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Hort Connections 2024 - Melbourne

Hort Connections 2024 had a record attendence of more than 4,000 delegates.
Hort Connections 2024 had a record attendence of more than 4,000 delegates.
The program began with farm tours on the opening day; one of those tours began with a tour of Boomaroo Nurseries.
The program began with farm tours on the opening day; one of those tours began with a tour of Boomaroo Nurseries.
Boomaroo Nurseries is located in Lara, south west of Melbourne.
Boomaroo Nurseries is located in Lara, south west of Melbourne.
Jo van Niekerk, National Sales Manager, showed some of the delegates around the property.
Jo van Niekerk, National Sales Manager, showed some of the delegates around the property.
Boomaroo Nurseries is a wholesale supplier of vegetable seedlings to the fresh produce industry and potted greenlife products to the nursery and garden industry.
Boomaroo Nurseries is a wholesale supplier of vegetable seedlings to the fresh produce industry and potted greenlife products to the nursery and garden industry.
Boomaroo Nurseries has capability to produce up to 400 million vegetable seedlings annually across over 150 individual varieties.
Boomaroo Nurseries has capability to produce up to 400 million vegetable seedlings annually across over 150 individual varieties.
The second stop on the tour was Tripod Farmers in Bacchus Marsh.
The second stop on the tour was Tripod Farmers in Bacchus Marsh.
Tripod Farmers is a major salad company delivering farm fresh produce every day of the year.
Tripod Farmers is a major salad company delivering farm fresh produce every day of the year.
Angela Candeloro, Director of Tripod Farmers, gave an explanation about her farm to the visitors.
Angela Candeloro, Director of Tripod Farmers, gave an explanation about her farm to the visitors.
The drawcard of the visit to Tripod Farmers was a LaserWeeder from Carbon Robotics.
The drawcard of the visit to Tripod Farmers was a LaserWeeder from Carbon Robotics.
Carbon Robotics produces revolutionary AI-powered robotic systems that precisely identify, weed and thin specialty vegetable crops using lasers.
Carbon Robotics produces revolutionary AI-powered robotic systems that precisely identify, weed and thin specialty vegetable crops using lasers.
Laserweeding kills weeds at the meristem before they compete for precious resources.
Laserweeding kills weeds at the meristem before they compete for precious resources.
Mark Zahnlecker from Carbon Robotics explaining to delegates about the Laserweeder.
Mark Zahnlecker from Carbon Robotics explaining to delegates about the Laserweeder.
Delegates are given an overview of Boratto Farms by owner Dino Boratto.
Delegates are given an overview of Boratto Farms by owner Dino Boratto.
The farm is located at Bacchus Marsh, west of Melbourne.
The farm is located at Bacchus Marsh, west of Melbourne.
Dino explained the importance of understanding your farm, and working out methods to get the best out of it.
Dino explained the importance of understanding your farm, and working out methods to get the best out of it.
Boratto Farms supplies the Australian fresh produce market and salad processors.
Boratto Farms supplies the Australian fresh produce market and salad processors.
The special compost that is used across the farm.
The special compost that is used across the farm.
The official opening of the Hort Connections 2024 Trade Show.
The official opening of the Hort Connections 2024 Trade Show.
Hort Connections is the largest horticulture conference and trade show in Australasia.
Hort Connections is the largest horticulture conference and trade show in Australasia.
The annual event, which started in 2017, brings together members from right across the vegetable, fruit and floral sectors and showcases exciting new products, services and technologies to help shape the Australian and New Zealand industry.
The annual event, which started in 2017, brings together members from right across the vegetable, fruit and floral sectors and showcases exciting new products, services and technologies to help shape the Australian and New Zealand industry.
Fresh produce was on display right throughout the Trade Show.
Fresh produce was on display right throughout the Trade Show.
Matthew Crouch, Co-Founder/Creative Director at Soto Group leading a panel on "Brands Influence on Produce Premiums and Consumption".
Matthew Crouch, Co-Founder/Creative Director at Soto Group leading a panel on "Brands Influence on Produce Premiums and Consumption".
Belinda Van Schaik, Head of Customer Marketing at Hort Innovation and Nick Hotchin, National Marketing Manager at Fresh Markets Australia.
Belinda Van Schaik, Head of Customer Marketing at Hort Innovation and Nick Hotchin, National Marketing Manager at Fresh Markets Australia.
Chefs at the Coles stand prepare food for attendees to sample.
Chefs at the Coles stand prepare food for attendees to sample.
Leigh Cummin from Catalytic Generators and Geoff Bliss from Waterchem Services
Leigh Cummin from Catalytic Generators and Geoff Bliss from Waterchem Services
Justine Coates, Managing Director of Fruit & Vegetable Consortium presenting on "Partnering to Develop a National Strategy and Program to Grow Vegetable Consumption"
Justine Coates, Managing Director of Fruit & Vegetable Consortium presenting on "Partnering to Develop a National Strategy and Program to Grow Vegetable Consumption"
Jesse Reader from Hort Innovation leading a panel on "How Technology is Changing the Fresh Produce Industry".
Jesse Reader from Hort Innovation leading a panel on "How Technology is Changing the Fresh Produce Industry".
Dr Steven Scheding, Co-Founder of Green Atlas.
Dr Steven Scheding, Co-Founder of Green Atlas.
Francesco Oliveri, Chief Information Officer at Perfection Fresh Group and Sebastian Stoof, Vice President Head of Customer Value at TOMRA Food.
Francesco Oliveri, Chief Information Officer at Perfection Fresh Group and Sebastian Stoof, Vice President Head of Customer Value at TOMRA Food.
A panel on Global Sustainable Packaging Case Studies: Paving the Way Forward.
A panel on Global Sustainable Packaging Case Studies: Paving the Way Forward.
Campbell Banfield, Divisional Manager Grape Marketing at Costa Group and Tamara Muruetagoiena, Vice President of Sustainability at International Fresh Produce Association.
Campbell Banfield, Divisional Manager Grape Marketing at Costa Group and Tamara Muruetagoiena, Vice President of Sustainability at International Fresh Produce Association.
Campbell Banfield, Divisional Manager Grape Marketing at Costa Group.
Campbell Banfield, Divisional Manager Grape Marketing at Costa Group.
Dean Parsons, Sustainability Programmes Manager at CHEP Australia.
Dean Parsons, Sustainability Programmes Manager at CHEP Australia.
Julian Delafosse from Disruptive Packaging.
Julian Delafosse from Disruptive Packaging.
Zita Watkin and Phil Rotteveel from Corex Australia.
Zita Watkin and Phil Rotteveel from Corex Australia.
Seth Mander and Karan Singh from Sitecraft.
Seth Mander and Karan Singh from Sitecraft.
Skye Small and Saxon Rohrlach from Agrobest Australia.
Skye Small and Saxon Rohrlach from Agrobest Australia.
David Griffin and James Lawrence from Case Packaging Systems Australia.
David Griffin and James Lawrence from Case Packaging Systems Australia.
Alan Du from Green Bean Packaging.
Alan Du from Green Bean Packaging.
Tess Astle, Fiona Chambers and Cat Staunton from Bee Friendly Farming.
Tess Astle, Fiona Chambers and Cat Staunton from Bee Friendly Farming.
Bee Friendly Farming recently won a special award in Slovenia.
Bee Friendly Farming recently won a special award in Slovenia.
Toby Bagacay, Shane Harvey and Chris George from Westgate Labs.
Toby Bagacay, Shane Harvey and Chris George from Westgate Labs.
Tim Katua from Eco Pallets and Ronan Maguire from JRC Packing Solutions.
Tim Katua from Eco Pallets and Ronan Maguire from JRC Packing Solutions.
Marina Palumbo and David Havard from ALS.
Marina Palumbo and David Havard from ALS.
Malia Sulaki, Sharon Mowat, Bev Burns, Laumanu Puamau and Cath Cave from Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).
Malia Sulaki, Sharon Mowat, Bev Burns, Laumanu Puamau and Cath Cave from Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).
Michael Alaoui from Contech.
Michael Alaoui from Contech.
Hayden Paul from Croplands Equipment.
Hayden Paul from Croplands Equipment.
Stephanus Malherbe, Anita Marquart and Lachlan Chilman from Biological Services.
Stephanus Malherbe, Anita Marquart and Lachlan Chilman from Biological Services.
Howard Wootton from Agricultural Appointments.
Howard Wootton from Agricultural Appointments.
Claude Harris and Bruno Santalucia from TastyOne.
Claude Harris and Bruno Santalucia from TastyOne.
Simon McDowell, Ken McLeod, Tania Carey and Geoff Nugent from Food Processing Equipment.
Simon McDowell, Ken McLeod, Tania Carey and Geoff Nugent from Food Processing Equipment.
Dan Kulatilleke from Sensitech.
Dan Kulatilleke from Sensitech.
Felik Chandra and Kieran Best from Foods Connected.
Felik Chandra and Kieran Best from Foods Connected.
Dr Hany Erian, Sam Fernan and Matt Henry from Bisley & Company.
Dr Hany Erian, Sam Fernan and Matt Henry from Bisley & Company.
Alipate Carlile from Labour Solutions Australia.
Alipate Carlile from Labour Solutions Australia.
Natasha Griffith, Jeffry Kam and Jacinta Shanahan from Labour Hire Authority.
Natasha Griffith, Jeffry Kam and Jacinta Shanahan from Labour Hire Authority.
Ray Rotar and Paul Crowe from Intralox.
Ray Rotar and Paul Crowe from Intralox.
Jedd Cannan from Left Field.
Jedd Cannan from Left Field.
Simone Smith and Rob Conlan from Entegra Signature Structures.
Simone Smith and Rob Conlan from Entegra Signature Structures.
Wayne Elphinstone, Mark Dobson and Elijah Anderson from Dobmac Agricultural Machinery.
Wayne Elphinstone, Mark Dobson and Elijah Anderson from Dobmac Agricultural Machinery.
Rod Mitchell and Dusan Marinkovic from Trical Australia.
Rod Mitchell and Dusan Marinkovic from Trical Australia.
Lisa Fitzgerald, Anthony Dove, Anita Davina, Jade Seaton and Ben Evert from Metagen.
Lisa Fitzgerald, Anthony Dove, Anita Davina, Jade Seaton and Ben Evert from Metagen.
Cam Clifford and Jamal Clifford from Agri Automation Australia and Zane Sheffield from Agtech by Design.
Cam Clifford and Jamal Clifford from Agri Automation Australia and Zane Sheffield from Agtech by Design.
Conrad Leeks and Natalia Gomez from Incitec Pivot Fertilisers.
Conrad Leeks and Natalia Gomez from Incitec Pivot Fertilisers.
Leon Power and Daneel Ovtcharenko from Nanobubble Agritech.
Leon Power and Daneel Ovtcharenko from Nanobubble Agritech.
At the end of the day, delegates and trade show exhibitors could network over some drinks at the "Happy Hour".
At the end of the day, delegates and trade show exhibitors could network over some drinks at the "Happy Hour".
Ben Hoodless, Managing Director A-NZ of the International Fresh Produce Association introduces the State of the Industry Panel.
Ben Hoodless, Managing Director A-NZ of the International Fresh Produce Association introduces the State of the Industry Panel.
Emma Herd, Partner Climate Change & Sustainability & Co-Leader of the EY Net Zero Centre at Ernst & Young as part of the State of the Industry Panel.
Emma Herd, Partner Climate Change & Sustainability & Co-Leader of the EY Net Zero Centre at Ernst & Young as part of the State of the Industry Panel.
John Said, CEO/Executive Chairman at Fresh Select (Aust)/Nutri V.
John Said, CEO/Executive Chairman at Fresh Select (Aust)/Nutri V.
Andrew Tout, Head of Agriculture, Chair at Centuria Capital Group and Protected Cropping Australia.
Andrew Tout, Head of Agriculture, Chair at Centuria Capital Group and Protected Cropping Australia.
Giaan Rooney, Hort Connections MC and former Olympian.
Giaan Rooney, Hort Connections MC and former Olympian.
Hort Innovation had a number of inventive ways to attract delegates to some of the produce on offer. One of those was dark chocolate that used Brussel sprouts and also white chocolate using carrots.
Hort Innovation had a number of inventive ways to attract delegates to some of the produce on offer. One of those was dark chocolate that used Brussel sprouts and also white chocolate using carrots.
After Hort Connections was finished, most of the fruit and vegetable on display was donated to charity Foodbank to help people who are struggling to afford food, particularly healthy food.
After Hort Connections was finished, most of the fruit and vegetable on display was donated to charity Foodbank to help people who are struggling to afford food, particularly healthy food.
Federal Agriculture Minister, Senator Murray Watt.
Federal Agriculture Minister, Senator Murray Watt.
Senator Watt announced $5.3million to double the irradiation capacity at the Steritech irradiation facility and $1.1million to boost trade and exports through horticulture events.
Senator Watt announced $5.3million to double the irradiation capacity at the Steritech irradiation facility and $1.1million to boost trade and exports through horticulture events.
Butler Market Gardens Environmental & Sustainability Award winner: End Food Waste, Australian Banana Growers Council and Melons Australia.
Butler Market Gardens Environmental & Sustainability Award winner: End Food Waste, Australian Banana Growers Council and Melons Australia.
UPL Tech & Innovation Award winner: RapidAim.
UPL Tech & Innovation Award winner: RapidAim.
Muirs Community Stewardship Award winner: Veg Education.
Muirs Community Stewardship Award winner: Veg Education.
Bayer Researcher of the Year: Doris Blaesing, RMCG.
Bayer Researcher of the Year: Doris Blaesing, RMCG.
George Fakhry and Siham Elmadi from ADM Packaging Automation.
George Fakhry and Siham Elmadi from ADM Packaging Automation.
Zhonghua Wei and Miler Zhao from JS Group.
Zhonghua Wei and Miler Zhao from JS Group.
Samuel Cattapan from Haygrove Distribution.
Samuel Cattapan from Haygrove Distribution.
Dick van de Kop from GREEFA.
Dick van de Kop from GREEFA.
Paul Scoble from Ruggedtab.
Paul Scoble from Ruggedtab.
Jim Ellis, Imran Raza and Callum McCluskey from AgriSmart.
Jim Ellis, Imran Raza and Callum McCluskey from AgriSmart.
Merijn Kuiper and Jelle Van Der Brugge from Van Der Hoeven Horticultural Products.
Merijn Kuiper and Jelle Van Der Brugge from Van Der Hoeven Horticultural Products.
Jo MacPhee from Invest Inya Farming Co-op.
Jo MacPhee from Invest Inya Farming Co-op.
Maxvel Contractor, Jason Glue, Darren O'Flynn and Michelle Murphy from Ofi Weigh & Inspection Solutions.
Maxvel Contractor, Jason Glue, Darren O'Flynn and Michelle Murphy from Ofi Weigh & Inspection Solutions.
Dennis Philippi and Tommy vd Broek from A1 Growsystems.
Dennis Philippi and Tommy vd Broek from A1 Growsystems.
Luke Peacock and Scott Glyde from Converte.
Luke Peacock and Scott Glyde from Converte.
Shaun Hilton, Jason Faulkner and Shaun Hudson from ACO Certification.
Shaun Hilton, Jason Faulkner and Shaun Hudson from ACO Certification.
Allan Anderson and Pam Anderson from Real Time Data Loggers.
Allan Anderson and Pam Anderson from Real Time Data Loggers.
Tim Vandertop and Justin Fursey from Rhima Australia.
Tim Vandertop and Justin Fursey from Rhima Australia.
Adam McBrien and Hamish Lloyd from Toro Australia.
Adam McBrien and Hamish Lloyd from Toro Australia.
Shannon O'Connell and Bill Terry from Nitro Ag.
Shannon O'Connell and Bill Terry from Nitro Ag.
Michael Rowett and Rachel Brown from Mait Industries.
Michael Rowett and Rachel Brown from Mait Industries.
Dan McDonald and Mike Cobden from DKSH Agrisolutions.
Dan McDonald and Mike Cobden from DKSH Agrisolutions.
Joel Smythe, Valentyna Skyba and Lachlan Templeton from Result Group.
Joel Smythe, Valentyna Skyba and Lachlan Templeton from Result Group.
There is a 3D camera and a laser inside which maps the fruit as it comes through and the Co2 laser will brand a logo or company name directly onto the fruit. 
There is a 3D camera and a laser inside which maps the fruit as it comes through and the Co2 laser will brand a logo or company name directly onto the fruit. 
It is just a bit of heat that changes the pigment in the outer layer, which means there is no impact to the quality of the produce - and it is completely safe to eat.
It is just a bit of heat that changes the pigment in the outer layer, which means there is no impact to the quality of the produce - and it is completely safe to eat.
Julio Dominguez and John Ramentanis from J.L Lennard Pty Ltd.
Julio Dominguez and John Ramentanis from J.L Lennard Pty Ltd.
Perfection Fresh cooked some of its produce for delegates to sample.
Perfection Fresh cooked some of its produce for delegates to sample.
William Boland from Apunga.
William Boland from Apunga.
Delegates catching up over lunch on Day 2.
Delegates catching up over lunch on Day 2.
Katherine Lee and Naomi Orsillo from Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation.
Katherine Lee and Naomi Orsillo from Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation.
Vince Catanese from GMW, Sarah Hardwick from Greater Shepparton and Fiona Blick from C4GS.
Vince Catanese from GMW, Sarah Hardwick from Greater Shepparton and Fiona Blick from C4GS.
Simon Musson and Nigel Hollis from DNL Australia.
Simon Musson and Nigel Hollis from DNL Australia.
Darren Thomas from Algaenergy and Rhys Muller from De Sangosse Australia.
Darren Thomas from Algaenergy and Rhys Muller from De Sangosse Australia.
Brock Rabba from Evo Energy Technologies.
Brock Rabba from Evo Energy Technologies.
Adam Logan and Adrien Fistola from SNF Australia.
Adam Logan and Adrien Fistola from SNF Australia.
Ronald Chan, Vineetha Rajakaruna, Yashvir Singh from Croda Australia.
Ronald Chan, Vineetha Rajakaruna, Yashvir Singh from Croda Australia.
Adam Rodwell from Agrichem and Janine Dahms.
Adam Rodwell from Agrichem and Janine Dahms.
Scott McHaffie and Raph Hymus from Agco Australia.
Scott McHaffie and Raph Hymus from Agco Australia.
Mal Rogers and Russell Teiffel from Tama Australia.
Mal Rogers and Russell Teiffel from Tama Australia.
Scott Featherston from Apex Greenhouses.
Scott Featherston from Apex Greenhouses.
Tony Drake, Henrietta Child and Kit Crawford from Agpick Technology.
Tony Drake, Henrietta Child and Kit Crawford from Agpick Technology.
David Wright and Gilad Sela from Rivulis.
David Wright and Gilad Sela from Rivulis.
Chris Waites and Amrit Pannu from Agrofresh.
Chris Waites and Amrit Pannu from Agrofresh.
Gregor Majdak from Grow Pro Greenhouse Solutions and Joram Wijnaendts van Resandt from Gavita International B.V. - Agrolux.
Gregor Majdak from Grow Pro Greenhouse Solutions and Joram Wijnaendts van Resandt from Gavita International B.V. - Agrolux.
Wayne Prowse, Principal and Senior Analyst at Fresh Intelligence Consulting presenting on "Has Australia Reached the Crest of its Export Potential".
Wayne Prowse, Principal and Senior Analyst at Fresh Intelligence Consulting presenting on "Has Australia Reached the Crest of its Export Potential".
The team from Opal Fibre Packaging.
The team from Opal Fibre Packaging.
The team from Abbe.
The team from Abbe.
Shannon Endersby and Shaun Cleary from UPL Australia.
Shannon Endersby and Shaun Cleary from UPL Australia.
Cameron Steer and Alice Kirk from Stoller Australia.
Cameron Steer and Alice Kirk from Stoller Australia.
Paul Eitzen, Mikayla Leighton and Jason Brady from Yara Australia.
Paul Eitzen, Mikayla Leighton and Jason Brady from Yara Australia.
Catherine Fraser from Mottech Parkland.
Catherine Fraser from Mottech Parkland.
Daniel Fryer from Detpak.
Daniel Fryer from Detpak.
Gary Lee and Richard Jones from JBT Proseal Australia; and Dean Rockstro from Autocoding Systems.
Gary Lee and Richard Jones from JBT Proseal Australia; and Dean Rockstro from Autocoding Systems.
Nirali Pansuriya, Kate Appleby and George Simon from TMA/Label Manufacturers Australia.
Nirali Pansuriya, Kate Appleby and George Simon from TMA/Label Manufacturers Australia.
Jess Geelen from Biobag World Australia.
Jess Geelen from Biobag World Australia.
Danielle Boulton and Kieran Christian from Omnia.
Danielle Boulton and Kieran Christian from Omnia.
Clayton Hiskins from BeeHero.
Clayton Hiskins from BeeHero.
The team from Visy.
The team from Visy.
Charles Hazelton and Luke Testoni from Kenso Agcare.
Charles Hazelton and Luke Testoni from Kenso Agcare.
Angus Wilson, Simonne Read, Eric Vandenbrink, Matthew White and Yan Wu from FMC.
Angus Wilson, Simonne Read, Eric Vandenbrink, Matthew White and Yan Wu from FMC.
Patrick Mercieca and John Whitfield from Perfect Automation.
Patrick Mercieca and John Whitfield from Perfect Automation.
Ben Crampton, Toby Clarke and Nicholas Waterfield from Refresh:Food.
Ben Crampton, Toby Clarke and Nicholas Waterfield from Refresh:Food.
Mark Allott and Paul Watts from Kubota Australia.
Mark Allott and Paul Watts from Kubota Australia.
Roman Kurzhunov and Evgueni Iakhontov from Green Automation Group.
Roman Kurzhunov and Evgueni Iakhontov from Green Automation Group.
The team from Rijk Zwaan Australia.
The team from Rijk Zwaan Australia.
Robert Marguccio and Paul Frederick from Heat and Control.
Robert Marguccio and Paul Frederick from Heat and Control.