News

The avocado genome has been sequenced

Avocado Aug. 9, 2019



Scientists have sequenced the avocado genome, shedding light on the ancient origins of this buttery fruit and laying the groundwork for future improvements to farming.

Read full story

Soil characterisation in Australian apple orchards

Pome fruit Aug. 8, 2019



By calibrating new data with soil moisture data, growers can know when, how much and for how long to irrigate to supply enough water to meet tree demand, writes Marcus Hardie and Nigel Swarts from the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (UTAS).

Read full story

Is that avocado brown already? Genetic research could help

Avocado Aug. 7, 2019



Avocados are famous for having a frustratingly short period of consumption. They’re hard as rocks for a while and as soon as you try to eat one, they’ve turned to brown mush.

Read full story

A Robotic Hand With a Human Touch

Business solutions & labour Harvesting equipment Aug. 7, 2019



Soft robots are being developed that may be able to handle fruit.

Read full story

Defending Australia against Xylella

Cherries Citrus Nuts Olives Stone Fruit Disease & weed control Insect & mite control Aug. 1, 2019



The number one plant biosecurity threat to Australia is now under the spotlight through a new Hort Innovation funded project.

Read full story


Australian start-up creates alternative to plastics

Packaging & labelling July 31, 2019



An Australian start-up has developed a biodegradable alternative to plastic food packaging produced from the chitin and cellulose contained in crustacean skeletons.

Read full story

Quest for custard apple new varieties a long and difficult road, paved with misfires and mutants

Specialty tree crops Tropical trees July 31, 2019



A 25-year quest to produce delicious, commercially successful, new varieties of custard apples is inching closer to completion. But the road has been long and paved with mutants.

Read full story

Indians, Mexicans set for Aussie work under backpacker visa expansion backed by farm lobby

Business solutions & labour July 31, 2019



Backpackers from 13 countries are being targeted by Immigration Minister David Coleman as he seeks to find workers wanted by regional businesses.

Read full story

Accurate yield forecasting and better tree crop managment focus of $5M project

Avocado Citrus Macadamias Mangoes Olives July 29, 2019



A grant worth more than $5 million dollars has been awarded to Hort Innovation to continue work in optimising the management of Australian tree crop industries through innovative mapping and monitoring tools.

Read full story

Could Tissue Culture Meet Avocado Plant Demand?

Avocado July 27, 2019



Plant tissue-culture is a cost-effective means of plant propagation that has been widely applied in the horticulture and forestry industries.

Read full story

Tying up the digital space

General Marketing & export Technology in agriculture July 26, 2019



Tie Up Farming delivers technological and managerial solutions to farmers

Read full story

An apple carries about 100 million bacteria

Pome fruit July 26, 2019



A new study shows that organic apples harbor a more diverse and balanced bacterial community - which could make them healthier and tastier than conventional apples, as well as better for the environment.

Read full story

No longer just a summer fruit, NT mangoes hit Sydney and Melbourne markets in July

Mangoes July 24, 2019



It might be the middle of winter for some, but in the Northern Territory things are starting to heat up with the first trays of mangoes for the 2019/20 season getting picked and sent to the major markets of Sydney and Melbourne.

Read full story

Simpson Farms introduce biodegradable avocado trays

Avocado Packaging & labelling July 23, 2019



Simpson Farms is the first avocado producer in Australia to implement a new fully biodegradable tray liner for packing fruit to help the environment and reduce waste.

Read full story

Gayndah based citrus producer receives grant

Marketing & export July 22, 2019



A North Burnett horticulture producer is set to build a new pre-packaging and quick chill facility with funding from the Queensland Government.

Read full story