{"id":3200,"date":"2020-06-18T18:21:32","date_gmt":"2020-06-18T08:21:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boomaroo.com\/?p=3200"},"modified":"2021-04-07T11:02:15","modified_gmt":"2021-04-07T01:02:15","slug":"a-detailed-approach-to-qa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/a-detailed-approach-to-qa\/","title":{"rendered":"A detailed approach to QA"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Boomaroo, product quality and consistency are paramount to building a strong, dedicated and confident customer base that will keep coming back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Growers know this. And, as a commercial nursery for over 30 years, Boomaroo knows how important QA has been to their own success and longevity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through developing extensive QA processes, Boomaroo have established a rigorous QMS (Quality Management System), taking into consideration every step of a plants\u2019 growing cycle in the nursery. This means ensuring seedlings dispatched from both the Lara and Southbrook facilities are of optimum health, consistency and meet growers\u2019 individualised specifications. Boomaroo\u2019s QMS also plays a critical role in achieving national and international food quality and safety certifications, such as ISO9001 and HACCP.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Behind our extensive processes and procedures is a team of dedicated specialists &#8211; from QA officers, master planners, agronomists, plant health specialists and scientists.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nyunt Win Myint, Boomaroo\u2019s Quality Control and Customer Service Officer, is one of these specialists responsible for monitoring the QA journey of Boomaroo\u2019s seedlings.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-3200 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC04290-900x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC04290-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC04290-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC04322-900x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC04322-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC04322-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC04296-900x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC04296-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC04296-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC04305-900x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC04305-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC04305-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a Bachelor of Science degree in both Chemistry and Food Science &amp; Nutrition, Win has significant experience in Food Science and Quality Control. She\u2019s been with Boomaroo for over 8 years, initially working in QA before moving into her current Quality Control role.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a keen gardener herself, Win was excited to move from her previous roles in the food production industry to apply her knowledge and skill to the more dynamic working environment of horticulture that she now enjoys at Boomaroo.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe\u2019ve built a strong base to work from, with over 10 years of results to inform our understanding. But we continue to build off this base. I enjoy continually thinking about new testing opportunities or looking for new insights to bring this data to life for the benefit of our customers\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So how does she carry out this important role? Win has identified some of the key concepts that she says underpin Boomaroo\u2019s QA program.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Keep the customer first<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Win plays an integral linking role, collaborating across the growing and customer service teams to ensure customer\u2019s growing needs are consistently met across the areas of quality control, growing and customer service.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI put myself in the position of the customer and consider whether the plants will meet their expectations. We have to see ourselves within the grower\u2019s entire production schedule and make sure we\u2019re not the missing link in the chain.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With this focus on the customer, insights from Win\u2019s work provides alignment across the wider Boomaroo team.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What you put in is what you\u2019ll get out<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Win\u2019s role also requires the processing and testing of numerous inputs, including the growing media from our suppliers (required to meet Boomaroo\u2019s strict specifications), nitrogen levels (critical to plant health and development) and of the water we apply.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As part of our sustainability targets, 30-50% of Boomaroo\u2019s water comes from recycled sources, so routine testing prior to use is critical to screen for MRL\u2019s (Maximum Residue Levels), total salts\/salinity (EC levels),<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and for nasty pathogens like Listeria spp and E.coli.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additional testing for PH and for micro and macro elements in the water, helps Win support the growing team to make accurate day-to-day decisions that ensure the feeding and watering program is tailored to optimise seedling&#8217;s development.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These tests provide Win with the critical information she needs to manage and control the efficacy of all inputs required at this important early stage in a plant&#8217;s life.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-3200 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-large'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"447\" src=\"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC04364-1340x798.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"447\" src=\"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC04357-1340x798.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"447\" src=\"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC04338-1340x798.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"447\" src=\"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC04346-1340x798.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<h3><b>Track the variables in the growing cycle<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beyond the testing of initial inputs, Win continues to conduct routine in-nursery testing to monitor variables such as the impacts of weather, pathogens and other unforeseen circumstances.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-routine in-nursery testing responding to observations made by the growing team may also be needed to support tailored solutions to suit customers\u2019 needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIn a plant\u2019s growing cycle, there are macronutrients and micronutrients. Too much of either is not good. When I worked in the food production industry it was simple &#8211; pack, ready, done. But with plants, you really can\u2019t do that. It\u2019s a living, growing thing. We have to constantly monitor the plant and test, test, test so that we can keep on top of it. By the time you notice any deficiencies in the plant\u2019s appearance, the damage is already done.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Testing is undertaken at a variety of stages in the plants\u2019 development before they leave the nursery, to hone our treatment program and ensure they are delivered with the nutrition they need to<\/span>\u00a0meet customers\u2019 high-quality expectations.\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"color: #333333;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plug tests and drip through tests both pre-fertigation (to tailor the fertigation program) and post-fertigation (to ensure the optimum availability of nitrates is achieved).<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NPK (Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium) testing to measure soluble nitrate ions in the growing media.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Air Fill Porosity testing to indicate how well the growing media drains, ensuring adequate water retention in the hotter summer months and adequate release of water to avoid water-logging in the cooler winter months.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">EC (Electrical Conductivity) testing to monitor salinity and the availability of nutrients to the seedling.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PH testing to ensure optimum conditions for the ready uptake of nutrients and micronutrients.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Testing of fertigation solutions to verify efficiency of fertigation process.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Additionally, a number of tests are conducted externally through independent laboratories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By meticulously testing and validating the plant throughout its growing cycle, Win and the QA team ensure the highest possible plant quality is loaded onto the truck at the end of its time in the nursery.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A well fed, well developed and robust plant at this stage of the growing cycle, means that it\u2019s in a strong position to adapt to the more exposed conditions faced once in the growers\u2019\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">field.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At Boomaroo, product quality and consistency are paramount to building a strong, dedicated and confident customer base that will keep<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":3206,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3200"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3200"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3200\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3220,"href":"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3200\/revisions\/3220"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3206"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3200"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3200"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boomaroo.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}