The recent Agronomist Networking Breakfast brought together 32 participants from across the region for a morning of shared learning, collaboration and industry updates. The event created a valuable platform for agronomists, growers, and service providers to connect and discuss the key issues shaping vegetable production today.

Attendees heard from AUSVEG representatives David Daniels and Rose Daniel, who delivered an engaging overview of several important national initiatives and upcoming changes.

Their presentation covered:

• Agrichemical regulatory updates and what these changes mean for growers and advisors
• Permit use and compliance and the importance of staying aligned with evolving requirements
• Insights from the Strategic Agrichemical Review Process (SARP)
• Updates on the national VegWatch project, supporting early detection and monitoring of priority pests and diseases
• The new AUSVEG Farm Biosecurity Manual, created to help growers strengthen on farm preparedness and resilience

In-region grower engagement

While in the region, AUSVEG and VegNET also visited five vegetable growers, providing hands on engagement and opportunities for meaningful, one-on-one conversations. These growers represented a diverse range of production systems and crops, including eggplant, zucchini, capsicums, sweet corn, pumpkins, and more.

Growers openly discussed the challenges they face across different production environments, particularly the contrast between protected cropping and in-field production. One of the dominant themes was the complexity of managing pests and diseases when chemical registrations and available permit options differ between systems.

Key concerns around upcoming chemical reviews

Many growers expressed concerns about the upcoming chemical reviews being conducted by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), which are expected to place increased pressure on the range of chemistry available to the vegetable industry. While there is strong interest in new chemistries entering the market, growers highlighted that Australia is on track to lose more older, established chemistries through regulatory review than it is gaining through new registrations.

This imbalance could limit growers’ ability to rotate actives effectively, an essential strategy for resistance management, and may further constrain options for smaller or niche crops that already rely heavily on minor use permits. The discussion reinforced the importance of strong industry advocacy, reliable data through SARP and continued communication between growers, advisors, and regulatory bodies.

Supporting growers through biosecurity planning

Following the visit, the VegNET team has already supported the completion of four on-farm biosecurity plans, helping growers align with best practice frameworks and strengthen their preparedness.

Additional biosecurity planning opportunities will be rolled out in the new year, with the aim of supporting even more growers across the region.

FURTHER READING & RESOURCES

• For access to the latest SARP reports (identifying gaps in chemical control, pest management needs, and recommendation priorities), see the Vegetable Industry SARP report
• To review the most recent guidance on farm biosecurity practices, including risk pathways, checklists and biosecurity plan templates, view the AUSVEG Farm Biosecurity Manual (2025 edition)
• For information about the VegWatch project, see the program summary
• For the regulatory process and decisions around chemical reviews in Australia, check the chemical review overview from APVMA

FIND OUT MORE
Please contact Jessy Logan Regional Development
Officer on 0407 366 797 | vegnet@bfvg.com.au