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Bananas

First floods swept away crops. Now the banana industry faces an even greater risk

Queensland growers are on high alert this week with devastating floods increasing the possible spread of Panama TR4 fungal disease — the greatest threat to banana production worldwide.
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Bunches of bananas hang in packing shed

This neurotoxin is now suspended from use on mangoes and avocados after harvest, so why not oranges?

Dimethoate is already banned in Europe, and now Australia's chemical regulator has suspended its post-harvest use on the popular fruits, so what's the risk if you've been eating them for years?
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A graphic of mango, avocado and orange with a toxic chemical sign and question marked superimposed over the orange.

Banana disease that wipes out plantations detected on Queensland farm

The fungal disease Panama TR4, which has no known cure or treatment, is confirmed on an eighth property in the Tully Valley.
More than 16,000 banana plants have been killed by biosecurity officers on a Tully farm

Australia's first plastic credits scheme targets banana industry waste

The banana industry has welcomed a scheme that sees farmers earn credits for responsible waste disposal.
Banana bunch bag

GM banana could save $20b industry from devastating fungus, researcher says

Australian researchers have developed the world's first genetically modified (GM) banana, but don't expect it in a fruit bowl near you anytime soon.
Man with beige workshirt on smiles at camera with hands on hips and wearing wide brim hat in front of banana trees.

'We have to almost start again': Banana farmers to lose whole plantation a second time as disease outbreak grows

Julie-Ann Murphy and Alan Petersen, whose Northern Territory farm is one of 42 properties the disease has spread to, say the loss of their crop will be devastating.
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Alan Petersen and Julie Murphy standing between two rows of banana trees.

Gold Coast couple's 40-year quest to restore a banana farm to pristine rainforest habitat

With no previous experience and only a desire to return their 10 hectares of land to its original habitat, Wal and Heather Mayr set about undoing the damage to this pristine environment, one weed at a time.
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Smiling man and woman standing arm in arm with rainforest background.

Lachlan's banana crop is 10 times more profitable than cotton, but without workers he had no choice but to swap

The worker shortage forces Kimberley banana farmer Lachlan Dobson to rip up 50ha of banana crop and replace it with less labour intensive, and less profitable, cotton.
A middle aged male farmer in front of knocked down banana plants

Growing tropical fruit in one of WA's coldest regions? This Albany grower is proving it's possible

The Great Southern is far from tropical, however one adventurous grower is finding great success with his crops of bananas and sugarcane.
Man with banana tree

Banana industry on alert as fungal disease spreads through the Northern Territory

A fungal disease that affects bananas is found at 29 locations across the Northern Territory, with authorities yet to identify a pattern behind its spread.
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A close up of a greenish banana with brown freckles

NT's banana freckle outbreak grows, affecting 17 properties

The fungal disease, which growers say represents a major threat to Australia's $500m banana industry, has now been found at 16 Top End properties plus a government research facility.
Banana Freckle disease

Feeling the pinch at the checkout? Bananas are coming down in price

There has never been a better time to eat bananas, with several factors resulting in them dropping to near-record low prices. But while it is good news for consumers, farmers are struggling to turn a profit.
Travis Stewart stands in front of bananas at the supermarket holding bananas in both hands

Banana Freckle found in NT

The banana industry is on edge after an exotic disease was detected in the Northern Territory putting the entire industry at risk. Mitchell Abram reports.
ABC News Current
Duration: 1 minute 56 seconds

Banana industry on edge as freckle disease returns

A disease seen as a major threat to Australia's $500 million banana industry has been found in the Northern Territory, three years after it was officially eradicated.
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Banana Freckle

Why soil health is like good gut health when it comes to growing bananas

Banana growers are applying the concept of good gut health to their soils to yield healthier fruit and cut down on production costs.
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woman in banana paddock with bananas

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? When it comes to bananas, what's your favourite recipe?

Ahead of National Banana Day, Australians are being encouraged to put the fruit back on the menu, but for some people, it never left. From not ripe to overripe bananas, they've got a recipe. 
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Bananas.

Bananas used to be the king of Australia's fruit bowl — so why aren't we buying them?

Growers believe they've become a victim of changing consumer patterns due to the pandemic, and that online orders for fruit that arrive damaged on doorsteps is hurting their reputation. 
A man looks at the camera with discarded bananas

New farm check-in app is latest tool in fight against spread of pests and diseases

'Farm Check-in’ aims to provide the option of using a QR code at the farm gate to gather information on visitors and educate them about their biosecurity responsibilities.
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A man smiles at the camera holding fresh ginger which still has the stalks and leaves attached.

Water quality failure despite huge government spend on Great Barrier Reef

Reef scientists say Australian governments are behind on addressing key threats to the Great Barrier Reef, but farmer groups worry unrealistic targets have been set on water quality.
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Bright coloured clown fish on the Great Barrier Reef.

No backpackers leaves Kimberley farmer no choice but to bulldoze bananas

A critical worker shortage has left Western Australia's largest banana grower with the difficult decision of knocking down hundreds of banana trees in the East Kimberley.
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A middle aged male farmer in front of knocked down banana plants

After five major wipe-outs, this banana farmer is calling for a grower-funded disaster assistance pool

A North Queensland farmer who watched his entire crop wiped out by cyclonic winds in March says it's time to consider a national compensation scheme for growers.
banana farmer standing in front of dead trees

How do bananas stay Australia's number one fruit?

Bananas are king in the fresh food section of Australian shops, but the industry needs to move with the times to keep them there, a conference has heard.
bananas in shop

Cyclone-hit banana farmers requested wages help in March, contrary to Minister's comments

Growers who hosted Queensland's agriculture minister after Cyclone Niran flattened banana crops say they advised him of their wish for a JobKeeper-style assistance package.
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politician posing with farmers in banana paddock

Banana growers gain extra $50K in storm assistance

Victims of March a windstorm that wiped out 100 per cent of some banana growers' crops are set to receive additional disaster recovery grants after weeks of campaigning.
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farmers looking at banana plants knocked over

'It was like a wild animal coming to get you': How the far north survived Queensland's biggest storm

Ten years since wreaking havoc across the state's far north, Tropical Cyclone Yasi remains the biggest storm in Queensland's history and the pain is still felt a decade on.
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Foreshore of Tully Heads at the mouth of the Tully River is devastated by a storm surge whipped up by Cyclone Yasi in 2011.