Integrated Pest Management
CULTURAL CONTROLS
Essentially, growing plants at the correct time of the year (seasonally) and on land or soil that suits that plant, will reduce the likelihood of pests and disease. Just like humans –a healthy plant is more likely to be able to resist attack from pests and disease then a plant under stress.
Other cultural and management controls used in berry production are:-
More recently, the industry has moved to more capital intensive production of berries. We have seen:-
Quality Assurance - Freshcare
Freshcare is the fresh produce industry’s own on-farm assurance program, meeting the needs of Australian growers in fulfilling both domestic and international market requirements.
Freshcare is a HACCP based Food Safety and Quality Program, widely accepted by all industry sectors – retail, processing and food service. It is currently the largest Australian on-farm assurance program for fresh produce and remains a widely accepted food safety certification for both domestic and export markets.
Aus-Qual is the appointed Certification Body for Freshcare National On-Farm Quality Assurance Program and the Big Berry holds such accreditation and has for some time.
Haygrove Tunnels
These "tunnels" along with raised and potted beds give a better growing environment for our berries, providing frost protection, better biological control, extended cropping cycle and more comfortable and accessible environment for our pickers.
Sustainable Farming
With a range of protected and managed environments - our water and mulching needs are mostly met by our own catchment, recycling of mulched berry canes and better netted and tunneled housings.
Finding Us
After turning off Warburton Highway
travel along the Gembrook-Launching Place Rd,
Go 9.4 km down the road ...
our Entrance is on the LEFT HAND SIDE