Hail damage was reported across South Australia in late October 2021, and AUSVEG SA continues to extend its support to affected growers and producers. Yanyu Liang provides an update on the response to this devastating weather event, as well as other SA vegetable industry activities.

Hail damage was reported across South Australia in late October 2021, and AUSVEG SA continues to extend its support to affected growers and producers. VegNET – South Australia Regional Development Officer Yanyu Liang provides an update on the response to this devastating weather event, as well as other SA vegetable industry activities.

State-wide hail damage response

AUSVEG SA continues to work on behalf of the many growers and farmers across the state affected by the October hail storms, which were particularly damaging for growers across the Northern Adelaide Plains.

In the immediate aftermath of the event, AUSVEG SA worked with many media and government stakeholders to ensure that key decision-makers understood the serious nature of the event and the devastation it caused for industry.

AUSVEG SA also briefed politicians from across all parties at the federal and state level on the issues.

On 29 October 2021, AUSVEG SA hosted the Minister for Primary Industries, the Hon. David Basham MP and senior executives from The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) to view the aftermath of the storms across many affected farms in the region (both greenhouse and field).

AUSVEG SA is in regular contact with PIRSA, the Minister for Primary Industries and Regions and other industry groups and will be working with the government to communicate resources and information to the industry.

Growers with any questions and concerns can contact AUSVEG SA CEO Jordan Brooke-Barnett on 0404 772 308.

Connecting SA horticulture producers to ag-tech startups

AUSVEG SA hosted its first ever Ag-tech Meetup Breakfast on 11 November 2021 at the SA Produce Market Café.

The event brought together a number of SA ag-tech startups and vegetable and horticulture producers, with the aim to build an understanding about the problems facing our sector and potential opportunities and solutions available through emerging technology. In attendance were innovative companies working in field robotics, drone imagery, sales data and artificial intelligence, and they were keen to meet with the industry.

Attention ag-tech developers

Expressions of interest are open to ag-tech developers who would like to evaluate and validate their products at PIRSA’s ag-tech testbeds, which are located on its demonstration farms. Establishing testbeds is the latest activity under the State Government’s $7.6 million ag-tech program.

For approved trials, PIRSA will contribute time and expertise of technical and research staff as well as access to farm fields, paddocks and crops, and access to co-working space. Ag-tech testbeds will be set up on the State Government’s demonstration farms to conduct rigorous, replicable testing of new technologies as part of the development process.

For further information about trialling your ag-tech product or solution, please visit pir.sa.gov.au/primary_industry/ agtech/testbeds or contact Senior Ag- Tech Extension Officer Robyn Terry by emailing robyn.terry@sa.gov.au.

Emerging Leaders Program set to launch

AUSVEG SA and VegNET SA are pleased to announce that our first informal meeting for the Emerging Leaders Program was successfully hosted in SA Produce Market on 3 December 2021.

A key focus of this program is to establish an emerging leaders communication format to support greater engagement and communication between young people in the SA horticulture industry. Members of the Management and Advisory Boards attended the meeting to discuss the appropriate timing and format for the event.

It is likely the event will be held over three hours on a farm in September or October this year, which will allow for sit-down presentations in a shed followed by a field walk and refreshments. Planning for this event is well-underway, and VegNET SA will continue to provide updates.

We strongly encourage young growers and staff members from large growing businesses – who want to improve their interaction with peers and access leadership development opportunities – to get involved.

If readers have any questions regarding R&D or suggestions for workshops or field days, please contact VegNET – SA on the details below.

Find out more

Please contact AUSVEG SA Chief Executive Officer Jordan Brooke-Barnett on 0404 772 308 or email jordan.brooke-barnett@ausveg.com.au.

VegNET 3.0 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: VG21000

Cover image: Platfarm CEO and Co-Founder Oli Madgett speaks to attendees at the Ag-tech Meetup Breakfast in November 2021.