Boomaroo Nurseries adapting to changing business environment

With a prolonged and crippling drought, an unprecedented bushfire season, and now the COVID-19 pandemic which has bought many industries to a stand still, there has been no shortage of challenges for vegetable growers to overcome.

The recent and widespread rainfall has, however, provided some much needed relief for our industry, with long-range Bureau forecasts predicting further rainfall across key growing regions.

Boomaroo Nurseries has already seen first hand the strong signs of recovery across the industry from recent rainfall.

In fact, at its Southbrook nursery in Queensland, now celebrating 12 months since the sowing of its first seedlings, plant sales have seen a marked increase in response to the renewed availability of water and its resourceful capture and reuse by growers.

This has resulted in the many regions starting to plant again, and in some instances returning to traditional planting programs.

In Stanthorpe, where from August 2019, plantings on farms ceased altogether, there has been significant growth in winter leek and celery programs.

In Gatton, which in January saw the Tenthill Creek flow once again, there are winter plantings of brassica crops starting to return to near normal acreage.

With near perfect conditions for the production of tomato seedlings, Boomaroo Southbrook also received orders to produce significant numbers of early season processing tomato seedlings for delivery to producers in Victoria - a first for the new facility.

These plants were delivered on time with strict planting window, seedling size, quality and plant health specifications all met.

In Victoria, East Gippsland has seen water restrictions wound back to Stage One and Two levels, providing a promising finish to summer crops and increased certainty beyond.

Rains aside, it is still only early days in the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts are only beginning to become clear.

Boomaroo has acted quickly to protect its team and community from the outbreak's immediate threats and ensure that it continues the reliable supply of seedlings to customers.

Strict social distancing and hygiene measures are in place on both the Lara and Southbrook sites and as an "essential service", all necessary steps have been taken to tackle new state border controls.

The company's territory managers are agile and utilising virtual conferencing technologies to supplement face-to-face communication where convenient to growers, ensuring the service they provide remains responsive and professional.

Boomaroo Nurseries' online Grower Portal also provides ready access to valuable information to growers in this time of increased social distance.

The company continues to invest in data collection and visualisation to provide further valuable information to growers to inform how they manage their crops in the field.

COVID-19 has also had a profound impact on national fresh produce markets with an increase in home-cooked meals driving growth in some sectors, and restrictions on the hospitality industry resulting in a decline in others.

In addition to the many crops Boomaroo is known for, numerous trials are underway to expand its offering to growers.

Cucurbit crops including melons, watermelons, cucumbers and zucchinis are planned for launch in August and organic seedling production has commenced from its Southbrook site, producing organic broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and celery to name a few, with organic production at the Lara site soon to follow.

In the face of adversity, the industry has demonstrated time after time its resilience, adaptability and persistence and the response to the current challenges will be no different.

Boomaroo has proudly supported and advocated for the industry and Boomaroo as an essential service continues to operate "business as usual".

The company is committed to continuing to meet growers' needs, responding to new demand pressures and adapt to changing markets.

Contact Boomaroo territory managers to find out how the team can assist with crop planning or visit: boomaroo.com/news for more information