R&D update: Smarter systems easing pressure in nurseries
30 April 2026
30 April 2026
Nurseries are under growing pressure – labour shortages, rising costs and tighter compliance are stretching teams thin.
The solution isn’t more effort. It’s smarter systems.
The Nursery Paper Smarter systems, not harder work (NY25001), supported by GrowConnex, shows how simple, practical technology can reduce pressure and improve day-to-day efficiency without adding complexity.
It’s not about high-tech transformation. It’s about small, targeted changes that make work easier and more visible.
Across nurseries, that’s showing up as:
better plant movement and workflow design
simple scheduling tools to reduce admin and confusion
stronger inventory and traceability systems
selective automation in repetitive tasks.
Even small improvements are adding up – saving minutes that become hours across a week or season, freeing time for quality control, planning and training.
Success depends on keeping it practical: starting with real pressure points, aligning tools to existing workflows, and building from early wins.
For growers, the message is simple – don’t overhaul everything. Fix what’s slowing you down.
GrowConnex can help identify pressure points and support staged, practical improvements.
For more information, access the full nursery Paper or contact your local GrowConnex expert.
The ‘National Biosecurity and Sustainable Plant Production Program’ (NY20001), funded by Hort Innovation using the nursery levy and matched by the Australian Government, is a horticulture initiative designed to support nurseries in strengthening biosecurity and sustainable production practices.
