May 2022
Fruit Fly update
Fruit fly outbreak restrictions have been extended across many parts of the Riverland. These include:
Renmark West – Queensland fruit fly – 14 December 2022
Pike River – Queensland fruit fly – 14 December 2022
Pike River West – Queensland fruit fly – 14 December 2022
Loxton – Queensland fruit fly – 14 December 2022
Loxton North – Queensland fruit fly – 14 December 2022
Waikerie – Queensland fruit fly – 9 December 2022
Paringa – Queensland fruit fly – 14 December 2022.
You can visit https://fruitfly.sa.gov.au/industry-support to find more information about how a fruit fly outbreak will affect your business, what treatment options are available and what you need to do to follow restrictions and continue to move and sell your fruit and vegetables or call 1800 255 556.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, you can contact a FaBS mentor for free, confidential and informal advice. Riverland mentors:
Robyn Cain 0411 633 085, John Chase 0419 848 672 or Brent Fletcher 0439 409 430.
Grower info day summary
Shipping updates and costs
Shipping updates and chemical supply and costs were the dominating topics at Citrus SA’s Grower Information Day held in April.
Michael Byrne from DFAT spoke about the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) – a temporary, targeted, emergency support measure established by the Australian Government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s objective is to reconnect global airlinks, working with commercial airlines and freight forwarders to create air freight capacity for premium perishable Australian goods (on outgoing flights), and prioritises medical, PPE or other products in the national interest as requested on incoming flights.
Additionally, IFAM provides logistical and administrative support for international freight movements by aggregating cargo loads, negotiating with airlines and dealing with partner governments to facilitate clearances and improve transparency of freight costs during the pandemic. Mr Byrnes said the freight environment has irreversibly changed, and this is something businesses must consider as they plan for the future in order to capitalise on opportunities going forward.
Key points included:
Airfreight prices will not return to pre-pandemic levels, and businesses must account for this as they adjust to ‘new-look’ supply chains.
For example, getting produce into China and Hong Kong is likely to remain challenging. Hubbing through Singapore or Bangkok could be a possible solution, and exporters are encouraged to explore alternative supply chains to reach their destinations.
Exporters must continue to manage pricing, as well as normal market fluctuations/disruptions, including the impacts of international conflicts, geopolitical shifts and extreme weather events we’re currently experiencing.
The Government is turbo-charging support options for Australian businesses. State and territory governments also offer a range of support options for exporters and other businesses to set up, operate and expand in Australia and globally.
Situational factors are heavily influencing freight rate levels including demand surge caused by the Covid crisis, port and yard congestion, long vessel waiting times, equipment shortages and blank sailings.
Mr Byrne said in the future there will need to be increased collaboration amongst producers, aggregation, and a need to build scale and then seek rebates.
Technological improvements could be improved on in the areas of improved packaging, increased shelf life and built-in flexibility in commercial arrangements. He also said to avoid fixed price and fixed fuel contracts.
Other speakers included Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin who spoke about the Sedex situation and Governments Policy on Temporary work Visas. He explained the Modern Slavery Act is part of an internationally agreed position and it was originally aimed at very large companies ($100 million and over) but has been taken on by the large supermarkets. The Act is due for review and Mr Pasin is urging growers to provide him with feedback or make submissions.
He also spoke about the labour shortage in South-Eastern Australia and the bi-lateral agreements and alternatives to fast tracking workers in an open border approach.
Okke Velzeboer, Business, Industry and Regional Outreach Officer from the Department of Home Affairs, Skilled Migration Program covered the horticulture Industry Labour Agreement and updates regarding the Ag Visa.
Still on labour and John Roach, transition manager of the Pacific Labour Facility, spoke about the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme (PALMS).
Paul Hampel from Incitec Pivot Fertiliser summarised the current situation – in short, prices are up and supply is down.
To conclude the day, Craig Shephard and Dr Luz Angelica Suarez from Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre, University of New England provided a presentation on geospatial mapping of citrus and avocado orchards.
If you would like a full summary of the day, go to www.citrussa.com.au
Picking guide
As harvest is about to get into full swing, don’t forget you can download the NSW DPI’s resource, the Australian Citrus Harvest Handbook. The handbook helps pickers use the correct harvest methods to reduce fruit damage and help pickers pick faster and safer.
Topics covered in the handbook include:
Preparation (what to wear, equipment and starting the day)
Picking (mandarin and orange harvest techniques, ladder work and tools)
Machinery (awareness of tractors and forklifts)
Safety (personal health and good manual lifting techniques)
Harvest tips (work efficiently for a satisfying and productive experience)
A series of videos are available to accompany the handbook. There is also a Citrus Harvest Exercise and Nutrition Guide is also available that outlines exercises to help prevent injuries and make work easier.
It can be printed at home in A4 format or in A6 form by commercial printers by downloading the document
May production tips
Pruning and Hedging: De-suckering of regrowth. Maintain skirts if registered for KCT.
Foliar spray: Copper spray application if not already completed. Stop drop spray on required variety’s two weeks after copper application. Apply GA spray at colour break for delaying harvest and extended shelf life. It is important to make decisions based on crop set for each patch.
Snail baiting: Ensure orchards have snail control measures in place. Check loading areas and bait also.
Irrigation: Continue monitoring soil moisture probes. Regular flushing required - consider a chlorination flush.
Weed Control: Knockdown herbicides or residual herbicides as required.
*All advice is general in nature and growers should refer to packing sheds and consultants for individual advice.