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The Australian horticulture industry’s best and brightest have been recognised in the 2023 Horticulture Awards for Excellence, presented on Wednesday 7 June at the Hort Connections Gala Dinner in Adelaide.

Over 1500 horticulture industry members from around the country came together at the Adelaide Convention Centre to celebrate the significant contributions of nine of the sector’s leading growers, researchers and suppliers.

The annual Horticulture Awards for Excellence are the industry’s most prestigious honours, and cover a range of areas in horticulture, including recognising outstanding growers in multiple categories, as well as researchers, innovative agribusinesses and the industry’s leading exporters.

“Australia’s horticulture industry is privileged to have some of the world’s most innovative and hard-working growers, businesses and researchers. The Horticulture Awards for Excellence provide an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the incredible contributions of these industry leaders,” said AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote.

“The horticulture sector is critical to the health and wellbeing of Australians and their families. Our award winners not only lift the capability and sustainability of our industry, but they also exemplify the great work Australian horticulture undertakes to ensure and improve the community’s access to healthy, safe food.”

“There was a very impressive list of award nominees this year, each of whom has made a valuable contribution to the industry and demonstrated very clear passion and commitment. I would like to congratulate each of them, and especially our winners, and thank them all for their continued dedication to our industry.”

 

The winners of the Hort Connections 2023 National Awards for Excellence were as follows:

• Pirrone Brothers, QLD – Syngenta Grower of the Year
• Robert Arvier, West Pine Ag, Tas – Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year
• Angela Candeloro, Tripod Farmers Group, Vic – Boomaroo Nurseries Women in Horticulture Award
• Frank Frappa, Premier Fresh Australia, Vic – Hort Innovation Exporter of the Year
• Michael Rettke, SARDI, SA – Bayer Researcher of the Year
• Bruce Scott, Campbells Fertiliser, Vic – Visy Industry Impact Award
• Allan McGann, drumMASTER (Agsafe), NSW – E.E. Muir & Sons Community Stewardship Award
• Fresh Select, Vic – Butler Market Gardens Environment and Sustainability Award
• Kylie Hall, Hectre, NZ – UPL Tech Innovation Award

The Horticulture Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner was the capstone event of Hort Connections 2023, the premier event in Australian horticulture. Delegates came together at the Adelaide Convention Centre for the three-day event, which featured a trade show with over 200 local and global supply chain partners and presentations from the industry’s leading thinkers.

Photographs of the individual award winners can be found on the following pages. To request more information or an interview with award winners, please contact the AUSVEG media representative below.

Queensland vegetable grower Pirrone Brothers crowned Syngenta Grower of the Year

Vegetable growers Ross-Shane, Josh and Chris Pirrone have been recognised for their achievements in the Australian horticulture industry with the Syngenta Grower of the Year Award at Hort Connections 2023 in Adelaide on Wednesday 7 June.

The national award recognises outstanding achievement across all aspects of horticultural production, including growing, environmental management, staff management and quality of produce, and acknowledges grower commitment to innovation and advancing the Australian horticulture industry.

The award is supported by Syngenta, a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources through world class science and innovative crop solutions.

The three siblings run Pirrone Brothers in North Queensland, and over the past decade have evolved the family business from sugar cane production to one of the state’s most innovative vegetable producers.

“The Syngenta Grower of the Year Award is the highest honour in the Australian horticulture industry, and has been awarded to Pirrone Brothers in recognition of the business’ rapid pace of innovation and dedication to knowledge sharing,” said AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote.

“Over the past 10 years, Ross-Shane, Josh and Chris have built an impressive vegetable production business through ongoing experimentation and rapid adoption of new research and technology, such as protected cropping, soilless production and automation. As active participants in research trials, the brothers have also generously shared their learnings with other industry members.

“Ross-Shane, Josh and Chris Pirrone have already made a big mark on the industry in only 10 years, and are very deserving winners of the Syngenta Grower of the Year Award.”

“Pirrone Brothers join a long list of winners of this award who have continued to achieve success in their businesses and support the broader sector growth. We look forward to seeing what they achieve in their next decade,” said Syngenta Australia New Zealand Managing Director Paul Luxton.

Hort Connections 2023 is a joint initiative between AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association of Australia-New Zealand (IFPA A-NZ).

Image: L-R The Hon Clare Scriven MLC, the Pirrone Brothers and Syngenta Australia New Zealand Managing Director Paul Luxton

 Image credit: Andrew Beveridge

Sustainability advocate Robert Arvier wins Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year

Tasmanian vegetable grower Robert Arvier has been presented with the Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year award at the Hort Connections 2023 Horticulture Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner in Adelaide on Wednesday 7 June.

The Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year award is presented to a fresh produce grower and future leader in horticulture who champions the success of the industry and shows a dedication to innovation to help inspire the next generation of growers. The award winner demonstrates a high level of commitment to the industry and helps to enrich their community.

Corteva Agriscience is the only major agriscience company completely dedicated to agriculture. By combining the strengths of DuPont Pioneer, DuPont Crop Protection and Dow AgroSciences, Corteva harnesses agriculture’s brightest minds and expertise gained over two centuries of scientific achievement.

Robert is the Managing Director and co-founder of West Pine Ag, an irrigated vegetable grower on the north-west coast of Tasmania producing potatoes, onions, carrots, onions and brassicas. Robert has been a vocal champion of sustainable farming practices, leading the way through adoption of renewable energy and carbon reduction opportunities for farms in particular.

“Robert has become one of the industry’s leading advocates for sustainable farming practices, setting an example for other growers and bringing to life some truly exciting initiatives,” said AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote.

“In only four years, Robert has developed a thriving diversified farming business focused on environmental, social and economic sustainability. He has managed or invested in forward-thinking projects developing new technologies for on-farm energy generation from crop residues, yeast-based fertiliser production, localised weather forecasting and many others.

“Robert was also awarded a Nuffield Scholarship in 2017, completing a feasibility study into sugar beet production in south-eastern Australia,” said Mr Coote.

“I congratulate Robert on his award and his passion for and leadership in improving sustainable farming practices. The kind of work Robert is doing is critical to the future of our industry.”

Hort Connections 2023 is a joint initiative between AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association of Australia-New Zealand (IFPA A-NZ).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image: L-R Nick Koch from Corteva Agriscience and Robert Arvier Image credit: Andrew Beveridge

 

Third generation grower Angela Candeloro wins the Boomaroo Nurseries Women in Horticulture Award

Third generation market gardener Angela Candeloro has been named as the winner of the Boomaroo Nurseries Women in Horticulture Award at the Hort Connections 2023 Horticulture Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, held in Adelaide on Wednesday 7 June.

The Boomaroo Nurseries Women in Horticulture Award recognises a leading female member of the Australian horticulture industry who has demonstrated outstanding ability and success in her chosen field. Boomaroo Nurseries is a world-class vegetable seedling producer, supplying over 300 million seedlings to growers around Australia.

Angela grew up on her parents’ market garden, F&M Candeloro, ultimately taking over the business. The operation became Tripod Farms in 1989. Today, Tripod Farms grows vegetables, primarily leafy greens, on 1000 acres across Western Melbourne and Gippsland in Victoria. Angela’s role in the business grew from being very hands on in the early days to managing the quality assurance and harvest teams, and she now serves as a Director and oversees all areas of the business.

“Angela has been a role model for many of her colleagues, and has served as a mentor for many young people in Tripod Farms and the broader industry, particularly women,” said AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote.

“Her availability for a chat and advice has helped many in the industry work through issues of combining family and career, work life balance and overcoming the challenges faced by women in horticulture.”

“The support Angela has given others is evidenced by the respect many in the industry hold for her, and in the well-deserved presentation of the Boomaroo Nurseries Women in Horticulture Award at Hort Connections 2023.”

“The Horticulture Awards for Excellence are an important way for the industry to lead the charge in celebrating the outstanding achievements of the industry’s leading women, without whom the industry would not succeed.”

“Women are a vital part of the Australian horticulture sector, and mentors like Angela are critical to helping more women enter and thrive in our industry.”

Image: L-R Jo Van Niekerk from Boomaroo Nurseries and Angela Ruffo  Image credit: Andrew Beveridge

 Hort Connections 2023 is a joint initiative between AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association of Australia-New Zealand (IFPA A-NZ).

 

Frank Frappa of Premier Fresh Australia named Exporter of the Year

Frank Frappa of Premier Fresh Australia has been awarded the title of Hort Innovation Exporter of the Year at the Hort Connections 2023 Horticulture Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, held in Adelaide on Wednesday 7 June.

The Hort Innovation Exporter of the Year Award recognises an individual or business who is committed to exporting and actively contributes to activities to assist the industry increase its exports.

Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for the Australian horticulture industry. It invests over $120 million annually in research and development, marketing and trade programs on behalf of industry to improve the productivity, profitability and global competitiveness of fruit, vegetable and nut sectors, as well as transformational investments that benefit the broader Australian horticulture industry as a whole.

Frank heads international sales for Premier Fresh Australia (PFA), which is the third-largest horticulture trader and grower in Australia. While the majority of PFA’s business over its 100 years history has focused on the domestic market, exports are a rapidly growing part of the portfolio. PFA currently exports approximately 300 shipping containers of produce each year to more than 15 countries.

“Premier Fresh Australia is one of the country’s oldest and most successful horticulture businesses, and under Frank’s leadership of its export arm, that deep experience has been applied to growing sales of Australian produce internationally,” said AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote.

“Frank has had a strong focus on growth, and PFA is actively working on developing new export markets for Australian fruit and vegetables. PFA aims to replicate the success of the table grape and citrus trade into markets such as China with initiatives such as the new Tōpa nectarine brand, which has been specifically developed for export.”

“Exports are an important component of the Australian horticulture industry, and growth in international trade depends on the organised and quality-focused approach of businesses like Premier Fresh Australia, led by professionals like Frank.”

 

Hort Connections 2023 is a joint initiative between AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association of Australia-New Zealand (IFPA A-NZ).

Image: L-R Hort Innovation Frank Frappa and Chair Julie Bird 

 Image credit: Andrew Beveridge

  

Bayer Researcher of the Year plaudit awarded to SARDI researcher Michael Rettke

Soilborne disease expert Michael Rettke has been recognised for his contributions to horticulture with the Bayer Researcher of the Year Award, presented at the Hort Connections 2023 Horticulture Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, held in Adelaide on Wednesday 7 June.

The national award recognises a researcher who has a track record of research or extension work that has advanced the industry and offers long-term industry benefits, who actively communicates research outcomes and encourages uptake of outcomes on-farm, and who contributes research or extension work that advances the reputation of Australian science internationally.

The award is supported by Bayer, an international life science company offering innovative products that serve the health of humans, plants and animals. With core competencies in the areas of health care and agriculture, Bayer takes on two of the greatest challenges of the twenty-first century – the health and the nutrition of the growing population.

Michael is a Senior Research Officer at the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), with more than 30 years’ experience delivering research for the horticulture industry.

“Michael’s expertise in soilborne disease management in potato, onion, carrot and brassica crops is highly regarded by industry and fellow researchers, and his contributions have made tangible improvements to growers’ ability to combat soilborne disease,” said AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote.

“His development of the PREDICTA Pt tool, which assesses soilborne disease risks in the potato industry, has been a big step forward for disease management. Over the past decade it has become widely used by industry and is now being adapted for other horticulture crops.”

“The successful application of research outcomes in the field depends on close collaboration of researchers with growers, and the widespread adoption of his work is testament to his close links with the industry,” said Mr Coote.

“Research and development is fundamental to the future of the industry, and Australia is lucky to be home to many of the best horticulture researchers in the world.”

Hort Connections 2023 is a joint initiative between AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association of Australia-New Zealand (IFPA A-NZ).

Image: L-R Darren Wood from Bayer and Michael Rettke 

Image credit: Andrew Beveridge

 

Fertiliser expert Bruce Scott presented with Visy Industry Impact Award

Victorian fertiliser expert Bruce Scott of Campbells Fertiliser was presented with the Visy Industry Impact Award at the 2023 Hort Connections Horticulture Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, held in Adelaide on Wednesday 7 June.

The Visy Industry Impact Award recognises an individual or business that has invested in creating or has implemented a system of technology or business practice outside of the industry norm that has resulted in a significant contribution to best farm practice or in cost savings through the value chain, and is not in common usage by industry and will provide a commercial and competitive advantage.

The award is supported by Visy, packaging industry pioneers and critical providers of essential food supply chain services with an extensive range of sustainable packaging provides innovative solutions for almost every vegetable in the market.

For over 90 years Campbells Fertiliser has provided the highest quality crop nutrition products and services to customers, ensuring world class production and marketability of horticultural goods.

The business is continually committed to identifying and offering new specialty products from around the world with the correct fit for Australia’s vast range of soil types and agricultural crops.

“Bruce is a widely recognised fertiliser expert and a regular contributor at industry events. Many of the nutritional systems, practices and processes used in Victoria and the wider Australian horticulture industry today have been developed by Bruce,” said AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote.

“His adoption of new technology to develop new products has helped shape industry in an area that’s often overlooked. Many Australian vegetable growers owe a debt of gratitude to this quiet achiever and his dedication to the science of vegetable farming.”

Hort Connections 2023 is a joint initiative between AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association of Australia-New Zealand (IFPA A-NZ).

Image: L-R Visy National Sales Manager Wayne Dunn and Bruce Scott

 Image credit: Andrew Beveridge

drumMUSTER champion Allan McGann wins the E.E. Muir and Sons Community Stewardship Award

Allan McGann, the face behind Australia’s extremely successful drumMUSTER (Agsafe) and ChemClear agvet chemical recycling programs, has been awarded the E.E. Muir and Sons Community Stewardship Award at Hort Connections 2023 in Adelaide on Wednesday 7 June.

The E.E. Muir and Sons Community Stewardship Award recognises an individual or business that is proactive in developing or implementing a system or program of safe storage and use of on-farm materials above and beyond industry standards, engages in local or national community events and initiatives to develop wider industry and demonstrates the responsible planning and management of resources, leading to beneficial environmental impacts.

The award is supported by E.E. Muir and Sons, a major distributor of fertilisers, crop protectants, seeds and other farm supplies to the Australian agriculture industry, employing a fleet of highly trained staff who offer growers a complete package, based on the principles of quality and ethical service.

Allan has been the guiding hand for the drumMuster program since 2001, and the ChemClear program since its launch in 2003. The drumMUSTER and ChemClear programs provide a collection and disposal pathway for unwanted agvet chemicals and containers, to avoid these chemicals being disposed of improperly.

drumMUSTER has collected and recycled more than 40 million agvet chemical containers since the program began, while ChemClear has collected and disposed of nearly 900,000 litres of unwanted chemicals.

“Allan’s tireless dedication and commitment to these important programs has ensured Australian farmers and agvet chemical users across the country have access to a safe, environmentally responsible way to dispose of their used containers and chemicals,” said AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote.

“As a farmer himself, Allan is well aware of the challenges they have historically faced disposing of agricultural waste products responsibly. He was instrumental in developing the drumMUSTER and ChemClear programs to ensure there was a better way to remove plastic waste and unwanted chemicals from farms and out of rural communities,” said Mr Coote.

“Allan has not only become the face of these programs over the past 20 years, but is also regarded as their heart and soul. His contribution to these important programs and the positive outcome they have for the broader community have made him a very deserving recipient of the Community Stewardship Award.”

Hort Connections 2023 is a joint initiative between AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association of Australia-New Zealand (IFPA A-NZ).

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Image: L-R  Allan McGann and Andrew Muir from E. E. Muir and Sons

 Image credit: Andrew Beveridge

  

Fresh Select wins Butler Market Gardens Environment and Sustainability Award for vegetable powder project

National vegetable grower Fresh Select has been awarded the Butler Market Gardens Environment and Sustainability Award for its development of a vegetable powder production system to make use of otherwise wasted produce.

The award, presented at the Hort Connections conference in Adelaide on Wednesday 7 June, recognises a business or individual who demonstrates a commitment to implement sustainable farming practices on-farm, develops innovative solutions to meet environmental challenges on-farm and shows leadership in promoting environmental issues in the local and wider community.

The award is supported by Butler Market Gardens, a family-owned farming operation that specialises in growing herbs and vegetables. The business is a committed member of the Australian horticulture industry and helps to support the adoption of sustainable, environmentally responsible growing practices.

As a large vegetable producer, Fresh Select had historically seen high levels of food loss and waste, in large part due to crops which did not meet retail specifications. To address this, the company created the start-up company Nutri V.

“Fresh Select and Nutri V have developed a system that turns otherwise wasted vegetables into nutrient-dense vegetable powders, adding millions of serves of vegetables back into the market using existing production,” said AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote.

“This new enterprise is already turning 2,400 tonnes of previously wasted broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, pumpkin, Brussels sprouts and spinach into a nutritious, valuable product, and Fresh Select and Nutri V have plans to expand into other vegetables later this year.”

“The world faces a huge challenge in coming decades to produce enough food for a growing population in the face of environmental constraints. Innovative solutions such as Nutri V offer a way to use a greater proportion of crops and increase the supply of convenient, healthy food using existing production.

Hort Connections 2023 is a joint initiative between AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association of Australia-New Zealand (IFPA A-NZ).

Image: L-R John Said from Fresh Select and Butler Market Gardens CEO Rick Butler 

 Image credit: Andrew Beveridge

 NZ agtech startup Hectre wins UPL Tech Innovation Award

New Zealand startup Hectre was presented with the UPL Tech Innovation Award at the 2023 Hort Connections Horticulture Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, held in Adelaide on Wednesday 7 June.

The UPL Tech Innovation Award is a celebration of individuals or businesses that have implemented technology-focussed innovation from across the Australian or New Zealand fresh produce supply chains.

The award is supported by UPL, a leader in global food systems helping Australian farmers to optimise productivity through innovation and cost effective crop solutions.

Hectre received the award in recognition of an innovative new technology, Spectre Top Down, that enables fruit packers to rapidly receive large amounts of accurate data on fruit sizing as it arrives at the packhouse.

Spectre Top Down combines an overhead camera and AI to detect and determine the size of up to 5,000 pieces of fruit in the back of open-top trucks. As trucks pull up under the camera, Spectre Top Down scans the top layer of fruit and within seconds delivers early fruit size data that is 95% accurate.

The new system has already been adopted by major apple packers in the US, and application of the technology is now being explored for pears, citrus, cherries, avocados and onions.

“Early access to data on produce sizing can help growers and packhouses to make critical sales, storage and packing decisions. Hectre’s new system gives the industry access to accurate sizing data in a much higher volume and much shorter timescale than was previously possible, avoiding costly packline stoppages and other problems,” said AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote.

“Technology like Hectre’s Spectre Top Down can be a game-changer for the horticulture industry, enabling faster, more efficient operations, and reducing waste and cost. Innovative use of technology like this represents the future of horticulture, and I congratulate Hectre on addressing this industry need, and on receiving the UPL Tech Innovation Award.”

 

Hort Connections 2023 is a joint initiative between AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association of Australia-New Zealand (IFPA A-NZ).

Image: L-R Matty Bloomfield accepting on behalf of Kylie Hall and Ian Cass from UPL Technology  Hall

 Image credit: Andrew Beveridge