EDITION 2026/3

Message from the CEO

Welcome to the March edition of Tendrils. This month, I reflect on how strengthening Australia’s biosecurity resilience relies on building capacity and collaboration, particularly in response to severe weather events across northern Australia. I also share updates on response programs, national and international engagement, and capacity building activities. I also invite Members to review and provide feedback on the draft 2026–27 Annual Operational Plan.

Upcoming meetings

Board meeting in Adelaide on Tuesday 19 May 2026.
Member meetings in Adelaide 20-22 May 2026.

New factsheet supports awareness of Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus

PHA has released a new factsheet on Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus (GINV) to support awareness, early detection and reporting. It outlines key symptoms, how the virus spreads and what growers should do if they suspect unusual vine or berry symptoms.

Enhancements to the Biosecurity for Beekeepers e-learning course

An updated version of the Biosecurity for Beekeepers e-learning course has been published on our Biosecurity Online Training (BOLT) platform.

Enhancing plant biosecurity through digital systems

PHA’s Digital Systems team continues to play an important role in strengthening Australia’s plant biosecurity system by supporting the accuracy, accessibility and growth of national data platforms.

AUSVEG secures PMTV compensation for growers

AUSVEG has secured compensation for levy‑paying potato growers affected by Potato mop‑top virus, following restrictions on planting Tasmanian seed under state biosecurity orders.

Managing insecticide resistance in fall armyworm

International experts from the USA and Asia shared insights on managing insecticide resistance in fall armyworm, helping Australian growers address this ongoing challenge (page 104).

$2.2m project to boost Australia’s citrus industry

QUT Professor Peter Prentis will lead a $2.2 million research project investigating citrus genetics, including disease resistance and growth traits, to improve industry viability and competitiveness.

GIA shares video case studies on practical support

Greenlife Industry Australia (GIA) has released three new video case studies showcasing how levy-funded support is being delivered to growers on the ground.

Watch videos

The state of the Nursery production industry

The 2024–25 Nursery production capture report is now available, confirming key trends and pressures being experienced across the nursery production sector.

Grain storage conference returns in 2026

The Australian Grain Storage and Protection Conference returns in June 2026, bringing industry together to explore storage, pest management and grain protection.

APAL Awards for Excellence open

Nominations are now open for the 2026 APAL Awards for Excellence, recognising outstanding contributions across the apple and pear industry. Nominations close 31 March.

Nuffield Scholarships now open for 2027

Applications are open for the 2027 Nuffield Australia Scholarships, supporting growers and ag professionals to explore new ideas and build strong industry leadership capacity.

Berry industry biosecurity update

The latest Australian Berry Journal outlines recent biosecurity developments affecting strawberry and rubus industries, including pest detections and ongoing responses.

How pest notifications are assessed and managed

In AUSVEG’s autumn edition of Australian Grower (page 106), learn about pest reporting, risk assessment, and Australia’s biosecurity response to detections.

Update on guava root‑knot nematode research

Researchers provide an update on guava root‑knot nematode identification and management, drawing on recent findings from the Northern Territory (page 101).

Explore the top career pathways in agriculture

Agriculture offers diverse and evolving career pathways to address workforce needs, innovation and food security challenges for the next generation.

Latest from Prevent Fruit Fly

Meet Dr Stephen Quarrell

Dr Stephen Quarrell has commenced as manager of the National Fruit Fly Council, supporting delivery of the National Fruit Fly Strategy and engagement across industry and government.

Latest from Grains Farm Biosecurity

Found something unusual? How to submit crop samples for biosecurity testing

Accurate and timely diagnosis of crop pests and diseases starts well before a sample reaches the laboratory. Every step, from collection to packaging and transport, plays a vital role in ensuring reliable results. With Australia’s increasing focus on strengthening defences against exotic threats such as Karnal bunt (Tilletia indica), careful sample handling has never been more important.

Latest from Farm Biosecurity

The latest Farm Biosecurity newsletter is out now!

This edition highlights practical actions growers can take to strengthen on-farm biosecurity, including what to look for following severe weather events and key resources to support preparedness in 2026. These simple steps can help reduce risks and support early detection, which remains critical to protecting our industries.

Out and about

PHA’s CEO, Sarah Corcoran, with Bec Powderly, Coordinator, Biosecurity Planning; Akshita Jain, Project Officer, Biosecurity Planning; Dr Lucy Tran‑Nguyen, General Manager, Resilience and Innovation, and John Neilsen, Principal Plant Biosecurity Officer, Northern Territory’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, during John’s visit to PHA’s office to attend the Melons Technical Review Meeting.

Great discussions and collaboration on day one of Exercise GrainShield in Kununurra, WA. Attendees include local grain growers, agronomists and other stakeholders from the Ord River Irrigation Area. PHA’s Dr Lucy Tran-Nguyen, General Manager, Resilience and Innovation, Stuart Kearns, National Manager: Preparedness and RD&E, Nick Lowther, Manager, Learning and Development, and Zoe Nix, Training Coordinator travelled to Kununurra to facilitate the exercise.

PHA’s CEO, Sarah Corcoran, attended the Animal Health Australia (AHA) Member meetings, featuring a presentation by Jamie Heinrich, 2025 Producer of the Year (Australian Biosecurity Award).

PHA’s CEO, Sarah Corcoran, attended the Victorian Invasive Pests Advisory (VIPA) Board meeting in Melbourne.

PHA’s CEO, Sarah Corcoran, attended the Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA) Board meeting in February.

PHA’s Rohan Burgess, Manager, Surveillance, attended the Citrus Congress in Adelaide from 3-4 February and caught up with Jessica Lye from Citrus Australia and Patsavee Utaipanon from Hort Innovation.