May 2023

Citrus SA meets with minister on fruit fly fight
Citrus SA (CSA) chair Mark Doecke and executive officer Francy Asher had a productive meeting with Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven in Adelaide last week. Fruit Fly and its management and eradication was the focus of the meeting. CSA strongly supports the production and use of Sterile Insect Technology (SIT), the implementation of sniffer dogs to detect fruit fly and values the work of the fruit fly compliance officer. CSA would be supportive of the use of contractors to undertake the work currently being done by the ‘orange overalls’ with a more job-focussed approach. Mark and Francy also raised the cost of the CA documentation required to move fruit and if there was a way of utilising the information collated by growers for their Freshcare accreditation in a move to reduce duplication. The committee would like to see some alterations to the Code of Conduct especially the Role of SIT and the diameter of suspension areas being reduced from 15 to 7.5 kilometres. Encouraging growers to bait for fruit fly is an ongoing challenge and ways to overcome that are being investigated. It is important to note that there have been some wins in the management of fruit fly, particularly in hot spots around Loxton and Waikerie where the use of SIT has been very successful. CSA is committed to working with Government to ensure a productive and profitable outcome for both industry and the Government.
 
Hort Innovation invests in citrus varieties
Almost one million dollars will be invested in assessing new citrus varieties suited to Australian growing conditions. It will be funded by Hort Innovation’s citrus levy and will provide an independent assessment of these varieties and will test for trueness-to-type. The research will be undertaken at Dareton, New South Wales and Western Australia. Hort Innovation Chief Executive Officer Brett Fifield said the project will build on previous citrus variety projects. The aim will be to measure tree attributes that are desirable for Australian growers and consumers both domestically and overseas.
“As part of the assessments, we’re looking at fruit quality, tree yield, fruit size and sweetness, as well as assessing any issues producers might need to consider when growing the trees,” he said. 
Read more
 
Citrus Growers Fund public meeting
The Primary Industry Funding Schemes Act 1998 requires management plans for each industry fund to be revised annually and presented at a public meeting. The revised management plan for the Citrus Growers Fund includes estimates of the likely contributions to the fund over the following five-year period, proposals for investment of the fund, and proposals for fund applicants. All South Australian producers of citrus contribute to this fund and are invited to attend the public meeting where this plan will be presented, to be held:

10am, Tuesday 23 May 2023 via MS Teams
 
The online meeting link will be made available on the Citrus Growers Fund webpage https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/primary_industry/horticulture/citrus_growers_fund

For further details, please call (08) 8429 0408 or email tamara.rohrlach@sa.gov.au

 
Dareton varieties trip 
Citrus SA will organise a trip to the Department of Primary Industries at Dareton for an update on the work of research horticulturalist Dave Monks. A date will be confirmed shortly. Our last varieties tour of Dareton was held virtually during the pandemic. If you would like a refresher, take a look at The Citrus Segment podcast where it was published. If you would like to take part in the tour in June or July, please email contact@citrussa.com.au
 
High hopes in fingerlime peptide to treat HLB
There have been significant developments in the treatment of Huanglongbing (HLB) or Citrus Greening Disease by scientists at the University of California. Geneticist Hailing Jin has discovered a naturally occurring molecule in the Australian Native Fingerlime. The molecule is an antimicrobial peptide which has many advantages over antibiotics which are being used currently to treat the disease. Unlike antibiotics it is stable even when used outside in high heat and is safe for humans. The peptide can be applied by injection or foliage spray, and it moves systemically through plants.
You can read more here and here. 
 
Want to be a confident, effective leader?
You will need to act quickly if you would like to apply for the RDAMR's Regional Leadership Development Program (RLDP). It will focus on personal growth, self-awareness, communication, and relationship development, through a series of workshops over five months, starting in May. The program will build confidence, knowledge, competencies, networks, regional collaborations and motivation, to empower you to take the next step as a future leader. This two-year program, delivered through a partnership with the Leaders Institute of South Australia and funded by The Department of Primary Industries and Regions, has been established as a pilot program. Its focus is on developing impactful and empowered leaders who engage deeply with communities and ensure diverse voices are respected and heard to shape the future of the Murraylands and Riverland region. To be eligible, you must be over the age of 18 and live, work, or are otherwise part of a community within one of the eight Murraylands and Riverland Council areas. Click HERE for more information and to complete the Application Pack, or contact Program Manager, Mandy Tennant: mtennant@rdamr.com.au Applications close on May 2. 
 
 
The Citrus Segment Podcast – Chair chat
Wondering what happens behind the scenes at Citrus SA? After each committee meeting, join chair Mark Doecke and Kerrie Robertson as they discuss a few of the issues, progress and activity of the committee over the past month. Check out The Citrus Segment

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.