Meet the Farm Biosecurity Producer of the Year

Article authored for the Farm Biosecurity website.

The Farm Biosecurity Program is proud to partner with the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to recognise our primary producers who are leading the way in biosecurity. As the award sponsor, we would like to congratulate Shayne and Blaise Cini of Karden (Queensland) Pty Ltd, trading as Edari Bananas, as the winners of the 2024 Farm Biosecurity Producer of the Year. 

Shayne and Blaise recognise on-farm biosecurity as an investment in the future, both for their farm and for the next generation. Their 220-acre banana farm, located near the South Johnstone River south of Innisfail, is part of a proud farming legacy. As fourth-generation farmers and second-generation banana growers, Edari Bananas is focused on farm succession and protecting their property from pests and diseases, such as Panama disease tropical race 4 (Panama TR4). 

When Panama TR4 was first detected in Queensland in 2015, Shayne and Blaise acted quickly to protect their farm. They immediately introduced measures to improve biosecurity, including: 

• installing signage and footbaths at key entry points 
• creating designated entry points to control access. 

Given that their farm crosses two major roads, they developed a comprehensive biosecurity plan over three years, which included: 

• constructing two internal creek crossings to limit traffic on the farm 
• designing and building three wash-down facilities at key entry points 
• upgrading roads and installing new drainage to manage flooding from neighbouring properties 
• installing fencing around the entire property to reduce the risk of contamination 
• adding three boot spray stations at access points to further reduce the chance of disease spread. 

Although Panama TR4 remains contained to the Tully Valley, the proactive measures taken by Shayne, Blaise, and their team demonstrate a commitment to long-term farm health. Implementing these biosecurity strategies continues to be the best defence against Panama TR4, as well as a range of other pests and diseases. 

Shayne and Blaise also took steps to ensure that their team stays informed and engaged in biosecurity practices. Blaise developed a series of biosecurity training videos to be used during staff inductions and as a continuing resource for the team. The videos were produced in collaboration with Biosecurity Queensland and the Australian Banana Growers’ Council, aiming to educate growers, potential farm workers, and visitors to the region. 

Additional biosecurity measures include: 

• a visitor register 
• internal and external signage to raise awareness 
• a feral pig management program to minimise environmental damage. 

The efforts of Edari Bananas, not only in maintaining strong biosecurity on their own farm but also in helping to educate the broader community, reflect their ongoing commitment to biosecurity. 

Shayne and Blaise Cini were nominated for this award by Amy Louise Spear from the Australian Banana Growers’ Council. 

Watch the video about their work.