AUSVEG

VIC: Plant and Soil Health Seminar
2025-09-10 11:00 - 14:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | VIC
Agriculture Victoria invites Victorian vegetable growers to attend the Veggie Box, a series of seminars and workshops with industry experts.

International soils expert Joel Williams is returning to the region.

Learn about foliar nutrition and soil management in baby leaf and brassica crops, including sap testing.

Send in your questions for Joel.

Maffra: Tues 9 Sept
Pakenham: Wed 10 Sept

The specific event address will be provided to registered attendees prior to the event. A light lunch will be provided.
This series is funded through The Farm Business Resilience Program. The program is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Victorian Government’s Sustainability Fund. For more information visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/FBRP
The Victorian Government is providing direct drought support for farmers across Victoria impacted by drought. Find more information about drought support at agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.

Webinar: Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) employer information
2025-09-11 10:00 - 11:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Webinar
The Pacific Engagement Visa is a permanent residence visa available for eligible citizens of participating Pacific countries and Timor-Leste. Up to 3,000 Pacific Engagement Visas are available each year through a ballot process.
The PEV is not an employer sponsored visa but applicants need an offer of ongoing employment for a genuine position in Australia to be granted the visa.
The BIRO network invites employers to attend a webinar to learn more about the PEV and how you can hire PEV holders.

QLD: Agrotrend Bundaberg 2025
2025-09-12 - 2025-09-13 | Bundaberg Recreational Precinct, University Drive, Bundaberg, QLD, 4670, Australia
Agrotrend Bundaberg is the region’s premier agricultural and lifestyle field day, showcasing and supporting the vital role of farming in our region. For farmers and families alike, the two-day event is filled with something for everyone!

Webinar: Discover how HortIQ is transforming horticulture insights
2025-09-12 11:00 - 11:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Webinar
Harvest to Home is now integrated into HortIQ, Hort Innovation’s one stop shop for powerful consumer insights.
To explore the new retail and purchasing dashboard and its latest features, join us for a guided walkthrough and insights session.
In partnership with NielsenIQ, the integration brings together powerful data on category performance, purchasing behaviours and emerging trends, all in one streamlined platform.
Whether you’re a grower, marketer or wholesaler HortIQ helps you respond to demand, uncover growth opportunities, and make smarter decisions with real-time, actionable insights.

Webinar: Financial support services and programs available to farmers
2025-09-15 12:30 - 13:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Webinar
Let’s keep it real — the past few years have been challenging for Tasmanian farmers, with drought, fire, market uncertainty, and more.
There is a range of financial support services and programs available for eligible farmers, and this webinar is your chance to learn more about what is on offer, how it works, and how to access it.
In this session, you’ll be joined by:

Brendan Leys is a Farm Household Allowance Case Officer at Services Australia. Over the past 8 years, Brendan has worked with many Tasmanian farmers through the Farm Household Allowance program and is keen to ensure all farmers know what support is out there. Brendan will discuss the Farm Household Allowance financial support and other support services available through the Australian Government.
Steve Hansen is part of the Rural Business Tasmania financial counselling team, specialising in small businesses and advising for Business Tasmania’s Tasmanian Business Advice Service. His dairy farming background and extensive experience helps local businesses navigate financial challenges and opportunities with confidence. [PR1] Steve will chat through the different financial services available through Rural Business Tasmania.

There will also be time for Q & A.

Symposium for the Use of Organic Soil Amendments
2025-09-16 - 2025-09-18 | Twin Towns Conference and Function Centre, Coolangatta, QLD, Australia
The Symposium for the Use of Organic Soil Amendments (SUOSA) will take place on the Southern Gold Coast from 16 to 18 September 2025, bringing together experts from agriculture, environmental sciences, economics, and policy to discuss the benefits, challenges, and future directions for the use of organic soil amendments in agricultural and horticultural production systems.
This multi-disciplinary event will explore the agronomic, environmental, societal, regulatory and policy dimensions of using both solid and liquid organic amendments, which include raw or processed animal manures, agricultural residues, food and fibre processing residues, and urban organic residues, and where processing can include composting, pyrolysing, drying, digesting, insect farming, pelletising, granulating, value adding, etc. Discussions will address nutrient management, soil health, carbon sequestration, circular economy, regulatory frameworks, and farmer benefits and adoption.
With contributions from leading researchers, government policymakers, industry experts, and producers, SUOSA 2025 aims to foster collaboration and inform real-world strategies for sustainable soil management and farming systems.

VIC: IPM in Action: Monitor, Manage, Protect
2025-09-16 09:00 - 14:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Coolibah Herbs, 191 Craig Rd, Pearcedale, VIC, 3912, Australia
Strong pest management starts with the right knowledge – and this hands-on workshop will give vegetable growers a fresh, practical look at integrated pest management (IPM). Learn how to spot pest problems early, identify beneficial insects, and use monitoring and management strategies to protect your crops and your bottom line.
Whether you’re new to IPM or need a refresher, this session will give you the tools and confidence to make better pest control decisions on your farm.
Topics covered

IPM essentials – the principles behind integrated pest management and how they apply to vegetable production
Managing key pests – practical strategies for Western Flower Thrips (WFT), Diamondback Moth (DBM), and Serpentine Leafminer
Beneficial insects – how parasitoids and other natural enemies can work for you
Monitoring skills – in-field tips to help you detect problems early and make informed decisions

Youth Agritech Expo
2025-09-17 09:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Gippsland Agriculture Centre, 345 Bengworden Road, Bairnsdale, VIC, 3875, Australia
The aim is to inspire young people to see the endless opportunities within agriculture and to start thinking about their future career paths.
Whether it’s encouraging kids from farming backgrounds to explore what’s possible or showing anyone that they can build a future in agriculture, this event is for everyone.
For younger children, the focus is on discovering where their food comes from and learning about the world of farming.
It’s an educational event – packed with plenty of fun!

Webinars: Soilborne Diseases
2025-09-17 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-23 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-25 09:00 - 10:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Webinar
Soilborne diseases (SBD) are a major problem in many crops, causing crop losses, and costing growers millions of dollars in some sectors. Since ALT started, SBD have been amongst the highest-ranking crop protection gaps across all sectors.
The purpose of the webinar series is to share what is currently known about SBD, what management tools growers have available to them now, and the direction of future innovations for management of these diseases.
Webinar dates and times are below:

Webinar 1: Why are soilborne diseases so challenging? with Len Tesoriero, Wednesday September 10 from 10am-11am.

Webinar 2: Nematodes and their relationship with soilborne diseases with Manjula Kularathna, Wednesday September 17 from 10am-11am.

Webinar 3: A focus on some of the key soilborne diseases with Soonie Chng, Tuesday September 23 from 10am-11am.

Webinar 4: Future innovations with Mark Braithwaite of Plant Diagnostics, John Mackay of dnature, Hugh Richardson of Enza Zaden NZ and Dereck Ferguson, of Ferguson Agronomy, Thursday September 25 from 9am-10.30am.

SA: IPM in Action: Monitor, Manage, Protect
2025-09-25 12:30 - 16:00 (Australia/Adelaide) | Braham Produce, 42 Alfred Rd, Virginia, SA, Australia
Pest pressures in protected cropping can be intense – but with the right tools and knowledge, you can stay ahead. This practical workshop for protected cropping growers will refresh your understanding of integrated pest management (IPM), sharpen your monitoring skills, and help you identify and control key pests before they become costly problems.
Join us for an afternoon of expert advice, hands-on learning, and networking with fellow growers. You’ll leave with practical strategies to protect your crops, your business, and your bottom line.
Topics covered

IPM fundamentals – how to integrate cultural, biological, and chemical controls
Managing key pests – identification and management strategies for major protected cropping pests
Beneficial insects – how predatory insects can work for you
Effective monitoring – practical tips to detect problems early in the greenhouse

QLD: Australian-Grown Innovation Engage Session
2025-10-14 10:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Porters Plainland Hotel
​The Australian-Grown Innovation Program Engage workshop is a dynamic, in-person workshop designed for growers and supply chain participants to explore innovation in horticulture, share insights, and gain 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, helping attendees identify opportunities to diversify income, improve efficiency, and address real-world challenges through guided activities and peer learning within a supportive regional network.

QLD: Gatton AgTech Showcase 2025
2025-10-15 - 2025-10-16 | Gatton Research Facility, 107 John Howie Memorial Drive, Lawes, QLD, 4343, Australia
Back by popular demand – the Gatton AgTech Showcase returns 15th & 16th October 2025. This builds on the success of the 2023 inaugural event, which brought together 800 attendees from across Australia and overseas.
The Showcase will deliver an expanded program over the two-day event featuring:

More live and static field AgTech and machinery demonstrations as well as exhibition displays
Official launch of DPI’s Centre for Mild Winter Climate Protected Cropping. And a dedicated protected cropping showcase with the support of NFF’s National Horticulture Roadshow
AgTech speaker and student immersion program

As a national, grower-focused event, the Gatton AgTech Showcase is expected to attract growers from all over Australia, with even greater international reach in 2025. Organisers are gearing up for 1,500 attendees across the two-day event.

QLD: Stemphylium in onions interactive workshop
2025-10-15 12:00 - 14:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Gatton Research Facility, 107 John Howie Memorial Drive, Lawes, QLD, 4343, Australia
Are you a Queensland Onion Grower?
Make sure to come and join us on 15th of October from 12pm-2pm in the conference room at the Gatton Ag Tech Showcase for an interactive session on Stemphylium.
We will discuss:
🧅 The latest on international and local research and management practises
🧅 DNA testing and fungicides Resistance in relation to Stemphylium – Metagen Guest Speakers
🧅 Panel Discussion sharing key insights from the Onion overseas study tour

VIC: International markets: real time insights & exporter tools with Victorian Commissioners
2025-10-21 09:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-22 09:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-23 09:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-24 09:30 - 14:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | VIC
Global Victoria invites you to an exclusive in-person session designed to help Victorian exporters shape their next global chapter.

By combining global intelligence with practical guidance, you’ll gain access to real-time international market insights directly from a Victorian Commissioner, alongside tools and resources to help your business grow.
Hear the latest on:

Macro-economic indicators – GDP growth, consumer trends, trade flows
Trade opportunities and risks – sector-specific insights and case studies of Victorian exporters succeeding overseas
Supply chain challenges and opportunities – sea and air freight trends, global disruption and resilience strategies
Market entry considerations – cultural factors, business etiquette, regulatory environment, and how to find the right partners
You’ll also connect with other government and local agencies to discover the range of business services and support programs available to you.

📌 Why attend in person?

Network directly with Victorian Commissioner/s and trade experts
Ask questions in real time during our interactive Q&A panel
Build connections over networking breaks
Access practical tools and checklists to strengthen your export plan

Bendigo
When: Tuesday 21 October
Where: Bendigo GovHub – Galkangu 195-229 Lyttleton Terrace
Geelong
When: Wednesday 22 October
Where: Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct – City of Greater Geelong 137-149 Mercer Street
Morwell
When: Thursday 23 October
Where: Innovation Centre, Federation University, 1 Monash Way
Ballarat
When: Friday 24 October
Where: Federation University, Brewery Building, Lydiard Street

Webinar: Report overview: Understand the factors driving productivity in Australian horticulture
2025-10-22 11:00 - 12:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Webinar
Hear from Hort Innovation and the Centre for International Economics about the recently released Factors Driving Horticulture Productivity report. Dive into an overview about what is propelling productivity and how horticulture is set to benefit.

VIC: Export Ready Workshop
2025-10-23 - 2025-10-24 | VIC
This two-day, in-person workshop will equip you with the essential skills, insights and resources needed to start selling your goods or services overseas. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with experienced exporters, trade experts and peers- building valuable networks to support your export ambitions.

Webinar: Farm Fire Preparedness
2025-10-27 19:00 - 20:15 (Australia/Melbourne) | Webinar
Managing the risk of bushfire for your farm is vital.
Whether you’re a livestock producer, run a horticulture enterprise, a small landholder, or are new to farming it’s important to prepare for the coming fire season. Join us for this upcoming webinar about Farm Fire Preparedness.
Planning and preparing for the bushfire season includes identifying risks and undertaking tasks to prepare your farm well ahead of the fire season.
In this webinar, Agriculture Victoria’s Kylie Macreadie and will discuss key preparedness activities, tools and templates to help you plan for the fire season. Landholders impacted by recent fires will share their stories of preparing for fire, putting a fire plan into practice and share information on the recovery process.
Topics include:

Preparing farm infrastructure
Farm asset inventories and insurance
Fire preparedness checklists, action plan and map
Planning for impacts and recovery
Updating your Property Identification Code (PIC)

Webinar: Bites and Insights - Gatton AgTech Showcase and Lockyer Valley Study Tour
2025-10-28 12:30 - 13:15 (Australia/Melbourne) | Webinar
Join us online over lunch or a cuppa to hear from WA, SA and TAS veg growers who recently attended the VegNET study tour to the Gatton AgTech Showcase and farm tours across the Lockyer Valley.
The VegNET team will provide an overview of what the study tour covered and then we’ll hear from veg growers on their key takeaways and highlights and where they see opportunities for their farming businesses and regions.

Webinar: Get ‘RIC Ready’ to apply for a low-cost farm business loan
2025-10-29 12:00 - 13:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Webinar
Get ‘RIC Ready’ Webinar – an essential guide to help farm businesses, trusted advisers and interested stakeholders learn more about RIC loans. Join the free webinar to understand more about eligibility criteria before applying and what you need to know before you submit an application for an Australian Government low-cost loan delivered by RIC (Regional Investment Corporation).

Webinar: Is agritourism the right diversification option for my farm?
2025-10-30 18:30 - 19:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Webinar
Have you ever considered tourism as a diversification opportunity for your farm?
Learn about the costs and benefits of agritourism to determine if this is the right opportunity for you, from:

Regional tourism development consultancy Tilma Group
Regional tourism organisation Destination Central West NSW
Agritourism business RedGround Australia truffle farm
Tax advisor Kenny Spring Solicitors
Planning consultant Burns Planning & Development
Insurance broker Nutrien Ag Solutions (Marsh Insurance)

There will be opportunity for Q&A with each expert.

Webinar: Productivity driver deep dive – capability building and data automation
2025-11-03 16:30 - 17:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Webinar
Learn about two key productivity drivers from the Factors Driving Horticulture Productivity report – capability building and data automation. Hear from Hort Innovation and industry leaders across vegetable, onion, macadamia, and nursery industries as they share insights from the levy-funded benchmarking projects they’re leading. Discover the learnings, innovations, and on-the-ground experiences that show how these two factors are transforming productivity across horticulture.

TAS: VegNET Agtech in Action Sundowner: Ecorobotix ARA Precision Sprayer & Gatton Ag Tech Showcase Wrap Up
2025-11-06 16:00 - 18:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Harvest Moon, Devenport, TAS, Australia
Join VegNET Tasmania and Harvest Moon at their farm in Forth for a sundowner event to see their latest investment in weed management – the ARA Ecorobotix Precision Sprayer.
We will also hear from growers who attended the recent Gatton AgTech Showcase and Lockyer Valley Study Tour with their highlights, learnings and opportunities identified.

Timing: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
4:00pm – arrive for refreshments, catch ups
4:15pm Gatton AgTech Showcase highlights and Q&A
4:45pm – ARA Ecorobotix session with Harvest Moon team
6:00pm – event wraps up

IMPORTANT: BIOSECURITY PROTOCOLS
Please ensure you adhere to any biosecurity protocols outlined on arrival.
You must check in with VegNET Tasmania on event arrival and use the footbath provided.

VegNET 3.0 (VG21000) is a vegetable and onion industry extension program nationally coordinated by AUSVEG and funded by Hort Innovation using the vegetable and onion research and development levies and contributions from the Australian Government.

QLD: Cover cropping for soil health and productivity: Preparing for the wet season in north Queensland
2025-11-12 09:00 - 12:30 (Australia/Brisbane) | Ayr Research Station, 343 Old Clare Rd, McDesme, QLD, 4807, Australia
Get your soils ready for the wet season!
Join us for a practical workshop designed for north Queensland vegetable and melon growers, focused on making the most of cover crops.
Discover how the right cover crop choices can boost soil health, reduce erosion, improve moisture management, and strengthen your production system. You’ll learn proven strategies for establishing, managing, and terminating cover crops to suit north Queensland’s unique growing conditions.
What attendees will see and learn from the event:

Improving soil health
Choice of species of cover crops
Moisture management and strategies for establishing cover crops ahead of the wet season
Termination and pest and disease considerations
Considerations for different cash crops/operations

Date: 12 November 2025
Location: Ayr Research Station – 343 Old Clare Rd, McDesme Qld
Speakers: Kelvin Montagu (SWICP), Richelle Kelly (VegNET)
For more information about this event, contact Isabella Ellmers (isabella.ellmers@ahr.com.au 0431 125 513

Webinar: Launch of the 2025 Fundamental Guidelines for Fresh Produce Food Safety
2025-11-12 12:00 - 12:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Webinar
Join the Fresh Produce Safety Centre (FPSC) for the official launch of the 2025 Fundamental Guidelines for Fresh Produce Food Safety — the industry’s trusted resource for managing food safety risks across the fresh produce supply chain.
The refreshed Fundamental Guidelines bring together the latest science, good practice and regulatory insights to support the ongoing safety and integrity of fresh produce from production to post-harvest handling. Developed through extensive research and industry consultation, the 2025 edition is designed for every business seeking to strengthen food safety culture, protect consumers, and meet market and regulatory expectations.
This webinar will be recorded and shared with those who cannot attend.

Webinar: How has PMTV impacted potato growing regions in other countries?
2025-11-13 09:00 - 10:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Webinar
Join AUSVEG for the second webinar on Potato mop-top virus (PMTV). We will be joined by Julie Pasche from North Dakota State University.
What you will learn:
Potato mop top virus was detected in processing potatoes in America in the early 2000s. It was confirmed in North Dakota in 2011. Hear from Associate Professor and the Neil C. Gudmestad Endowed Chair of Potato Pathology, Julie Pasche, on how the virus has impacted potato growing and processing over time, and how the industry has responded.
Representatives from the offices of the Chief Plant Health Officers of Victoria and Tasmania, respectively, will be online to provide an update on the current activities in their states.
Registration is essential
Learn more here:

Biosecurity Tasmania
Agriculture Victoria

This webinar is supported by AUSVEG Farm Biosecurity Program and VegWatch.
