Introduction
Anjli Punia began farming in May 2022 in Corindi, northern NSW. She started with 12 tunnel houses and has since expanded to 21 houses across two locations, including a large multi-span greenhouse in Boambee from March 2023.
Water is sourced from a dam at the Corindi property, where some run-off is piped into a smaller dam which then flows into a larger dam. The dam can become low in dryer times and, as carted water costs $365 or more a day, water budgeting becomes very important.

Introduction
Protected cropping and hydroponic systems have provided the Northern Territory’s horticulture industry with an opportunity to diversify its market and grow produce that otherwise would not survive or grow as well in a conventional farming system.
In a VegNET NT survey of vegetable growers in late 2023, protected cropping was one of the most requested topics for VegNET to focus on in 2024, with farm trials highlighted as a popular method for information to be shared. This was consistent with the feedback received from growers in late 2022.

Introduction
In northern Queensland, vegetable crops are increasingly targeted by pests that threaten yield and quality.
To manage these pests, beneficial insects are often introduced to act as natural predators. Traditionally, this process is completed manually by hand, but with advances in technology, drones are now being explored as an alternative method.
VegNET Northern Queensland conducted a trial to evaluate and compare the efficacy of drone-assisted and hand release methods for the distribution of beneficial insects in vegetable crops, focusing on factors such as coverage, cost, labour, and pest control outcomes.

Introduction
Across the growing season, fruit yields fluctuate. Fruit loads vary as the plants respond to changes in temperature, disease load, humidity and other factors.
These fluctuations present several challenges for growers.
If actual yield exceeds what the grower expected, they may need to:
• Add members to their picking team
• Fold additional boxes
• Request packing line staff to undertake overtime
• Revoke an agreement to allow another grower to use their in-house packing line

Introduction
Beet cyst nematode (Heterodera schachtii) is a major nematode pest of brassica crops worldwide.
Substantial productivity loss in brassica crops associated with cyst nematodes has been recorded on the Northern Adelaide Plains, with an estimated $2.5 million in crop damage to date (past season) and a further $5.5 million in damages estimated by regional agronomists over the next two years.
This regional issue poses significant challenges in the Northern Adelaide Plains production region and could potentially have flow-on effects to the supply of key
crops such as broccoli, leading to price spikes for these commodities if not effectively managed.

Introduction

South-east Queensland, like other horticultural areas in Australia, hosts a range of farming systems including conventional, organic, protected cropping and hydroponics.
On a global scale, across these systems, pests destroy more than 40 per cent of the potential global food production despite the annual use of approximately three million tonnes of pesticides1.

Introduction

Peas are an important rotational vegetable crop in Tasmania, providing a good source of organic nitrogen and a positive effect on soil health.
Tasmania grows approximately 99% of Australia’s processing peas, and they are essential to crop rotations in different farming systems in Tasmania including vegetables, poppies, grain and pyrethrum.
With input costs rising and a comparatively slower increase in the sale price for peas, it is becoming a more marginal
crop to grow.

Introduction

VegNET Gippsland, in partnership with Schreurs & Sons, Syngenta and Muirs, hosted a drone spray demonstration
night in April 2024. Drones are a significant topic of interest to Victorian vegetable growers with around 60 attendees from 14 vegetable farms embracing the opportunity to see a spray drone in action and talk to growers who have used it.
Oztech Drones showcased the XAG P100 Pro at the event, with owner Jamin Fleming receiving over 10 enquires afterwards. Multiple drones are expected to be delivered to Gippsland growers in 2024.

Introduction

In the horticulture and vegetable industry there is an ongoing need to investigate and identify ways to improve efficiency, reduce waste and manage costs.
To better understand how vegetable businesses might identify opportunities to improve efficiency across their production systems, VegNET Victoria (North, West and Southeast) held two workshops to introduce lean management principles as one method through which efficiency might be tackled.

Introduction

With appropriate support, growers can apply research findings to their unique production systems using field investigations that generate data and observations to inform on-farm practice.
This approach has been successful for growers in Carnarvon’s horticulture industry, leading to the adaptation and integration of a biomineral production system into farming practices across a range of fruit and vegetable crops.