February news
Fruit bin protocol
Citrus SA has developed a protocol for the movement of fruit bins. One of the biggest risks of fruit fly incursion is through trucks picking up and delivering bins from interstate. This has been evident through several outbreaks over the past five years. You can read and download the protocol here.
New Riverland Fruit Fly Coordinator
If you checked your emails last month you may have opened one containing a detailed report from the Riverland’s new Fruit Fly Coordinator Leanne Rathbone. Leanne has had a diverse career spanning natural resource management, project management,
and community engagement as well as smaller agricultural roles. Leanne has hit the ground running in her new role and you can read all about what she has been up to in the first month or two here. She can be contacted via email at leanne.rathbone2@sa.gov.au or phone 0487 394 813.
Subscribe to CitrusConnect
Do you receive the New South Wales DPI newsletter, CitrusConnect? The e-newsletter provides the citrus industry with updates on NSW DPIRD projects and the latest technical information and events. However, from this year,the “CitrusConnect” e-newsetter will no longer be emailed individually, so if you wish to continue receiving it, you will need to subscribe here you can catch up on the latest newsletter here.
Citrus Tree Census
If you’re wondering where things are at with citrus plantings across Australia, what’s being produced where and forecast production levels, you can access the most recent tree census here and the previous year here. The tree census project is funded by your Hort Innovation Australia levies and executed by Citrus Australia.
Australian Citrus Congress March 18-20
The Australian Citrus Congress will be held in the Riverina from March 18-20. This event is being run by Citrus Australia and its theme is Focus on efficiency. The congress will include a golf event, AGM, trade expo and opening, trade exhibition and awards dinner and an on-farm field day. For more details or to register, click here.
February production notes
It is important to assess the crop set and fruit size of each orchard, to determine what crop production strategies to apply. Some timely reminders include:
Pruning/Hedging/skirting
- Continue hand pruning and de-suckering of re growth
- Hedge where required to control tree height and maximize sunlight penetration but be aware that hedging patches may leave areas susceptible to sunburn and later, frost damage.
Foliar nutrient spray and fertigation
- Potassium sprays to increase fruit size
- Monitor each patch for crop load and size-adapt irrigation/fertigation strategy accordingly.
Pesticide sprays
Critical timing for Brown Citrus rust mite, Mealy bug, Red and Cottony cushion scale, FRW, Citrus Leaf miner and Two spotted Mite
Irrigation
Increase irrigation and continue monitoring soil moisture probes especially during hot weather
Weed Control
Knockdown herbicides or residual herbicides as required
Fruit thinning
Hand thinning to help improve size is recommended. Assess crop load prior to thinning
Crop estimates
Frame counts and fruit size measurements in conjunction with packer
Leaf samples
Take leaf samples for nutrient analysis
Citrus news from around the world
· Sumo citrus are beloved for their large size and sweetness. Here’s what to know about buying and storing this sought-after citrus here
· Apparently this whole orange cake has been going viral on social media platforms – you can check it out here here