AUSVEG

Potato R&D forum: Managing pest and disease
2021-07-30 14:00 - 16:30 UTC | 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.

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
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.

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.

Fresh Produce Safety Conference (online)
2021-08-18 08:45 - 15:00 UTC | 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.

Webinar: Controlling Pests in Potatoes
2021-08-19 12:00 - 13:00 UTC
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.

Farm pest & disease risk reduction workshop - Lindenow, Gippsland, VIC
2021-08-24 11:30 - 13:30 UTC | 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: Setting the direction of levy investment for the next five years
2021-08-24 15:00 - 16:00 UTC
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 - Korumburra, Gippsland, VIC
2021-08-25 11:30 - 14:00 UTC | 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.

Upcoming webinar: Advancements in ICP for profitable veg production
2021-08-25 16:30 - 17:30 UTC
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.

Webinar: Reducing your energy costs in 2021 & beyond
2021-08-26 14:00 - 15:00 UTC
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.

Online workshop: South Australia – Getting a better crop stand, which optimises quality & yield
2021-08-26 16:30 - 17:30 UTC
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.

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

Webinar: Field & landscape management for beneficial arthropods
2021-09-02 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | 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.

Online workshop: North Queensland – Getting a better crop stand, which optimises quality & yield
2021-09-02 16:30 - 17:30 UTC
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.

Vegetable industry pest & disease management breakfast @ SA Produce Markets
2021-09-09 07:00 - 09:00 UTC | 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.

Greenhouse Technical Management Training Course – a Masterclass in Protected Cropping
2021-09-20 - 2021-09-24 | Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia

You’re invited: ‘American Serpentine Leafminer: Are you prepared?’ webinar
2021-09-22 15:00 - 16:30 UTC
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.

Potato webinar: Getting your irrigation ready for the summer
2021-09-23 12:00 - 13:00 UTC
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.

Virtual field walk: Microwave weeding technology demo, NSW
2021-09-24 12:00 - 13:00 UTC
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.

Webinar: Precision Ag for the potato industry - practical soil mapping and adoption
2021-09-28 12:00 - 13:00 UTC
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.

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: Recent arrival of exotic pests — psyllid, leafminer & fall armyworm
2021-09-30 16:00 - 17:00 UTC | Online
Register to join an upcoming webinar to learn about managing Australia’s new exotic pests, direct from the experts.
Callum Fletcher from AUSVEG, and Dr Siva Subramaniam and John Duff from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will talk about industry’s role in the exotic incursion of tomato potato psyllid, and the latest research on managing fall armyworm and serpentine leafminer in vegetable crops.
Date: Thursday 30 September
Time: 4pm – 5pm AEST
Register here.

Workshop: Growing right SA – getting a better crop stand, which optimises quality & yield
2021-10-01 16:30 - 17:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | online
South Australian potato growers are invited to join Dom Cavallaro (Stoller), Ian Simpson (Mitolo), and Peter Philp (PotatoLink), for an online discussion with potato seed growers on seed management, quality and timing of supply.
When: 4.30pm-5.30pm AEST on Friday 1 October.
Click here to register.

Virtual masterclass: Priority pest and disease issues across the Sydney basin
2021-10-14 15:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | online
Join AUSVEG, the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI), and NSW Greater Sydney Local Land Services for a Vegetable Industry Virtual Masterclass, where we explore three priority pest and disease issues being faced across greater Sydney.
Hear from Shannon Mulholland (NSW DPI), Dr Len Tesoriero (Crop Doc Consulting) and Maddy Quirk (AUSVEG) about tospoviruses – impatiens necrotic spot virus and tomato spotted wilt virus in hydroponic lettuce and tomatoes; serpentine leafminer (Liriomyza huidobrensis) in hydroponic lettuce and other crops, cucurbit diseases – cucumber green mottle mosaic virus, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, downy mildew; and how to submit vegetable pest and disease samples to NSW DPI for free diagnosis.
Date: Thursday 14 October 2021.
Time: 3pm-4pm AEDT.
Click here to register for this free webinar.

Webinar: The role of biologics in soil health & enhancing crop productivity in potatoes
2021-10-21 17:00 - 18:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | online
While the number of new chemicals coming onto the market has declined, the last 20 years have seen an explosion in research in biological products.
The number of biological options entering the market now exceeds development of conventional chemicals, a trend that is likely to continue.
In an upcoming webinar from 5pm-6pm AEDT on Thursday 21 October, Albert Schirring, who is working at Bayer Crop Science in Europe, will cover the role of biologicals in soil health and the opportunities for enhancing crop productivity in potatoes.
Click here to register.
The Australian potato industry communication and extension project (PT20000) is a strategic levy investment under the Hort Innovation Potato – Fresh and Potato– Processing Funds.

Protected Cropping Australia 2021 Conference
2021-10-25 - 2021-10-28 | Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Cnr Pacific Hwy and Bay Dr, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, 2450, Australia
The Protected Cropping Australia Conference is an unmissable opportunity to connect with like minded people driving protected cropping management in Australia. Attending the conference will enable you to share new experiences and advancements in knowledge and practice.
On behalf of the Protected Cropping Australia (PCA) Board I am delighted to invite you to attend the PCA Conference 2021. The PCA Conference 2021 will be held at the Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour, NSW.
We are anticipating a large audience which will include many of the key decision makers from the industry. The greenhouse industry covers a wide sector of horticulture from fruit, vegetables, cut flowers, nursery, leafy greens, aquaponics and cannabis industries. It is valued at more than $1.6 billion per year. PCA is the peak industry body representing commercial hydroponic and greenhouse growers Australia wide as well as having a wide international following.
PCA members also include equipment and installation suppliers, specialist consultants and advisors, researchers and educators. PCA has had an enviable track report of hosting well attended conferences since 1990. We would like to give everyone in our community the opportunity to join us and re-connect after what has been a challenging yet defining year. So please keep the dates of 25 – 28 October 2021 in your calendar.
We will continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation as it evolves and follow the advice of health authorities, keeping you informed of any changes.
We look forward to seeing you in Coffs Harbour!
Nicky Mann
Chair, Protected Cropping Australia
Click here to register for the Protected Cropping Australia 2021 Conference.

UTAS Horticultural Business Masterclass employer information session
2021-10-28 10:00 - 11:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Zoom
The University of Tasmania (UTAS) is hosting online information sessions on Thursday 28 October for its coveted Masterclass in Horticultural Business.
Since launching in 2017, the Masterclass in Horticultural Business has helped professionals from across the country turn their business ideas into actionable business plans.
The Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness: Masterclass in Horticultural Business is designed to equip current and future farm managers, owners and employers with the agribusiness skills and capabilities required to run profitable and sustainable farm business. The course is delivered through a mix of flexible online and face-to-face learning.
Online information sessions:
For employers: 10am-11am (AEDT)
Click here to register for the Zoom webinar.
For students: 7pm-8pm (AEDT)
Click here to register for the Zoom webinar.
For further information, please visit this website or email hort.bus@utas.edu.au

Webinar: Priority pest & disease issues across Werribee, VIC
2021-10-28 13:00 - 14:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Online
Join us for a vegetable industry webinar exploring priority pest and disease issues being faced across Werribee, as well as how consumer habits have changed over the past two years.
Hear from Llew Stevens (NielsenIQ), Cliff Kinoti (Agriculture Victoria), Ramez Aldaoud (Agriculture Victoria), Lavinia Zirnsak (Agriculture Victoria) and Maddy Quirk (AUSVEG) on topics of:

Insights on how consumer habits have changed over the past two years, and what to lookout for as Australia re-opens.
The state of silverleaf whitefly and tomato yellow leaf curl virus, and what the market access implications are for trade.
Update on important vegetable virus diseases in Victoria; including, tomato yellow leaf curl virus, alfalfa mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus and tomato spotted wilt virus.
Fungal and bacterial pathogens and non-disease disorders identified from vegetable samples received from Werribee areas in the 2021 season.
Serpentine leafminer update.
How to submit vegetable pest and disease samples to Agriculture Victoria for free diagnosis.

Date: Thursday 28 October 2021 | 1pm-2.15pm (AEDT).
Click here to register.

UTAS Masterclass in Horticultural Business student information session
2021-10-28 19:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Zoom

Forthside Field Day, TAS
2021-11-03 10:00 - 15:00 UTC | TIA Vegetable Research Facility, 124 Forthside Road, Forth, Tasmania, 7310, Australia
The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) invites you to a family friendly day from 10am-3pm (AEDT) on Wednesday 3 November, at the Forthside Vegetable Research Facility to view the research trials, hear from researchers and industry innovators, and discover the smart technology in use on the farm.
The Forthside Vegetable Research Facility – based within the major vegetable cropping region of north-west Tasmania – is an invaluable site for a diverse range of vegetable and allied crop research trials.
The farm showcases SMARTFarm technology, where on-farm devices provide a proof-of-concept for farmers to see first-hand how new technologies can help to create efficiencies and improve environmental outcomes.
There will be presentations, tours, demonstrations, and an opportunity to network.
Click here to register.
