News

Avocado season set for a 95,000t record

Avocado June 20, 2019



Australian avocado growers are expected to produce a record harvest of the Hass variety this year.

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Bee pollination a race between native and European honey bees while researchers watch on

Flowering, thinning & PGRs June 20, 2019



Which bee is the best pollinator — native or European? It is a question researchers are keen to answer. With the use of stopwatches, individually-coloured beehives and the most important factor of all — time — they are hoping to learn more. Researchers from the University of New England (UNE) are working alongside row after row of blueberry bushes at a major plantation on the NSW mid north coast in their search for better data.

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Trees take off on pre-planting treatment

Pome fruit Establishment & maintenance June 19, 2019



A decision to treat his soil with chloropicrin prior to replanting to prevent apple replant disease (ARD) is amply rewarding Kirup grower Rob Tassone with vigorous, healthy trees off to a flying start.

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New guide to protect macadamia production

Macadamias Disease & weed control Insect & mite control June 17, 2019



The latest edition of the ‘Macadamia Plant Protection Guide’ has been released.

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Varroa mites detected again at Townsville Port

Flowering, thinning & PGRs Insect & mite control June 17, 2019



Varroa mites have been detected on an Asian honey bee nest that was recently found and destroyed at the Port of Townsville.

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Strong demand for early season Northern Territory green mangoes

Mangoes June 13, 2019



While there is still a few months to wait before juicy Kensington Pride mangoes start hitting supermarket shelves again — markets and restaurants are already being supplied with green mangoes from the Northern Territory.

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Compostable branding for fresh produce

Packaging & labelling June 12, 2019



High-speed, automated fresh produce labelling has taken a significant step forward.

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Central Queensland producer wins Honey Gold Grower of the Year

Mangoes June 11, 2019



Groves Grown Tropical Fruit has been named Piñata Farms' Honey Gold Grower of the Year.

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Corporate: Almonds have made Select Harvests a $20 million HY profit

Almonds June 11, 2019



Select Harvests (ASX: SHV) announced its six-month results (for 1 October to 31 March) this morning and it seems almonds are money-makers. The company announced earnings pre-tax of $38.5 million and a net profit after tax of $20.0 million.

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World's largest macadamia processor switches to solar power, boosting return for growers

Macadamias June 1, 2019



The world's largest macadamia processor has turned to solar power in a bid to lower energy costs, lift profitability, and reduce its environmental footprint.

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Costa Group share price on watch after downgrading its profit guidance

Citrus May 30, 2019



The Costa Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: CGC) share price could come under pressure on Thursday following the release of its annual general meeting presentation which included updated guidance for calendar year 2019.

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Funding for development of new fruit fly control technology

Fruit Fly May 28, 2019



Macquarie University has recently been awarded $4.7 million funding from Horticulture Innovation Australia Ltd to identify the genetic code that enables elimination of females in overseas fruit flies so that these characteristics can be reproduced in Australia’s Queensland fruit fly.

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Robot apple pickers getting closer

Pome fruit Technology in agriculture May 28, 2019



Labor shortages in agriculture could eventually be overcome by robots.

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Citrus Australia does not agree with calls for moratorium on new water-use licences

Citrus May 24, 2019



Citrus Australia does not agree with calls for a moratorium on issuing new water-use licences.

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Fruit fly outbreak declared at Lindsay Point, Victoria

Fruit Fly May 24, 2019



An outbreak of Queensland fruit fly (Q-fly) was declared on Tuesday 21 May at Lindsay Point in Victoria, after a detection of a gravid female.

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