AUSVEG

Hobart: VET Workforce Networking Roundtable
2026-04-15 10:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Hobart) | TBC
As part of Stream Three of this project, a Workforce Development Framework will be created, providing a guide for employers and RTOs to work together to grow a fit-for-purpose VET workforce for their region. The framework will connect each stage of career development – from mentor to supervisor to VET educator – with practical actions, existing resources and potential partnerships. It will be designed to be adaptable to the needs of different regional, rural, and remote communities.
Stakeholders are invited to participate in co-design of the Framework by attending roundtable and networking events being held online and around the country in early 2026.
You’re invited to participate in a roundtable and networking event designed to provide opportunities to contribute to several related projects and support the development of local connections.
Employers, training providers, industry partners, business support services, local government, and community organisations are encouraged to join this vital conversation.
You’re welcome to join for the full day or just take part in sessions relevant to you. Register to secure your place, and we’ll share detailed information closer to the date.
More information: https://skillsinsight.com.au/project/vet-workforce/

Launceston: VET Workforce Networking Roundtable
2026-04-16 10:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Hobart) | TBC

NT: Nematodes: Tiny Worms, Big Soil Impact
2026-04-19 11:00 - 14:00 (Australia/Darwin) | Olive Pink Botanic Garden, 27 Tuncks Rd, Alice Springs, NT, 0870, Australia
Explore the hidden life of soil and discover how nematodes influence plant and soil health.
Guided by scientists from the Northern Territory and Queensland, participants will learn about microscopic worms in the soil, examine local soil samples under the microscope and uncover nematodes living inside plant roots.
Presented by:

Northern Territory Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
Queensland Department of Primary Industries
AUSVEG

Cost: Free
Who can attend: Open to anyone (best for ages 10+)
Registration: No registration required — just come along!

MacFrut Italy
2026-04-21 - 2026-04-23 | Rimini Expo Centre, Italy
Macfrut is the international fruit and vegetable trade show where business gets juicy
The global meeting point for the entire fresh produce supply chain, bringing together producers, technology providers, and top international buyers. Three high-impact days to discover innovation, build strategic partnerships and generate real B2B opportunities — from field to table.

Northern Adelaide Plains: VET Workforce Networking Roundtable
2026-04-21 10:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Adelaide) | TBC

TAS: Yield forecasting and harvest optimisation with Polybee
2026-04-21 16:00 - 18:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Hagley Farm School, 2508 Meander Valley Road, Hagley, TAS, 7292, Australia
Come and see the latest
Polybee uses autonomous drones and AI to capture crop images and provide growers with yield forecasts, crop health data, and harvest optimisation insights through an interactive dashboard.
VegNET Tas welcomes the Polybee team to Hagley, Tasmania to showcase their technology, which is already being trialled in broccoli and spinach crops, along with protected cropping lines (tomatoes & strawberries).
What does Polybee do?
The technology captures crop data through autonomous drones and AI analysis to provide growers with:

Yield forecasts and insights on when to harvest
Crop health assessments
Plant stand counts and leaf size measurements
Data for harvest planning and resource optimisation (such as labour)
Autonomous pollination for protected cropping

Join us to find out more about how Polybee technology works and what is looks like. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions.

Agenda:
4:00pm – Check in & biosecurity boot-bath
4:15pm – Event kick off
4:20 – 5:20pm- Polybee in-field demonstration and dashboard presentation
5:20 – 5:45pm – Q&A
5:45 – 6:00pm – Event closes
6:00 – 7:00pm – Dinner & catch ups (optional)

VegNET is the national vegetable and onion industry extension program with funding from Hort Innovation using the vegetable and onion research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government. VegNET Tasmania is delivered by RM Consulting Group (RMCG).

TAS: Ag Innovation Expo 2026
2026-04-22 09:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Hagley Farm School, 2508 Meander Valley Road, Hagley, TAS, 7292, Australia
The 12th annual Ag Innovation Expo, a showcase dedicated to agricultural machinery and technology. Experience live demonstrations in our onsite demo paddock and see equipment in action.
Engage with diverse industry groups, connect with fellow growers, and network with key players in the field. Enjoy informative talks from expert speakers and a BBQ lunch.
Don’t miss this opportunity to innovate, collaborate, and shape the future of agriculture!

Hort IQ Webinar: What does sustainability really mean to Australian fresh produce shoppers?
2026-04-22 14:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | https://assets-oce.mkt.dynamics.com/3fa8892d-a3bf-4985-b507-62c75951e29e/digitalassets/standaloneforms/a3cb3420-7534-f111-88b4-00224897b0bf?readableEventId=Hort_IQ_Webinar_What_does_sustainability_really_mean_to_Australian_fresh_produce_shoppers435801799#msdynmkt_trackingcontext=9c57ebf1-722c-41fb-9935-4146f4a00000&msdynmkt_prefill=mktprf4d16e4f4bd4b491ebe0c68ee454a0af6eoprf
Here’s what’s on the agenda:

How consumers define sustainability when buying fresh produce
What sustainable behaviour looks like, including waste reduction and seasonality
Packaging trade‑offs, balancing plastic concerns with freshness and food waste
Where organics fit in sustainability perceptions, and barriers to broader uptake

Practical implementations for growers and the fresh produce industry

Riverland: VET Workforce Networking Roundtable
2026-04-23 10:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Adelaide) | TBC

VIC: Irrigation Masterclass
2026-04-23 14:00 - 17:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Fresh Select, 610 Duncans Road, Werribee South, VIC, 3030, Australia
Maximising value from your irrigation system
Key topics

Salinity
Event Spray Distrubition
Cleaning
Wind

Guest speaker: Jeremy Giddings, Agriculture Victoria Mildura

QLD: Emergency plant pest readiness for northern Queensland horticulture
2026-04-23 14:00 - 17:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Merinda Village Hotel, 13 Linley St, Bowen, QLD, 4805, Australia
What happens when a new pest comes to a growing region and how can we all be better prepared and responsive?
What you will learn

What does a new pest detection mean for your farm and region?
Who is involved in an emergency plant pest response?
What is the decision making process during a response?
Rights and responsibilities and the General Biosecurity Duty
What are the potential impacts on businesses and trade?
Owner Reimbursement Costs
How to get prepared?

The workshop will be followed by dinner.

The Vegetable industry biosecurity and business continuity strategy (VG22004) has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the vegetable research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.

European Conference on Food Science & Technology
2026-04-24 - 2026-04-26 | Bern, Switzerland
The third edition of the European Conference on Food Science and Technology – a leading international gathering of food scientists, technologists, researchers, innovators, industry leaders, and policymakers, all dedicated to shaping the future of food.

Rethinking Materials London
2026-04-28 - 2026-04-29 | Hilton London Bankside, 2-8 Great Suffolk Street, London, SE1 0UG, United Kingdom
On April 28–29, Rethinking Materials will connect the brands, investors and innovators defining the next era of sustainable materials.
From corporate giants like Kraft Heinz, IKEA, BMW and Coca-Cola to pioneering biotech start-ups, uncover the strategies and technologies reshaping packaging, textiles, ingredients and consumer products.
Join this unique multi-sector community for targeted networking, curated deal flow, live pitches and fresh tech discovery across the value chain.

Vitafoods Europe
2026-05-05 - 2026-05-07 | Barcelona – Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain
A global meeting ground for the nutrition, health and functional food industries.
Meet nutraceutical industry experts and thought leaders, and get the chance to network with your peers from around the globe.

VicVID 2026
2026-05-07 - 2026-05-08 | Taranto Farms, 57 The Crescent, Tyabb, VIC, 3913, Australia
After the overwhelming success of VicVID 2023, AUSVEG VIC is proud to announce that VicVID 2026 will take place on 7 & 8 May 2026 at Taranto Farms in Tyabb, located on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula just 60 km south of Melbourne.
This flagship vegetable industry event will once again bring together leading growers, innovators, researchers, and service providers to showcase the latest developments in horticulture.
Delivered in partnership by AUSVEG VIC, VegNET Victoria, and Stuart Grigg Ag-Hort Consulting, VicVID 2026 promises a dynamic mix of field demonstrations, trial plots, machinery displays, and presentations across a wide range of vegetable production topics.
Attendees can expect:

Advanced seed genetics trials
Crop protection and nutrition demonstrations
Static and dynamic displays of machinery and technology
Networking opportunities with growers and suppliers

Host grower Sam Taranto, Director of Taranto Farms, said he’s looking forward to welcoming the industry to his property.

VIC: An introduction to the principles of Plant Empowerment
2026-05-07 08:30 - 15:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Powerplants, 27 Technology Circuit, Hallam, VIC, 3803, Australia
Plant Empowerment training supports growers to create greenhouse conditions where plants can actively regulate their own processes by balancing energy, climate and crop needs.
This full-day session introduces key Plant Empowerment principles before moving into a range of focus areas relevant across greenhouse systems, with flexibility to address grower questions and needs throughout the day.

Gippsland: VET Workforce Networking Roundtable
2026-05-12 10:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | TBC

WA: Myalup Roadshow
2026-05-12 15:00 - 18:00 (Australia/Perth) | Galati Bros, 10 Springhill Rd, Parkfield, WA, 6233, Australia
The vegetablesWA 2026 Myalup Roadshow has been announced! A big day of industry updates and in‑field insights.
Speakers will cover:

Carrot and onion production
Key industry speakers on Pest and Disease Management, and Biosecurity
R&D projects and grants

Also included:

Carrot pack‑out and post‑harvest insights
DJI T100 sprayer and spreader drone demonstration

For more information contact:
Angela Tarbottom | 0427 373 037 | angela.tarbottom@vegetableswa.com.au
Lisa Hasson | 0400 977 670 | lisa.hasson@vegetableswa.com.au

VIC: Australian-Grown Innovation Engage Session 2026
2026-05-14 09:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Gippsland Tech School, Princes Drive &, Monash Way, Morwell, VIC, 3840, Australia
​The Australian-Grown Innovation Program Engage Workshop is a dynamic, free, in-person workshop designed for growers and supply chain participants to explore innovation in horticulture, share insights, and build stronger teams while gaining hands-on tools from real industry leaders with practical experience.
​Participants will learn why innovation matters, engage in practical exercises using frameworks like the Business Model Canvas and Value Proposition Canvas, and hear from successful innovators across the horticulture sector.
​The program focuses on actionable outcomes and team-based learning, helping attendees identify opportunities to diversify income, improve efficiency, and address real-world challenges through guided activities, peer learning, and team-building within a supportive regional network.

Perth: VET Workforce Networking Roundtable
2026-05-14 10:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Perth) | TBC

Webinar: Submitting Decision Ready Nominations & Visa Applications
2026-05-19 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-21 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-25 14:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Webinar
Lodging complete applications with the Department will provide a more streamlined process and will assist with delays in decision making for both employer nominations and visa applications.
If you do not provide all required information at lodgement, your application may be delayed or decided based on the information available at the time of decision.
This webinar is targeted to Australian business employers with the aim to improve the quality of employer nominations and visa applications lodged for the following visa programs:
• Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa
• Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa, and
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visa
The session will include practical guidelines to help employers prepare and submit complete applications, including:
• Global visa processing times
• Skilled visa processing priorities
• Type of information and documents required by the Department
• Checklists and resources available to assist employers to lodge complete applications
• Useful tips to avoid oversights and pit falls

F&A NEXT Summit Netherlands
2026-05-20 - 2026-05-21 | Wageningen, Netherlands
F&A Next is about thought leadership and connecting promising startups and scale-ups to dedicated Food and Agtech investors and leading corporates. It includes two days of networking, pitching, and debating the dynamics of food and agriculture. If you are wholeheartedly committed to the need for innovation in Food and Agriculture, then make sure to join us!

Agritechnica Asia
2026-05-20 - 2026-05-22 | BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand
The premier trade fair for agricultural technology and innovation in Asia! As the leading platform for showcasing cutting-edge machinery, equipment, and solutions in the farming industry, AGRITECHNICA ASIA connects global industry leaders, innovators, and professionals under one roof with 48% international trade participants from 73 countries, it is the meeting point of our industry in Asia

VIC: Gippsland Irrigation Expo
2026-05-20 09:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Sale Showgrounds, Sale Greyhound Club, Maffra–Sale Road, Sale, VIC, 3850, Australia
The Gippsland Irrigation Expo is back! This one-day event brings together the latest technologies, research, suppliers, and best practices in irrigation management.
Why attend?

See what’s new in irrigation technology and practices that can make a real difference on farm.
Learn from people who know their stuff, including researchers, suppliers, and locals sharing practical tips and demonstrations.
Connect with other irrigators, suppliers, agencies and experts who can help you find solutions that fit your farm
Take home ideas you can put into practice

Whether you’re an irrigator looking to upgrade your system, a consultant seeking the latest insights, or a supplier wanting to connect with decision-makers, the Gippsland Irrigation Expo is a premier opportunity to meet new people.

WA: Gingin Drone Demo
2026-05-21 10:00 - 12:00 (Australia/Perth) | Bogdanich Farms, Lot 402, 2192 Gingin Brook Road, Neergabby, WA, 6503, Australia
𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐠‑𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?
Join us in 𝐆𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧 at Bogdanich Farms for a live demonstration of the DJI T100 Spray & Spreader Drone and see firsthand how drone technology is transforming agricultural operations.
For more information, contact Angela Tarbottom at Head Office on (08) 9486 7515
Don’t miss this opportunity to see cutting‑edge ag technology in action!

Webinar: Next Generation Weed Management - Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation
2026-05-25 11:00 - 12:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | https://latrobe.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0YcHc35_TYq07g7We5Gnqw#/registration
A sustainable approach for weed and soil-borne pathogen management in plasticulture.
An in-depth look at Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD), an emerging non-chemical strategy for managing weeds and soil-borne pathogens in plasticulture systems.
La Trobe are pleased to welcome Associate Professor Matthew Cutulle (Clemson University, USA), a leading expert in weed science, who will share insights into the application and potential of ASD in horticultural production.
ASD works by incorporating a carbon source into soil, irrigating to field capacity, and covering the soil to create anaerobic conditions that suppress weeds and pathogens. As pressure grows to reduce reliance on chemical control, ASD is gaining attention as a practical and scalable alternative.
At LISAF, part of La Trobe University, Dr Ali Bajwa leads the Hort Frontiers program “Next Generation Weed Management”. The project is focused on evaluating the performance of ASD in Australian plasticulture systems. The project integrates field surveys, controlled environment and field trials, and industry engagement to optimise the technique and support adoption, in collaboration with Northern Territory Department of Agriculture & Fisheries and Clemson University.
Who should attend:
Growers, agronomists, and industry professionals working in plasticulture systems producing crops such as strawberries, vegetables, and melons, along with researchers, extension officers, and consultants exploring non-chemical weed management approaches.
The session will run for 1 hour, followed by 20 to 30 minutes of Q&A.

TAS: Getting seed right: Managing potato seed for optimal crop performance
2026-05-26 10:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Cherry Hill Coolstores, 32 Cherry Hill Road, Latrobe, Tasmania, 7307, Australia
Join PotatoLink for a day at Cherry Hill Coolstores to learn about all things seed! Cherry Hill Coolstores have the capacity to handle 15,000 tonnes of seed potatoes per annum across their 16 coolstores and three large dry store areas. They provide services including cool storage, grading, potato seed, cutting and bulk unloading.
During our visit, Cherry Hill will take us on a tour, demonstrating the different stages of their supply chain and best practices of seed storage and handling.
Designed for all members of the seed potato supply chain, this event will seek to enhance foundational knowledge on potato seed processes, certification, handling, hygiene, storage and physiological age.
Participants will leave the session having explored:

Processes through the seed supply chain (seeing it from diverse perspectives)
Risks and challenges that affect seed performance through the seed supply chain
Best practices relating to seed certification, storage, physiological age management and seed treatments
Importance of best practices on seed performance
Actions that participants can take to address key risks through their seed supply chain

Webinar: Solutions for on-farm organics: Digging into compost
2026-05-26 12:00 - 13:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Webinar
Register for this Soil Wealth ICP webinar exploring practical approaches to managing on-farm organic waste and turning waste streams into valuable compost and soil inputs. The session will focus on practical, on-farm solutions to help growers maximise inputs, reduce waste and improve resource efficiency within their production systems.
Hear directly from growers sharing their experiences, lessons learned and the practical levers they are using on-farm to better manage organics and close nutrient loops. The webinar will also explore broader industry perspectives on compost quality, standards and best-practice approaches to organics processing and reuse.
