Newsletter.
Grower info sessions:
Two successful grower info sessions were held on Friday, September 18. More than 40 people attended the Waikerie session at Phil Kroehn’s property and another 15 or so at Darren Pfeiler’s place later in the day. Elders, E.E. Muir and Sons, Elders, Agribusiness, Phytec, Sumitomo and Agnova were all in attendance.
Sessions were opened by chair Mark Doecke who outlined Citrus SA’s activities over recent months and how grower’s contributions were funding the various projects.
The morning session at Waikerie showcased the technology available in water monitoring and delivery through the Phytec system, demonstrated by Luke Doecke. Phil Kroehn had the system installed in February. He said he found that his summer watering was on track but may have been overwatering during winter months.
Fiona Hill from Sumitomo spoke on the latest developments and recommendations with the Citrus Gall Wasp control chemical Samurai. She also mentioned a new GA product which has been developed to work within the new United States regulations. Fiona said a number of growers are having success using the weed control product Chateau as a Group B herbicide for use on broadleaf and grasses on the block as a post-emergence chemical (not as useful under drip irrigation).
Matt Ward from Elders and Brett Morgan from Agribusiness spoke about upcoming chemical supplies and global factors which influence them.
Agnova representatives Mark Drew and Graeme Hardwick outlined the latest weapon in gall wasp control which has been developed after an initiative by Citrus SA. The project has been undertaken in conjunction with the University of Adelaide. Stay tuned for further details about this exciting development.
Call for Trial Participants for early roll-out electronic ICA process (ePHAC)
Any grower wanting to participate in early-roll out trials of the ePHAC system can nominate. More details available from Nick Secombe at PIRSA on 8429 0589.
Background
The ICA scheme provides a means for Government to issue certificates to certify that produce meets domestic import conditions. Businesses are able to certify that produce has been treated to allow access to interstate markets.
This is currently a manual process with an estimated 1.45 million certificated issued each year.
This paper-based process allows Governments to oversee the via regular audit/inspection of accredited businesses.
It has been agreed that the process and interstate trade arrangements need to adapt to suit changing market requirements and modern technology.
The ePHAC (E-certification) System Overview
To supplement and possibly replace the manual system a new electronic certification process (e-certification) has been developed by the SA Government. This system will:Allow businesses to generate, monitor and clear plant health certificates online.
Pre-populate the form / data and data will be accessible via menu’s and drop-down lists.
Certificates are able to be generated on a computer, tablet or phone rather than manually, printed (if required), and distributed and accessed from a PC, smartphone or tablet.
Allow businesses to electronically send and receive regulated plant produce to interstate consignees.
Provide enough security to ensure that Business will be limited to see /access only those accreditation codes for which they are authorized.
Provide an automated notification should the process not meet the necessary accreditation.
Allow States authorities to monitor the movement of all produce and track individual consignments to an Accredited Businesses facility.
Allow the driver the choice of electronic or paper based ePHAC certificates as the Certificates are still required to travel with the goods
Allows an accredited business to certify that their product meets domestic import conditions.
Allows regulators to oversight via the audit and inspection of accredited businesses and their consignments.
A Road-Block Inspector based at any of the Quarantine checkpoints may issue a Quarantine Direction Order (QDO) against a specific consignment that does not meet the criteria of the ICA/CA specification.
The ePHAC system supports five languages (English, Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Greek) which is expected to reduce non-compliance as businesses which are run by people with limited English skills will be more easily able to complete their certificates.
StatusThe ePHAC project has now at the stage of being tested by businesses in South Australia and interstate.
Final testing is currently underway with a completed system expected by the end of 2020.
Funding options will be taken to the Commonwealth Government in September 2020.
It’s possible that the new system will be available to users during the first half of 2021.
Women Influencing Agribusiness survey
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is undertaking a strategic review of the Women Influencing Agribusiness and Regions Program (WIAR), as part of the development of a broader Diversity in Agribusiness strategy.
We’re seeking your valuable feedback to help identify program strengths and areas for improvement.
PIRSA has engaged independent Adelaide research agency, Square Holes to conduct a survey to collate this feedback.
The survey is composed of up to 30 questions and is estimated to take approximately 10-15 minutes.
All responses are anonymous and confidential.
Please contact research@squareholes.com or call 08 8232 3355 for any assistance.
Business Growth Productivity Program
You are invited to participate in a free training workshop series known as the Business Growth Productivity Program. The Program aims to deliver financial literacy training, seasonal and medium-term planning, all with the end goal of helping growers to improve their forward planning and productivity.
The training is conducted using Zoom with three Monday morning workshops over three weeks (using self-paced learning) and follow up one on one support.
The key business questions that will be answered of your business are:
What has been the key financial performance of your business over the last four years?
What is the financial outlook for your business this coming season?
What is the next five-year financial plan looking like for your business?
Assess at least three scenarios of how your current plan might be improved?
Starting Date: Monday 19th October, 2020
Time: 9.00am – 12.00pm
Location: Online via Zoom
RSVP: Tarsha McGregor, PIRSA (tarsha.mcgregor@sa.gov.au) or 0428 105 396 (Please note places are limited).
Program participants will receive 12 months’ access to a farm business management software program called ‘P2PAgri’, which allows growers to develop key performance trends and benchmarks for their farm business, test plans and decisions with scenario analysis functionality.
You can view the farm business management software demonstration video here. The demonstration video is based on a broadacre farming system, however the software has been adapted to cater for horticulture and viticulture enterprises. You will be using your own taxation information to create all the outputs that you see in the demonstration video.