AUSVEG SA is the state-wide representative body for South Australia’s $2 billion vegetable industry. It works with governments at all levels to advocate on key issues and deliver several key industry development programs that include facilitating VegNET – South Australia, an investment that keeps vegetable growers informed about current R&D activities, results and resources. VegNET – SA Regional Development Officer Yanyu Liang provides an update.

Hort SA Conference

The inaugural Hort SA Conference attracted around 300 attendees and over 40 exhibitors at the South Australian Produce Markets on Tuesday 18 May.

The one-day event was kindly supported by key event partner, Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, and provided an opportunity for South Australian growers to develop industry connections and hear from leading speakers and exhibitors.

Founder of Think Digital, Tim Gentle demonstrates the latest in virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) in agriculture at the Hort SA Conference.

The Hort SA Conference contained various sessions across several different key topics, which included:

• Enza Zaden Director of Business Development Australia and New Zealand,Ton Van Der Velden, who focused on international ag-tech developments and commercial developments in international markets.
• Nielsen Research Senior Manager Lewis Muscat talked about the latest market data on vegetable consumption across Australia.
  

  Nielsen Research Senior Manager Lewis Muscat presents at the Hort SA Conference.

• Rabobank International Senior Analyst Michael Harvey presented on trends in agricultural lending, currency markets and other financial markets in the coming year.
• Viscon Australia National Engineering Manager Jon Ferguson presented on key trends and innovations in packhouse and production technology overseas.
• James Northcote, Principal at William Buck Accountants and Advisors, presented the importance of succession management.

The exhibitors brought valuable products that were showcased, and key speakers provided industry-leading information. This generated positive feedback from attendees.

Business Health Check Assessments

AUSVEG SA and Hort Innovation have joined forces to establish a series of Business Health Checks as part of the VegNET SA Program. For this, VegNET SA has engaged leading not-for-profit rural financial advisors Rural Business Support to deliver a series of business health check assessments across our industry.

As part of this project, Rural Business Support will be providing up to 10 vegetable businesses with a free on-site business assessment. From these assessments, business owners will be able to identify risks to their business as well as business capability/capacity constraints, and potential opportunities for sustainable growth.

This program is aimed at business owners of all sizes looking to take stock and improve their current practices, and utilises key staff from Rural Business Support who are experienced in providing independent business advisory support to farmers across Australia.

Looking to the future

VegNET SA has already engaged with several different emerging leaders in the horticulture industry. It plans to establish a long-term emerging leader program based on an effective communication format, and is currently working to consult with stakeholders to determine the appropriate timing and format for the event.

The event is planned to be held on-farm in September or October, which will allow for sit down presentations in a shed followed by a field walk. This will likely take place over three hours in the afternoon followed by catering and drinks. Planning is well-underway for this event, and VegNET SA will provide further updates as it develops the format.

Find out more

Please contact VegNET – South Australia Regional Development Officer Yanyu Liang on 0432 742 896 or at yanyu.liang@ausveg.com.au, or AUSVEG SA CEO Jordan Brooke-Barnett on 0404 772 308 or at jordan.brooke-barnett@ausveg.com.au.

VegNET – South Australia is a strategic levy investment under the Hort Innovation Vegetable Fund.

This project has been funded by Hort Innovation using the vegetable research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.

Project Number: VG19015

Cover image: SA drumMUSTER Regional Consultant Rob Kakoschke speaks to Hort SA Conference attendees. Photography by Andrew Beveridge.