Hort Innovation

In the Australian papaya industry, growers and researchers are working side by side to tackle challenges and drive real impact. Through the industry’s levy-funded extension and communications program, collaboration is delivering game-changing breakthroughs like:  ✅ A sexing tool that enables single-seed planting, cutting costs and boosting productivity.  ✅ Drone technology for targeted pest control, reducing pesticide use and improving sustainability.  ✅ A grower-driven research agenda, ensuring solutions are practical, effective, and relevant. This direct approach, led by researchers like Emily Pattison (Department of Primary Industries (Queensland)) and growers like Chris Maisel, has already increased farm profitability per hectare by 2.5 times, and this is just the beginning. Find out more about this new approach in the comments below. 🌱 #HortInnovation #Horticulture #Papaya #Research #Collaboration #AgTech #AustralianGrower Griffith University Sarah Strutt

Hort Innovation is offering four fully funded scholarships for vegetable levy payers to take part in International Fresh Produce Association Australia & New Zealand’s Produce Executive Program. 🥕🍆🥦 Designed for growers looking to expand their networks, sharpen leadership skills, and gain insights into market trends, this program is an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and grow, personally and professionally. 🌱 Abigail Woods, a 2024 participant, shared "the program challenged me to think differently, highlighting the importance of mental wellbeing, collaboration, and resilience in leadership and decision-making." 🔗 Want to learn more? Contact Hort Innovation’s R&D Manager Bianca Cairns.  Applications close Friday, 14 March. #HortInnovation #Horticulture #VegetableGrower #Leadership #Networking  

Discover the key trends shaping Australian horticulture at the 2023/24 Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook launch webinar 🚀 📅 Thursday, February 20   🕚 11AM – 12PM (AEDT) The webinar will dive into the data that matters most to our industry, with insights across 75 categories. 🌱📊 Hear from Hort Innovation’s Brett Fifield, key industry trends from Head of Industry Insights, Lucy Noble, and expert analysis from Freshlogic | Fresh Food Industry Market Research’s Managing Director, Martin Kneebone. Don’t miss this chance to explore how the Handbook can help you make informed decisions and grow your business. 👉 Register now: https://lnkd.in/gjbKsukF #HortInnovation #Horticulture #DataInsights #AustralianAg #AustralianHorticulture 

From the farm to a historic win at the Dakar Rally, apple grower Daniel Sanders has taken his love of apples to the world stage 🍏 After a gruelling two-week off-road motorbike race through Saudi Arabia, Daniel became the second ever Australian to win the Dakar and tucked into a fresh apple to celebrate. A huge congratulations to Daniel and the entire Sanders family, who are based in the Yarra Valley region in Victoria. 👏 It’s safe to say they’re reaping the benefits of an apple a day 🏆 📷 Dakar Rally Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL)

22% of Tasmania’s cherry exports head to Taiwan, showcasing Australia’s premium produce on the global stage. 🍒🌏 Known for their size, flavour, and vibrant colour, Tasmanian cherries are the perfect Lunar New Year gift, symbolising happiness and prosperity. At a recent event in Taiwan, importers and buyers:  🤝 Strengthened relationships  🔓 Unlocked new opportunities  🌱 Highlighted Australia’s leadership in premium horticulture Hort Innovation is proud to support initiatives that connect Australian growers with key export markets like Taiwan through collaboration with Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), Fruit Growers Tasmania, and Cherry Growers Australia. #HortInnovation #Horticulture #AustralianProduce #Export #TasmanianCherries #LunarNewYear Lynda Pallone Joanna Krol-Slocombe

Ready to showcase your business on the global stage? 🌏 Hort Innovation invites you to join the Australian Pavilion at ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA 2025, Asia’s premier fresh produce trade show, returning to Hong Kong from September 3–5, 2025. Why exhibit with us? ✅ Amplify your presence under the trusted Brand Australia banner. ✅ Connect with key buyers from over 70 countries. ✅ Enjoy exclusive hospitality areas featuring chef demos and networking events. ✅ Access industry insights from the Asiafruit Knowledge Centre. ✅ Maximise your impact with tailored co-contribution investment packages through our Frontiers™ model. Asia Fruit Logistica is the ultimate platform to grow your business, expand into key export markets, and build valuable connections. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of Australia’s united presence, showcasing the excellence of Australian horticulture. 🔗 Access the Expression of Interest here https://lnkd.in/gUZ3cdMZ or contact Jade Archibald (née Curley) and Susanna Truasheim for more information.   #HortInnovation #Horticulture #AsiaFruitLogistica #ExportGrowth #FreshProduce

At the end of last year, Hort Innovation joined the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development for a Sweet Corn and Zucchini Variety Field Day, part of the vegetable industry’s levy-funded VegNET program. The event connected growers, agronomists, and industry professionals, showcasing the latest advancements in vegetable production and sustainability. Highlights included:  🌽 High-yield, disease-resistant sweet corn and zucchini varieties  🌱 Sustainable soil health practices using green waste amendments  💧 Innovations in irrigation and water efficiency  🛠️ Biodegradable alternatives to traditional plastic mulches  🚜 Integrated pest and disease management strategies. Hort Innovation’s Industry Service & Delivery Manager for the vegetable industry, Mark Spees, also shared valuable insights into the vegetable levy fund and the Level Up project, delivered by Planfarm, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in driving the industry forward. Field days like this strengthen industry connections, foster innovation, and equip Australian vegetable growers to thrive. #HortInnovation #Horticulture #VegNET #SustainableFarming #Collaboration

We’ve partnered with AgriFutures growAG and Agriculture Victoria on an innovative commercialisation opportunity to tackle one of Australia's most destructive almond pests – the Carpophilus beetle. 🌟 This world-first, pheromone-based technology is set to revolutionise pest management for almonds, and we’re seeking a commercial partner to bring it to market. The vision:  ✅ Optimise a cutting-edge lure and trap system.  ✅ Streamline manufacturing, regulatory, and distribution pathways.  ✅ Scale adoption across Australian and global markets. Through this collaboration, we’re delivering solutions that empower the growers, enhance sustainability and strengthen market competitiveness for Australia's almond industry. 🚀 For more details or to apply: https://lnkd.in/gR_mgzcy #HortInnovation #Horticulture #AlmondIndustry #PestManagement #SustainableFarming Anthony Kachenko

🚨 Exciting news for Australian table grape growers! 🍇 Hort Innovation, in partnership with the Australian Table Grape Association, has launched a game-changing five-year international marketing program designed by growers, for growers. Producers and exporters will take the lead, shaping campaigns and driving impact at trade events to ensure real benefits for the industry. This multi-faceted program combines industry consultation, branding, retail partnerships, influencer engagement, and market intelligence to elevate Australian table grapes on the global stage. This is more than a marketing initiative, it’s a landmark opportunity to drive export growth and secure long-term success for growers. 🌍 ⬇️ Details in the comments. Mila Bristow Mimi D. #HortInnovation #Horticulture #AustralianTableGrapes #Export #Growers 

Bushfires are a constant challenge, but being informed can make all the difference. 🌱 In collaboration with NSW Agriculture and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, Hort Innovation Frontiers has developed ‘Bushfires in Orchards: A Guide to Preparedness, Response, and Recovery’, a first-of-its-kind resource designed to support producers and the horticulture industry. Developed in response to the devastating 2019–20 summer bushfires, this guide provides essential insights to help orchardists recover, build resilience, and make informed decisions about orchard design and management. Access the guide and take proactive steps toward a more sustainable future. ⬇️⬇️ #HortInnovation #Horticulture #SustainableFarming #OrchardManagement #BushfirePreparedness #BushfireRecovery Tom McCue, GAICD