Banana Congress 2025 will see the return of Congress favourites including the Banana Ball and Awards of Honour and our much-loved Women’s Luncheon will also be back and better than ever. Building on the success of previous years, the Science Symposium will be held the day prior to Congress. This is a huge drawcard for researchers, as well as science-minded growers and industry stakeholders. While we’re bringing back the favourites, rest assured Congress 2025 will also offer new experiences, a fresh layout and tackle some key industry issues.

The Congress program is subject to change.

Wednesday, 6 August
SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM
Thursday, 7 August
Friday, 8 August


VENUE: ROYAL POINCIANA ROOM
0730-0900	REGISTRATION
0800-0845	TEA/COFFEE NETWORKING


0845-1630	Science Symposium
	SESSION 1 Welcome and introduction Rosie Godwin, Research and Development Manager, Australian Banana Growers’ Council & Tegan Cavallaro, Senior Development Horticulturist, Department of Primary Industries TBC talk title Altus Viljoen, Professor in Plant Pathology, Stellenbosch University
	THEME: The Gene Scene
	Development of resources to accelerate the genetic improvement of banana and support long-term industry resilience Robert Henry, Professor Of Innovation In Agriculture, University Of Queensland & Emily Rames, Research Scientist, QLD Department Of Primary Industries Identifying Resistance Genes in Wild Banana Elizabeth Aitken, Professor in Plant Pathology, University of Queensland QCAV-4: a Cavendish banana with Fusarium wilt tropical race 4 resistance – now approved for commercial cultivation in Australia Anthony James, Senior Research Fellow, Queensland University of Technology Towards a consumer-acceptable Goldfinger banana via gene editing Jacinta Watkins, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Queensland University of Technology Combined Q&A
	MORNING TEA 1015-1045
	SESSION 2
	THEME: Variety Show
	New varieties for Australian banana growers Jeff Daniells, Principal Horticulturist, QLD Department Of Primary Industries Uncovering the hidden genetic diversity of Mus a acuminata ssp. banksii in Northern Queensland, Australia Steven Janssens, Senior Researcher, Meise Botanic Garden Combined Q&A
	THEME: Protect and detect
	The enduring benefits of excluding plant diseases Andre Drenth, Program Leader Crop Protection, University of Queensland Strengthening Australian banana biosecurity through validated diagnostics of exotic fungal and bacterial diseases Lilia Carvalhais, Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Queensland Improvement of Panama disease diagnostics with high-throughput sequencing Edward Gilding, Senior Molecular Biologist, Department Of Primary Industries Combined Q&A Small RNA sequencing as a high throughput screening tool for banana viruses Kathy Crew, Principal Plant Pathologist, QLD Department of Primary Industries Diversity of banana wilt associated phytoplasmas and their diagnostics Mignon De Jager, Phd Student, QAAFI Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation Combined Q&A Wrap-up of morning and instructions about lunch
	LUNCH 1235-1400
	SESSION 3
	THEME: Mites, flights and challenges that keep you up at night
	Facing challenges to achieve a quality future Ingrid Jenkins, Senior Horticulturist, Department of Primary Industries A review of the interactions between birds and bats and bananas – implications for the Australian banana industry Stewart Lindsay, Team Leader of Banana Production Systems, QLD Department of Primary Industries Survival of the Mite Predator Stethorus fenestralis After Exposure to Banana Fungicides Daniel Farrell, Entomologist, QLD Department of Primary Industries A deep dive into the SBFS complex Kathy Grice, Principal Experimentalist, Department of Primary Industries Combined Q&A
	AFTERNOON TEA 1455-1525
	SESSION 4
	THEME: Ground truths
	Revealing the Risks of Fusarium Wilt Subtropical Race 4 Janet Roberts, Phd Student, QAAFI Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation Have You Got Soil Health Covered? The Role of Ground Cover in Banana Farm Soils Hazel Gaza, Senior Soil Ecologist, Department Of Primary Industries Phosphorus in banana plant tissue under different levels of soil P Alex Lindsay, Senior Research Agronomist, Department of Primary Industries Combined Q&A Wrap up and close including post event evaluation Rosie Godwin & Tegan Cavallaro

VENUE: ABGC LOUNGE

ABGC Member Meet-Up

From 5pm – members invited to drop by the ABGC Lounge for a glass of bubbles on their way to Welcome Drinks.
Let us know if it’s your first Congress and we’ll introduce you to some friends!

VENUE: ABGC LOUNGE

VENUE: PODIUM LAWNS

ABGC Member Meet-Up
From 5pm – members invited to drop by the ABGC Lounge for a glass of bubbles on their way to Welcome Drinks. Let us know if it’s your first Congress and we’ll introduce you to some friends!

VENUE: ABGC LOUNGE

VENUE: PODIUM LAWNS

ABGC Member Meet-Up
From 5pm – members invited to drop by the ABGC Lounge for a glass of bubbles on their way to Welcome Drinks. Let us know if it’s your first Congress and we’ll introduce you to some friends!

VENUE: ABGC LOUNGE

VENUE: PODIUM LAWNS

ABGC Member Meet-Up
From 5pm – members invited to drop by the ABGC Lounge for a glass of bubbles on their way to Welcome Drinks. Let us know if it’s your first Congress and we’ll introduce you to some friends!


VENUE: PODIUM LAWNS
1730-1930	Welcome Reception THEME: A touch of yellow
	Sponsored by: Australian Produce Partners


0700	REGISTRATION


VENUE: CYPRESS 1 & 2
0715-0815	Mackays Marketing Breakfast Session Registration required Unbending Resilience Pat Farmer*, Marathon Athlete and Former Politician
0715-0815	Sponsored by: Mackay’s Marketing


VENUE: EXHIBITION HALL – ROYAL BENOWA BALLROOM
0730	TEA AND COFFEE


0830-1015	SESSION 1A: WELCOME (WE DON’T BITE!) Snake Bite first aid and awareness with a milking demonstration Billy Collett, Australian Reptile Park, Bondi Vet OFFICIAL OPENING Introduction from Banana Congress MC Pip Courtney, Landline host STATE OF THE INDUSTRY Leanne Erakovic, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Banana Growers’ Council
0830-1015	SESSION 1B: INTERNATIONAL INSIGHT TR4 Global Update Altus Viljoen, Professor in Plant Pathology, Stellenbosch University


VENUE: EXHIBITION HALL – ROYAL BENOWA BALLROOM
1015-1045	MORNING TEA


VENUE: ROYAL BENOWA BALLROOM
1045-1205	SESSION 2: MAKING YOUR MARK(ET) Innovation in horticulture: Can we reinvent banana? Robert Henry, Professor Of Innovation In Agriculture, University of Queensland TBC talk title Naomi Abbott, Technical Officer, NQ Banana Research Plant Breeders Rights from a growers perspective Gavin Scurr, Managing Director, Pinata Farms PANEL discussion: What does it take to get a new variety onto the shelf and into homes? Panel members: Naomi Abbott, Technical Officer, NQ Banana Research Altus Viljoen, Professor in Plant Pathology, Stellenbosch University Gavin Scurr, Managing Director, Pinata Farms Robert Henry, Professor Of Innovation In Agriculture, University of Queensland
1205-1415	LUNCH	VENUE: RACV ROYAL PINES, VIDERE RESTAURANT
		Banana Women’s Luncheon Sarah Corcoran, Chief Executive Officer, Plant Health Australia
		Sponsored by: Pakall Pty Ltd
VENUE: ROYAL BENOWA BALLROOM
1405-1500	SESSION 3: RIPE IDEAS \| Host: Andrew Francey Partnering with Hort Innovation Andrew Francey, General Manager, Industry Service & Delivery, Hort Innovation Banana de-handing prototype Dr Chris Lehnhert, Senior Lecturer, Australian Cobotics Centre Future of aerial spraying Matthew Harper, Chief Executive Officer, Aerial Application Association of Australia
1500-1530	SIXTY SECOND SCIENCE (POSTER PITCHES)


VENUE: EXHIBITION HALL – ROYAL BENOWA BALLROOM
1530-1610	AFTERNOON TEA & SCIENCE POSTER SESSION
VENUE: ROYAL BENOWA BALLROOM
1610-1700	SESSION 4: SETTING UP FOR SUCCESS John Moor, Owner, Growmoor Biological


VENUE: EXHIBITION HALL – ROYAL BENOWA BALLROOM
1730-1930	Tradeshow Exhibition Evening
	Sponsored by: Costa


0630	GET ACTIVE (More to come!)
0700	REGISTRATION
VENUE: EXHIBITION HALL – ROYAL BENOWA BALLROOM
0730	TEA AND COFFEE OPEN


VENUE: CYPRESS 1 & 2
0715-0815	ABGC Members Only Grower Meeting *pre-registration required


VENUE: ROYAL BENOWA BALLROOM
0830-0950	SESSION 5A: WHERE TO FOR WORKFORCE Workforce: Challenges, risks and opportunities Steve Burdette, Executive Officer, Approved Employers Australia
0830-0950	SESSION 5B: UNDERSTANDING THE BANANA CATEGORY TO DRIVE DEMAND Sponsored by: Hort Innovation Emma Day, Senior Marketing Manager, Hort Innovation Andrew Burns, Supply Chain Engagement Manager, ABGC Belinda Van Schaik, Head of Marketing, Hort Innovation
VENUE: EXHIBITION HALL – ROYAL BENOWA BALLROOM
0950-1020	MORNING TEA


VENUE: ROYAL BENOWA BALLROOM
1030-1200	SESSION 6: FUTURE-FOCUSSED FARMING Farming with reduced inputs Peter Wren-Hilton, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Platform 10 and Wharf42 PANEL: Solving the soil health puzzle Panellists Simon Mattson, Educator/Consultant, Regen Ag John Pickering, Chief Behavioural Scientist, Evidn – panel facillitator Dr Neil Wilson, Director of Research Microbiology, Metagen Stephen Lowe, Grower Michael Russo, Marlin Blue Bananas, Grower Peter Inderbitzin, Grower, Red Valley Farms, Lakeland Assessment of an integrated risk tool to aid Panama disease management Tony Pattison, Senior-principal Nematologist, Department of Primary Industries
VENUE: EXHIBITION HALL – ROYAL BENOWA BALLROOM
1200-1330	LUNCH


VENUE: ROYAL BENOWA BALLROOM
1330-1520	*SESSION 7: ON TRACK* FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE Carbon – what’s coming & how to prepare Noel Ainsworth, Principal Horticulturist, Department of Primary Industries TBC talk title Jane Siebum, Chief Executive Officer, Freshcare TBC talk title Jana Pittman**, Commonwealth Champion – Athletics Sponsored by: Arcella Bananas Home of Tropicana Ltd
1520-1530	Closing address Paul Inderbitzin, Congress Chair, Australian Banana Growers’ Council


1900 – late	Banana Ball and Industry Awards, featuring new award categories
1900 – late	Sponsored by: Visy

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Paper #	Presenter	Abstract Submission Title	Presenting at Science Poster Panel
1	Elizabeth Aitken	Identifying Sources of Resistance to Fusarium Wilt	✅
2	Delwar Akbar	Banana action plan: How to minimise food waste?	✅
3	Molly Blake	Understanding inter-row ground cover in the Wet Tropics Banana farming region	✅
4	Shannon Byrnes	Banana Yield Mapping	✅
5	Lilia Carvalhais	Novel assay to detect Ralstonia solanacearum causing Moko disease in banana	✅
6	Tegan Cavallaro	Extension – The value of putting grower collaboration at the heart of project design and delivery.	✅
7	Ingrid Jenkins	Bunch pest management, investigating practices to maximise efficacy and stewardship of registered chemistries	✅
8	John Thomas	A lateral flow immunoassay for the in-field detection of banana bunchy top virus	✅
9	Kathy Crew	BBTV-infected plants are infectious earlier than previously thought!	✅
10	Andre Drenth	Keeping bananas healthy	✅
11	David East	Chemical control of yellow Sigatoka	✅
12	Paul Edwards	Cavendish Banana production management using plant growth regulators	✅
13	Daniel Farrell	Insect sanctuaries for Beneficial Predators and Parasites in Bananas	✅
14	Daniel Farrell	Using Beneficial Mites to Control Banana Spider Mites	✅
15	Kathy Grice	Is deleafing critical in the management of yellow Sigatoka?	✅
16	Alex Lindsay	The banana nutrient rates trial project	✅
17	Andrew Macnish	Banana supply chain monitoring and simulation identifies critical control points	✅
18	Thu Ha Ngo	Diagnosis of Panama TR4 in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 for NATA accreditation	✅
19	Vu Nguyen	EFS – suppression of TR4 is now possible	✅
20	Cecilia O’Dwyer	Development and validation of diagnostic assays for detection of phytoplasmas infecting banana	⨯
21	Tony Pattison	Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help with Panama disease decision making	✅
22	Richard Piper	Entomopathogens for banana bunch pest control.	✅
23	Emily Rames	Diverse banana germplasm to support industry development	✅
24	Janet Roberts	Pathology and Ecology of Fusarium Wilt Subtropical Race 4	⨯
25	Katelyn Robertson	Are we approaching Goldfinger’s golden era?	✅
26	Visnja Steele	Virus diagnostics support movement of clean planting material	⨯

Paper #	Presenter	Abstract Submission Title	Presenting at Science Poster Panel
1	Elizabeth Aitken	Identifying Sources of Resistance to Fusarium Wilt	✅
2	Delwar Akbar	Banana action plan: How to minimise food waste?	✅
3	Molly Blake	Understanding inter-row ground cover in the Wet Tropics Banana farming region	✅
4	Shannon Byrnes	Banana Yield Mapping	✅
5	Lilia Carvalhais	Novel assay to detect Ralstonia solanacearum causing Moko disease in banana	✅
6	Tegan Cavallaro	Extension – The value of putting grower collaboration at the heart of project design and delivery.	✅
7	Ingrid Jenkins	Bunch pest management, investigating practices to maximise efficacy and stewardship of registered chemistries	✅
8	John Thomas	A lateral flow immunoassay for the in-field detection of banana bunchy top virus	✅
9	Kathy Crew	BBTV-infected plants are infectious earlier than previously thought!	✅
10	Andre Drenth	Keeping bananas healthy	✅
11	David East	Chemical control of yellow Sigatoka	✅
12	Paul Edwards	Cavendish Banana production management using plant growth regulators	✅
13	Daniel Farrell	Insect sanctuaries for Beneficial Predators and Parasites in Bananas	✅
14	Daniel Farrell	Using Beneficial Mites to Control Banana Spider Mites	✅
15	Kathy Grice	Is deleafing critical in the management of yellow Sigatoka?	✅
16	Alex Lindsay	The banana nutrient rates trial project	✅
17	Andrew Macnish	Banana supply chain monitoring and simulation identifies critical control points	✅
18	Thu Ha Ngo	Diagnosis of Panama TR4 in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 for NATA accreditation	✅
19	Vu Nguyen	EFS – suppression of TR4 is now possible	✅
20	Cecilia O’Dwyer	Development and validation of diagnostic assays for detection of phytoplasmas infecting banana	⨯
21	Tony Pattison	Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help with Panama disease decision making	✅
22	Richard Piper	Entomopathogens for banana bunch pest control.	✅
23	Emily Rames	Diverse banana germplasm to support industry development	✅
24	Janet Roberts	Pathology and Ecology of Fusarium Wilt Subtropical Race 4	⨯
25	Katelyn Robertson	Are we approaching Goldfinger’s golden era?	✅
26	Visnja Steele	Virus diagnostics support movement of clean planting material	⨯

Program

RECONNECT + RECHARGE

RECONNECT

RECHARGE

REGENERATE

RECONNECT + REGENERATE

REGENERATE

REGENERATE

RECONNECT + REGENERATE

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Organisers

MCI Australia

Australian Banana Growers' Council

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Science Poster Panel

Science Poster Panel