The FGV Conference 2026 – Growing Smarter: Tools for Tomorrow was a huge success, bringing together a full house of growers and industry representatives for a day of practical insights, new ideas, technology and plenty of discussion – followed by a fantastic evening at the Conference Dinner.
We heard from an impressive line-up of local and international speakers, covering topics including crop load management, pest and disease control, plant nutrition, irrigation, orchard technology, automation and the transition to electric machinery. Our international speakers Mike Casey, Lee Kalcsits and Patrick Brown shared valuable insights from New Zealand and the USA, alongside presentations from industry experts and growers from across Australia.
The outdoor demonstrations and trade displays also gave delegates the opportunity to see the latest technology and equipment in action.
A huge thank you to our Platinum Sponsors – Sumitomo, Sonic Essentials and Netafim – along with all of our sponsors and industry partners who helped make the event possible. And, most importantly, thank you to our delegates for turning up, getting involved and making the day such a great success.
Without the support of our sponsors, industry partners, speakers and delegates, we simply couldn’t run an event like this.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to a fantastic day and night. We’re already looking forward to the next one!
Missed a session or want to revisit a presentation? Conference presentations are now available to download below.
- Mike Casey, Cherry Orchardist & Entrepreneur NZ - Electric Cherries
- Dan Papacek, Entomologist, Bugs 4 Bugs - Intergrated Pest Management
- Don Thorp, Hortspray, Horticultural Spraying Specialists - Spraying Smarter:Reducing Costs Through Better Spray Application
- Jessica Fearnley-Pattison, Dev Officer (Temperate Fruits) NSW DPIRD - Protecting your crop - A guide to bird deterrants in the Orchard
- Monre Meyer, Commercial Bee Keeper & Co-Founder Pure_Pollination - Pollination Risk Management in the Varroa Era
- Jeremy Griffith, General Manager, APAL - A National Perspective
- Dr. Patrick Brown, UCLA – Biostimulants and Biofertilisers; Their function and Effective Use in Modern Agriculture. (please email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a copy of the presentation) - Dr. Lee Kalcsits, WSU – Horticultural Practices that Produce High Quality Fruit in Apple and Pear (Dr. Kalcsits is unable to share his presentation online but willing to be contacted direct with any questions via email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
We’ll be back bigger and better in 2028!
