March 2026
Riverland Citrus Stories now available
Riverland Citrus Stories is a new special series on The Citrus Segment podcast, produced for the SA Citrus Improvement Society and made possible through funding from the Rex Andrew Trust.
The series is designed to document and preserve the knowledge, experience, personalities and decision-making which have shaped South Australia’s citrus industry over generations. Through recorded conversations with respected growers and industry leaders, it explores how businesses have adapted to changing markets, production systems, labour models and regulatory environments.
The first two episodes feature Barry Philp and David Ingerson.
Barry, a member of PIRSA’s Agricultural History Group takes us through the development of the citrus industry in South Australia from its early days and its highlights and challenges.
David Ingerson from Ingy’s Citrus shares the story of a family business that began in Berri in 1930 and has expanded across multiple sites. His interview covers varietal development, geographic risk management, export partnerships, technology adoption and the realities of operating in today’s economic climate.
Listen to Riverland Citrus Stories via The Citrus Segment podcast on our website or on your preferred listening platform including Apple Podcasts and Spotify and share the episodes with anyone who has an interest in the citrus industry or the history of the Riverland.
If there is a grower, packer or industry contributor whose story you think should be recorded, please email contact@citrussa.com.au to suggest a future interview.
Installing netting? Here’s what you need to know from SA Power Networks
Citrus SA recently met with a SA Power Networks representative to better understand concerns about the installation of agricultural netting which may obstruct access to their infrastructure, including poles and wires.
To effectively manage SA Power Networks’ poles and wires, their operations teams need to conduct visual inspections (during both day and night) and have easy access to their infrastructure to undertake repairs and maintenance.
Netting is being installed to protect our valuable crops across SA, and while this is important, we need to ensure that when it is installed SA Power Networks can continue to safely maintain its infrastructure and undertake emergency repairs without restricted visibility and access.
In some instances, netting has been installed in a way that obstructs visibility and access to poles and wires. This has potential to become a future challenge for all of us as these issues are rectified.
SA Power Networks understands the importance of agricultural netting to our industry and is keen to work collaboratively with landowners to ensure access to their infrastructure is retained.
SA Power Networks is currently developing guidelines for agricultural netting around powerlines and is happy to engage further with Citrus SA as this is developed.
If you are considering installing agricultural netting, please contact SA Power Networks on 13 12 61 to discuss.
Labour hire licensing laws expanded in SA
South Australia’s labour hire licensing laws have been expanded to all labour hire providers from 29 January 2026.
Immediately before this date, the laws only applied to the horticulture, meat and seafood processing, cleaning and trolley collection industries.
Nothing changes for providers in the above five industries, and they must continue to meet their licensing requirements.
Additional providers have a six-month grace period, providing adequate time to become licensed by 29 July 2026 and continue to operate. Consumer and Business Services (CBS) recommends allowing at least four weeks for the application process ahead of the 29 July 2026 deadline. This is in addition to the time it takes to meet the additional licensing criteria. See more at apply for a labour hire licence.
During this transition users of labour hire services are also being reminded to check that providers are licensed within the required timeframes, using the CBS Public Register.
Broadening the laws expands protections for labour hire workers and ensures all labour hire providers are under the same laws. There are strong penalties for breaches.
If you’re aware of any labour hire licensing breaches, you can report them on the SA.GOV.AU website.
More information about the changes is available on the CBS website. For further enquiries contact 131 882 or occupational@sa.gov.au.
Fruit Fly Update from Citrus SA chair Mark Doecke
The battle against fruit fly is tracking well this season, with some weeks recording as few as 20 flies trapped across the entire Riverland. Renmark has received the majority of sterile fly releases this year, and this has made a noticeable difference. Ground crews continue their clean-up and baiting programs where required, supporting the overall suppression effort. Of the 55 red centre areas currently in place, nearly 40 have not recorded a fly for at least four months, with some areas remaining fly-free for years. The next priority is transitioning these areas back togGreen status. PIRSA management is actively working on this process, with strong encouragement and support from industry. Despite this positive progress, vigilance remains critical. One practical step every citrus grower should take is ensuring traps are installed and actively monitored around loading pads and packing areas. These sites present a higher risk due to the movement of bins, vehicles and equipment. The single fly recently detected at Holder was found only metres from an interstate bin depot. This highlights how easily fruit fly can re-enter the region through freight and transport pathways. We are making solid progress, but maintaining strong on-farm biosecurity practices, including the strategic placement of traps around loading areas, will be essential to protecting our industry.
Citrus SA chair at Congress in Adelaide
Citrus SA chair Mark Doecke has been in Adelaide this week for the Australian Citrus Congress, being hosted by Citrus Australia. More details to come or check out Citrus Australia’s website for all the news from the event.
March production notes
Skirting: those that have registered for KCT should ensure that no more than one in 20 trees are touching the ground if registered for Korea and Thailand.
KCT Audit’s: Usually occur mid-late March. Ensure all monitoring records, spray diaries, calibration records and farm diary are all updated. Liaise with your packing shed for confirmation of audit dates.
Pruning and desuckering: Keep on top of this in both young and mature trees.
Irrigation: Continue to monitor soil moisture as we move into autumn and modify as required. Check irrigation systems and flush regularly.
Fruit sizing: Thinning of patches with heavy crop loads will help promote sizing.
Nutrition: Take leaf samples for nutrient analysis to ensure effective fertilizer programs are implemented
Spraying: Seek professional advice before spraying oil/GA as this could retard colour development of particularly early maturing varieties. Consider your strategy for the application of copper in March as not only does this control pre-and post-harvest diseases but can be useful for snail control and some protection against frost
Heat damage: Varieties such as Satsuma, Honey Murcott, Cara Caras and Amigos are most susceptible. Determine whether any fruit should be removed prior to harvest.
*As always, please always seek independent advice for your individual situation.