ISSUE: THIRTY-TWO MAY/2010

#02-10

growerswholesalersretailerstransportersexporters

secondary wholesalersprocessors

print post approved pp 424022/00429

source

Magazine of Brisbane Markets Limited

Re s ea r ch shows

Cr u nch t imefor overseas apple entry p18

“handle lychees with care”p14

c l imate chang e- why action now is a cost effective insurance p20

YOUR SOURCE OF FRESH INFORMATION FOR THE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE INDUSTRY.

Results on Track

Brisbane Markets Limited’s (BML) half year results again show an ongoing strong performance with dividends continuing to be paid to shareholders. We are now

seeing our masterplanning work coming to fruition with further new

developments about to commence.

The company achieved a realised profit after tax of $3.726 million for the half year and as at 31 December 2009, had net assets of $100.69 million.

The report on page 6 highlights BML’s results.

BML Board meeting in Bowen

The BML Board of Directors headed north in mid May to

meet with representatives from the Bowen District

Growers Association (BDGA), discuss industry issues and view first-hand the infrastructure in the region.

The two-day visit was a great success with both the BDGA and the BML

Board gaining a better understanding of the

opportunities and threats faced by the industry and the

need to work collaboratively in dealing with these issues.

The highlight of the visit was the BDGA

Annual Dinner which included some

fierce bidding for crabs to compete in

the crab-racing contest. It was all in good

fun with over $7,000 raised for the

Glen McGrath Foundation, the funds

from which go to breast cancer research.

The BML Board has a memorandum

of understanding in place with the

BDGA, and a similar agreement with the

Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers.

It is hoped that we will be working more

closely with other growing regions in

the future.

Our thanks go to the BDGA Chairman,

Carl Walker and Executive Officer,

Denise Kreymborg for coordinating what

was an enjoyable and successful trip.

Fresh Centre gets the green light

The BML Board has signed off on

the planned refurbishment of

Building F (formerly home to Growcom).

The refurbished building will become

“Fresh Centre”, the new commercial

hub of the Brisbane Markets and

home to both BML and the industry

organisation, Brismark.

A range of contractual issues are now

being finalised with the construction

company, Wiley & Co, with work set to

progress over the coming month.

BRISBANE MARKETS LIMITED ABN 39 064 983 017 PO Box 80, Brisbane Markets, Brisbane, Queensland 4106 e: admin@brisbanemarkets.com.au w: www.brisbanemarkets.com.au

ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES Marketing and Communications Manager Brisbane Markets Limited p: 07 3915 4200 or 1800 631 002 e: admin@brisbanemarkets.com.au

DESIGN Effigy p: 07 3265 4445 | PRINT Buckner Printing p: 07 3865 9677 | PAPER Dalton Paper p: 07 3326 6800

Fresh Source is the magazine of

Brisbane Markets Limited. New editions

of the magazine are printed bi-monthly.

Advertising and editorial inquiries are

welcome and media outlets are invited to use

material with or without acknowledgement.

Fresh Source is printed on

Australian made recycled stock.

ce

o’s Co m m e n t

Contents

3

Northern warehouse set to progress

Construction of a new 4,700m2 northern warehouse, Building M1, to be built to the west of the IGA Fresh Distribution Centre, is set to progress. BML is finalising contractual details with Watpac Speciality Services, the construction company selected following a comprehensive tender process.

Progressing construction of the new warehouse will represent a further significant milestone in relation to BML’s Masterplan for the site. See more on page 10.

Retailer of the Year - Clayfield Markets Fresh

A highlight at the recent Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner was the announcement of the Fresh Tastes Retailer of the Year. The coveted award was won by Clayfield Markets Fresh, a well deserved win.

Congratulations to Carlo and Susan and their team who were winners ahead of an impressive field of finalists.

Andrew Young Chief Executive Officer

FRESH UPDATES News in brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p4

FRESH FROM THE MARKETS

Brisbane Markets Ag Hall on the move in 2011 . . . . . . . . . p6Half yearly profit figures released . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p6History task force appointed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p7A 2010 fire and ice gala dinner spectacular . . . . . . . . . . . . . p8Sponsors make it possible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p8Industry leader’s suprise recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p9New northern warehouse takes shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p10Visiting the Markets a surprising discovery . . . . . . . . . . . . p10

FRESH WHOLESALING

Future indusry leaders sample wholesalers’ hospitality . p12Chinchilla Melon Festival preparations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p12Lawerence, the politician’s pumpkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p13Research shows “handle lychees with care”. . . . . . . . . . . . p14Bowen and Brisbane Markets relationship renewed . . . . p15New guide for junior executive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p15

FRESH INDUSTRY Chemicals under review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p16Brisbane Markets joins Primary Industries Week . . . . . . . p16Who speaks when our industry comes under fire . . . . . . p17 Citrus Australia appoints new chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p18Crunch time for overseas apple entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p18Unfair dismissals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p19Climate change - why action now is a cost effective insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p20Software bears fruit for small to medium businesses . . . p21Water pipelines boom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p22Funding boost to grow national strawberry plan . . . . . . . p22Talking apples and pears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p23Rediscovering the pear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p23Brisbane Markets a platinum partner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p24Workplace breaches impacting town’s image . . . . . . . . . . p25Grower visit to Brisbane Markets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p25

FEATURE LONG RANGE WEATHER FORECASTINGTalking about the weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p26Long range weather forecasting - what’s it all about? . . . p26The Winter outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p27

FRESH RETAILING

Clayfield Markets Fresh wins the big prize . . . . . . . . . . . . . p28No excuse not to join Fresh Tastes in 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . p29

FRESH AND HEALTHY

Teachers give A+ to Queensland Kids Fresh Net . . . . . . . . p30Sponsorships keep the healthy message alive . . . . . . . . . . p30

Updates

Brisbane Produce Market became a safer

place for members of the public in April,

however it comes at a cost with public

entry reduced to two days per week.

The shopping window for the public

has become a one-and-a-half hour time

slot on Thursday and Friday only, from

10.00am to 11.30am.

All orders, forklifts and pallets are now

removed from the trading floor by

10.00am each Thursday and Friday to

avoid trying to work around visitor’s

vehicles and pedestrians.

Safer passage for buyers

Volcano little issue to fruit and veg exportsIceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruption

grounded aircraft to and from Europe in

April, leaving up to half a million dollars

worth of Australian food on the ground,

but much less fresh fruit and vegetables

than would have been effected if it had

occurred at a different time of year.

Brisbane Markets Joe Saina, of AS Barr

Exports, said Australia was fortunate

that not much fruit was exported by

air to Europe at this time of year, with

mandarins and onions travelling by

sea freight.

Harrowsmiths International Pty Ltd’s

Alistair Brown, said air space had

tightened and there was little flexibility

when booking air cargo, mainly due to

the backlog of products that were taking

some weeks to move in and out

of Europe.

55

A commercial agreement has just been

signed for a plum bred by Queensland

scientists that could help fight the effects

of aging and lifestyle diseases.

The Queensland Government has

partnered with Nutrafruit Pty Ltd to see

the Queen Garnet plum produced as a

high-antioxidant fresh fruit variety and as

a nutraceutical ingredient.

Researchers have determined that

one glass of Queen Garnet plum juice

contains as much antioxidants as drinking

two small glasses of red wine, six cups of

tea or 12 glasses of orange juice.

Conferences galoreApril, May and June have become the

busiest months of the year with a range

of conferences and industry events

sponsored and attended by Brisbane

Produce Market.

Watch out in the next Fresh Source

edition for a full run down on the big

events, including the Australian Chamber

Conference, Australian Low Chill

Stonefruit Conference, Bowen District

Growers Gala Dinner, Ausveg Congress

and the Fresh Connections Produce

Marketing Association conference.

Gas exploration idea choking growersGrowers concerned they are being pushed out of prime cropping lands

have a fresh wave of concern with the announcement that the Queensland

Government is asking for tenders to explore potential sites for the

underground storage of greenhouse gases from coal-fired power stations.

Mines and Energy Minister, Stephen Robertson, said there was 66,000

square kilometres of land being explored including the Roma-Wandoan

and Chinchilla-Moonie areas in the state's southern region.

He has assured farmers that existing property rights will be respected.

However, AgForce president John Cotter says the State Government will

have to guarantee water quality is not going to be affected.

"The most valuable thing this nation owns is water and much of that is

underground," he said.

Mr Cotter says he remains sceptical that underground storage of gas

will be safe.

Plum that fights the effects of age

Counting their blessing after Cyclone UluiWhile cane farmers are still counting their losses from the wild weather

caused by Cyclone Ului, some fruit and vegetable growers are counting

their blessings that they were not harder hit.

Bowen's horticulture industry was spared the devastating impacts

of the cyclone with most reports surrounding debris and some

farm infrastructure.

Most growers had not planted seedlings so crops in the region were

mainly unaffected.

However, growers in the Mackay and Proserpine area were not as

fortunate with reports of banana plantations being wiped out.

For more information on weather, take a look at the Long Range Weather

Forecasting feature on pages 26 and 27 in this edition of Fresh Source.

from the

MarketsHalf yearly profit figures released

Brisbane Markets Ag Hall on the move in 2011

Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) is on

track for another strong year with its half

yearly results showing a realised profit

after tax of $3.726 million, excluding the

impact of property valuations.

In what has been a difficult year for

many Queensland businesses,

BML has worked hard across all divisions

to deliver its strong first half of the

financial year result, and positioning

itself for future growth.

Brisbane Markets CEO, Andrew Young,

said BML continued to consistently

deliver returns in line with company

projections.

Shareholders received an interim

dividend of 4.25 cents per share, fully

franked plus a special dividend of

0.5 cents per share, also fully franked,

in respect of the half year ended

31 December 2009.

Mr Young said BML is progressing

a number of capital expenditure

projects, including the development

of a new western access road, car

parks and building platform, a new

northern warehouse and the Fresh

Centre Development, which involves

the refurbishment of the three-storey

Building F, formerly home to Growcom.

VISITORS TO THE BRISBANE MARKETS AGRICULTURE HALL HAVE ONE MORE YEAR LEFT TO VISIT THE OLD BUILDING BEFORE IT RELOCATES TO NEW PREMISES.

Devotees of the ever popular Brisbane

Markets Agriculture Hall at the Royal

National Show, the Ekka, will see it’s last

year in the tired aging building.

Research by the Royal National

Agricultural and Industrial Association of

Queensland (RNA) has shown the hall to

be the third favourite pavilion at the Ekka,

with patrons flocking to it each year.

The Brisbane Markets Agricultural Hall

is a Mecca of activity each year with over

1,000 children donning chef’s hats and

learning how to cook fresh produce in

a fun and educating experience. Local

Fresh Tastes retailers also dazzle show

visitors with their cooking prowess, not

to mention the fantastic tasting samples

handed out to hungry showgoers.

During the 10-day Ekka, the hall is

also home to a number of grower

associations, youth exhibits and other

industry bodies.

This year’s Ekka will be held

5 – 14 August 2010.

History task force appointed

• Brisbane Daily Fruit and Vegetable Market Reports

• Historic Market Data and Market Intelligence Reports

• Outturn and Pre-Export Inspections and Assessments

• Quality Inspections and Loss Assessments

• Temperature Monitoring and Logger Recovery

• Independent Produce Assessments and Downgrading

• Established Interstate Network For All Services

• Waste Verifi cation and Digital Photography

Totally Independent and Impartial

Fruit & VegetableMarketing Consultants

PRO

D

UCE SURVEYO

RS

BRI

SBANE MARKET

Fresh market information

Ph (07) 3379 4576 | Fax (07) 3379 4103 | Infocall 1902 262 580

E-mail adminmis@ausmarket.net.au | Web www.ausmarket.net.au

Former Brisbane Markets wholesaler

and consultant Arch Martin has been

appointed chairman of a Brisbane

Markets History Task Force that will

oversee the collation of Brisbane’s fresh

fruit and vegetable market history.

He is joined by a team of wholesalers

including Brisbane Markets Limited

(BML) Chair Tony Joseph and

Brismark Chair Gary Lower, aided by

BML CEO Andrew Young and a small

administration team.

The work has already begun, locating the

many photographs and donated items

stored in both BML and Brismark storage

areas and relocating them to a newly

appointed history room in the South

Gate Complex.

Mr Martin will play a pivotal role in

representing the task force, overseeing

the collection’s progress and helping

source and review information using his

wealth of Market contacts and experience.

Mr Martin has been involved in the

Brisbane Markets since 1941, starting

in the Turbot Street days. He served as

a Queensland Chamber of Fruit and

Vegetables Board member from 1956,

including being a foundation member

of the Trust that planned and built the

current Brisbane Markets at Rocklea.

He served in a range of board positions

before selling his wholesale business,

AS Barr, in 1984, and returning as a

consultant with his business and another

well known identity, Murray Livingstone,

who only recently passed away.

The current historical collection has yet

to be catalogued.

Mr Martin said he was looking forward

to the task of seeing what had already

been collected, helping identify

photographs and working on ways to

present the history to the Brisbane

Markets community.

For more information email

history@brisbanemarkets.com.au

RISBANE MARKETS HISTORY TASK FORCE CHAIR ARCH MARTIN EXPANDING THE

HISTORICAL COLLECTION

7

from the

MarketsA 2010 fire and ice gala dinner spectacularThe who’s who of Brisbane Markets

wholesalers and industry guests

poured into the Brisbane Exhibition and

Convention Centre for the Brisbane

Produce Market’s Annual Gala Dinner,

creating a “Fire and Ice” spectacular

to remember.

Over 550 guests were treated to a night

of glamour, fire and ice that included

aerialists, fire dancers and live dance

music into the night.

The Gala Dinner is an annual event,

hosted by Brismark and Brisbane Markets

Limited. It is a night of dancing and

networking for the Market’s community

Many of South East Queensland’s top

30 finalist greengrocers were also in

attendance to hear the announcement

of the Brisbane Produce Market Fresh

Tastes Retailer of the Year. Read about

the winner and Fresh Tastes program on

pages 27 and 28.

Sponsors make it possibleThe Brisbane Markets

Community would like to

thank the following sponsors

for making the 20010 Brisbane

Produce Market Gala Dinner

possible:

Major Sponsors

Zupps Truck Centre

Toyota Material Handling

Wiley & Co

Hopgood Ganim

Schultz & Burns Projects

Pty Ltd

Civil Unlimited

Crisp Power & Control

Densway Transhipping

Sponsors

Carbon House

Origin Energy

JJ Richards

Westpac Banking Corporation

Effigy Design

Buckner Printing

Good Fruit & Vegetables

Supporters

AustSafe Super

CHEP

Pristine Cleaning

Ironbark Software

GLAMMED UP WHOLESALERS (FROM LEFT) WERE TERRI CLARKE FROM FAVCO; FRANCESCA LASPINA FROM ROMEOS; AND CAMERON KEDWELL FROM PERSHOUSE PRODUCE.

MAJOR BRISBANE MARKETS SPONSOR ZUPPS TRUCK CENTRE, ROCKLEA, HOSTED A TABLE OF 10, HEADED UP BY GENERAL MANAGER, MICHAEL GLEESON, PICTURED WITH HIS WIFE ANNA.

GALA DINNER SUPPORTERS JOHN AND BELINDA HEYDEN, FROM PRISTINE CLEANING, STRIKE A FIERY POSE.

9

Brisbane Markets CEO Andrew

Young received an unexpected

accolade from the fruit and vegetable

wholesale industry at its annual

Brisbane Produce Market dinner

when he was recognised for 20 years

of outstanding leadership.

More than 550 of Mr Young’s peers,

and his family, were on hand to

see the industry leader recognised

through a slideshow tribute and

presentation of a plaque.

Mr Young had thought he would be

on stage to hand out awards to the

finalists of the Brisbane Produce

Market’s Fresh Tastes Retailer of the

Year competition but instead became

the one who was honoured.

The gathering heard how over

two decades he had changed the

face of wholesaling in Queensland

and Australia, with achievements

including:

• OverhaulingtheBrismarkCredit

Service, which is now the largest

credit service in any Australian

Central Market.

• TheformationofLandacqLimited,

which later became the vehicle to

purchase the Brisbane Markets site

from the Queensland Government.

• Thedevelopmentofa10-year

$150 million dollar Master Plan for

the aging Brisbane Markets 77ha

site at Rocklea.

• Lobbyingatalllevelsof

government for a fairer and

workable Horticulture Code of

Conduct, working closely with

the Central Markets Association

of Australia, Australian Chamber

representatives, grower associations

and the Brismark Board, as well as

liaising with politicians and keeping

the issues top of mind in the media.

• Activelyaddressingissues

impacting the marketing sector of

the horticulture industry through

industry forums, government

lobbying and the media.

• Providingresearchafterconducting

an International Central Markets

study tour throughout the USA,

Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, the UK

and Europe.

• SuccessfullysteeringQueensland’s

only central fruit and vegetable

market, with an annual trade of

approximately 600,000 tonnes

valued at more than $1 billion, with

up to 3,500 people working or doing

business on the site on a daily basis.

Brisbane Markets Limited Chairman

Tony Joseph paid tribute to Mr Young

who he said had led the charge to

form stronger relationships with

growers, grower associations, retailers

and other supply chain partners.

“Andrew Young is a leader from

whom people from across Australia

take direction,” Mr Joseph said.

“He is a policy driver, a visionary

and a media voice in guiding

Queensland’s fruit and vegetable

wholesale market place.

“His policy position and strategy has

influenced the industry’s direction

on a national wholesaling level,

with Australian wholesaling chapters

taking his lead on policy position.”

Mr Young sits on a range of industry

boards and in 2005 was awarded the

Australian United Fresh Wholesaler of

the Year award for his leadership and

service to the industry.

A SURPRISED BRISBANE MARKETS CEO, ANDREW YOUNG (RIGHT) ACCEPTED AN AWARD FROM BRISBANE MARKETS LIMITED CHAIRMAN TONY JOSEPH, RECOGNISING 20 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP.

Industry leader’s surprise recognition

from the

Markets

Construction of the proposed northern

warehouse, Building M1, to be located to

the west of Brisbane Market’s IGA Fresh

Distribution Centre, is set to commence

over the coming weeks.

Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) has

formalised leasing arrangements with

KP (Qld) Pty Ltd and Peter Kedwell

Enterprises Pty Ltd.

The tenancy arrangement is the

culmination of two years’ work since

expressions of interest for tenancy of

the building were first called, and the

comprehensive planning and design

processes that progressed over the past

12 months.

Watpac Limited has been contracted

to construct the building, following a

competitive tender process.

The warehouse, which will have a

lettable area totalling 4,718m² represents

a further significant investment in the

industry by BML.

The building will be constructed using

insulated panel and will have direct

access to Sherwood Road via the new

western access road. It is anticipated

that construction will be completed by

early 2011.

Visitors to Brisbane Markets will notice

further big changes over the next few

months as Brisbane Markets Limited

(BML) progresses its 10-year $150 million

master planned redevelopment, with a

western access road, new gatehouse and

car parks.

Spokesperson for the companies

tenanting the new warehouse, Peter

Kedwell, said he was excited about the

prospect of moving into a state of the art,

purpose-built facility.

Visiting the markets a surprising discoveryHundreds of grower groups or

overseas missions visit the Brisbane

Markets annually.

It is an invaluable opportunity for

growers to:

• Meetwiththeirwholesaler

• Seehowtheirproductismarketed

• Comparetheirproductquality,sizing

and packaging with their competitors

• Inspectthecoolchainprocess

• Discussindustryissues,industry

food safety requirements, product

specifications and terms of trade.

To arrange a visit, contact Vanessa

Kennedy, Brisbane Markets Industry

Liaison Officer on 07 3915 4200,

0438 388 111, 1800 631 002 or email

vkennedy@brisbanemarkets.com.au.

New northern warehouse takes shape

Brismark’s COMMITMENTto GrowersOur wholesalers have a demonstrated commitment to growers trading in the Brisbane Produce Market.

Just some of the hands-on initiatives to support growers include:

• Sponsorships • Conference participation • Grower kits • Grower delegations • Dedicated Industry Liaison Offi cer • Grower Hotline • Handy publications

Brismark and its members have worked hard over many years to put systems in place to provide the highest levels of service for produce marketing and distribution.

To fi nd out more about your Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Wholesalers, visit www.brismark.com.au or phone the free Grower Hotline on 1800 631 002.

BM

K95

85/C

Brisbane Markets, Sherwood Road, Rocklea, Brisbane, Qld 4106, PO Box 70, Brisbane Markets, Qld 4106 Ph: (07) 3915 4222 Fax: (07) 3915 4221 Email: admin@brismark.com.au Web: www.brismark.com.au

Wholesaling

Some of Australia’s future horticultural

leaders sampled the hospitality of

Brisbane Markets wholesalers during

a Growing Leaders National Vegetable

Industry Leadership Program workshop.

The six month program, delivered

through Horticulture Australia Limited,

chose Brisbane Produce Market as a tour

and workshop destination during its first

three-day Brisbane residential.

Brisbane Produce Markets sponsored an

early morning tour and hosted one-day

of the intensive workshop days for the

13 students.

Participants from Queensland included

Cherie Gambley (Department of

Employment, Economic Development

and Innovation - DEEDI), David Carey

(DEEDI), Ewen Holzberger (Austchilli),

Lisa Crooks (Riverview Herbs) and Max

Horvarth (Horvarth Hydroponics).

The course covers leadership

skills, handling conflict, effective

communication, efficient meetings,

high performance team building,

managing change, media training and

involved hosting an industry dinner.

Future industry leaders sample wholesalers’ hospitality

GROWING LEADERS NATIONAL VEGETABLE INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED (SEATED FROM LEFT) MELBOURNE WHOLESALER VINCENT BRANCATISANO, RIJK ZWAAN AUSTRALIA’S HARRY SINGH TURNER, WOLFIE’S FARMS’ BRODIE WOLFENDEN AND FLAVORITE HYDROPONIC TOMATOES’ CHRIS MILLIS.

Chinchilla Melon Festival preparationsThe world renowned Chinchilla Melon Festival may be 10 months away but Brisbane Produce Market wholesalers have already begun discussions with committee members to assist in its development.

Four festival committee members spoke with wholesalers and Brisbane Markets marketing team to gauge their ideas on how to make the February 2011 festival even more successful than previous years.

The award winning festival is heavily sponsored by the Brisbane Produce Market wholesalers and attracts thousands of people to Chinchilla for events such as melon skiing, melon ironman, melon bungee, melon bull’s eye and pip spitting.

The next anual event will be held from 17 to 20 February 2011.

Lawerence, the politician’s pumpkin

Customer targeted visuals LCD with wide viewing angles and less screen reflection. Advertising capability.

Easy setup Wireless as standard TCP/IP networking, POS functions as standard, cash drawer ready, no license fees required for software functions.

Faster user learning & operation Intuitive 7” LCD touchpad screen, floating operator and multi-operator. Bar code scanning by USB and cash drawer ready.

Business Support & Data Management Virtual receipt: past and present. Reporting journals by day/week/month/product/operator. Reports can be retrieved by back-of-house as often as required to monitor operator workload (vendor supplied software required).

Contact Heat and Control ICP Division Ph: 07 3877 6426icp@heatandcontrol.com.au

scale / printer series

May2010_Freshsource_Half_HeatandControl.indd 1 14 Apr 2010 09:10:11

It’s not often a pumpkin almost as big

as Cinderella’s coach is transported into

Brisbane Produce Market, and even more

surprising that the giant gourd was lovingly

nurtured by a leading Queensland politician.

The arrival of the quickly dubbed

“Lawerence the Pumpkin”, fresh from the

gardens of the State’s Deputy Opposition

leader Lawrence Springborg, raised plenty

of media interest for Brisbane Produce

Market and money for the Royal Flying

Doctor Service (RFDS).

The 304kg whopper was first introduced to

the public at the Inglewood Show where

the Springborg family set the record for

growing Queensland’s largest pumpkin, a

massive 120cm in diameter and 72.5cm high.

The media attention it gained gave

Mr Springborg the idea of selling his prize

pumpkin for charity.

Lawerence the Pumpkin was soon snapped

up by Brisbane Produce Market wholesaler

David Pershouse, of Pershouse Produce,

and retailer Mark Griffiths, of Milton Fruit

Bowl, who paid a combined $1,000 for the

outstanding gourd.

Lawerence was put on show on the Brisbane

Produce Market Central Trading Floor to

raise more funds for the RFDS before

being transported to Milton Fruit Bowl,

and eventually put out to pasture.

It’s said that the real Lawrence

has taken back the seeds and

will be attempting an even

bigger pumpkin for next

year’s Inglewood Show.

13

SIZING UP HIS PUMPKIN OPTIONS, DAVID PERSHOUSE, OF PERSHOUSE PRODUCE, ATOP THE GIANT GOURD, BETTER KNOWN AS LAWERENCE THE PUMPKIN.

Brismark has undertaken a research

project that will help improve the eating

experience of lychees for consumers

and hopefully boost sales for

Queensland growers.

The wholesaler service organisation

partnered with Horticulture Australia

Limited to assess the quality and

handling of fresh lychees in retail outlets

during the busy post Christmas season.

The research which involved surveying

50 lychee retailers quickly identified the

need to implement education on correct

handling practices so that the fruit could

be delivered to consumers in the best

possible condition to enhance their

eating experience.

Examining the processes

The research involved examining

lychee handling processes at the retail

level and assessing fruit and vegetable

retailer knowledge of issues affecting

lychee quality.

It also reported on the affects of

handling of lychees which affected the

visual quality of the fruit along with an

analysis of lychee in-store displays

and presentation.

The results indicate that the

number one quality issue for

fruit and vegetable retailers

is fruit browning, particularly

during display.

Limited retail knowledge

While 92% of respondents employed a

range of measures to combat browning

issues, their knowledge of what caused

browning and how best to address it was

extremely limited.

Limiting the size of lychee displays was

cited as the most popular way to address

browning issues.

The single biggest need identified was

for an improvement in retailer education

on correct handling practices for lychees.

Recommendations

The recommendations to industry

include developing a fruit and vegetable

retailer handling education program as a

priority, along with a consumer handling

education program.

The potential outcomes of these

recommendations are significant to

the lychee industry and will see the

improvement of product quality at fruit

and vegetable retailers and may see the

consumer demand for lychees increase.

WholesalingResearch shows “handle lychees with care”

15

Bowen District Growers Association

has always known how to put on a

shindig but, as Fresh Source went to

print, Brisbane Markets Board Members

joined the fun of the crab races at the

organisation’s lively annual gala dinner.

The night, and earlier farm tours,

was a fitting relationship booster after

Brisbane Markets recently renewed its

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

with the organisation, extending the

friendship a further two years.

The agreement is one of two

MOUs with Queensland grower

organisations, with a second being

signed with Bundaberg Fruit and

Vegetable Growers in 2009.

The BDGA agreement includes a

range of marketing and promotional

opportunities for both organisations.

Over the past two years, both

organisations worked together on

industry issues; supported a dispute

resolution framework for members; and

identified opportunities where both

could benefit through co-operation.

The MOU included an annual

$10,000 sponsorship package to assist

the growers fund projects and support

the work of its Industry Development

Officer. See the BDGA report on Page

24 for more details.

New guide for Junior Executive

Bowen and Brisbane Markets relationship renewed

Lavender and Sons Principal

and Brismark Board Member

Gary Lavender is to guide the

Brisbane Markets Junior Executive

Committee over the coming year,

but in a new twist, a Junior Executive

member will chair the meeting.

Mr Lavender replaces former Board

Member Derek Barea, who sold his

wholesaling business in 2009.

The Junior Executive Committee was

established as a training ground for up

and coming younger members of the

Brisbane Produce Market community

who are looking to take more

responsibility and possibly nominate

as a Brismark director in the future.

Your IndustrY super Fund

the industry super fund for rural and regional Australia

^Based on independent research by SuperRatings. Fees may vary in the future.

Austsafe Pty Ltd ABN 96 010 528 597 AFSL 314183 RSE Licence L0002035 is the Trustee of AustSafe Super ABN 92 398 191 503 RSE Registration R1005509 SFN 147 555 940 SPIN ASF0001AU

AustSafe Super is a true blue industry super fund established by people in the country for people in the country. Make sure you’re with a fund that carries this symbol.

call 1300 131 293 or visit www.austsafe.com.au

ASS1030

BRISBANE MARKETS LIMITED CHAIR TONY JOSEPH, AND DAUGHTER NICOLE, WITH THEIR RACING CRABS AT THE BOWEN DISTRICT GROWERS ASSOCIATIONS FUNDRAISING GALA DINNER. NICOLE’S NO 13 TOOK OUT LINE HONOURS.

Chemicals under reviewTwo chemicals commonly used to treat

produce for Queensland fruit fly are being

reviewed by the Australian Pesticides and

Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)

and will most likely become restricted or

prohibited in the future.

There is no suitable chemical to replace

dimethoate and fenthion.

The news has not been well received by

the Queensland strawberry industry which

relies on the chemicals at various times of

the year to allow it to send fruit south to

the larger Sydney and Melbourne markets.

However, a National Response Plan is

being developed to look at the issue and

a Response Coordination Committee

is examining systems based measures

to allow the interstate trade in many

important lines of produce to continue,

such as strawberries.

Brismark General Manager, Ian Main,

said the new approach was likely to

impact the the way Central Market

Wholesalers operated.

He said Brismark had established links

with the committee to keep informed of

its progress.

Industry

Brisbane Markets joins Primary Industries WeekBrisbane Markets joined farmers and their associated

organisations right across Queensland to celebrate the 15th

annual Primary Industries Week, held in late April.

The Brisbane Produce Market Queensland Kids Fresh Net

Team helped educate up to 550 Brisbane primary school

children who attended a Rural Discovery Day at the Brisbane

RNA Showgrounds.

The event was one of many celebrations, including award

ceremonies across the state to draw attention to the $13

billion primary industries sector and the significant economic

growth of both regional and urban Queensland.

Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin even called into the

Brisbane Markets to meet with wholesalers and discuss their

role in the future of the industry.

"One in eight jobs in the Queensland workforce is either

partially or entirely supported by the agricultural supply

chain, so it is a critical area of employment and growth,

particularly in regional Queensland,” Mr Mulherin said.

"The strength of the sector should also be celebrated with a

gross value product estimated to be an impressive 8% higher

than last year," he said.

BRISBANE PRODUCE MARKET’S VANESSA KENNEDY (CENTRE) SPREADS THE GO FOR 2 & 5 MESSAGE WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HER FRIENDS DURING PRIMARY INDUSTRIES WEEK.

17

Who speaks when our industry comes under fire?The horticulture industry is

facing damage from the lack of an

appointed industry advocate who can

speak on its behalf when it comes

under attack for not being clean and

green enough.

The phones rang hot the day after

Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes and the

ABC’s 7.30 Report programs reported

the grievances of a fish hatchery

owner in Noosa who claimed she,

her fish and her animals were being

poisoned by deadly and body-

deforming sprays from a nearby

macadamia farm.

The chemicals were identified as

endosulfan and carbendazim.

The 60 Minutes program included

scenes of deformed people from

across the world along with footage

of the macadamia farm near the

Noosa fish hatchery, in an unproven

link suggesting the farmer was using

chemicals responsible for illnesses

and a two-headed fish embryo.

Concerned consumers wanted to

know from retailers and the Brisbane

Markets if the chemicals used on

their fruit and vegetables would

cause their children to become as

sick as the animals featured on the

60 Minutes program.

With little warning of the one-sided

media report, Brisbane Markets

joined a throng of horticultural

organisations voicing concern that a

body was required to speak on behalf

of industry...but who?

In previous years, Fresh Produce

Watch would have made comment

but this organisation has been

dissolved through industry political

power plays.

The government body, Australian

Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines

Authority (APVMA), had initially

sent information to the 60 Minutes

program, which was not used, and

refused to comment on camera.

The APVMA was heavily critized by

the 60 Minutes program for its lack

of comment and thus a one-sided

report was produced.

The following day, the APVMA

released a statement saying,

"The proposition that the Australian

public is at risk from ... endosulfan

and carbendazim is not supported

by the evidence."

The APVMA said both chemicals

were little used in Australia, with

endosulfan accounting for less

than 1% of insecticide sales and

carbendazim just over 1% cent of

fungicide sales.

Ausveg Chair, Richad Mulcahy, took

to the television on Channel Nine’s

Morning Show to assure consumers

vegetables were safe.

This position is supported by the

results of the Australian Chamber

of Fruit and Vegetables Industries

Fresh Test program which highlights

ongoing high levels of food safety

compliance.

Queensland's fruit and vegetable

grower body, Growcom, and the

Australian Macadamia Society also

later condemned the report.

The two bodies said there had

been a review of pesticides in the

macadamia industry, which is due for

release in late May or early June.

They also said there had been a

significant increase in the use of

integrated pest management in the

past five years.

The issue has not gone away.

The fish hatchery owner has begun

legal proceedings against the

macadamia farmer. Shine Lawyers

solicitor Rebecca Jancauskas said the

action was to recover compensation

for the significant financial losses

that the owner had suffered, together

with recognition for the ongoing

harm that has been caused to her

hatchery and her business.

No doubt we will hear a lot more on

this issue.

Citrus Australia appoints new chairCitrus Australia re-elected growers Kevin

Cock and Kevin Parr to serve on the

Board at its first Annual General Meeting

in Renmark, South Australia.

Following the meeting, the directors

appointed Tania Chapman as Chair and

Kevin Parr as Deputy Chair.

Ms Chapman, previously the Deputy

Chair, is a grower director with

experience in citrus and grape growing.

She holds tertiary qualifications in

accounting and business management

and is a member of the Australian

Institute of Company Directors.

Crunch time for overseas apple entryAustralian apple and pear growers are

extremely concerned with a provisional

final Import Risk Analysis (IRA)

potentially opening the way for apples to

arrive from China.

Australian Apple and Pear Association

Limited (APAL) spokesperson on

biosecurity issues and chairman of

the Fire Blight Task Force, John Corby

said the concerns of growers had been

ignored in the process.

“With three diseases, in particular

oriental fruit moth, apple brown rot

and European canker, the IRA does

not specify which provinces have

an unacceptable risk, but rather

recommends that China is responsible

for advising Biosecurity Australia before

an appropriate protocol is established.

“During the China IRA process, the

Australian apple and pear industry has

on many occasions communicated

its concerns regarding the pest and

disease risks of the different regions in

China. Clearly our concerns have been

disregarded in this final risk analysis.”

Meanwhile, New Zealand apples are a

step closer to entering Australia.

Australian orchardists are worried parts

of the industry could be wiped out if

apples are imported from New Zealand

because of the fear of fire blight disease.

An interim document from the World

Trade Organisation given to the

Australian Government has concluded

that Australian quarantine restrictions

breaches world trade rules by keeping

the kiwi apples out.

APAL General Manager, Tony Russell,

says the industry hasn't seen the report.

“At this point it is still only an interim

report which is still subject to review

by the two parties and we will wait

until we see the final outcome from the

dispute panel before we decide on what

happens,” Mr Russell said.

“To be honest, I think it will be a

government decision not an industry

decision anyway.”

Industry

19

Unfair dismissalsBY BRISBANE MARKETS LIMITED HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER RENAE LONG

As an employer, you are bound to

follow laws, codes and regulations

when considering terminating an

employee.

When performance managing your

staff, there is an important process

in which you should follow to avoid

risks, and changes to legislation that

have occurred since 2009.

It is important as an employer that

you are aware of the legislation, Fair

Work Act (FWA) 2009.

There are exceptions to the Act under

the Small Business Fair Dismissal

Code, which classifies a small

business as having fewer than 15 full

time employees and/or less than 15

employees as per head count as of

January 2011.

There are no changes to the

employee’s probationary period

of six months, there is a genuine

redundancy exception and lastly, the

other exception is the employee’s

remuneration cap of $108,300.

These are three significant factors for

an employer.

The salary cap relates to the minimum

remuneration for an employee.

Over this amount the employee

may be subject to different rules as

they do not have instant access to

the provisions under the National

Employment Standards (NES) of

Fair Work Act 2009.

The employee is only eligible to make

application to Fair Work Australia

(FWA) if they are covered by a Modern

Award and/or have an enterprise

agreement that applies to them.

The processes within FWA have

changed since 2009 and you should

make yourself aware of these changes.

For example, an employee who wishes

to submit a claim for unfair dismissal

must now submit an application

to FWA within 14 days of being

dismissed. If the claim is not received

within this time, then the claim should

be rejected on those grounds.

Many of the new conciliation

processes through FWA are

conducted via phone, with most

resolved prior to the conciliation.

However, the trend seems to be going

down the path of increased claims of

unfair dismissal in FWA.

The test for unfair dismissal includes

harsh, unjust, unreasonable and/or

the application of the Small Business

Fair Dismissal Code.

If laws and processes are not followed,

there is a possibility of reinstatement

of employees, a compensation

payment or a consideration of

amounts for a payout.

If you are looking at dismissing an

employee, always review the potential

outcomes and associated risks.

Further informationFor further information regarding these changes, visit:

http://www.fwa.gov.au/

http://www.workplacerights.qld.gov.au/choices/dismissal/index.htm

NOTE: This article is intended as a source of information only. No reader should act on any matter without first obtaining professional advice.

Every Australian business has to deal with

risk and in many cases we are able to

insure against these risks.

There is the risk that an employee may be

hurt, that the general public may be hurt

on your worksite or the risk of a motor

vehicle accident.

We are able to pay to reduce this risk

through insurances and we do so even in

the face of significant premium rises.

Our businesses pay these premiums even

though these risks may not materialise;

hopefully people will not be hurt and

accidents will not happen.

The threat of climate change is a real risk

for Australian business. The insurance

payment is a national program called the

Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

Climate change is about increasing

greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere.

Last year we consumed about 75 million

tonnes of coal to produce electricity.

We use over 20 billion litres of fuel and

14.5 billion litres of diesel, with the

Government collecting 38.143 cents per

litre. We have increased our emissions

for energy and transport by over 30%

since 1990 and the Government taxes have

increased in line with that.

The climate change debate in this

country has polarised Australians like no

other issue.

Australians enmasse have made decisions

with little or no information, quoting

whichever expert to back their opinions

and the perceived effect on them.

The experts rolled out one argument

after another with the general public

drawing conflicting conclusions from the

same facts. As with all arguments where

the right answer probably lies between

the two protagonists, Australians are left

wondering what is going on.

When we make decisions on insurance,

we gather all information and make

a decision for our business with the

assistance of our insurance broker

or agent.

The insurance industry watchdog is the

Australian Prudential Regulation Authority

(APRA) which advised that life insurance

premiums to December 2009 were over

$39 billion, with total assets underpinning

these premiums in excess of $242 billion.

Australian people pay $66 billion for the

Medicare levy not including private health

insurance premiums.

This cost is for life insurance alone; what

cost do we put to reducing the probability

that climate change is real; balancing the

fact that it might not be real.

If climate change is real, theconsequences

for business is catastrophic, with a range

of scenarios from minimal to the CSIRO

and Al Gore’s claim of sea level rises of

6 metres.

The cost of climate change to Australian

business is likely to be $16 billion per

year; 41% of life insurance or 24% of

health insurance.

What price do Australians put on saving

Australia?

Climate change - why action now is a cost effective insuranceBY CARBON HOUSE CEO ROD GLASS

Industry

Information technology firm,

Ironbark Software, has come up with

a new solution for labelling fresh

produce that provides transparency

and efficiency across the whole

supply chain.

The solution, called eFreshPak, is a

piece of software designed to provide

data on growers, pack houses, freight

forwarders and agents/merchants.

Ironbark Software Managing Director,

Chris Findlater, said eFreshPak was

designed for the small to medium

pack house that required

functionality and smooth integration

between capture of pack out data,

pallet control and marketing.

He said the system comprised of a

local installation for stock control

and dispatch manifests, and RF

(electromagnetic wave) wireless

scanning and label production for

carton and pallets (including Serial

Shipping Container Code labels).

This is seamlessly integrated with an

Internet-hosted ‘cloud’ application

providing the pack house with

functions for sales orders and

consignments, market returns, grower

Recipient Created Tax Invoice (RCTI)

and averaging of market returns.

This hosted application provides

the administrative functions such

as backups and extensive reporting.

Freight forward advices and emails are

handled automatically by the web host.

This integration of local applications

and web based allows for high speed

capture of pack out data, independent

of Internet speed (bandwidth).

Mr Findlater said the web host also

facilitated the rapid update of market

returns and sales results by brokers

and market agents eliminating the

need for re-entry of data.

The agent ‘portal’ can only access

pack out data that has been

specifically forwarded to the agent

and that agent has agreements in

place with the grower/ pack house.

“The focus has been to address

those pack houses that require

minimal administration overhead

and investment in computer

technology yet deliver the services

that competitive larger pack houses

employ,” Mr Findlater said.

21

Software bears fruit for small to medium businesses

Streamline Operations with Ironbark Fresh Produce

Manage the LOT Better

✓ WMS & 3PL✓ Lot Tracking✓ Pallet & Crate Control✓ Packhouse System✓ Farm Management

1 8 0 0 6 4 9 5 2 4Call Us for a FREE Demonstration

www.ironbark.com.au

For:✓ Medium & Large Enterprised✓ Distributors/Traders/Brokers✓ Agents & Sales Floor

IndustryWater pipelines boom

The Department of Employment,

Economic Development and

Innovation (DEEDI) has signed a

$2.6 million agreement with

Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL)

that could see the state’s strawberry

industry worth up to $500 million

annually within a decade.

The aim of the three-year program

was to breed strawberry varieties

suited to Australian conditions.

The National Strawberry Varietal

Improvement Program - Subtropical

Regions will hopefully establish a

world-leading, cost-efficient program

to drive the industry forward.

Minister for Primary Industries,

Tim Mulherin, said Queensland was

to develop a range of high-quality,

high-value strawberry varieties suited

to important growing regions in sub-

tropical environments.

“The Australian strawberry industry

was built using overseas varieties,

but they are not entirely suited

to Australian growing conditions,

or changing domestic consumer

requirements,” Mr Mulherin said.

“About 10% of strawberries sold

domestically are Australian-bred

varieties and we want to increase that

to 20 per cent by 2015.”

The Minister said DEEDI had been

breeding strawberries for Australia’s

sub-tropical zones since the early

1990s.

Over the past year, water pipeline

construction has boomed. Water pipeline

projects have been completed and are

being proposed to lead from key water

catchment areas to supply towns, as

associated infrastructure for desalination

plants, and as replacement infrastructure

for the upgrade of inefficient irrigation

channel systems.

Queensland

Rockhampton to Yeppoon. In July 2009, the

$50 million 34km water pipeline project

reached a milestone with the laying of the

final contracted pipe work that connects

the Rockhampton and Yeppoon water

supply service.

Cloncurry. In November 2009, the

construction of 38 km was completed. The

pipeline interconnects with the existing

North West Queensland Pipeline to deliver

up to 1,500 ML of water.

Connors River Dam. Works on the

proposed Connors River Dam and

associated water pipelines, located

approximately 100 km east of Moranbah,

could start as early as 2011. The proposed

130 km of large diameter pipeline will

carry approximately 45,000 ML/a of water

to the Bowen Basin.

Esk Shire. In November 2009, the

construction of a 38 km pipeline and a

pump station was completed with an

initial capacity to deliver 200 ML/a of water

from Wivenhoe Dam to Toowoomba’s

Cressbrook Dam.

Sunshine Coast to Brisbane. For the first

time, a connection will be made between

the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane water

sources, protecting both regions from

localised droughts.

The Northern Pipeline Interconnector (NPI)

Stage 2 has recently commenced and will

be approximately 48 km and extend from

the existing NPI Stage 1 Landers Shute

Water Treatment Plant at Eudlo to the Noosa

Water Treatment Plant near Cooroy on the

Sunshine Coast.

Funding boost to grow national strawberry plan

Talking apples and pearsBY DAVID CHENU, HORTICULTURE AUSTRALIA LIMITED (HAL) GENERAL MANAGER – MARKETING

An apple a day keeps the doctor away

The 2010 apples campaign uses the old

adage ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor

away’ to illustrate that apples really

are a superfood.

In 2010, Aussie apples will return to

the television with a commercial that

contains real-life doctors talking to the

camera in a very tongue in cheek way,

telling Australians to think before they

eat an apple a day because if they do,

their livelihood will be threatened.

With on air dates from mid May to end

June, the commercial will be seen on

both free to air and Pay television.

Other key elements to support the

2010 apple campaign include the use

of: on-line and social media, outdoor

posters, launch of CSIRO 2010 apple

report, quarterly e newsletters updating

Health Professionals on recent research

undertaken on apples, 2010 Search

for Australia’s Healthiest School,

redevelopment of apples website, public

relations, stores campaign incorporating

major retailers and independents and

a range of local activities organised by

State Associations.

Support Aussie apples

With the import of apples becoming a

harsh reality, work is being done behind

the scenes to ensure a stronger Aussie

Apple brand.

During the first half of the 2010 season,

HAL will be conducting a series of one

on one interviews with a range of

Market wholesalers and retailers to

gain feedback.

These interviews are critical in ensuring

that HAL’s ongoing promotional program

not only grows demand of Aussie Apples

but supports wholesalers and retailers.

23

Rediscovering the pear2010 will see a return to the “rediscover the pear” campaign that began in 2009.

The campaign was developed as a result of extensive consumer research and has

very positive results to date.

The major themes of the campaign were education and versatility, educating the

consumer on topics such as testing ripeness, to ensure the eating experience was

as positive as possible, and then supporting this by showing the consumer all the

ways in which pears could be enjoyed, with the ultimate aim of driving demand.

For further details on the apple and pear national levy funded campaigns,

please contact Michelle Toft at Horticulture Australia Ltd on 02 8295 2375 or

michelle.toft@horticulture.com.au.

Brisbane Markets a platinum partner

BY BOWEN AND GUMLU DISTRICT GROWERS ASSOCIATION INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER DENISE KREYMBORG

Industry

Bowen District Growers Association Inc

(BDGA) is pleased to announce that once

again Brisbane Produce Markets will

continue its platinum partnership with

a new Memorandum of Understanding

(MOU) signed recently.

The MOU means the continuation of a

great working relationship with Brisbane

Produce Markets for a more sustainable

future for the horticulture industry.

The BDGA values the importance of all

levels of the industry working together.

Building and maintaining good

relationships with government, industry

bodies and the supply chain is the key to

a sustainable future for the industry.

The industry partnership program in

Bowen and Gumlu supports industry

projects such as Biodegradable Mulch

Film trials, Fruit Fly Market Access

projects, Efficacy and Irradiation Trials,

Climate Change initiatives, improved

on-farm systems management and the

incorporation of new technology and

innovation and environmentally friendly

farming techniques.

This year, many growers are focusing

their attention on improving already best

practice on farm management systems.

Through the Federal Government Reef

Rescue initiative, growers are upgrading

water quality systems to include better

management of nutrients, pesticides,

irrigation and general soil management.

Growers are paying particular attention

to making sure there is minimal run-

off from horticulture production in the

Bowen and Gumlu region by improving

water quality.

Once again, the Bowen District Growers

Annual Gala Dinner with a “Casino

Royale” theme is upon us. A full report,

with photographs will appear in the next

Fresh Source magazine.

This is a huge event for the industry, with

many guests attending from interstate.

BDGA hosted the Brisbane Produce

Markets Board of Directors and the event

included a sponsorship/partnership

breakfast and industry tour in the

morning prior to the gala dinner.

BDGA PRESIDENT CARL WALKER AND HIS WIFE TRUDI WERE RECENTLY GUESTS AT THE BRISBANE PRODUCE MARKET GALA DINNER. BRISBANE MARKETS BOARD MEMBERS WERE SHAPING UP TO ATTEND THE BDGA DINNER AS FRESH SOURCE WENT TO PRINT.

25

A planned grower visit from Bundaberg Fruit and

Vegetable Grower (BFVG) members was delayed by

weather with a new visit scheduled for the 15-member

team on 22-24 June.

The two-and-a-half day visit is a jointly funded project

between BFVG, Brisbane Markets and Horticulture

Australia Limited.

It was hoped to run the tour in March but the continual

rain associated with the deluge from Cyclone Ului meant

growers were waterlogged.

Seats are still available for the visit that will include a

Brisbane Produce Market tour, speaker’s forum, visits to

retailers, processing plants and informative dinners.

Any grower interested in being part of this Brisbane

Markets discovery tour can contact BFVG Executive Officer

Peter Peterson on 07 4153 307 or email

bfvg.info@bfvg.com.au.

Workplace breaches impacting town's imageBundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers say the region's

reputation has been damaged by ongoing reports of

workplace breaches in the industry.

Workplace Ombudsman, Don Brown, met with workers

in April after a rise in complaints about farm working

conditions, particularly concerning backpackers.

Mr Brown’s program involved speaking with employers

and labour hire companies in an effort to educate them on

their responsibilities and regulations.

Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers Executive

Officer, Peter Peterson, said everyone was affected by the

reputation being hit by the workplace breaches.

"The whole district is suffering from an image issue

associated with what's been going on, or what's been

reported," Mr Peterson said.

“Unfortunately there appears to be an element in our

industry who simply do not comply with regulations and

legislation which then brings both our industry and our

region into disrepute.

"The sooner we can tidy it up, the better off the whole

industry and the whole district will be.”

The Queensland Workplace Rights Ombudsman team

spent a week in the region examining the treatment of

farm workers.

The visit follows a series of stories media articles about

the alleged mistreatment of fruit pickers, particularly

foreign backpackers.

“At the end of the day it’s about making sure employees

and contractors understand their rights and obligations

regarding staff and how they are treated,” Mr Peterson said.

Grower visit to Brisbane Markets

Long range weather forecasting

Planning and preparing for future weather

trends is an asset to any farmer.

Long range weather forecasting is one the

oldest professions in history and has been

conducted on many bases such as planets,

moons and tides to name a few.

You may be familiar with the household

names of Clement Wragge, Inigo Jones

and Lennox Walker, three men who

were the pioneers of long range weather

forecasting throughout Australia. With

their weather predictions they were

adamant, that what was happening

throughout the world was correlated to

the sun’s surface.

What’s the theory behind it?

The world's weather is very much

influenced by the activities of the stellar

hydrogen fusion reactor, that we call the

"sun". The primary process which powers

the sun is the fusion of hydrogen gas to

form helium, with the subsequent release

of vast amounts of energy.

The interior of the sun is estimated to

be several million degrees celsius, with

surface temperatures around 6,000

degrees celsius. This star has a mass

332,830 greater than that of earth and a

mean diameter of 1,392,000 km compared

to the 12,753 km diameter of earth. Even

though it is located at a mean distance of

some 149,600,000 kms from earth, it is our

primary source of life and energy.

The sun's corona and huge solar flares

produced from sunspots and the sun’s

magnetic fields, project hundreds of

thousands of kilometres from the sun's

surface and stream into space.

These solar winds have a profound

influence on the world's radio

transmissions and weather. They have

high-energy charged particles that

bombard the earth causing ionisation

of the upper layers of the atmosphere,

polar auroras, significant distortion of

the earth's magnetic fields, and a charged

particle "tail" which extends into deep

space on the shadow side of the earth.

Layman’s terms

In layman terms, the magnetic field from

the sun effects our magnetic field at the

poles and equator, thus causing a shift in

the barometric pressure, producing high

and low pressure systems.

Since November 2009, we have seen a

huge increase in sunspot activity hence

the good rainfall which has graced us.

Planet positions an important key

Futhermore, one must take into

consideration the planetary positions.

This is very well documented by the late

Inigo Jones who predicted in 1953, that

there would be drought conditions from

1982 to the early 2000’s. His forecast was

based on these planetary positions and

was correct in his assumption.

Today we still forecast the weather on

the above principles and people from all

walks of life obtain our forecasts.

Whether it be a bride, farmer, grazier

or corporate concern, the public turn a

business risk into a business asset.

Forecasts are usually prepared 12 months

in advance, however depending on the

client’s need an extended forecast can

also be available.

Talking about the weatherStop and chat with any

grower and at some stage,

the subject of the weather

will turn up, whether it’s a

plea to the sky to stop or

start raining, a comment

on how it’s been and

sometimes a guess at

what the weather is going

to be like.

Either way, the weather can

make or break any grower

with an outdoor crop

as years of drought and

recent floods have proven.

In this edition of Fresh

Source, we take a look

at long range weather

forecasting and hear

predictions from an

expert for the Winter

months ahead.

Hayden Walker lives

in Bundaberg, is well-

renowned for the accuracy

of his long-range weather

predictions, and plays a

major role in predicting

extreme weather events up

to five years into the future.

He is the son of Lennox

Walker, the world-famous

Australian Long Range

Weather Forecaster, and

the fourth-generation

of a remarkable lineage

of forecasters.

Long range weather forecasting – what’s it all about?

BY HAYDEN WALKER, LONG RANGE WEATHER FORECASTER

feature

27

Long range weather forecast: The Winter outlookThe following long range weather forecasts are for the winter months of June, July and August:

JUNE JULY AUGUST

Peninsula General: Light falls about average.

General: Confined to a few showers.

General: Confined to a few showers.

Carpentaria General: Light falls about average.

General: Confined to a few showers.

General: Confined to a few showers.

Far North Coast - BarronGeneral: Moderate to reasonably good rains above average.

General: Moderate to reasonably good rains above average.

General: Moderate to reasonably good rains above average.

Far North Coast - Herbert General: Reasonably good rains above average.

General: Reasonably good rains above average.

General: Reasonably good rains above average.

Central CoastGeneral: Moderate to reasonably good rains about average.

General: Moderate rains above average.

General: Moderate to reasonably good rains above average.

Central Highlands/Lowlands

General: Moderate to reasonably good rains above average.

General: Light to moderate falls above average.

General: Moderate falls above average.

Upper and Lower Western

General: Light falls about average.

General: Light falls about average.

General: Light to moderate falls above average.

Port CurtisGeneral: Moderate to reasonably good rains above average.

General: Moderate rains about average.

General: Moderate to reasonably good rains above average.

Moreton South EastGeneral: Moderate to reasonably good rains above average.

General: Moderate rains about average.

General: Moderate to reasonably good rains above average.

Darling Downs General: Moderate rains above average.

General: Moderate to reasonably good rains above average.

General: Moderate to reasonably good rains above average.

Maranoa General: Moderate rains above average.

General: Moderate rains above average.

General: Moderate rains above average.

Warrego General: Moderate rains above average.

General: Moderate rains above average.

General: Moderate rains above average.

Far South West General: Moderate rains above average.

General: Moderate rains above average.

General: Moderate rains above average.

In the present state of this research, no guarantee can be given as to the accuracy of this forecast.

A longer term forecast can be supplied by contacting Hayden Walker on 0408 846 890 or visiting the website www.walkersweather.com.au

RetailingClayfield Markets Fresh wins the big prizeIt was twice in the winner’s circle for a

surprised Carlo and Susan Lorenti, of

Clayfield Markets Fresh, after being named

the Brisbane Produce Market Fresh Tastes

Retailer of the Year – an honour they also

took in 2005.

The announcement was made at the

Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner,

held at the Brisbane Convention and

Exhibition Centre in February.

Mr Lorenti was taken by surprise but not

enough to forget a pledge he and wife

Susan made if they won the prestigious

award again.

The couple immediately donated the

$5,000 cash component of their $10,000

cash and advertising prize to children’s

cancer charity, Redkite.

It’s a charity the Lorenti’s know well after

having both held the Brisbane Markets

Mango King (and Queen) crowns in 2007

and 2009, with all proceeds from their

winning bids supporting Queensland

children’s charities, Redkite and Life

Education Queensland.

The community minded couple said that

their store’s motto is “nothing is too

much trouble”.

It is not just their accolades that have left

the couple and their team glowing with

pride. The win has brought the store

media exposure in the local newspaper,

customer recognition, improved staff

morale and word of mouth that has

seen this award sought after as the

ultimate prize for South-East Queensland

greengrocers.

FROM LEFT, BRISBANE MARKETS LIMITED (BML) CHAIRMAN TONY JOSEPH, CLAYFIELD MARKETS FRESH’S CARLO AND SUSAN LORENTI AND BML CEO ANDREW YOUNG AFTER THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE LORENTI’S WIN AT THE BRISBANE PRODUCE MARKET GALA DINNER.

Ref:Ref: 66088803

Brief: BML_CORP

Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy

City North NewsThursday 11/3/2010Page: 14Section: General NewsRegion: Brisbane Circulation: 29,227

Type: SuburbanSize: 273.32 sq.cms.Published: ---T---

29

graphic design web solutions

branding packaging

Apply our creative juices to your problem areas*

*It’s not as gross as it sounds.

always thinking...

SURVEY

GATHER

DISCOVER

DEVELOP

DELIVER

MEASURE

logotype symbol

sloganCALL TODAY on 07 3040 4343 or find us on the web at effigy.com.au

PROUD SPONSOR OF BRISBANE MARKETS

No excuse not to join Fresh Tastes in 2010 Fresh Tastes officially launched in

April with a full week of activities on

the Brisbane Produce Market trading

floor, encouraging independent

greengrocers to join.

On top of the Market-based

promotions, all Brismark Buyers were

posted an information pack, leaving

no stone unturned in encouraging

stores to register in the 2010 program.

The Fresh Tastes program is funded

by Brismark and Brisbane Markets

Limited to support independent fruit

and vegetable retailers, strengthen

the industry and increase the sales of

fruit and vegetables in store.

This year Fresh Tastes has announced

the addition of four new promotions

for registered stores to ‘buy-in’ to

throughout the year, including:

• The$20,000Fruit&VegCompetition

(July):a consumer competition

where each participating store will

be asked to provide a major prize

of $1,000 worth of produce, and

with a minimum of 20 stores signed

up, this will be the biggest fruit and

vegetable competition Brisbane has

ever seen.

• IndividualStoreFlyers:double

sided seasonal flyer overprinted

with the participating store’s name,

Fresh Tastes logo, recipe idea and

store ‘offer’.

• Jute‘Produce’Bags:custom

designed Fresh Tastes Produce Bags

created to encourage a greater

transactional spend in-store with

the store name printed on each.

• LoyaltyCards:Bright,fruityLoyalty

Cards designed to be overprinted

with each store name and a unique

offer/discount provided after the

designated number of purchases.

Along with the new initiatives, the

existing free Retailer of the Month/

Year mystery shopping awards

continue from May to December.

MORNINGSIDE GREENGROCER FEAST ON FRUIT’S SERGIO CARBONE JOINS FRESH TASTES WITH A SMILE.

FRESH TASTES MARKETING OFFICER, EVAN BAREA (RIGHT) EXPLAINING THE NEW INITIATIVES FOR 2010 AT THE BARBECUE BREAKFAST.

Teachers give A+ to Queensland Kids Fresh Net

Healthyand

The Queensland Kids Fresh Net (QKFN)

program has had a successful start to

the 2010 school year with Queensland

primary school teachers giving the

program top marks in a recent survey.

From the teachers who were surveyed

after hosting a healthy eating classroom

presentation conducted in Term

1 of 2010, 80% responded that the

presentation had encouraged more in-

class discussion about healthy eating and

different types of fruits and vegetables.

Over 90% of respondents firmly believed

that the presentations made a difference

to the health and nutrition of the students.

Brisbane Markets Limited (BML)

launched the program in 2003 with the

wholesaler representative organisation

Brismark in response to research which

demonstrated that diet related health

problems were increasing in children.

The QKFN program encourages primary

aged children to make healthy eating

choices and live an active lifestyle.

Since 2003, the QKFN team has presented

classroom presentations and conducted

Market tours to over 40,000 primary school

children about fruit and vegetables.

Brisbane Produce Market is a supporter of two Queensland initiatives that reward, educate and promote healthy

eating messages.

Keep Australia Beautiful Queensland (KABQ)

Brisbane Produce Market has renewed its 2010 sponsorship and will continue to

support KABQ’s Green and Healthy Schools program through sponsorship of the

“Brisbane Produce Market’s Healthy Eating Award”

This initiative is about rewarding schools that promote and enhance healthy

food choices including initiatives such as Go for 2&5, fresh food initiatives or programs, healthy food in tuckshops,

seasonal menus, cultural foods awareness, strong messages for students (and parents) on nutritious foods,

cleanliness and personal hygiene and registration to the Brisbane Markets QKFN program.

KABQ is Queensland's longest standing community-based, environmental organisation. Keep Australia Beautiful's

programs motivate people to enhance the quality of their local environment through personal initiative and

community action.

Life Education Queensland

Brisbane Produce Market has renewed its 2010 sponsorship of Life Education

Queensland (LEQ) and assists this worthwhile charity by sponsoring kids and

teachers workbooks/manuals that have a focus on healthy eating and active

lifestyles.

LEQ has a fleet of 13 mobile learning vans in Queensland that visits schools

impacting more than 120,000 primary school children each year.

LEQ is a community-based not-for-profit organisation at the front line of positive

and preventative drug and health education.

Sponsorships keep the healthy message alive

TRUST ZUPPS FOR TRUCKSFOR TRUCKSRUCKSRUCK

zupps.com.au/trucks

143 Marshall Rd, Rocklea Ph: 3277 9355 A/H: Graham 0407 377 706 Brendan 0400 705 224 Brendon 0407 646 529 Brain 0427 266 541 Daryl 0408 882 168

Zupps Trucks Centre Rocklea

• Convenient Rocklea location - ideal for Brisbane Markets operators

• Nobody beats Zupps on price

• Full range of FUSO trucks from the 2 tonne CANTER (only requires car license) to the heavy duty FIGHTER range

• 24 hour after sales and parts support

• Vehicle servicing between 7am & 11pm every working day or Saturday morning.

• In field service unit can come to you – saves you time and money

S O L U T I O N S F O R E V E R Y P A L L E T ®

1800 425 438www.toyotamaterialhandling.com.au

It really is no surprise that Toyota Material Handling sells more forklifts than any other company in the Australian Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Markets.With Australia’s biggest range of forklifts and the commitment to customer service and after-sales

support you’d expect from the market leader*, we guarantee to deliver the best quality material handling solutions all year round, no matter what the season. So give us a call and get a fresh forklift deal today.

Guess who’s the number one forklift choicein the Australian markets?

*Source: Logistik Journal 2009

TMH0011 Markets_FP_Final.indd 3 2/3/10 3:46:04 PM