Forthside Research Facility Field Day

This year's Forthside Research Facility Field Day is an event not to be missed! Join us for a day of presentations, discussions and field walks focussed on the theme of 'growing value for cool climate horticulture'. 

It is a great opportunity to speak with researchers and PhD candidates about current research for Tasmanian growers, including:

• What's new in potato disease research?
• BioClay as a new approach to disease management
• Managing weeds (oxalis) in a rotational cropping system 
• Overcoming heat stress in strawberries
• Growing herbs for Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Pyrethrum disease management

We're pleased to welcome Anthony Kachenko (General Manager for Production and Sustainability R&D at Hort Innovation) and Caitlin Radford (NW Coast farmer and 2020 Australian Apprentice of the Year) to our panel, with more speakers to be announced soon.

You will have an opportunity to ask questions during a 30 minute panel discussion about innovative and sustainable ways to grow value for cool climate horticulture here in Tasmania.

Looking for more? The industry trade tables will be back again and we are running afternoon farm walks highlighting key research areas on the farm. If you'd like to stay for this part of the day, please be sure to select 'Field Day and Farm Tour' when booking your free ticket.

The icing on the cake - this year is the 60th anniversary of the Forthside Farm so come along and celebrate with us. There will be cake, a coffee van, free lunch, networking opportunities, and of course opportunities to tour the Farm and speak with researchers and PhD candidates about current research underway to support Tasmanian farmers.  

Program Overview:

10:00am - Opening of TIA Vegetable Research Facility Field Day

10:15am - Pest and Disease Management

• Pink rot in potatoes -  Professor Calum Wilson (TIA)
• Principles of bioclay in disease management - Dr Tory Clarke (TIA)
• Managing weeds in rotation cropping systems (oxalis) - PhD candidate Laurie Krauss (TIA)

11:00am - Morning tea & coffee (provided)

11:45am - Growing Beyond Tradition: Innovative Horticulture Practices

• Overcoming heat stress in strawberries - Dr Nathan Tivendale (TIA)
• Agronomic principles for growing Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs in Tasmania - PhD candidate Celia van Sprang (TIA)
• Elphin Grove Farm evolving - Matthew Young

12:30pm - Panel discussion: 'Growing value for cool climate horticulture' hosted by Nigel Swarts (TIA) 

• Doug Clark - Farm Manager of TIA Forthside Research Facility
• Anthony Kachenko - General Manager, Production & Sustainability R&D at Hort Innovation 
• Caitlin Radford - NW Coast farmer and 2020 Australian Apprentice of the Year
• Cameron Folder - Costa Berries Tasmania

1:00pm - Lunch (provided)

Optional Farm Tours (please be sure to select Field Day and Farm Tour when booking your ticket)
1:30pm - 3:00pm - Farm Tour

• Pyrethrum disease management 
• Hydroponic strawberries 
• Irrigation sensors
• Traditonal Chinese Medicine 

Registrations required by close of business on Monday 6 December.

Please contact us should you have any questions.