DownUnder SPECIAL BULLETIN FROM HAIFA AUSTRALIA EDITION 27 OCTOBER 2024 CMYK Global call to fast-track precision ag, sustainable practices “Australia has made good gains with precision agriculture and adopting more sustainable practices that, ultimately, also help mitigate climate change, but various other regions have a way to go.” It’s not often a leader of a fertiliser manufacturer would put out the call to limit fertiliser use, however he said that’s exactly what was required, but rather through a focus on improved nutrient use efficiency. “To grow higher yielding crops to help feed the world, the natural tendency has been to apply more, but we have over-fertilised and, ironically, contributed to the climate crisis,” said Motti, who also was recently appointed Chair of the Plant Nutrition Working Group at the International Fertilizer Association (IFA). “We need to increase precision agriculture methods, including using smart fertilisers and feeding crops through their roots or leaves, rather than TO ensure long-term global food security, the pathway to precision agriculture and sustainable industry practice needs to take its next steps. That’s the call from Haifa Group CEO Motti Levin, who is in Australia this month meeting with distribution partners and growers together with the company’s local team, and to formally open the 2024 Australian Almond Conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre. “As a collective industry, we all know the quite alarming targets we need to achieve to feed the world as we move towards 2050. The UN says the population will increase by about 40 per cent and food consumption by around 70pc, and the FAO says arable land will decrease by 13pc per capita and irrigation will need to increase 50pc to meet the food demand – as well as draw from reduced water resources,” Motti said. Cont. page 2 by enriching the soils. Smart fertilisers better optimise crop nutrient usage for higher yields, they reduce costs for growers and they help protect the environment.” One of the world’s first fertiliser suppliers to sign up to the Global Compact initiative of the United Nations and its Sustainable Development Goals, Haifa Group has supercharged its drive BIG CALLS AND BIG BALLOONS: Haifa Group CEO Motti Levin had a full itinerary for his Australian visit this month. In between opening the Almond Board of Australia conference in Adelaide and spending time with retail partners, growers and the company’s Australian team, he also scaled great heights. Here he is pictured on a balloon ride over the famous Murray River with wife, Yael, and members of the SA almond industry based at Loxton, including Peter Cavallaro, Dean Pipinias and Melina Mueller, all of Walker Flat Almonds, as well as Gemma Nunn and Jason Garvie from Century Orchards. Haifa Australia (03) 9583 4691 australia@haifa-group.com www.haifa-group.com
3 2 energy produced from 40 hectares of photovoltaic panels will fuel the production of the low emission, cleaner ammonia, which has been trademarked, Blumonia. Nearby, a CO2 plant will be constructed to capture and store the emissions from the ammonia production process. The high concentration and high purity CO2 will be used by the food and beverage industries, as well as the agricultural sector, including the seaweed superfood industry. In another decarbonisation move by the company, Motti said a railway line and terminal was being established directly into its facility to effectively mobilise everything. CEO’s global call cont. from page 1 “The entire supply chain, from production to distribution through to the end usage of our products, is a process we are striving to make circular, sustainable and with minimal impact on the environment, which we measure and monitor throughout the process,” he said. Haifa Group’s manufacturing developments also have broadened its fertiliser product portfolio, from its flagship potassium nitrate to enriched fertiliser blends and controlled release products, and with more recent significant investments into micronutrients, biostimulants and other sophisticated plant nutrition solutions. Supporting the product range is ongoing development with digital agricultural solutions to assist the design of fertiliser programs and real-time decision-making, which Motti said helped to further enhance for improved precision agriculture and sustainability with enormous investment into its manufacturing plants as well as product and application technologies. Motti said the factory investments and new technologies would significantly reduce the company’s carbon footprint and, also importantly, the environmental footprint of agricultural operations, which would come under increasing scrutiny into the future. Haifa Group is investing $700 million into the expansion of its manufacturing facilities and sustainable development capability, including $300 million into a new ammonia plant producing blue ammonia (pictured), the major raw material used in the production of nitrogen fertilisers. Renewable efficiency and sustainability for growers. One of the latest digital developments has been an App called Croptune, which, from leaf photos taken by smartphone cameras, can identify the level of nitrogen in crops and aid agronomic decisions. “In the future, this platform will integrate more modules such as irrigation and plant protection, as well as predict carbon emissions,” Motti said. “These technological advancements not only increase productivity, but also contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing the environmental footprint of agricultural operations.” He said by embracing innovative precision practices and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, the industry could create a resilient agricultural framework that served the needs of the population and preserved the planet for future generations. “At Haifa, we simply believe that by helping growers produce more food while reducing their environmental impact, we can make a positive impact on the world.” “Focusing on nutrient use efficiency and sustainable agriculture solutions is the key to safeguarding our planet’s health, ensuring food security and fostering a thriving future for us all,” Motti said. IN THE MEDIA SCRUM: Motti in an interview with Eliza Berlage and Jessica Schremmer, ABC Rural, and Sebastian Calderon, Murray Pioneer, to discuss his visit to Australia and the SA Riverland early this month. ABOVE LEFT: Haifa Group CEO Motti Levin (left) and Australia Managing Director Trevor Dennis (right) with Troy Lowe during a visit to the Nutrien store at Berri in SA’s Riverland. ABOVE RIGHT: Together with Trevor, Motti enjoyed going from orchard, with Elders Loxton Horticulture Agronomist Steve Lehmann, to table at Almondco Almond Hut, as well as seeing some sights while touring almond country in SA’s Riverland.
5 4 THE fundamentals of the fertiliser market globally and domestically are continuing to encourage local retail partners and growers to arrange their fertiliser requirements at the earliest opportunity. There appears to have been some hesitation at store and grower level on fertiliser purchasing in the hope that prices may soften, however, in various cases, they have been going the other way. We have seen prices rise due to increased shipping costs out of China and around the Asian region. There was recently a US$50/t (AUD$77/t) rise out of China. This was due to a lack of empty containers in China, and, as a result, exporters were bidding for empty containers. It also caused uncertainty on export dates and, thus, arrival dates, with vessels waiting to be filled before departing. People should think carefully about these circumstances and be mindful of offers that appear too good to be true. The big question is when will this extra freight cost be passed onto the Australian market? Additionally, Chinese export quotas also are expected to drop, placing more pressure on supply locally during our peak demand period. Traditionally, as the Northern Hemisphere moves into winter, energy costs rise as supply is moved to heating rather than industrial uses. Phosphate On the phosphate front, we continue to see a firming market, with the granular market also reflecting this. Phosphates are energy intensive and fertiliser production is competing with lithium phosphate battery production. We have received pricing queries at Haifa, but we ask that an “apples for apples” comparison be made. Our products are of the highest quality and are unlikely to go hard in storage or have levels of impurities. Quality, of course, comes at a cost, and product in a Haifa bag is easier to sell than a traded bag of fertiliser. Micronutrients Micronutrients are a relatively new product range for Haifa Australia and already we are experiencing strong sales. We also have received enquiry from our competitors to purchase large volumes, which indicates a market that is short. While we have some products available, we don’t have luxury supplies, particularly considering we are honouring orders from loyal clients before any new orders. For those who may be needing high quality chelated micronutrients, please call your local Haifa sales agent to enquire about supply. Our stock-on-hand levels in the ports or Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane are good, however, it is expected to sell down sharply during September, as the northern and southern seasons merge. Haifa is manufacturing at consistently high levels and demand for product is high globally. Australia competes with other countries for supply and we encourage our retail partners and growers to place orders to guarantee supply. We have been taking orders for October production and shipping for Multi-K GG. Retails stores and growers should be looking to secure product now for January 2025 delivery. If there is no planning, there may not be any supply to sell. Fertiliser market dynamics encourages early planning By Trevor Dennis Managing Director, Haifa Australia Finance Manager still working the numbers to become greener thumb LANDING a role in the horticulture industry as the Finance Manager for Haifa Australia was a new world for Navindra GamlakshageDon, but it’s allowed a greater appreciation for how we grow crops and what we eat and he has since tried his own hand at doing the same. Originally from Sri Lanka, Navindra moved to Melbourne in 2015 and was later joined by his university sweetheart and wife, Ruwani, and their two daughters, Divya (15) and Amaya (12). He spent seven years as a chief accountant with a construction company in Sri Lanka and had a stint with global biotechnology business, CSL, prior to joining Haifa Australia, where he has chalked-up another seven years. It was a big change transitioning from a monster company with many people in the form of CSL, but Navindra said he now appreciated the small office environment and ability to work from home. Navindra is the whole finance division at Haifa Australia and therefore has control, although he said unfortunately it means he cannot delegate to meet deadlines. He said working alongside the Haifa Australia team had provided an insight into the impact agronomists can have on growing operations and it had inspired him to test his own skills in the garden. Navindra has about 300 square metres in the back yard and has been targeting organic vegetable production, plus maximising yield from a couple of plum trees. “We are trying to grow vegetables like salad leaves, spring onions, chillies and sweet potatoes for their leaves, which are great in a stir fry,” Navindra said. Ruwani, who is also an assistant accountant, enjoys cooking some of the produce with their daughters and Navindra said he would keep trying to fine-tune his growing skills. He works four days a week for Haifa Australia and supplements it with something that is not always associated with finance managers – web programming. Meanwhile, the family is now well established in Melbourne and has since been joined by a host of university friends and their families. With a little more improvement in the garden, it means the next night out in Melbourne could be a Sri Lankan feast! Haifa Australia Finance Manager Navindra GamlakshageDon has looked to hone his vegetable growing skills since joining the company. He and his family are pictured with some of their home-grown produce in Melbourne. Never miss an edition of DownUnder SUBSCRIBE Email australia@haifa-group.com with the subject line Subscribe to DownUnder
7 6 and mandarins on their Karadoc property, located near Nangiloc, dating back to the 1970s. Over time, they have established the orchard over their entire ‘Pardo Farms’ property, and today they have a lot of young trees starting from around two years of age, with their oldest trees about 30-35 years of age. They grow early through to late maturing varieties, including M7 and Cara navel oranges, as well as seedless mandarins, all of which are predominantly exported. When it comes to their nutrition, the Pardos work closely with Carlo Niutta of Nangiloc Ag Supplies, and, using their $/ha rule of thumb, they have become CALCULATING citrus input application costs down to the dollar per hectare helps the Pardo family in Victoria’s Sunraysia region to maximise their return on investment – and it doesn’t always mean they choose the most affordable inputs. Some growers can baulk at higher upfront costs without considering potential operational savings and, hence, the associated end cost. The Pardos are always hunting for efficiencies and improved productivity, and gains in these areas can be of higher value than the cost difference between inputs. Third generation grower Joseph Pardo and his father, Tony, have been growing oranges long-term users of the Haifa range of specialty fertilisers. Some of the fertilisers include Multi-K potassium nitrate, the company’s magnesium nitrate products and its new chelated micronutrient range, as well as the high potassium foliar fertiliser, Haifa Bonus. “They are superior quality and everything dissolves,” Joseph said. “We use a fair bit of the Bonus. It’s already got pH buffers and wetter in it, so we don’t have to check the pH. “A lot of people use standard potassium nitrate, but I like the fact it has some P (phosphorus) built-in as well, so we don’t have to come back with further Sunraysia citrus grower Joseph Pardo, Karadoc, pictured discussing nutrition at Pardo Farms with Carlo Niutta, Nangiloc Ag Supplies. Maximising citrus efficiencies, productivity in Sunraysia sprays later on. We don’t have to use MAP later and mix things separately because of any issues. “The Bonus is very compatible and mixes with everything. We have mixed it with seaweed products and micro elements. “We need these efficiencies and the savings from reducing passes and fuel, so we always bring costs back to a $/ha rather than looking at the $/bag (of fertiliser) – and with Bonus it was a no-brainer.” Based on Haifa’s Multi-K potassium nitrate, Haifa Bonus is a highly efficient potassium foliar fertiliser containing pure, fully soluble nutrients and it is free of harmful compounds such as chloride, sodium, perchlorate and excessive sulphate. It also features a specially-developed adjuvant for better adhesion to leaf surfaces, improved absorption and prolonged action. Joseph confirmed that Haifa Bonus adhered to leaves well and its absorption continued with following morning dews. “It certainly hangs around for a while,” he said. “You do see some crystallisation that looks like a little bit of sugar at the bottom of the leaf, but that doesn’t affect anything.” While Haifa Bonus has been popular with various growers, Carlo said there was still strong potential for it to be more widely adopted throughout the Sunraysia region. “It has those extra additives, it can be applied at higher concentrations, it stays on the plant, reactivates and it does a better job – and it saves growers time with other applications,” Carlo said. The Pardos adjust their applications of Haifa Bonus according to the particular crop and yield estimates. Younger trees can receive multiple applications at lower rates. “Earlier applications also can be a benefit on certain varieties,” Joseph said “You have the opportunity to push your fruit size to what you want with Bonus. You don’t want to over-crop and you have that flexibility to change. “We aim for medium to large size fruit – we don’t want marbles and we don’t want footballs. “Bonus helps with the rind quality as well.” Via their airblast sprayer, the Pardos generally apply Haifa Bonus at 2 per cent of the spray solution, however they have successfully applied higher rates up to 4-6pc of the spray solution when required. “We’ve applied those rates in the heat as well and we’ve never had any issues with (leaf ) burn,” Joseph said. Click for further info Haifa Micronutrients Haifa Bonus
9 8 LEAVING life and business and uprooting the family in another country to head to Australia, even when it’s for good reason, is a big move for anyone, but South African Tielmanr Nieuwoudt and family have quickly established themselves and Tielman already has found new passions, like growing avocadoes. The Nieuwoudts operated a commercial fishing business on the east coast of South Africa near Port Elizabeth, however concerns over elevated levels of criminal activity and unethical practices prompted the move to Australia to help provide a better future for their children. Queensland conditions were viewed as quite similar to South Africa and the family set the pathway for the move by acquiring a seafood company at Burnett Heads in 2019. Tielman and his brother, Sampie run the wholesale seafood business, which includes several Tielman has been familiar with similar cattle breeds and working herds from a young age, however growing avocadoes is something entirely new. He described it as a new challenge requiring a lot to learn and he found an excellent ally in local Lindsay Rural Agronomist Marija Tromp, who has proved to be the perfect guide. “If it wasn’t for Marija, I would have given up, but we have since had a wonderful fruitset and everything is looking beautiful,”Tielman said. He said the equal balance of Hass and Shepherd avocadoes were planted by the previous property owner, who had looked after them well with fertiliser applications every one to two months. However, Marija, in consultation with specialty fertiliser supplier, Haifa Australia, designed a regular fertigation program that changed weekly as well as monthly, and Tielman said the crop results had been fantastic. “We brought-in 72 bee hives as well for the pollination and the trees continued to flower and the fruitset was brilliant,” Tielman said. He said he also engaged an irrigation specialist and upgraded the property’s pump and sprinkler irrigation infrastructure with an improved and easier-to-manage system. The regular fertigation program included Haifa’s popular Poly-Feed complete nutrition water soluble fertiliser, plus its greenhouse grade Multi-K potassium nitrate and Haifa Cal calcium nitrate products. Magnesium nitrate and a root stimulant also were added into the fertigation solution and there were no problems with application through the sprinkler system. “The fertiliser program was following crop stages with specially-targeted root stimulants for the spring and autumn flushes,” said Marija, who also assisted Tielman with his orchard spraying program against insects and disease. Tielman said Marija started with soil samples and suggested amendments including gypsum application, and, together with the regular fertigation program, the response throughout the orchard was profound. “Absolutely we saw the change in the trees and we have been very fortunate to get a great crop in just their third year. Others tell me that normally comes in year four or five.” Marija said Tielman surprisingly tripled the avocado yield at the property in just a year. “At one stage during picking he said he wasn’t snowed-under, he was avo’dunder,” she laughed. “Tielman worked closely with me to follow the nutrition and irrigation program and the yield quickly doubled and then tripled. Karl Sandow, Account Manager and Irrigation Specialist with Lindsay Rural at Bundaberg in Queensland, Haifa Australia Northern Sales Agronomist Malcolm Otto and local grower Tielman Nieuwoudt pictured discussing orchard nutrition and sampling some of the avocadoes at the Nieuwoudt’s Welcome Creek property. Tielman pictured adding another bag of Haifa’s popular Poly-Feed water soluble fertiliser for the regular fertigation program followed at the family’s property. “With a regular fertigation program, we saw the change in the trees and we have been very fortunate to get a great crop in just their third year. Others tell me that normally comes in year four or five.” Queensland grower Tielman Nieuwoudt, near Bundaberg commercial vessels catching the region’s popular spanner crabs along the coastline. Tielman has two young children with his wife, Melany, and two older sons from a previous relationship, while Sampie is a proud father to four daughters.. Tielman said a sister-in-law also had arrived in Queensland, right on time for the avocado packing season, as well as a brother-in-law who also was working in the local produce industry. After COVID, Tielman and his family arrived in Queensland in April 2022 and he acquired a small property at the aptly named location of Welcome Creek, near Bundaberg, that was growing young avocado trees. He has since purchased another property nearby that he is transitioning from sugarcane to cattle and where he has commenced a small Droughtmaster stud, ‘Esperant’, which has its first calves on the ground. “To aim for larger, premium fruit, we also targeted stimulants to hold the fruit, and its size went 20, 22 and 24 (millimetres). There were no 16 and 18 (mm). The rejects also halved compared with last year and Tielman still managed to sell it as an ‘odd bunch’. It was all large and heavy fruit,” Marija said. Surf, turf and avos sets up winning Aussie move Click for further info Multi-K Poly-Feed Haifa Cal
11 10 The benefits of foliar feeding THE aim of undertaking foliar fertiliser applications is to “cover the bases” during when plants cannot uptake soil-applied nutrients due to adverse weather or soil conditions, or in peak demand times. Foliar fertilisers should be applied every seven to 14 days, or at key demand periods, to ensure fresh growth receives the necessary nutrients. Choosing products that are tank-compatible saves time and money compared with separate foliar passes. Using Haifa Calmaster that is chelated, and the silicon-based Wall-Up with Haifa Bonus or Poly-Feed Foliar provides tank compatible solutions, helping you cover the bases of different crop stages and ensuring high quality and shelf life of produce, as well as resilience to pests and disease. Foliar applications are a fast way for uptake, as plants readily take up nutrition via leaves and it is faster-acting than roots. Plant mobility of nutrients Transpiration moves immobile nutrients via the xylem and mobile nutrients relocate through the phloem. Mobile nutrients (N, P, K, Mg) relocate from older to younger growth, while immobile nutrients like calcium and many micronutrients remain fixed in the plant, leading to deficiencies in new crop growth when under adverse conditions for root uptake. Deficiency symptoms The location of symptoms indicates nutrient mobility. Mobile nutrients show deficiencies in older leaves, whereas immobile demand is indicated in young leaves. Foliar applications Mobile nutrients can stimulate growth by relocating as needed, whilst immobile nutrients remain near the application site. Regular foliar applications should align with crop stages and soil applications should match the foliar nutrient needs. Foliar nutrition applications are a back-up for soil plant nutrition and cover the circumstances of: • Fast corrective nutrition where deficiencies are noticed. • Poor uptake due to underperforming roots due to low temperatures, poor aeration, water logging or root damage from disease or nematodes. • Poor transpiration in windy, hot, cold, cloudy or humid conditions, making plant immobile nutrients unavailable. Budbreak Apply Haifa Bonus to enhance budbreak, helping reduce dormancy-breaking agents (oils) in warm climates. This results in earlier, uniform budbreak and increased first harvest. Vegetative growth Haifa Foliar (green bag) 21-9-17 elemental (21-21-21 oxide) is the ideal solution, containing low-bi urea for foliar performance and uptake, with low phytotoxicity risk. Urea is the ideal form of nitrogen for foliar uptake in vegetative stages of plant development, and yet, urea in soil needs to be converted to ammonium or nitrate for root uptake, relying on weather and soil conditions, including temperatures. Flowering During reduced metabolic activity and nutrient uptake, apply high phosphorus foliar formulas (Poly-Feed or MKP) to boost flowering and fruit-set. Fruit sizing After fruit-set, use high potassium-to-nitrogen ratio (Haifa Bonus) and calcium (Calmaster) for better nutrition, quality and size. Early applications can reduce biannual bearing and promote larger fruit. They also support stomatal function for optimal sugar production, which is especially important during low root activity in fruit production. By Sheri Robinson Southern Sales Agronomist, Haifa Australia Potassium applied via foliar applications can ensure the efficient function of stomata for optimal sugar production and leaf performance. Potassium has low mobility in soil, and root activity is low during fruit production, when potassium is heavily sought by the crop. During periods of high sink from leaves to fruit, leaf stress can cause less resilience to hot windy conditions if stomata potassium levels are declining. Testing petiole levels will show the relocation, not the lack of leaf potassium. Foliar applications of Haifa Bonus, therefore, can improve leaf performance and aid crop ripening by helping minimise plant stress. Excessive potassium in soils can interfere with the uptake of other cations, so a foliar application during key crop phases of high demand ensures you are covering the bases of peak demand periods, when soil potassium application is not desirable. Diluted spray Slow di usion K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ Higher concentration Fasterdi usion K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ K+ 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 Mean fruit diametre (mm) Fruit size share in treatment The effect of Bonus NPK on fruit size distribution – Jaffa oranges Control – 0 application Bonus NPK Ca B Fe Zn S Cu Mn Mo N P K Mg Young leaf tissue Old leaf tissue Dehydration at low K Stomata remains open and more water is lost Minimal transpiration at adequate K Closed stomata prevents further water loss 1. Haifa BonusTM is sprayed and forms droplets on the leaf surface. 2. A portion of the fertiliser is absorbed immediately. 3. When air gets hot and dry, the fertiliser droplets dry and nutrient uptake temporarily stops. 4. At night, the dew re-dissolves the fertiliser. Nutrient uptake is renewed. Product benefits & wetter formulations of Poly-Feed Foliar and Haifa Bonus These are 100 per cent water soluble, contain plant nutrients only, and are free of chloride, sodium and any other detrimental materials. They are ideal, pH 5 to 6, formulas for optimal absorption and tank-mix compatibility (potassium nitrate is normally a pH of 9). The wetter allows for higher concentrations with lower risk of phytotoxicity, improving leaf hold, absorption and length of action (up to 7 days). The special Bonus inside The special Bonus ingredient in Poly-Feed Foliar enhances adhesion to the leaf’s surface, improves absorption of nutrients and helps the fertiliser to remain on the leaves and nourish the plant over time. How it works Passive diffusion: Uptake is proportional to spray concentration • The need to boost growth at critical stages, or boost fruit sizing and quality. • The need to assist special jobs, eg, dormancy breaking or flowering performance. • The need for additional resistance under biotic stress from pest and disease. Key growth stages for targeting foliar applications The growth stage and foliar nutrition solution should be matched to the same nutritional ratios you apply to your soil. Cont. page 12
13 12 H2O Ca EDTA Ca L-Asp Risks in foliar application Leaf cuticle thickness varies by crop, affecting phytotoxicity risk. Agronomic experience is vital and small trials are recommended for increasing rates (0.1-3% for Poly-Feed, <0.1pc for micronutrients). Thinner cuticles in humid conditions elevate the phytotoxicity risk. Caution is needed with high EC levels. Small-area trials are advisable when implementing new foliar programs, as well as testing compatibility before application using a bucket mix test. You should be careful with other elements like copper, sulphur from fungicides, or additional micronutrients, as there can be a higher risk of phytotoxicity. Foliar applications with Haifa Calmaster Cell strength: Calcium enhances cell structure, allowing potassium to improve crop size, crunch and storage benefits. This increases resilience to pests and disease, and, in poor weather conditions, it helps prevent creasing, cracking and other damage to produce. Weather impacts: Poor transpiration or root uptake conditions can limit calcium uptake, leading to issues like blossom end rot or tip burn on young growth. Addressing deficiencies: Foliar calcium helps combat deficiencies caused by high urea or ammonium levels, which can hinder root calcium absorption or promote rapid vegetative growth. Nutritional coverage: During peak growth or adverse weather or soil conditions, foliar applications can ensure plants receive essential calcium otherwise unavailable due to inefficient soil uptake or plant allocations. Calmaster benefits Enhanced Calcium Uptake: Calmaster improves foliar calcium absorption and is compatible with sulphate and phosphate, reducing costly crop passes and improving tank-mix efficiency. High uptake effectiveness: Calmaster is coated with aspartic acid chelate for better penetration through leaf cuticles and its low molecular weight ensures maximum benefit from smaller application rates, with no harmful additives. Optimal application timing: The best uptake of Calmaster occurs during evening dew. To maximise effectiveness, Haifa incorporates a wetter in Poly-Feed and Haifa Bonus to allow for application any time of the day, so ideally, combining Calmaster with Haifa Poly-Feed or Bonus will offer full nutrition with added efficiencies. Wall-Up Wall-Up contains 8.5pc silicon, 0.8pc copper, 0.8pc manganese and 1.1pc zinc. Ideal for foliar applications, it enhances plant resilience against pests and disease by improving cell wall strength. Silicon forms phytoliths that boost the mechanical resistance of plant tissues. Application summary for foliar solutions Haifa Bonus combined with Calmaster and Wall-Up is ideal at key fruit development stages to improve yield, leaf performance, product quality and shelf life. Poly-Feed Foliar, combined with Calmaster and Wall-Up at vegetative growth stages, provides NPK and micronutrients combined with additional copper and manganese to ensure plant strength and resilience to pests and disease. The success of a grower is not only growing successfully in good weather, but also growing in bad weather and soil conditions. Combined, these products cover the bases using targeted foliar applications and with ideal tank compatibility to help limit crop passes. The Bonus wetter in Haifa’s foliar range, if used in combination with Calmaster and Wall-Up products, provides a solution, effectively holding product on the leaf and ensuring ongoing uptake over many nights of dewpoint. Calmaster (an L-Asp Acid Ca Tech) Without a dew point With a dew point Are your trees receiving the perfect micronutrients? A new standard in soluble chelates In addition to using Haifa’s renowned high quality water soluble fertilisers, you can also now access the company’s superior chelated micronutrients. This includes chelates with the highest stability, such as EDDHA iron with the strongest soil stability. Haifa also can supply specific micronutrient blends compatible with a wide range of fertilisers. The highest quality iron chelate with 5.2% ortho-ortho Haifa Micro Fe-EDDHA (6% Fe) Don’t waste time and money Choose the correct iron chelate for your soil pH and carefully check its analysis Click for further info Multi-K Poly-Feed Foliar Haifa Bonus Calmaster Wall-Up FIND OUT MORE
15 14 people that are core components of the everyday story. Now, that’s also not going to be bordering on representable without covering some of the length and breadth of our big land. So, on a tight budget – because we all work in the rural industry – one producer director and a film crew of one with a small, flight luggage-restricted bag of cameras, took flight to get the job done. And they were ably supported by our own team members and everyone involved, as typically occurs with our great industry. Multiple days of flights and open-road travel across three States and to different regions; stealing some time within people’s busy schedules to capture WHAT’S in a corporate video production? Well! What you won’t know is just what can go into three-and-a-half minutes! After nearly two decades with an Australian office, we thought it was about time to bring our story to light on “the big screen” with some of our fantastic grower customers, retail partners and their agronomy teams. It all started with an idea, and, of course, the story couldn’t just be about us. Yes, we are proud of what we do within the lane we are in, but we are all part of a wider industry and we are all striving to help achieve the ultimate goal. So, the storyline and production plan come together, and then there’s the challenge of combining it with vision of some of the crops, different areas and the vision from all different angles, including from the sky; cajoling some cast members into showing us their best acting moves and having a friendly chat with us on camera; and, of course some fun and games along the way all ensued before… job done, vision collected! Then came some of the heavy lifting! Sitting in the editing chair and piecing every slice of vision with the story, wanting to acknowledge everyone involved and therefore leave little on the editing floor, mixing it with an appropriate melody, blending in some animation, and selecting the right voiceover talent to speak to our industry. Viewing the end result also triggers some reflection on the job now done, our daily lives in this industry and the journey ahead. What is clear is we are an industry with amazing, supportive people working in a great environment, producing great things and despite the challenges that may be ahead, we are tremendously resilient. And for those of us that can be a little more confined to offices, getting some “fresh air out there” and spending time together is like a drug you want more of. Yes, it was inspiring stuff, and in just three-and-a-half minutes, you too could have your own dose of it – just click the YouTube icon! And a big shout-out goes to all those growers and our retail partners and their teams for being involved – we thank you! Haifa Australia hits the big screen
16 In uncertain times, there’s a quality and team you can trust… Haifa Australia (03) 9583 4691 australia@haifa-group.com www.haifa-group.com YOUR HAIFA AUSTRALIA TEAM Trevor Dennis trevor.dennis@haifa-group.com 0400 119 852 Managing Director Malcolm Otto malcolm.otto@haifa-group.com 0418 597 029 Northern Sales Agronomist Jason Teng jason.teng@haifa-group.com 0488 036 528 Customer Service/Logistics CMYK Haifa has pioneered the use of potassium nitrate since the 1960s and steadfastly remains the leading source of the highest quality today. Entirely used by crops, with no residual remaining in soils or groundwater, Haifa’s potassium nitrate fertilisers provide application efficiencies and reduce the effects of chloride and sodium whilst enhancing crop quality and yields. As the world’s largest and only potassium nitrate supplier with an Australian office, growers can have confidence in their Haifa fertiliser applications and the support of a local team – that is for certain!
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjA0NDY=