Tree Crop News

Know your pest

Are they Grasshoppers or Locusts?

Recently, I came across a retail garden website saying grasshoppers could be considered as beneficial insects… just because birds love to eat them.

Technology in agriculture

Picking app evolves to provide more control

Harvest technology provider AgPick Technology’s picking app has evolved to help growers, including tree crop producers identify and act on productivity peaks and troughs to gain control over labour expenses.

Citrus

Australian citrus needs to target new buyers

Forget about appealing to loyal or niche customers – the only way to consistently sell more citrus fruit is to nudge those who rarely buy it, and make it easier for them to pop it in their trolley more often, according to Hort Innovation general manager of marketing Kylie Hudson.

Spraying equipment & application

GreenTech spray system the best for tall trees

In early 2021, jointly Nigel Love and Vanessa Roche near Pemberton township, one of the most beautiful regions of the South West Western Australia purchased the first GreenTech Spray System for their tallest avocado trees.

News

New Summerfruit representative in Vietnam

As part of its involvement with the AusHub, Summerfruit Australia Limited (SAL) and AusCham have engaged a full-time person to undertake the important work on the ground in Vietnam.

Marketing & export

Bravo apple exports continue to grow

The Western Australian-bred Bravo apple harvest has begun, as national production of this promising new variety grows.

Citrus

Citrus industry trial targets costly pest

Wasp traps developed and trialled in South Australia could be the key to controlling a pest that costs the national citrus industry “tens of millions” of dollars a year.

Almonds

Export markets drive almond fungicide choices

Almond enterprises are increasingly recognising they have to be particularly strategic with orchard fungicide applications to ensure their produce continues to meet export destination requirements.

Spraying equipment & application

Tornado sprayers mark 50 years in Australia

Tornado Pumps and Sprayers have been manufacturing and importing specialised agricultural equipment since 1973. 2023 is the Sydney based company’s 50th year in providing unparalleled innovations and service to the agricultural sector in Australia.

News

Summerfruit 2023 Industry Conference

After a period without a National Conference Summerfruit Australia Ltd (SAL) will be holding a ‘mini conference’ over the period 15–16 May 2023 in Moama (across the river from Echuca).

Avocado

Smart fertiliser boosts yield potential

Lono, a specialised nitrogen fertiliser that is efficient and environmentally stable is gaining ground in the Australian tree crop sector as growers seek more sustainable options to improve marketable yields.

Stone Fruit

Basics of stone fruit growth management

The three parts of the fruit, the seed, the stone and the flesh, develop separately over time, and fit in with other growth patterns of the tree, such as growth of new shoots and roots.

News

Recycling a ‘no-brainer’ for old poly dripper line

When Kyalite Pistachios was considering a sustainable solution for disposal of the last remaining area of sprinkler irrigation at its ‘Rivernook’ orchard, plus extra poly and dripper line kept in storage from previous upgrades, the industry’s leading recovery and recycling program largely became a “no-brainer”.

News

Precision agriculture aids frost fan location

The economic costs of frost to agriculture and horticulture can be significant. As winter and early spring frost in Australia and New Zealand is almost exclusively ‘radiative’ in nature, it forms predictable patterns as a function of surrounding topography and land use.

Spraying equipment & application

Setting up your sprayer: The ‘dead-pest-test’

The yellow test papers that indicate spray coverage on your crop is one method of evaluation.