2017 NSW DPI Citrus Roadshow overview
NSW DPI, in collaboration with WA Citrus, the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), citrus industry organisations and commercial sponsors delivered a series of citrus R&D roadshow seminars in spring of 2017. These addressed topical production issues for each growing region in the southern states.
- Download the Workshop key messages and Power-point presentations.
Key features of the roadshow were the short 10-15 minute punchy and practical presentations and the opportunity for question time that encouraged feedback and comments from participants. Facilitators of the event, Steven Falivene and Andrew Creek, said:
“the feedback sheets indicated that participants found the workshop very beneficial and useful, and wanted it to return every two to three years. They also liked the new short punchy format.”
Some of the core topics of the Roadshows include:
- insect pests: citrus gall red scale & Fuller’s rose weevil
- weeds: fleabane, Rhodes grass and ryegrass control
- disease: black core and Phytopthora rot
- economic analysis: windbreaks and overhead netting
- grower experience: overhead netting
- replanting: new Chinese rootstocks, reworking and varieties
- production: growth regulators for fruit set and navel end size reduction trial results
The first event was held in mid-September at the Novatel Vines Resort in the Swan Valley, Perth (Western Australia). Local citrus industry officers Bronwyn Walsh and Kevin Lacey from WA Citrus worked with NSW DPI officers to organise the event for the 35 growers attending. The indoor session was followed by a farm visit to Moora and Agrifresh orchards.
The following month, (October) NSW DPI took the Citrus R&D Road show to Griffith, Mildura and Loxton. Andrew Creek, NSW DPI Citrus Development Officer, is grateful to the efforts of local sponsors and an advisory group from Griffith that assisted with bringing the Riverina event together. Many of the 115 people attending were citrus growers. In true Griffith-style the food was memorable, leaving a great impression, as did the information presented by NSW DPI researchers and guest speakers.
Mario’s pack house hosted a pruning demonstration the following morning with David Stevens (Nutrano consultant) and Ryset pruning equipment Australia. The event was a great success with attendees appreciating the straight forward pruning methods that David shared and also the opportunity to test Ryset electric snips and saws. The 30 attendees were grateful to NSW DPI Citrus Development Officer, Steven Falivene, for organising an informative field session. An article discussing the key messages from the Riverina and Sunraysia pruning field sessions are in a separate article on the NSW DPI website.
NSW DPI and local industry groups worked together to bring an informative day to 95 people attending the Mildura event and 38 participants to the South Australian event. Steven Falivene, NSW DPI Citrus Development Officer, thanks the contribution of the Sunraysia citrus growers, Sunraysia Citrus Australia regional group, Citrus Australia South Australia regional group (CASAR) and SARDI, in helping to develop the programs for the events. Rebekah Pierce from NSW DPI biosecurity group managed the DPI stand at all events, providing biosecurity information and NSW DPI publications for attendees.
New rootstocks, citrus varieties, reworking trees and diseases all featured strongly in the program. Steven Falivene discussed economics of netting and attendees were especially interested in Sunraysia citrus grower, Daniel Lazar’s (Sunmar orchard), perspective and experience with high density planting. Steven Falivene hosted a field session for delegates to see Sunmar Orchards at Wentworth, where orchard manager Daniel Lazar explained their high density plantings, windbreaks and pruning methods. A case study on Daniel’s experience has been written and is published on the DPI website. Steven attributes the success of the Sunraysia event to various groups and sponsors that assisted to develop an informative program of research, industry and grower presentations that made the event a reality.
The final event for the Citrus R&D Roadshow was in South Australia at the new SARDI conference facility at Loxton. Mark Skews, SARDI research officer and roadshow co-organiser, hosted the 38 attendees for a walk through the research site, focusing on the incompatibility of some rootstock and scion combinations. Again the attendees enjoyed the short punchy presentation style and the opportunity to mix with industry and researchers during meal breaks.
NSW DPI Citrus Development Officers, Andrew Creek and Steven Falivene, acknowledge the support of the sponsors: Ag Nova, E.E. Muirs, Campbell Chemicals, Elders, FMC chemicals , Griffith & District Citrus Growers, Leeton Citrus Growers, Marios Packhouse, Mildura Fruit Company, Murrumbidge Irrigation, Nutrano, Platnum Ag Services, Ryset-Electrocoup, Riverina Biosecurity Inc., Sumitomo, Sunraysia Citrus Growers, Super Seasons, Syngenta, The Daily Drinks Co. and Yenda Producers.
“We are grateful growers supported the event, especially as a modern citrus enterprise is always busy.”
The Citrus R&D Roadshow was brought to industry through a NSW DPI citrus program team effort and Horticulture Innovation Australia is fully acknowledged as financial contributors to much of the research presented.
The programs, take home messages and a PDF of the presentations are available on the NSW DPI website. Video footage of the varieties, citrus gall wasp and rootstock presentations are available from the Griffith and District Citrus Growers website
