WA CITRUS
Protecting our business
T
he COVID-19 situation is yet another change the industry and its businesses face. Rural West has been working with primary production enterprises to assist getting through difficult and turbulent times. 3 THERE has been an increased demand for fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Are you financially stressed, doing it tough and unsure of where to next? • Overwhelmed by industry change and challenges? Free call 1800 612 004 or go to www.ruralwest.com.au
were successful and will mean the industry will receiving promotional, communication, leadership and peel quality R&D services. Each year the priorities of the industry are reviewed and there is an annual call for services.
Please contact CSC Chair, Joseph Ling, Bronwyn Walsh or Ingrid Behr, APC Manager if you’d like to raise a priority or know more about this process. Streamlining our industry structure continues, slightly slowed as the focus has shifted to dealing with COVID. The plan is still to have the vote from WA Citrus members at the AGM to move to one Committee. There has also been changes to Industry officer roles as Bronwyn and Kate expand their experience and job security. Bronwyn has accepted a part-time position with Horticulture Innovation Australia as Regional Extension Manager for WA. Discussion is now underway for recruiting to undertake the duties that will no longer be undertaken by Bronwyn. Kate will be allocating specific days (Monday and Friday) to her work with the WA citrus industry. MORE INFORMATION Contact Bronwyn Walsh on 0400 873 875 or industrymanager@wacitrus.com.au.
Addressing the health risk posed by COVID-19 to citrus business owners, their staff, family, supply chain and consumers has resulted in a lot of activity. Since March Bronwyn, (Citrus Industry Development Manager), and Joseph Ling (Chair of APC Citrus Sub-Committee) participated in the ‘WA Horticulture Network’, lead by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). This was an excellent opportunity and immediate response for us to get quickly up to speed with what was going on, and learn from other WA horticulture industries, government and Citrus Australia. The experiences of Queensland citrus growers, starting their season earlier than WA gave us a head start on putting in place COVID-19 management practices to citrus businesses, as well as production of the Citrus growers and packers guide.
mid-May and beyond could bring further changes. If you have any queries on preparing your business for potential COVID-19 consequences please contact Bronwyn, or visit websites: www.wa.gov.au, https:// citrusaustralia.com.au/media/covid19-ca-updates.
Queensland fruit fly DPIRD is currently responding to an outbreak of Queensland fruit fly in the Perth suburbs of Dalkeith, Nedlands and Claremont. DPIRD staff are monitoring and baiting as part of the eradication program. More information is available at www.agric.wa.gov.au.
Fall Armyworm
Another new pest found across northern Australia is Fall Armyworm. It was determined that it is not technically feasible to eradicate this pest. For 3 CITRUS grower and packer guide information please visit for COVID. the DPIRD website, www.agric.wa.gov.au/ plant-biosecurity/fall-armywormThis is now up to its sixth edition. western-australia. There is also a video vegetablesWA also had some useful can watch this video on YouTube, www. information on their website. Combined, youtube.com/watch?v=H6N4K19B5this meant we could produce a weekly Q&feature=youtu.be eNews to keep growers informed. By May the frequency of WA Horticulture Network meetings had dropped back to fortnightly, with a watching brief as information unfolds. The change in conditions in WA from
MORE INFORMATION Contact Bronwyn Walsh on 0400 873 875 or industrymanager@wacitrus.com.au.
WA Grower WINTER 2020
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