March 2024
EOI Melbourne trip – deadline March 8
This is a last call for interest in the proposed Melbourne study tour which will be held from May 16-19. Please register your interest before March 8. If there are insufficient numbers, we will postpone or cancel the trip. The tour will likely include a visit to the Melbourne markets, Incitec and Visy. We will also attend an AFL game at the MCG (Adelaide Crows vs Essendon).
Please email Kerrie at contact@citrussa.com.au before March 8 to register your interest.
NSW DPI info
Have you checked out the New South Wales DPI website lately? It has a range of fact sheets and YouTube videos on a variety of citrus pests and methods of control. Take a look here and scroll down the list to ‘IPDM extension program”. There you will find videos on topics include Copper applications (a webinar with Dr Nerida Donovan and Rory Tomlinson), there is another about Cryptolaemus and IPM in Citricola scale, Andrew Jessup discusses Queensland Fruit fly and there is another QFF video with Dan Papacek.
Fact sheets include citrus gall wasp, elephant weevil, Fullers rose weevil, Katydid, Kellys citrus thrips, light brown apple moth, mealybugs, mites, QFF protein bait spraying and many more.
Freshcare – citrus version
Anecdotal evidence is showing about 80 per cent of citrus growers are using the citrus specific version of Freshcare. Citrus SA chair Mark Doecke says growers need to ensure they specify which version they are using with their auditor and be well prepared prior to their arrival. This should save you some time and money.
“Growers still need to be ready, so one of the messages that has come through recently was that a lot growers aren’t prepared, the auditor turns up and they have to start preparing then which is a big no-no,” he said.
“You have to be prepared for your audit, even though it is simplified, and you’ll get the benefit.”
If you’re unsure which version you are using, search for the “Food Safety & Quality Standard version 4.2 for single or specific commodity crop growers”.
For more information on the citrus certification resources please contact Freshcare at info@freshcare.com.au or call (02) 8039 9999.
Citrus Gall Wasp trap development update
Citrus SA has partnered with Agnova again to develop the splat technology and refine the Citrus Gall Wasp trap. Graeme Hardwick was engaged to undertake extensive trials with toxicants to combine with Splat last November. Unfortunately, the CGW emergence was prolonged in 2023 and resulted in a low number of wasps. The trial will be repeated in November this year to gain more accurate results. Initially there were some production issues with the traps. This has now been solved and they should be available on the retail market in September. The final trial work will be completed in November. Citrus SA will continue to keep growers updated on any developments.
Request for Proposal: Citrus postharvest program phase 2
Hort Innovation is seeking a suitably qualified, experienced and capable delivery partner for the project: Citrus postharvest program phase 2 (CT23009).
The objectives of the services being sought are to continue to understand, extend and develop best practice postharvest management strategies for the Australian citrus industry.
Hort Innovation has prepared a Request for Proposal (RFP) document that provides background information, outlines the scope of services, the procurement process and the information required from interested parties.
The RFP may be downloaded from www.tenders.net (you will need to be a member of tenders.net to access this information).
The closing date for responses is April 5, 2024 at 3pm (AEDT).
The Citrus Segment Podcast
The latest episode of The Citrus Segment is now available. We’re back to normal programming with our monthly Chair Chat with Mark Doecke. You can listen here
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: Inspect 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.