November 2024
Citrus stars on South Aussie with Cosi
Did you catch the South Aussie with Cosi program on Sunday, October 27? Citrus SA brought Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello to the Riverland to promote the local industry and help share the word about the importance of keeping the region fruit fly free.
If you missed it, you can stream the episode here
AGM Summary
The Citrus SA AGM was held on Friday, October 11 with a small number of growers in attendance. We thank those who made the effort to attend. During the AGM, chair Mark Doecke and deputy chair Anthony Fulwood, outlined the operations of the committee for the past 12 months. Scenarios of the future activities of Citrus SA were outlined. These will be communicated more broadly early in 2025 in a format yet to be determined but could include a series of meetings in various locations.
Growers were lucky enough to win door prizes, kindly provided by some of the exhibitors on the day. Stuart Andrew, Daljit Sanghera, David Arnold, Michelle Hill and Anthony Fulwood received 200 Litres of Easy N, donated by Incitec Pivot. Dick Smith, Luke Wundenberg and Fabio Spiniello won a box of Title (PGR) donated by Imtrade and Belinda Arnold and Mark Stansfield won the Hi Vis workshirts donated by Bayer. Bayer also kindly covered the cost of the pizza lunch. Thanks Darren.
Thank you also to Con Poulos and Jason Size for providing an update on the fruit fly situation.
Additionally, Citrus SA has openings for committee members. If you would like to join to contribute to the future of your industry, please contact chair, Mark Doecke on 0408 499 287. We thank Nav Singh for his time on the committee.
Rural Business Support – how it can help
RBS’s Rural Financial Counselling Service offers a range of free, confidential and independent services to support eligible farmers, fishers, foresters and small related enterprises to:
consider the impact of the season on individual and family wellbeing
understand their true financial position (income versus outputs, debt, insurance and on-costs)
navigate their financial issues (might include debt management, refinancing options)
consider long and short-term implications of market changes
identify options for their business
develop plans to manage cash flow and creditor payments
access dispute resolution services
consider transition to retirement and succession pathways
seek broader professional advice and support
access government and community grants, programs, or schemes
For more information, visit ruralbusinesssupport.org.au or call 1800 836 211.
Supermarkets Inquiry – round table summary
The ACCC has released a summary of key issues raised from a series of round tables as part of the inquiry into markets for the supply of groceries (the Supermarkets Inquiry).
Some of the topics raised included buyer power, supply chain relationships and trading terms and practices, price negotiations, prices set through formalised contracts, less formal trading arrangements, seasonal volume forecasts, weekly tenders on price, the role of wholesale or central markets, information asymmetry, supermarket product specifications, quality assurance and rejections processes for fresh produce, transfer of product ownership, product specifications and quality assurance, impact of rejected produce, other trading terms and trade spends, rebates, promotional activities, branding, freight and logistics, accreditation and audit requirements and codes of conduct and fear of commercial retribution.
A final report will be handed to the Treasurer by February 28, 2025.
You can read the summary of the key issues of the round table meetings here.
November production tips
· Hedging and Pruning:
Hand pruning or machine hedging.
· Foliar Nutrient Spray and Fertigation:
Calcium spray at 1% calcium nitrate at pea size may help reduce albedo. Potassium Nitrate sprays at 2-3 kg/100L applied after fruit set and during summer benefit sizing.
· Pesticide Sprays:
Critical timing to control LBAM, Mealy Bug, Thrips, Katydid, Scales, Aphids, Spined Citrus Bug, and Citrus Gall Wasp. Apply controls before calyx closure.
· Fruit Sizing and Thinning Sprays:
2,4-D at rates advised by your packing shed or agronomist. Early applications in November might have some thinning effect (positive on heavy crops). Applications late November or early December will have a sizing effect. Use Corasil, Tops or Title (Imtrade) at recommended rates.
· Irrigation:
Continue monitoring during warmer months.
· Weed Control:
Knockdown herbicides or residual herbicides as required.
News from India….
We all know the health benefits associated with consuming citrus fruit, or even drinking a glass of orange juiceevery morning but according to the Times of India, we should be thinking twice about throwing away the peel. Read more