March 2022
Save the date - Grower info day, Riverland Events Centre, Barmera, Friday, April 22
Shipping trends, the labour situation, an update on visa labour programs, the chemical supply forecast and geospatial mapping will be some of the topics covered at Citrus SA’s Grower Information Day at the Riverland Events Centre on Friday April 22 at 8:30am. An agenda and more detailed information will be supplied closer to the date.
On the road again – continuing the fruit fly message for travellers
Citrus SA has undertaken a road sign project to thank motorists for not bringing fruit into the Riverland. The signs will be erected on the five arterial roads into the Riverland from Burra in the north to Pinnaroo in the south. They will be placed on the sides of the roads just past the quarantine bins. Citrus SA fully supports the State Government’s Zero Tolerance policy for fruit entering the Riverland and wanted to positively reinforce this message through these road signs.
The project is partly funded by grower levies and partly funded by the State Government.
Fruit fly update – check PIRSA website
Not sure what the latest fruit fly detections mean for you and the movement of fruit over coming months? In short, the Pike River and Renmark West fruit fly outbreak areas have been extended until May 6 after fruit fly was detected recently.
Monash, Berri and Cooltong outbreak areas have ended, but growers and producers may continue to be impacted by the Pike River and Renmark West outbreaks and are now partly or wholly in a yellow suspension area.
You can find up to date information here
Supporting Freshcare Future Projects
Citrus SA is working together with industry owned certification provider Freshcare, to deliver positive outcomes for citrus growers. Following the launch of Freshcare’s VISION 2030 Strategic Plan, Citrus SA consulted with Freshcare CEO Jane Siebum on some of the concerns and challenges currently faced by local growers. Freshcare has welcomed the opportunity to work together with citrus growers to create a positive solution aligned with the VISION 2030 targets, for the benefit of the Australian industry.
“We are keen to continue to work with citrus growers throughout Australia to create a more fit-for-purpose certification option, tailored specifically to the needs of the sectors’ market access requirements. Through the development of customised pathways and resources, Freshcare will continue to support every growers’ access to market and industry sustainability,” she said.
The project, supported by Citrus SA, will create a resource pack specific to citrus growers, remove unnecessary compliance elements and record keeping requirements. Additionally, the project will ensure auditors are informed of the changes, to keep the auditing process more streamlined.
Visit freshcare.com.au to view the Vision 2030 roadmap.
How to induct seasonal and casual workers – SafeAg Systems blog
Seasonal and casual workers are a valuable labour force in horticulture and while they may only be working for you for a short period, it's important they know your site policies and procedures. A simple way to streamline this process is to create seasonal safety induction kits to train short-term workers during these peak times.
To tailor the safety induction kits to suit your seasonal workers, consider the season and tasks they will be undertaking. For example, it is essential they know an emergency response and first aid kit locations, but not as important to be inducted for chemical use or machinery they may not use.
Consider covering the following:
Farm safety awareness
Location of known hazards, such as overhead power lines, dams, chemicals storage etc.
Machinery safety
Safe lifting
First aid
Contact lists
How to report hazards and incidents
Even if your new workers may have worked in similar roles for you or others in the past, ensure they understand the current health and safety policies on your property and know their WHS/OHS/ Health and Safety requirements. Check and double check their understanding and make sure they know where safety equipment is. If they are overseas workers, make sure they understand what you expect of them. If language is a barrier, consider creating a short video showing them how to do the task safely or use signs and pictures. If something goes wrong, the penalties are not just financial - you are responsible for your workers' lives.
You can read more articles on the SafeAg Systems blog
March production hints and tips
Skirting: those that have registered for KCT should ensure that no more than one in 20 trees are touching the ground if registered for Korea and Thailand.
KCT Audit’s: Usually occur mid-late March. Ensure all monitoring records, spray diaries, calibration records and farm diary are all updated. Liaise with your packing shed for confirmation of audit dates.
Pruning and desuckering: Keep on top of this in both young and mature trees.
Irrigation: Continue to monitor soil moisture as we move into autumn and modify as required. Check irrigation systems and flush regularly.
Fruit sizing: Thinning of patches with heavy crop loads will help promote sizing.
Nutrition: Take leaf samples for nutrient analysis to ensure effective fertilizer programs are implemented.
Spraying: Seek professional advice before spraying oil/GA as this could retard colour development of particularly early maturing varieties. Consider your strategy for the application of copper in March as not only does this control pre-and post-harvest diseases but can be useful for snail control and some protection against frost
Heat damage: While it has been a relatively cool summer, it could be worth inspecting trees for sunburn. Varieties such as Satsuma, Honey Murcott, Cara Caras and Amigos are most susceptible. Determine whether any fruit should be removed prior to harvest.
Hail damage: Check closely, it is starting to appear in some areas which may have thought they have escaped it unscathed.