May Newsletter
Spray day – lock in Friday, May 28
Citrus SA and EE Muir and Son will bring Spray technology expert Don Thorp to the Riverland on Friday, May 28. Don has spent decades working in the horticultural spray application sector and this event will provide a thorough day of training for participants where they can draw on Mr Thorp’s experience. The workshop will run from 8:30am-4pm at Waikerie (address to be supplied closer to the date) and will include both theoretical and practical training. Morning tea and lunch will be included. Please email contact@citrussa.com.au before Monday, May 17 to secure your spot and for catering purposes. There is no cost to growers to attend.
Citrus SA welcomes new Citrus Australia chair
Citrus SA was pleased to welcome newly elected Citrus Australia chair Richard Byllaardt to its April meeting. We thank Mr Byllaardt for attending the meeting and liaising with the committee. We look forward to continuing the relationship with the national body.
Important survey on piece rate use
The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) Hort Council needs your input into a survey intended to gather information on the use of piece rates in horticulture.
The information collected via this survey will be used to support the NFF’s application opposing the Australian Workers Union (AWU) proposal to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to change how piece rates are applied.
The AWU wants to impose a minimum hourly floor payment for piece-rates under the Horticulture Award. The NFF is opposing this application as it considers this would render piece-rates ineffective as a productivity and earning instrument to the detriment of both employers and employees.
By completing the survey, you will be providing valuable feedback about the on-the-ground realities of how piece rates are applied in practice and the way they are perceived.
Citrus SA encourages all growers, managers, supervisors and staff to complete this survey as soon as possible.
You can read the submissions from the AWU and others on the FWC website here
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 here
PIRSA news – Seasonal workers
The first group of workers from Tonga brought to South Australia under the Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme have successfully completed quarantine at the Paringa Seasonal Worker Quarantine Facility. The cohort recorded zero positive COVID-19 tests and are now able to begin vital horticulture work in SA.
A second group of workers arrived from Vanuatu on Sunday 25 April and have begun their two-week quarantine. The program is expected to support around 800 seasonal workers from the Pacific Islands with further flights from Kiribati and Fiji arriving in the coming months.
Our Regions Matter
The State Government’s Regional Development Strategy has been launched following an extensive consultation process to better guide, prioritise and coordinate the government’s long-term investment in our state’s regions, as well as support key regional development drivers. A website regionsmatter.sa.gov.au has been created to provide information on projects and initiatives occurring in regional towns and areas. The website includes an interactive mapping tool allowing users to search almost one thousand projects featured on the site.
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.