Key components of the project The work program included: – Implementation of a series of pest management workshops across the major sweetpotato production regions, improving grower awareness and understanding of pest and predator basics in the sweetpotato farming systems; – Implementation of three large scale grower collaborator lead farming systems trials in the Bundaberg, QLD and Cudgen, NSW, production regions, demonstrating improved pest management by taking a whole of crop integrated management approach; – Implementation of six grower and industry stakeholder participatory learning events across the grower collaborator farming system trial sites; – Replicated field and pot trial experimentation investigating improved technologies needed for the industry to make significant advancements in the use of IPM within the crop development period. Industry significance of the project The Australian Sweetpotato Growers Inc. (ASPG), a group that represents over 90% of Australia’s production, identified that they must develop strategies that reduce pest populations of the root knot nematode, sweetpotato weevil and wireworm plaguing their production systems. The combination of all year round sweetpotato production, the stable sub-tropical environment of the production regions and difficulties in managing volunteer sweetpotato growth post harvest all contribute to the ideal conditions for continuous and rapid pest cycles. Subsequently, industry is constantly putting the few currently available insecticides under maximum working pressure. At the onset of VG09052, the only reliable means of controlling insect pests was through the applications of a few broad spectrum insecticides incorporated in the soil prior to planting and foliar applied during crop development. Key outcomes The project ran in parallel with an industry wide pest management extension development program arming growers with the knowledge necessary to implement whole of crop integrated management stra