August 2024
European Earwigs: Monitoring and Management
Now is the critical time to monitor your orchards for European Earwigs. These pests are primarily active at night, making it challenging to detect an infestation early on. Earwigs thrive in environments with high levels of organic mulch and windbreaks, and they may also migrate from nearby vineyards and orchards. European Earwigs pose a significant threat to your crops by damaging new buds and young growth at the beginning of the season. They also attack flowers and soft, developing fruits, causing scarring even if the fruit itself is not destroyed. To effectively manage and mitigate the impact of earwigs, it is essential to remain vigilant during their active periods. For more detailed information on monitoring and controlling European Earwigs, refer to the brochure commissioned by Citrus SA last year. You can access the brochure here.
AGM and info day
The Citrus SA AGM and info day will be held of Friday, October 11 at the Riverland Events Centre at Barmera. The day will start at 10am. More details will be released closer to the date.
Supporting Family Businesses in South Australia
The Family Business Association (FBA) offers specialized workshops designed to address the unique challenges faced by family businesses. These workshops, supported by the Government of South Australia’s Office for Small and Family Business and the South Australian Small Business Strategy 2023 – 2030, provide practical knowledge essential for improving business processes and promoting sustainable growth. Workshops are held both in-person in Adelaide and online, each costing $55. Topics include governance, succession planning, and legal considerations. Scheduled dates are:
Governance in Family Business: July & October 2024
Succession in Family Business: August & September 2024
Legal Considerations in Family Business: August & October 2024
You can find out more about these workshops here
August Production Notes
Pruning:
Begin your annual pruning program, especially before flowering begins. Pruning generally improves class one fruit pack outs.
Fertilising and Fertigation:
As soil temperatures start to warm up, start your fertiliser program for the spring flush. Those on drip irrigation or micro jets should begin fertiliser programs. Foliar applications can be applied in late August to ensure a healthy spring flush.
Weed Control:
Once fruit is harvested, control weeds to reduce competition for water and nutrients, especially during the spring flush period.
Earwigs:
Monitor your trees for decline and consult your agronomist or chemical reseller or read more here