June 2022
Fruit fly update
Queensland fruit fly larvae detected in the Loxton, Loxton North B and Loxton North C outbreak areas last week mean the red outbreak and yellow suspension area boundaries of all three outbreaks have been extended. Restrictions now apply within the extended 1.5 km red outbreak and 15 km yellow suspension Areas, please check www.fruitfly.sa.gov.au/outbreak-map to search your address. These detections have not impacted the current end dates of any of the Riverland Queensland fruit fly outbreaks – the fruit fly website carries the most up to date information on outbreak end dates. These are currently as follows:
Loxton – Queensland fruit fly – 22 December 2022
Loxton North A – Queensland fruit fly – 22 December 2022
Loxton North B – Queensland fruit fly – 22 December 2022
Loxton North C – Queensland fruit fly – 22 December 2022
Murtho – Queensland fruit fly – 22 December 2022
Paringa – Queensland fruit fly – 22 December 2022
Pike River – Queensland fruit fly – 22 December 2022
Pike River West – Queensland fruit fly – 22 December 2022
Renmark North – Queensland fruit fly – 22 December 2022
Renmark West – Queensland fruit fly – 22 December 2022
Waikerie – Queensland fruit fly – 20 December 2022.
Fruit fly officers in orange overalls from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) will be applying bait and checking fruit in the newly affected areas and continuing their work in all other outbreak areas. General Manager of the Fruit Fly Response Nick Secomb said while it is true fruit fly are less active in cooler months, fruit fly detections do continue through winter and everyone must remain vigilant. “Unfortunately, most detections triggering the Riverland outbreaks have been in domestic gardens,” said Mr Secomb. “Residents can make a very real difference to eradication success. We need everyone in the Riverland region to clean up their gardens. Prune your trees, pick your winter fruit as soon as it’s ripe and collect any rotten or fallen fruit off the ground – do not compost or bury it. Don’t move it off your property.
Bait spraying workshops
Citrus SA will hold bait-spraying workshops to provide information to growers about how to successfully set up spray rigs with the correct chemicals and dosages to help control fruit fly. More details will be emailed when dates and locations are confirmed. For more details contact Mark Doecke at chair@citrussa.com.au
Citrus Season Launch
The South Australian citrus season was officially launched at an event in the Barossa last week. The event was organised by the South Australian Produce Markets and is strongly supported by Citrus SA.
Citrus SA chair Mark Doecke and Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven officially cut the orange ribbon. Renowned South Australian chef Callum Hann cooked a citrus Souffle to celebrate the event. Our mascot, Squeezy also attended and was well received by the public.
Mr Doecke said the event was well organised and provided a great opportunity to speak to the media and general public about the season and the benefits of citrus. Thanks to the wholesalers and growers who got behind this event particularly Bache Bros, Russo Produce, Scalzi and Nippys.
Waikerie’s Citrus Fest – June long weekend
The Waikerie Citrus Fest will return this year after a two-year hiatus and will now be run by the Waikerie Lions Club, supported by the District Council of Loxton Waikerie. It will be held in the Institute and the Civic Centre on Saturday, June 11 of the long weekend. Citrus SA is also throwing its support behind the event and is hoping it will be a good opportunity to promote fruit fly education and the juice machine will be in action. There will be live music, belly dancing, a ventriloquist and puppeteer as well as jumping castles, rock climbing mini golf and plaster painting. The Waikerie Scouts will be on hand to help with the children’s activities. Other activities include photo, art and colouring competitions, cooking and cocktail making competitions and a raffle and many more.
Details: Pam Stendara 0427 074 145
June production tips
Early winter GA sprays: This spray can be considered on mid-season navels, tangelos and lemons (after size and colour picking).
Later winter GA spray: The main objective for this spray is to regulate flowering. This should be considered, particularly if there has been a light fruit set.
Imperial GA Spray: This spray can be considered on selected patches if you need to prolong your harvest window. Benefits of this application can also reduce puffiness and water marks, in particular if wet weather is encountered.
Winter foliar Urea Spray: This spray can assist in producing healthy bud initiation, especially if following a heavy crop set.
Frost Control Measures: It is important to identify frost prone areas and implement measures to prevent, detect and reduce frost risks.
Irrigation Maintenance: With a reduced water demand this time of year, this is an ideal time to do irrigation maintenance and flushing of irrigation lines.
Crop estimates and size: It is important to regularly update your fruit size and yield estimates and communicate this with your packer. This will assist with marketing strategies in particularly the export markets.
Pruning of early maturing varieties: Begin your pruning program once harvest on early maturing varieties has been completed.