‘They can eat about their body weight in crickets’
Eccentric emus, six beef cattle, a dozen chickens, guinea pigs and five beehives, plus a pig called Boaris. Is this Australia’s most eclectic farm?
Horticulture
Gourmet growing: Thriving herb business reaps rewards
For Trevor and Joy Goos changing industries has resulted in better yields and returns. This is how they did it.
How the northern mango season is faring
Ripe, in-season mangoes are selling for as little as $2 per fruit. But what do low prices mean for growers in Australia’s north?
Where to pick your own cherries this season
This year, just as they have for four decades, this Yarra Valley family are opening the farm gate for punters to come and pick their own fresh fruit.
How this small backyard blossomed into a profitable flower farm
Starting with just 10 plant pots and a love of horticulture, this Victorian woman now runs a blossoming and productive flower farm.
300 jobs, millions of dollars lost after tomato virus incursion
A major tomato farm is facing losses in the “tens of millions” after it was forced to destroy 1.2-million plants due to a highly contagious disease.
Global medals for Inverleigh olives
Inverleigh farmer Jen Ma kept her entries to the Australian International Olive Awards a secret, until she realised she won best in class for her first harvest.
Calls grow to sever ‘bondage’ between worker and employer
The federal government is under pressure to reform a Pacific labour scheme that ‘traps’ workers in conditions of modern slavery.
Musolinos top of the crop in SA
A family horticulture business at Virginia, SA, has weathered the storms of succession and a heartbreaking workplace accident to become an industry powerhouse.
Australian wine exports lift into China
Australian wine exports to China have surged since removal of strict import rules. But has the damage been done for this valuable export market?
How many productive fruit trees are in Australia?
As growers face enduring tough conditions, many orchards are downsizing. But just how many productive trees there are nationally is unclear.
Almond bloom ‘as bright as they’ve ever seen’
Ideal weather conditions has led to a favourable almond pollination across the east coast, despite the ongoing threat from varroa mite.
Aussie purple wines going global
World-first purple wines have made an appearance at the Melbourne Royal, as the creators work to relaunch the brand.
‘We sell out’: Meet the savvy dad and son duo turning cane trash into cash
Forget fires, this hardworking Whitsunday pair are having sweet success turning sugar cane waste into a product that’s going gangbusters in the gardening world.
The toll on Australian grapes after successive tough seasons
Having endured several challenging seasons, Australian table grape growers are feeling optimistic about the season ahead.
The ‘crisis in farm profitability’ hitting vegetable growers
Despite successive reports pointing to ongoing disillusion with the sector, it is unclear how many vegetable growers have walked away from their farms.
Perfecting logistics the key for this mango business
With more than 100,000 mango trees spread throughout northern Australia, ensuring every cog in the wheel is working together is the secret to success for Marie Piccone.
‘The apples are a different story’
Apple growers have been facing domestic market troubles for years, according to third generation grower Peter Apted, who says there’s a need to find new export markets.
Silver lining for beekeepers in wake of Varroa mite
Input costs for horticulture could climb as noted pest Varroa mite spreads across the country, with demand for professional pollination services set to rise as a result.
Varroa mite detected in Victoria for the first time
The noted pest has been found in the north of the state. Here’s how infected hives will be treated.
A taste for something different
Rayners Orchard just outside of Melbourne is giving visitors the chance to pick fruits that are often only found in other parts of the world.
Foreign owner to sell major Victorian kiwi orchards
A Hong Kong-based conglomerate has listed a 199ha portfolio of three orchards for sale, where it is expected to make more than $30 million.
Wine crisis: Raise marketing levies “substantially” to compete with Bordeaux, NZ and Napa
Australia’s wine industry is on its knees, but a leading economist suggest a way out is spending “significantly” more money rather than less on advertising.
Slow and sweet co-operative approach to banana farming
Traditionally grown in the tropics, bananas are often associated with Far North Queensland, but this small co-operative out of WA is challenging industry perceptions.
Trade barriers removed for Aussie grapes
It’s been a tough season for Australian grapes. But removal of trade restrictions into a key Asian market could turn things around.
Truffle couple ‘sharing the love’
Truffle season is upon us, and this small business in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges is giving visitors the opportunity to hunt their own this winter.
How cost of living is hitting flower growers
The cost of living crisis has had a surprising effect on Australia’s floral industry, despite facing strong headwinds.
Young farmer powering his family’s horticulture farm
A former commercial banker has returned to his family farm, finding an innovative way to heat their greenhouses and cut heating costs by 75 per cent.
Farming getting ‘harder and harder’ for next generation
Vince Doria’s family has farmed at Devon Meadows for four generations. He says the current economic crisis is one of the industry’s toughest challenges yet.
Working holiday visa changes urged
The federal government is calling for public feedback on the Working Holiday Maker visa, with one industry leader saying the current policy has led to “untold exploitation and abuse”.
Aussie almonds ‘edging back’
From a disappointing 2023 harvest to high-quality yields, Australian almond growers face a more upbeat outlook in 2024.
Fear of the ‘unknown’ in wake of annual pollination
Two years to the day since varroa mite was detected and beekeepers are anxious ahead of annual mass pollination across state borders.
Sprouts the ‘health food of the nation’
As brussels sprouts continue to infiltrate cooking shows and high-end restaurants, producers Bruce Adams says its flexibility and low cost is leading to a growing interest.
Lifetime award for apple expert
For over 40 years Kevin Sanders has dedicated his life to apples and the growth of the horticulture industry, and now his efforts have been recognised.
Original URL: https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/horticulture