Tree Crop News

Pome fruit - General

Kiwifruit, apples and pears drive increasing export revenue

New Zealand's horticulture boom is rolling on, with the sector poised to overtake forestry and become the third most valuable primary industry.

Technology in agriculture

UK start-up helps apple growers predict crops

A UK-based agritech start-up is using drones to help apple producers improve yield predictions.

Pome fruit - General

What triggers biennial bearing in apples?

Biennial bearing in apple induces variable yearly yields. Growers usually manage this by removing excess flowers and fruitlets from ‘on’ trees with heavy fruit loads to increase fruit size in the current season and the amount of bloom in the subsequent season.

Citrus

New labour agreement will aid citrus industry growth

The new Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement will prove beneficial to citrus businesses across Australia, helping them fill labour shortages and remain competitive on a world stage, according to Citrus Australia CEO, Nathan Hancock.

Almonds

Nuffield scholar explores global avocado production

The Australian avocado industry has an opportunity to bolster productivity and profitability by moving beyond conventional growing and canopy management techniques, at least, according to a report released by 2018 Nuffield Scholar Dudley Mitchell.

Business solutions & labour - General

What next for the Australian agrochemical market?

People who follow the Australian agrochemical market may have noticed the rapid developments taking place in the Australian agrochemical industry over recent years. What are the reasons and implications behind these changes?

Citrus

Australian fresh orange production 2019/20 forecast at 500,000 tons

Australian fresh orange production in marketing year 2019/20 (April 2020-March 2021) is forecast at 500,000 tons, down slightly from the revised MY 2018/19 estimate.

Cherries

Tasmania's delayed cherry season ripens just in time for Christmas

The long and cool spring conditions in Tasmania has delayed the state's cherry harvest — but not all growers are concerned.

Cherries

New control option for cherry rot disease

With fruit ripening and the critical period for rot infections nearly upon them, Tasmanian cherry producers now have a new tool available for managing fungal rot pressures in cherries.

General

National Residue Survey 2018-2019 results

The Australian apple and pear industry has once again showed “a excellent compliance with food safety standards and demonstrated the strong commitment of the pome fruit industry to good agricultural practice” according to the latest National Residue Survey results.

Pome fruit

Working on a sweet deal for apples from Western Australia

The Western Australian government is progressing plans to take a Manjimup-bred apple out into the world.

Avocado

Chilean avocados zero in on Australia

An Australian government import risk analysis has recommended the importation of fresh avocados.

Mangoes - Technology in agriculture

Katherine's mangoes go high-tech

Mangoes grown in Katherine are going high-tech.

Citrus

Citrus Australia reports record export figures in 2019

Citrus Australia is celebrating another successful export season. Despite growing conditions providing several challenges, particularly around water shortages and access to labour, Citrus Australia General Manager David Daniels says the industry broke the half billion dollar mark in exports for the first time, with data for the last two months of the year (November/December) still to be collated.

Business solutions & labour

The State of Play For Labour Hire

Two more Australian states now have active labour licensing regimes in place with the implementation date passing. However there is still a transition period happening as the systems settle in.