The 2026 Indehort Annual Meeting brought members together in the heart of the Southwest, with Manjimup, Western Australia providing a stunning backdrop for several days of site visits, supplier meetings, and industry networking. Known for its rich agricultural heritage and cool-climate produce, the region proved to be the perfect setting to explore some of the most innovative horticultural operations in the country.

Arrival and Opening Farm Visits

Delegates arrived in Manjimup on Monday morning, and and went straight to Farmlink in Manjimup to check out their premises. Terry, Zac and Dylan provided an in depth overview of the business from where it started to where it sits today as the leading business in the area.

After lunch the group visited the Alterra dam and pump shed, where the group was able to see firsthand the water storage and irrigation infrastructure that underpins modern horticultural production in the region. Water management remains one of the most critical challenges facing growers, and the Alterra facility offered a valuable insight into best-practice solutions.

rom there, the group moved on to a visit hosted by Shane Blakers, whose avocado operation drew considerable interest. Avocados continue to be one of the most dynamic crops in the Southwest, and Shane’s approach to orchard management, variety selection, and productivity offered plenty of food for thought for members across the industry.

The opening evening saw the group gather for dinner at the Gateway, with the relaxed setting providing an ideal opportunity for members to reconnect and set the tone for the days ahead.

Supplier Meetings and Farm Exploration

Tuesday was a full and productive day, balancing structured supplier meetings in the morning with more farm visits throughout the day. Supplier meetings ran from 8.00am through to midday, giving members direct access to industry partners to discuss the latest products, services, and innovations relevant to their operations. These sessions also allowed for direct feedback from both parties on how the partnership was tracking and what can be improved to take things to the next level.

In the afternoon the group visited the Manjimup kiwi fruit farm, one of the largest Kiwi fruit producers in the southern hemisphere. This visit highlighted the significant investment, , technical knowlesge along iwth marketing acumen reqired to bring the crop to market successfully. 

The afternoon included a visit to Bendotti Avo, another avocado enterprise that demonstrated the diversity of approaches being taken across the region. Whether in terms of orchard design, post-harvest handling, or market strategy, Bendotti offered a complementary perspective to the previous day’s avocado visit.

Tuesday evening’s dinner was Celantro’s Bar and Grill, where the group had an opportunity to network with the supplier partners who presented earlier in the day.  

Truffles, Wine, and Industry Dialogue

Wednesday morning again featured supplier meetings from 8.00am to midday, ensuring shareholders had ample opportunity to continue conversations with key industry partners.

The afternoon visits on Wednesday were among the most talked-about of the entire program. The group headed to Oak Valley Trufferie, one of Western Australia’s premier truffle producers. The Southwest’s cool winters and well-drained soils have made it one of Australia’s most important truffle-growing regions, and a walk through the truffle orchards offered a fascinating look at a crop that sits at the very pinnacle of the culinary world.

The group then moved on to Picardy Wines, a highly regarded winery that has long been a flagship of the Pemberton/Manjimup wine scene. The visit offered a welcome opportunity to appreciate the close relationship between viticulture and horticulture in this remarkable region, and to enjoy some of the exceptional cool-climate wines produced here.

Wednesday evening’s dinner at the Hidden River Restaurant provided a fitting conclusion to the program’s farm and industry visits, a relaxed setting to reflect on the week’s learnings and celebrate the connections made across the industry.

Shareholders departed Manjimup on Thursday morning for the return journey to Perth, taking with them new knowledge, renewed relationships, and a deeper appreciation for the extraordinary breadth of horticultural activity taking place in the Southwest.

Reflecting on the 2026 Meeting

The 2026 Indehort Annual Meeting in Manjimup was a testament to the strength and diversity of horticulture in Western Australia. From avocados and kiwi fruit to truffles and wine grapes, the Southwest continues to punch well above its weight as a region of agricultural innovation and excellence.

The combination of farm visits, supplier engagement, and shared meals created the conditions for exactly the kind of knowledge exchange and industry connection that Indehort was built to foster. Our thanks go to all the growers, producers, and hosts who opened their gates and shared their stories, your generosity made this meeting one to remember.