THIRTY years providing vegetable seedlings to the fresh produce industry, has given the Jacometti family first–hand insight into the changes and challenges experienced within the horticultural industry.
Since the family first transitioned their operations from a small market garden in Werribee South to producing commercial seedlings and greenlife products under the Boomaroo banner, the Jacomettis have been industry leaders.
Very few companies would have as good an understanding of the business of growing vegetables as Boomaroo Nurseries, a Victorian–based company that has spent the last three decades nurturing direct relationships with growers across the country.
The original operation was born from the Jacomettis' belief that cell–grown transplantable seedlings offered significant benefits against the traditional direct seeding of crops in the paddock.
"Transplantable seedlings provide growers with a more consistent and reliable input from which to start their crop," said Nick Jacometti, second generation director of Boomaroo and son of co–founder, Theo.
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"The seedling phase of the plants' development is the most input sensitive, and Boomaroo's ability to produce these in a highly controlled growing environment helps mitigate risk, while freeing up land on farms for growers."
From this initial premise the business has gone from strength to strength, supplying growers nationwide with premium quality plants.
Boomaroo now boasts two state–of–the–art facilities, one locally in Lara and another in Southbrook, Queensland.
Embracing an innovative approach to horticultural production is a core part of the company's ethos.
"Technology and automation have always been a major focus at Boomaroo," said Nick.
"In Lara, this means a highly automated production line utilising both manned and autonomous gantries, moving product efficiently throughout the facility.
"And in Southbrook – which was completed more recently – our operations have evolved to the next level making the facility the most technology advanced of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
"Utilising a system of rolling benches, our product is entirely 'no–touch' from sowing, through to germination and growing, and ultimately final dispatch.
"The company has a policy of investing in the highest level of technology it can afford to ensure the product we deliver to growers is of optimal quality and consistency across our numerous lines."
And it is what the company's reputation is based on – premium quality commercial seedlings that deliver the goods.
One of the most significant changes Boomaroo has seen in the industry in the last decade is the intensified focus on sustainability.
"This has been driven by both changing consumer expectations as well as industry responding to the more volatile environmental conditions we have been experiencing," said Nick.
Environmental sustainability now underpins all decisions made at Boomaroo.
"Boomaroo is continuously looking to achieve the best environmental practice for our operations, whether that is through water, input or energy reductions, or the adoption of softer, biological treatment programs or of passive pest control initiatives that extend onto our customers' paddocks," said Nick.
The company has recently invested heavily in its water recycling, treatment and storage facilities, guaranteeing the availability of high quality water and with the ability to meet over 70 per cent of the facilities' peak water requirements.
"The benefits of the new reverse osmosis, microfiltration systems in reducing water consumption is further enhanced by highly efficient irrigation and treatment delivery systems throughout our facilities," said Nick.
Beyond the nursery gates, there has been a similar focus on more holistic and sustainable farming practices in the paddock.
"This focus encompasses all aspects of farming from plant and soil health, nurturing biodiversity and reducing reliance on chemicals to control pests, through to initiatives that increase yield and efficiency or improve product shelf life in the supermarket reducing food waste," he said.
To meet this demand Boomaroo has obtained full Organic Certification for commercial seedling production at both their Lara and Southbrook sites, offering a broad selection of crops to the organic produce market.
The process of research, feasibility, trials, facility upgrades and certification took approximately two years from inception to the launch of the organics arm of Boomaroo's operations.
With previously limited availability of organically–grown seedlings, Boomaroo's organic certification has proven incredibly beneficial to organic producers, significantly expanding the range of varieties available that meet the stringent criteria for Organic Certification, as well as offering organic farmers the seedling quality and uniformity for which Boomaroo is known.
"We have also introduced a range of beneficial host plants, such as alyssum, marigolds and other flowering herbs, for growers to plant alongside crops to support beneficial predatory insects on farm, as part of an integrated pest management approach," said Nick, of the company's evolving product catalogue.
Boomaroo's original offerings centred around brassica and lettuce crops, but a changing food scape has seen produce that might have been considered boutique or even exotic 30 years ago become a mainstream staple.
"An increased customer focus on personal health and wellbeing, as well as a changing demographic and more adventurous food culture has driven our product portfolio in recent years," said Nick.
Core crops now feature a wide range of Asian and leafy vegetable varieties, alongside alliums, celery and a range of specialty crops of tomatoes, capsicum and herbs.
"Other key categories that we are currently pursuing include a wider variety of cucurbit and solanaceous crops, varieties specifically suited to protected cropping, on top of developing and expanding our Certified Organic offerings," said Nick.
Boomaroo also works closely with seed companies to ensure they are at the forefront with the latest in improved varieties and new genetics.
"We are constantly working with seed companies to trial new cultivars, both in–nursery and partnering with growers for on–farm trails," said Nick.
"So whether that is lettuce with reduced pinking, or slower bolting varieties of parsley and coriander, or zucchinis that are mildew resistant, we're addressing customers' concerns and looking to find a solution."
New varieties are also being developed to respond to the changing needs of the consumer.
"Food waste has also become a concern for households, who are looking for smaller producing varieties to avoid excess, which industry has responded to."
Solutions do seem to be the business that Boomaroo is primarily working in, and this extends well beyond simply providing healthy seedlings.
"Adverse weather conditions on farm can mean that planting can't go ahead as scheduled," Nick said.
"On the flip side, we are dealing with a living, breathing product with a best before date.
"So we need to find solutions that support growers as well as ensure the highest quality seedlings are delivered.
"We've built our business and reputation on demonstrating flexibility and working through challenges with our customers.
"Whether that's working with growers to hold, re–allocate or reschedule seedling programs where possible, it allows our farmers the ability to respond to the challenges at hand.
"I think this is one of the strengths of the industry.
"We see cooperation and collaboration between growers all the time, reinforcing that we are stronger as a collective than as individual operators.
"This has been particularly evident in the wake of recent extreme weather events."
