Well, the roller coaster ride of agriculture continues, with another year of floods and the impacts of global disruptions – this time, not COVID, but the Ukrainian war.

No one in their wildest dreams could have imagined the past three years of fire, flood, global pandemic, more floods and now war impacting global supply and trade.

Once again, La Niña has had a dramatic impact, with bumper harvests for many sectors, but rain and floods at or near harvest taking off some of the gloss for others. The almond industry was one that dodged a bullet, with a better than expected 2022 harvest.

Hats off to great work done in macadamia orchards in northern NSW and Queensland by the Clean Coastal Catchments (CCC) group which focussed on preserving topsoil through drainage works, row management, use of mulch and judicious fertiliser management to improve returns to growers and achieve better environmental outcomes.

Once again labour shortages continued, and growers have had to adapt or lose part of their crops. This is no doubt hastening the adoption of technology in the tree crop industry, with autonomous harvesting the next step in the evolution of farming.

Fruit fly pressure continues in fruit growing regions into 2022 and 2023 with an unseasonably wet and warm winter seeing overwintering fruit fly in early spring.

Yet in the face of all of this, tree crop growers continued to grow, harvest, pack and ship quality produce, maintaining supply to domestic and international markets.

In another instance of déjà vu, the Goulburn Murray Valley Area Wide Management Program was acknowledged as a model of industry and community participation, presenting at the International Symposium on Fruit Flies of Economic Importance.

All the while, continuing research into tree crop management, new varieties, integrated pest management, postharvest treatments, quality testing, shipping and traceability by our institutions in all states continues to improve the future outlook for the industry.

As editor, I acknowledge the untiring efforts of Australia’s researchers, together with industry consultants, growers and supply companies who are developing new technology, products and techniques and sharing these learnings, which are collectively changing the industry for the better and which we are happy to publish in our magazine.

Thank you to all who contribute to and read the magazine. Your input and suggestions are always welcome.

Have a happy and safe Christmas and I look forward to working with you again in 2023.

David Petrikas, Editor