PotatoLink workshop WA: Seed storage and disease
Registration: Click here to register
[Please register as numbers are required for catering]
Join the PotatoLink team for a workshop on seed storage and seed diseases, where experts will share practices and strategies to ensure healthy seed management for a successful potato harvest.
Topics:
1. Presented by Dr Jenny Ekman
Learn about best practices for seed storage and its crucial role in preserving seed quality and viability.
Learn practical tips and techniques to optimise storage conditions and mitigate risks.
2. Presented by David Tooke
What to consider when purchasing seed potatoes, with his topic of ‘Seed Quality – do you know what you are buying?’
3. Presented by Wossen Mengesha
Hear about the DPIRD PREDICTA Pt project, a tool to assist growers in predicting and managing potato diseases. Gain insights into how this innovative technology can enhance your disease management practices.
4. Presented by Simon Moltoni
Learn about potato biosecurity and how to implement measures to safeguard your crops from invasive pests and diseases.
International Day of Potato (30 May)
Following the talks, join us for a visit to Coldahold Cold Storage.
The event will begin with a lunch and following the event there will be drinks and an opportunity to continue talking with fellow growers and presenters.
For more information, please contact: Rachel Lancaster | 0428 771 937 | rachel@eatswa.com.au
Meet the host:
-
Rachel has worked in research and extension with WA horticultural businesses for more than 28 years. After many years with the WA Department of Agriculture, in 2016 she left to become principal of EATS (Environmental and Agricultural Testing Services) as well as consulting privately on a wide range of research projects. As a result, Rachel has investigated plant nutrition, disease, insect and weed management and efficient crop irrigation. With skills in implementing and analysing trials as well as working with growers
Meet the speakers:
-
Dr Ekman has more than 20 years’ horticultural research experience. She is a postharvest physiologist and communicator who works to maximise produce freshness and value while minimising supply chain losses. She is passionate about applying science to improve commercial and consumer outcomes.
Dr Ekman has excellent writing and communication skills and is an effective translator of scientific language into information readily understood and used by growers. You can read her work in the PotatoLink magazine where she delivers the technical content found inside the pages.
-
David has worked in the potato sector for 24 years including 10 years assisting with research into nutrition and diseases for ware, processing and seed potatoes, 9 years as field inspector for Seed Certification and 5 years as Senior Certification Officer for the Seed Potato Scheme.
-
Wossen’s research is focussed on vegetable pathology and he is currently conducting trials aimed at providing prescriptive solutions for growers in WA. He completed his PhD at University of Tasmania in 2017 where he evaluated the effectiveness of compost extracts from variable substrates as microbial mediated disease management against bacterial wilt and leaf spot of potatoes.
He spent few years as soil and plant health diagnostic scientist in a commercial laboratory in Victoria. Wossen is currently evaluating the relationship of incidence of range of potato tuber blemish diseases with pre-planting soil and peel DNA of major pathogens across different soil types and regions in WA by utilising SARDI’s PREDICTA Pt system. If its usefulness is demonstrated under WA conditions, this test may provide additional information that growers can incorporate as part of their decision-making process for potato crop management.
ext goes here
-
WA Potatoes is the peak industry body, representing potato growers across the state of Western Australia.
The Association represents around 100 growers and provides the following services to industry:
Advocacy and Representation
Research and Development
Marketing and Promotion
Communications, including regular Grower Updates
Hort Connections 2024
Australia and New Zealand’s largest horticulture conference and trade show.
To make Hort Connections assessable and thanks to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australian growers are able to apply for funding of up to $1,000 for expenses such as a conference pass, accommodation and flights.
Apply for funding here and find out more about Hort Connections 2024 here.
World Potato Congress Adelaide 2024
Date: 23 to 26 June 2024
Location: Adelaide Convention Centre
More information: Click here
Registration: Click here
Preliminary Programme
The preliminary programme is provided as an initial indication of general programme activities at WCP2024. The WPC2024 Congress exhibition will be open from Sunday afternoon until Tuesday afternoon. The lecture halls are focused around the central exhibition hall with excellent networking space and meeting options available for our sponsors and exhibitors.
Potatoes Australia is hosting the 12th World Potato Congress in Adelaide. If you would like to receive updates as a delegate, are interested in speaking or becoming a sponsor, or perhaps having a trade display please contact them on their website.
Input use efficiency workshop (Tas) – a focus on nutrition and irrigation
Presenters: Doris Blaesing (RMCG), Marek Matuszek (AgLogic) Tim Walker (Walker Ag; PotatoLink)
Registration: Click here to register
Lunch included. Registrations are essential for catering purposes.
Keen to cut the costs of inputs and produce more sustainably?
Well, the presenters are keen to assist potato, vegetable and onion growers and agronomists who have been struggling with these issues.
The session will be informative and interactive with a focus on how growers can get the most out of the inputs they are applying, while minimising waste, and maintaining yields and quality.
So, come along with any questions, concerns and comments and be prepared to share those with fellow growers and agronomists during the workshop.
Topics include:
Doris and Tim, during their nutrition presentation, will focus on:
Timing of application aligned to crop growth stages
Removal rates
Monitoring and sampling
Methods of application
Nutrient function
Marek and Tim will head the irrigation discussion, focusing on:
Use of ag tech – probes and weather stations for monitoring soil moisture and other conditions: How do they work? What data is obtained? How do you interpret the data? How can they help with decision making?
Also, there will be a discussion on different needs for different crops and varieties.
And we will also hear leading growers’ experiences with the above topics.
Contact: Tim Walker – 0439 333 811, tim.walker@potatolink.com.au
This workshop is brought to you by PotatoLink, Soil Wealth ICP, VegNET Tasmania, AgLogic, and the onion communications and extension project.
PotatoLink workshop, Tas: Seed Certification Information Day
Date: Wednesday 24 April 2024
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Forthside Vegetable Research Facility, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)
124 Forthside Rd, Forthside TAS 7310, Australia
Registration: Book your free ticket here. [Please register as numbers are required for the light refreshments.]
Want to know more about how to get the most out of your seed?
Join TasSeed Manager Doug Clark, Tasmanian Seed Potato Certification Scheme and PotatoLink regional representative, Tim Walker for a workshop on getting the most out of your seed.
Come along to see a rundown of the national seed potato certification scheme and its Tasmanian appendix.
A hands-on session on tuber inspection, identification of pest and diseases will be followed by a round table discussion of any industry seed issues.
Guest speaker Frank Mulcahy will discuss his recent trip to the USA and their experiences with Potato Virus Y.
This is a great opportunity to ask seed certifiers questions and see the process of certifying a line of seed potatoes.
For more information, please contact: Tim Walker | 0439 333 811 | tim.walker@potatolink.com.au
Field Event: Sustainable Soil Management
Date: Thursday 14 March
Time: 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: South Kolan, QLD
Registration: Click here
Join our field event where you will gain insights on how to maximise crop returns through improved soil health and input use efficiency.
Topics include:
Rotations - breaking the cropping cycle with cover crops, how to choose the right species, considerations for timing of planting, termination and termination methods.
Managing the cost of inputs - with a focus on nitrogen, nitrogen budgeting, the use of legumes to supply nitrogen.
Soil biology - its functions in the soil, practices that build it and degrade it, tools for measuring it, understanding it (including its challenges).
Improving soil health - reduced tillage, building soil organic matter, structure, infiltration, soil biology.
Just added: Horsch Cultro TC - double knife roller. The Cultro TC is highly efficient at crushing catch-crop populations to ultra-shallow stubble cultivation, with very low fuel consumption. Read more about the technical specifications here.
Meet the presenter:
Dr Kelvin Montagu, Soil Wealth Integrated Crop Protection (SWICP)
If you’ve got a question about 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.
Get in touch:
For more information, contact:
Naomi Diplock, PotatoLink on 0403 740 123 or naomi.diplock@ahr.com.au
Jessy Logan, VegNET on 0407 366 797 or vegnet@bfvg.com.au
The event will also include a light lunch. Registrations are essential. Address will be emailed closer to the event date.
This event is hosted by Soil Wealth ICP, VegNET Wide Bay Burnett, PotatoLink and funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (Hort Innovation) using potato industry levies and the vegetable industry levy.
PotatoLink in-person event, Thorpdale, Vic: Disease management with international experts
PotatoLink will be joined by four international potato experts who will be sharing insights into disease management for maximising inputs and yield to potato growers, advisors and industry members in Thorpdale, Victoria. Join us for this free event!
Forthside Research Facility Field Day (TAS)
Join TIA for a day of presentations, discussions and field walks focussed on the theme of 'growing value for cool climate horticulture'.
Murray Bridge, SA: Seed & Disease Management Workshop with Dr Phill Wharton (USA)
Join the PotatoLink team for an interactive workshop with international guest and expert potato pathologist, Dr Phillip Wharton (USA) in Murray Bridge, SA.
Mt Gambier, SA: Seed & Disease Management Workshop with Dr Phill Wharton (USA)
Join the PotatoLink team for an interactive workshop with international guest and expert potato pathologist, Dr Phillip Wharton (USA) in Mt Gambier, SA
Ballarat, VIC: Seed & Disease Management Workshop with Dr Phill Wharton (USA)
Join the PotatoLink team for an interactive workshop with international guest and expert potato pathologist, Dr Phillip Wharton (USA) in Ballarat, VIC.
Queensland Smart Farms: Gatton AgTech showcase
Gatton AgTech showcase
Date: Wednesday 1 November 2023
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Location: DAF Gatton Smart Farm, Warrego Highway, Gatton Queensland
Registration: Click here to register
Join the Queensland smart farms team for a showcase of the latest innovations in field robotics, sensors, drones, protected cropping, postharvest, cover cropping and strip tillage, and more.
This event brings together horticulture growers, agribusinesses, technology companies, consultants, researchers, and students from the Lockyer Valley, and across Queensland and Australia for a festival of technology and innovative ideas.
Featuring:
Field robotics demos from Robotti, Farmdroid & Stout
Postharvest displays from iTrazo & Escavox
Protected cropping displays from DAF, Cravo & Priva
Field AgTech and drone demos
Expert speakers on the latest AgTech
To find out more about the event, please contact: gattonagtechshowcase@cussonsmedia.com.au
Deep dive into international consumer demand for the vegetable industry
Date: Wednesday October 25
Time: 3.00pm to 4.00pm AEDT
Registration: Please confirm your attendance via email to lara.mitchell@horticulture.com.au and we will send you the Microsoft Teams meeting details to add to your calendar.
Hort Innovation invites you to attend an online session on Wednesday October 25 that will give attendees an in-depth look at the outcomes for the vegetable industry from the project Australian horticulture international demand creation (ST21007).
Patrick Fry, Partner at Kantar, will give attendees a look at the context, the methods and the outputs included in the vegetable category report as well as an overview of the 13 key market reports that have been produced for this project.
The online meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams.
Please note that the session will be recorded, and is open to Australian industry representatives.
For more information on Hort Innovation's International Trade function, please visit the Hort Innovation website here.
If you have any questions, please contact lara.mitchell@horticulture.com.au.
RIC Farm Investment Loan – Information Webinar
Date: 25 October, 2023
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm (AEDT)
Registration: Click here to register
This free webinar is for:
RIC farm loan applicants
Rural Financial Counsellors
Agricultural industry groups
About the RIC
Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) is an Australian Government-backed specialist finance provider of concessional loans for farmers and farm-related small businesses in financial need.
RIC loans help to accelerate start-ups, or when faced with severe business disruption, they support to recover, prepare and grow. Their vision is to build thriving regional communities.
RIC is looking forward to having you attend the event! RIC value your privacy please read the RIC Privacy policy.
Consumer insights in sustainability, Australia's global position, and the implications for the horticulture sector
Date: Monday October 23 2023
Time: 11am to 12pm (AEDT)
Location: Online via zoom
Registration: Click here to register
Hort Innovation would like to invite you to participate in this informative webinar alongside industry bodies, growers, packers, government agencies, and fresh food retailers as we delve into consumer insights in sustainability, Australia's global position, and the implications for the horticulture sector.
During this concise 60-minute session, experts from Nielsen and Fiftyfive5 will provide updates on the importance of sustainability, Australia's comparative performance on the global stage, and the associated opportunities and impacts for the horticulture industry. The session concludes with an interactive 10 minute Q&A segment.
These consumer insights are produced through our multi-industry projects Consumer behavioural data program (MT21004) and Consumer usage and attitude tracking 2022/23 (MT21202).
PotatoLink Webinar: Biofumigants and cover crops for disease and nematode management
Date: Tuesday 5th September
Time: 4 - 5 pm (AEST)
Location: Delivered online via zoom
Registration: Click here to regisiter
Join the PotatoLink team for an upcoming webinar with leading biofumigant and cover crop researchers John Duff (QDAF) and Mieke Daneel (ARC, South Africa). Our guest speakers will discuss:
What are biofumigants and how do they work?
How can they be used for disease and nematode management?
Considerations when choosing biofumigant species
Results from South African studies screening cover crops for control of nematodes
Case studies with potatoes
Presenters
John Duff
Senior Plant Protectionist at Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland
John works with vegetable and nursery crops as a plant protectionist dealing with both insect and disease management. He is interested in all aspects of integrated crop management trying to help growers manage their insect and disease issues using the most effective and environmentally safe pesticides possible.
Dr Mieke Daneel
Nematologist at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), South Africa
Mieke was awarded her PhD at the Rand Afrikaans University in 1989 after which she started working at ARC - Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops (originally Department of Agriculture). She is based in Mbombela. The research of Mieke and her team is focused on alternative control strategies for nematodes in bananas, subtropical crops and vegetables.
Additional Resources
PotatoLink Webinar: Yield mapping with HarvestEye
Date: Wednesday 30 August
Time: 5 - 6 pm (AEST)
Location: Delivered online via zoom
Registration: Click here to register
Yield monitoring is an important part of assessing how a season has gone. In the grains industry this can be a relatively easy task to accomplish, however, in potatoes this is a bit harder. Join the PotatoLink team as we speak with Vee Gururajan from HarvestEye and Abe Montano from Elders as they explain the new technological developments that may make accurate, GPS based, yield monitoring an easy activitiy in potato production.
Presenters
Vidyanath (Vee) Gururajan
Vee is a co-inventor and Managing Director of HarvestEye Limited providing insight for the fresh produce industry, Managing Director of group agri-tech companies and an Executive Board Director at Branston Ltd, potato retail packer in the UK with a varied portfolio.
Abraham (Abe) Montano
Abe is the Elders’ Seed Potato Sales Manager. He has been working with HarvestEye, to bring the technology to Australia.
Abe and Vee at the 2023 Hort Connections Conference
Across the Paddocks - improving your farm's resilience using cover crops Kindred
Date: Thursday 17 August 2023
Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Johnson’s Farm, Swamp Road, Kindred, Tasmania
Registration and Information: Ben Correy bcorrey@cradlecoast.com/0474 325 192 by Monday 14 August (for catering - light lunch provided). Free event
Details: Join us in the paddock to explore the benefits of using a cover crop in times of increasing climate uncertainty. Our guest speakers will share their knowledge and experience. You will hear about the strategies used and the equipment employed to establish cover crops in rotation. See the results and benefit from hearing about the lessons learned.
Guest speakers:
Tim Walker - PotatoLink/Walker Ag
Neil Johnson – Farm Manager, Kindred
Theresa Chapman - UTAS PhD candidate; cover crop researcher
Bernie Prins – Simplot R & D Manager
PotatoLink WA workshop and field walk: diseases, biosecurity & cover crops
Date: Tuesday 15 August
Time: 1 pm - 4:30 pm
Location: Jindong WA, Location to be provided to registrants
Registration: Click here to register (Registration is essential for catering)
Are you interested in better management of potato diseases in your rotations?
Join the PotatoLink team and a range of guest speakers for an informative workshop and field walk on potato disease identification and management, biosecurity and cover crop selection and management.
A light lunch will be provided, for more information please contact Rachel Lancaster
0428 771 937 rachel.lancaster@potatolink.com.au.
Agenda
1:00 pm: lunch
1:30 - 3:00 pm: Talks in Fire Shed
1:30 - 2:00 pm: Potato diseases – Andrew Taylor, Plant pathologist from DPIRD
2:00 – 2.30 pm: Biosecurity – Shakira Johnson from AUSVEG;
2:30 – 3:00 pm: Cover Crops – grower discussion panel
3:15 – 4.30 pm: Paddock field walk
4:30 pm: End of workshop and field walk
Across the Paddocks - improving your farm's resilience using cover crops Sisters Creek
Date: Tuesday 15 August 2023
Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Redbank Farm, 152 Broomhalls Road, Sisters Creek, Tasmania
Registration and Information: Ben Correy bcorrey@cradlecoast.com/0474 325 192 by Monday 14 August (for catering - light lunch provided). Free event
Details: Join us in the paddock to explore the benefits of using a cover crop in times of increasing climate uncertainty. Our guest speakers will share their knowledge and experience. You will hear about the strategies used and the equipment employed to establish cover crops in rotation. See the results and benefit from hearing about the lessons learned.
Guest speakers:
Michael Nichols – Farm Manager Redbank Farm
Theresa Chapman - UTAS PhD candidate; cover crop researcher
Bernie Prins – Simplot R & D Manager
PotatoLink at the WalkerAg Agricultural Industry Forum
Date: Thursday, 10 August 2023
Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Location: Paranaple Convention Centre - Mersey Room, 137 Rooke Street, Devonport, TAS, 7310
Registration: By Wednesday 2nd August (For catering purposes); Contact Tim Walker: tim@walkerag.com.au or Mobile: 0439 333 811
Details: Join PotatoLink at the Walker Ag Day Industry Forum where several speakers will discuss a range of key topics affecting vegetable and potato growers, including regional issues and solutions, on-farm innovations and best practice. We encourage you to come along and support this local not-for-profit event.
8:15 am - Registrations start
9:00 am - WELCOME from Tim Walker, POTATOLINK
9:15 am - Ash Rodman, UPL
• UPL Overview
• Clethodim - maximising field performance
• Shenzi insecticide
9:40 am – Alistair Beyer, BAYER
• Use of Tramat herbicide in ryegrass pastures update
• Use of Mateno Complete in cereals update
10:05 am - Marek Matuszek, AG LOGIC
• Ag Logic Weather Station Network – creating on farm relevant climate data
10:30 am - MORNING TEA
11:00 am - Dean Smith & Kylie Calderwood, SIPCAM
• Use of Ecopar – great, versatile tool for controlling Broadleaf weeds in pasture
• Use of Sledge – great partner with Glyphosate for knockdown weed control
11:25 am - David Hughes, AGNOVA
• Slug and snail control
11:50 am - GUEST SPEAKER: David Marks, Managing Director LEVITY CROP SCIENCE
1:00 pm - LUNCH
1:50 pm - Tim Walker, POTATOLINK
• PotatoLink project overview
• Tim Walker – project regional representative
• Upcoming project activities
2:15 pm - Brenden Green, NUFARM
• New insecticide Teppan for vegetables
• Amicus Blue label across to Amishield and Amishield applications
2:40 pm - Carlos Ramirez, SEMINIS
• Introduction of Eliza Seymour
• Varietals of onions 3211 Shearwater, 3212 & 3205
3:00 pm - CLOSE, followed by AFTERNOON TEA
PREDICTA Pt Training and Accreditation Course - Perth
The South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) will be holding a training course on PREDICTA Pt.
PREDICTA Pt is a DNA-based soil and seed peel testing service that helps potato growers identify the soil-borne pathogens that pose a risk to their crops.
The workshop will cover information on accessing the testing service, soil and peel sampling, and interpretation of DNA test results for each of the pathogens. Participants are provided with a manual (available in printed and e-format) that covers the information presented, and a soil corer for PREDICTA Pt sampling.
Location: Darius Wells Library and Resource Centre - Frank Konecny Meeting Room (1st Floor) 2 Robbos Way Kwinana Town Centre, WA
Date: Monday, 31 July 2023
Time: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Cost: $385 plus GST – to be invoiced
Lunch and afternoon tea provided
Details: The course will cover the strategies and processes to sample paddocks, along with the interpretation of PREDICTA Pt results. For each pathogen included in the PREDICTA Pt service, the following will be provided:
· Information on symptoms and basic biology
· The importance of inoculum factors conducive to disease
· An overview of possible management strategies.
Participants will be provided with a manual that covers the information presented and a soil corer for PREDICTA Pt sampling. There is a fee for the course.
Registration Essential: For further information including costs and to register your interest in the workshop, please contact Michael Rettke at michael.rettke@sa.gov.au by Friday, 21 July 2023.
PREDICTA Pt Training and Accreditation Course - Adelaide
The South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) will be holding a training and accreditation course on PREDICTA Pt.
The full-day course will be available to agronomists, potato growers and processors wishing to use or deliver the DNA diagnostic testing service for soil-borne pathogens of potatoes.
Location: 2A Hartley Grove, Urrbrae, South Australia
Date: Thursday, 27 July 2023
Time: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Details: The course will cover the strategies and processes to sample paddocks, along with the interpretation of PREDICTA Pt results. For each pathogen included in the PREDICTA Pt service, the following will be provided:
· Information on symptoms and basic biology
· The importance of inoculum factors conducive to disease
· An overview of possible management strategies.
Participants will be provided with a manual that covers the information presented and a soil corer for PREDICTA Pt sampling. There is a fee for the course.
Registration Essential: For further information and to register your interest in the workshop, please contact Michael Rettke at michael.rettke@sa.gov.au by Monday, 21 July 2023.
In-person event: Potato in-furrow application workshop Scottsdale Tasmania
Date: Tuesday 4 July 2023
Time: 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: 105 King Street Scottsdale, TAS, 7260
Registration: Click here to register. Registration is essential for catering.
Join PotatoLink and Nufarm for an in-furrow application workshop
The workshop will cover tank, pump and nozzle setup on potato planters for accurate and effective in-furrow application.
The workshop will also feature nozzle demonstrations and discussions about coverage, target zones, drift and water rates.
Speakers include:
David Farmer - Croplands
Brenden Green – Nufarm
Wayne Elphinstone – DOBMAC
Agenda
In-person event: Potato in-furrow application workshop Forth Tasmania
Date: Monday 3 July 2023
Time: 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Forth, TAS, 7310 (Location to be provided to registrants)
Registration: Click here to register. Registration is essential for catering.
Join PotatoLink and Nufarm for an in-furrow application workshop
The workshop will cover tank, pump and nozzle setup on potato planters for accurate and effective in-furrow application.
The workshop will also feature nozzle demonstrations and discussions about coverage, target zones, drift and water rates.
Speakers include:
David Farmer - Croplands
Brenden Green – Nufarm
Wayne Elphinstone – DOBMAC
Agenda
Langhorne Creek SA field walk
A Winter Triticale and common vetch cover crop being terminated at the Langhorne Creek property
Date: Monday 5 June 2023
Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm ACST
11:00 am - Bus A & Bus B leave Adelaide Convention Centre following the R&D Forum [Note: You do not need a Hort Connections ticket to attend this event]
12:30 pm - Field walk starts
2:00 pm - Field walk concludes:
Bus A leaves for Adelaide and Hort Connections - ETA 3:30 pm.
Bus B leaves for Langhorne Creek Football, Sports & Social Club BBQ.
2:30 pm - BBQ at Langhorne Creek Football, Sports & Social Club for networking and general discussion
4:00 pm - Bus B Leaves Langhorne Creek for Adelaide - ETA 5:30pm approx.
Location: Langhorne Creek, SA, address to be given to registrants. A bus will be provided for those attending the PotatoLink R&D forum earlier in the day, click here to view the R&D forum event page.
Registration: Click here to register,
Background: Management of potato seed supply and seed age is critical to deliver the best yield and quality. Often young seed is turned around from the previous summer crop to fit the planting and contracted harvest windows. Managing old seed and young seed and driving seed efficiency is critical for sustainability and offsetting rising seed cost. This trial examines how growers can minimise risks and maximise profits through management of their seed age and supply.
Trial: The Trial is comparing PepsiCo variety FL 1867 aged and young seed with treatments of in-furrow nutrition of Calcium, Phosphorous, Zinc and Potassium with growth regulators like Cytokinin and Auxin. The nutrition and growth regulators aim to help stimulate seed performance, reduce apical dominance in young seed and accelerate crop establishment. The old seed early nutrition is aimed at accelerated canopy development, stem strength and supporting the filling of tubers as early as possible in the crop life cycle.
Site information: Langhorne Creek in South Australia is situated on a fertile plain next to the banks of Lake Alexandrina (570 sq km), a large fresh water outfall from the Murray River. The region has a climate conducive for year-round potato growth through a combination of a rain-shadow created by the Adelaide Hills and temperature amelioration from Lake Alexandrina. This mitigates the challenges of supply, particularly during Spring. To meet the processors supply window, potatoes are Autumn planted for Winter and Spring harvest.
9th May update
9th May update: Sentek Probe added to the site to check what’s happening under the crop. Note green line to the left showing the aged seed section while the young seed just starting to break through
May 23 Update
May 23 update: Differences in emergence becoming very apparent
PotatoLink R&D forum: There will be a PotatoLink R&D forum from 8:30 am to 11:00 am. A bus from the Adelaide Convention Centre to Langhorne Creek. The bus will return attendees to the Adelaide Convention Centre by 3:00 pm, in time for the Hort Connections welcome reception at 4:30 pm. Click here to learn more about the R&D forum and register.
PotatoLink R&D forum 2023
Registration to Hort Connections is not required to attend this event.
Date: Monday 5 June 2023
Time: 8:30 - 11:00 am ACST
Location: Riverbank Room 1 - Adelaide Convention Centre (ACC)
Registration: Click here to register.
An annual event to provide insights into the latest potato research and innovation for Australian potato levy payers. Presentations will focus on current and future innovations with potential to bring management benefits to Australia fresh and process potato growers. The event agenda is currently being prepared, it will be available shortly.
There is an affiliated field walk to Langhorne creek to view in-furrow treatments of aged and young seed, click here to learn more.
Speakers:
Henry Hyde (AHR) on digital remote monitoring
Calum Wilson (UTAS/TIA) on powdery Scab
Tetaan Henning (Eco Water Management) on mobile drip irrigation
Tim Neale (DATA Farming) on remote sensing and yield mapping
Nigel Crump (AuSPICA) on Viruses
David Oddie (Precision Agriculture) on soil nutrient variability mapping and application
Julie O’Halloran (QDAF) on smart farming
Agenda:
Map:
Riverbank Room 1 is located on the lower level of the convention centre, in the central promenade. Click here for access to the full convention centre site map.
PotatoLink Webinar: Mobile drip irrigation technology
Date: Thursday 25 May 2023
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am AEST
Location: Online via Zoom
Registration: Click here to register.
Join the PotatoLink team as we speak with Tetaan Henning (Eco Water Management) and Mark Heap (Simplot) on mobile drip irrigation systems.
The speakers will discuss what is available, how it works, what situations it works best in and trials at Simplot.
All those who register will receive a recording of the webinar.
About the presenters
Mark Heap
Mark has worked as a potato agronomist and bio-scientist for 35 years, with the last 23 years with Simplot. His experience includes processing potato production in China, India, and Australia. In his current role of Bioscience Manager, Mark has contributed to new variety development, improved potato seed systems, and the efficient use of water.
Tetaan Henning
Tetaan started Eco Water Management in 2018 to bring global innovative and environmentally friendly technologies to the agricultural industry here in Australia. Knowing as a farmer himself, water is a difficult commodity to manage due to the ever-changing climate issues we face today, so he set out to look for opportunities to save and store water in a sustainable way sustainably
Soil Biology Master Class - Gatton, Qld
Interested in getting your soil biology working for you to improve nutrient availability, soil structure and disease suppression?
Join this two-day Master Class highlighting the importance of soil biology in producing consistently high-yielding vegetable crops using fewer inputs.
Participants will hear from leading scientists and growers on the new developments in soil biology and their application.
Working together, participants will then apply this to vegetable and potato growing soils.
This 2-day master class:
Is aimed at vegetable growers, potato growers and agronomists
Is limited to 30 selected participants, based on the relevance of the topic to them
Includes lunch on both days
Dates: Thursday 18 & Friday 19 May 2023
Times: Thursday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (AEST), group dinner to follow and
Friday 8:30 am – 1:00 pm (AEST)
Location: Gatton Qld, Address to be provided to approved registrants
Registration: Click here to register (Due to limited spacing registrants will be approved based on the relevance of the topic to them)
Weather tools from the Bureau of Meteorology
Date: Thursday 11 May 2023
Time: 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm AEST
Location: Zoom meeting (online)
Registration: Click here to register (limited spots available)
Managing your growing crop with the weather in mind can be a challenge, so having a suite of forecasting and historical data available, can help with decision making.
The Bureau of Meteorology has been releasing new tools for agriculture and natural resource management.
In this interactive online training session, attendees will work closely with Bureau’s horticulture segment lead Rachel Davis and senior meteorologist Jonathan How on the following topics:
What tools are available
Where they can be found
How they work
How they are best used
If you are a grower or agronomist, interested in learning more or if you have any questions about the weather tools available from the Bureau of Meteorology, this is the event for you.
Presenters:
Peter O’Brien - PotatoLink National Coordinator
Jonathan How - Senior Meteorologist, Agriculture Decision Support Specialist. Bureau of Meteorology
Rachel Davis - Agriculture Segment Lead, Bureau of Meteorology
Jonathan How
Jonathan is a senior meteorologist that brings 10 years of experience to the Bureau of Meteorology's new Agriculture Decision Support team. He has worked across multiple Bureau offices and teams, in diverse roles ranging from aviation forecasting, severe weather and most recently media and communications. Prior to the Bureau, Jonathan worked as an economic consultant within the Regulation and Policy team at EY. Jonathan brings a genuine interest and passion to this new Agriculture team as it seeks to help growers make critical farming-management decisions in a changing climate. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Meteorology and Mathematics) and Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) from Monash University, and a Graduate Diploma in Meteorology.
Rachel Davis
Rachel Davis, from Brisbane / Meanjin, is a Certified Practising Agriculturist (CPAg) with 20+ years of experience in horticulture and supply chains. Rachel leads the Bureau of Meteorology's efforts to support Australia's Horticulture, Sugar and Wine Segments. Her experience in post-farm gate supply chains will be utilised as she builds the Bureau's engagement and relationships across the sector to boost the Australian economy. Rachel's passions are environmental sustainability and reducing food waste. She holds a post-graduate degree in Agribusiness from the University of Queensland and is a Director of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA A-NZ).
PotatoLink field walk: Springbank Victoria demonstration site
Date: Wednesday 26th April
Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Location: Springbank Victoria (Address to be provided to registrants)
Registration: Click here to register
Join the PotatoLink team and special guest Kelvin Montagu for a field walk through the PotatoLink demonstration site in Springbank. The potato crop has had a mycorrhizal product application with changes to the fertiliser and fungicide programs to assess conditions for best results.
This is the conclusion of the demonstration and will provide some preliminary results including yields and mycorrhizal root colonisation.
Watch the video below for the most recent update from Victorian regional representative Stuart Grigg.
PotatoLink - VegNET event: Oxalis paddock walk Gawler,Tasmania
Date: Thursday 30 March
Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Gawler, Tasmania, the address will be provided to registrants closer to the date.
Registration: Click here to register
Worldwide there are 570 species of oxalis and approximately 30 species in Australia. Similar to some clover species oxalis can be initially overlooked. however, if left unmanaged the weed can become a serious issue for potato growers.
Oxalis spreads via seed or bulb depending on the species. Pictured below is a blub oxalis. These bulbs are easily spread during cultivation and harvest for potato crops.
This paddock walk will discuss the potential severity of the weed, some basic identification tips (oxalis vs clover and others) and gather some information on what has worked and what hasn't.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Click here to view the Soil Wealth Integrated Crop Protection factsheet on oxalis
bulb oxalis pulled out of a potato crop, Source: Tim Walker
Webinar: Legumes in rotation with potatoes- an alternative nitrogen source
Date: Wednesday 29 March 2023
Time: 12 - 1 pm AEDT
Location: Delivered online via Zoom
Registration: Click here to register
Join PotatoLink for a webinar on how legumes can be used successfully in rotation with potato crops.
Dr Kelvin Montagu and Peter O’Brien will discuss the principles of using legumes as an alternative nitrogen source, the importance of legume inoculants and considerations for best results in potatoes.