June Newsletter.
Fruit fly control expert shares knowledge
With fruit fly control and management remaining a key focus of Citrus SA’s activities, executive officer Frances Asher, chair Mark Doecke with Graham Hardwick from Agnova helped facilitate a meeting with a tropical fly expert, Professor Emeritus Richard Drew AM FTSE and Riverland fruit fly co-ordinator Brett Kennedy. Professor Drew was brought to South Australia by Agnova with the aim of meeting with Primary Industries and Resources staff to share his latest research in the most effective fruit fly control methods. Control methods discussed included a combination of protein baits and fruition traps in conjunction with Sterile Insect Technology.
He has conducted research on tropical fruit flies throughout Asia, South-East Asia and the South Pacific Region for five decades. He also worked with Primary Industries in New Zealand on QFly for several years. His research has led to the definition of all major pest species and a sound knowledge of their ecology and pest management strategies. He has published over 140 research papers and three major books. He has also received an Order of Australia for outstanding contributions to fruit fly entomology.
It was suggested by Professor Drew that it would be useful for PIRSA staff to visit Queensland to analyse research data and visit field sites. Citrus SA understands that this may be the next course of action. Citrus SA thanks Professor Drew for sharing his knowledge and Agnova for its support.
Keeping up to date with fruit fly developments
Are you on top of the latest fruit fly news and how your property could be affected? PIRSA has a regular newsletter, Fruit Fly industry update which would be useful for all growers to subscribe to. You can also search the interactive fruit fly map, download market access map PDFs from the industry support webpage and find out more about SIT releases.
The May newsletter covered topics including:
Current situation:There are 16 fruit fly outbreaks in South Australia. Metropolitan Adelaide - 10 Mediterranean fruit fly and one Queensland fruit fly. Riverland - five Queensland fruit fly.
SIT release – Riverland: The McCormick Centre in Renmark is being leased to PIRSA to use as a SIT facility to rear pupae into flies. Ground release of sterile flies in the Riverland is complete in Monash, while it continues in the Cooltong and Pike River outbreak areas. A suppression SIT release is occurring in other parts of the suspension areas including directly outside the Renmark West outbreak area. SIT release in Berri will begin soon. To date, 45 million sterile flies have been released in the Riverland. PIRSA's fruit fly teams are active in all outbreak areas undertaking hygiene and technical check activities.
Outbreak end dates: As of 25 May, the outbreak end dates for the Riverland were: Renmark West area - 20 December 2021, Cooltong area - 20 December 2021, Monash area - 5 December 2021, Berri area - 19 December 2021 and Pike River area - 11 December 2021. Remember, dates may change, so check the fruit fly website for the latest information.
Family and Business Support (FaBS) for fruit fly: Primary producers impacted by current fruit fly outbreaks have access to the free Family and Business Support program. Fruit fly impacted growers can have an informal, confidential and independent conversation with a local mentor by phone, or in person. Trained local mentors work closely with other service providers such as Rural Financial Counselling and local health networks, as needed.
To find out more or sign-up to the newsletter, call the PIRSA Recovery Hotline 1800 931 314 or visit fruitfly.sa.gov.au/industry-support
Labour needs for current season
Do you have your pickers sorted for this season? At this point, your best bet would be to contact Peter Angel at MADEC on 1300 436 332 or Scott Cameron at Plant, Grow, Pick. There are a number of protocols which need to be met as a grower to secure labour through the Seasonal Worker Program. We will cover this in more depth in future newsletters and podcasts.
Freshcare update
Citrus SA chair Mark Doecke has been in discussions with Freshcare CEO Jane Siebum and has raised a number of issues. The cost and excessive regulations of Freshcare for a non-edible peel fruit is of a major concern to Citrus SA. While food safety is of the utmost priority to growers – there are some aspects to the Freshcare protocols which are irrelevant to the citrus industry and we are hoping there can be amendments. Citrus SA plans to invite Ms Siebum to meet with the committee and we will keep growers informed of any developments.
We also understand SEDEX requirements are also raising issues and we are working on this also. Please contact Citrus SA chair Mark Doecke on 0408 499 287 or email contact@citrussa.com.au if you have any concerns or comments.
Spray day summary
About 25 growers attended a spray information technology day at Waikerie. Spray expert Don Thorpe covered topics including spray plant set up and maintenance. Growers can find out more information about the day by checking out their June e-news or subscribing to our podcast by searching for The Citrus Segment on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Spotify.
AdvanceAg tickets available now
An international leader in agricultural technology will be the keynote speaker at the 2021 AdvanceAg conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre on July 23. Founding executive director of Agritech New Zealand and current head of global alliances, Peter Wren-Hilton, will be the keynote speaker, followed by Ros Harvey, entrepreneur, and founder and managing director of multi award winning Australian AgTech company, The Yield.
AdvanceAg aims to provide insight into the practical application and on-farm benefits of AgTech to increase uptake and increase on-farm efficiencies in South Australia.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said AdvanceAg will be one of the biggest AgTech events in Australia in 2021.
“The AdvanceAg conference is part of the AgTech Strategic Plan priorities to increase collaboration and networking amongst farmers and the AgTech community,” Minister Basham said.
The conference will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre and will feature more than 50 speakers and exhibitors, including panel and pitch sessions. Tickets are available at www.advanceagsa.com.au
June production tips
Ø Early winter GA sprays: This spray can be considered on mid-season navels, tangelos and lemons (after size and colour picking).
Ø Later winter GA spray: The main objective for this spray is to regulate flowering. This should be considered, particularly following a light fruit set.
Ø Imperial GA Spray: This spray can be considered on selected patches if you need to prolong your harvest window. Benefits of this application can also reduce puffiness and water marksm, in particular if wet weather is encountered.
Ø Winter foliar Urea Spray: This spray can assist in producing healthy bud initiation, especially following heavy crop set.
Ø Frost Control Measures: It is important to identify frost prone areas and implement measures to prevent, detect and reduce frost risks.
Ø Irrigation Maintenance: With a reduced water demand this time of year, this is an ideal time to do irrigation maintenance and flushing of irrigation lines.
Ø Crop estimates and size: It is important to regularly update your fruit size and yield estimates and communicate this with your packer. This will assist with marketing strategies in particularly the export markets.
Ø Pruning of early maturing varieties: Now is the perfect time to beginning your pruning program once harvest on early maturing varieties has been completed.
Ø Harvest and fruit management: Please ensure split fruit is not going into bins with sound fruit and all waste is mulched after picking.