Tree Crop News

Business solutions & labour - General

Backpackers stay to assist Tasmanian fruit growers

With borders closing and quarantine measures are put in place around the world, some backpackers are choosing to stay in Tasmania to wait out the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pome fruit - General - Post harvest

Growers push on with harvest as food supply chain stands strong

Australia’s fresh food supply chain is standing strong as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve.

Citrus - Disease & weed control

Citrus canker restrictions lifted in Darwin

Australia may soon be declared free of citrus canker, as the Northern Territory gets closer to eradicating the deadly disease, nearly two years to the date of its initial detection.

Stone Fruit

Record harvest of Queen Garnet

Nutrafruit is looking at ways to extend the value of the Queen Garnet plum year-round after a record year

General

Australian industry calls for visa relief

Industry bodies from right across Australia’s horticultural sector have called on the Federal government to extend the visas of foreign workers in the midst of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

Fertilisers & nutrition - General

Reducing synthetic chemical use

An Australian product that allows growers to optimise yield and reduce environmental impact through the use of naturally occurring microbes and fungi, is growing in popularity.

Citrus

Coronavirus to limit reliance on backpackers

Travel restrictions due to Coronavirus could lead to labour shortages for agricultural industries that rely on overseas workers during key periods like sowing or fruit-picking.

General

$70k research grant for Adelaide Hills fruit growers

A groundbreaking research project into the recovery of fruit trees following bushfires has been launched in the Adelaide Hills.

General

Coronavirus pandemic driving strong demand for local produce

As the Coronavirus crisis plays out across the globe, Australian consumers appear to be rushing to boost their immunity with locally grown produce.

Citrus

Industry pilot to trace Victorian citrus exports

New collaborative programme led by Citrus Australia utilises blockchain technology to improve traceability of citrus exports.

Macadamias

New merger in macadamia industry

Leading Australian macadamia processor Macadamias Direct is taking another step in its growth push, merging with global business The Finasucre Group.

General

State and Federal Governments meet with APAL, growers as bushfire rebuild begins

The rebuild of several of Australia’s iconic apple growing regions is urgently required and the industry continues to extensively engage with both Federal and State Governments to assist in this process.

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.