Vegetables Australia January-February_2017_LR

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The National Vegetable Extension Network has experienced a busy end to 2016, which was highlighted
by a gala dinner in Bundaberg, a Vegetable Industry Leaders Summit in Western Australia and the network’s
inaugural annual meeting.
EXTENSION UPDATES FROM AROUND THE NATION
WIDE BAY BURNETT, QLD
When guests entered what is traditionally known as a shed, they
were immediately awash with a haze of blue and soft twinkling
lights in representation of a ‘night under the stars’, which was the
theme for the Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers (BFVG) 2016
Industry Gala Dinner.
More than 520 regional producers and representatives from
Woolworths, Coles, local MPs, AUSVEG and agricultural supply chain
businesses attended the successful event. Held on 8 October 2016, it
offered plenty of networking opportunities for vegetable businesses
in the region.
Wide Bay Burnett – National Vegetable Extension Network
(NVEN) staff members took the opportunity to speak with Professor
Fiona Coulson and Professor Phil Brown from Central Queensland
University on how the two organisations could collaborate by
potentially linking students and graduates to local producers for
thesis projects and work experience. Vegetable growers were
interested to hear about the Wide Bay Burnett NVEN project and
are keen to participate in one-on-one consultations that will
commence in 2017.
WORKING WITH VEGETABLE GROWERS
Industry Development Officers (IDOs) Kylie Jackson and Daryl
Anastasi are fortunate to have direct relationships with a number
of vegetable industry support businesses who are already working
in the region and embarking on various research activities.
Kylie and Daryl are working closely with these businesses to
coordinate the distribution of research papers, host succinct
workshops and pave the way to assisting vegetable growers in
the region to build their business capacity.
Expressions of interest are invited for a March 2017
workshop in Bundaberg on the Vegetable Industry Strategic
Investment Plan for 2017-22. Please register your interest on the
website below.
How to keep in touch:
• Contact BFVG Project Officer Daryl Anastasi on 0428 716 218 or
• Keep up with upcoming events on the website:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
On 25 November 2016, vegetablesWA hosted a Grower Group
Tour and the Industry Leaders Summit for the second year. The
event was hailed a success, with 22 young grower attendees
undertaking a tour of Ellement Produce and Baldivis Farms before
attending the Summit in the afternoon.
The Summit was opened by Tim Morris from Coriolis, who
spoke about the exporting opportunities for WA vegetable growers.
Colmar Brunton and Nielsen representatives then provided the
findings from recent consumer research to the growers, discussing
three product lines. The information was based on research projects
funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia (Hort Innovation) which
are currently being conducted.
Overall the event was successful, with growers having plenty of
knowledge to take away and implement on-farm.
How to keep in touch:
• Contact Industry Development Officer Truyen Vo on
0457 457 559 or
• Keep up with upcoming events on the website:
.
INAUGURAL ANNUAL MEETING
The National Vegetable Extension Network held its inaugural
annual meeting at the Hort Innovation office in Sydney from 25-26
October. Sixteen vegetable IDOs representing 10 regions of Australia
came together for two days of networking, planning and discussions.
Highlights included a session on the use of webinars from Dr
John James and presentations from vegetable researchers on some
of their recent work and areas for extension to vegetable growers.
IDOs discussed their plans for the coming year and identified some
opportunities for collaboration between regional groups.
An overview of vegetable levy funded research projects and
extension resources from the last 10 years was presented. The IDOs
now have the chance to transfer some of that research into valuable
improvements for vegetable growers.
For more information on the National Vegetable Extension Network and
upcoming events, please contact Adam Goldwater on 02 8627 1040 or adam.
This project has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.
Project Number: VG15049
INFO
R&D
A full house at the Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable
Growers 2016 Industry Gala Dinner. 22 young growers visited Ellement Produce in Western Australia in November 2016.