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Created by Hort Innovation (using the vegetable research and development levy and funds from the Australian Government) and Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia, this curriculum-aligned virtual tour explores an on-farm vegetable supply chain. Hear how the producers at Dicky Bill Australia manage farm operations with a dedicated team to ensure consumers have access to high-quality, nutritious vegetables all year round.
Discover how sustainable practices, cutting-edge technology, and continuous innovation are used across the production, processing, and transport stages. Through real-world insights and immersive learning, students are invited to explore the journey from paddock to plate—deepening their understanding of modern vegetable production, food safety, sustainability, and career opportunities in Australia’s vegetable industry.
Find more resources and information by visiting freshfoodschools.com.au and primezone.edu.au.
Learning Areas/Year Levels
Explore the virtual farm tour developed for secondary school students in Australia. The tour and accompanying project resources are aligned with the Australian Curriculum across the learning areas of Design and Technologies, Health and Physical Education, Science, and Geography. They are also suitable for integration into senior secondary subject areas.
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Hort Innovation (using the vegetable research and development levy and funds from the Australian Government) and Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia’s (PIEFA) resources support and facilitate effective teaching and learning about Australia’s food and fibre industries. We are grateful for the support of our industry and member organisations for assisting in our research efforts and providing industry-specific information and imagery to benefit the development and accuracy of this educational resource.
While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the contents of this educational resource are factually correct, PIEFA, Hort Innovation and Dicky Bill Australia do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the contents and shall not be liable for any loss or damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly from using, or reliance on, the contents of this educational resources.
Schools and users of this resource are responsible for generating their own risk assessments and for their own compliance, procedures and reporting related to the use of animals, equipment and other materials for educational purposes.
This work is licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0.
To view a copy of this license, visit: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
These materials are provided by PIEFA for educational use and are not intended for any commercial purposes.
htmlText_E2408CDB_CFAA_E311_41DB_8B97F0375801.html =
Hort Innovation (using the vegetable research and development levy and funds from the Australian Government) and Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia’s (PIEFA) resources support and facilitate effective teaching and learning about Australia’s food and fibre industries. We are grateful for the support of our industry and member organisations for assisting in our research efforts and providing industry-specific information and imagery to benefit the development and accuracy of this educational resource.
While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the contents of this educational resource are factually correct, PIEFA, Hort Innovation and Dicky Bill Australia do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the contents and shall not be liable for any loss or damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly from using, or reliance on, the contents of this educational resources.
Schools and users of this resource are responsible for generating their own risk assessments and for their own compliance, procedures and reporting related to the use of animals, equipment and other materials for educational purposes.
This work is licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0.
To view a copy of this license, visit: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
These materials are provided by PIEFA for educational use and are not intended for any commercial purposes.
htmlText_E5789E9D_CFDB_1F10_41DB_9F07838720FE.html =
Created by Hort Innovation (using the vegetable research and development levy and funds from the Australian Government) and Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia, this curriculum-aligned virtual tour explores an on-farm vegetable supply chain. Hear how the producers at Dicky Bill Australia manage farm operations with a dedicated team to ensure consumers have access to high-quality, nutritious vegetables all year round.
Discover how sustainable practices, cutting-edge technology, and continuous innovation are used across the production, processing, and transport stages. Through real-world insights and immersive learning, students are invited to explore the journey from paddock to plate—deepening their understanding of modern vegetable production, food safety, sustainability, and career opportunities in Australia’s vegetable industry.
Find more resources and information by visiting freshfoodschools.com.au and primezone.edu.au.
Learning Areas/Year Levels
Explore the virtual farm tour developed for secondary school students in Australia. The tour and accompanying project resources are aligned with the Australian Curriculum across the learning areas of Design and Technologies, Health and Physical Education, Science, and Geography. They are also suitable for integration into senior secondary subject areas.
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1. Harvesting
2. Quality Assurance (QA) sampling and assessment
3. Vacuum cooling
4. Sorting and triple-washing
5. Drying
6. Allocation to line areas
7. Quality control
8. Boxing, packaging and labelling
9. Collation and dispatch
10. Transportation
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Economic sustainability encompasses the management of food and fibre production that is financially viable and profitable for stakeholders at the local, regional, national, and international levels. It focuses on ensuring economic growth and contributing to the overall stability and prosperity of the agricultural sector. At Dicky Bill, practices to improve economic sustainability include investing in automation, such as custom-built harvesters and robotic weeding technology, to improve efficiency, reduce labour costs, and maximise crop yields.
Environmental sustainability describes the adoption of practices and systems in food and fibre production that prioritise the long-term health and resilience of resources and ecosystems. These practices and systems aim to achieve the ongoing availability of food and fibre to meet the needs of present and future generations. At Dicky Bill, practices to improve environmental sustainability include using water-efficient irrigation systems that minimise waste (and lower costs by optimising water use).
Social sustainability emphasises the promotion of a high quality of life for workers, communities, and consumers associated with the agricultural sector. It seeks to cultivate inclusive and resilient agricultural systems that contribute to the overall welfare and satisfaction of people connected to the industry. At Dicky Bill, practices to improve social sustainability include prioritising the safety, working conditions and well-being of staff on the farm through effective communication, training, and collaboration.
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At Dicky Bill, challenges in vegetable production are addressed through innovative solutions that ensure a reliable supply of high-quality produce. On the farm, management teams, along with advancements in technology and innovation, play a role in overcoming these challenges.
Forecasting supply and demand – Delivering the desired quality and quantity of products is important to avoid shortages and reduce waste. APUNGA Farm Management Software tracks the life cycles of crops, forecasts harvests, and helps optimise production planning to meet demand efficiently. Understanding growth rates through accurate forecasting helps to ensure that crops are ready for harvest at the right time.
Weather variability – Extreme heat can impact crop growth and quality. To manage this, in hot conditions, planting and harvesting are performed in the evening when temperatures are lower, reducing plant stress and improving the establishment of the germinating seeds.
Labour availability and costs – Investing in on-site education, mentoring, and training, as well as maintaining a socially sustainable workplace, is essential for developing a stable workforce. Automation, such as multispectral camera AI weeders, helps reduce labour demands associated with costly and time-consuming operations while allowing critical tasks like weeding to be completed efficiently and on time.
Meeting specifications – Retailers and consumers expect vegetables to meet standards for size, colour, and texture. Quality Assurance staff monitor crops throughout the growth cycle and all stages of the supply chain to maintain consistency and compliance with market specifications.
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At Dicky Bill, data has been used to determine the most effective areas for technological investment, leading to greater efficiency and long-term benefits.
APUNGA Farm Management Software – Tracks planting life cycles, irrigation, fertiliser application, and inputs to provide full traceability for every crop. It enhances forecasting, optimises resource use, and ensures compliance with safety regulations by tracking withholding periods to prevent chemical residues at harvest. By integrating multiple farm operations into a single platform, it provides better oversight and decision-making than traditional record-keeping methods.
Automated and precision machinery – Uses multispectral cameras and AI to detect and remove weeds with precision while minimising soil disturbance, reducing environmental impacts and improving labour efficiency. Unlike manual labour, which can be slow, costly, and physically demanding, automation allows for faster, more precise operations while reducing labour costs and reliance on seasonal workers.
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At Dicky Bill, data has been used to determine the most effective areas for technological investment, leading to greater efficiency in the processing area of the supply chain.
Vacuum cooling facility – Rapidly cools the harvested produce to 2°C within 20 minutes, preserving freshness, extending shelf life, and maintaining cold chain integrity.
Drying tunnel – Removes excess moisture before packaging, improving consistency, reducing spoilage, and enhancing shelf life.
Automated boxing system – Automates box assembly, reducing manual labour, improving efficiency, and ensuring consistent product packaging.
Conveyors – Reduces manual handling, improving workflow efficiency, minimising damage to the product, and maintaining food safety.
Traceability via batch numbers – Assigns each product a batch number for full traceability from the processing facility to the paddock, ensuring food safety and compliance.
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Biosecurity protocols are essential to prevent contamination, protect consumer health, and maintain high industry standards.
At Dicky Bill, biosecurity is a top priority at every stage of production. Strict hygiene measures, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hairnets and gloves, are enforced at all times in our production facility. Handwashing and sanitisation stations are placed at all facility entrances to further prevent contamination.
Every product is assigned a batch code number, allowing full traceability not only through the processing facility but all the way back to the paddock where it was grown. This system ensures that, in the event of a food safety concern, products can be quickly identified and tracked (using technology that collects, stores and accesses this data), maintaining the highest standards of quality and consumer confidence.
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By following a structured process for soil preparation and management, vegetable producers help to ensure healthy crop growth while maintaining soil health and fertility.
Aerating the soil involves loosening the topsoil to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate more effectively. This improves drainage and root penetration of crops.
Soil testing is the process of analysing soil samples to determine nutrient levels, pH balance, and overall soil health, allowing for the best input selection and management decisions. Most vegetable crops grow best at a pH of 7, though some, like parsley, thrive at a pH of 7.5, so some crops benefit from having lime applied to the soil before planting.
Green manuring involves incorporating nutrient-rich plants or the unharvested parts of a crop into the soil to enhance organic matter, improve soil fertility, and support microbial activity, resulting in healthier and more productive soil for future production.
Rotational cropping is the practice of alternating different crops/plants in a specific sequence on the same land to maintain soil fertility and reduce pest and disease incidence. The agronomists at Dicky Bill use ryecorn at the Maffra location and sudangrass in Drinan as cover crops during the off-season. These are used as fallow crops, which are plants grown primarily to restore soil nutrients, improve structure, and prevent erosion during non-cropping periods.
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Most Australians eat only half the recommended five servings of vegetables per day, yet increasing vegetable intake has significant health benefits. Vegetables are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre, making them a key part of a balanced diet.
Dicky Bill’s fresh leafy greens, including spinach, rocket, and baby leaf salads, provide important nutrients such as vitamin C, folate, and antioxidants, which support overall health. Adding a variety of vegetables to meals ensures a diverse intake of essential nutrients, helping Australians meet dietary guidelines while enjoying fresh, nutritious, and convenient meal options.
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Optimising growth, development, and harvesting on the Dicky Bill farm requires a combination of different occupations, technologies, innovations, and sustainable farming practices. Professionals such as agronomists, harvest coordinators, and irrigation managers work together to ensure that crops are productive and meet market specifications. The APUNGA Farm Management Software plays a crucial role in helping staff manage this by tracking crop life cycles, irrigation schedules, and input applications to enhance forecasting, improve resource efficiency, and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Weeding on the farm integrates manual removal with advanced robotic technology. Machinery using multispectral cameras and AI improves the ability to detect and remove unwanted plants that compete for resources with the crop. By automating this operation, workers can be reallocated to other essential areas of production in the supply chain.
Pest and disease control is carefully managed to ensure produce meets high standards while maintaining sustainable farming practices. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) combines the maintenance of optimal conditions for plant growth and development with physical removal, robotic technology, and chemical applications to protect crops effectively.
At Dicky Bill, transitioning from an eight-bed to a six-bed system has increased the productive land by 16%, while investing in machinery capable of bedforming, fertiliser and spray applications three beds at a time, meaning fewer tractor passes and more efficient applications. These advancements have also lowered fuel consumption and labour costs, making operations more sustainable and cost-effective.
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Social sustainability in food and fibre production focuses on ensuring a high quality of life for workers, communities, and consumers. At Dicky Bill, this means prioritising fair employment practices to maintain ethical working conditions and employee well-being. Daily staff meetings enhance communication and workplace safety, ensuring everyone is informed and aligned with farm and factory operations. The Dicky Bill newsletter, managed by Jack and Connor, helps connect employees, fostering a sense of family, community and engagement. By promoting a supportive work environment, the farm contributes to the overall welfare and satisfaction of those involved in food production, strengthening the agricultural industry for the future.
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The business maintains year-round vegetable production by utilising the different climates of Maffra, Victoria, and Drinan, Queensland. In summer, Victoria reaches peak production, supported by irrigation from Lake Glenmaggie, while in winter, Queensland’s milder conditions allow crops to grow when colder temperatures slow production in Victoria. This two-location system reduces weather-related risks, ensures a steady vegetable supply, and maximises efficiency through careful planting schedules and water management.
Considering seasonal conditions is crucial in effectively managing vegetable production. For example, spinach growth varies throughout the year, taking around 58 days to mature in winter
(in Victoria) but only 24 days in summer due to warmer conditions. As a result, management operations must adapt to seasonal variations, adjusting irrigation schedules, pest and disease control strategies, harvesting timelines, and workforce allocation to ensure crop health and productivity year-round. Labour demand also varies, often doubling during peak production periods compared to other times of the year.
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Unpredictable weather patterns can impact vegetable production. Extreme weather events can lead to decreased yields, quality issues, shortages in supply, and, sometimes, price increases, making fresh produce less accessible to consumers. Producers can adapt by implementing a range of strategies, such as: precision irrigation, managing operations such as planting at optimal times of the day to help regulate temperatures and reduce plant stress, selecting resistant crop varieties, and improving soil moisture retention through soil management practices.
Pests and diseases threaten crop health and reduce overall yields. Pest resistance to chemicals and the spread of pathogens can lead to greater crop losses and higher production costs. Integrated pest management (IPM) and farm biosecurity measures can help protect crops. IPM is an approach that uses a combination of control methods, such as biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods, to control pests and diseases.
Seasonal workforce demands can make it difficult to complete key production operations like planting, weeding and harvesting. Labour shortages can delay harvests, reduce efficiency, and lead to food waste, impacting supply chain stability. Investing in automation, such as robotic harvesters and precision weeding technologies, can help reduce labour dependency and improve efficiencies.
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Maffra, Victoria
● Size: 700 acres.
● Soil: Sandy loam.
● Climate: Temperate, 600-700mm annual rainfall.
● Temperature range: 28°C summer highs, 3°C winter lows.
● Production: Peak growing period from September to May.
Drinan, Queensland
● Size: 500 acres.
● Soil: Sandy loam.
● Climate: Subtropical, 700-800mm annual rainfall.
● Temperature range: 32°C summer highs, 10-12°C winter lows.
● Production: Peak growing period from May to October.
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