In This Edition
I can hardly believe it is Christmas. Where did this year go?

It seems like only yesterday we launched this newsletter, and now with some XXX editions under our belt, here we are back at Christmas again!

I would like to thank all of the growers whom I have had the priviledge of talking to this year. It is always a little invasive having someone interview you for an article and I appreciate you enabling me to give our readers an insight into your lives.

And this month is no exception. I had the pleasure of talking with Andrew Jackwitz of A&R Jackwitz Pty Ltd who have had a longstanding relationship with Pershouse Produce. Another wonderful example of a solid family business and one that has a real passion for the farming lifestyle.

As usual, I have been harrassing the Pershouse staff for a profile and would like to introduce you to Graeme Davis, one of Pershouse's newest recruits.

I hope you enjoy your read and wish you all the very best for Christmas and the New Year.

Grower profile - A & R Jackwitz Pty Ltd
When farming is in your blood it’s in your blood. And for Andrew Jackwitz, returning to the family farm was always going to happen.

“I think many of us who grow up on a farm leave for a bit, but we always return. I grew up on most of properties I now farm at Lowood. The family home was actually my grandfather’s place. My parents are still local, though they have just sold out.” said Andrew.

Many people will remember Andrew form his rugby league days when he played front and second row for the Newcastle Knights.

‘I played with some of the greats like Paul Harrogan. It was a great time in my life – though my knees are telling me a different story today,” laughs Andrew.

“I returned to the farm in 1991 and have been at it ever since. I’m still a rugby league fan and follow the Knights and the Titans.”

The Jackwitz’ have some 720 acres under crop – 600 acres of their own, plus another 120 acres under a sharefarming arrangement.

“We have three properties that we farm in Lowood and Coominya.”

“In the winter we mainly grow broccoli, spring onions, cauliflower, brown onions and salad onions. Our summer crops are butternut and Kent Special pumpkins and also a bit of watermelon. Around 60% of our crop lands in Brisbane and we also send further afield to Sydney and Adelaide.”

“I have known David (Pershouse) for years and we have built a solid partnership over that time.”
Another of Andrew’s successful partnerships is the one he has with his wife, Roslyn.

“We work really well together. Roslyn looks after all the administration end of the business. We have around 10 permanent staff and during winter this increases to 40 – mostly backpackers. It’s a lot to look after and Roslyn keeps it all under control.” said Andrew.

“And we have three children the two boys Jayke, 14, and Billy, 12, and our daughter Chaise, who is 9. All the kids help out on the farm during the holidays.”

Will the kids continue the Jackwitz farming dynasty?

“It’s hard to say where they will end up. In the last 20 years I have noticed a big drop in the number of farms and growers. We are now seeing some big ‘corporate style’ farms and I think that takes a bit of the lifestyle element out of more traditional style family farms. Plus you have to have your heart in it. Farming is all consuming and you have to love it. Growing produce for someone else doesn’t appeal to me, but who knows what the kids will do. It’s a bit of a way off yet.”

Movember Mo's on Display
Well Movember has finished and I thought I’d share a couple of pictures with you. As you can see, the boys did a terrific job and truly embraced the mojo of the Mighty Mo!

Pictured are Peter Kedwell, joint managing director of Pershouse Produce, and Adley and Kelan from our Produce Sales area.

The event is really important in raising awareness about important men’s health issues such as depression and prostate cancer.

Movember also raises funds for Beyond Blue and The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, which is an organisation Pershouse has been proud to be associated with this year.

Staff profile - Graham Davis
While it may not be the most glamorous job in the world, managing the flow of pallets through a supply chain is crucial.

“The issue with pallets is the hire cost. Every time we use a CHEP pallet it used it costs money, and at any one time we can have thousands of pallets on our books.” says Graham.

“And, while individually the pallets don’t cost much, when you have thousands floating around the system it adds up to quite a bit. My role is to make sure we ‘de-hire’ the pallets as quickly as possible, so we don’t incur unnecessary costs. It is a waste.”

“The management of pallets needs to start from the farm gate to the warehouse.”

“So I keep track of them, make sure they are de-hired as quickly as possible and all the paperwork is complete. To do this I have to be a bit of a pest around the warehouses, but we all need to be conscious of managing them and I think everyone understands that that is what I am here to do, and we all need to work together.”

Graham has been with Pershouse Produce for two months now, and has been an enormous help to Nola Davies, who was previously managing the CHEP side of the business. But it is almost a full-time job in itself, so having Graham on board has enabled Nola to concentrate on the many other tasks associated with her role.

“Graham has been a blessing.” adds Nola.

Graham has been in the Markets for 8 years now, after working for a number of different businesses including a campervan rental company and Red Rooster.

“I started at Montague’s when I arrived at the Markets. I stayed there for 4-5 years as second-in-charge of the warehouse looking after stock control, produce movements, quality etc. A bit of everything.” said Graham.

“I then moved to Moraitis and became more involved in the pallet side of the business, while still keeping my hand in at truck driving and forklift driving, as well as some sales work. But it was time for a change and this seemed a great opportunity at Pershouse.”

Outside of Pershouse, Graham and his partner of 18 years, Tammy, have a 3 year old son, Diesel James, and when they get the chance, the family enjoys 4WD and camping holidays.

“We really enjoy the outdoors lifestyle. It’s challenging with a 3 year old (don’t I know it!! –ED), but when we find the time it is great. At the moment our focus is work, but we hope to get out a bit more in the near future. “

December Market Update
With Christmas upon us, the Markets are starting to get that familiar buzz of a busy week looming.

The word on the floor is that Christmas will be a bumper week and so retailers need to get in early!

Rob Mann, Pershouse Tomatoe Sales, said that there is a shortfall in tomaotoes because of the heat, and with demand increasing, the market is expected to be tight over the coming weeks.

There is an average supply of stonefruit around for this time of year, but prices are higher than normal. Supplies are still being drawn from Stanthorpe with the Victorian supply set to start from mid-December. As with all stonefruit, the eating is good if you pick well!

Thankfully mangoes are back in swing with a heavy supply of Kensington Pride's arriving just in time for summer.

Bananas and apples are slow as demand has decreased for the more traditional fruits with the arrival of the summer and tropical fruits.

On the heavy produce side, Kent Special pumpkins have increased in price after an unseasonal supply gap saw a shortfall of product on the market.

The local season of washed potatoes has finished and the Adelaide season has kicked in.

Also new season potatoes from Dorrigo have started arriving.

vegetables are also in heavy supply with all salad vegetables, except capsicums in plentiful supply.

Corn, cabbage, silverbeet, zucchini and squash are also in heavy supply, with cauliflower and broccoli being some of the few varieties tightening up.

But remember, there is always a heavy demand for all produce come Christmas so get in early!

Christmas Wishes
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our customers a very Merry Christmas and say ‘thank you’ for your continued support throughout 2008.

If you have a story or article that you think would make a great addition to Fresh Perspective contact;

Laura Koman
Ph: 07 3379 3034
Email: laura@pershouse.com.au