Experience

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  Flavorite Group

  • Victoria, Australia

  • Group IPM Co-Ordinator

    • Aug 2023 - Present
    • Victoria, Australia

    Co-ordinate Plant Health issues across all sites of the Flavorite Group

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  Flavorite Hydroponic Group

  • Victoria, Australia

  • IPM Manager

    • Apr 2013 - Aug 2023
    • Victoria, Australia

    Senior Manager Role and Responsible for running the IPM Departments at Flavorite (based at Warragul, Victoria) and Flavorwave (based at Katunga, Victoria). (https://flavorite.com.au/) The IPM Department work in close proximity with all other Departments and our main crops are Capsicums, Tomatoes (large truss and Cherries), Cucumbers and Blue berries. Pest and Disease Management are under IPM programs in all crops and we work with all Beneficials and Biopesticides available in Australia. My main responsibilities are Strategic Planning, Technical Support, Training and IPM Operations (Scouting Management, Spraying, Beneficial Releases, Weed Management). One of my key responsibilities is to prevent chemical resistance whilst ensuring minimal risk in crop losses due to pest/disease pressure. A key aspect to achieve this is Sustainability and keeping in touch with most relevant Research and Development in Hydroponics. I enjoy applied Science and Technology to achieve my KPI's and therefore develop Management tools needed to achieve these goals.

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  Real IPM / Elgin Roses

  • Regional IPM Technical Consultant

    • Jun 2011 - Mar 2013

    Elgin Roses in South Africa and Real IPM in Kenya have joined their resources to develop the Biological control of pests and diseases in South Africa. Real IPM specializes in the production of Biopesticides and predatory mites. Biological products are exported to South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Canada, Italy, UK and Japan (via UK). Sales are direct through Technical Support and distributors are not used. Real IPM also focuses on Training and Consultancy and are official service providers of the BASIS CertificateKey Responsibilities:Responsible for Technical Sales and Marketing of Real IPM SA products in the Region. Assessment of efficacy of beneficial organismsDevelop training programs and consultancy service for existing/potential customers:Pest/Disease life-cyclesIntegrated pest management strategies (using culltural/ physical/ chemical/ biological control)Real IPM Product range and Mode of ActionR&D on field trials for vegetable crops (hydroponics and open field grown), cut flower crops (Roses, carnations, chrysanthemum, Lilies, Lisianthus), mushrooms, soft fruit (strawberries) and Citrus.Advising on Globalgap and MRL risk management Advising on improving soil health using beneficial fungi and added carbonIdentify risks and economic thresholds for growers and how to respond using integration of cultural/biological/chemical control methods.

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  Flamingo Flowers (Pty) Ltd / Finlays Horticulture (Pty) Ltd

  • Technical Manager

    • Sep 2003 - May 2012

    Finlays Horticulture is owned by the Finlays Group (www.f-h.biz) which in turn is owned by the Swire Group (www.swire.com). Based in South Africa, Finlays Horticulture exports mainly Chrysanthemum cut flowers (600k - 1million stems/week) to its UK sister companies. These packhouses are supplying most leading UK Supermarkets (Marks&Spencer, Tesco's, Sainsbury's, Asda, Co-op) with Horticultural products from their farms in Africa. The company is also the leading supplier of horticultural product to Woolworths (www.woolworths.co.za) Key Responsibilities:Implementation of Integrated Pest Management systems on cut flowers, using Biopesticides and predatory mites, Phytoseiulus persimilisManagement of scouting team and compatible spray programmesR&D and Business development (various): New Varieties: vase life and transport simulationCultivation trials to stimulate root development in cuttingsImplement seafreight of cut flowers from SA to the UK Packaging and packaging material trials (sea- and airfreight) and effect on vase lifePost harvest treatments on varieties and Woolworths bouquetsResponsible for Sustainability Management and advice on reducing carbon footprint.Co-ordinate quality and continuous supply from contract growers for the Group Markets (local and UK)Responsible for all Audit Compliance (Globalgap/Tesco Nurture/Field to Fork/BOPP/Farming for Future/SEDEX/Ethical Audits)Implementation and Management of QMS systems based on HACCP principles, including QMS Manual. Relevant training on proceduresManage Quality Control systems in the Greenhouses, Packhouse, Woolworths

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  Post Harvest Products and Services

  • Private Consultant

    • Jan 1998 - Aug 2003

    Contractor for the local Flower Market (www.multiflora.co.za) - Management of the vase life laboratory. Technical advisor to cut flower suppliers to the Market. Contract research on applications of alternative post harvest treatments on various cut flower GeneraResearch coordinator for Real IPM (Kenya) - SA PIP Funded Project on the establishment of the predatory wasp, Diglyphus iseae, for leaf miner control on lettuce crops, focusing on building of field insectaries Consultant for Flamingo Flowers (Pty) Ltd - developing raw material specifications and quality control procedures Research contractor for Illovo Sugar (Pty) Ltd - Conduct registration trials of “Crop Guard” and “Biomass Sugar” as a soil enhancement for different cut flower crops Trainer for Retailers such as Woolworths and Pick 'n Pay - ad hoc training of Horticulture staff and Retail suppliers, as well as in-store quality controlPost Harvest consultant for Uniflo (Pty) Ltd - Assessment of post harvest management systems, cut flower quality and improvements for a consortium of 10 export rose growers.

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  Agricultural Research Council (ARC)

  • Agricultural Researcher

    • Jan 1990 - Dec 1997

    Consists of different Institutes across South Africa and conduct scientific research and services in the Agricultural Industry. The Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Research Institute focuses on research of cultivation techniques and breeding programs for vegetable crops, ornamental crops and medicinal plants. Key Responsibilities:Project leader of comparative trials for postharvest chemicals of cut flowersDevelopment of quality grading criteria for 10 major cut flower crops supplied to Multiflora Flower Market - contract researchProject leader on CO2 fertilization of cut roses - contract research and formed part of a M.Sc study (M.Sc not completed)Researcher on the Breeding Program and Reproductive biology of Amaryllidaceae, Nerine bowdenii x N. sarniensisResearcher on Reproductive biology of Lachenalia spp.Performing registration trials of pesticides for commercial chemical companies (contract work)