3 minute read
Keep the orchard clean
and minimise your risks to unwanted pests and diseases
Advertisement
3 FALLEN fruit poses a problem every year and this year more than ever it is essential that we keep the orchard floor clean.
3 BIOSECURITY sign to inform visitors of the biosecurity requirements for entering the property.
BY SUSIE MURPHY WHITE PROJECT MANAGER, POMEWEST
There will be the temptation to do things a bit differently to get the fruit harvested when the shortage of labour gets too much, but there are some key biosecurity precautions we all need to remember at harvest time.
Biosecurity protection measures
The following simple protection measures can slow the spread of pest and disease: • Restricting vehicle and visitor access to the orchard • Ensure borrowed or contracted machinery is cleaned prior to entering the orchard • Clean farm vehicles after visiting infected areas • Keep loading areas in packing sheds free of infected leaves and/or fruits • Keep picking bags, fruit bins and other orchard tools clean and free of trash • At harvest, cover fruit loads from infected areas during transport to the packing shed • Apply an early spray program to any newly-planted trees sourced from
Apple Scab infected regions. Good on-farm biosecurity aims to reduce the introduction of foreign soil and plant material into your orchard to the lowest practicable level, and to maintain a good level of vigilance through regular monitoring and accurate record keeping.
Managing people movement
People management will be critical this year, ensuring staff, contractors, utility providers and tourists don’t bring contaminants from other regions or states to your orchard. The procedures below should be practiced at all times and part of the orchard biosecurity plan: • Limit the number of entry points to the property and ensure adequate signage to inform visitors of the biosecurity requirements for entering the property • Implement a visitor register and checklist to ensure all relevant people are made aware of designated parking areas, wash down stations and wash down protocol, permitted areas and any off-limits areas • Footbaths should be installed at the entry to the orchard and used every time the orchard is entered
When using footbaths, the sanitising solution should be changed at least daily. Footwear needs to be free of all soil and organic matter before being sanitised • Clothing should also be clean and dirt-free; on-farm or disposable overalls are an option • Use an orchard vehicle, not external vehicle, for the transport of visitors around the property. While ‘pick your own fruit’ and orchard tours play an important role in the industry and the surrounding community, they do pose a biosecurity challenge. Such activities need to be evaluated as part of the overall biosecurity plan for your orchard and business, and any entrants into the orchard need to observe the farm biosecurity and hygiene protocols. Ideally limit activities to a smaller restricted section of your orchard. As always, follow your COVID-19 safety plan, ensuring staff and visitors follow current physical distancing rules, keeping hands and surfaces sanitised and appropriate personal protective equipment is worn.
3 FOOTBATH station used to clean boots.
Don’t leave it to rot
Fallen fruit poses a problem every year and this year more than ever it is essential that we keep the orchard floor clean. With recent incursions of Queensland fruit fly and Apple Scab, we need to keep the orchard floor clean and mulch any fallen fruit to speed up the decomposition. This will protect your orchard and your neighbours too. Farm biosecurity is your responsibility and that of every person visiting or working on your property.
MORE INFORMATION
Susie Murphy White: (08) 9777 0151 or
