AUSVEG SA is the state-wide representative body for South Australia’s $2 billion vegetable industry. It works with governments at all levels to advocate on key issues and deliver a number of key industry development programs that includes facilitating VegNET – South Australia, an investment that keeps vegetable growers informed about current R&D activities, results and resources. VegNET – SA Regional Development Officer Yanyu Liang provides an update.

Inaugural industry conference

AUSVEG SA held its first-ever South Australian horticulture conference on Tuesday 18 May. As part of this event, VegNET SA worked with AUSVEG SA to have a number of R&D speakers planned to provide learning and development opportunities for South Australian growers.

The inaugural Hort SA conference was held at the SA Produce Markets, featuring over 30 industry exhibitors along with a full program of leading industry speakers and early evening social networking drinks (kindly sponsored by the SA Produce Markets).

The event offered an opportunity for growers and industry supporters to see a large number of exhibitions and catch up with industry colleagues at South Australia’s home of fresh produce, the SA Produce Market.

Project update

AUSVEG SA has established a Production Advisory Group of agronomists and researchers to help guide its production-related extension activities for the coming year (trial site development, workshops, training etc). As part of this program, there are plans to establish a trial site in the state, conduct practice change trials and hold periodic farm walks and workshops over the coming years.

In the recent Regional Extension Advisory Group meeting, AUSVEG SA provided an overview of planned activities for VegNET SA for the coming year, focusing on the priority areas of Business Development, New Product and Market Development and Salinity Issues. There were several key discussions around the proposed workplan for the coming year, which included opportunities investigation for SA growers to access apprenticeships and other support available from the Department of Innovation and Skills for traineeships.

Waste in-focus at workshop

On 1 April, VegNET SA worked with AUSVEG SA to hold a workshop entitled Advanced Waste Management in Vegetable Production.

Held at the South Australian Produce Market, the workshop achieved a strong attendance of 30 industry members. Overall, the event received positive feedback with attendees rating the content and delivery as good to excellent.

There was also a substantial increase in knowledge for attendees in waste management in vegetable production. Some of the attendees intended to make practice changes as a result of the day including adoption of compostable packaging options.

VegNET SA support for growers

VegNET SA is investigating some gross margin tool resources available to the industry, and ways to extend this to the industry either via a future workshop or the development of resources for communication with the industry. It will continue to work to advance the interests of our industry in 2021 and looks forward to working with growers to deliver results in the coming season.

Find out more

Please contact AUSVEG SA CEO Jordan Brooke-Barnett on 0404 772 308 or at jordan.brooke-barnett@ausveg.com.au or VegNET – South Australia RDO Yanyu Liang on 0432 742 896 or at yanyu.liang@ausveg.com.au.

VegNET – South Australia is a strategic levy investment under the Hort Innovation Vegetable Fund.

This project has been funded by Hort Innovation using the vegetable research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.

Project Number: VG19015

Cover image: The Advanced Waste Management in Vegetable Production workshop was held at the South Australian Produce Market in early April.