AUSVEG

NSW ‘Town Hall style’ advisor workshop online: Early blight
2021-09-29 16:00 - 17:00 UTC
Join a short online presentation on aspects of early blight followed by a panel discussion, from 4pm-5pm AEST Wednesday 29 September.
With a New South Wales focus, this session has two parts: Len Tesoriero will give a short presentation on early blight aspects, which will be followed by a longer panel discussion and interactive Q&A with Len, Marc Hinderager and Peter O’Brien.
The session will cover:

How symptoms develop through growth stages.
Hosting weeds.
Fungicide efficacy and resistance.
Brown spot (alternaria alternata).
Nutrients that exacerbate (nitrogen and phosphorus).
Economics.
Variety susceptibility.

Click here to register.

Webinar: Precision Ag for the potato industry - practical soil mapping and adoption
2021-09-28 12:00 - 13:00
Register to join an upcoming webinar from 12noon-1pm AEST on Tuesday 28 September, to learn about precision agriculture technologies for the potato industry.
PotatoLink regional representative Frank Mulcahy will present on practical soil mapping and adoption.
Click here to register.

Virtual field walk: Microwave weeding technology demo, NSW
2021-09-24 12:00 - 13:00
Watch the next-generation microwave technology at work during a virtual field walk in Corwa, New South Wales from 12noon-1pm AEST on Friday 24 September.
Liam Hescock and the team from Growave will showcase the next-generation microwave technology in beetroot and asparagus fields in Cowra, and answer questions from the audience.
Grower Ed Fagan will discuss his experience and expectations with controlling wireweed, caltrop (catheads) and nutgrass.
Marc Hinderager from Applied Horticultural Research will facilitate and participate in the discussions.
Click here to register.

Potato webinar: Getting your irrigation ready for the summer
2021-09-23 12:00 - 13:00
Irrigation is a major cost in potato production and has a big impact on potato yield and quality.
Join an upcoming webinar to help get all workers involved in potato irrigation on the same page, and to help ensure the best return from your current potato crop.
As it warms up and your potato crop gets going, webinar presenters – Dr Kelvin Montagu, Marc Hinderager and Ray Nalder – will talk practical tools to help scheduling and monitoring irrigation in potatoes.
Date: 12 noon-1pm AEST, Thursday 23 September.
Click here to register.

You’re invited: ‘American Serpentine Leafminer: Are you prepared?’ webinar
2021-09-22 15:00 - 16:30
American serpentine leafminer (ASLM) is a harmful new pest that has just arrived in the country.
In our upcoming webinar from 3pm-4.15pm (AEST) on Wednesday 22 September, you will learn from several industry and scientific experts of American serpentine leafminer as they each present on the pest.
They explain the nature of the pest and the broad range of crops that it attacks, including vegetables, ornamentals and other valuable commodities.
International expert, Robert Senn will discuss the European experience of managing ASLM, while three local experts, Dr Greg Chandler, Senior Agronomist Penny Goldsmith and Dr Peter Ridland will explain current and past projects that are preparing the Australian vegetable industry for this pest, what to look for, and the future of management, including what beneficial insects may help to control it.
There will be an in-field component and plenty of time for questions, so come along and join the conversation about this important new pest threat to Australia.
To register to attend, click here.

Greenhouse Technical Management Training Course – a Masterclass in Protected Cropping
2021-09-20 - 2021-09-24 | Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia
A 2021 technical training course in greenhouse and hydroponic production that is specifically designed to develop high level technical and management skills of:

Growers in protected cropping (greenhouse, vertical farm, hydroponic, aquaponic).
Suppliers of hydroponic equipment.
Agronomists.
Horticultural researchers and educators, and includes new industry entrants.

This Protected Cropping Masterclass includes practical training, discussions, demonstrations and lectures supported by a 300-page workbook, and other practical tools. It is conducted by two experienced industry presenters Graeme Smith (Graeme Smith Consulting) and Rick Donnan (Growool Horticultural Systems).
Topics include growing media, plant physiology, nutrient management, water quality, irrigation, EC & pH, environmental management, production systems and plant health.
This 4.5-day masterclass will help you:

understand the principles of controlled production systems.
use new strategies and technologies to manage greenhouse climates and irrigation.
understand plant growing requirements and plant production techniques.
develop new strategies for plant protection and integrated pest-management.
understand plant nutrition and fertigation programs.

This training is now in its 14th year in Australia and is continually reviewed, revised and updated to include the latest ideas and technology. Please email Graeme Smith for further course details: graeme@graemesmithconsulting.com.
Course cost: AU$1,995 (+ GST).
COVID-19: Organisers are running a ‘COVID-Safe’ event by following all of the prevailing recommendations for any indoor events, and request all attendees follow any guidelines as directed by the course presenters and/or the venue management.
It is recommended that all attendees take out travel insurance in the event of an outbreak.
Please note: All courses require sufficient enrolments to commence and there are limited places in each course.

Vegetable industry pest & disease management breakfast @ SA Produce Markets
2021-09-09 07:00 - 09:00 | SA Produce Markets – Market Café, Burma Road, Pooraka, South Australia, 5095
Join us for breakfast at the South Australian Produce Market from 7-9am (ACST) on Thursday 9 September.
Hear from industry experts on disease diagnosis in horticulture, sample submissions, pathogens, and on-farm biosecurity.
Learn how to access SARDI Entomology’s invertebrate diagnostic service, receive advice on management options for sclerotinia and downy mildew, and get involved in an interactive activity on tomato spotted wilt virus.
Breakfast, tea, and coffee provided!
Location: South Australian Produce Market – Market Café, Burma Road, Pooraka SA 5095.
Click here to download the flyer.
To register, email or text/call Maddy on 0437 004 174 or at madeleine.quirk@ausveg.com.au.

Online workshop: North Queensland – Getting a better crop stand, which optimises quality & yield
2021-09-02 16:30 - 17:30
Register to join an upcoming online workshop from 4:30pm-5:30pm (AEST) on Thursday 02 September for a discussion with crisping potato growers on seed management, quality and timing of supply.
Presenters: Dom Cavallaro (Stoller), Tony Gietzel (Pepsico) and Ben Dowling (Dowling AgriTech).
There will be Q&A.
Click here to register.

Australian potato industry communication and extension project (PT20000) is a strategic levy investment in the Hort Innovation Potato – Fresh and Potato – Processing Funds.

Webinar: Field & landscape management for beneficial arthropods
2021-09-02 12:00 - 13:00 | online
On-farm insectaries are areas of flowering plants that attract and maintain beneficial insect populations by providing shelter from highly disturbed crop areas as well as alternative food sources, namely pollen and nectar.
The goal of on-farm insectaries is to enhance diversity and abundance of beneficial insects on your farm to build resilience, particularly against seasonal variations and pest incursions.
Join VegNET Victoria (Northern, Western and South-Eastern) for a webinar from 12noon-1pm AEST on Thursday 2 September to learn more about on-farm insectaries and how to get started, including the benefits of planting native vegetation.
Click here to download the flyer.
Click here to register.

Greenhouse Technical Management Training Course – a Masterclass in Protected Cropping
2021-08-30 - 2021-09-03 | Virginia, South Australia, Australia

Online workshop: South Australia – Getting a better crop stand, which optimises quality & yield
2021-08-26 16:30 - 17:30
Register to join an upcoming online workshop from 4:30pm-5:30pm (AEST) on Thursday 26 August for a discussion with crisping potato growers on seed management, quality and timing of supply.
Presenters: Dom Cavallaro (Stoller), Ian Simpson (Mitolo) and Peter Philp (PotatoLink).
There will be Q&A.
Contact Peter Philp for more information at peterp@potatolink.com.au.
Click here to register.

Webinar: Reducing your energy costs in 2021 & beyond
2021-08-26 14:00 - 15:00
Is your business looking at ways to reduce operational costs and energy costs?
In a specially curated webinar for agriculture businesses, delivered by AUSVEG VIC partner Choice Energy, you will learn how you can save on your business energy costs now and into the future.
In this webinar you’ll gain:

Strategies and tactics on how to reduce your energy costs.
Insights on the energy market and how it impacts your business.
Informed perspectives on the state of commercial solar and battery storage in Australia – where it’s come from and where it’s going.

Discover the range of financial incentives available to agriculture businesses to help cut costs and reduce environmental footprint.
Date: Thursday 26 August.
Time: 2pm-3pm AEST.
Where: Zoom, details to be sent once you register here.

Upcoming webinar: Advancements in ICP for profitable veg production
2021-08-25 16:30 - 17:30
Integrated crop protection (ICP) takes a holistic approach to plant health.
It builds on the principles of integrated pest management (IPM) combined with site-specific soil, nutrition and irrigation management, and decision making based on relevant monitoring data and forecasting.
There are a number of important advancements and lessons from Europe implementing a mandatory ICP approach in vegetable production systems.
The need to use ICP there has driven RD&E that can be applied in the Australian context.
Join an interactive webinar from 4.30pm-5.30pm (AEST) on Wednesday 25 August to hear from leading international researchers and practitioners from Europe and Australia on:

Building ICP into your current production system.
Tools to manage the risk of insect pests, diseases and weeds.
Realising the benefits of an ICP approach.

Click here to register.

Farm pest & disease risk reduction workshop - Korumburra, Gippsland, VIC
2021-08-25 11:30 - 14:00 | The Austral Hotel, 34 Bridge Street, Korumburra, Victoria, 3136, Australia
Join VegNET Gippsland an an upcoming workshop in Korumburra, Victoria, to learn about farm pest and disease risk reduction in the region.
The workshops will cover several topics including:

Farm pest and disease risk reduction.
Owner reimbursement cost mechanisms.
Food safety and traceability in vegetables.
Serpentine leafminer regional update.
Fall armyworm and preparedness in advance of summer.

Korumburra workshop: Wednesday 25 August, 11:30 am – 1.30pm AEST at The Austral Hotel (34 Bridge Street, Korumburra).
Please RSVP by 19 August to Bonnie at bonnie.dawson@foodandfibregippsland.com.au.

Webinar: Setting the direction of levy investment for the next five years
2021-08-24 15:00 - 16:00
Register here.
Hort Innovation is in the process of developing the next five-year Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) for the Australian vegetable industry. The vegetable SIP is the roadmap that ensures levy investment decisions align with industry for research, development, extension, and marketing (Domestic and International) investment priorities.
An important part of the process is listening to what growers have to say.
Hort Innovation, in collaboration with AUSVEG, will be hosting a webinar from 3pm-4pm (AEST) on Tuesday 24 August to provide an update on the SIP renewal process and allow the vegetable industry and growers to provide final input.
Speakers:
Mark Spees, Industry Strategic Partner, Hort Innovation
Mark is the Industry Strategic Partner for the vegetable cluster, which includes onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, processing tomatoes, melons, mushrooms and of course, vegetables. He leads Hort Innovation’s collaboration with the vegetable cluster to identify and execute strategic investments that will bring benefit to his industries.

Adam Briggs, Head of Data & Insights, Hort Innovation
Adam drives Hort Innovation’s Data & Insights function. He leads the management of the industry analysis R&D portfolio and the undertaking of investment analysis and supports the delivery of the Monitoring & Evaluation Framework.

Brei Montgomery, Head of International Trade, Hort Innovation
Brei is the Head of International Trade at Hort Innovation. She focuses on building the profile and positive reputation for Australian Horticultural industries to advance global markets, including incorporating strategic agility into planning in an increasingly virtual world.

Byron de Kock, Head of Research & Development, Hort Innovation
Byron is the Head of Research and Development at Hort Innovation. He inspires the team to design and deliver world class R&D that has the highest potential to impact for growers, our communities, and the planet. Byron loves to listen to growers and find ways for the R&D program to make a difference for them now and in the future.

Jane Wightman, Head of Extension, Hort Innovation
Jane is this Head of Extension and leads a regionally based team who are focused on increasing the on-ground impact of levy investments. The Extension team manage the Industry Development portfolio and collaborate with growers and industry stakeholders to identify, prioritise and work towards finding solutions for cross industry regional problems.

Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bAax1bpfRWeqgk_Vo7GoQg

Farm pest & disease risk reduction workshop - Lindenow, Gippsland, VIC
2021-08-24 11:30 - 13:30 | Lindenow Hall, 150 Bairnsdale-Dargo Rd, Australia
Join AUSVEG and VegNET Gippsland an an upcoming workshop in Lindenow, Victoria, to learn about farm pest and disease risk reduction in the region.
The workshops will cover several topics including:

Farm pest and disease risk reduction.
Owner reimbursement cost mechanisms.
Food safety and traceability in vegetables.
Serpentine leafminer regional update.
Fall armyworm and preparedness in advance of summer.

Lindenow workshop: Tuesday 24 August, 11:30 am – 1.30pm AEST at The Lindenow Hall (150 Bairnsdale-Dargo Rd).
Please RSVP by 19 August to Bonnie at bonnie.dawson@foodandfibregippsland.com.au.

Webinar: Controlling Pests in Potatoes
2021-08-19 12:00 - 13:00
Join a webinar from 12 noon – 1pm (AEST) on Thursday 19 August which will outline the elements of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in any crop, but particularly in potatoes.
Discussing specific examples from Australian potato production, the webinar will cover the most important biological, cultural and chemical options available to growers.
Examples of how pesticides can be chosen based on their IPM fit will also be discussed.
The webinar will be presented by experienced entomologist Dr Paul Horne, who is the owner and director of IPM Technologies Pty Ltd.
He has been involved with the development and implementation of IPM in a wide range of crops but specialising in potato crops in Australia for over 30 years.
For more information, email Dr Horne at paul@ipmtechnologies.com.au.
Click here to register.

Fresh Produce Safety Conference (online)
2021-08-18 08:45 - 15:00 | Online
FPSC hosting upcoming virtual Fresh Produce Safety Conference
The Fresh Produce Safety Centre is hosting this year’s Fresh Produce Safety Conference online on 18 August 2021.
This year’s conference theme is Future Directions for Produce Safety and the conference is set to be an exciting day of industry professionals gathering to present and discuss the key issues facing the future safe production of fresh produce.
Topics include:

Produce safety: what’s at stake?
Future food safety: new research on environmental impacts on fresh produce food safety.
Food safety for growers – what’s ahead?
Next gen food safety researchers.

Click here to visit the conference website.
Tickets are here and view the full conference program here.

Soil Biology in Vegetable Production Masterclass
2021-08-18 - 2021-08-19 | Online
Register to join the Soil Wealth ICP’s a two-day online masterclass from 1.30pm-5pm AEST on 18-19 August focusing on soil biology in vegetable production.
This masterclass will highlight the importance of soil biology in producing consistently high yielding vegetable crops using fewer inputs.
Participants will hear from leading growers and scientists on the new developments in soil biology, and their application, and then work together to apply this to vegetable growing soils.
Click here to register.

Greenhouse Technical Management Training Course – a Masterclass in Protected Cropping
2021-08-02 - 2021-08-06 | Novotel Hotel and Resorts, Geelong, 10-14 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Potato R&D forum: Managing pest and disease
2021-07-30 14:00 - 16:30, 2021-07-29 14:00 - 16:30 | Online
Join RM Consulting Group for two upcoming interactive online sessions on managing pest and disease and getting the best out of your soil.
This R&D forum for the Australian potato industry will help you to better manage pest and disease on farm by providing information on:

New techniques and products for promoting soil health.
Updates on soil borne disease research.
Current and emerging pests.

Session #1: Pest management | Thursday 29 July 2pm – 4:30pm AEST
Session #2: Soil health and disease management | Friday 30 July 2pm – 4:30pm AEST

Click here to register.
Click here to download the event flyer.

Upcoming webinar: Disease Risk – lettuce viruses & bacteria
2021-07-28 16:00 - 17:00 | Online
Join an upcoming webinar to hear about the latest research on lettuce viruses and bacteria from the disease experts.
During the webinar, Dr Paul Campbell, Dr Lara Senior and Dr Rebecca Roach from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will discuss managing lettuce necrotic yellows virus, aphid virus-vectors, and bacterial diseases of lettuce.
There will be a Q&A session following each speaker.
Date: Wednesday 28 July 2021 at 4pm – 5pm AEST.
Register now: https://bit.ly/3de90hn.

Webinar: Disease Risk – lettuce viruses & bacteria
2021-07-28 16:00 - 17:00 | Online
Join an upcoming webinar to hear about the latest research on lettuce viruses and bacteria from the disease experts.
Dr Paul Campbell, Dr Lara Senior and Dr Rebecca Roach from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will talk about managing lettuce necrotic yellows virus, aphid virus-vectors, and bacterial diseases of lettuce.
There will be a Q&A session following each speaker.
Date: Wednesday 28 July 2021 at 4pm – 5pm AEST.
Register now: https://bit.ly/3de90hn

Gumlu: Pest & disease workshop
2021-07-21 15:00 - 17:00
Industry and government are coming together to run a workshop to discuss significant pest and disease issues that are affecting horticulture in Gumlu and surrounding regions.
Gumlu workshop: Wednesday 21 July, 3-5pm, location TBD.
We will be bringing experts in their field to present on a range of threats that have arrived or are potentially about to. Topics will be of interest to a range of industries and will cover:

Fall armyworm: opportunities for integrated management.
Food safety in vegetables and melons.
Tospoviruses and mosaic viruses in capsicums and melons.
General biosecurity obligation and hitchhiker pests.
Varroa & bee diseases.
Serpentine and vegetable leafminer.

Join us on the day for great discussion and to see & hear about what threats could impact your profitability.

RSVPs essential due to COVID-19 requirements:

RSVP for the Gumlu workshop here

For more info, contact Callum Fletcher on 0423 453 577 or callum.fletcher@ausveg.com.au

Ayr: Pest & disease workshop
2021-07-20 15:00 - 17:00 | Ayr Research Facility, 343 Old Clare Road, Ayr, Queensland, 4807, Australia
Industry and government are coming together to run a workshop to discuss significant pest and disease issues that are affecting horticulture in Ayr and surrounding regions.
We will be bringing experts in their field to present on a range of threats that have arrived or are potentially about to. Topics will be of interest to a range of industries and will cover:

Fall armyworm: opportunities for integrated management.
Food safety in vegetables and melons.
Tospoviruses and mosaic viruses in capsicums and melons.
General biosecurity obligation and hitchhiker pests.
Varroa & bee diseases.
Serpentine and vegetable leafminer.

Join us on the day for great discussion and to see & hear about what threats could impact your profitability.
For more info, contact Callum Fletcher on 0423 453 577 or callum.fletcher@ausveg.com.au.

Webinar: Know how to use drones safely – legal compliance
2021-07-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Attend a free, one-hour webinar from 12 noon AEST on Tuesday 20 July, to learn all you need to know about the legal requirements for drone operators.
The webinar will be presented by John Coulombe from Drone Training Solutions and Marc Hinderager from Applied Horticulture Research.
There will be opportunity for Q&A.
Click here to register.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Webinar: Know how to use drones safely - legal compliance
2021-07-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Online

Webinar: Climate Services for Agriculture program
2021-07-19 13:00 - 17:00 | Online
Do you want to join in the co-design of a new digital climate information service specifically for the agricultural and horticulture sectors?
Tell the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and CSIRO about your on-farm climate information needs and help shape their new digital climate tool, during a webinar on Monday 19 July for growers in the Queensland Dry Tropics region.
CSIRO and BOM will deliver regional-scale climate projections across Australia, through a user-friendly, fit-for purpose digital platform.
Click here to learn more.
Click here to register.

Webinar: QLD Dry Topics producer & adviser input needed for new climate resilience tool
2021-07-19 13:00 - 14:30
Producer & adviser input needed for new climate resilience tool

The tool
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and CSIRO are building a new digital platform bringing historical climate information and future climate projections in one location.
Funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, the $10 million Climate Services for Agriculture platform will tailor climate information to the agriculture sector.

Your input
The BoM and CSIRO have been talking to farmers to develop the first prototype, which is now available for testing. They are seeking your feedback before they develop it further to make sure it meets your needs.
On Monday 19 July, Mike Funnell from the Bureau’s Agriculture program will present a webinar on the Climate Services for Agriculture program unique to the Queensland Dry Tropics region.
They will walk you through the first prototype and ask you what type of climate information you’d like to see in the platform, and what is the best way for you to see it. You can also register to stay involved in the continuing development of the platform over the next 12 months.
Date: 19 July, 2021
Time: 1:00pm – 2:30pm
To register visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dkB3zrl3Qw69wTcsJC1mfA
For further information contact Kylie Dunstan on 0417 437 922 or kylie@farmlink.com.au
If you’d like to learn more about the project, access the prototype or register to be involved in the co-design, take a look at: www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/future-drought-fund/climate-services.
This project has received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
