LAST issue, we briefly mentioned Hort Connections 2026. Now we can fill you in on the event itself...

Hort Connections 2026
Hort Connections 2026 in Adelaide saw the team join hundreds of growers, researchers, agribusinesses and industry leaders from Australia and New Zealand. It was an excellent opportunity to catch up with WA growers, strengthen industry connections and see innovations shaping the future of vegetable production.

They showcased world-class production systems, automation, protected cropping and technologies helping growers improve productivity, sustainability and efficiency. One thing that stood out across every farm we visited was the passion of the people behind the produce.

Growers were positive, proud of what they had achieved and excited about the future of their businesses, with that enthusiasm reflected in vibrant produce and well managed farms.

A great benefit of Hort Connections is the opportunity for VegNET Regional Development Officers and Regional Support Officers from across Australia to come together.

The conference provides valuable time to share ideas, discuss common challenges and exchange practical solutions making a difference on farms across the country. Hearing how growers are adapting to changing conditions, embracing new technologies and tackling industry issues helps ensure we can bring fresh knowledge and proven ideas back to WA growers.

We also attended a workshop facilitated by Cynthia Mahoney. Through storytelling, role plays and shared experiences, the session reinforced the importance of communication, collaboration and relationship building.

The speaker sessions were varied and insightful, covering practical AI tools, workforce challenges, sustainability and emerging technologies. They highlighted the importance of embracing innovation to ensure the vegetable industry remains productive, competitive and resilient.

If you’d like a closer look at some of the highlights from Hort Connections, check out Joel Dinsdale’s article on page 22.

The Plus One Serve campaign was also in the spotlight, with chef and campaign ambassador Matt Moran helping inspire Australians to add one extra serve of vegetables to their daily meals. This simple change can improve health while supporting Australia’s vegetable growers. Sign the Pledge for More Veg and help put more fresh vegetables on plates across the country.

Pushed out of our comfort zones

Standing on stage in front of our VegNET colleagues and the Hort Connections audience, we presented what WA has achieved over the life of the current program. A proud moment for Lisa, me and the extended WA team.

It reinforced how much can be accomplished across the country’s largest service region through collaboration, commitment and a grower-first approach.

From study tours and technology demonstrations to bilingual training and regional roadshows, every activity has been designed to deliver value on farm. The presentation also looked to the future, focusing on deeper grower engagement, stronger industry partnerships and innovative projects that will help futureproof WA’s vegetable industry.

Finishing off a packed week, the Hort Connections Gala Dinner and National Awards for Excellence brought the industry together to celebrate the people and businesses driving Australian horticulture forward. It was a fantastic evening recognising innovation, leadership and dedication, while giving growers, industry partners and delegates the chance to reconnect and celebrate successes.

Hort Connections 2026 was an incredible event, and the VegNET WA team came away with valuable information to share with growers. Whether it was new contacts, shared experiences, fresh ideas or practical solutions, the conference reinforced the strength of Australia’s vegetable industry and the opportunities and challenges facing growers.

Most importantly, we left feeling positive. The passion, innovation and willingness to collaborate across the industry showed we are well placed to build a stronger, more resilient vegetable sector.

On the home front...
Back in Western Australia, we were delighted to host a delegation of Portuguese growers who visited local farms to learn how producers are managing water efficiently while maintaining high-quality vegetable production. Facing many of the same climate challenges as southern Portugal, the visit provided an opportunity to share knowledge and showcase the innovation, resilience and expertise of WA growers.

See my full article on page 30 to find out more about the visit.

Our Chilli & Capsicum project is well under way, and a big thank you to everyone involved in getting trackers into boxes of produce around the state. Valuable data is being collected, and we’ll share more in the coming months. There is still time to get involved, so if you’re growing capsicums or chillies, please reach out.

We’ve held on farm discussions with the Stable Fly groups in Gingin and received further information from the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer network. While this beetle isn’t affecting vegetable crops, trees on farms could be impacted, so please stay up to date on how to identify and report signs of infestation.

During Farm Safety Week, we attended the “Cost of Safety” event in Bunbury. Please see the feature in this issue on the 2026 Safety Report and key takeaways from the event.

With the Gingin Roadshow recently completed, the VegNET WA team is looking ahead to the Spray Optimisation Roadshow and a workshop with international soil specialist Joel Williams. We’ll also be running on-farm technology demonstrations featuring the latest innovations in high-precision weed control. If you’re not receiving updates via email, let us know.

You can read the Gingin Roadshow review on page 35.

The Perth Royal Show is also on the agenda. We’ll be working with our friends at Plus One Serve to showcase the Pledge for More Veg campaign in the Farm 2 Food area of the Centenary Pavilion. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get families involved and support the campaign. Our thanks to the RASWA team for including us this year.

Lastly, we’re looking forward to catching up with more growers over the coming months, with plenty of farm visits scheduled. This is the most important part of our roles, so if we haven’t been out to see you yet, please reach out.

Until next time... WAG