In the orchard

Some flights have been secured to bring in labour from the seasonal workerprogram.

For the industry, coming into the 2021 season there is one industry body and committee for the WA citrus industry, known as ‘WA Citrus’. The formal structure of the committee is as the APC producer committee, known as ‘WA Citrus’. WA Citrus now captures the role of ‘producer committee’ for the APC citrus fee-for-service; acts as the regional advisory group for Citrus Australia via an MOU; and is the powerhouse for WA-based activities and plays a key role in WA citrus industry matters.

Committee membership is skillsbased and incorporates business size, citrus category, markets and major production regions.

The new streamlined industry structure can continue to deliver focused outcomes for the WA citrus industry strategic plan and better understand and leverage national priorities in a timely manner, benefiting our growers overall. The committee are in the planning phase for committing citrus feefor-service for the 2021–22 financial year. If growers have any ideas for research or other services, they should contact myself or Bronwyn by emailing

industrymanager@wacitrus.com.au

At the industry day in November, we had a rollercoaster ride of technology, Zooming in presenters from across Australia. Speakers covered agrichemicals, export, varieties, workforce, safe farms, biosecurity. There was also a general industry update from chief executive officer, Nathan Hancock.

Congratulations

Lastly, Mick Mann received the Industry Services Award for his dedication to the industry, in particular on biosecurity. Mick served as chair of the APC citrus producers committee for two years, as well as being a member of the Committee. At one point he was a member of both the APC and WA Citrus committees. On WA Citrus he served as vice president as well as promoting the formation of the WA Citrus Biosecurity Working group. His concerns about the progress of strategic direction in biosecurity lead to a cross-industry project on biosecurity, with other horticulture industries.

As mentioned previously, please do not hesitate to contact Bronwyn or myself. Look after yourselves and stay connected. All the best for the 2021 season.

3 WA citrus grower Mick Mann received an Industry Services Award.

MORE INFORMATION

Contact Joseph Ling on 0417 828 238. • More biosecurity information is available on the DPIRD website at, www.agric.

wa.gov.au/plant-biosecurity/biosecurityalerts-queensland-fruit-fly-updates

• COVID-19 movement, wa.gov.au • Helen Newman, WA Citrus biosecurity representative,

biosecurity@wacitrus.com.au

• Bronwyn Walsh, 0400 873 875 or industrymanager@wacitrus.com.au.

In the orchard

BY BRONWYN WALSH INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (IDM)

It is always an exciting time to be out in the orchard and away from the desk.

Kevin and I visited the protected cropping trial site in January to download the wind data and do an initial assessment of fruit for damage, such as sunburn. Kevin also visited the variety and rootstock evaluation sites to do maintenance.

An update on trials will be at the March industry day event on March 8 and 9.

Kevin and DPIRD plant pathologist, Andrew Taylor, have been investigating whether Colletotrichum is becoming more of a problem in citrus. Please see the full article in this edition. Also, on pests, Rachelle Johnstone from DPIRD will be working on a Horticulture Innovation project on integrated pest and disease management in citrus that has been recently approved.

MORE INFORMATION

Bronwyn Walsh, 0400 873 875 or industrymanager@wacitrus.com.au.