September 2021
Farm safety – are you compliant?
How up to date are you with all your workplace safety documentation? Are you aware of your responsibilities as an employer? Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, it is up to the owner and/or manager to provide a safe workplace and safe work systems for all family members, employees, contractors, and visitors to your property. However, it is up to the individual workers, contractors and visitors to take appropriate care for the health and safety of themselves and all those who are on the property with them. There are several tools available online to help. Some are free which you can find at www.farmsafe.org.au or there are app-based options which have a monthly or annual fee. One of these which some citrus growers in the Riverland have implemented is www.safeagsystems.com. It may also help with your record keeping required for Freshcare. Citrus SA has negotiated a discount with Safe Ag systems. Please email us at contact@citrussa.com.au or Safe Ag Systems direct at info@safeagsystems.com for more details.
Fruit fly response update - Changes to the PFA Act and Spring operational plan
If you’re wondering what will be happening with fruit fly control during spring, there will be an information session held at the Loxton Research Centre on Thursday, September 2 at 1:30-3pm.
Conducted by PIRSA, the session will include a short summary of operations to date,
market access - an interactive session on what worked well and what can be improved. It will also cover arrangements for Spring – what’s available and which markets are they applicable to.
If you have questions or concerns you would like raised with PIRSA, please don't hesitate to contact Citrus SA chair Mark Doecke on 0408499287.
Backyard and orchard hygiene practice to fight fruit fly
The Riverland has been working hard to eradicate fruit fly. There are a few key things members of the community can do to maintain this success and keep the Riverland free of fruit fly in the future.
These include:
Remove unwanted fruits/pick up or destroy fallen fruit
For control to be effective, it is essential for growers (both commercial and home garden) to maintain orchard hygiene by disposing unwanted fruit that has fallen to the ground or unwanted fruit left on the tree.
Regularly check your fruit for any signs of fruit fly infestation
If you find maggots in your fruit or vegetables, please contact PIRSA on the Fruit Fly Hotline - 1300 666 010 immediately. Commercial enquiries can be directed to 1800 255 556.
Remove all late hanging fruit missed during harvest
All fruit should be stripped out at harvest to ensure no there is no fruit fly host material left in the backyard/orchard.
Remove unwanted fruit trees from around sheds, houses and along the property
It’s also important to remove wild host plants from boundaries such as prickly pear and wild rootstocks. All orchards, vineyards, households, veggie gardens, roadsides, and riparian zones should be raked clean of host product post-harvest.
Collaborate with others in the community
Encourage friends and neighbours’ to be involved and take action or support action to prevent infestation from fruit flies.
Key messages for growers
Restrict fruit entry into the orchard from outside sources. A good way to do this is putting up a biosecurity sign on the front gate to remind visitors not to bring fruit on to the property.
Follow phytosanitary requirements for the movement of fruit or vegetables off your property.
Dispose of trees that aren’t in use within 600m from the crop.
Remove unwanted trees from within commercial blocks.
More tips on fruit fly management can be found at https://bugsforbugs.com.au/whats-your-pest/fruit-flies/
2022 Science and Innovation Awards now open
If you know a young person in involved in horticulture, they could apply for a $22,000 grant through the 2022 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
This annual grants program supports young Australians aged 18-35 by funding projects that will benefit Australia's primary industries. In partnership with Australia's leading research and development corporations and industry associations, there are 12 industry categories each worth up to $22,000 (inc GST). The winners of each industry category will be invited to apply for the Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia's Award, granting an additional $22,000 (inc GST) to extend their project.
Details: https://www.awe.gov.au/scienceawards
AGM
Citrus SA’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday, October 15 at 8:30am for a 9am start at the Riverland Events Centre. More details will available shortly. Please email contact@citrussa.com.au to register your interest.
September production tips
Pruning: Annual pruning programs are likely to be well underway. Those who have pruned have seen a vast improvement in class one fruit pack outs, particularly when we have encountered a windy spring resulting in marking in last season’s fruitlets.
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 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.