VegNET

VegNET is a vegetable industry extension program nationally coordinated by AUSVEG and funded by Hort Innovation using the vegetable research and development levy.

The VegNET program is delivered regionally through organisations with strong grower networks in vegetable producing regions, with 10 Regional Development Officers (RDOs) located strategically across Australia.

VegNET Victoria - Gippsland

Food & Fibre Gippsland is contracted to deliver the VegNET program in Gippsland with Emily Scott, the Gippsland VegNET RDO, delivering on-the-ground extension to Gippsland’s vegetable growers.

The role of an RDO is to keep vegetable growers informed about current research and development activities, results, and resources – supporting the adoption of industry best practice and bolstering vegetable productivity and profitability in key growing areas across the country. AUSVEG works closely with Food & Fibre Gippsland and the VegNET RDO to maximise knowledge-sharing, both realising and encouraging opportunities for collaboration.

VegNET Gippsland continues to make progress towards the key extension focus areas of the five-year Regional Extension Strategy (RES) that was developed in 2021. The RES is continually reviewed and refined to reflect the needs and desires of levy payers through the Regional Extension Advisory Group (REAG), event feedback, and one-on-one discussions.

Moving into 2024, the key extension and adoption focus areas of the Gippsland VegNET program are:

Water quality and security
On-farm biosecurity and integrated pest and disease management
Smarter growing (AgTech)
Building business capacity and a sustainable workforce

The REAG is a group of Gippsland growers and agronomists who advise the VegNET RDO and guide local extension activities and delivery. If you would like to be involved in this group please get in touch with Emily - the group meets around four times per year.

Food & Fibre Gippsland also currently receives additional funding from the Future Drought Fund, which, through the VegNET RDO, delivers a demonstration project that aims to help grow Gippsland’s drought resilience with advanced irrigation technologies, including soil data monitoring.

Gippsland’s vegetable industry is valued at almost $1 billion. Production is concentrated in key areas, with most baby leaf, brassicas (cauliflowers, cabbage, broccoli) and sweet corn produced in the Lindenow Valley of East Gippsland and the Macalister Irrigation District. South Gippsland is home to much of Australia’s sugar snap, snow pea and other bean production, as well as an ever-expanding celery growing operation in Middle Tarwin. There are tomatoes, cucumbers, capsicums and eggplant grown in very large volumes in glasshouses in the Baw Baw Shire.

VegNET Gippsland delivers multiple events throughout the year, from field days to study tours, seminars, and Q&A sessions, all covering a variety of relevant topics. VegNET Gippsland also produces case studies following key events or projects.

Ongoing and upcoming VegNET Gippsland events:

Soil moisture monitoring program – ongoing
RMIT workforce projections research project – ongoing
Drone and tractor spray demonstration night – Thursday April 11th, 2024
Fall Armyworm (FAW) Industry Learning Group – next meeting tentatively scheduled for February 2024
‘Winter Warmers’ seminar series – winter 2024

VegNET Gippsland case studies:

VegNET Gippsland newsletter:

VegNET Gippsland - April update

VegNET Gippsland - March update

VegNET Gippsland - February update

VegNET Gippsland - January update

VegNET Gippsland - Christmas update