Last month, more than 100 Australian potato industry stakeholders gathered in Bungaree, Victoria for the PotatoLink R&D forum. It was a packed day showcasing the latest updates from potato levy-funded research and development.

The forum offered a valuable window into where levy investments are directed, with researchers and delivery partners sharing their latest findings directly with growers and industry. It also provided a valuable opportunity to reconnect with colleagues across the supply chain and get a front row view of the research shaping the future of Australian potato production.

Across the presentations a common theme emerged – turning research into practical outcomes. Topics included new tools and improved diagnostics, stronger biosecurity preparedness, and evidence-based approaches to support productivity and resilience.

The forum highlighted the breadth and scale of investments being made through the potato levy, with projects addressing some of the industry's most significant challenges including disease management, seed physiology, biosecurity preparedness, agrichemical access, sustainability and integrated crop management.

After an official welcome from Peter O’Brien (PotatoLink Project Coordinator), Chris O'Connor (Hort Innovation) followed with an overview of the levy investment process, explaining how grower priorities are identified, projects are selected and funded, and outcomes are delivered back to industry. He explained this structured approach ensures grower investments translate into real value for the Australian potato industry.

Dr Kristen Stirling (RMCG) provided an overview of the Integrated Disease Management (IDM) program, led by the University of Tasmania and the University of Western Australia. The program is developing a whole-of-system approach to disease management while building industry capability. Professor Calum Wilson (University of Tasmania) outlined progress on diagnostics and management approaches for powdery scab, pink rot, black leg and Verticillium wilt. Professor Brajesh Singh (University of Western Australia) presented research linking soil health and farm management practices to disease outcomes, reflecting the industry's continued focus on mitigating risk while sustaining productivity.

Dr Nathan Tivendale (University of Tasmania) presented on his project investigating new rapid tests to determine physiological age in seed potatoes. Interest in seed dormancy research emerged as a theme for the future.

On biosecurity and agrichemical access, Zarmeen Hassan (AUSVEG) provided an update on preparedness activities for priority pest and disease threats, while David Daniels (AUSVEG) addressed efforts to maintain access to crop protection products and outcomes of the Strategic Agrichemical Review Process (SARP) for potatoes.

The discussion then moved to a focus on sustainability and future farming systems. Dr Zelalem Moti (CSIRO) spoke on area-wide integrated crop management and opportunities for cross-industry collaboration, and Tim Grant (Lifecycles) presented sustainability indicators including greenhouse gas emissions, water use and resource efficiency.

Forum co-organiser and project leader Bonnie Dawson (AHR) said the strong responses from attendees in a post event survey highlighted the forum’s value.

“The feedback from the day was incredibly positive, which was a great reflection of the value industry places on hearing directly from researchers and industry experts,” Bonnie said.

“It was fantastic to see such strong engagement throughout the forum, with attendees asking many insightful questions to build on knowledge and ideas they can apply in their own businesses.”

With a strong turnout this year, positive feedback and high engagement, the R&D Forum reaffirms the value of continued investment in research, knowledge sharing and industry connection to support the future of Australian potato production.

Missed out on the 2026 R&D Forum? Presentation recordings are now available on the PotatoLink 2026 R&D Forum event page. Keep an eye out for a full feature on the forum in the upcoming Spring edition of the PotatoLink magazine.

Watch the 2026 presentation recordings