Leading Victorian researchers will reveal key aspects of their work to combat crop disease and enhance the viability of Victoria’s potato industry at a seminar to be held at Creswick on Thursday evening.

As part of its Potato Industry Extension Program, AUSVEG will be holding the seminar for growers, processors and other interested industry parties.
AUSVEG is the National Peak Industry Body for Australia’s 9,000 vegetable and potato growers.
Researchers from the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (Vic DPI) will be the key speakers for the evening.
“This is an excellent opportunity for growers and processors to hear about how Research and Development (R&D) can be implemented practically and what it can offer them in the short and long term,” said AUSVEG Manager – Special Projects, Christopher Ritchie.
The seminar will take place in Creswick on Thursday 28 June at the American Hotel.
“We appreciate it is a busy period for growers and processors, so we have scheduled the seminar for the evening, from 6pm to 8:30pm, which will be a catered event,” said Mr Ritchie.
“Dr Brendan Rodoni will be discussing research findings on Potato virus Y (PVY) and strategies under way to identify disease resistance, as well as diagnostic testing for Zebra chip pathogens in Australia’s potato crops,” said Mr Ritchie.
“His colleagues, Dr Tonya Wiechel and Dr Dolf de Boer, will speak about DNA diagnostic tests for soilborne pathogens and approaches to disease management respectively,” said Mr Ritchie.
The Potato Industry Extension Program, managed by AUSVEG, is a three year project which aims to raise awareness of R&D activities funded by industry and the Australian Government, and provide growers and processors with information that can be used on a practical level.
AUSVEG has already held a successful potato industry seminar in Devonport, Tasmania in March. The Victorian seminar is the second in a series which AUSVEG will hold in Australia’s major potato growing regions.
“All these seminars, involving leading researchers and industry commentators, will ensure the ideas of growers, processors, suppliers, agronomists and researchers become more widely available and more readily shared,” said Mr Ritchie.
“Events like this enable growers and processors to receive lucid and intelligible information about R&D projects, and provide an opportunity for them to raise questions and speak with researchers in an informal manner,” said Mr Ritchie.
Interested parties are required to register for this event and should contact AUSVEG on (03) 9822 0388 for more information.
This project has been funded by HAL using the potato industry levy and matched funds from the Australian Government.
MEDIA CONTACT: Christopher Ritchie – Manager – Special Projects, AUSVEG Phone: (03) 9822 0388, Mobile: 0401 350 406, Email: christopher.ritchie@ausveg.com.au