Tree Crop News

General

Understanding microbial risks vital

Australian tree fruit growers and packers invest significant time and money in ensuring food safety through the application of good agricultural and good hygienic practices and compliance with the safety standards of quality assurance schemes such as Freshcare.

Business solutions & labour

New annualised salary requirements take effect

As part of the four yearly review of modern awards, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has handed down a decision which will impact employers paying annualised salaries to employees covered by a modern award with an annualised salary clause.

Pome fruit

Batlow auctions off first apples of the season

Growers in Batlow last week harvested the first apples of the season, a remarkable effort following the recent bushfires in the region.

Citrus

Citrus Australia quietly confident of another strong season

The Citrus Australia Market Outlook Forum has wrapped up in Melbourne, with the industry looking forward to the season ahead.

Pome fruit

Apple and pear quality up in South Australia despite bushfires

Apple and pear harvest is in full swing in South Australia with growers reporting some of the highest quality crops in at least three years despite recent bushfires.

Pome fruit

Montague to launch yello in Autumn

Fresh produce group Montague will add a splash of colour to the apple range this Autumn as it officially launches its newest branded apple – yello® – nationally.

Mangoes

Machine vision to help optimise mango yield

A Central Queensland researcher using machine vision to optimise mango harvesting is among a new crop of researchers who have received an innovation grant from the Queensland Government.

Citrus

More biosecurity funding needed

Citrus Australia has urged the Federal Government to increase its investment in border biosecurity following the interception of fresh limes and dried citrus infected with citrus canker.

General

BOM's autumn outlook forecast

The BOM's autumn outlook forecasts a generally drier north and wetter south.

Citrus

Citrus margins being squeezed

Major retailers must lift prices to juice growers, who are facing a decline in production due to seasonal conditions according to one of the nation's key industry players.

Cherries

Aust Cherries See Another Year of Contrasts

Cherry Growers Australia says that the recently finished 2019-20 campaign has "been another season of contrasts".

Harvesting

NZ startup changing the fruit picking game

A New Zealand startup is exploring ways to include robots in fruit picking to end seasonal labour shortages.

General

Armyworm found on mainland

Biosecurity Queensland have confirmed that a single armyworm moth had been detected at Bamaga at the tip of Cape York. The armyworm is known to damage more than 350 different plant species, including fruit crops.

Citrus

Citrus canker intercepted at border

Biosecurity officers stop citrus carrying infectious disease at Australian border, as Citrus Australia call for greater investment.

Pome fruit - General

Greens sell Lenswood orchard for $1.2 million

South Australia’s Green family has sold one of its Adelaide orchards for $1.2 million, after 50 years of apple growing at the site to a Singaporean businessman.