Certificate 3 Production Horticulture Course enrolments now open

We are now taking enrolments for our Certificate III Production Horticulture course. 

This course is run as a 'blended learning' model which offers participants the maximum amount of flexibility in their studies while still retaining a high level of industry relevance and credibility.

The course is run on a basic model that sees students attending formal classes one day a week, and participating in online delivery of theoretical training on a further day. This day can be undertaken at anytime that suits the individual.

The are two further days participation required each week and this sees students participating in practical 'on the job' training at Chisholm Institute's National Precision Growing Centre. Students are allocated tasks working on a commercial crop, and all of their activities are tracked by use of our Labour Registration Program - PrivAssist.

The ultimate aim of the course is to get participants 'job ready' in terms of both theoretical knowledge and practical ability, and the use of the blended learning concept provides students with these capabilities.

The next course will commence on Thursday the 18th of July, and places are filling fast so early registration is recommended.

To apply for the course, potential students should firstly register via the www.chisholm.edu.au site and apply via the online system. Enquiries can also be made to course leader Tony Bundock via email at tony.bundock@chisholm.edu.au.

Ready to go again

All set for the next 12 months.......

We have had a pretty busy week's activity as we pulled out our old crop and prepared for the new crop.

Last weekend there was a hive of activity in the greenhouse as staff members and students worked frantically to meet the time lines we had set.This saw plenty of action in removing all of the debris from the previous crop, and a massive effort in power washing / cleaning and sterilizing the interior of our compartment 2 growing area. Our thanks to all the students who volunteered their time for this task.

Once it was all clean we installed the new Grodan Master growing slabs, and then set about "wetting up" the slabs to a prescribed EC level of 3.5.

The next stage will be planting, with our plants making the long road journey from Trandos Hydroponic Growers in Western Australia in air conditioned comfort.

Going, Going - Gone! The end of one crop and the start of another.

 

Going....

 

Going...

 

GONE!!!

A busy week for us at the National Precision Growing Centre as we pull out our old Tomato crop and undertake a quick turn around in order to get ready to plant up the new crop next week.

The task was certainly an 'all hands on deck' approach with staff members and students all pitching in for probably the most unglamorous of tasks that we undertake. With the crop and all the old Grodan slabs now out, the work will continue across the weekend with the washing of the glass, growing gutters, and the irrigation system. This will be followed by a disinfectant spray to remove any pathogens and pests that may be remaining from the old crop.

Our new planting will be quite unique. We are proud to announce that we are now working in partnership with De Ruiter seeds to establish a 'Living Proof' centre that will showcase many of the De Ruiter Tomato varieties. We'll keep you informed on this exciting development in the next few weeks.

The Hydroponic Farmers Federation

Most industries have their own representative organisations, and here at the National Precision Growing Centre we are proud to be members of the Victorian based Hydroponic Farmers Federation. 

This organisation works tirelessly to assist growers to improve their business and growing capacity, as well as offering 'grower meetings' where the members meet and can network to see other growers properties, as well hear invited speakers talk on a wide variety of topics.

The HFF has both grower and industry memberships, and both represent great value for money in terms being part of the industry as well accessing a whole range of services.

On the 25th of June, the HFF will be holding a grower meeting at Avia Produce in Torquay. If you feel that you would like to come along to this event, please feel free to contact the President - John Elford - via email at johnelford@bigpond.com

You don't have to be a member to attend, but there will be a cost of $30 per head, which in this day and age represents pretty good value for money. If you are a member of the HFF, then these events are free, so talk to John about joining this exciting organisation.

Australian horticulture delegates learn Dutch fertigation tips

Several Australian horticulture industry delegates recently had an insight into Dutch greenhouse horticulture and the latest in fertigation of greenhouse crops at an international conference in the Netherlands. 

Tony Bundock, Senior Instructor—Controlled Environment Horticulture, from the National Precision Growing Centre at Chisholm Institute of TAFE in Victoria, Haifa Australia agronomists Shaul Gilan and Peter Anderson, and NSW grower Greg Jarman, of Corindi, near Coffs Harbour, attended an international conference in the Netherlands, which was coordinated by Haifa in conjunction with horticulture experts at Wageningen University and Research Centre (WUR) in Bleiswijk.

The two-day conference also was attended by delegates from Africa, England, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Scandinavia, Spain and Turkey.

Tony Bundock discusses the operation of a Vialux water treatment system with delegates.

Presented by University faculty members, the event covered basic plant nutrition, principles of fertilisation in greenhouse crops, nutrient management and future trends in fertilisation.

Delegates also toured a nearby commercial seedling nursery and research facilities investigating greenhouse water treatment systems; artificial lighting solutions, including LED lights; growing systems, including floating pots; and aspects of greenhouse design. Other experiments involved diverse topics, such as algae production, growing systems for annual flower production and evaluation of trial material from plant breeders.

Delegates also toured the enormous Leo Ammerlaan seedling production facility located near the Wageningen University and Research Centre (WUR) in Bleiswijk. The greenhouse facility, which comprises more than 25 hectares spread over four sites, produces 10 million vegetable seedlings in rockwool containers annually. The family-owned company specialises in capsicums, tomatoes, eggplant and cucumber seedlings. Vegetables represent only 75% of the annual output, with the balance including various flowers such as orchids, roses, bedding plants and pot plants.

At the time of the tour, only cucumbers were in the vegetable nursery. Tomato, eggplant and capsicum already were planted in growers’ greenhouses. While not permitted to photograph the cucumber Water treatment systems using both ultra violet and hydrogen peroxide are being evaluated for water sterilising efficacy.

Use of LED technology in crop growing

New greenhouse design is evaluated in structures built to minimise energy use and maximise crop production. In one structure, light is focused by innovative roof design on to photo-voltaic cells suspended above the crop. Extra light energy, not required by the crop, is utilised to produce electricity for heating and other purposes. CO² enrichment is used in some crops and produced as a by-product of burning natural gas for heating. In the low energy greenhouse, this extra CO² is collected and supplied to growers from a nearby industrial area. The aim of this research is to produce crops using the energy that can be supplied by the greenhouse itself, with no additional energy input.

Artificial lighting is used in the production of seedlings and for short periods during winter for some greenhouse vegetable crops. The research is based on a cost comparison of existing conventional grow-lights with newer LED technology. Reports so far indicate no advantage with the LED systems compared with the current, energetically expensive grow lamps.

While not permitted to photograph the cucumber seedlings, Haifa Australia Agronomist Peter Anderson said Australian growers would have been surprised at the advancement of the seedlings.

“In rockwool containers, the more advanced seedlings were already at flowering stage and were connected to small stakes to keep the 30-40 centimetre vines off the ground,’’ Peter said.

“Many eggplant and tomato seedlings are grafted onto disease-resistant rootstock on site.

“Grading of the seedlings for size is carried out using automated camera graders, with seedlings being graded into three sizes to ensure uniformity of growth when planted out in customers’ production facilities.’’

The nursery is provided with artificial light, while all areas of the greenhouses can be enriched with CO² to promote faster and more efficient growth.

Various irrigation systems are used. A flood and drain system, overhead sprinklers and a travelling boom irrigator can all be used on all crops at various stages.

All irrigation is connected to the fertigation system, which applies fertiliser from a conventional two-tank hydroponic set-up. The fertilisers used for the two tanks—in the familiar ‘Tank A’ and ‘Tank B’ arrangement—are supplied by Haifa and contain all of the macro-elements, plus iron required by the growers. Micro elements, such as copper, zinc and molybdenum, are supplied separately.

The strong response to the international conference has prompted plans for another event in April, 2014 in the Netherlands, whilst Chisholm and Haifa Australia are planning a similar event in September of this year. More details will be posted on both events as further information becomes available.

With thanks to PH&G – May 2013 – Issue 131