Lockyer Valley, Queensland, study tour: recap and reflections

Following the successful study tour to New Zealand last year, AHR’s Sophia Thach and Stephane Tabone hosted Vegetables NZ and a group of New Zealand vegetable growers and industry for a study tour in theLockyer Valley, Queensland, ahead of Hort Connections 2025.

The two-day study tour was packed with site visits to farms, a research station and soil testing laboratory from the region, offering the group first-hand insights into innovations in soil health, protected cropping, ag tech, soil biology testing, and current research trials.

Highlights from the study tour

While all of the study tour locations were compelling, some highlights from the tour are listed below.

Mulgowie Farming Company: Mulgowie has been committed to providing the best and freshest Australian produce for more than 70 years with farms in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. During the visit, Andrew Johanson and Steve Martin shared Mulgowie’s journey toward regenerative agriculture. They highlighted practices such as cover cropping and minimum/no-till farming, compost methods, aimed at improving soil health, storing carbon and reduce pest and disease pressure. The group also visited Mulgowie’s packing shed and the Soil Wealth ICP demonstration site, which is exploring how to optimise nitrogen supply from legume cover crops to sweet corn using different cover crop termination methods.
Koala Farms: Koala Farms prides themselves on innovation, continuous improvements and sharing their knowledge with industry. As part of the study tour, the group gained a comprehensive insight of the farm’s vegetable production system – from seed to harvest. The visit began in the nursery and protected cropping structures, where seeds are planted, seedlings are raised and continued through to open field vegetable production of crops such as broccoli, baby spinach and cos lettuce. The group observed, asked plenty of questions on how Koala Farms uses efficient systems and best-practice to produce high quality vegetables.
Department of Primary Industries, Queensland (QDPI): The study group was fascinated to learn about past and ongoing research projects led by QDPI. These included work on the management of fall armyworm, integrated pest management (IPM) in sweet potatoes, serpentine leaf miner control, vegetable mechanisation, and protected cropping systems. Participants also had the opportunity to hear from Ecorobotix and see the ARA precision field sprayer first-hand, along with a tour of the protected cropping units at the research station. These projects and technologies all play a vital role in advancing crop protection and sustainable vegetable production.
Metagen lab: During the visit to Metagen, the group was introduced to advanced soil microbial testing and the role of biological inputs in improving plant and soil health.The team at Metagen explained how microbial profiling can provide deeper insights into soil function, nutrient cycling and disease suppression, allowing for more targeted and sustainable farm management decisions. They also showcased a range of biological products that support beneficial microbes, enhance root development, and build resilience against pests and diseases. This session highlighted the importance of understanding the living component of soil and how growers can harness microbial activity to improve crop performance and long-term soil health.
Kalfresh: Kalfresh is a leading vegetable farming company, farming conventional and organic produce across four regions. Known for its innovation and vertically integrated operations, Kalfresh manages the full supply chain from paddock to plate.The group began their visit in the carrot packing shed, arriving just as a truckload of freshly harvested carrots was being unloaded. Participants walked through the facility to see first-hand how the company handles post-harvest processing, grading, and packing at scale. The tour then moved to a nearby carrot field, where the group learned more about Kalfresh’s farming practices, including their approach to crop rotation, soil health, and production systems. The visit provided a valuable insight into how Kalfresh integrates technology and sustainability into large-scale vegetable production.
Hort Connections 2025: The conference provided the study group with an overview of the current developments in sustainability, technology, crop protection, and productivity in the horticulture industry.

The study tour was a fantastic opportunity to see first-hand how leading growers and researchers are tackling shared challenges – from soil health and pest management to innovation in packing and production. It was inspiring to see the level of collaboration, openness with our neighbours, and commitment to continuous improvement across the industry.

“The tour was a valuable opportunity and platform for growers and industry professionals from both countries to connect, collaborate and share practical knowledge,” said Sophia Thach, Soil Wealth ICP Project Manager (AHR).

Daniel Sutton, Research, Development and Extension Manager at Vegetables NZ reflected: “This tour has strengthened trans-Tasman relationships, broadened industry understanding, and reinforced the value of ongoing collaboration in building a more connected and resilient vegetable sector.

“Special thanks to Sophia Thach and Stephanie Tabone for their insight, coordination, and leadership throughout the study tour. Their support was instrumental in delivering a meaningful experience for all involved.”

Acknowledgements

The Soil Wealth ICP team is grateful to Vegetables NZ, study tour delegates and participating site visits. The team is particularly grateful to Andrew Johanson and Steve Martin from Mulgowie Farming Company, Anthony Staatz, Nick Staatz and Rohan Bonnell from Koala Farms, Neil Wilson, Lisa Fitzgerald, Shane Fitzgerald and Ken Fitzgerald and Julie O’Halloran, Col Douglas, Leisa Bradburn, Sandra Dennien, and Praise Frezzel Tadle from QDPI, José M. Marchetti from Ecorobotix and Craig Dingle and Angus Stainlay from Kalfresh.