Researchers hit the road to share findings

Work underway in the region on a new water forecasting method, beehive health, irrigation management practices, and a horticultural economic modelling tool was shared this month at the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre’s Innovation Showcase.

The event took a group of researchers involved in Victoria Drought and Innovation Hub projects to Mildura, Euston and Swan Hill to engage with stakeholders on the ground, share their findings, and receive feedback to improve their work.

Electric vehicle with cartography equipment on display at the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre’s Innovation Showcase.

“We kicked off our three-day roadshow in Mildura with one of our Centre partners at the SuniTAFE Smart Farm, and it was really pleasing to have such diversity in the crowd because it encouraged a great range of questions,” Centre CEO Rebecca Wells said.

“There were a good mix of farmers and people from different horticulture industries, including almonds, table grapes and dried fruit, as well as corporates, farming suppliers, and even students.

It is not often that a large group of researchers will go into the regions like this, so thank you to everyone who took the opportunity to see their presentations or meet with them for a one-on-one conversation or to participate in research while we were there.

Rebecca said attendees showed great interest in current and future projects as well as the technologies on display, including a Green Atlas Cartographer fitted to Agriculture Victoria’s electric quad mule.

“The Centre is a node of the Victoria Drought and Innovation Hub and we have lots of activities happening here in the region and projects in planning that will have real benefits for Mallee industries and communities,” she said.

It is important for the researchers to share how these projects are developing and test their thinking with the people who will be impacted by the outcomes. People also need to be able to see how a tool or piece of equipment operates and talk to someone who has used the technology for similar activities to get a sense of how it would work for them.

“We designed the presentations to be short and sharp so they were engaging and easy to understand, and we received some great feedback that the information was relevant to the audiences’ needs. Encouragingly, up to two thirds of attendees also indicated that they are now considering making changes to their practices.”

Agriculture Victoria research scientist Dr Jessi Henneken presenting at the Innovation Showcase event in Mildura.