Keep an eye out for Vegetables Australia – Winter 2021, which is expected to reach mailboxes very shortly.

This 84-page edition includes profiles and Q&As with various industry members, as well as R&D project updates and a snapshot of what to expect at Hort Connections 2021 – the biggest event in Australian horticulture, which will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 7-9 June.

On the front cover of Vegetables Australia – Winter 2021 is Robert Hinrichsen from Kalfresh.

Queensland-based Robert was the 2016 Syngenta Grower of the Year award winner, and we caught up with him to chat about the changes that have occurred in the past five years and his views on the current state of the Australian vegetable industry.

In this publication, AUSVEG’s Shakira Johnson provides an update on iMapPESTS, a five-year project that aims to provide a framework for a plant pest surveillance system that can rapidly monitor and report the presence of high-priority airborne pests and diseases.

Meanwhile, Dr Paul Cunningham from Agriculture Victoria Research provides an overview on a new national research project underway that aims to develop a biocontrol strategy for managing Queensland fruit fly populations in Australia.

We also meet the 2021 Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year award nominees, including a potato grower from Tasmania, a native herb supplier from South Australia, and a mixed crop farmer from Western Australia.

Celebrating fruit and vegetable producers aged 35 and under, this award is one of several that will be presented at the National Awards for Excellence on 9 June.

This is only a small taste of what is in this monster edition of Vegetables Australia – so if you’re not already receiving your hard copy, you can subscribe to receive future editions of the magazine for free by emailing communications@ausveg.com.au. Please provide your mailing address.