Focus on soil health and agtech at this year’s TAPG Ag Innovation Expo
28 May 2025
Growing regional relationships – expanding extension impact in WA’s vegetable industry
28 May 2025
VegNET South East Queensland Lockyer Valley Regional Update
The 2025 growing season has delivered its fair share of challenges to vegetable producers across South-East Queensland. From unpredictable weather events to the persistent threat of crop disease and insect pressure, growers have once again demonstrated resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.
As these pressures mount, so too does the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation across the industry. VegNET – South-East Queensland continues to play a vital role in uniting growers, researchers, and government to protect and futureproof vegetable production in one of Australia’s key horticultural regions.
Floods and wet weather woes
Cyclone Alfred delivered a harsh blow to the region earlier this year, with significant rainfall and flooding impacting growing regions across Logan, Scenic Rim, and the Lockyer Valley. While the Lockyer Valley was largely spared from widespread flooding and crop loss, growers faced delays in planting and difficulties accessing wet paddocks for harvest. Following the cyclone persistent wet conditions also triggered further minor flooding across creeks and low-lying areas, compounding logistical issues. This wet spell highlighted the importance of planning for flooding and ensuring infrastructure and management systems are in place to adapt quickly to changing conditions. While the damage was relatively limited this time, it served as a reminder of the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather and the need for continued investment in flood mitigation.
Stemphylium in onions: a silent battle
Stemphylium continues to challenge onion producers, with the disease showing stubborn persistence in certain regions. While some progress has been made in understanding the underlying factors that encourage its presence—particularly the role of soil health—an Innovation Fund proposal to further research the disease has been sent back for revision, delaying much-needed investigation.
Encouragingly, early trials suggest that Trichoderma species may hold promise in suppressing the disease, although results are mixed and appear highly strain-specific. Researchers and agronomists are also exploring the influence of alternate host crops, irrigation systems, and fungicide strategies. With global concerns about fungicide resistance, especially to Stemphylium, the urgency to screen registered Australian fungicides for efficacy is growing.
Continued investment in research and robust on-farm trials will be critical to developing integrated disease management strategies that protect yield while reducing chemical reliance.
Agronomists breakfast: knowledge in action
Agronomists watching a presentation on fall armyworm
On 21 March, VegNET SEQ hosted the latest Agronomists Breakfast—a cornerstone initiative under Focus Area 4: Biosecurity, Pests and Disease Preparedness. The event brought together 13 agronomists, growers, and managers alongside four QDAF presenters, a chemical industry representative, and VegNET facilitators. The breakfast served as a forum for updating frontline advisors on pest threats, management strategies, and the latest research developments. Key topics included:
- American serpentine leaf miner: Identification, lifecycle, resistance patterns, and the role of beneficial predatory insects. Presented by Praise Taddle (QDAF).
- Fall armyworm (FAW): Updates on RapidAIM trap data, challenges with trap reliability, and field trial outcomes. Presented by Darren Brown.
- Sweet corn IPM trials: Use of sun hemp as a companion crop showed increased beneficial insects but no reduction in FAW pressure. Cob quality was maintained despite a slight reduction in cob mass.
- Spray strategies: Comparison between band and blanket spraying showed similar effectiveness, but band spraying significantly reduced chemical use. Presented by John Duff (QDAF).
- Chemical efficacy: Success Neo was highly effective on FAW but also detrimental to beneficials, raising concerns about long-term sustainability.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 78 percent of participants indicating they would change or consider changing their advice to growers based on the new information. There were also strong calls for future workshops on diamondback moth control, earwig management, spray application efficacy, and more practical field-based events. Several participants emphasised the need for stronger biocontrol solutions and more accessible updates on new chemistry, resistance trends, and minor use permits.
Towards stronger collaboration
In response to growing challenges, several industry bodies—including AUSVEG, Hort Innovation, QFF, QFVG, and VegNET—have expressed a shared interest in creating a more collaborative service delivery model for the South-East Queensland region. One concept currently under discussion is the establishment of a regional hub based at the University of Queensland, where researchers, industry leaders, and government representatives can meet regularly, share resources, and align efforts.
The University of Queensland has shown interest in taking on a larger role in applied horticultural research and community engagement. Such a hub could serve as a dynamic centre for knowledge exchange, project coordination, and regional problem-solving— bringing together all corners of the vegetable industry to build stronger, more resilient production systems.
Looking forward
Despite the challenges of 2025 so far, the South-East Queensland vegetable industry is adapting, learning, and growing stronger. From flood recovery to disease suppression and pest preparedness, the focus remains clear: work together, share knowledge, and keep innovation at the forefront.
VegNET – South-East Queensland will continue to support growers, agronomists, and researchers through its tailored extension services, events, and industry-wide initiatives. With stronger collaboration, cutting-edge research, and boots-on-the-ground support, the region is well-positioned to overcome current threats and thrive into the future.