Pineapples at the cutting edge

Sustainability was under the spotlight in July, when the Australian pineapple industry came together in Bundaberg to share knowledge and celebrate at the annual Pineapple Field Days and Gala Dinner. Attracting keen interest were demonstrations of new tools and technologies, spray rigs and drones, to improve the accuracy and efficiency of fertiliser and herbicide applications along with presentations from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of new ideas for limiting erosion. The farm trials on show around Bundaberg were a result of deliberation by the Pineapple Environmental Sustainability Team, otherwise known as PEST. According to Growcom CEO, Stephen Barnard, PEST was a model example of collaboration between his organisation, growers, private enterprise, and key government agencies including Queensland departments of agriculture and environment, ensuring that the finite funds available for research and development are invested to maximise gains for growers and avoid duplication. “While the pineapple industry, like horticulture generally, is dealing with its fair share of challenges right now, there is a strong sense of cohesion between growers and a shared commitment to staying at the cutting edge of technology and consumer trends,” Mr Barnard said. The Honourable Penelope Wensley AC, former diplomat, Governor of Queensland and now the National Soils Advocate, opened the Field Days, recognising how cognisant growers are to their responsibilities as stewards of the natural environment. Ms Wensley later formally handed John and Linda Steemson of Littabella Pines their Reef Certification gained through Hort360, the first pineapple growers to have their farm practices certified as consistent with improving water quality in Great Barrier Reef catchments. “Pineapple growers are also leading the rest of horticulture in their efforts to assure consumers that their workers are not getting the rough end, with ten growers already on the pathway to proving their ethical employment practices by becoming Fair Farms certified,” Mr Barnard said.

Trials on show: Pineapple growers were treated to a series of presentations relating to the on-farm trials at Amaryllys Farming Co and Littabella Pines.

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