December 2023
Taste the Basin
Citrus SA chair Mark Doecke along with Nippy’s joint managing director Jeff Knispel participated in the "Taste of the Basin" event at Parliament House in mid-November, meeting with industry leaders and growers. This event provided an excellent opportunity for the agricultural industry to showcase and offer tastings of local produce. The Murray Darling Basin, one of the world's largest and most productive river basins, contributes $19 billion to agricultural output and supplies one-third of Australia's food. The day commenced with a meeting with MP Tony Pasin and proceeded to a press conference featuring various Senators, including David Littleproud, Susan Ley, Anne Ruston, and industry leaders from dairy, rice, and the National Farmers Federation. They emphasised the importance of maintaining a proper water balance for both food production and the environment. Later, they attended an afternoon session for question time in the House of Representatives before setting up in one of the outside courtyards with other producers from along the MDB. Politicians and staffers arrived, sampling products from citrus, dairy, cotton, cod, stone fruit, etc., to appreciate the efforts invested in balancing production and environmental sustainability. Peter Dutton, Perin Davey, Susan Ley, and David Littleproud addressed the evening, marking it as a successful event—the first ever hosted at Parliament House. It provided a valuable opportunity for networking, leading to productive discussions with Tanya Plibersek's water adviser, Henry Pike from the seat of Bowman in Brisbane, and Alex Antic, an SA Liberal Senator and the chair of the National Irrigators, Jeremy Morton.
Ahead of the Curve – Dec 7 Event to Combat Fruit Fly
PIRSA will hold a talk and tour on Dec 7 at 10am, at the Barmera Events Centre to tackle potential 2024 fruit fly outbreaks. Speakers include Con Poulos, Dr Katharina Merkel, Jason Size, and Mark Doecke.
RSVP: Secure your spot by emailing fruitfly@sa.gov.au - as it's a biosecurity facility, RSVP is essential.
Register to be notified of fruit fly detections
PIRSA is exploring a new notification system for growers to be directly contacted to be advised of a singular fly detection on their commercial property. Currently notifications are not going to all growers on this basis. PIRSA is seeking a registration of interest from Riverland growers as it develops this new system. To register interest in being notified of new single fly confirmations, growers can email PIRSA.Fruitfly@sa.gov.au with their:
• Full name and or business name.
• Property address/addresses.
• Mobile number and
• ‘YES, register my interest for a grower detection notification’.
Sizing tool
Citrus SA has compiled a fruit sizing tool in table format using industry information. The figures in the table represent average sizes in average growing conditions. If your fruit falls below these sizing numbers consider consulting your agronomist or chemical reseller. View the chart here
Low quality fertiliser
It has come to our attention at Citrus SA that there is low quality fertiliser being found through the Riverland. The specifications of fertiliser should always be questioned by growers when purchasing or obtaining prices.
Ensure any products you apply are suitable for foliar application. Get a guarantee from your reseller and ensure the advice has come from a qualified and insured source in writing. Country of Origin should also be clarified. Please be very careful with this issue, some growers have had tree health issues and foliage damage due to inappropriate fertilisers.
To quote one reputable fertiliser company on a particular product:
“Standard biuret urea is not acceptable in foliar applications. Biuret is not readily or rapidly metabolized safely in citrus leaves. Chlorosis and yellow spotting may occur due to biuret accumulation. Foliar applications of low-biuret (LB) urea or “lo-bi urea” is a safe and typical grower practice, check the Biuret levels and confirm the product meets specification.”
December Production Tips
Hedging and Pruning: Utilise either hand or machine pruning methods.
GA Application: Apply at golf ball size.
Calcium Application: Many packing sheds advocate additional calcium applications to strengthen rinds. Consult your agronomist or packhouse. Ensure product is suitable for foliar application.
Pesticide Sprays: Ensure timely applications for Red Scale, LBAM, Mealybug, and Spined Citrus Bug. Initiate Fuller’s Rose Weevil Management program.
Earwig Reminder: Monitor populations, especially near vineyards. Consult your agronomist or packhouse for control options and clarifications.
Irrigation: Maintain monitoring, especially during warmer months.
Weed Control: Apply knockdown herbicides or residual herbicides as needed.
Foliar Nutrient Spray and Fertigation: Conduct a leaf analysis to identify deficiencies in trace elements. Consider potassium foliar sprays to enhance tree reserves and fruit size.
*This information is general in nature and growers should always consult with their agronomist or packhouse.
The Citrus Segment podcast
After every Citrus SA committee meeting, Chair Mark Doecke provides a comprehensive update on the committee's recent activities. In the latest update:
Harvest Highlights: Mark reports the navel season has concluded and Valencia harvest is well underway. Growers are reporting a slight kick in prices for Valencia oranges.
Fruit Fly Update: The ongoing battle against fruit flies remains a priority. Mark highlights that the number of detections is notably low, thanks in part to the release of sterile fruit flies by PIRSA. The introduction of up to 40 million steriles per week is proving to be a highly effective strategy.
Industry Representation in Canberra: Mark shares his participation in a Taste the Basin event, where he engaged with politicians in Canberra to showcase the citrus industry. Listen here
Christmas message from chair Mark Doecke
It has been a challenging year for citrus growers due to several issues and once again a cool spring in 2022 that delivered Albedo and more than usual insect damage. At least the shipping issues and the labour supply issues we faced recently have eased. On behalf of the Citrus SA committee, I would like to extend our best wishes and the blessings of Christmas to all growers who consistently go beyond to grow the best citrus in the world. We hope the challenges we face next year in 2024 can all be managed, and it is a profitable year for you all.