September 2022

Season update from chair

We are well into late navel harvest and there is no doubt it has been a very challenging year. There were labour shortages during some periods, fruit quality was poor (exacerbated by extended shipping times), increased costs for containers and ships and many late starts to picking days due to rain. There were also the extra costs associated with fruit fly including, treatment, logistics and management and compliance costs.

On a more positive note, the markets continue to be strong for good quality fruit and the cost of leasing water is the cheapest it has been for many years.

PIRSA has started its fruit fly spring plan. This is our opportunity to eradicate it and get our PFA back. As mentioned above, fruit fly is a big cost to growers - estimated to be at least 150 dollars a tonne in lost returns. It’s up to all of us to help in the fight. Even if you are not in a Red Zone, if you’re nearby or in an area which has a detection in previous years, baiting and trapping would be beneficial. We understand it is a difficult time to add costs to your operations but if we don’t take this opportunity now, we will be living with these extra costs indefinitely. If we work with PIRSA we can beat this pest.

Royal Adelaide Show

Our Citrus SA team is once again back at the Royal Adelaide Show. It’s a busy week with the crew selling fresh fruit and juice in the Goyder Pavillion and educating show-goers about the South Australian citrus industry. Our mascot Squeezy has again been very popular. Did you spot them out and about? Thanks to Louise, Kirsty, Mark and Anthony and all the volunteers who make this event so successful.

Albedo breakdown information and upcoming workshops

Albedo breakdown caused significant concern for growers and processors over the past 12 months. There are several theories why it was such a problem and there are a few options to try to rectify it next season. Links to fact sheets prepared by the NSW DPI were distributed via email in late August. They are also available on our website at www.citrussa.com.au under the ‘Links’ tab. A workshop will be held in October. Details will be emailed to growers as they are finalised.

Fruit fly restrictions on shop-bought fruit change in the Riverland

Riverland shoppers can now move fruit and vegetables purchased at Riverland retail stores freely across all fruit fly affected areas, providing it is sealed in a bag or container and accompanied by an itemised receipt when being transported. Retail fruit is certified as being free of fruit fly before it reaches the shops so is a low risk for spreading fruit fly. Consumers are being asked to always double-bag fruit waste and put it in their rubbish bin.

Home-grown fruit is a high risk for fruit fly so remains strictly prohibited from being moved off any properties in red outbreak areas.

Restricted fruit and vegetables sold by roadside sellers, markets and stalls cannot be moved outside a red outbreak area or from a yellow suspension area into a green unaffected area, even with a receipt.

Commercial growers must apply to PIRSA Market Access for approval to move fruit in or out of red outbreak areas, or across suspension boundaries.

For more information about current fruit fly outbreaks and what you need to do, visit fruitfly.sa.gov.au

Voluntary tree replacement scheme pilot for Waikerie residents

A pilot program for the voluntary replacement of backyard fruit trees is in development and projected to be rolled out in Waikerie later this year. The program will be trialed in the Waikerie Outbreak Area with the potential to be implemented across the broader Riverland area at a later date. The aim of the pilot program is to reduce fruit fly detections in the Riverland as well as complement the broader fruit fly eradication efforts already happening in the community. Unfortunately, most fruit fly outbreaks are starting from unmaintained backyard fruit trees – owners may find it difficult to pick, collect and check their fruit – this is where the program will be able to help.

The program will be completely voluntary – there will be no removal of backyard trees unless the landholder applies for the program. This is a great opportunity for people who have backyard fruit trees they can no longer maintain to apply for the program for removal and replacement – at no cost to them.

The program, and more information, will be available to Waikerie residents in red outbreak areas later in the year.

September production tips

Pruning: Annual pruning programs are likely to be well underway. Those who prune usually see a vast improvement in class one fruit pack outs, particularly if we encounter a windy spring resulting in marking in last season’s fruitlets. Pruning also reduces crop load and is therefore a good tool to minimise Albedo.

Fertilizing and Fertigation: Soil temperatures are starting to warm up so it’s time to start broadcasting fertilizer to cover the spring flush. Those on drip irrigation or Micro jets should also begin fertiliser programs. Foliar applications can also be applied in late August to ensure a healthy spring flush

Weed Control: Once fruit has been harvested it is important to control weeds to reduce the competition for water and nutrients, especially during the spring flush period.