Webinar: Building resilient horticulture supply chains & traceability solutions
2022-05-04 14:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Online
A webinar hosted by AUSVEG and Source Certain
2pm-3pm (AEST) | Wednesday 4 May 2022
Register to hear leading Australian technology and service providers discuss the benefits of integrating origin verification and IoT into horticulture supply chains. The webinar will also discuss growth opportunities in export markets, and how provenance and traceability play an important part in this process.
The discussion will cover the benefits, details and barriers associated with these services, and will finish with a Q&A discussion. The discussion will be held within the context of typical supply chain risks and relevant events that have impacted horticulture supply chains to remain relevant.
SPEAKERS:

Dianne Tipping, Chair, Export Council of Australia.
Nathan Dubrich, Head of Sales, Source Certain.
Christian Patterson, Head of Sales & Operations APAC, Escavox.
Warren Barry, Group Managing Director, RooLife Group.
Tony Coad, Manager Marketing and Sales, Reid Fruits.

Click here to register!

Austchilli Farm Virtual Field Day
2022-05-26 13:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Online
This event will be a virtual field day covering the AustChilli Smart Farm and will be hosted by AustChilli, AHR, Hitachi Vantara and AUSVEG.
There is a growing desire for produce to be grown using more efficient and environmentally friendly on-farm practices.
A key step in achieving this goal is to find new and innovative ways to deliver real-time field data into the hands of farmers, allowing them to make best decisions for their crop.
Bundaberg growers Austchilli have joined forces with Applied Horticultural Research and Hitachi Vantara to establish a pilot smart farm and develop new technologies and tools that will help Australian horticultural businesses improve nutrient, water, and labour use efficiencies. Please come and join the team for a virtual field day and see some of the new tools and monitoring systems being tested on site.
These new systems, developed by project partners Applied Horticultural Research and Hitachi Vantara, focus on real-time monitoring and data collection
combined with a user-friendly interface. This combination will help farmers maximise nutrient and water use efficiency and minimise inputs of inorganic nitrogen.
Hosted by: Applied Horticultural Research, Austchilli, Hitachi Vantara, and AUSVEG
Date and Time: Thursday 26 May, 1pm-3pm AEST
Cost: Free
Event Category: Webinar
Location: Online
Click here to register.

Hort Connections 2022
2022-06-06 - 2022-06-08 | Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Merivale St & Glenelg Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
Hort Connections is Australia and New Zealand’s premiere horticulture conference and trade show.
Hort Connections 2022 will be held in Brisbane following the successful, COVID-safe delivery of Hort Connections 2021.
The theme for Hort Connections 2022 – Growing Together – will highlight the importance for every sector of the horticulture industry to come together to build a stronger more resilient food system to feed local and international consumers.
Hort Connections speakers and exhibitors will showcase the latest research, technologies and innovations to offer new perspectives on how the industry can grow together.
Early bird registration rates are now available until 21 March 2022! Get your ticket to the largest event in the fresh produce industry.
Hort Connections will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from 6-8 June 2022 and will celebrate the horticulture industry, bringing together members from right across the vegetable, fruit and floral sectors.
Be sure to check the Hort Connections website regularly for updates.

Trade Show spaces for Hort Connections 2022 on sale now!
Make sure you and your business book your spot to showcase your products and services to Australian horticulture by registering early for a booth at the Hort Connections 2022 Trade Show!
Hort Connections 2022, co-hosted by AUSVEG and International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), is the premier event for the Australian horticulture industry, featuring the largest horticulture industry trade show in the Southern Hemisphere.
Click here to secure your exhibition booth at the largest horticulture conference and trade show in the Southern Hemisphere today.
Visit the Hort Connections website for more information.

Hort Connections Off-Site Farm Tours!
2022-06-06 06:00 - 16:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
The popular Hort Connections Farm Tours are returning to Hort Connections 2022, and this year’s tour of local industry sites promises to be a valuable excursion for any grower looking to broaden their perspectives about production in our sector.
AUSVEG will be running the off-site tours on Monday 6 June before the official Welcome Reception kicks off Hort Connections 2022, giving delegates a chance to start their Hort Connections experience with some time in the field.
These tours – proudly sponsored by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) – are a must-attend event for growers and industry members, affording delegates to tour the Brisbane Markets with included breakfast and refreshments, as well as travelling to leading Queensland horticulture producers’ farming operations.
There will be two farm tours – the Northern Farm Tour and Western Farm Tour. To conclude the tours, delegates will be chauffeured back to the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC).
Northern Farm Tour
Starting at 6am, delegates will depart from the BCEC to the Brisbane Markets for a tour and breakfast.
The two farms featured for the Northern Farm Tour are Bunya Fresh – a snacking tomato greenhouse facility in Yandina – and Green Valley Fingerlimes in Beerwah.
Delegates will also receive a tour of the Maroochy Research Facility in Nambour, where lunch and a speaker session will be provided.
Tour-goers will return in time for the official conference opening at 4.30pm at the BCEC.
Click here to register.
Click here for more information.
Western Farm Tour
Also departing at 6am from the BCEC, the Western Farm Tour will kick off with a full tour of the Brisbane Markets, including breakfast.
Following the tour of the Brisbane Markets, the bus will stop at leading Queensland vegetable grower business Moira Farming in Forest Hill.
We are pleased to announce the lunch and speaker session will take place during a tour of Boomaroo Nurseries’ newly established, state-of-the-art facility at Southbrook.
This tour will arrive back at the BCEC in time for the Hort Connections 2022 Welcome Reception.
Click here to register.
Click here for more information.

Avo Connections 2022
2022-06-06 12:00 - 16:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Meeting Room M2 – Brisbane Exhibition & Convention Centre, QLD
12.15pm to 4.30pm AEST | Monday 6 June 2022
Location: Meeting Room M2 – Brisbane Exhibition & Convention Centre, QLD
The annual avocado industry forum, Avo Connections, hosted by Avocados Australia is scheduled for Monday 6 June 2022 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre in South Brisbane (prior to Hort Connections).
The event promises to provide a broad range of speakers presenting on the latest developments related to the domestic market, export markets, food service and marketing of Australian avocados.
Attendees will also gain insights into the current quality performance of Australian avocados.
Avo Connections is a forum where key supply chain stakeholders of the Australian avocado industry come together to hear the latest news from key speakers involved with the Australian avocado industry.
Avo Connections provides a great opportunity to network with the industry’s key stakeholders and promotes collaboration and innovation across the supply chain.
You must be registered to attend this event – Registrations close Monday 30 May 2022.
Click here to view the full program.
Click here to register.
Please note, priority will be given to Australian businesses.

Upcoming nematode masterclass
2022-06-23
9am-4pm (AEST) 23 June 2022 | University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC
Are you interested in learning more about nematodes in vegetable growing systems? Join us for a masterclass in ‘Improving the health of vegetable-growing soils and reducing losses from nematode pests’ on 23 June 2022 at the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria.
This masterclass is designed to cater for those who would like to learn more about the world beneath our feet, with nematodes being the focus because in addition to being important pests, they play a major role in maintaining the health of our soils.
The masterclass will be run by Dr Graham Stirling, who has more than 50 years’ experience as a nematologist / plant pathologist / soil biologist.
Content covered in the masterclass will include: root-knot nematode and other important nematode pests; monitoring nematode populations; nematicides; integrated nematode management; tactics to augment the soil biological community, enhance nematode-suppressive services and improve soil health; biosecurity issues relevant to the vegetable industry.
This event is free, but spaces are limited.
For more information, contact Zali Mahony (AUSVEG Biosecurity Officer) at zali.mahony@ausveg.com.au or on (03) 9882 0277.

In-person event at Mt Gambier, SA, for potato growers & industry members
2022-07-13 10:00 - 12:30 (Australia/Adelaide) | Mount Gambier Golf Club, Attamurra Road, Mount Gambier, South Australia
10am-12.30pm ACST | Wednesday 13 July
Join the PotatoLink team and keynote speakers Josh Opas from McCain and Nigel Crump from AuSPICA for an in-person event at the Mount Gambier Golf Club.
The focus topics for the event are regenerative agriculture, biosecurity, and soil health.
Location: Mount Gambier Golf Club, Attamurra Road, Mount Gambier SA
Contact: Peter Philp on 0419 654 245 or at peterkphilp@hotmail.com.
Registrations essential.

Area-wide management of insect-vectored diseases webinar
2022-07-20 12:00 - 13:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Online
12pm-1pm AEST | Wednesday 20 July
Area wide management strategies for vector-borne diseases can help to prevent or minimise insecticide resistance, improve the efficiency of biological agents and limit the emergence of resistance-breaking strains of viruses.
In this upcoming Soil Wealth ICP webinar, industry-leading researchers from Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory will share the key findings and area wide management strategies of insect-vectored viral and bacterial diseases.
Click here to register.

BerryQuest International 2022
2022-07-25 - 2022-07-28 | Sea World Resort & Conference Centre, Gold Coast, QLD, Sea World Resort & Conference Centre, Gold Coast, QLD
Get ready for the best BerryQuest International conference yet
25-28 July 2022
Sea World Resort & Conference Centre, Gold Coast, QLD

BerryQuest International 2022 aims to bring together our community in a three-day event showcasing the latest innovations including growing techniques, research, packaging, export development, biosecurity, labour and marketing.

The conference, hosted by Berries Australia, will consist of two days of speaker presentations followed by a day of farm tours and other activities.
With plenty of networking events, it is also an opportunity for everyone to come together and socialise, relax, and engage with their community.
The venue, Sea World Resort & Conference Centre at the Gold Coast, provides not only excellent conference and exhibition space, but is a drawcard for families.
Berries Australia hopes to welcome over 300 delegates from around Australia and the inclusion of international speakers and delegates via live stream.
And, of course with COVID-19 still not a thing of the past, it will ensure that provisions are in place should circumstances change to ensure total stakeholder safety.
Click here for more information.

In-person potato event, Atherton
2022-08-01 16:30 - 18:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Atherton International Club, 60 Kennedy Highway, Atherton, QLD, 4883, Australia
4.30pm-6.30pm AEST | Monday 1 August
The PotatoLink team invite you to an in-person event in Atherton, Queensland.
National Coordinator Peter O’Brien and regional representative Dr Naomi Diplock will provide an update on the project.
Dr Kelvin Montagu will present on how cover crops can create a favourable soil environment for potatoes, increasing gross margins by reducing input costs and improving yield and quality.
There will be the opportunity for growers and other industry members to engage with the speakers and to provide feedback on future areas and topics of interest.
Location: Atherton International Club, 60 Kennedy Highway Atherton, QLD 4883
Click here to register!

QLD Agworkforce Summit
2022-08-03 08:30 - 2022-08-05 13:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Online
Register for the QLD Agworkforce Summit
8.30am-1pm AEST | 3-5 August
Register to attend the Queensland Agworkforce Summit to be held virtually from Wednesday 3 to Friday 5 August 2022.
Agribusinesses across QLD, including owners, CEO’s, Operation Managers, Human Resource Managers and Business Managers who are looking to innovate, attract, train and retain the current and future generation of people in their businesses, are encouraged to attend.
The Summit provides opportunity to network and learn about innovative strategies that have worked in attracting, retaining and skilling workforce.
Click here for more information.

Webinar: Area wide management for cucurbit viruses webinars
2022-08-03 16:00 - 16:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
4pm-4.30pm AEST | Wednesday 3 August
Over the coming months, the Soil Wealth ICP team will host three, 30-minute webinars which will focus on area wide management (AWM) strategies to control key viruses in cucurbits, capsicums and lettuce.
The first webinar on 3 August will discuss AWM strategies to control viruses in cucurbits, including cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) and zucchini yellows mosaic virus (ZYMV), with presenter Craig Webster from the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Click here to register.

Webinar: The Australian grocery sector – planning ahead in challenging times
2022-08-10 10:00 - 11:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Online / Zoom
(Sponsored Content)
10am-10.45am AEST | Wednesday 10 August
Join Convera for its Australian-focussed grocery sector webinar, discussing key trends and insights to help you make the most of your new financial year planning, control currency exchange costs, and manage your cash flow.
An expert in grocery sector cross-border payments, Convera is one of the largest non-bank B2B cross border payments companies in the world and a proud strategic partner of AUSVEG.
Click here to register!
Webinar Topics:
Food inflation impacts on the Australian grocery sector
Will high prices in raw materials continue, or have we already seen the top in commodity markets?
Increased international trading costs and supply chain challenges
Why have supply chains issues remained stubbornly in place and when are costs likely to ease?
Key currency pairs trends and analysis
AUDUSD is at two-year lows – what’s driving this move and how can you manage FX volatility?

2022 Fresh Produce Safety Conference
2022-08-11 08:30 - 17:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
8.30am-5.30pm AEST | Thursday 11 August
This conference is the Fresh Produce Safety Centre Australia & New Zealand’s (FPSC-ANZ) flagship event, that is expected to bring together over 200 food safety practitioners, CEOs, managers, food technologists, researchers, growers and supply chain specialists.
This year’s theme is Promoting Skills, Science, Systems and Standards.
The conference will delve into the realm of promoting skills for food safety in the fresh produce industry, engaging with the latest food safety science, improving systems and implementing standards.
Click here to learn more and to register.

In-person event: IPM in Protected Cropping, Peats Ridge, NSW
2022-08-17 10:00 - 12:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Family Fresh Farms, 13 Kilpa Rd, Peats Ridge, NSW, 2250, Australia
10am-12.30pm AEST | Wednesday 17 August
At this in-person event in Peats Ridge, join Family Fresh Farms grower Wade Mann and the Soil Wealth ICP team to find out how vegetable growers can incorporate integrated pest management (IPM) practices in protected cropping environments.
You will walk through the glasshouse of Qukes® (baby cucumbers) to see how IPM practices can encompass a whole system approach of plant health, climate control, hygiene, biosecurity etc.
You will also learn of the key tools, principles and activities that can be applied to ensure IPM practices are effective in various protected cropping environments.
Click here to register!

National Renewables in Agriculture Conference & Expo 2022
2022-08-18 08:00 - 16:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Albury Entertainment Centre, 525 Swift Street, Albury, NSW
8am-4.30pm | Thursday 18 August
On-farm renewables are a valuable opportunity for farmers to cut costs and emissions.
This event will bring together farmers, agriculture and energy consultants, peak bodies and Government representatives to share stories of on-farm renewables, their business case and discuss what’s driving the transformation of energy use in agriculture.
The Expo offers attendees the chance to speak to credible renewable energy suppliers about what’s on offer.
Location: Albury Entertainment Centre, 525 Swift Street, Albury.
Click here to register.

Webinar: Rot diseases in potatoes
2022-08-18 12:00 - 13:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
12pm-1pm AEST | Thursday 18 August
Join the PotatoLink team as it hosts international guest speaker Dr Phillip Wharton for a webinar on rot diseases in potoates, including pink rot, leak (Pythium), dry rot and soft rot.
Dr Wharton is an Associate Professor of Potato Pathology at the University of Idaho, with extensive experience in the U.S.A and Southeast Asia in potato diseases, disease forecasting, fungicide resistance, crop protection and plant health management.
He will demonstrate the biology of the pathogens, symptoms and integrated management options.
Click here to register for the Zoom webinar.

Greenhouse Cucumber Field Day, North Coast NSW
2022-08-23 14:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Cucumber farm, Bucca NSW, 131 Central Bucca Rd, Bucca, NSW, 2450, Australia
2pm-4pm AEST | Tuesday 23 August
VegNET New South Wales and the NSW Local Land Service invite you to attend a field day visiting Paul and Karmjit Singh’s greenhouse cucumber crop in Bucca, NSW, where you will hear about:

Water and nutrient management principles (Tony Bundock).
Integrated pest management update (Sylvia Jelinek).
Clean Coastal Catchments project update (Julie Dart).
Varroa mite update (Melinda Simpson).

Paul and Karmjit will discuss their irrigation system, before a farm walk and afternoon refreshments.
Cucumber pesticide tables and greenhouse production books will be available.
Location: 131 Central Bucca Rd, Bucca NSW.
Click here to RSVP online by 19 August. Please advise of any special dietary requirements.
For more information, please contact Julie Dart on 0427 007 501 or Matt Plunkett on 0428 978 390.
Download the flyer here.

Northern Australian Food Futures Roadshow in Mareeba
2022-08-30 08:00 - 2022-08-31 14:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Cedric Davies Community Hub, 43 Anzac Avenue, Mareeba, QLD, 4880, Australia
8am-2.30pm AEST | 30-31 August
NT Farmers Association is hosting a Northern Australian Food Futures Roadshow in Mareeba, QLD, on 30-31 August.
This two-day event will provide updates to industry about commodity trends, the government legislative landscape, and opportunities for agricultural expansion and development.
On both days, a forum will be held at the Cedric Davies Community Hub, 43 Anzac Avenue, Mareeba.
Farm tours will occur on Tuesday 31 August. Stay tuned for more details.
Click here to register.

Webinar: Blackleg in potatoes
2022-08-30 12:00 - 13:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
12pm-1pm AEST | Tuesday 30 August
In this PotatoLink webinar, Dr Len Tesoriero and Dr Nigel Crump, will discuss blackleg in potatoes.
Len, a plant pathologist working as a contractor with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, will provide an overview of the disease, demonstrating symptoms on the plant, the lifecycle and biology of the pathogen, weather conditions that drive disease pressure and alternate hosts.
Nigel, a potato pathologist and general manager at AuSPICA and valued member of the PotatoLink team, will outline integrated management options, including the important role of biosecurity and seed certification in preventing the disease.
Click here to register for the Zoom webinar.

Protected Cropping Grower Day, Virginia, SA
2022-08-31 09:30 - 17:00 (Australia/Adelaide)
9.45am-5pm ACST | Thursday 8 September
Growers and advisors are invited to attend a protected cropping grower day in the Virginia area of South Australia.
Those interested can attend either a morning tour or afternoon workshop (or both), depending on availability.
Hear about key tools, principles and activities that can be used to make IPM effective in various protected cropping environments.
This event is supported by AUSVEG SA, RMCG, Protected Cropping Australia and VegNET SA.
Please RSVP for planning and catering requirements.
Click here to access the event flyer and RSVP information.
Morning Program
9:45 a.m. Meet at Virginia Nursery, 99 Gawler Rd, Virginia SA 5120
leave via bus
10:00 – 11:45 a.m. Visit at SA Tomatoes
12:00 – 1:15 p.m. Visit Quan Nguyen’s property
1:30 – 2:25 p.m. Lunch and Learn at Virginia Nursery
2:30 p.m. Leave for Soil Wealth/ICP workshop at Braham Produce
To attend contact PCA: Sam Turner, sam.turner@protectedcropping.net.au
Afternoon Program
SA Farm visit and BBQ: Tips and Tricks to get rewards from IPM in protected cropping
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. followed by a BBQ sponsored by E.E. Muir
Location: Braham Produce, 42 Alfred Road, Virginia SA 5020
To attend contact VegNet SA Olivia Pineau, AUSVEG SA olivia.pineau@ausveg.com.au

AWM webinar: In control – managing capsicum viruses for profitable vegetable production
2022-09-07 16:00 - 16:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
4pm-4.30pm AEST | Wednesday 7 September
The Soil Wealth ICP team is hosting a series of 30-minute webinars focussing on area wide management (AWM) strategies to control key viruses in cucurbits, capsicums and lettuce.
AWM strategies for vector-borne diseases will help to prevent or minimise the development of insecticide resistance in vector populations, improve the efficiency of biological agents released for control of vectors, and better protect host resistance genes against the emergence of resistance-breaking strains of the viruses. It also provides management options when host resistance genes are not available.
The next webinar in the series will focus on capsicum viruses including tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) and insect transmission with presenter Denis Persley from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Click here to register.

AVIS webinar: Alternative farming techniques for vegetable growers – What’s out there?
2022-09-29 15:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
3pm-4pm AEST | Thursday 29 September 2022
Alternative farming techniques for vegetable growers – What’s out there?
With a changing climate, increasing pest and disease pressure, and constantly rising input costs, it’s never been more important to be using the most efficient techniques to grow your crops. Join us as three industry professionals who work at the cutting edge of on-farm practice outline some emerging and evolving practices that may benefit you and your crops.
Presentations will include:

Advancements in integrated pest management technology – presented by Jake Byrne, Extension Team Leader (NSW and QLD) at Biological Services
Biofumigant crops for vegetable growers – presented by Julie Finnigan, Agronomist at ServeAg
Growing vegetables using reduced tillage systems – Andrew Johanson, Mulgowie Farming Company

These presentations will be followed by a moderated Q&A session.
Click here to register!
The strategic levy investment Annual Vegetable Industry Seminar 2022-2024 (VG21003) is part of the Hort Innovation Vegetable Fund.

Fair Farms National Conference & Awards
2022-10-14 08:00 - 23:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Opal Cove Resort, Opal Blvd, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia
Friday 14 October
Fair Farms is thrilled to announce its inaugural Fair Farms National Conference & Awards at the Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour, NSW on 14 October.
Industry experts, growers, workplace relations specialists, and peak industry bodies will come together in one place to discuss the current state of workplace relations in Australian horticulture.
This event will feature workplace relations experts, government dignitaries, retailers, and industry experts.
The conference opens with registrations at 8am AEST and finishes at 4.30pm with the Dinner & Awards to start at 6.30pm.
Registrations are now open!

Webinar: Emerging Technology for the Australian Vegetable Industry
2022-10-20 15:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
3pm-4pm AEDT | Thursday 20 October
AUSVEG invites you to join us for the second of our Annual Vegetable Industry Seminar webinar series.
This session will highlight current issues being faced by Australian vegetable growers and what solutions and services will soon be available to help solve them.
Presentations from some of the leading agribusiness operating in Australia will showcase what new technologies and services will soon be hitting the market.
Topics:

Highly selective nucleopolyhedrovirus insecticides – Gary Leeson, Organic Crop Protectants.
Precision agriculture and data management – Benji Blevin, John Deere.
Integrated farm management and remote monitoring software – Dallas Gibb, Hitachi Vantara.

There will be a Q&A session at the end.
Click here to register!

BGGA's Innovation Field Day
2022-11-04 11:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, 45 Warwick Rd, Bowen, QLD, Australia
Latest technology in horticulture sector to be showcased at North Queensland field day
Time: 11am-4pm (AEST) | Friday 4 November
Location: Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, 45 Warwick Rd, Bowen
Cost: Free
Event contact: David Shorten on 0419 429 808 or at rdo@bowengumlugrowers.com.au.
Bowen Gumlu Growers Association (BGGA), the regional industry body representing agricultural growers, producers and businesses in North Queensland, is hosting an Innovation Field Day at the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) research station in Bowen on Friday 4 November.
BGGA encourages North QLD growers and ag businesses wishing to learn about new technologies, complete farm systems and the latest in pest and disease management to attend the exciting agtech event.
BGGA Chief Executive Officer, Ry Collins, said the field day would provide local producers with increased awareness and understanding of the different types of pests and diseases affecting fruit and vegetable crops in North QLD.
“One of our key focuses is to collaborate with industry and provide growers with information and access to technologies that help them improve on-farm efficiency, reduce input costs and remain profitable,” Mr Collins said.
Mr Collins said the event would also highlight to producers the importance and benefits of trialing and adopting innovative new technology and systems that would assist with pest and disease management in remote locations.
“It is vital that we continue to pursue new ways to meet and adapt to challenges, be more productive and sustainable and ensure our industry is able to continue to be prosperous into the future,” he said.
Robotti, one of the autonomous farm displays on the day, will demonstrate robotic weeding, seeding, spraying and slashing.
NQ Aerovation will also display their drone technology that is currently being used in the region to deploy beneficial bugs to control pests and diseases.
AUSVEG will provide information about an iMapPESTS Sentinel, which traps pests to help with identification, research and management, and entomologists from DAF will discuss fall armyworm and other current pest and disease species.
In addition, BGGA has organised two GUSS demonstrations at Ben Martin’s farm:

10pm (AEST) – BGGA’s GUSS demonstration – 12.10pm – Bowen Gumlu Growers Association
20pm (AEST) – BGGA’s GUSS demonstration – 2.20pm – Bowen Gumlu Growers Association

Please note, registrations are required for the demonstrations, either by contacting David Shorten on 0419 429 808 or at rdo@bowengumlygrowers.com.au or registering online.
Mr Collins said BGGA was also delivering a project in collaboration with AgriFutures Australia under the National Producer Technology Uptake Program, which would further support grower access to new technology.
“Like the field day, the program aims to increase grower awareness of new innovations in machinery, computer and production systems, wireless, digital and other technologies,” he said.
Mr Collins said growers involved in the program would participate in a “FarmTech Planning: making your data work for you” workshop on 3 November, which would be delivered by IntellectAg in partnership with Rural Edge, to discuss current business practices, challenges and technology-focused solutions.
“Growers will also take part in a group study tour to another producing region in Australia to observe agtech in practice,” Mr Collins said.
“Growers will then experience on-farm demonstrations and trials and have access to an online resource that will allow them to more easily connect with agtech vendors, obtain pricing and identify potential return on investment through adopting new technologies in their business,” he said.
Mr Collins said the new fixed wireless tower and data centre being installed in Bowen was a positive step forwards for improving digital connectively in the region and industry.
“We hope the increased connectivity will allow producers to implement additional agtech to their farms and provide better access to wireless sensors, internet-enabled devices, automation and other precision technology to improve their production and efficiency.”
Click here for more information.

Fresh produce cold chain workshop to showcase the latest in supply chain innovation
2022-11-16 13:00 - 17:30 (Australia/Brisbane) | Gatton Research Facility, 107 John Howie Memorial Drive, Lawes, QLD, 4343, Australia
1pm-5.30pm (AEST) | Wednesday 16 November
The Gatton Smart Farm is hosting a fresh produce cold chain workshop for growers and supply chain businesses in November with support from the Lockyer Valley Growers Association.
Supply chain experts from Escavox, iTrazo, Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the University of Queensland will talk about the latest innovations in temperature management, packaging and supply chain traceability, followed by an industry Q&A panel and buffet dinner.
Where: Gatton Research Facility, 107 John Howie Memorial Drive, Lawes, QLD (online attendance is available).
Click here to RSVP.
Contact: Leisa Bradburn on 0477 351 230 or at Leisa.Bradburn@daf.qld.gov.au.

Webinar: Forecasting the year ahead – What changes to expect in cost of production, the weather, and the markets in the near future
2022-11-24 15:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Zoom
3pm-4pm AEDT | Thursday 24 November
AUSVEG invites you to join us for the third of our Annual Vegetable Industry Seminar webinar series.
Australian vegetable growers have had a tough couple of years. Increases in the cost of production coupled with devastating floods have altered the economics or running a farm.
In this Zoom session we will look at what factors have effected changes in cost of production, farmgate price, and the weather over the last year and what tools exist to help growers prepare themselves for next year.
Presentations:

Market trends in vegetable consumption and price (James Parry, Fresh Logic)
Climate outlook and forecasting tools for growers (Rachel Davis, Bureau of Meteorology)
Drivers of change in fertiliser and labour cost (Andrew Whitelaw, Episode 3)

These presentations will be followed by a moderated Q&A session.
Click here to register.
The strategic levy investment Annual Vegetable Industry Seminar 2022-2024 (VG21003) is part of the Hort Innovation Vegetable Fund.

Australian Organic Market Report 2023 Launch
2023-05-02 18:00 - 21:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Studio 4 of the W Brisbane Hotel, Brisbane, QLD
Australian Organic Limited CEO Niki Ford and the AOL Board of Directors would like to invite operators to attend our Australian Organic Market Report 2023 Launch, to be held at the W Brisbane on Tuesday, 2 May 2023.

AOL has been producing research-based market reports since 2008, but the 2023 iteration of our Market Report will take matters one step further by establishing baseline goals for the broader organic industry.

The comprehensive ‘state of the nation’ report breaks down organic production into multiple pre and post-farmgate categories, providing specific and actionable insights on industry sectors. AOMR23 will offer a crucial economic benchmark for plotting the future course of our growing industry, and will act as the centrepiece for in-depth policy discussions on broader issues involving agriculture, industry and trade.

Title: Australian Organic Market Report 2023 Launch
Location: Studio 4 of the W Brisbane Hotel, Brisbane, QLD
Date: Tuesday 2nd May 2023
Time: 6-9pm
Cost: Members $25+GST per person, Non-Members $45+GST per person
Registration: https://austorganic.com/events/australian-organic-market-report-2023-launch/

Food Safety Trends for fresh produce in 2024
2024-02-01 10:00 - 11:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Webinar
Please join Deon Mahoney as he provides an update on Food Safety Trends for fresh produce in 2024.
Food contamination and foodborne illness continue to have a significant impact on public health in Australia and New Zealand. No matter how small the incident, foodborne illness attracts attention and can negatively impact consumer confidence, market access, and ultimately business profitability.
While we enjoy fresh produce for its health and nutrition benefits, there remain issues around produce safety that need to be better managed. In this webinar we review produce safety issues that occurred in 2023 and explore what is ahead in 2024.
We will explore emerging food safety issues, the role of quality assurance programs, testing and data analysis, and the importance of business culture and engaging with workers.
