NOTICE: Hard copies of the Australian New Crops Newsletter are available from the publisher, Dr Rob Fletcher. Details of availability are included in the
Advice on Publications Available.The Hobler-Mann Company
The Hobler-Mann Company is a part of the Nutrisearch Group of Companies which supplies highest quality vitamins, minerals and herbal products to the health practitioner market. Those behind Hobler-Mann have been trained in Horticulture, Agriculture, Naturopathy or Medicine and the link with Nutrisearch provides an intimate knowledge of herbal products and the market for such products. The company publishes a bimonthly Newsletter to disseminate information about the medicinal herb industry as it impinges upon the company.
The annual Australian import value of medicinal herbs is in excess of A$10 million dollars and is increasing rapidly. There are over two hundred varieties of medicinal herb used by natural therapists, often imported from overseas countries with different climatic conditions and sometimes with high levels of pollution. Australia is a country with a relatively clean environment and a wide diversity of climates. Hobler-Mann believes that Australia can grow these medicinal herbs here and replace the import industry with an export-orientated industry. Australian manufacturers are supporting the local industry and some are offering higher prices for Australian-grown herbs than they are paying for the imported herb.
Hobler-Mann is building its market-base by assisting growers into the industry while at the same time developing markets for their crops.
A potential grower's climatic area, soil type, water availability, access to machinery, past experience, etc. are all taken into consideration by the company when deciding on two or three varieties of medicinal herb which warrant trial planting in an area of up to 0.2 hectares (0.5 acre). The company has found that by handling a small planting initially, the grower learns what is involved in growing the particular medicinal herb(s) and can assess whether the project will be viable on a larger scale. On the other hand, losses are not substantial if the project fails at this early stage.
Establishment costs are kept low with seed for the trial planting amounting to about $100. Other expenses incurred usually include the cost of organic fertiliser, soil preparation and basic irrigation equipment.
Seed is usually imported, although there are plans to establish a seed bank in Australia. Seed is relatively expensive and this is one reason the company encourages propagation in seed beds and pots rather than direct sowing. The seed supplied is purchased in bulk from local and overseas suppliers and is sold through a Hobler-Mann Agent at a low cost margin.
The company also supplies all growing information. The information is usually fairly basic initially, but becomes more detailed if the grower requests it and such information is available. Initially, the company aims to guide the grower through the growth period of the crop. After achieving the first crop, a grower usually has sufficient confidence to increase the planting area.
In return for this guidance, the company asks growers to sign a Grower Agreement Form giving the company first option on the sale of the crop. The company does not give a guarantee to market the crop since it is not apparent until the final stages of growth whether the crop is marketable. Conversely, Hobler-Mann does not get paid for its assistance in helping to produce the crop until the crop has been marketed. The charge is 15% of the market value of the herb. Sometimes a more detailed consultancy is required, either on-farm or at Hobler-Mann's office, particularly in the establishment phase. In these circumstances a consultancy fee applies.
When the herb crop is close to maturity, a sample is taken and tested for therapeutic constituent levels. Until it passes this test, the crop is not harvested. At this sampling stage, the crop is given a batch number which identifies the herb and its source for all future purposes.
Most medicinal herbs need to be dried. Where possible, the grower is encouraged to establish a drying facility, which need not necessitate much expenditure. Some growers have developed commercial-sized drying units to cater for their own expanded needs as well as those of other growers in the area. Initially, for large quantities of herb drying, commercial seed dryers and tobacco kilns are recommended. The drying process is a tricky one and must be done carefully. After drying, another sample is tested to ensure that the crop has been processed correctly and is of a standard required by manufacturers. Once the herb has been dried and stored properly, it is very stable and will be sold, as required, to achieve the highest possible price.
Most herb is sold on sample. Samples are sent to various manufacturers in Australia and overseas but many of them are not interested in small individual crops. Companies such as Hobler-Mann have the capacity to consolidate small consignments to fill large orders.
Because there are growers in different climatic areas, the company has placed Agents in some areas to represent the company and look after the needs of the local growers.
Prospective growers are encouraged to become organically certified as best prices are paid for organically-grown produce. There is no preferred certification body. The Certificate of Identity which accompanies the herb to the manufacturer must explain the grower's organic status.
For further information, contact:
Mr Warren Morey
Development Manager, Hobler-Mann Pty Ltd
PO Box 4095
Mulgrave, VIC 3170
Telephone: (03) 9562 0577
Facsimile: (03) 9574 8155
International facsimile: +61 3 9574 8155
Any claims made by authors in the Australian New Crops Newsletter are presented by the Editors in good faith. Readers would be wise to critically examine the circumstances associated with any claims to determine the applicability of such claims to their specific set of circumstances. This material can be reproduced, with the provision that the source and the author (or editors, if applicable) are acknowledged and the use is for information or educational purposes. Contact with the original author is probably wise since the material may require updating or amendment if used in other publications. Material sourced from the Australian New Crops Newsletter cannot be used out of context or for commercial purposes not related to its original purpose in the newsletter
Contact: Dr Rob Fletcher, School of Land and Food, The University of Queensland Gatton College, 4345; Telephone: 07 5460 1311 or 07 5460 1301; Facsimile: 07 5460 1112; International facsimile: 61 7 5460 1112; Email:
r.fletcher@mailbox.uq.edu.au[
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GK; latest update 6 June 1999 by: RF