On Monday 24 June, 79 participants gathered for the annual Horticulture Field Day at Hort Connections 2019. This was the first year AUSVEG had organised two concurrent farm tours, with half of the group travelling east of Melbourne, while the rest travelled to the state’s west.

Melbourne Market, Epping

Melbourne Market is a purpose-built facility and central marketplace for wholesale fruit, vegetables and cut flowers, used by more than 5,000 businesses. At the market, participants received a tour of the marketplace, from the fruit and vegetables trading floor to the fresh cut flower market. Everyone learnt about the history of the facility and the daily operations of buyers and sellers.

East

AgriBio, Bundoora

The group was treated to a presentation by Research Director – Microbial Sciences, Pests & Diseases, Brendan Rodoni, and was given a tour of the facility. Participants caught a glimpse of the research glasshouses, microscopy labs and high-tech DNA sequencing labs, with each section being explained in detail along the way.

Butler Market Gardens, Lyndhurst

At its Lyndhurst site, Butler Market Gardens produces basil, chives, parsley, coriander, dill, mint among other herbs. Participants were provided a tour of the site and were very impressed with the quality of the products grown at the facility and the ‘Butler Gourmet Pantry’ retail ready range of gourmet quality herbs.

Ball Australia, Skye

Ball Australia develops seed and vegetative lines for flowers, vegetables, herbs, cut flowers and tissue culture for a range of customers. Its high-tech glasshouses are environmentally controlled in order to maximise growth and quality. Participants on the eastern tour were provided with presentations from, the Department of Agriculture’s Rowan Alden and Stuart Watt, who discussed market access and export on the bus throughout the day.

Ball Australia.

West

John Deere, Derrimut

The group was provided with a presentation from John Deere staff about the company and the services it offers farmers across the world. The tour was then split into three smaller groups and provided with a facilitated tour of the warehouse, where participants witnessed first-hand John Deere’s transport amenities, operations and customer service facilities.

CSIRO Food Innovation Centre, Werribee

CSIRO researchers presented some of the facility’s work explaining the mechanism behind PEF (Pulse Electric Field), extrusion and fermentation to the group. Participants also visited the food processing centre to sample PEF juice and extruded snacks made from carrot and broccoli.

Fresh Select, Werribee

Fresh Select is a major producer of vegetables in Australia that grows a wide range of product including broccoli, cauliflower and leafy vegetables.

Fresh Select CEO John Said provided a presentation to the group about the company’s history and showcased its line of brassicas and lettuce. Participants continued to discuss the products over a fully catered lunch.

The group was split into two and provided tours of the farm and the warehouse, including their packing and storing facilities. Participants on the western tour were provided with presentations from the Department of Agriculture’s Douglas Kerruish, who discussed biosecurity and imports, and Velisha Farms Managing Director Catherine Velisha, who gave an overview of the Werribee region on the bus throughout the day.

All participants regrouped at Hort Connections at the conclusion of the day.

Fresh Select produce.

Acknowledgements

AUSVEG would like to thank Melbourne Market, John Deere, AgriBio, CSIRO, Butler Market Gardens, Fresh Select, and Ball Australia for giving up their valuable time to host participants during the Horticulture Field Day and for providing catering.

Find out more 

More information about Hort Connections 2021 will be released in the coming months. Hort Connections 2021 will be held from 7-9 June 2021 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

In the meantime, a comprehensive wrap-up of last year’s event can be found on the AUSVEG website.