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Article • 9/6/2024

Corteva Agriscience a leading player at Hort Connections

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Corteva Agriscience was a leading player at Hort Connections this year with a range of events and initiatives.

Hort Connections was held in Melbourne, Victoria and attracted delegates from throughout Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

Horticultural Marketing Manager for Corteva, Nick Koch, said the event was a highlight each year and one the company was keen to be a part of.

Nick Koch, of Corteva Agriscience, presenting the Young Grower of the Year Award to Zeke Zalsman.

“For many years Corteva has sponsored the Young Grower of the Year Award and it has been a tremendous opportunity to meet and honour some of the excellent people involved in the horticultural industry,” he said.

“We have seen finalists and recipients of the award continue to contribute to horticulture in the years that follow, and it has been a real highlight to reconnect with many each year.”

The 2024 Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year award went to Zeke Zalsman of Zaldeesh Farms.

The family business has been operating in Western Australia for more than 30 years, growing high-quality capsicums and pomegranates.

Corteva Agriscience facilitated MSCAN, where Hort Connection attendees were able to get their skin checked for melanomas and cancers.

Zeke has taken the reins of the Oldbury family farm with a zest for innovation and a commitment to sustainability.

Corteva provided entertainment and networking opportunities for the Young Grower finalists at Hort Connections.

“It was an excellent opportunity to interact with the next generation of horticultural industry leaders.”

Mr Koch said Corteva also provided attendees with the opportunity to have their skin checked via the MSCAN (Melanoma & Skin Cancer Advocacy Network).

Greg Teske of Elders Gatton and Adam Harber, of Corteva Agriscience in deep discussion of Hort Connections.

“People registered for the service at the conference and had their skin checked for possible melanoma and skin cancers,” he said.

“This is an initiative Corteva has championed at many different events for several years. Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world and spending considerable amounts of time in the sun is a reality for many in the horticultural industry.”

“Early detection is vital and this year nurses reported a number of cases that needed further investigation.”

Nick Koch and Nick Weckert of Corteva Agriscience with South Australian onion grower, Darren Rathjen at Hort Connections.

The 2024 Hort Connections also brought together the Corteva and Stoller businesses.

Corteva Agriscience recently integrated Stoller Australia to provide growers with a whole system portfolio for local horticultural and other industries.

“It was fantastic to have a united team on display at Hort Connections and showcase the unique biostimulant, Utrisha® N.

Utrisha N is a foliar applied product which allows plants to capture and utilise nitrogen from the atmosphere.

Tim O’Dea, of Ag Plus Bundaberg, chatting with Alice Kirk and Cameron Steer at Stoller Australia.

“It is available on a wide range of crop types and has a role to play in horticulture and other agricultural crops,” Mr Koch said.

Hort Connections was also an opportunity for Corteva to work with their distribution partners, including a promotion with Muirs.

The Muirs site featured the Yamaha Wolverine X2 Utility vehicle which will be won by a grower purchasing Corteva products.

“We have a large number of products available for the horticultural industry including Zorvec^® Enicade^®, Verpixo^®, Entrust^®, Fontelis^®, Success^® Neo and Transform^®,” Mr Koch said.

“The promotion is focused on Zorvec and Verpixo but can also include other products in the Corteva range.

The Muirs and Corteva teams and the Yamaha Wolverine vehicle which is the grand prize for the current sales promotion.

“Any grower purchasing $3000 worth of Corteva product from Muirs receives a cooler bag and goes into the draw for the Yamaha Wolverine vehicle.”

Mr Koch said Hort Connections was an opportunity for Corteva to demonstrate their commitment to the Australian industry.

“Horticultural farmers continually impress with their ability to produce good quantities of high-quality fruit and vegetables for Australia and the world.

“Corteva Agriscience is committed to assisting farmers in achieving higher yielding, superior produce with a focus on sustainability.”

“We are very pleased to continue our long-term association with Hort Connections and look forward to many more opportunities in the future.”

Young Grower of the Year

Corteva Agricience are proud sponsors of the annual Hort Innovations Young Grower of the Year award, highlighting the breadth of young horticulture talent in Australia. Meet the nominees and past participants.

2024

2024 Young Grower of the Year, Zeke Zalsman from Oldbury, Western Australia, was recognised for his commitment to sustainability and a zest for innovation that has propelled him into new ventures.

Meet all the Nominees

Past Nominees

Corteva has been a proud sponsor of the AUSVEG Young Grower of the Year award since 2018. See the long list of talented alumni who have vied for the prestigious title.

Meet Past Nominees

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Young Grower of the Year

2024

Past Nominees