Healthy Soils, Smarter Weed Management: Lessons from Australian Vegetable Sector
About the event
Join NZVeg, with support from FAR and the Horticentre Charitable Trust, for an informative session with Carl Larsen from RM Consulting Group (RMCG), Australia, who will share practical insights from two Australian vegetable industry research programmes.
Carl will introduce the Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection (ICP) programme, which has worked alongside Australian vegetable growers for over a decade to improve soil health, crop productivity and profitability. Through commercial demonstration farms, the programme has explored practical approaches to cover cropping, reduced tillage, soil biology, crop protection and more efficient use of inputs.
He will also discuss Australian research into herbicide-resistant ryegrass in onion and carrot production, covering the challenges growers face, emerging resistance trends and strategies for improving weed management across vegetable rotations.
Why attend?
Vegetable growers in New Zealand and Australia face many of the same challenges, including rising production costs, maintaining soil health and increasing pressure on the effectiveness of existing herbicides.
This session is an opportunity to:
Learn from Australian research and practical on-farm experience.
Explore approaches that could be adapted to New Zealand growing conditions.
Discuss ways to improve soil health, strengthen weed management and protect the crop protection tools growers rely on.
The session is relevant to vegetable growers, agronomists, crop advisers and anyone interested in improving the long-term productivity and resilience of vegetable production.
Supported by
Meet the speaker
Carl Larsen
Carl Larsen is a Principal Consultant and member of the Leadership Team at RM Consulting Group (RMCG), one of Australia's leading regional consulting firms specialising in agriculture, natural resource management and sustainable development. Since joining RMCG as a graduate in 2009, Carl has developed extensive expertise in sustainable agriculture, soil and water management, regenerative horticulture, and the delivery of research, development and extension programmes. He has held several senior leadership positions and was appointed Principal in July 2025. Carl specialises in translating research into practical outcomes, working closely with growers, industry organisations and researchers to support the adoption of improved farming practices. His experience spans soil health, integrated crop management, alternative water use, resource recovery and agricultural sustainability. A strong advocate for evidence-based decision-making and industry collaboration, Carl is passionate about connecting science with growers and helping them improve productivity while protecting natural resources. At this event, Carl will share insights from Australia's Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection programme, alongside research into herbicide-resistant ryegrass in onion and carrot production, highlighting practical lessons and opportunities for New Zealand vegetable growers.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
