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The Northern Valleys News is a free monthly newspaper focussed on community news in the Northern Valleys region
2016
Australia Day celebrations
• New Norcia • Wannamal • Watheroo
february
Bindoon • Bullsbrook • Calingiri • Chittering • Dandaragan • Gingin • Muchea • Moora
Local mangoes in season!
Tamieka Preston
Although you might have been enjoying fantastic Australian-grown mangoes for a few months now, the local season is only just about to start, and growers in the ‘southern’ region are preparing for a bumper, early crop. The Southern Mango Growers (SMANGO) group is a collaboration between mango farmers in the Bindoon, Gingin and Dandaragan areas to collectively to share ideas and improve production and sustainable practice. Only 1% of Australia’s mango production is currently grown this region, which is the most southern area in the state suitable for mango trees. The biggest challenges growers face here is adapting to the significantly different conditions experienced in comparison to in the northern areas such as Broome and Carnarvon.
bindoon
$499,000
On 21 January, 25 SMANGO members gathered for a fruitful pre-harvest field day at John and Eve Morrissey’s West Gingin property. A series of presentations were delivered, including an update from Australian Mango Industry Australia’s (AMIA) CEO, Robert Grey on mango marketing and export opportunities, and tips on fruit quality management in the supply chain from Perth NRM’s Graham McAlpine.
Ongoing results will help growers decide how to tackle this issue.
A field walk through the Morrissey’s wellmaintained orchard opened discussion amongst growers about how best to protect their fruit from sunburn, an issue which can cause a 50% loss of marketable fruit in some years. Through a project funded by Northern Agricultural Catchments Council (NACC) and facilitated by consultant Neil Lantzke, shade cloth has been erected over an area of the Morrissey’s orchard, under which shoots have been tagged and temperature measured.
West Gingin grower, Colin Humphrey said the most important lesson of the day was not to pick too early – growers were urged to do their best to keep immature fruit out of the marketplace. Colin is keen to utilise the meter to fine-tune the timing of his harvest this year. “If you start too early the sugars are not developed,” he explains, “We only have a three week picking window in this area and you want to start right on time.” Colin and wife Helen are expecting a crop of 3000 trays this
bullsbrook
$340,000
Boyd Arthur, Supply Development Manager from AMIA also enlightened the group on the latest crop forecasting tools and demonstrated the use of a hand-held maturity sensor which measures the sugar content of fruit still on the tree and can be used to more accurately predict fruit ripeness prior to picking.
lower chitering $695,000
David Morcombe, John Morrissey, Robert Gray, CEO AMIA, Eve Morrisey, Tony Maddern and Colin Humphry watch Boyd Arthur, AMIA, (center) demonstrate the use of the hand-held maturity sensor
year from their 16-year-old orchard. Further south in Bindoon, Tony Maddern is also expecting a reasonable crop – despite erratic flowering triggered by the warm winter. He’s also anticipating high demand this season due to an early finish to the Carnarvon mango season, which immediately precedes the southern season. Tony and wife Jenny offer trays of tasty tree-ripened mangos for sale at their farm gate on Mooliabeenie Rd, as well as selling direct to markets. So be sure delicious, locally grown mangos are a staple in your fruit basket this February and March. Make the most of the opportunity to buy direct from farm gates in the area – it helps growers and saves food miles!
gingin
$690,000
18 Kingfisher Court Perfect Horse Property This could be a perfect horse property with lovely pastured paddocks, huge machinery shed, powered 6x9m shed and good sized 3x1 hardiplank cottage with wood heater, ducted evap a/c and patio.
1b Caporn Street One of the cheapest in Bullsbrook, just 20 minutes from Perth this brick 4 x 1 home makes an excellent investment, starter home or downsizer. Featuring large open plan living, ducted evap aircon, wood heater, solar panels, alfresco and bonus 6mx4m workshop.
383 Morley Road Award Winning Country Home Stunning 4x2 brick and tile home on 2 hectares of pastured land with a beautiful rural outlook. 266m2 of living space plus triple garage and timber decked verandahs on all sides. Features stunning modern kitchen, home theatre and activity.
Lot 123 Brand Highway 46.12ha with Gingin Brook Frontage. Approximately 50% cleared and pastured. Three bedroom, two Bathroom “Valley View” Rural Building Company home with a two car garage. Room for animals and pets, a huge playground for the family. Close to town.
Amy McAuliffe 0400 298 884
Amy McAuliffe 0400 298 884
Craig Hyne 0448 825 833
Tom Cabassi 0429 095 864