- A high-yield, disease-resistant and delicious new strawberry variety is hitting the shelves.
- The Stella-ASBP strawberry is named in honour of the late Ms. Stella Young.
- Officially launched at the Ekka.
A high-yielding, disease-resistant and delicious new strawberry variety has been unveiled at the Ekka, on top of the famous Ekka strawberry sundae.
The new subtropical strawberry variety, Stella-ASBP, developed by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and Hort Innovation’s Australian Strawberry Breeding Program (ASBP) in partnership with Hort Innovation and the Australian berry industry has hit the shelves this winter.
Stella-ASBP’s strengths include its resistance to red leaf disorder, ensuring healthier and more robust plants.
Its high yield promises an abundant supply of delicious strawberries and it has rated highly in consumer testing.
The Stella-ASBP strawberry is named in honor of the late Stella Young, a renowned journalist, disability activist and comedian, who passed away in 2014. The name celebrates her legacy and contributions to Australian society.
Anyone wanting to taste test the new Stella-ASBP variety can find it at farm gates.
Variety names are not commonly included on strawberry punnets for consumers to identify, however, this great-tasting variety will improve the overall consumer experience.
As stated by the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, The Honorable Mark Furner:
“DAF-bred strawberry varieties account for 85% of strawberries grown in Queensland and more than 50% nationally.
“The continuous development and improvement of our varieties ensures more robust plants with better yields and more supply, so everyone can continue to enjoy strawberries year-round, and on their Ekka sundaes.
“Naming this remarkable strawberry variety after the late Stella Young is a tribute to her legacy. We are proud to celebrate her memory with the Stella-ASBP strawberry.
“Queensland strawberry growers produce 42% of Australia’s strawberries, contributing $180 million for the Queensland economy.”
As stated by Hort Innovation Industry Service and Delivery GM Andrew Francey:
“Over the past five years, trials and consultation with Australian strawberry growers has had an overwhelming positive response with feedback from industry showing Stella ASBP has large fruit, high yield and a high flavor rating.
“Not only is it resistant to a red leaf disorder, a debilitating condition that can impact the yield of large sections of crops, it also arms growers with a variety that produces an incredible volume of strawberries. Stella ASBP is a win for growers, and with its consistently sweet flavour, a win for consumers.”
As stated by DAF’s Principal strawberry breeder Dr Jodi O’Neal:
“Our Stella-ASBP strawberry variety was selected for its beautiful flavour and attractive bright red fruit. It also has a high yield and large fruit size, which makes it more cost-effective for our strawberry farmers to grow.
“In recent years, the Australian Strawberry Breeding Program has named our new varieties after accomplished, talented, and remarkable Australians, including Olympic athletes Susie O’Neill and Tahli Gill, and renowned classical pianist Tamara-Anna Cislowska. Today we are extremely pleased to be able to pay tribute to Stella Young and her legacy in this small way.
“Stella Young was fierce and funny. She stood up for people whose bodies looked different or performed differently. She was a voice for people living with disabilities, and what she had to say is important for everyone to hear.”
As stated by Berries Australia Executive Director Rachel Mackenzie:
“It is an understatement to say our sub-tropical strawberry growers are delighted with Stella-ASBP. The industry has played a critical role in working alongside breeding experts and supporting consumer preference testing to see this latest variety realised. Consumers are going to love it.”
