Tree Crop News

Marketing & export

Barcode turns 45

The widely used barcode turned 45 on June 26.

Almonds - Nuts - Pome fruit - Marketing & export

India imposes tariff increases on US almonds, walnuts and apples

Increase of tariffs on US products by India may help Australian producers.

Flowering, thinning & PGRs

Australian Native Bee Association created

The Australian Native Bee Association aims to promote the conservation and sustainable use of all native bees.

Citrus

Orange growers tackle industry woes at Griffith juice forum

Australia's orange juice industry is "at a crossroads" and needs a radical shakeup in order to survive.

Mangoes

Mango intensification – small trees – big results

Tree crop orchard intensification has been successfully adopted around the world in many temperate crops, with benefits of earlier yields and higher yields, improved fruit quality, smaller trees and increased efficiency of management. The small tree/high productivity initiative, has begun to study the benefits and issues associated with intensifying a tropical mango orchard.

Avocado

Avocado season set for a 95,000t record

Australian avocado growers are expected to produce a record harvest of the Hass variety this year.

Flowering, thinning & PGRs

Bee pollination a race between native and European honey bees while researchers watch on

Which bee is the best pollinator — native or European? It is a question researchers are keen to answer. With the use of stopwatches, individually-coloured beehives and the most important factor of all — time — they are hoping to learn more. Researchers from the University of New England (UNE) are working alongside row after row of blueberry bushes at a major plantation on the NSW mid north coast in their search for better data.

Pome fruit - Establishment & maintenance

Trees take off on pre-planting treatment

A decision to treat his soil with chloropicrin prior to replanting to prevent apple replant disease (ARD) is amply rewarding Kirup grower Rob Tassone with vigorous, healthy trees off to a flying start.

Flowering, thinning & PGRs - Insect & mite control

Varroa mites detected again at Townsville Port

Varroa mites have been detected on an Asian honey bee nest that was recently found and destroyed at the Port of Townsville.

Macadamias - Disease & weed control - Insect & mite control

New guide to protect macadamia production

The latest edition of the ‘Macadamia Plant Protection Guide’ has been released.

Mangoes

Strong demand for early season Northern Territory green mangoes

While there is still a few months to wait before juicy Kensington Pride mangoes start hitting supermarket shelves again — markets and restaurants are already being supplied with green mangoes from the Northern Territory.

Packaging & labelling

Compostable branding for fresh produce

High-speed, automated fresh produce labelling has taken a significant step forward.

Almonds

Corporate: Almonds have made Select Harvests a $20 million HY profit

Select Harvests (ASX: SHV) announced its six-month results (for 1 October to 31 March) this morning and it seems almonds are money-makers. The company announced earnings pre-tax of $38.5 million and a net profit after tax of $20.0 million.

Mangoes

Central Queensland producer wins Honey Gold Grower of the Year

Groves Grown Tropical Fruit has been named Piñata Farms' Honey Gold Grower of the Year.

Macadamias

World's largest macadamia processor switches to solar power, boosting return for growers

The world's largest macadamia processor has turned to solar power in a bid to lower energy costs, lift profitability, and reduce its environmental footprint.