegård, Jeremy Jones, Karen CBS Santos, Emma Goodwin, Maurizio Rocchetti, Romina Rader (2024). Industry needs matter – Incorporating stakeholder interests in the selection of flower resources to support pollinators. Ecological Solutions and Evidence, Volume 5, Issue 3, e12383, https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12383
Abby E Davis, Lena A Schmidt, Karen CBS Santos, Lucie Martin, Samantha Harrington, Maurizio Rocchetti, Brad Hocking, Derek Wright, Cameron Spurr, David Cook, Romina Rader (2023). The golden native drone fly (Eristalinus punctulatus) is an effective hybrid carrot pollinator that lives within Australian crop agroecosystems. Ecological Solutions and Evidence, Volume 4, Issue 4, e12290, https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12290
Abby E Davis, Lena A Schmidt, Samantha Harrington, Cameron Spurr, Romina Rader (2023). Provisioning Australian seed carrot agroecosystems with non-floral habitat provides oviposition sites for crop-pollinating Diptera. Insects, Volume 14, Issue 5, 439, https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14050439.
Gaius Leong, Berry Industry Development Manager, NSW DPIRD
Mountain Blue has just announced the release of its first blackberry variety, currently known as ‘Nebula’; a high-performing cultivar with a pleasing flavour and large size that is now ready for commercial production. After numerous years of research and development, this variety is starting to generate a buzz across the global berry industry for its impressive yields, great taste and grower-friendly traits.
‘Nebula’s stellar traits
Growth Habit
Semi-erect plant habit with shorter internodes can make this plant look compact and “bushy”, but given a full growing season, it will fill any trellis. The shorter internode spacing, in addition to a ready ability to branch, creates lots of potential fruiting sites.
Production Timing
Low chill, early season floricane variety producing fruit in mid-October to late November in Northern NSW and December to mid-January in Tasmania.
Yield
Consistently high-yielding floricane variety producing in excess of 35t/ha over multiple years.
Flavour Profile
Sweet and juicy with a reduced acid profile to please most palates (Brix as high as 13, averaging 10-11 across numerous seasons and trial sites).
Excellent firmness and post-harvest durability with minimal to no red reversion.
It’s not just about performance in the field as the Nebula berry shines in the punnet too. With an impressive average berry length of 4 cm and an average weight just under 10 grams, this variety’s large size and glossy skin will make it visually striking to consumers. Combined with its well-balanced flavour, it offers a premium eating experience that aligns with the growing demand for high-quality blackberries.
With its large size, high yield, pleasing flavour and strong shelf life, this variety delivers a wow factor for growers, consumers and retailers alike, says Damien Clothier, Rubus Research and Development Manager at Mountain Blue.
Initial trials have drawn strong interest from berry growers and marketers domestically and the variety is starting to draw attention internationally. With its commercial strength and consumer appeal, this variety is on its way to becoming a fixture in the global blackberry market.
Mountain Blue’s newest release is a clear example of the company’s ongoing commitment to breeding excellence. From Eureka Blueberries to this potentially game-changing blackberry, Mountain Blue continues to deliver innovation that drives the berry category forward.
Growers interested in trial or commercial planting of Nebula are encouraged to contact the Mountain Blue team for licensing information.
Visit www.mountainblue.com.au/mountain-blue-genetics and complete the enquiry form.
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Nghiên cứu về sự kháng
Helen Newman, Cán bộ Phát triển Ngành Quả Mọng, Ủy ban Sản Xuất Nông Nghiệp Tây Úc
Lincoln Harper (Cán bộ Nghiên cứu) & Nirmala Sharma (Nghiên cứu sinh Tiến sĩ), Trung tâm Quản lý Cây trồng và Dịch hại, Trường Khoa học Phân tử và Đời sống, Đại học Curtin
Botrytis cinerea (mốc xám) có phạm vi vật chủ rộng, ảnh hưởng đến hơn 1400 loài thực vật trên toàn thế giới. Nó rất dễ phát triển khả năng kháng thuốc trị nấm do tính đa dạng di truyền và khả năng tạo ra một lượng lớn bào tử trong vòng đời ngắn. Sự phổ biến và việc sử dụng liên tục thuốc trị nấm để kiểm soát Botrytis trên các loại trái cây và rau củ chính khiến nguy cơ phát triển kháng thuốc càng cao.
Trong năm 2021 và 2022, các nhà nghiên cứu tại Trung tâm
Quản lý Cây trồng và Dịch hại của Đại học Curtin, Tây Úc
đã phân tích đặc điểm kháng thuốc trị nấm của Botrytis
được phân lập từ quả mọng thu thập tại các nhà bán lẻ
ở Perth và cây giống dâu tây từ Victoria và Queensland.
Tổng cộng 307 mẫu nấm Botrytis đã được tách chiết từ các mẫu thu thập. Trong số đó, có 45 kiểu hình khác
nhau được xác định – phản ánh sự đa dạng di truyền cao của loài nấm bệnh này.
Các mẫu Botrytis được thử nghiệm mức độ kháng đối với các thuốc trị nấm được liệt kê trong Bảng 1.
Kiểu hình: Trong di truyền học, kiểu hình là tập hợp các đặc điểm hoặc tính trạng quan sát được của một cá thể. Thuật ngữ này bao gồm hình thái cá thể (hình dạng và cấu trúc vật lý), quá trình phát triển, các đặc tính sinh hóa và sinh lý, hành vi và sản phẩm của hành vi. Kiểu hình của cá thể là kết quả của hai yếu tố cơ bản: biểu hiện của mã di truyền (kiểu gen) và ảnh hưởng của các yếu tố môi trường. Bảng 1. Các mẫu Botrytis được thử
Carbendazim Group 1
Iprodione
Tebuconazole
Boscalid
Pyrimethanil
Azoxystrobin
Fludioxonil
Fenhexamid
Các mẫu có biểu
phép sử dụng trên dâu tây và Rubus
Group 2 Phúc bồn tử, Việt quất, Dâu tây
Group 3 Dâu tây
Group 7 Phúc bồn tử, Mâm xôi, Việt quất
Group 9 Phúc bồn tử, Mâm xôi, Việt quất, Dâu tây
Group 11 Phúc bồn tử, Mâm xôi, Việt quất
Group 12 Phúc bồn tử, Mâm xôi, Việt quất, Dâu tây
Group 17 Phúc bồn tử, Mâm xôi, Việt quất, Dâu tây
Bảng 2 trình bày số lượng mẫu nấm Botrytis được thu thập từ các loại quả mọng và cây giống trong suốt hai năm nghiên cứu. Tỷ lệ kháng thuốc trị nấm được phát hiện trong các mẫu thuộc từng nhóm quả mọng cũng
được thể hiện. Tỷ lệ kháng 100% có nghĩa là khả năng
kháng ít nhất một trong các loại thuốc trị nấm được thử nghiệm đã được tìm thấy ở tất cả (100%) các mẫu.
Hơn 200 mẫu Botrytis từ dâu tây trồng theo phương pháp thông thường đã được thu thập trong nghiên cứu này, do đó dữ liệu từ nhóm này có độ tin cậy cao hơn. Ít mẫu hơn được thu thập từ các loại quả mọng khác, vì vậy bài viết này tập trung vào kết quả từ nhóm dâu tây trong thí nghiệm.
Dâu tây trồng thông thường có mức độ kháng thuốc rất cao với thuốc trị nấm nhóm 9, 11, 2, 17; và mức độ kháng cao với thuốc trị nấm nhóm 7 và 1.
Mức độ kháng với Nhóm 3 và Nhóm 12 là thấp. 99% mẫu kháng được thử nghiệm có khả năng kháng hơn một loại thuốc trị nấm; 88% kháng từ 5 đến 7 loại thuốc trị nấm được thử nghiệm.
Dâu tây trồng hữu cơ có mức độ kháng thuốc từ cao
đến trung bình đối với thuốc trị nấm nhóm 9, 11, 2 , và 17; và mức độ kháng trung bình đến thấp đối với thuốc trị nấm nhóm 1, 7, 12 và 3. 70% mẫu kháng được thử nghiệm có khả năng kháng hơn một loại thuốc trị nấm; 66% kháng từ 2 đến 6 loại thuốc trị nấm được thử nghiệm.
Cây giống dâu tây có mức độ kháng thuốc từ cao đến trung bình đối với Nhóm 11 và 3; và mức độ kháng thuốc thấp đối với Nhóm 7, 11 và 2. Không ghi nhận tình trạng kháng thuốc đối với Nhóm 9, 12 và 17. 38% các
mẫu kháng được thử nghiệm có khả năng kháng hơn một loại thuốc trị nấm.
Trong nghiên cứu này, khả năng kháng Nhóm 12 thấp, phù hợp với các nghiên cứu khác. Khả năng sống sót liên quan đến kháng Nhóm 12 có thể góp phần vào
tỷ lệ kháng thuốc thấp đối với loại thuốc trị nấm này. Các mẫu kháng thuốc cao được tìm thấy trong nghiên cứu này có khả năng sinh bào tử rất kém, điều này có thể hạn chế khả năng sinh sôi của chúng trên đồng ruộng khi cạnh tranh với các mẫu sinh bào tử cao nhạy cảm với Nhóm 12 hoặc ít kháng thuốc hơn.
Tỷ lệ kháng được quan sát thấy đối với Nhóm 7 nằm trong phạm vi được ghi nhận từ các nghiên cứu khác. Chưa rõ khả năng sống sót liên quan đến kháng thuốc có thể ảnh hưởng đến tỷ lệ kháng với Nhóm 7 hay không.
Tỷ lệ kháng rất cao đối với Nhóm 2, Nhóm 9, Nhóm 11 và Nhóm 17. Áp lực chọn lọc cao dường như đã vượt qua khả năng sống sót liên quan đến kháng đối với các loại thuốc trị nấm này.
Các mẫu kháng được tìm thấy trên các trái hữu cơ hoặc các loại cây trồng mà hóa chất hoặc Nhóm không được đăng ký có thể là kết quả của:
• Sự phát tán qua gió của các mẫu kháng thuốc từ các loại cây trồng dễ bị bệnh botrytis khác (ví dụ như nho và cây rau)
• Qua tiếp xúc vật lý của các bào tử kháng thuốc trong quá trình thu hoạch hoặc sau thu hoạch (vệ sinh kém)
• Sự tồn tại của các mẫu kháng từ các phương pháp quản lý thông thường trước đây hoặc các loại hóa chất đã từng được đăng ký/được phép trước đó
• Sự kháng thuốc do các hóa chất khác (có khả năng là đã được đăng ký) trong cùng một Nhóm gây ra
•
• Để biết thêm thông tin về nghiên cứu này, vui lòng liên hệ với Phó Giáo sư, Tiến sĩ Fran Lopez Ruiz, Trung tâm Quản lý Cây trồng và Dịch hại, Đại học Curtin, Perth, Tây Úc: fran.lopezruiz@curtin.edu.au
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In the cool-climate region of Ouse, Tasmania, Jack and Lisa Beattie are redefining strawberry propagation. What began as a bold shift from dairy farming has evolved into one of Australia’s most advanced strawberry nurseries—producing up to 10 million plants annually and supplying growers across the country.
At the heart of their propagation success is a powerful combination of precision farming, proprietary genetics, and premium growing media, particularly the use of Botanicoir’s high-performance coir grow bags. The Beatties operate a dual system: traditional bare root field production and an advanced plug plant program. The farm’s plug plant production has seen rapid growth.
It’s our second season growing plug plants and the sector is growing at an alarming rate; our sales are expanding at 400% compounded per annum, says Jack.
The farm cultivates 16 strawberry varieties, including many proprietary types protected by breeding companies with intellectual property rights. These high-performing varieties are in demand across the country, with the farm helping to meet the increasing appetite for top-quality plants. Misted tips are established in Botanicoir’s Precision Plus coir grow bags, before being transferred to plug trays for hardening off. This process ensures strong, uniform plants ready for national distribution.
We’ve had fantastic results with the Botanicoir growing media, for example, one of the proprietary varieties yielded 750 tips per bag and you don’t do that without having good material, says Jack
Next season, the farm plans to transition to Botanicoir’s Precision Plus Ultra (PPU) bags, designed with greater depth and faster drainage to support even better yields. Phil Badgery, substrate expert at Legro, supplies the Botanicoir products to the farm.
Jack and Lisa are setting a high benchmark. With Botanicoir, we’re delivering consistent, quality results that help unlock yield potential.
By embracing cutting-edge growing techniques, investing in premium substrates, and maintaining a commitment to sustainability, Jack and his team have grown the strawberry propagation into a thriving business. With the plug plant sector booming and proprietary varieties in high demand, the future looks bright for this Tasmanian strawberry nursery.
SATURDAY 31 MAY 2025
The Queensland Strawberry Growers Association’s annual industry dinner returned on 31 May 2025, and with it, a heartfelt celebration of the generous sponsors who make it all possible. Their support not only brings the night to life but also strengthens the Queensland strawberry industry year-round.
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Sandy Shaw, Berry Industry Development Officer, SA & Victoria
The International Society for Horticultural Science held their tenth International Strawberry Symposium (ISS) in March of 2025 in Yancheng, China with the theme of “One Strawberry One World”. Eight hundred researchers, industry figures, and marketers gathered for four days of research presentations, poster sessions, a trade show, and a one-day technical tour. It was a chance for the global industry to present ideas, compare notes, and stimulate research discussion and collaboration. This article will recap some of the common themes which emerged from the presentations at the conference.
The host city Yancheng is located in Jiangsu province, the leading region in China for strawberry cultivation, with over 20,000 hectares planted. Jiangsu also accounts for 14.5% of the country's total strawberry tonnage, second only to Shandong province.
China is the world’s largest producer of strawberries, yielding nearly 4 million tons annually from approximately 147,000 hectares. The industry is largely dominated by short-day cultivars, with day-neutral or everbearing varieties comprising just 6.3% of the total. The most widely planted variety is the Japanese cultivar Benihoppe, followed by Lassen Canyon Nursery’s Sweet Charlie and another Japanese variety, Akihime. However, locally bred Chinese varieties are increasingly used in domestic production.
In Yancheng, most strawberries are grown under protected cropping conditions, with just 0.2% produced in open fields. Protected cropping setups primarily consist of a mix of polytunnels and glasshouses, with single-hoop polytunnels being the most common style. Unlike in Australia, where protected cropping is typically linked to substrate production, Chinese protected cropping is dominated by polytunnels over in-ground cultivation. However, the use of substrate production is steadily increasing each year, and Jiangsu is the site of the largest substrate facility in China.
Researchers at the Symposium focused on two breeding strategies: genetic loci identification and the integration of AI-assisted predictive modelling.
The research into identification of genetic loci linked to desirable traits has been ongoing for decades. Recent advancements in technology have made this process more affordable and more accessible to a wider range of research institutions. Breeding populations are now being treated as large datasets, enabling the study of genetic dominance and dosage effects across a wide range of traits.
The University of Florida, which places a strong emphasis on marker-assisted breeding, gave several presentations on this topic. Nearly every breeding program presenting at the Symposium indicated some level of active work on genetic marker identification. However, because genome populations differ, sometimes radically, between research facilities, any genetic marker identified by one program must still be independently validated within another program’s population to ensure reliability; a process that takes time and money.
Large data volumes also make strawberry breeding a prime candidate for AI-assisted analysis. Breeding programs are increasingly experimenting with integrating AI into genome-wide prediction; a technique using past genetic data to predict the traits of earlystage seedlings. By using these predictions, breeders believe they can shorten the evaluation process and accelerate their breeding timelines. This type of analysis existed prior to the popularity of AI, but has been made easier as model training becomes more refined.
Breeding and genetics featured prominently throughout the conference. Breeding programs shared a focus on familiar core traits: disease resistance, fruit quality, fruit size, and yield. However, regional priorities based on consumer preferences and growing conditions were also highlighted. For example, Chinese breeding programs place high value on genetics which influence fruit aroma while Italian programs emphasise genetic gains in enhanced nutritional profiles and Turkish researchers are investigating candidate genes for water-deficit stress tolerance. Across the board, there is growing interest in breeding for heat tolerance, reflecting both rising global temperatures and the increased use of protected tunnel cultivation, which in certain situations heightens temperature-related plant stress.
Continuing a theme from the previous ISS –communicated by Angela Atkinson in a series of 2021 Australian Berry Journal articles—wild strawberry populations continue to be collected, classified, studied and evaluated for use in commercial breeding lines.
Dr. Jiajun Lei presented an overview of his work cataloguing wild strawberry species in China. His team of researchers from Shenyang Agricultural University has collected 958 wild accessions, all housed at the germplasm repository in Shenyang. These accessions are being used to incorporate traits valuable to the Chinese market into commercial breeding lines such as strong aroma, colour variations in berries and flowers, disease resistance, and cold tolerance.
Also showcased via poster presentation was the “Professor Staudt Collection,” an international germplasm repository containing over 1,000 accessions. This collection is being meticulously characterised for floral and fruit development and serves as a breeding resource for programs in Germany and the Netherlands.
The integration of wild phenotypes remains a key area of interest to top breeding programs. Such efforts have historically yielded major breakthroughs—for example, the integration of a wild phenotype into UC Davis breeding lines led to the discovery of day-neutrality, a trait common in many of the cultivars used in temperate Australian production today. Or more recently, the majority of white-fruit cultivars under development trace back to a single wild Chilean phenotype. Wild strawberries remain potential sources of genetic gains which can benefit commercial producers.
Dr. Jiajun Lei presenting on his research into wild strawberry population characteristics in China
Ornamental pink-flower strawberry, developed for the Chinese market
Demonstration of an experimental hyperspectral imaging machine for berry grading and sorting
Delegates tour a variety demonstration greenhouse on the technical tour day in Yancheng
Nearly every breeding program present at the Symposium noted work on developing white or blush strawberry varieties for the commercial market. The Australian strawberry breeding program drew significant attention as one of the few programs to be actively developing everbearing/day-neutral varieties for commercial release.
The increasingly widespread availability of novelty varieties has already had an impact in Chinese strawberry marketing, where novelty varieties are being effectively used in retail displays and as high-value gift products.
F1 hybrid seeds remain a niche area of exploration, particularly in Japanese and Dutch programs. Presentations highlighted efforts to accelerate the traditionally slow process of developing F1 varieties by using DNA analysis to identify parent plants with high homozygosity, reducing the likelihood of producing seed off-types.
Pest and disease research remains a top priority globally and featured prominently in the Symposium’s programming. Presentations covered key pathogens affecting strawberry production, including Colletotrichum, Botrytis, Phytophthora, and Fusarium
The most attention was given to Neopestalotiopsis, an emerging global threat to production.
Much of the work presented focused on identifying and isolating genetic loci and genetic mechanisms which underpin resistance that can be integrated into breeding pipelines. Chinese researcher Dr. Yongchao Han presented a genome-wide association study (GWAS) that identified six candidate genes potentially linked to Colletotrichum resistance. Similarly, Dr. Hongwen Li’s team shared findings on molecular markers associated with resistance to powdery mildew. University of Florida researcher Dr. Seonghee Lee highlighted two susceptibility genes they believe influence resistance to Neopestalotiopsis, although this area remains in early stages of discovery. Genetic disease resistance is useful and valuable in a variety, but it is unlikely to provide complete protection again high disease pressure.
Dr. Silvia Sabbadini presented an innovative approach to Botrytis management. Her research focused on using RNA interference (RNAi) to manipulate RNA and silence the expression of undesirable genes. This method is being tested both for improving plant resistance to Botrytis cinerea and in the development of RNAi-based foliar sprays. Although early trials show these sprays are currently less effective than conventional options, they represent a different take on disease management solutions.
Chill induction in plug plants was addressed in several talks. Unlike bare-root systems, which naturally incorporate chill during their production cycle, plug plant propagation can sometimes, but not always, occur in controlled environments that can inhibit chill accumulation. Several approaches to artificial chill induction were presented.
Dr. Hong Yu of the Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences highlighted a method being trialled in nursery production in Donggang, where greenhouses use blackout curtains and controlled temperature reductions to simulate shorter photoperiods and cooler conditions. Preliminary results showed a moderate improvement in floral bud differentiation after propagated plants were planted in production fields.
Other studies explored post-tipping refrigeration techniques as a means of inducing chill in plug plants. While the impact of artificial chill response of bareroot runners is well documented, there is currently no consensus on protocols for plug plants. Preliminary findings from two studies showed consistent impacts of chill treatments on plugs for both runner development in nursery and floral initiation in production fields, but further research is needed to establish best practices.
Several talks examined the potential roles of biodegradable plastic in strawberry production. Plastic mulch is still widely used for in-ground strawberry cultivation globally.
Dr. Carol Miles and Dr. Lisa DeVetter from Washington State University presented an overview of global plastic mulch use and assessed the feasibility of biodegradable options within current production systems. Their research has indicated that biodegradable mulches performed comparably to conventional plastics in terms of weed suppression, moisture retention, and soil temperature regulation. However, there are currently two significant barriers to the adoption of biodegradable mulches in Australia.
First, most currently available biodegradable plastics degrade within 18 months, making them unsuitable for growers with second-year plantings. Second, biodegradable mulches are incompatible with strip fumigation, as the fumigant readily passes through the mulch, reducing efficacy and posing serious safety concerns. Adoption in Australia would require an intandem shift toward broad-acre fumigation techniques, which may not be practical for many growers.
Water management was another focus area, with Belgium’s Proefcentrum Hoogstraten team sharing insights from recent projects. They presented a calculation tool developed for growers to estimate water storage capacity needs. The tool is based on extensive research into water consumption across different cultivation systems within Belgium. For example, their findings showed that most Belgian systems require over 800 litres per square metre annually, with tabletop and plastic hoop house systems—similar to those used in Australia—requiring slightly less. Belgian producers face strict limits on using water from reservoirs, so they focus instead on capturing and sterilising rainwater, as well as recirculating water collected from their fields.
While Belgium’s higher rainfall levels make this approach more viable than it would be for many Australian regions, the development of such planning tools remains a useful option for producers.
In addition, the team presented a study comparing traditional and sensor-based substrate irrigation strategies. Typically, substrate growers rely on two metrics—drain volume and drain EC—to guide watering decisions.
The study introduced an additional layer of data: real-time moisture and EC measurements in the root zone using in-situ sensors. Conducted during the peak summer months (July–September), the researchers aimed to maintain a minimum root-zone moisture level of 30%. Results showed that using root-zone moisture sensors allowed more accurate measurements of water use, and that water use could be reduced by up to 20% without compromising fruit yield or quality.
The 11th ISHS International Strawberry Symposium will be held in Antwerp, Belgium in 2028.
For further details about presentations or questions about the topics covered in this article, please don’t hesitate to contact Sandy Shaw at VicberryIDO@berries.net.au
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Previous articles in the Australian Berry Journal have discussed Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR), emphasising their critical role in safeguarding the intellectual property of new berry varieties, promoting innovation, ensuring fair compensation for breeders, and maintaining the integrity of the berry industry.
A recent interview held by the International Blueberry Organization (IBO) with Yolanda Huerta, Vice Secretary-General of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) provides further interesting insights into the importance of variety protection on the global stage. This article provides a summary of those insights, but interested readers can access the full article at bit.ly/IBO-UPOV
Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) in Australia are a form of intellectual property protection granted under the Plant Breeder’s Rights Act 1994. They give breeders exclusive commercial rights to new plant varieties they have developed, including the right to produce, sell, import, and export the variety. These rights typically last for up to 20 years (25 for trees and vines). To qualify, the plant must be distinct, uniform, stable, and new to commercial sale. PBR encourages innovation in plant breeding by providing legal protection and financial incentives, supporting agricultural progress and ensuring fair recognition for the breeder’s efforts.
Established in 1961 under the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) aims to promote a robust system of plant variety protection. Its core mission is to encourage the development of new plant varieties that benefit society. The UPOV Convention enables member countries to support plant breeding by granting an intellectual property right (known as the plant breeder’s right) to those who develop new plant varieties. This right helps ensure breeders are rewarded for their innovation and investment.
To date, approximately 1,387 plant variety protection titles have been granted for about 560 distinct blueberry varieties under the UPOV system based on the information provided by UPOV members.
The top three UPOV members leading in blueberry variety protection are the United States, Chile, and the European Union. Completing the top 10 are Mexico, Uruguay, Peru, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Poland.
To protect a new blueberry variety in accordance with the laws of UPOV members, the variety must meet four key criteria:
• Distinct: This refers to the variety’s ability to be distinguished from any other known variety in any country
• Uniform: The variety must be sufficiently uniform in its relevant characteristics
• Stable: The variety must remain stable in its relevant characteristics after repeated propagation
• Novel: This means that the variety has not been commercialised with the consent of the breeder beyond the grace periods
The 1991 UPOV Act is the most recent version of the UPOV Convention, strengthening the rights of plant breeders. It grants breeders exclusive control over the production, reproduction, sale, export, and import of
their protected plant varieties. plant variety protection lasts a minimum of 25 years for trees and vines, and 20 years for other plants. This period starts from the date of the grant. Since blueberries are not considered trees or vines, the protection for a new blueberry variety lasts at least 20 years. The Act also allows for the protection of essentially derived varieties and limits the use of protected varieties by others without the breeder’s permission. It covers UPOV member countries that have acceded to the 1991 Act and applies to breeders who develop new, distinct, uniform, and stable plant varieties.
Educating blueberry breeders about variety protection is vital because developing a new, successful blueberry variety can take over a decade of research and investment. Without protection, these varieties can be easily reproduced by others, making it hard for breeders to recover their costs. Plant variety protection gives breeders exclusive rights, encouraging ongoing innovation and investment in better-tasting, higheryielding, and more resilient blueberry varieties. This protection not only supports the breeders but also strengthens the entire blueberry supply chain, from growers and exporters to retailers and consumers, by ensuring access to improved, market-relevant fruit.
Farmers can sell fruit from protected blueberry varieties if the cuttings were obtained with the breeder’s permission. However, they cannot sell or share cuttings without authorisation. Breeders must allow use of protected varieties for further breeding (the “breeder’s exemption”), and private, non-commercial use like growing for household food is also permitted.
Variety protection boosts the availability of new and improved blueberry varieties by giving breeders exclusive rights, helping them recover the time and cost of development. This incentive drives innovation in traits like longer harvest windows, better heat tolerance, longer shelf life, disease resistance, and suitability for export or processing. It also supports public-private partnerships and structured models like licensed and club varieties, making high-performing blueberries more accessible while strengthening sustainable supply chains.
UPOV is committed to raising awareness of enforcement matters related to the specific nature of plant varieties and the impact of inadequate or ineffective PBR enforcement on the development of the agricultural or horticultural sectors. For example, Mountain Blue Orchards recently won a legal battle over the unauthorised propagation, production, and sale of its blueberry variety Ridley 1111.
The recent ruling in China, by which Australian-based Mountain Blue Orchards won a legal battle over the unauthorised propagation, production, and sale of its Ridley 1111 variety is an example that speaks of much of what UPOV’s mandate implies. With Chinese growers and consumers benefiting by the certainty of what this ruling implies, we should see this example as one of the reasons of why indeed we should have no doubt that plant variety protection and enforcement is a responsibility we all share.
Mario Steta Chairman of
the International Blueberry Organization
With the accession of Nigeria on March 27, 2025, UPOV now has 80 members covering 99 States. You can view the full list at https://www.upov.int/edocs/pubdocs/ en/upov_pub_423.pdf
The International Blueberry Organization (IBO) is a global alliance of blueberry producers, marketers, industry players, and affiliated associations. Its purpose is to support the sustainable growth of the blueberry sector by sharing information, promoting best practices, and fostering collaboration across the global supply chain. The IBO helps members stay informed through research, data insights, and annual summits. Membership includes national industry groups and leading companies from all major blueberry-producing regions. The IBO is funded through membership fees and sponsorships, with activities focused on improving transparency, innovation, and the long-term success of the blueberry industry worldwide.
Find out more at www.internationalblueberry.org
Dr Eveline Kong, The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
The University of Queensland and Hort Innovation are excited to announce a new PhD scholarship for a domestic student focused on an intriguing project: Impact of Nutrition on Blueberry Root Wrapping-Crown Disorder.
If you know someone who is passionate about plant physiology and working closely with industry on a significant problem, this is their chance to contribute to Australian agriculture while advancing their academic career.
This research will form an integral part of the Hort Innovation and industry-funded project ‘BB23000: Understanding the cause of blueberry root wrapping and associated root crown disorders’. The PhD project aims to uncover the role of plant nutrition on an emerging disorder that impacts root and crown structure and ultimately yield of blueberry plants.
The successful applicant must be an Australian resident or citizen. They will have a bachelor’s degree with Honours in a relevant field, or equivalent industry experience.
Where will the PhD be based?
The successful candidate will be enrolled through The University of Queensland and based at the Southern Hemisphere's leading agricultural research institute, The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI).
They will become an important part of a supportive research team led by Dr Alice Hayward and supervised by Dr Eveline Kong. They can be based flexibly noting the need to spend significant time working closely with industry partners located in Northern New South Wales and South-East Queensland.
Tuition fees covered with living stipend of $36,4000 per annum (2025 rate) indexed annually and tax free for 3.5 years with chance of 1 extension.
What’s
• Engage in cutting-edge research
• Collaborate with leading experts in the field
• Work on a real-world problem for the global blueberry industry
• Make a tangible impact in horticulture
• Opportunity to travel and present their work nationally and internationally
Applications are now open and close 30 June 2025
The PhD will commence no later than 1 October 2025 (R4 2025)
Applications should be made at bit.ly/blueberry-phd
For more information or to express interest in this project, please contact Dr. Eveline Kong at e.kong@uq.edu.au
This is a fantastic opportunity for participants to deepen their knowledge and drive innovation in agricultural science.
Please assist QAAFI in understanding industry perceptions of blueberry root and crown disorders in Australia by completing a short survey as part of the Hort Innovation and industry-funded project ‘BB23000: Understanding the cause of blueberry root wrapping and associated root crown disorders’.
This survey aims to gain inputs from a wide range of blueberry industry stakeholders and growers to understand industry perceptions and experience with emerging physiological disorders involving root wrapping, crown restriction and stem occlusion.
The research delivery team is led by Dr Alice Hayward from the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, an institute of the Queensland Government and The University of Queensland.
I’m busy, how long will this take?
The survey is 20 questions and takes around 10-15 minutes to complete. Your participation is very much appreciated but completely voluntary. You may withdraw at any time. Note that no personal identifying information will be shared or published.
This survey is approved with ethical clearance from UQ (research Ethics ID number: 2024/HE002356). You will be asked for your official consent on the first page of the survey.
Please visit bit.ly/QAAFI-BB or scan this QR code for more information and to complete the online survey.
If you are unable to scan or wish to reach out to the team, contact e.kong@uq.edu.au or a.hayward@uq.edu.au
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At the heart of the Global Coir Berry Block’s performance is its air-filled porosity (AFP) of 31%, well above the industry minimum standard of 13%. This higher AFP is essential for encouraging strong root development, promoting oxygenation, and maintaining a healthy root zone throughout the crop’s life.
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