Seed Potatoes Victoria Inc. (SPV) represents approximately 30 certified seed producers in Victoria, growing in the areas of Ballarat, Kinglake, Gippsland, Portland and the Otways.
Committee Members:
Chairperson:
Mark Peters (Portland)
Vice-Chairperson:
Rob Lockhart (Ballarat)
Treasurer:
Mark Labbett (Ballarat)
Including Delegates from each Region:
Gordon Jones (Gippsland)
Des Jennings (Gippsland)
Tony Trigg (Ballarat)
Barry Johnson (Kinglake)
Anthony Collins (Portland)
Gavin Bone (Otways)
David Scott (Otways)
Seed Potatoes Victoria (SPV) represents the technical and commercial interests of 32 professional certified seed potato producers. The need for technical liaison between the certification authority and industry led in 1974 to an advisory committee to interact with the Victorian government on the management of the Victorian certified seed potato scheme. It brought seed grower delegates together from different production districts to discuss areas of mutual concern, product quality, and terms of trade.
The committee was originally incorporated as the Victorian Certified Seed Potato Growers Committee in 1986, and the amended name of Seed Potatoes Victoria was adopted in 1999. Seed Potatoes Victoria continues to work alongside AuSPICA, the certification authority, to ensure that the highest quality seed is produced for export around Australia and internationally as well.
Seed Potatoes Victoria produces the annual Seed Buyers Directory for certified seed. This is distributed by direct mail to potato growers around Australia. SPV also facilitates the production of forward contract forms, consignment notebooks, farm access protocols, seed sizing templates, and trade displays. The voice of certified seed potato growers to industry and government is represented through SPV. Newsletters, field days, workshops, study tours and seed buyer liaison are all co-ordinated through this progressive and active industry body.
Strong Representation.
Disease, pests and other threats, marketing, OH&S, technology and innovation are some of the issues we cover. Our broad industry and grower representation inspires relevant projects to meet the ever changing environment of our members.
There are eight seed grower delegates representing the production districts of Ballarat, Gippsland, Otways, Kinglake and Portland who hold meetings at least 4 times a year to manage Seed Potatoes Victoria. The delegates are elected from district meetings and these district meetings provide further interaction and mechanisms by which new ideas and technology are adapted to the best farm practice in seed production. Seed Potatoes Victoria Inc is a dynamic organisation with an important leadership role for the modern professional potato grower.
The SPV website was totally overhauled at the end of 2021 in Gippsland by Online is Easy and the new website offers easily accessible information on growers and their varieties of potatoes grown. Payment to SPV for advertising in the guide, ordering potato sizing screens, grower levies and memberships payments will also be able to be paid via the website. Please familiarise yourself with the new layout and options.