News and events
Featured News
Featured events
PotatoLink webinar: Tomato/Potato Psyllid (TPP) Australia Update Webinar
Join the PotatoLink webinar for insights into the latest updates on the Tomato/Potato Psyllid (TPP) situation affecting Australian farms.
This webinar will provide an update on the Tomato/Potato Psyllid (TPP) situation in Australia, along with information about the causal organism of Zebra Chip (CLso) and information regarding managing TPP from NZ
Speakers:
Dr Paul Horne is an entomologist and since 1996 has been owner and director of IPM Technologies Pty Ltd. Paul has been involved with the development and implementation of IPM practices with a wide range of crops, and has specialized in potato crops in Australia for over 30 years.
Shakira Johnson is the biosecurity coordinator at AUSVEG, focusing on raising awareness of pests and pathogens not yet in Australian or recently arrived that negatively affect the Australian potato industry.
Mia Novakovic from AuSPICA has valuable insights into the certified potato seed industry, and will be discussing symptoms of CLso seen in the New Zealand potato industry.
Associated resources:
Monitoring psyllids and psyllid predators in Australian crops 2019 report
PotatoLink webinar overview and update on TPP and Zebra Chip 2022
Ag Tech in Action: Innovations for the Potato and Vegetable Industry
Join the PotatoLink team for a field walk and discussion on ag tech in the potato and vegetable industry.
The agenda will include:
Field demonstration of drone spraying and fertiliser application in potatoes. Presented by grower, Danny Omodei
Grower panel discussion on using drones in potatoes
Advanced vegetable mechanisation to maximise labour and cost efficiency (VG23003) project update - Presented by Julie O’Halloran, Queensland Department of Primary Industries
Using the Open Weed Locator open-source software for spot spraying - Presented by grower, Jake Ryan
Trade display featuring:
WA Potatoes: Smart Spud impact sensor technology
Coldahold: Tolsma Grisnich cool storage technology
Farmlink Rural: MAIT irrigation monitoring and management systems
Light refreshments will be provided at the end of the event.
Please arrive with clean boots, clothes and vehicles.
Click here to view the event flyer
More information
Rachel Lancaster, PotatoLink Regional Representative on 0428 771 937 or rachel@eatswa.com.au
Soil Wealth ICP Webinar: Greenhouse gas accounting and practical steps to reduce emissions on farm
Join the Soil Wealth ICP team for an insightful webinar on greenhouse gas accounting and practical steps to reduce emissions on farms.
The webinar will feature subject matter experts Clinton Muller (RMCG) and Liam Southam Rogers (Applied Horticultural Research) who will explore:
Overview of farm emissions – understanding scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and current industry requirements
Practical tools – using the H-GAF greenhouse gas emissions calculator
Grower case studies and panel session – with insights from guest speakers John Said (Fresh Select) and Carl Young (Redgold) discussing approaches to reducing emissions on farm and building climate resilient farming systems
Actionable steps – key strategies to reduce emissions and how to get started
Building Better Soils: A Masterclass on Soil Biology
Masterclass registration requests are now open!
Join the Soil Wealth ICP team for a hands-on, two-day Soil Health Masterclass designed specifically for vegetable and melon growers and agronomists. Dive deep into the science and practical management of soil biology and discover how to unlock the potential of your soils to enhance crop productivity, improve nutrient cycling, and ensure sustainable farming practices.
What to Expect:
In-depth Learning: Learn from experts about soil biology and how it can directly improve vegetable production. Topics will include soil structure, management practices to enhance soil biology, how soil biology can breakdown biomass and agrichemicals, nutrient availability, nitrogen calculating and much more.
Practical Application: Gain hands-on experience through practical sessions focused on how to manage soil biology for healthier crops and better yields through practices such as cover cropping, crop rotations, reduced tillage and soil amendments.
Field Visit: See theory in action with a field visit to a Soil Wealth ICP demonstration site, where you’ll learn how nitrogen from legume and cereal cover crop residues is being used to support vegetable brassica crops.
Panel Discussion: Engage with experts in a panel discussion, exploring current challenges, solutions, and the future of soil health in vegetable farming.
To view the full program, please click here and to download the flyer click here.
This is an excellent opportunity for vegetable and melon growers and agronomists to expand their knowledge and apply new strategies for improving soil health, enhancing crop performance, and fostering long-term sustainability.
Who Should Attend:
Vegetable and melon growers and agronomists looking to gain a deeper understanding of soil biology to improve soil health, productivity and sustainability, and apply learnings to their production system.
Registration:
This masterclass is limited to 30 participants and is open to growers and agronomists across Australia. Participants must have a basic understanding of soil biology and soil health. Due to the limited number of spots, we will review each application and will notify you whether or not you have been successful in securing a spot.
Click here to send a registration request.
Meet the Presenters:
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Doris has extensive experience in agricultural business development, resource management and R&D. She has a good understanding of agricultural product systems and supply chains. Her strengths are strategy and concept development, innovative thinking, problem solving, multi-disciplinary project management and communication on all levels with a broad range of people. Doris is a soil expert and has been recognised for her dedication to improving Australian soil and crop health through the Soil Wealth ICP by being named 2024 Bayer Horticulture Researcher of the Year.
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Dr Montagu has research and education expertise in irrigation, water management, soils and managing climate change impacts on agriculture. He has worked with LandCare, USAID, Irrigation New Zealand, CCRSPI (Climate Change Research Strategy for Primary Industries), Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Forest Research Center and ICE-WARM. He has previously worked for Cooperative Research Centre’s for Irrigation Futures and Greenhouse Accounting.
As an inaugural member of the Soil Wealth ICP project, if you’ve got a question about s cover crops or tillage, look no further than Kelvin. Kelvin works closely with growers to trial cover crops and biofumigants and examine their impacts on soil health; he also has extensive knowledge of soil biology and how growers can improve their irrigation and water management.
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Camilla is an agricultural scientist with a broad skillset across horticulture, including vegetables and perennial tree crops. She has a history of applied research in plant nutrition, physiology and integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) and has worked on the stewardship of agricultural protection products for grower adoption. Camilla provides her technical expertise to the Soil Wealth ICP project to communicate research to growers.
Find Out More:
Please contact Sophia Thach, Applied Horticultural Research | 0413 937 313 | sophia.thach@ahr.com.au
Improving soil health, FAW management and input use efficiencies in vegetable and potato crops
Date: Wednesday 26 March, 2025
Time: 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Location: Bundaberg, TBC
More information and to register: Click here
Join the Soil Wealth ICP, PotatoLink, VegNET and Fall armyworm projects for a field event exploring topics of improving soil health using cover crops, Fall armyworm management and input use efficiencies in vegetable and potato farming systems.
Soil Wealth ICP Webinar: Gummy Stem Blight in melons
Join the Soil Wealth ICP team for a webinar with Dr Len Tesoriero (Crop Doc Consulting) to explore Gummy Stem Blight in melons and its management options.
Gummy Stem Blight is one of the most damaging diseases in melon crops worldwide. This webinar will delve into various aspects of the disease, from its life cycle, to how it spreads, its pathogenicity, and management options.
Dr Tesoriero’s 30-minute webinar will be followed by an extensive Q&A session.
Register here